Carter Chunko was in a familiar position against a familiar foe in the 127-pound final at Monday’s Bethlehem Holiday Wrestling Classic.
The Saucon Valley junior was leading Grit Mat Club training partner Emilio Albanese of Emmaus by three points in the final 30 seconds when Albanese appeared to be putting him in danger in addition to getting the tying takedown.
But Chunko’s instincts took over and he finished off a 7-1 decision, his first win in three tries against Albanese.
“I play around in that position a lot,” Chunko said, “where [the opponent] is going for the cradle and I sit back. I felt pretty comfortable there, actually.”
Chunko put Albanese in a position to be ultra aggressive after getting an early first-period takedown and maintaining that lead throughout their match at Liberty’s Memorial Gym.
“I kind of have a feel for what he does,” the Panther added, “so it was very important I felt to get that first takedown. We wrestle each other in the room all the time, so we’re very familiar with each other.
“[The win] was definitely a big confidence booster moving forward to the postseason knowing I am right there to be able to win states.”
Albanese won the previous two meetings, 3-2 two years ago when the two freshmen met in the Tom Best Memorial Top Hat tournament semifinals in Williamsport and 2-1 in an ultimate tie-breaker in last year’s Top Hat final.
Chunko wasn’t the only one exacting revenge on his year-round training partner. Nazareth’s Brayden Zuercher beat Northwestern Lehigh’s Luke Fugazzotto by the same score (4-1) that the Tiger won by in last year’s BHWC final.
Zuercher escaped in the final 20 seconds of regulation to tie the score, then went on the attack before getting Fugazzotto’s leg in sudden victory for the game-winning takedown.
“This is all practice for both of us,” Zuercher said. “Come later in the season, we’re probably going to roll around more to get ready for the postseason. He’s just a very solid partner. He always pushes me more than anyone I go with in the Lehigh Valley.
“Wrestling each other in a bout is a way to show us both where we’re at, on a live mat. Even when you go live in the practice room, it’s really not the same until you’re in front of a crowd.”
Nazareth had eight medalists, including fellow champions Jack (145) and Cade Campbell (160), and won the Jody Karam team title by 24 points ahead of Emmaus, which had one champion (Teagan Caciolo at 121) among its five medalists.
Whitehall’s Willmont Kai won the Bethlehem Holiday Wrestling Classic outstanding wrestler award and the pinner award after pinning four foes on his way to capturing the 133-pound title. (Tom Housenick/The Morning Call)
Whitehall’s Willmont Kai won the 133-pound title with four pins, including one of Wilson-West Lawn’s Charlie Griffin in the final. Kai won the John Fritz pinner award and the tournament’s outstanding wrestler award.
Kai used the tournament to continue working on his aggressiveness in the neutral position and his leg defense against smaller opponents. The returning state champion didn’t give up an offensive point and outscored his four foes 53-8.
“I think I could have performed better,” he said, “but I got the job done. If a guy gets in on my leg and thinks he can score, I can put him in danger. I’m comfortable that I can score, and I’m working on my low ankle re-attacks.
“My partners in the room are pushing me hard. I’m wrestling up so I’m going with the heavier guys plus [freshman 107-pounder] Dionte Wheeler because he’s probably the most technical guy so I can roll around with him.”
There were no repeat champions as Fugazzotto reached the final again at 189, but lost to Zuercher and Emmaus’ Jackson Max, last year’s 107-pound gold medal winner, finished fourth at 139.
Albanese was second for the second year in a row. Jack Campbell and Wilson-West Lawn’s McKaden Speece were second last year before winning titles in 2025. Cade Campbell and North Allegheny’s Bradyn McConneha (285) were third a year ago before home titles this season.
Parkland’s Braden Todora won the 114-pound title with a 13-7 decision over Williamsport’s Jordan Piselli in the final. But Todora’s biggest win came in the semis when he looked like he was on the wrong side of a scramble with Honesdale’s Nate Schuman, then flipped his hips and caught the returning 107-pound runner-up at this tournament in 2 minutes, 49 seconds.
Southern Lehigh’s Griffin King won his 100th career match in the 145-pound consolations Monday at the Bethlehem Holiday Wrestling Classic at Liberty’s Memorial Gym. (Contributed photo)
Southern Lehigh had five medalists, led by Griffin King who won his 100th career match with a pin in the consolation semifinals at 145.
Caciolo scored early in the 121-pound final against Evan Schomburg of North Allegheny and finished off a 7-1 decision with another takedown late for his first title.
Emmaus did not have Cam Martinez and Levi Max, but still had its best showing in the tournament team standings.
Saucon Valley was without Gavin Chunko and Braden Rohn, who could miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.
Nazareth was without standout freshman Caleb Kosko.
Nazareth’s next action is Wednesday, Jan. 7, against visiting Emmaus.
Phillipsburg had six medalists, including two finalists: Massimo Gonzalez at 139 and Gavin Geleta at 172. The Stateliners have a later start to the season in New Jersey and had a week-long shutdown because of an illness going through the team.
Quakertown had five medalists led by Cole Borzio, fourth at 114.
Freedom had a finalist in 285-pounder Dan Schiffert, who lost 4-3 to McConneha, who was third last year.
Bethlehem Holiday Wrestling Classic results
Sunday at Liberty’s Memorial Gym
FINALS
107: Quinn Bagnell (Council Rock South) dec. Luis Moya (Par), 4-1
114: Braden Todora (Par) dec. Jordan Piselli (Williamsport), 13-7
121: Teagan Caciolo (Em) dec. Evan Schomburg (North Allegheny), 7-1
127: Carter Chunko (SV) dec. Emilio Albanese (Em), 7-1
133: Willmont Kai (Wh) pinned Charlie Griffin (Wilson-West Lawn), 5:00
139: Blake Boyer (Kennett) dec. Massimo Gonzalez (Pburg), 8-1
145: Jack Campbell (Naz) dec. Bryce Boyer (Kennett), 3-2
152: Zach Jaffe (Kennett) dec. Griffin Reid (North Allegheny), 7-1
160: Cade Campbell (Naz) maj. dec. Xyler Sallit (Em), 10-1
172: McKaden Speece (Wilson-West Lawn) maj. dec. Gavin Geleta (Pburg), 13-3
189: Brayden Zuercher (Naz) dec. Luke Fugazzotto (NWL), 4-1 SV
215: Paxton Hunt (Garnet Valley) maj. dec. Kaleb Dumin (Boyertown), 15-1
285: Bradyn McConneha (North Allegheny) dec. Dan Schiffert (Fr), 4-3
THIRD-PLACE MATCHES
107: Rush (Hempfield) dec. Swingle (Pburg), 7-2
114: Schuman (Honesdale) tech. fall Borzio (Q), 18-3, 4:03
121: Benyo (Hazleton Area) dec. Segata (Council Rock South), 4-2
127: Schaffer (Wilson-West Lawn) dec. Benyo (Hazleton Area), 5-0
133: Velez (Par) dec. Good (Naz), 7-1
139: Wenrich (Naz) dec. Max (Em), 8-3
145: Santoro (SV) dec. King (SL), 4-2
152: Garriques (Pburg) forfeit over Woll (BM)
160: Moya (Par) inj. def. over Barker (SL), 3:15
172: Frable (SL) dec. Schechterly (West Scranton), 3-2 UTB
189: Marolo (Hazleton Area) tech. fall Larrimore (Boyertown), 17-1, 3:42
215: Waybright (Kennett) pinned Essington (Str), 2:21
285: Scott (Council Rock South) dec. MacDowell (Honesdale), 4-2
FIFTH-PLACE MATCHES
107: Wheeler (Wh) pinned Jasionowicz (Str) 1:31
114: Worth (Council Rock South) maj. dec. Fulmer (Naz), 14-3
121: Heimbach (L) pinned Aniska (West Scranton), 2:47
127: Nasdeo (Williamsport) forfeit over Lagier (West Scranton)
133: Salko (Hazleton Area) forfeit over Young (North Penn)
139: Eidle (Wilson-West Lawn) dec. Gappa (Q), 7-4
145: Jones (Hempfield) dec. Croll (NWL), 4-1 SV
152: Lyden (Fr) dec. Sukanick (NWL), 9-3
160: Evanko (Wilkes-Barre Area) dec. Youngcourt (Hazleton Area), 4-2
172: Simak (Naz) dec. Sallit (Em), 3-1
189: Martin (Honesdale) dec. Clayton (Q), 13-8
215: Landry (Honesdale) dec. Wesner (SL), 5-0
285: Harkless (Wilson-West Lawn) pinned Helverson (BM), 1:49
SEVENTH-PLACE MATCHES
107: Synan (North Allegheny) tech. fall Stanchak (Boyertown), 19-3, 4:53
114: Cherry (Kennett) dec. Colon (Delaware Valley), 10-4
121: Pascoe (Wh) maj. dec. Schaffer (Wilson-West Lawn), 10-1
127: Duffy (Garnet Valley) maj. dec. Fetherman (Str), 16-4
133: Stedeford (North Allegheny) maj. dec. Scanlon (Honesdale), 11-2
139: Diamond (Boyertown) tech. fall Lewis (North Penn), 20-4, 4:36
145: Hawk (Pburg) dec. Crouse (Q), 8-4
152: Brown (Naz) dec. Pop (Hazleton Area), 4-2
160: Pfistner (Q) pinned Hopkins (Wh), 2:35
172: O’Brien (North Penn) tech. fall Fugazzotto (NWL), 15-0, 1:41
189: Hopkins (Wh) tech. fall Segal (Delaware Valley), 17-2, 4;46
215: Rodriguez (Warwick) dec. Quiles-Ros (North Penn), 2-1
285: Ellis (Pburg) dec. Steckert (SL), 6-1
SEMIFINALS
107: Moya (Par) pinned Jasionowicz (Str), 1:11; Bagnell (Council Rock South) dec. Rush (Hempfield), 4-0
114: Todora (Par) pinned Schuman (Honesdale), 2:49; Piselli (Williamsport) dec. Borzio (Q), 3-0
121: Caciolo (Em) dec. Benyo (Hazleton Area), 2-0; Schomburg (North Allegheny) dec. Segata (Council Rock South), 5-4
127: Albanese (Em) dec. Benyo (Hazleton Area), 10-7; Chunko (SV) pinned Lagier (West Scranton), 5:50
133: Kai (Wh) pinned Young (Wilkes-Barre Area), 5:35; Griffin (Wilson-West Lawn) dec. Salko (Hazleton Area), 7-0
139: Gonzalez (Pburg) Max (Em), 7-1; Boyer (Kennett) tech. fall Wenrich (Naz), 17-0, 3:40
145: Boyer (Kennett) maj. Dec. Croll (NWL), 10-0; Campbell (Naz) dec. Santoro (SV), 4-3
152: Jaffe (Kennett) dec. Woll (BM), 4-1; Reid (North Allegheny) maj. dec. Garriques (Pburg),
160: Campbell (Naz) dec. Moya (Par), 1-0; Sallit (Em) dec. Youngcourt (Hazleton Area), 11-7
172: Speece (Wilson-West Lawn) pinned Sallit (Em), 1:57; Geleta (Pburg) dec. Simak (Naz), 3-2
189: Fugazzotto (NWL) dec. Clayton (Q), 12-6; Zuercher (Naz) dec. Marolo (Hazleton Area), 5-0
215: Hunt (Garnet Valley) tech. fall Waybright (Kennett) 20-4, 3:08; Dumin (Boyertown) dec. Landry (Honesdale), 4-1
285: McConneha (North Allegheny) pinned MacDowell (Honesdale), 4:14; Schiffert (Fr) pinned Scott (Council Rock South), 4:58
CONSOLATION SEMIFINALS
107: Swingle (Pburg) tech. fall Jasionowicz (Str) 17-1, 3:00; Rush (Hempfield) dec. Wheeler (Wh), 7-0
114: Borzio (Q) dec. Fulmer (Naz), 4-0; Schuman (Honesdale) maj. dec. Worth (Council Rock South), 14-2
121: Segata (Council Rock South) tech. fall Aniska (West Scranton), 17-1, 2:26; Benyo (Hazleton Area) dec. Heimbach (L), 2-1 TB-1
127: Schaffer (Wilson-West Lawn) forfeit over Lagier (West Scranton); Benyo (Hazleton Area dec. Nasdeo (Williamsport), 4-0
133: Good (Naz) dec. Salko (Hazleton Area), 4-2; Velez (Par) dec. Young (North Penn), 7-0
139: Max (Em) dec. Eidle (Wilson-West Lawn), 5-3; Wenrich (Naz) tech. fall Gappa (Q), 18-3, 3:00
145: Santoro (SV) dec. Jones (Hempfield), 4-1; King (SL) pinned Croll (NWL), 2:33
152: Garriques (Pburg) maj. Dec. Lyden (Fr), 8-0; Woll (BM) dec. Sukanick (NWL), 8-4
160: Barker (SL) pinned Youngcourt (Hazleton Area), 1:35; Moya (Par) dec. Evanko (Wilkes-Barre), 8-5
172: Frable (SL) dec. Simak (Naz), 4-1 SV; Schechterly (West Scranton) dec. Sallit (Em), 8-1
189: Marolo (Hazleton Area) maj. dec. Martin (Honesdale), 14-3; Larrimore (Boyertown) dec. Clayton (Q), 7-0
215: Essington (Str) pinned Landry (Honesdale), 2:51; Waybright (Kennett) pinned Wesner (SL), 1:38
285: Scott (Council Rock South) maj. Dec. Harkless (Wilson-West Lawn), 14-6; MacDowell (Honesdale) pinned Helverson (BM), 4:54
FIFTH-ROUND CONSOLATIONS
107: Wheeler (Wh) dec. Synan (North Allegheny) 10-3; Swingle (Pburg) pinned Stanchak (Boyertown), 1:41
114: Fulmer (Naz) dec. Colon (Delaware Valley), 5-3; Worth (Council Rock South) tech. fall Cherry (Kennett), 18-2, 4:42
121: Aniska (West Scranton) dec. Schaffer (Wilson-West Lawn), 7-6; Heimbach (L) dec. Pascoe (Wh), 4-2
127: Schaffer (Wilson-West Lawn) pinned Duffy (Garnet Valley), 1:49; Nasdeo (Williamsport) pinned Fetherman (Str), 1:34
133: Good (Naz) maj. Dec. Scanlon (Honesdale), 9-1; Velez (Par) dec. Stedeford (North Allegheny), 7-3
139: Eidle (Wilson-West Lawn) dec. Diamond (Boyertown), 8-2; Gappa (Q) tech. fall Lewis (North Penn), 16-0, 1:20
145: Jones (Hempfield) dec. Crouse (Q), 8-1; King (SL) maj. Dec. Hawk (Pburg), 10-0
152: Lyden (Fr) maj. Dec. Brown (Naz), 20-9; Sukanick (NWL) dec. Pop (Hazleton Area), 7-6
160: Evanko (Wilkes-Barre Area) dec. Hopkins (Wh), 7-0; Barker (SL) maj. Dec. Pfistner (Q), 10-0
172: Frable (SL) dec. O’Brien (North Penn) 7-4; Schechterly (West Scranton) tech. fall Fugazzotto (NWL), 15-0, 2:49
189: Larrimore (Boyertown) tech. fall Hopkins (Wh), 17-1, 3:00; Martin (Honesdale) tech. fall Segal (Delaware Valley), 20-4, 4:53
215: Essington (Str) dec. Rodriguez (Warwick), 4-2; Wesner (SL) dec. Quiles-Ros (North Penn), 4-1
285: Helverson (BM) pinned Steckert (SL), 4:01; Harkless (Wilson-West Lawn) dec. Ellis (Pburg), 4-0
Team standings: 1. Nazareth 171 points; 2. Emmaus 147; 3. Wilson-West Lawn 133.5; 4. Whitehall 131; 5. Parkland 127; 6. Council Rock South 125; 7. Phillipsburg 122.; 8. North Allegheny 121.5; 9. Kennett 120. 10. Boyertown 106.5; 11. Hazleton Area 101; 12. Saucon Valley 96.5; 13. Quakertown 96; 14. Southern Lehigh 91.5; 15. Honesdale 87
Senior writer Tom Housenick can be reached at thousenick@mcall.com
