Both Pennridge head wrestling coach Brian Kuhns and Faith Christian head wrestling coach Ben Clymer walked away from last week’s regional tournaments with a strong sense of satisfaction.
Kuhns’ Rams captured their first Southeast Class 3A Regional team title while Clymer’s Lions successfully defended their Southeast Class 2A Regional title.
Pennridge crowned one champion and is sending five other wrestlers to Hershey this weekend, and Faith Christian crowned six titleholders and will send 10 grapplers.
Pennridge’s Colby Martinelli (114 pounds) took top honors and Faith Christian’s Joey Bachmann (107), Mason Wagner (139), Max Stein (152), Cael Weidemoyer (160), Adam Waters (172) and Jason Singer (215) all collected gold in their respective weight classes.
Kuhns noted that the Rams lost 215-pounder Riley Cullen, who broke his hand, and 285-pounder Chase Washington, who suffered a groin injury, for the remainder of the season.
“Both of them wrestled great for us, but both were beat up and couldn’t do their individual postseason,” added Kuhns. “Both are seniors, and it was a tough decision.
“Still, it was pretty awesome winning the team title. We have such a hard-working team and they wrestled great. Winning regionals was one of our top team goals this season, and I was so happy to see our seniors accomplish that goal.”
Kuhns sees Martinelli’s stock surging at the right time. The junior pinned Radnor’s Jayden Lee in 41 seconds in the final.
“Colby had a great tournament,” stressed Kuhns. “He really looks like he is just starting to peak. He is such a talented wrestler.”
Martinelli, a defending regional champ and a third-place finisher at states last season, went into regionals without any preconceived notions, and he’ll enter the state tournament with a positive outlook Overall, he is 21-1 this season, losing only to nationally ranked Killian Coluccio, 7-2, on Jan. 14.
“I went into the final match with a clear head,” said Martinelli. “I was ready to let it fly, and I think I wrestled very good. I feel great about the bracket I am in at states. I love where I am and my matchups. They are the ones that I wanted.”
Though Faith Christian has encountered its share of road blocks along the way, Clymer was confident the Lions would find a smooth road in the postseason.
“Our kids just keep battling,” he said. “We have had to patch our lineup all season. But these kids have the mindset to win, and they don’t let a lot of things get in their way. We’re just all grateful to be where we are.
“Winning another regional title is a true testament to the kids and the program. We have another week of hard work ahead, and we’ll see how it finishes up.”
Freshman Bachmann will bring an unscathed 34-0 record into the Class 2A state tournament. Bachmann, who has eight falls and 13 tech falls this season, edged North Lebanon’s Sam Wolford, 3-2, for the regional title. It was only his second one-point victory this season, as he worked through a 2-1 decision over Blair Academy’s Vincenzo Anello on Dec. 17.
His latest win was especially sweet for Bachmann, who lost to Wolford during the summer at a tournament. He plans to carry his confidence and momentum through the state tournament.
“It felt great winning at regionals,” beamed Bachmann. “I also got some revenge from the summer, and that was great, too.
“I learned that no one can handle my pace, and I can score on anybody at any position.”
Palisades senior Daniel Haubert also punched his ticket to the Class 2A state tournament and will wrestle in the 160-pound class.
Along with Pennridge, defending champion Quakertown, which finished second behind Pennridge among the teams, celebrated three champions and pushed two other wrestlers through to Chocolate Town.
Gavin Carroll (145), who claimed his first regional title, advanced with defending state champion Collin Gaj (152) and state runner-up Mason Ziegler (121).
Carroll is ready for the next step. He handled Chistopher Staub of Hatboro-Horsham, 13-0.
“This regional championship will motivate me for states because it built up my confidence and got me in the mindset for states,” said Carroll. “The match that was the most challenging for me was the semifinal one, which was a 4-3 match. It reminded me that I can’t slow down even if I’m up toward the end of the match.”
Council Rock South’s Bekhruz Sadriddinov won his third consecutive regional title with a 1-0 decision over Owen J. Roberts’ Sam Gautreau.Teammate Gavin Cole (160) also was on the highest stand of the podium at the end. The Golden Hawks will ship six grapplers to Hershey.
Sadriddinov, whose team finished third overall, appreciates his place in the annals of the school’s sport. He finished fifth in the state last season, and has an overall 42-3 mark this season.
“It was a good performance for our team,” said Sadriddinov. “I faced some adversity in the final, and I hope it is a one-time thing. But it doesn’t bother me.
“It’s really cool being a three-time regional and district champ, and I am only the second person to achieve the mark. I now have to take the next step at states.”
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