Pleasant Valley takes talents to Reno

Four times in the last seven years, the Pleasant Valley wrestling team has taken a trip out to Reno, Nevada.

However, the Bears' excursion to the West Coast isn't about getting away and having a good time. It's all about business.

Early in December, head coach Mark Getz and his Pleasant Valley squad traveled out to Nevada to compete in the Reno Tournament of Champions. The tournament is recognized as one of the top-five tournaments in the entire country and accepts applications from up to 92 high school teams every year. The nation's best teams and grapplers are always in attendance. As a wrestler, there isn't much time to have fun. It's all about making a statement on the mat.

"The one year we played a football game on the University of Nevada football field," said Getz. "That was fun, but it is very structured when we get out there. We have a little free time and we always eat together, but we take is serious when we get out there. We are training. We strive to finish in the top 10 and when we get out there it is all business."

Pleasant Valley surely handled its business this year, as it finished fifth out of the 92 teams. The Bears had wrestlers place first, second and third and totaled 135 team points. The only team they could possibly see again this year, Easton, finished in third with 152 points.

While a lot of hard work was done on the mats, it took the same amount of energy just to organize the trip. Getz said the trip usually takes two years to plan, as the team is charged with raising nearly $15,000. Along with having the right amount of money for the hotel, food and other expenses, it is also about timing.

"The first thing we try to do is to get out there at least two days beforehand," said Getz. "One thing is the time-zone change. The other is the altitude. That is a big factor because you are up in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The first time I was out there with Bethlehem Catholic, we didn't go out there soon enough. The kids were dead in the first or second period because they weren't used to the air.

"So we get out there two days ahead of time and train. We usually have a good practice on the first day and then the second day is like a make-weight practice. We do some running and stuff. By the second day the kids are used to everything and are ready to compete."

Senior Michael Dahlstrom had been out to Reno before in 2009 as a sophomore, but now his second trip would be his last. Dahlstrom entered the tournament unseeded in the 126-pound bracket. He left with a gold medal around his neck.

Dahlstrom was paired with the No. 2 seed in the first round. Using his poor placement as motivation, Dahlstrom went on to win six consecutive matches en route to taking first place. Five of his six wins came by decision (one disqualification) with a combined score of 31-5. Fittingly, he defeated fifth-seeded Peter Stanley of Easton in the finals, 3-0.

"Looking at the bracket and seeing that I was unseeded was kind of a smack in the face," admitted Dahlstrom. "They were pretty much saying that I shouldn't be able to place. It was definitely motivation, especially with getting the second-seed right off the bat. I knew that match could be my statement. After that I took it match by match and before I knew it I was in the semi-finals.

"The tournament showed me where I am at. I see kids at Reno and I see eventual state-champs and state-place winners. Others have already won state medals. It showed me that I could be on a podium at Hershey come state time."

Teammates Sean Bianco (113) and Kenny Yanovich (106) finished second and third respectively in their weight classes. Bianco was seeded tenth, but lost to Isaiah Locsin from California (No. 1 seed and ranked 10th in the U.S.) in the finals, 10-7. Yanovich was seeded eighth, but fell to the top seed in the quarterfinals, 5-4. He went on to win the wrestlebacks.

Alex Yanovich and Ernie Klingel also wrestled well and finished one round short of placing.

A day after the high school tournament wraps up, Reno becomes host to a college tournament. Getz said it is another perk of attending the tournament, as kids are able to be seen by a number of college coaches and scouts. Sometimes it can lead to a scholarship offer.

"I think everything about it is great," said Getz. "You get to travel. A lot of kids don't get to travel across the country so there is that aspect of it. We get to see teams from California and all over the west - which is great. It's the toughness of the tournament. It's the camaraderie between the team since they are together for a week.

"The team really comes together and gels. There are a lot of positives to it and I think it is just an overall great experience for everybody."

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Three area wrestlers have already hit double digits in pins this season.

Tamaqua's Brandon Silkowski leads all TN grapplers with 12 falls, while Palmerton's duo of Kane Kralik and Sam Oberlander have each recorded 10.

The Raiders' Mashacks, Colin and Evan, are next with eight apiece.

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League action is in full swing this week as every school wrestlers within their league or conference today or tomorrow.

In addition to that, Pleasant Valley goes out of conference Thursday to face one of the Lehigh Valley's perennial powers in Nazareth.

Also, a number of tournaments will take place on Saturday. Leading the way is Panther Valley's Anthracite Duals. Other local teams, Lehighton and Palmerton, will also take place in the PV event.

Jim Thorpe will be at North Schuylkill's Spartan Invitational; Northern Lehigh and Northwestern will compete in the Zephyr Duals at Whitehall; Pleasant Valley is headed to the Parkland Duals; while Tamaqua travels to Hamburg's Tournament.