Local wrestlers place at Beast

by Ed Kracz, The Intelligencer

Posted on December 22, 2008

Pat Owens' body has endured many changes through the years, the biggest of which is the weight gain.

Two years ago, Owens wrestled at 103 pounds for Germantown Academy. Now, he's a 125-pounder.

What hasn't changed is Owens' ability to go into one of the most competitive wrestling tournaments in the country and walk away a place-winner. Owens did it again on Sunday, placing second at 125 pounds, adding to his collection of medals from the Beast of the East Tournament, held annually in Newark, Del.

"To come back and keep placing, the guy is a gamer," said Germantown Academy coach Steve Hill. "He knows how to get through tournaments and win close matches."

Pennridge's Colin McConnell also placed, finishing in sixth place at 152 pounds after advancing to the semifinals. Owens' teammate, Mike Harvey, made it to the top 12 at 171 (only the top eight place), but couldn't earn a medal.

Owens, who was second two years ago and fourth last year, made it to the final when he defeated Blair Academy's Garret Fry, 2-1. In the final, Owens lost 5-3 in overtime to Wyoming Seminary's Simon Kitzis.

"That was a great match, very evenly matched," said Hill, of the Owens-Kitzis final. "He might get another crack at him at private school states (tournament at the end of the season)."

In McConnell's semifinal match, Dauphin's Marshall Peppelman notched a technical fall, 15-0 (3:04) victory. Peppelman went on to win the weight class's title.

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