The History of Pen Argyl Wrestling
1965-2004
60's | 70's | 80's | 90's | 2000's | Team Records | Coaches Records | Wrestlers with Over 100 Wins | Wrestlers Hall of Fame
The 90's The 1990 wrestling season was that of inexperience for the Knights. With only three seniors the team managed an overall record of 3-10. Rick Kocher won the District tournament and John Albanese placed fifth. Rick Kocker moved on to Regionals where he finished second. Rick placed fourth at the state tournament. We have no records of the 1991 season at this time. If you can supply any of this information, please e-mail us. The 1992 wrestling season was another winning season for the Knights with an overall record of 11-4. The 1993 season was a year of records for the Knights. After setting a new single season wins mark of 20-3, the knights finished second in the Colonial League, third in Regionals and 13th at the AA State tournament. The team advanced nine wrestlers to Regionals and four to states. The 1994 Green Knight wrestling team matched the record of team wins set the previous season (20-3) under new head coach Pete Stoetzel. They finished second in the district and second in the regional tournament. Jim Powell, Placido Salamone (who placed 4th), James Kocher (who placed 3rd), and Matt Beltz (who placed 5th) all competed in the State Tournament where the Knights finished fourth in the team standings. That same year, James Kocher, Placido Salamone and James Powell all passed the 100 win plateau as well.
The 1994 Wrestling Team
In 1995 the Knights had another great season with an overall record of 17-5. In 1996, the Knights won 7 matches and lost 14. Under Coach Pete Stoetzel the 1997 wrestling team achieved an overall record of 14-4. The Knights won 9 matches and lost 12 under new head coach Darrin Evans in the 1998 wrestling season. The 1999 season was a good one for the Knights, winning 14 matches and losing only 6. Coach Darrin Evans was named the Morning Call's Class 2A Coach of the Year. At the District XI Tournament at Pocono Mountain High School on February 27-28, 1999, the Knights finished 3rd out of 20 schools in the team standings. Ryan Williams placed 2nd, Rob Rebmann placed 3rd, Chad DiFelice placed 5th, and Eric Carcione placed 5th. Jason Santo and Jared Drosnock won the 1999 District Championship in their weight classes. At the Regional Tournament Jared Drosnock placed 2nd, Rob Rebmann placed 4th, and Ryan Williams placed 6th. Rob Rebmann and Jared Drosnock both qualified for the State Tournament, where Drosnock placed 4th.
In the 2001 wrestling season the entire team was sent to Williams Allen High School for districts. Jake Deboer took sixth place, Chad DiFelice, Jeremy Savitz, Chuck Schiebener, and Billy Toth all brought home fourth places. James Waring took third, while Chris Buskirk and Jeff Santo both took second. At regionals Savitz and Schibener both took sixth place, and Santo brought home another second. Jeff Santo, a junior, qualified for states with an impressive record of 31-4 in the 119 lb. weight class. Santo finished fourth at states.
In 2002 Pen Argyl's varsity wrestling team finished the regular season with a 19 -5 record, placing them second in the Colonial League. The team has defeated many of the strongest and finest teams in the Colonial League and throughout the Lehigh Valley. The team has also been challenged this year by having to adapt to a new head coach, Victor Stanley. Many athletic teams require several seasons to adapt to a change in the head coaching position, but not the Knights who have kept their past success alive this season. The co-captains Billy Toth, Jeremy Savitz, and Jeff Santo have been the key gears to the green and white wrestling machine. The 2002- 2003 season was a rebuilding season for the knights after loosing 7 seniors. The knights went on with a 3-15 record while sending a promising three wrestlers, Ryan Heard, Jacob DeBoer, and Jeff Santo onto regionals. With Santo placing first at regionals, Ryan Heard and Jacob DeBoer took a well-earned fifth place, advancing all three to the state competition. Jeff Santo went on to take the silver medal, placing second in a tough loss during the finals.In 2004-2005 season the wrestling team had 10 wins and 4 losses. Ryan Heard, Chris Merwine and Richie Smith advanced into states. Richie Smith placed first in districts. Ryan Heard also accomplished 100 wins this season.
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