BOYERTOWN >> It was a time to recognize a number of wrestlers coming up on the home stretch of their scholastic careers.
Also, to enshrine several key contributors of time and talents to the program.
And finally, to see some history made.
That was the itinerary of Wednesday’s match between Boyertown and Daniel Boone. The non-league affair was Boyertown’s Senior and Hall of Fame Night, and it was also an opportunity for Boone’s J.T. Hogan to join the short list of program grapplers who won 100 matches for their careers.
The night was capped by the Bears (12-5) topping the Blazers, 41-24, in their last scheduled match prior to district-level tournament action later this month. And several of the Bears’ members of the Class of 2022 did their parts to give it a happy conclusion.
Boyertown’s Dominic Sheridan works for back points on Daniel Boone’s Ryan Poore at 145 pounds Wednesday. (Austin Hertzog – MediaNews Group)
There was standout Chance Babb (32-6), whose third-period pin at 160 put the topper on the night. And Dominic Sheridan (19-12), whose major decision at 145 gave Boyertown a match-clinching 35-18 lead with two weights left to contest.
For Sheridan, it was a time to look back on a 14-year involvement in a sport that offered contrasting situations.
“There were a lot of ups and downs,” he said of his career. “Good times and bad times, and lessons learned.”
Like his teammates, Sheridan felt the sting of a disheartening, tiebreaker-decided loss to Central Bucks East in the opening round of the District 1 Duals. It fueled a sense of urgency Boyertown brought out on the mats Wednesday.
“It was a rough loss,” he admitted. “It gave me the motivation to end my career with a bang.”
Daniel Boone’s Jamie Harris reacts after pinning Boyertown’s Leo Egbe with one second remaining in their match at 189 pounds Wednesday. (Austin Hertzog – MediaNews Group)
First period pin for Daniel Boone's JT Hogan gives him 100 career wins pic.twitter.com/JOduYFOMle
— Austin Hertzog (@AustinHertzog) February 3, 2022
For Boone (7-5), the night was brightened by seeing J.T. Hogan become the program’s fifth wrestler to win 100 matches. His milestone win was a 72-second pin at 160, making him the Blazers’ first wrestler to achieve that feat since Jesse Enck (Class of 2011).
“I’m hoping we get a lot more in the future,” he said.
The drive for high-school stardom went back to Hogan’s younger days in the sport. Reaching the milestone was something he started pondering during his freshman year.
“I finally achieved it,” he said. “I was hoping to get it last year, but I’m happy to get it out of the way.”
It offered his father, Boone head coach Jim Hogan, the unique opportunity to pose with someone both a wrestler and family member.
“I feel fortunate to see the kid go through high school,” he said. “The goal now is to get on the podium at states.
“I’m proud of him. It’s a good milestone. We’re looking to keep the momentum going.”
Boyertown head coach Tony Haley, for his part, was cheered by his team’s performance on the special night.
“It was a nice team win,” he said. “We lost a few close ones this year, but it’s a nice way to go out with a win.”
Boyertown’s Shane Stankina, right, scores on Daniel Boone’s Nolan Stephen Brown at 132 pounds Wednesday. (Austin Hertzog – MediaNews Group)
At 132, Shane Stankina (Boyertown) got takedown with 11 seconds left and rode out 12-11 win pic.twitter.com/LjMKKJ7NK6
— Austin Hertzog (@AustinHertzog) February 3, 2022
After Boone got off to a fast start with pins by Tucker Hogan (29-1) at 172 and Jamie Harris at 189, Michael Kelleher got Boyertown going with a 3-0 decision of Jake Pogash at 215. A flurry of forfeits later — three going to the Bears (Cooper Gardner, Luke Heimbach, Sonny Mash), one to the Blazers (Dean Houser) — the hosts were on top, 21-18.
Boyertown padded its lead with Gavin Sheridan posting a 9-1 major decision at 126, followed by Shane Stankina pulling out a 12-11 decision over Nolan Brown at 132. A takedown with about 20 seconds left put Stankina back on top, where he remained for the final ticks.
Beck Babb added to the Bears’ spread with an 8-4 decision of Brett Marchiano, and Dominic Sheridan’s major sealed the deal.
“Early, we were flat,” Haley noted. “We sent out a lot of inexperienced kids, and they clicked at different times.”
Though there are no events scheduled up to districts, Haley has plans for keeping his kids occupied.
“It will be a good time to rest, recover, look at films,” he said. “We’ll prepare for the post-season. It will be time to work on things.”
Boyertown’s Gavin Sheridan scores on Daniel Boone’s Gavin Richard at 126 pounds Wednesday. (Austin Hertzog – MediaNews Group)
NOTES
Boyertown’s other seniors recognized were Leo Egbe, Nicholas Montanye, Hunter Poe, Derek Renninger and Kaitlyn Wilde (manager). … Like Sheridan, Babb has also been involved in the sport 14 years, and Montanye 10. … The Hall of Fame’s Class of 2021 inductees were Pete Ventresca (coach), Mike Freedman (wrestler/coach/contributor/supporter) and Wendy Miller (contributor/supporter). They were recognized prior to the match. … Coach Hogan on his team’s slim numbers: “Football (injuries) did us in. We lost our heavyweight for the season, though he was here tonight.” … Between now and the District 3-AAA (Section 1) tournament Feb. 19, Boone will be at Conestoga Valley’s “Rally in the Valley” tournament Saturday, and back to the Buckskins for a dual next Thursday.
Boyertown 41, Daniel Boone 24
172 – Tucker Hogan (DB) pinned Nicholas Montanye, 1:50 (0-6)
189 – Jamie Harris (DB) pinned Leo Egbe, 5:59 (0-12)
215 – Michael Kelleher (Bt) dec. Jake Pogash, 3-0 (3-12)
285 – Cooper Gardner (Bt) won by forfeit (9-12)
106 – Dean Houser (DB) won by forfeit (9-18)
113 – Luke Heimbach (Bt) won by forfeit (15-18)
120 – Sonny Mash (Bt) won by forfeit (21-18)
126 – Gavin Sheridan maj. dec. Gavin Richard, 9-1 (25-18)
132 – Shane Stankina (Bt) dec. Nolan Stephen Brown, 12-11 (28-18)
138 – Beck Babb (Bt) dec. Brett Marchiano, 8-4 (31-18)
145 – Dominic Sheridan (Bt) maj. dec. Ryan Poore, 10-1 (35-18)
152 – J.T. Hogan (DB) pinned Ryder Gehris, 1:11 (35-24)
160 – Chance Babb (Bt) pinned Khyre Inman, 4:32 (41-24)
