1. Credit Delaware Valley and coach Andy Fitz for having his kids ready to wrestle after a very difficult loss to North Hunterdon on Wednesday. Brian Baehr (220) and Holden Baker (132) delivered clutch wins and pick one or the other for the difference maker. Baehr's 4-3 win over Chet Stivers, who came in with a 7-2 record, was huge early on. Baker, a reserve, handed Walt Gonsiewski (9-3) a 7-3 loss at 132.
2. Bonus points will be a big factor for any one of the top area schools this season. North Hunterdon, Delaware Valley and Voorhees all have some vulnerable spots and will live on the edge all season. Another big factor for Del Val was Mike Adam (113) and Don Glorioso (195) holding their Voorhees opponents to three-point decisions.
3. Forfeits with the match still in the balance drive me crazy and I can't understand Voorhees coach Eric Hall's decision to give Derek Zehnbauer a gift six points at 152 with only two bouts to follow. Del Val led 27-22 after a pin by Kyle Honickel at 145. After the forfeit, Del Val was up 11, forcing Voorhees to get six in both of the final bouts. Steven Baker beat Kody Eichlin, 6-3, at 160 and state runner-up Jadaen Bernstein received a forfeit with the match out of reach. Never give away six points. Maybe your wrestler holds to a major or tech to save a point or two. You never know.
4. It's great to see big matches that really bring out the crowds. Big win for Delaware Valley on Alumni Night in Alexandria Township and a lot of former stars were on hand, including state champs Jeff Segreaves and John Pasterkiewicz. The Terriers always do those special nights right. I remember covering several matches where wrestlers got their 100th victories in that gym and it's always done with first class at Del Val. Kudos to all involved with recognizing those former greats.
5. Voorhees has now lost 14 straight in this series, which Del Val leads 30-14-1 dating to 1975. The Vikings' last win was in 1998, the last season for longtime coach Bob Hall, who started the program. His son, Eric, is doing a fine job of bringing the tradition back as evidenced by a 22-5 season a year ago and a 7-1 start this campaign. Now it's time to beef up the schedule a bit, as I think that was also a difference maker tonight with the Terriers already having been through the ringer against Franklin and North Hunterdon in advance of this one.
Likely that Voorhees would have had its hands full with Baker/Zehnbauer and the 160 lber for Voorhees is improving but likely no match for Eichlin. Baker pinned Eichlin in the districts last year so it was worth a shot. 195 and 132 were the back breakers for Voorhees in this match.Voorhees schedule is pretty tough with North Hunterdon, Hunterdon Central, South Brunswick, Warren Hills, North Warren,Franklin etc
ReplyDeleteI agree totally with moving Baker to 160 for a match with Eichlin. No question the right move. I never said otherwise. The issue is the forfeit to Zehnbauer. Why just give six points?
ReplyDeleteAnd this last year stuff, is that, last year. This is a new season and Eichlin is much improved. I also suspect that bout would have been closer, but Eichlin has to be careful not to make a mistake and get caught. Very tough to wrestle when you can lose, but not get pinned.
The schedule has some tough opponents, but most of the ones you mention are regulars on the schedule due to conference commitments. I'm talking some tough independents, South Plainfield or the Easton Invitational for example which Del Val and Warren Hills have on the schedule, respectively.
Give Eric some time. Only second year at the helm. I am sure he will improve the level of competition in the future. Didn't really have a wrestler to put at 152. Baker has improved as well. Record doesn't show it yet. Had some tough early season competition and some close losses. Also hard to pin a wrestler when his job is to clam up and not get pinned. Just curious if you were there?
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