Fitting Ending As Bobcat Wrestlers Down Kittanning On Special Night (12/20/14)

The homestanding Clarion Bobcat Wrestling Team downed the Kittanning Wildcats 43-28, on Wednesday (December 18).

Riley

This was a special night, as the Bobcats conducted a fundraiser by selling Cure Rock T-Shirts, helping with the fight against childhood cancer, with the proceeds going to the Oncology Department of Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. The fundraiser was held in support of Clarion Junior High student Alaina McMaster, who is battling leukemia at Children’s. Over 220 shirts were sold.

As the saying goes, “Hollywood couldn’t have scripted the ending of this match any better.” The Bobcats’ final wrestler of the night, was Alaina’s brother, freshman Riley McMaster, who was wrestling his first varsity dual match. The nip and tuck, battle at 106, with Kittanning’s Brendon Malia, ended with Riley scoring late, for a 7-6  win.

This fitting climax to the match set off a major cheer of celebration by team and fans.

The match against the Wildcats, who are in their last season, as they are merging with Ford City next year, started with Bobcat Caleb Bailey getting a first period pin. Adrian Weber lost by fall at 132 and the score was tied at 6-all. Leo Aiello registered a third period pin at 138, followed by an 11-0 major decision by Colton Rapp, at 145 gave the Cats a 16-6 advantage.

Colton

Kittanning won by fall, at 152. Bobcats Mike LeFay, at 160 and Austin Holz at 170 each won by forfeit giving the Bobcats a 28-12 advantage. But two pins and a major decision by Kittanning wrestlers, in the next three matches, knotted the score at 28-all.

Zack Huet put the Cats ahead for good, at 32-28, with a first period pin. Bobcat 106 pounder, Alex Struble followed with another first period pin, moving Clarion’s advantage to 40-28. There was a double forfeit at 120, and then came the fitting end to the match with McMaster’s victory, which he dedicated to his sister.

Zack

The Bobcat Junior High Team won the preliminary, 48-27.

Riley Slagle (75) registered a pin for the Bobcats. Bryce Klawuhn (185) won a 6-2 decision and Seth Nellis (210) won 3-0.

Receiving forfeit wins for Clarion were: Login Dehner, Daniel Ketner, Frankie Weber, Justin Goodman and Korbin Schill.

The Bobcat Junior High Wrestlers host their Annual Tournament, today, (December 20) and both Varsity and Junior High will host Kane on Thursday, January 8th.

(BEST WISHES ALAINA!!!!!! OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU!!!!)

Cat Quotes:

Riley (on his victory), “(It) felt good, especially with the circumstances. Getting my first varsity win that way, felt really good. Alaina, I hope you get better soon.”

Riley with his father, Steve McMaster and Coach Rob Sintobin

Coach Rob Sintobin, “We’re really proud tonight. It was a special night to have Riley go out as a freshman, his first match as a rookie on the mat. Especially as a ninth grader, to be able to win on a night where we’re honoring his sister, who is fighting for her situation.  So we’re really proud of him, first and foremost.

“And all those kids who went out there and scored the extra points, you know that was big for us tonight. We’re very pleased. We had to shake off the rust on Tuesday (December 16 against Keystone). It wasn’t so good. this was a great way to come back.”