Wildcats crown two champs, claim King of Mountain title

PublisherDecember 17, 2022Last Updated: December 17, 2022

8 minutes read

Photo By Clinta Frank

BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP – Central Mountain did something Saturday it had not done in a while, claim the team title at their power-laden King of the Mountain wrestling tournament.

Coach Biff Walizer’s team crowned two individual winners and placed nine wrestlers in all in winning what is believed to be their first K o M since the Alton twin era better than a decade ago. The Wildcats finished with 152 points, Canon-McMillan second with 142.5 and State College third with 138.5 in the 29-team field.

The two CM champs were Griffin Walizer (10-0) with a forfeit win over Asher Cunningham of State College in the 145 pounds final and Luke Simcox (5-0) with a 6-1 win over Hayden Cunningham of State College at 133 pounds.

Tournament officials saved the event’s most anticipated match for last, two defending state champs meeting for the crown at 139 pounds in State’s Pierson Manville and the Wildcats’ Dalton Perry (8-1). The match did not disappoint. The two split second and third period escapes to go 1-1 in regulation, Perry’s escape coming with just two second remaining on the third period clock. Manville used a second overtime period escape and a third period ride-out to notch the 2-1 win, frustrating Perry on his multiple escape attempts. The bout had everyone in the gym watching.

Central Mountain had a raft of place-winners to help lead them to the title. Brayden Blackwell finished fifth at 285, There were sevenths from Gino Serafini (160), Jake Weaver (172) and Rocco Serafini (189). Braylon Corter earned an eighth at 152 and Giovanni Tarantella an eighth at 215.

A pleased coach Walizer was happy with his team’s performance on Saturday, moving up through the standings to take the title: “A strong day…good from all the guys that took the mat today; fighting to the end….everybody has to go out and do their parts and that’s why the team title came to us.”

As for the Manville – Perry showdown, Walizer said his wrestler needs to “find a way to get his offense opened up; Pierson is tough to score on.” He termed the tourney finale “a great match.”

The Wildcats are off until they venture to Canonsburg for the Canon-McMillan Powerade tournament on Dec. 28-29. Meanwhile the Central Mountain Wrestling Booster Club, which just successfully concluded its two-day King of the Mountain Saturday, will be back at work Sunday with its JV tournament in the morning, followed by the Queen of the Mountain tournament to begin at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday. More than 300 participants are expected for the latter.

King of the Mountain Results for Central Mountain

107

Collin Bauman (3-5)

Champ. Round 1 – Mason Sanderson (State College) 3-2 won by decision over Collin Bauman (Central Mountain) 3-5 (Dec 8-4)
Cons. Round 1 – Collin Bauman (Central Mountain) 3-5 received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 2 – Collin Bauman (Central Mountain) 3-5 won by fall over Charlie Williams (Hempfield) 4-4 (Fall 0:44)
Cons. Round 3 – Collier Hartman (Canon McMillan) 3-2 won by fall over Collin Bauman (Central Mountain) 3-5 (Fall 3:38)

114

Jaggar Pardoe (3-5)

Champ. Round 1 – Sam Wolford (Northern Lebanon) 5-2 won by tech fall over Jaggar Pardoe (Central Mountain) 3-5 (TF-1.5 2:19 (17-1))
Cons. Round 1 – Jaggar Pardoe (Central Mountain) 3-5 received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 2 – Trey Nicholas (Warrior Run) 4-4 won by fall over Jaggar Pardoe (Central Mountain) 3-5 (Fall 1:44)

127

Zachary St. Clair (1-2)

Champ. Round 1 – Alexander Tennis (Cumberland Valley) 2-2 won by fall over Zachary St. Clair (Central Mountain) 1-2 (Fall 0:46)
Cons. Round 1 – Zachary St. Clair (Central Mountain) 1-2 won by fall over Kaylianna Coleman (Williamsport) 0-2 (Fall 0:49)
Cons. Round 2 – Calio Zanella (Burrell) 3-2 won by fall over Zachary St. Clair (Central Mountain) 1-2 (Fall 1:16)

133

Luke Simcox (6-0)

Champ. Round 1 – Luke Simcox (Central Mountain) 6-0 won by tech fall over Aaron Ickes (Chestnut Ridge) 2-2 (TF-1.5 6:00 (20-4))
Champ. Round 2 – Luke Simcox (Central Mountain) 6-0 won by tech fall over Vincent Binni (Canon McMillan) 9-14 (TF-1.5 3:51 (17-1))
Quarterfinal – Luke Simcox (Central Mountain) 6-0 won by major decision over Elias Long (Central York) 8-3 (MD 10-1)
Semifinal – Luke Simcox (Central Mountain) 6-0 won by decision over Gavin Hawk (Philipsburg) 4-2 (Dec 2-1)
1st Place Match – Luke Simcox (Central Mountain) 6-0 won by decision over Hayden Cunningham (State College) 7-1 (Dec 6-1)

139

Luke Ananea

Champ. Round 1 – Josiah Gardner (Canon McMillan) 15-20 won by decision over Luke Ananea (Central Mountain) 0-2 (Dec 7-2)
Cons. Round 1 – Kamden Everly (Mifflin County) 2-2 won by decision over Luke Ananea (Central Mountain) 0-2 (Dec 6-4)

139

Dalton Perry (8-1)

Champ. Round 1 – Dalton Perry (Central Mountain) 8-1 received a bye () (Bye)
Champ. Round 2 – Dalton Perry (Central Mountain) 8-1 won by tech fall over Lane Schadel (Line Mountain) 5-4 (TF-1.5 4:42 (19-3))
Quarterfinal – Dalton Perry (Central Mountain) 8-1 won by decision over Luke Geleta (Philipsburg) 4-2 (Dec 6-1)
Semifinal – Dalton Perry (Central Mountain) 8-1 won by decision over Reagan Milheim (Warrior Run) 9-2 (Dec 7-4)
1st Place Match – Pierson Manville (State College) 8-0 won in tie breaker – 1 over Dalton Perry (Central Mountain) 8-1 (TB-1 2-1)

145

Griffin Walizer (10-0)

Champ. Round 1 – Griffin Walizer (Central Mountain) 10-0 won by fall over Isaac Gall (Bellefonte) 0-2 (Fall 2:25)
Champ. Round 2 – Griffin Walizer (Central Mountain) 10-0 won by fall over Paxton Derr (Muncy) 4-4 (Fall 2:29)
Quarterfinal – Griffin Walizer (Central Mountain) 10-0 won by tech fall over Wyatt Dillon (Central York) 8-4 (TF-1.5 5:50 (20-4))
Semifinal – Griffin Walizer (Central Mountain) 10-0 won by decision over Calan Bollman (Chestnut Ridge) 3-4 (Dec 5-2)
1st Place Match – Griffin Walizer (Central Mountain) 10-0 won by forfeit over Asher Cunningham (State College) 7-1 (For.)

152

Braylen Corter (7-5)

Champ. Round 1 – Braylen Corter (Central Mountain) 7-5 won by fall over Ryan Herman (Northern Lebanon) 1-2 (Fall 1:48)
Champ. Round 2 – Braylen Corter (Central Mountain) 7-5 won by decision over Kyle Cousins (General McLane) 3-2 (Dec 9-7)
Quarterfinal – Carter Davis (Central York) 7-2 won by decision over Braylen Corter (Central Mountain) 7-5 (Dec 9-2)
Cons. Round 4 – Braylen Corter (Central Mountain) 7-5 won by decision over Sam Albright (Chestnut Ridge) 4-2 (Dec 11-5)
Cons. Round 5 – Sam Gautreau (Owen J Roberts) 6-1 won by decision over Braylen Corter (Central Mountain) 7-5 (Dec 7-2)
7th Place Match – Parker Kearns (Mifflin County) 7-2 won by decision over Braylen Corter (Central Mountain) 7-5 (Dec 4-2)

152

Hunter Donley (0-2)

Champ. Round 1 – Sam Albright (Chestnut Ridge) 4-2 won by decision over Hunter Donley (Central Mountain) 0-2 (Dec 3-2)
Cons. Round 1 – Ryder Gehris (Boyertown) 1-2 won by major decision over Hunter Donley (Central Mountain) 0-2 (MD 10-0)

160

Gino Serafini (8-3)

Champ. Round 1 – Gino Serafini (Central Mountain) 8-3 won by fall over Cody Wagner (Mifflin County) 0-2 (Fall 1:24)
Champ. Round 2 – Gino Serafini (Central Mountain) 8-3 won by decision over Skylur Davidheiser (Owen J Roberts) 1-2 (Dec 5-1)
Quarterfinal – Gino Serafini (Central Mountain) 8-3 won by fall over Chance Kimmy (General McLane) 6-4 (Fall 1:12)
Semifinal – Gavyn Beck (Franklin Regional) 7-1 won by decision over Gino Serafini (Central Mountain) 8-3 (Dec 4-0)
Cons. Semi – Deakon Schaeffer (Mifflin County) 7-3 won in the ultimate tie breaker over Gino Serafini (Central Mountain) 8-3 (UTB 3-2)
5th Place Match – Gino Serafini (Central Mountain) 8-3 won by medical forfeit over Wyatt Schmucker (Greater Latrobe) 9-5 (M. For.)

172

Jacob Weaver (6-5)

Champ. Round 1 – Jacob Weaver (Central Mountain) 6-5 won by fall over Charles Kelly (Northern York) 0-2 (Fall 0:28)
Champ. Round 2 – Avery Aurand (Mifflin County) 6-3 won in sudden victory – 1 over Jacob Weaver (Central Mountain) 6-5 (SV-1 3-1)
Cons. Round 2 – Jacob Weaver (Central Mountain) 6-5 won by decision over Henry Patts (Franklin Regional) 2-4 (Dec 9-5)
Cons. Round 3 – Jacob Weaver (Central Mountain) 6-5 won by fall over John Mallery (Seneca Valley) 1-2 (Fall 4:11)
Cons. Round 4 – Jacob Weaver (Central Mountain) 6-5 won by decision over Easton Belfiore (Brookville) 2-2 (Dec 6-4)
Cons. Round 5 – Isaac Lacinski (Burrell) 6-2 won by tech fall over Jacob Weaver (Central Mountain) 6-5 (TF-1.5 4:53 (20-3))
7th Place Match – Jacob Weaver (Central Mountain) 6-5 won by medical forfeit over Avery Aurand (Mifflin County) 6-3 (M. For.)

172

Bryce Brungard (1-2)

Champ. Round 1 – Hunter Cleaver (Philipsburg) 3-3 won by tech fall over Bryce Brungard (Central Mountain) 1-2 (TF-1.5 5:57 (21-6))
Cons. Round 1 – Bryce Brungard (Central Mountain) 1-2 won by fall over Brayden Evans (Pottsville Area) 1-2 (Fall 0:38)
Cons. Round 2 – Jake Bertini (Thomas Jefferson) 5-4 won by fall over Bryce Brungard (Central Mountain) 1-2 (Fall 1:42)

189

Rocco Serafini (9-4)

Champ. Round 1 – Rocco Serafini (Central Mountain) 9-4 won by decision over Gavin Hannah (Brookville) 1-2 (Dec 8-2)
Champ. Round 2 – Magnus Lloyd (General McLane) 9-3 won by decision over Rocco Serafini (Central Mountain) 9-4 (Dec 3-2)
Cons. Round 2 – Rocco Serafini (Central Mountain) 9-4 won by fall over Nash Irwin (Bellefonte) 1-2 (Fall 2:44)
Cons. Round 3 – Rocco Serafini (Central Mountain) 9-4 won by decision over Connor Parker (Warrior Run) 6-5 (Dec 5-4)
Cons. Round 4 – Rocco Serafini (Central Mountain) 9-4 won by medical forfeit over Gabe Stafford (Canon McMillan) 79-39 (M. For.)
Cons. Round 5 – Anthony Bruscino (Cumberland Valley) 8-5 won by decision over Rocco Serafini (Central Mountain) 9-4 (Dec 7-1)
7th Place Match – Rocco Serafini (Central Mountain) 9-4 won by decision over Sam Milligan (Strath Haven) 7-3 (Dec 3-2)

215

Giovanni Tarantella

Champ. Round 1 – Cooper Gardner (Boyertown) 1-2 won by fall over Giovanni Tarantella (Central Mountain) 3-3 (Fall 3:03)
Cons. Round 1 – Giovanni Tarantella (Central Mountain) 3-3 received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 2 – Giovanni Tarantella (Central Mountain) 3-3 won by fall over Truitt Davis (Mifflin County) 2-4 (Fall 1:43)
Cons. Round 3 – Giovanni Tarantella (Central Mountain) 3-3 won by decision over Nick Presnell (Chestnut Ridge) 3-2 (Dec 9-5)
Cons. Round 4 – Giovanni Tarantella (Central Mountain) 3-3 won by decision over Luke Boylan (Burrell) 2-2 (Dec 2-0)
Cons. Round 5 – Geno Calgaro (Canon McMillan) 12-4 won by major decision over Giovanni Tarantella (Central Mountain) 3-3 (MD 12-4)
7th Place Match – Dean Bechtold (Owen J Roberts) 4-2 won by fall over Giovanni Tarantella (Central Mountain) 3-3 (Fall 2:58)

215

Dakota McDermott (4-5)

Champ. Round 1 – Dakota McDermott (Central Mountain) 4-5 won by decision over Nicky Bruno (Hempfield) 1-5 (Dec 3-2)
Champ. Round 2 – Luke Boylan (Burrell) 2-2 won by decision over Dakota McDermott (Central Mountain) 4-5 (Dec 1-0)
Cons. Round 2 – Troy McClelland (Franklin Regional) 5-3 won by decision over Dakota McDermott (Central Mountain) 4-5 (Dec 5-3)

285

Brayden Blackwell (10-4)

Champ. Round 1 – Brayden Blackwell (Central Mountain) 10-4 won by fall over Ian Quinn (Burrell) 1-2 (Fall 1:44)
Champ. Round 2 – Brayden Blackwell (Central Mountain) 10-4 won by decision over Shepard Turk (Thomas Jefferson) 6-4 (Dec 3-0)
Quarterfinal – Ben Farabough (Strath Haven) 9-1 won by fall over Brayden Blackwell (Central Mountain) 10-4 (Fall 3:29)
Cons. Round 4 – Brayden Blackwell (Central Mountain) 10-4 won by decision over Baily Miller (Brookville) 3-2 (Dec 4-1)
Cons. Round 5 – Brayden Blackwell (Central Mountain) 10-4 won by decision over Ian Scully (Central York) 2-3 (Dec 3-0)
Cons. Semi – John Wargo (Philipsburg) 5-1 won by decision over Brayden Blackwell (Central Mountain) 10-4 (Dec 5-1)
5th Place Match – Brayden Blackwell (Central Mountain) 10-4 won in the ultimate tie breaker over Caleb Mussmon (Hempfield) 8-4 (UTB 4-3)