Junior High Wrestlers Perform Well At Keystone (12/26/2017)

on 26 December, 2017 at 11:10

(By CSZ Sports Writer Kenn Staub) Clarion junior high wrestling coach Matt Liggett had to have been pleased with his grapplers after watching their performance against Keystone on Wednesday, December 20. After all, his charges won that evening’s three officially contested bouts and one of two exhibitions.

Owen Reinsel with the win. (photograph by Susan Staub)

Owen Reinsel got things started for the Bobcats in his 95-pound bout against Kolton Heeter. Reinsel took the Keystone wrestler down within ten seconds of the opening whistle and then exposed Heeter’s back on four separate occasions to take a commanding 13-0 lead after the first period. Choosing to start the second period in the down position, Reinsel reversed Heeter to score the two points needed for a 15-0 technical fall at the 2:40 mark of the bout.

At 130-pounds Breckin Rex squared off against the Panthers’ Caleb Edmonds. Rex jumped ahead 8-0 in the first period, the result of an opening takedown and two near fall situations. By the end of the second, Rex had extended his lead to 10-1, using a takedown toward the period’s end to notch two points. Rex scored a takedown in the third and then tilted Edmonds for two back points to open up a 14-1 lead. As the third period drew to a close Rex cradled Edmonds and was awarded three near fall points to take a 17-1 lead, earning the technical fall with two seconds remaining in the bout.

Carl Welch has his hand raised in victory. (photograph by Susan Staub)

The final official bout of the evening pitted Clarion 155-pounder Carl Welch against Keystone’s Logan Edmonds. Welch took Edmonds down and then used a half nelson to stick the Panther grappler near the halfway point of the first period (0:57).

Clarion’s Reinsel and Logan Divins were featured in exhibition contests. Reinsel was leading Keystone’s Steven Harriett 8-0 when he pinned the Panther grappler with five seconds remaining in the first period. Divins was pinned by Panther Caleb Edmonds in the third period (4:48).