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By Wayne Catan
January 2005

Blair Blows by Nazareth at Bethlehem Holiday Wrestling Classic

Taylor, Thurgood, Gitomer Shine at Liberty High School on December 27-28

On December 27 and 28 at Liberty High School in Bethlehem, Penn. Hudson Taylor rolled through his competition in the 189 lb. bracket. Hudson Taylor was outstanding during the annual pilgrimage to Liberty High School….outstanding enough to earn the tournament’s Outstanding Wrestling Award. Hudson Taylor is an outstanding wrestler, who will take his outstanding skills to the Un iv. of Maryland next year.

However, the entire team was outstanding.  Ross Gitomer showed the most mettle in his finals match as he won an overtime decision over Russ Souders of Wilson, 2-1.

“Ross had a very exciting finals bout. The reasons he persevered were because he was both patient and tough. Ross one tough customer,” Head Coach Jeff Buxton said.  

John Magnini won 3-0 over a gritty Dave Gilio of Northampton in his finals bout to bring home the gold in the 135 lb. weight class. Magnini was impressive throughout the entire tournament dominating his weight class. Jared Platt, a surprise winner at 171 lbs., held a steady hand the entire tournament. In his finals bout he crushed Eric DiFelice of Pen Argyl, 5-0. Platt wrestles a slow pace, but wins.  Perhaps the most exciting finals bout came at 152 lbs. where Tyler Thurgood won in the last 30 seconds with a roll through.  He needed the points to nip a strong Tim McGoldrick of Whitehall, 6-4.  (This tournament could be a harbinger for Thurgood’s college career.)

Then came the Thespian: Mr. Hudson Taylor; Hudson used his funk to roll past Cadet All-American Pat Flynn of Quakertown, 6-2 at 189 lbs; thus earning him the tournament’s Outstanding Wrestler award.  

Grant Paswell finished 7th at 125 lbs.; Mario Mason placed 3rd at 130 lbs.; Travis Blasco (140 lbs.) and Eric Medina (145 lbs.) each took home third place medals. Mason had three pins in the meet and that impressed coach Buxton. “Mario impressed me with his pinning and winning ways. He’s headed in the right direction and I am looking forward to working with him in the years to come.”

Rounding out individual place finishes: Kyle Manley placed 5th at 215 lbs. and Jim Powers was impressive with a runner-up finish at heavyweight.   Mike Gutilla got the tough man award for wrestling on an injured knee. (Gutilla placed 4th at 160 lbs.)

“It was great to give some kids some time off, which allowed other kids to showcase their talent,” Buxton added.

Blair won with 267.50 points followed by Nazareth who ran up 177.5 points. Northampton was third with 176.50 points.