After their 75-0 dual meet win over Dieruff last Thursday including 8 forfeits by the Huskies, the Northampton grapplers were looking to get some matches in on Saturday during the Parkland Duals. However, the event fell through.

Fortunately, another scheduled participant, Delaware Valley (PA), was willing and able to participate in a spur-of-moment dual on Saturday morning.

The Warriors are a top-25 ranked AAA team according to PA Power Wrestling, so it promised to be an entertaining contest with the 20th ranked K-Kids and the promise was delivered upon with drama coming down to the final bout at 215.

First-year wrestler Joe Doumat took the mat with Northampton up 29-24, within the margin of six that could swing the match to Del Val. After a scoreless first period, Doumat scored a takedown and had Noah Pohill’s shoulders exposed to the Resilite for almost a minute. However, the fall did not come and he had to settle for 7-0 lead going to the third.

As both big men worked the upper body, it seemed like either could wind up on his back at any moment. Doumat reversed an early third-period takedown but was reversed himself. He escaped and spent the final 30 seconds battling in front of the whole gym losing its collective mind to hold on for a 10-4 decision.

Doumat described the experience.

“I was thinking, ‘Try to get the win and help the team out and don’t get pinned.’ I tried to ignore all the background noise because in my first match it kind of got in my head and made me nervous,” he said. “I just focused on the match and tried to win.”

Other winners for the K-Kids were: 113 Carson Wagner by fall in 1:38, 132 Aiden Micheli by fall in 2:46, 138 Mason Basara 12-6 decision, 145 CJ Fritz 23-8 tech fall in 4:45, 160 Dagan Condomitti by fall in 1:22, 172 Rocky Cappolella 2-0 decision.

Also notable was Austin Noe battling 2021 state runner-up Zach Jacaruso in a 4-2 defeat at 120.

After missing the Bethlehem Holiday tournament due to a COVID outbreak and the Parkland Duals due to its cancellation, the wrestlers have struggled to accumulate competitive matches. No one on the team has more than 8 matches, while most area wrestlers have amassed between 15-20.

“Really happy that Del Val was able to stay down in the Valley and wrestle us here today because there’s one match,” head coach Seth Lisa said. “We’re hoping to get Wednesday’s in (against East Stroudsburg South), and fingers crossed for Escape the Rock.”

This weekend’s tournament at Council Rock South is the last chance for the team to get in a volume of matches before finishing up the regular season with their remaining dual meet schedule. ETR features a strong field including local top programs Becahi, Easton, Notre Dame GP, and Quakertown. In the field are 63 wrestlers ranked nationally in the top-25 of their weight class this year.

Northampton’s seeded wrestlers are Carson Wagner #5 at 113, Austin Noe #21 at 120, and Dagan Condomitti #4 at 152.

The big duals against the long-time local rivals are right around corner. The dual meet at Nazareth is Wednesday, January 19 and the dual at Easton is Saturday, January 22.