Wrestling: Iredale stays undefeated as Stoga tops Ridley for 3rd in Central

TREDYFFRIN — A year ago Conestoga’s Dan Iredale learned an important lesson: the amount of wins one has in the past does little for what a wrestler has to do in the present. Iredale won leagues and districts and reached the regional tournament last winter with a record of 21-0, but two unexpected losses not only ruined his perfect mark, but ended his season a week early.

Now a senior, Iredale will enter the postseason undefeated once again, as his 28th win of the year helped Conestoga hold off Ridley, 42-32, at home, Wednesday in the Central League dual meet. With 43 straight regular season wins, Iredale (160 pounds) is hoping to string along enough to end his career in Hershey for the PIAA tournament.

“Honestly, I’m trying just to have fun and enjoying it and not getting caught up in the wins and losses or how far I make it,” Iredale said. “Obviously my goal is to place at states, but sometimes I get too caught up in my own head so I’m just having fun and wrestling.”

Iredale has 95 career wins, and while Conestoga’s schedule isn’t always enough to truly test him, he has beaten everyone who’s stepped in front of him, including Garden Spot’s Dan Swarr.

“His maturity level and understanding of the nuisances of the sport have improved,” Conestoga coach Tom Ellicker said. “The losses at regionals last year lit a fire under him and set him up. He’s working on every stage of his game and he’s at another level.”

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Conestoga’s Dan Iredale finishes off a pin at 160 pounds. The senior is 28-0 and heads to the postseason with an undefeated record for the second straight season. (Nate Heckenberger -Digital First Media)