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NHSCA Final Four Starting Line-ups
The following are possible starting line-ups for the Saturday's NHSCA Final Four of High School Wrestling, which
is being held at Easton's 25th Street Gymnasium.
No. 3 Easton Red Rovers
103: Jordan Oliver (20-1)
112: Brandon Veres (8-4)
119: Brad Gentzle (21-4)
125: Seth Ciasulli (22-0) -- #2 NHSCA Seniors
130: Josh Oliver (24-1) -- #6 NHSCA Seniors
135: Alex Krom (21-1) -- #6 NHSCA Seniors
140: Andrew Goldstein (19-3)
145: Braylin Williams (16-5)
152: Kyle Hershey
160: Sal Crivellaro (19-5)
171: David Crowell
189: Zach Pizarro (16-2)
215: Kyle Snyder or Cory Rutt
275: Jarrid Myers
No. 1 Blair Academy
103: Robert Brackup
112: Rollie Peterkin (#2 NHSCA Seniors) or Kellen Russell
119: Rollie Peterkin, Kellen Russell or Ross Gitomer
125: Ross Gitomer (#3 NHSCA Seniors) or Max Shanaman
130: Adam Frey (#1 NHSCA Seniors)
135: Travis Blasco or John Mangini
140: Travis Blasco, John Mangini or Eric Medina
145: Eric Medina
152: Tyler Thurgood
160: Mike Guttilla
171: Jared Platt
189: Hudson Taylor (#3 NHSCA Seniors)
215: Kyle Manley
275: Jim Powers or Kyle Hanson
No. 2 Great Bridge (Va.)
103: Jayk Cobbs
112: Matt Rosen
119: Bryan Lashomb (#8 NHSCA Seniors)
125: Jordan Frishkorn
130: Bryan Peterson
135: Adam Pittman
140: Junior Pearman
145: Derek Gallagher
152: Chris Brown (#4 NHSCA Seniors)
160: Scott Cust
171: Tim Hill
189: Patrick Bond (#2 NHSCA Seniors)
215: Trey Rogers
275: Matt Richardson
No. 6 Rio Rancho (N.M.)
103: No entry
112: Matt Ortega
119: Vincente Varela
125: Nick Ramirez (#4 NHSCA Seniors)
130: Dominick Valencia
135: David Lujan
140: Victor Sanchez
145: Ace Adamson
152: Dustin Rogers
160: Adrian Martinez
171: Cole Reid
189: Gabe Martinez
215: Chris Wood
275: Nick Kinnard
2005 NHSCA Final Four Boxscores
No.1 Blair Academy 42 -No.2 Great Bridge HS 13
119: Ross Gitomer (B) DEC 8-5 Bryan Lashomb (GB)
125: Max Shanaman (B) maj dec 10-2 Derek Gillespie (GB)
130: Mario Mason (B) DEC 7-4 Jordan Frishkorn (GB)
135: Travis Blasco (B) DEC 13-9 Adam Pittman (GB)
140: Adam Frey (B) DEC 7-5 Junior Pearman (GB)
145: Eric Medina (B) WBF 1:50 Derek Gallagher (GB)
152: Chris Brown (GB) WBF 0:32 Steve Hanzlik (GB)
160: Tyler Thurgood (B) maj dec 15-2 Scott Cust (GB)
171: Mike Guttilla (B) maj dec 15-5 Tim Hill (GB)
189: Patrick Bond (GB) DEC 5-2 Hudson Taylor (B)
215: Kyle Manley (B) DEC 7-3 Trey Rogers (GB)
275: Jim Powers (B) WBF 1:56 Matt Richardson (GB)
103: Jayk Cobbs (GB) maj dec 14-4 Robert Brackup (B)
112: Rollie Peterkin (B) DEC 6-2 Matt Rosen (GB)
No.3 Easton HS 46 - No.6 Rio Rancho HS 19
119: Vincente Varela (RR) DEC 10-3 Brad Gentzle (E)
125: Seth Ciasulli (E) DEC 5-2 Nick Ramirez (RR)
130: Josh Oliver (E) WBF 2:45 Dominick Valencia (RR)
135: Alex Krom (E) WBF 0:22 David Lujan (RR)
140: Andrew Goldstein (E) maj DEC 13-5 Victor Sanchez (RR)
145: Braylin Williams (E) WBTF 18-3 5:05 Ace Adamson (RR)
152: Dustin Rogers (RR) maj dec 15-4 Kyle Hershey (E)
160: Sal Crivellaro (E) maj dec 15-2 Adrian Martinez (RR)
171: David Crowell (E) maj dec 13-2 Cole Reid (RR)
189: Cory Rutt (E) DEC 3-2 Gabe Martinez (RR)
215: Zach Pizarro (E) WBTF 22-7 5:50 Chris Wood (RR)
275: Nick Kinnard (RR) WBF 1:00 Jarrid Myers (E)
103: Jordan Oliver (E) WBFFT
112: Matt Ortega (RR) WBF 2:31 Brandon Veres (E)
No.3 Easton HS 33 - No.2 Great Bridge HS 24
119: Bryan Lashomb (GB) maj dec 11-3 Brad Gentzle (E)
125: Seth Ciasulli (E) DEC 6-4 Jordan Frishkorn (GB)
130: Josh Oliver (E) WBF 3:39 P.J.Clamp (GB)
135: Alex Krom (E) maj dec 12-2 Adam Pittman (GB)
140: Andrew Goldstein (E) DEC 3-2 Junior Pearman (GB)
145: Braylin Williams (E) DEC 6-4 Derek Gallagher (GB)
152: Chris Brown (GB) WBTF 22-7 5:07 Kyle Hershey (E)
160: Sal Crivellaro (E) maj dec 14-4 Scott Cust (GB)
171: David Crowell (E) maj dec 13-5 Tim Hill (GB)
189: Patrick Bond (GB) WBF 1:02 Cory Rutt (E)
215: Zach Pizarro (E) DEC 2-0 Trey Rogers (GB)
275: Matt Richardson (GB) WBF 1:32 Jarrid Myers (E)
103: Jordan Oliver (E) DEC 8-3 Jayk Cobbs (GB)
112: Matt Rosen (GB) DEC 5-0 Brandon Veres (E)
No.1 Blair Academy 59 - No.6 Rio Rancho HS 6
119: Ross Gitomer (B) DEC 7-5 OT Dak Adamson (RR)
125: Kellen Russell (B) DEC 7-4 Vincente Varela (RR)
130: Mario Mason (B) DEC 8-2 Nick Ramirez (RR)
135: Adam Frey (B) WBF 2:16 Dominick Valencia (RR)
140: Travis Blasco (B) maj dec 12-2 Victor Sanchez (RR)
145: Ace Adamson (RR) WBF 2:36 John Mangini (B)
152: Tyler Thurgood (B) WBF 1:30 Dustin Rogers (RR)
160: Mike Guttilla (B) WBF 3:19 Adrian Martinez (RR)
171: Lasley Rosamilia (B) WBF 5:12 Cole Reid (RR)
189: Hudson Taylor (B) WBF 1:50 Gabe Martinez (RR)
215: Kyle Manley (B) maj dec 12-4 Chris Wood (RR)
275: Jim Powers (B) DEC 8-2 Nick Kinnard (RR)
103: Robert Brackup (B) WBFFT
112: Rollie Peterkin (B) DEC 9-5 Matt Ortega (RR)
No.2 Great Bridge HS 45 - No.6 Rio Rancho HS 18
119: Bryan Lashomb (GB) DEC 5-3 Vincente Varela (RR)
125: Jordan Frishkorn (GB) DEC 7-1 Nick Ramirez (RR)
130: Dominick Valencia (RR) DEC 9-7 Derek Gillespie (GB)
135: Adam Pittman (GB) WBF 5:10 David Lujan (RR)
140: Junior Pearman (GB) maj dec 18-8 Victor Sanchez (RR)
145: Ace Adamson (RR) WBF 1:57 Derek Gallagher (GB)
152: Chris Brown (GB) WBTF 21-5 Dustin Rogers (RR)
160: Scott Cust (GB) WBF 3:48 Adrian Martinez (RR)
171: Tim Hill (GB) WBF 3:48 Cole Reid (RR)
189: Patrick Bond (GB) WBTF 24-9 Gabe Martinez (RR)
215: Trey Rogers (GB) maj dec 11-1 Chris Wood (RR)
275: Nick Kinnard (RR) WBF 3:39 Matt Richardson (GB)
103: Jayk Cobbs (GB) DEC 7-5 Rylie Adamson (RR)
112: Matt Ortega (RR) DEC 9-4 Matt Rosen (GB)
No.1 Blair Academy 39 - No.3 Easton HS 23
119: Brad Gentzle (E) DEC 5-2 Ross Gitomer (B)
125: Seth Ciasulli (E) maj dec 10-2 Max Shanaman (B)
130: Mario Mason (B) DEC 5-4 Josh Oliver (E)
135: Alex Krom (E) DEC 10-7 Adam Frey (B)
140: Travis Blasco(B) DEC 10-5 Andrew Goldstein (E)
145: Eric Medina (B) DEC 3-0 Braylin Williams (E)
152: Tyler Thurgood (B) WBF 1:22 Ed Firman (E)
160: Sal Crivellaro (E) WBF 0:45 Steve Hanzlik (B)
171: Mike Guttilla (B) WBF 1:15 David Crowell (E)
189: Hudson Taylor (B) WBF 0:45 Cory Rutt (E)
215: Zack Pizarro (E) DEC 10-8 Kyle Manley (B) )
275: Jim Powers (B) WBF 1:50 Jarrid Myers (E)
103: Jordan Oliver (E) maj dec 16-3 Robert Brackup (B)
112: Rollie Peterkin (B) WBF 2:35 Brandon Veres (E)
2005 Outstanding Wrestler: Mario Mason of Blair Academy
Preview of the 2005 Final Four at Easton
High School
Red Rovers Ready To Host NHSCA Final Four
By Bob Volkert
EAHS Class of 1991
EASTON, Pa. - Head coach Steve Powell and his Easton Red Rovers do it every year.
They find challenging early-season tournaments, such as the Reno Tournament of Champions and the Manheim Tournament,
and they challenge tough non-conference opponents such as Upper Perkiomen, Wilson and Caeser Rodney.
The Red Rovers have come out of those challenges unblemished so far this season, but they'll be challenged this
week, and the rest of the season.
It all gets started Thursday with a battle against archrival Phillipsburg, then Easton will host the NHSCA Final
Four on Saturday, before finally traveling for the most anticipated District 11 dual of the season Monday at Nazareth.
"(Nazareth) will probably be the classic match of the year," said Powell, who added that the challenging
late-season schedule is put together by design. "We certainly try to have our kids peak by March. We were
supposed to have last Saturday off with some break heading into the Nazareth match. As it was, we wrestled Emmaus.
Now we were supposed to wrestle Nazareth on Wednesday, but that was canceled. I had expected us to be a little
tired for Saturday. But now we should be fresh."
Traditional powers Liberty and Northampton, as well as team districts and states, and the district, regional and
state individual tournaments are on the horizon.
It's a similar schedule to one's in years past for the Red Rovers. It's is a strategy that has paid huge dividends
with four straight state PIAA Class AAA duals titles, and two PIAA Class AAA individual tournament state titles
in the past four years.
On Saturday, Easton's 25th Street Gymnasium will once again be the focal point of the national high school wrestling
scene as the Red Rovers host the 5th annual NHSCA Final Four.
The event has gotten bigger and bigger over it's five years and, once again, wrestling fans won't be disappointed.
"(The Final Four) is an awesome event," Powell said. "You can't expect your Athletic Director to
host a national event like this every year where you are going to take a chance on bringing in teams from New Mexico
and Virginia. But (NHSCA Executive Director) Bobby Ferraro has created a win-win situation for us. He does all
of the paper work, and we provide the facility. Easton's gym is probably the most fun gym to participate in for
a wrestling event, just as it would be for an event at Rec Hall at Penn State or Grace Hall at Lehigh."
No. 3 Easton will host No. 1 Blair Academy, No. 2 Great Bridge (Va.) and No. 6 Rio Rancho (N.M.).
Blair Academy will battle Great Bridge, and Easton will wrestle Rio Rancho, on two mats at 10 a.m. The Red Rovers
will switch opponents with Blair Academy for two more dual meets at 2 p.m. After the second session, one mat will
be taken off the floor to make way for the two feature matches of the day. Great Bridge will take on Rio Rancho
at 6 p.m., and Easton will go under the spotlights to try for an upset of Blair Academy at 8 p.m.
"I think wrestling fans are going to experience a very vocal crowd on Saturday," said Steve Pados, who
is an Assistant Director of the NHSCA. "It's a crowd that is definitely going to side with Easton. But I've
been talking with hotel people in the area and they are expecting people from all over. We draw fans from 15 states.
We have sold tickets to people from Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, North Carolina, and we have people
coming from Florida. It is an event that has really caught the imagination of the consummate wrestling fan. We
feel good about it because it's a great event."
The Easton gymnasium seats 1,400 fans and tickets are still available. All-session tickets are $15 for adults and
$9 for students. Single-session tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for students.
A link to live results for the Final Four will be posted at www.EastonWrestling.com and www.D11Wrestling.com. A
live broadcast will be available at www.NHSCA.com beginning at 5:30 p.m. Joe Boardwine will do the play-by-play,
while Steve Pados will do the color commentary.
Great Bridge and Blair Academy are no strangers to one another. They both competed at the Ironman and the Beast
of the East, with Blair edging Great Bridge both times.
"They were close at the Ironman, and Blair stretched the gap at the Beast," Pados said. "Blair is
wrestling very good. Rio Rancho is coming off some nagging injuries, so I believe they might be down a little bit.
But they are a team that has vaulted into the national scene in the last few years. They are good and they will
be around for awhile."
Easton has seen Rio Rancho already this season. The Red Rovers won the Reno Tournament of Champions, while Rio
Rancho finished a close third behind Wasatch (Utah). However, Rio Rancho was in first place for much of the tournament.
Easton was able to take over the lead later in the tournament.
Easton owns an all-time record of 7-5 in the Final Four, with four of its losses coming to Blair Academy. The Buccaneers
are a perfect 12-0 in the event. Great Bridge will be making its second trip to the Final Four after posting a
record of 2-1 in 2003. Rio Rancho is making its first appearance.
As is always the case, some marquee individual matches will take place throughout the day in every dual meet. The
lower weights seem to be where the most anticipated matches will take place, and 125-pounds could be the best of
them all.
There could be four nationally ranked wrestlers at the same weight.
Easton's Seth Ciasulli, who recently signed a letter of intent to wrestle with his brother Matt at Lehigh, is
NHSCA's No. 2 ranked senior at the weight class. He could face No. 3 Ross Gitomer (Blair Academy) if he doesn't
drop to 119. Rio Rancho's Nick Ramirez is the fourth-ranked senior, and Great Bridge's Jordan Frishkorn is the
No. 1 ranked junior.
Easton's lowerweights are very strong with Jordan Oliver (103), Brandon Veres (112), Brad Gentzle (119), Seth Ciasulli
(125), Josh Oliver (130), Alex Krom (135), Andrew Goldstein (140) and Braylin Williams (145).
Krom, who sits at 21-1 this season, and 138-20 in his career, should move closer to becoming Easton's, and District
11's, all-time wins leader. Matt Ciasulli, who graduated in 2002, currently holds Easton's all-time wins record
with 152. Northampton's Josh Haines, who graduated in 2004, holds the District 11 record with 156 wins. Krom's
next win will tie him with former PIAA Champion and NCAA Champion (East Stroudsburg) Jack Cuvo for fifth on Easton's
all-time wins list.
Josh Oliver and Seth Ciasulli are returning state finalists. Oliver finished second at 112, and Ciasulli finished
second at 119 last season.
Blair Academy is strong as usual, with Gitomer (119/125), Adam Frey (No. 1 at 130) and Hudson Taylor (189) leading
the way.
Great Bridge, which are 16-time Virginia state champions, will bring four returning individual state champions
with it, including three-time state champ and No. 2 Patrick Bond at 189. Jordan Frishkorn (125), Junior Pearman
(140) and Chris Brown (152) are the other returning state champs for Great Bridge.
Defending New Mexico state champion Rio Rancho, who is headed by Doylestown native Dennis Friedland, will bring
plenty of talent as well. Matt Ortega (112), Vincente Varela (119), Nick Ramirez (125), Dominick Valencia (130)
and Ace Adamson (145) will be the stronger wrestlers Friedland's squad.
The weather outside might be a little chilly on Saturday, but the forecast indoors calls for a bunch of heated
battles on the mats.
Wrap-up of the 2005 Final Four
By Bob Volkert
EAHS Class of 1991
EASTON - The Easton wrestling team took a huge step in solidifying itself as the top team in Pennsylvania on
Saturday at the fifth annual National High School Coaches Association Final Four of High School Wrestling, which
was held at Easton's 25th Street Gymnasium.
The second-ranked Red Rovers knocked off No. 7 Rio Rancho (N.M.) 46-19, and No. 2 Great Bridge (Va.) 33-24. Easton,
which is now 11-1 on the season, did fall to No. 1 Blair Academy 39-23, but the Red Rovers wrestled well against
the Bucs, who extended their winning streak to 110 matches over the last five years.
Easton, which will move up in the national rankings after Saturday's wins, will now focus its attention to Lehigh
Valley Conference rival Nazareth. The two powers will face off on Monday night. The Red Rovers also have conference
battles with Liberty on Wednesday and Northampton on Saturday.
Easton provided the biggest surprise of the Final Four with its decisive win over Great Bridge. The Wildcats were
favored in several matches that went Easton's way.
Senior Andrew Goldstein defeated defending Virginia state champion Junior Pearman 3-2 at 140 pounds, sophomore
David Crowell earned an unexpected 13-5 major decision over Tim Hill at 171, and freshman sensation Jordan Oliver
outhustled Ironman champion Jayk Cobbs for an 8-3 win at 103.
Senior Seth Ciasulli also pulled off one of the biggest wins of his career when he decisioned the NHSCA's No. 1
ranked junior, Jordan Frishkorn, 6-4 at 125. Ciasulli's 5-2 win over Nick Ramirez also highlighted Easton's win
over Rio Rancho.
In the Red Rovers' match against Blair, senior Alex Krom moved into third place on Easton's all-time wins list
with a 142-20 career record after beating national prep champion Adam Frey 10-7 at 135. Since Easton's 39-18 victory
over archrival Phillipsburg on Thursday, Krom has passed Gino Fortebuono (138 wins), Jack Cuvo (139), Bryan Rizzo
(140) and Jamarr Billman (141) on Easton's all-time wins list.
The Red Rovers also got big wins in the Blair match from senior Brad Gentzle at 119, Ciasulli at 125, senior Sal
Crivellaro at 160, senior Zach Pizarro at 215 and freshman Jordan Oliver at 103.
Easton had a 10-3 lead four bouts in the Blair match, and the Bucs didn't clinch the win until the end of the match
at 275, with only 103 and 112 remaining.
"Easton always wrestles us tough here," said Blair coach Jeff Buxton. "And we've always had a great
rivalry with them. They have a super tradition and a great program and they've got a great team this year. They
should do really well. With this event and having us usually wrestle alone at night has always been a good one
because you get to wrestle underneath the mat lamp and the place is packed. They have great fans that really get
into wrestling and they are very knowledgeable. It's such a fun place to do this at. It's been held at Easton for
the past five years. It's one of the greatest events that we go to."
Oliver (23-2), Ciasulli (26-0), Krom (25-1), Crivellaro (23-5) and Pizarro (20-2) all went 3-0 against some impressive
lineups at the Final Four.
"I think we represented ourselves really well with Blair," said Easton coach Steve Powell. "Blair
is Blair. This time of year as a coach you are never satisfied. But I'm real pleased with the improvements and
their coachability. They are just very coachable right now. They are improving by leaps and bounds."
Easton improved its overall record to 9-6 at the Final Four with its 2-1 day on Saturday.
From The Express-Times
Easton takes on the best
Red Rovers will be tested by Blair, Great Bridge and Rio Rancho.
Friday, January 21, 2005
By MIKE WEILAMANN
The Express-Times
The Lehigh Valley is known nationwide as a hotbed for high school wrestling.
Things warm up considerably Saturday when four of the nation's top teams converge on Easton Area High School to
battle for supremacy in the fifth annual National High School Coaches Association Final Four of Wrestling.
Bouts begin at 10 a.m. and conclude at 8 p.m. in the 25th Street Gymnasium.
In addition to Final Four regulars Blair Academy and Easton, this year's out of town participants are Virginia's
Great Bridge and New Mexico's Rio Rancho.
Blair and Great Bridge are ranked Nos. 1-2 in the nation by Amateur Wrestling News. Easton is No. 5 and Rio Rancho
No. 16.
It just doesn't get much better for coaches, wrestlers and die-hard fans. And this year's visiting teams are thrilled
to be a part of what many feel will be the best Final Four to date.
"We're going up against three pretty good quality teams," said Great Bridge coach Wayne Martin, whose
Wildcats have won 16 of the last 18 Virginia Class AAA state titles, including the last seven. "We're expecting
three great dual meets. All three are great traditional programs. We're looking forward to it."
Rio Rancho coach Dennis Friedland also knows his unbeaten Rams will get a workout this weekend. His Rams finished
third behind Easton earlier this season in the Reno Tournament standings.
"This is our first time coming here so we'll probably be a little shell-shocked," said Friedland, who
runs a program that is in its eighth year of existence. "We've seen Easton at Reno the last couple of years.
We're looking for some great competition and hopefully represent New Mexico well."
Rio Rancho, on the outskirts of Albuquerque, has won the Class 5A state title the last three years.
"We have about 3,000 kids in our school, not including freshmen," said Friedland, whose teams are 81-9
overall -- 9-0 this season.
Unfortunately, Friedland's team will be caught short-handed this weekend. That's because 103-pounder Riley Adamson
(21-2) will not be allowed to compete. PIAA rules prohibit its teams to compete against opponents using eighth-graders.
"We'll have to forfeit at 103," Friedland said.
The Rams do feature a number of other outstanding wrestlers, including two-time state champion Nick Ramirez at
125.
Easton's two-time state runner-up and three-time Reno Tournament champion Seth Ciasulli defeated Ramirez 6-4 in
the 2003 Reno semifinals -- en route to his second title.
Sophomores Matt Ortega (25-4 at 112) and Vicente Varela (23-2 at 119) along with junior Ace Adamson (26-3 at 145)
are also New Mexico state champs. Ortega finished third and Varela second at Reno this season. Adamson fell a round
short of placing.
Unlike Rio Rancho and much like Easton, Great Bridge has a storied tradition.
Martin built the Wildcats into a powerhouse in the mid- to late-1980s. His teams went 110-13-1 in his eight seasons
and won four state championships before he stepped down in 1992.
That's when his brother Steve, now the coach at Old Dominion University, stepped in and took the program to even
greater heights during his 13 seasons.
Steve Martin's teams rose to national prominence, finishing with a No. 4 ranking in 1997 and No. 3 the following
year that concluded with Martin being named National Coach of the Year by AWN.
Wayne Martin spent the previous nine years as the school's director of athletics before resuming the coaching duties
this season at the school in Chesapeake.
"It's been great. I love it," he said. "It wasn't a problem (coming back)."
During his first tenure, Martin coached 16 individual state champions and 38 placewinners. Great Bridge has produced
a number of great wrestlers over the years, including Jody Staylor, a junior national freestyle champion and a
two-time NCAA All-American at ODU. He finished second in the nation at 125 pounds in 1994 and is the last ODU wrestler
to reach the finals.
Another former Wildcat is Daniel Frishkorn, a redshirt freshman and the starting 133-pounder at Oklahoma State.
Frishkorn was a four-time Virginia state champion who compiled a 182-11 record in high school. He is one of only
seven ever to win four titles in the history of the Virginia High School League.
His younger brother, Jordan, is one of the current Great Bridge stars. The junior 125-pounder is a two-time state
finalist -- winning a title last season -- and is 127-16 overall. He is ranked third in the nation at 125 by AWN.
Great Bridge has only three seniors in its lineup, including state champs Chris Brown (152) and Patrick Bond (189).
The other is 119-pounder Bryan Lashomb.
"I have a fairly young team," Martin said. "We're excited about our season."
Other Wildcats to watch this weekend include state champions Junior Pearman (140), Chris Brown (152) and Patrick
Bond (189).
Bond is the top-ranked 189-pounder in the country. The three-time state champion is 25-2 this season and 170-8
overall. He won the Ironman and finished fourth in the Beast of the East tournaments -- which included Blair's
Hudson Taylor in his weight class.
Bond decisioned Taylor 6-5 in the Ironman finals.
Brown and Lashomb are headed to ODU, while Bond is considering ODU, Iowa State, Virginia Tech and Oklahoma State.
The unbeaten Wildcats just captured the National Division title at the Virginia Duals -- besting Christiansburg
42-16 in the first-ever all-Virginia final. By comparison, Nazareth lost 31-29 to Christiansburg in the semifinals.
From The Express-Times
No. 1 Blair Academy places 107-meet win streak on line
Saturday, January 22, 2005
By MIKE WEILAMANN
The Express-Times
Polls were created to produce mythical national champions only.
But in high school wrestling, Blair Academy has been widely regarded as the undisputed No. 1 for several years
running.
That could all change today at Easton Area High School.
The Buccaneers will put their No. 1 ranking on the line when they take on three of the nation's best teams in the
fifth annual National High School Coaches Association Final Four of Wrestling.
Action begins 10 a.m. at the 25th Street Gymnasium.
Fans will see Nos. 1-2 go at it right out of the chute when Blair faces No. 2 Great Bridge of Virginia.
Also on the bill are host Easton, ranked No. 5, and No. 16 Rio Rancho of New Mexico, according to the Amateur Wrestling
News rankings. All four teams are undefeated this season.
Never before has there been such anticipation for what has become a premiere event anywhere in the nation.
"Certainly with all the media attention this year it's been even crazier," said Easton coach Steve Powell,
whose teams are 7-5 overall in Final Four matches. "I really thought last year's Final Four would be hard
to surpass. St. Paris Graham (Ohio) and Apple Valley (Minn.) were two quality teams."
Easton (9-0) and Blair (6-0) have been participants in every Final Four. Their match has annually been billed as
the feature event. The Buccaneers and Red Rovers will meet at 6 p.m. -- a change from the original 8 p.m. start
because of the forecast for snow.
The Red Rovers defeated Blair 31-23 in 1999, but have dropped the last five meetings since, including a 46-20 loss
here last year.
But most fans will cram into the stands early for today's opener involving Nos. 1 and 2.
"I think Great Bridge has a realistic chance, of anybody, of beating Blair," said Powell, whose Red Rovers
open 10 against Rio Rancho.
It won't be easy since no team has beaten Blair in five years. The Bucs' last loss was 35-23 to St. Edward of Ohio
on Jan. 14, 2000.
Since then, Blair has won 107 straight dual meets while going 86-0 over the last five seasons. Veteran coach Jeff
Buxton's teams are 151-6 overall since 1997-98.
Blair will not have 171-pounder Jared Platt, who recently transferred back to his hometown school in Randolph,
N.J.
Platt was 14-5 this season and won an individual title at the Bethlehem Holiday Tournament in December. Before
that, he placed fifth at the rugged Ohio Ironman Tournament.
His absence leaves a significant hole in the Buccaneers' lineup.
"He's been struggling with keeping his diabetes under control and his parents felt better monitoring it from
home," Buxton said. "He is missed."
Rio Rancho also will be without one starter -- at least against Easton. That's because 103-pounder Riley Adamson,
an eighth-grader, cannot compete against the Rovers because of PIAA regulations. Adamson can wrestle against Great
Bridge and Blair, which are not bound by PIAA rules.
Even though Blair is missing one of its guns, Great Bridge coach Wayne Martin isn't taking anything for granted.
"Blair can move people around. Buxton is a mastermind at that," Martin said. "They have other quality
kids. He'll have them prepared."
Great Bridge (11-0), which has won 16 of the last 18 Class AAA Virginia state titles, returns to Easton after what
coach Wayne Martin deemed a disappointing Final Four appearance in 2003.
The Wildcats did beat Easton 33-23 and Oklahoma's Edmond North 44-16, but were soundly beaten by Blair 44-14 in
their other match of the day two years ago.
This time, things could be much different.
"We match up real well and it's going to be a battle," said Martin, whose team competed along with Blair
in both the Ironman and Beast of the East tournaments in December.
Three or four bouts are considered tossups in the Blair-Great Bridge match.
At 119, Blair's Ross Gitomer rates a slight favorite over Bryan Lashomb. Gitomer beat Lashomb 5-4 at the Ironman
and finished third at the Beast, where Lashomb took fifth.
Other key bouts (Great Bridge wrestlers listed first):
( Junior Pearman (22-4) vs. John Mangini (13-4) at 140.
( Mike Guttilla (9-6) vs. Scott Cust (21-6).
( Patrick Bond (25-2) vs. Hudson Taylor (19-2) at 189.
Each is a rematch from the Ironman, except for Pearman-Mangini. Pearman, a Virginia state champion, defeated Blair's
Mario Mason 7-6 in Ohio. Guttilla beat Cust 6-4, and Bond edged Taylor 6-5 in the finals.
Bond and Taylor arguably are their team's best wrestler and two of the best 189-pounders in the country.
Bond, a three-time Virginia state champ, is ranked No. 1. Taylor, a National Prep and Cadet National champ, is
No. 6, according to AWN.
"We need to wrestle very well overall as a team," Martin said. "My studs have to produce."
Easton, ranked No. 1 in The Express-Times region, is coming off its 39-18 victory Thursday night over Phillipsburg.
The Red Rovers, who looked extremely flat against the Stateliners, will need to step it up today against three
heavy hitters.
"It's pretty much in the kids' hands," Powell said after Thursday's win. "They know what they're
in for. Our schedule is what prepares us for this."
Easton 189-pounder Zach Pizarro knows he'll have to be especially sharp. The senior will likely face both Bond
and Taylor -- all in the span of about six hours.
Another good one will be at 125, where teammate Seth Ciasulli (23-0) could meet Great Bridge's Jordan Frishkorn
(26-1).
"I wrestled Bond two years ago (a 12-2 loss for Pizarro) and he's an amazing athlete," Pizarro said.
"Taylor is top five in the nation. I'll have to step up to the challenge."
So will his teammates.
"It's going to be real interesting," Pizarro said. "We can match up with anybody in the nation if
we wrestle to our abilities."
From The Express-Times
Red Rovers pull off upsets -- but not over No. 1 Blair
Sunday, January 23, 2005
By MIKE WEILAMANN
The Express-Times
PALMER TWP. -- Upsets were the order of the day for Easton Area High School's wrestling team.
After posting one unexpected team victory earlier in the day, the Red Rovers tried their best to pull off what
would have been a colossal win over the nation's best in their finale.
But the task proved too great -- despite some impressive individual efforts -- as Blair Academy won four of the
last six bouts to hold off host Easton 39-23 in the fifth annual National High School Coaches Association Final
Four of Wrestling at the 25th Street Gym.
That match was one of six wrestled in an event that featured four of the nation's best teams.
Blair Academy (9-0), which has now beaten Easton six straight times, came and left with its No. 1 ranking intact
by winning three matches in all.
"It's obvious the caliber of program they have," Easton coach Steve Powell said of top-ranked Blair.
"If you look at the credentials the four teams and their kids had coming in you could tell what went on here
today. Last year's (Final Four) was awesome and this year it was equally as good or better."
Also on the bill were No. 2 Great Bridge of Virginia and No. 16 Rio Rancho of New Mexico.
Easton (11-1), ranked No. 5 in the nation by Amateur Wrestling News and No. 1 in The Express-Times region, was
coming off a big 33-24 win over No. 2 Great Bridge of Virginia and a 46-19 waxing of Rio Rancho.
The Rovers, riding high after their earlier wins, led 16-15 against Blair after eight bouts. Senior Sal Crivellaro
gave Easton what proved to be its final advantage with his 45-second pin at 160.
Then, junior Mike Guttilla and senior Hudson Taylor had back-to-back pins and Blair went ahead for good at 27-16.
Key wins by Brad Gentzle (119) and Alex Krom (135) had Easton and its fans thinking upset.
Gentzle (23-6) got the ball rolling with his 5-2 win over Ross Gitomer -- converting a takedown with 1:05 left
in the third period to ice it.
Krom (25-1) pulled off another stunner when he handed Blair's Adam Frey his first loss of the season in a 10-7
victory.
Frey (15-1), the top-ranked 130-pounder in the nation, trailed 8-6 late when Krom converted his second takedown
with two seconds left to seal the win. Krom, who gave a verbal commitment to Maryland on Wednesday, also had Frey
in trouble with a cradle early on in the opening period.
"We knew Alex Krom was a national-caliber kid," Powell said. "He got a big win today. He's like
clockwork."
With his three wins, Krom (142-20) moved into third place on Easton's all-time wins list -- passing Jamarr Billman
(141-17), Bryan Rizzo (140-25) and Jack Cuvo (139-2) all on the same day and leaving him nine shy of Matt Ciasulli's
record mark of 151.
Blair freshman Mario Mason also had quite a day in knocking off two nationally-ranked wrestlers. First he beat
Great Bridge state champ Jordan Frishkorn 7-4 to spark Blair's 42-13 win in that one and later added a 5-4 win
over Easton's Josh Oliver, a returning PIAA Class AAA state runner-up.
Mason was named the event's outstanding wrestler.
"I thought we matched up well with all the teams," Powell said. "I thought we represented the Lehigh
Valley well."
Senior 125-pounder Seth Ciasulli sparked Easton's upset of Great Bridge, which beat Easton 33-23 here in the 2003
Final Four.
The two-time state runner-up escaped twice in the third period in posting a 6-4 win over Frishkorn in a good battle
between nationally-ranked wrestlers.
Ciasulli (26-0), ranked No. 1 in The Express-Times region and No. 9 by AWN, led 2-0 after one and 4-2 after reversing
the third-ranked Frishkorn with 56 seconds left in the second period. Frishkorn, who lost earlier in the day to
Blair's Mario Mason at 130, took Ciasulli down twice, once in the second and with 27 seconds left in the third.
Afterward, Frishkorn shoved Ciasulli's head away in disgust as the final buzzer sounded.
"It's a boost to my confidence but I feel like I can go with anybody," Ciasulli said. "I could see
he was getting frustrated by the middle of the match. You always like to beat the kids who act all tough. I was
able to slow him down."
Needless to say, Great Bridge (12-2) knew it was in trouble after watching one of its studs go down for the second
time on the day.
"When Jordan Frishkorn can't win we know we're in for a battle," said Great Bridge coach Wayne Martin,
whose team easily beat Rio Rancho 45-18 in its finale. "We didn't come through when we had to."
Ciasulli's big win ignited a run of five straight Easton wins that gave the Red Rovers a commanding 19-4 lead.
Senior Andrew Goldstein also came through with a clutch 3-2 win over Virginia state champ Junior Pearman at 140,
as did teammate Braylin Williams who followed with a 6-4 decision over Derek Gallagher at 145.
Majors by Crivellaro and sophomore David Crowell also played a big part in the outcome. Crivellaro scored a 14-4
win over Scott Cust at 160 -- taking Cust down to his back for five points in the closing seconds.
Crowell followed suit with a 13-5 win over Tim Hill at 171 that gave Easton a commanding 27-9 advantage and essentially
the victory with five bouts left.
"When you go out and try to wrestle your best, good things can happen," Crowell said.
Easton caught the Wildcats at a great time off their disappointing loss to Blair Academy in a battle for No. 1
in the country.
"Easton is a tough program and has a great tradition," Martin said. "You can't come in flat-footed
and expect to beat them. I'm disappointed because we didn't wrestle to our capabilities."
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