Esham, Kealey are leading way for surging Wood
Led by Mike Esham and Brian Kealey, the Archbishop Wood wrestling squad is trying to nail down one of six playoff berths in the Catholic League.
Led by Mike Esham and Brian Kealey, the Archbishop Wood wrestling squad is trying to nail down one of six playoff berths in the Catholic League.
With Wednesday's 49-18 win against visiting St. Joseph's Prep, the Vikings, guided by first-year coach Kurt Paroly, improved to 11-10 overall and 5-4 in the league.
"Things are going well," Paroly said. "We're moving in the right direction."
Esham, a senior competing at 125 pounds, has a 24-2 record. "He's very smart, very savvy on his feet," Paroly said.
Kealey, a junior, has a 23-7 record at 152 pounds. "He's a workhorse," Paroly said. "He goes out there, gives you everything he's got."
Against St. Joseph's Prep, Esham won by fall and Kealey prevailed, 6-3.
Wood, which has only three seniors, has also been sparked by junior Joe D'Alonzo (at 160 pounds) and sophomore Matt O'Connell (189).
Paroly formerly was a coach with the Pennsbury Youth Club.
Defending champ
Great Valley is on track to win its second consecutive Southern Chester County League championship. On Wednesday, the Patriots defeated Garnet Valley, 59-12, to improve to 3-0 in SCCL matches.
Great Valley's top grapplers are seniors Jay Hahn (171) and Matt Magill (152), and sophomore Carl Buchholz (189).
The sophomore class includes Kyle Liberato (119), Tony Pisciella (125), Gary Magill (130), Domenic DeRobertis (135), Scott Schretzenmaier (145) and Myles Tornetta.
Liberato, Pisciella and Gary Magill pinned their Garnet Valley opponents. DeRobertis and Buchholz triumphed by technical fall, and Matt Magill won by major decision.
On Feb. 7, in a key SCCL match, Great Valley will host Oxford.
Notes. Upper Merion's Josh Hugaboom has a 13-6 record as a heavyweight. In a Suburban One League American Conference match on Wednesday, he will square off against Plymouth Whitemarsh's D.J. Fox (22-2). In addition to Fox, the Colonials have been led by Gavin Reilly (21-4 at 103) and Eric Powell (22-1 at 152 and 160). . . . Thomas Edison's Carlos Noisette (103) and Shawn Parker (140) are 7-0 in Public League matches. . . . Steve Honeywell, of Springfield (Montgomery County), is on an eight-match winning streak at 160 pounds, including seven by fall. . . . Upper Darby's Andrew Walmsley (130) has an 18-1 record. His only loss came last Saturday against Harriton's Marty Borowsky, a Penn recruit. . . . On Thursday, in a pivotal Catholic League match, La Salle will host four-time defending league champion North Catholic.