Wallenpaupack Area’s varsity wrestling team celebrated Senior Night in fine fashion Wednesday on the shores of The Big Lake.
The Buckhorns put out the proverbial welcome mat for East Stroudsburg North in a non-league battle, but proved to be less-than-gracious hosts.
Coach Steve Krushnowski’s lads dominated this one from the opening bout, cruising to an eventual 44-17 victory.
“I’m happy for the kids ...especially the seniors,” he told TWI Sports just moments after the win. “They were aggressive on the mat tonight and that’s what we want to see.”
Paupack will now enjoy a 10-day hiatus before returning to action next weekend. The Bucks are slated to compete in a tournament at Selinsgrove.
“That should be a nice challenge for us,” said Coach Krushnowski. “I think it will give us a good idea of where we are before the league championships and districts.”
Senior Power
Kit Swenson fired up the Purple Pavilion crowd almost immediately.
The senior put on a veritable takedown clinic in his opening bout, an overpowering performance at 160 pounds.
Swenson, one of 11 seniors on this year’s Paupack roster, sprinted out to a 12-2 lead after just one period.
Kit closed out ESN’s Brandon George midway through the second with an 18-2 technical fall.
“That was a great way to start the match,” said Coach Krushnowski. “Kit went out there and took control right from the opening whistle. He did a really nice job.”
Ryan Johanson upped Paupack’s lead to 8-0 with a win at 171.
The Buckhorn junior opened up a 5-0 advantage through two periods, then held on for a solid 7-1 decision over Chris VanderHeide.
Cody Johnson put ESN on the board with a major at 189, but Paupack bounced right back thanks to Taylor Newcomer. The Bucks’ most highly-decorated wrestler struggled early on against a surprisingly tough Robert Brekhausen at 215.
Newcomer hammered out a 7-1 lead, then put the clamps on his ESN opponent at 3:07. Taylor is now a team-best 24-3 this season. He also leads the squad in pins with 15.
Frank Bruno made it two in a row with a fall at 285.
Paupack’s veteran heavyweight overcame an injured hand to post a second period pin (3:46).
Josh Rake contributed a pin to the cause at 103. Rake clamped ESN’s Miguel Bernardo at the 2:48 mark, pushing the Buckhorn lead to 26-4.
Quick Pin
The two teams traded decisions at 112, 119 and 125 before Pat Ingulli wowed the crowd with a lightning-quick pin.
