Depth charge

\By JOHN ENRIETTO Eagle Sports Editor

December 22, 2005 Last Updated: December 22, 2005 03:10 PM High School

Deep Butler squad rallies from slow start

BUTLER TWP — Slow starts are becoming a concern for Butler varsity wrestling coach Scott Stoner.

He can't be too worried about the way his team is finishing, though.

The Golden Tornado fell behind 9-0 Wednesday night against Avonworth only to win the next seven matches and cruise to a 45-26 victory.

"We've started matches at varying weight classes, yet we keep getting behind," Stoner said. "I'm hoping this isn't a problem all year.

"We have to get through to our first couple of wrestlers that they're out there to set a tone."

Butler (7-1) won its seventh consecutive dual match despite not having the services of unbeaten 152-pounder Josh Coburn (7-0). The senior wasn't medically cleared to wrestle because of a rash on his neck. Stoner figures to have Coburn back for Friday night's dual at Shaler.

Senior heavyweight Marcus Hough, rebounding from a knee injury, was held out Wednesday as well.

"He's just not ready," Stoner said of Hough. "He's chomping at the bit to go, but I wanted to give him a couple more days.

"That Shaler match is going to be close and we're gonna need everybody."

Wednesday's match began at heavyweight. Stoner bumped 215-pounder Marino Quercio up a weight class and he had a 9-6 lead in the third period before getting pinned by Adam Harvey.

Previously unbeaten Rob Runyan (7-1) then lost a tight 8-6 decision to Avonworth's Conrad Branchen (15-3) in the 103-pound match.

"Rob wrestled a tough kid, but he needed to come out and begin the match as aggressively as he was in the last half of it," Stoner said.

Avonworth (8-10) had to forfeit the 112- and 119-pound matches to hand Butler the lead. The Tornado built a huge advantage from there, getting major decisions from Ken Rosenbauer at 125, Alex Evanoff at 135 and Josh Pascazi at 145.

Jon Sanko scored a pin 38 seconds into the third period after wrestling Dan Hedglin to a scoreless draw in the first two periods.

"Jon showed incredible patience there," Stoner said. "He fended their kid off while waiting for an opening."

Sanko broke the tie with an escape, then scored a takedown and a pin seconds later. Aaron Pascazi scored a pin for the Tornado 1:49 into his 171-pound match.

"Butler has an excellent team and they're just deeper than we are," Avonworth coach Todd Ford said. "We have a few standouts, but they have a total team."

Avonworth 152-pounder Brandon Cutanese (15-3) won by pin and 160-pound Curtis Branchen (18-0) won by technical fall over inexperienced Duane Steifel.

Stoner bumped Pascazi (6-2) up to 171 and avoided a matchup with Branchen.

"I wasn't surprised by that," Ford said. "Coaches know how dominant Curtis has been this year. He's only had a couple of matches go the distance so far and those were like 10-2 decisions."

Branchen took down Steifel 10 times in the first period alone.

"They've got some tough kids and you have to fight through as a team to overcome that," Stoner said. "We were in a similar match against them last year."

Butler entered Wednesday's match with a composite wrestler record of 65-27, a .707 winning percentage.

Butler 45, Avonworth 26

103 —

Conrad Branchen (A) dec. Rob Runyan, 8-6

112 —

Brian Nicelli (B) by forfeit

119 —

Ian McLaughlin (B) by forfeit

125 —

Ken Rosenbauer (B) dec. Bryan Brown, 14-6

130 —

Stewart Rapone (B) by forfeit