Lionville Wrestling finishes strong at the SEPA Regional Tournament!
On the weekend of 2/9-2/10, the Lionville wrestling team concluded its long season with a great effort at District 1’s SEPA Regional tournament at Quakertown High School. The event hosts close to 30 middle schools/junior highs and boasts some of the top competitors in Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Bucks County, as well as Philadelphia. The following Lions showed immense heart and work ethic during the course of the competition: Angelo Arocho (75 lbs, 2-2), Brandon Pacinelli (90 lbs, 2-2), Sean Kelch (110 lbs, 0-2), John Robbins (115 lbs, 1-2), Jeff Scott (130 lbs, 0-2), Grace Wileczek (138 lbs, 0-2), Bo Horvath (138 lbs, 4-0), Connor Huntoon (165 lbs, 2-2), Cameron Head (185 lbs, 3-1), and Nate Elam (250 lbs, 1-2). When the melee was over, Bo Horvath was crowned champion at 138 lbs and first-year wrestler Cameron Head took 3rd at 185lbs to put Lionville in the top 15 teams of the tournament. Congrats to the team for a strong finish and keeping their presence known at the heart of District 1 wrestling! Also, thanks to sister school DMS for getting us transportation and competing side-by-side. It was a memorable event! Now, what’s your plan for next season? It starts today…
The Lionville wrestlers claw their way at Counties!
The injury riddled Lions headed to the 2018 Chester County Championships looking to finish the year strong. Many of the team’s wrestlers gained valuable mat experience and kept fighting throughout the tournament. The team finished 9th overall thanks to a 1st place finish from 7th grader Bo Horvath (138), 2nd place finish from 8th grader Cameron Head (185), 3rd place finish from 8th grader Connor Huntoon (165), and 4th place finishes from 8th grader Jeff Scott (130) and 7th grader Nate Elam (250). The team is excited to bring a competitive and talented 7th grade class back next year, and we also want to wish all of our graduating 8th graders future success as they move on to Downingtown East High School!
The Lions take final loss of the season to rivals DMS!
On Monday 1/22, the Lionville wrestlers visited crosstown rivals Downingtown Middle School for the final dual meet of the season. Giving up five forfeits and braving the dual with many young starters, the Lions fell 62-17. Angelo Arocho (75) and Vincent Giardino (80) picked up hard-fought decisions while Bo Horvath (138) collected a technical fall. Nate Elam (250) received another forfeit at heavyweight. The Lions did not want to finish their season on these terms, but they have to remember where they started and how far they’ve come as a very young and inexperienced team. Good luck to all the Lion grapplers as they prepare for this coming Saturday’s Chester County Middle School Championships!
LMS falls to Kennett with depleted line-up!
Up against Kennett Middle School on Thursday 1/18, the Lions won 5 of the 9 matches wrestled, but fell 39-33 after giving up several forfeits. The team was without starters Angelo Arocho (75), Frankie Colantuno (85), and Josh Hillestad (90) due to injury or illness. However, the team still fought hard and picked up wins from Vincent Giardino (80) by decision, Jake Shannon (122) by major decision, Jeff Scott (130) by pin, Bo Horvath (138) by pin, and Cameron Head (210) by major decision, who moved up a weight class for the opportunity to wrestle.
Lionville battles but takes a lump at Chichester!
On Friday 1/19, the Lions journeyed down to Boothwyn and Chichester MS for their annual clash. The Eagles had a tough line-up and LMS knew they were in for a battle with a few starters out with illness or injury. In the end, Chichester came out on top with a 54-36 victory, but the Lions were able to put on some solid performances. Vince Giardino (80), Bo Horvath (138), and Cameron Head (165) all recorded falls, while once again, Big Nate Elam (250) put a scare in the opposition and collected a quickly delivered forfeit. Next week, the Lions take on rivals DMS and then head to the Chester County MS Championships. Good luck LIONS!
The Lions walk the tightrope at Patton!
On Tuesday 1/16, not even the impending snow could stop the Lions from travelling down to Patton Middle School and taking on the boys from Unionville. Despite missing some key wrestlers due to illness or injury, the Lions managed to finish with a 46-46 scoreline and claimed the victory on criteria, making it 47-46. Jeff Scott (130), Bo Horvath (138) registered pins while Nate Elam collected the tying forfeit. Sometimes duals are won right on the edge of defeat; today was one of those days!
Lionville drops a close one to Engle!
On Friday 1/12, the Lionville Lions took on Fred S. Engle middle school from the Avon Grove school district. The dual was back and forth, but unable to fill four weights, the Lions suffered a narrow defeat, 45-52. Josh Hillestad (95), Jeff Scott (130), Bo Horvath (138), and big Nate Elam (250) picked up falls for the Lions, while Frankie Colantuno fought back for a crucial decision at 85 lbs. Next week brings 3 more duals, so the Lions need a short memory and a strong focus on preparation. Good luck Lions!
The Lions bounce back against Octorara!
The Lionville wrestlers were back in action and looking for their 3rd victory of the year. The Lions wrestled tough and secured the 48-39 win over Octorara Middle School. Picking up a hard earned decision for the team was 7th grader Josh Hillestad (95) who wrestled one of his best matches of the year. 8th grader Jake Shannon (115) majored his opponent by an 8 point victory. The team also secured a couple of pins from newcomer Brandon Pacinelli (100), and upper-weights Bo Horvath (138), and Cameron Head (185).
LMS falls in the Battle of Route 100!
On Wednesday 1/3, the Lionville wrestlers met a sturdy Fugett MS team at West Chester East HS. Wrestling alongside their older brothers from Downingtown East, the Lions put up a fierce battle, but in the end some crucial mistakes and missing competitors made the task too great. LMS fell 33-60, but got pins from Bo Horvath (138) and Connor Huntoon (185), and scrappy decisions from Vincent Giardino (80) and Cameron head (165). Next up, a dual with Peirce MS. Even though the snow keeps knockng this one back, it should be an action-packed event when it goes down! Good luck Lions!
The Lions claim another win at South Brandy!
On Thursday 12/21, the Lionville Lion grapplers took it to a hard-nosed South Brandywine team in a heated away dual. Finishing with a score of 57-34, the Lions collected another team win before Christmas break. Angelo Arocho (80), Bo Horvath (138), and “Big” Nate Elam (250) registered pins for the young Lions. Next up, the “Battle of Route 100” against Fugett set for Wednesday evening, 1/3!
LMS rebounds against Great Valley!
The Lions were back at it against Great Valley on Monday 12/18 rolling to a 60-30 win for their first win of the year! Several new wrestlers contributed with big wins including Frankie Colantuno (85), Eli Koss (90), Josh Hillestad (95), Brandon Pacinelli (100), Bo Horvath (145), and Cameron Head (210). Also winning by pin for the Lions was Connor Huntoon (185). The team showed great effort throughout the match and they will look to use that momentum as they travel to compete against South Brandywine on Thursday 12/21 before heading into the holiday break. Merry Christmas Lions!
The Lions fall to Penns Grove!
The team returned home on Wednesday 12/13 to wrestle Penns Grove for their first home match of the year. Penns Grove brought a solid line-up of experienced light weights to LMS as they jumped out to a big lead and never looked back. The young Lions lost 60-36, but gained some valuable lessons as they look to improve and earn their first win. The team earned pins from Jeff Scott (138) and Bo Horvath (145). The Lions compete at home on 12/18 against Great Valley.
The LMS Lions open 17-18 against Stetson MS!
The Lions opened up their 2017-2018 wrestling campaign with a 60-39 loss to a determined Stetson Middle School team. LMS won 6 of the 13 matches, but also gave up two forfeits. Securing big wins for the team included key new comers Angelo Arocho (75), Frankie Colantuno (85), Josh Hillestad (95), Brandon Pacinelli (100), Bo Horvath (138), and Cameron Head (210). We also want to give a special shout out to several new wrestlers who demonstrated great effort and toughness including Eli Koss, Nico Kraus, Mya Smuel, John Robbins, Covenant Horace, and Braden Dickey. Up next, the Lions will wrestle their first home match at LMS against Penns Grove Middle School.
2017-2018 Wrestling Schedule
| Date | Time | Opponent/Title | Location | Bus Depart |
| 12/11/17 | 3:15PM | @ Stetson Middle School | Stetson MS | |
| 12/13/17 | 3:15PM | Vs. Penns Grove Middle School | LMS | |
| 12/18/17 | 3:15PM | Vs. Great Valley Middle School | LMS | |
| 12/21/17 | 3:15PM | @ South Brandywine Middle School | South Brandywine MS | |
| 1/3/18 | 7:30PM | Fugett Middle School | West Chester East High School | |
| 1/4/18 | 3:15PM | @ Peirce Middle School | Peirce MS | |
| 1/18/18 | 3:15PM | @ Kennett Middle School | Kennett MS | |
| 1/10/18 | 3:15PM | Vs. Octorara Junior/Senior | LMS | |
| 1/12/18 | 3:15PM | Vs. Fred S Engle Middle School | LMS | |
| 1/16/18 | 3:15PM | @ Charles F Patton Middle School | Patton MS | |
| 1/19/18 | 3:15PM | @ Chichester Middle School | Chichester MS | |
| 1/22/18 | 3:15PM | @ Downingtown Middle School | DMS | |
| 1/27/18 | TBA | League Championships | Downingtown West HS |
Downingtown East Wrestling 