Friday, December 25, 2009

BETHLEHEM HOLIDAY CLASSIC

The Bethlehem Holiday Wrestling Classic isn't exactly the Beast of the East Wrestling Tournament, but it is the beast of Lehigh Valley wrestling events.

The 28-team tournament, which includes perennial national power Blair Academy, is scheduled for Monday and Tuesday at Liberty High School's Memorial Gymnasium. Action starts at 10 a.m. Monday, with the finals set for approximately 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Freedom, Nazareth, Northampton and host Liberty of the Lehigh Valley Conference, and Colonial League contenders Pen Argyl and Saucon Valley are among the local teams in this year's tourney field.

Blair Academy, coached by Jeff Buxton, enters off of last weekend's team title at the Beast of the East in Newark, Del.

A couple miles up the road in Bethlehem, the 42nd Christmas City Wrestling Tournament will be held at Bethlehem Catholic High School.

Bangor, Notre Dame, Palisades, Pius X, Wilson and host Bethlehem Catholic will be among the 22 teams competing in the two-day event.

Wrestling begins at 10 a.m. Tuesday, with the finals expected to start sometime late Wednesday afternoon.

Easton, as usual, will compete in the 40th Manheim Holiday Tournament on Tuesday and Wednesday at Manheim Central High School. Action gets underway at 10 a.m. Tuesday.

The Red Rovers are one of 14 teams entered at Manheim.

Easton's No. 1 rival, Phillipsburg, is not involved in a holiday tournament this season. Instead, the Stateliners will wrestle two away matches on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

Phillipsburg meets Absegami and St. Augustine at Absegami on Tuesday, and Roxbury and Newton at Roxbury on Wednesday. The 'Liners are in action beginning at 11 a.m. Tuesday and 10 a.m. Wednesday.

The annual John Goles Tournament at Warren Hills Regional High School will be held Tuesday starting at 10 a.m.

Delaware Valley, North Hunterdon and host Warren Hills are among the schools in the John Goles field.

Belvidere, North Warren and Voorhees travel to Tuesday's Kittatinny Tournament at Kittatinny High School. Action begins at 9 a.m.

Hackettstown will take part in the Lenape Valley Tournament at Lenape Valley High School on Tuesday.

Hunterdon Central hosts the Hunterdon Central Invitational at the school's field house Tuesday.

Michael Blouse can be reached at 800-360-3601 or by e-mail at mblouse@express-times.com.

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