Parker pins down win for Norristown

It didn't really seem to matter that Norristown held a slim five-point advantage entering the final two matches of the night.

Brandon Parker's body language, at least, didn't suggest that the Eagles' dual meet against Upper Dublin was in the balance. Parker, with his team holding a 32-27 lead, strutted onto the mat, with his arms hanging casually by his side as the ref's whistle blew.

Parker stood upright for a few seconds, then grappled and took down Upper Dublin's Evan Roth.

Parker slid underneath him, put Roth on his own back, and flipped him over. Swift as 1-2-3, Parker pinned Roth in 25 seconds, securing six points and the match.

After Brett Harner's win by major decision in the meet's final bout, Norristown had a 42-27 victory at home Wednesday night in a Suburban One American Conference showdown.

"I just wanted to hit it quick," said Parker, who is ranked sixth in the state at 152 pounds by PA Power Rankings and improved to 23-2 this season. ". . . I wrestle [everyone] the same, like they're a state champion."

Parker's jaunt onto the mat suggested supreme confidence, but Norristown coach Mark Harner doesn't maintain the same level of assurance in his squad, despite a 2-0 record in dual meets and three first-place finishes in tournaments this season.

Mark Harner deadpanned "no" when asked if he is confident in the team. "Not right now. Not after tonight. I wasn't happy tonight," he said. "We have to be able to stay off our backs when we need to."

The coach's comments were prompted by three losses by fall Wednesday, and an early 20-3 lead that, over a five-match stretch, shrunk to two points, 26-24.

"Getting pinned three times is unacceptable," Harner said.

Parker agreed: "We have holes in our lineup, I've got to admit."

Harner said he can count only on seven weight classes to give him wins match in and match out.

Wednesday, with the lead at two, Norristown's Mike Springer provided some stability late.

After the Eagles lost by pin at 125 and 130, Springer, a freshman wrestling at 140, came up big with a 27-second pin of Upper Dublin's Drew Betteridge, a junior.

That win gave Norristown the breathing room it needed.

Parker and Brett Harner anchored the team Wednesday. Like Parker, Harner is ranked in the top 10 in the state by PA Power Rankings (he's fifth at 160). With a win by major decision, Harner, just a sophomore, pushed his record to 19-6.

Norristown 42, U. Dublin 27

171: Juan Carbajel, Norristown, major dec. Brian Carson, 12-4. 189: Devon Dhoble, Upper Dublin, dec. Tyler Letrinko, 4-2. 215: Larry Gordon, Norristown, major dec. Ryan Hopkins, 11-3. 285: Gavin Queenan, Norristown, pin Yale Alpert, 1:35. 103: Zach Fuentes, Norristown, pin Brett Kunkel, 0:41. 112: Joe Fisher, Upper Dublin, pin Kelvin Howard, 3:44. 119: Tyree Gardner, Norristown, pin Bill Gioioso, 2:46. 125: Steve Volovar, Upper Dublin, pin Nick Soldano, 0:46. 130: Nich DiMuzio, Upper Dublin, pin Doug Forlano, 4:48. 135: Jake Haney, Upper Dublin, dec. Joe Rowland, 9-4. 140: Mike Springer, Norristown, pin Drew Betteridge, 0:27. 145: Derek Jones, Upper Dublin, dec. Jesus Avalos, 9-3. 152: Brandon Parker, Norristown, pin Evan Roth, 0:25. 160: Brett Harner, Norristown, major dec. Sam Jacobson, 11-2.