Bethlehem Catholic High School dominates first day of Christmas City wrestling tournament

FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES

Amid host Bethlehem Catholic High School's domination, the Pius X wrestling team carved out its own little cottage industry in the opening day of the 44th annual Christmas City Wrestling Tournament on Thursday.

The Golden Hawks made today's semifinals, finals and wrestlebacks merely a coronation off what they did up through the quarterfinals. Twelve Becahi wrestlers, led by brothers Darian (113) and Randy Cruz (132) and cousin Richy Cruz (170), advanced to the semis with two other members, sophomores Anthony Lombardo (106) and Nick Cortopassi, still alive in the consolations.


Coach Jeff Karam's Hawks rolled up 140½ points to easily separate themselves from second-place Wallenpaupack (66½) and third-place Wyoming Valley West (65). Pius X is tied for sixth with 54 points and three wrestlers, sophomore Dante Albanese (106), freshman Jonathan Manning (113) and Joey Dalessandro (135), alive in the semifinals.

Palisades goes into today's action in 12th with 46 points with upper weights Louie Hill (182), a sophomore, and Mike Roszkowski (220) in the semis.

Notre Dame had one wrestler advance to the semifinals, Michael Williams, in the 285-pound class.


View full sizeExpress-Times File PhotoJoey Dalessandro
Dalessandro got his wrestling singlet on a little late in the race because he was busy playing wide receiver in the fall for Pius X's football team, which advanced to the PIAA Class A quarterfinals. Dalessandro says he's "about 85 percent there" but he looked to be in midseason form after needing just 21 seconds to pin Lake Maizel of First Colonial (Va.) -- the second-fastest fall of the tourney -- then major-decisioned Joseph Bubble of Palmerton 14-0 in the quarterfinals.

"I didn't face (Bubble) before but my brother, George, did," said Dalessandro, who raised his record to 9-3 with the major decision that included two takedowns, a reversal and eight back points. "I just wrestle my match. Push the action as much as possible. I went 5-0 in the Catty tournament to start the season but I was really out of shape for wrestling."

Dalessandro will face Derrick Simms of Wyoming Valley West in today's semifinals.

Albanese also didn't get a scouting report for his bout at 106 after getting a bye into the quarterfinals. He had no trouble in a 6-1 decision over freshman James Wright of Wyoming Valley West. He draws freshman Joshua Giorgio of Schuylkill Valley in the semis.

"I think it was a real challenge for me in this tournament," said Albanese, who went 1-2 last year as a freshman but is 8-2 this season. "I'm probably better in neutral, on my feet. I just tried to feel (Wright) out for the first period to see if he has better strength or technique."

Manning followed Albanese at 113, pinning Alex Tirko of Wyoming Valley West in 57 seconds in the first round then decking Jawan Jones of St. Benedict's Prep in 5:21 in the quarterfinals. He opposes Josh Evans of Palmerton in his semifinal bout today.

But Becahi controlled this tournament behind the Cruz trio and just about anyone else it had in its lineup.

Darian Cruz picked up two falls at 113, sophomore Zeke Moisey picked up a 32-second fall and decision at 120, Zane Heller registered two falls at 126, Randy Cruz recorded a pair of pins at 132, Richy Cruz added a fall and technical fall at 138 and Aaron Morekin pinned two opponents on his way to the 145 semifinals.

Ryan Todora had a pin and major decision at 152, Elliot Riddick had a pair of first-period falls at 170, sophomore Jose Ortiz racked up a fall and decision at 182, Josh Alpha also picked up two first-period pins at 195, freshman Ryan Johnson recorded a fall and decision at 220 and Benjamin Bunce joined the party with a pair of falls at 285.

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/12/bethlehem_catholic_with_12_wre.html