Parkland Beats Easton For The First Time In Ten Years

by By Mark Wogenrich OF THE MORNING CALL

Posted on December 13, 2009

Two years ago, Cory Bruder lost a two-point bout in a match against Liberty that ultimately cost his Parkland junior varsity team a victory.

''It was the worst feeling in the world,'' he said. ''I didn't want those feelings to come back.''

Bruder replaced that memory with a brighter one Saturday, when he scored a 45-second pin to give Parkland its first victory over Easton in 10 years. After relinquishing a big early lead, the Trojans won the final two bouts, getting back-to-back pins from Wade Rivera and Bruder, to top Easton 37-30 in the Lehigh Valley Conference for both teams.

''For us, this could be a major builder,'' said Parkland coach Ryan Nunamaker. ''Hopefully, it will get the kids to believe they can compete with the best in the state.''

The match offered a rugged beginning to the LVC schedule, which likely will be as close as it ever has been. At least six teams consider themselves contenders, including the two that began the season at Parkland High.

The victory was Parkland's first over Easton since 1999, when it won 30-25 to clinch the Mountain Valley Conference title. For Nunamaker, in his sixth year as Parkland's coach, the win offered proof that his team is on the right track.

''We've been gaining ground the last couple of years, and by the end of last year, I thought we were wrestling as well as anyone but Northampton,'' Nunamaker said.

Four returning state place-winners, three from Easton, were on the mat Saturday, giving the match a high degree of skill. And Easton's middleweight veterans (Mitchell Minotti, Joey Rizzolino, Mark Hartenstine and Zach Bambary) helped rally the team from a 15-point deficit to a 30-25 lead with two bouts to go.

In the end, a few newcomers stole the show for Parkland, with Bruder finishing it. The junior fought off opening-night nerves to land a shot against Easton's Tyler Greene, which he turned into the pin that secured the victory.

''It's an amazing feeling to beat Easton in your first match,'' said Bruder, who won a JV district title last year. ''When everything's on the line, you have to push through.''

Parkland had five wrestlers competing in their first varsity match, going 3-2 in those bouts. Among those was freshman Shaun Heist, who had to drink water just to weigh-in at 189 pounds. But assistant coach Jon Trenge, who wrestled for that 1998-99 Parkland team, made a strategic decision to wrestle Heist at heavyweight, where he scored a third-period pin.

Heist's victory highlighted an opening stretch during which Parkland won five of six bouts to take a 21-6 lead. Crucial to that run were victories by Brandon Davis, who hit a five-point move in the final 10 seconds, and Mike Fake, who won in overtime.

Easton reclaimed the lead with four consecutive bonus-point victories, including pins from Mitchell and Anthony Minotti, before Parkland's Mike Ottinger stopped the run with a win at 152.

''We have to keep our heads up, or our schedule could get real ugly,'' Easton coach Steve Powell said. ''But they're Easton kids. They'll come back.''

Parkland 37, Easton 30


Posted By Lou Rivera

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