Bison Wrestlers Pin Loss on Visiting BEA

Story by Hank Wilson

HYDE — Coming off of their fourth place finish at the Top Hat Tournament in Williamsport over the weekend, the Clearfield Bison wrestling team welcomed Bald Eagle Area to the Arthur J. Weiss Gymnasium Tuesday night to open the dual meet season. Thanks to five falls and two forfeits, the Bison secured their first win of the season, 46-26.

Starting things off at 106 lbs, sophomore Matt Ryan improved his record to 4-2 by putting six points on the board for the Bison with a third period fall over Garrett Geidroc. Cole Smay made it 12-0 for the home squad when he received a forfeit at 113 lbs.

The Eagles put the pressure on the Bison by winning the next five bouts, taking a 20-12 lead at the halfway mark of the match. Clayton Geidroc defeated Jude Pallo at 120 lbs and at 126 lbs, Lucas Holderman bested Quinten Edwards. At 132, Garrett Rigg pinned Hunter Blake, then Seth Koleno beat Josiah McClarren at 138 lbs.  Coby Bainey kept it going for the Eagles with a 4-2 victory over Logan Gilbert at 145 to give the Eagles their biggest lead of the night.

That’s when the Bison stampeded through the next six weight classes to put away the Eagles. At 152 lbs, Coach Jeff Aveni called on Jarrett McCracken (1-0) for his first varsity action this year and the Bison junior did not disappoint. McCracken bolted out to a 9-1 first period lead then came off of the bottom, turning and pressing Hunter Etters for a fall at 3:10 of the second period.

Tallin Norris (4-3) put the Bison back on top, 22-20, at 160 lbs with a major decision over Jacob Crestini.  Zane Morgan (4-3) fought off a hard fall to the mat and came roaring back with a first period pin of Brock Hockenberry at 170 lbs.

Undefeated sophomore Luke McGonigal (5-0) kept the momentum going, decking Dylan Bisel in 45 seconds of the first period. Clearfield secured the match victory when Travis Ogden (4-1) received a forfeit at 195 lbs.

At 220 lbs, junior Hunter Bumbarger evened his record at 3-3 when he flattened Corey Thompson in the first period.

The Eagles closed the dual meet with a victory as undefeated senior Josh Fye pinned Nate Lash in the second period. The Bison senior, who made weight at 220 lbs, was giving away 65 pounds to the Top Hat Tournament champion at 285 lbs.

Clearfield (1-0) start a three match road swing next Tuesday when they travel to Martinsburg to face Central.

The Bison Junior High team was also victorious on the evening with a 57-42 win in their first action of the season.

Bout Recaps                                                                            Team Score

106   Matt Ryan, C, pinned Garrett Giedroc, BEA; 4:57                               6-0 Clfd

113   Cole Smay, C, forfeit                                                                             12-0 Clfd

120   Clayton Greidroc, BEA, dec. Jude Pallo, C, 16-9                                 12-3 Clfd

126   Lucas Holderman, BEA, maj. dec. Quinten Edwards, C, 11-3             12-7 Clfd

132   Garrett Rigg, BEA, pinned Hunter Blake, C, 1:07                                13-12 BEA

138   Seth Koleno, BEA, maj. dec. Josiah McClarren, C, 14-5                     17-12 BEA

145   Coby Bainey, BEA, dec. Logan Gilbert, C, 4-2                                    20-12 BEA

152   Jarrett McCracken, C, pinned Hunter Etters, BEA, 3:10                      20-18 BEA

160   Tallin Norris, C, maj. dec. Jacob Crestini, BEA, 13-4                          22-20 Clfd

170   Zane Morgan, C, pinned Brock Hockenberry, BEA, 1:33                    28-20 Clfd

182   Luke McGonigal, C, pinned Dylan Bisel, BEA, 0:45                           34-20 Clfd

195   Travis Ogden, C, forfeit                                                                        40-20 Clfd

220   Hunter Bumbarger, C, pinned Corey Thompson, BEA, 1:27                46-20 Clfd

285   Josh Fye, BEA, pinned Nate Lash, C, 2:29                                           46-26 Clfd

Bison Scoreboard: