Spring Grove loses, can still make states
READING — Spring Grove wrestling did what it had to do to keep its state tournament chances alive, but the Rockets met their match from a District 3 opponent for the first time all year.
The Rockets, whose only other dual meet loss so far this season came by a three-point margin to District 1's Downingtown East, could only muster four victories in a 47-18 loss to host Exeter Township in a District 3 Class AAA team tournament quarterfinal Tuesday. The Rockets reached the quarterfinals by beating Milton Hershey, 42-22, earlier in the day. The team bracket is set up for all eight teams that reach the quarterfinals to have a chance to place in the top four — and therefore qualify for states — through a consolation bracket on Thursday. Spring Grove will host all of Thursday's dual meets.
Spring Grove can still qualify for the state dual meet tournament if they win both of their consolation tournament matches on Thursday. A loss in either match will end the Rockets' dual meet season.
“The way the district bracket is set up with wrestlebacks, you just have to get through that first one and anything can happen,” Spring Grove coach Tony Miller said. “I’m happy to go back home. It was a long ride to get over here, a long ride home tonight, so we’ll be happy to be at home.”
The Rockets had a rough start in their quarterfinal loss, when 182-pounder Jared Barley lost controversially in the first bout.
Barley, who never trailed until after the final buzzer, had built a 3-0 lead with a first-period takedown and third-period escape while riding out Nolan Buck the entire second period. But Buck took Barley down with a few seconds remaining and turned him on his back briefly before the final buzzer. After a quick conversation, the two referees chose to award Buck two near-fall points for that final sequence for a 4-3 victory.
“Momentum is always something," Miller said. "Our kids have been down before, so they’re used to it, but it would’ve been nice to get that first one.”
The Rockets scored pins from 106-pounder Clay Baker and 170-pounder Ryan Daugherty in the loss, while 113-pounder Dalton Rohrbaugh and 145-pounder Tanner Sterner each won by decision.
Spring Grove's Thursday opponent will depend on the outcome of Tuesday's other matches.
“The kids know one point or 30 points, it’s still a loss," Miller said of the wide scoring margin and his team's ability to bounce back. "That’s the way we’re gonna look at it.”
Against Milton Hershey, the Rockets' Barley and Anthony Hinson scored pins. Tanner Sterner added a major decision. The Rockets also benefited from forfeits at 106 and 113 pounds.
Spring Grove 42, Milton Hershey 22
at Exeter Township High School
170 — Dashawn Harris, MH, pinned Ryan Daugherty, 3:03. 182 — Jared Barley, SG, pinned Darius Briggs, 2:48. 195 — Chris Bonany, MH, maj. dec. Josh Cribbs, 12-4. 220 — Nate Young, SG, dec. Justin LeCadre, 4-1. 285 — Octavious Reeves, MH, dec. Andrew Lawson, 2-1. 106 — Clay Baker, SG, won by forfeit. 113 — Dalton Rohrbaugh, SG, won by forfeit. 120 — David Wells, MH, dec. Chance Jackson, 7-2. 126 — Jake Meyer, SG, dec. Tyler Farr, 4-3. 132 — Anthony Hinson, SG, pinned Tykeer Gibson, 1:22. 138 — Adrain Rosario, MH, pinned Kyle Zumbrum, :48. 145 — Tanner Sterner, SG, maj. dec. Cacious Brown, 11-2. 152 — Trent Baker, SG, dec. Josh Hernandez, 9-2. 160 — Marcus Kehr, SG, tech. fall Nick Grissinger, 15-0.
Exeter Township 47, Spring Grove 18
at Exeter Township High School
182 — Nolan Buck, ET, dec. Jared Barley, 4-3. 195 — Dennis Karas, ET, pinned Josh Cribbs, 1:41. 220 — Jonathan Greenleaf, ET, dec. Nate Young, 8-3. 285 — Oscar Daniels, ET, dec. Andrew Lawson, 10-3. 106 — Clay Baker, SG, pinned Brandon Borton, :51. 113 — Dalton Rohrbaugh, SG, dec. Ryan Watts, 10-4. 120 — Austin Desanto, ET, tech. fall Chance Jackson, 21-5 (2:14). 126 — James Harkness, ET, pinned Jake Meyer, 3:12. 132 — Brett Kulp, ET, pinned Jacob Rappoldt, 1:00. 138 — Justin Landis, ET, dec. Anthony Hinson, 10-7. 145 — Tanner Sterner, SG, dec. Tyler Harkness, 2-1. 152 — Tyler Bagoly, ET, pinned Trent Baker, 4:42. 160 — John Harrell, ET, pinned Dawson Lloyd, 1:05. 170 — Ryan Daugherty, SG, pinned Dominic Caccesse, 3:04.