Collingswood Wrestlers Advance to Second Round of Sectionals

It’s been said that a picture can speak thousands of words.

And in Collingswood’s 54-19 defeat over Manchester in the first round of the NJSIAA playoffs Monday night, the sight of Panthers senior Eric Hamrick's perfect roll-up and pin on his opponent, Matt Rieger, spoke millions.

With more than a minute remaining in the opening period of the night’s final match, Hamrick closed with a move he’d never before used in competition.

But those who saw the roll-up would've never guessed it was Hamrick’s first attempt.

“I usually mess around with it with all the other kids,” said Hamrick. “It was pretty cool that I actually got to use it tonight.”

The picture painted by Hamrick’s unusual pin doubled as a display of domination by the Panthers.

In Monday's 13 individual matchups, Collingswood came out victorious in 10—with six of them coming by way of pin fall.

Collingswood wrestlers, including 160-pound Jim Plianthos, 112-pound Tony Giancola, 119-pound Zane Chunko, 125-pound Brandon Maguire, 140-pound Jim Hatsill and Hamrick, all scored pins on their respective Manchester opponents Monday.

One loss, though, showed a gaping hole that Collingswood still needs to fill, especially if they want to be taken seriously by New Jersey’s top wrestling teams—scoring bonus points. Collingswood senior, 171-pounder Taylor Bonanzi, lost his bout—the second of the night—by decision after three extra periods.

And Hamrick agrees his team needs to focus on bonuses.

“The team was pretty tough tonight,” said Hamrick. “We still have to find a way to start getting some bonus points, though.”

And there'd be no better time for Collingswood to start capitalizing than Wednesday.

This Wednesday, Feb. 9, the Panthers travel to Delsea Regional High School to take on the Crusaders. The last time the two squads met, Collingswood was without two seniors—140-pound Jim Hatsill and 130-pound Dan Pennissi.

“This was a good win to head into Delsea with,” said Hamrick. “We lost pretty close last time. We got two of our guys back now, though. We’re heading into Delsea with a healthy team now.”

The Collingswood Panthers travel to Franklinville on Wednesday to face-off against Delsea's Crusaders at 7 p.m.—and Wednesday's match will also be part of the New Jersey sectional tournament.