NEW BETHLEHEM – Bonus points made the difference for the Curwensville Area High School wrestling team in a thrilling 35-33 victory over District 9 Class AA rival Redbank Valley Tuesday night.
The teams split the 14 bouts, but the Golden Tide got falls from Jeff Thomas at 145 pounds, Jonathan Michaels at 189 and Nathan Russell at 215 and a technical fall from Jake Keller at 112 to go with crucial decisions by Tyler Peters at 125 and Justin Smith at 160 plus a forfeit for Derek Brothers at 119.
\”It was a big win,\” Golden Tide coach Duane Wriglesworth II said. \”I was really pleased. The kids wrestled with a lot of heart.
\”Redbank Valley always is a solid team and a big match for us every year. It was good to see our team get a win over a fundamentally sound program.
\”It definitely was a team effort. I was really pleased.\”
Back-to-back pins by Michaels and Russell gave Curwensville (6-3) a 12-0 start, and Redbank Valley (1-4), which won its own holiday tournament, never drew even, though closing the gap to three points once and four points twice.
Keller\’s 15-0 shutout of Nick Schreckengost in 4:56, Brothers\’ forfeit and Peters\’ 7-2 victory over 2008 PIAA qualifier Tyler McCauley gave the Golden Tide its biggest lead, 26-9, midway through the match.
\”I was really pleased with Peters,\” Wriglesworth said. \”He really looked good on his feet.\”
Ahead 2-1 in the third period, the Golden Tide senior hit a lateral drop for a five-point move that decided the outcome.
After Bulldog wins in the next three bouts made it 26-22, Thomas pinned Dave Killion in 25 seconds.
That fall was offset by Bulldog 152-pounder Justin Radaker, but Smith took down Nolan Cypher in overtime for a meet-clinching 6-4 decision.
\”He did a really nice fireman\’s carry with what little energy he had left,\” Wriglesworth said. \”It was a gut check for him, because he was spent. It was really good to see him come through for the team.\”
The Golden Tide faces another stern test Thursday at Ridgway. The Elkers are 10-1, with their only close match a 33-32 loss at Towanda.
Curwensville 35, Redbank Valley 33
189 – Jonathan Michaels, C, pinned Curtis Lee, 3:15. (6-0)
215 – Nathan Russell, C, pinned Brandon Bowser, 3:10. (12-0)
285 – Shane Bowser, RV, pinned Walter Koontz, 2:25. (12-6)
103 – Garrett Hildebrand, RV, dec. Greg Koptchak, 5-4 (ot). (12-9)
112 – Jake Keller, C, won by technical fall over Nick Schreckengost, 15-0 in 4:56. (17-9)
119 – Derek Brothers, C, won by forfeit. (23-9)
125 – Tyler Peters, C, dec. Tyler McCauley, 7-2. (26-9)
130 – Trevor McCauley, RV, major dec. Jeff Smallwood, 11-1. (26-13)
135 – Nick McCauley, RV, dec. Brett Sutika, 2-1. (26-16)
140 – Kasey Haines, RV, pinned Wes McGarry, 2:57. (26-22)
145 – Jeff Thomas, C, pinned Dave Killion, :25. (32-22)
152 – Justin Radaker, RV, pinned Kyle Kyler, 2:59. (32-28)
160 – Justin Smith, C, dec. Nolan Cypher, 6-4 (ot). (35-28)
171 – Logan Shirey, RV, won by technical fall over Zack Dimmick, 16-1 in 2:56. (35-33)
