Lady Phoenix Duo Place at Regionals

By Joe Walker

MILTON-The Lady Phoenix duo of Emma Downing (142) and Marrin Clester (235) both finished in sixth place of their weights at the PIAA Central Regional at the Milton High School gym on Saturday. Despite failing to place in the top four of their weight and advancing to the PIAA State Tournament, the duo both had successful seasons. 

Lady Phoenix senior Downing posted a 3-3 record at the regionals, as she lost to Tessa Queen (25-14) of Curwensville by fall in 1:33 of their 5th Place bout. Downing pinned Queen in the opening round, but then was pinned by fourth seeded Samantha Monroe (11-4) of Delaware Valley in the quarterfinals. 

Downing then won her first two consolation round bouts before dropping her consolation semifinal round bout to Shelby Shirley (6-3) of Bradford by fall in 4:17. Downing concludes her senior season with a 15-15 record. 

Freshman Marrin Clester finished 2-3 in the regional tournament, as she was awarded a forfeit in the opening round and then was pinned in 3:26 of her quarterfinal round bout by fourth seeded Zoey Lake (18-7) of Wallenpaupack, 

Clester pinned Miranda Garcia (7-9) of Milton in the consolation quarterfinals, but then was pinned in 1:46 of her consolation semifinal bout with third seeded Leah Nason (17-10) of Athens. In the 5th place bout, Clester fell by fall in 43 seconds to Ashlyn Miller (18-13) of Central Mountain to finish in 6th place. Clester finished her freshman season with a 14-12 record. 

In other local wrestlers, the Lady Eagles of Bald Eagle Area advanced all three of their wrestlers, as Eden Eveleth (23-6) at 142 pounds, Angelina Grieb (12-3) at 148 and Grace Crestani (21-11) at 190 pounds all won third place finishes at their weights and will advance to the PIAA State Tournament. 

The Lady Bulldogs have a state qualifier as freshman Isabella Gotschall finished as the runner-up at 190 pounds, as she was pinned by District 5/6/9 champion Alyssa Favara (7-3) of Bishop McCort in the championship final. The District 4 champ Gotschall will take a 16-4 record into the state tournament. 

The PIAA Girls State Tournament starts on Thursday at 2 pm, we will bring the first round match-ups for the local girls when they are released by the PIAA. The top four place winners at each weight from all four regional tournaments qualify for the state tournament. 

LADY PHOENIX REGIONAL RESULTS: 

Championship First Round 

142 – Emma Downing WBF Tessa Queen (Curwensville), 1:25 

235 – Marrin Clester WBForfeit 

Championship Quarterfinals 

142 – Samantha Monroe (Delaware Valley) WBF Emma Downing, 4:16 

235 – Zoey Lake (Wallenpaupack) WBF Marrin Clester, 3:26 

Consolation First Round 

142 – Emma Downing WBF Gracie Pluebell (Tyrone), 2:32 

235 – Marrin Clester BYE 

Consolation Quarterfinals 

142 – Emma Downing WBF Alaina Hicks (Hughesville), 2:22

235 – Marrin Clester WBF Miranda Garcia (Milton), 3:26 

Consolation Semifinals 

142 – Shelby Shirley (Bradford) WBF Emma Downing, 4:17 

235 – Leah Nelson (WBF) Marrin Clester, 1:46 

Consolation 5th Place 

142 – Tessa Queen (Curwensville) WBF Emma Downing, 1:33 235 – Ashlyn Miller (Central Mountain) WBF Marrin Clester, :43 

Consolation 3rd Place 

106 – Eden Eveleth (BEA) WBD Julia Ritter (Hughesville), 3-0 148 – Angelina Grieb (BEA) WBF Brooke Long (Wyoming Valley West), 2:10 190 – Grace Crestani (BEA) WBF Emily Smith (Delaware Valley), 2:44 

Championship Finals 

190 – Alyssa Favara (Bishop McCort) WBF Isabella Gotschall (Jersey Shore), 3:14