Plum Wrestling

Wednesday December 14th, the Mustangs traveled to Latrobe to take on the #3 WPIAL ranked Wildcats. Latrobe is fresh off a tough loss to Connellsville. It looked like they are still tweaking their lineup a bit. But it was a rough night for the young mustangs against an experienced team. Latrobe won 64 to 3.

Eric Green recorded the only win and remains undefeated at 5-0, but many wrestlers wrestled highly ranked opponents and did a solid job.

Many wrestlers wrestled their best match so far against a highly ranked wrestlers. John Marotto (145) wrestled Ty Lydic and dropped a close one 5-3. Robert Williams (152) dropped a 5-1 decision to a highly ranked Bryan Pletcher.

Nick DePastino seems to improve every week as he lost in overtime in his 113 bout. Ronnie Amato (106) lost a barn burner as well.

Wrestling with an injury but battling tough was JJ Zimmer who only gave up the major in his 126 bout. Losing by fall was Zeke Bonura (160), Nate Turchick (170), Stephen Turchick (220), and Jake DiGuilio (285).

The mustangs need to keep their heads up and look to improve as they prepare to wrestle the Norwin Knights Wednesday, December 21st at Home.

Sorry – It was a crazy day from the mat-side so I didn’t have a lot of time to send updates.

Overall the team placed second out of the eight teams which entitled us to a unique looking trophy to say the least. Its either a chainsaw carved mountain with a wrestler on the top or a new wrestling christmas tree.
Everyone wrestled well and gained a lot of experience which was the purpose of this tournament.

Winning their first match of their high school careers (and for some their career) were: Ron Amato (106), Nate Turchick (170), Stephen Turchick (220), Ryan Pivik (JV 132), Josh Kunisky (JV 136), Hunter Fenk (JV 145), Dante Palmieri (JV 285). Congratulations guys!
Overall everyone wrestled tough which may not be reflected in your record but we are very young and we need to grow. That is what the guys did in admirable fashion.

Placing first was Eric Green (132)and John Marotto (145).

Eric went hard and had very good timing with taking his chances to change the match with a couple of head and arms. That’s they way you should do it – good job!

John fine tuned his set ups and worked on riding a bit more as he cruised to his 89 victory of his career. He dominated everyone.

Placing second were Anthony Zummo (138) and Jake DiGuilio (285).

Anthony Zummo came out of the gates dominating the number one wrestler on his side of the bracket. He looked sharp for most of the day. He had a tough finals bout but I think he learned when he stays sharp and in position he is as good as anyone else. He should have many opportunities this season to improve.

Jake DiGuilio wrestled up to heavyweight and you could see the difference immediately. He had to work short offense and be patient to get the guys out of position. He did a great job and learned a bit about hand fighting along the way.

Placing third were Reilly Demharter (160) and the Turchick brothers Nate (170) and Stephen (220).

Reilly returned to the mat for the first time since his surgery on his shoulder. He still looks a bit rusty but showed flashes of what is to come in the future. He beat some of the better wrestlers at the tournament and hopefully he builds on this success.

Stephen had a strong tournament even though he had a tough first match. He got slammed the first match which caused a muscle spasm but he took care of it and wrestled back to the semi’s were he mysteriously went 1-1 due to a clerical error at the head table.

Nate looked real tough immediately dispensing of the top wrestler at his weight during his first match. Even in the matches he lost he battled the entire time and gave himself a chance to win.

Placing fourth were Ron Amato (106) and Robert Williams (152).

Ron Amato battled every match. He wrestled some upperclassmen with more experience and that proved to be a little too much. Despite the disadvantage he found a way to keep in every match and earn his first win.

Robert looks like he is going to be a force to recon with this year. He was solid on his feet and dangerous on top. I am looking forward to his season.

Reilly returned to the mat for the first time since his surgery on his shoulder. He still looks a bit rusty but showed flashes of what is to come in the future. He beat some of the better wrestlers at the tournament and hopefully he builds on this success.

Nick DePastino (113) and JJ Zimmer (126) wrestled tough for the first time stepping on the mat for a competition. Every match he improved a bit. By making these improvements they will see success soon.

JV Wrestlers each record a win.
Ryan Pivik (132), Josh Kunisky (138), Hunter Fenk (145), Zeke Bonura (152), and Dante Palmieri (285)all stepped on the mat to get some work and each of them recorded at least one win.

Ryan and Josh have never wrestled before. Ryan went 2-1 with two pins. Josh went 1-1 with a pin.

Hunter and Dante are joining the team after some junior high experience. Hunter went 1-1 with a fall. Dante went 2-0 with two falls.

Zeke has had some experience on the varsity level and it showed in his dominate performance. He went 3-0 with two falls and a tech fall.

Thanks to all the parents and friends that made the trip and helped ride the boys home. Once again Plum was the most represented.

Also, OMG a special thanks to our two stat girls Savannah Zummo and Mackenzie Dailey – you did a great job! (Nice Face)

Saint Mary’s Area HS:
1130 Windfall Rd,
Saint Mary’s, Pa 15857

Driving Directions: 28 North to I 80 East to 219 North

Friday:• Brief Practice from 3:00 pm to 4:10 pm
• Go Home, Eat, Pack, Including Homework.
• Comeback for 6:00 pm to ride the Bus to Saint Mary’s (Its one way).
• And around 2.5 – 3 hours by bus (much homework can get done)
• Check into Rooms (I will assign rooms)
• Check your weight (Coaches’ room)
• Lights out 10:30 or after home work is done
Saturday:• Wrestling will be all day – assume it will be over around 8:30 to 9:00 pm
• Wake up at 6:45 am
• Weigh0ns at 7:30 am
• Wrestling predicted to start at 8:30 am
• Straight Through To Finals (Supposedly – never actually happens though)
• Round 1 / JV Round / Round 2 / JV Round / ….
• Get in Car and head home – If you are riding with someone else you will need a permission slip
WHAT SHOULD I PACK?• Clothes (Jeans, t-shirt, etc.)
• Travel Kit (Shampoo, Deodorant, Toothpaste, Toothbrush, etc.)
• Wrestling Equipment ( New Black Singlet, Headgear (No tape), Wrestling Shoes, Shorts, T-shirt, Warm Up Pants, Warm Up Jacket) – Double Check This Is VERY IMPORTANT
• HOMEWORK
WHAT SHOULD I BRING HOME?• SEE EVERYTHNIG ABOVE!!
WHAT SHOULD YOU NOT BRING?• Expensive Devices that can get stolen or lost or broken!!

On Saturday, December 3rd the mustangs attended a scrimmage at Chartiers Valley HS that boasted 15+ teams Norwin, North Allegheny, Hempfield, Burgettstown, Chartiers Houston, Ringgold, South Fayette, Montour, Chartiers Valley, Bethel Park, South Allegheny, West Allegheny, Keystone Oaks, Ambridge, Beth-Center, and others.

There were four mats in the main gym and another two mats in the wrestling room. There was plenty of talent to test yourself against. A lot of nice matchups. A few bumps and bruises but no major injuries.

Everyone had some success and found something to work on. Good job!

The school board has made the eligibility policies a bit more strict this year. But I am sure our guys can respond responsibly to the changes.

First, the old rules are still in affect. You may not fail two or more core classes at any time. Nor can you be failing 3 or more of any classes (including gym) at anytime.

Second, if an athlete is failing any single course they will be put on probation (warning). If the athlete is then failing for a consecutive week they will be ineligible until the next grade check. An athlete will be given two probation period during a single season (not grading period) after which the athlete will be ineligible every time they are failing a course.

The probational periods are collective for all subjects (not two chance per subject).

Each Monday the Athletic Director will send a form to the student in question that must be signed by the athlete, the parents, the teacher,and the coach. Every proceeding Wednesday the AD will send each coach an early watch list to give each athlete a chance to bring up the grades in question.

Like I said its strict but doable with the help of everyone.