Wildcat wrestlers off to solid start at Top Hat
WILLIAMSPORT, PA – Central Mountain wrestling coach Biff Walizer and his staff could not have asked for any better start to the new scholastic wrestling season. The Wildcats opened their season at a talented Tom Best Memorial Top Hat Tournament and finished Friday’s day one with an outstanding performance.
The Wildcats had point-scoring entries at 12 of the 13 weights and all 12 earned at least one victory, Central Mountain advancing nine into the Saturday morning quarterfinals. Another three will be participating in the next consolation round Saturday. Additionally, of the seven back-ups participating, six of them are still alive for Saturday consolation action.
The Friday showing gave Central Mountain the early team lead with 59.5 points, Conestoga Valley second with 52 and Saucon Valley third with 47.5. Pre-tourney contender Williamsport sits in seventh place with 42.5 points. Jersey Shore is tied for 12th with 27 points.
As they often do, the Wildcats piled up a ton of bonus points. CM got first round falls from Dalton Perry (126), Taylor Weaver (132), Luke Simcox (138), Gino Serafini (145), Griffin Walizer (152), and Brayden Blackwell (285). Winning regular decisions were Clayton Foster (113) and Micah Walizer (215). Rocco Serafini (172) picked up a bout termination.
The only surprise came at 120 pounds where Derek Keen, a number two seed, was upset in his first match but came back with a fall in the consolations. Damien Gallentine at 189 lost his opener but came back with a fall in his first consolation bout. Tristan Probst (160) opened with a fall, but lost in the round of 16 and will be competing in the consolation bout Saturday.
Still alive in the consolations are non-point scorers Luke Ananea (126), Braylen Corter (132), Zane Cooper (145), Jake Weaver (160), Lucas Porter (172) and Giovanni Tarantella (215).
Wrestling resumes Saturday at 10 a.m. and will be audio streamed on therecord-online.
