After Tribute To Coach Kundick, Bobcat Wrestlers Down Chucks, Junior High Victorious Also (01/17/20)

Just prior to the Varsity wrestling match Punxsutawney on Thursday (January, 16th), Clarion Head Coach Brian Luton led those in attendance, in a moment of silence for former Redbank Valley wrestling coach, who passed away Monday (January 13th) at age 88.

Coach Kundick, a U.S. Navy Veteran of the Korean War, taught math at Redbank Valley and guided the Bulldogs for 22 years, compiling a 207-73-1 dual meet record.

Before giving the meet recap, it is fitting to share Coach Luton’s words, that he shared after the meet: “It was really sad news to hear about the passing of Coach Kundick. But, we wanted to honor him with a moment of silence tonight.

“He was a huge part of District Nine wrestling and Pennsylvania wrestling for that matter. Really a one of kind individual; definitely going to miss him. I don’t know that you will ever replace (him).

“When you lose somebody like that, you really think about all the things they contributed to the sport. We’re definitely down a very influential guy. He influenced a lot of guys in his time in a very positive way. Definitely going to miss the guy.”

Coach Kundick can probably best be described as “An Icon.” Clarion Sports Zone condolences to Mike, John, Ben, Tammy and family and all of the Redbank Valley.

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The homestanding Cats downed Punxsutawney 36-22, in a match that saw the teams split the contested bouts at four-apiece, with all but one of those bouts decided by fall (that one a major decision).

The match started at 285, where Clarion’s Ben Smith won by fall over Hunter Harris, at 54 seconds, giving the Cats a 6-0 lead.

There were no matches at 106 and 113. Bobcat Zack Keihl won by forfeit at 120, moving the Cats’ lead to 12-0.

There was no match at 126. At 132, Punxy’s Brady Smith pinned Colton Zacherl, in 3:37, cutting Clarion’s lead to 12-6.

The Bobcats registered three straight pins to push their lead to 30-6. Taylar Altman won in 1:08 over Sylier Rothrock at 138, Breckin Rex downed Garrett Fischer in 3:08, at 145 and at 152, Caleb Edmonds was victorious over Vincenzo Scott at 2:50.

Punxy’s Grant Miller had a 14-4 major decision over Donavan Edmonds at 160, making the score 30-10, Clarion.

Cutter Boggess won by forfeit at 170, pushing the Bobcat lead to 36-10. There was no match at 182.

Punxy closed out the scoring with Joshua Miller winning by fall, in 3:19 over Logan Edmonds at 195, followed by a Garrett Eddy fall over Kaoz Baker at 40 seconds in match at 220.

A pleased Coach Luton had this to say about his team’s performance, “We really wanted to get out and be dominant. We knew we had a chance to win the match, tonight, if we took care of business. I think for the most part we did that.

“The guys that got into some situations, were able to fight their way back out of it and get the kid in a pretty precarious situation. We got a lot of falls tonight, lots of bonus points. And that’s what we are after. So, it’s coming.

“There were a lot of bonus points both ways. So we’ve got to stay off our back, but it’s nice to see us put some guys on their back and finish it off.”

The Junior High Bobcats won a close 45-42 decision.

Clarion’s Mason Gourley won 7-2 at 108.

Picking up wins by forfeit for the Bobcats were: Ethan Lloyd (87), Zane Van Tassel (94), Logan Powell (101), Seth Weckerly (115), Colby Wright (170), Derek Smail (190) and Brock Champluvier (250).

Clarion Wrestling will host the Clarion Odd Age Tournament, tomorrow Saturday (January 18th) and then, the Bobcats will travel to Brockway on Tuesday (January, 21st) and then be in action at the Fred Bell Tournament at Grove City on Friday and Saturday (January 24th and 25th).

(Nice Match, Cats!!!!)