Bison Wrestlers Lose Heartbreaker to BEA 37-33

CLEARFIELD — What couldn’t have started any better for the Clearfield Bison wrestling team in Thursday night’s dual meet against Bald Eagle Area couldn’t have ended any worse.

Despite being staked to a 12-0 lead via two forfeits and leading by as many as 17 points at one time during the match, the Bison dropped the final three matches to ultimately lose their home opener 37-33.

There were a couple of bouts along the way for the Bison that could have avoided a “winner-take-all” final match, but despite getting to that point, the Bison still seemed to have the upper hand.

Down 34-33 heading into the 182 pound class, the Bison sent out senior Tristan Carruthers against BEA freshman Chase Meyers. Carruthers was the aggressor from the start, but gave up the opening takedown. A back and forth first period ended 6-5 Meyers after a penalty point was awarded for a blow to the back of Meyers’ head via a Carruthers elbow. After a reversal, Carruthers was up 7-6 heading into the final period. Meyers chose down and quickly tied the match at 7-7, then picked up his third takedown to go up 9-7. Carruthers escaped to narrow the gap to 9-8, then inexplicably shoved Meyers after the action stopped out of bounds to give up another penalty point. All Carruthers could do was force a stall point at the end to suffer the one-point defeat 10-9.

To say the least, a disappointing ending for the Bison faithful.

The Bison got to this final point by picking up two forfeits to start the match at 195 and 220 and received falls from Josiah McClarren, Noah Cline, and Mike Beck. Jake Verchick also picked up a regular decision for the Bison.

The Bison (1-1) will take to the road on Tuesday when they travel to Martinsburg to face Mountain League foe Central.

Bout by bout results:

195 – Logan Lykens, C, forfeit                                                                6  –  0

220 – Travis Ogden, C, forfeit                                                                12  –  0

285 – Jake Verchick, C, wbd 8-5 over Josh Fye                            15  –  0

106 – Clayton Geidroc, BEA, wbd 6-2 over Thayne Morgan   15  –  3

113 – Mike Kachik, BEA, wbmd 15-3 over Zane Morgan           15  –  7

120 – Coby Baney, BEA, wbd 4-3 over Logan Gilbert                15  –  10

126 – Josiah McClarren, C, wbf 3:30 over Jacob Noll               21  –  10

132 – Noah Cline, C, wbf 4:18 over Garrett Proctor                   27  –  10

138 – Clint McCaslin, BEA, wbf 3:37 over Logan Puit               27  –  16

145 – Ryan Guenot, BEA, wbf 1:34 over Tallin Norris              27  –  22

152 – Mike Beck, C, wbf 1:01 over Caleb Bell                               33  –  22

160 – Corey Thompson, BEA, wbf 3:56 over Grant Climie    33  –  28

170 – Mitch Taylor, BEA, wbf 2:58 over Levi Wisor                33  –  34

182 – Chase Meyers, BEA, wbd 10-9 over Tristan Carruthers 33  –  37

Bison Scoreboard: