KARL PEARSON
ASHTABULA TOWNSHIP — Senior Night is always a special one in any athlete’s life. That celebration took on added significance for four departing Edgewood wrestlers Thursday night.
Warrior veterans Thomas Butryn at 125 pounds, Dillon Hutton at 135 pounds, Tae Summers at 152 pounds and Stephen Ball at 189 pounds were determined to go out in style in their final home match. But they were also resolved to put forth an outstanding effort to make the observance of coach Greg Stolfer’s 25th year as the Warriors’ head coach a memorable one.
Both missions were accomplished. Most importantly, the Warriors easily won the non-conference match with traditional rival Conneaut, 46-24.
All four seniors certainly did their part with impressive wins. Summers was the most efficient, pinning his opponent in 1:24, while Butryn earned a 16-0 technical fall, Ball really got the Warriors rolling with a 15-5 major decision and Hutton pounded out a 13-0 major decision. In ceremonies before the match, Ashley Keenan, who has been sidelined for her senior year by a torn labrum suffered in the 2009 division II district tournament after three varsity seasons, was also recognized.
It all led to another win in Stolfer’s equally impressive career at Edgewood. In his silver anniversary season with the Warriors (12-11), his teams have racked up a 292-193 record for an impressive .602 winning percentage.
Stolfer is grateful for all the things his wrestlers have done right down to this year’s team.
“It’s been a very positive 25 years for me and my family,” he said. “I’ve been blessed with great kids, great athletes and great parents. Our seniors had a great night. I told them they’ll never forget this night.
“It’s hard to believe it’s been 25 years. I’ve had the privilege of coaching both my sons, too. It’s been great.”
His wrestlers weren’t about to disappoint Stolfer, or themselves for that matter.
“This was a big match for me,” Summers, who is completing his second varsity season and put the finishing touches on the victory with his fall, said. “It was nice we were able to do this for Coach Stolfer, too.
“The seniors were determined to go four-for-four tonight. I was determined to go out and get a pin, too. And I was determined to make the most of my last home match.”
Those were the motivations for Ball, too, especially on a night where the Warriors were wrestling at home for just the second time this year.
“I was really excited for this match because Conneaut is always a real important opponent for us,” the third-year varsity wrestler said. “It was more than about Senior Night tonight. I was really fired up. We had really worked hard for this match.”
Hutton has been on the Edgewood varsity for four years and wanted a big night badly. His win really got the Warriors rolling at 28-18.
“I was pretty excited for this match,” he said. “There was no other way to end my career here. It was a pretty satisfying match.”
Butryn, in his third varsity season, dropped back to 125 pounds for the match. His win put Edgewood ahead to stay at 21-18 after Conneaut (21-11) had taken a lead as large as 18-10 with a pin by Patrick Sanford at 285 and forfeit wins to Donzel Sayles (103) and Alesha Zappitella (112).
From that point, though, the Warriors won seven straight matches, fueled by Butryn’s, Hutton’s and Summers’ wins along with pins by Travis Dickey (119), Christian Severino (140) and Tyler Dickey (145). Stolfer’s younger son, Matthew, also contributed with a decision at 130. Conneaut’s only other win was a pin by Zach Rusk in the evening’s final match at 160.
“We talked about this being our last home match,” Butryn said. “We wanted to go out undefeated at home. I don’t get technical falls too often, so I’m pretty satisfied.”
Conneaut coach Matt Bidwell tipped his hat to Stolfer’s Warriors.
“We had a couple close matches that didn’t go our way,” the first-year coach said. “It’s just another learning experience for us. We only have one senior with (Sanford).
“But Edgewood’s a good team. This was a good learning experience for us, especially with sectional (at Lake Catholic on Feb. 19) coming up.”
Stolfer believes Bidwell has the Spartans headed in the right direction.
“Matt’s done a good job over there,” he said. “He’s got some nice young wrestlers. If he can keep them together, he’ll bear the fruits of what have been sewn there this year.”
He was also happy with the seeds his team sewed.
“It’s all about creating good memories,” Stolfer said. “I was really pleased tonight.”
