Pennsbury has 5 pins in win over Neshaminy

Wrestling matches involving Pennsbury's Matt Cutchineal rarely go the distance.

"I go out, attack and don't waste time," Cutchineal said. "I try to get off the mat as quick as I can."

Yesterday, at 152 pounds, Cutchineal made quick work of his Neshaminy opponent, pinning him in 1 minute, 32 seconds. That was one of five pins notched by the visiting Falcons as they topped the Redskins, 45-23, in a match between Lower Bucks County squads.

Pennsbury (28-1 overall) improved to 6-0 in the Suburban One League National Conference and clinched at least a share of the league championship. Neshaminy (10-6) dropped to 4-1 in the conference.

"It's our Army-Navy game - no doubt about it," Pennsbury coach Joe Kiefer said. "We anticipated a strong tussle."

The Falcons will close out the conference schedule Wednesday at Abington. On Friday, in the quarterfinal round of the PIAA District 1 Class AAA dual team tournament, they will battle Great Valley.

Cutchineal, a 5-foot-9 senior, has a 29-4 season record. In Pennsbury's 69-0, first-round duals shutout of Downingtown East, he pinned his opponent in only 55 seconds.

"He's super on top and has a lot of good, strong takedowns," said Kiefer, who has compiled 330 coaching wins in his 21 seasons at Pennsbury. "Pound for pound, he's one of the toughest kids on our team."

Cutchineal and Pennsbury assistant coach Chuck Connor, a state champion at 112 pounds in 1996, are among the school's all-time leaders in pins.

Against Neshaminy, Matt Johnson (at 215 pounds), Josh Dziewa (125), Ed Shupe (135) and Chris Maples (140) also recorded pins for the Falcons.

For the Redskins, Tim Kovitch (189) won by pin, Bobby Gulla (145) prevailed by technical fall, and Dex Lederer (130) triumphed by decision.

Cutchineal, who has a 123-37 career record, plans to major in secondary education in college.

"When I was younger, I was in learning-support classes," the 18-year-old said. "I'd like the chance to come back and help some of the kids that have the same problems I did."

The results

145 pounds: Bobby Gulla, Neshaminy, tech. fall

Michael Mills, 5:33.

152: Matt Cutchineal, Pennsbury, pinned Tom Burke, 1:32.

160: Brian Watson, Pennsbury, major dec. Josh Lovelle, 9-0.

171: Rob Watson, Pennsbury, dec. Jason Moretti, 4-3.

189: Tim Kovitch, Neshaminy, pinned Jason Valenzano, 1:25.

215: Matt Johnson, Pennsbury, pinned Mike Hanley, 1:47.

Hwt.: Bill Farrell, Pennsbury, tech. fall Tyler Buras, 5:56.

103: Pat Hyland, Pennsbury, dec. Jerry Zambelli, 5-0.

112: Chad Kovack, Neshaminy, won by disqualification Jason Ongradi.

119: Jason Turpyn, Neshaminy, dec. Matt Funk, 9-5.

125: Josh Dziewa, Pennsbury, pinned Tyler Roucroft, 1:35.

130: Dex Lederer, Neshaminy, dec. Matt Sbarro, 7-1.

135: Ed Shupe, Pennsbury, pinned Rob Gimello, 3:18.

140: Chris Maples, Pennsbury, pinned Matt Jewett, 4:45.