BROOKVILLE – Curwensville wrestlers had their hands raised in nine of the first 10 bouts for a 45-21 win over Brookville in scholastic action between District 9 Class AA rivals Wednesday night.
The Golden Tide raised its record to 5-11 on a fall by Brett Sutika at 145 pounds, decisions by Greg Koptchak at 112, Wes McGarry at 152 and Kyle Kyler at 160 and five forfeits.
Jordan Russell (103), Derek Brothers (125), Alex Holt (130), Hunter McCracken (135) and Jason Baker (140) received forfeits.
Sutika (10-10) evened his record for the first time this season by pinning Dylan Buffington midway through the second period.
Koptchak (6-2) kept Shane Hummel under control for a 6-0 shutout, McGarry bested Mitch Minich 6-2 and Kyler edged Tyler Dombrowski 5-4.
Brothers (19-2), Russell (12-5) and Baker (3-1) are the other Golden Tide matmen with winning records.
Jake Keller is expected to join them in that department soon, but the sophomore 119-pounder had his return to the mats spoiled by returning district champion Brett Smith in the match’s 7-6 headliner.
Keller, who has been sidelined because of broken leg he suffered in October, is coming off an outstanding rookie campaign of 29-5, just missing a trip to the regionals in one of the toughest weight classes in 9-AA last year. He lost 3-1 to top seed Jesse Wolfe of Johnsonburg in the consolation finals.
Smith, Brookville’s winningest wrestler at 17-7, got the early lead with a takedown and then traded reversals with Keller to lead 4-2 after one period.
The only point in the second period was an escape by Smith, who made it 7-2 with another takedown in the final minute.
However, Keller wouldn’t quit and almost sent the bout to overtime with a late reversal and near fall at the buzzer.
Curwensville’s next dual meet will be at home against West Branch on Feb. 4.
Curwensville 45, Brookville 21
103 – Jordan Russell, C, won by forfeit. (6-0)
112 – Greg Koptchak, C, dec. Shane Hummel, 6-0. (9-0)
119 – Brett Smith, P, dec. Jake Keller, 7-6. (9-3)
125 – Derek Brothers, C, won by forfeit. (15-3)
130 – Alex Holt, C, won by forfeit. (21-3)
135 – Hunter McCracken, C, won by forfeit. (27-3)
140 – Jason Baker, C, won by forfeit. (33-3)
145 – Brett Sutika, C, pinned Dylan Buffington, 2:59. (39-3)
152 – Wes McGarry, C, dec. Mitch Minich, 6-2. (42-3)
160 – Kyle Kyler, C, dec. Tyler Dombrowski, 5-4. (45-3)
171 – Jacob Cieleski, B, dec. Alex Holland, 10-5. (45-6)
189 – Jacob Shields, B, pinned Chad Desmett, :42. (45-12)
215 – Madison Shobert, B, dec. Brian Zemba, 9-3. (45-15)
285 – Mike Crane, B, won by forfeit. (45-21)
