CEC's Smith has high hopes at sectional meet

by Tom Waring, Bucks County Courier Times

Posted on February 11, 2009

Eric Smith and the rest of the Conwell-Egan wrestlers will take part in the first Section Eight tournament Saturday at La Salle High School.

No, the tournament isn't sponsored by the federal low-income housing program of the same name. The tournament will feature the nine Philadelphia Catholic League Class AAA teams. Cardinal Dougherty and Kennedy-Kenrick will take part in the District One Class AA tournament.

Smith is 20-3 and among the favorites to win the 152-pound title.

"I'm expecting to win, but I'm not going to take anybody lightly," he said.

Smith, a senior with 103 career wins, is moving up from the 145-pound class. At that weight, he would likely have seen North Catholic's Matt Dugan.

Assuming Smith finishes in the top four on Saturday, he'll move on to the District 12 tournament the following weekend. A top-four finish there would send him to the Southeast Regional, where the competition will be stiff. The way he sees it, the 152-pound class is just a little less competitive.

"One forty-five is a deeper bracket," he said. "Getting to states is my main goal."

Other CEC wrestlers who have a good chance to advance deep into the postseason include Pat Hecker (18-5 at 112), Pat Henry (15-4 at 135) and Bob Allbritain (19-5 at 171). Like Smith, Henry passed the 100-win mark for his career earlier this season.

The Conwell-Egan program was a longtime power as Bishop Egan, but has fallen on hard times, mostly due to a lack of depth. The Eagles are 10-11 this season and failed to make the playoffs.

Still, Smith has enjoyed his four years with the team.

"We have a close-knit team," he said. "It's been fun hanging out, going to tournaments together and cheering for each other."

Looking ahead, Smith hopes to try out for the wrestling team in college. He is considering East Stroudsburg and Edinboro.

Sectional on Saturday

The Section One Tournament takes place Saturday at Abington.

Weight classes have not been finalized, but here are projected champions: 103: James Bak, Harry S Truman; 112: Sean Edmondson, Truman; 119: Zac Haynes, Council Rock North; 125: Matt Rappo, Council Rock South; 130: Matt Martoccio, CR South; 135: Zac Bush, William Tennent; 140: Mark Nicholson, Pennsbury; 145: Marc Helfrich, CR South; 152: Jim Vollrath, CR South; 160: Ed Shupe, CR South; 171: Bobby Lavelle, CR South; 189: Jamie Callender, CR North; 215: Dan Clemenson, Tennent; 285: David Osei, Abington.

Bristol at league tournament

Bristol will compete at Saturday's six-team Bicentennial Athletic League tournament at Phil-Mont Christian. The top Warriors are Pat Sabatini (23-1 at 140 pounds) and Tyler Bliss (19-4 at 215).

George School at state meet

Like the rest of the local teams, George School will be wrestling in eastern Montgomery County this weekend. The Cougars will take part in the Pennsylvania Independent Schools Invitational at Germantown Academy on Friday and Saturday.

The top six finishers in each weight class advance to the National Prep Championships, Feb. 20-21. George School's best hopefuls are Rex Roskos, Ben Gutierrez, Sam Kelly and Christian Prajzner.

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