CALN >> Following a first-period fall, Coatesville’s Michael Windle let out a roar, while flexing his arms, before running up in the stands to hug his brother, Brent.
It wasn’t the state final or even a high-stakes dual meet. Rather, it was “just” a non-league contest between the Red Raiders and visiting Church Farm.
But as is the beauty of wrestling, where an individual’s successes and accomplishments vary, but collectively fit into the team aspect.
Coatesville’s Michael Windle hugs his brother, Brent Windle. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)
For Windle, a win on Senior Night was a big deal. After all, he earned just one varsity win his first three seasons, while also accepting a forfeit, and was 2-25 entering his senior season.
Thursday, as one of two seniors, Windle helped Coatesville defeat the Griffins, 57-9.
“It meant so much to get the win in my last dual meet of my high school career,” Windle said. “I had to go out big.”
Church Farm’s Jesse Wedzi (160 pounds) took Windle to his back for a four-point move to open the bout, but Windle recovered and notched his first-ever win in front of the home crowd.
Coatesville’s Michael Windle. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)
“Windle has shown a lot of growth the last year,” Coatesville coach Jeff Bowyer said. “He works hard and he loves the sport and I’m happy for him.”
Coatesville ended its regular season with an 8-8 record, marking the first time the Raiders finished .500 or better since 2017. With only two seniors graduating, Bowyer hopes the future is brighter.
“The kids work really hard and we’re super young,” Bowyer said. “They’re a great group of kids and team-wise, this is the best talent we’ve had. We’ve had some standouts, but you can’t win dual meets with one or two kids. They’ve been working hard all year and getting better.”
Coatesville’s Malik Lavalais. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)
The Raiders’ other senior is Malik Lavalais (126), who matched up with Church Farm’s top wrestler, Sebastian Chiesa. The two went back and forth before Chiesa came out on top, 11-8.
Chiesa, a junior, is 15-0 on the season, and hopes to return to regionals, where he made it as a freshman.
“He’s becoming able to chain wrestle, from one thing to the other, faster,” Church Farm coach Art Smith said of Chiesa. “He wrestled a nice match against Malik.”
Church Farm’s Sebastian Chiesa locks up Coatesville’s Malik Lavalais during an 11-8 win at 126 pounds. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)
Kwadwo Onyinah (172) gave the Griffins (9-8) their second win, with an 11-second fall. After not wrestling last season, due to COVID-19, and only being allowed to wrestle dual meets this winter, Church Farm is playing catchup as it heads into the District 1/12-2A tournament, February 26. Marvellous Utobunwa-Nwachukwu (120) joins Chiesa as a double-digit winner this season.
“It’s awesome being back,” Smith said. “The kids are wrestling really hard, but not wrestling for a year definitely shows. They’re not giving up and they’re working hard every day.”
Church Farm’s Kwadwo Onyinah. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)
The Griffins were forced to forfeit three weights, along with a double forfeit at 106. Elijah Whitaker (120) earned Coatesville’s first decision, defeating Utobunwa-Nwachukwu, 7-5.
Jason Seagreaves (132), Jacob Ruttman (145), Matt Luton (189), Gonzalo Carbajalo (215) and Dylan McGuire (285) recorded pins for the Raiders.
Coatesville’s Elijah Whitaker. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)
Coatesville’s top two wrestlers, in terms of victories, Andrij Szczesniuk (113) and Evan Seagreaves (138), accepted forfeits. Evan Seagreaves has 26 wins this season and finished second at the Ches-Mont Championships, while Szczesniuk is 27-5 as a freshman, prompting a heady comparison from Bowyer.
“He reminds me so much of (Nate) Lucier,” said Bowyer, who oversaw Lucier win state medals the previous two seasons. “(Szczesniuk) has that same trajectory. He’s a hard worker and he’s super coachable. He’s an unbelievable talent and the future holds great things if he stays focused.”
Coatesville’s Jason Seagreaves works on a takedown against Church Farm’s Adam Aguilar before pinning him at 132 pounds. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)
Coatesville 57, Church Farm 9
106- double forfeit
113- Szczesniuk (CV) won by forfeit (6-0)
120- Whitaker (CV) dec. Utobunwa-Nwachukwu, 7-5 (9-0)
126- Chiesa (CF) dec. Lavalais, 11-8 (9-3)
132- J. Seagreaves (CV) pinned Aguilar, :43 (15-3)
138- E. Seagreaves (CV) won by forfeit (21-3)
145- Ruttman (CV) pinned Tuyishimire, 3:23 (27-3)
152- Perez-Castro (CV) won by forfeit (33-3)
160- Windle (CV) pinned Wedzi, 1:27 (39-3)
172- Onyinah (CF) pinned Balanos, :11 (39-9)
189- Luton (CV) pinned Guerrero, 1:35 (45-9)
215- Carbajalo (CV) pinned Hughles, 1:09 (51-9)
285- McGuire (CV) pinned Polanco, :59 (57-9)
