Nazareth 46, Cedar Cliff 18 – PIAA 3A team wrestling quarterfinal – Rapid Recap
Nazareth put on a total team effort to handle the District 3 runner-ups Friday afternoon at the Giant Center in Hershey. The Blue Eagles (18-1) won most of the close matches and dominated where they should have to post an impressive triumph. They advance to the 8 p.m. semifinal against District 1 champion Council Rock South, coached by 1988 Nazareth state champion Brad Silimperi.
Typical of the workmanlike effort put in by the Blue Eagles was that of freshman Connor Herceg at 138 pounds, where he topped Colts senior Luis Tirado 5-2 at 138 pounds. Tirado entered the match with 70 career win; the Blue Eagle frosh with two. But it was Herceg who wrestled like a tested veteran in a key spot on the big stage.
Herceg hadn’t known he was in coach Dave Crowell’s plans.
“About two minutes before my match,” said Herceg about finding out when he would be in the lineup. “It was a pretty good surprise. I was excited. I’m always prepared, just in case. Whatever they need, I’ll just go out there and try my hardest.”
WATCH: Connor Herceg wins at 138 pounds against Cedar Cliff
If Herceg sounds like little like a coach’s son, he is. His father, Mike, is in his seventh year as head junior high coach at Nazareth. And Herceg loves wearing the blue and white singlet.
“It’s really inspiring to be a part of this team. They always push you to go your hardest. It’s just fun to be on,” Herceg said.
Crowell liked what he saw from Herceg, one of three Nazareth freshman to win against Cedar Cliff (Andrew Cerniglia at 106 and Nathan Stefanik at 145).
“(Connor’s) wrestled. A lot of times he’s been put into some matches where he couldn’t win. This was one where you’re kind of hoping you’re going to win. He did a real good job,” Nazareth coach Dave Crowell said.
So did Nazareth.
“I thought we wrestled well. Went after them, wrestled hard, tried to score points. It was a good day,” Crowell said.
Turning point: May well have come in the first two bouts at 170 and 182 when Nazareth juniors Zac Keifer and Cade Wilson gutted out tough decisions. Keifer handled Bobby Whalen 5-1. Wilson, wrestling up at 182, held off Donovon Ball 3-2. Those wins set the tone in favor of Nazareth and were two decisions Cedar Cliff needed to have to pull off the upset.
Top performer: Nazareth senior Trevor Tarsi methodically majored Michael Cassidy, ranked No. 25 in the state at 120 by PaPower Wrestling, 12-2 at 126 pounds to score some key bonus points.
What it means: Nazareth keeps rolling. The Blue Eagles looked sharp up and down the lineup against a quality opponent. The semifinal with Council Rock South may not be quite as much of a test as this physical and intense quarterfinal was.
Brad Wilson may be reached at bwilson@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @bradwsports. Find Lehigh Valley high school sports on Facebook.
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