Poynor’s pin propels Minutemen past Eastern

Tyler Poynor has just what Washington Township wrestling coach Ron Ippolite is seeking.

Poynor, who weighs 175 pounds, recorded a come-from-behind pin in 3 minutes, 21 seconds over Eastern's Brehen Syverson at 215 pounds Friday. The win helped lead the host Minutemen to a 45-29 victory in an Olympic Conference American Division match.

The win improved Township's record to 10-6 overall and 2-1 in the division. Eastern slipped to 7-11, 1-2, and suffered its sixth consecutive loss.

Although Eastern led, 18-15, after the 119-pound bout, the Vikings were never able to take command of the match thereafter.

Poynor bumped up a weight class to take on the larger Syverson, and it was a struggle in the beginning, as Poynor fell behind, 2-0, in the first period of the match's second bout.

"I was behind because the kid was big," Poynor said. "I normally wrestle at 189. But I was quicker and faster and that led to the pin."

Poynor took a 3-2 lead in the second period on a reversal and a locked-hands call. In the third period, he put Syverson on his back for the fall.

"Tyler Poynor has been so awesome for us," Ippolite said. "He has wrestled '71, '89 and 215 for us. He and John Glennan have been the ultimate team players for us because they've done everything we've asked."

Poynor's pin gave the Minutemen a 12-0 lead; however, Eastern tied the score, 12-12, on forfeits at heavyweight and 103 pounds.

Both teams have wrestlers out with injuries and, in Eastern's case, sicknesses as well.

Christian Matthew Salera registered a key win for Township when he decisioned Kris Castagnola, 5-3, in overtime at 135 pounds to give Township a 27-18 lead.

Salera trailed by 2-0 in the first period and 2-1 in the second, when he scored on a takedown for a 3-2 lead. In overtime, Salera scored two more points on a hard takedown to capture the decision.

"In overtime, I blast-doubled him, took him off his feet for the takedown," said Salera, whose record is 19-3. "I felt I had to take him off his feet because he was good with his hips."

Rob Deutsch, Tory Irvin, and Derek Smith were the only Eastern wrestlers to score points. Deutsch and Smith recorded pins at 119 and 160, respectively. Irvin won by technical fall at 152.

"I wanted to wrestle Matt Salera, but he wrestled at 125," said Deutsch, who pinned Josh Mecouch in 42 seconds.

Deutsch, a two-time state champion, had wrestled at 125 through December, but will wrestle at 119 the rest of the season.

Deutsch improved his record to 22-0. Matt Salera, who beat Jake Backal, 16-10, went to 14-4.

Washington Twp. 45, Eastern 29

189: Steve Swayze, Washington Township, pin Zach Micciche, 2:43. 215: Tyler Poynor, Washington Township, pin Brehen Syverson, 3:21. Hwt.: Trevor Cetrullo, Eastern, won by forfeit. 103: Jake Manelis, Eastern, won by forfeit. 112: Dylan LaPalomento, Washington Township, dec. Colin Mitchell, 4-2. 119: Robert Deutsch, Eastern, pin Josh Mecouch, 0:42. 125: Matt Salera, Washington Township, dec. Jake Backal, 16-10. 130: Chalie Huff, Washington Township, won by forfeit. 135: Christian Matthew Salera, Washington Township, dec. Kris Castagnola, 5-3, OT. 140: Kevin Keepler, Washington Township, won by forfeit. 145: Christian Michael Salera, Washington Township, pin Andrew Mueller, 3:56. 152: Tory Irvin, Eastern, tech fall Pat Mullin, 5:57. 160: Derek Smith, Eastern, pin Steve Calhoun, 2:54. 171: John Glennan, Washington Township, pin Michael Somers, 2:19.