By Melissa Yerkov
Times Sports Editor
he North Catholic High School wrestling team is no stranger to taking down its competitors.
Last year, the Falcons brought home the Philadelphia Catholic League championship trophy after defeating longtime rival La Salle High School. They finished the season 17-0, claiming the 13th league wrestling title in school history.
Now they have even more motivation.
Over the next few months, the more the Falcons hurt their opponents, the more they help the community — thanks to a unique fund-raiser with a competitive twist.
The first North Catholic wrestling Take-Down-a-Thon allows people to sponsor a specific North Catholic wrestler, or the entire team, and pledge an amount of money for each takedown they score throughout the current season, which runs from December through March.
At the conclusion of the season, the person will multiply the total number of takedowns by the amount they pledged. All money raised will be donated to breast-cancer research.
“We’re always thinking about community-service ideas. This is something fun that the kids can do that could have a positive impact on our area,” said coach Jim Savage, who has captured six Catholic League crowns since taking over the team eight years ago. “The kids are always competitive about pins and takedowns, so why don’t we use their motivation to raise some money for a good cause?”
“It gives us a chance to give back to other people, while we’re still challenging each other,” added Kevin Mallon, a senior who had 55 takedowns last season.
Those wishing to donate may sponsor as many wrestlers as they wish, or even the entire team.
And if you’re looking for a helpful hint regarding which wrestler you should bet on, look no further than the Falcons’ ferocious five.
Veterans Brett Vanvater, TJ Van Horn, Matt Dugan, Shane Rand and Mallon are all expected to tally up some big numbers on the mats this season. They’ve been competing side by side their entire lives — some even starting as young as kindergarten — and it’s all been building up to this.
“It’s the team. We grew up our whole lives wrestling together, or sometimes against each other,” said Mallon. “This is it. You do it for your team and you do it for your coaches.”
The Falcons’ boss, Savage, is no stranger to the discipline and dedication needed to survive in the pit. He wrestled with North Catholic for four years before graduating in 1992, then joined the staff as assistant coach in the 1997-98 season. He took over as head coach two years later.
“These wrestlers work really hard,” said Savage, who has dropped only two playoff matches during his tenure as coach.
The fearless Falcons train year-round in preparation for the vigorous Catholic League competition. During their constant practices and training, they test one another’s endurance, strength and capabilities.
Sometimes it’s good. Sometimes it’s bad.
And it’s usually very ugly.
But you don’t win 13 championship titles by taking it easy. And you certainly can’t win them alone.
“These guys are my motivation,” said Rand, who had 42 takedowns last season. “You push each other until you can’t push anymore. If I feel like I have nothing left, and I look over to the bench, and you see the guys you grew up with, you can push extra for them.”
This season, the Falcons could possibly go even further because of their enrollment in the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA).
“Our goal is to win a district championship, make it to the state playoffs and take as many individuals into the individual state tournament as possible,” said a confident Savage.
And, of course, the more success they score on the mats, the more people they help off them.
“Everyone has been in some way or another affected by breast cancer, or any type of cancer,” said Rand, whose mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. “So it helps us push for something that is meaningful.” ••
For more information about the North Catholic wrestling Take-Down-a-Thon or to sponsor an athlete, call the coaches’ office at 215-831-5246 or e-mail thesav150@aol.com
Sports editor Melissa Yerkov can be reached at 215-354-3035 or myerkov@phillynews.com