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.
“There were some hard-fought bouts, and it was a good match,” Wriglesworth said. “We just didn’t have enough bodies.”
The Golden Tide, which finished a disappointing 5-15, had a trio of bonus-point wins to go with a pair of forfeits.
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.
“Kyler and Hunter McCracken had real good matches,” Wriglesworth said.
McCracken was edged 3-1 by Dylan Reinsel (23-4), one of Clarion’s top wrestlers, at 135.
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.
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.
Jordan Russell (103), Greg Koptchak (112), Alex Holt (130), Brett Sutika (140) and Jonathan Michaels (189) missed the injury-riddled Golden Tide’s finale.
“I’ve never seen it like this,” Wriglesworth said. “I thought we wrestled well for the kids we put out on the mat.”
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.
CLARION 36, CURWENSVILLE 27
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)