Local grapplers nab individual wrestling medals

Quakertown head wrestling coach Kurt Handel knew his team wouldn’t be at full strength in the Bethlehem Holiday Wrestling Classic, but he still was pleased with the outcome.
“It wasn’t too bad,” said Handel. “We didn’t have three starters in the lineup, so our expectations weren’t as high.
“But the guys who were there did a nice job and helped us finish in the middle of the pack.”
The Panthers finished 12th from the 24-team field with sophomore Mason Ziegler as their highest finisher with a third at 120. They were missing senior heavyweight Freddie Retter, 172-pound sophomore Calvin Lochman, and freshman 138-pounder Collin Gaj from their lineup.
Ziegler suffered his first loss of the season (10-1).
“Ziegler lost a heartbreaker in the semifinals to the kid from Nazareth, and he lost by the same score to him (2-1) last year at the Super Regional,” added Handel. “We had three guys out of the lineup who likely would have been in the semifinals or better.”

In addition, Zach Borzio (145) finished sixth; Kaeden Roesener (189), seventh; and Justin Adamson (113), eighth, at their respective weight classes.
Also at the tournament, Council Rock South finished third overall with senior Matt Colajezzi (15-0) claiming the 160-pound title.
Pennridge was eighth overall with sophomore 113-pounder Cole Coffin (9-3) and 132-pounder Sam Kuhns (8-3) both finishing third.

At the Tony Iasiello Christmas City Tournament also in Bethlehem, Palisades was eighth in a 10-team field. Sophomore Daniel Haubert (7-4) was second at 172 pounds.
Central Bucks West left the Ralph Wetzel Classic at Hatboro-Horsham High School with a seventh-place finish from the 24-team field.
Senior Carl DiGiorgio (215) and freshman Patrick Kelly (106) both remained undefeated with 9-0 overall records, as they captured their respective brackets.
Senior 113-pounder Teague McCormack (8-4) and junior 160-pounder Jack Wierzbowski (9-2) both took bronze medals.
At the Sam Cali Invitational at Fairleigh Dickinson University, Central Bucks East was 11th of 24 teams. Senior Quinn Collins (8-1) was second at 191. Senior 175-pounder Nils Updale (11-2) and sophomore 285-pounder Joe Collins (9-3) were both third, and senior 157-pounder Mason Stein was fourth.
Faith Christian was 12th from a 40-team division at the Powerade Tournament at Canon-McMillan High School.
Freshman 113-pounder Gauge Botero (18-4) was fifth, and seniors 145-pounder Eric Alderfer (15-4) and 285-pounder Leo Muzika (14-4) were both seventh.
Council Rock North placed 40th from a 65-team bracket, and freshman 106-pounder Eren Sement (15-2) was fourth.
Central Bucks South ended the MyHouse Trojan Wars tournament in Chambersburg 41st from 49 teams.

---

Join our readers whose generous donations are making it possible for you to read our news coverage. Help keep local journalism alive and our community strong. Donate today.