Rovers muster strength to put hurting on Pates

Friday, December 24, 2004

By BRIAN FORTNER

The Express-Times

BETHLEHEM TWP. -- When Easton Area's Red Rovers took the mat Thursday night for their non-league wrestling match with Freedom, there was an entirely different obstacle they'd have to conquer.

Never mind a balanced and talented Patriots team billed as the first real dual meet test for The Express-Times region's top-ranked team.

There was the simple matter of sleep deprivation and jetlag.

Working on short rest since being crowned kings of the Reno Tournament of Champions to start the week, the Red Rovers showed no ill effects of the return trip from out west -- winning 10 bouts in a 47-19 thumping of the host Pates.

"We were a little worried with the scheduling," Easton coach Steve Powell said. "After a tough two-day tournament, a four-hour airplane flight home and the time change, we were concerned how the kids would hold up."

"We're all pretty tired," said Easton's senior 125-pounder Seth Ciasulli. "I wanted to go out and make it as short as possible."

Ciasulli (15-0), a two-time PIAA Class AAA state runner-up who won his third Reno championship on Tuesday, put the finishing touches on his team's victory Thursday with a fall in 1:03 over Tim Padilla at 125.

"We knew that Freedom had a good team and we were all working on three hours sleep, but we weren't really that concerned," said Ciasulli, who collected the 100th win of his career in the Reno finals and is now 101-11 overall. "Getting my 100th win was a big milestone for me since I didn't crack the lineup as a freshman."

Easton (4-0) stormed out to a 20-0 lead on the strength of falls by Josh Oliver (130), Krom (135), a technical fall by Andrew Goldstein at 140 and a decision by Braylin Williams at 145.

"I was very comfortable with the draw," Powell said. "By starting at 130, we send out Josh Oliver and (Alex) Krom and finish with (Brad) Gentzle and Ciasulli. That's a nice advantage to have."

Josh Oliver (16-1) needed just 37 seconds to dispose of Jeremy Tsihlis and put Easton up 6-0.

Krom, who was coming off winning his first Reno title, pinned sophomore Brian Piccione in 2:20 to extend the lead to 12-0.

Freedom (6-2), ranked No. 7 in the region, didn't get on the scoreboard until Williams made it a 20-point deficit with a wild 17-12 decision over Curtis Charles.

Sophomore 152-pounder Zach Sigley earned the Pates' first win of the night -- a 12-3 major decision of Kyle Hershey.

The Red Rovers won three of the next four bouts to take a 26-10 lead with six bouts left before the Freedom made a final run.

Tyler Azzalina cut into the Rovers' lead with a 2-0 decision over Kyle Snyder at 215 and 275-pound junior Rodney Sigley made it 26-19 by pinning Jarrid Myers in 31 seconds.

The Rovers won the final four bouts, including Brandon Veres' 6-4 overtime decision over Mike Canavan at 112.

Veres (2-0) trailed 4-1 midway through the final period before escaping and scoring a takedown with 15 seconds remaining to send the bout into overtime. The Red Rover sophomore clinched the decision -- and his team's victory -- by converting a takedown with 13 seconds left in the extra period.

Jordan Oliver and Gentzle also recorded falls for Easton.

EASTON 47, FREEDOM 19

130 -- Sr. Josh Oliver (16-1), E, p. Jr. Jeremy Tsihlis (11-2), :37.

135 -- Sr. Alex Krom (14-1), E, p. So. Brian Piccione (0-1), 2:20.

140 -- Sr. Andrew Goldstein (11-3), E, tf. So. Dan Massaro (5-6), 19-4, 3:42.

145 -- Jr. Braylin Williams (11-4), E, d. Sr. Curtis Charles (7-4), 17-12.

152 -- So. Zach Sigley (11-1), F, md. Sr. Kyle Hershey (5-7), 12-3.

160 -- Sr. Sal Crivellaro (13-4), E, d. Jr. Kyle Crouthamel (8-4), 6-3.

171 -- So. Zach Rabenold (9-3), F, p. Fr. Cory Rutt (2-3), 1:20.

189 -- Sr. Zach Pizarro (8-2), E, d. Sr. Mike Lovett (9-3), 7-2.

215 -- Sr. Tyler Azzalina (7-3), F, d. Jr. Kyle Snyder (4-7), 2-0.

275 -- Jr. Rodney Sigley (10-1), F, p. Sr. Jarrid Myers (0-5), :31.

103 -- Fr. Jordan Oliver (13-1), E, p. Jr. Eric Sayler (7-6), 1:02.

112 -- So. Brandon Veres (2-0), E, d. Sr. Mike Canavan (6-5), 6-4 OT.

119 -- Sr. Brad Gentzle (14-3), E, p. Jr. Neil Strebig (9-4), :26.

125 -- Sr. Seth Ciasulli (15-0), E, p. Sr. Tim Padilla (4-2), 1:03.

Referee -- Jim Milot.

Records -- Easton 4-0; Freedom 6-2.

JV score -- Easton, 67-18.