On Wednesday 1/28, D-East hosted their last home dual of the year against the Devils of Avon Grove. It was also a celebration of East’s seniors and their parents for their years of dedication. If there ever was a night for fireworks, this was it! Outmatched on paper, East beat the Devils 32-31 in an absolute barn-burner! Charlie Dunbar (107) and Karsten Hodge (285) picked up bookend falls to seal the deal! Max Zambrano (127) and Declan Jewell (145) hauled in techs while Christian Fosmire (114), Declan McDowell (139), and Cade McDowell (172) secured two decisions and a major to finalize the score. Hats off to Noah Fosmire (121) and Colin Smith (215) who were able to stave off attacks and keep the team score in check. Also, the Cougar JV once again secured victory and now stands at 4-0 in the league! Congrats to both squads! Lastly, best of luck to all of our seniors recognized at senior night: Dec, Cade, Joseph, Michael, Nick R., Noah, Christian, Nick C., and Caleb. We are tremendously proud of you all! Next up, a non-league showdown against Wissahickon. Good luck Cougars!
LMS Wrestling Wraps Up a Strong Season
The scheduled match against Great Valley Middle School will not be rescheduled, officially bringing the Lionville Middle School wrestling regular season to a close.
LMS Wrestling finishes the season with plenty to be proud of, showing steady growth and competitiveness throughout the year. A late-season dual meet win over Avon Grove highlighted the team’s composure and ability to execute in key moments.
The Lions close the year with a 5–2 record and a 5th-place finish at the Chester County Challenge, the program’s final competition of the season.
Upcoming Opportunities & Reminders
LMS wrestlers and families are invited to attend the Downingtown East High School vs. Avon Grove dual meet on Wednesday, January 28, with Junior Varsity beginning at 6:30 PM, followed by Varsity. LMS wrestlers wearing Lionville spirit wear will receive free admission; general admission is $5 via the Hometown App.
All LMS wrestlers are expected to return team-issued gear on Wednesday, January 28, including singlets, warm-up shorts, and sweatshirts.
Additionally, Coach Horvath has extended an open invitation for LMS wrestlers interested in continued development to attend Downingtown East High School practices, offering a great opportunity for additional mat time and growth.
Proud of how this group competed and represented Lionville.
Go Lions! Go Cougars! 🦁🤼♂️
East Holds Firm At The Battle Of The Buck!
On Saturday 1/24, the Cougar grapplers journeyed up to Bucks County to compete at CB West’s third annual “Battle Of The Buck!” It was East’s third trip to the event, and after placing second last season, sights were set a little higher. But, the challenges mounted and the Cougars battled hard to finish 4th. They amassed 156 points with 13 point-carrying wrestlers entered and 4 back-ups on their coattails. With 5 place-winners, the team performed reasonably in the 16-team tournament. Charlie Dunbar (107), Declan McDowell (139), Cade McDowell (160) claimed gold medals, while Chris Fosmire (114) secured a silver. Nick Capell (152) dug deep and found his way to a 3rd place finish. Ultimately, it was a great day of wrestling for East, and the stage is set for the final third of the season. Up next, more league action with an old Southern Chester County foe. See you then!!
LMS Wrestling Delivers Strong Team Finish at Chester County Challenge
LMS Wrestling turned in a complete performance at the Chester County Challenge, finishing fifth overall with 112.5 points in a tournament that brought together middle school programs from across the county. The result reflected both top-end success and depth throughout the lineup.
Leading the way were Shane Houck (138) and Brendan Jewell (170), each earning first-place varsity finishes. Houck was dominant throughout the day, going 4–0 with three pins and closing the tournament with a technical fall in the championship bout. Jewell followed a similar path to the top of the podium, finishing 3–0 with a pin, a technical fall, and a championship-round pin.
Additional varsity podium performances helped solidify LMS’s team score. Cemal Yilmaz (190) battled to a third-place finish, posting a 3–1 record on the day. At heavyweight, Ahmed Abouraya delivered a gritty performance, earning second place after pushing his championship match to the final moments.
The Junior Varsity division competed in a round-robin format, where LMS continued to show depth and competitiveness. Ben Gogarty placed second in his pool, going 2–1 with a pin and a decision, while Domenick Grande also finished second, posting a 2–1 record with two decision victories. Hunter D’Alessandro, Ani Bhat, Colin Gibbons, and Jaxson Connor each earned third-place finishes in their respective pools.
From start to finish, LMS wrestlers competed with composure, toughness, and pride. The performance at the Chester County Challenge served as a strong statement of the program’s growth and the standard it continues to build.
Go Lions.
The Cougars Nip The Vikings!
On Wednesday 1/21, Downingtown East wrestling continued Chesmont National competition and travelled to West Chester East for another league showdown. Both teams were on a bit of a roll, so tension was high. Downingtown put forth a shaky effort but got it done winning 8 of 13 bouts and besting the Vikings 34-28. Charlie Dunbar (107), Mike James (114), and Chris Fosmire (121) secured falls while Cade McDowell (172) added a major decision. Caleb Aikens (189), Colin Smith (215), Declan McDowell (145), and Nick Capell (160) earned hard-fought decisions to finish the evening. The JV Cougars earned another league victory winning 6 of 12 bouts and a 33-28 barn-burner scoreline! Victories went to Corbin Cywinski, Colin Kimble, Mason Tauss, Cayden Loraw, and Jonah Myers with the double! Next up is the grinding CB West tournament known as “The Battle of The Buck.” Best of luck Cougars!
East Takes The Heebner For The 3rd Year In A Row!
After a strong dual meet win on Wednesday, the Cougar grapplers continued their focus and once again competed at Octorara’s annual “George Heebner Invitational.” This Friday night tournament is a blender with 3 lightning rounds and plenty of fast-paced action. East won the event last season for the second time, but as the event continues to evolve, nothing can be taken lightly. After the dust settled, and all of the 1st place hammers had been distributed, the Cougars took the team title with 4 individual champions and 191.5 points, beating 2ndplace Cheltenham by a stretch. Charlie Dunbar (107), Chris Fosmire (114), Declan McDowell (139), and Cade McDowell (172) all took top spot on the podium! Colin Smith (215) and Karsten Hodge (285) lost hard-fought finals to take second. Congrats also go out to Nick Capell (160) and Declan Jewell (145) who both battled back to claim 3rd, and Rylan Piff (121), Joe Duque (189), and Beau Carlson (139) for securing 5th place finishes. Now, the Cougars must set sights on the league again with a mid-week clash against WCE over on Ellis Lane. Stay WARM and stay SHARP!!!
The Cougars Take Revenge In Second League Showdown
In this third week of January, the Chesmont National reconvened and league duals took the spotlight across the county. Downingtown East opened up their home gym and took on the Warriors from Henderson, who they fell to last season with a lackluster performance. This year, the Cougars erupted and dominated Hendy for a 54-12 victory. East jumped all over the warriors and won 10 of 13 bouts. Mike James (114), Chris Fosmire (121), Beau Carlson (139), Declan Jewell (145), Declan McDowell (152), and Cade McDowell (172) picked up falls for East, while Nick Capell (160) grabbed a tech and Caleb Aikens (189) received a forfeit. Noah Fosmire (127) and Colin Smith (215) battled to small point losses and showed their grit! Max Zambrano (133) added a smooth major decision for the home team. The JV Cougars beat the Warriors 38-15, once again putting on an excellent performance! Now, East travels to Octorara/District III on Friday night for their annual George Heebner Classic. Best of luck to the Cougars! Keep the wheels rollin’!
Clutch Finish Lifts Lionville Past Avon Grove in Statement Dual Win
Lionville and Avon Grove traded blows all night in a dual meet that never allowed either side to get comfortable. From the opening bout, the margin stayed razor-thin, with Lionville grinding within a 6–12 point window as momentum swung back and forth deep into the lineup.
Then came the moment that decided it.
With just one match remaining, Cooper O’Donnell delivered when the spotlight was brightest, scoring a pressure-packed pin to pull Lionville even and electrify the gym. The comeback was completed moments later when a forfeit in the final bout tipped the dual in Lionville’s favor, sealing one of the most dramatic wins of the season.
Lionville’s path to victory was paved by contributions up and down the lineup. Pins from Kason Cosgriff, Jonathan Assante, Luca Bellia, Shane Houck, Miles Obenski, and Brendan Jewell kept the Lions within striking distance and set the stage for the late heroics.
It was a win built on patience, belief, and trust in the process. Lionville stayed composed under pressure, leaned on team depth, and executed when it mattered most. The result pushes the Lions to 5–2 on the season and sends a clear message about the group’s resilience and competitive edge.
On a night when every point mattered, Lionville proved it could handle the moment.
Go Lions.
Downingtown East Wrestling 