×

District 4 AA wrestling under way

Kyle Tomb of Jersey Shore, top, wrestles Tyler Williams of Troy in the first round at 160 pounds of the District 4 Class AA wrestling tournament Friday at Williamsport.

Rising to his feet as the referee signaled two points, Milton’s Logan Bennett clapped his hands together in celebration. He needed this win over Athens’ Gage Cannavino for a number of reasons.

First, it put the Black Pan­thers’ senior into this morning’s 145-pound semifinals at the District 4 Class AA wrestling tournament. Second, it sent some good vibes through Bennett after finishing a disappointing third at last week’s South Sectional tournament. And lastly, the win avenged a loss to Cannavino in last year’s regional tournament.

Bennett didn’t even try to contain his excitement following the win. And minutes afterward, the excitement was still palpable in his voice.

“This is really big for me. Getting third at sectionals isn’t something I planned on doing,” Bennett said. “But coming out and knocking off the two seed on opening night is just huge for me.”

Bennett was one of 17 local wrestlers to advance to this morning’s semifinal round at the district tournament. And Cannavino was one of four returning state qualifiers or placewinners to be beaten on the first day of the district tournament. Warrior Run’s Jeremy Hanford topped Bloomsburg state qualifier Matt Milbrand in the 126 quarterfinals, and Line Moun­tain’s Caleb Shaffer defeated Benton three-time state placewinner Mike Stuart, 9-7, in overtime in the 138 quarterfinals.

Wyalusing (56 points) holds a 1 1/2 point lead on Line Mountain (54.5) in the team standings. Muncy is in fourth place with 47.5 points.

The road for Bennett today isn’t going to get any easier after defeating the No. 2 seed and returning state qualifier Cannavino. He draws 29-win Coleman Good in this morning’s semifinals. Then, potentially waiting in the finals is former state runner-up Todd Lane, of Southern Columbia, or Line Mountain’s Ken­ny Boyer, the wrestler who beat Bennett in the semifinals last week at the South Section tournament.

But this one Friday night, this one win could carry him through whatever is thrown in his direction today. Not everything went as well as it could have in the match. Bennett’s leg attacks were crisp, but he finished only one during the first six minutes of the bout.

That takedown gave him a 2-0 lead which he used to carry the bout into overtime. In overtime, Bennett again got to Cannavino’s legs and this time finished for the winning takedown which caused his celebration.

“I couldn’t get frustrated (at not finishing) because it would have taken my mind off the match,” Bennett said. “So I just tried to stay as level-headed as possible. Keep getting in on shots and keep getting closer and closer to finishing. At the end of the day, it worked out.”

With the bout tied at 2-2 in the third period, Bennett needed just an escape to take the lead. But Canna­vino’s long legs and arms made it tough for Bennett to even build a base.

But it was the same long arms and legs of Cannavino which made life so tough on bottom, which also provided Bennett with openings when the two were on their feet. He got to ankles almost at will with an offensive pace which would have made Jason Nolf raise his eyebrows.

That was exactly the kind of pace Bennett knew he needed to have, though. He had to push and push and push until he could finally break through. And by the end of the six-plus minutes of wrestling, Bennett looked as fresh as when he first stepped on the mat.

“You keep pushing them and staying on them all day and they just can’t keep up,” Bennett said. “That’s something we take pride in. We work so hard drilling on our feet. It’s a mentality that you can’t hang with me if I’m on my offense. I got in on his legs multiple times and finished the one in overtime. So it worked out well.”

Hanford’s gameplan was very similar. A week after beating returning state placewinner Joe Klock in the finals of the Central Sectional tournament, Hanford continued his torrid pace which he’s worked so hard on cultivating all year.

There was nary a second for Mil­brand to breathe and gather his bearings. And that’s exactly what Hanford wanted. He finished with a 9-2 win to set up a rematch with Klock this morning in the semifinals.

In fact, if Hanford wants to win the 126-pound championship, there’s a chance he’d have to go through three returning state qualifiers or placewinners to do it. But that’s not Hanford’s focus. He can’t afford to worry about that.

“I’m focused on the match I’ve got and just keep pushing the pace and just keep going,” Hanford said. “I feel really good right now. I wanted a match like this to start off coming in here.”

Hanford has transformed himself as a wrestler over the last year. He was a state qualifier a year ago, but could tend to be a little passive and defensive as a wrestler. But he’s turned himself in an offensive machine. He hasn’t lost in over a month when he fell to Ben­ton’s Cole Rhone, who is the top seed at 120 pounds this weekend.

“I feel like my pace is higher and I’m a lot more confident and that’s helping me a lot,” Hanford said. “I feel like I’ve improved quite a bit from last year with my confidence getting better.”

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

COMMENTS

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today