Upper Perkiomen holds off Spring-Ford

by Barry Sankey, The Phoenix

Posted on February 5, 2009

ROYERSFORD — Bonus points were the difference as Upper Perkiomen rallied to defeat host Spring-Ford, 36-28, in Pioneer Athletic Conference wrestling action Wednesday night.

The match was a rematch of a meeting in the District 1 Duals between the two schools. However, Upper Perkiomen won the first clash handily. The latest encounter went right down to the wire.

Each side won seven matches on Spring-Ford's Senior Night. The Indians, though, produced five pins to two by the Rams.

Dalton Fleming (135), Mike McStravick (140), Nick Edmonson (189), Jared Bennett (285) and Daniel Rodenberger (103) provided falls for the Tribe (8-1, 19-9).

Jason Dombrosky (112) and Aaron Cummins (215) registered falls for the Rams (5-3, 10-5).

"This was a tightly contested match," said Upper Perkiomen coach Tom Hontz.

"It was a totally different match than the (district) duals. There were different matchups and the closer matches went their way. I tip my hat to them."

The Tribe took three of the final four bouts by fall to erase a 22-18 deficit following the 171-pound match.

"It was an exciting way to finish the (league) season," Hontz said. "We did it against a quality team. Both teams went at it. You could tell by the way the kids wrestled."

Hontz felt the pins were the difference in the match, and his seniors produced the falls when necessary.

Spring-Ford coach Tim Seislove was glad to see his grapplers wrestle a solid match, yet disappointed the Rams still came up short of the Tribe.

"It was a good match," Seislove said. "We wrestled better. I am pleased with the effort, but I am disappointed we didn't get the win.

"They got some pins when they needed them the big points. We won a lot of close matches. That was a credit to our kids."

Spring-Ford led in takedowns, 13-10.

The Rams' Justin Franiak did not wrestle at 285 due to illness.

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