Bethlehem Catholic advances 12 of 14 wrestlers into semifinal round of Christmas City tournament

FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES

Host Bethlehem Catholic is off to a quick start in the 44th annual Christmas City wrestling tournament by advancing 12 of 14 wrestlers into the semifinal round.

Darian Cruz (113), Zeke Moisey (120), Zane Heller (126), Randy Cruz (132), Richy Cruz (138), Aaron Morekin (145), Ryan Todora (152), Elliot Riddick (170), Jose Ortiz (182), Josh Alpha (195), Brian Johnson (220) and Ben Bunce (285) all won quarterfinal matches to move on in the championship bracket.

The Golden Hawks amassed 140.5 team points after the first day of action to build a large cushion over second place Wallenpaupack (66.5). Pius X is currently in a tie for sixth place with 54 points.

Dante Albanese (106), Jonathan Manning (113) and Joey Dalessandro (138) are all still unbeaten for the Royals heading into Friday.

"I just try to wrestle my match," said Dalessandro, a member of Pius X's 2011 District 11 Class A football championship team. "I just want to push the action."

Dalessandro played into December on the gridiron and has a 9-3 record after some early struggles making the switch to the mats.

The senior pinned Lake Maizel, of First Colonial (Va.), in his first match and recorded 14-0 a major decision over Palmerton's Joseph Bubble in the second.

"Football ran late," Dalessandro said. "I went 5-0 in the Catty tournament, but I was really out of shape."

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