Bison Grapplers Pin Raiders, 45-23

BROOKVILLE – The Clearfield Bison wrestling team got back on the winning track Thursday with a win on the road over Brookville. Head Coach Jeff Aveni elected to make several lineup changes and those moves seemed to pay off overall as the Bison jumped out to an early 24-0 lead and never looked back. “This was a feel-good win for us”, said Assistant Coach Brent Lykens. \”We moved guys up, we weren’t sure how we’d stack up with Brookville….we’re pleased with the outcome.”

The meet began at 103 pounds, and the first Clearfield switch was sending Shane Peters out in that slot. Peters wasted no time, though, winning by fall in only 1:05 for his first contested varsity win. ”We knew Shane could get the job done there, he’s been working hard with Kodie [Lowder] in practice,\” said Lykens.

At 112, Lowder moved up and was the aggressor, racking up two takedowns, two nearfall points and an escape in a workmanlike 7-3 win. Lowder is now 18-6 on the season.

After Max VonGunden won by forfeit at 119, the bump-ups continued as Andrew Spicer moved to 125 to face Brandon Beyer. Again Spicer was aggressive, scoring three takedowns before securing the fall at 4:47.

Holden Lowe bumped to 130 and won 3-1 in OT against Dustin Dombrowski. Each wrestler scored an escape in regulation, but Lowe took a solid shot in the OT period to emerge the victor.

Shane Harper’s tough run continued as he dropped a 3-2 decision at 135. Harper was down 3-0 with under 10 seconds to go, but hit a takedown and almost scored back points for the win.

Richie Queen bumped to 140 to face Raider standout Justin Moore. After a scoreless first period, Moore was able to connect with two cradles, the second one pinning Queen at 3:40. Queen had not been pinned all season. Derek Danver got things going the Bison’s way again at 145, defeating Tyler Ferry 4-2 in OT. After a slow start Danver was the aggressor throughout the last half of the match and in OT.

After Kasey Casher lost by 21-4 technical fall, Shawn Hall got a quick takedown and 6 points for Clearfield with a fall at 1:27. Lee Zalno was the aggressor at 171, but freshman Jacob Shields showed impressive defensive moves in using Zalno’s aggressiveness against him, defeating Zalno 8-4.

Andre Buck lost by fall at 189 pounds, making the match close for a short while, but Mike Hall ended the suspense with his first varsity win, taking a10-4 lead before pinning Manny McConnville at 3:26. “Mike can wrestle – he’s a big guy who can move, but he’s very good on top. Very big win for Mike Hill,\” said Lykens.

Heavyweight Sean Owen capped the night with a fall in 1:39, running his record to 24-1.

As usual, the more aggressive team won, and Clearfield was most successful when they were aggressive on their feet. “”We emphasize scoring first – at times as a team we struggle with being aggressive right off the bat, but we did that tonight, and that often decides the match,\” said Lykens.

With the win Clearfield improves to 7-3 and will compete in the Altoona Duals Saturday from 9AM into the evening. Clearfield will wrestle five dual meets that day, starting off with the #3-ranked dual meet team in the state, Central Mountain.

Clearfield 45

Brookville 23

103 Peters WBF Gursky (B) 1:05 6-0

112 Lowder dec. Clark (B) 7-3 9-0

119 VonGunden WBFF 15-0

125 Spicer WBF Beyer (B) 4:47 21-0

130 Lowe dec. Dombroski (B) 3-1 OT 24-0

135 Bishop (B) dec. Harper 3-2 24-3

140 Moore (B) WBF Queen 3:40 24-9

145 Danver dec. Ferry (B) 4-2 OT 27-9

152 Zimmerman (B) TF Casher 21-4 27-14

160 Hall WBF Kornhauser (B) 1:27 33-14

171 Jac. Shields (B) dec. Zalno 8-4 33-17

189 Joe Shields (B) WBF Buck 2:40 33-23

215 Hill WBF McConnville (B) 3:26 39-23

285 Owen WBF Reitz (B) 1:39 45-23

Records as of 01/24/08