Wildcat Grapplers Look Solid for New Season
BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP – If there has been one athletic program to excel year-in-and-year-out in Central Mountain High School’s relatively brief history, that would be Wildcat wrestling and the upcoming 2017-18 season looks to continue that success.
Defending District 6 team and individual titlists, coming off an 18-2 record a year ago, Central Mountain looks to have the team balance to chalk up a lot more wins this season. There are multiple letter-winners back and third-year head coach Biff Walizer said he is excited to see what he called “a solid group of seniors” can achieve this season.
He ticked off their names: Seth Andrus (31-11 a year ago) and Tanner Weaver (34-10) will be fourth-year starters. Logan Long (22-15) and Asher Corl (27-14) will be third-year starters. Mahlik Houtz (26-16) will be back at 220 for the second consecutive year, and Walizer said Austyn Carson (1-0) is looking to make an impact in his senior season. Andrus, Corl and Weaver all finished third in the District 6 tourney a year ago, Houtz fourth.
Other veterans back include: Johnny Shreffler (24-16), Dalton Bechdel (12-8), Cody Coleman (13-11), Seth Reese (2-17) and Tanner Riggle (18-14).
But Walizer cautioned a lot of talent was lost to graduation. “A big reason we were able to experience the level of success we had last season was due to the balance and depth of the team, he said. “We had 22 different kids see varsity starting time at some point last season. If this team is going to achieve anything close to what was done last year, balance and depth will play a big role. A concern for us as coaches is always about how quickly the underclassmen can come along, learn from their mistakes, and become a contributing factor for the team. We will have some talented underclassmen and I’m anxious to see how they progress through the season.”
Heading to the annual Tom Best Memorial Top Hat Tournament in Williamsport this Friday and Saturday, Walizer was asked if the staff has been able to get all the wrestlers at their desired weights to start the season. He called the effort “a work in progress,” indicating the Top Hat lineup likely will be revised a bit as the season unfolds and wrestlers get their two extra pounds for growth after Christmas.
Walizer said he looks for serious challenges from several district teams, listing Bald Eagle Area, State College and Mifflin County as those expected to be improved from a year ago; he said all three have some accomplished individuals returning along with some talented newcomers.
And he was asked about any changes fans should look for this season. He responded: “There were two major rule changes with high school wrestling. You are able to score back points and earn a pin even if your opponent’s shoulders are out of bounds. The offensive wrestler must maintain two supporting points in bounds from the knees up for wrestling to continue in this situation.”
And the Wildcats will be breaking out new home uniforms at some point this month. Two-piece uniforms are now legal; the tops must be compression style and the shorts can either be compression or loose “MMA” style fight shorts.
The coaching staff also welcomes the return of former head coach Doug Buckwalter as first assistant. He replaces his son Blaze who served as first assistant a year ago. The younger Buckwalter graduated from Lock Haven University last June and is now teaching in the Troy School District.
