FRANCONIA >> At this point in the postseason there is always added electricity in the air.
But at Souderton High, around 8 p.m., Friday night, not so much.
Just as the first round of the Class 3A Southeast Regional was concluding and the quarterfinal round was beginning, the lights went out. The report was that a nearby car accident took out two transformers, ending the action for day one a round earlier than expected.
The plan, assuming power is restored, is to pick up where the matches were paused, starting at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, with action running straight through to the finals, which are scheduled for 6 p.m.
The lights went out during the quarterfinal bout between Downingtown West’s Brayden Sigle and Spring-Ford’s Gus Smith. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)
“It’s crazy,” Kennett senior Tyler Maiers said. “I’ve never seen anything like this. We’ll all stay ready and keep the same mindset and not get distracted.”
The power stayed on long enough for West Chester Henderson’s Carmen Cortese to accomplish a milestone. With a technical fall in four minutes, 16 seconds, Cortese won his 100th career match, propelling him into quarters.
“My senior year, after the COVID year, I wasn’t so sure 100 was gonna happen,” Cortese said. “I couldn’t be more excited, how it played out in the postseason, at regionals. I’m super excited to finish out my wrestling career.”
West Chester Henderson’s Carmen Cortese gets his hand raised after his 100th career win, which came against Strath Haven’s Sam Harrington. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)
Cortese (133 pounds) and Angus Whittaker (139) won matches, Friday, for the Warriors. Whittaker gets Oxford’s Austin McMillan in quarters, while Cortese will face Kennett’s Kane Lengel.
“I think I’m prepared to wrestle three hard matches, (Saturday),” Cortese said. “Having a quarterfinal before the semis might actually be better. I don’t wanna say it’s a warmup, but it could be good to get more momentum as the competition increases.”
West Chester Hendersons’ Carmen Cortese. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)
Kennett has an area-high six wrestlers in quarters. Zack Jaffe (121), Blake Boyer (127), Michael Pepe (145) and John Pardo (215) will join Lengel and Maiers in the championship bracket, Saturday.
Maiers had one of the wins of the night, negating an early lead by Pottsgrove’s Trenton Allen by pinning him in the second period. It was actually the second time Maiers pinned Allen, but the first time was just after the first period buzzer.
“I’m more of a funky wrestler,” Maiers said. “I’m not normal. I knew (Allen) is a good wrestler but I just came out like I always do.”
Kennett’s Tyler Maiers pins Pottsgrove’s Trenton Allen at 152 pounds. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)
Kennett’s Bailey Shindle (285) will start his Saturday with a 2-1 lead over Pennridge’s Chase Washington, in the second period of their first round bout.
Downingtown West’s Troy Mack (285) was also paused in the first round, and he had a 2-1 lead over Plymouth Whitemarsh’s Donald Kunf. West’s Brayden Sigle had already reached quarters and trailed Spring-Ford’s Gus Smith, 2-0 with about 30 seconds left in the first period.
Chase Sigle (114), Jordan Barry (145) and Mason Hale (189) also earned wins for the Whippets.
Downingtown West’s Brayden Sigle. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)
Conestoga went 5-0 in the first round, getting wins from Steven Wiechecki (121), Miles Warkentine (127), Matt Boye (160), Hayden McLellan (172) and Jake Allred (189). McLellan is now at 99 career wins.
Along with McMillan, Jared Schaible (127) and Jeremy McKinney (189) are in the quarters for Oxford.
Avon Grove’s Christian Ford. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)
Avon Grove’s Christian Ford (121) won his first bout and will wrestle Coatesville’s Andrij Szczesniuk in quarters. Unionville’s Topher Tryon (160) and West Chester East’s Max Parnis (145) still have their title hopes, as well.
The top five finishers will qualify for next week’s PIAA Championships. A trip to the semifinals means wrestlers will have three chances to win one more bout to punch their tickets to Hershey.
