Wildcats Take a Toughie, 36-25 over Bellefonte

BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP – It was a match wrestling fans were anxious to see, 10-1 Central Mountain hosting 15-2 Bellefonte. The Wildcat gym was filled Friday night and the two teams did not disappint. Central Mountain had to scrap to come away with a 36-25 win.

The dual meet started at 160 pounds and four bouts in, the visiting Red Raiders had amassed a 12-3 lead. The lone Wildcat winner in that stretch was Austin Confer (12-9) with a 5-1 win at 170 pounds. But four bouts later Central Mountain led 24-12 and never trailed again.

Sophomore Nick Miller (14-9) started the run with a 4-0 decision at 220 pounds. Heavyweight Jake Edwards (20-4) followed with a first period. Then the lineup turned over and Central Mountain’s two freshmen lightweights picked up falls; Derek Keen (21-5) in the first period and Taylor Weaver (17-6) in the second period. For Weaver it marked his return to the lineup after aggravating an injury at the Dallastown Duals earlier in the month.

With the score at 24-12 CM, the two teams split the final six bouts. Wildcat wins came from Dalton Bechdel (21-7) with a 6-0 decision over Bellefonte’s Alex Coppolo (19-8); Cody Coleman (17-8) with a 4-1 win over the Raiders’ Cole Stewart (19-8); and Lane Porter (15-8) with a dual meet-clinching second period fall over Brady Martin.

Wildcat head coach Biff Walizer was happy with the win over a Bellefonte team seeded first for the Saturday, Feb. 2 team duals (the Wildcats are third-seeded). “Bellefonte at 15-2 doesn’t get to where they are without talent. They’re a good team, well coached,” he said.

Walizer said the win was a good one as the Wildcats try to build momentum for what is coming up. He noted the week has been a hectic one with the postponements and cancellations, with limited practice time because of the weather. He said, “The effort was there, but it was not the team’s best all around performance from top to bottom.”

Central Mountain took 8 of the 14 bouts, picking up four pins to two for Bellefonte. Takedowns were split, 12-12.

Both teams are set to complete at the District 6 AAA team duals at 10 a.m. on Feb. 2 at Tyrone. The Wildcats will meet No. 2 seed Mifflin County in one semifinal, Bellefonte meeting No. 4 seed Altoona in the other. Winners will meet for the team dual title immediately thereafter.

Central Mountain had been scheduled to wrestle Mifflin County earlier this week but weather-related issues prevented the match from taking place. It will not be made up as the two teams are lined up to meet in Tyrone.

The match with Bellefonte saw Cody Coleman stage his senior project on behalf of organ transplants. Prior to the match he introduced Central Mountain faculty member Sue Hanna who talked of her positive experience in donating a kidney to a community member.

BELLEFONTE – 25 CENTRAL MOUNTAIN – 36
160 – Kenneth Simpson, Bellefonte, dec. Caleb Porter, Central Mountain, 3-2.
170 – Austin Confer, Central Mountain, dec. Andrew Howe, Bellefonte, 5-1.
182 – Kyle Myers, Bellefonte, pinned Gage Sutliff, Central Mountain, 5:57.
195 – Ethan Rossman, Bellefonte, dec. Tanner Riggle, Central Mountain, 6-2.
220 – Nikolas Miller, Central Mountain, dec. Max Barrier, Bellefonte, 4-0
285 – Jake Edwards, Central Mountain, pinned Daniel Orndorf, Bellefonte, 1:29.
106 – Derek Keen, Central Mountain, pinned Aiden O'Shea, Bellefonte, 1:14.
113 – Taylor Weaver, Central Mountain, pinned Aaron Little, Bellefonte, 3:00.
120 – Lane Aikey, Bellefonte, dec. Johnny Shreffler, Central Mountain, 6-2.
126 – Dalton Bechdel, Central Mountain, dec. Alex Coppolo, Bellefonte, 6-0.
132 – Ryan Smith, Bellefonte, major dec. Kayden Busey, Central Mountain, 11-2.
138 – Cody Coleman, Central Mountain, dec. Cole Stewart, Bellefonte, 4-1.
145 – Lane Porter, Central Mountain, pinned Brady Martin, Bellefonte, 2:41.
152 – Ethan Richner, Bellefonte, pinned Alonzo Henry, Central Mountain, 4:35.