Normally, a midweek dual meet with East Stroudsburg South wouldn’t get a Northampton wrestling fan too hyped.

Indeed the 60-12 final score was unremarkable. However, Northampton’s lineup sent a ripple of excitement through the local wrestling community due to the additions of Alex Hanley and Makai Hubert.

Hanley won 31 matches as a freshman during the 2018-2019 season but had not seen the mat for the Konkrete Kids since that time. Hubert was a 5th place regional finisher in 2020 at heavyweight as a sophomore but did not wrestle last season.

Hanley provides experience and depth in the middle of the order. He slotted in as the Kids’ 138-pounder against the Cavaliers and delivered a first period fall in 1:17 after being up 10-1.

With Carson Czarnecki out for the rest of year, Hubert is even more valuable at the upper weights. He earned a first period pin in 1:53 at heavyweight, but also has the potential to wrestle at 215 if needed.

Head coach Seth Lisa sent the two seniors out for the opening coin flip and explained what their returns meant to the team.

“Absolutely outstanding to see those two guys back in our lineup,” he said. “Been a lot of difficult situations for them. So we’re really pleased to see them make this happen and get out there. For both of them to go out there and score some points for the team was great. They provide a lot of needed energy to our team. They were prepared, they made weight, they deserved to be out there.”

Seven other K-Kids posted falls against South. 120 – Austin Noe in 1:02. 126 - Devlin Chevere in 5:10. 132 – Aiden Micheli in 4:58. 145 – CJ Fritz in :38. 152 – Joey Confer in 3:11. 160 – Dagan Condomitti in 1:29. 172 - Rocky Cappolella in 3:56. Carson Wagner won by forfeit at 113.

Over the past weekend, the team competed at the prestigious Escape the Rock tournament at Council Rock South High School. Carson Wagner took home an 8th place medal at 113 pounds. Dagan Condomitti was runner-up at 152 pounds, losing in the final to two-time Ohio state champion and Ohio State commit Gavin Brown.

This is rivalry week for the K-Kids. The dual with Nazareth on Wednesday occurred too late for Press deadlines, but there will be coverage next week. On Saturday, Northampton travels to Easton. The Red Rovers are 11-1 on the season with their only loss coming against Nazareth.

The two teams are assessed to be very close in overall ability. Hanley and Hubert could be the wild cards that put the Kids over the top.