In its 42 years of operation, Abbot Brian Clarke Gym has hosted many highly anticipated sporting events, but perhaps none bigger than the Delbarton vs. Blair Academy wrestling showdown on January 30, 2025. The Green Wave entered Thursday boasting an impressive 21-2 team record, with their only losses coming against top-10 programs in the country. Blair Academy ranked No. 8 nationally—three spots behind No. 5 Delbarton—was the slight underdog. Yet, Blair’s perennial powerhouse status and its undefeated record against Delbarton gave them every reason to feel confident in the face of adversity. Delbarton, reigning 2023-2024 Non-Public Group A state champions, had no intention of allowing history to repeat itself.
By 6:30 p.m., Delbarton’s gym buzzed with unquenchable fervor. Adrenaline, anticipation, and awe filled the building as nearly 1,000 spectators took in the scene, preparing to witness the best high school wrestling had to offer. Complete with concessions, security, an in-house DJ, and strobe lights, the gym temporarily resembled a professional arena. Moments later, Mr. Conn’s electrifying performance of the Star-Spangled Banner, capped by Delbarton’s iconic “Home of the Wave” ending, ignited a frenzy in the student section.
The match began convincingly for the Green Wave as sophomore PJ Terranova (106) secured an 8-2 decision over Edward George, giving Delbarton an early 3-0 lead. Cameron Sontz (113) extended the advantage to 6-0 with a hard-fought 5-4 decision against Michael Batista in a highly anticipated bout. However, Blair quickly regained momentum when Iowa commit Leo DeLuca (120) dominated Tommy Marchetti with a 20-3 technical fall.
Blair continued to apply pressure at 126 pounds, as Vincenzo Anello earned a 13-3 major decision over Braden Jones, putting Blair ahead 9-6. Delbarton responded at 132 pounds with Ryan DeGeorge’s commanding 7-1 decision over Ellis Kirsch, tying the team score at 9-9. The Green Wave’s rally was short-lived, though, as Blair’s Richard (Weston) Borgers edged out Delbarton senior and Lehigh commit Chase Quenault in a tight 11-10 decision, pushing Blair back in front 12-9.
At 144 pounds, Delbarton reclaimed the lead when Nicholas Schwartz dominated Vedwin Nivaz in a 14-2 major decision, making it 13-12 Green Wave. Delbarton gained further separation at 157 pounds, where No. 1-ranked Jayden James, a future Virginia Tech Hokie, pinned Ryan Meier in just 1:33. The victory marked James’ 100th career win and extended Delbarton’s lead to 19-12.
Blair immediately struck back as Joseph Schinder pinned Cole Jasinkiewicz in just 8 seconds, cutting the deficit to 19-18. Delbarton answered with a dominant performance from highly touted Alessio Perentin (165), who overpowered Benjamin Koch with a 23-4 technical fall, increasing the lead to 24-18.
Blair refused to back down, as Barry Norman Jr. (175) delivered a 20-5 technical fall over Jesse DeNegri, bringing the team score to 24-23. The Bucs took the lead once again at 190 pounds when William Henckel pinned Brody Ismael, marking the fourth lead change of the night and putting Blair ahead 29-24 with two bouts remaining.
At 215 pounds, Delbarton’s Elbrus Majagah controlled the majority of his match against MJ Scialla, setting the stage for a crucial result. As time wound down, Majagah appeared to play cautiously, making eye contact with his coaches for reassurance. In the closing seconds, Scialla executed a last-ditch move, nearly securing a dramatic pin. Majagah narrowly avoided disaster, holding on for the victory and ensuring that the fate of the match rested in the hands of Delbarton’s rising heavyweight, August Moser.
After 13 bouts, Blair held a 29-27 lead. For the fourth consecutive year, the match would be decided by the heavyweights. It was do-or-die for August Moser. For a brief moment, the gym fell silent as everyone grasped what was at stake. Then, the lights cut out. A single spotlight illuminated the mat as Moser stepped forward, walking out to the bout of his life. “Who Let the Dogs Out?” blared over the deafening roar of the crowd.
At 9 a.m. on Thursday morning, over 100 Delbarton seniors lined up outside the Athletics Office, desperate to secure a coveted ticket for the 7 p.m. match. By lunch, 800 tickets were gone, and a waitlist of 70 had formed. Anyone lucky enough to gain entry knew they weren’t just attending a wrestling match—they were securing a seat to history. Each takedown, reversal, and near fall had led to this moment. Every fan understood what was at stake—a heavyweight victory meant that August Moser and the night of January 30, 2025, would be etched into Delbarton history forever.
As the bout began, the Delbarton mosh pit erupted, chanting Moser’s name in rhythmic unison. Despite the sea of lost voices and ringing ears, Delbarton’s student section only grew louder, filling the gym with chants of “Auggie Doggie!”
After a scoreless first period, Kellas took a 1-0 lead late in the second. But then, with two minutes left, Moser exploded—executing a spin move to secure a three-point takedown, flipping the momentum entirely. In the third period, Kellas desperately searched for a takedown to tie the match. Moser’s head scraped against the mat as he struggled to break free. For a moment, it looked like Kellas had him. The crowd gasped.
Suddenly, Moser summoned every ounce of adrenaline and tenacity he had. Before Kellas could be awarded points, Moser forced his head free and powered out, sending the student section into complete pandemonium.
With a 7-2 decision, August Moser completed the comeback, permanently rewriting history. He made the sign of the cross and looked to the heavens as Delbarton’s gym transformed into a mobbing mania of ecstasy and euphoria. Moser leaped into the sea of students and was hoisted into the air, his name echoing through the gym in the loudest chant of the night.
Delbarton 30, Blair 29.
I spoke with Moser about his performance and how he managed to stay calm under such immense pressure. Moser shared, “Before and during the match, [I] was praying repeatedly, putting my mind into a tranquil state.” I also asked about the impact of the fans and student body, curious about how their energy helped him overcome the challenges he faced. He credited the fans, saying they “[gave] me the energy that I needed in those last seconds to score.”
