LANGHORNE – The wrestling match featuring Neshaminy and Council Rock North proved a classic blend of talent, strategy and determination. Two closely-matched teams called upon all their resources to take control of second place in the tightly contested Suburban One League (SOL) National Division race. When the final buzzer sounded, Neshaminy had outlasted their crosstown foe by a 36-26 margin.
The Indians entered the all-important bout minus the services of their 100-career win leader, Josh Shalinsky, who was sidelined with a concussion he suffered in his match with Spring-Ford. Neshaminy also faced an evening without senior Noah Kisselback, a two-time Class AAA Southeast Regional qualifier who dislocated his elbow. The absences necessitated some lineup realignment as both coaches, the Indians Tom Vivacqua and the ‘Skins’s Mike Stewart, sought to outmaneuver their opponent.
The start of the match definitely went Council Rock’s way. They built an early 14-6 lead behind a pin by sophomore Jake Shalinsky, a 10-4 decision by sophomore Nick Nucero, and a technical fall by senior Luke Ely. Neshaminy‘s sole points came on close decisions by senior Joe Little and junior Vince Stabilito.
The tide turned when junior Jon Albarran strode to the mat for his 182-pound bout with the Rock’s Timmy Everett. Jon knew the importance of setting Neshaminy in a winning direction.
“This is the most talented team I have been on since I’ve been at Neshaminy. We’re right where we should be, second in the league. CR South is really strong on the top. So this was an important meet. They (CR North) are probably the only other competitors in the league, though you can’t count the other teams out. But they are the ones who could take second place from us.”
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For Jon, the challenge and added tension came from bumping up a class to counter the loss of Kisselback. “I didn’t know my opponent. I only knew I was wrestling up because one of our wrestlers recently dislocated his elbow. I felt more pumped up than usual because it was such an important match. We were down when I went out.”
Though giving up almost 20 pounds to his opponent, Jon was ready. “Right before a match, it’s just me trying to pump myself. I stay loose and stay warm. When the wrestler before me, Vince Stabilito, won in the last few seconds, that really fired me up.”
Lacking any real knowledge of his opponent’s style, Jon stuck to his favorite moves. “I like to lock up and I almost always do a fireman’s carry. That’s my favorite move. If that doesn’t work, I’ll go for an ankle take.”
Jon showed real heart and determination. After Everett turned him early in the match, Jon rallied to take a close 6-4 win. “The key was I was good on my feet and I held him down. I snapped him down and spun around. The takedown was big because I was down 3 to 4 because I was turned earlier. But I got up and took him down right off the whistle and that got me the lead. I kept on top of him the rest of the match.”
Personally, Jon found the crucial 6-4 decision very gratifying. “I was pretty excited. I thought it was a good win, being that I bumped up and wrestled a kid 20 pounds heavier than me.”
Neshaminy fed off of Jon’s big win. They captured the next five bouts to grab an unsurmountable 36-14 lead. Ben Stern (195) and Bruce Graeber (285) were given forfeits. Kyle Osterhoudt pinned his 220-pound foe. Freshman Colton Jordan recorded a technical fall at 106. Sophomore Mike Megahan followed with an 11-2 major decision at113.
Council Rock would not surrender, however, as junior Aidan Burke and sophomore Gianncarlo Flores both won by decision. North senior Wes Olsen capped off the evening by pinning his 132-pound opponent.
The big 36-26 victory kept Neshaminy in the heart of the race for league honors. It also set the stage for what should be an exciting playoff run. “The team doesn’t really set definite goals. It’s always been our aim to finish as high in the league as we can and have as many wrestlers as we can progress in the postseason.”
Jon wants to be part of that progression come tournament time. “I like winning. There’s no better feeling than getting your hand raised after a match.”
Based on his showing against Council Rock, Jon should experience that exhilaration many times in the future.
Neshaminy 36, Council Rock North 26
(Jan. 13 at Neshaminy)
138 — Jacob Shalinsky (CRN) pinned Sam Long, 5:29
145 — Nick Nucero (CRN) dec. Brock Leinbach, 10-4
152 — Joe Little (N) dec. Billy Storm, 2-1
160 — Luke Ely (CRN) won by tech. fall over Joe Ireland, 16-0
170 — Vincent Stabilito (N) dec. Dan Boruta, 7-3
182 — Jon Albarran (N) dec. Timmy Everett, 6-4
195 — Ben Stern (N) won by forfeit
220 — Kyle Osterhoudt (N) pinned Andrius Dincia, 5:46
285 — Bruce Graeber (N) won by forfeit
106 — Colton Jordan won by tech. fall over John Shalinsky, 16-1
113 — Mike Megahan (N) maj. dec. Shane Thompson, 11-2
120 — Aidan Burke (CRN) dec. Jackson Erb, 4-1
126 — Gianncarlo Flores (CRN) dec. Asaph Alexander, 5-1
132 — Wesley Olsen (CRN) pinned Austin Saba, 3:40.
