Wildcats Grapplers Romp to Rohm Crown
BLOOMSBURG – Central Mountain wrestling coach Doug Buckwalter exited Bloomsburg University’s Nelson Field House well pleased Saturday evening.
He took 30 or so members of his team to the annual Bob Rohm Tournament and all of them got at the least an exhibition bout against foreign competition.
And many of them got work in the Wildcats’ 5-0 romp to the dual meet championship, a remarkable 18 different wrestlers picking up at least one win.
Central Mountain made fairly quick work of all its opponents. These included 57-12 over Midd-West; 64-9 over Troy; 60-6 over Smithtown East (NY); 64-9 over Bloomsburg; and 48-15 over Downingtown West for the title.
The Wildcats totaled 31 pins in the five wins, led by Keanan Bottorf whose 5-0 day included four falls. Chad Reese went 4-1 with four falls; Cameron Porter was 4-0 with three pins.
Freshman Geo Barzona joined Bottorf with a 5-win-in-5-bouts performance.
Other top marks included Loc Long, 4-0; Chase Andrus, 3-0; Emory Watson, 4-1; Demetri Probst, 4-1; Gavin Caprio, 4-1; Bryce Hanley, 4-1; Issac Porter, 3-1; Caleb Turner, 2-1; Devin Rinehart, 2-0.
Freshman Colton Weaver picked up his first varsity wins in a 2-2 day; sophomore Ryan Moore also went 2-2. Back-ups Nick Miller, Sam Watkins and Chris Confer also earned wins.
The Rohm sweep left Central Mountain at 6-0 in dual meets at the New Year break.
The Wildcats will be back in action Friday at 2-0 Bellefonte. The Red Raiders own wins over Philipsburg-Osceola, 34-27, and Tyrone, 57-15.
Two more District 6 foes loom: at Bald Eagle Area Saturday, Jan. 11 and the much anticipated showdown with Mifflin County at the Wildcat gym Wednesday, Jan. 15. It was Mifflin County which edged the Wildcats for both the district team and individual crowns a season ago, ending a longtime Central Mountain district domination.
