Author: dtowneastwrestling

The Downingtown East wrestling squad continued on its tour of improvement as they journeyed to Doylestown to take on the “Bucks” of CB West in dual meet action! The dual was a first for both schools, so anticipation was high and the competitors had high energy. The Cougars prevailed 45-18 and won the final 9 bouts of the event after struggling in the first 4. Paxson Warnock (139), Brandon Pacinelli (152), Ryan Loraw (160), Cade McDowell (172), and Adham Abouraya (285) collected falls for East, while Steven Elinski (133), Josh Hillestad (145), and Caleb Aikens (189) picked up decisions. Felix Mason (215) was awarded the lone forfeit of the dual. It was a terrific inaugural event and the Cougars look forward to having the Bucks down to Devon Drive next season. Next up, East finishes out the regular season with an away dual at Pottsgrove. Good luck to the boys!

The Downingtown East grapplers traveled to West Chester East on Wednesday evening to compete in their final Chesmont dual of the season. It was important to the team to finish strong and reclaim a victory over WCE that eluded them last season. From the start, the Cougars were high-energy and motivated.

They beat the Vikings 42-21 and won 9 of 13 bouts to secure a 4th place finish in the league. Josh Hillestad (145), Ryan Loraw (160), and Felix Mason (215) collected falls, while Valen Piff (114) and Frankie Hydutsky (127) secured major decisions. Also contributing with wins were Steven Elinski (133), Declan McDowell (127), Adham Abouraya (285), and Varsity newcomer, Caleb Aikens (189).

Congrats to East for a strong performance and for picking themselves up after a tough run in the Chesmont!

Next, the Cougars will travel to Central Bucks West on Saturday for a first-time-ever dual with the Bucks! GO EAST!!

After another midweek loss in the league, the Cougar squad needed an opportunity to regain some steam. Despite some injuries and illnesses, East took 12 competitors to Interboro’s 8-team “Bucs Invitational” and logged a strong performance. The team finished 2nd out of 8, coming in behind nationally ranked Malvern Prep. Valen Piff (114) and Josh Hillestad (145) took second in the finals, while Frankie Hydutsky (127), Paxson Warnock (139), Brandon Pacinelli (152), Ryan Loraw (160), and Felix Mason (215) all wrestled back for 3rd. The event had all ability levels and presented an excellent challenge and day of learning for our young Cougars. The rest of the regular season remains with one league and two non-league duals. East has to gather its strength and push hard in these final duals to show its improvement. Good luck young men!

This week brought the final home contest for the East wrestling squad as they locked horns with reigning league champs, West Chester Henderson. Nursing many injuries and ailments, the young Cougars fought their hardest against a tough Warrior team. East lost 21-45 with Ryan Loraw (160) earning a tech fall, Valen Piff (114) a major decision, and Josh Hillestad (152) and Felix Mason (215) a pair of minor decisions. Only two weeks of regular season remain and East will have to patch up and keep their noses to the grindstone to achieve some positive outcomes. Next up, the first annual “Bucs Invitational” at Interboro HS. Best of luck to the Cougars!

The last Saturday in January brought Downingtown East wrestling a fresh dual meet competition as well as its hallowed “Senior Day.” On this day when the program celebrates the careers and efforts of its seniors and their parents, the team also got to compete against Central League tournament champs Conestoga.

It was a great day of wrestling with 16 JV matches and a Varsity dual meet worth the price of admission. Conestoga prevailed 39-31, but East won 6 of the 12 contested bouts without their trusted heavyweight who was out with illness. Valen Piff (114), Paxson Warnock (139), Josh Hillestad (145), and Brandon Pacinelli (152) all recorded falls, while Ryan Loraw (160) and Felix Mason (285) won by decision and major decision respectively. The JV’s roared back to tie the Pioneers 48-48 in an epic JV contest.

We want to congratulate and wish the best for illustrious seniors: Josh Hillestad, Brandon Pacinelli, Ryan Loraw, Akil Talakola, Ishan Katakam, and our beloved managers, Kaila Manuel and Charlotte Yarnall-Stevenson! You will be missed and best wishes for future success!!

Over this past weekend, the East wrestling team took their game to Octorara’s “George Heebner Invitational” and JV extravaganza. The weekend started off on Friday night (1/20) with an 8-team Varsity tournament. The action was fast-paced, and in the end, the Cougars finished in 2^nd place, just 10 points behind winners LaSalle. East concluded with champions Ryan Loraw (160) and Felix Mason (215), as well as silver medalists Paxson Warnock (139), Brandon Pacinelli (152), and Adham Abouraya (285). On the backside, Christian Fosmire (107), Valen Piff (114), Steven Elinski (133), and Tommie Grizzanti (189) took the bronze. On Saturday (1/21), the JV Cougars competed at Octorara’s JV event and put their best effort out on the mat. Ishan Katakam (160) and Garrett Knott (145) both finished 2^nd, while Michael Brady (121), and Caleb Aikens (172) secured third-place finishes. The weekend was a tremendous success, setting the squad up for a productive week of practice and a “Senior Day” dual on Saturday 1/28. Let’s have a strong week!

This year’s “Battle of the Brandywine” between Downingtown East and West fell on Wednesday 1/18. Wagner gym at the West campus was a packed house and wrestlers and wrestling families across generations came to see the event. There was some fantastic action, but in the end, the young Cougars were outmatched and dropped a 9-51 dual to their crosstown rivals. The lone winners for East were seniors Josh Hillestad (152) and Ryan Loraw (160) who earned a pin and decision respectively. There were some improved efforts by Cougar wrestlers, but lumps must be taken and lessons learned in this sport. Hopefully, losses like these motivate the 1st and 2nd year wrestlers who find themselves on the Varsity as well as those JV wrestlers who hunger for something more. The potential is there, but none of it can be realized without a plan and commitment. Best of luck moving forward!

On Saturday (1/14), East travelled in the early morning down to old Boothwyn and renewed their participation in the Chichester Duals. 6 teams from District 1 collected there and battled each other over the course of 5 dual meets. The Cougars finished the day 4-1, dropping their opener to Upper Dublin 26-28, but they rebounded quickly and won their last four duals. They beat Chichester 49-18, Springfield (D) 42=22, Norristown 72-5, and Penncrest 35-26. Valen Piff (114), Josh Hillestad (145), Ryan Loraw (172), and Adham Abouraya (285) all ended the day with unblemished 5-0 records. The Cougars are now 7-3 on the year, but there is much to face in their campaign and the road will only get more challenging. Best of luck!