PUNXSUTAWNEY — The Curwensville Area High School wrestling team coupled four wins with bonus points and four forfeits into a 45-25 victory over Punxsutawney Wednesday night to level its record at 2-2.
Juniors Nick Caldwell and Brett McCracken engineered falls, freshman Derek Brothers earned a technical fall and sophomore Jeff Thomas added a major decison for the Golden Tide.
Caldwell pinned Jake Long 33 seconds into the second period, Brothers racked up nine back points to go with a takedown and two reversals for a 15-0 shutout of Ty Albright and Brett Sutika received a forfeit at 112 to give Curwensville a quick 17-0 lead.
Tyler Peters moved up to 119 and gave Derek Burkett a battle before losing 8-6 when the Chuck sophomore (13-2) notched his third takedown early in the first overtime period. Peters had tied the bout with an escape and takedown late in the third period.
Golden Tide 125-pounder Kyle Wescott was injured when he hit the mat hard in the first period and was forced to default to James Bullers, who led 2-1 at the time. That cut the Curwensville lead to 17-9, but Thomas put Jimmy Shirley on his back four times for a 16-3 win at 130 and Duane Wriglesworth III got a forfeit at 135 to make it 27-9.
After Punxsy\’s Patrick Mahan (12-3) used a pair of near falls and a takedown in the third period to major decision Justin Smith 12-2 at 140, McCracken clinched the victory for the Golden Tide by decking Jayme Good in 1:16 at 145, for Jarrett Sloppy at 160 and Jesse Hoover at 171 already were assured of forfeits.
Tempering the win was Nick Sipes\’ first loss of the season. The Golden Tide\’s two-time state placewinner had his 11-bout streak ended by Alex Cressley in a 3-0 surprise. The Punxsy senior notched his 11th win in 12 matches with a takedown early in the first period, a second period rideout and a third period escape.
The Chucks\’ other winners were 152-pounder Steve Cressley by fall over Matt Holland in 3:49 and 215-pounder Chris Neal by an 8-5 decision over Nathan Russell on an escape and takedown in the third period.
Coach Duane Wriglesworth III\’s Golden Tide will compete in the Cambria Heights Tournament Saturday at Patton.
Curwensville 45, Punxsutawney 25
285 — Nick Caldwell, C, pinned Jake Long, 2:33. (6-0)
103 — Derek Brothers, C, won by technical fall over Ty Albright, 15-0. (11-0)
112 — Brett Sutika, C, won by forfeit. (17-0)
119 — Derek Burkett, P, dec. Tyler Peters, 8-6 in overtime. (17-3)
125 — James Bullers, P, won by injury default over Kyle Wescott, 2:00. (17-9)
130 — Jeff Thomas, C, major dec. Jimmy Shirley, 16-3. (21-9)
135 — Duane Wriglesworth III, C, won by forfeit. (27-9)
140 — Patrick Mahan, P, major dec. Justin Smith, 12-2. (27-13)
145 — Brett McCracken, C, pinned Jayme Good, 1:16. (33-13)
152 — Steve Cressley, P, pinned Matt Holland, 3:;49. (33-19)
160 — Jarrett Sloppy, C, won by forfeit. (39-19)
171 — Jesse Hoover, C, won by forfeit. (45-19)
189 — Alex Cressley, P, dec. Nick Sipes, 3-0. (45-22)
215 — Chris Neal, P, dec. Nathan Russell, 8-5. (45-25)