BLOOMSBURG When Central Mountain lost its first regular-season dual-meet in nearly two years a week ago, Wildcats head coach Doug Buckwalter saw his team take the loss to heart. That loss sent a renewed vigor through the Wildcats' workouts this week leading up to Saturday's Bob Rohm Tournament.
Central Mountain wrestled with that same renewed vigor yesterday, upsetting Central Columbia in the finals, 31-25, to win its first Bob Rohm Tournament championship in its first visit to the dual-meet tournament. The Wildcats went 5-0 on the day with wins over Bloomsburg (59-21), Muncy (57-11), Great Valley (66-6) and Downingtown West (43-25).
Muncy took fourth place, going 2-3, and losing to Downingtown West in the third-place match, 43-29. Canton was 2-3 on the day, losing in the quarterfinals.
It was a great bounce-back day for a Central Mountain team which had just one placewinner at the King of the Mountain two weeks ago, and lost to Philipsburg-Osceola a week ago, marking the Wildcats' first regular-season loss since Jan. 8, 2011. This is the first Central Mountain team to not have a returning state placewinner since 2007, so Buckwalter said it was important for his team to win a tournament like the Bob Rohm, especially when the win in the finals came against a Central Columbia team which is ranked fourth in the Class AA dual-meet state rankings.
Saturday's loss for Central Columbia was the Blue Jays' first regular-season loss since Feb. 16, 2011, to Muncy in their final dual before the postseason.
"I think it's very big for them," Buckwalter said. "To come down here and go 5-0, especially with the quality teams that are here, this was big for them."
Buckwalter saw some of the benefits of the tough schedule the Wildcats put together every year in the finals against Central Columbia when Central Mountain won five of the eight bouts which ended in decisions. All five of the decision victories for Central Mountain were by five points or less.
Maybe none of them was as important or as impressive as Keenan Bottorf's 6-2 win over Taylor Johnson at 113 pounds. Johnson is currently ranked fifth in Class AA at 113 pounds, and Bottorf was nursing a 3-2 lead in the third period when he hit a cradle for three points. Johnson never got off the bottom in that third period.
Couple Bottorf's win with a big fall from Ryan Moore at 106 pounds and it prompted Central Columbia head coach Todd Cummings who picked up his 300th career win earlier in the day to stand up and tell his bench, "we really need to start wrestling."
"That was just key," Buckwalter said of the lightweight wins. "We almost pulled out another one at 126 which would have been another key one. We won a majority of the close ones which was big for us and really helped us out."
Central Mountain needed to just be within striking distance of Central Columbia in the final bout because it had returning state qualifier Blaze Buckwalter in its back pocket for the match's final bout. The biggest deficit the Wildcats faced was at 25-15, but they cut into that with a 3-0 win for Chad Reese at 152 pounds and a 3-0 win for Gavin Caprio.
And those two wins were followed by Devin Stacey's 5-3 win at 170 pounds and Isaac Porter's 3-2 win over Cyler Wedge at 182 pounds. Porter's win gave Central Mountain its first lead of the day, 27-25, and Blaze Buckwalter beat Matt Hackenberg, 9-0, in the day's final bout to seal the victory.
"I think it looks like we took a step forward from where we were just from the last time we competed," Doug Buckwalter said. "So as the season goes along, we just want to keep going in that direction. We obviously have a long ways to go, so I think it's a step in the right direction and we're headed the right way."
Muncy pulled out a pair of one-point wins for its two victories yesterday, beating Midd-West, 37-36, and beating Smithtown East (N.Y.) in the quarterfinals, 40-39, thanks to Jake Colburn's last-match pin.
The Indians got a brilliant 5-0 day from sophomore Andy Aguilar, and two-time state placewinner Troy Hembury bumped a weight class earlier in the day to beat Blaze Buckwalter, 3-1 in overtime.
"We have a lot of work to do," Muncy head coach Denny Harer said. "We are young, but we can't use that as an excuse anymore. We're a month and a half into the season and we've got to start getting better and working on getting tougher. The things that we're doing wrong are repetitive and we've got to clean it up."
Canton first-year head coach Lyle Wesneski said it was a day of peaks and valleys for the Warriors. He got a 5-0 performance from regional qualifier Garrett Wesneski who saw his first significant action since having surgery for a knee injury he sustained during football season.
The Warriors also gave up at least 50 points twice, but did battle back for an impressive win against Midd-West, 35-33, in its next-to-last bout of the day thanks to winning five of the final seven bouts.
"I told the kids we did a lot of good things, but we still have a lot of things we need to improve on," Lyle Wesneski said. "We went to the DKI and had three dual meets, so really, I didn't find out a whole lot about my team until (Saturday). I found out who goes in key situations and who doesn't. Who can handle it and who can't. We did learn a lot in that aspect. We're going to keep moving forward and continue to improve."
Bob Rohm Tournament
Saturday at Bloomsburg
ROUND 1
Muncy 37, Midd-West 36
106: Corey Stauffer, MW, dec. Angelo Barberio, 8-3.
113: Jacob Dgien, Mu, pinned Justin Klingler, :20.
120: Isaac Stringer, MW, dec. Abien Berry, 10-7.
126: Andy Aguilar, Mu, dec. Tanner Ebright, 1-0.
132: Cam Good, Mu, pinned Brody McLaughlin, 1:11.
138: Dylan Hain, MW, won by forfeit.
145: Zack Heeter, MW, won by forfeit.
152: Josh Hibbs, MW, pinned Jaimee Moyle, :57.
160: Alex Tuttle, MW, pinned Junior Ramos, :45.
170: Alex Lieberman, MW, pinned T.J. Moyle, 3:13.
182: Jake Colburn, Mu, won by forfeit.
195: Troy Hembury, Mu, won by forfeit.
220: Skylar Ebner, Mu, pinned Zach Longacre, 2:43.
285: Nick Roberts, Mu, dec. Austin Snook, 10-1.
*Match started at 160 pounds
Central Mountain 59, Bloomsburg 21
106: Ryan Moore, CM, pinned Julien Valeri, :46.
113: Keenan Bottorf, CM, won by forfeit.
120: Chase Andrus, CM, pinned Mitchel Young, 1:07.
126: Kevin Diehl, Bl, pinned Chris Confer, 3:07.
132: Cody Klinger, Bl, pinned Aaron Confer, 3:29.
138: Sam Miller, Bl, pinned Jake Watt, 3:45.
145: Zach Knepp, CM, won by forfeit.
152: Brandon Conrad, Bl, dec. Chad Reese, 4-2, sv.
160: Gavin Caprio, CM, pinned Eddie Dobash, 1:13.
170: Devin Stacey, CM, TFNate Wynings, 15-0, 3:57.
182: Nick Miller, CM, pinned David Lunger, 3:47.
195: Blaze Buckwalter, CM, won by forfeit.
220: Cameron Porter, CM, won by forfeit.
285: Caleb Stover, CM, pinned Jordan Troup, :33.
*Match started at 160 pounds
Canton 45, Great Valley 23
106: Dennis Route, C, won by forfeit,
113: Gabe Burnett, C, won by forfeit.
120: Raymond Colon, GV, pinned B. Gleckner, 1:31.
126: John Dodson, GV, dec. Dylan Marbaker, 9-2.
132: Jerome Nelson, GV, pinned Brendan Cohick, 2:34.
138: Darren Killian, C, pinned Mayura Kulendran, 5:37.
145: Zach Josephs, GV, dec. Brooks Gleckner, 11-7.
152: Jacob Butcher, C, dec. Shane Ruhnke, 14-8.
160: Josiah Bardo, C, dec. Nate Tang, 6-1.
170: Tyler Cole, C, pinned Matt Greco, 1:32.
182: Jeremiah Martin, C, dec. Marcus Johnson, 11-4.
195: Garrett Wesneski, C, pinned Sean Cavanaugh, 1:25.
220: Connor Route, C, pinned Adam Drill, 1:41.
285: Dean Lang, GV, tech. fall Brady Bryington, 19-4.
*Match started at 160 pounds
SECOND ROUND
Central Mountain 57, Muncy 11
106: Angelo Barberio, Mu, maj. dec. Ryan Moore, 9-1.
113: Keenan Bottorf, CM, dec. Jacob Dgien, 7-0.
120: Chase Andrus, CM, pinned Abien Berry, 1:13.
126: Andy Aguilar, Mu, maj. dec. Aaron Confer, 13-3.
132: Cole Hanley, CM, pinned Cam Good, 2:54.
138: Jake Watt, CM, won by forfeit.
145: Zach Knepp, CM, pinned Jaimee Moyle, :57.
152: Chad Reese, CM, pinned Junior Ramos, 2:37.
160: Gavin Caprio, CM, won by forfeit.
170: Devin Stacey, CM, dec. Jake Colburn, 8-4.
182: Nick Miller, CM, won by forfeit.
195: Troy Hembury, Mu, dec. Blaze Buckwalter, 3-1, sv.
220: Cameron Porter, CM, dec. Skylar Ebner, 7-2.
285: Caleb Stover, CM, pinned Nick Roberts, 1:03.
*Match started at 170 pounds
Central Columbia 58, Canton 7
106: Evan Campbell, CC, maj. dec. Dennis Route, 9-0.
113: Taylor Johnson, CC, pinned Gabe Burnett, 1:25.
120: Lewis Williams, pinned Brennan Gleckner, 1:34.
126: Steve Shannon, CC, pinned Dylan Marbaker, 5:41.
132: Chris Rich, CC, dec. Brendan Cohick, 6-1.
138: Jesse Shannon, CC, TF Darren Killian, 16-0, 5:46.
145: Aaron Johnson, CC, TF Travis Butcher, 19-4, 5:14.
152: Austin Miknich, CC, pinned Seth Martin, :52.
160: Nick Fester, CC, dec. Jacob Butcher, 6-0.
170: Jake Coombe, CC, pinned Josiah Bardo, 5:40.
182: Tyler Cole, C, dec. Cyler Wedge, 5-3.
195: Garrett Wesneski, C, maj. dec. Matt Hackenberg, 13-1.
220: Eric McCracken, CC, dec. Connor Route, 4-1.
285: Alex Shiber, CC, pinned Brady Bryington, 1:35.
*Match started at 170 pounds
ROUND 3
Downingtown West 57, Canton 16
106: Troy Smith, DW, pinned Dennis Route, 1:25.
113: Joe Rennie, DW, pinned Gabe Barnett, 3:09.
120: Dante Angelini, DW, tech. fall Brennan Gleckner, 15-0.
126: Mike Murta, DW, pinned Dylan Marbaker, 3:26.
132: Tristen Reynolds, DW, pinned Brendon Cohick, 3:09.
138: Brooks Gleckner, C, dec. A.J. Garber, 8-2.
145: Dan Pommerer, DW, pinned Travis Butcher, 1:48.
152: Jacob Butcher, C, dec. Eric Lucci, 7-3.
160: Jeff Jackman, DW, pinned Josiah Bardo, :59.
170: Peter Rhoads, DW, maj. dec. Tyler Cole, 17-7.
182: Gabe Hale, DW, pinned Jeremiah Martin, 1:21.
195: Garrett Wesneski, C, pinned Mike Daplicki, 3:33.
220: Connor Route, maj. dec. Mike McCelland, 12-3.
285: Brady Bryington, C, pinned Corey Austin, 2:46.
*Match started at 182 pounds
Central Mountain 66, Great Valley 6
106: Ryan Moore, CM, won by forfeit.
113: Keenan Bottorf, CM, won by forfeit.
120: Chase Andrus, CM, dec. Raymond Colon, 9-5.
126: John Dodson, GV, pinned Aaron Confer, 3:10.
132: Cole Hanley, CM, dec. Jerome Nelson, 5-3.
138: Jake Watt, CM, pinned Zachary Josephs, 5:08.
145: Zach Knepp, CM, TF?Mayura Kulenoran, 18-3, 5:31.
152: Chad Reese, CM, maj. dec. Shane Ruhnke, 10-0.
160: Gavin Caprio, CM, pinned Matt Greco, 1:04.
170: Devin Stacey, CM, won by forfeit.
182: Isaac Porter, CM, pinned Marcus Johnson, 1:16.
195: Blaze Buckwalter, CM, pinned Sean Cavanaugh, :27.
220: Cameron Porter, CM, pinned Adam Drill, 1:20.
285: Caleb Stover, CM, dec. Dean Lang, 3-1.
*Match started at 182 pounds
MUNCY 40, Smithtown East 39
106: Angelo Barberio, M, pinned Andrew Fiore, 4:24.
113: Jacob Dgien, M, pinned Dylan O'Connor, 2:15.
120: Darius Caparuso, S, pinned Abien Berry, 1:22.
126: Andy Aguilar, M, maj. dec. Jack Truncale, 11-2.
132: Steven Bair, S, maj. dec. Cam Good, 9-1.
138: Evan Greenberg, S, won by forfeit.
145: Jake Reddo, S, pinned Jaimee Moyle, 1:21.
152: Will Outcault, S, tech. fall Junior Ramos, 15-0, 5:28.
160: Tylar Vigliarolo, S, pinned T.J. Moyle, 5:40.
170: Jake Colburn, M, pinned Sam O'Malley, 3:50.
182: Troy Hembury, M, pinned Morgan Mansfield.
195: Skylar Ebner, M, pinned Cole Vittaria, 3:17.
220: Nick Roberts, M, pinned Troy Ogden, 5:26.
285: Chris Lopez, S, pinned Jeff White, :37.
*Match started at 182 pounds
ROUND 4
Canton 35, Midd-West 33
106: Corey Stauffer, MW, pinned Dennis Route, 1:14.
113: Dalton Klingler, MW, pinned Gabe Barnett, 1:33.
120: Isaac Stringer, MW, dec. Brennan Gleckner, 8-2.
126: Tanner Ebright, MW, pinned Dylan Marbaker, 3:14.
132: Brendon Cohick, C, dec. Brady McGlaughlin, 10-4.
138: Darren Killian, C, pinned Dylan Hain, 1:54.
145: Brooks Gleckner, C, dec. Josh Hibbs, 10-3.
152: Zack Heeter, MW, pinned Seth Martin, 3:00.
160: Jacob Butcher, C, tech. fall Alex Tuttle, 18-3.
170: Alex Lieberman, MW, pinned Tyler Cole, 4:24.
182: Jeremiah Martin, C, won by forfeit.
195: Garrett Wesneski, C, won by forfeit.
220: Connor Route, C, pinned Zack Longacre, 3:48.
285: Brady Bryington, C, pinned Austin Snook, 2:15.
*Match started at 195 pounds
SEMIFINALS
Central Columbia 51, Muncy 27
106: Angelo Barberio, M, pinned Evan Campbell, 1:25.
113: Taylor Johnson, CC, pinned Jacob Dgien, 4:55.
120: Lewis Williams, CC, pinned Abien Berry, 2:20.
126: Andy Aguilar, M, dec. Steve Shannon, 8-7.
132: Cam Good, M, pinned Chris Rich, :48.
138: Tyler Johnson, CC, won by forfeit.
145: Jesse Shannon, CC, pinned Jaimee Moyle, :58.
152: Aaron Johnson, CC, pinned Junior Ramos, 3:45.
160: Austin Miknich, CC, won by forfeit.
170: Jake Coombe, CC, dec. Jake Colburn, 5-3.
182: Troy Hembury, M, pinned Cyler Wedge, 1:01.
195: Skylar Ebner, M, pinned Matt Hackenberg, CC, 2:18.
220: Eric McCracken, CC, pinned Nick Roberts, 3:59.
285: Alex Shiber, CC, pinned Jeff White, 1:09.
*Match started at 195 pounds
Central Mountain 43,
Downingtown West 25
Box n/a
ROUND 5
Canton 66, Shamokin 9
106: Dennis Route, C, won by fofeit.
113: Gabe Burnett, C, won by forfeit.
120: Brennan Gleckner, C, dec. Jon Carl, 6-0.
126: Dylan Marbaker, C, dec. Brett Long, 8-2.
132: Bill Leon, Sh, pinned Brendon Cohick, 1:03.
138: Luis Martinez, Sh, dec. Brooks Gleckner, 11-6.
145: Travis Butcher, C, pinned Noah Young, 4:36.
152: Jacob Butcher, C, tech. fall Brett Rebuck, 16-1.
160: Josiah Bardo, C, pinned Kenneth Anderson, :38.
170: Tyler Cole, C, pinned Chase Tillet, 2:27.
182: Jeremiah Martin, C, won by forfeit.
195: Garrett Wesneski, C, pinned Anthony Anonia, 1:36.
220: Connor Route, C, dec. Zack Biddiscombe, 3-0.
285: Brady Bryington, C, pinned Jordan Glosek, 3:15.
*Match started at 220 pounds
Downingtown West 43, Muncy 29
106: Angelo Barberio, M, pinned Troy Smith, 4:47.
113: Jacob Dgien, M, tech. fall Joe Rennie, 17-0, 3:36.
120: Abien Berry, M, pinned Dante Angelini,4:24.
126: Andy Aguilar, M, dec. Mike Murta, 1-0.
132: Tristen Reynolds, DW, won by forfeit.
138: Dan Pommerer, DW, pinned Cam Good, 1:12.
145: Cameron Capps, DW, maj. dec. Jaimee Moyle, 9-0.
152: Eric Lucci, DW, dec. Junior Ramos, 8-4.
160: Jeff Jackman, DW, pinned T.J. Moyle, 1:49.
170: Peter Rhoads, DW, pinned Jake Colburn, 4:19.
182: Troy Hembury, M, maj. dec. Gabe Hale, 16-4.
195: Skylar Ebner, M, fall Mike Duplicki, :20.
220: Mike McClelland, DW, pinned Nick Roberts, 5:06.
285: Covey Austin, DW, pinned Jeff White, 2:39.
*Match started at 220 pounds
Central Mountain 31, Central Columbia 25
106: Ryan Moore, CM, pinned Evan Campbell, 2:42.
113: Keenan Bottorf, CM, dec. Taylor Johnson, 6-2.
120: Lewis Williams, CC, maj. dec. Chase Andrus, 18-5.
126: Steve Shannon, CC, dec. Aaron Confer, 4-2.
132: Cole Hanley, CM, pinned Chris Rich, 5:55.
138: Jesse Shannon, CC, dec. Jake Watt, 6-2.
145: Aaron Johnson, CC, pinned Zach Knepp, 3:20.
152: Chad Reese, CM, dec. Austin Miknich, 3-0.
160: Gavin Caprio, CM, dec. Nick Fester, 7-2.
170: Devin Stacey, CM, dec. Jake Coombe, 5-3.
182: Isaac Porter, CM, dec. Cyler Wedge, 3-2.
195: Blaze Buckwalter, CM, maj. dec. Matt Hackenberg, 9-0.
220: Eric McCracken, CC, pinned Cameron Porter, 1:11.
285: Alex Shiber, CC, dec. Caleb Stover, 1-0.
*Match started at 220 pounds
