Wrestling: Bernstein, Pongracz win in Lions Classic

State medal winners Jadaen Bernstein of Voorhees and Mike Pongracz of Delaware Valley earned victories for New Jersey in the 33rd annual Easton Lions Club All-Star Classic on Monday at Easton Area High School's 25th Street Gym.

Pennsylvania won nine of 14 bouts en route to a 32-15 win, and now leads the all-time series, 20-13, dating to 1981. New Jersey won last year's event, 28-15, and had won three straight and four of the previous five classics.

Wilson's Jaryd Flank was named the Outstanding Wrestler by virtue of his 12-10 win over Phillipsburg's Zach Fisher.

Pongracz, a three-time state placewinner and the Terriers' all-time wins leader, earned a 1-0 decision over Parkland's Ian Evans, a district finalist, at 132.

Bernstein, a two-time state finalist, followed with a 3-0 win over Blue Mountain's Mitch Myers at 170.

Other winners for New Jersey included Belvidere's J.B. Lawson (220) and Ryan Appleby (285). The Warren County school had four representatives on the mat, as Evan Bray (182) and Jesse Thorsen (152) dropped one-point decisions. Hunterdon Central's David Fenton (160) was the other winner for the Garden Staters.

Pennsylvania also won the youth match, 39-20, that preceded the high school event.

PENNSYLVANIA 32, NEW JERSEY 15
138 -- Ryan Todora (Bethlehem Catholic), Pa., d. Nick Matthews (West Morris), 1-0.
120 -- Darian Cruz (Bethlehem Catholic), Pa.,  p. Corey Fleming (West Morris), 3:23.
145 -- Blake Bowman (Tri-Valley), Pa. md. Tim Higginson (Hunterdon Central), 10-2.
182 -- Tyler Greene (Easton), Pa.  d. Evan Bray (Belvidere), 4-3.
220 -- J.B. Lawson (Belvidere), NJ, d. Evan Kauffman (Freedom), 5-2.
132 -- Mike Pongracz (Delaware Valley), NJ, d. Ian Evans (Parkland), 1-0.
170 -- Jadaen Bernstein (Voorhees), NJ, d. Mitch Myers (Blue Mountain), 3-0.
113 -- Jaryd Flank (Wilson), Pa. d. Zach Fisher (Phillipsburg), 12-10.
285 -- Ryan Appleby (Belvidere), NJ,  d. Shaun Heist (Parkland), 6-4.
126 -- Grimaldi Gonzalez (Liberty), Pa. md. Joe Kratochvil (Warren Hills), 9-1.
195 -- Josh Alpha (Bethlehem Catholic), Pa. d. Liam Korbul (North Hunterdon), 3-2 UTB.
210 -- Ray O'Donnell (Saucon Valley), Pa. d. Anthony Messner (Franklin), 2-0.
160 -- David Fenton (Hunterdon Central), NJ, d. Evan DiSora (Easton), 4-3.
152 -- Ty Herzog (Northern Lehigh), Pa. d. Jesse Thorsen (Belvidere), 3-2.