Sophomore duo of Stephens and Boykin setting the tone for Red Raiders future By Dave Conard Sports Editor CoatesvilleTimes.com
Red Raiders Mike Boykin tossed Ken Smith to the mat in the 220-pound final
UPPER PROVIDENCE—It’s been a pretty good year so far for Coatesville sophomore Mike Boykin and judging from Saturday’s action, it’s only a glimpse of what is to come for the Red Raiders 220-pound District Champion.
Yes that’s right district champion, it had been six years since Coatesville has claimed a district gold medal in wrestling, until Boykin fought his way through a bracket of the areas best by back-to back 3-1 decisions then a 5-2 win over Marple Newtown senior Ken Smith, snagging the title.
Following a fall in which Boykin, as nose guard of the football team, helped lead the Red Raiders to a district playoff win, capping a very successful season, he then turned his sights on preparing for the wrestling campaign in which Coatesville racked up a 16-10 record.
“I am very happy for Mike he works very hard and always goes 120 percent,” said head coach Mike Cammer. “It has been a long time since we had a district champion, when other kids see the success of our program it generates interest and that’s how you grow.”
The Red Raiders also got a solid effort by senior Matt Brownback, who had a tough draw in Tom Anista (Southeaster regional qualifier and fifth place medallist) and Logan Kerin who finished third overall in a stacked 145 pound bracket as Brown back was eliminated in the consolations by a count of 12-3
Coatesville sophomore Noah Stephens won two rounds on district competition.
Fellow sophomore Noah Stephens went 2-2 in the District meet recording a 4-2 win over Joey Sciarrino in the opening round then battled back through the consolation bracket following a loss to eventual tournament champion Steve Quinn of West Chester Rustin, defeating Sun Valley’s Steve Okoorian 3-2.
Stephens was eliminated one step short of qualifying for next week’s Pennsylvania Southeastern Regional when we was pinned by eventual fifth place medal winner Adam Dombrosky with 1:13 remaining in the match, while leading.
In the 220-pound final, Boykin use his quickness to grab two extra points against Smith as he led by a count of 3-2, working his way around the Marple Newtown captain covering him as he was still down to put the match out of reach.
“Mike has light weight speed,” added Cammer. “He uses it to his advantage and it is what really sets him apart from the other kids in his weight class.”
“I am very excited to go to regional next week,” said Boykin. “My coaches have always said I have natural speed, it’s just something I have always been able to do. I had a simple strategy all day, go all out which sometimes can get me into tight spots.”
“The most important thing to do in tournament like this is get your match over as quickly as possible, these guys are all very good and you have to put away the match as soon as you get the chance. It also helps in along day to conserve your energy.”
The Pennsylvania State Southeaster Regional will commence next weekend at Oxford High School starting at 5:30 pm on Friday and continuing on Saturday at 9:30 am.
Coatesville's Mike Boykin reacts to winning the gold medal
Championship Round 1
132 – Noah Stephens dec. Joey Sciarrino (Springfield Delco), 4-2 SV
145 – Tom Antista (Marple Newtown) pinned Matt Brownback, 1:32
Quarterfinals
132 – Steve Quinn (West Chester Rustin) pinned Noah Stephens, 2:54
220 – Mike Boykin dec. Matt Lamberjack (West Chester Rustin), 3-1
First Round Consolations
132 – Noah Stephens dec. Steven Okoorian (Sun Valley), 3-2
145 – Logan Kerin (Conestoga) maj. dec. Matt Brownback, 12-3
Semifinals
220 – Mike Boykin dec. Brendon Vaikeli (West Chester East), 3-1
Consolation Quarterfinals
132 – Adam Dombrosky (Spring-Ford) pinned Noah Stephens, 4:47
Championship Finals
220 – Mike Boykin dec. Ken Smith (Marple Newtown), 5-2
