Some wrestlers might get spooked a bit at drawing the No. 1 seed on Day 1 of regionals. <\/p>\n
Liberty'sMatt Maloney didnt flinch. <\/p>\n
The Hurricanes sophomore 106-pounder promptly dispatched of top-seeded Archbishop Woods T.J. England 12-8 and advanced to the semifinals of the PIAA Class 3A Northeast Regional Tournament at Libertys Memorial Gym. <\/p>\n
I was confident enough, because our district is so tough, Maloney said. Its probably the best in the state. So coming out of District 11, I was prepared for (England). <\/p>\n
Maloney (35-3) dominated England (36-3) with five takedowns and a reversal. The only mistakeMaloney hadwas while leading 12-6 late in the match,England countered a sloppy takedown attempt for twopoints. Ittightened the final score, but not the match itself. <\/p>\n
I was going for the major (decision) and I got a little sloppy, said Maloney, who had five takedowns in his 13-8 preliminary round win over David Evans from Tunkhannock. I had a big enough lead that it didnt matter. <\/p>\n
English wasn't the only high seed to fall on Day 1 of the tournament. <\/p>\n
Delaware Valley's John McCarthy, the top seed at 220, dropped a 9-6 decision to Pocono Mountain West's Greg Bensley in the quarterfinals. <\/p>\n
The No. 2 seeds at 106, 113, 120, 126, 138, 160, 170 and 182 were all knocked off in a brutal quarterfinal round for District 2 and District 12 front-runners. <\/p>\n
You can appear stronger than your opponent if youre confident, Liberty coach Jody Karam said. (Maloney) is very strong and he was hitting his moves with conviction, and he was confident. I was real confident as well. I think I made somewhat of a coaching mistake there. Not to sound arrogant, but I knew Matt was going to win his match. I was paying attention to the kid he might be wrestling in the semifinals. <\/p>\n
Maloney is one five Hurricanes that advanced through the quarterfinals with wins. Hell face Pottsvilles Nick Onea (33-9), who beat him 6-4 in the semifinals last week at the District 11 tournament. <\/p>\n
I saw that (English) came in with a big record, like 36-2, but that didnt really faze me since I came through District 11, Maloney said. Now I go against a kid (Onea) that beat me last week and that doesnt mean anything. It gives me incentive to come out and major him this time. <\/p>\n
Luke Werner (120), Gunner Anglovich (170), Damen Moyer (182) and Carlo Perugini (195) will all be joining Maloney in the semifinals. <\/p>\n
Find Lehigh Valley high school sports on Facebook. <\/p>\n
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Liberty's Maloney right at home against regional wrestling tourney's best - lehighvalleylive.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Some wrestlers might get spooked a bit at drawing the No. 1 seed on Day 1 of regionals. Liberty'sMatt Maloney didnt flinch. Continue reading