FORT WASHINGTON >> Like the arctic temperatures that turned away spring-like conditions, Friday, so to do the district duals usher in a season of survival for wrestlers across the state.
It takes rugged resilience and stubborn strength to succeed in the final month of the wrestling season, and no one knows the struggles and frustrations of that process more than West Chester Henderson.
Saturday, after the quarterfinals and first round of consolations of the District 1-3A Duals were postponed from Friday due to potential freezing conditions, the No. 3 Warriors finally cleared a hurdle that’s haunted them the previous four seasons.
With a 43-13 win over No. 5 Pennridge in the consolation semifinals, Henderson qualified for its first PIAA Duals, a feat no other West Chester team has accomplished.
West Chester Henderson’s coach, Rob Beighley, gestures to Billy Wilson after he clinched the Warriors win over Pennridge to secure a spot at state duals. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)
“We’ve been so close so many times, so to get it, it means everything,” Henderson coach Rob Beighley said. “It cements a huge part of our season and it’s something our seniors have been working for the last four years. It’s an incredible feeling.”
Henderson defeated No. 11 Central Bucks East, 43-21, in the quarterfinals before a 70-3 loss to eventual champion, Council Rock South, in the semifinals. In the third-place dual, Henderson was a point short against No. 4 Spring-Ford, 30-29, meaning the Warriors will have to face District 11 runner-up, Nazareth, Monday night at Nazareth Middle School, with a trip to Hershey on the line.
West Chester Henderson’s bench erupts after a pin by Liam Keevil against Spring-Ford. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)
While that task is more than daunting, the Warriors chose to focus on their accomplishment. In 2018 and 2020, Henderson was a win away from qualifying, losing in dramatic fashion to Garnet Valley in 2020. In 2019, the Warriors were the No. 4 seed but went 1-2. Last season, Henderson lost to Spring-Ford in the finals, but due to COVID-19, only one team qualified for states.
“It’s an amazing feeling,” said Henderson senior, Billy Wilson, who clinched Henderson’s win over Pennridge. “To finally be the first team to do it, it means a lot. … We’re a veteran team and everyone remembers the heartbreak. We’ve been working hard all year and it paid off.”
Against CB East, Henderson won nine of 13 bouts, highlighted by an ultimate rideout win by Liam Keevill (285 pounds), who was won of four undefeated Warriors on the day.
West Chester Henderson’s Liam Keevill pins Pennridge’s Christian Yales at 285 pounds. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)
Beighley decided to rest most of his starters against CR South, leading to the very lopsided score, but the Warriors responded with a dominating win over Pennridge.
Against Pennridge, Owen McCarthy (189) trailed early but won by fall and Wyatt Hampton (215) used a last-second lateral drop to earn a decision to spark the Warriors.
West Chester Henderson’s Owen McCarthy. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)
“They’ve bought in,” Beighley said about some of his more unheralded upper weights.”They see the other guys have success and it’s contagious. We had a couple guys who didn’t even get wins, but they stayed off their backs and were stingy. They see it in the room and want what the others have.”
Spring-Ford led the Warriors, 20-12, after six bouts, but Cortese kept his hot day going. After knocking off Pennridge’s Cole Coffin, a returning regional fifth-place finisher, earlier, Cortese flipped the script against Dom Ortlip, to keep Henderson in it against Spring-Ford. Ortlip was 3-0 against Cortese last season.
West Chester Henderson’s Carmen Cortese keeps control of Pennridge’s Cole Coffin during a 3-0 win at 120 pounds. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)
“My match was one of the few toss-ups, and Rob told me to not give up bonus,” Cortese said. “I was looking to win it from the get-go and was able to squeeze it out. It’s great for me going into the postseason.”
Hunter Delaney (132) held on for an 8-7 win, and Wilson (138) won with a technical fall to tie Spring-Ford, 23-23, with three to go. But The Rams won the next two, one by major decision, to clinch the bout before forfeiting to Palmer Delaney (160), who now sits at 90 career wins.
West Chester Henderson’s Billy Forcine. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)
Whether or not Henderson’s time in the state tournament is short, Beighley will just be happy to have a chance with his eight seniors in the lineup.
“I know how good (Nazareth) is,” Beighley said. “I’ll enjoy the opportunity to go up there and compete and be a part of that tournament and be a state team.”
Council Rock South. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)
Council Rock South defeated No. 1 Quakertown, 36-19, to claim the 3A crown, while Faith Christian Academy moved on to states with a 49-14 victory over District 12’s Conwell-Egan.
Spring-Ford 30, West Chester Henderson 29
172- Horvath (SF) dec. Beatty, 15-9 (3-0)
189- Huston (SF) pinned McCarthy, 1:53 (9-0)
215- Hampton (WCH) pinned Borzillo, 3:18 (9-6)
285- Keevill (WCH) pinned Kaputa, 3:07 (9-12)
106- G. Smith (SF) pinned Schalleur, :43 (15-12)
113- C. Smith (SF) tech. fall Forcine, 17-2 (20-12)
120- Cortese (WCH) dec. Ortlip, 6-4 (20-15)
126- Q. Smith (SF) dec. M. Jackman, 12-5 (23-15)
132- H. Delaney (WCH) dec. DeAngelo, 8-7 (23-18)
138- Wilson (WCH) tech. fall Evans, 19-2 (23-23)
145- Lepore (SF) maj. dec. English, 11-3 (27-23)
152- Attilio (SF) dec. Patton, 8-1 (30-23)
160- P. Delaney (WCH) won by forfeit (30-29)
