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THANK YOU, SENIORS: Central Mountain dominates Mifflin County, 41-21, to thank seniors

A few seniors from the Central Mountain High School wrestling team pose with their parents during a ceremony. Current Wildcats seniors are Seth Andrus, Austyn Karson, Asher Corl, Mahlik Houtz, Logan Long, Matt Probst and Tanner Weaver. (The Express/Tim Weight)

MILL HALL — The Central Mountain and Mifflin County wrestling squads have hooked up in a number of hotly contested dual meets over the years, and Wednesday night’s match was just another one of those.

On the strength of four pins plus winning several close matches, the Wildcats had plenty of fuel in their tank to defeat the Huskies 41-21 before a capacity crowd in the Wildcat gymnasium.

Following the meet, CM assistant coach Doug Buckwalter had a chat with the Wildcats.

“We are trending in the right direction,” said Buckwalter while addressing the squad. “We are starting to battle and win some of close ones whereas earlier in the season, maybe we were a little hesitant and weren’t coming out on top of some of those.”

Starting at 138, the Wildcats sprinted out to a quick 12-0 lead on the strength of first period pins by Lane Porter and Logan Long and they never looked back.

“We were able to get the momentum going early with those falls,” said CM head coach Biff Walizer. “We didn’t really like the starting spot. We had Cody Coleman down to 134 today for the first time. He is making that sacrifice for the team so we have the option of bumping Seth Andrus up to 138 if need be. We thought that would be the case, but they surprised us by having (Logan) Wise down at 126. That threw a wrinkle in there that we weren’t expecting. Looking to get the optimum effort from the lineup we felt that Lane (Porter) because of having the bigger body would be our best choice. He went out and got that pin and yes, that was big jumping out on them early like that. We just have to keep moving forward.”

Mifflin County head coach Kirby Martin agreed with Walizer about the start.

“They had an outstanding start and never let off the gas pedal,” said Martin. “They got us down early and we didn’t respond. This match was a good test of character for our guys and we will see how the kids respond tomorrow (Thursday) heading into this weekend. We are going to compete in an individual tournament and hopefully we’ll see some better wrestling from our guys.”

Martin was also quick to allude to the balanced lineup the Wildcats put on the mat.

“They just have great balance throughout their lineup,” said Martin. “Credit to them because tonight they were the better team. Every one of their kids did their job and that makes a big difference in a match. They had four pins and won several close bouts and those two things made the difference tonight. We only had one pin and with that, you are not going to win many dual meets.”

Alonzo Henry used five takedowns and a pair of escapes for a 12-8 decision over Brycen Hassinger, but Trey Kibe temporarily stopped the bleeding for the Huskies when he was an 8-3 winner over Asher Corl in a battle of state-ranked wrestlers at 160.

Tanner Weaver picked up the third of the four pins for the Wildcats when he disposed of Anthony Fultz in 1:51 at 170. Trailing 21-3, that is where Mifflin County made a move by winning the next two bouts.

Jacob Krepps was all over Austin Confer for a 15-4 major decision before defending PIAA champion Trent Hidlay rode an 8-takedown effort to a 22-7 technical fall in 5:12 over Tanner Riggle.

As for the close matches, two of those came in the next two bouts. Mahlik Houtz did all of his scoring in the final period for a 3-2 nod over Kross Todero at 220 before Jacob Edwards held off Bronson Smith-Price for a 5-3 decision at 285 to turn the lineup over.

Jason Rinker picked up the fourth deck job for the Wildcats when he only needed 14 seconds to get the count on Andrew Weaver, but Christian Fisher answered at 113 when the ranked Husky lightweight was a pair better than Johnny Shreffler for a 6-4 win in overtime.

“Johnny had a close bout by sending it to overtime and that came against a returning state place winner,” said Walizer. “They have wrestled several times and that as close as he has gotten to beating Fisher. Previously Fisher had pretty much dominated him so that was good to see him battle like he did tonight.”

Derek Burk had pinned Dalton Bechdel the last time they wrestled, but this time it was Bechdel’s turn to walk off the winner with a 4-1 decision.

“Burk pinned Dalton in the first period a little over a week ago so that was a nine-point swing in our favor,” said Walizer. ”

Mifflin County’s Logan Wise was too much for Kayden Busey, Wise winning with a pin in 3:39 before Central Mountain’s Seth Andrus put on a takedown clinic with eight slicks en route to a 22-6 technical fall to set the final.

Heading down the home stretch, Martin feels that his troops are in pretty good shape.

“This time of the year you are going to be banged up with the usual bumps and bruises, but all in all, health wise, we are in pretty good shape.”

The Wildcats will be right back on the mats tonight when they travel to Williamsport High School’s Magic Dome for a dual meet with the Millionaires. First whistle for that meet is set for 7 p.m.

Central Mountain 41,

Mifflin County 21

138 — Lane Porter, CM, pinned John Retherford, :34. (6-0)

145 — Logan Long, CM, pinned Brian Smink, 1:39. (12-0)

152 — Alonzo Henry, CM, dec. Bryce Hassinger, 12-8. (15-0)

160 — Trey Kibe, MC, dec. Asher Corl, 8-3. (15-3)

170 — Tammer Weaver, CM, pinned Anthony Fultz, 1:51. (21-3)

182 — Jacob Krepps, MC, maj. Dec. Austin Confer, 15-4. (21-7)

195 — Trent Hidlay, MC, tech. fall Tanner Riggle, 22-7, 5:12. (21-12)

220 — Mahlik Houtz, CM, dec. Kross Todero, 3-2. (24-12)

285 — Jacob Edwards, CM, dec. Bronson Smith-Price, 5-3. (27-12)

106 — Jason Rinker, CM, pinned Andrew Weaver, :14. (33-12)

113 — Christian Fisher, MC, dec. Johnny Shreffler, 6-4. (33-15)

120 — Dalton Bechdel, CM, dec. Derek Burk, 4-1. (36-15)

126 — Logan Wise, MC, pinned Kayden Busey, 3:39. (36-21)

132 — Seth Andrus, CM, tech. fall Josh Snook, 22-6, 5:20. (41-21)

Official: Larry Guenot.

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