Owen J. Roberts senior Dillon Bechtold was a one-man wrecking crew this winter, racking up a 42-0 record that included titles at the King of the Mountain, Escape the Rock, Pioneer Athletic Conference, District 1 North and Southeast 3A Regional tournaments. Finally, and most importantly, he won 215-pound gold at the PIAA Class 3A Championships, taking the next step on his climb and earning himself Mercury All-Area Wrestler of the Year honors.
FRANCONIA >> There were a number of Pioneer Athletic Conference “brothers acts” on stage at Souderton High this weekend. No less than four family pairings took part in the PIAA Southeast AAA Regional wrestling competition, all in the thick of the chase to qualify for next weekend’s PIAA Class AAA tournament in Hershey. But the […]
Boyertown Head coach: Tony Haley, second year. Last year’s record: 2-1 Pioneer Athletic Conference (Liberty Division), 6-1 overall. Wrestlers to watch: Chance Babb, Sr., 152; Nick Montayne, Sr., 160; Dom Sheridan, Sr., 145; Luke Heimbach, Jr., 113, Ryder Gheris, So., 145-152; Gavin Sheridan, So., 120. Outlook: The Bears’ roster is bolstered by the presence of […]
Matches have yet to be conducted, and only a handful of practices have taken place.
Even so, the 2021 high-school wrestling season is taking shape as one of the more unique and unusual seen at any time. Between the COVID-19 pandemic and a change in post-season format, the season will take its place in the sport’s history in Pennsylvania as one where “normal” events will be anything but.
Safety concerns arising from the pandemic are forcing a number of requirements on the participants and their venues.
Wrestlers will be required to wear masks during competition to cover their mouths and noses in an attempt to prevent the spread of the virus. They will no longer shake hands prior to or after the match, another change to mitigate the spread.