Sports

Monday, September 6, 2010

H.S. WRESTLING

February 10

History repeats

Hazleton falls to Council Rock North

By Dave Rosengrant drosengrant@timesleader.com
Sports Reporter

WHITEHALL – Over the last four years, the words repeat and déjà vu have been used frequently when describing Hazleton Area accolades.

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James Kelly of Council Rock North (top) and Pat Labuz of Hazleton Area do battle in the 171-pound match at Whitehall High School on Tuesday.

PETE G. WILCOX/THE TIMES LEADER

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On Tuesday however, a repeat performance was not a pleasant experience.

For the second straight year, the Cougars were tripped up by Council Rock North in the preliminary round of the PIAA Team Championships. This time they lost, 48-22 in the dual, which was moved to Whitehall High School from Hanover Area in effort to avoid a snow storm. In 2009, the score was 40-24.

“It’s a little disheartening with this being the fourth opportunity we had coming out of districts and taking a loss,” Hazleton Area coach Dave Shafer said. “I thought we could have won this match. I really believed it. The kids believed it. There’s no reason why I think we still couldn’t win this match. I look at that score up there right now and I think it’s a joke because I don’t think we’re a 26-point victim to Council Rock North.”

Just like 2009, the Cougars (12-2) held an early lead, but saw that diminish quickly. The meet began at 152 pounds with the Indians picking up a tech fall and a 5-0 lead. Three consecutive wins by Hazleton Area in the next three weight classes by Chad Hoffman (160, fall), Pat LaBuz (171, fall) and Jared Kay (189, major decision) helped the Cougars open a 16-5 lead.

Then CRN used strategy and winning the coin toss to its advantage. Jamie Callender, who placed second at the PIAA Individual Championships last year at 189, was held out of the 215 match, which CRN won by forfeit.

Callender then went out at 285, giving up nearly 50 pounds to Matt Starrick. And after struggling slightly in the first period, the Indians senior got Starrick on his back and got a pin to give his team a 17-16 lead.

“When you got Jamie and got a big gun like that it’s makes it a little easier,” Indians coach Tom Vivacqua said. “The team knew we were going to give up points at 60, 71 and 89 and we knew those next five we had to get six and it worked.”

Council Rock North did just that, winning the next five and never giving up the lead after Callender’s win. Two pins and a forfeit at 103 through 119 gave CRN a 35-16 advantage with five matches remaining.

Hazleton Area pulled out decisions at 125 and 130 by Mark Uliano and Richie Biesadesky, but couldn’t get enough bonus points or not give up the extra points.

“I thought we had to win eight of the nine bouts from 25 through 89 and we did not; we won five total,” Shafer added. “I thought if we came up from 35 through 45 – which I thought we could have – we still could have won that match and it just didn’t happen.”

The Cougars will have a little break before getting back to work next week for a home dual versus Central Mountain on Feb. 16. Then is preparation for the chance to become a four-time team champion in the District 2 Class 3A individual tournament on Feb. 26-27.

“The team part of the season is over now and the individuals have to focus on their part now,” Shafer noted.

Council Rock North 48, Hazleton Area 22

103 – Sean O’Neill (CRN) pinned Lucas Johnson, :30; 112 – John Dutrow (CRN) won by forfeit; 119 – Shane Longstreth (CRN) pinned Josh Mussoline, :30; 125 – Mark Uliano (Haz) dec Adam Slezak, 4-2; 130 – Richie Biesadesky (Haz) dec Alan Slezak, 10-8; 135 – Hayden Schenker (CRN) dec Jimmy Straight, 9-7; 140 – Anthony Dutrow (CRN) maj dec Tim Samec, 13-4; 145 – James Hollawell (CRN) pinned Ian Kelly, 5:36; 152 – Greg Lanctot (CRN) tech fall Tommy Biesadesky, 18-3, 4:51; 160 – Chad Hoffman (Haz) pinned Andrew Dispirito, 2:47; 171 – Pat LaBuz (Haz) pinned James Kelly, :25; 189 – Jared Kay (Haz) maj dec Joe Coates, 15-3; 215 – Stephen Kaschak (CRN) won by forfeit; 285 – Jamie Callender (CRN) pinned Matt Starrick, 3:54