hey are the vestiges of a once well-established sport. Oh, wrestling still has its admirers, but they are, unfortunately, fewer in number these days. The youths now, they tend to flock to basketball and snowboarding and the like - anything high profile or low intensity.
Wrestling is neither. The committed, then, form a fanatic base that has become the sport's lifeblood. They sustain it while ESPN does its best to kill off the last of their lot with so many slamdunk highlight reels.
The Falcons and Redskins, it would seem, don't watch much SportsCenter. And bless them for it.
Last night, Neshaminy hosted Pennsbury. Both teams went into the meet undefeated in the Suburban One League. A large crowd showed, loud and expectant, charging the air with undeniable energy and filling the stands to near capacity. Pennsbury came away with the win, 29-17, and in the process clinched at least a share for the Patriot Division crown.
But it was more significant than that. It was a nod to all who came before them, and an example for those who plan on following. It was wrestling - concurrently tiring and ugly, invigorating and beautiful.
"This is always a tough match," said Brian Sellers, who won by technical fall for the Falcons and improved his record to 27-1. "Going against your rival always makes it more exciting.
"And the crowd, there were a lot of people here. You don't usually see that until tournament time comes around. It was uncommon. We're not usually used to that. It just added to the atmosphere."
So true. The fans weren't relegated to bystanding. They were active participants, spurring their favorites on with unparalleled zeal. First Pennsbury's crew would hoot, then Neshaminy's side would holler, and then the process would repeat. It went on for two hours. By the end, no one in that gym looked rested. Least of all the combatants.
Looking up and down the Courier Times Big 13, only two weight classes out of 13 were without a representative from one of the two schools. It figured to produce some fine matches, and it did. At 130 pounds, Neshaminy's Jeremy Kershbaumer pulled a dramatic, last-second escape to win by a point. At 140 pounds, Joe Bowman and Bob Ireland fought with passion. Bowman barely won, 11-9, for the Falcons.
There were bloodied noses and stung egos and copious sweat. And there was heart, too. You can't forget the heart.
In the 160-pound bout, Pennsbury sophomore Bill Bramwell pinned Nick Wolk midway through the second period. It was as impressive as it was improbable. Bramwell, you see, was wrestling his first-ever varsity match.
"That," he said smiling broadly, "was a feeling you only feel once. I'll never forget it."
In the end, the Falcons walked out emboldened. The Redskins simply walked out.
You could see their pain and disappointment. It was manifested plainly on so many crinkled brows and hung heads. You can hardly blame them, but they should also know there is no dishonor in defeat. Not after they drained themselves of every possible emotion.
"Yeah," said Neshaminy heavyweight Geoff Donahue, "but it always hurts when you lose. We were so close. Just one match here or there and it could have been different."
A wrestling detractor once remarked to me that the sport was dead. Boring and barbaric is how he put it, if memory serves.
Too bad he wasn't at Neshaminy last night. The pulse was deafening.
John Gonzalez covers high school sports for the Courier Times. Write him in care of the Courier Times, 8400 Route 13, Levittown, PA 19057, fax 215-949-4177 or e-mail john.gonzalez@phillyBurbs.com
Thursday, January 31, 2002
