NPHS WRESTLING TEAM, 1987

PIAA STATE CO-CHAMPIONS

            The 1986-87 wrestling schedule appeared most challenging, with traditional powerhouse Bethlehem Catholic, Downingtown and Manheim Central in non league contests and in the Suburban League Council Rock, Neshaminy and Pennsbury.  There were close matches against former Bux-Mont rivals Souderton (28-27) and Quakertown (27-24). The 1986-87 knights were captained by Dana Adams, Kevin Gottshall,and Jeff Kwortnik. The varsity end the dual meet season with a perfect 18 – 0 record and the jayvee team kept pace with a 10-4-2 record.

The line up had some very talented wrestlers and some gaping holes at the beginning of the season.  The team was lead by two sets of brothers; the feisty Finacchio’s, Matt & Dan, and the stoic Kwortnik’s, Jeff and Chris. The meet line up holes were filled by new and former jayvee wrestlers; Scott Geist, Dana Adams, Justen Curry and Jim Smink.

Some of the season highlights were; after getting by tough matches against Bethlehem Catholic and Souderton, next came a home match against Quakertown.  For the first time ever the North Penn Gym was full to capacity for a wrestling match.  North Penn shifted seven weight classes and won 27-24 with heavy weight Jim Smink sealing the win. Both teams performed extremely well.  Quakertown went on to win Sectionals that year.  The Regional tournament was held at North Penn which inspired the Knights as they won the tournament with four individual champions and sending six to the PIAA State wrestling Championships.  At one point in the PIAA State tournament Kevin Gottshall said to Coach Klavon “Coach we are going to win this thing!” Coach Klavon was in the moment and was not looking ahead, but Kevin was right. Every State qualifier won their first match, scoring points for North Penn. Kevin Gottshall came through the grueling wrestle backs to place fourth.  In the PIAA State finals Dan Finacchio won a barn burner 13-11 to become PIAA State champion at 112lbs. and Chris Kwortnik at 167lbs. pinned his opponent which tie North Penn with North Allegheny for the PIAA AAA Wrestling Team Championship. Coach Klavon was selected PIAA AAA Wrestling Coach of the Year.

 

Undefeated dual meet season:  18-0                          Jayvee  10-4-2

 

All League recognition:          First team                                Second Team              Honorable mention

Matt Finaccihio 105lbs.           Rich Aucker105lbs.     Jim Smink 275lbs.

Dan Finacchio 112lbs.             Scott Geist 126lbs.

Kevin Gottshall 119lbs.           Justen Curry 185lbs.

Dana Adams 138lbs.

Jeff Kwortnik 155 lbs.

Chris Kwortnik 167 lbs.

 

PIAA Sectional Champions: Matt Finacchio, Dan Finacchio, Kevin Gottshall, Jeff Kwortnik, Chris Kwortnik

 

PIAA District I Champions: Matt Finacchio, Dan Finacchio, Jeff Kwortnik, Chris Kwortnik

 

PIAA S. E. Regional  Champions: Matt Finacchio, Dan Finacchio, Jeff Kwortnik, Chris Kwortnik

 

PIAA AAA State Champions:  Dan Finacchio 112lbs. & Chris Kwortnik 167lbs.

Kevin Gottshall 119lbs. – 4th place

State Qualifiers who scored at the State Meet:    Scott Geist 126lbs., Matt Finacchio 105lbs,  Jeff Kwortnik 155lbs.

 

Suburban National Champion, District One Champion,

South East Regional Champion

PIAA AAA State Co-Champion

 

Ed Klavon Head Coach

Rob Shettsline Asst. Coach

Captains: Kevin Gottshall, Jeff Kwortnik, Dana Adams

Team Members:         

Jeff Kwortnik               Dana Adams               Kevin Gottshall                       Chris Kwortnik

Dave McCue               Scott Geist                   Justen Curry                            Jim Potere

Dan Finacchio             Jim Smink                   Ron Mon                                Matt Finacchio

Rich Aucker                Mike Cliver                 Frank Giordani                       Anna Fazen, mgr.

 

Dual meets 18 – 0:

North Penn 65  Abington 0                North Penn 49  Bensalem 9               North Penn 42  Pennridge 15

North Penn 33  Beth Catholic 27       North Penn 66  Harriton 3                 North Penn 43  C B West 12

North Penn 43  Council Rock 19       North Penn 45  Wm Tennent 15       North Penn 38  C B East 21

North Penn 48  Pennsbury 18             North Penn 47  Truman 19                North Penn 48  Downingtown 15

North Penn 28  Souderton 27             North Penn 27  Quakertown 24         North Penn 39  Manheim Cent. 20

North Penn 45  Neshaminy 15           North Penn 46  Archbishop Wood 14