Abington Heights opened the wrestling season Saturday with five decisive victories to take the title in the Battle of Bethlehem Duals.
The Comets went 4-0, winning each match by at least 30 points, to finish first in their pool, then defeated host Bethlehem Freedom, 65-12, in the championship match.
Abington Heights finished seventh in the state in Class 3A last season after winning Lackawanna League Division 1 and District 2 titles.
Junior 145-pounder Austin Smith, sophomore 133-pounder Luke Evans and sophomore 160-/172-pounder Brian Heard each went 5-0 on the day with five pins, making quick work of their opponents.
Sam Stevens was 5-0 at 152 with four pins in 1:21 or less and a forfeit.
Caleb Marzolino, a junior who wrestled at 189 and 215, pinned two opponents, beat two others by technical fall and picked up a forfeit.
Junior John Gorrick also went 5-0.
Returning state medalist Luke Sirianni pinned opponents at 121 in all four matches in which he participated.
The Comets opened a 24-0 lead after four bouts in the championship match on consecutive pins at 139, 145, 152 and 160.
Aidan Ryan got it started, then Smith won by first-period pin, Stevens topped that by winning in 37 seconds and Heard took it a step further with a 26-second win.
Zachary Meckwood (215), Brady Kareha (114), Sirianni and Evans also had first-period pins. Marzolino finished his 15-0 technical fall at 189 with 16 seconds still remaining in the first period.
The pool victories by Abington Heights were 62-9 over Pleasant Valley, 57-15 over Bangor, 51-21 over Lansdale North Penn and 72-0 over Mariana Bracetti Academy.
