Hempfield vs. Manheim

This match has become a real back yard rivalry. With Hempfield coming in as the pre-season favorite in their section (along with Penn Manor) Manheim's young crew had something to prove.

The match started at the 160lb weight class as Ryan (Red) Hogentogler shortly dispensed just returning football player David Ochoa to put the Knights up 6-0.

At 171 Sophomore Darrin Longenecker pulled off the upset over a tiring Eric Becker with a late 10-8 win pushing the score to 6 - 3 Hempfield.

At 189 Hempfield's Senior Pat Hellmann came in with a major advantage over Manheim's Aarron Schwartz. As Hellmann was building his lead to the major Swartz caught Hellman in a headlock in the out of bounds but pulled him back in to collect the reversal and backs. The hold was then stopped by official Bobby Derr as it went illegal and Swartz only collected two back points. Hellman then received a stalling point and the Major to put Hempfield up 10 - 3.

At 215 Hempfield's Matt Shaw pinned Ty Leese also just returning from football to put Hempfield up 16 - 3.

The 275 lb match was a battle of who was going to make the first mistake. With both wrestlers getting hit with stallings and 1 point each in the second period. Manheim's Morgan got an escape and on top to win the match  4 - 1.  Hemfield 16 - 6

Hitting 103 and the Heart of Manheims line-up Hempfield Forfieted 6 to Nate Longenecker. Hempfield's lead cut to 16 - 12.

At 112 Gallaway Longenecker had the distinct advantage over Ryan Mahosky but Mahosky is still one of the best in the League so one never knows. Longencker dominated the match by taking Mahosky down a few times and finally gettin a two point near fall with seconds left to get the major  12 - 3 and tie the match score. 16 - 16

The 119 bout shaped up to be a good one also with returning superfrosh Kyle Stevenson up against a tough Manheim 10th grader in Eric Rhoads. Stevenson took charge of this match with Rhoads hanging around like his normal style. This was a great close match with Kyle leading most of the way until Eric caught Kyle in a spladle on a shot. Rhoads had him tight and kept the clock ticking for long enough to thwart any comeback effort by Stevenson. Rhoads wins the match 13 - 8 to put Manheim ahead 19 - 16.

125 -  Myers vs Mull This match was one in the first 20 secs. When Myers shot in and Mull made a beautiful counter to almost come out on top. Myers then grabbed a leg and stepped up into a double with Mull once again countering beautifully with a rooster which almost landed Myers on his back. Somehow Myers came up to a knee grabbed and ankle double of and drove across for the two. It was great flurry. Myers was tiring late and Mull was trying to turn him but to no avail Myers wins 4 - 1 to put Manheim up 22 -16.

By this time in the match everyone who knows wrestling was looking at the scoreboard for the line-ups to see what was coming. Of course we all want to see the Heisey vs. Schwerin ending. Both coaching benches are pointing and talking to their kids to see what they can come up with.

130- Coach Justin Barbush decides to move 10th grader Justin West up to 135 and away from heavily favored Mitch Weaver. The Barons send out 10th grader Eric Becker for his first match of the year and Becker ends up sort of frustrating Weaver. He gets the Major but not the fall Manheim leads 22 - 20

135 is still going to be a hand full for Justin West because Hempfield still has a long time wrestler in Zach Newcomer. Newcomer was bigger and stronger and just to much for West to handle and Zach wins 6 - 0.  Making the score 23 - 22 Hempfield.

At 140lbs Dan Lewis from Hempfield dominated Jordan Griffith 7 - 1. This is the Senior Lewis' first year in the line up but he has been at it since 2nd grade and It looks like he is going to make his work pay off this season. This put Hempfield up 26 - 22. Which figuring Schwerin next against and unknown put the match out of reach. But............

Out comes freshman Julian Colon to wrestle Manheim's Kirchner. This was not only a delight for me to see but now we know the Heisey vs. Schwerin is on. Julian a 9th grader who didn't make the team first time in wrestle offs was a Schoolboy National Champ over the summer and has the size and speed of a normal HS athlete. Colon wins the match 12 - 2 and does put this out of touch 30 - 22 Hempfield. But........

152- The Big One - Well folks you know how these things work out and basically it was boring. Schwerin almost caught Heisey on a takedown out of bounds early but that was it until after a pair of escapes and a lot of dancing Cory got in deep on a shot and finished low as the seconds wound down and he gets hit with a point for locked hands. Hiesey tried frantically to get out with Cory low on his legs and didn't get the stalemate call until 1 second left on the clock. Schwerin wins 3 - 2 and Hempfield wins the match 33 - 22.

After the match Coach Jude Bervinchak told me he got excited and put Julian in not realizing that Schwerin would have sealed it at 145. I know that its hard to believe that the Bervinchaks would get excited !

Coach Barbush was proud of his guys and also stated that he believed Manheim wrestled Hempfield at a good time this year because you could see it was only their second match and most of  the Manheim kids have 6 or 8 already. That team (Hempfield)is going to be really good when they shake the rust off.

It was great to see everyone getting together after the match with a lot of the kids and family's knowing each other. Hempfield is going to be a power this year. It's ashamed they have to forfiet at 103 or 112 though. They will lose 5 seniors this year so they will still have some talent left for the next season. Manheim looked great for the young team they have. With 8 10th graders starting and 4 jrs. The future looks bright for the Barons also!!!!!!!

Tike Albright