Deery sets Garnet Valley season record for pins

FRANCONIA — The night belonged to Garnet Valley sophomore Coltin Deery, the relentless 285-pounder who broke an eight-year-old single season school record for pins.

Deery won by fall in 2:39 in the first round of the 3A Southeast Regional tournament at Souderton High, and in the quarterfinals knocked off previously undefeated John Klewin (Bensalem) in a svelte 1:33.

That gives Deery 28 pins on the season, besting the mark set in 2011 by 215-pounder Matt Idelsson, a state medalist who wrestled at Columbia.

It also moves Deery, who was upset in the District 1 West competition last weekend, within one pin — or decision — of reaching the states.

“It’s because of these guys right here,” Deery said motioning toward the coaching staff headed by Rocco Fantazzi. “They really pushed me in the room and it helps. It’s awesome. It feels really good. Last week just happened. I couldn’t do anything about it except get better this week. And I think I showed it.”

The pin was vintage Deery, who attacked, took his shots and put the first blemish on Klewin’s 33-0 record.

“It’s hard, and it’s really hard to do that with our schedule,” Rocco Fantazzi said. “To do that, you’ve got to be healthy and get through a whole season and two, you’ve got to beat guys that are better than you. He’s put the time in and he deserves it. He and Matt were similar in that they know how to take advantage of scoring points and going for the big move and getting the fall.”

It was an interesting evening for Delaware County wrestlers, who before they hit the mat were told that the Saturday competition would be pushed back to 10:30 a.m. due to concerns over the weather. It’s possible that starting time could be moved again, per a District 1 official.

That won’t bother defending state champion Hunter Catka, who took less time wrestling than looking at the bout board to see which mat he was slated to wrestle on. Catka won both of his matches by fall, the first one in just 34 seconds. The legs look fresh.

“My main goal was just moving my feet,” said Catka, 10-0 on the season. “Moving my feet and heavy hand fighting and stop whatever they do. Stop the shots. Last year I had a whole season under my belt. This season, this is kind of my first tournament under my belt. People say you didn’t wrestle all season long. I say yeah, but I’ve been training hard the last few weeks. And that makes up for it.”

Catka will face Marple Newtown freshman Bill Brosko, a running back and linebacker on the Tigers’ football team, in the semifinals.

Brosko opened the meet with a decision and then defeated Davis Lee of Pennsbury, 13-4 in the quarterfinals.

“It’s pretty cool being a freshman and doing this,” Brosko said. “It was unexpected. I just used what I wrestle with. Be more aggressive. I didn’t play passive. I stood my ground.”

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Garnet Valley’s Coltin Deery, left, celebrates after pinning Upper Darby’s Pat Kerwood in the heavyweight match Wednesday. Deery’s win helped fuel a 55-15 win for the Jags. (Digital First MEdia/Pete Bannan