ALTOONA — The Clearfield Bisons knew after their exciting come-from-behind District 9 title on Saturday night in Clarion that they would be sending nine wrestlers on to the Northwest Region Wrestling Championships at the Altoona Area High School Fieldhouse, which begins on Friday February 27 and concludes on Saturday February 28.
Now they know who they will be wrestling against.
For the first time, the Northwest Region has expanded from a 14-man bracket to a 15-man bracket. In Friday night’s first round, which begins at 5:00 pm, one district champ at each weight will receive a bye. Unfortunately, no Bison was afforded that luxury, as all nine have an opening round match.
The top four place winners from Districts 6 and 10, the top three from District 9, and the top two from Districts 4 and 8 make up the 15 wrestlers at each weight.
The top three finishers from the Northwest Region will earn a spot in the 20-man weight classes competing at the PIAA State Wrestling Championships at the Giant Center in Hershey beginning Thursday March 5.
First Round Match-ups for Clearfield wrestlers: (Record) District-Place
106 – Matt Ryan (11-17) 9-3 vs. Cole Manley (26-3) 6-1, Altoona
120 – Josiah McClarren (21-11) 9-1 vs. Garrett Rigg (22-9) 6-4, Bald Eagle Area
126 – Logan Gilbert (20-11) 9-1 vs. Keegan Fordyce (18-10) 10-2, Erie McDowell
132 – Noah Cline (27-5) 9-1 vs. Dalton Long (20-12) 6-4, Hollidaysburg
138 – Zane Morgan (1-1) 9-3 vs. Trent Hidlay (29-8) 6-1, Mifflin County
145 – Luke McGonigal (21-10) 9-1 vs. Chuck Bizzarro (12-12) 10-4, Erie Cathedral Prep
152 – Tallin Norris (17-15) 9-3 vs. Jordan Oliver (14-15) 8-2, Brashear
195 – Travis Ogden (26-3) 9-1 vs. Mitchell Taylor (20-9) 6-4, Bald Eagle Area
285 – Nate Lash (17-12) 9-1 vs. Jack Vandevort (20-8) 6-3, State College
There are six returning regional champs from last year – Charlie Lenox (Erie McDowell) at 113, Trevor Corl (Bellefonte) at 145, Hayden Hidlay (Mifflin County) also at 145, DJ Hollingshead (Altoona) at 170, and Trey Hartsock (Mifflin County) at 195.
The complete set of brackets can be found by clicking here, courtesy Escape Sports.
Quarterfinal action will begin immediately after round one is complete, at approximately 7:15 pm. on Friday. There will also be one round of wrestlebacks on Friday night at approximately 9:30 pm.
