Tri-Valley head wrestling coach Dave Boltz, third from left, celebrates with family and friends after posting the 250th dual-meet victory of his career by downing Columbia-Montour Vo-Tech on Tuesday night in the Bulldogs' gym. (Photo by Bob Lipsky)

Boltz records 250th coaching victory

HEGINS — Tri-Valley’s wrestling community gathered Tuesday for a special night, an historic night. A celebration — from start to finish.

Opening with Senior Night, continuing with a sharp, 60-5, non-league boys’ wrestling victory over Columbia-Montour Vo-Tech and concluding with a career milestone, the celebration in the Bulldogs’ gym extended well after the final whistle.

That milestone went to head coach Dave Boltz, who posted the 250th dual-meet victory of his 23-year career at Tri-Valley.

“There’s been a lot of good years, a lot of fun years, especially this one. It’s been a really fun year,” Boltz said. “We started with that crew in ’03-’04. We started off with a great crew, all the way through, always had great kids, great parents, a lot of support.

“I love the sport, and I love working with the kids,” Boltz added. “I love running practice, showing moves.”

For the first 15 seasons, Boltz and Ty Rothermel worked together as co-head coaches at Tri-Valley. In Boltz’s tenure, he has guided the Dawgs to 17 winning seasons (including seven 15-win seasons), seven Schuylkill League division titles (two in Division I, five in Division II) and the Schuylkill League Tournament team title in 2012. During a four-year run from 2009-13, Tri-Valley went 64-19.

He has had 52 state qualifiers and 20 state medalists, including PIAA champions Brock Troutman (2004) and Dan Scheib (2018).

This season, Tri-Valley posted a 17-5 record, won the Schuylkill League Division II championship and finished second at the District 11 Class AA Team Wrestling Championships to qualify for state team duals for the first time in school history. The Dawgs became just the second Schuylkill League team to qualify for state team duals, joining the 2009 Blue Mountain squad.

On this night, the Dawgs simply overwhelmed CMVT (8-13) by winning at 12-of-13 weights.

Senior Owen Wolfgang (32-7) set the tone by earning a 10-6 decision over CMVT freshman star Ryan Milheim (26-2) at 107 pounds. Wolfgang won a scramble for the first takedown, then turned Milheim twice for back points and an 8-2 lead after one period. Milheim responded with three reversals and some tough riding, but Wolfgang refused to get turned for near-fall points. He added another two-point near fall in the third period to put the match away.

Fellow seniors Garett Leitzel (121), Jaxson Bruso (133), Max Masser (189) and Kyle Bowman (215) added victories for the Dawgs. Bruso, Masser and Bowman scored pins while Leitzel defeated Christopher Getz by technical fall, 17-2 in 2:10.

Easton Moore (114), Liam Yourey (145) and Hunter Updegrave (172) posted falls for Tri-Valley as well.

Landon Horoschak (139) scored a reversal and four near-fall points late to defeat Anthony Albertson by major decision, 11-3. Brock Bossler (127) made two takedowns stand up in an 8-3 decision over Carter Billings, and Robert Schwartz (152) won a wild, 20-14 decision over Hunter English. Schwartz compiled two takedowns, four sets of back points and two reversals in his win.

“A good handful of them have come a really long way,” Boltz said. “Some of their technique is starting to look really good at the right time with districts and regionals (coming up). We work really well together. We all get along. It’s been a great group. It’s been a fun year.”

Tri-Valley 60, Col-Mon Vo-Tech 5

107 — Wolfgang (TV) dec. Milheim, 10-6

114 — Moore (TV) pinned Hess, :59

121 — G. Leitzel (TV) tech. fall Getz, 17-2, 2:10

127 — Bossler (TV) dec. Billings, 8-3

133 — Bruso (TV) pinned Moyer, 1:50

139 — Horoschak (TV) maj. dec. Albertson, 11-3

145 — Yourey (TV) pinned Zimmerman, 2:39*

152 — R. Schwartz (TV) dec. English, 20-14

160 — P. Hatter (TV) won by forfeit

172 — Updegrave (TV) pinned Golomb, :34

189 — Masser (TV) pinned Jones, 1:00

215 — Bowman (TV) pinned Dennes, :14

285 — Benjamin (CMVT) pinned Keeth, 2:15

*CMVT had one team point deducted for unsportsmanlike conduct.