Month: January 2024

It is Super Bowl time again and that means pools, pools, and more pools!!

Please see the attached to purchase your block ($20/each).  All proceeds support Downingtown East Wrestling – to offset expenses that District fees do not cover.

Please consider posting to all your personal social media, tagging, etc… to get the word out.  The pool is open to ALL.

Online version: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSerhESGUfAYz4dYpxaGnGxU5dFCFQ1ZW_89sNnP4bsGYIcl6A/viewform

Print version: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cR8d7OW2c0qGD5AgPQNrNwe-X8BEcUbl/view?usp=sharing

On Saturday 1/27, the Downingtown East grapplers travelled to ol’ Bucks County to compete at CB West’s first edition of their “Battle of the Bucks” tournament. The 16-team tourney brought in wrestlers from PA and Delaware, publics and privates, for a diverse competition. It was indeed a long day, but the Cougars persevered and brought home the team title with 185.5 points, ten clear of runners-up and hosts, CB West. They ended with 9 total medalists. Valen Piff (121) and Ricky Jewell (152) put in 4-0 performances and captured gold medals at their respective weights. Paxson Warnock (139) and Adham Abouraya (285) were in the hunt for titles, but fell just short to claim silver medals. Felix Mason (215) battled back from a semi-final loss to take a bronze. Other medalists were Declan McDowell (127- 4^th), Stephen Elinski (145 – 5^th), Cade McDowell (172 – 5^th), and Tommie Grizzanti (189 – 4^th). Christian Fosmire (114), Frankie Hydutsky (133), and Scott Zhang (160) contributed to the team effort with 2-2 records on the day. Ultimately, it was a strong team performance fused with great individual attitudes through a long day of wrestling. Congrats go out to all members of the team, including the JV squad who spent the day in the auxiliary gyms battling in their own tournament! This next week welcomes back Chesmont league wrestling and a Saturday dual in Montgomery County. Good luck COUGARS!

After a short hiatus, Downingtown East wrestling found itself with the credentials to compete in District 1’s 23-24 team post-season. With a record of 11-0, they were awarded the 11th seed in a 16 team bracket and slated to wrestle the 6th seeded Springford Rams. East travelled to Montgomery County on Thursday 1/26 to take on an old PAC-12 foe and fight for advancement in the District 1 tourney. It was not meant to be as the Rams collected a number of bonus points and beat the Cougars 37-20. Although East won 6 of the 13 matches, they were unable to grab bonus points and keep the team score close. Ricky Jewell (152), Felix Mason (215), Adham Abouraya (285), and Declan McDowell (127) collected minor decisions while Cade McDowell (172) and Valen Piff (121) stretched their leads for majors. The event was a great experience for this Cougar team and many lessons are to be learned. The team will travel to CB West this weekend for their inaugural tournament and a shot at some Bucks County glory. Good luck to the team and coaches! The season is moving quickly, so take advantage of every opportunity to get better as the postseason approaches!

On Wednesday 1/24, the Chesmont league made up its postponed duals to get back on track. The Cougars traveled to neighboring Coatesville to take on the Red Raiders in a Chesmont National showdown. After losing to them last season, East was on a mission and collected several bonus points on their way to a 45-20 victory! Christian Fosmire (114), Paxson Warnock (139), Stephen Elinski (145), Scott Zhang (160), Tommie Grizzanti (189), and Adham Abouraya (285) all registered pins for the blue and gold. Other winners were Frankie Hydutsky (133) who won by decision and Misha Page (107) who picked up the lone forfeit. The JV Cougars also fared well with a 34-12 victory! Tommy Robson, Mike Brady, Mohamed Elkouly, Mason Tauss, Pat Macauley, Nick Romano, Adam Acevedo, and Colin Kimble all won their matches to take home the league dual. Next up is a District 1 Dual with PAC-12 power Springford. Good Luck Cougars!

This Thursday – District 1 uses online sales only. Tickets are 7$ for all. The gates will open at 6:30pm (at Springford’s 9th grade center)

Livestreaming: (IF AVAILABLE)  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZge2Z3uZDf3QLY047MeJ5g

ONLINE TICKETING: Upcoming Events | PIAA District 1 Box Office

Each wrestling season presents our wrestling community with an annual clash between crosstown rivals East and West. This year, the date fell after the first snow and in the middle of the season itself. On Wednesday 1/17, East hosted the Whippets for town bragging rights and another step towards the league’s pinnacle. The Cougars delivered a great performance, winning 8 of 13 matches for a final score of 45-25! They chased bonus points all night with Valen Piff (121), Declan McDowell (127), Tommy Robson (145), Ricky Jewell (160), Cade McDowell (172), Felix Mason (215), and Adham Abouraya (285) scoring falls for East. Tommie Grizzanti (189) worked for a decision to cap off the scoring. Christian Fosmire (107) and Paxson Warnock (139) battled hard in their losses to slim any Whippet gains. In the end, it was a total team effort and the Cougars, led by their seniors, were able to recapture the Brandywine’s cherished title. Next up, the East grapplers take a trip to District III to compete in Octorara’s “George Heebner Invitational.” Best of luck to all and stay safe and warm as the Winter weather returns!

In its annual dual meet tournament, Chichester celebrated its nineteenth edition and once again invited the DE Cougars to compete. Although missing some key pieces, East took the title going 5-0 on the day. They beat Springfield (Delco) 39-30, Upper Dublin 34-27, William Tennent 48-21, Penncrest 38-21, and hosts Chichester 61-10. They were able to put forth a team effort and avenge last season’s 4-1 finish. Christian Fosmire (107), Ricky Jewell (152), Tommie Grizzanti (189), and Felix Mason (215) all went undefeated 5-0 on the day, with Paxson Warnock (139) going 3-1, Stephen Elinski (145) and Valen Piff (121) finishing 4-1, and Frankie Hydutsky (133) going 3-2. Support wrestlers Rylan Piff (107), Michael Brady (133), Tommy Robson (139), Gunnar Savidge (172), and Colin Kimble (215) all added their efforts to help the team get it done! Now, this coming week brings the return of league competition and a date with crosstown rivals D-West. Good luck to the Cougars with preparation and laying it on the line against the Whippets!!

2024 is here, and Chesmont wrestling season is in full swing! On Wednesday 1/3, East played host to the Red Devils of Avon Grove to open up their league campaign. The event brought in a great crowd and the fans got their money’s worth! The teams battled each other hard, but in the end, East won 8 of 13 bouts wrestled and won the dual 37-21. Declan McDowell (127), Paxson Warnock (139), and Adham Abouraya (285) won their matches by fall, while Valen Piff (121) secured a tech. Stephen Elinski (145) and Ricky Jewell (152) won by major and Cade McDowell (172) and Scotty Zhang (160) won by decision. Also deserving credit were Christian Fosmire (114) who battled to keep his match to a minor loss, and Caleb Aikens (189) who made his East debut and took his opponent all the way to ultimate tie-breaker before losing on a technicality. It was a great league opener, but much work remains. The team is off until next week and will use the time to heal up, sharpen up, and continue to grind!