|
|
|
|
|
|
WILLIAM TENNENT TOURNAMENT By Tom Waring
WARMINSTER - When wrestling fans think of the star-studded Neshaminy High School lineup, Jack Fleming's name does not immediately come to mind. In fact, Fleming, a sophomore, is mostly a JV wrestler. At this weekend's William Tennent Tournament, Fleming was pressed into action and responded like a veteran. The fifth seed at 171 pounds, Fleming won two bouts to advance to the final, then pinned Jim Thorpe's James Redline in the first period to capture the championship. "I always think that I have a chance, but you never know what will happen," said Fleming, whose fall came at 1:48. "I was just hoping for the best." In the end, Fleming was one of five Redskins who won championships to lead Neshaminy to the team title. Tennent finished third in the 13-team field. The Panthers were led by 130-pound champion Jason Cintron, who was named Outstanding Wrestler. Archbishop Wood placed ninth. The Vikings had one champion, heavyweight Taso Apostolidis. Conwell-Egan took 10th. The top Eagle was Rich Giusti, the runner-up at 160. CEC's best wrestler, sophomore 112-pounder Shaun Kean, missed the tournament with a strained abdominal. He's expected back for Thursday's match against Bensalem. Neshaminy's victory was hardly a surprise. Its program is far superior to the dozen other teams. The Redskins were missing star Michael Pirozzola, who accepted an invitation to compete in the Iron Man Tournament yesterday in Cleveland. Also, three Redskins - Richie Palmer (knee), Peter Wolk (ankle) and Todd Mason (hip) - are injured. All of those factors contributed to Fleming's appearance in the lineup. He entered the season with pretty good credentials, having gone undefeated as a ninth-grader at Maple Point Middle School. Fleming also competed in last weekend's Phillipsburg-Osceola Tournament because Neal Oberto was taking the SAT. He wrestled up a weight class at 189, winning his first bout before being eliminated with two consecutive losses. Fleming was back on the JV on Wednesday, and won his bout against Wissahickon. Neshaminy's other champions were Tom Frazer (135), Jeff Rotunno (145), Dan Winter (152) and Neal Oberto (189). Meanwhile, Pirozzola placed third at 145 in his tournament. He went 4-1, losing a semifinal, 6-4 in overtime, to Ryan Bertin of St. Edward's (Ohio). Pirozzola, who was accompanied by Neshaminy assistant Steve Herceg, bounced back in the consolation match to pin Seneca's Phil Caplan in the third period. Tennent, winless in the Suburban One League National Conference the last three years, appears to be improved. "We've got a good team this year," Cintron said. "We're doing well. We have a couple new guys this year. I think we'll have a good record." Cintron was dominant, pinning two opponents and winning by technical fall in his other bout. In the final, he decked St. Joseph's Prep's Emilo Alexander in 4:19 after taking him down seven times. "Cintron had a really good tournament," said Tennent coach Andy Sanko. "He's really been working extremely hard in the room. He's matured in terms of mental toughness. And he seems to be stronger." Apostolidis, in only his second year of wrestling and first on the varsity, engaged in the most entertaining final. Neshaminy's Joe Mitskas escaped to take a one-point lead with 23 seconds remaining. But, Apostolidis put Mitskas in a headlock and threw him to his back. He used the takedown and three back points to pull out an 11-7 victory. "My coach told me not to give up," Apostolidis said. "Somehow I got a takedown. (Mitskas) tried to wrap my waist, but I grabbed his head and the move worked." Added Wood coach Steve Peters: "The kid's got heart. He doesn't give up. I'm very proud of him." Sunday, December 13, 1998 |