Strong start propels Easton to LVC wrestling win over Parkland

FROM THE MORNING CALL

A year ago, Tyler Greene faced the decisive bout on opening night of Easton's wrestling season. At Parkland. In his first varsity appearance.

He was pinned in 45 seconds. "Cost us the match," Greene said.

On Saturday, Greene proved how far he has come in the interim. His pivotal third-period pin at 215 pounds help lift Easton to a 41-21 victory over Parkland in the season-opening Lehigh Valley Conference match for both teams. Little wonder, then, that Greene's coach says the sophomore has "a pretty good stage presence."

The victory, which Greene rescued from his back midway through the third period, provided a 12-point swing for Easton and halted the momentum that Parkland had been building. It also had a similar ring to Easton's 2009-10 season, in which the team lost to Parkland on opening weekend but eventually rebounded to win the District 11 duals title.


"I think we have a very good team," Greene said. "This time, we started the season right."

Easton won nine of 14 bouts, including the opening four of a favorable starting draw at 140 pounds. It also got four pins, three from 145-60, that propelled the team to an early 22-0 lead.

Parkland rallied after that, with wins from Mike Ottinger (171) and Ryan Irwin (189), but Greene's victory turned a potential seven-point Parkland deficit into an 19-point Easton lead.

"Every time we thought we were back in it, boom, we got turned around," Parkland coach Ryan Nunamaker said. "We didn't have quite enough resolve."

Greene now has been part of two turning points of Easton-Parkland. Last year, Cory Bruder pinned Greene in 45 seconds to clinch the Trojans' first win over Easton in 10 years.

On Saturday, Bruder led by 5 points in the third period and had Greene on his back. Greene said he simply was trying to crawl out of bounds when he caught an opening. Greene reversed Bruder and finished the fall at 4:45, giving Easton a 28-9 lead.

"He just keeps going and going and going," Easton coach Steve Powell said. "He has a pretty good stage presence, and he's not one to go out there and be afraid."

That victory revived Easton, which won the next three bouts to reclaim control. Two of the bouts were close calls. At heavyweight, Jalal Paige outlasted Shaun Heist 2-0, and freshman Kyle Baker edged fellow freshman Ethan Lizak at 103. Both were junior high standouts last year.

Things went Easton's way early. It won the coin toss and benefitted from starting the match at 140, leading straight into its collection of talented middleweights. Joey Rizzolino, Anthony Minotti, Mitch Minotti and Mason McIntyre (who wrestled at Freedom last year) sent the Rovers out strong. Calvin Daly (130) later added a win for Easton.

For Parkland, Mike Ottinger, a defending district champ whose season ended at with a shoulder injury at regionals, began his senior year with a 9-4 decision at 171. Freshman Josh Ortman (119) began his varsity career with a pin. And Mike Marano (135) ended the night well, getting a takedown with 10 seconds left to win the final bout 3-2.

Parkland senior Tarik Haddad did not wrestle because of a knee injury he sustained in practice. Nunamaker said he hopes Haddad can return against Northampton on Dec. 22.

EASTON 41, PARKLAND 21

103: Kyle Baker (E) dec. Ethan Lizak 7-6.

112: Peter Stanley (E) dec. Ian Evans 9-0.

119: Josh Ortman (P) pin Mike Fleck 5:48.

125: Mike Fake (P) dec. Robbie Rizzolino 1-0.

130: Calvin Daly (E) dec. Forest Touchberry 10-4.

135: Mike Marano (P) dec. Mark Misczenski 3-2.

140: Joey Rizzolino (E) dec. Bryson Berard 14-4.

145: Anthony Minotti (E) pin Nazar Haddad :25.


152: Mitch Minotti (E) pin Justin Heller 1:04.

160: Mason McIntyre (E) pin Richard Trotta 3:23.

171: Mike Ottinger (P) dec. Zack Bambary 9-4.

189: Ryan Irwin (P) pin Jose Rotger :50.

215: Tyler Greene (E) pin Cory Bruder 4:54.

285: Jalal Paige (E) dec. Shaun Heist 4-2.

http://www.mcall.com/sports/varsity/mc-wrestle-parkland-20101211,0,2697423.story?page=2