SHARON HILL >> Interboro brought 13 wrestlers to the Del Val League tournament Saturday. All 13 advanced to next week’s district competition.
It was a banner day for the Bucs, who claimed five winners in all. Academy Park, which hosted the event, had four winners. Chichester had two and sent 10 kids to districts.
“We’re very pleased,” Interboro coach Dan Tobin said. “I was expecting maybe 10, to get 13 is very good.”
Eric Thomas, a state qualifier last year, claimed the 145-pound class via a dominating 13-1 decision. Jeff Finley (8-4 decision) took 152 and Mike Wasch (via a fall) secured 160. Danny Mea earned a 3-0 win at 220, as well. The smallest winner of them all stole the show.
Kyleigh D’Agostino, at 106, controlled her match with Academy Park’s Mohammad Abudoleh for a 7-0 decision. It was the second straight league title for her, and it will give her another crack at districts.
“I felt really confident today, I was just excited to wrestle,” D’Agostino said. “I’ve had a tough year, (I lost) two weeks ago (to Abudoleh). So coming back and winning is exciting.”
D’Agostino explained, after some playful prodding from assistant coach Ed Hall — who also happens to be her uncle — that the difference was in her footwork. Thirteen of the 14 top seeds claimed gold Saturday. The only outlier was at 106 with D’Agostino.
She came up winless last year in districts, but nerves played a big part in that. This time around, that won’t be the case.
“I guess last year’s districts I wasn’t as ready,” D’Agostino explained. “But this year I feel more confident, ready to go out.”
Hall said no female wrestle has ever won in District One, and was fairly confident that no female wrestler had at any district competition in the state. D’Agostino has dealt with boys refusing to wrestle her (she has 11 forfeits) and plenty of looks, stares and questions.
None of that matters once she gets on the mat. Like any other wrestler, she wants to win.
“My main goal is to make it to regionals and win one in districts,” D’Agostino said. “At least win one in districts.”
Academy Park’s Samika Kromah is hoping for the same thing. A repeat league champ, he again claimed the 132-pound title with a 12-5 decision over Interboro’s Shane Mathis. Getting another crack at districts has been the goal.
“Last year, I was nervous and in the first match I was just out,” said Kromah of his experience last year. “My eyes weren’t open, I was (not focused). Next time, I know I can do it. I’m ready.”
Regardless of what happens next week, winning this title is definitely an accomplishment to him.
“It means a lot, but it actually means I’ve been working my (tail) off this year,” Kromah said. “I’m just trying to get to states like every other kid in this room.”
Max Fitzgerald, via a 3-0 decision at 170, Dylan Wallace, via a 12-4 decision at 182, and Cyle Martin, with a pin at heavyweight, also earned wins for the Knights.
The hosts had a strong day, as did Chichester. But it was Tobin’s bunch that moved the most wrestlers on and claimed the most wins. It will mean a lot for this year, of course, and down the line.
“It’s good for our youth, we’re really young in underclassmen in the lighter weights, so it’s good for them that they’re going to get experience at the next level,” Tobin said.
Jeremy Gannon (113) and Craig Baldwin (126) picked up victories for Chichester. DeAndre DePass (120) and Abraham Charles (138) had Penn Wood’s wins. Emire Hill (195) locked down Glen Mills’ lone triumph.
