The Boyertown wrestling team is about to begin its 50th season and is determined to make it a memorable one and hopefully, even better than last year's Pioneer Athletic Conference and District 1-AAA team championship campaign that still came up a little short as far as the Bears were concerned.
"We have a really great tradition here at Boyertown how long we've had the program and how successful it has been," said Pete Ventresca, who is beginning his 10th season as head coach. "We have great alumni and we have great people coming back to support us. It makes it an enjoyable job to work as a coach."
That tradition has also meant a lot to the wrestlers who have come through the program, including two-time state runner-up Jordan Wood.
"Boyertown has a rich tradition in wrestling," said the 220-pound junior, who has compiled an 87-4 record during his first two seasons. "It's more like an honor to wrestle for the 50th season and make it a memorable one and one of the best.
"I'd come to the high school matches (as a youngster) and be in awe everybody running out under the lights and the music, the 'Eye of the Tiger'. It hit me two years ago that it's my turn the team's turn to make a legacy."
Boyertown won its fifth PAC-10 title in eight years last season and was also the Berks County champion in 2000, 2001 and 2002. The team has also excelled in individual postseason tournaments with 13 sectional, five district, and one regional championship since 1993.
The Bears have racked up 17 consecutive winning seasons and compiled an all-time record of 577-331-4. Last year's 25-2 dual record was the best and the postseason included the first team title in a regional individual tournament. But a loss in the PIAA-AAA Team Tournament quarterfinals and a season-ending setback in their second consolation match left Boyertown wanting more.
"We worked hard collectively as a team and we had common goals and we were hungry for success," said Wood, who hopes to be back on the mat sometime this season after suffering a shoulder injury at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs in July. "Last year was definitely a solid year. We're also trying to improve and get better. We have different people at different weights. I still think we can make it work."
"We definitely felt like we should have done more out in team states," added Ventresca. "We're tough, but we're thin, and hopefully we'll get the breaks we need."
Contact Dennis Weller: 610-371-5061 or dweller@readingeagle.com
