DUBOIS — The Clearfield Bison wrestling team (1-0) opened its dual meet season with a 45-30 win over the defending District 9 champion, the DuBois Beavers (0-1), on Tuesday night.
The dual meet featured 10 falls with seven of them by the visiting Bison. Some were not expected but propelled the team out to an early 24-3 advantage after five bouts.
DuBois snuck back within three twice (24-21 and 30-27) but couldn’t overcome its deficit. Then, Clearfield claimed three wins between 113 and 126 pounds to secure the win.
The dual meet got under way at 138 pounds, where Bison freshman Jaret McCracken found himself in a 7-0 hole in the third period.
After an escape and an unexpected headlock, McCracken picked up the fall to give Clearfield the early momentum. At 145, the Beavers cut the lead in half when Carson Hanna shut out Logan Puit, 5-0.
Clearfield then racked up three straight pins from Mike Beck (152), Grant Climie (160) and Tristan Carruthers (170). Each bout had the same result but much different ways of getting there.
Beck dominated his opponent and was ahead, 10-0, when he got his fall in 3:48. Climie was locked in a “pitcher’s duel” and down, 2-1, when he entered the final period. Climie fought off the bottom and picked up his fall in 4:47.
Carruthers was in a slug fest and with the score 10-9 in the middle period. However, he reversed and pinned his opponent in 3:28. Carruthers propelled his team out to a 24-3 lead.
The home-standing Beavers then picked up two falls and a forfeit to cut the lead to 24-21.
Bison heavyweight Jake Verchick put out the fire by picking up his fall in 3:47 to give Clearfield a 30-21 lead when the match turned the corner to 106 pounds.
After a DuBois fall at 106 closed the gap once again to three points, the Bison claimed the next three matches, two via first-period falls from Zane Morgan and Josiah McClarren, to seal the dual meet win.
Clearfield will have its home opener on Thursday night when it hosts Bald Eagle Area at the Arthur J. Weis Sr. Gymnasium.
Bout by bout results:
138 – Jaret McCracken, C, wbf 4:21 over Austin Gahr 6 – 0
145 – Carson Hanna, D, wbd 5-0 over Logan Puit 6 – 3
152 – Mike Beck, C, wbf 3:48 over Bryce Marvin 12 – 3
160 – Grant Climie, C, wbf 4:47 over DJ Carney 18 – 3
170 – Tristan Carruthers, C, wbf 3:28 over Garry Titarenko 24 – 3
182 – Josh Wayland, D, wbf 4:57 over Logan Lykens 24 – 9
195 – Tom Sleigh, D, wbf 1:12 over Travis Ogden 24 – 15
220 – Robert Zilhaver, D, wbff 24 – 21
285 – Jake Verchick, C, wbf 3:47 over Matt Lingle 30 – 21
106 – Brock Adams, D, wbf 3:06 over Thayne Morgan 30 – 27
113 – Zane Morgan, C, wbf 1:56 over Steve Jacobson 36 – 27
120 – Logan Gilbert, C, wbd 4-2 over Kody Cox 39 – 27
126 – Josiah McClarren, C, wbf 1:27 over Kyle Frantz 45 – 27
132 – Shae Bloom, D, wbd 7-1 over Noah Cline 45 – 30
Bison Scoreboard:
| Date | Opponent | Score | Record |
| 12/06&07 | @ Top Hat Tourney (Williamsport) | 100 pts. | 10th |
| 12/10 | @ DuBois | 45 – 30 | 1 – 0 |
| 12/12 | BALD EAGLE AREA | ||
| 12/17 | @ Central | ||
| 12/19 | @ Punxsutawney | ||
| 01/03&04 | @ Tool City Tourney (Meadville) | ||
| 01/07 | PENNS VALLEY | ||
| 01/18 | CLFD BISON DUALS | ||
| 01/21 | BELLEFONTE | ||
| 01/23 | @ St. Marys | ||
| 01/24&25 | @ New Oxford HS Tourney | ||
| 01/30 | TYRONE | ||
| 02/04 | @ Philipsburg-Osceola | ||
| 02/06 | @ Huntingdon | ||
| 02/21 | Districts @ Clarion | ||
| 2/28 & 3/1 | Regionals @ Altoona | ||
| 03/06-08 | States @ Hershey |