Phoenix Finish With No Place Winners

By Joseph Walker

BLOOMSBURG – It was a rough opening to the 2025-26 season for the Sugar Valley Rural Charter Phoenix at the Bloomsburg Darrin Klingerman Invitational Tournament. The Phoenix were unable to come home with a place winner in the 24-team tournament. 

The Phoenix had the trio of Taylor Cantolina (121), Hunter Berry (127) and Tobias Conoway (133) make into Saturday’s action, but saw all three fall in their first consolation bouts of the day. The Phoenix went 2-18 as a whole in the tournament, but it was opening season action and now they know what things they need to improve on, as it is a long season. 

In the third round of consolations Taylor Cantolina was the victim of a 19-3 technical fall by Jake Keller of Bloomsburg at 121 and then Tobias Conoway dropped a 12-0 major decision to Mason Ford of Crestwood. Thus, the two losses eliminated both from further competition. 

Hunter Berry made it to the quarterfinals on Friday night before suffering his first loss, then in the fourth round of consolations Saturday morning, he dropped a 9-5 decision to Cooper Beale of Carlisle and was eliminated. 

Honesdale captured the team title with 218 points and two champions, while Abington Heights was second with 162 points and one champ. Pine Grove finished third with 150 points and one champion. The Phoenix finished in 24th place with 10 points. 

The Phoenix start their dual meet season when they travel to Midd-West on Wednesday and then will be in the Blue Mountain Duals Tournament on Friday December 12th. 

PHOENIX RESULTS (Day 2) 

CONSOLATION ROUND 3 

121 – Jake Keller (Bloomsburg) tech fall Taylor Cantolina, 19-3, 3:17; 133 – Mason Ford (Crestwood) maj dec. Tobias Conoway, 12-0. 

CONSOLATION ROUND 4 

127 – Cooper Beale (Carlisle) dec. Hunter Berry, 9-5