Leopards too much for Falcons, 51-10
Christine Pocratsky
Belle Vernon’s Jared Verkleeren (front) works against Connellsville’s Bryce Bulter in their 145-pound bout during Wednesday’s match at Connellsville Area High School. Verkleeren won by fall at 1:45.
Christine Pocratsky
Belle Vernon’s Derek Verkleeren (right) won his 152-pound bout against Connellsville’s William Bell, 7-2, during Wednesday’s match at Connellsville Area High School.
Connellsvilles' Tommy Provance (left) wrestles against Belle Vernon's Hunter Ferraro in the 195-pound bout during Wednesday's match at Connellsville Area High School. Provance earned a 9-0 major decision.
Belle Vernon's Mitchell Hartman (left) wins the 160-pound bout against Connellsville's Dalton Farris by fall at 1:31 during Wednesday's match at Connellsville Area High School.
Christine Pocratsky
Belle Vernon’s Austin Bell (left) tangles with Connellsville’s Jules Stash during his 170-pound bout at Connellsville Area High School on Dec. 8. Bell won by fall at 1:34. Bell, who works out year-round, was held out of last weekend’s WCCA tournament because of a shoulder injury. “If this were the WPIALs or PIAAs, he could have wrestled,” said Leopards coach Mike Doppleheuer. “But he just needed a little break right now.”
CONNELLSVILLE — The Belle Vernon Leopards gave the Connellsville Falcons a hard lesson on the wrestling mats Wednesday night, recording six pins on their way to a 51-10 win on the Falcons home floor.
The Leopards entered the match with a lot of preseason hype, but head coach Mike Doppelheuer, a Connellsville grad, says that means nothing at this point.
“The kids manage to keep themselves on an even keel,” he said. “Our seniors and captains do a great job of pushing the guys in the practice room. The preseason rankings mean nothing. The most important thing is to go out, wrestle hard and win your matches. The rankings at the end of the year are the ones that matter.”
The Leopards came out fast putting up a quick 27 points on the Falcons. The match started at 145. Jared Verkleeren, who won a world junior title during the summer, cradled Bryce Butler at 1:45. Brother Derek Verkleeren recorded a 7-2 decision over the Falcons’ William Bell.
That was followed by first-period pins from Mitchell Hartman at 160 and Austin Bell at 170. Bell had built up a 16-7 lead playing catch-and-release with Jules Stash before he was able to turn him for the pin at the 1:34 mark. Mitch Kobaly received a forfeit for the Leopards at 182.
The Falcons’ first win came at 195 where Tommy Provance scored two takedowns and two near-falls along with an escape in a 9-0 major decision over Hunter Ferraro.
“We got a good look where this team is at and where we need to go,” Connellsville coach Tommy Dolde said. “I saw some good things especially from some of our lighter weights. I would have liked to come away with a couple of more positives. We just need to get in better shape and hopefully meet them again further down the road. Belle Vernon is a very good team.”
There was no let up from the Leopards. Michael Fine got a first-period pin at 220. At 285, Billy Korber picked up a reversal and a takedown in a hard-fought 4-2 win over Louie Mauro to increase the Belle Vernon lead to 36-4.
The action shifted to the lighter weights. At 106 Jacob Dunlop got a first-period pin over Sam Ulery, making the score 42-4. There was no match at 113. Mason Franks gave the Falcons their second win of the night making a first-period takedown against Logan Seliga stand up for the 2-0 win.
Dylan Keefer made it two in a row for the Falcons with a 13-6 decision over Jake Fine. Keefer recorded two escapes, two takedowns and two three-point near-falls on his way to the win.
Zach Hartman got a second-period pin for the Leopards at 132.
Brock Godzin manage to edge Colin Franks at 138. Godzin took a 5-0 lead after two periods on two takedowns and an escape. Franks came back in the third with a reversal. Godzin escaped, but Franks got the takedown and a two-point near-fall to tie the score at 6. Godzin was able to get a late reversal for the 8-6 win to close out the match.
“We expected a battle against Connellsville and we wanted to be on top of our game. I thought a lot of guys wrestled well tonight,” Doppelheuer said. “Even the guys that lost gave us a great effort. It was good to get on the mat and face someone other than ourselves.”