Regional Rumble

Senior Devan Hamrick, 2016 Regional Champion!

The 1A/2A West Regional tournament was held for the first time ever in Garrett County on Saturday.  The Southern Rams and the Northern Huskies co-hosted the event at the Garrett College CARC and the action was fierce.  The Rams had 10 wrestlers competing and the Huskies brought 8 to this annual event that features 19 teams from Carroll, Frederick, Washington, Allegany and Garrett counties.  The top four place winners at Regionals punch their ticket to the State Tournament which will be held next weekend in Upper Marlboro, MD.  The stakes were high and the competition was outstanding.

Junior Brison Dixon, state qualifier

Competing for Southern were freshmen Nate Tasker, Jace Guy and Hunter Park.  They were joined by sophomores Jake Sweitzer and Joey Embleton and juniors Brison Dixon and Jimmy Schwab.  Rounding out our squad were seniors Devan Hamrick, Corey Horner and Bernie Sislo.

Defending state champion led the Rams with three wins on the afternoon, capturing his second straight regional title.  In the final round, Hamrick won a tight 1-0 decision over Josh Paige for the state champion Middletown Knights to earn his spot on top of the podium.

Dixon, Sweitzer, Guy and Schwab all reached the semi final round with big quarter-final wins before facing defeat and dropping into the consolation bracket.  Dixon, Sweitzer and Schwab all won two straight matches to capture third place in their respective brackets and earn their spot in next week's state tournament.  Tasker fought back after a first round loss to win two straight bouts to qualify for states as well, ultimately finishing in 4th place.  Jace Guy placed fifth in the regional tournament and is an alternate for states.

3rd place finisher, Jake Sweitzer

Southern Garrett Place Winners
1st - Devan Hamrick
3rd - Brison Dixon
3rd - Jake Sweitzer
3rd - Jimmy Schwab
4th - Nate Tasker
5th - Jace Guy

The west regional tournament is traditionally the toughest region in the state and this season was no exception.  As a team, the Rams ended the day in 5th place with 91 points.  The tournament winner was South Carroll who scored 162 points.  These amazing photos are courtesy of Alex Flanigan.

Jimmy Schwab earned a spot at states!

1A/2A West Regional Team Scores
1. 162.0 - South Carroll
2. 152.5 - Middletown
3. 111.0 - Williamsport
4. 100.0 - Catoctin
5.   91.0 - Southern Garrett
6.   64.0 - Winters Mill
7.   62.0 - Smithsburg
8.   60.0 - Northern Garrett
9.   57.0 - Century
10. 56.0 - Francis Scott Key
10. 56.0 - Manchester Valley

Freshman, Nate Tasker qualifies for the state tournament

12. 47.0 - Boonsboro
13. 37.5 - North Carroll
14. 33.0 - Mountain Ridge
15. 23.0 - Liberty
16. 10.0 - Allegany
17.   9.0 - Brunswick
18.   6.0 - Fort Hill
19.   0.0 - Walkersville

Bi-County Champs!

2016 Bi-County Champions

It was a great day on the mats at Allegany High School on Saturday as the Southern Rams led the Bi-County wrestling tournament from start to finish to capture the 2016 team title.  With 202 points, the Rams placed ahead of Northern who finished with 177, Mt. Ridge was third, Fort Hill was 4th and Allegany ended up in fifth.



Brison Dixon, 106 pound Bi-County Champion!

It was a solid semi-final round that proved to be the difference on Saturday.  Southern won 10 of 14 semis, mostly by pins, to advance an impressive 10 wrestlers to the final round and build an insurmountable lead in the team standings.  Northern qualified 8 for the finals and Mt. Ridge placed 5 in the championship round.

 

Devan Hamrick wins his third straight title.

In the finals, six Southern wrestlers won their matches and were crowned Bi-County champions, while four Rams placed second.  Brison Dixon got the finals started by winning the 106 pound class.  Nate Tasker lost a close match at 113 and Jake Sweitzer won his 1st Bi-County title with an exciting come from behind win at 120.  Zach Burgess placed third, winning a huge match in the consi finals to earn a medal and score big points for his team.

Jace Guy, Bi-County Champ and Outstanding Wrestler!

At 132, freshman Jace Guy captured the Bi-County title and was also awarded the outstanding wrestler award with two big wins against two tough opponents.  Senior Devan Hamrick won his 3rd straight Bi-County title with a dominating performance in one of the toughest weight classes (138) of the afternoon.  At 145, junior Jimmy Schwab won his third straight Bi-County championship as well.  At 160, sophomore Luke O'Brien filled in for the injured Patrick Duggan and won two big matches to capture a third place medal and score valuable team points for the Rams.

Corey Horner placed 2nd at 152 as did Joey Embleton at 170 and Hunter Park at 195.  At 182, senior Bernie Sislo had a great tournament.  In the semi final round, Sislo knocked off the top seed to advance to the finals.  In the final match, Bernie thrilled the Southern fans with a quick pin to win his 1st Bi-County title.

 

It was a great afternoon in Cumberland.  The Southern fans are truly the best fans around and they had a lot to cheer about at the 2016 Bi-County Championships!  The Southern Ram wrestlers and coaches would like to thank you for spending your Saturday afternoon with us.  Pictures courtesy of Bev Rasel.

Team Scores

202.0 - Southern
177.0 - Northern
126.5 - Mt Ridge
109.0 - Fort Hill
  52.0 - Allegany

Final Bouts
106 - Brison Dixon (SG) dec Jacob Fresh (MR) 2-0
113 - Devin Wilhelm (NG) dec Nate Tasker (SG) 2-0
120 - Jake Sweitzer (SG) dec Brock Petenbrink (MR) 13-12
126 - Devin Femi (MR) dec Tylor Thomas (NG) 3-1
132 - Jace Guy (SG) dec Cam Ritchey (MR) 7-5
138 - Devan Hamrick (SG) dec Luke Lowery (NG) 7-0
145 - Jimmy Schwab (SG) fft Matt Murphy (AL)
152 - Marcus Folk (MR) dec Corey Horner (SG) 8-4
160 - Brysan Day (NG) dec Brad Winter (FH) 1-0
170 - Kyle Beard (NG) pins Joey Embleton (SG) 5:01
182 - Bernie Sislo (SG) pins Sam Beeman (NG) :21
195 - Jacob Riffe (AL) pin Hunter Park (SG) 1:34
220 - Riley Brick (MR) pins Caleb Wilt (AL) 2:51
285 - Ben Beeman (NG) pins Aaron Spence (FH) 2:36

3rd/4th Place Bouts
106 - Diehl (FH) pins Opel (NG) 1:28
113 - Baker (MR) pins Farris (FH) :21
120 - Kelly (NG) pins Twigg (FH) 1:22
126 - Burgess (SG) dec Trimble (FH) 15-13
132 - Askins (FH) pins Ravenscroft 3:26
138 - White (MR) pins Winter (FH) 1:22
145 - Brehm (FH) pins Walker (NG) :44
152 - Grove (NG) pins Conrad (AL) 1:30
160 - O'Brien (SG) pins Wilt (MR) 1:54
170 - Baker (MR) pins Hillegas (FH) 1:41
182 - Driver (FH) pins Wright (MR) 5:55
195 - Beaulieu (NG) pins Clayton (FH) 1:53
220 - Hess (FH) pins Tichnell (SG) :57
285 - Rice (MR) pins Sweitzer (SG) :58

Our Individual Results
1st - Brison Dixon (106)
1st - Jake Sweitzer (120)
1st - Jace Guy (132)
1st - Devan Hamrick (138)
1st - Jimmy Schwab (145)
1st - Bernie Sislo (182)

2nd - Nate Tasker (113)
2nd - Corey Horner (152)
2nd - Joey Embleton (170)
2nd - Hunter Park (195)

3rd - Zach Burgess (126)
3rd - Luke O'Brien (1600

4th - Scotty Tichnell (220)
4th - Cole Sweitzer (285)

One of Those Knights

Jake Sweitzer starts us off with a win!

The Southern Rams have worked hard all season with the Regional Duals in their sights.  It took a stretch of 10 wins in a row including a couple huge matches against Northern to qualify for this post-season event.  On the final day of the regular season, the Rams made it in with a win over the Huskies.  Yesterday, we made the trip off the mountain to Middletown High School for this premier event.  The Middletown Knights were the top seeded team and the top ranked 1A/2A school in the state.  They were also heavily favored in our match and to win it all this season.  We took the mat with the intention to knock them off and shock the down-state wrestling world.

 

The fatal cradle, by Jace Guy

The match started at 120 and we took an early lead when Jake Sweitzer picked up a 4-2 decision.  The win was the 50th of Jake's short career for the Rams.  Our lead grew when Jace Guy scored a first period pin at 126 to bring the team score to 9-0 in our favor.  Middletown's 2X defending state champion got the Knights on the board to close the gap to 9-6.

 

At 138, our state champion Devan Hamrick, faced off against the #2 ranked wrestler in the state.  Most people believed this could be the state finals match up in March.  Hamrick scored a takedown but was then reversed and the first period ended with the score tied at 2.  The Middletown wrestler chose bottom to start the second period and Hamrick quickly went to work.  Devan scored near fall points and then turned him again, this time securing the pin to extend Southern's lead.

A battle at the top, won by Devan Hamrick by pin!

 

We lost two close matches at 145 and 152, one in overtime, to bring the team score to 15-12 in our favor heading into the 160 pound class.  Sophomore Luke O'Brien took the mat in place of Patrick Duggan who was injured in practice the night before.  O'Brien wrestled well, holding off his Middletown opponent to save valuable team points.  After the match, Middletown had taken a 16-15 lead.

 



Joey Embleton continues to shine!



Super sophomore Joey Embleton took the mat at 170 on a personal 18 match winning streak.  Joey wrestled tough and came away with a dominating 4-0 victory to keep his win streak alive and give the lead back to the Rams 18-16.  Unfortunately, things quickly went bad as the Knights were able to win the next four bouts, all by pin, to put the match out of our reach at 40-18.

 

Middletown then forfeited the final two bouts to Brison Dixon and Nate Tasker bringing the final team score to 40-30 in Middletown's favor.  It was a well wrestled, exciting match against arguably the best 1A/2A team in the state.  We had our chances but fell short and now our focus is turned to the Bi-County tournament, the Regional tournament and the State tournament.  Photos courtesy of Bev Rasel.

Middletown 40 - Southern 30

106 - Brison Dixon (SG) via forfeit
113 - Nate Tasker (SG) via forfeit
120 - Jake Sweitzer (SG) dec Noah Grossnickle (M) 4-0
126 - Jace Guy (SG) pins Sean Farron (M) 1:46
132 - Danny Bertoni (M) pins Zach Burgess (SG) :39
138 - Devan Hamrick (SG) pins Josh Paige (M) 3:05
145 - Adam Bain (M) dec Jimmy Schwab (SG) 5-1
152 - Can Farrow (M) dec Corey Horner (SG) 8-6 ot
160 - Will Davis (M) m dec Luke O'Brien (SG) 10-2
170 - Joey Embleton (SG) dec Mert Gulen (M) 4-0
182 - Sean Herrmann (M) pins Bernie Sislo (SG) 2:38
195 - Tyler Clemmer (M) pins Hunter Park (SG) 1:13
220 - Sean Mullican (M) pins Scotty Tichnell (SG) 1:59
285 - Ed Guerrero (M) pins Cole Sweitzer (SG) 2:23

Senior Night Slaughter

Senior Corey Horner on senior night

It was another exciting evening under the spotlight in the Ram Arena as the Southern Rams played host to the visiting Northern Huskies.   The gym was packed and it was senior night for the Southern Rams.  The atmosphere could not have been better for a match with huge post-season implications.

 

The evening began with some exciting youth action pitting the Southern Mat Club against the Northern Mat Club.  After those bouts, we went straight into our senior night celebration.  Seniors, making their final appearance in the Ram Arena as members of Southern Wrestling, were Ethan Bittinger, Bernie Sislo, Corey Horner and Devan Hamrick.  We also acknowledged senior cheerleader Nicole Baker.  Mothers were presented flowers and fathers were given framed pictures.

Patrick Duggan with a huge pin!!

When the celebration was over, it was time for the match to begin.  The match was set to begin at 170 and Patrick Duggan took the mat for the Rams to get things started.  Northern sent out Kyle Beard, who is a state ranked wrestler for the Huskies.  In a flurry of action, Beard seemed to be ready to score, but Duggan was quick to come out on top and score a huge pin!  The Rams were up 6-0 and the Huskies were reeling.  Joey Embleton earned a pin of his own at 182 and the Ram Arena was going crazy.

Brison Dixon in control

At 195, Hunter Park kept the ball rolling with a decision in a rematch from the last dual that he had lost to give the Rams a commanding 15-0 lead.  Northern was able to pick up wins at 220 and 285 to cut into the lead heading into the lower weights.  At 106, Brison Dixon won by fall to bring the team score to 22-12 in favor of Southern.  Nate Tasker and Jake Sweitzer both lost close decisions and the Huskies still had hope that they could pull off the win.

Devan Hamrick with a senior night pin!

Jace Guy took the mat at 126 in another rematch from the January meeting.  In that match, Tyler Thomas got the upper hand, but last night things were different.  Guy slammed the door shut on Northern by pinning Thomas in the second period.  Senior state champion Devan Hamrick followed with a pin of his own and the Rams were in control 34-19 with four bouts remaining.

Alec Horner pins Luke Lowery

Sophomore Alec Horner took the mat at 138 and shocked the Northern crowd when he stuck Luke Lowery with a cradle in only 19 second to drive the final nail in the Huskies coffin.  Jimmy Schwab and Corey Horner each went out and scored pins for the Rams and we forfeited the final bout to finish the season sweep of Northern with the huge 52-25 victory.

The win was the 32nd of the season for Southern and the 18^th in a row.  The Rams have also qualified for the regional duals which will be held at Middletown High School on Wednesday evening.   Southern will enter the duals for the 12^th time in the last 15 years, are seeded 4^th and will face the host school in the semi-final round starting at 5:30pm.  The finals are scheduled to begin at 7:30pm.  The winner of the regional duals will qualify for the state duals to be wrestled on Saturday.  Photos courtesy of Alex Flanigan and Kelli Fulmer.

Southern 52 – Northern 25

106 – Brison Dixon (SG) pins Nick Opel (NG) 1:21
113 – Devin Wilhelm (NG) dec Nate Tasker (SG) 6-1
120 – Jarrett Kelly (NG) dec Jake Sweitzer (SG) 5-4
126 – Jace Guy (SG) pins Tylor Thomas (NG) 3:33
132 – Devan Hamrick (SG) pins Richard Ravenscroft (NG) 1:02
138 – Alec Horner (SG) pins Luke Lowery (NG) :19
145 – Jimmy Schwab (SG) pins Tony Miller (NG) 4:18
152 – Corey Horner (SG) pins Jordan Grove (NG) 1:33
160 – Brysan Day (NG) via forfeit
170 – Patrick Duggan (SG) pins Kyle Beard (NG) :59
182 – Joey Embleton (SG) pins Hunter Shockey (NG) :53
195 – Hunter Park (SG) dec James Lewis (NG) 7-6
220 – Riley Brick (NG) pins Bernie Sislo (SG) :43
285 – Ben Beeman (NG) pins Cole Sweitzer (SG) 3:02

Topping The Ridge

Bernie Sislo starts us off with a pin

Any time the Southern Rams face the Mountain Ridge Miners, there will be outstanding, exciting wrestling and the fans will be treated to an action-packed evening.  Last night was no exception.  The Miners made the trip to Oakland for a dual meet with the Rams.  Everyone in attendance was able to enjoy some youth matches leading up to the main event.  The Southern Mat Club members wrestled great, a glimpse of things to come for Southern High School.

Jimmy Schwab with a decision over their top wrestler

The varsity match began after a presentation by Devan Hamrick, thanking his coaches for their guidance in helping him achieve his 150th career win.  After introductions, the Rams and Miners were ready to tangle under the spotlight, starting at the 182 pound weight class.  Senior Bernie Sislo took the mat first for the Rams and wasted little time, driving his opponent straight to his back for the pin.  Hunter Park won a major decision at 195 and Southern had a 10-0 lead and never looked back.

 

Corey Horner with a decision over another ranked wrestler

Scotty Tichnell received a forfeit at 220 and Cole Sweitzer dropped a close decision at 285 and the Rams led 16-3 heading into the lower weights.  At 106, Brison Dixon scored a 15-0 tech fall and Nate Tasker won a 6-0 decision at 113 to stretch Southern's lead to 24-3.  Jake Sweitzer won by major decision at 120 to add to the point total.

Joey Embleton is enjoying himself

At 126 and 132, the Mountain Ridge wrestlers were able to score first to take leads, but Jace Guy and Devan Hamrick each came back and won by pin to put the match out of reach at 40-3 in Southern's favor.  At 138, Alec Horner lost by decision which would be the final points scored by the Miners.  Jimmy Schwab and Corey Horner were up next to face two of Mountain Ridge's top wrestlers.  At 145, Jimmy was in control throughout and picked up a 6-3 win.  Corey also led throughout his match to win a decision as well.

 

Joey Embleton scored a first period pin at 160 and Patrick Duggan was awarded a forfeit at 170 to bring the final team score to 58-6 in

favor of the Southern Rams.

 

Next up for the Rams is a rematch with our cross county rivals, the Northern Huskies, on Saturday with wrestling set to begin at 6pm.  There will be more youth action prior to the main event, starting at 5pm, and Saturday will also be senior night in the Ram Arena.  There will be plenty of action, don't miss your chance to see some great wrestling.

Southern 58 - Mt Ridge 6

106 - Brison Dixon (SG) tech fall Jordan Kight (MR) 15-0
113 - Nate Tasker (SG) dec Jacob Fresh (MR) 6-0
120 - Jake Sweitzer (SG) m dec Teddy Baker (MR) 13-5
126 - Jace Guy (SG) pins Brock Petenbrink (MR) 2:41
132 - Devan Hamrick (SG) pins Devin Femi (MR) 4:29
138 - Camren Ritchey (MR) dec Alec Horner (SG) 10-3
145 - Jimmy Schwab (SG) dec Colten White (MR) 6-3
152 - Corey Horner (SG) dec Marcus Folk (MR) 7-6
160 - Joey Embleton (SG) pins Kody Wilt (MR) 1:30
170 - Patrick Duggan (SG) via forfeit
182 - Bernie Sislo (SG) pins Conner Baker (MR) :43
195 - Hunter Park (SG) m dec Christain Wright (MR) 13-2
220 - Scotty Tichnell (SG) via forfeit
285 - Hunter Rice (MR) dec Cole Sweitzer (SG) 3-1