Downingtown East Wrestling

For their last dual meet of the year, the Cougar wrestlers hosted the pesky Falcons of Pottsgrove for some heated competition before the post-season. The Grove arrived with a battered line-up and East took full advantage. Adham Abouraya (285) scored the lone fall for the Cougars, but Noah Pagaduan (145) collected a tech-fall and Valen Piff (106) and Tommie Grizzanti (189) earned hard-fought decisions. Frankie Hydutsky (113), Paxson Warnock (126), Josh Hillestad (132), Liam Knott (138), and Connor Huntoon (172) all won by forfeit. East finishes their regular season with an 11-5 mark, far better than predicted by most accounts. Now, they must prepare for the post-season where the JV troops will face the JV Chesmont Championship tournament and the Varsity will compete at the District 1 West qualifier. Good luck to all!

Once again, Downingtown East took the long turnpike drive out to Bucks County to face the ‘Skins of Neshaminy. The dual was tough and Neshaminy put forth a hard, blue-collar effort that paid dividends. The Cougars fell 23-36 winning 5 of the 13 bouts. Adham Abouraya (285) picked up the lone fall, while Ryan Loraw (160) collected a technical fall. Noah Pagaduan (145) and Connor Huntoon (189) worked for hard-earned decisions, while Paxson Warnock (126) claimed the night’s lone forfeit. The Cougars learned important lessons in physicality and starting strong in matches. Hopefully, they can carry these lessons on as they near the end of the dual meet season. Good luck East!

On Saturday 2/5, the Cougars travelled to Boothwyn and old-school Delaware County to compete in Chichester’s annual tri-meet. East delivered a rebound performance beating Chichester 49-24 and Academy park 50-7. Double winners for the Cougars were Valen Piff (106), Frankie Hydutsky (113), Paxson Warnock (126), Josh Hillestad (132), Liam Knott (138), Noah Pagaduan (145), Ryan Loraw (152), Connor Huntoon (172), and Adhan Abouraya (285). The successful day was much needed and helped the team to rebuild confidence and focus. Congrats to the Cougars and best of luck with the remaining dual meet schedule!

In the final Chesmont National dual of the season, Downingtown East lost to West Chester East 31-33. The previous weekend’s Chesmont tourney left the team without two starters, but in the end, it was the lack of awareness and toughness that did them in. Falls by Noah Pagaduan (145), Brandon Pacinelli (152), Ryan Loraw (160), and Connor Huntoon (172) set a decent pace, but East was unable to focus in the closely contested matches and lost the edge. Josh Hillestad (132) collected a major decision and Paxson Warnock (126) stepped up to beat a senior to round out East’s other victories. Hopefully, there are some lessons learned and the Cougars regroup to lead a final charge for the remaining dual meets.

 

After much deliberation, and several inches of snow, the Chesmont league held it’s championship tournament on Sunday 1/30 at Oxford HS. The irregular schedule presented some issues, but East wrestling showed up with a complete team and put their hard hats on. After the dust had settled, the Cougars finished in 8th place out of the 12 league teams. They had four wrestlers place in the top 6 of their respective weight classes. Connor Huntoon (172) was the only grappler to make the finals where he finished 2nd. Noah Pagaduan (145) secured 4th place after wrestling 5 times, and Ryan Loraw (152) followed his lead with the same 4th place finish. Valen Piff (106) wrapped it up coming in 6th. The tournament is now in the books and the Cougars must bring a renewed effort this week if they want to finish the last portion of the season strong! It’s time to dig deep!

On Wednesday 1/26, Downingtown East Wrestling hosted the Red Devils of Avon Grove to continue the league dual meet schedule. East found a way to get the right match-ups and beat the Grove 51-21. Valen Piff (106), Paxson Warnock (1260, Josh Hillestad (132), Liam Knott (138), Noah Pagaduan (145), and Tommie Grizzanti (189) all secured falls for the Cougars, while Felix Mason (215) and Adham Abouraya (285) picked up forfeits. Senior captain Connor Huntoon (172) earned a decision to add to the spread. East needed this recovery from last week’s league performance as the league tourney looms this coming weekend. Good luck Cougars!

In a rare Friday night event, Downingtown East wrestling travelled to Octorara HS for the school’s first ever “George Heebner Invitational,” an 8-man individual tournament. The Cougars fought hard and managed to secure a 5th place team finish out of the 8 teams participating. Noah Pagaduan (145) was East’s lone finalist and he took the championship with a first period fall. Ryan Loraw (152) wrestled back to take 3rd, while Valen Piff (106), Connor Huntoon (172), and Tommie Grizzanti (189) took 4th. Rookie sensation Felix Mason (215) went 2-1 on the evening to take 5th. Great job to all the East grapplers and good luck this upcoming week!

As league action continued on Wednesday 1/19, Downingtown East suffered a tough loss to West Chester Henderson as the reigning Chesmont champs taught them a firm lesson. The Cougars fell 56-10, winning only 2 of the 13 bouts wrestled. Noah Pagaduan (145) earned a major decision and Ryan Loraw (172) collected a pin. If there is anything to be learned, it’s that developing as a wrestler in the off-season is vital, and even more so, developing as a team. Good luck to East as they look to regroup with an individual tournament on Friday.