Central Bucks West recently posted a lopsided 52-13 victory over Central Bucks South on Dec. 19, but both teams have shared a common element this season.
They likely will be battling a war against attrition with CB West having 14 wrestlers and CB South 12 on their rosters.
Since the beginning of the season, both teams have been grappling with completing an entire lineup due to injuries and depth, as their numbers are below 20 for each team.
Three weight classes –138, 170 and 182 – were forfeited by both teams.
CB West won four of the six matches, gaining falls from Dalton Reinheimer (145), Carl DiGiorgio (220) and Ryan Hieber (285). C.J. Waller (126) recorded a technical fall. The Bucks gained four forfeits.
“It is always great to start off the season with a win,” said CB West head coach Steve Romesburg, whose team had their first dual meet. “We need to take a little more pride and get tougher in certain situations.
“This year’s team is more well balanced, but we are still forfeiting four weight classes. We will need to learn to be more aggressive and start going for more pins ourselves. Our freshmen have a little more experience and are learning and developing more rapidly to the high school level of wrestling.”
Hieber, a senior, and Chris Cleland, a sophomore, were regional qualifers last year. Cleland was awarded a forfeit at 113.
“It felt good to open with a win and it was a solid effort,” said Hieber, who recorded his fall in 1:24 over Thomas Wood. “Even though we don’t have the quantity in our room, we do have better quality than in the past couple of years.
“The guys are working hard and we’re looking to build off this win.”
Cleland, who may drop to 106, realizes his team dilemma, but he also sees the determination behind his team.
“I am not surprised many kids don’t come out for wrestling because it is challenging and the hardest sport to participate,” said Cleland. “I am hopeful the hard work I put into the room pays off. I would like to see myself do as well as I did last season if not better. My plan is to go after it, be aggressive, and continue to develop my skills.”
CB South head coach Joe Rigous, who also coaches the junior high team and often has them practice with the varsity, has been impressed with his team’s showing. He also credits the efforts of his coaching staff to help solidify team chemistry.
Sophomore Corey Showaker was a regional qualifier last season and seniors Ben Bernhauser (285) and Nicholas Polinchock (145) are injured.
Against CB West, Showaker and Dominic Stoughton (145) recorded pins.
“We will compete in every match,” said Rigous. “We have some kids who can have good years. We just have to keep battling and working to get a lineup in place.”
Both teams will next be in action at the Ralph Wetzel Classic Dec. 28-29 at Hatboro-Horsham High School.
“We are now getting ready for one of our toughest tournaments of the season,” said Romesburg. Then, we will take on a very tough Souderton team and also have North Penn, Pennridge, CB East and Quakertown, which will not be an easy road ahead.
“When we get some kids back, we’ll be all right,” said Rigous. “We’ll have our work cut out for us.”
