The Exeter wrestling team took to the mats at the 16th Annual Conestoga Valley Holiday Classic over winter break. The tournament typically provides the team with a good look at some District III opponents, as they head down the January stretch, and into the postseason. Winning titles for Exeter were Ryan Watts (SR, 113) and Austin Desanto (SR, 132). Watts used a technical fall over his opponent who is a returning VA 5th place state medalist. Desanto won by major decision (>8 point margin) en route to his 3rd consecutive CV Holiday title, and was awarded the tournament's Outstanding Wrestler award.

Ryan Watts in his finals match

Desanto OW award

Other finalists for Exeter were Tyler Bagoly (SR, 170), Denny Karas (JR, 195) and Oscar Daniels (SR, 285). Bagoly was stymied by returning PIAA AA Champion Jacob Oliver of Huntingdon. Karas dropped his 3rd decision of the season to Northern York's Jake Koser, and Daniels surrendered a 14-1 lopsided loss to Central York's Michael Wolfgram. Also, medaling for the Eagles were fourth place Jonathan Greenleaf (SR, 220), fifth place Justin Landis (SR, 138), and eighth place finishers Nolan Buck (SR, 182) and Chris Matthews (SO, 126).

Exeter outlasted runner up Central Mountain by a score of 200.5 - 195.0, in what was presumed to be the closest team race in the tournament's 16 year history. Exeter held a 3 point lead going into the final, and managed to increase their lead, despite dropping the last 5 bouts of the final round. Exeter will be back in league action this Wednesday, January 4 at Muhlenberg. The high school match (6:30) will follow the Junior High (4:30) dual. This coming weekend Exeter will be tested once again, as they head to the Parkland Duals in the heart of powerhouse District XI. #workday 

• Click Here for the Final Brackets 
• Click Here for the Final Team Score