Springfield will face a tough task to repeat

by Jon Campbell, Delaware County Times

Posted on November 28, 2007

For some eight years Steve Mazurek has been trying to convince Dave Pecunia that he, not Mazurek, should be head coach of the Springfield wrestling team.

A long-time assistant coach under Mazurek, Pecunia finally caved and made the switch. After a 2006-07 season in which the Cougars won their first Central League championship since 1996, Mazurek and Pecunia have flip-flopped their respective roles.

Pecunia is now the head coach of the Cougars, while Mazurek, a successful head man on the Springfield mats for seven years, has stepped into the role of assistant.

"Steve has been pushing that for the last few years and he finally put his foot down," said Pecunia, an Olympic-caliber wrestler in his heyday. "But nothing changes, we will all be doing the same thing. He still does the same stuff and I'll continue to have the same role."

Despite losing 2007 Daily Times Wrestler of the Year Steve Armor to graduation, Pecunia will be taking over a team that returns numerous talented starters from last year.

Leading the Cougars in their defense of the title will be junior All-Delco performer Dan Dortone (103), as well as junior Brandon Loro (140), senior Steve Schol (145), senior Dom Fisher (152), junior Pat Leahan (160) and sophomore Andre Petroski (171).

As a freshman last season, Petroski took the Delco mats by storm and ended his season as a second-team All-Delco performer after winning the District One South title. As for Dortone, he was a terror in the postseason, finishing fifth at the Southeast Regional Tournament, just one place shy of qualifying for states.

Pecunia believes both Petroski and Dortone have the potential to get to Hershey and leave with medals.

The Cougars, who will again participate in the Beast of the East Tournament Dec. 15-16, will have to fend off tough teams from Conestoga, Penncrest, Radnor and Ridley to make it two straight league titles.

"The league should be very competitive this year," Pecunia said. "I think there are four or five teams that are in the battle. And we stay on the kids and always tell them that we are not the favorite. We tell them that 'you're only as good as your next match.'"


The rest of the Central League should shape up as follows:

Garnet Valley is in its first year competing in the Central League. Helping coach Rocco Fantazzi's Jaguars make a smooth transition will be sophomore Joe Marino (135), who earned second-team All-Delco honors last year after qualifying for Southeast Regionals.

Junior Zac Nickle (125) and senior Justin Gualtieri (160), another regional qualifier, should also have big years for the Jaguars.

At Haverford, coach Jim Jones is optimistic about the season, as he should return all but two starters from 2006-07.

Leading the way for the Fords should be Luke Bilyeu (112/119), who was a freshman standout last year at 103 pounds. Also returning are seniors Tom Brennan (171), Rob Dowd (189), Mark Gottfried (135), and Alex Scota (160). Juniors J.J. Price (119/125) and Nick Rossino (215/285) will also be counted on as consistent point producers.

The Marple Newtown Tigers will have some holes in the lineup, but those holes certainly won't be in the heavier weights. Returning for coach Rich Graham are seniors Sonny Capretti (215) and Pete Massaro (285). Capretti finished 18-6 last year, while Massaro won the Section 6 title.

Other contributors for the Tigers this year should be senior Mike Pizzi (152), junior Chris Scott (152/160) and sophomore Pat Flynn (140), who missed his freshman season due to a knee injury.

One team that should be right in the mix for the league title is Penncrest. Not only do the Lions return 2007 state qualifier Vinny D'Ortone (171/189) and sectional champion Andrew Mariani (125/130), they will also benefit from the arrival of three dominant transfers. Well, more like two transfers.

Returning to the Penncrest mats is senior Chuck Mulloy (119/125), who had spent the last season and a half at Cardinal O'Hara after taking eighth place at states for Penncrest as a freshman. Also coming in from O'Hara is sophomore Will Resnick (135/140), a Catholic League champion last year. The Lions also get Resnick's older brother, Jim (145/152).

A junior, Jim Resnick is the second youngest in the line of four top-notch wrestler brothers. He is making his way to Penncrest after two years at The Haverford School.

With a very strong core returning from a quality team last year, Radnor could again be in competition for the league title.

Leading the way for the Red Raiders is junior John Meyers (140). On his way to All-Delco honors last winter, Meyers had 28-3 record and finished second at the Section 3 Tournament.

Also returning for long-time coach Skip Shoemaker are sophomore Jordan Fink (112), junior Chadd Baribault (130), senior Cody Davis (152), junior Bobby DiSerafino (171) and senior Nick Finger (285).

At Ridley this winter, there will be plenty more than just the story line following its legendary coach. Returning to help the Green Raiders in competition for the league title is Andy Lopchinsky. A senior All-Delco, Lopchinsky was a win from qualifying for states last year and should again be a monster this winter, wrestling at 152 or 160.

Besides that, look for contributions from senior Dereck Sinclair (130/135) and junior Sean Renish (125/130). Both wrestlers were district qualifiers last season.

Strath Haven coach Tim Styer has a solid group of returning starters that should help the Panthers be competitive in league competition.

Junior Mike Corey (119), junior Cody Alderman (130), senior Luke D'Urso (140) and fellow senior Greg Venturini (152) should be consistent point producers. Sophomore Shane Kennedy will compete with Venturini for the 152-pound slot and also should figure in the mix for the Panthers.

After a one-year sabbatical, long-time Upper Darby head coach Bob Martin is back calling the shots for the Royals. Experience is not a strong point for this team, but the Royals do have plenty of young talent on which they can build.

Junior Elijah Halstead (112) and sophomore Joe Carney (119) are solid at the lower weights, while senior Tom Andresen (140), a sixth-place finisher at districts last year, and fellow senior and district qualifier Tom Dugan (215) should provide leadership, as well as consistent points for the Royals.

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