Knoch wrestlers handle Shaler

By John Enrietto Eagle Sports Editor

January 12, 2012 Last Updated: January 12, 2012 01:48 PM High School

JEFFERSON TWP — The final score meant little to Knoch wrestling coach Mark McLaughlin.

The score of 5-2 meant plenty.

The Knights won five of the seven contested matches Wednesday night while posting a 57-14 dual match victory over depleted Shaler.

The Titans (0-4) forfeited seven matches.

“I hate to win a dual match becauise of forfeits and that wasn't the case tonight,” McLaughlin said. “We wrestled hard and we wrestled well.”

Knoch's lone pin of the night occurred at 170 pounds as Bailey Savage put Sean Bartolowits' shoulders to the mat 33 seconds into the second period. Savage trailed the bout 3-2 after the first period.

Shaler coach Drew D'Agostino bumped Bartolowits up from 160 pounds, avoiding Knoch's Ben Nowicki.

“I thought 170 would be a better match for him,” D'Agostino said. “He (Bartolowits) is a first-year wrestler.”

McLaughlin agreed.

“I can see why Coach did that,” McLaughlin said. “His kid was winning after that first period. But Bailey is good on reversals and he likes to turn that move into a pinning combination. That's what he did there.”

Knoch 138-pounder Col McLaughlin won by technical fall, ending that match at 16-0 with 23 seconds left in the second frame.

“Col is having an up and down season so far,” Coach McLaughlin, his father, said. “He's had leads and lost them in the third period, but this is two good wins back to back for him, so maybe he's turning the corner.

“He is quite capable of big things. I expect a lot from him.”

Knoch (6-4) picked up wins by decision from Blaine Elliott at 132 pounds, Tyler Hlebiczki at 152 and Ian Adkins at heavyweight. Elliott and Adkins are 11-4 on the year.

Elliott was 25-7 as a sophomore last season after winning just five matches his freshman year, which was hampered by a dislocated elbow.

“I've been wrestling since sixth grade and I've seen our program grow,” Elliott said. “My brothers wrestled in the youth program and it looked like fun.

“I've gotten a lot more patient on the mat since my freshman year. I was stupid back then and tried to force stuff. Now I wait until I see an opening and I take it.”

Knoch does not return to action until the Knights head to Mars next Wednesday night.

“This was a good win for us, a good win for our team,” McLaughlin said.

D'Agostino has four wrestlers out of the lineup while they try to cut pounds to become certified at another weight class. He opted to keep his freshmen off the varsity roster to allow them more seasoning at the junior high level.

“Our numbers are down right now because the program went through coaching transition and lost kids at the elementary and junior high levels,” D'Agostino said. “We'll get those other four guys back Jan. 15, though unfortunately with only one section match left.

“We'll be bringing 10 of this year's freshmen up to varsity next year and we'll be back. We should be strong for the next 10 years after that.”

Knoch 57, Shaler 14(match started at 145 pounds)106

pounds: Dillion Holben (K) by forfeit

113: Jordan McMonigle (S) by forfeit;

120: Austin Heinl (S) dec. Joel Hixon, 9-3;

126: Teddy Mazer (S) tech. fall over Ryan Grossman, 4:00 (16-0);

132: Blaine Elliott (K) dec. Zac Drizemicki, 6-0;

138: Col McLaughlin (K) tech. fall over Nico D'Amico, 3:37 (16-0);

145: Charlie Cook (K) by forfeit;

152: Tyler Hlebiczki (K) dec. Jeff Nix, 9-1;

160: Ben Nowicki (K) by forfeit;

170: Bailey Savage (K) pinned Sean Bartolowits, 2:33;