Nazareth Wrestling

The Beast of the East wrestling tournament that is held at the Bob Carpenter Center on the University of Delaware campus has earned the reputation as, perhaps, the toughest scholastic wrestling gauntlet of its kind.

With more than 100 teams -- including some of the best in the nation -- the competition is fierce and a stern test regardless of the individual or team outcome.

Blair Academy, the nationally renowned prep school from nearby Blairstown, easily captured the team title with five champions and 203.5 points.

Four Lehigh Valley Conference schools also fared well with Nazareth (14th), Northampton (17th), Liberty (21st) and Bethlehem Catholic (22nd) all finishing in the top 25.

“This tournament is a critical part of our season,” Nazareth head coach Dave Crowell said. “This was very good competition for us ... I’ve got a ton of notes in my pocket of things we need to work on.”

For Blue Eagles Zach Horan (runner-up at 125) and Ryan Krecker (3rd at 152) that list shouldn't be too long.

Easton Area High School made their annual trek to the Reno Tournament of Champions, and while they finished just an eyelash short of winning their seventh title -- finishing 1.5 points behind Poway, Calif. -- they did record some notable individual performances.

Easton senior Mark Hartenstine won the 140-pound title with a 2-1 win over Nathan Hoffer of East Anchorage, Ala. Sophomore Mitch Minotti was second for the Red Rovers at 130 pounds; junior Joey Rizzolino was fifth at 135; and freshman Evan Disora was fifth at 103

Bobby Stevely won 29 matches a year ago for Delaware Valley.
New Jersey wrestling is just getting under way and senior Bobby Stevely is one of five Delaware Valley grapplers who return for head coach Andy Fitz that won 20 or more matches a year ago.

“We have a good group coming back,” Fitz said. “We have 277 wins coming back from last year. They’ve put in the work and are ready to go. "

Check out the capsules for the Terriers as well as Belvidere, Hackettstown and North Warren in addition to Express-Times staff writer Brian Fortner's predicted order of finish in the Skyland Conference.

Express Times