Wildcat wrestlers pull away from Milton on Senior Night, 41-21
BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP, PA – It was Senior Night for the Central Mountain wrestling team Thursday, but it also turned out to be “unsung heroes night” as multiple non-headline-maker Wildcat grapplers stepped up, part of a 41-21 win for the home team over visiting Milton (8-7).
It was an illness-depleted Central Mountain, starters junior Luke Simcox, senior Gino Serafini and junior Rocco Serafini all missing from the lineup. And while usual stoppers Dalton Perry (17-2) and Griffin Walizer (16-2) picked up wins, there was help up and down the lineup to secure the undefeated Wildcats’ sixth straight dual meet win.
All three seniors in the lineup turned in victories: Braylen Corter (12-8) with a 23-6 technical fall in 4:00 at 152 pounds; Dakota McDermott (7-6) with a come-from-behind second period fall at 215; and heavyweight Brayden Blackwell (14-8) with a 3-2 decision in the night’s final bout.
Several Wildcats surrendered the initial takedown but came back to win: Jaggar Pardoe (6-9) with a fall at 114; Jacob Weaver (12-8) with a second period fall at 172; and McDermott at 215. Coach Biff Walizer noted the importance of those three bouts, stating that when down, “They kept wrestling; the scoreboard would look a lot different if they hadn’t.”
Another clutch win was recorded at 145 pounds when previously winless (0-4) Luke Ananea recorded a first period pin. Coach Walizer noted Ananea’s record was deceiving coming in as he had accumulated significant mat time in his freshman year last season. The coach said, “We know the caliber of the wrestler that Luke is, it was good and will help with his confidence.”
Coach Walizer saluted his seniors for their service and said the three who competed and won Thursday achieved “something they’ll remember.”
The Wildcats get a one-day break and then it’s off to the talent-laden Escape the Rock tournament at Council Rock South High School this Saturday and Sunday. More than 50 schools from multiple states will be competing.
Central Mountain will return home Thursday, Jan. 19 for their final regular season dual meet with Bald Eagle Area.
