Wildcats Roar Back and Claim D-6 Wrestling Title

cm-wrestlingALTOONA — It was the most competitive District 6 wrestling tournament in memory and both Altoona and Bellefonte took runs toward the top in the day-long Saturday event at the Altoona Field House. But by the time the final bout was completed, Central Mountain had done just enough to come from behind and claim the title by a three point margin over runner-up Altoona.

The Wildcats finished with 182 points, Altoona next with 179, Bellefonte finishing third with 166 points. Altoona crowned four champions but Central Mountain used its balance, placing 13 wrestlers between first and fifth place to eke out the win.

Central Mountain took its share of hits in the afternoon semifinal round. Of six wrestlers seeded to make the finals, only three advanced. But enough Wildcats clawed their way through the consolations to regain the lead early on in the final round and held off a late Altoona run for their seventh district crown in the last ten years.

The championship was not clinched until sophomore Tanner Riggle picked up a second period fall in his fifth place bout at 195 pounds. He pinned Bellefonte’s Brien McChesney in the second period, avenging a 3-0 loss in the team dual finals a month ago.

Many Wildcats contributed, led by senior Geo Barzona (34-2). The two-time state place-winner gained his second district title, breezing through the 113 pound weight class with a fall, a major decision and a forfeit. He moves onto next weekend’s Northwestern Regionals with a career mark of 120-32. His win total is good enough for sixth on the all-time Central Mountain list and a tenth place Clinton County tie with former Lock Haven High wrestler Steve Krouse and former Bald Eagle-Nittany wrestler Jeff Brinker.

Only the top four at each weight qualified for regionals. Nine Wildcats will make the return trip. In addition to Barzona, they are Seth Andrus, third at 126; Logan Long, fourth at 138; Colton Weaver, fourth at 145; Asher Corl, third at 152; Tanner Weaver, third at 160; Caleb Turner, second at 182; Mahlik Houtz, fourth at 220; and Richie Thompson, second at 285 pounds.

Four Wildcats finished fifth, one slot short of keeping their seasons alive. All their wins proved crucial to the team championship showing. In addition to Riggler, they were Johnny Shreffler at 106 pounds, Dalton Bechdel at 120 and Brandon Miller at 170.

In addition to the team title, the Wildcats returned home with multiple awards: head coach Biff Walizer, district coach of the year; head junior high coach Brett Kleckner, district junior high coach of the year; and the Wildcat staff of varsity assistants, the assistant district coaches of the year.

Dist. 6 AAA Quarterfinal Round
106 – Christian Fisher, Mifflin County, major dec. Johhny Shreffler, Central Mountain, 14-3.
113 – Geo Barzona, Central Mountain, pinned Dylan Benz, Altoona, 0:42.
120 – Derek Burk, Mifflin County, major dec. Dalton Bechdel, Central Mountain, 13-5.
126 – Seth Andrus, Central Mountain, pinned Mathew Hines, Hollidaysburg, 4:44.
132 – Cole Manley, Altoona, tech fall, Seth Reese, Central Mountain, 3:52 (22-6).
138 –Levi Hughes, P-O, dec. Logan Long, Central Mountain, 7-6.
145 – Colton Weaver, dec. Kobe Harr, Altoona, 5-3.
152 – Asher Corl, Central Mountain, major dec. Matt Shimmel, P-O, 9-1.
160 – Tanner Weaver, Central Mountain, major dec. Hunter Stoudnour, Altoona, 9-1.
170 – Brandon Miller, Central Mountain, pinned Zach Laue, Somerset, 1:01.
182 – Caleb Turner, Central Mountain, pinned Jeremy Reed, Altoona, 2:26.
195 – Tanner Riggle, Central Mountain, dec. Scout Kyper, Mifflin County, 6-5.
220 – Mahlik Houtz, Central Mountain, dec. Max Money, Bellefonte, 3-2.
285 – Richie Thompson, Central Mountain, received a bye.
District 6 AAA First Round Consolation
106 – Johnny Shreffler, Central Mountain, pinned Jared Giarth, Hollidaysburg, 1:20.
Dist. 6 AAA Semi-Final Round
113 – Geo Barzona, Central Mountain, major dec. Joey Taptic, Mifflin County, 14-4.
126 – Garrett Rigg, BEA pinned Seth Andrus, Central Mountain, 6:17 SV.
145 – Brock Port, Bellefonte, major dec. Colton Weaver, Central Mountain, 12-2.
152 – Austin Hemminger, Somerset, tech fall Asher Corl, Central Mountain, 2:16 (15-0).
160 – Ian Barr, State College, pinned Tanner Weaver, Central Mountain, 1:18.
170 – Austin Haubrick, Mifflin County, dec. Brandon Miller, Central Mountain, 3-1 SV.
182 – Caleb Turner, Central Mountain, dec. Mason McCready, Hollidaysburg, 3-2
195 – Parker McClellan, Altoona, pinned Tanner Riggle, Central Mountain, 2:18.
220 – Pete Hafner, Central Mountain, pinned Mahlik Houtz, Central Mountain, 0:49.
285 – Richie Thompson, Central Mountain, dec. Sean Irvin, Bellefonte, 2-0.
District 6 AAA Consolation Quarterfinals
106 – Johnny Shreffler, Central Mountain, major dec. Derek Talley, Somerset, 10-2.
120 – Dalton Bechdel, Central Mountain, received a bye.
132 – Cody Dively, Hollidaysburg, dec. Seth Reese, Central Mountain, 5-2.
138 – Logan Long, Central Mountain, Cameron Coppolo, Bellefonte, 5-2.
Dist. 6 AAA Consolation Semi-Final Round
106 – Clayton Leidy, State College, dec. Johnny Shreffler, Central Mountain, 5-1.
120 – Ryan Smith, Bellefonte, dec. Dalton Bechdel, Central Mountain, 2-0.
126 – Seth Andrus, Central Mountain, pinned Jordan Wagner, Altoona, 2:04.
138 – Logan Long, Central Mountain, pinned Quinn Cole, Somerset, 1:42.
145 – Colton Weaver, Central Mountain, major dec. Tristan Beauseigneur, P-O, 12-0.
152 – Asher Corl, Central Mountain, Aden Myers, Hollidaysburg, 5-1.
160 – Tanner Weaver, Central Mountain, pinned Lukas McClure, Bellefonte, 2:24.
170 – Dylan Bisel, BEA, dec. Brandon Miller, Central Mountain, 6-3.
195 – Agustus Dellinger, Hollidaysburg, dec. Tanner Riggle, Central Mountain, 2-1 OT RO.
220 – Mahlik Houtz, Central Mountain, dec. Jack Hause, Somerset, 9-5.
Dist. 6 AAA Championship Final
113 – Geo Barzona, Central Mountain, received a forfeit.
182 – Cole Urbas, State College, major dec. Caleb Turner, Central Mountain, 11-2.
285 – Hunter Gill, Hollidaysburg, dec. Richie Thompson, Central Mountain, 5-2.
Dist. 6 AAA Consolation Final for Third Place
126 – Seth Andrus, Central Mountain, dec. Adam Stover, State College, 7-1.
138 – Levi Hughes, P-O, dec. Logan Long, Central Mountain, 9-3.
145 – Dalton Long, Hollidaysburg, injury default Colton Weaver, Central Mountain.
152 – Asher Corl, Central Mountain, dec. Haden Boutiller, Altoona, 1-0.
160 – Tanner Weaver, Central Mountain, pinned Hunter Stoudour, Altoona, 2:37.
220 – Nate Simmers, Altoona, dec. Mahlik Houtz, Central Mountain, 3-1.
Dist. 6 AAA Consolation Final for Fifth Place
106 – Johnny Shreffler, Central Mountain received a forfeit.
120 – Dalton Bechdel, Central Mountain, major dec. Drew Jolene, BEA, 11-3.
170 – Brandon Miller, Central Mountain, pinned Kyle Taylor, P-O, 1:19.
195 – Tanner Riggle, Central Mountain, pinned Brian McChesney, Bellefonte, 1:26.
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