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Playwickian.com

December 2000

'Skins wrestlers tumble into sweet success

Powered by a group of newcomers and returning starters, the Neshaminy Varsity wrestling team is looking forward to a promising season. New Coach Mike Ortman, who had a successful college career at Ursinus, is looking forward to this year.

At the Phillipsburg Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 2, 11 of 12 wrestlers placed. The 'Skins finished second in the team competition.

A first place finish was won by Jon Denny. Two-second place finishes were won by Jack Flemming and Geoff Donahue. Taking third place were Brian Rowan, Bob Ireland, Rich Palmer and Pat Warusz. Finishing fourth were Brad Bullman, Ben Miles and Frank Guld.

“The key to this season is going to be that the boys work hard in practice each day in order to get better. If the boys continue to work hard like they have been, it will be a very successful season,” Ortman said.

Saturday, Dec. 9 at the William Tennant Invitational tournament, the 'Skins won the overall tournament with four first place finishes, two second place, and three third. First place finishes were by Denny, Palmer, Flemming, and Warusz. Second place was won by Rowan, and Koch. Third place was brought in by Ireland, Kershbaumer, and Guld.

Neshaminy is powered by a lot of good wrestlers. There is a lot of competition for the middleweight classes, and each class is three or four people deep.

Watch out for Denny who went 30-13 last year. Also look out for Fleming, who is a defending section one champion. “He should be one of the best 189 pounders out there,” Ortman said.

The underclassmen that make up the rest of the team look promising. Ireland, Warusz, Jeremy Kershbaumer (who are returning) also Heavyweight Donahue looks to be promising. Although the team is filled with young talent, they need time to develop which could possibly be one flaw in the lineup. Another flaw to the lineup is a lack of personnel in the high and low weight classes.

“Our strength is that we have some very talented individuals. Our weakness is that we are young, but that will soon be a strength for our team,” said Ortman.

The ‘Skins have prepared for the season during the off season by lifting three days a week and wrestling two. The team also went away to a camp at Lock Haven University in July, and competed in the summer duels at Council Rock last June.

It is Ortman’s first year as head coach of the ‘Skins.
Ortman is replacing Vic Stanley who retired last year. Ortman wrestled in college as well as played football. Assistant coaches Brad Ortman, Rick Ireland, Tom Magdelinskas, and Kevin Romano are also pumped for the season.

"I have worked with the Neshaminy wrestling team as an assistant coach in the past," said Ortman. "I am very excited I am working with them again to make them the best wrestlers they can be. They are a hungry team."

Drew Demberg
Staff Writer