Easton keeps on rolling, and appears stocked for next year

FROM THE MORNING CALL

An overflow crowd tried to compress itself into Bethlehem Catholic's gym for the match of the year. Easton and Becahi, the District 11 3A and 2A champs, would wrestle for a symbolic unified belt. Even Matt Millen came to watch.

Following what it considered a disappointing finish to the dual-meet season, Easton won eight bouts, two by fall, to top the Golden Hawks 35-22 in February and complete an unbeaten Lehigh Valley Conference season. The team also gained a measure of satisfaction.

"We came up a little short [at state duals], so we took that match very seriously," junior Mitch Minotti said.

Easton, The Morning Call's Class 3A team of the year, compiled another successful dual-meet season on the road to the postseason. The Red Rovers went 23-2, won the District 11 3A duals and finished second at the PIAA 3A duals.

A 36-18 loss to Central Dauphin in the PIAA duals final motivated Easton for the match against Bethlehem Catholic, which had been rescheduled after a snowstorm. The Red Rovers won six of the first eight bouts to take control in a spirited atmosphere.

"It's the same talent we brought to Hershey [for the PIAA Class 3A duals], but there was a whole different attitude," Easton coach Steve Powell said after the match. "We had more fight, more offense and more spark. I thought it was a great match."

Easton carried that spark in the District 11 3A individual tournament, which it dominated. The Red Rovers advanced 13 wrestlers to regionals, and all 14 of their wrestlers won medals. They even threw in a few surprises.

Before districts, senior Mason McIntyre, a state-medal contender at 152 pounds, suffered a broken collarbone that ended his season. In his place, fellow senior Solomon Sohn advanced to regionals. And sophomore Dyvon Gibson, a district JV champ who had wrestled just seven varsity bouts all season, won three consolation-round bouts in placing sixth to advance at 160.

Easton returns six wrestlers who won 28 or more bouts, with Minotti leading the charge. The junior, who went 44-2 and won a state title at 140 pounds, should pace another successful Red Rovers' season in 2011.


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