After a narrow, one point victory in its season opener, the Clearfield Bison wrestling team unleashed a pin stampede on the Punxsutawney Chucks Monday night in a 49-22 victory over their District IX foe to up their season record to 2-0.
“I told my guys that we needed falls tonight rather than decisions and they stepped it up,” said head coach Jeff Aveni.
Shane Harper started the pin parade for the Bisons at 145 with a third period fall over Duell Thompson in the opening bout of the evening.
In the most anticipated bout of the match, Clearfield’s Derek Danver and Punxsy’s James Shirley continued their rivalry at 152. Danver, who defeated Shirley in close matches at last year’s district and regional tournaments, proved to be too much for the lone Chuck senior as he notched a 7-2 victory. “That was another big win for us against a quality wrestler,” added Aveni.
The next two bouts went Punxsy’s way as Derek Kerr pinned Clearfield’s Gabe Ford in the first period at 160 and Carl Langley thumped Wil Beauseigneur 10-2 at 171.
At 189, Bison Cliff Hill put the visitors back on top with a first period fall over Josh Neal.
Punxsy would take the lead for the last time at 215 when Tige Woodson pinned Jordan Lancaster in 2:45. “Jordan Lancaster is really coming along,” said Aveni. “He has alot of ability and is working real hard for us. I’m watching him improve every match.”
Trailing by one point, the Bisons went to work and won the next six bouts, registering four falls along the way.
At 285, Andre Buck needed only 1:03 to flatten Tyler Titus and Shane Peters dominated Devan Snyder at 103 before decking him in 3:46.
Clearfield’s two freshmen continued the stampede as Christian Stone at 112 built up a 9-2 lead before clamping Anthony Pascuzzo’s shoulders to the mat at 2:16 and Nolan Barger earned a 10-0 major decision over Seth Spack at 119. Scoreless after the first period, Barger used a tight cradle for three different sets of nearfall points in dominating Spack.
At 125, Clearfield’s Kodie Lowder kept it going with a rather quick 43 second pin of Caesar Maruca and then Bison Max Von Gunden avenged last year’s shutout loss to Punxsy’s Neko Cappella by turning the Chuck in the third period at 130 for a 5-2 decision.
Punxsy was able to stop the onslaught at 135 as state-ranked Kody Young pinned Andrew Hill of the Bisons in 2:49.
In the last bout of the match, Clearfield’s Troy Danver picked up his first dual meet victory with an impressive 6-4 decision over Nathan McGregor. Danver notched the opening takedown and then both wrestlers traded reversals to end the period. McGregor tied the bout with a two point nearfall in the second period, but Danver wrestled hard and tilted the Chuck in the third period for two points of his own and the 6-4 win.
“That was a great win for Troy. He wrestled a good smart match and I’m very happy for him.” said Aveni
Clearfield’s next wrestling action will be Monday and Tuesday as they travel to Brockway to take part in the Big Dog Tournament. The Bisons’ next dual meet will be January 4th as they go on the road again to take on the Brookville Raiders.
Bout by bout:
145: Shane Harper, C, wbf 5:10 – Duell Thompson, P 6-0
152: Derek Danver, C, wbd 7-2 – James Shirley, P 9-0
160: Derek Kerr, P, wbf 1:54 – Gabe Ford, C 9-6
171: Carl Langley, P wbmd 10-2 – Wil Beauseigneur, C 9-10
189: Cliff Hill, C wbf 1:50 – Josh Neal, P 15-10
215: Tige Woodson, P wbf 2:54 – Jordan Lancaster, C 15-16
285: Andre Buck, C wbf 1:03 – Tyler Titus, P 21-16
103: Shane Peters, c wbf 3:46 – Devan Snyder 27-16
112: Christian Stone, C wbf 2:16 – Anthony Pascuzzo 33-16
119: Nolan Barger, C wbmd 10-0 – Seth Spack, P 37-16
125: Kodie Lowder, C wbf :43 – Caesar Maruca, P 43-16
130: Max Von Gunden, C wbd 5-2 – Neko Capella, P 46-16
135: Kody Young, P wbf 2:49 – Andrew Hill, C 46-22
140: Troy Danver, C wbd 6-4 – Nathan McGregor, P 49-22