Pa., N.J. wrestlers square off in 33rd annual Lions Wrestling Classic
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(Gallery by Matt Smith | The Express-Times)
Although the pressure to win wasn't at its highest level for the 33rd annual Easton Lions Club Wrestling All-Star Classic, state pride was on the minds of the District 11 representatives and their New Jersey counterparts.
For the New Jersey squad, it was attempting to win its fourth straight in the classic, which never materialized after District 11 snapped the streak with an impressive 32-15 victory tonight at Easton Area High School's 25th Street Gym.
"We definitely knew about the streak they were on and even though there was no pressure we still wanted to win for our state. They made it a point to tell us about the streak. They said it about three or four times," said two-time PIAA Class AA state champion
of Bethlehem Catholic. "We are out here to have fun, but we were after the win."
Cruz, who switched school singlets with Liberty's
, recorded the first bonus point victory of the match when he used a cement mixer to pin West Morris Central's Corey Fleming at 120 pounds.
"Switching singlets was a mutual thing. There was a text message sent and then we agreed to do it," Cruz said. "But I wanted to come out here and get big points just like I would if my team needed it. I couldn't get them in the first period like I tried so I had to score some points and wear him out a little bit before I could get it."
District 11 boosted its lead to 16-0 after getting a thrilling 4-3 victory from Easton's
, who secured a late takedown against Belvidere's
at 182. Bray's teammate,
, scored New Jersey's first points with a 5-2 decision over Freedom's
at 220.
Wilson's
, who was named the classic's Most Outstanding Wrestler, emerged with an action-packed 12-10 victory over Philipsburg's
at 113.
"It stinks that (my high school career) is over, but finishing on a match like that is awesome," Flank said as he attempted to catch his breath. "It was a real crazy match and he's a good wrestler. We got into a bunch of good scrambles; I love those kinds of matches."
Flank came close to getting pinned on the edge of the mat in the second period when Fisher caught him in a headlock. However, Flank turned it into a reversal and back points in his favor to regain a 10-8 lead.
The third period had more of the same intensity between the lightweights, but Flank came up with another double leg takedown, which he used to score his first takedown, to maintain his lead and finish on top.
"It's awesome to be a part of this team," Flank said. "Wilson has some low numbers so it's nice to be on a team like this and be able to contribute."
Voorhees' two-time NJSIAA state runner-up
scored a 3-0 victory over Blue Mountain's Mitch Myers. Bernstein kept Myers scoreless throughout all three one-minute, 30-second periods with a tough ride in the final period as he worked to try to get bonus points.
"I felt pretty good getting out here. I wasn't really tired at all," said Bernstein who admitted to taking some time off since his second state final appearance in between competing in some other all-star matches. "It was a low pressure match and it was good to get out to a charity event and do this. I would have liked to get a pin or more but each side has good wrestlers and bonus points aren't going to come easy so you just want to go out and wrestle your best."
Gonzalez defeated Warren Hills'
by a 9-1 major decision at 126 before Bethlehem Catholic's
earned an overtime victory over North Hunterdon's
at 195.
Saucon Valley state champion
only needed a takedown to defeat Franklin's Anthony Messner 2-0 at 210, and Easton's
was edged 4-3 by Hunterdon Central's David Fenton at 160.
Northern Lehigh's Ty Herzog capped the night with a 3-2 win over
of Belvidere at 152.
"It was a great night of wrestling," said Easton assistant coach Sean Richmond who helped coach the District 11 all-stars. "It's always a fun way to finish the season."