Pennsbury Wrestling

Bucks County Courier Times By Tom Waring FAIRLESS HILLS - Joe Bergen was disappointed to lose in the finals of the Delone Catholic Christmas Tournament, but there was a consolation prize. The Pennsbury High School senior wrestler ended 2003 with 99 career victories, meaning he'd have a chance to reach the 100-win plateau yesterday at home against Council Rock-North. Bergen didn't have to wait long to reach the milestone, as the 215-pound bout was the first of the afternoon. He didn't disappoint, recording six takedowns to earn a 12-4 major decision over Tom Edinger. The rest of the Falcons were just as dominant. Pennsbury won all but two bouts en route to a 55-6 rout of the Indians. Afterward, Bergen was happy with the team victory and his personal accomplishment. "It was nice to get it here, with my friends and family here," said Bergen, the eighth Pennsbury wrestler to join the exclusive 100-win club. "So many people have wrestled at Pennsbury, and not many people have 100 wins." Bergen, who qualified for the PIAA Class AAA Tournament last season, is 100-37. He was 16-14 as a freshman, 30-11 as a sophomore, 37-10 as a junior and is 17-2 this season. He'll probably pass former Pennsbury stars Scott Miller (104 career wins), Pat Frain (108) and Paul Sujdak (113). He could reach Joe Bowman (124), but won't wrestle enough matches to catch Kip Kiefer (130), Chuckie Connor (130) or Brian Sellers (132). Coach Joe Kiefer said Bergen is more aggressive this season, pointing to his 10 pins. "I think Joe can duplicate making states, and when he gets to states we're looking for him to place," the coach said. Pennsbury improved to 15-1 (1-0 Suburban One League Patriot Division). The Falcons hit the road for three matches before returning home Jan. 14 to take on Colonial Division power Pennridge. They'll visit Neshaminy two nights later, with the winner probably earning the division title. "It's gonna be super, super big," Kiefer said of the back-to-back clashes. CR-North (0-2, 0-1 SOL Colonial) has no dreams of a division title. Pennridge is probably already designing the 2004 Colonial Division championship banner. The Indians were coming off back-to-back solid performances at tournaments in Wilkes-Barre and Lancaster, but were no match for a Pennsbury team looking for its fourth consecutive division crown. "We're a little outgunned, but we're making the best of it," coach Tom Vivacqua said. "We're trying to get ourselves healthy. Our goal is to hang with the (Central Bucks) Wests, (Central Bucks) Easts, Abingtons." CR-North had just one senior in the lineup and was missing Dave Zeek and Jared Vivacqua, the coach's son who has decided to sit out the rest of the season. The Indians won just two bouts, with Earl Longstreth (130 pounds) and Nick Martin (145) both winning close decisions. Martin's 4-2 overtime win over Ben Rees made him 16-3. "Martin's wrestling awesome. He's beaten some tough kids," Vivacqua said. Pennsbury received pins from Rob Capozzi (103), Lee Milas (112), Chris Ryan (160), Corey Howard (189) and Ty O'Neill (275). Bill Trimble (140) and freshmen Matt Cutchineal (135) and Dan Bergen (152), Joe's brother, won major decisions. Other winners were Brian Watson (119), Kyle Palucis (125) and Tobi Showunmi (171). Dan Bergen is 15-3, just one win behind his brother's total as a freshman. He thinks the Falcons have a fourth consecutive title in them. "Our seniors and juniors are real good, and we have a real good freshman class," he said. "We can beat any team, but we lost to Conestoga, so obviously we can lose to any team."