Nazareth Area High School wrestling team falls to Parkland High School

FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES

Coach Ryan Nunamaker and the Parkland High School wrestling team traveled to Nazareth with one goal on their mind -- to dominate -- and that is exactly what they did Wednesday night with a 55-18 Lehigh Valley Conference conquest in the Raymond Nunamaker Gym.

The Blue Eagles had a different look to their lineup due to injuries incurred over the past few weeks. Sophomores Tyler Tarsi and Chase Zemenak along with senior Douglas Giamoni nursed their injuries as they sat and watched a disappointing performance by their teammates.

"There were a few things that went against us before we went into the match," Nazareth coach Dave Crowell said. "But having guys out of the lineup is no excuse. Everyone just has to step up and wrestle that much tougher."

The Trojans built an early lead and kept the momentum going throughout the match.

"It was an important match for us," Nunamaker said. "We had a real good week of practice and we were curious to see what we were going to do."

Starting at 285 pounds, Shaun Heist got the Trojans off to a great start by pinning Brandon Lance in 3:31. After a scoreless first period, Lance chose bottom to start the second and Heist used an arm bar to nearly get the pin on the edge of the mat. However, Lance managed to save himself by pushing out of bounds. But the freshman gave Heist a chance to work in more space and he eventually recorded the fall.

Parkland state runner-up Ethan Lizak followed with a fall at 106 over Travis Smith in 1:22.

"I knew that bonus points would be important later on in the match," Lizak said. "So I went out there trying to get the pin."

Lizak took immediate control by taking Smith down early. Smith was fighting off his back but couldn't shake the tight hold of Lizak.

Nazareth sophomore Tyrone Klump slowed Parkland's momentum, putting on a great display of takedowns before pinning Tom Yankanich in the third period.

But Klump's performance was easily forgotten as Pat Antonacci worked to an eight-point lead by the end of the second period over Collin Keiser. Antonacci cruised to an 11-2 major decision.

The Trojans followed with eight straight victories and earned bonus points in five of them. It wasn't until 195 that Nazareth secured its second win. David Wilke fought hard to get a pin of Nezar Haddad in 5:01.

Aaron Bradley ended the Blue Eagles' night on a good note by following with a fall over Zach Maclean in 3:17.

"It's outstanding for our team to get a win over a program such as Nazareth's," said Nunamaker, standing in the gym named after his father, Nazareth's former legendary coach. "It's a definite confidence boost for our guys and we hope to keep it going because we still have some tough match down the road."

"We had to do a little bit of juggling tonight," Crowell said. "But we didn't put on our best performance and I don't know if we were as good of fighters as I would have liked to see. We have a lot to improve on to get to be a better team before anything else."

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