Wrestling: Lions earn a return ticket to the sectional final
CHERRY HILL – With the sounds of a rowdy student section helping to create a great atmosphere, it’s pretty obvious to see – and hear - that the Cherry Hill West High School wrestling program has come a long way in recent years.
The Lions earned a return trip to the sectional championship for the second time in three seasons with a 37-18 semifinal victory over Shawnee in the South Jersey Group 4 tournament Wednesday night.
Second-seeded Cherry Hill West (18-4) will seek the program’s first sectional title, but it won’t be easy as the Lions face defending champion Clearview (16-2) in Friday’s final. The top-seeded Pioneers disposed of Absegami 66-9 in the other semifinal.
“It feels great that we’re going back (to the South Jersey final),” said Cherry Hill West senior Connor Rogovich, who was honored by the school before the meet for achieving his 100th career win on Saturday. “We’re just looking for a different result than the last time.”
Two years ago, Cherry Hill West was eliminated by Southern 51-9.
“We’re a different team than the last time, but we’re going to be ready,” senior Manny Morales said. “We believe in ourselves and we still have the heart to do it. This is our year. For the seniors, this is it.”
WRESTLING: C.H. West's Morales is best of the week
Cherry Hill West had a solid blueprint to defeat Shawnee as the Lions posted a 39-25 win on Jan. 30.
While Shawnee moved some wrestlers around the lineup in the rematch, West got bonus points from its big guns and avenged three losses in the later bouts to ice the meet.
“We’ve been starting to come around lately because we finally have a complete lineup,” West coach Zach Semar said.
In the top bout, Rogovich remained unbeaten with a 3-2 decision over Isaiah Bryant in a battle of two of South Jersey’s best. Rogovich, the No. 2-ranked wrestler in the weight class by the Mat Pack, earned an 8-6 decision over the fourth-ranked 152-pounder in the previous meeting.
This time, Rogovich set the tone with a first-period takedown and broke a 2-2 tie in the third with an escape against Bryant.
“Lower scoring this time, but just as tough,” Rogovich said. “He’s gotten so much better and these are the types of matches you want. It’s gut-check time. This gets you ready for the next step.”
West’s Manny Morales (170 pounds) delivered a 20-5 technical fall, James Potts (195) produced a first-period pin and Brandon Moore (220) added a 15-0 technical fall, setting the table for the lightweights, who proceeded to clean things up.
Freshman Sean Tyler provided the major blow with a second-period fall over Ed Morriarity, who was battling an illness and a broken nose.
Tyler’s fall in 2 minutes, 36 seconds produced one of the loudest roars from Lions’ fans as they sensed the victory.
“It’s such a big thing for me to be a part of this team,” Tyler said. “I feel like I’ve come a long way this season and I’m just trying to do everything I can to help this team win.
“I just wanted to go after him and stay aggressive and it worked out for me.”
While Tyler lost a major decision at 120 in the first meeting, Semar was more than confident that the rookie not only could win, but could deliver an even bigger result.
“I really liked the matchup, I felt that Tyler could get us some bonus points there,” the West boss said. “Over the summer he was getting frustrated with losing a bunch. He had to refocus in practice for us and he’s just taken off from there.”
Rogovich agreed.
“The kid is so dedicated to the sport,” Rogovich said. “He’s going to be a really good one by the time he’s done here. He gave us a big boost tonight.”
Wrestling roundup: Cherry Hill West wins division title
Shane Tambussi, a junior who lost his bout against Shawnee in the first meeting, clinched the meet with a 7-5 decision at 126. He scored an escape and takedown in the third period for the win.
Xavier Barker also avenged a loss from the first meeting at 132 and Joe Ioanucci closed the meet out with a win.
“We knew we just had to get one of the last three,” Semar said.
The Olympic Conference Patriot Division champion Lions got wins in all three – another sign that things are falling into place these days for the program.
Cherry Hill West 37
Shawnee 18
Wrestler of the meet: Freshman Sean Tyler pinned his opponent in 2:36 at 113 pounds. The fall swayed the momentum back to West for good.
Turning point: The Lions closed the meet out with four wins in the final five bouts.
Well said: “I feel like I’ve come a long way this season and I’m just trying to do everything I can to help this team win,” Tyler said.