Logan Powell And Mason Gourley Conclude Fine Freshman Seasons With Solid Showing At Northwest Regional Class-AA Wrestling Tournament

(Above image courtesy Clarion Area Wrestling: Mason and Logan with District Nine medals)

(By Clarion Area Head Coach Lee Weber)

We brought two freshmen over to Sharon High School for some experience at the Northwestern Regional Class-AA Tournament this past weekend (Friday and Saturday, March 4th and 5th). Some may have thought that this tournament is way over their heads, but Logan and Mason didn’t! 

Both Logan Powell and Mason Gourley wanted to prove that they belong with the best wrestlers from 9th-12th grades in Northwestern PA! Out of 12 wrestlers in each bracket, 106 Logan (3-2) and 145 Mason (2-3) took 5th and 6th place respectively! The top 4 places will move on to the State Tournament next week.

Logan, the second-place finisher out of District Nine started out facing Cale Dailey of Franklin. Logan fell behind 2-0 with a takedown from Dailey in the first. After riding his opponent tough, Logan got caught in a roll through and was pinned in the 2nd period. In the first consolation round, Logan controlled Andrew Coriaty of Oswego Valley with a 14-1 major decision! 

Next round, Logan beat a tough Cochranton wrestler, Kyle Lantz, by a 4-1 decision.  In his Consi-semi round, Logan lost to last week’s district final champion, Eli Brosius from Cranberry, by a 7-2 score. Winning this round would have sent Logan to States, but he did come back strong by beating Sierra Chiesa of Northwestern for 5th place. If any wrestler in the Top 4 cannot wrestle for any reason at the State level, the 5th place finisher would move up to 4th and qualify for States!

Mason also came into Regionals as the second-place finisher from Districts. Mason drew Camren Klenke of Reynolds and gave him everything he could handle in a 3-2 loss. Mason received an injury forfeit from Logan McDonald of Youngsville in the consolation first round.  Trey Proper of Corry is a large, strong wrestler but Mason out-techniqued his opponent for a solid 4-2 win! 

In Mason’s State qualifying match, he faced last week’s district champion, Reese Bechakas of Kane and lost a hard fought 5-2 decision.  This dropped him down to the 5th place match. Cullen Summers of Sharpsville used his size and strength to his advantage and beat Mason 7-0.

Both Logan and Mason put forth many hours of off-season training at Partner Trained and I hope our other wrestlers will take advantage of this free training provided by our booster club.  Both had a tremendous first year at the varsity level!  They will be a force to deal with in the next 3 years! 

Great job boys!

(Congratulations, Logan and Mason!!!! Thanks to Coach Weber for this article and Clarion Area Wrestling for the image.)

Team Standings: 1) Brookville; 2) Reynolds; 3) Brockway; 4) Hickory; 5) Saegertown; 6) Corry; 7) Cochranton; 8) Fort LeBoeuf; 9) Greenville; 10) Titusville; 11-tie) Conneaut Area, Johnsonburg; 13-tie) Curwensville, Girard; 15) Commodore Perry; 16) Cranberry; 17) Grove City; 18) Kane; 19) Harbor Creek; 20) Eisenhower; 21) Sharpsville; 22-tie) Northwestern, Port Allegany; 24) Cambridge Springs; 25) Franklin; 26) Clarion; 27-tie) Redbank Valley, Sharon; 29) Mercer; 30) Maplewood; 31) Union City; 32) Sheffield; 33-tie) Ridgway, Seneca, Slippery Rock; 36-tie) Coudersport, North East, Oswayo Valley, Youngsville.