SOUDERTON >> They’re linked by more than just DNA and family heritage.
The Kakos brothers — senior P.J., freshman Kelly — are further bound by their connection to wrestling. In their bid to qualify for next weekend’s PIAA Tournament, the siblings will be looking to master their weight classes at the South East AAA Regional competition this weekend.
P.J., a veteran of the regional wars — he placed sixth at 126 last year — will be looking to qualify for states for the first time in his scholastic career, this time at 132. Kelly, coming off a District 1-AAA North section championship at 120, will also be looking to join big brother at the Giant Center next weekend.
As might be expected, P.J. is taking credit for Kelly’s development in the sport … jokingly, to be sure. Both have progressed in their skill levels since starting out in club wrestling and the tutelage of coach Anthony Tamburrino.
“We’ve been doing it for nine years, with Anthony through elementary school,” P.J. said. “We were with him until middle school, then with Sam Walters (Upper Perkiomen wrestler/coach).”
Along with maximum post-season advancement, P.J. has a personal milestone within reach. He is two wins away from 100 for his scholastic career, which would make him the PV program’s fourth grappler to reach that plateau.
“I’m trying to put that in my rearview mirror,” he said. “I don’t need any unnecessary pressure. Whatever happens, it’s been a great four years.”
P.J.’s pursuit of triple-digit fame will have to resume today. He was edged by Quakertown’s Zack Lewis, 9-8, in their opening bout, dropping into wrestlebacks whose first round will kick off the Saturday action.
P.J. (28-9) fought his way back from a 7-2 second-period deficit that saw Lewis string together six points with an escape, takedown and three-point near-fall. He responded with an escape and takedown to cut the deficit to 7-5; and starting the third period from the bottom, Kakos went up 8-7 on an escape and takedown, only to see Lewis reverse him for the win.
Kelly, in turn, has progressed steadily since a fifth-place finish in the Pioneer Athletic Conference’s individual tournament in mid-January. He’s gone 14-2 since them, capped by his 12-5 decision of Conestoga’s Mitch Baker in their district sectional championship bout.
“I dropped from 126 to 120, and there were a couple kids who had upset matches,” he said. “I just took it from there.”
Boyertown’s Julien Maldonado works a cradle against Neshaminy’s Eric Gross en route to a first-round win at 113 pounds. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)
As might be expected, given his first-time appearance at this level, Kelly has experienced some nervousness. But P.J. has been there to guide him through the acclimation process.
“In our first home match, against Owen J. Roberts, Kelly was so nervous,” P.J. recalled. “I said to him to not let the distractions get in the way, to do what you can do every match.
“If you push yourself to the limit, you can’t ask for more. Just put your best effort out on the mat.”
The brothers have been part of a solid season by the Vikings. They went 13-6 in the regular season, then placed fourth at the district sectional with a total of eight grapplers qualifying for the regional.
The Kakoses have been joined by third-place finishers Jakob Sterling (195) and fourth-place medalists Brett Sacks (113), Eric Jefferies (152), Grant Euker (160), Eli Johnston (220) and Vincent Corropolese (285).
“In the middle of the year, we were shaky,” P.J. who also scored bronze last weekend, said. “A couple of the kids walked away. But the seniors and underclassmen came together. Districts showed that … we were tied for third most qualifiers.
“We step up and feed off each other.”
By virtue of their training together, P.J. and Kelly have developed similar wrestling styles. They consider themselves offensive wrestlers who like to ride an opponent’s legs … win one minor difference.
“I like to go single legs,” P.J. said. “He (Kelly) likes to go high-crotch and double legs.”
Kellys’ regional experience got off to a good start with a 6-3 domination of Neshaminy’s Calvin Lederer. He opened a 4-0 lead before Lederer, the fourth seed from 1-AAA East, scored his points off escapes.
The quarterfinal round proved a setback for Kelly, who was decked in the first period of his bout with West Chester Henderson’s Killian Delaney. That put him in the wrestlebacks with P.J., both needing to get back on the winning track to keep their seasons alive.
The dream, though, remains alive for the brothers.
“My goal all season has been to get to the post-season,” P.J. said. “Whatever happens, I’ll do my best.”
“My mindset is it’s not over,” Kelly said. “My ultimate goal is to get to states.”
Boyertown’s Chance Babb fights off Oxford’s Cooper Johnson in a 6-4 win at 126 pounds. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)
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Eleven Pioneer Athletic Conference wrestlers advanced to Saturday’s semifinal round in their various weight classes after a pair of wins each Friday night.
Spring-Ford’s Dominic Ortlip scored a 4-3 decision of Council Rock North’s Anthony Burke at 106. Boyertown’s Julien Maldonado pinned West Chester Henderson’s Max Jackman, and Upper Perkiomen’s Matt Martin got through his 113 quarterfinal with a 10-8 decision of Upper Darby’s Keito Shaw.
At 126, Boyertown’s Chance Babb topped Oxford’s Cooper Johnson. Methacton’s Kibwe McNair handled Central Bucks South’s Dominic Stoughton 8-5, and Owen J. Roberts’ Antonio Petrucelli scored a technical fall on Council Rock South’s Cole Flanagan.
At 152, Spring-Ford’s Jack McGill was a 6-0 winner over CR South’s Joel Martsinovsky. OJR’s Connor Quinn advanced at 160 with a 6-4 decision of Rock North’s Dillon Sheehy.
Boyertown’s Alan Alexander advanced at 170 with an 8-5 decision of Abington’s Robert Glemser. Spring-Ford’s Joey Milano maintained his unbeaten status at 182 with a 2:14 technical fall of Neshaminy’s Jason Pascucci and teammate Louis Carbajal advanced at 195 with a 10-5 decision of Central Bucks East’s Quinn Collins.
Pottsgrove’s Zachary Van Horn completed the list of PAC advancers with a 6-2 decision of Chichester’s Matt Richardson at 220.
They, and semifinalists from other teams, will be back on the mats at 11 a.m. to nail down spots at the state tournament.
Upper Perkiomen’s Zack Rozanski rides out West Chester Henderson’s Palmer Delaney in a 5-4 win at 132 pounds. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)
* * *
Befitting its season-long run of excellence, Spring-Ford had all but one of its 11 regional qualifiers open the tournament with victories. That was key to the Rams finishing the first day second in the team standing, their 50 points trailing Council Rock North and two ahead of third-place Council Rock South (48).
Boyertown (28.5 points) and Owen J. Roberts (28) were a respective sixth and seventh in the team ranks.
NOTES
The Southeast AAA action continues 9:30 a.m. today with the first of four consolation rounds, the 11 a.m. semifinals falling in-between. The 6 p.m. finals will be preceded by awards presentations and the Parade of Champions starting at 5:30 p.m. … The top five wrestlers from each weight class will make the state competition which starts next Thursday (March 5) at the Giant Center in Hershey.
