Bethlehem Holiday Wrestling Classic
Participating Teams
December, 2007
Liberty High School:
Liberty High School, coached by Jody Karam, is located in Bethlehem, Pa. The Bethlehem Holiday Wrestling Classic has taken place at Liberty since the tournament was organized thirteen years ago. This year the tournament is being held at Freedom High School, only a short distance from Liberty High School.
The Liberty High School Hurricanes have a long and rich history in sports in general and in wrestling in particular. Part of the powerful Pennsylvania District 11, the Hurricane's wrestling tradition spans back decades and includes numerous PIAA state champs and NCAA Division I champions.
The Liberty High School Hurricanes are coached by Jody Karam, who has been guiding them for the last thirteen years. Coach Karam has been a recipient of the NJ Coach of the Year award and has also been a recipient of the District XI Coach of the Year award.
Blair Academy (NJ):
Blair Academy, located in Blairstown, NJ, is coached by Jeff Buxton. Blair has frequently been at the top of the national rankings of high school wrestling teams.
The team's web site is located at www.blairwrestling.com.
Council Rock South (PA):
Council Rock South High School, located in Holland, Pa., in its 6th year of existance, is led by head coach Brad Silimpiri, and competes in the Suburban One League. In it's third year of existance Council Rock South was crowned PIAA State Champions!
The team's web site is located at Council Rock South Wrestling.
Delaware Valley (PA):
Delaware Valley High School is coached by Chris Ross.
Erie McDowell:
Erie McDowell High School is located in Erie, Pa. The McDowell Trojans are coming off two of the most successful dual meet campaigns in team history. Over the past two seasons, the team has compliled a 44-7 dual meet mark. The 2006-2007 season was capped off with a trip to the PIAA Dual Championships.
The Trojans return 10 starters from last years team. This years team will be led by regional qualifiers Shawn Stancliff (10, 29-14 at 103) , Charles Wilson (12, 21-8 at 285), Edwin Taylor (12, 32-11 at 189), and Matt McCullough (12, 28-14 at 130) along with returning starters Travis Booth (12, 20-13 at 152), Brayden Hayes (11, 18-14 at 135), Kenny Hammer (12, 9-11 at 119), and Matt Zimmerman (12, 6-5 at 112).
Other returners who should have an impact include David Herbe (12, 171), Mike Anthony (11, 215), Nick Wadding (12, 125), and new additions Dom DeSanto (11), Thomas Moon (10), Mike Weissinger (9), Mike Vollant (9), and Ryan Kenski (9). The Trojans are looking forward to another successful dual meet season, and an improved tournament team.
McDowell is coached by Eric Witherite (98-43, 8th season) and former PIAA finalist and Clarion Universty NCAA Qualifier Shane McChesney (Corry HS 1996). Also assisting the Trojans are former WVU grappler David Onorato and 2-time PIAA Medalist and Runner-up Ryan Marovich (McDowell HS 2002).
Freedom (PA):
Freedom High School, located in Bethlehem, Pa., is coached by Jeff Karam, brother of Liberty Coach Jody Karam. Their respective wrestling teams enjoy a healthy competition.
Hazleton Area (PA):
Hazleton Area High School, whose mascot is the cougar, is located in Hazelton, Pa.
The team is led by head coach Dave Shafer, who has deep roots both in the team and in the tournament. Coach Shafer attended Hazleton Area High School and wrestled for them in the Bethlehem Holiday Classic four years in a row, winning the tournament's 145 lb. weight class in his senior year.
Jersey Shore Area High School (PA):
Jersey Shore Area High School, coached by Tony Owens, is located in Jersey Shore, Pa., nestled in the Central Susquehanna Valley.
Lehighton:
Lehighton High School, located in Lehighton, Pa., is coached by Floyd Brown. They are known as the Indians.
Milton High School (PA):
Milton High school, located in Milton, Pa., is led by head coach Bob Greenley and assistant coach Jerry Derr. Coach Derr has been a three-time recipient of the Pennsylvania Assistant Coach of the Year award.
Nazareth (PA):
Nazareth Area HS wrestling team is coached by Adam Colombo. Shawn McEntire and Dave Crowell. The team's web site can be seen at www.nazarethwrestling.com.
North Penn (PA):
In 2006-07, the North Penn Knights continue to build a future worthy of their past. Located 20 miles northwest of Philadelphia, the Knights are led by head coach Rob Shettsline and assistant coaches Bill Robbins and Kyle Berger.
The Knights have a proud history of wrestling
in District One, winning five Southeast Regional team championships in the
last 20 years and boasting nine individual state champions, including three-time
champion Chris Kwortnik (1987-89) and two-time champion Zak Fryling (2002-2003).
In 1987, North Penn shared the PIAA state championship with North Allegheny High School.
The Knight's web site is located at www.npknightswrestling.org.
Northampton (PA):
Northampton Area High School, located in Northampton, Pa., is coached by Terry Daubert. Known as the Konkrete Kids, they are a part of the Lehigh Valley Conference and, in 2004, were the Hurricane Tournament runner-ups and the PIAA State Champions.
The team's web site is at www.northamptonwrestling.com.
Northern Lehigh (PA):
Northern Lehigh High School, located in Slatington, Pa., is coached by Todd Herzog. The Bulldog's web site can be viewed by clicking on Northern Lehigh Bulldog Wrestling.
Northwestern Lehigh (PA):
Northewestern Lehigh High School, located in New Tripoli, Pa., is led by head coach Bryan Klass.
Parkland (PA):
Parkland High School is located in Allentown, PA. The Parkland Trojans are led by head coach Ryan J. Nunamaker. He is assisted by Vince Fugazzotto and Derek Jenkins.
The team's web site is located at Parkland High School Wrestling.
Pen Argyl (PA):
Pen Argyl High School, located in Pen Argyl, Pa., is coached by Scott Kupec. They are known as the Green Knights.
Quakertown (PA):
Quakertown High School, whose team mascot is the panther, is located in Quakertown, PA. Led by head coach Kurt Handel, the team's assistant coaches are BJ Poster, Mike Rugg, Moss Grays, Scott Hovan and Chuch Yarnell.
The team's website is located at Quakertown High School Wrestling.
Saucon Valley (PA):
Saucon Valley High School, located in Hellertown, Pa., is led by coach Chad Shirk. Their team mascot is the panther.
St. Marks (DE):
St. Marks High School, located in Wilmington, Delaware, is led by head coach Jason Bastianelli.
Stroudsburg (PA):
Stroudsburg High School, located in the Pocono Mountains, is coached by former Nazareth graduate Matt Kleinle. He is assisted by Karl Detweiler, who has amassed 274 JV wins, and by Luke Morris, who is also a Nazareth graduate.
Warwick:
Warwick High School, located in Lititz, Pa. (Lancaster County), is proud home to the Warriors. The Warriors are coached this year by head coach Jordan Keller and assistants Jeff Martin and Ned Bushing.
Wilson Area (PA):
Wilson Area High School, located in Wilson Borough, Pa., is coached by Tom Mertz.
Wilson is one of the top AA wrestling schools in Pennsylvania. The Warriors have won the State tournament three times (1992, 2002 and 2003) and the State Duals tournament two times (2001 and 2002).
The team's web site can be seen at www.wilsonwrestling.com.