Ben Smith Wins Area V Junior High Junior Olympics Wrestling Title, Moves On To States (03/01/16)

(By Coach Dave Smail)

This past Sunday (February 28th), St. Marys Wrestling hosted the 2016 Area V Junior High JO Tournament. Clarion had a few Junior High wrestlers compete.

(Photo by Dave Smail) Ben Smith 2016 Area V 187lb Junior High Champion

One hard working 187 lb. Clarion wrestler had rose to the top to earn the title as Area V Champion. Congratulations goes to Ben Smith, a 14 yr. old 8th grader from Clarion-Limestone. He is the son of Mike and Angie Smith of Limestone.

Ben entered the tournament as the #1 seed, his first round match was against the #8 seed Gage Roos from Curwensville, he was able to pin Gage just 41 seconds in the first period. Round 2 Ben faced the #4 seed John Milliron from West Branch, he made short work of him in just 25 seconds and boosted himself into the finals. In the finals he went head to head with the #3 seed Jacob Schuckers from Punxsutawney. Ben was able to finish him at the 1:24 minute mark of the 1st period. Great Job Ben!!!

This weekend Ben will travel to the Jr. High State Tournament which is held in Johnstown to compete for a chance to become a State Champion. This will be his 2nd trip in 3 years, we are all proud of Ben’s hard work and determination that has gotten him to this level and we are even more proud how well he represents himself and family (also his Clarion wrestling family). Good Luck at States Ben!!

(Thanks to Coach Smail for this article and photo. Have a great State Tournament Ben!!!!)