Perry takes Rock title, Simcox third, Walizer eighth
HOLLAND, PA – Central Mountain’s three state medalists from a season ago had another great showing at the rugged Escape the Rock wrestling tournament at Council Rock South High School, completed on Sunday.
Reigning PIAA champion Dalton Perry took the title at 133 pounds, Luke Simcox finished third at 139 and Griffin Walizer finished eighth at 145.
Their collective showing led Central Mountain to a tenth-place team finish, first among public schools, in the 54-term event. The Wildcats totaled 83 points. Malvern Prep won the tourney with 206.5, Blair Academy (NJ) was second with 177.
Perry, the top seed, trailed 1-0 early in the third period in his championship bout with #2 seed Jack Consiglio from Malvern Prep. But the Wildcat sophomore picked up five points in the period on the way to a 5-3 win. Perry also notched a 2-1 semifinal win over Matt Hart of Western Reserve Academy (OH).
Simcox, a junior, picked up a 6-4 win in his consolation semifinal bout over Mateo Sgambellone of St. Josephs Regional. In his third-place bout his late second period reversal was enough for a 2-1 win over Tennessee state champion Hunter Mason of Greeneville (TN). That victory avenged an earlier 7-6 loss to the same wrestler. Simcox came into the tourney as the fifth seed.
Fellow junior Walizer had to battle through the consolations to earn his medal. He lost his seventh place bout to Asher Cunningham of State College by a 3-2 score. Cunningham had sent Walizer to the consolations with a 4-3 win on Saturday. Walizer came into the tourney as a tenth seed.
The two-day event was challenging for all involved. Perry went 5-0 for the weekend; Simcox 6-1 and Walizer 4-3.
Two other Wildcats just missed placing on Sunday. At 152 pounds Braylen Corter fell 3-1 to #3 seed Griffin Gonzales of Lebanon, while Rocco Serafini at 189 lost to #8 seed Jakob Gilfoil of Bishop McDevitt by a 9-2 score.
Both CM wrestlers fell one win short of placing in the rigorous tourney.
Central Mountain will get a break until Saturday, Jan. 21 when they compete in the 8-team Big 7 individual tournament at Bald Eagle Area High School.
