The Whitehall wrestling team is rounding into shape, placing first at a recent tournament, and winning another match as they gear up for the postseason.

The Zephs fared well at the Lackawanna Trail Invitational wrestling tournament last Saturday, capturing first place with 206 points, easily outdistancing second-place finisher Valley View High School who ended with 161.

Head coach Tim Cunningham said the team had four wrestlers who claimed the top spot, with Matt Bonshak, Brad Schuler, Nico Kauffman and Fouad Haddad winning their respective weight classes. Finishing second were Adel Sharif, Tyler Schaeffer, You Te Chen and Tyler Bridgwood, while Robert Tully and Shiwalla Singh finished third.

Bonshak pinned his opponent in the finals, locking up G.A.R.'s Jamaar Taylor in 0:29. Schuler also registered a fall, decking Nanticoke High School's Michael Colasti in 3:13. Both Haddad and Kauffman earned decisions, with Kauffman scoring a 6-0 win over Dalton Hogle from Blue Ridge High School, while Haddad upended Elk Lake High School wrestler Isaiah Ofalt, 4-1.

It was another step in the continual growth of a team that's picking up steam as the season gets rolling toward the postseason. Cunningham said that everyone is sharing the load, and they're all making contributions, a case made evident by having 10 wrestlers place at the LTI tourney.

"We are starting to wrestle better as a team overall and the each guy is doing their part to help the team win," said Cunningham. "We are battling to win the close matches and we are avoiding too many bonus points and we are getting bonus points from our top guns."

In a match that had its share of falls as well as close decisions, the Zephs dropped their neighbors from the north, Pocono Mountain West, 42-25 during action last week.

It was the Zephs third win in a row and gets them moving in the right direction as they have one more Lehigh Valley Conference match to go before tournament season begins.

The Zephs got things rolling as Robert Tully scored a 17-0 technical fall over Joe Parrona 17-0. Bonshak then earned a tough decision over Elias Borrero 6-4, while Brad Shuler (W) pinned Joseph Knoell in 1:36.

Those wins were followed by Haddad's continued success at 195, this time defeating Mario LaMonica 6-2. He has been one of the cornerstones of the Zephs upper weights, allowing them to reel off consecutive wins.

Also winning his match against the Panthers was Tyler Bridgwood who posted a decision against Dishon Springer, 6-5. Heavyweight Edguardo Rivera had another win, this time earning a major decision over Ezekiel Gutierrez 12-2.

The Zephs then finished with a flourish as You Te Chen pinned Colby Scavello in 1:57, while Matt Schuler decked R.J. Haughton in 1:59.

Their ability to win the tight bouts has helped fuel their recent streak. It's a matter of implementing what they learn and drill every day.

"Winning close matches all come down to staying fundamentally sound throughout the match and frustrating your opponent to force them to make mistakes." said Cunningham. "We are working a lot on hand fighting and inside control with heavy hands on our opponent to wear them out by the third period. If we get our guys to win the hand fighting they will win the neutral position."

The Zephs bring the right attitude every time they step on the mat and that has been another solid building block.

"Everyday they walk in the room we preach work harder and smarter than your opponent and try to learn and get better everyday." said Cunningham. "Most of the guys are buying into what it takes to become a better wrestler and improve on a daily basis and if each individual gets better the team gets better as a result of their improvement."