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Two years ago, wrestling fans in the Wyoming Valley Conference were looking at the youngsters Lake-Lehman had up-and-coming and knew there was a lot of talent in the system.

Last year, the Black Knights showed that promise with four freshmen placing at the District 2 Class 2A Tournament. The potential started to prove the worth this year as the team went through the WVC Division 2 slate unbeaten for the second straight season and followed with a District Duals championship.

This weekend, the Black Knights are one of the favorites to claim the team title at the Individual District Championships in Class 2A at Hazleton Area High School. They have the most No. 1 seeds of any school in the entire district with four, and one No. 2 seed, which puts them in position to claim their first district title since 2014.

It’s not that easy though. Tunkhannock will give Lehman a run for the money in the team race. When the two met in duals this season, both were won by the Black Knights, but weren’t decided until late.

The Tigers enter with two top seeds, and two No. 2 seeds. Along with Montrose and Blue Ridge, all three have four wrestlers seeded in the top two. What separates the Tigers and Black Knights from the rest of the pack is that they both are just one grappler shy of a full lineup, while the Meteors have just 11 entries and the Raiders have 12.

Returning champs

There are many unknowns in the Class 2A Tournament, but one thing that is certain is that at least 10 new district champions will be crowned.

There’s five returning district champs with two in the same weight class. Tunkhannock’s Gavin D’Amato won a district title in 2017 in Class 3A, while Western Wayne sophomore Matt Leslie claimed a title last year; both wrestle at 145 this weekend. The remaining three are all state qualifiers from the past. Tunkhannock’s Dave Evans (120 pounds) claimed district gold last year in Class 3A. Lake-Lehman’s Bob Long (132) won a district title as a freshman in 2016 before advancing to states in 2017, and Hanover Area’s D.J. Erickson (152), a two-time state qualifier, won his first district gold last year.

Brotherly love

Wyoming Area has crowned at least one district champion every year since 2010. Over that time, the Warriors have had brothers and cousins claim district titles together in the same season.

The Wrobleski brothers, Connor and Robin have the chance to join school history this weekend. Connor is a freshman seeded first at 138 with a record of 29-10. Robin is a senior and the No. 2 seed at 170 with 30 wins, the most of anyone in the weight and has previously medalled twice at this event placing fifth in 2016 and fourth last season.

The last pair of brothers for the Warriors to win a district title in the same season was Nick and Pat Heck in 2013. The last brothers to win in the same year at districts were Brandon and Matt Judge from Valley View in 2015.

Mohawks’ last stand?

It’s no secret that this is the last time Meyers will be competing in the District 2 Class 2A Tournament as a standalone team. But could this weekend be the last time a wrestler represents the school on the wrestling mat?

The Mohawks enter eight athletes into the district tournament with just one of them seeded in the top two in 106-pounder Kris Fronseca. The freshman has a record of 14-9 and is one of seven entries in the weight class.

Fronseca might have the best chance on paper to finish in the top three and advance to next week’s regional tournament, but fellow freshman Jackoy Gayle has a winning record at 132 pounds, and junior Caleb Burns is seeded third at 138 pounds with 17 victories.

It seems unlikely that the Mohawks wouldn’t advance anyone to regionals since the last time that has happened was 2008.

Lake-Lehman’s T.J. Meehan, right, and the rest of the Black Knights will be the favorites for the District 2 Class 2A team title and the individual championships this weekend at Hazleton Area High School.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_TTL011619HS-Wrestling_4.jpg.optimal.jpgLake-Lehman’s T.J. Meehan, right, and the rest of the Black Knights will be the favorites for the District 2 Class 2A team title and the individual championships this weekend at Hazleton Area High School. Bill Tarutis file photo | For Times Leader

By Dave Rosengrant

For Times Leader

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