Wrestling: Bobcats Down Wolverines

(Coach Lee Weber’s comments on the wrestlers are in Bold after their match listing.)

The Clarion Area Bobcat wrestlers traveled to Sheffield on Thursday (January 5th) and came away with a 40-31 victory over the Wolverines.

Clarion started out winning the first matches, to lead 12-0. Kayden Ferguson getting a forfeit win at 106. Grayson Aaron pinning his opponent in 1:45 at 113. After falling behind 5-0, he reversed his opponent for an important fall for 6 team points!

The Bobcats dropped the next four bouts.

Logan Powell (121) lost a 12-3 major decision. Logan is one of our captains.  He was willing to move up and challenge a very strong opponent in a toss-up match.  Even though he lost, he saved us two team points by battling through it.

Seth Weckerly fell 14-8 at 127. Sheffield expected 6 points against Seth but Seth gave his opponent everything he could handle by losing only by decision.  Seth showed a lot of heart in this match.

Zane Vantassel lost by fall at 3:03, in the 133 match. Zane had a strong first period against their best middleweight but he eventually lost by fall in the second period.

Brandon Wright also lost by fall, in 3:45 at 139. Brendon was tougher on his feet, but the more experienced opponent caught Brendon late in the second. 

With the Wolverines now leading 19-12, it was time for the Bobcats to put on a run of their own.

Jacob Henry pinned his opponent at 145 in 57 seconds. He made short work of a seasoned wrestler in less than a minute!

Ben Aaron registered a 17-8 major decision at 152. Ben was inserted in at the last second and came through with a big win that they didn’t expect.  Ben had 7 takedowns and gave up none to dominate his match.

Mason Gourley recorded a pin in 1:52 at 160. They tried to run away from Mason with their good 152 pounder but they couldn’t since we won the toss.  So when they bumped up, we were able to follow with Mason.  Mason had a nice takedown and near-fall before he pinned him late in the first period.

So what was a 19-12 deficit earlier, was now a 28-19 Bobcat lead.

Sheffield closed out their point production, with pins in the next two matches, giving the Wolverines a 31-28 lead.

Clarion’s Matt Alston fell in fifty-six seconds at 172 and Gavin Hannold fell at 1:40 at 189. Matt had to take on their best upper weight and lost by fall.  Gavin jumped out to an early lead with a strong shot and scramble but eventually got reversed and was caught on his back for a fall.

Logan Edmonds put Clarion on top again, at 34-31, by pinning his opponent at 1:50 of the 215 bout. Put the match away by tossing his opponent on his back for 6 points!

With Bobcat Josh Beal receiving a forfeit win at 285, the 40-31 victory was set.

Coach Weber concluded: We beat a good Sheffield team that beat us twice last year in close matches.

The Bobcats will take part in the Coudersport Duals, tomorrow (Saturday, January 7th).

(Great Work, Bobcats!!!!)