2004 PIAA Wrestling Tournament

PA Wrestling's Notes and Quotes

Day One Notes with PA Wrestling's David Ackley

FROM THE GIANT CENTER FLOOR

By David Ackley

PENNSYLVANIA WRESTLING NEWS

BROTHER, OH BROTHER – District 4 is represented by brothers Ricky, Brandon and Bryan Tedesco of Loyalsock at 103, 112 and 125, respectively, along with the Anceravages of Bloomsburg, Joey and Steve. The Lancers’ trio all advanced with little trouble. Ricky scored a 9-1 major over Smethport’s Chad Wilcox. Brandon followed moments later with a 4-0 win over Derry Area’s Troy Dolan. At the far end of the arena, Joey Anceravage, a NE champion, was not as fortunate dropping a 4-3 decision to the Southwest fourth place finisher Jeffrey Kusich of Avella. The Tedesco family, had a 27-minute break before Bryan defeated Kyle Flickinger of Bermudian Springs by a major 8-0. 

CENTURY CLUB – John Fleming of Lakeview (District 10) pinned Lee Vanella of Mount Pleasant (d-7) for his 100^th career win.

Congratulations to Halifax's Bryan Wiest on his 100th career win-  an11-2 major decision over Jeremiah Serfass of Athens.

PA Announcer Dwayne Beach of the York Area is in his 25th year as one of the PIAA announcers.

At 135, Sayre's Donnie Barrett downed Brandywine Heights' Steve Strachan, 5-1.	Penns Valley coach Jeff Stover (L) - Jeff Brinker (R)

FINISH … FINISH – Athens’ Trevor Bennett created quite a storm last weekend when he upset defending state champion Isaiah Britton in the Northeast Regional final. Bennett remained unbeaten with a technical fall (15-0, 3:48) over Hanover’s Cory Bream. Britton rebounded from his regional setback also with a 15-0 tech.

That’s where the similarities in Hershey end for the two. Britton not only won it all last year, but was a finalist the year before. Bennett, now a three time state qualifier, hadn’t scored a championship bracket win.

“All week coach (Dale) Jarvis kept drilling and drilling to finish,” Bennett said referring to his inability to score a needed takedown in previous tournaments. “And he was constantly reminding me about the past.

“I was able to use it all today as motivation.”

ON ICE AND COOL  – Two years ago Jake Strayer won the 103-pound AA title then suffered a first-round upset as a junior. The Penn State-bound Forest Hills product pinned his way into Friday’s quarterfinals, but still can’t smile … yet.

Strayer has been fighting a lower leg injury and so his his teammate Shane Valko. Both were sitting near the floor entrance with ice bags on their feet.

“I’m not excited yet about the win, but the one thing I learned from last year was to not look ahead,” Strayer said with a gleaming and relieved smile. “It’s going to be one match at time.”

Next up for Strayer  is Brockway’s Andy Rendos. Valko joined Strayer in the quarterfinals with a 15-5 major over Octorara’s Garth Ladeley. The Rangers’ Art Moss is also going on in the championship bracket at 152.

DEFENDING WELL – In addition to Britton, the returning champs from 2003 all opened with wins. Scott Rendos of Brockway has moved up to 145 after winning at 140 and blanked Tri-Valley’s Nolan Shaffer. Garrett Scott of Juniata Valley, up two weights from his 119-pound title, started with a 17-0 whitewash of Rich Kessler (Bangor Pius X) and finally two-time champ Kurt Brenner of Freedom began his quest for his 171-pound  three-peat by decking Bermudian Springs’ Jason Marshall.

GREAT ROUND – With the Tedesco’s three wins and Britton moving on, Loyalsock coach Ben Hepburn’s son Ben made it a clean sweep by scoring an 11-3 major at 189. The Lancers lead after one round with 14 ½ points ahead of District 4 rival Bloomsburg and Forest Hills of District 6 which were tied at 11 each.