Iron Man
by Cate Murway
“Try to be best
‘Cause you’re only a man
And a man’s gotta learn to take it”
Grappling refers to the gripping, handling and controlling of an opponent without the use of striking. Typically this is accomplished through various holds [principally used to control the opponent], choke holds [often used to force submissions in mixed martial art competitions], and counters to various hold attempts. Apparently, No Holds Barred!
From about the age of 4 ½ years, Patrick Daniel Sabatini, Jr., BHS ‘09 has progressed steadily and rapidly in standards, displaying awesome techniques and a spirit that belies his years. No tears, disputes or tantrums, which is a credit to him, his coach and his parents for instilling the true spirit of competition. He is simply a fighter who exemplifies the sport as an exciting, colorful, viable contest. Patrick is a picture of cardio-vascular ability, flexibility and suppleness, balance, co-ordination and core strength. The secret lies in the mind and heart; not in the hands, making the power of the whole body fit inside every inch. Most meaningful and vital moments, the moments of truth, are those in which the head and heart and muscle are intensely integrated in disciplined action.
“Try to believe
Though the going gets rough
That you gotta hang tough to make it
History repeats itself
Try and you’ll succeed”
Patrick shares his birthday with Brooklyn, N.Y. born Louis Jude [Lou] Ferrigno, American bodybuilder and actor, who was only 21 when he won his first Mr. Universe title, a Guinness Book record that stands to this day. Bruce Lee, named TIME Magazine’s “100 Most Important People of the Century” as one of the most influential martial artists of the 20th century, was born the same month.
Patrick clearly states, he “owes everything to his mom and dad and his coach”. His strong attitude exudes noble discipline and resiliency, passion and vigor, and an unrelenting, unlimited ambition. Patrick is an ingenious strategist who maximizes his potential with his no compromises, no-nonsense demeanor.
His parents, N.J. born cement mason Local #592 Patrick Daniel Sabatini, Sr., CEC ’79, North Ward Councilman, CEC Coach and ice hockey player and 3d generation florist at Fink’s Flowers and Gifts on Route13, Lori Jean [Fink] CEC ‘81/BCCC met at the Grundy Recreation Center. Lori was the original “snack bar girl” at the Grundy Ice Skating Rink where Pat, Sr. played ice hockey from the age of 9. They and his sister, math loving Sabrina Ann, born on St. Patrick’s Day, who thinks her brother, “must be really tough” are truly supportive of his devotion to all elements of total fitness, muscular strength and endurance, cardiovascular endurance, and flexibility. His cheering section includes his grandparents, Levittown residents Pasquale “Babe”, BHS class of ‘60 & Anne Sabatini, Delhaas ‘59 and WWII Air Force veteran, Alfred A. Fink, Trenton High School’ 42 and Gloria [Lombardo], St. Ann School, who reside on Radcliffe Street. His great-grandparents, Emidio [Mike] & Katherine [Kate] Sabatini were Washington Street residents and Concetta & Rocco Lombardo emigrated from Italy.
Patrick has played indoor ice hockey since he was only 3 years old and concedes that “the balance I learned from my dad in ice hockey helps in judo, karate, boxing, kick-boxing, grappling and take-downs… ..learned everything on the ice”. Patrick was the team mascot for his father, the coach, and he would assist in getting the team ready.
They heard about World Karate Hall of Fame Master Thomas McGonigle and the Bristol Karate Club on Beaver Street from their cousin, BCTHS English teacher Daniel J. Sabatini, CEC ‘86/Villanova ‘91/NYU MFA/Temple M.Ed., who told them, “If you really want to learn the sport, that’s where you need to go.” Patrick fell in love with the sport and he shared, “Myself was projected in everything I did”. He said the forms were fun and he enjoyed punching in place. “I liked the sparring!”, he admits with a smile.
Black belt in MMA and Tang Su Do, Patrick is a model blueprint for acquiring a strong and efficient body and the highest possible level of physical fitness, as well as developing a mastery of martial arts. His training partner at the gym, competiton coach purple belt John Pond, Sr., BHS ’83 effused accolades, “Patrick is very respectful, hard training with an excellent attitude; an all around great kid!” John was actively searching for athletes interested in competing and Patrick was the “first one to step up.” According to John, Patrick’s next competition is a UFC [Ultimate Fighting Challenge] “cage fight” in an octagonal caged enclosure this weekend in New York. He is currently working on securing sponsorship for Patrick through “Warrior Wear”, the new leader in MMA [Mixed Martial Arts] Fight & Workout Gear.
Patrick is constantly testing his moves, style, and art to fully understand the reality and function of his skills. He just “trained and trained, went out at the right time, achieved and felt unbelievable!” Patrick has earned his Purple Belt with a recognition stripe in Jiu Jitsu, the "gentle/yielding/compliant art" of the Japanese martial art whose central ethos [philosophy] is to yield to the force provided by an opponent's attack in order to apply counter techniques. He adamantly states, “I never underestimate anyone, never toy with people.” His rewards are earned - not just given with time. They are based on performance. Martial arts is meant to compliment your life and it affects him “mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually”. He maintains a self-declared “big mental and emotional drive” and he “can never get bored.” Patrick trained for 10 years before ever competing.
Grappling returns to Wildwood! Patrick’s idea of a fun vacation this summer was the 8th NAGA “Battle of the Beach” Submission Tournament in Wildwood, New Jersey. Two days that featured 250 Gi and no-Gi divisions at the brand new 7000 seat Wildwood Convention Center. He came home with 2 Silver Medals after his 6 matches; 4 of which he’d won tapping the opponents out (submission- by tapping or a verbal conscious admittance of loss or surrender to an opponent).
He dedicated the red sword that he won at the 2006 World Championship Battle at the Beach to the late T.C. Moffitt in the memorial for him in the gym. Through his teaching and that of other mentor coaches, Patrick learned not only karate, but also crucial life lessons, such as the importance of balance. This is reflected by his belief that martial art training is as much about training the spirit, as it is the body. Instead of complexity of form, there is simplicity of expression.
“Ah you gotta be proud
starin’ out in the cloud
When the odds in the game defy you
Fight ‘til the end
Cause your life will depend
On the strength that you have inside you”
Distinquished Honor student Patrick, 9th in his class, is Nationally Ranked 1st in NO-GI [no holds, just the body line] and GI [uniform] Teen Intermediate Fly Weight.
He learned valuable lessons quickly from Boxe-Française Savate (pronounced “sa-vat”) boxing, [French for "old boot", the heavy footwear that used to be worn during fights]. This is a French martial art started in the late eighteenth century which uses both the hands and feet as weapons and combines elements of western boxing with efficient, graceful kicking techniques. He was knocked out in the first round, kicked in the head, and suffered a concussion. Pat claims it was the best thing that ever happened to him, “I learned to keep my hand up a little higher”, he laughed. The “savateur” primed for 3 months of basic training and won through inventive techniques, not by brute force alone, earning his “red gloves”, representing the first phase of technical training. Silver gloves (gant d'argent), colors indicate a fighter's level of proficiency, is the highest grade attainable by examination . Patrick trains with the style in mind, winning the fight with an understanding of angles, timing and psychology rather than sheer force. Regular sparring lends a noticeable edge to fitness and teaches self-confidence and physical awareness. He never falters for an instant in his sole/soul purpose since a weak spirit will result in a disharmonic form, or will express a poor technique. This would reveal a lack of energetic control, discipline, form, technique, and theory, and he could no longer be master of himself. A black belt is nothing more than a belt that goes around your waist. BEING a black belt is a state of mind and attitude.
“Try to believe
Though the going gets rough
That you gotta hang tough to make it.
Never doubt that you’re the one
And you can have your dreams!”
His wrestling team captain and partner, Terence Francis McGovern, Jr., BHS ’08 confirmed, “Patrick is by far the most hard working, intense kid. At Districts he barely lost, staying with a kid who was ranked 3rd or 4th in the State!” Terry feels they will do even better this year and that last year was one of the best ever!
Patrick was named to the Honorable mention wrestling Bucks County Courier Times Golden Team frosh year [119#] & sophomore year [125#], as well as B.A.L. Champ and All-League. He was listed in the starting lineup for Winter 2006-2007, coming off a very impressive 19-9 season.
“Try your best to win them all
and one day time will tell
when you’re the one that’s standing there
you’ll reach the final bell!”
His extraordinarily strong body, his hands, feet and body being the tools of his trade, match his extraordinarily strong will. He exhibits a brilliant mind and a magnetic personality, portraying rare courage and honesty. He is extremely forthright and direct. Patrick adheres to a vegetarian diet; never ate “a McDonald’s. “The body should be left pure!” His favorite food is his mom’s crab cakes, sushi, tuna, swordfish and salmon. He enjoys listening to the band, Black Sabbath. His favorite film is the five Academy Awards winning “Braveheart” (1995), the historical action/drama movie produced and directed by Mel Gibson.
Pat enjoys difficult pursuits that challenge him to excel. He has an agenda that he wants to fulfill, and he refuses to settle for anything less than the best. His goal is to open his own chain of gyms, “here in Bristol because that’s where I started”.
This self-confident, focused and resourceful “Iron Man” too, has a “Braveheart”!
“Nothing’s gonna ever keep you down
You’re the Best! Around!
Nothing’s gonna ever keep you down
You’re the Best!”
[“You're The Best” lyrics by Joe "Bean" Esposito in “The Karate Kid”]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Iron Man is Prom King!
Pat Sabatini (138.3) def Andrew Aucott (133)
by submission via kimura at 1:04 of round three
Running the Warriors is “Heart” Work
by Cate Murway
“One must learn, as an individual, that humility and unity with the mind, body and soul make up the basic principals of the system.” www.warriormartialarts.org
A common question that parents “wrestle” with is what age is best to enroll their children in martial arts. Early childhood martial arts training [children as young as the age of four are usually accepted, as it is also a good way to hone fine motor skills] should not be viewed as mere “street proofing”. It is a serious forum for training that will definitely boost their self-confidence, increase their awareness of dangerous situations, and instill social skills and values that are absent from much of today’s society. Unfortunately, old-fashioned values like respect and self-discipline seem to have been forgotten, replaced by the dreaded “bling bling” pop culture of today.
Discipline starts with Day 1. Step on the mat and bow to the master. The foundation is set for how to use the sport:
“anything they learn on the mat, stays in the building”.
As a new student, the first lesson learned is respect. The beginner is soon to realize that the attitude, in the class and out must be one of love and respect, and not of violence or aggression. A great deal of time is devoted to teaching values, skills, and self-defense in terms and in ways in which young children can relate. Arising from a place deep within, the instructors sustain their spirit, crystallize their value and express their desire to be of cutting-edge service in a safe and secure environment with their gift of teaching and encouraging others.
How on earth can acts of violence teach your child anything worthwhile? Fact is, martial arts training is based on non-violence. The beauty of learning martial arts is that it encompasses not just the physical aspect of the “sport”, but mental and emotional lessons as well. The true brilliance of the martial arts lies in what they add to the human experience. Martial Arts is ideal for children who do not do well in team sports, giving them the ability to flourish in this activity, while combining physical and mental practices. Children with special needs, such as ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), learning difficulties and hyperactivity are often recommended to participate in martial arts for kids because of the clear benefits in its structured training techniques. The arts help build character. The “karate kids” learn that obstacles are what you trip over when you take your eyes off your goal and that with small beginnings, come great things!
Academic achievement is emphasized. A great report card merits a patch to wear on their gi. School is just as important as training! Another new and innovative way to enthuse and excite their students is the SWAT [Special Winning Attitude Team] patch.
“In the final analysis it is not what you do for your children but what you have taught them to do for themselves that will make them successful human beings”.
Ann Landers [1918-2002], columnist
Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full contact, powerful and precise combat sport in which a wide variety of fighting techniques are used, including both striking and grappling. One of the earliest forms of widespread unarmed combat sports with minimal rules was Greek pankration, unarmed hand-to-hand combat resembling modern MMA. Mixed martial arts gained significant international exposure and widespread publicity in the U.S. in 1993, when Royce [pronounced Hoyce] Gracie, professional MMA fighter and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner, won the first Ultimate Fighting Championship, sparking a revolution in the martial arts.
MMA is safe for anyone knowing “left from right”, of any age, with varying levels of competitiveness; the curriculum reflects the diverse needs of children at different ages. To “fully grasp” the true positive rewards of this art form, you can expect your child to improve in concentration, self discipline and self control. Keep your expectations realistic and your child will enjoy a long and rewarding journey, experiencing the true art and brilliance of the world of martial arts. Adult students can improve their health, well-being and stamina and reduce stress levels. Unshakable self-respect, increased strength and fitness in both body and mind and fearless self-confidence are targeted results. Additionally, one learns to continually strive for refinement and perfection through repetition; and with patience, one learns self-control.
“Champions are made while no one is watching.” - Unknown
Master Thomas McGonigle, T.C. Moffett and the Bristol Karate Club left intense memories. The gym closed, and the kids were crying and had no place to go!
Designing and achieving a dream requires being filled with a love and passion for the achievement of that dream. The two families, the Sabatini family [Patrick Daniel Sr., CEC ’79, North Ward Councilman and Lori Jean [Fink] CEC ‘81] and Jean Tessier, (Jules Ephraim) Mastbaum Technical H.S./BCCC and John Pond, Sr., BHS ‘83 sat down over pizza and made the decision to get together “to put them back on the mat”.
Jean and Lori give the “extra personal touch”, including “Band-Aids” on the boo-boos!
Naga World Champion, Black Belt Master Patrick Daniel Sabatini, Jr., BHS ’09, named to the Honorable mention wrestling Bucks County Courier Times Golden Team frosh year [119#], sophomore year [125#], junior year [135#] as well as B.A.L. Champ and All-League is living his dream. His qualifications include a Purple belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, 1st degree black belt Tang Soo Do and grand mastership in warrior combative systems. A black belt is nothing more than a belt that goes around your waist. BEING a black belt is a state of mind and attitude.
From Pat’s Bristol Pilot “Children are our Future” article last August,
“Pat enjoys difficult pursuits that challenge him to excel. He has an agenda that he wants to fulfill, and he refuses to settle for anything less than the best. His goal is to open his own chain of gyms, ‘here in Bristol because that’s where I started’.”
The instructors are firm yet polite, informative when explaining new skills, and persuasive when teaching the more esoteric aspects of their art and they are all the best role models! They show wisdom, talent, knowledge, respect, humility and most of all, character. They offer “open mat” time from 4:00-5:30 p.m. to help their students with anything from technique, to help with homework. They promote healthy lifestyle and fitness with encouragement, insight, humor, and structure.
Station 50 Bristol Consolidated Volunteer fireman Joseph Pond, Sr. BHS ‘02/BCCC, [wife- Amy Nicole [Franzen], Bensalem ‘01 and 3-year old son, Joseph Pond, Jr.] is the nephew of John Pond. Joe is an accomplished 1st degree black belt in the traditional Korean martial art of Tang Soo Do and earned his 4th stripe blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. John earned his Purple belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and is a 2 stripe brown belt in the warrior combative systems. Elevator contractor, Karl Graber, BHS ’86, who could strike with the best strikers, grapple with the best grapplers and his endurance is second to none, is the chief MMA instructor. His qualifications include a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and red glove in Boxe-Française Savate (pronounced “sa-vat”) boxing. Phyllis Naopi, BHS ‘82 is the amazing cardio kickboxing instructor and Ramona Maiolino, who also teaches in NYC and has 20 years of experience, teaches the Tai Chi classes.
The “Warrior Martial Arts” family is so excited about their team wins at the 2008 NAGA World Championship on Sunday April 6th! The hard working team [3rd place in the nation] brought home 19 medals- 8 gold, 9 silver and 3 bronze! MMA instructor Graber’s sons, Karl Graber Jr., won no gi boys novice 80-89 lbs, 2nd place & gi boys novice, 3rd place; and Kyle Graber, won no gi boys beginner 50-59 lbs, 2nd place & gi boys beginner, 1st place.
There is always an “open window policy” with kids peering in the window, as well as the adults. Never has there been a business that has more love or more heart!
Every day is an open house- come on in! Experience a free week of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Many parents opt to join a martial arts training program themselves, making it a great bonding experience for the entire family.
The parents are “ecstatic” with the program.
Linda Michelle [Nycum], Pennsbury ’91 and Raymond James Studley, Jr., Pennsbury class of ’87 confirmed that their children are “more focused at school and at home and are much more respectful.” They are proud of their accomplishments.
Twelve year old Anthony [Tony], won no gi boys beginner 70-79lbs, 3rd place & gi boys beginner, 2nd place; and 9-year old, Stephanie won no gi girls beginner 60-69lbs, 2nd place.
Andrew John Monach, Pennsbury ‘98 agrees that the coaching team is “top notch” as he watches his 7-year old nephew, Chandler and his 11-year old niece, Shauni’s class.
Shauni Marnian won no gi girls beginner 90-99 lbs 1st place, and gi girls beginner, 1st place.
Victoria Alexis is only 9 but she was being bullied! Her parents, Christine [Cagnetti] and Mark Edward Frazer, Neshaminy ’88 grads took her to “The Warriors” to learn self defense. They “Love it! It’s great! Victoria stands her ground and doesn’t come home crying!” Victoria won gi girls beginner 50-59 lbs, 1st place.
Gym Instructors are Patrick Sabatini, John Pond, Joe Pond , Joe Goslin and Karl Graber.
If you're ready to take your strength and fitness training to the extreme, then look no further! The “kids are back on the mat”!
Warrior Martial Arts
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu / Judo/ Savate
Cardio kickboxing/ Tai
Yoga coming end of May!
1130 Beaver St, 1st Floor
Bristol PA 19007
215-785-2636
Would you like your business spotlighted?
e-mail; vjmrun@yahoo.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sabatini aiming to end Bristol's state drought
December 31, 2008
Bucks County Courier Times
Pat Sabatini is trying to make history at Bristol.
Sabatini, a senior, is looking to become the school's first wrestler to reach 100 career victories. And, he's hoping to be the first wrestler from the school to qualify for the PIAA Class AA tournament since 1990.
"I definitely want to break that 100-win mark," he said. "And getting to states is another goal. It's been a long time."
Sabatini is having a good season. He's 9-1, with his only loss to William Tennent's undefeated Zac Bush. He won the 140-pound title at Saturday's Ridley Christmas Classic.
A four-year varsity wrestler, he has 75 career wins. He went 28-6 as a junior, but saw his postseason hopes end at the District One tournament when he suffered a defensive pin in a bout that he was leading by 10 points.
"You learn from your mistakes," he said.
Coach Enrique Velez describes Sabatini as a smart wrestler who will use last year's district loss as motivation for this season. He was dominant from the top position at the tournament at Ridley, pinning his first two opponents and decisioning Central Bucks South's Ricky Seybolt in the final.
"I'd like to see him go to states. I think he can do it," said Velez, who coached Tony Bono to the PIAA tournament back in 1990.
If Sabatini, or any Bristol wrestler, were to qualify for states, it would be a major accomplishment for a program that struggles to fill all 14 weight classes. Football, basketball and baseball rule at Bristol, but Sabatini thinks the wrestling team holds its own.
"We're a small school, but pound for pound, we're very successful," he said.
Sabatini, 18, has liked wrestling since he joined the team at Bristol Junior High in seventh grade, but it is not his first love. That would be mixed martial arts and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Since age 4, he has trained in those fighting disciplines. He has won three North American Grappling Association world championships, where winners are determined by decision or submission.
Sabatini thinks the athleticism of mixed martial arts helps him as a wrestler, but there is a down side.
"It's second nature to me to throw submission holds when I'm on the mat," he said of wrestling, which, of course, prohibits such moves.
John Pond and the Sabatini family own Warrior Martial Arts, located on Beaver Street in Bristol. Sabatini is an instructor at the school and would like to pursue a pro career in mixed martial arts.
Next year, Sabatini plans to attend college, perhaps Rider University, where he would join the wrestling team and major in business.
Vollrath looking dominant
Council Rock South senior 152-pounder Jim Vollrath is off to a nice start, winning titles at the tough King of the Mountain Tournament and Bethlehem Holiday Classic and earning his 100th career victory.
Just the Facts
Waring's Top 5
1. Council Rock North (3-4)
2. Council Rock South (2-3)
3. Pennsbury (14-7)
4. Neshaminy (0-1)
5. Harry S Truman (10-9)
Matches to watch
Council Rock South will compete in Saturday's Easton Invitational. The Golden Hawks face Pleasant Valley, Easton and Blair Academy (N.J.), the nation's premier program.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bristol's Sabatini earns 100th career win
By: ANDREW HOLLAND Bucks County Courier Times
February 15, 2009
The Warriors' senior was named the tournament's outstanding wrestler.
ERDENHEIM - Bristol senior Pat Sabatini pumped his fist with an uncharacteristic enthusiasm after pinning New Hope-Solebury's Beau Schwantes to take first place in the 140-pound weight class at the Bicentennial Athletic League wrestling tournament at Phil-Mont Christian Academy on Saturday.
And how could you blame him?
Along with winning first place at the tournament, the victory marked the 100th of Sabatini's career at Bristol High School.
"(Pat's) the kind of kid that doesn't show a lot of emotion, so it's kind of hard to get a read on him sometimes," Bristol coach Mike Mullins said. "But I could tell by his demeanor today that he was really satisfied and felt good about it."
As he walked out of the circle, Sabatini smiled as he met his family and friends on the side to celebrate the moment that seemed almost too poetic to be true. He stood there taking congratulations from everyone that passed him, but struggled to come up the words to justify the significance of what had just happened.
"It's just unbelievable," Sabatini said. "With the first-place victory coming at the same time as the 100 wins, it really just added to the emotion of the moment. And to be able to celebrate it with my teammates just makes it that much better."
If those accolades weren't enough for Sabatini, the coaches also voted him as the most outstanding wrestler of the tournament.
"It really couldn't have happened to a better kid," Mullins said. "With the amount of time he spends preparing and the hard work that he's put in. You really can't say enough about him, he's really earned it."
While Sabatini captured the majority of the individual spotlight on the day, the team that took home the title of tournament champions, as well as the coach of the year award, was New Hope-Solebury. Irv Miller's Lions compiled 207 points, compared to 196.5 for runner-up Lower Moreland.
Bicentennial Athletic League Tournament
Team scores
1. New Hope-Solebury 207; 2. Lower Moreland 196.5; 3. Delco Christian Academy 147, 4. Bristol 140; 5. Phil-Mont Christian Academy 101, 6. Girard College 22.
Championships
103 pounds: David Cramp (Bristol) dec. Isaac Moore (Delco Christian), 14-9
112: Frank Gould (Lower Moreland) dec. Dylan Clark (Bristol), 4-0
119: Tim Yu (Lower Moreland) dec. Ethan Bravo (New Hope), 5-1
125: Andrew Mermelstein (Lower Moreland) pinned Anthony LaRocca (Delco Christian), 2:53
130: Dan Gelman (Lower Moreland) pinned Mike Pohlman (Delco Christian), 2:49
135: Devon Voorhees (New Hope) pinned Dom Scirrotto (Lower Moreland), 1:58
140: Pat Sabatini (Bristol) pinned Beau Schwantes (New Hope), 2:37
145: Wes O'Brien (Delco Christian) pinned Tom Kelley (Bristol), 1:38
152: Logan Cawley (New Hope) dec. Jared Epstein (Lower Moreland), 9-4
160: Tom Villareale (New Hope) pinned John Founds (Lower Moreland), 5:44
171: David DeFelice (Phil-Mont) dec. Eric Barnhart (New Hope), 14-5
189: Tyler Hendricks (New Hope) dec. Alex Avellino (Phil-Mont), 5-2
215: Tyler Bliss (Bristol) pinned Chris Warden (New Hope), 1:05
285: Will Meyerle (Bristol) pinned Matt Hladchuk (Lower Moreland), 0:35
Third-place bouts
112: Frank Gould (Lower Moreland) dec. Dylan Clark (Bristol), 4-0
130: Tom Hische (New Hope) pinned George Bernhard (Phil-Mont), 2:17
135: Nick Connelly (Delco Christian) dec. Nahir Francis (Phil-Mont), 13-2
140: Rashan Chanyothi (Lower Moreland) tech. fall Mark McLaughlin (Delco Christian), 12-0
145: Tom Cutner (Lower Moreland) pinned Ryan Moss (New Hope), 3:02
152: John Lozowski (Phil-Mont) pinned Sean Ellsworth (Delco Christian), 2:51
160: Stephen Langford (Delco Christian) pinned Shawn Perez (Girard), 2:48
171: Colin McGovern (Bristol) dec. Manny Collazo (Lower Moreland), 3-2
189: Steven Pepe (Bristol) pinned Alex Reimold (Lower Moreland), 0:25
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Posted on Wed, Feb 18, 2009
Sabatini most outstanding
By Steve Sherman, BucksLocalNews.com sports editor
Bristol senior Pat Sabatini became the first wrestler ever to reach 100 career wins yesterday (Feb. 14) in the Bicentennial Athletic League (BAL) Championships.
The 140-pounder did it in dramatic fashion, pinning New Hope-Solebury's Beau Schwantes to take first place in the BAL wrestling tournament at Phil-Mont Christian Academy.
Along with winning first place in the tourney, Sabatini was also named the BAL's Most Outstanding Wrestler.
Three other Warriors earned BAL crowns including Dave Cramp, who took a first place trophy at 103 pounds with a 14-9 decision over DelCo's Isaac Moore.
Bristol also ruled the heavyweight classes, taking top prizes at 215 and 285 pounds. First, Tyler Bliss pinned New Hope 215-pounder Chris Warden in 1:05. Then, Will Meyerle pinned Lower Moreland heavyweight Matt Hladchuk.
Winning third place bouts for Bristol were Colin McGovern (171), who won a close decision over Lower Moreland's Manny Collazo and Steven Pepe, who pinned LM 189-pounder Alex Reimold in 25 seconds.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Posted on Tue, Mar. 3, 2009
Choking competition
GENERALLY, OUR High & Inside page is reserved for off-the-cuff sports stories on a national scale. But sometimes "off the cuff" resides right in our own backyard.
Meet Bristol resident Patrick Sabatini Jr., an 18-year-old high school senior who loves anything and everything that involves grappling. Recently, Sabatini became the only wrestler in the history of Bristol High School to post 100 wins (103-19).
Impressive, yes, but what makes Sabatini H&I-worthy is that along with becoming one of the best to wear a Bristol uniform, he also is fully entrenched in Mixed Martial Arts, boasting a 3-1 amateur record, competing against fighters as much as 5 years older and 10 pounds heavier.
"My first sport was hockey, but I had a real short attention span, so my dad thought I'd benefit from martial arts," Sabatini said. "I just fell in love with it and fell in love with competing . . . but what made me realize this was when I was supposed to compete against this kid at this comp called 'Combat in the Cage' [in Newark, Del.]. At the last minute, he backed out and they paired me up with this guy that was 24 years old and 10 pounds heavier than me. The officials really wanted me to reconsider, but I thought to myself, 'I didn't just drive all this way not to fight.' "
The result: A then-17-year-old Sabatini beat his opponent into submission - literally - in 53 seconds. "It was a rear-naked choke," Sabatini said. "I'll never forget it."
Today, Sabatini owns and operates the Warrior Martial Arts studio in Bristol with partner and former instructor John Pond. Meanwhile, Sabatini is considering Rider for its business program that he says will help him become more involved in the business side of his, well, business.
"Sure, I teach and train there, but John handles the finance part," Sabatini said. "I like Rider because they have always had a great wrestling and business program, so hopefully I'll learn how to have more of a hands-on approach."
A recordholder, rising MMA talent and future mogul? Yeah, he's definitely H&I-worthy.
- Kerith Gabriel
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Alfred A. Fink
Posted: Friday, June 29, 2012 4:00 am
Alfred A. Fink of Bristol passed away on Thursday, June 28, 2012,
at his home. He was 88.
Born in Trenton, N.J., son of the late Hermann and Ann Fink,
he has been a Bristol resident for 56 years.
Mr. Fink was a U.S. Army veteran, serving in World War II.
He was the owner of Fink Flower and Gifts in Bristol Borough since 1956.
He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed spending time with his family.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Gloria (Lombardo) Fink; loving father of Lori Sabatini and her husband, Pat, and was the devoted grandfather of Patrick Sabatini and Sabrina Sabatini.
He was preceded in death by his siblings, Albert and Herman Fink and Mary Eardley.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Funeral Service on Monday, July 2, 2012 at 11 a.m. at the Wade Funeral Home, 1002 Radcliffe Street, Bristol Borough. www.wadefh.com. Interment will be held privately.
Friends may call Monday morning from 10 to 11 a.m.
Condolences may be sent to the Web site listed below. Wade Funeral Home, Bristol Borough info@wadefh.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gloria Fink passed away on Tuesday, November 25, 2014 at Aria Health, Bucks County.
She was 89. Born in Bristol, daughter of the late Rocco and Concetta Lombardo ,
she resided in Bristol Borough until moving to Bristol Township in 1976.
Mrs. Fink, along with her late husband, were owners of Fink Florist and Gifts in Bristol
and also were proprietors of The Seascape Motel and Kittatinny Hotel,
both in Seaside Park, NJ.
She along with her dear friends of 83 years, Laura Spaddacino, Mary Cugasi,
and Mary Pierro, were members of the 4 Aces Card Club.
Mrs. Fink enjoyed cooking and baking, but most especially enjoyed spending time with her family.
Wife of the late Alfred A. Fink, she will be sadly missed by her loving daughter, Lori Fink Sabatini and her husband, Pat, her 2 grandchildren, Patrick and Sabrina Sabatini , her niece, Denise Cattani and nephews, Steve Nepa and his wife, Renee and Peter Nepa and his wife, Rose. Mrs. Fink was predeceased by her 2 sisters, Anita Nepa and Eva Carr. The family would like to thank Deborah Heart and Lung Hospital for their many years of care.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Funeral Service on Tuesday, December 2, 2014, 11:00am at the Wade Funeral Home, 1002 Radcliffe Street, Bristol Borough. Interment, private. Friends may call Tuesday morning 9:30am until time of service.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[May 21, 1912 - October 12, 2007]
Mary E. Eardley, 95, of Lawrenceville, died Friday October 12th in the Capital Health System at Fuld.
Born in Trenton, she had resided in Lawrenceville for fifty years.
Mrs. Eardley was a former floral designer with Hermann Fink & Sons Florists formerly of Trenton.
Daughter of the late Hermann and Ann Clay Fink, sister of the late Albert Fink and his wife Emily and Herman Fink, mother of the late John R. ( Jack ) Eardley, and wife of the late Frank J. Eardley, she is survived by her grandchildren Katrina and John R. Eardley, Jr., a brother Alfred A. Fink and his wife Gloria. Also surviving are a sister-in-law Dolly Fink and many nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held on Friday October 19th at 11 AM in the Greenwood Cemetery in Hamilton.
Arrangements are under the direction of Poulson & Van Hise Funeral Directors, Lawrenceville.
