CLARION – In a fitting conclusion to what coach Duane Wriglesworth II labels a “crazy year,” the Curwensville Area High School wrestling team couldn’t overcome the absence of five regulars and suffered a 36-27 loss to District 9 Class AA rival Clarion Thursday night.
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“There were some hard-fought bouts, and it was a good match,” Wriglesworth said. “We just didn’t have enough bodies.”
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The Golden Tide, which finished a disappointing 5-15, had a trio of bonus-point wins to go with a pair of forfeits.
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Jake Keller (119 pounds) engineered a fall, Derek Brothers (130) rolled up a 17-0 technical fall and Kyle Kyler earned his first major decision of the season, while Jason Baker (140) and Chad Desmett (171) were unopposed.
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“Kyler and Hunter McCracken had real good matches,” Wriglesworth said.
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McCracken was edged 3-1 by Dylan Reinsel (23-4), one of Clarion’s top wrestlers, at 135.
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The Bobcats, who defeated Johnsonburg late Thursday night for an 11-8 record, won all four close bouts, two by two points, one by three and one four.
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Forfeits at 103 and 112 gave the Bobcats an 18-6 lead they never relinquished, though the Golden Tide sliced the margin to 24-23 going to the final three weights. A fall at 145 clinched it for the hosts since they had a forfeit coming at 160.
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Jordan Russell (103), Greg Koptchak (112), Alex Holt (130), Brett Sutika (140) and Jonathan Michaels (189) missed the injury-riddled Golden Tide’s finale.
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“I’ve never seen it like this,” Wriglesworth said. “I thought we wrestled well for the kids we put out on the mat.”
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The Golden Tide will have a week to heal and prepare for the District 9 Class AA Tournament set for next Friday and Saturday in Tippin Gymnasium on the Clarion University campus.
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CLARION 36, CURWENSVILLE 27
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171 – Marcus Smerker, Cl, dec. Alex Holland, 3-1. (0-3)
189 – Chad Desmett, Cur, won by forfeit. (6-0)
215 – Ian Matson, Cl, dec. Brian Zemba, 6-2. (6-6)
285 – No match.
103 – Dustin Young, Cl, won by forfeit. (6-12)
112 – Mike Baur, Cl, won by forfeit. (6-18)
119 – Jake Keller, Cur, pinned Devon Everett, 2:42. (12-18)
125 – Joey Beck, Cl, dec. Nathan Wriglesworth, 4-0. (12-21)
130 – Derek Brothers, Cur, technical fall Ricki Elliot, 17-0 (2:41). (17-21)
135 – Dylan Reinsel, Cl, dec. Hunter McCracken, 3-1. (17-24)
140 – Jason Baker, Cur, won by forfeit. (23-24)
145 – Alex Gunter, Cl, pinned Wes McGarry, 3:54. (23-30)
152 – Kyle Kyler, Cur, major dec. Lee Foltz, 10-2. (27-30)
160 – Danny Walters, Cl, won by forfeit. (27-36)
