Saturday, November 29, the Stroudsburg Boys Wrestling headed to the annual Battle of Bethlehem Duals and went back to back, winning against all three opposing teams. Blowing out Mariana Bracetti Academy 77-0, flying past Bangor 47-22, and finally taking down the Freedom Patriots 44-29. The previous year Stroudsburg lost to Freedom in not only the tournament, but also their duel 31-39.
Coming into their first tournament and going undefeated sets up Stroudsburg for a bright season. Bringing their momentum into their duel against Easton will be crucial as Easton has multiple competitive wrestlers and returns multiple competitors.
“We spent a lot of time watching film, bringing in high level clinicians and hosting camps not just for the kids but for us coaches to learn and see how the sport is constantly evolving and progressing. These kids learned that they are capable of anything they set their mind to as long as they work for it.
— Coach Jones
.sno-pullquote-6944348539ec8 { display: flex; float: left; margin: 30px 30px 30px 0; width: 50%; border-color: #870000; border-top-width: 5px; border-right-width: 5px; border-bottom-width: 5px; border-left-width: 5px; background-color: #dddddd; } .sno-pullquote-6944348539ec8 p.pullquotetext, .sno-pullquote-6944348539ec8 p.quotespeaker { color: #000000 !important; } .sno-pullquote-6944348539ec8 .pullquotepic { width: 33%; margin-left: 25px; } .sno-story-body .sno-pullquote-6944348539ec8 p.pullquotetext { font-size: 22px; line-height: 1.4em; } .sno-pullquote-6944348539ec8 .quotebar { background: #dddddd; flex: 0 0 90px; margin-top: -15px; margin-left: -15px; padding-left: 15px; padding-top: 15px; margin-right: 15px; } .sno-pullquote-6944348539ec8 .largequote { color: #888888; } .sno-pullquote-6944348539ec8 .quotebody { width: unset; }“We put a lot of time, energy, and work into this offseason. We really haven’t stopped training and you can see the growth and development in all the kids. I’m beyond proud of them and excited for this season. ” states Coach Jones, Stroudsburg Wrestling’s head coach.
Most starters are returning this season, only losing around four to graduation last year, allowing development and confidence grow during the off-season to bring onto the mat.
“Honestly, I think whatever our lineup looks like we are going to surprise a lot of people. When you put in this much time, effort, work, and sacrifices into something you tend to be rewarded. But we have to go out and make it happen.” Coach Jones says
Against Freedom, the team won their 107-127lber matches, seeing Jack Jasionowicz, ’26, Tyshawn Stegall, ’26, and Chase Fetherman, ’27, all pin their opponents, while the team’s 114lber Albert Bialasiewicz, ’26, won by decision.
After that run, the team didn’t see a win until their 160lber Giovanni Alvarez, ’27, stepped on the mat, winning by tech fall and lighting the fire for the rest of the meet.
Stroudsburg wouldn’t drop a match after this until the last match of the night. Leonard DeMaria, ’27, Morgan Nuttall, ’26, and Zion Essington, ’26, each pinned their opponents, letting the Mountaineers run away with the win on the night and giving them the first place finish in the tournament.