As a program that is just in its second year of existence, the Emmaus girls wrestling team has put together an impressive season already doubling up its win total from a year ago.
But facing a more established program like rival Parkland, which is in its fifth year, has proven to be a tough challenge for first year head coach Thad Smith’s young squad.
That trend continued last night.
Parkland, which already owns one win over Emmaus this season, once again came away victorious as the Trojans defeated the Hornets 44-30 before a nice-sized crowd on East Penn Youth Wrestling Association Night at ‘The Hive.’
The score was nearly similar to the first meeting when the two met in the championship of the Parkland Winter Duals back on January 5, that being a 43-28 win by the Trojans who won eight of the 13 bouts.
“I like what I saw from our girls tonight and I thought we came out and made some adjustments, but we didn’t make all the adjustments,” said Smith, following the match on the LIVE broadcast on The Eastern Pa. Sports Network. “I don’t think either team did, and the results were all the same in each match.”
Emmaus got off to a great start in the dual winning two of the first three matches and picking up bonus points as junior Jocelyn Vargas (170) and senior Katherine Soto-Acuna (235) both recorded falls to give the Hornets a 12-6 lead.
“I thought it was the perfect place to start for us,” said Smith. “Jocelyn is a gamer, a tough kid and she came out and told me she was going to get me six and did. At heavyweight, Katherine is just wrestling tough, and she is a go-getter.”
The Hornets lead, however, was short-lived as the Trojans then seized control winning five straight matches and seven of the next eight from 100-142, scoring bonus points in all seven and locking up their second win over Emmaus this season.
Overall, Parkland once again won eight of the 13 bouts.
With the victory, the Trojans improved to 4-1 in the EPC and 7-1 overall, while Emmaus fell to 4-3 in the league and 6-4 overall.
All five of the Hornets wins on the night came via the pin as senior Sarah Luisi improved to 9-1 on the season with a first period fall over freshman Leila Palmieri at 130; freshman Haily Laible picked up her seventh win in nine matches with a second period pin over fellow freshman Carissa Kalmar at 148; and junior Olivya Kroope continued her outstanding season, remaining unbeaten on the year (10-0) making quick work of sophomore Natalie Deutsch with a first period pin at 155 to close out the dual.
Emmaus will return to action on Sunday at 9 a.m. as they travel to the Lebanon Tournament.
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Parkland 44, Emmaus 30
170 – Jr. Jocelyn Vargas (Em) pinned Fr. Chloe Grady in 2:20
190 – Soph. Lizkarla Grullon Vasquez (Park) pinned Soph Petra Perez in 3:50
235 – Sr Katherine Soto-Acuna (Em) pinned Fr. Kendall Solenske in 1:08
100 – Sr. Ella Hesener (Park) major dec Fr. Peyton Schneck 14-2
106 – Soph. Lily Snook (Park) Sr. Shadeilyz Casto-Ruiz in :48
112 – Soph. Teagan Tremba (Park) pinned Soph. Danielle Rivera in 2:54
118 – Soph. Payton Ocasio (Park) won by forfeit
124 – Jr. Saige Rittenhouse (Park) pinned Fr. Erin Bechtel in 3:04
130 – Sr. Sarah Luisi (Em) pinned Fr. Leila Palmeiri in 1:32
136 – Soph. Victoria Lasagna (Park) major dec. Soph. Brynn Koberlein 21-10
142 – Jr. Angelina Spachman (Park) pinned Soph. Ariana Koberlein in 3:56
148 – Fr. Haily Labile (Em) pinned Fr. Carissa Kalmar in 2:57
155 – Jr. Olivya Kroope (Em) pinned Soph. Natalie Deutsch in 1:50