Thursday Recap 2-7-2013

PIAA Duals

First Round

Chestnut Ridge 49, Benton 23113-Sam Shank, CR, forfeit.
120-Matthew Welliver, B, dec. Derrick Claar, 6-3.
126-Dustin Ickes, CR, forfeit.
132-Trent Crouse, CR, maj. dec. Ronald Flick, 10-0.
138-Zain Retherford, B, pinned Colby Hillegass, 1:02.
145-Russell Ramsey, B, dec. Jerimiah Zimmerman, 2-1.
152-Colt Cotten, CR, Kyle Winegardner, 18-2 (6:00).
160-Conner Buttry, CR, dec. Dominic Vitale, 3-2.
170-Jeric Kasunic, B, pinned Bradie Bollman, 4:50.
182-Tyler Dibert by disqualification over Bradley Miccio.
195-Brad Winegardner, CR, pinned Luke Bogart, 3:36.
220-Dan Albright, CR, forfeit.
285-Austin Buttry, CR, pinned Marcus Welliver, 2:33.

106-Aaron Burkett, CR, pinned Alan Diltz, 1:49.

Analysis: This isn't too far off of what I predicted. Benton ended up giving up three forfeits (two more than I expected) and had 182-pounder Bradley Miccio disqualified for stalling. I didn't get to see the match, but I'm impressed by how close Derrick Claar's score was with Matt Welliver at 120. Conner Buttry got a nice victory for the Lions over Dominic Vitale at 160. Jeric Kasunic's fall over Bradie Bollman could have hurt the Lions, but Chestnut Ridge won the final five bouts. Bollman should be at 160 for Friday's quarterfinal match with Boiling Springs.

Regular Season

Berlin Brothersvalley 66, Everett 6

285-Anthony Collins, BB, dec. Eli Claycomb, 11-5.

106-Dalton Klotz, E, pinned Emil Kiesnowski,1:08.

113-Tommy DeArmitt, BB, dec. Waylon Brennan, 12-8.

120-Joe Swank, BB, pinned Mahlon Akers, 3:41.

126-E.J. Custer, BB, pinned Joey Bryner, 1:10.

132-Chris Miller, BB, forfeit.

138-Braden Fochtman, BB, maj. dec. Shayne Rininger, 13-2.

145-Eric Darr, BB, dec. Ejai Rock, 6-4.

152-Brody Moore, BB, forfeit.

160-Blake Miller, BB, pinned Cody Sheeder, 3:34.

170-Bryce Fochtman, BB, pinned Jarrett Branter, 1:26.

182-Shane Pepper, BB, tech. fall Zach Claycomb, 18-3 (4:06) 18-3.

195-Stewart Trulick, BB, pinned Brandon Bittinger, :58.
220-Mitchell Walker, BB, forfeit.

Records: Berlin Brothersvalley 12-3; Everett 3-16.

Analysis: The highlight for me came before the match, as the Mountaineers honored my parents - Boone and Betsy Knopsnyder - for their dedication. They started attending matches since the program was launched in 1977-78 and have rarely missed since then, even 20 years after their youngest child (me) graduated. There's little doubt that they have seen more Berlin wrestling than anyone else affiliated with the program. By my count they've probably seen more than 300 Berlin dual meets and 5,000 individual Berlin bouts. This year's wrestlers had their picture taken with them and presented them with a framed copy of it that each of the wrestlers signed. They'll also hand out an award each year in their names that will honor someone who is devoted to the program. It was a very cool night for my family, as each of my siblings was there to honor our parents as well.

I'm sure a lot of you have met my parents over the years, as they've gotten to know people from seemingly every school that Berlin wrestles. They're a great example of a lifelong love for wrestling and are the biggest reasons why I'm still so involved in the sport, so if you like the blog, thank them.

As far as the dual meet, it went much as I expected. The big surprise for me came at 145 pounds, where Eric Darr beat Ejai Rock. Rock tried a big move early and ended up on his back. Facing a 5-0 deficit, he battled back to 5-4 in the third, but could never close the deficit.