Though they didn't display any nerves, the five Upper Perkiomen wrestlers making their home debut last week surely experienced some uneasiness, according to head coach Omar Porrata.

Aiden Zuelch, top, gains wrist control at 152 pounds. The Upper Perkiomen ninth grader defeated Kutztown's Huckleberry Kiffer to open the match

            "How could they not, performing under the bright lights for the first time," he said. "It's inevitable."

            Anxiety or not, two ninth graders delivered impressive performances to help the Indians win their initial dual match. Corbin Engle scored a fall and Aiden Zuelch added a victory in their 63-9 non-league victory over Kutztown on Friday, Dec. 5.

            The Tribe, which was awarded four forfeits, lost only two of seven contested bouts during the first of four scheduled home matches. Its starting lineup included four ninth graders and one 10th grader in his first season on the team. Porrata described the lineup construction as mostly by design.

            "I'm not uncomfortable with so many freshmen [on the mat]," the coach said.

            Zuelch started the match with his first career victory at 152 pounds. He held off Huckleberry Kiffer for a 9-6 victory.

            The Marlborough resident took an early 5-2 lead, then utilized a reversal in the second period to go ahead 7-2. Kiffer pulled within three points with less than 18 seconds remaining, but Zuelch avoided the potential match-tying takedown.

            Engle's second-period pin over Isaac Wood, at 145, to end the match, came on a reversal. He trailed 6-3 early in the period when he hit the decisive moves.

            "Corbin is a fighter," Porrata said. "He's tough as nails."

            Adam Gravinski (3-3) followed Zuelch at 160 pounds with a 12-9 loss to Zane Cherrie. Despite falling behind 6-3 early in the second period, the sophomore used an escape and a takedown to go ahead 7-6 midway through the third period.

            However, Cherrie rallied. The Cougars senior scored a reversal, then delivered the decisive near fall with 15 seconds remaining to earn the victory.

            "Adam started a little more conservative than I would have liked," Porrata said.

            Two of Upper Perkiomen's other ninth graders, Aiden Kramer (107 pounds) and Chase Ulmer (121), received forfeit wins. According to Porrata, the team's first-year wrestlers – including sophomore Carter Phillips, who stayed away from the sport for the last two seasons due to injury – are benefitting from the competition of their teammates and his system.

            The Tribe's more accomplished wrestlers dominated their matches. Ben Godshall (4-0) needed only 38 seconds to defeat John Andrews, a sophomore, at 133 pounds and move within five victories of 100.

            Zane Saeger (6-1) pinned Yadhiel DeJesus late in the first period at 172 pounds. Estrella Kubola (5-2) needed only 34 seconds to win his heavyweight bout. The junior pinned Royce Bitner after getting him down with a throw from a bear hug despite giving up nearly 40 pounds.

            "We told him not to do that," Porrata said. "But he's just having fun. Estrella is the most athletic guy on the team."

            Senior Drew Bennett (215) and junior Sean Murray (139) each won by forfeit for the Indians, who will compete in the Penn Manor Tournament this weekend.