BY CHRIS MANNINGNorthern Tier Sports Report
Northeast Bradford wrestling comes into the senior with a strong senior class and some good numbers on the boys’ side as they keep trying to build the program.
The boys have 15 on the roster, with seven of them seniors, giving them something they haven’t had in a while - veterans. That’s giving them hope that they can qualify for district duals this season.
“That’s one of our team goals,” said NEB coach Curt Cole. “We’ve got a good group of kids. They came out of the beginning of the season pretty enthusiastically. We’re getting everybody at the weights they need to be at, and keep them healthy - that’s the big thing.”
Individually they return regional qualifier Mason Alexander, who went 35-10 a year ago as he was second at the North Section, fifth at districts, and sixth at regionals.
“I’m making sure I’m showing up everyday, and helping with team morale,” Alexander said.
This off-season he’s been working on positioning as he tries to take that next step to states. Alexander will also be moving up in weight class wrestling at 114.
“I think it’s going to be a little bit different, but I’m pretty sure I’m going to see the same faces,” he said.
Alexander will also likely see some new faces as junior high wrestlers come up and fill the lower ranks.
“I don’t think it’s going to be much different than any other year, it’s just another person wrestling me,” he said.
At the other end of the spectrum is Ben Ellis, who will be dropping from 285 to 215 this season. He went 19-18 a year ago and just missed qualifying for districts, taking fifth at sectionals.
“I have a lot of goals I want to complete with just myself, and as a team,” Ellis said. “I really want to make a statement this year instead of last year, when I didn’t do what I was supposed to do.”
Losing the weight has made him a better athlete on the mat, and he can feel it.
“I can already notice in practices I’m moving faster,” Ellis said. “My reaction times are better, and it’s just good in general.”
He knows his opponents will be faster this year, too.
“It’s going to be a lot faster pace,” remarked Ellis. “That’s what I’m working on right now, getting my endurance up.”
Others to watch will be Kale Howland, who was a sectional finalist a year ago, along with Hunter Comstock, Russell Martin, and Alex Gomez - three of which are seniors.
“It feels good until you look at next year,” remarked Cole. “But, no, it feels good that we kept those kids progressing through the years, and they stuck it out. Hopefully the can jump into the captain role, so to speak, and lead the team.”
For newcomers they bring in Asher Kolesar, who Cole feels will be one to watch.
“We’ve got freshmen that are coming into the line-up that are going to make a big impact,” he said.
The Panthers have had a team goal of being .500 for the past couple of seasons but injuries have gotten in the way. They believe their depth this year will give them a real shot at a winning record.
“That’s been a goal that we’ve been waiting for the past few years, but we haven’t been able to do that,” said Ellis. “This year we have a strong, and pretty dominant team, and I think we can get the job done as long as we keep our minds on it.”
On the girls’ side they return 2-time PIAA state medalist senior Anaiah Kolesar. She’s finished fourth the last two years and definitely doesn’t want to be fourth in her final season.
“I was pretty disappointed last year,” she said. “I wanted to place higher than I did my sophomore year, but now I have that fire in my gut so I’ll be able to hopefully place higher this year.”
She’s been wrestling in a lot of different tournaments during the off-season to prepare.
“I did freestyle,” she said. “I went to Nationals, so I’ve been working really hard at freestyle, and freestyle is going to help me get better at folk style.”
Kolesar might start at 132 but will likely end up at 124 when it’s all said and done.
“I’ll be heavier than all the other girls, so I’ll have that advantage,” she remarked.
Kolesar is also going to make sure to take time to enjoy her final season.
“It’s a little scary because then I won’t be in high school anymore,” she said. “I want to give it my all since it’s going to be the end.”
Cole believes the sky is the limit for Anaiah.
“She’s got a good head on her shoulders,” he said. “She’s come in real positive, she’s even taken a leadership role in the mat room.”
He’s also looking for Mackenzie Clark and Dariela Ramirez-Reyes to have good seasons.
“I think Mac, she’s coming off last year with some injuries, we’re learning to work around those things,” said Cole.
This being their third year with a program the Lady Panthers want to make the most of it.
“During the season we just keep each other motivated,” Anaiah said. “I wouldn’t be to do it without my team, and without my parents.”
ROSTER (Grade)
Boys
Mason Alexander (12)
Hunter Comstock (12)
Keagan Slater (10)
Maddox Rooker (10)
Will Chappell (9)
Kelton Raymond (12)
Alex Gomez (11)
Russell Martin (12)
Connor Eastabrook (12)
Kale Howland (11)
Zeryk Thurston (10)
Asher Kolesar (9)
Ed Soper (10)
Ben Ellis (12)
Gavin Herring (12)
Girls
Anaiah Kolesar (12)
Dariela Ramirez-Reyes (10)
Mackenzie Clark (11)
Riley Lamson (10)
Ava Lambert (12)
SCHEDULE
Boys
Dec. 4 at Montrose, 7 p.m.
Dec. 9 vs NPL, 7 p.m.
Dec. 13 at Hughesville Duals
Dec. 16 at Wyalusing, 7 p.m.
Dec. 18 vs Athens, 7 p.m.
Dec. 22 at Troy, 7 p.m.
Dec. 29 at Jim Thorpe Tournament
Dec. 30 at Jim Thorpe Tournament
Jan. 3 at South Williamsport Tournament
Jan. 6 at Towanda, 7 p.m.
Jan. 8 vs Williamson, 7 p.m.
Jan. 13 at Central Columbia, 6 p.m.
Jan. 16 vs Canton, 7 p.m.
Jan. 20 vs Wellsboro, 7 p.m.
Jan. 23 at Thomas Bedford Open
Jan. 24 at Thomas Bedford Open
Girls
Dec. 6 at Jarvis Tournament
Dec. 13 at Honesdale Tournament
Dec. 20 at Hanover Tournament
Jan. 3 at Montgomery Tournament
Jan. 13 at Central Columbia, 5 p.m.
Jan. 16 at Coal Cracker Tournament
Jan. 17 at Coal Cracker Tournament
Jan. 20 vs Wellsboro, 5 p.m.
Jan. 31 at Williamsport Showcase
Feb. 4 at Sugar Valley Rural Charter, 6 p.m.
Feb. 14 at District IV Championships, 9 a.m.
Feb. 28 at Regionals, 9 a.m.
March 5 at PIAA Championships
