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6 area wrestlers win at Top Hat, Saucon Valley finishes first in team score

By Evan Wheaton 15 min read

One year removed, the Tom Best Memorial Top Hat tournament wrapped up in Williamsport on Saturday with six local wrestlers taking home individual titles.

In team score, Saucon Valley placed first at 211. Central Mountain came in second at 186, followed by Williamsport at 175.

Branden Wentzel dealt a 14-5 major decision over Jersey Shore's Brock Weiss to give Montoursville a Top Hat crown at 120. The win marked Wentzel's second individual title in the Top Hat.

"It's pretty big, because this is the kickoff to the season," Wentzel said. "My freshman year, I got to wrestle this and I won it. Towards the end of the season at tournaments like these, I have to come up big in the end if I want to win a state title."

When asked about what worked well for him to win his final bout in a major, it came down to confidence. Wentzel is quite familiar with Weiss, after all.

"Last year, I wrestled (Weiss) in the district final and beat him in overtime," Wentzel said. "At super regionals I majored him, so knowing that I didn't go backwards and that I'm still on the pace of where I was when I took third, it makes me feel good about myself knowing that I'm not falling behind or anything like that."

The Millionaires also had a pair of back-to-back titles via Braden and Riley Bower. Braden made a late takedown over Central Mountain's Luke Simcox at 138, while Riley came up with an 11-2 major decision over Saucon Valley's Cael Markle at 145.

Braden won a Top Hat title his freshman year before missing his sophomore season with a labrum tear. Without the Top Hat tournament last year, Braden was able to bookend his home gym tourney the way his career began.

"I love when I go out there and wrestle and have support from the home crowd, my family," Braden said.

Though he hadn't won a Top Hat title since his freshman year, Braden at least had one. Riley finally snagged a crown for himself to kick off his senior year.

"It's pretty nice to finally be able to get out to first place in the Top Hat. Braden's been with it the whole time," Riley said. "We've been wrestling a while down there in the mat room. To wrestle with all these great people, Braden, Roman (Morrone), Cael (Nasdeo), all them down there, state-ranked, that's what's perfected us."

Braden, who finished just before Riley's final bout, got to witness his brother reach the podium first hand at the mat.

"It's amazing. I've been by his side, and he's been by my side for like ever now," Braden said. "To be able to do that with my brother, it's hard to explain in words, but it's just a great feeling."

While the Bower brothers are nearing the end of their high school careers, Dalton Perry is just starting his. Perry -- the top-ranked freshman out of Central Mountain -- cruised through the tournament and capped it off with a 24-6 tech fall over Line Mountain’s Aidan Kritzer in 3:19.

"I'm happy I was able to come out and do my best and performed well at my first tournament," Perry said.

Perry and the rest of the Wildcats will now shift gears toward their own home meet with the King of the Mountain tournament starting Dec. 17.

"I'm excited to wrestle at home. I've been looking forward to wrestling there at Central Mountain for a long time," Perry said. "King of the Mountain, I'm hoping to go out and do the same thing and dominate the best I can."

Muncy also saw its share of freshman-prowess from Austin Johnson, who won the 215-pound championship with a 16-0 technical fall over Travis Armstrong of Central Dauphin East. Returning state runner-up Scott Johnson took a 6-3 decision over Central Mountain's Taylor Weaver at 132 to give the Indians another Top Hat crown.

Team standings: 1, Saucon Valley, 211; 2, Central Mountain, 186; 3, Williamsport, 175; 4, Northampton, 130.5; 5, Clearfield, 119; 6, Muncy, 111; 7, Montoursville, 110.5; 8, Conestoga Valley, 95.5; 9, Central Dauphin East, 83; 10, Central York, 78.5; 11, Line Mountain, 77.5; 12, Hughesville, 77; 13, Jersey Shore, 75; 13, South Western, 75; 15, Daniel Boone, 72.5; 16, Mifflinburg, 60; 17, Cocalico, 59; 18, Hazleton, 57.5; 19, Titusville, 47; 20, Tri-Valley, 42; 21, Schuylkill Valley, 25.5; 22, East Shroudsberg North, 25; 23, Halifax, 24; 24, Palisades, 11.

Team key: Titusville, T; Halifax, H; Central Dauphin East, CDE; Central York, CY; Cocalico, Co; Conestoga Valley, CV; Williamsport, W; Hughesville, Hu; Jersey Shore, JS; Montoursville, Mo; Muncy, Mu; Line Mountain, LM; Tri-Valley, TV; Saucon Valley, Sa; Northampton, N; Hazleton, Ha; East Stroudsburg North, ESN; Palisades, P; Daniel Boone, DB; Schuylkill Valley, SV; Central Mountain, CM; South Western, SW; Clearfield, Cl.

CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTERFINALS

106: Cole Hubert, SV, Fall 0:10 over Ryan Aguirre, Mo; Chase Shaner, Hu, Fall 2:35 over Andi Bibeau, ESN; Bradyn Schade, TF-1.5 3:28 (15-0) over James Bonczewski, SW; Harris Keares, CY, Fall 3:04 over Kody Ziefenfuss, N.

113: Carson Wagner, N, Fall 4:00 over Clayton Foster, CM; Cael Nasdeo, W, Fall 0:52 over Brady Struble, Mo; Dean Houser, DB, MD 13-2 over Evan Davis, Cl; Trent Ruble, CV, Dec 7-4 over Aiden Grogg, SV.

120: Branden Wentzel, Mo, Fall 1:42 over Michael Sandacz, CY; Luke Segraves, W, Dec 2-1 over Nolan Baumert, LM; Brock Weiss, JS, Fall 1:49 over AJ Dew, N; David Kennedy, M, MD 12-3 over Luke Morley, CV.

126: Dalton Perry, CM, Fall 3:02 over Cole Johnson, Mo; Elias Long, CY, Dec 9-6 over Austin Noe, N; Gavin Richard, DB, Fall 2:38 over Devin Harris, W; Aidan Kritzer, LM, MD 14-5 over Trenton Rodgers, T.

132: Taylor Weaver, CM, Dec 8-4 over Blaize Vogel, Mo; Connor Nicholas, SV, Dec 6-2 over Keagan Smith, Hu; Brady Collins, Cl, Fall 1:26 over Wyatt Hale, SW; Scott Johnson, Mu, TF-1.5 4:26 (17-1) over Ian Vitalo, SV.

138: Luke Simcox, CM, Fall 0:34 over Nolan Brown, DB; Caiden Puderbach, Hu, Dec 6-4 over Travis Riefenstahl, SV; Braden Bower, W, Fall 0:56 over Thaddeus Krebs, CDE; Nolan Barr, Cl, MD 14-4 over Peter Ranck, H.

145: Riley Bower, W, Fall 1:04 over Morgan Gavitt, Hu; Liam Goodrich, JS, Dec 9-2 over Gino Serafini, CM; Keaton Fischer, CV, Fall 3:14 over Christia Fritz, N; Cael Markle, SV, Dec 6-0 over Mason Leshock, LM.

152: Carter Weaver, W, Dec 8-3 over Will Domico, Cl; Chris Arcioulo, SV, Fall 1:32 over Luke Needham, CV; Griffin Walizer, CM, TF-1.5 3:12 (16-0) over Toby Haldeman, Co; Marcel McDaniels, CDE, Fall 4:47 over Mason Boltz, TV.

160: Ty Nixon, Mu, MD 11-3 over Jonathan Rathman, Co; Roman Morrone, W, Fall 1:33 over Karson Kline, Cl; Troy Bingaman, Mo, MD 9-1 over Gabe Andrus, JS; Dagen Condomitti, N, Dec 9-3 over Liam Scrivanich, SV.

172: Tucker Hogan, DB, TF-1.5 1:57 (15-0) over Rocco Serafini, CM; Isaac Corry, Mo, MD 9-0 over Daniel Haubert, P; Mark McGonigal, Cl, Dec 4-3 over Tyler Bauder, JS; Jake Jones, SV, Fall 1:58 over Brock Covell, T.

189: Hadyn Packer, JS, Dec 11-4 over Sebastia Robinson, W; Ty Csencsits, SV, Dec 4-3 over Bryce Molinaro, H; Ty Csencsits, SV, Dec 4-3 over Carter Chamberlain, Cl; Wayne McIntyre, ESN, Fall 2:56 over Jacob Scheib, TV.

215: Hayden Kovalick, Cl, Dec 6-1 over Braxton Schwartz, TV; Austin Johnson, Mu, TF-1.5 4:05 (19-3) over Robert Utz, SW; Jacob Humphrey, Co, Fall 3:01 over Micah Walizer, CM; Ty Pfizenmayer, SV, Dec 1-0 over Travis Armstrong, CDE.

285: Emmanuel Ulrich, Mo, Fall 0:48 over Brayden Egerter, CV; Ayden Wysocki, SW, Fall 2:45 over Lodge Nosko, T; Ethan Miller, CY, Fall 2:42 over Justis Troutman, TV; Charles Crews, W, Fall 3:23 over Brayden Blackwell, CM.

CONSOLATION SECOND ROUND

120: Keen, CM, MD 14-0 over Haubert, P; Porter, Co, Fall 1:59 over Bowman, CV; Albert, SV, Fall 3:58 over Williams, SW; Tropeano, N, Fall 0:20 over Moyer, SW.

126: Derr, M, Fall 1:36 over Foscone, SV; Pierce, SW, Dec 7-2 over Knight, Hu; Ananea, CM, MD 10-2 over Warfield, SW; Mateo, SV, Bodnar, H.

132: Ortiz, CV, Dec 8-5 over Rumsey, W; Chevere, N, Dec 3-1 over Rodriguez, H; Randell, W, Fall 1:58 over Fetterman, Hu; Corter, C, TF-1.5 3:51 (15-0) over Troutman, TV.

138: Micheli, N, Fall 1:56 over Long, LM; Marchiano, DB, Fall 1:33 over Reed, W; Eberly, Co, Fall 2:44 over Basara, N; Warner, T, Dec 3-2 over Peace, CV.

145: Cooper, CM, Dec 6-3 over Miller, M; Davis, CY, TF-1.5 4:40 (16-0) over Freeland, Cl; Beckowski, SV, Fall 2:28 over Bibeau, ESN; Stephen, TV, Fall 1:52 over Porter, CDE.

152: Covell, T, Dec 9-2 over Shingara, LM; Leitzel, SW, Fall 4:53 over Knepp, Cl; Wolfgram, CY, Fall 4:21 over Gavitt, Hu; Raposo, ESN, Fall 2:55 over Titus, T.

160: Probst, CM, Fall 2:42 over Albertson, H; Weaver, CM, Fall 2:03 over Aly, CDE; Inman, DB, Fall 3:14 over Kneisley, CV; Frame, Mo, Fall 1:54 over Dewees, SW.

172: Bearinger, Co, Fall 3:34 over Kirchner, CV; Sterner, SW, Fall 0:58 over Aponick, H; Porter, CM, Fall 1:34 over Malone, ESN; Rhoades, H, For. over Rhein, SV.

189: Reed, SW, Dec 3-2 over Roland, N; Cooley, M, Fall 1:00 over Brunst, T; Enders, H, Snyder, H; Galentine, CM, Fall 2:35 over Wanner, M.

215: Yonkin, M, Fall 1:00 over Tarantella, CM; Shuck, M, Dec 10-9 over Schickel, CV; Anderson, H, Fall 3:43 over Youngcourt, H; Rider, CV, Fall 3:33 over Alvarez, H.

285: Gray, Hu, Fall 2:10 over Davila, SV; Aly, CDE, Fall 0:19 over Fabian, H; Schully, CY, Fall 2:07 over Moran, ESN; McCauley, M, Fall 0:23 over Eckert, H.

CHAMPIONSHIP SEMIFINALS

106: Cole Hubert, SV, TF-1.5 5:10 (15-0) over Chase Shaner, Hu; Bradyn Schadel, LM, Dec 7-2 over Harris Keares, CY.

113: Carson Wagner, N, Fall 2:23 over Dean Houser, DB; Cael Nasdeo, W, Fall 1:38 over Ruble, CV.

120: Brock Weiss, JS, Fall 3:03 over David Kennedy, Mo; Branden Wentzel, M, Fall 1:40 over Luke Segraves, W.

126: Dalton Perry, CM, TF-1.5 4:29 (18-3) over Elias Long, CY; Aidan Kritzer, LM, Dec 5-2 over Gavin Richard, DB.

132: Scott Johnson, Mu, MD 21-10 over Brady Collins, Cl; Taylor Weaver, CM, Dec 8-6 over Connor Nicholas, SV.

138: Luke Simcox, CM, TF-1.5 4:15 (19-2) over Caiden Puderbach, Hu; Braden Bower, W, Fall 1:36 over Nolan Barr, Cl.

145: Riley Bower, W, Dec 11-6 over Cael Markle, SV; Cael Markle, SV, Dec 5-3 over Keaton Fischer, CV.

152: Marcel McDaniels, CDE, MD 19-11 over Carter Weaver, W; Chris Arcioulo, SV, Dec 5-2 over Griffin Walizer, CM.

160: Roman Morrone, W, Dec 3-0 over Troy Bingaman, Mo; Dagen Condomitti, N, MD 17-5 over Ty Nixon, Mu.

172: Jake Jones, SV, Fall 1:05 over Mark McGonigal, Cl; Tucker Hogan, DB, Dec 6-2 over Isaac Corry, Mo.

189: Hadyn Packer, JS, Dec 12-11 over Wayne McIntyre, ESN; Bryce Molinaro, H, Dec 5-4 over Ty Csencsits, SV.

215: Austin Johnson, Mu, Fall 0:26 over Jacob Humphrey, C; Travis Armstrong, CDE, SV-1 5-3 over Hayden Kovalick, Cl.

285: Ayden Wysocki, SW, Fall 1:34 over Emmanuel Ulrich, Mo; Charles Crews, W, Dec 5-1 over Ethan Miller, CY.

CONSOLATION THIRD ROUND

113: Grogg, SV, Fall 0:11 over Kadaraiya, CDE; Davis, C, Fall 0:36 over Hill, Mu.

120: Keen, CM, Dec 10-3 over Dew, N; Morley, CV, TF-1.5 5:00 (22-4) over Porter, Co; Albert, SV, Fall 4:08 over Sandacz, CY; Baumert, LM, Dec 6-0 over Tropeano, N.

126: Derr, Mu, Dec 4-3 over Johnson, Mo; Noe, N, Fall 1:58 over Pierce, SW; Rodgers, T, Dec 5-4 over Ananea, CM; Mateo, SV, Dec 11-6 over Harris, W.

132: Smith, Hu, Dec 5-0 over Ortiz, CV; Vogel, M, MD 12-3 over Chevere, N; Vitalo, SV, MD 15-2 over Randell, W; Corter, CM, Dec 6-1 over Hale, SW.

138: Micheli, N, Dec 4-2 over Ranck, H; Marchiano, DB, Dec 2-0 over Krebs, CDE; Brown, DB, MD 9-1 over Eberly, Co; Riefenstah, SV, Dec 5-3 over Warner, T.

145: Cooper, CM, Inj. 0:00 over Fritz, N; Leshock, LM, Fall 1:28 over Davis, CY; Beckowski, SV, Fall 1:34 over Gavitt, H; Serafini, CM, Fall 3:35 over Stephen, TV.

152: Needham, CV, Fall 3:25 over Covell, T; Leitzel, SW, Dec 8-4 over Haldeman, Co; Domico, Cl, Dec 9-6 over Wolfgram, CY; Boltz, TV, Dec 6-4 over Raposo, ESN.

160: Probst, CM, Dec 7-0 over Andrus, JS; Weaver, CM, Dec 4-3 over Kline, Cl; Scrivanich, SV, Fall 1:48 over Inman, DB; Rathman, Co, Dec 9-5 over Frame, Mo.

172: Serafini, CM, Fall 2:55 over Bearinger, Co; Haubert, P, Fall 1:41 over Sterner, SW; Covell, T, Fall 0:38 over Porter, CM; Bauder, JS, Fall 1:46 over Rhoades, H.

189: Reed, SW, Fall 3:43 over Chamberlai, Cl; Baum, Co, Fall 2:05 over Cooley, Mu; Robinson, W, Dec 4-0 over Enders, H; Scheib, TV, Dec 6-2 over Galentine, CM.

215: Yonkin, M, Dec 5-0 over Schwartz, TV; Pfizenmaye, SV, Fall 0:36 over Shuck, Mo; Walizer, CM, Dec 5-0 over Anderson, H; Utz, SW, Dec 4-0 over Rider, CV.

285: Troutman, TV, Dec 7-0 over Gray, Hu; Blackwell, CM, Dec 3-2 over Aly, CDE; Schully, CY, Fall 2:19 over Egerter, CV; Nosko, T, Fall 3:56 over McCauley, Mu.

CONSOLATION QUARTERFINALS

106: Bonczewski, SW, Fall 4:00 over Heller, W; Sieber, CDE, Fall 4:40 over Bibeau, ESN.

113: Grogg, SV, Fall 2:55 over Struble, Mo; Davis, Cl, Dec 5-0 over Foster, CM.

120: Keen, CM, TF-1.5 4:30 (16-0) over Segraves, W; Kennedy, M, Dec 4-3 over Baumert, LM.

126: Noe, N, Fall 0:48 over Derr, M; Mateo, SV, Dec 10-6 over Rodgers, T.

132: Vogel, Mo, Dec 4-2 over Smith, Hu; Vitalo, SV, Dec 3-2 over Corter, CM.

138: Micheli, N, Dec 8-1 over Marchiano, DB; Riefenstah, SV, Dec 5-1 over Brown, DB.

145: Leshock, LM, Fall 2:02 over Cooper, CM; Serafini, CM, Dec 8-3 over Beckowski, SV.

152: Leitzel, SW, Fall 2:04 over Needham, CV; Domico, Cl, Dec 1-0 over Boltz, TV.

160: Probst, CM, Dec 4-2 over Weaver, CM; Scrivanich, SV Dec 9-5 over Rathman, C.

172: Haubert, P, Dec 4-3 over Serafini, CM; Covell, T, Dec 5-4 over Bauder, JS.

189: Reed, SW, Dec 9-2 over Baum, Co; Scheib, TV, Dec 7-1 over Robinson, W.

215: Pfizenmaye, SV, Dec 4-1 over Yonkin, M; Utz, SW, Fall 0:48 over Walizer, CM.

285: Blackwell, CM, Dec 2-0 over Troutman, TV; Schully, CY, Dec 3-0 over Nosko, T.

CONSOLATION SEMIFINALS

106: Shaner, H, Fall 1:56 over Ziefenfuss, N; Keares, CY, Fall 2:49 over Aguirre, Mo.

113: Grogg, SV, Dec 10-4 over, Houser, DB; Ruble, CV, Dec 6-0 over Davis, Cl.

120: Keen, CM, TF-1.5 4:30 (16-0) over Segraves, W; Kennedy, M, Dec 4-3 over Baumert, LM.

126: Noe, N, Dec 5-3 over Richard, DB; Long, CY, MD 12-4 over Mateo, SV.

132: Collins, Cl, MD 10-2 over Vogel, Mo; Nicholas, SV, Dec 4-2 over Vitalo, SV.

138: Puderbach, Hu, MD 15-5 over Micheli, N; Barr, Cl, MD 12-1 over Riefenstah, SV.

145: Leshock, LM, SV-1 12-10 over Goodrich, JS; Fischer, CV, Dec 7-0 over Serafini, CM.

152: Weaver, W, TF-1.5 5:00 (17-2) over Leitzel, SW; Walizer, CM, Fall 1:13 over Domico, Cl.

160: Nixon, Mu, MD 13-2 over Probst, CM; Scrivanich, SV, Dec 5-4 over Bingaman, Mo.

172: McGonigal, Cl, MD 13-1 over Haubert, P; Corry, Mo, Fall 0:53 over Covell, T.

189: Reed, SW, For. over McIntyre, ESN; Scheib, TV, SV-1 6-4 over Csencsits, SV.

215: Humphrey, Co, Fall 3:39 over Pfizenmayer, SV; Kovalick, Cl, Dec 3-2 over Utz, SW.

285: Blackwell, CM, Dec 6-3 over Wysocki, SW; Miller, CY, Dec 3-0 over Schully, CY.

SEVENTH-PLACE CONSOLATION

106: Bonczewski, SW, Fall 0:18 over Sieber, CDE.

113: Struble, Mo, Fall 3:36 over Foster, CM.

120: Morley, CV, MD 14-4 over Albert, SV.

126: Derr, M, Inj. 0:00 over Rodgers, T.

132: Smith, Hu, Dec 3-1 over Corter, CM.

138: Brown, DB, Dec 3-2 over Marchiano, DB.

145: Beckowski, SV, Dec 13-8 over Cooper, CM.

152: Needham, CV, Dec 4-2 over Boltz, TV.

160: Rathman, Co, Dec 4-2 over Weaver, CM.

172: Bauder, JS, Dec 5-2 over Serafini, CM.

189: Robinson, W, Fall 2:56 over Baum, Co.

215: Yonkin, Mo, Fall 2:12 over Walizer, CM.

285: Nosko, T, Fall 3:33 over Troutman, TV.

FIFTH-PLACE CONSOLATION

106: Aguirre, M, Fall 1:25 over Ziefenfuss, N.

113: Houser, DB, MD 10-2 over Davis, Cl.

120: Keen, CM, Dec 4-0 over Segraves, W.

126: Richard, DB, Dec 6-0 over Mateo, SV.

132: Vitalo, SV, MD 11-2 over Vogel, M.

138: Micheli, N, Dec 9-6 over Riefenstah, SV.

145: Goodrich, JS, Dec 10-5 over Serafini, CM.

152: Domico, Cl, Dec 3-2 over Leitzel, SW.

160: Bingaman, Mo, MD 14-0 over Probst, CM.

172: Covell, T, Dec 7-5 over Haubert, P.

189: Csencsits, SV over McIntyre, ESN.

215: Pfizenmaye, SV, Dec 4-0 over Utz, SW.

285: Schully, CY, Fall 3:50 over Wysocki, SW.

THIRD-PLACE CONSOLATION

106: Shaner, H, Dec 3-2 over Keares, CY.

113: Grogg, SV, Dec 5-2 over Ruble, CV.

120: Kennedy, Mo, Fall 2:29 over Keen, CM.

126: Noe, N, Dec 7-0 over Long, CY.

132: Collins, Cl, Fall 3:25 over Nicholas, SV.

138: Puderbach, H, Fall 4:26 over Barr, Cl.

145: Fischer, CV, Dec 8-3 over Leshock, LM.

152: Walizer, CM, Dec 10-6 over Weaver, W.

160: Nixon, Mu, Dec 9-3 over Scrivanich, SV.

172: McGonigal, Cl, Inj. 0:00 over Corry, Mo.

189: Scheib, TV, SV-1 5-3 over Reed, SW.

215: Kovalick, Cl, Fall 0:32 over Humphrey, Co.

285: Miller, CY, Fall 4:31 over Blackwell, CM.

CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS

106: Cole Hubert, SV, Fall 0:15 over Bradyn Schadel, LM.

113: Carson Wagner, N, Fall 3:30 over Cael Nasdeo, W.

120: Branden Wentzel, Mo, MD 14-5 over Brock Weiss, JS.

126: Dalton Perry, CM, TF-1.5 3:19 (24-6) over Aidan Kritzer, LM.

132: Scott Johnson, Mu, Dec 6-3 over Taylor Weaver, CM.

138: Braden Bower, W, Dec 3-1 over Luke Simcox, CM.

145: Riley Bower, W, MD 11-2 over Cael Markle, SV.

152: Chris Arcioulo, SV, Dec 5-4 over Marcel McDaniels, CDE.

160: Dagen Condomitti, N, MD 15-5 over Roman Morrone, W.

172: Tucker Hogan, DB, Dec 5-4 over Jake Jones, SV.

189: Bryce Molinaro, H, Dec 10-5 over Hadyn Packer, JS.

215: Austin Johnson, Mu, TF-1.5 4:34 (16-0) over Travis Armstrong, CDE.

285: Emmanuel Ulrich, Mb, UTB 3-2 over Charles Crews, W.

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