Tancredi gears up for run at states

by Tom Waring, Bucks County Courier Times

Posted on January 11, 2008

Dustin Tancredi can't wait for the postseason.

The Council Rock-South High School senior wrestler wants to take care of some unfinished business. He was a little too big to make 103 pounds as a freshman, was a Southeast Regional qualifier as a sophomore and saw his junior season end on a disqualification for what he said was only his physical style of wrestling.

So far as a senior, he's looking good. He's 16-4 at 145 pounds with a runner-up showing at the King of the Mountain Tournament and third-place finishes at the Bethlehem Holiday Classic and the Escape the Rock tournament.

In two months, Tancredi wants to win a top-eight medal at the PIAA Class AAA championships.

"It's my last season. I'm looking forward to getting on the podium at Hershey," he said.

Tancredi's four losses have been to quality opponents — two to Northampton's Braden Turner and one each to Crestwood's Josh Roosa and Sussex Central's P.J. Barch. His best wins have come against Blair Academy's C.J. Cobb, Hempfield Area's Craig Chelednik and Wyoming Seminary's Justin Martinez (twice).

Coach Brad Silimperi likes what he sees from Tancredi, who is 107-42 for his career. Opponents know he likes to attack the upper body and use a cradle, but still find it hard to stop.

"He leads the team in pins. It's his aggressive nature. That's what wrestling's all about," Silimperi said.

Tancredi is hoping that as many as 10 Golden Hawks can reach states. He was hoping his twin, Derek, would make a long postseason run after battling shoulder injuries for three years. Derek Tancredi placed at the Bethlehem Holiday Classic and was on his way to a medal at Escape the Rock when he re-injured his shoulder. He's possibly out for the year.

Dustin Tancredi is also expecting the Hawks to do well in duals meets. He said a loss last month to Pennsbury "woke a sleeping giant." He's expecting more good things when Paul Ebert returns from injury and if Nick Casbar, who reached states last year while at CB East, joins the lineup.

Mat chat

Pennsbury is favored to win the Suburban One League National Conference title, but coach Joe Kiefer is wary of tonight's match at Pennridge and Saturday's home meet vs. Bensalem. "Pennridge and Bensalem are both legitimate contenders for the championship," he said.

George School is finally back in action today after a 22-day layoff. The Cougars host Friends Central.

Wrestler of the Week

Pennsbury's Joe Erb recorded a pin at 215 pounds to clinch his team's come-from-behind victory over Neshaminy.

Match of the Week

Conwell-Egan visits Archbishop Wood tonight. The winner will almost certainly make the playoffs while the loser will probably fail to reach the postseason.

Tournament of the Week

CR-South will wrestle five times on Saturday in the Cumberland Valley Duals. The Golden Hawks' toughest tests will come against Colonial Forge (Va.) and Central Dauphin.

Tom Waring can be reached at 215-949-4215 or twaring@phillyBurbs.com.

[ return to previous page ]