In a regular, season-ending match that featured seven forfeits, six bouts wrestled and three pins, Solanco fell short in a non-section clash with visiting Donegal, 37-33 Thursday, February 9th.

"We knew, between myself and the Donegal coach, that both teams were not a full strength due to illness and injury," said head coach Tony Mendez. "They knew they had to forfeit several of the lower weights and wee had forfeits at the upper weights. That left us with just six contested matches."

Solanco's Caden Rutt (106), Bradeon Bickford (113), Ayden Herr (120) and Paul Kocher (126) received forfeit wins in each of the first four bouts, pushing Solanco to quick 24-0 advantage.

The Indians got on board with a 14-1 major at 132 but Jared Fulton extended Solanco's advantage to 30-4 with the fastest fall of the night, a 50 second result over Austin Miller.

"Jared is 29-3 this season with 18 falls," pointed out Mendez.

The rest of the match, well all but one bout, went to Donegal. They earned a 3-1 decision at 145 when Landen Baughman edged Ben Williams, picked up a pair of falls at 152 and 160, and after Blaine Plastino's 4-0 decision at 172, received three straight forfeit wins to cap the scoring.

"Ben's match was tough," said Mendez. "He beat Baughman in a close 8-7 decision a few weeks ago. This time Donegal won off a 50/50 takedown in the third period that went their way."

Plastino scored a first period takedown and a second period reversal to get past Sergio Garcia, scoring Solanco's last team points of the match.

SWIMMING

Swimming independently, Solanco's Addie Scott opened post-season action by competing in the Lancaster-Lebanon League championships held at the Roy G. Snyder Natatorium in West Lawn. The two day event got underway Friday, February 10.

Scott opened action on Saturday morning, grabbing a first place finish in the 100 free with a 53.61, holding off Warwick senior Melanie Hahn (54.76) and Lampeter-Strasburg junior Zara Paisley (54.85). The Solanco senior improved her winning 100 free time from last year (52.98).

Three events later Scott was set to defend last year's winning 100 backstroke (1:00.37) but, despite lowering her time to 59.62, she settled for third place, following Lancaster Catholic sophomore Addison Elliott (58.16) and Garden Spot freshman Mia Parry (58.59).

GIRLS' BASKETBALL

Every season, win or lose, provides its challenges. Last year the girls' basketball team suffered a handful of different injuries and finished the season at 3-19. This year head coach Chad McDowell continued his battle with colon cancer but was often missing from the sideline. The girls, as their coach has always been, remained positive and continued to battle on the hardwoods under the guidance of interim head coach Jeff McCardell. They finished the season tied for fourth in Section Two (5-7) and sat at 8-14 overall.

Individually, Jenna Ehlers led the way with a 12.4 ppg scoring average. Arianna Seiberlich followed at 5.1. Ehlers also led with 20 blocked shots, 201 total rebounds and in shooting percentages. The senior canned 33% from three-point range, 44% from two, and was a 63% free throw shooter.

Paige Althouse was close behind in long range shooting, knocking down 42% while Sarah Landis followed in second place at the free throw line with 63%. She also, along with Kara Peace, hauled in 93 rebounds.

Peace led the assists category with 62, and followed Josie Janssen and Seiberlich, who led with 45 steals, with 42. Frances Northern took seven charges to lead that category.

As a team, Solanco shot 34% from two-point range, 25% from three and connected on 48-of-64 free throw attempts. They outrebounded their opponents by three and committed just one more turnover per game on the average.

"We need to shoot better, especially from the free throw line," said McCardell. "And I'm surprised the turnovers were that close. I was happy we were able to win the boards. Defensively, Kara and Sarah were asked to defend tough players without breaks."

INDOOR TRACK

In their last regular indoor meet of the season, 11 Solanco athletes qualified to compete at PTFCA Track Carnival in Lehigh.

"Anthony Solis-Morales finished fifth in the mile and Martha Weaver finished eighth in the shot put with a 1.5 inch PR," noted head coach Jen McDowell. "Katie Urbine also qualified for that meet but competed Thursday night at the Millrose Games in NY and finished second with a jump of 13-1.5.

"The state indoor meet is at the end of the month," she added.

Also competing at Lehigh was Riley Ford (60, 200), Sarah Bard (60), Maite Granja (high jump), Tucker Kylar (high jump) and Ford, Michael Bangura, Aidan Rutherford and Ian Althoff (4x200 relay).