Norristown Wrestlers Tasting Sweet Victory in Hershey

The medals in Hershey are not made of chocolate. They are made of dedication, desire, hard work and lots of sweat. Throw in some luck, perhaps some tears, and maybe, just maybe you’ll have a medal. But you must earn it. If you do earn one, it will shine forever. 

A good friend of mine, Tony Differ from Upper Merion, won a gold a few years ago.  Here it is some 30 years later and he is still a PIAA State Champion. Thirty years from now he will still be a state champ. Once it goes into the books, it will never change. That may be why they are so hard to get. 

It hasn’t changed this year either. Several of our local boys found the going pretty tough at the Giant Center. Just getting there is a feat in itself and for some guys that is enough. But some have not yet begun to fight. By Friday night, of the 12 local wrestlers that made it to the Giant Center, eight have earned medals (place to be determined) and three are left in the hunt for gold. 

All of our boys have represented us well and should be proud of their efforts. For those that are left, this writer wishes them all the luck they can use.

Here is a breakdown of how our local wrestlers have done thus far:

• Zack Fuentes (103) (So) - Lost in Preliminary round then won two wrestle-back matches. Will wrestle for medal placement on Saturday morning. Has earned a PIAA Medal.
• Brandon Parker (145) (Sr) - Won preliminary round, lost in quarterfinals. Lost a heart breaker in wrestle-back match. Will not place. Brandon finishes his career with three trips to the Giant Center. We’ll miss you Brandon!
• Brett Harner (152) (So) - Lost in preliminary round then won two wrestle-back matches. Will wrestle for medal placement on Saturday morning. Has earned his second PIAA Medal.
• Gavin Queenan (285) (Jr) - Lost in preliminary round then won two wrestle-back matches. Will wrestle for medal placement on Saturday morning.  Has earned a PIAA Medal.

• Joe Mazzi (130) (Sr) - Won preliminary round. Won in quarterfinal round and in semifinals. Has Earned his second PIAA Medal and still in the hunt for the gold.
• Casey Kent (145) (Jr) - Lost in overtime in preliminary round. Was injured and defaulted in wrestle back.  Will not place.
• Shane Springer (160) (Jr) - Won preliminary round. Lost quarterfinal round.  Won in wrestle back and will wrestle on Saturday morning for medal placement.  Has earned his second PIAA Medal. 
• Nick Burns (171) (Sr) - Lost preliminary round. Won wrestle back then lost a heartbreaker on a Sudden Victory Ride out in overtime. Will not place. Nick has had a very successful career. We’ll miss you Nick!

• Justin Staudenmeyer (125) (So) - Lost preliminary round, won wrestle back, then lost in next wrestle-back round. Had his opponent on his back as time expired. Will not place.
• John Michael Staudenmeyer (171) (Sr) - Won preliminary round. Won quarterfinal round. Is in semifinals on Saturday morning. Has Earned his second PIAA Medal and still in the hunt for the gold.

• Rob D’Annunzio (112) (Sr) - Lost preliminary round. Won two wrestle backs and will wrestle on Saturday morning for medal placement. Has earned a PIAA Medal.
• Brandon Clark (215) (Sr) - Is on fire! Won preliminary round. Won quarterfinal round. Is in semifinals on Saturday morning.  Has Earned his second PIAA Medal and still in the hunt for the gold.

Wrestling starts early Saturday morning and the finals kick off at 8 p.m. Check back with Norristown Patch for final details.