Wins seven of first 10 dual meets
By Skip Pearlman
Beacon High School’s wrestling team has gotten off to a strong start, winning seven of its first 10 dual meets.
The Bulldogs had little trouble disposing of Yonkers on Tuesday (Dec. 18), rolling to a 69-15 victory.
Eighth-grader Chris Crawford and junior Javon Dortch, who wrestles at 160 pounds, both won by pins. Crawford improved to 11-0, and Dortch is 9-2.
Sophomore Ryan Plimely is 6-4 after a victory in his 126-pound bout. “Ryan has gotten consistently better in each match,” said Coach Ron Tompkins.
At 170 pounds, Adam Sovik also won, and is now 7-3.
Because they don’t have wrestlers at every weight, the Bulldogs typically must forfeit twice during each match. “So to win [the match], the kids have to wrestle pretty well,” said Tompkins. “We have a nice mix of new wrestlers and starters from last year,” when the squad finished 13-8.
Beacon is led by senior captains Dirani Hayes (182 pounds) and George Pinkhardt (285 pounds), who have both been on the team since they were in the ninth grade. “They give the team stability and drive the hard work in the weight room,” said Tompkins.
The Bulldogs are scheduled to compete in the Mid-Hudson Tournament at Arlington High School on Dec. 27 and 28.
