Zurn-Bush tourney on Saturday

BY KEVIN WOODRUFF

On Saturday, the Elk Lake Warriors will again defend their crown in the 25th annual Zurn-Bush Memorial Wrestling Tournament.

The event is named for Kirk Zurn and Thomas Bush, both teachers and wrestling coaches at Elk Lake, who were killed in an accident in 1985 while replacing a roof. The school’s annual holiday wrestling tournament was renamed in their memory in 1986.

Elk Lake is returning after winning the tournament last January defeating Nanticoke in the finals, 55,24, and has reached the finals of the event for the past six years.

The Warriors last lost the tournament in 2006 in the championship round to Lackawanna Trail.

This year’s Zurn-Bush tournament features seven teams, but will switch up the format to a round-robin style tournament.

According to athletic director Tony Blaisure, the event will also be cut from two gymnasiums to one, with all the wrestling action taking place in the elementary gym.

Teams involved in the tournament are Elk Lake, Susquehanna, Nanticoke, Valley View, Lake-Lehman, Sayre and Blue Ridge.

Wrestling kicks off at 9 a.m. on Saturday with weigh-ins being conducted from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.

The Warrior team, of coach Wes Warner, enter the tournament after finishing up last season with District II Class AA semifinal finish. The Warriors return Devin Fiorentino (140), who finished fifth at Kiwanis this year, along with Derrick Smith (130), and Frank Delesky (112).

“Of course, Elk Lake will look to defend its title from last year,” Blaisure said.

Admission will be charged at the door with prices set at $4 for adults and $2 for students. Refreshments will be available.