History
2010's
Subtitle
2015 - A Summary from Coach Tim Rice
This year the wrestling team dealt with several challenges that really impacted our team success in dual meet competitions. Last year we graduated three state medalists who have all gone on to have very successful freshman years in college. In fact one of those graduates, Matt Grossmann, just won the Div III national championship for Wilkes University. Along with the loss of those graduates, are team was small with only 14 wrestlers who we needed to try to spread out to fill 14 weight classes. At the beginning of the season it appeared we would fill all but two of the weights, but with several injuries to some of our key guys, we were forced to forfeit anywhere between 4-6 weight classes a dual meet. We finished the dual meet season with a record of 3-11, however the individuals who were able to compete were still successful. If you take out the forfeits and just look at the matches won, we won more of the actual matches wrestled in 11 out of the 14 dual meets.
As I mentioned despite the challenges we faced, some guys still had some great years. Even without a full line up at tournaments are team still finished in 7th place at the LL league tournament, and 14th place in the entire District 3. Leading the way in those tournaments were guys like Jose Lao-Cooper, who collected 17 wins as a Freshman and was a 2nd team Section 1 All-Star. Joining him as 2nd team All-Stars and District qualifiers were Seniors Griffin Schultz and Nick Hershey. Griffin was a LL league runner-up, had 30 wins on the season, and finished just one win short of qualifying for the PIAA State Tournament with a 5th place finish at Districts. Nick Hershey finished 3rd at the LL league tournament and had 27 wins on the year.
We had two 1st team Section 1 All-Stars these year, David Graves and Victor Kenderdine. David had an injury filled season but was still able to pick up 22 wins, qualify for Districts, and finish his season with 97 career wins. Junior Victor Kenderdine was a LL league runner-up and had 35 wins on the season. He also qualified for the PIAA State Tournament, where he went 1-2. That makes it four years in a row now for our program that we’ve had at least one state qualifier. We are excited up next year and the future of our program. Through a lot of hard work from many individuals, the numbers in our youth program and Jr. High are strong. Because of this, we look forward to increasing our numbers at the high school level, continuing and increasing our success over the coming years.
2014: Dual record: 6 - 3 League record: 4 - 2 District qualifiers: 6 State qualifiers: 3
State place winners: Matt Grossman (5th place), Cortlandt Schuyler (6th place), John Shorter (6th place). Finishes 14th in the state as a team. PIAA District 3 Champion: Cortlandt Schuyler (120-AAA)
2013: Dual record: 12 - 2 League record: 5 - 1 District qualifiers: 5 State qualifiers: 4
The 2013 season, one of the best since Township started wrestling in 1951, featured many other highlights. Capping off an incredible year of wrestling, Cortlandt Schuyler, Alex Smith, Adam Smith, and John Shorter all qualified for the PIAA State meet at the end of the season. It was the most Township wrestlers ever to qualify for the State meet in a season. Adam Smith finished in 6th place, which gave the Streaks two state medalists in the last two years. Along with these great individual performances, the team also finished the year with a 12-2 dual meet record.
The team finished 3rd at the Solanco Mule Classic out of 15 teams with Alex Smith taking first. Township finished 17th out of 102 teams at the Beast of the East Tournament, the self-proclaimed best wrestling tournament in the country. Cortlandt Schuyler took 4th and Matt Grossmann finished 7th. This strong showing automatically qualifies the team into next year’s tournament, which is very difficult to get into. The team finished 5th out of 25 teams at the Conestoga Valley Holiday Classic, Cortlandt Schuyler and Adam Smith were champs. The Team placed 8th out of 32 teams in the very difficult Escape the Rock tournament, Matt Grossmann took second, Schuyler and Adam Smith third, Alex Smith and John Shorter sixth.
Manheim Township won the team title at the Lancaster-Lebanon League tournament this year. Schuyler, Alex and Adam Smith took first, Grossmann and Shorter second, Victor Kenderdine third, and David Graves fourth. It was the first time the Streaks had won the tournament since it started in 1996. The team qualified for Team Districts for the 4th year in a row and the 4th time in program history, defeating Warwick 43-32 to advance to the second round. The individual postseason began at the Sectional tournament where Township qualified 5 wrestlers for Districts. At Districts, Schuyler took first and Alex Smith, Adam Smith, and John Shorter all took third to advance to States along with Schuyler. As a team, the Streaks placed 6th out of the districts 54 teams.
In the first 62 years of Township wrestling, the Streaks had 3 wrestlers who had 100 wins or more in their high school career. During the 2012-2013 season, the Streaks added 3 more to that list. Cortlandt Schuyler, Alex Smith, and Adam Smith all passed the 100 win mark. Adam also became the all-time wins leader with 133 wins in his high school career. Also helping in the varsity efforts in 2013 were David Schulz, Matt Farside, and Eric Breeden. Seniors David Frisch, Nathan Kuhns, and Ryan Story were also an integral part of the team. The team was led by head coach Tim Rice, and his assistants Eric Narkiewicz and Mike McCully.
2012: Dual record: 14 - 8 League record: 5 - 1 District qualifiers: 7 State qualifiers: 2 (1 finalist)
Under first year head coach Tim Rice and his assistants Eric Narkiewicz and Mark Grossmann, 2011-2012 wrestlers had one of best years in Township wrestling history, capped off by a state finals appearance by sophomore Matt Grossmann. During the regular season the team went 6-1 in league dual meets and finished 2nd out of the 22 teams in the LL League individual tournament.
It was a historic post-season for the Streaks both individually and as a team. Based on their regular season record, Township qualified for the District Team Dual Championships for the second year in a row and finished 4th this year in the district. This strong performance qualified the Streaks for the PIAA State Team Tournament for the first time ever. That success carried over into the individual part of the season beginning with a strong Sectional Tournament showing. Winning 5 individual titles in this year’s Sectional Tournament, it was Township’s best sectional performance since 1972. In addition to Sectionals other highlights of this amazing season included qualifying 7 wrestlers to Districts where two reached the finals and three placed fourth (Adam Smith, Alex Smith, Scott Lopez). The two district finalists, Matt Grossmann and Cortlandt Schuyler, both qualified for states based on there performance. Grossmann went on to make the state finals where he lost to returning state champion Billy Rappo. It was the highest finish for a Township wrestler in almost 30 years.
The team finished the year 14-8 in dual meets and were anchored by District qualifiers David Graves, Matt Grossmann, Cortlandt Schuyler, Scott Lopez, Alex Smith, Adam Smith, and John Shorter, all of which are underclassmen. Other contributors to the team’s success were Ryan Lopez, Alex Zug, Alex Opp, and Greg Risser. Senior captain Brooks Kenderdine, who was lost for the year with an early shoulder injury, provided key leadership and encouragement. Seniors Alex Opp and Trey Recher contributed 13 pins between them. This was a team who could wrack up the bonus points (pins, tech falls, and major decisions) with seven wrestlers scoreing bonus points in 11 or more of their bouts: Schuyler (27 times), Adam Smith (23), John Shorter (21), Matt Grossmann (19), Alex Smith (18), Scott Lopez (15), David Graves (11).
PA State 2nd Place Winner: Matt Grossman (113)
PA State 6th Place Winner: Adam Smith (145)
2011: Dual record: 13 - 5 League record: 5 - 1 District qualifiers: 6 State qualifiers: 0
2010: Dual record: 12 - 4 League record: 3 - 3 District qualifiers: 5 State qualifiers: 1
Robert (Bob) Funk, 2 time PIAA State Champ in 1964 and 65, is inducted into the Pennsylvania Wrestling Hall of Fame.
90's
1999: Dual record: 8 - 7 League record: 2 - 4 District qualifiers: 2 State qualifiers: 0
The Streaks turn it around with an 8-7 season. Nick Mousetis takes 2nd place in the Township Tournament while Mike Ginder takes 3rd at the L-L Tournament.
1998: Dual record: 1 - 10 League record: 1 - 5 District qualifiers: 0 State qualifiers: 0
Despite a disappointing record, Mike Ginder, Josh Funk, Neil Myers, Trever Miller and Nick Mousetis placed in tournaments.
1997: Dual record: 1 - 8 League record: 1 - 5 District qualifiers: 1 State qualifiers: 0
Jan Minnich becomes the 7th head coach in Streak history. He is assisted by Luke Hatfield and Kevin Kabajian and Bob Funk on the freshman level. Andy Brader and Todd McCurdy captain the team with Brader upsetting an Arizona state 5th place finisher, and qualifying for Districts.
1996: Coach Harvey Sitler takes over the coaching reigns. The team is hurt with injuries and finishes 3-9. George Mountis finishes 4th at Districts, and becomes Sectional champ.
1995: A top 9-3 season where the Streaks just miss being in team Districts. They finish second in the Lititz Lions and Manheim Township Tournaments and qualify 5 wrestlers for Districts. The Blue Streaks are led by Jared Erb, who places 1st in the L-L Tournament, Chris Brader, Hector Firoglanis, Dimitri Keares and Jeremy Herr.
1994: An intense fitness program leads the Streaks to an 11-6 record with 3 close losses. Tim Cammauf (130) led the team with 17 wins.
1993: The Streaks go above .500 in the league for the first time since 1985. The close-knit group was led by Scott Crosswell and Jason Saleem.
1992: Township wins their 400th dual meet with a 28-16 victory against Red Lion. They are led by seniors John Cramp, Emmanuel Firoglanis, George Mountis, and Nick Skiadas.
1991: Tim Bianchi's team goes 13-5 in his second year. They defeat McCaskey for the first time in 8 years. Paul Thiry and Drew Behmer both win over 20 matches. Courtney Brownell (189) wins the Lititz Lions Tournament.
1990: After 25 years Ken Whisler steps down as head coach, and Doug Rossi steps down as assistant after 19 years. Tim Bianchi becomes the new head coach with Jeff Rule assisting. They go 8-18 with an inexperienced team.
80's
1989: Current Township teachers and coaches, Jason Lyons and Dave Ammon, lead the team with Ammon taking 3rd at Districts.
1988: John Thiry wins Sectionals and Dan Sullivan takes first at the Schuylkill Valley Tournament.
1987: Jeff Rule continues coaching the freshman team. Mick Keares keeps improving and wins Sectionals. Coach Whisler is inducted into the Pennsylvania Wrestling Hall of Fame.
1986: Coach Whisler, the 3rd winningest coach in Pennsylvania history, sums up the year by saying, "One key element of this wrestling team was the good attitude displayed by everyone." Nick Keares and John Thiry take 2nd at Sectionals.
1985: The Streaks turn it around with only one returning starter and finish10-5. Brian Hastings wins Sectionals and Nick Keares becomes the first freshman from Township to make the finals of Sectionals.
1984: Although the team goes 5-9, Scott Kelly, Ed Christmann, and Joe Lutz qualify for States.
PIAA District 3 Champion: Scott Kelly (167-AAA). PA State 2nd Place Winner: Scott Kelly.
1983: The Streaks have to forfeit the 98 pound weight class all season. Central takes advantage with a 2 point upset victory. Junior Scott Kelly (167) is undefeated during the season and places 1st at Sectionals along with Todd Bolinger (185) and Jeff Kenderdine (112). PIAA District 3 Champion: Todd Bollinger (185-AAA). PA State 5th Place Winner: Todd Bolinger. PA State 6th Place Winner: Scott Kelly.
1982: The Streaks Rob Kreider (155) is the leading point scorer in the L-L League. Township's Jeff Kenderdine was the league's second highest point scorer.
1981: Warwick defeats the Streaks for the 5th year in a row, but the relatively young team finishes 12-6. The Blue Streaks reach their 300th win in history with a 35-5 victory over Pottstown. PIAA District 3 Champion: Steve Kelly (185-AAA)
1980: The Streaks take second place again in the Paoli Christmas Tournament with Scott Conn, John Jaworski, and Scott Rudy winning individual Sectional titles.
70's
1979: The Streaks take second place in the Paoli Christmas Tournament with Keith Wenger named outstanding wrestler.
1978: A young and inexperienced squad finishes 12-2.
1977: Township continues to wrestle tough non-league matches. There are now four coaches in the program with Mr. Mike Shull and Mr. Skip Walters coaching freshmen. Scott Wood, Steve ManMetre, and Greg Will win Sectionals.
1976: This was an 11-2-1 season with strong lightweights Tom Showers, Barry, Blefko, and Steve Sellers. PIAA District 3 Champion: Barry Blefko (105-AAA)
1975: The Streaks win their sixth consecutive league title with a philosophy that there are no stars on the team. The team is ranked 10th in the state. Barry Blefko places 2nd at States, losing 3-1 in the finals to Bobby Weaver, who later takes gold at the Olympics. PIAA District 3 Champion: Barry Blefko (98-A) PA State 2nd Place Winner: Barry Blefko.
1974: The wrestling team gets girl managers for the first time and goes undefeated in league matches. PIAA District 3 Champion: Ed Buckwalter (126-A)
1973: Red socks continue to be the rage for Whisler teams. Streaks defeat Central 45-12 and go 12-1. Greg Duke wins a district title and places second at States. PIAA District 3 Champion: Greg Duke (98) PA State 2nd Place Winner: Greg Duke.
1972: The Streaks get their 200th win, a 36-14 decision over McCaskey. They also win Country Championship for the third year in a row. Greg Duke, Jon Frank, Bill Kushubar, Garth Springer and Jim Strathmyer win Sectional crowns.
1972: Easton HS Holiday Tourney Champions
Front (L-R) Greg Shoemaker, Easton; Greg Duke, Manheim Twp.; Garth Springer, Manheim Twp.; Rich Rodriguez, Saucon Valley; Curt Stanley, Easton; Len Kaminski, Hanover Area.
Back (L-R) Russ Snyder, Easton; Fred Landis, Manheim Twp.; Kevin McCleary, West York; Wayne Horton, Bethlehem Freedom; Lee Guzzo, Easton; Don Lehman, West York.
1971: THE UNDEFEATED YEAR! The golden years continue as the Streaks go undefeated for the first time and defeat Central 25-14 for the first time in 16 years. Tom Baxter and Jeff Duke qualify for States. Mr. Doug Rossi joins Coach Whisler as assistant for the big year. PIAA District 3 Champions: Tom Baxter (95) and Jeff Duke (127)
1970: Manheim Township ties for 1st in the league as Central's streak is broken by Garden Spot. Five Streaks are Section champs with Jeff Duke going on to win Districts and Danny Blackinger becoming Township's second state champ. Coach Whisler is selected as District 3 coach of the year. The Freshman (Jr. High) and Youth Programs are established. PIAA District 3 Champions: Dan Blakinger (103) and Jeff Duke (120). PA State Champion: Dan Blakinger (103).
60's
1969: Mr. Gary Jones comes on board to help Coach Whisler. The Central match becomes one of the high points of Lancaster County wrestling. The match, held in Neffsville, is attended by over 2,500 screaming fans with absolutely no room in the stands or on the floor. The match goes to the final bout when Bill Rohrbach is edged giving Central the match, 20-19. Seven Streaks win Sectionals with Dan Blakinger and Ken Kauffman winning Regionals. PIAA District 3 Champions: Dan Blakinger (103) and Ken Kauffman (180).
1968: Township places second at Sectionals with Jay Dombach (127) taking first. Dave MArtin and Dave VanAsselt finished the regular season undefeated.
1967: The Streaks go to the tough Easton Tournament for the first time and have a champion in Wayne Smythe. Manheim Central wins their 100th consecutive match over Township 20-12.
1966: Township has their tenth consecutive winning season, going 11-3. Dennis Diffendall has the best individual stats with only one loss. The Streaks have their first freshman team.
1965: Ken Whisler, from Newport, becomes the head coach and leads the veteran squad to an 11-2 record. Bob Funk repeats as state champ with Bob VanAsselt winning Districts. Township wrestles Lampeter-Strasburg, Lancaster Catholic, and Cocalico for the first time. PIAA District 3 Champions: Bob Van Asselt (145) and Robert Funk (Unl). PA State Champion: Robert Funk. PA State 2nd Place Winner: Bob Van Asselt.
1964: The Streaks go 11-2 losing to Central again, 26-16. They have 5 wrestlers who go undefeated in the duals with Bob Funk (UNL), Dave Mentzer (133), and Bill Stroman (95) winning Sectionals. Glenn Myers (127) takes silver at the District III Championships. Manheim Township gets its first state champ as Bob Funk is crowned at Hershey. Township gets their 100th win convincingly defeating Conestoga Valley 49-0. Garden Spot and Pequea Valley enter the league. PIAA District 3 and PA State Champion: Robert Funk (Unl)
1963: Chick Hungerford takes over as varsity coach assisted by Dick Charles. Ephrata enters the league and loses to the Streaks 36-19. Heavyweight Bob Funk pins 6 of 9 and Kerry Keith goes undefeated at 145.
1962: Township has the best season yet with an 11-1 record (Central still at the top).
1961: Sixty-one student/athletes go out for wrestling. Four of them go undefeated in leagues: Jere Kenderdine (145), Don Witwer (154), Dick Moen (165), and Bill Tinney (180). The team still can't beat Central and Solanco and go 9-2. PIAA District 3 Champion: Jere Kenderdine (145)
1960: The Streaks have 34 wrestlers just on the JV team. On varsity they have to constantly juggle the line up because of injuries. Central and Solanco are the only teams to defeat them, but Floyd Moore goes undefeated in duals. Coestoga Valley, Penn Manor, Elizabethtown and Donegal enter the league.