Author: dtowneastwrestling
Ralph Wetzel Classic Wrestling Tournament
The Cougars invade Hatboro!
Thanks to a total team effort, top to bottom, the Downingtown East Wrestling team captured the 2014 “Ralph Wetzel Classic” at Hatboro-Horsham HS. Finishing the two-day event with 248 pts., the Cougars distanced themselves from second place Pennsbury by almost 100 pts. The 32 team event presented countless displays of District 1 battle, but in the end, Downingtown East won the war. Led by champions Wade Cummings (126), Jude McDowell (138), and James Meyer (160), the Cougars boasted 10 place-winners out of the 14 available weight classes. Silver medals went to Austin Lillis (145), Alec Horne (170), Jason Gibson (182), and Billy McGinley (220) after hard-fought defeats in the finals, while James Strommer (113) and Owen Morris (HWT) rounded out strong performances with 3rd place finishes. Brent Czajkowski (195) took 4th after stringing together 4 straight wins and a tough consi-final loss. Congrats also go out to the JV Cougars who collected championships from Connor Birzes (120), Shea Milligan (126), and Carter Regitz (195). Jarrett Hansen (120) picked up a silver, and Harris Alliger (126) and Josh Wileczek (195) secured bronze medals. This Wetzel Classic finish will propel East into the new year where league matches and district dual match-ups await them. Best Wishes to all after a long 2014, and here’s to achieving more goals in 2015!
JV Cougars go to Pennsbury Classic
Just ripe for the holidays, the “Pennsbury JV Classic” came calling for the JV Cougars! On Saturday 12/20, fourteen DE grapplers hit the PA turnpike with the compass dialed in for Fairless Hills, home of the “Falcons.” The tournament was a meat-grinder with teams such as CB East, Neshaminy, CR North, Father Judge, Saucon Valley, Quakertown, and Upper Darby. Congratulations to Brett Horne (106) and Jarrett Hansen (113) for collecting championships! Brett won a in an overtime skirmish and Jarrett teched and majored his way to gold. Hats off also go to freshman Carter Regitz (195) who fell in the finals 4-3 to pick up the silver. Connor Birzes took the “route of the warrior” losing a tight one in the semis and coming back to secure 3rd with a last period fall. Also, freshman Josh Wileczek (220) picked up 4th place after battling back through a tough heavyweight consolation bracket. But, maybe the greatest highlight of the tournament rested in the resolve of 1st year wrestler, Wayne Salt (138). Wayne fought tooth and nail winning his way to the semi-finals where he eventually fell, but wow, what a ride for our exciting new team member! The Pennsbury Classic gave our JV athletes a platform to sharpen their skills and ready themselves to push our varsity team to its limit. Good luck to all of our wrestlers as the Ralph Wetzel Classic approaches, and Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!
King of the Mountain Photos
Please click on the photo to access more action shots from the King of the Mountain tournament.
King of the Mountain Action
Downingtown East participates in the King of the Mountain tournament held at Central Mountain High School.
The Cougars head north to take on the Mountain King!
This past weekend, the second in December, was action-packed and certainly a true test of Downingtown East Wrestling’s fortitude! The Cougars journeyed to Central Mountain HS in Lock Haven PA to take part in one of Pennsylvania’s most challenging events, “The King Of The Mountain.” This 34 team individual tournament boasts some of the state’s toughest opposition and a two-day grind no wrestler will ever forget. By Saturday evening, the Cougars claimed 19th place out of the 34 with three wrestlers earning hardware; Wade Cummings (126) took 5th, Billy McGinley (220) took 7th, and Owen Morris (Hwt) took 8th. Coming one victory shy of the medal rounds and earning three victories were James Strommer (113), Austin Lillis (145), and James Meyer (160). Needless to say, the tournament taught D-East many lessons, the most important being that preparation of the highest level is needed to compete in a wrestling state such as Pennsylvania. Now, it’s time to spend holiday time with family and friends and continue to train for the upcoming Ralph Wetzel Invitational at Hatboro-Horsham HS, as well as the dual meet season that comes quick after the new year. Congrats to the wrestlers for clawing through another tough weekend!
Action Shots from Ephrata Duals
Please click on the photo to access more action shots from the Ephrata Duals.
Downingtown East Wrestling 