Photos courtesy of Diane Shannon

To the Next Step By David Rathfon

            The regional tournament is a make or break one-time deal. It is jam packed with emotions, including triumph, exhilaration, heartache, disappointment and anger. For those who went to this past weekend’s District 1 Regional Wrestling Tournament, held at Norristown High School, all of these emotions were prevalent. One minute you feel the thrill of victory, the next the pain of defeat. You can practically see the butterflies swarming over the nervous wrestlers. For some it can be too much. The tournament is the final stepping stone for the ultimate dream, to wrestle under the lights, and listen to the crowd of thousands roaring at the Giant Arena in Hershey, Pennsylvania. As many dedicated fans know, Pennsylvania is the toughest state in wrestling. They have a specific tournament called Dapper Dan, where the best wrestlers from Pennsylvania square off against the best wrestlers in the United States. To make it to the P.I.A.A. state tournament is a lifelong dream for most wrestlers.
            For two of Downingtown West’s wrestlers, the dream has finally come true. Robert Akers and Steve Rathfon both qualified for the state tournament, each taking 2nd place in the regional tournament.
            Akers, a senior co-captain at Downingtown West High School, has compiled a career record of 92-42 throughout his high school career. Not too bad, considering he only started wrestling in 7th grade at Downingtown Middle School, and as a freshman, his record was 3-22. The biggest difference since being a freshman, according to Rob is “twenty pounds and a whole lot of confidence”. When he started high school, his only goal was to make it to states. He is currently ranked 10th in the state by Pennsylvania Power Rankings. He earned his first sectional and district gold medals this year. He has beaten 38 wrestlers this year, while only losing to one; a tough wrestler by the name of Shane Leister, from Quakertown who has beaten him twice. Leister is currently standing strong at 3rd in the state rankings. In the finals, Akers lost the match 15-0. He’s not worried though, “Just getting to states was my goal, and I made it. Winning is every competitors goal, but you take it for what its worth and I am happy.” Speaking of next weekend’s tournament in Hershey, “I will do a lot better because I don’t have anything to lose. If I am good enough to be on the medal stand, believe me I will. If not, I still know I did the best I could”.
            Although Akers is a quick, light weight wrestler, the sport of wrestling is not his only passion. Akers plans on making a career in music. Very talented in singing, he plans on attending University of Hartford or Messiah College for their outstanding music programs.
            After states, Rob Akers plans on gaining at least twenty pounds. He can’t wait to eat at Hibachi Steakhouse, cook brilliant meals like Chicken Marsala and play poker with his friends.
            Steve Rathfon, a junior, has a record of 78-32. He, like Akers, earned his first Sectional and District championship titles over the past month. Rathfon jumped in front of a pack of tough wrestlers at the regional tournament. In his weight class, six wrestlers from district one were ranked in the state. Steve was not one of them. He beat two wrestlers who had previously beaten him this year. Earl Longstreth was ranked 14th in the state and Ed Geib was ranked 10th in the state. In the quarterfinals, Rathfon managed to pin Longstreth, who has beaten him twice. “I was shocked that I pinned him, but I went into the match knowing I would win”. Rathfon then squeaked out a 5-4 decision in the semi finals against Geib. Rathfon says he could have won Regionals, “I had the skill I just didn’t get it done”.
            “I am real excited to finally get to wrestle in states. I want to medal but I just wanna have fun. I am happy to make it, but not fully satisfied. I dream of gold”. Steve knows there is some pressure on him. After all, his older brother Jake Rathfon took second in the state in 2003.
            “If I win one match this year at states, I already have an advantage on Jake. All my life I have been following in his footsteps, but it’s my turn now”. This is referring to his brother Jake, who in his junior year qualified for states but did not win a match. Steve acknowledged his advantage, “My coaches are one of the reasons I was so successful. Cummings, Siegel, Breese, Koser, and deGaravilla all pushed me to get better. They laid out a game plan for me. All I need to do is execute”.
            Downingtown West wrestling team practices every day they don’t have a match. “Sunday practices aren’t physically challenging. The coaches just want to get me mentally prepared for my next match”.
            After states, Rathfon plans on relaxing for a couple of days. Then, he says, “It’s back to work. I need to work harder this off-season. If I don’t, I’m not going to get any better”. Along with wrestling, Rathfon enjoys playing rugby, hanging out with friends, eating food, and spending time with his family.

           Along with Akers and Rathfon, Mike Lukenda from Downingtown East High School will be taking the ride to Hershey. He placed 4th in regional tournament and it will be his second trip to the state tournament. Another local wrestler going to states is Corey Blake from Coatesville Area Senior High School. He took 2nd place. We wish our local superstars the best of luck in their quest for gold.

More photos by Diane Shannon are online