2008 PIAA NE AA Regional Championship Tourney
Dawgs Crown 2 Regional Champions
Nick Venditti & Aaron Karns Win
Championship Titles For Second Year In A Row
And Are Now Headed To Hershey!
Berwick Takes 2nd Place Team Finish Out Of 40 Teams
Posted March 2, 2008

2007 - 2008
VARSITY NEWS

BERWICK WRESTLING
Over 50 Years Of Pride & Tradition

    
2008 PIAA NE AA Regional Championship Tourney
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Dawgs Crown 2 Regional Champions
Nick Venditti & Aaron Karns Win Championship Titles For Second Year In A Row
And Are Now Headed To Hershey!
Berwick Takes 2nd Place Team Finish Out Of 40 Teams
Posted March 2, 2008

Chapters to the history record books for Berwick Wrestling continue to be written.

Berwick has never had a back-to-back Regional Champion.

Now we do.

Now we have two!

Seniors Nick Venditti and Aaron Karns pulled off one of the most impressive feats by each winning the Regional Championship Title at the 2008 PIAA AA NE Regional Championship Tournament held at Williamsport High School on February 29 & March 1, 2008.

Both Venditti and Karns basically pulverized all of their competition at the regional championship tournament.  The closest match for either Dawg was a win by major decision.

The regional championship tournament also featured a slew of heartbreaking outcomes for several Dawgs. Just as the sun will shine on a new day, for every glorious moment at a regional championship tournament there is a pair or more of heartbreaking moments for other wrestlers. For those Dawgs that will be returning next year, such events can mark a new chapter in determination and hard work in preparation for next season.  For our cherished departing seniors, such outcomes merely mark a brief entry into the annals of their outstanding varsity career.  One tournament, one outcome, does not define the illustrious careers of our departing seniors.  The mark they made in the history of Berwick Wrestling are etched in stone and the entire Dawg Faithful will forever be proud of their accomplishments.

Back to the history books that never seem to close.

Prior to last year, Berwick Wrestling only ever had 4 Regional Champions in its long storied history.  Then came last year where Berwick crowned 3 Regional Champions in Tyler Perry, Nick Venditti, and Aaron Karns.  Berwick Wrestling now has a total of 9 Regional Titles.  With Venditti and Karns repeating as Regional Champions this year, they now account for 4 of the 9 total titles!!

Amazing!

The 2007-2008 edition of Berwick Wrestling was once again impressive at the regional championship tournament.  The Dawgs finished in second place in team standings out of 40 teams in attendance.  Congratulations Dawgs!!

The season will now end very shortly.

Seniors Nick Venditti and Aaron Karns will now have their high school varsity wrestling career end at the best place possible - Hershey!!

Both Dawgs will carry valuable experience heading into the state championship tournament as both achieved medal honors last year when they made their inaugural trip to Hershey.  Aaron Karns was a State Runner-Up and Nick Venditti was an 8th Place State Medalist at last year's 2007 PIAA AA State Championship Tournament.

Venditti and Karns will be gunning for the top step of the podium this year and both Dawgs have everything that it takes to go all the way.

The 2008 PIAA AA State Championship Tournament will be held on March 6, 7, & 8, at the Giant Center in Hershey, PA.

Nick Venditti, Senior, 160lbs
District Champion, Regional Champion, State Qualifier
District Wrap
Senior Nick Venditti, a returning State Medalist with his eyes set dead-on another postseason mission for the top of the state podium, showed all the poise and technique expected and got this postseason off to a great start by earning his second consecutive district championship title and fourth district medal. Following a bye in the preliminary round, Nick got off to a quick start by nailing a fall in the quarterfinal in 2:27. In the semifinal, Venditti was not to be denied and notched another impressive pin in 5:35. The championship final slated Nick to do combat against a returning district champion from last year's 171lb bracket. In an exhilarating contest, Venditti had a 1-0 lead into the 3rd frame before his opponent scored a go-ahead takedown. With pure mental toughness, Nick reversed his opponent in the final 30 seconds to grab the thrilling 3-2 victory.
Regional Wrap
Nick dominated all of his opponents at the regional championship tournament in pure champion fashion.  Venditti opened up in the quarterfinal round with an impressive 10-3 major decision.  If that wasn't impressive enough, Nick opened up the flood gates of his renowned power and technique by pinning his opponent in the semifinal in 5:51.  In the championship final, Nick controlled the match from the opening whistle.  After securing a 6-0 lead in the third period, Nick stuck his opponent to his back.  With the referee swinging back and forth on the mat, the referee slammed his hand to the mat to end the match by fall for Nick's second consecutive Regional Championship Title!  Of special note is that Nick's pin was the only fall in all of the championship finals!!
Congratulations Nick!!
Good Luck At Hershey!!

Aaron Karns, Senior, 189lbs
District Champion, Regional Champion, State Qualifier
District Wrap
Senior Aaron Karns, a returning State Runner-Up focused solely on going one step higher at states this year, started the postseason this year in his typical dominating and physically bruising style in recording his second consecutive district title and third district medal.  Karns started in the preliminary round with an absolutely shocking fall in only a mere 7 seconds.  Aaron then cemented another first period fall in the quarterfinal in 58 seconds. The first period was yet another magical frame in the semifinal round that witnessed Karns drill his opponent to the basement for another pin in just 1:45.  The championship final lined up a pesky opponent for Aaron. But his opponent wasn't pesky enough.  Karns, who exacted complete and utter physical and technical control throughout the entire match, had his hand raised high by the referee after the buzzer sounded and the scoreboard lights showing an impressive 8-3 decision.
Regional Wrap
Aaron was so dominating at the regional championship tournament that he didn't even wrestle a full 6-minute match until the championship final.  Karns, known for his obliterating physical style, added precision technique to his performance throughout the weekend.  Aaron opened up in the quarterfinal with a first period fall in 1:25.  In the semifinal match, Karns was overwhelming his opponent before being awarded an injury default in 5:41.  In the championship final, Aaron was pumped up and took to the contest with a speed not often seen in the upper-weights.  Karns decimated his opponent from the opening whistle to the concluding whistle in recording an outstanding 10-1 major decision for this second consecutive Regional Championship Title!
Congratulations Aaron!!
Good Luck At Hershey!!

Chris Bujno, Sophomore, 103lbs
District Champion, Regional Place Winner - 4th Place
District Wrap
Sophomore Chris Bujno simply annihilated his competition at the district tournament where he notched his second consecutive district championship title. Bujno also pulled the hat trick of recording pins in all 4 of his matches never allowing an opponent to reach beyond the second period. Chris also blanked his opponents by not allowing one point to be scored upon him during the entire tournament.  Bujno opened up in the preliminaries with a quick fall in 1:26 followed by another dominating fall in 1:13 in the quarterfinal. In the semifinal, Chris crushed his opponent to nail a pin in 3:27. Never losing focus of the task at hand, Bujno entered the championship final and wasted no time in showing his opponent the ceiling when he drilled another overwhelming pin in just 3:25.
Regional Wrap
Chris added the honor of Regional Place Winner to his already impressive early career resume by taking 4th place in a stacked weight class at the regional championship tournament.  Bujno opened up with an excellent 4-0 decision in the quarterfinal round.  In the semifinal round, Chris dropped a heartbreaker with a one-point 3-2 loss to an opponent who was ranked #1 in the state for most of the season.  Bujno then had a great match in the consolation semifinal and notched an outstanding win with a 3-1 decision before losing his consolation final.  In building for next season, Bujno finishes his sophomore year as a 2-time District Champion, having recorded two 35+ win seasons, and now has 71 career wins to possibly become the first junior in Berwick history to eclipse the 100-win plateau next season.
Congratulations on a great season Chris!!

Lou Ney, Senior, 135lbs
District Champion, Regional Qualifier
District Wrap
Senior Lou Ney continued his mission-quest this year and started the postseason by pocketing his second consecutive district championship title and third district medal in overwhelming style. Following an opening bye, Ney made the most of the brief rest period prior to the quarterfinal that saw him melt his opponent's shoulders to the mat in just 1:51. In the semifinal, Lou went to work in business-like fashion and quickly secured another fall in 3:04. The championship final pitted Lou against an opponent that gave him a good match at district duals where Lou prevailed by 2-points. It was not to be the same kind of match at districts. Ney used his precision technique and overwhelming conditioning to out-wrestle and out-slug his opponent in recording an overpowering 13-5 major decision.
Regional Wrap
Lou opened up in the quarterfinal round with a physically and technically dominating 6-1 victory.  Ney continued fighting like a true warrior but encountered a pair of heartbreaking losses by 2-points and 1-point respectively. This webmaster was glad to have had the opportunity to talk to Lou at the conclusion of action.  I will repeat what I said.  From day one of this season to the end of his postseason, Lou was the most impressive, most consistent, and most technically precise Dawg. One Saturday that didn't go as planned does not change anything.  In addition to being a model team captain and leader among his peers, Lou also leaves his mark as a 2-time District Champion and a 3-time District Medalist. After notching 39 wins his senior season, Lou is also one of the winningest wrestlers finishing his illustrious career with the second highest number of wins in the history of Berwick Wrestling with an amazing 128 career wins!
Congratulations Lou on a great season & great career!!
We will miss you and wish you all the best in life!!

Josh Winkelmann, Senior, 145lbs
District Place Winner -  3rd Place, Regional Qualifier
District Wrap
Senior Josh Winkelmann, one of the most improved wrestlers on the team this year, earned his first district medal by taking a 3rd Place finish at the district championship tournament. Winkelmann, a key figure in the Dawg's success all season, placed a pulverizing fall in only 1:43 against his opponent in the preliminary round. Josh then hammered out a dominating 10-2 major decision against his opponent in the quarterfinal round.  The semifinal round pitted Winkelmann against the eventual district champion, and in tough match, Josh was on the low side of the decision. As a senior, it's now or never in the consolation bracket and Josh only knows the word "now." Winkelmann delivered a brilliant performance in the consolation semifinal with an 8-4 decision.  In the all-important consolation final, Josh stepped up, and, in an outstanding match, had his hand raised high after the buzzer in securing a crowd-cheering 6-3 victory.
Regional Wrap
Josh entered the regional championship tournament on-fire as he has been all season long.  In the quarterfinal round, Winkelmann fell just on the short side of 6-3 decision.  But Josh came right back in the consolation quarterfinal delivering a gutsy and bleacher-rocking 6-5 victory before losing a hard fought and close decision in the consolation semifinal.  This webmaster didn't get a chance to talk to Josh at the conclusion of action.  So no better time than the present.  The degree to which Josh improved since his varsity debut has rarely been seen in the history of Berwick Wrestling.  There was one main reason for his improvement - dedicated hard work.  The level of improvement was not just physical either, he became a technical student of the sport and improved mentally as well every time he stepped on the mat.  It is a wrestler like Josh that perhaps provides more pride to the Dawg Faithful more than anything else. Josh leaves his mark notching District Medalist honors this year with a 3rd Place finish at the district championship tournament. Josh also amassed an outstanding 30 wins in his senior season!
Congratulations Josh on a great season & great career!!
We will miss you and wish you all the best in life!!

Dom Yantorn, Junior, 112lbs
District Champion, Regional Qualifier
District Wrap
Junior Dom Yantorn added his third consecutive district championship title to his impressive resume as he ripped through his opponents at the district championship tournament.  Yantorn tore off the gates in the preliminary round by recording a fall in lightning quick 22 seconds.  Dom nailed another singlet to the mat in his quarterfinal match securing the fall in 5:23.  Yantorn kept his dominating pinning ways going strong in the semifinal when he stitched his opponent's back to the mat in 4:48. In the championship final, Dom met up with a returning district runner-up. Yantorn took complete control of the match right off the whistle and maintained his aggressive tempo throughout the duration in recording an outstanding 6-3 decision.
Regional Wrap
Dom, also competing in a stacked weight class, just narrowly lost his opening quarterfinal by a tough 2-point decision.  Yantorn bounced right back in the consolation quarterfinal by completely dominating his opponent with a 7-0 decision before dropping a tight 4-point decision in the consolation semifinal. Dom will be entering his senior season next year on-fire and in full momentum carrying 3 consecutive District Championship Titles in his belt.  In addition, Dom, who now has 98 career wins, is at the doorstep of his 100th career win which should be captured in the first tournament next December. Look out for big things from Dom next year!
Congratulations on a great season Dom!!

Ryan Sitler, Junior, 285lbs
District Champion, Regional Qualifier
District Wrap
Junior Ryan Sitler, the notorious Dawg PinMeister who bumped up this postseason from 215lbs to 285lbs, earned his first district championship title by nailing a pair of falls with one pin being far more impressive than perhaps any of his long list of pins. After a opening bye, Sitler started in the quarterfinal round by delivering a quick fall in only 33 seconds.  Due to "seeding bracket-itis," Ryan squared off with a returning district champion in the semifinal round. In a tight contest after the first period, Ryan exploded in the second frame and collapsed his opponent to the mat for a fall in 3:06 in an absolutely crowd-roaring gymnasium. In the championship final, Sitler was winning 1-0 entering the second period when his opponent incurred a nose-gusher and was forced to medically default. From the start, everyone in the gym thought the semifinal could be the actual final and Ryan came up big in every one of his matches in notching his district championship and second district medal.
Regional Wrap
Ryan fought tooth-and-nail in one of the most explicit displays of sheer grit and character having bumped up from his normal 215lb frame to do battle against the heavy weights at 285lbs.  Wrestling with the speed of a light-weight against the biggest of contenders, Sitler shot out of the gates and delivered another one of his famous PinMeister patented falls in the quarterfinal by recording a pin in just 4:35.  Ryan then was just on the short side of 2 close decisions, one to the eventual champion in the semifinal round and the consolation semifinal round.  With his brute strength, exactness of technique, superb conditioning, and overall outstanding athletic ability, the entire Dawg Faithful will be anticipating his continued dominance on the mat as a senior next season.
Congratulations on a great season Ryan!!

Steve Prebola, Junior, 125lbs
District Place Winner - 3rd Place, Regional Qualifier
District Wrap
Junior Steve Prebola received his second consecutive district medal and his second consecutive trip to the regional championship with a superb weekend of wrestling that saw him grab 3rd Place at the district championship tournament. Prebola was on fire in the preliminary round nailing a fall in just a mere 1:16.  In the quarterfinal round, Steve was in a all-out dog fight but was on the short end of a tight decision. Prebola did a gut-check and used his mental toughness in the consolation bracket.  In the consolation quarterfinal, Steve wrestled brilliantly in winning a 7-6 decision. Prebola then nailed his next opponent for a fall in only 3:49 in the consolation semifinal.  In the consolation final, Steve continued to use his mastery of technique and lightning quick speed in an overpowering 8-4 victory.
Regional Wrap
Steve, wrestling as hot as the surface of Mercury this season, continued his all-out effort at the regional championship tournament.  After dropping a close decision in the quarterfinal round to the eventual runner-up, Steve had to do battle with the District 2 champion in the consolation quarterfinal.  In a feat that he previously accomplished exactly one year ago, Prebola knocked off the District 2 champion at the regional tournament.  It was close to watching the same movie back-to-back. But this time had even more determination. Prebola went on to defeat the D2 champion in overwhelming fashion when he delivered a pulverizing 15-0 technical fall in only 5 minutes flat before dropping his consolation semifinal.  Steve will be taking his 30-plus wins this season, district medal, lightning-quick wrestling style, and will be a major force to be dealt with in his senior season next year.
Congratulations on a great season Steve!!

Congratulations Dawgs!!

Congratulations Nick & Aaron!!

Good Luck & Best Wishes At States!!

Congratulations Dawgs!!

Go Dawgs!!