Gettysburg Times: "Canners pound on Knights, win 57-15"

BY SCOT ANDREW PITZER
Times Staff Writer

WRIGHTSVILLE – Out to prove that last year’s school-record 23 wins was no fluke, the Biglerville Canner wrestling team launched its 2007-08 campaign on a positive note Thursday night, with a convincing 57-15 win over the Eastern York Golden Knights.
Biglerville head coach Bob Gano was pleased with his team’s aggressiveness over the undermanned Eastern York (0-1) squad.
“It was a typical first match of the season,” Gano said after watching his Canners win seven of the nine contested bouts. “We were a little sloppy, but it’s nice to finally get back out there on the mat and start our season.”
Biglerville (1-0) built a quick 13-0 lead thanks to a decision by senior Seth Shive at 160 pounds, ensued by a second period fall at 171 by Green Castle-Antrim transfer Dale Nichols, and then a Danny Thomas 16-8 major decision at 189 pounds.
“I thought that our kids that have experience went out there and had some fire,” Gano said.
One of those experienced grapplers, Gano continued, was junior heavyweight Brett Smyers. Pitted against a boatload in the form of Ryan Lehr at 285-pounds, Smyers was methodical in scoring a first period takedown and two near-fall points. He then added a third-period takedown to pad his lead, and notch a 6-0 victory that was never truly in question.
“I thought Brett Smyers did a great job,” Gano said, lauding his heavyweight. “He was never in any damage. He rode (Lehr) for almost an entire period, and put him on his back in the first period. Brett did everything that is supposed to do, and he did everything that he is taught to do. We’re going to need him this year.”
The Canners accrued four forfeits from 103-130, with only one bout – albeit an exciting one – contested in that stretch. Biglerville freshman Nick Leiphart used four takedowns, and several near-falls to assemble a 12-3 third period lead over Golden Knight Barry Lewis. But late in the final stanza, an over-aggressive Leiphart was reversed to his back, and pinned with four seconds remaining in the match.
“We made a mistake at 119, but it was an aggressive mistake, so it’s OK,” Gano said. “Nick will be a good kid for us.”
Juniors Nick Asper (135) and Nic Lieberum (140) added a pin and technical fall, respectively, followed by Shay Shive’s first period pin at 145-pounds to round out the scoring for Biglerville.
“Overall, it’s very early,” said Gano. “We need to get in better shape, because some of the mistakes we made were expected, but as the season continues, they’re not accepted.”
Biglerville is in action this weekend at the Solanco Wrestling Tournament.
Scot Pitzer is a Times staff reporter.
160 – Seth Shive (Big) dec. Phillip Landis (EY), 8-2
171 – Dale Nichols (Big) win by fall over Robert Mackley (EY), 2:50
189 – Dan Thomas (Big) major decision Dylan Stoops (EY), 16-8
215 – Donald Smuck (EY) win by FFT.
285 – Brett Smyers (Big) dec. Ryan Lehr, 6-0
103 – Briar Garber (Big) win by FFT.
112 – Jesse Gardner (Big) win by FFT.
119 – Barry Lewis (EY) win by fall over Nick Leiphart (Big), 5:56
125 – Dustin Bower (Big) win by FFT.
130 – Tim Kint (Big) win by FFT.
135 – Nick Asper (Big) win by fall over Aaron Trinh (EY), 3:44
140 – Nic Lieberum (Big) win by tech. fall (15-0) over Barrett Otterbein (EY), 5:54
145 – Shay Shive (Big) win by fall over Mark Holloway (EY), 1:34
152 – Dylan Grandalia (EY) dec. Logan Bobo, 1OT, 2-0