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Neshaminy's Neal Oberto is peaking at the right time
By TOM WARING
It hasn't been a smooth season for Neal Oberto. Oberto, a senior 189-pound wrestler, is having another standout season for Neshaminy High School. Yet, he's lost nine bouts, a relatively high number for a defending state qualifier. "I've really had my ups and downs," said Oberto, who went 0-2 at states. Despite some struggles, Oberto is in just the spot he wants to be as the wrestling season comes to a close. Last Saturday, Oberto captured the District One North title to remain alive in the postseason. To make a return trip to the PIAA tournament, he must finish in the top three this weekend at the Southeast Regional at Norristown. Oberto, a Levittown resident, said he'd be satisfied with simply advancing, but would like to do a little better. "I wouldn't be upset getting second or third," he said. "But, my main goal is to win. It would be something I could really be proud of." The Oberto brothers have been on the local wrestling scene for the last five years. Their crowning achievement came in 1997, when Neal and his brothers - Nathan and Jesse - each won a Section One championship. That year, Neal Oberto reached the regional semifinals at 160 pounds before being eliminated. Last season, as a junior, he qualified for states at 171. Oberto has a 23-9 record with 13 pins after making the big leap to 189 pounds. Neshaminy has wrestled a tough schedule, including trips to the Mid-Atlantic and Manheim Lions tournaments, where Oberto placed fifth in both tourneys. Oberto has lost to some tough opponents. Twice, he fell to Lower Dauphin's Jacob Lininger. But, he also has lost a couple of bouts he probably should have won. One loss was to Abington's Paul Sharp, who failed to make it out of sectionals. Oberto also lost a one-point decision to Council Rock's Brian Wilson (a true 171-pounder), when a win would have clinched a Neshaminy victory. Another down moment came against Pennsbury, from where he transferred after his freshman year. The referee did not allow Oberto to wrestle because of a suspected case of ringworm. His absence played a big part in the Falcons' shocking upset. But, there was no stopping Oberto on Saturday. In the district final, he avenged a loss in the sectional final by decisioning Harry S Truman's Mike Moore. That followed a semifinal pin of Methacton's Eric Ranieri, a defending state qualifier. "I think that the way Neal is wrestling, he's the best 189-pounder in southeastern Pennsylvania," said Neshaminy coach Vic Stanley, adding that Oberto was a worthy candidate for the Outstanding Wrestler award. Stanley said Oberto, who has a 69-35 career record, is very good from the offensive position and better on his feet than most people think. The coach and wrestler both expect the semifinalists to come from the northern part of the region. That would mean Oberto would face North Penn's Kyle Berger, who beat him earlier this season, and Moore would square off against Ranieri. The winners would meet in the final, and the losers would probably battle for the third and final berth to states. "All those matches could go either way," Oberto said.
Friday, March 5, 1999 |