NORTHAMPTON - The Jim Thorpe wrestling team entered team duals Thursday with a chip on its shoulder.

A lot of people thought the Olympians would have trouble in their opening round Class 2A match with Catasauqua. Thorpe not only got by the Rough Riders, but they flattened their tires.

Riding the wave of seven pins in the opening match, No. 8 seed Jim Thorpe buried No. 9 seed Catty 48-27.

The victory earned the Olympians a slot opposite top-seed Saucon Valley, but the Olympians just could not match up with the powerful Panthers, falling 63-15.

The split accomplished what the Olympians had hoped for, however, as they will wrestle Saturday as part of the “Elite Eight” in District 11.

First Round

Jim Thorpe-Catasauqua

There were a number of highlights in the win. Jim Thorpe had plenty of muscle to take control early.

Bagging pins were Ethan Mordaunt (220), Austin Givens (126), Nick Fayocavitz (160), Andrew Eisenhardt (138), Caleb McDermott (152), Austin Williams (182) and Derek Hunter (285). Jared Newhall (170) and Gabe Heaney (113) also contributed decisions.

“We are not intimidated by anyone,” said Thorpe coach Shawn Albert after watching his team drive past Catty.

Albert was especially happy with his two veteran wrestlers — Williams and Mordaunt.

“Mordaunt and Williams are our captains, they’re seniors, they make wrestling a lifestyle. That’s why they had the success they had tonight, and throughout the whole year,” said Albert.

But the Jim Thorpe coach said the key to the victory was contributions from several other spots in the lineup.

“Andrew Eisenhardt, Austin Givens and Gabe Heaney really stepped up, those guys did a great job,” said Albert lauding some of the Olympians’ lesser known wrestlers.

Albert also was excited about the amount of bonus points the Olympians piled up.

“The only way you get bonus points is turn kids on the mat. We had seven guys able to do that and get pins, and that enabled us to take control of the match.”

Quarterfinals

Jim Thorpe-Saucon Valley

Despite the loss to Saucon Valley, there were some bright spots for Jim Thorpe.

“The guys I knew could battle battled,” said Albert. “Regardless of what the final numbers say on the scoreboard, our guys were not intimidated.”

The Panthers mounted an early charge, getting pins from Ty Csencsits, Dante Mahafffey and Matt Arciuolo for an 18-0 lead.

The Olympians’ Williams stopped the bleeding when he came up with a huge pin over Longerfred. Williams trailed 5-0, but quickly reversed the momentum and recorded a fall.

“We came here to wrestle and that’s exactly what we did,” said Albert.

SATURDAY ACTION ... Both Jim Thorpe and Saucon Valley will wrestle Saturday at Freedom High School. The Olympians will face Mahanoy Area in the consolation round, while the Panthers face Lehighton in the semifinals.

OFF THE CHARTS … Heaney, a freshman, came up with the most exciting win for the Olympians in the Catty bout. Locked in a scoreless stalemate, Heaney reversed his opponent with just eight second remaining for the win. Will Schwartz also registered a thriller in the Saucon Valley match as he scored a last second takedown over Nicholson in overtime.

PERFECT NIGHT ... Mordaunt and Williams both were 2-0 on the night.

Jim Thorpe 48, Catasauqua 21

106 - Jaryn Hartranft (C) dec. William Schwartz 7-0; 113 - Gabe Heaney (JT) dec. Cole Brown 2-0; 120 - Austin Brett (C) won by forfeit; 126 - Austin Givens (JT) pinned Dorian Hoagland in 1:08; 132 - Bradshaw Henning (C) won by forfeit; 138 - Andrew Eisenhardt (JT) pinned Benjamin Langsdorf in 1:23; 145 - Dylan Gino (C) pinned Alex Evans in 1:01; 152 - Caleb McDermott (JT) pinned Sebastian Henry in 5:29; 160 - Nick Fayocavitz (JT) pinned Brandon Norton in 2:40; 170 - Jared Newhall (JT) dec. Bradley Panto 8-1; 182 - Austin Williams (JT) pinned Donovan Gair in 1:14; 195 - Adam Reinhart (C) pinned Kendall Herron in 2:59; 220 - Ethan Mordaunt (JT) pinned Zachary Scheirer in :44; 285

- Derek Hunter (JT) pinned Lavonte Bouie in 3:26.

Saucon Valley 63, Jim Thorpe 15

152 - Ty Csencsits (SV) pinned Caleb McDermott in 2:18; 160 - Dante Mahaffey (SV) pinned Nick Fayocavitz in 2:45; 170 - Matt Arciuolo (SV) pinned Jared Newhall in 1:25; 182 - Austin Williams (JT) pinned Kyle Coronado in 1:04 195 - Dane Csencsits (SV) pinned Kendall Herron in 0:39; 220 - Ethan Mordaunt (JT) pinned Michael Sullivan in 1:09; 285 - Nick Warnke (SV) dec. Derek Hunter 3-1; 106 - Will Schwartz (JT) dec. Connor Nicholas 4-2 OT; 113 - Cael Markle (SV) pinned Gabe Heaney in 5:28; 120 - Kevin Dyer (SV) pinned Austin Givens in 1:10; 126 - Ryan Gilbert (SV) won by forfeit; 132 - Josh Jones (SV) pinned Andrew Eisenhardt in 1:16; 138 - Thomas Spirk (SV) pinned Antonio Lopez in :08; 145

- Nick Rosengrant (SV) pinned Ahmad Johnson in 2:28.