Wildcats Take Top Hat Team Title; Simcox and Serafini Champions

WILLIAMSPORT, PA- The Central Mountain Wildcat wrestling team used a 6 for 6 performance in the championship semifinals to propel them to capturing the team title at the annual Tom Best Memorial Wrestling Tournament. 

Aiden Kunes (127), Luke Simcox (145), Griffin Walizer (152), Jacob Weaver (172), Rocco Serafini (215) and Giovanni Tarantella (285) all advanced into the championship finals. The six finalist were double the next team with three and they held a 26 point lead heading into the finals. The Wildcats finished with 213 points, way ahead of second place Saucon Valley with 177 points. The Wildcats did this even without junior standout Dalton Perry who was out of the lineup while nursing a hand injury. 

Simcox and Serafini came away with titles for the Wildcats, as top seeded Simcox won an 8-0 major decision over Evan Petrovich of Connellsville in the 145 pound final. Second seeded Serafini came away with a 12-4 major decision over top seeded Carter Chamberlain of Clearfield in the final at 215 pounds. 

Kunes, Walizer, Weaver and Tarantella all fell in the championship finals. Freshman Kunes dropped a 6-1 decision to second seeded Aiden Grogg of Saucon Valley in the final at 127, as Grogg was a sixth place finisher in Class AA states last season. Top seeded Walizer dropped a tough 3-1 decision to second seeded Mason Bartvitske of Southern Columbia in the 152 final. Both wrestlers placed fifth in the PIAA state tournament last season. Walizer in Class AAA and Barvitske in Class AA. 

Weaver fell by a 7-3 score to top seeded Brian Chamberlain of The Phelps School in the final at 172 pounds. Chamberlain was state champion in the private school state tournament last season while wrestling for Malvern Prep. Top seeded Tarantella got himself caught in the 285 pound final and was pinned by second seeded Ayden Wysocki of Southwestern. Wysocki was tournament runner-up in the 2022 tournament. 

Other place winners for the Wildcats were freshmen Gavin Heverly who recorded a fall to win the 7th place bout and finish 3-2 in the tournament. Hunter Donley also placed 7th, as we won a 12-0 major decision to finish the tournament with a 5-2 mark. Bryce Brungard also posted a 5-2 mark in the tournament, as he won by medical forfeit in the 189 pound 5th place match. Brungard posted four falls in his five wins. 

The other nine wrestlers who made it back to day two failed to win place finishes, but still turned in a strong performance. Luke Garman (114), Caden Stoner (114), Jaggar Pardoe (121), Patrick Tarantella (133), Carnell Noone (145), Luke Annanea (16), Jacob Nyman (172), Wyatt Kramer (189) and Nicholas Lose (215) all wrestled well but did not place. 

Garman, Pardoe, Noone, Nyman and Kramer all came one win away from placing in the top 8 at their respective weight class. All nine of the non-placers combined to win 21 matches and record 10 falls and one major decision amongst their wins.

“Being able to bring all 18 wrestlers back to the second day and then going 6 for 6 in the semi finals really propelled us towards the tournament team title. As they say, it was a total team effort, as the other three guys who placed and then the ones who did not place all provided valuable team points. We had five guys who just came up one win short of placing, so to have almost 14 of 18 wrestlers place shows how good of a team effort it was”, stated Head Coach Biff Walizer after receiving the teal title trophy. 

Tucker Hogan of Daniel Boone won the outstanding wrestler award, as he breezed the the 189 pound title with three tech falls and a major decision enroute to the title. Hogan, defending PIAA state champion at 189, is a 2024 signee to wrestle at Lock Haven University next season. 

The Wildcats will get into dual meet action next week, as they will host the Jersey Shore Bulldogs on Tuesday night and then the Huskies of Mifflin County will come to Central Mountain on Thursday evening.

107

• Champ. Round 1 – Gavin Heverly (Central Mountain Hs) 35-3 received a bye () (Bye)
• Champ. Round 2 – Gavin Heverly (Central Mountain Hs) 35-3 won by decision over Aaden Schiefer (Central York Hs) 3-3 (Dec 5-2)
• Quarterfinal – Nico Kapusta (Hempfield Area Hs) 30-13 won in sudden victory – 1 over Gavin Heverly (Central Mountain Hs) 35-3 (SV-1 7-5)
• Cons. Round 4 – Gavin Heverly (Central Mountain Hs) 35-3 won by major decision over Sawyer Wolfkiel (Titusville Hs) 30-23 (MD 9-0)
• Cons. Round 5 – Aaden Schiefer (Central York Hs) 3-3 won in the ultimate tie breaker over Gavin Heverly (Central Mountain Hs) 35-3 (UTB 2-2)
• 7th Place Match – Gavin Heverly (Central Mountain Hs) 35-3 won by fall over Rowen Humphrey (Southern Columbia Area Hs) 17-21 (Fall 3:55)

114

• Champ. Round 1 – Luke Garman (Central Mountain Hs) 14-7 won by fall over Tyler Hollowell (Northampton Area Hs) 0-2 (Fall 2:33)
• Champ. Round 2 – Harris Keares (Central York Hs) 33-14 won by decision over Luke Garman (Central Mountain Hs) 14-7 (Dec 4-1)
• Cons. Round 2 – Luke Garman (Central Mountain Hs) 14-7 won by forfeit over Sean Magill (Hempfield Area Hs) 0-2 (For.)
• Cons. Round 3 – Luke Garman (Central Mountain Hs) 14-7 won by decision over Caden Stoner (Central Mountain Hs) 1-2 (Dec 7-0)
• Cons. Round 4 – Nick Horton (Conestoga Valley Hs) 4-2 won by decision over Luke Garman (Central Mountain Hs) 14-7 (Dec 8-3)

114

• Champ. Round 1 – Nathan Caracciolo (Hempfield Area Hs) 17-14 won by tech fall over Caden Stoner (Central Mountain Hs) 1-2 (TF-1.5 6:00 (16-0))
• Cons. Round 1 – Caden Stoner (Central Mountain Hs) 1-2 received a bye () (Bye)
• Cons. Round 2 – Caden Stoner (Central Mountain Hs) 1-2 won by major decision over Emmanuel Deschampes Reyes (Hazleton Area Hs) 7-19 (MD 9-0)
• Cons. Round 3 – Luke Garman (Central Mountain Hs) 14-7 won by decision over Caden Stoner (Central Mountain Hs) 1-2 (Dec 7-0)

121

• Champ. Round 1 – Jaggar Pardoe (Central Mountain Hs) 11-24 received a bye () (Bye)
• Champ. Round 2 – Ethan Krazer (Easton Area Hs) 34-6 won by major decision over Jaggar Pardoe (Central Mountain Hs) 11-24 (MD 11-3)
• Cons. Round 2 – Jaggar Pardoe (Central Mountain Hs) 11-24 won by decision over Ty Dellmyer (Saucon Valley Hs) 0-2 (Dec 5-0)
• Cons. Round 3 – Jaggar Pardoe (Central Mountain Hs) 11-24 won by decision over Andrew Donaldson (Titusville Hs) 11-21 (Dec 5-0)
• Cons. Round 4 – Teagan Caciolo (Emmaus Hs) 36-3 won by fall over Jaggar Pardoe (Central Mountain Hs) 11-24 (Fall 0:47)

127

• Champ. Round 1 – Aiden Kunes (Central Mountain Hs) 30-5 received a bye () (Bye)
• Champ. Round 2 – Aiden Kunes (Central Mountain Hs) 30-5 won by fall over Blake McMillion (South Western Hs) 26-4 (Fall 3:00)
• Quarterfinal – Aiden Kunes (Central Mountain Hs) 30-5 won by decision over Colin Marano (Northampton Area Hs) 24-4 (Dec 9-3)
• Semifinal – Aiden Kunes (Central Mountain Hs) 30-5 won by injury default over Cole Campbell (Palisades Hs) 7-8 (Inj. 2:29)
• 1st Place Match – Aiden Grogg (Saucon Valley Hs) 49-11 won by decision over Aiden Kunes (Central Mountain Hs) 30-5 (Dec 6-1)

133

• Champ. Round 1 – Patrick Tarantella (Central Mountain Hs) 35-8 won by decision over Nicholas Disante (Northampton Area Hs) 0-2 (Dec 4-0)
• Champ. Round 2 – Patrick Tarantella (Central Mountain Hs) 35-8 won by fall over Braden Rohn (Saucon Valley Hs) 24-8 (Fall 5:59)
• Quarterfinal – Christopher Kelly (Easton Area Hs) 32-16 won by tech fall over Patrick Tarantella (Central Mountain Hs) 35-8 (TF-1.5 4:00 (17-2))
• Cons. Round 4 – Luke Morley (Conestoga Valley Hs) 6-2 won by fall over Patrick Tarantella (Central Mountain Hs) 35-8 (Fall 2:57)

145

• Champ. Round 1 – Carnell Noone (Central Mountain Hs) 3-2 won by fall over Wesley Smith (Mifflinburg Area Hs) 4-20 (Fall 4:44)
• Champ. Round 2 – Austin Noe (Northampton Area Hs) 30-16 won by fall over Carnell Noone (Central Mountain Hs) 3-2 (Fall 3:38)
• Cons. Round 2 – Carnell Noone (Central Mountain Hs) 3-2 won by fall over Evan Fryer (Daniel Boone Hs) 0-2 (Fall 0:08)
• Cons. Round 3 – Carnell Noone (Central Mountain Hs) 3-2 won by decision over Jaron Trimmer (Easton Area Hs) 6-8 (Dec 4-2)
• Cons. Round 4 – Colton Bumbarger (Clearfield Area Hs) 21-23 won by decision over Carnell Noone (Central Mountain Hs) 3-2 (Dec 6-4)

145

• Champ. Round 1 – Luke Simcox (Central Mountain Hs) 46-4 received a bye () (Bye)
• Champ. Round 2 – Luke Simcox (Central Mountain Hs) 46-4 won by fall over Angelo Ziccardi (Palisades Hs) 19-15 (Fall 0:53)
• Quarterfinal – Luke Simcox (Central Mountain Hs) 46-4 won by fall over Colton Bumbarger (Clearfield Area Hs) 21-23 (Fall 1:02)
• Semifinal – Luke Simcox (Central Mountain Hs) 46-4 won by major decision over Nolan Baumert (Line Mountain Hs) 32-16 (MD 12-1)
• 1st Place Match – Luke Simcox (Central Mountain Hs) 46-4 won by major decision over Evan Petrovich (Connellsville Area Hs) 3-1 (MD 8-0)

152

• Champ. Round 1 – Griffin Walizer (Central Mountain Hs) 41-13 received a bye () (Bye)
• Champ. Round 2 – Griffin Walizer (Central Mountain Hs) 41-13 won by fall over Ethan Lenker (Line Mountain Hs) 16-17 (Fall 4:54)
• Quarterfinal – Griffin Walizer (Central Mountain Hs) 41-13 won by major decision over Xayden Sallit (Emmaus Hs) 18-15 (MD 19-6)
• Semifinal – Griffin Walizer (Central Mountain Hs) 41-13 won by decision over Wyatt Dillon (Central York Hs) 42-13 (Dec 5-1)
• 1st Place Match – Mason Barvitskie (Southern Columbia Area Hs) 33-10 won by decision over Griffin Walizer (Central Mountain Hs) 41-13 (Dec 3-1)

160

• Champ. Round 1 – Hunter Donley (Central Mountain Hs) 22-13 won by fall over Ashton Beckowski (Saucon Valley Hs) 18-9 (Fall 1:14)
• Champ. Round 2 – Brady Collins (Clearfield Area Hs) 42-5 won by fall over Hunter Donley (Central Mountain Hs) 22-13 (Fall 4:48)
• Cons. Round 2 – Hunter Donley (Central Mountain Hs) 22-13 won by tech fall over Lane Frankenfield (Palisades Hs) 12-16 (TF-1.5 2:22 (17-0))
• Cons. Round 3 – Hunter Donley (Central Mountain Hs) 22-13 won by decision over Luke Ananea (Central Mountain Hs) 2-2 (Dec 9-3)
• Cons. Round 4 – Hunter Donley (Central Mountain Hs) 22-13 won by tech fall over Jaymen Golden (Southern Columbia Area Hs) 27-17 (TF-1.5 3:27 (16-0))
• Cons. Round 5 – Dalton Schadel (Line Mountain Hs) 34-14 won by fall over Hunter Donley (Central Mountain Hs) 22-13 (Fall 5:58)
• 7th Place Match – Hunter Donley (Central Mountain Hs) 22-13 won by major decision over Jared Porter (Central Dauphin East Hs) 23-15 (MD 12-0)

160

• Champ. Round 1 – Luke Ananea (Central Mountain Hs) 2-2 won by decision over Curtis Conrad (Halifax Area Hs) 26-2 (Dec 14-10)
• Champ. Round 2 – Gavin Donaldson (Titusville Hs) 30-19 won by decision over Luke Ananea (Central Mountain Hs) 2-2 (Dec 6-5)
• Cons. Round 2 – Luke Ananea (Central Mountain Hs) 2-2 won by fall over Austin Dunlap (Williamsport Area Hs) 0-2 (Fall 0:52)
• Cons. Round 3 – Hunter Donley (Central Mountain Hs) 22-13 won by decision over Luke Ananea (Central Mountain Hs) 2-2 (Dec 9-3)

172

• Champ. Round 1 – Jacob Weaver (Central Mountain Hs) 27-21 received a bye () (Bye)
• Champ. Round 2 – Jacob Weaver (Central Mountain Hs) 27-21 won by fall over Scott Furniss (Emmaus Hs) 1-2 (Fall 0:40)
• Quarterfinal – Jacob Weaver (Central Mountain Hs) 27-21 won by fall over Mason Marolo (Hazleton Area Hs) 23-20 (Fall 1:42)
• Semifinal – Jacob Weaver (Central Mountain Hs) 27-21 won by decision over Danny Haubert (Palisades Hs) 42-10 (Dec 4-3)
• 1st Place Match – Brian Chamberlain (The Phelps School) 28-5 won by decision over Jacob Weaver (Central Mountain Hs) 27-21 (Dec 7-3)

172

• Champ. Round 1 – Jacob Nyman (Central Mountain Hs) 3-2 won by fall over Gordon Stewart (Jersey Shore Area Hs) 1-2 (Fall 2:17)
• Champ. Round 2 – Teegan Carroll (Halifax Area Hs) 12-11 won by fall over Jacob Nyman (Central Mountain Hs) 3-2 (Fall 2:40)
• Cons. Round 2 – Jacob Nyman (Central Mountain Hs) 3-2 won by fall over Owen Robidas (Daniel Boone Hs) 16-6 (Fall 1:25)
• Cons. Round 3 – Jacob Nyman (Central Mountain Hs) 3-2 won by medical forfeit over Hogan Troutman (Tri Valley Hs) 7-19 (M. For.)
• Cons. Round 4 – Mason Marolo (Hazleton Area Hs) 23-20 won by major decision over Jacob Nyman (Central Mountain Hs) 3-2 (MD 12-2)

189

• Champ. Round 1 – Wyatt Kramer (Central Mountain Hs) 3-2 won by fall over Cyrus Douty (Mifflinburg Area Hs) 2-2 (Fall 1:16)
• Champ. Round 2 – Shae Lineger (Easton Area Hs) 5-1 won by fall over Wyatt Kramer (Central Mountain Hs) 3-2 (Fall 3:04)
• Cons. Round 2 – Wyatt Kramer (Central Mountain Hs) 3-2 won by fall over Prabesh Tamang (Central Dauphin East Hs) 0-2 (Fall 0:53)
• Cons. Round 3 – Wyatt Kramer (Central Mountain Hs) 3-2 won by decision over Kaiden Conaboy (South Western Hs) 13-11 (Dec 9-5)
• Cons. Round 4 – Kaleb Brunst (Titusville Hs) 4-2 won by decision over Wyatt Kramer (Central Mountain Hs) 3-2 (Dec 10-3)

189

• Champ. Round 1 – Bryce Brungard (Central Mountain Hs) 18-13 won by fall over Nicholas Sheasley (Saucon Valley Hs) 0-2 (Fall 0:55)
• Champ. Round 2 – Bryce Brungard (Central Mountain Hs) 18-13 won by fall over Wyatt Hall (Connellsville Area Hs) 3-3 (Fall 2:58)
• Quarterfinal – Nariq Burkes (Williamsport Area Hs) 20-18 won by decision over Bryce Brungard (Central Mountain Hs) 18-13 (Dec 13-6)
• Cons. Round 4 – Bryce Brungard (Central Mountain Hs) 18-13 won by fall over Cyrus Douty (Mifflinburg Area Hs) 2-2 (Fall 2:19)
• Cons. Round 5 – Bryce Brungard (Central Mountain Hs) 18-13 won by fall over Wyatt Hall (Connellsville Area Hs) 3-3 (Fall 4:57)
• Cons. Semi – Maxim Johnson (Line Mountain Hs) 27-16 won by decision over Bryce Brungard (Central Mountain Hs) 18-13 (Dec 8-5)
• 5th Place Match – Bryce Brungard (Central Mountain Hs) 18-13 won by medical forfeit over Nariq Burkes (Williamsport Area Hs) 20-18 (M. For.)

215

• Champ. Round 1 – Rocco Serafini (Central Mountain Hs) 40-14 received a bye () (Bye)
• Champ. Round 2 – Rocco Serafini (Central Mountain Hs) 40-14 won by fall over Cam Zoll (Conestoga Valley Hs) 2-2 (Fall 0:35)
• Quarterfinal – Rocco Serafini (Central Mountain Hs) 40-14 won by fall over Jacob Schwalm (Line Mountain Hs) 26-6 (Fall 0:33)
• Semifinal – Rocco Serafini (Central Mountain Hs) 40-14 won by major decision over Robert Anderson (Hazleton Area Hs) 28-10 (MD 9-0)
• 1st Place Match – Rocco Serafini (Central Mountain Hs) 40-14 won by major decision over Carter Chamberlain (Clearfield Area Hs) 40-9 (MD 12-4)

215

• Champ. Round 1 – Nicholas Lose (Central Mountain Hs) 2-2 won by fall over Jorge Pingarron (Daniel Boone Hs) 3-6 (Fall 2:38)
• Champ. Round 2 – Kameron Mong (Titusville Hs) 23-22 won by decision over Nicholas Lose (Central Mountain Hs) 2-2 (Dec 5-2)
• Cons. Round 2 – Nicholas Lose (Central Mountain Hs) 2-2 won by fall over Tavish Rickard (Daniel Boone Hs) 0-2 (Fall 0:41)
• Cons. Round 3 – Kurtis Crossman (Easton Area Hs) 7-3 won by major decision over Nicholas Lose (Central Mountain Hs) 2-2 (MD 14-5)

285

• Champ. Round 1 – Giovanni Tarantella (Central Mountain Hs) 22-17 received a bye () (Bye)
• Champ. Round 2 – Giovanni Tarantella (Central Mountain Hs) 22-17 won by fall over Jeffrey Petzold (Tri Valley Hs) 3-2 (Fall 1:58)
• Quarterfinal – Giovanni Tarantella (Central Mountain Hs) 22-17 won by decision over Hasin Cobb (Williamsport Area Hs) 2-3 (Dec 3-0)
• Semifinal – Giovanni Tarantella (Central Mountain Hs) 22-17 won by decision over Peter Youngcourt (Hazleton Area Hs) 17-21 (Dec 6-0)
• 1st Place Match – Ayden Wysocki (South Western Hs) 8-1 won by fall over Giovanni Tarantella (Central Mountain Hs) 22-17 (Fall 2:59)