Uhrik leads Bensalem revival

by Tom Waring, Bucks County Courier Times

Posted on January 16, 2008

Anthony Uhrik is happy again.

Uhrik wrestled for Bensalem as a freshman and sophomore before joining the powerhouse program at Upper Perkiomen as a junior. He had a good season, placing fifth in the Class AAA Southeast Regional.

But a residency dispute cost the Tribe their league and postseason championships, and Uhrik re-enrolled at Bensalem in April.

On Saturday, he posted a 6-4 win over Pennsbury's Rich Applegate at 171 pounds, helping the Owls to a 33-29 victory over the Falcons.

"This is the biggest team win I've ever experienced," he said. "This is meaningful to me. It's my hometown. I'm better off here. All the guys on the team are great."

Uhrik experienced adversity before his first varsity bout as a freshman. He was jogging with his dad, Tony, when the elder Uhrik — a former Bensalem wrestler — suffered a heart attack and died.

"It was rough," Uhrik recalled. "Wrestling got me over it."

Uhrik is 14-4 this season, winning the championship at the Southeast Classic. He's healthy again after experiencing knee problems earlier in the season.

Bensalem (14-6 overall, 2-1 Suburban One League National Conference) has won only one championship in 53 years of wrestling, but the Owls have a chance to earn at least a tie for the title. They lost by two to unbeaten Pennridge with Uhrik out of the lineup and will need to win their last four while hoping the Rams lose.

Individually, Uhrik is hoping to reach 100 career wins. He's 89-38, though the wins at Upper Perkiomen are officially considered forfeit losses. Bensalem will recognize the milestone if he reaches it.

"A hundred wins means something to me," he said. "The school record is 99 [held by Jim Boell]."

Uhrik is unsure if he will wrestle at 160 or 171 in the postseason. At either weight, his goal is to reach the PIAA tournament and win a top-eight medal.

Mat chat

Neshaminy will honor one of its former wrestlers, Iraq war veteran Matt Kent, tonight between the JV and varsity matches against Central Bucks South.

The District One Class AAA Dual Meet Tournament seedings will be determined on Sunday. Neshaminy will not participate, with coach Mike Ortman Jr. explaining that he wants to get his team healthy for the stretch run in the SOL National and for the individual postseason tournaments.

Last week's Neshaminy-North Penn conference meet was shelved when the Knights realized they had scheduled one too many matches. The teams just so happen to both be at this weekend's Conestoga 5 Star Duals and will meet in the first match on Friday afternoon.

Wrestler of the Week

Bensalem senior Greg Probst scored a late takedown at 135 pounds to beat Pennsbury's Mark Nicholson, 9-7, helping the Owls defeat the Falcons.

Match of the Week

Council Rock-North will visit Council Rock-South at 7 tonight. The winner almost certainly will capture the SOL Continental Conference title. Prediction: CR-South, 36-27.

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

HOW THEY RANK

1. CR-North 11-3
2. CR-South 7-4
3. Bensalem 14-6
4. Pennsbury 16-6
5. Neshaminy 2-4

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