Bolinsky captures gold

by BY BOB LIPSKY

Posted on February 25, 2007

CATASAUQUA — Last season, Kevin Bolinsky wasn’t all that great on top.




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So the North Schuylkill senior worked in the offseason to turn that weakness into a strength.

Tight waist. Pick the ankle. Drive diagonally across the opponent’s body. Break him flat. Lace in an armbar. Get out to the side. Stay busy.

All that work paid off Saturday night when Bolinsky’s ability to hold Northwestern Lehigh’s Garrett Sukanick (30-6) on the mat made the difference in a 2-1 decision that made Bolinsky a two-time District 11 Class AA Wrestling Tournament champion.

“It feels awesome,” said Bolinsky, who improved to 33-1. “It’s an honor to be up on that wall (of North Schuylkill district champions).

“Speed, strength, technique. All that together builds champions,’’ he added. “My dad’s been telling me that since I was in elementary.’’

The Schuylkill League’s other finalists, Pine Grove 152-pounder Chas Aungst and Mahanoy Area 171-pounder Matt Sullivan, settled for silver medals.

Including the three finalists, the Schuylkill League will send eight qualifiers to next weekend’s regional tournament.

Tamaqua’s Matt Stewart (140) and Ryan Reichert (145) placed third, while Jim Thorpe’s Dillon Smith (125), Tamaqua’s Matt Brode (135) and Tri-Valley’s Andrew Oxenrider (160) finished fourth.

The top four placewinners in each weight class advance to the Class AA Southeast Regional, set for Friday and Saturday at Wilson West Lawn High School. The top six placewinners from District 3 and the top two from District 1 will join them to form 12-man brackets.

The top five in each weight class at regionals qualify for the PIAA Championships, March 8-10 in Hershey.

In the finals, Aungst (29-4) locked up in a low-scoring bout with Northern Lehigh’s Adam Fenstermaker (29-6). Neither wrestler could do much of anything on their feet, trading escapes into overtime. In the extra sessions, a penalty point for an illegal move against Aungst and an escape gave Fenstermaker a 3-1 victory.

“He’s really good with his defense,’’ said Aungst, who was third at districts last season. “It was tough for me to set up a shot. I didn’t want to take a risk because I knew he had good hips and he’d be able to throw me.

“I’m happy to be going on as a runner-up,’’ he added. “I feel good that I placed higher than last year, and I’m looking forward to next week.’’

Sullivan (29-3) couldn’t break free of the tough-riding Ben Clymer (39-6), who recorded a couple sets of back points before pinning Sullivan in 4 minutes, 33 seconds.

Still, Sullivan improved from last year’s sixth-place effort to earn a trip to regionals.

“I’m happy with my performance in the tournament,’’ Sullivan said. “My goal was to make it to regionals, but I surpassed that. I’m excited for next week.’’

In his consolation final, Stewart (26-6) gutted out a 6-5 decision over Saucon Valley’s Reuben Herrera (28-10). With the score tied at 5-5, Stewart injured his shoulder near the end of the second period.

Herrera decided to allow an escape to start the third, but Stewart held him off for the victory.

“My main goal was to make it to the finals, but my ultimate goal was to advance to next week,’’ Stewart said. “So I just kept that in the back of my mind and wrestled my hardest.’’

Reichert (29-4) earned his bronze with a 4-1 win over Northern Lehigh’s Zach Marlatt (27-8). Three of Reichert’s five victories in the tournament came by fall.

Stewart and Reichert also advanced the hard way, winning four in a row in the consolations for their thirds.

“After I lost in the quarterfinals I was ready to hang it up,’’ Reichert said. “But after thinking about it and getting a good night’s sleep, I realized that’s not what I wanted.’’

Smith (29-9) punched his ticket to regionals with a 3-1 win over Tri-Valley’s Kollin Bordner (15-6) in the afternoon before dropping a 10-8 decision over Pen Argyl’s Philip Racciato (26-11).

Brode (26-5) settled for fourth after a 3-2 loss to Northern Lehigh’s Zack Heller (15-7). Still, Brode will make his second straight trip to regionals.

Oxenrider (26-10) earned his place in next week’s tournament with a 4-1 consolation win over Schuylkill Haven’s Tucker Elliott. Northern Lehigh’s Scott Sechler (28-8) downed Oxenrider 7-3 in their third-place bout.



©The REPUBLICAN & Herald 2007

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