Collingswood wrestlers beat Haddonfield for S.J. Group 2 title
Forward. That is Billy Plianthos' wrestling style. That is Collingswood's wrestling style. "I don't focus too much on fancy moves," Plianthos said. "I keep it simple, basic. Just wrestle tough, wrestle hard, win in the third period."
Forward.
That is Billy Plianthos' wrestling style.
That is Collingswood's wrestling style.
"I don't focus too much on fancy moves," Plianthos said. "I keep it simple, basic. Just wrestle tough, wrestle hard, win in the third period."
Forward.
Even in the third period.
Especially in the third period.
Most especially in the final seconds.
Plianthos' takedown in the waning moments of the third period secured an 8-6 victory at 152 pounds and set the tone for Collingswood's 28-27 victory over Haddonfield in the South Jersey Group 2 championship match on Friday night.
The more-comfortable-than-it-looks victory earned Collingswood (25-4) its second straight sectional title and fourth since 2006 and sent the Panthers into the state semifinals Sunday at Toms River North High School.
Collingswood won eight of 12 contested bouts, forfeiting the final two after freshman Andy Clark's 12-4 major decision at 113 pounds clinched the team victory.
The Panthers also got major decisions from Will West at 132 pounds, Aaron Carter at 182, and Mike Taulane at 220.
"It showed we're the big guys on the block," Taulane said.
Collingswood had beaten Haddonfield, 41-12, in a Colonial Conference match Jan. 18, but most everybody in the near-capacity crowd in the Panthers' gym expected a tighter battle in the sectional final.
"Every time we wrestle them it's going to be different because there's so many toss-up matches," Haddonfield coach Mike Miller said. "[Collingswood] won every tight match."
Collingswood coach Declin Moody said he was "super proud" of his athletes after the Panthers posed with the championship trophy, thrusting two fingers in the air to signify their second consecutive sectional title.
Collingswood's strength and conditioning seemed to tilt the balance in many of the closer bouts, with the Panthers displaying the ability to control the action on top.
"I thought we were dominant on top," Moody said. "We wore kids down. That's how we wrestle. We're aggressive. We're going forward."
The Panthers' Gabe Onorato at 138, Riley Oronato at 145, and Nick Barnes at 195 earned hard-fought victories in bouts that Haddonfield supporters might have imagined going the other way.
But the biggest win of the night probably belonged to Plianthos, a junior who was trailing for much of his bout and also was dealing with the frustration of having lost in the sectional semifinals against Cinnaminson on Wednesday.
"I was upset," Plianthos said. "But the coaches, they helped me pull through."
Said Taulane: "He was due for a big win, and he came through and got it."
Plianthos rallied in the third period and used a late takedown to provide one of the emotional highlights of the match.
Miller called it the biggest bout of the night, the toss-up that went the Panthers' way and set the tone for the home team's victory.
"I knew it was one of the swing matches," Plianthos said. "I knew I had to win. I knew it deep down in my gut."
Plianthos said he found some extra reserves of energy to keep moving forward in the third period.
"I looked at Coach, and he was like, 'You got to go,' " Plianthos said. "I knew I had it in my gas tank. I think I had a little extra wind because I knew how much my team needed me."
The results
Collingswood 28, Haddonfield 27
132: Will West, C, d. Luke Bennett, 4-0; 138: Gabe Onorato, C, d. Nick Bateman, 8-3; 145: Riley Onorato, C, d. Jack Goldberg, 4-2; 152: Billy Pliantos, C, d. Brian Jones, 8-6; 160: Chris Bolletino, H, pin John West, 3:45; 170: Donny Siok, H, d. Sean Miles, 9-5; 182: Aaron Carter, C, d. Justin Gallo, 8-0; 195: Nick Barnes, C, d. Gabe Klaus, 2-1; 220: Mike Taulane, C, d. Will Murray, 12-4; 285: Luis Clax, H, d. Matt Meloni, 5-2; 106: Ryan Bolletino, H, d. Eddie Bernardo, 5-4; 113: Andy Clark, C, d. Declan Skelly, 12-4; 120: Will Savia, H, won by forfeit; 126: Jack Mooney, H, won by fofeit.
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