LOWER GWYNEDD >> Abington won seven consecutive matches to put a firm grip on Wednesday night’s Suburban One League Liberty Division clash with rival Wissahickon, and in the thick of it was senior Jake Werner.
“I just wanna go out and give everything I have,” he said of his final season with the Ghosts. “It’s my last year so I wanna go out with a big fight.”
Werner displayed that drive on Wednesday, pinning the Trojans’ Michael Ross in 1 minute, 54 seconds at 132 pounds to help send the Ghosts on their way. Abington secured a 44-19 victory, raising their division record to 2-1 on the season.
“We have some things to clean up but we’ll get going this weekend and work on it,” said Werner.
Abington’s Jake Werner had one of four pins by the Ghosts in their match with Wissahickon on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022. (Kev Hunter/MediaNews Group)
Both the Ghosts and Trojans head to Quakertown Saturday morning for the SOL Liberty Championships.
Wiss is now 2-2 on the season in the division in dual meet action.
Senior Julian Memis, in his final home meet for the Trojans, got Wiss off to a tremendous start by battling to a 17-15 decision over Jonathan Gilette, putting the Trojans in front, 3-0.
That is when Abington made its move.
Abington huddles after its match with Wissahickon on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022. (Kev Hunter/MediaNews Group)
The Ghosts took the next seven matches, beginning with a 15-14 decision by Nate Sanders over Grayson Ruffner at 113.
Mark Podolsky squeezed out a 3-2 decision over Justin Miller at 120, and then three consecutive pins by Matthew McCaughey (126), Werner (132) and Tommy Brett (138) put Abington in control.
“I came out a little slow,” said Werner, “but I worked my moves and set it up, and got the job done.”
Joe Bernstein got the Ghosts’ fourth pin of the evening, at 215.
Abington goes into the weekend on a high. The Ghosts also have an extra appreciation for this upcoming postseason, given that last year was almost entirely wiped out due to the pandemic.
“There’s a lot of great kids,” Werner said of the squad. “Older kids and younger ones coming up. We’re building.”
Wissahickon watches the action during its match with Abington on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022. (Kev Hunter/MediaNews Group)
Wiss got a pair of pins from Jackson Prince at 160 and Evan Prestipino at 189.
Both squads ready for a big day of wrestling on Saturday.
“It should be a long day but we’re looking forward to it,” said Werner.
Abington 44, Wissahickon 19
106: Julian Memis (W) dec. Jonathan Gilette, 3-0; 3-0.
113: Nate Sanders (A) dec. Grayson Ruffner, 15-14; 3-3.
120: Mark Podolsky (A) dec. Justin Miller, 3-2; 6-3.
126: Matthew McCaughey (A) pinned Martin Vandegrift, :13; 12-3.
132: Jake Werner (A) pinned Michael Ross, 1:54; 18-3.
138: Tommy Brett (A) pinned Ethan Terrenzio, 1:15; 24-3.
145: Sean Gamble (A) won by forfeit; 30-3.
152: Shane Kibler (A) won by forfeit; 36-3.
160: Jackson Prince (W) pinned Ronnie Egan, 3:16; 9-36.
172: Nathanael Chez (W) major dec. Dylan Kiesling, 10-0; 13-36.
189: Evan Prestipino (W) pinned Jonah Dalton, 3:05; 19-36.
215: Joe Bernstein (A) pinned Tyler Prince, 3:48; 41-19 (one point deducted for unsportsmanlike conduct).
285: Jamie Riveria (A) dec. Ryan Lee, 3-2; 44-19.
