UPDATED Tuesday night recap 1/24/2012

There were plenty of good dual meets on Tuesday night. Unfortunately, I was unable to make it to any of them. That's too bad because the Chestnut Ridge-Somerset match looks like it was as good or better than its predecessor three days ago in the championship of the Richland Coaches Duals.

Somerset 32, Chestnut Ridge 30

106-Derrick Claar, CR, pinned Garret Foster, 3:18.

113-Damian Jano, S, pinned Trent Crouse, 1:18.

120-Sheldon Wagner, S, dec. Colby Hillegass, 8-6.

126-Zach Etterman, CR, pinned Tyler Walker, 3:50.

132-Jon Fabian, S, dec. Shane Pfaunmiller, 2-1.

138-Mike Laue, S, pinned Dustin Bence, :13.

145-Landon Lohr, S, dec. Kyle Winegardner, 9-5.

152-Josh Darr, S, tech. fall Teddy Albright, 9-5.

160-Michael Sutton, S, dec. Bradie Bollman, 3-2.

170-Matt Dull, CR, pinned Logan Eller, 3:49.

182-Tyler Dibert, CR, dec. Jacob Nickelson, 3-1.

195-Dan Albright, CR, pinned Jon Baer, 2:19.

220-Luke Fochtman, CR, dec. Patrick Blough, 3-2 (RO).

285-Jake Hayman, S, dec. Austin Buttry, 3-1.

Records: Somerset 15-2. Chestnut Ridge 22-5.

Analysis: I really thought the outcome might be different than the meeting in Richland on Saturday night, but I wouldn't have guess how much different the individual matches would be. After getting pinned in the final match at Richland, Damian Jano turned the tables on Trent Crouse. That was a 12-point swing and got the Golden Eagles rolling as they won seven of the next eight matches. Sheldon Wagner also avenged a loss. He beat Colby Hillegass, who had pinned him in their first meeting. Jon Fabian became the second consecutive Somerset wrestler to beat defending District 5 champion Shane Pfaunmiller. That helped the Eagles build a 29-12 lead, and they'd need all of it, as the Lions won four consecutive matches.

 Luke Fochtman, who lost 3-2 to Patrick Blough on a locking-hands call in rideout on Saturday, won by the same score on Thursday to give Ridge a 30-29 edge.

On Saturday, Austin Buttry propelled the Lions to victory by pinning previously unbeaten Jake Hayman at heavyweight. This time, Hayman got to be the hero. His 3-1 victory gave Somerset the victory and a boost in the District 5 dual-meet standings, which doesn't count Saturday's result (or anything else that happens in a dual-meet tournament).

Berlin Brothersvalley 54, Portage 24

106-Tommy DeArmitt, BB, forfeit.

113-Nick Lutz, P, tech. fall Tyler DeArmitt, 6:00.

120-Chris Miller, BB, forfeit.

126-E.J. Custer, BB, forfeit.

132-Cole Butler, BB, pinned Bryan Husar, 2:25.

138-Chase Fox, P, dec. Eric Darr, 5-2.

145-Blake Miller, BB, pinned Caleb Kephart, 1:41.

152-Paul Husar, P, pinned Bryce Fochtman, 1:25.

160-Donny Watters, P, pinned Trace Heffner, 1:58.

170-Ben Miller, BB, pinned Kyle Davis, :40.

182-Randy Wisen, P, maj. dec. Andre Dauphinais, 10-2.

195-Stew Trulick, BB, pinned Cameron Neel, 1:04.

220-Jacob Craig, BB, pinned Tyler Strong, 1:20.

285-Kody Martin, BB, forfeit.

Records: Berlin Brothersvalley 13-7. 

Analysis: Berlin was coming off a very strong showing at the Richland Coaches Duals, but the Mountaineers were nearly outwrestled by the Mustangs. Throw out the four forfeits that Portage gave up and this is a 30-24 on the mat. This is actually beginning to look like a trend, so maybe Adam Whetstone is building something in Portage. Chase Fox, who knocked off Tevin Mostoller last week, added another quality win by beating Eric Darr at 138 pounds. Paul Husar and Donny Watters added a pair of impressive first-period pins for Portage. Husar beat Bryce Fochtman while Watters stopped Trace Heffner, wrestlers with 17 and 16 wins, respectively. Then, Randy Wisen scored a 10-2 major decision over Andre Dauphinais at 182. Dauphinais might be a first-year wrestler, but he's proved difficult to score on, as Wisen found out in his 4-1 victory at the Sheetz Holiday Classic in December.

I haven't gotten to see much of the Mustangs this season, but it certainly looks like they're showing improvement under Whetstone.

The Mountaineers can take something away from the trip - a .500 record in matches that count toward the District 5 standings and makes them eligible for the postseason - but it also can be seen as another step backward in what has been a startlingly inconsistent season.  

North Star 41, Meyersdale 30

106-Colton Gennett, NS, forfeit.

113-Brady McKenzie, M, pinned Lenny Beeman, 1:02.

120-Nick Roberts, NS, tech. fall Collin Day, 16-1.*

126-Tanner Hetrick, M, pinned Tayte Mostoller, :59.

132-Stephen McKenzie, M, dec. Tevin Mostoller, 7-2.

138-Luke Lepley, NS, dec. Seth Deist, 7-5.

145-Austin Connor, NS, pinned Drew Yoder, 3:09.

152-Tanner Revak, NS, pinned David Stanton, 2:46.

160-Billy Dunbar, M, pinned Lance Shawley, 4:38.

170-Gavin Berkley, M, dec. Neil Yoder, 7-3.

182-Max Strasiser, NS, pinned Tyler Mayhugh, 3:01.

195-Andrew Lenhart, M, forfeit.

220-Brett Benedict, NS, forfeit.

285-Shane Supanick, NS, dec. Ty Smith, 2-1.

Records: North Star 6-3. Meyersdale 12-4.

*-The result I got actually had Day with a tech fall over Roberts here, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say it's the other way around.

Analysis: This is a big win for North Star because, I believe, it guarantees the Cougars will be eligible for the District 5 Dual-Meet Tournament. There were some good matchups in it, mainly in the light-to-middle weights. Tanner Hetrick's match with Tayte Mostoller was a bit of a surprise to me, not so much because Hetrick won, but because he did it with a fall in less than a minute. Stephen McKenzie's 7-2 victory over Tevin Mostoller at 132 would have been another highlight match for me. And North Star's Luke Lepley seems to be making strides, as he beat Seth Deist at 138 after losing to him earlier in the season. Jeff Maurer covered it for the Daily American.

Bedford 52, Greater Johnstown 20

120-Garrett Thomas, B, pinned Dustin Stephens, :18.
126-Toby Brett, B, forfeit.
132-Malcolm Harris, GJ, maj. de. Caleb Grimes, 19-5.
138-Evan Smith, GJ, maj. dec. Zach Dudek, 17-3.
145-William Leeth, GJ, maj. dec. Jesse Martin, 10-2.
152-Tanner Williams, B, forfeit.
160-Josiah Koontz, B, pinned Conan Stiffler, :37.
170-Cody Yingling, B, forfeit.
182-Gervon Simon, GJ, pinned Dylan Evans, 3:04.
195-Mike Brett, B, maj. dec. Kawan Butcher, 13-1.
220-Jacob Krupa, B, pinned Rich White, 1:51.
285-Jeremiah Mitchell, GJ, dec. Justin Easter, 6-1.
106-Jake Warren, B, pinned Madison Lima-Tenaka, 1:19.
113-Ryan Easter, B, pinned Malik Walker, :30.
Records: Bedford 11-0; Greater Johnstown 12-13.

Analysis: Another big win for Bedford, but it was actually a pretty good showing by Johnstown as well. The three victories in a row at 132, 138 and 145 were impressive for the Trojans. Malcolm Harris is a proven commodity and Evan Smith and William Leeth are starting to show their skills as well. At this point, it's hard to say much more about Bedford. The Bisons certainly didn't seem to be looking ahed to tonight's big match at Somerset.

Forest Hills 40, Central Cambria 34

195-Brody Snyder, CC, pinned Sam Michuk, 2:20.
220-Luke Zearing, CC, forfeit.
185-Evan Sikora, CC, pinned Matt Mara, 5:38.
106-Jake Keiper, FH, forfeit.
113-Triston Law, FH, maj. dec. Brad Taylor, 14-6.
120-Dylan Casper, CC, forfeit.
126-Coltin Makin, CC, forfeit.
132-Aiden Sugars, FH, pinned Steven Pennington, 2:22.
138-Ben Rager, CC, maj. dec. Kenny Corle, 18-8.
145-Ian Bopp, FH, maj. dec. Cordale Kline, 9-1.
152-R.J. Brydon, FH, forfeit.
160-Warren Gramling, FH, pinned Tanner Bilonick, 1:48.
170-Cody Law, FH, Tony Risaliti, 7-4.
182-Zach Pinkas, FH, tech. fall Cody Slebodnick, 15-0 (4:32).
Records: Forest Hills 2-8; Central Cambria 7-16.

Analysis: For two squads with losing records, this had some great matchups. How about 170 pounds, where the state's two best 160-pounders - according to the Pennsylvania Wrestling Rankings - met for the second time this season? Law beat his frequent club practice partner for the second time in a match that went a long way in the team standings. Triston Law, Cody's younger brother, also had a big win for the Rangers. The freshman moved up a weight class and scored a major decision over Brad Taylor, who already has 21 wins this season. But Forest Hills didn't win all of the marquee matchups. Central Cambria's Ben Rager scored a major decision over another very solid wrestler in Kenny Corle at 138 pounds.

Tussey Mountain 42, Shade 32

106-Joe Pakstis, S, pinned Brent Leabhart, TM, :17.
113-Mike Manges, S, tech. fall Damian Metz, 16-1.
120-Jonathan Reynolds, S, dec. Dylan Park, 5-3.
126-No match.
132-No match.
138-James Kostick, S, pinned Robert Swope, 2:18.
145-Matthew Duval, TM, pinned Adam Hutzell, 1:20.
152-Wolf Otten, S, forfeit.
160-No match.
170-Matt Orner, S, forfeit.
182-Tyler Husick, TM, forfeit.
195-Samuel Sosak, TM, forfeit.
220-Brandon Eichelberger, TM, forfeit.
285-Mitchell Hall, TM, pinned Michael Ohler, :23.

Analysis: Not too much to analyze here, with only six matches being wrestled. Like some box scores I've seen this season, this seems like a long way to travel - about an hour and a half by bus - for six matches, four of which lasted a combined 4:18. Duals like this are certainly an argument for keep the dual-meet tournament format. As far as the matches that did happen, no major surprises as far as I see it.

Westmont Hilltop 45, Richland 27

126-Marcus McKool, R, pinned Nick Mical, 2:52.
132-Nick Naglic, R, tech. fall, Andrew Garrison, 20-2 (5:55).
138-Mike Walsh, WH, pinned John Li, 1:12.
145-Ian Helsel, WH, tech. fall Trevor Henry, 16-1.
152-Dan Dvan, R, pinned Jonah Cramer, 2:51.
160-Tanner Patton, WH, pinned Mike Derricott, :37.
170-Nico Pecora, R, dec. Colin Barron, 5-0.
182-Ryan Burnheimer, WH, pinned Mike Merriman, 1:42.
195-Eric Kowalewski, WH, pinned Killian Snopko, 3:53.
220-John Rizzo, R, maj. dec. Don Shovestull, 13-3.
285-Josh Duplin, WH, forfeit.
106-Adam George, R, dec. Drake Dorian, 4-3.
113-Logan Blackburn, WH, pinned Stephen Rouser, 2:27.
120-Stephen Zipf, WH, maj. dec. Justin Cinko, 11-2.
Records: Westmont Hilltop 7-2; Richland 10-7.

Analysis: The match that everyone wanted to see didn't happen. Sure, John Rizzo has wrestled Josh Duplin about 300 times over the past three seasons, but who's going to complain about seeing two of the area's best wrestlers at any weight square off? Don Shovestull looks to have acquitted himself quite well against Rizzo, however. At this point, anyone who last six minutes with Rizzo gains attention. It's also got to help Rizzo somewhat, as he'll need to get used to the pace of a full match as the postseason rolls around. As far as what did happen, there weren't too many surprises in my eyes. Maybe Adam George's victory over Drake Dorian at 106 pounds, but I probably would have seen that as a toss-up anyway.

Cambria Heights 60, Penn Cambria 19

106-Michael Dautlick, CH, forfeit.

113-Nathan Gates, PC, forfeit.

120-Jeff Brahim, CH, pinned Zach Rhone-Hatch, :21.

126-Joe Davis, CH, forfeit.

132-Brad Thomas, CH, pinned Michael Eckenrode, 3:44.

138-Nick Szala, PC, maj. dec. Levi Niebauer, 12-4.

145-Travis Yahner, CH, pinned Matt Wyland, 3:44.

152-Jon Stoy, PC, pinned Andrew Hollern, :13.

160-Dalton Waksmunski, CH, pinned Henry Spangler, 4:20.

170-Ross Inzana, CH, forfeit.

182-Tyler Crawford, CH, pinned Henry Schlosser, 1:34.

195-Jake Beach, CH, forfeit.

220-Aaron Gill, CH, pinned Johnathan Wilkinson, 1:13.

285-Seth McLendon, PC, dec. Dominic Novella, CH, 8-2.

Analysis: The highlight match was Nick Szala's 12-4 victory over Levi Niebauer at 138 pounds. Szala seems to be doing just fine after being sidelined by a back injury last week, and he proved it with this victory over a very solid freshman who also happens to be Penn Cambria coach Todd Niebauer's cousin.

Ligonier Valley 54, Marion Center 12

106-No match.

113-Justin Patrick, LV, forfeit.

120-Isaac Stewart, MC, pinned Mitchell Brown, 1:59.

126-Brandon Heberling, MC, forfeit.

132-Tyler Smith, LV, forfeit.

138-Jonathan Davis, LV, pinned Collin Butterworth, 1:25.

145-Derek Croyle, LV, forfeit.

152-Dylan Youngblood, LV, forfeit.

170-Jeremy Withrow, LV, pinned Kyle McCullough, 3:22.

182-No match.

195-Dakota Peters, LV, pinned Collin Rudd, 1:06.

220-Brandon Layden, LV, forfeit.

285-Mark Ebberts, LV, pinned Austyn Polisky, :12.

Analysis: Sadly, some of the top wrestlers here didn't get a match. Just a guess, but I'm thinking that Justin Patrick probably weighed in at 106 and bumped up to 113 to try to get a match. But Marion Center likely countered by bumping Isaac Stewart up to 120. Marion Center's Brandon Heberling, who is 18-3 on the season, also got a forfeit at 126. No word on why MC's Phil Crook wasn't in the lineup. Ligonier Valley had a very solid showing in the other weights.

United 52, Northern Cambria 27

106-Anthony Yates, NC, forfeit.

113-Seth Knapic, U, maj. dec. Noah Tomallo, 13-0.

120-Warren Lowther, U, forfeit.

126-Nolan Paronish, NC, pinned Scott Marsh, 1:45.

132-Tyler Gaston, NC, dec. Gaige George, 4-0.

138-Gus Yahner, NC, pinned Troy Matson, :24.

145-Tyler Mack, U, pinned Casey Brown, 1:22.

152-Cody Wissinger, NC, forfeit.

160-Miles Stahl, U, forfeit.

170-Dillon Heming, U, forfeit.

182-Charles Hropovih, U, pinned Joey Frontino, :32.

195-Tyler Oliver, U, forfeit.

220-Ryan Snyder, U, forfeit.

285-Josh Bealonis, U, forfeit.

Analysis: Today's edition of The Tribune-Democrat says this was wrestled on Monday but since I had it on the schedule for Tuesday and it wasn't reported before there, it's staying here. I haven't seen too much of either team, so I don't know who would have been favored in a lot of the matchups. What does jump out at me is the fact that two of United's best wrestlers - John Blankenship and Ben Mountan - weren't in the lineup. Mountan hasn't wrestled since December. Blankenship did at the Richland Duals. Nolan Paronish has quietly put together a solid season for Northern Cambria, as he's now 14-3.