The Winter break saw the Downingtown East wrestlers pack the bus and head to Bucks County to defend their title at Hatboro-Horsham’s “Ralph Wetzel Classic.” The 28 team tourney draws competitors from District 1 as well as Delaware, Connecticut, and Philadelphia. The Cougars finished with 221 team points and the top honor, claiming the championship for the 4th straight year. They out-distanced runners-up Unionville by over 60 points. Wade Cummings (132), Nik Zimmerman (138), and Alec Horne (170) all claimed gold medals and undefeated marks. James Strommer (113) and Brent Czajkowski (182) finished with silver, while Lukas Richie (106) won the bronze. Other place-winners were Brendan McGinley (285) who finished 5th, Brett Horne (120) and Owen Morris (195) who finished 6th, and Connor Birzes (126) and Carter Regitz (220) who finished 7th. Collectively, the team hit the event in stride and picked up bonus points at every corner helping them secure the team title. In the JV portion of the classic, Jett Lucas-Murphy (126), Stu Regitz (132), and Josh Wileczek (195) all won championships, while first-year wrestler Jack Hayward (152) lost in ride-out to take 2nd. The JV grapplers wrestled 4 or more times each and showed their grit as they aligned their championship intentions with the Varsity. Congratulations go out to the entire team as they put forth another monumental effort! Happy New Year to all and best of luck to the DE wrestlers in 2016!
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The JV Cougars open their season at Pennsbury
Congratulations to the Downingtown East JV wrestling squad as they journeyed East and competed at the 3rd annual Pennsbury JV Classic! Eight wrestlers made the trip, and the team finished with 4 place-winners in Josh Wileczek (195), Wayne salt (152), Fernando Gomez (152), and Jake Neubaum (145). Josh Wileczek went 3-0 and collected the gold medal. His performance throughout the day was sound and fundamental, a style he has adapted to put wins in the win column. Wayne Salt went 3-1 on the day and defeated teammate and wrestling newcomer, Fernando Gomez, for the bronze. Our sincerest congrats go out to Fernando and fellow fourth-place finisher, Jake Neubaum, who are brand new team members and competing for the very first time. Also wrestling were Stu Regitz (138, 1-2), Jett Lucas-Murphy (132, 1-2), Jack Hayward (152, 0-2), and Praneeth Ramesh (132, 1-3). The coaches and fans in attendance could not be more proud of the JV contingent and look forward to watching them return to action after Christmas at the illustrious Ralph Wetzel JV Classic! To the entire DE Wrestling family, please have a wonderful Christmas!
The Cougars Scratch and Claw on the Mountain!
Once again in December, Central Mountain HS in Lock Haven hosted one of the state’s toughest tournaments, “The King of the Mountain.” Once again, the Cougar grapplers threw their names in the mix and faced some of the greatest challenges in PA wrestling. Downingtown East finished in 25th place out of 32 teams and placed one wrestler, Wade Cummings who took 2nd at 132lbs. The competition was stiff and East took several lumps as the two-day event lit up the Central Mountain gym. Lukas Richie (106) went 3-2 with 3 technical falls, but fell one match short of placing. Also going 3-2 were James Strommer (113), Alec Horne (170), and Brendan McGinley(285). Wade Cummings fell in the final to District 1 nemesis Zach Trampe of CR South, 6-2. The crowd saw an exciting final, and we’re sure they can’t wait to see the re-match whenever it goes down. Above all, the Cougars learned what is necessary to compete at the highest level in this state. It takes unwavering commitment and a winning attitude no matter who is standing in the opposite corner. East will now lick their wounds and get back to work as they await the Ralph Wetzel Classic at the end of the month. Merry Christmas and happy Winter Break!
Downingtown East storms the Ephrata Duals on opening day!
On Saturday 12/5, the Downingtown East Cougars opened their ’15-’16 campaign with a perfect day at the Ephrata duals in District III. The team went 5-0 and reclaimed the championship from PIAA 9th ranked Mifflin County in the finals. The Cougars defeated Ephrata 68-6, Biglerville 50-20, Reading 46-15, Garden Spot 45-32, and Mifflin County 49-29. Lukas Richie (106), James Strommer (113), Wade Cummings (132), Nik Zimmerman (138), Alec Horne (170), Owen Morris (195), and Brendan McGinley (285) all went undefeated at the event. Carter Regitz (220) and Connor Birzes (126) finished the day with just one loss. D-East managed to put together strong team performances despite injuries and an array of new wrestlers in the line-up. When 14 stand tall together, the team score works itself out. Congrats to the Cougars for a fine season opener and good luck next weekend at the ferocious “King of the Mountain!”
District One Regional Tournament at Oxford Area High School
District One Central Tournament at Wissahickon High School
Photos from District One Central Tournament at Wissahickon High School
Please click on the picture to access more photos from the District One Central Tournament.
Downingtown East Wrestling 