D.J. McIlvaine has all the physical skills to make a deep post-season run for Upper Perkiomen's wrestling team, according to interim head coach Jake Engle. But occasionally, McIlvaine needs to find the proper motivation.

        "If D.J. can get himself in the right mindset, he would become an animal," Engle said. "But he needs to find that drive. I have not been able to find that button in him to push. When D.J.'s head is right, he is a high-quality wrestler."

        Engle described McIlvaine, who won just nine matches during his sophomore season, as especially active on his feet. "By next year, when D.J. fills out physically, he should really be able to make some real noise in the post-season."

        McIlvaine has set the goal of reaching the regional tournament. "Anything farther than that would be great," he said.

        Against Pope John Paul II, the junior showed that determination. McIlvaine (18-11) needed less than a minute to score the decisive victory at 145 pounds for the Indians over Pope John Paul II. His 47-second pin over Mike Schmitt, in the match's penultimate bout, clinched the team's 48-28 victory in the Pioneer Athletic Conference.

        "I was relaxed," said McIlvaine, who utilized a cradle to beat Schmitt and help Upper Perkiomen (4-0 PAC, 7-5 overall) remain undefeated and in first place in the conference's Frontier Division standings. "I try not to psyche myself out."

        McIlvaine was looking to redeem himself following a last-second loss against Upper Merion on Jan. 28. Five days later, against the visiting Panthers, he got that chance with the outcome in the balance.

        Mickey Hopkins (170 pounds), Jared Kuhns (113), Jarek Svanson (130) each posted pins for the Indians, who rallied from a 19-12 deficit. Senior Mike Mogudno (220), and freshmen Mike Milkowich (106) and Gavin Marks (120) were awarded forfeit victories to help their team hold off a late charge.

        Pope John Paul II pulled within 30-28 after the 132-pound match. But Svanson's one-minute fall extended their lead to 36-28, and McIlvaine's victory ended the suspense.

        Upper Perkiomen is scheduled to complete its dual meeting schedule on Feb. 8 on the road against Pottstown. For the second straight year, Boyertown will host the conference championships on Saturday, Feb. 18.