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Wednesday, February 09, 2000 Page: 3B
The following is a bout-by-bout preview of tonight’s Wyoming Valley
Conference division title matches, as analyzed by Times Leader correspondent
Gene Padden.
Each coach has said, “What you see is what you get.” So we’ll go by the
most recent lineups.
Teams get six points for a victory by pin, five for a technical fall, four
for major decision and three for decision.
Meyers at Hanover Area
(Meyers wrestlers listed first)
103 – Mark Behm vs. Chris Avery. The freshman Behm has gone above and
beyond coach Kuhl’s expectations this season. Tonight will be no different.
Behm by pin. Meyers 6, Hanover 0. 112 – Jon Lark vs. Tim Griffith. Earlier in
the season it’d be a sure pin for Lark, but the younger Griffith has improved
and knows he cannot give up the pin here. Lark by major. Meyers 10, Hanover 0.
119 – Trevor Dennison vs. John Klemash. Klemash has proven he can win big
bouts this year. Dennison hasn’t. Klemash by major. Meyers 10, Hanover 4. 125
– Eugene Clemons vs. Ryan Konetski. Another match of underclassmen. Clemons
is the more experienced sophomore who has enjoyed success and Konetski is a
freshman surprise for the Hawkeyes. Clemons by decision. Meyers 13, Hanover 4.
130 – Carlo Mercadante vs. Mike Griffith. Griffith is the returning senior
state qualifier. Mercadante is a freshman sensation. Griffith decisioned
Mercadante in the Abington Tournament semis earlier this season in a great
match. Meyers faithful are certain of an upset here, but Griffith will be
ready. In the surprise of the night, Griffith comes up with the pin. Meyers
13, Hanover 10. 135 – Kevin Behm vs. Tim Martinez. Behm is the senior and has
pulled his weight this year but hasn’t had near the success of Martinez, the
returning district place-winning junior. Martinez by decision. Meyers 13,
Hanover 13. 140 – Mike Conte vs. Joe Sherlinski or Joe Yenchak. It doesn’t
matter who Conte faces. Whistle, slap, six for the Mohawks. Meyers 19, Hanover
13. 145 – Anthony Mercandante vs. John Marczak. Marczak can hold his own in
big matches, but the older Mercadante will ride the momentum to the win by
major. Meyers 23, Hanover 13. 152 – Keith Kittrick vs. Eric Bleich. Bleich
pinned Kittrick earlier this year. Expect the same tonight. Meyers 23, Hanover
19. 160 – Luke Iseman or Ken Kwarcinski vs. Aaron Coleman. We hope this is
Iseman-Coleman. Iseman has been on a tear of late, including an upset of GAR’s
Louis Lyons. Coleman, a 1999 district runner-up, has a similar style to Lyons.
Could be the match of the night. Iseman by decision. Meyers 26, Hanover 19.
171 – Dave Thompson vs. John Jaskulski. This weight class has been trouble for
each team all season. If the meet is close up to 160, look for Iseman to bump
up for a possible pin. If not, it’s Jaskulski by decision. Meyers 26, Hanover
22. 189 – Jason Thompson vs. Jared Potsko. Don’t blink or you might miss this
one. Potsko with the quick six. Hanover 28, Meyers 26. 275 – Kevin Doyle vs.
Mike Mergo. Mismatch of the year. Doyle’s the returning district champ and
Mergo is still learning the mat. Doyle in anything less than a pin would be a
disappointment. Final: Meyers 32, Hanover 28.
Valley West at Lake-Lehman
(Valley West wrestlers listed first)
103 – Don Swainbank vs. Kelby Morgan. Morgan knows how to get Lehman the
early lead. If he doesn’t pin him, he’ll win by a technical fall. Lehman 5-0.
112 – Jason Narsavage vs. Aaron Kubasik. Kubasik beat Narsavage by decision at
the Mountaintop Tournament. He’ll expand on that tonight. Kubasik by major.
Lehman 9-0. 119 – Dave Parkinson vs. Ryan Post. A toss-up. The freshman Post
can pull it off but look for Parkinson by a few, possibly in overtime. Lehman
9-3. 125 – Brandon Romanoski vs. Jeff Taylor. Romanoski in a quick one. 9-9.
130 – Romanoski or Chris Quadrini vs. Matt Gonzales. Should be Gonzales vs.
Quadrini, whom he pinned in a previous meeting. Six for the Knights. Lehman
15-9. 135 – Joe Homza or Pat Bellas vs. Jason Wood. Wood’s experience gives
him the advantage here. Likely he will face Bellas and win by a few. Lehman
18-9. 140 – Joe Danowski vs. Jim Higgins. Danowski is one of the Spartans’
sure winners this season. Danowski for six. Lehman 18-15. 145 – Sean Matello
vs. Rich Maciejczak. Potential great match. The sophomore Matello won the
Mountaintop Tournament this year and has been tough all season. Lipski says
he’ll put Maciejczak against anyone and feel confident. Matello in a thriller.
18-18. 152 – Matt Turner vs. John Pitcavage or Bob Morris. Pitcavage is the
likely entry, and he should cruise against the .500 Turner. Pitcavage by
major. Lehman 22-18. 160 – Brian Parry vs. Dave DeLong. Another match of the
night candidate. Parry has hung with the best of them this year and DeLong is
equally dangerous. Parry steps up for the decision win. 22-22. 171 – John
Rittinger or John Ricci vs. Rick Hislop. Hislop is coming off an upset over
Berwick’s Jon Lechlitener. He’ll beat whoever Valley West puts out there.
Hislop by major. Lehman 26-21. 189 – Rittinger or Ricci vs. Ed Becker. A sore
spot for both teams this year. Unfortunately for Valley West, its upper
weights may cost it another one tonight. Becker by decision. Lehman 29-21. 275
– Drew Feldman vs. Matt Kehler. Feldman introduced himself to the WVC varsity
by pinning Kehler at the Mountaintop tourney this season. Kehler will be out
for revenge on his home mat. There’s no better ending to this meet then to
have these two go at it. Kehler will not be pinned at home. Feldman by
decision. Final: Lehman 29-24.