|
|
|
|
|
|
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 30, NESHAMINY 21 By Tom Waring
LANGHORNE - Having already lost a league match, there was no room for error for Neshaminy Redskins wrestlers. To keep pace, one game behind frontrunner Council Rock, the Redskins needed to win five consecutive matches to set up a showdown with Rock on the final day of the season. Last night, Central Bucks East ruined Neshaminy's title hopes. Justin Smith recorded an improbable pin in the early going and the Patriots upper weights notched three close decisions, leading East to a 30-21 victory. "It was a great effort by that kid, a sophomore," veteran East coach John Tomlinson said of Smith. "It was a great effort by the whole team. I'm really pleased with the win. Our kids earned that win." As jubilant as Tomlinson was, Neshaminy coach Vic Stanley was disheartened. His team fell to 5-2 overall and 3-2 in the Suburban One League Patriot Division. Council Rock is 5-0 in the league and will likely remain unbeaten until traveling to Neshaminy for the Feb. 6 season finale. In other words, Rock has all but clinched its third consecutive title. The Neshaminy-Rock match will probably only be for pride. "We're out of it," said a dejected Stanley. "We can't win the championship now." That doesn't mean the season is over. Neshaminy will be favored to win its four matches leading up to Council Rock. Then, there are the tournaments. There are several Redskins capable of making postseason runs. And they'll have the chance to compete for team honors. "We still want to beat Rock and win sectionals," said Neshaminy 140-pound junior Tom Frazer, a 9-2 winner over Chip Henderson. East (9-2, 5-1 SOL Colonial) led the whole way. The Patriots built a 21-3 lead after 135 pounds. The key moment of the match came early. At 119 pounds, Neshaminy's Chris Sutton owned a 15-2 lead late in the match and was seemingly headed for at least a major decision. Suddenly, CBE's Justin Smith reversed Sutton and pinned him with just 31 seconds to go in the bout. "That was a 10-point swing," Stanley said. Neshaminy started its comeback in the middle weights. After Frazer's decision, Michael Pirozzola (145) and Dan Winter (152) earned pins to cut Neshaminy's deficit to 21-18. But, East's John Schumann (160) and Mike Russo (171) eked out close victories to make it 27-18. East clinched the victory when Jason Fisher escaped with 11 seconds remaining in his 189-pound 9-2 loss against Neal Oberto, thus avoiding a major decision loss and saving a team point. In the end, Neshaminy won just five of the 13 bouts. "Any time you win eight matches off Neshaminy, you're doing something right," Tomlinson said. East, having already beaten rival Central Bucks West, appears headed for the division crown. The Patriots are thriving with young lightweights and senior upper weights. East received wins from its three lightweight stars - unbeaten Drew Simcox (112) and freshmen Ray Wambold (130) and Kraig Feldman (135). Thursday, January 21, 1999 |