FRANCONIA >> Losing the pounds to drop a weight class is a challenging process, as difficult mentally as it is physically.
Oxford’s Cannon Hershey knows that all too well.
“It gets rough, that last pound,” he said.
But many times it pays off, and Hershey was one of good group of lightweights to reap the rewards on the first night of the Class 3A Southeast Regional tournament at Souderton High, Friday.
Of the 14 semifinalists from the Ches-Mont League, seven are from the first three weight classes, and Hershey was as dominant as anyone.
In his opener, Hershey (106 pounds) pinned Central Bucks West’s Teague McCormack in 82 seconds, and followed it with a 74-second pin over Interboro’s Victor Quintiliana.
The Oxford sophomore, who finished sixth in the region at 106 as a freshman, will have three tries to get one more win in order to qualify for states as a top-five finisher. The first round of consolations start at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, with the semis slated for around 11.
“I just go out with a lot of confidence in myself,” Hershey said. “I get a little nervous sometimes, but that happens to everyone. I try to go out and wrestle the best I know I can do.”
Oxford’s Cannon Hershey. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)
Hershey will face No. 2 seed, Dominic Ortlip of Spring-Ford, in the semis, while Downingtown East’s Keanu Manuel gets Council Rock South’s Cavan Kinne in the top half of the bracket.
Since Manuel dropped to 106 for the postseason, freshman Cougar, Ryan Loraw, went up to 113, but he’s adjusted seamlessly.
Against Abington’s Matt McCaughey in the quarterfinals, Loraw trailed 2-0 heading into the third period. McCaughey took down, to Loraw’s delight, and he tilted him three times to take a 6-2 lead. Loraw held on, 7-5, to set up a showdown with top-seeded Julien Maldonado of Boyertown.
“I was pretty excited,” Loraw said of McCaughey’s decision in the third. “I knew that was my opportunity to get ahead and I kept pushing and tried to get as many back points as I could.”
Downingtown East’s Ryan Loraw. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)
Downingtown West’s Dom Findora is in the semis at 113, as well, drawing Upper Perkiomen’s Matt Martin.
At 120, three of the four slots are taken by Ches-Mont grapplers. West Chester Henderson’s Killian Delaney and Coatesville’s Nate Lucier breezed through with a pair of pins, but West Chester Rustin’s Jimmy King needed all six minutes against Quakertown’s Kyle Miller.
Down a point, late, King finally scrambled himself to a reversal in the dwindling seconds to reach the semis, 5-4, as the No. 4 finisher from the West section.
“I was so optimistic,” King said of his reaction to his draw. “I knew I could beat (Miller) the whole time.”
West Chester Rustin’s Josh Viarengo nears the winning reversal against Spring-Ford’s Quinn Tobin in a 2-0 win at 132 pounds. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)
Delaney has a marquee semi matchup with Council Rock North’s Kyle Hauserman, and Lucier and King tango on the bottom half.
Sammy McMonagle (126) gave Henderson a second semifinalist, and he’ll face CR South’s Kyle Waterman.
Along with King, Rustin’s Josh Viarengo snuck by Spring-Ford’s Quinn Tobin, 2-0, to face Neshaminy’s Zac Martin.
East and West have trios in the semis. Joining Manuel and Loraw, Matt Romanelli (170) was on the mat for exactly two minutes, with two pins, and he’ll see Haverford’s Shane McAdams next.
Downingtown East’s Matt Romanelli tilts Council Rock South’s Lucas Doyle before pinning him at 170 pounds. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)
West’s Max Hale (182) and Chase Mielnik (220) made easy work of their foes, and Mielnik’s next opponent is Central Bucks East’s Danny Eckley. Hale’s first win of the night, a 39-second pin against Hatboro-Horsham’s CJ Grier, gave him 150 victories for his career. Now at 151, he’s five away from tying Doug Zapf for most wins in West history.
“It hasn’t really hit me, yet,” Hale said. “I’m focused on (Saturday) and next week. I’ll celebrate it when the season is over, but for now, it’s all about taking care of business in the semifinals and getting to the top of the podium, next week.”
Downingtown West’s Max Hale gets his armed raised after his 150th career win. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)
The finals are scheduled to start at 6 p.m., Saturday.
