Central Clarion’s Josh Beal’s Stellar Career Ends At PIAA 2A State Wrestling Championships (Also, Information On Upcoming Wrestling Banquet For Wrestlers And Parents Included Below The Article)

Above photo courtesy of Central Clarion Wildcats Wrestling – Josh Beal (Central Clarion) 3rd, Carson Neely (Port Allegany) 1st, John Duran (Fort LeBoeuf) 2nd, Joey Peterson (Greenville) 4th, At Northwest Regional Tournament, in Sharon, as Josh qualified for States

Central Clarion Wildcat Josh Beal, a senior from Keystone High School, concluded a fine scholastic mat career, at the Pennsylvania State Athletic Association (PIAA) 2A State Wrestling Championships, held Thursday, March 7th through Saturday March 9th, at the Giant Center in Hershey.

Josh, competing at 285, was injured in a technical fall loss to eventual third place winner Mark Effendian from Faith Christian Academy, in Championship Round 1. The injury prevented Josh from continuing in the competition.

Though Josh’s career ended on a down note, his career was one that he’ll look back on with found memories, a career that is one for the Clarion Bobcats/Central Clarion Wildcats record books, as this is the inaugural season in which the co-op of Clarion Area, Keystone and Clarion-Limestone have wrestled under the Wildcats moniker.

Josh finished the 2023-24 season with a 39-13 record. The 39 wins are believed to be a new season record for both, surpassing the previous record of 38. He had 30 pins this season, eclipsing the old mark of 29.

Josh’s career record is 81-31, including 49 wins by fall.

A yearly breakdown includes:

Freshman/2020-2021: 3-3 (1 Pin); Sophomore/2021-22: 21-10 (8 pins); Junior/2022-23: 18-5 (10 pins); Senior/2023-24: 39-13 (30 pins).

Josh had an 11-3 dual meet record this season and he helped the team to first place finish at the Mercer VFW Tournament. He finished third in the Northwest Regional 2A Tournament.

Wildcats’ head coach Braun Gourley had these fine words to say about Josh, “Overall it was a very successful year for Josh and the Central Wildcat wrestling team.  Josh set the bar high for future generations.  We hope to carry that success on next year.

“Thank you to Josh and all the seniors.  Good luck.”

(Congratulations to Josh and the other seniors on your Bobcats/Wildcats careers!!!!)

*** Special Announcement: The upcoming wrestling banquet, for wrestlers of all levels (Elementary, Junior High and Varsity and and their parents, will be held at the Haskell House on the corner of South 5th Avenue and Main Street in Clarion, on Wednesday, March 20th at 6:00 PM. Wrestlers and parents are requested to contact their respective coaches if they plan on attending:

Bryan Kiskadden (Elementary) bryank@mandbgroup.net

Mike LeFay (Junior High) mikeylefay@gmail.com

Braun Gourley (Varsity) braung@mandbgroup.net