The Junior High hosted and took down cross town rival Warwick Warriors last evening 45-33 in front of a packed house in the South Gym. The dual started at the 170 weight class were Warwick collected bonus points in the first two matches. Drew Devenney put the Blue Streaks on the board collecting a forfeit at 210. Alexzear Soto only needed a minute and six seconds to tie up the score as he secured a fall in the first period.
The Warriors took the next two bouts at 87 and 94 pounds as the blue streaks put up impressive battles while wrestling up a weight class. Down 21-12 at this point, Township looked defeated and out. At the 101 bout, 7th grader Avery Brosemer got the rout going for the Blue Streaks as he secured a fall in just 24 seconds. In the 108 pound bout, Malcom Sams locked up an arm bar to secure the fall in just 45 seconds. At 115, Freshman Luke Phillips showed no quitting during his match as he was able to draw his opponent into giving up 6 points from a disqualification. After a Township forfeit at 122, the Blue Streaks take a slim lead 30-27 with only 4 bouts left.
Freshman captain Zach Landis kept the momentum going for Township as he managed to secure the fall and have his hand raised after a minute and six seconds in the 130 pound weight class. Warwick was able to negate the gap after the 138 pound rematch from earlier in the season. With only two bouts left Township was leading 36-33. 7th grader Max Kolbrener had one of the most entertaining matches of the night in the 145 bout. Max was able to use a pair of takedowns and turns to walk away with a 9-4 decision. Going into the final bout of the night Freshman captain Leighton Underwood had all eyes on him. Wrestling up at weight class at 155 pounds he kept things entertaining for all watching. After exhausting his opponent he was able to use a series of turns to end the match with a slap of the mat and fall in three minutes and twenty one seconds.
The Blue Streaks will head to Schuylkill Valley High School this Saturday 1/8 for an individual tournament and return home in the South Gym as they host Penn Manor next Wednesday 1/12 at 5:30.
Wrestler of the night goes to 7th grader Max Kolbrener who showed determination and heart during his match while managing the pressure of the close dual on the weight of his shoulders. When talking to Max about what was going through his mind leading up to and even during the match he had this to say, "I need to go out on the mat and get a win for this team!".
