District 11 Class 3A wrestling: Northampton’s Wagner heeds advice, makes most of break

Northampton’s Trey Wagner wrestles Easton’s Chris Kelly in the 127 3A bout during the District 11 Class 2A and 3A wrestling championships Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, at Liberty High School in Bethlehem.

Trey Wagner spent part of the break between the team portion of the high school wrestling season taking a mental and physical break.

It was about a week’s worth.

It was time well spent.

The energized Northampton sophomore was sharp throughout this weekend’s District 11 tournament, registering two pins and a technical fall to reach the final and then survived a lull in his aggressiveness by getting a takedown in sudden victory to beat Easton’s Chris Kelly 2-0 in Saturday’s 127-pound final.

“I felt amazing this whole tournament,” Wagner said. “It was probably one of my best tournaments, aside from that last match where I’d like to improve a whole lot.

“But, overall, my movement was better. I felt better. My energy was better throughout the tournament.”

Kelly rode out Wagner in the second period before the Konkrete Kid returned the favor in the third to force extra time.

Wagner reverted back to his lack of aggressiveness in the scoreless first period, but remembered that’s what got him into a funk during the regular season. He took the first (and only) shot in sudden victory and finished it off for his first district title.

“I just had a better gas tank,” he said. “He was moving me in the first period. I wasn’t shooting. I needed to shoot. That’s what the difference. I finally shot in that sudden victory. I knew my movement was good. I felt it. I knew it was there. I just had to take that shot.”

Bethlehem Catholic crowned three champions, including three-time winner Kollin Rath. Rath beat Pocono Mountain East’s Keegan Demarest 5-1 in the 152-pound final for his 100th career victory.

The top five in each weight class advance to next weekend’s Northeast Regional tournament at Liberty’s Memorial Gym.

Nazareth’s Sean Kinney became the 20th four-time district champion with a 5-0 win over Northampton’s Gavin Grell in the 285-pound final. Kinney also won the pinner award for most pins in the least amount of time and the tournament’s outstanding wrestler award recipient.

Whitehall’s Tim Cunningham is the coaches’ association’s coach of the year recipient.

Shane McFillin and Keanu Dillard were Bethlehem Catholic’s other champions. McFillin gave up just two points in four matches, including a 5-2 decision over Nazareth’s Cade Campbell in the 145-pound final.

Dillard won his second district gold medal with a dominating 21-6 technical fall over Parkland’s Blake Dergham in the 121-pound final.

Younger brother Reef Dillard nearly had his first district title, twice putting Northampton standout freshman Gabe Ballard in dangerous positions late in the 114-pound final. But Ballard managed to escape the trouble, then scrambled to get a takedown in sudden victory for a 4-2 win.

Ballard and Dillard have a long history of competition dating back to the youth level, with Ballard winning most. But Dillard, down 2-0 late in the third, nearly reversed Ballard to his back. But the Konkrete Kid avoided the disaster and regrouped for overtime.

“I was feeling my nerves a little coming into the match but then when the first whistle blew, I calmed down,” Ballard said. “Then when that last flurry happened [in regulation], the nerves came right back again.

“Winning a district title was a big goal. I have been dreaming of having my name on our board with all those great champions. I really wanted to win.”

Easton’s Nick Salamone and Nazareth’s Brayden Zuercher had hairy moments, too, in their respective district finals before prevailing.

Salamone gave up a quick takedown to Emmaus’ Emilio Albanese, but recovered for a 4-3 victory at 107.

The Red Rovers’ returning state medalist stayed calm

“I didn’t go the way I wanted to,” Salamone said, “But I got it done in the end. I’m at a new weight. It’s hard to get used to it. I stayed up for the team tournament but dropped to wrestle off for the spot [at 107].

“It all came down to me winning.”

Easton secured second place in the team race two points ahead of Nazareth with Salamone’s win. The Red Rovers lost their first five finals.

Zuercher was one of four Nazareth champions (Tahir Parkins, Jack Campbell and Kinney) but had to hold off Easton’s Justin Cosover in the last moments of a 4-3 decision at 172.

The Blue Eagles sophomore was in control of the match 4-0 but got caught high on a ride for a reversal. A Cosover escape closed the gap to one point. The Red Rovers freshman nearly got a takedown in the final seconds of the third period but ran out of time.

“I just got a little sloppy on top,” Zuercher said. “Got a little too high and got my feet in a bad spot, and he took advantage. Those are things that are definitely fixable in the room, but I got the job done.”

Kinney and Rath are one-loss wrestlers who dominated most foes this season. Both had a tougher go in their respective finals.

Kinney was in a scoreless 285-pound final with Northampton’s Gavin Grell before getting an escape and takedown in the second period and another takedown in the third. But he never came close to turning Grell.

Rath also had a scoreless first period with Pocono Mountain East’s Keegan Demarest getting a couple takedowns in a 5-1 win at 152.

Kinney and Rath had three pins each en route to their finals.

Notes

— Qualifiers by school: Nazareth 10, Bethlehem Catholic 9, Easton 9, Northampton 6, Parkland 5, Freedom 5, Emmaus 4, Whitehall 4, Liberty 3, Pottsville 3, Southern Lehigh 2, Bangor 2, Pocono Mountain East 1, Pocono Mountain West 1, Pleasant Valley 1.

— Easton’s James Geiger avenged Bethlehem Holiday Wrestling Classic losses to Emmaus’ Jesse Scott and Nazareth’s Elijah Simak to finish third at 160.

— Another injury ends Pocono Mountain East’s Cael Harmon. After losing in a tie-breaker in the 145-pound consolations, he suffered a left hip injury less than a minute into his fifth-place bout and had to default out. The senior missed the entire postseason in 2023 because of an injury.

— Bangor and Southern Lehigh combined for one regional qualifier last season. The two have a total of four going this season.

— Brandon Stiehler won Pocono Mountain West’s first district champion since Greg Bensley in 2018 with a 3-1 victory over Easton’s Kurtis Crossman in the 215-pound final.

— Wilson (2A) and Whitehall (3A) are the District 11 referees’ association’s sportsmanship award recipients.

Morning Call reporter Tom Housenick can be reached at 610-820-6651 or at [email protected]

District 11 Class 3A wrestling

Saturday at Liberty’s Memorial Gym

Finals

107: Salamone (Ea) dec. Albanese (Em), 4-3

114: Ballard (Nor) dec. Dillard (BC), 5-3 TB-2

121: Dillard (BC) tech. fall Dergham (Park), 21-6, 5:24

127: Wagner (Nor) dec. Kelly (Ea), 2-0 SV

133: Parkins (Naz) dec. Fanelli (Ea), 4-2

139: Campbell (Naz) dec. Abboud (L), 2-1

145: McFillin (Naz) dec. Campbell (Naz), 5-2

152: Rath (BC) dec. Demarest (PME), 5-1

160: Kunstek (Pot) dec. Scanlan (BC), 6-0

172: Zuercher (Naz) dec. Cosover (Ea), 5-4

189: Karabinus (Fr) pinned Linegar (Ea), 2:35

215: Stiehler (PMW) dec. Crossman (Ea), 3-1

285: Kinney (Naz) dec. Grell (Nor), 5-0

Third-place matches

107: Kai (Wh) pinned Velez (Park), 2:04

114: Fenner (Ea) dec. Trach (Naz), 6-3

121: Caciolo (Em) dec. Marano (Nor), 3-1

127: Campbell (BC) pinned Rizzotto (Naz), 0:59

133: Kern (Park) pinned Grabfelder (Nor), 0:27

139: Frinzi (BC) tech. fall McNulty (B), 15-0, 3:43

145: Noe (Nor) pinned Frable (SL), 4:40

152: McFarland (Pott) pinned Hammerstone (Ea), 1:15

160: Geiger (Ea) pinned Simak (Naz), 4:02

172: McFarland (Pot) dec. MacIlroy (Fr), 9-3

189: DeLuise (BC) pinned Hopkins (Wh), 0:23

215: King (SL) dec. Schubert (PV), 2-0

285: Gavrilesku (Park) dec. Kolb (L), 3-2

Fifth-place matches

107: Fulmer (Naz) dec. Hower (BC), 8-6

114: Pascoe (Wh) dec. Pagan (L), 7-5 SV

121: Wenrich (Naz) dec. Carasquillo (L), 11-7

127: Smith (B) dec. Berwick (Str), 6-1

133: Kai (Wh) pinned Thomas (BC), 4:02

139: Bodnar (Fr) dec. Trimmer (Ea), 6-4

145: Ray (Fr) by inj. def. over Harmon (PME), 0:32

152: Sallit (Em) dec. Steckert (SL), 5-3 SV

160: Scott (Em) dec. Gonzalez (PME), 5-1

172: Cruz (BC) dec. Bibeau (ESN), 6-2

189: Reyes (Park) dec. Gillespie (PV), 9-3

215: Morrison (L) pinned Roland (Nor), 2:22

285: Schiffert (Fr) dec. Mihalichko (PV), 1-0

Semifinals

107: Salamone (Ea) pinned Velez (Park), 3:57; Albanese (Em) dec. Kai (Wh), 7-5 SV

114: Ballard (Nor) maj. dec. Fenner (Ea), 14-3; Dillard (BC) maj. dec. Pascoe (Wh), 12-2

121: Dillard (BC) tech. fall Marano (Nor), 20-5, 4:40; Dergham (Park) dec. Wenrich (Naz), 9-3

127: Wagner (Nor) pinned Rizzotto (Naz), 0:28; Kelly (Ea) dec. Campbell (BC), 4-1

133: Parkins (Naz) pinned Kern (Park), 3:04; Fanelli (Ea) dec. Grabfelder (Nor), 5-1

139: Campbell (Naz) pinned McNulty (B), 3:28; Abboud (L) dec. Frinzi (BC), 6-2

145: Campbell (Naz) pinned Harmon (PME), 3:38; McFillin (BC) dec. Noe (Nor), 2-0

152: Rath (BC) pinned McFarland (Pot), 3:32; Demarest (PME) maj. dec. Hammerstone (Ea), 10-0

160: Scanlan (BC) dec. Simak (Naz), 6-3; Kunstek (Pot) pinned Geiger (Ea), 2:37

172: Zuercher (Naz) dec. MacIlroy (Fr), 5-0; Cosover (Ea) dec. McFarland (Pot), 4-2 SV

189: Linegar (Ea) pinned Hopkins (Wh), 4:35; Karabinus (Fr) dec. DeLuise (BC), 5-2

215: Stiehler (PMW) Roland (Nor), 16-1, 4:25; Crossman (Ea) dec. Morrison (L), 4-3

285: Kinney (Naz) pinned Kolb (L), 1:13; Grell (Nor) dec. Gavrilesku (Park), 4-3

Second-round consolations

107: Hower (BC) maj. dec. Klein (PV), 10-0; Bothwell (PMW) pinned Quinones (A), 3:20; Jasionowicz (Str) pinned Clough (Nor), 3:41; Fulmer (Naz) maj. dec. Heimbach (L), 10-2

114: Barker (SL) pinned Max (Em), 4:25; Pagan (L) pinned Bothwell (PMW), 1:47; Trach (Naz) by forfeit over Hargrave (PV); Russ (Park) dec. Brown (Str), 9-2

121: Krazer (Ea) dec. Gerheart (PME), 6-1; Carasquillo (L) dec. LaBar (B), 4-2; Caciolo (Em) pinned Fetherman (Str), 2:52; King (SL) dec. Pascoe (Wh), 3-1

127: Lyden (Fr) dec. Peterson (Park), 7-2; Smith (B) tech. fall DePasqua (PMW), 16-1, 3:08; Berwick (Str) pinned Bayard (Em), 4:32; DeLucia (Wh) dec. Recinos (D), 5-4

133: Sterns (Pot) maj. dec. Crisafulli (Fr), 10-1; Kai (Wh) maj. dec. Ubiles (D), 11-3; Evans (L) dec. Wilkens (Str), 6-3; Thomas (BC) by forfeit over Alicea (ESN)

139: Sallit (Park) by forfeit over Hamlin (D); Bodnar (Fr) pinned Williams (A), 2:46; Roca (ESN) dec. Marano (Nor), 3-0; Trimmer (Ea) maj. dec. Schmeckenbecher (Wh), 13-4

145: DeLeon (L) dec. Sipley (B), 7-0; Frable (SL) pinned Walker (ESS), 0:32; Pascoe (Wh) dec. Carss (Ea), 3-0; Ray (Fr) maj. dec. Henry (Em) 10-0

152: Gomez (ESN) dec. Kreider (B), 12-8; Steckert (SL) pinned DeSelm (Park), 2:34; Sallit (Em)  maj. dec. Soulev (Str), 11-1; Tunison (Naz) pinned Koch (L), 2:16

160: Gonzalez (PME) pinned Vukal (PV), 2:37; Moya (Park) dec. Bonilla (Fr), 7-2; Scott (Em) dec. Clements (Str), 3-0; Laubach (ESS) maj. dec. Roland (Nor), 16-4

172: Walters (PV) dec. Reece (PMW), 7-5; Cruz (BC) pinned McEaddy (PME), 4:51; Bibeau (ESN) maj. dec. Ward (B), 11-0; Kocher (Wh) pinned Toth (Park), 3:21

189: Reyes (Park) dec. Woolverton (B), 5-2; Munch (Str) by forfeit over Rodriguez (ESS); Levy (L) pinned Tranguch (Em), 1:33; Gillespie (PV) pinned Giacobbe (Naz), 0:53

215: King (SL) dec. Stapp (B), 4-0; Evans (Pot) dec. Lance (BC), 9-3; Schubert (PV) pinned Rodriguez (A), 3:38; Essington (Str) dec. Black (Fr), 1-0

285: Moxam (PME) pinned Steckert (SL), 3:36; Mihalichko (PV) pinned McLain (B), 2:56; Schiffert (Fr) pinned McNamara (Pot), 0:50; Weaver (Wh) dec. Conyers (Ea), 5-3

Third-round consolations

107: Hower (BC) tech. fall Bothwell (PMW), 17-2, 4:03; Fulmer (Naz) maj. dec. Jasionowicz (Str), 8-0

114: Pagan (L) pinned Barker (SL), 2:30; Trach (Naz) dec. Russ (Park), 4-1

121: Carasquillo (L) dec. Krazer (Ea), 7-3; Caciolo (Em) pinned King (SL), 4:40

127: Smith (B) pinned Lyden (Fr), 2:59; Berwick (Str) dec. DeLucia (Wh), 3-0

133: Kai (Wh) dec. Sterns (Pot), 7-3; Thomas (BC) dec. Evans (L), 6-3

139: Bodnar (Fr) dec. Sallit (Park), 6-1; Trimmer (Ea) pinned Roca (ESN), 3:42

145: Frable (SL) dec. DeLeon (L), 3-2; Ray (Fr) dec. Pascoe (Wh), 8-4

152: Steckert (SL) pinned Gomez (ESN), 2:01; Sallit (Em) dec. Tunison (Naz), 5-0

160: Gonzalez (PME) dec. Moya (Park), 7-3; Scott (Em) dec. Laubach (ESS), 6-5

172: Cruz (BC) tech. fall Walters (PV), 19-3, 4:53; Bibeau (ESN) dec. Kocher (Wh), 7-4

189: Gillespie (PV) tech. fall Levy (L), 15-0, 3:36; Reyes (Park) maj. dec. Munch (Str), 15-4

215: King (SL) dec. Evans (Pot), 1-0; Schubert (PV) dec. Essington (Str), 2-1

285: Mihalichko (PV) dec. Moxam (PME), 8-3; Schiffert (Fr) pinned Weaver (Wh), 1:24

Fourth-round consolations

107: Velez (Park) pinned Hower (BC), 4:08; Kai (Wh) pinned Fulmer (Naz), 2:14

114: Fenner (Ea) maj. dec. Pagan (L), 13-5; Trach (Naz) dec. Pascoe (Wh), 3-1

121: Marano (Nor) dec. Carasquillo (L), 7-2; Caciolo (Em) pinned Wenrich (Naz), 4:22

127: Rizzotto (Naz) dec. Smith (B), 5-1; Campbell (BC) maj. dec. Berwick (Str), 13-3

133: Kern (Park) dec. Kai (Wh), 6-4; Grabfelder (Nor) pinned Thomas (BC), 3:38

139: McNulty (B) dec. Bodnar (Fr), 7-5; Frinzi (BC) dec. Trimmer (Ea), 9-2

145: Frable (SL) dec. Harmon (PME), 11-9 TB-2; Noe (Nor) pinned Ray (Fr), 0:44

152: McFarland (Pot) dec. Steckert (SL), 6-1; Hammerstone (Ea) dec. Sallit (Em), 5-2

160: Simak (Naz) dec. Gonzalez (PME), 3-1; Geiger (Ea) dec. Scott (Em), 7-2

172: MacIlroy (Fr) dec. Cruz (BC), 4-2; McFarland (Pot) pinned Bibeau (ESN), 2:22

189: DeLuise (BC) pinned Reyes (Park), 2:37; Hopkins (Wh) dec. Gillespie (PV), 7-2

215: King (SL) dec. Roland (Nor), 6-0; Schubert (PV) dec. Morrison (L), 5-2

285: Kolb (L) dec. Mihalichko (PV), 8-2; Gavrilesku (Park) pinned Schiffert (Fr), 4:39

Team standings

1. Bethlehem Catholic 241.5 points; 2. Easton 224.5; 3. Nazareth 222.5; 4. Northampton 159.5; 5. Parkland 119.5; 6. Freedom 107; 7. Liberty 102.5; 8. Emmaus 92; 9. Pottsville 87; 10. Whitehall 85.5; 11. Southern Lehigh 77; 12. Pocono Mountain East 64; 13. Pleasant Valley 55.5; 14. Bangor 54.5; 15. Stroudsburg 47.5; 15. Pocono Mountain West 47.5; 17. East Stroudsburg North 30; 18. East Stroudsburg South 21; 19. Dieruff 13; 20. Allen 8

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