Hanover Upsets Jefferson

(Thursday, January 11, 2007)

(* Sorry that I could get live coverage, but there is no internet signal at Jefferson Twp. H.S. *)

Coming in: First match starts at 125 which makes it fun. Look like the coaches will go to the line up and try to put themselves in a position to win. They’ll be leaving the match in the hands of the wrestlers that you often may not hear about. Hanover Park’s Rich Symczak weighed in at 130. Starting at 125 actually benefits the visiting Hornets. The Hornets have the ability to gain more teams from 215 – 119, including a forfeit at 103 (no one weighed in at 103), as well as Toma and Johnstone twins turning in solid performances. Look for the winner of the coin toss to take odds.

Hanover Park wins the toss and takes the odd bouts chooses the odds bouts.

125 – Anthony Johnstone (HP) v. Derek Berta (J)

Johnstone takes Berta down to his back and gains a 4-0 lead. An escape with 12 seconds left in he first makes the score 4-1. A last second take down adds the lead 6-1.

Period 2: A quick reversal under 5 seconds in, adds 2 points. A cut at 1:30 changes the score to 10-2; A takedown on a carry and a immediate cut makes it 10-3;

Period 3: A Berta takedown & quick escape; Johnstone wins 11-5; (HP 3-0)

125 Match notes: Three points that Hanover needed and took. Berta did an outstanding job getting that late 3^rd period take down and avoiding allowing the Hornets to take a 4-0 lead.

130 – Frank Stromolo (J) v. Rich Szymczek (HP)

Szymczek gets an immediate take down. Stromolo escapes, but almost turns Szymczek to his back twice. 2-1; Another take down by Szymczek and a quick cut makes it 4-2; Period 1 ends 4-2;

Period 2: Szymczek starts on bottoms stands and tries for a reverse, but get caught and Stromo earns 2 NF; Szymczek gets around and reverses for 2; (6-4 Hp with a minute left in 2^nd) A reversal as the buzzer sounds ties it at 6;

Period 3: Stromolo starts on bottom; Stromolo escapes with 1:40 left in 3^rd; Szymczek earns a smart take down just at the edge with 1:16 left a cut off the next whistle ties it at 8; A restart after a stalemate with 17 second left results in another smart take down as Szymczek keeps his toes in bounds; Szymczek wins 10-8 (HP 6-0)

130 Match notes: Great match. Szymczek was aggressive early and the freshman Stromolo was patient. Even though Szymczek controlled the pace the first two periods, it was a late third period takedown as Szymczek kept his toes in like an NFL receiver.

135 – Marc Pompei (HP) v. Kyle Castolonia (J)

** Jefferson saves Milanos for 140 and looks to stack 140 – 171; this match should have a major influence on the result of this match;

Castolonia sinks a strong single and earns a solid takedown at 1:20 of the 1^st; Period ens 2-0 as Castolonia fights off a escape attempt and breaks Pompei down.

Period 2 starts in neutral; Another strong single turns into 2 for Castolonia; Castolonia leads 4-0. Pompei earns an escape with 30 seconds left; A Pompei head lock is reversed and Castolonia gets a head lock take down as the period ends; Castolonia leads 6-1;

Period three starts with Pompei trying to sink in a three-quarter and Castolonia forcing a reverse. A cut off the next whistle makes it 8-2; Castolonia sinks in another nice single and uses it for a takedown a 10-2 lead. An escape with 4 seconds left takes away the team bonus point; (Hanover leads 6-3)

135 Match notes: Castolonia controlled the match and nearly got th e4 points for the Falcons. A Pompei escape with 4 seconds left takes back the much needed point. Hanover may have been hoping for a 4 or 5 point lead here, but I am sure that Jefferson was expecting to be leading at this point.

140 – Chris Tracy (HP) v. Tyler Milanos (J)

Milanos turns a Tracy shot into 2; a cut off the next whistle and its 2-1; Another takedown at the minute mark increases the lead to 4-1; A cut off the next restart and it’s 4-2; Milanos jumps right on again for 2. Milanos sinks in a cradle with 20 seconds left and gains 2 near fall for an 8-2 lead;

Period 2 starts as Milanos defers and Tracy chooses neutral; A quick shot makes it 10-3 and Tracy does a great job getting to his belly. An immediate cut and its 10-3 with 1:30 left in the second; 15 seconds later another takedown ups it to 12-3; A cut at 1:05 and its 12-4 with a minute to go; Milanos spins around after the next tie up; gets two and works in for a pin with 22 seconds left; (Jefferson gains the lead 9-6)

140 Match notes: Tracy never stalled, went after Milanos and did a great job against an outstanding wrestler. Tracy sustained an injury during the pinning combination.

145 – Rob Cali (HP) v. Jeff Barnett (J)

A takedown 20 seconds in give Barnett the lead 2-0; An escape at 35 and its 2-1; A lightning fast ankle pick results in two and a 4-1 lead;

Period 2 starts in neutral; Barnett gets two at the minute mark and cuts Cali; 6-2;

Barnett garbs a far leg and does a great job of bringing Cali in on a shot near the edge for another 2; a cut with 15 seconds left and an immediate tale down makes it 10-3;

Period 3: Barnet uses another take down and gets Cali on his back wth 1:40 left; Amazing Cali gets but Barnett strong hold Cali in and pins at 5:01; (Jefferson leads 15-6)

145 Match notes: Barnett is that quick, that good and string. Cali worked hard and did a great job, but Barnett was just too good. The fact that he held Cali in bounds when it looked Cali was squeaking out and then adding the fall was just amazing.

152 – Jake Gruebert (HP) v. Matt Dellicardillo (J)

Jefferson’s choice and sends out Dellicarddillo. Gruebert earns two 30 seconds in; Gruebert cuts at 1:15 and Gruebert keeps it in neutral and avoids a Dellicardillo attack; Gruebert then takes advantage of a Dellicardillo shot and spins around for 2; 4-1 Gruebert lead;

Period 2 starts with both standing; Gruebert get the takedown and Dellicardillo immediately reverses it; 6-3 lead for Gruebert; Dellicardillo definitely has more energy and looks strong going into the third.

Period 3: Dellicardillo starts on top looks to sinks in a guillotine; Gruebert fights it off for 40 seconds and earns a restart; Fans are begging for stalling. Dellicardillo fights off an almost reversal and remains on top. The ref bangs 1 stalling point against Gruebert. Match ends 6-4 Gruebert; (Jefferson 15-9)

152 Match notes: Another huge 3 points for the Hornets.

160 – Mike Lomio (HP) v. Ken Monarque (J)

Monarque works in and gains two at the 1 minute mark; Lomio gets hit with a stalling as the period winds down and Monarque leads 2-0; Another stall makes it 3-0 and Monarque gets two on a takedown; Another stall and it’s 6-0;

Period 3 starts uses his patented merkel for a take down just 20 seconds into the third and begins to work for the pin; 2 points on a near fall and its 10-0 with 1 minute left; a 2 point stalling makes it 12-0 with 25 seconds left; a cut of the next restart and a head lock makes it 12-2. 2 takedown with 10 seconds left and its final 14-2; (Jefferson leads 19-9)

160 Match notes: For years, I have watched teams used this stalling tactic. We all agree is it very frustrating, but it is definitely part of the sport. The fans hate it and the opposing wrestler must have class and remain with the bounds of sportsmanship. Amazingly, in the years I have been watching Hanover matches; it is a very rare occasion that the Hornets use the tactic. Lomio did a great job of only giving up 4 team points instead of 5 or 6 and now those non-earned bonus points are starting to affect the outcome.

171 – Ron Landy (HP) vs. Evan Mclaughin (J)

McLaughlin gets two immediately; Landy gets a reversal as either wrestler could have ended up on his back; an escape makes it 2-2;

Period 2: A Landy head lock turns into a McLaughin take down at the edge of the mat and McLaughin goes up 4-2; McLaughin sinks in a cradle and Landy does not get turned as the period ends 4-2;

Period 3: Landy gets no back point awarded on a pinning move that McLaughin escapes out of and reverses; 6-2; (Jefferson leads 22-9)

171 Match notes: Nice even match and both wrestlers did what they had to do. Neither got caught and worked their way out of possible dangerous situations. What I am assuming was Jefferson’s plan (stacking the mid’s going into 215) and it seems to be working as the Falcons up the lead to 13.

189 – Eric Fraley (HP) vs. Trevor Salvatore (J)

Salvatore gets 2 twenty seconds in; An escape and another take down result in a pin at 1:11; (Jefferson 28-9)

189 Match notes: Before the match you estimate that the falcons get 4 pins from their studs. Hanover only surrenders three, one a 4 pointer in stead of 6. It still looks very good that this point and even a tie ends up in Jefferson’s favor.

215– Joe Williams (HP) vs. Bryan Cary (J)

Cary looks to earn takedown and gets Williams gets to the to for 2 at the edge of the mat; Period 1 ends 2-0;

Period 2: Joe Williams fight off a reverse and catches Cary and pins at 2:51; huge pin for the Hornets; (Jefferson leads 28-15)

215 Match notes: Williams immediately brings back memories of his pin in the sectionals two ago. Hanover needed to win out from here in and 3 teams points here may not have done it. Williams catches Cary and holds on (Cary was almost out twice). The pins sends a shock through the gym and people are starting to realize that a comeback is in the making.

285 – Doug Merringer (HP) vs. Doug Colpepper (J)

At this point in the match this is the swing match; If Merringer wins, it puts Hanover in great shape, but still needs to win all 3; If Colpepper wins and it forces HP to pin and bonus up at the other; A tie will go to Jefferson;

Both wrestles get an escape on the their down start in the seconds and third periods; Tied 1-1 as we enter under a minute in the third; A Colpepper takedown at the edge makes it 3-1 for Colpepper with 50 seconds left; Locked hands makes it 3-2 with 30 left; Another locked hands ties it. An amazing reversal with 10 seconds left makes it 5-3. Merringer wins (HP cuts it to 28-18)

285 Match notes: At this point, all you can say is, “Wow.” You can feel the comeback. You can feel the momentum turn to the Hornets and you can see hope stripped from many Falcon fans, wrestlers and coaches. But the match is not over, 1 Falcon win and it’s sealed.

103 – Charles Savino wins by forfeit (Jefferson leads 28-24)

103 Match notes: No notes, you know what’s coming.

112 – Jordan Toma v. Sam Peters

** A Falcon win locks it up. A Toma win a we’ll be on the edge of our seats!

Toma gets 2 just 20 seconds and an escape makes it 2-1; Toma sucks in a single with 45 left but cannot earn a takedown; Peters works and gets two with 18 seonds left in the first and a 3-2 lead; Toma escapes and gets two under 3 seconds to take the 5-3 into the second;

Period 2: Starting on their feet – Toma tires a double and Peters works it off and has Toma bellied down; Toma hangs on the leg and earns a stalemate avoiding the takedown; another stalemate and we restart with 38 seconds left; Toma uses a double, lift Peters and gains 2; then holds on at the edge to avoid a reversal. A restart with 3 seonds left results in no points;

Period 3 and Toma leads 7-3; Toma cuts and its 7–4; Toma takes a shot after a bit of rolling around a whistle stops it with 1:09 left; Toma sinks in a single but cannot finish until he forces Peters down and gains two; 9-4; Peters works for a reversal with about 30 left and gains it with 15 left; 9-6; Final; (Jefferson leads by 1; 28-27)

112 Match notes: Toma is getting better every match. The Junior wrestled the most import match of his H.S. career and came through for the team. You could tell from the opening whistle that Toma was ready to be aggressive, but careful not to get caught. Peters wrestled well and fought off numerous Toma shots. The win sets up a winner take all finale.

119 – Mike Johnstone (HP) v. Kyle Moran (J)

Johnstone grabs a takedown just 2 seconds in and leads 2-0; Johnstone fight off a switch 45 seconds in but Moran escapes just over a minute in; 2-1 Johnstone; Period 1 ends;

Period 2: Johnstone chooses neutral and a takedown 15 seconds in makes it 4-1 Johnstone; Restart at 1:04 – Moran escapes with 30 left and Johnstone spins around on the next tie up to make it 6-2; Restart with 10 seconds left; Period ends 6-2;

Period 3: Johnstone starts on top. An escape 20 seconds in makes it 6-3 and a Johnstone takedown ups the lead to 8-3; A restart on 1:13 results after a Moran stands up; Johnstone works in a 2 on 1 and a stalemate stops it with 43 seconds left; Johstone rides on top and gets a stalling warning; Match ends with Johnstone in top; Hanover wins 30-28

119 Match notes: The freshman wrestled smart aggressive and strong. Smart being the key term. Johnstone was smart on top and kept his weight back, avoiding any reversals. The win caps a great team effort and an excellent win.

The Coaches Notes: These are one of the H.S. events that you are glad you attended. It’s nice to see wrestlers advance and getter better every time out. It’s great when kids believe in the game plan and go out and try to execute what they are coached to do. Jefferson is a strong team and their schedule did not help. The Falcons had faced state powerhouse High Point yesterday and suffered a 46-40 loss. The Hornets took on Weequahic and took a 70-0 victory. You must love big wins by Williams, Merringer, Landy, both Johnston brothers, Szymczek and Gruebert; Pompei only giving up 3 point; Lomio only giving up 4; Those are the keys to the match as the Hornets rallied off 21 straight points, just enough to pull the upset.