Wrestlers are honored

The Columbia varsity and junior varsity wrestling teams were honored Sunday night at the team’s annual banquet held at the Foresters of America Lodge.
Team members were honored for their contributions to the teams this season.
Honored at the junior high level were:
• Byron Germer, most improved wrestler.
“He gave 100 percent all year in his first year out for the team,’ said junior high coach Tony Munoz.
• Jordan Helton and Nate Warner, outstanding wrestler.
Of Helton, Munoz said, “it was a pleasure to coach him this year.”
• Derrick Brooks, outstanding wrestler.
Honored at the varsity level were:
• Jared Bryant, Zach Groft, Garrett Mowrer, Dan Gerfin and Brian Groff, by the South Central Pennsylvania Youth Wrestling Organization, for participating in wrestling from sixth through 12th grade.
• Garrett Mowrer, Joey Charles, Derrick Armold, Brandon Felus, Dan Gerfin and Brian Groff, Lancaster-Lebanon League Academic All-Stars.
• Joey Ronca and Garrett Mowrer, first team; Anthony Wallick and Brian Groff, second team, and Jason Combs and Adam Stoner, honorable mention, Lancaster-Lebanon League All-Stars.
• Most takedowns, Jason Combs.
• Most Escapes, Derrick Armold.
• Most near falls, Garrett Mowrer.
• Most reversals, Anthony Wallick.
• Most falls, Brian Groff.
• Rookies of the Year, Brandon Felus and Kenny Weidman.
• Most Improved Wrestler, Sebastian Lefever and Derrick Arnold.
• Junior Varsity Wrestler of the Year, Zach Groft.
• Bob Bell Triple Effort Award, Joey Ronca, Joey Charles, Brandon Felus, Derrick Armold, Anthony Wallick and Garrett Mowrer.
• Most Valuable Wrestlers, Brian Groff and Garrett Mowrer.
• Outstanding Wrestler, Joey Ronca.
Columbia and Penn State graduate Aaron Anspach was the speaker for the banquet.

Wrestlers fall

The Crimson Tide wrestling team was bounced from the District 3 team tournament last night at Cumberland Valley.

Coach Scott Rupp's team lost to top-seed Bermudian Springs, 69-6.
Dan Gerfin (215) scored the Tide's lone points with a second period pin.

The Tide is home tomorrow night against York Tech.

Wrestlers make districts

The Columbia wrestling team is headed to the District 3 Class AA team tournament.
Coach Scott Rupp's team made the post-season on Friday when Pequea Valley, one of the L-L League's three Class AA teams dropped out.

PV said in this morning's Intell, it was because they have injuries and sickness. Believe what you want with this, but, PV's dropping out might have something to do with losing to Donegal and the fact they might have to face the top seed.

The team tournament opens Tuesday night. More info will be posted on Monday.

Because of that, the Tide's match with York Suburban is off and next Saturday's match with York Tech has been moved to Thursday.

While the Tide will perhaps have to face the top seed and travel to perhaps Brandywine Heights, it will give the team a chance to get that feel of the post-season and strive to reach that level each year.

Tide wrestling records

Here are the individual records of Columbia's wrestlers, including last night's match:

Derrick Armold: 9-10
Brandon Brooks: 1-3
Jason Combs: 10-17
John Ehrhart: 2-11
Brandon Felus: 4-20
Marcus Fischer: 0-5
Dan Gerfin: 8-5
Brian Groff: 20-6
Norberto Guzman: 2-5
Phil Key: 6-20
Sebastian Lefever: 10-17
Garrett Mowrer: 16-9
Joey Ronca: 18-7
Aaron Rupp: 0-7
Adam Stoner: 10-14
Johnny Vazquez: 0-7
Anthony Wallick: 14-13
Kenny Weidman: 9-17

Pins: Groff (17); Ronca (10); Wallick and Lefever (8).
Tech falls: Ronca, Mowrer, Gerfin (1).
Major Decisions: Combs (2), Ronca (2), Mowrer (2).

Tough night at Donegal

Okay, I don't play the game -- just write about it and talk about it.
But there's nothing better than a big game atmosphere. You know like Columbia and Lancaster Catholic and Columbia and Donegal.

Last night's wrestling match at Donegal had that feel. Packed house at the Indians' teepee. Even official Ray Kahler noted before the match started that it would be a fun night and it was.

Donegal used its dominance in the upper weights to hold off the Tide for a 37-31 win to remain tied for first place in Section 3 with Pequea Valley. Those two meet next Thursday and it should be a heck of a match, particularly in the upper weights.

Back to last night. Last week Tide coach Scott Rupp said he was going to have his wrestlers drop a weight class for Donegal. It almost worked
He did just that and it worked. The only thing that didn't work out
early for the Tide was the starting weight class, 285 pounds. That
matched two of the league's top "big guys," Brian Groff and Cody Tillman. Groff won the bout.

Columbia was leading 28-10 when Donegal dominated from 145-189. Pins by Blaine Miller and Derek Pietsch
gave the Indians a 31-28 lead. It may have been different had the Tide picked up some bonus points during the lower weights. At 125, Anthony Wallick scored a major decision (4 points) and at 140) Adam Stoner won by decision (3 points). Both had pins. So, instead of getting seven points, had the Tide gotten pins in those two bouts, Columbia would have led 34-10 and heading into the final bout,Donegal would have led 37-34.
Since the Tide won that final bout, it was have been 37-37 and then you go to those criteria -- most falls, etc., etc. That's when you get the rulebook out.

Despite the loss, it was still a fun night with a big match feel.