January 13, 2006 6:00am

EASTON 54 - FREEDOM 18

145 -- So. Colin Dailey (E), WBF 4:57 Jr. Brian Piccione (F),
152 -- Jr. Zach Sigley (F) dec 9-5 Jr. Jules Knighton (E)
160 -- Jr. Zach Rabenold (F) WBF 5:34 Fr. Joe Piro (E)
171 --Jr. Kyle Crouthamel (F) WBF 3:12 So. Keenan Walls (E)
189 -- So. Cory Rutt (E) WBF 1:13 Sr. Corey Jones (F)
215 -- Fr. Chris Wilson (E) WBF 1:05 Jr. Pat Collins (F)
275 -- Fr. Sean Serfass (F) dec 3-1 Jr. Mike Varju (5-9), 1:30.
103 -- So. Jordan Oliver (E) WBTF 23-8, 4:00 Fr. Jeremy Ortiz (F)
112 -- So. Kegan Handlovic (E) dec 9-5 Sr. Eric Saylor (F)
119 -- Sr. Russ Souders (E) WBF 3:00 Sr. Neil Strebig (F)
125 -- Jr. Ju-Ju Drummond (E) maj dec 18-9 So. Jake Finnochio (F)
130 -- Sr. Mike Biase (E) WBF WBF 3:55 So. Wayne Mosley (F)
135 -- Fr. Tevin Gibson (E) WBF 0:50 So. Tyler Markwith (F)
140 -- Sr. Braylin Williams (E). WBFFT

Handlovic fits in at Easton EASTON 54, FREEDOM 18. Sophomore scores big win; transfer Meade still not in lineup for Red Rovers. Thursday, January 12, 2006 By BRIAN FORTNER The Express-Times PALMER TWP. | No one questioned the amount of talent that Kegan Handlovic brought with him when he transferred from Wilson to Easton Area High School this fall. It was obvious from the start that he was the perfect fit as Red Rovers' 112-pound wrestler. Handlovic took a big step in the right direction Wednesday night, sparking the Red Rovers to a 54-18 victory over Freedom at Easton's 25th Street Gym. Handlovic, a sophomore who improved to 11-7, scored an impressive 9-5 decision over Eric Sayler. Easton (12-2 overall, 4-0 in the LVC), ranked No. 2 in The Express-Times region, cruised despite the absence of Alex Meade, a transfer from Delaware, who was expected to make his debut for the Red Rovers at 135. Meade, a state champion last season as a freshman for Caesar Rodney High School, enrolled at Easton last Friday and was supposed to take the mat on Wednesday. Asked after the match about Meade's status and when he'd be in the lineup, Easton coach Steve Powell said, "no comment." The Red Rovers, who were beaten 35-31 by Meade's old school at Saturday's Easton Invitational, won nine bouts on Wednesday -- including six falls, a technical fall, a forfeit and a major decision. Handlovic gave Easton a 26-18 lead with five bouts remaining by dominating Sayler on his feet. "Kegan has improved steadily all year long for us," Powell said. "On the mat and in his confidence, he's making strides every day." Handlovic led 4-1 after one period, using a pair of double legs for takedowns. He extended his lead to 6-2 after two periods before icing the win by taking down Sayler as time ran out. "I was saying before the match that (Sayler) had a good record, that he was pretty good," Handlovic said. "My teammates told me not to worry about his record, that he was just another 112-pounder." Sayler entered the match 16-3. Sophomore Colin Dailey started the scoring for the Red Rovers, pinning Brian Piccione in 4:57 at 145. Freedom (9-5, 2-1) actually led 15-6 after four bouts, but Cory Rutt (189) and Chris Wilson (215) recorded falls to give Easton an 18-15 lead. Patriots heavyweight Sean Serfass tied the score at 18 with a 3-1 win over Mike Varju at 275. Freedom wouldn't win another bout as Easton closed out the match with seven straight victories, including falls by Russ Souders (119), Mike Biase (130) and Tevin Gibson (135). Serfass was wrestling in place of regular 275-pounder Rodney Sigley, who was dismissed from the team for disciplinary reasons. "Overall, I think my regulars wrestled well," Freedom coach Jeff Karam said. "We had guys in the lineup because of various reasons that don't even have junior varsity experience. "We honestly weren't coming in here expecting to win this match. At this point, it's about coaching each kid individually." Brian Fortner can be reached at 800-360-3601 or by e-mail at sports@express-times.com