Wildcat Balance Leads to Top Hat Crown

WILLIAMSPORT – The Central Mountain wrestling team was runner-up in four different tournaments a year ago. This year’s veteran squad made a vow to move up one notch in each of those events, beginning with the Tom Best Memorial Top Hat tournament.

Consider goal number one accomplished as the evenly balanced Wildcats got team points from 13 of 14 participants, placing 12 in all in romping to the Top Hat title. When the action ended Saturday evening Central Mountain took the championship with 174 points, Line Mountain a distant second with 145.

“Just before the last round, I reminded the team that last year we went a whopping 1-9,” said CM head coach, Biff Walizer, “That’s a rough one to go home with and tonight we went 6-3 in the final round to go home with a team title.”

Getting as many members of the team on the medal stand at a tournament speaks well of their training and attitude which is something of a tradition for the Wildcat squad at the Top Hat. This year, Central Mountain had 12 of the 14 entrants place 8th or higher.

“I think we had 11 placers last year,” commented Walizer, “We bumped that up by one, though I let some of the guys know they could have been a little higher in the placing of the individual brackets if they wanted,” added Walizer, always encouraging his squad to reach higher.

It’s always good to shake off the rust for the returning lettermen and get a first look at the new underclassmen joining the lineup. The season opener in Billtown is a great barometer for coaches to get a feel for where they are and where more work may be needed. Even though the Wildcats had great success at the tournament, much more work is ahead to prepare for the season.

“This tournament is about getting out to compete, so we as a staff can see where we are and know what we need to work on,” said Walizer of the opportunity to compete at the Top Hat.

The Wildcats led from start to finish in placing 12 wrestlers from first to eighth place, led by 2-time state place-winner Geo Barzona (4-0) who took the crown at 120 pounds with a 3-2 victory over Wyatt Lutz of Montoursville in the finals.

Central Mountain’s second finalist Seth Andrus (3-1) fell short in his title quest at 126, falling by a 6-3 score to Cole Hauck of Line Mountain.

Other Wildcat placers and their records: Johnny Shreffler (3-2), seventh at 106; Cody Coleman (4-2), fourth at 113; Logan Long (4-3), sixth at 138; Colton Weaver (2-3), eighth at 145; Asher Corl (3-2), fifth at 152; Brandon Miller (2-3), eighth at 160; Tanner Weaver (5-1), third at 170; Caleb Turner (4-2), fifth at 182; Mahlik Houtz (4-2), fifth at 220; and Richie Thompson (4-2), fifth at 285.

Long led the team in falls with four straight racked up in the wrestle-backs after he had lost his first bout Friday night.

Bald Eagle Area finished in sixth place, paced by a title from Garrett Rigg, a 3-2 win over Brian Earlston of Line Mountain. The Eagles had two runners-up in Seth Koleno at 138 and Gage McClenahan at 145. Defending champion Jersey Shore settled for 16th place this year.

Even though the Wildcats have a nifty trophy for their efforts, they won’t have long to savor the accolades. The Wildcats start dual meet action next Wednesday at Selinsgrove before hosting their King of the Mountain tournament next Friday and Saturday.

“It’s a real test for our young guys to see that type of competition coming this week. It’s the stuff that prepares them for the post season,” said Walizer.

Championship Finals 1st Place
120 – Geo Barzona, Central Mountain, dec. Wyatt Lutz, Montoursville, 3-2.
126 – Cole Hauck, Line Mountain, dec. Seth Andrus, 6-3.

Championship Finals 3rd Place
113 – Isaac Crowell, Fort Le Boeuf, dec. Cody Coleman, Central Mountain, 5-4.
170 – Tanner Weaver, Central Mountain, dec. Jared Kula, Fort Le Boeuf, 3-0.

Championship Finals 5th Place
138 – Braden Stahlnecker, Hughesville, dec. Logan Long, Central Mountain, 5-1.
152 – Asher Corl, Central Mountain, dec. Hunter Wright, Clearfield, 3-2.
182 – Caleb Turner, Central Mountain, dec. David Rich Elizabethtown, 5-0.
220 – Mahlik Houtz, Central Mountain, dec. Gus Dillinger, Hollidaysburg, 9-5.
285 – Richard Thompson, Central Mountain, pinned Dalton Tubbs, Montoursville, 4:18.