Alumni Night - Feb 2

Pin Poll Update

Over half of the people who voted in the last poll thought that Adam Mackie would get between 16-20 pins this year. As of this morning, the unofficial count from the High School Scorebook, is 10 pins.  Remember the season won't end for Adam until March! Keep it going Mackie.

Please vote on the new poll.

Find us on Facebook

Bullet Wrestling is also now on Facebook!  

Search for Bullet Wrestling and "like" us.
Spread the word.  

Gov Mifflin Tournament Medalists

Enjoyed watching all of the Bullet wrestlers compete this weekend.  Enjoy some highlights of the Governor Mifflin Tournament Medalists.

  

Rippey's Rendition

The Reading Eagle's rendition and wrap-up of the Governor Mifflin Tournament.  

Loving the headline and picture!  Click here for >   Rippey's Rendition

And don't forget, January 4th will be the next dual against Conrad Weiser at BHHS!  

GBG (Go Bullets Go)

Bullets Take 6th at Governor Mifflin

The Bullet Wrestlers took 6th place today in the Governor Mifflin Holiday Tournament.  South Regional, a team from NJ, ended up with first place out of 23 teams.  Adam Mackie and Pete Renda brought home first place medals.  Hunter Gimbor lost a close finals match and brought home a second place medal.  A great weekend for the freshman wrestler.  Dan Schmeck, also lost his match by one point and brought home 8th place.  Pete Renda earned outstanding wrestler for the tournament.  Congratulations to all the wrestlers competing this weekend!

Governor Mifflin Update

Congratulations to Hunter Gimbor, Dan Schmeck, Pete Renda and Adam Mackie.  These wrestlers will be all be battling for medals at the second day of the Governor Mifflin Holiday Tournament.

Wrestling starts at 11am with the finals slated for 4:30pm.  See you there!

Words of the Day

Bullet Battles

Just finished this December highlights film showing some amazing take downs and otherwise fiercely fought battles.  Looking forward to more highlight opportunities today at the Governor Mifflin Holiday tournament. Good Luck Bullets!

 

Rippey's Preview of Governor Mifflin

For those wrestling fans that don't see the paper all the time or were too busy celebrating the holidays, the Reading Eagle article by Brian Rippey gives a preview of the Governor Mifflin Holiday Tournament.  Wrestling fans always appreciate some good competition.  

Rippey also gave a shout out to Adam Mackie for his 100th win.

Read on >>> Reading Eagle Article on Dec 26th.

No Rest for the Weary

Since the Bullets' loss last weekend to the Hamburg Hawks, they have been hard at work back in the wrestling room.  The Bullets came away with only 3 wins against the Hawks...not the performance the fans were hoping for.  Christmas will be the only day off this week as they work to prepare for the Governor Mifflin Tournament on Friday and Saturday.  The 2 lb weight allowance will be in effect this weekend and so we might see kids dropping a weight class.  Tournament starts at 11am on Friday.  Check back for tournament updates.

Bullet Boast - Jake Fenstermacher

Meet freshman wrestler Jake Fenstermacher. Jake is wrestling for the Bullets at 106 lbs this year. Already a contributor to the team, Jake is proving to be a feisty wrestler.  Read more about Jake below but better yet, come out to a match and cheer him on.  Go Bullets.

Jake, in dark shorts, goes hard against Gimbor during pre-season practice.

Q.  How many years have you been wrestling? 

A.  7 yrs 

Q.  How did you get started in wrestling? 

A.  I started at Red Hawk Wrestling Club.

Q.  What is your favorite wrestling memory or highlight? 

A.  Every time I pin. 

Q.  What is your favorite food in-season? 

A.  Wings and pizza. 

Q.  What is your favorite food out of season?

A.  Wings and peanut brittle. 

Q.  What advice would you give an elementary school wrestler? 

A. Don't give up. 

Q.  Why do you wrestle? What do you like about wrestling? 

A.  I wrestle to get in shape.   I like it because it is fun. 

Q.  Do you have a goal for the season? 

A.  My goal is to win half my matches. 

Q.  Best word or phrase to describe Bullet Wrestling? 

A.  It's fun.

Countdown to Hershey

Calling All Alumni

50 Years of Bullet Wrestling requires a celebration.  In 1962, the PIAA officially recognized Bullet wrestling as a varsity sport.  Where have all the years gone?  What's changed about Bullet Wrestling in 50 years?  What has stayed the same?  We would like all to invite all wrestling alumni to come out to the home match on February 2, 2012 to help celebrate 50 years.  We are hoping to have at least one wrestler representing each of the 50 years!  Please spread the word to your friends and fellow wrestlers!

Merry Christmas

Happy Holidays to everyone who enjoys Bullet Wrestling! 

Mat Slap Fest

On Wednesday night, December 19, the Bullets came away with a HUGE victory over Tulpehocken, 60-12.  The dual started at weight class 145lbs where junior wrestler Zach Sessions scored a first period fall (pin).  Sessions started the "fall" trend for the evening and 6 more Bullet wrestlers came out to also pin their Tulpy competitor.  Gimbor, Langston, Reichard, Renda, Swackhamer and Weller all scored falls.  Check out the video clip of the double leg take down that started it all.  Congratulations Bullets on a big win.

Tomorrow the Bullets go up against Hamburg.  Let's get our fans out to at least match (if not surpass) the number of Hamburg fans.

Shout Out to One of the Bullet Managers

Meet one of our Bullet Managers, Jess Musser.  Jess is in her second year supporting the team and has been  invaluable asset.  You can see her on the sidelines video taping matches or in the room washing mats.  Otherwise the managers have the dubious task to keep the team and coaches organized...not an easy feat :).  Thanks for all your help Jess.

Read on to learn more about another member of the Bullet team.

Q.  How many years have you been managing the Bullet Wrestling team?

A.  This is my second year.

Q.  What made you want to be a manager for the team?

A.  I wanted to be a wrestling manager because I grew up around wrestling and it is my favorite to watch.

Q.  Did anyone in your family wrestle?

A.  Yes, my father, Rich Musser. 

Q.  What do you like most about being a manager for the team?

I like most that I am able to always be there for the matches and help them if they need something.  I am proud to sit with them.

Q.  What do you like most about the sport of wrestling?

A.  I like that wrestling, in my opinion, is the hardest sport because you always have to maintain weight and you need to out do your opponent, mentally and physically.

Q.  Do you play any sport?  If so, are there any similarities between the sports?

A.  Yes, I play field hockey and softball.  In my opinion, field hockey is physically demanding and softball is mentally demanding although not as much as wrestling...although close.

Q.  Any good "coach" stories you want to share?

A.  Coach A. calling Kirby and I the "chosen ones."

Q.  If you were the coach, would the wrestlers be running more sprints or fewer sprints?

A.  Depends on how hard they work at practice.

Q.  What is the best word or phrase to describe Bullet Wrestling?

A.  Determined no matter the task!

First Home Match Tomorrow

Tomorrow, Wednesday, December 19, is the first home match of the season against Tulpehocken.  Match is scheduled to start at 6:30pm.  According to Brian Rippey and the Reading Eagle, "The Trojans showed some improvement last year and have a lot of young wrestlers to help the program continue to rebuild."  Some of their key returnees:

Christopher Zechman(113, 11-22), Angel Ramos (120, 12-23), Colton Kessler (132, 15-19), Jacob Schiefer (138, 0-4), Jake Digenova (182, 6-17), Alexander Lapp (220, 10-21).

Hope to see you there tomorrow.

Mackie Gets 100th Win

On a roll today, senior wrestler Adam Mackie posted his 100th career win.  Adam went 5-0 today at the Muhlenberg Duals but more impressive was that each win ended in a pin.  Not confirmed at the time of this post, Adam's last victory was also the fastest pin of the day at 0:12 seconds.  Congratulations Adam.

The team went 2-3 at the Duals today.

The video clip may seem short, but all of Adam's matches today went by quickly.

Another Recap Rap

Bullet Invitational, December 8, 2012

This year at the Bullet Invite,

Many Bullets showed their might.
Mackie, Gimbor, Renda, Schmeck and Reich,
Langston, Swack...They all medaled...Impressive? Quite!

There were pins...nine in all...to the fans' delight,
Jake found Oley's senior, Fretz a major cause for fright.
But he didn't back down at his sight.

"Bert" Delong to senior Bosco, "catch an early consy flight"!
Then found CD's "slippery Dippery" to be kid dyn-o-mite!!

Weller, all heart, proved he had lots of fight

OT vs Abbey's Hane surely did excite.

Gimbor "in the Hunt", won two by scores so slight,
Nearly left his folks to look like sheets - WHITE!
Lost to one kid in OT...a guy who didn't "bite".

One Bullet's bout was just a-bout a fight,
Big Mack came out on top. CD's McNeal...ran but he just could not hide.

Also at 170, CD pride died.
Renda beat a Peppelman...not the one he wished to smite,
Still, two pins and a Peppel-win was quite alright.

Schmeck garnered some respect with a first round bye,
Pinned one real quick...but CD's sick,
Bentz made us utter "yike"!.

Lucas, this week kept his cool...not to be trite,
First, Pinned, he then Got pinned...
Then edged by Redland's Green, no neophyte!

Langston pinned and was pinned too, let's call him " 9-5 lite" !
First round bye then pinned old Young, Chris clearly was his blight,
Ferster, (not 2nd), the champ-to-be, won 0 to 5, really impolite.

"King", Cole's last match talked some trash, then found himself in flight,
It seem to me post-pin that he...seemed irked but more contrite!

Colin lost a close one even though he tried,
He had foured but the Abby guy had fived.
Before that one, the guy third seeded,
Colin ended up defeated,

Overall, half placed, two champed and a poem got writed.
Kids battled, season started and fans got united.
Waiting's ended, things are going, wrestler's deeds are cited,
Fighting's fighted, no one was slighted,
Ceiling tiles sighted, no one's gotten chided,
Slips were slipped...all goofs that can be righted!

The deep end...rhyming does something to you mind!
Just remember...

It's not quite right,
To put a kite in flight,
When you could be a knight,
With your arm held upright.

It's all right.
It alright.
Use your might,
Do it right.
Scale the very highest height!

The main thing...stay IN the fight.

Muhlenberg's Dual-anbergs Sat. Dec. 14 on Fifth Street....right?

Be there and pity our opponents' plight!

Bullet Boast - Colin Conrad

Today's Bullet Boast is about sophomore wrestler Colin Conrad.  Colin comes into the wrestling room this year from a season competing for the Kutztown Football team.  A talented athlete, Colin is looking to improve his freshman record and advance to the Regional tournament this year.  Read more about Colin below.

Q: How many years have you been wrestling?

A. 10 years

Q: How did you get started wrestling?

A: My cousin wrestled.

Q: What is your favorite wrestling memory or highlight?

A:   Beating a kid I had previously lost to.

Q: What is your favorite food in-season?

A:  Strawberries

Q: What is your favorite food out of season?

A: Steak

Q: Why do you wrestle?  What do you like about wrestling?

A: I love it, I can release anger.

Q. Do you have a goal for the season?

A.  Make it to Regionals

Q.  Best word or phrase to describe Bullet Wrestling?

A.  Physical.

Change a Life - Introduce Someone to Wrestling

Submitted by guest blogger Swack:

Just before the season started, Anthony Robles, who won an NCAA National Championship in 2011 for Arizona State at 125#, spoke at a local fundraiser for Diakon adoption and foster care. He was a gent and spoke to both Cole and Pete.

Anthony had no scholarship and was a freshman walk on. Unusual in that he was born with one leg to a 16 year old single mom.  Life dealt this kid some crummy cards but he made the best of them.  Now he is a motivational speaker and author of the new book Unstoppable.  It's not great literature but it does tell his amazing story.  He stayed at ASU even after they cut the wrestling program for 10 days because he didn't want people to think that all great wrestlers come from PA (page 92, and I'm paraphrasing). Buy the book for someone for Christmas or get it for them at the Brandywine Community Library. Some critics have said he had an unfair advantage because his missing leg dropped him down at least a weight class. I thanked God last night in prayer that Anthony found the sport of wrestling because nowhere else in the known universe could being born with one leg be considered an advantage.  He was introduced to the sport by his cousin.  Who introduced you? Change someone's life today and introduce them.

Bullet wrestler Cole Swackhamer and Anthony Robles

Bullets Earn 7 Medals

Congratulations Bullet Wrestlers!  7 Bullet wrestlers earned honors at yesterday's Bullet Invitational. Along the way, they tallied a total of 9 mat slaps, including the quickest fall at 0:24 by Cole Swackhamer.  Pete Renda also earned Outstanding Wrestler for the tournament.  The team took 4th place overall.  

For complete brackets go to Triple J Bout Masters.  

(from left to right) Dan Schmeck (4th), Chris Langston (4th), Hunter Gimbor (3rd), Pete Renda (1st), Lucas Reichard (4th), Adam Mackie (1st) and Cole Swackhamer (5th)

Thanks Again to Our Sponsors

Just another thank you to our sponsors who helped us raise money this year to purchase some new singlets and sweatshirts.  We recognized them yesterday at the tournament with a nice display made by the high school art department.  Shown next to the sign in the new Bullet sweatshirts are two freshman wrestlers Kyle Caskie and Hunter Gimbor.

It Takes a Village

Thanks to everyone who helped make yesterday's tournament a success!  From transferring the mats from the HS to MS, to running the snack stand, taking admissions, and scoring matches it takes an awful lot of volunteers to make a tournament run successfully.  Thanks to the Sports Boosters, our alumni, the elementary school wrestlers, trainers, parents and friends for coming out yesterday to help.

An Bullet Alumni wrestler, a team manager and a parent provide valuable table help!  Thanks guys.

Bullet Boast - Austin Weller

Welcome freshman, Austin Weller, to the Bullet high school team.  Austin is projected to wrestle at 120/126 lbs this year.  Read on to learn more about what motivates this wrestler.

Weller (in maroon shirt) working for a set-up.

Q: How many years have you been wrestling?

A. 9 years

Q: How did you get started wrestling?

A: My brother wrestled.

Q: What is your favorite wrestling memory or highlight?

A:   My favorite memory is when I pinned a kid to win a match.

Q: What is your favorite food in-season?

A:  Fruit

Q: What is your favorite food out of season?

A: Anything 

Q: What advice would you give elementary school wrestlers?

A: Keep with it!

Q: Why do you wrestle?  What do you like about wrestling?

A: I like winning.

Q. Do you have a goal for the season?

A.  My goal is to make the team.

Q.  Best word or phrase to describe Bullet Wrestling?

A.  POWER.

Rippey's Rankings

Four Bullet wrestlers made Brian Rippey's Berks Wrestling Rankings report today.

Dan Schmeck was ranked #3 at 132 lbs
Pete Renda was ranked #1 at 170 lbs
Adam Mackie was ranked #2 at 182 lbs
Colin Conrad was ranked #4 at 220 lbs

Congratulations to all the wrestlers.  Looking forward to seeing more Bullet wrestlers added as the season progresses.

Go Bullets
Aim High.

Rippey's Believe it or Not

Check out the Top Ten stories in Berks Wrestling this season, or at least according to Brian Rippey.  Click here to read the article in today's Reading Eagle >>> Berks Wrestling Preview

Bullet Boast - Cole Swackhamer

Today's featured wrestler is sophomore Cole Swackhamer.  Cole had been training hard at Garage Strength this preseason and is looking to do some good things this year on the mat.  Read more about Cole below.

Q: How many years have you been wrestling?

A. 9 years

Q: How did you get started wrestling?

A: My dad is an ex-wrestler.  He got me interested in wrestling through the Bullet Mat Club.

Q: What is your favorite wrestling memory or highlight?

A: Winning the Brandywine Elementary Tournament and the Schoolboy Tournament.

Q: What is your favorite food in-season?

A: Deerburger Helper

Q: What is your favorite food out of season?

A: Smoked Trout

Q: What advice would you give elementary school wrestlers?

A: Don't cut corners.

Q: Why do you wrestle?  What do you like about wrestling?
A: It requires dedication and perseverance.

Q. Do you have a goal for the season?
A. To takedown Pete

Sam's Corner - Brandywine Invitational Preview

With only a few days to go until the first match of the year, we caught up with head coach Sam Lovello to find out what we should expect from this first competition.

  

Open to the Public

The purpose of this blog spot is to provide news to and about our Bullet wrestlers, their coaches and fans!  The blog is written by a fan of Bullet wrestling and done with the best intentions to support our student-athletes.  Every attempt to be factual will be made.  Please be forgiving when human errors are made.  My goal is to post something new every day but we know that sometimes daily life often interferes with even the best intentions.  The first post was made on November 11, 2012 so please take some time to catch up on all the posts.   Enjoy the blog.

GO BULLETS
Aim High.

Bullet Boast - Lucas Reichard

Meet junior wrestler Lucas Reichard.  Lucas is coming off the soccer season where he played forward.  He is projected to wrestle at 120 lbs.  Reichard is hoping to do some damage this post season.

Lucas (in yellow), finishing a double leg.

Q: How many years have you been wrestling?

A. 10 years

Q: How did you get started wrestling?

A: I hated baseball.

Q: What is your favorite wrestling memory or highlight?

A: Just being on the high school team.

Q: What is your favorite food in-season?

A: Any fruit

Q: What is your favorite food out of season?

A: Anything

Q: What advice would you give elementary school wrestlers?

A: Get strong when you can.

Q: Why do you wrestle?  What do you like about wrestling?
A: Because I can, it's fun and I like winning!

Q: Do you have a goal for the season?

A:  My goal is to make it to districts.

Q.  What is the best word or phrase to describe Bullet Wrestling?
A.  Horsepower!

Early Pre-Season Conditioning

Bullet Boast - Dan Schmeck

Meet Dan Schmeck!  Dan is in his third season as a Bullet wrestler and brings a wealth of experience to the team.  Read on fans!

Q: Dan, how many years have you been wrestling?

A. 10 years

Q: How did you get started wrestling?

A: My dad was a wrestling coach.

Q: What is your favorite wrestling memory or highlight?

A: First home match my freshman year.

Q: What is your favorite food in-season?

A: Snickers

Q: What is your favorite food out of season?

A: Chocolate Milk Shakes

Q: What advice would you give elementary school wrestlers?

A: Have fun with the sport!

Q: Why do you wrestle?  What do you like about wrestling?

A:  It is an aggressive  sport.  I like how physical it is and I like the rewarding feeling.

Q.  Do you have a goal for the season?

A.  Yes, to place at States

Sam's Corner - Preview of the Season

Today Head Coach Sam Lovello gives us a little preview on what we can expect this season from our competition.  Listen up Bullet Fans!

Bullet Boast - Robert DeLong

Today we are highlighting freshman Robert DeLong. Read on to learn more about one of our new additions to the high school program.

Robert in top position

Q: How many years have you been wrestling?

A. 10 years

Q: How did you get started wrestling?

A: My brother, dad and uncle all wrestled.

Q: What is your favorite wrestling memory or highlight?

A: Beating Caskie!

Q: What is your favorite food in-season?

A: DEER

Q: What is your favorite food out of season?

A: McDonalds

Q: What advice would you give elementary school wrestlers?

A: Keep trying hard.

Q: Why do you wrestle?  What do you like about wrestling?
A: I find wrestling physical and demanding.  I like the feeling of beating someone.

Q: What is the Best Word or Phrase to describe Bullet Wrestling?

A: Interesting.

Word of the Day

Freshman Preview

We caught up with Coach Steve Adam today to learn about the new wrestlers in the room this year.  Watch the interview!

Too Early for Predictions?

How many Bullets will be Sectional Champions this year?  Last year we had 3 champs.

Bullets Going Hard

The Bullets' first week of practice has ended. Coaches Lovello and Adam are using this time to get guys get in shape for the Bullet Invitational, only 13 days off.  Brandywine has always put a strong emphasis on conditioning.  This year is no different. Hallway sprints and stair climbs test the wrestlers' will power. Push-ups, sit ups, drilling and live wrestling have become the daily grind . Nothing gets you in shape for wrestling like...well, wrestling.  They leave tired but not defeated. The veterans embrace the grind and keep an eye on the 6 newbies to see how they respond. The five freshmen and one new sophomore may feel the heat but none are daunted. Hard work and high expectations are nothing new for these guys. Check out the video of freshmen Hunter Gimbor and Kyle Caskie drilling hard and aiming high.

Grapple at the Garden

Great college wrestling coming to Madison Square Garden on December 16th. Check out this promo video. Anyone want to go?

Meet Dane Miller

Caught up with Dane Miller today. Dane is the owner and strength guru at Garage Strength in Ontelaunee Township, Reading, PA where the Bullet wrestlers have been training since last spring. The video gives us some insights into Dane's training mentality and how the wrestlers are progressing.

Bullets Getting Stronger

Many of our wrestlers have been training with Dane Miller at Garage Strength.  Some of them have been lifting since the season ended last year and every one of them is stronger for it.  Watch the video to see an example of the effort and commitment made this last summer.

Renda Heading to NC State

On Wednesday, November 14, 2012, senior wrestler Pete Renda made it official by signing a National Letter of Intent to attend North Carolina State University. The 170lb wrestler will be heading to Raleigh, NC to wrestle for Coach Pat Poppilizio. Click here to read more about decision in the Reading Eagle.

Bullet Invitational

COUNTDOWN CLOCK WIDGETS

Bullet Boast

This week we are highlighting senior wrestler Peter Renda.

How many years have you been wrestling?
I started wrestling when I was in first grade.  I went to an open gym and loved it!

What is your favorite wrestling move?
My favorite move is Russian tie.  It was hard to learn at first but now it is easy and I can score a lot of points with it.

What is some of your wrestling highlights?
Placing third at Super 32 this year.  Placing at states for 3 years in a row has been special.

What is your favorite food out of season?
I love cheeseburgers and french fries.

What is your favorite food in season?
In season I eat a lot of eggs and I love any fruit.

What advice would you give the elementary school wrestlers?
Get twice as good as you were last year...It is all about continuous improvement.

Any plans for next year?
Heading to NCSU to wrestle with Coach Poppolizio and major in engineering.

"You got anything else for us?"
Pack Mentality!

Langston Gets Win at Skip Kennedy

Chris Langston, senior 185 lbs in the blue Colorado singlet , wrestles first match of the year.

RECAP RAP

November 10, 2012

Skip Kennedy Memorial Wrestling Tournament, 

Schuylkill Valley High School

Renda garage shack jacked.

Waack was wacked.

Mauer hacked. Victory lacked.

Colin to the max.

Gimbor didn't wane, waxed.

Langston attacked.

Schmeck OT schmacked...later got backs.

Sessions Zached

Reichard packed

Cole Swacked

Kaskie class act

Mackie and others we lacked.

Most weights not stacked.

Though some were packed.

No eyes were blacked.

We have the knack.