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Controversial call costs BEA wrestlers a win against Westmont; Hilltoppers advance due to accusation of a biting violation

Westmont Hilltop 38, Bald Eagle Area 33 (went by the final score on the scoreboard)

106 – Coen Bainey (BEA) pinned Sean Wilks (WH), :52.

113 – Jeff Pifer (BEA) pinned Conner Lamantia, 2:40.

120 – Cooper Gilham (BEA) pinned Luke Benner (WH), 5:30.

126 – Grace Stem (BEA) dec. Tanner Kushner (WH), 6-2.

132 – Tanner Kosis (WH) pinned Isaac Packer (BEA), 3:43.

138 – Roy Dunn (WH) won by Biting violation over Zander Ballock.

145 – Noah Korenski (WH) major decision over Drew Koleno (BEA) 13-0.

152 – Gage McClenahan (BEA) pinned  Madox Muto (WH) :51.

160 – Hudson Holbay (WH) maj. Dec. Noah Foltz, 12-3.

170 – Matt Knepp (BEA) dec. Hunter Holboy, 6-5.

182 – Mason Muto (WM) pinned Brady Proctor (BEA), 3:45.

195 – Tanner Dluhos (WH) pinned Chandler Burns (BEA), 4:21.

220 – Darin Close (BEA) pinned Noah Gresh, 1:29.

285 – Max Yeorko (WH) forfeit.

By Kenny Varner

WINGATE – In wrestling there are many ways to win or lose a match.

Common ones are Pinfall, Tech. Fall, Major Decision, Decision, Medical injury and forfeit.

Here’s one that is hardly spoken of but cost the Bald Eagle Wrestling team the chance to advance and defeat Westmont Hilltop, a biting violation, 38-33 Tuesday night in the opening day of District 6 team duals.

In the last match of the night at 138, Bald Eagle held a 36-32 advantage which had the Eagles’ Zander Ballock facing Hilltopper Roy Dunn.

All Ballock needed to do was keep from being pinned or lose by tech fall and it looked like it was going to happen. But late in the match controversy would rear its ugly head.

In the first period, Dunn took down Ballock and put him on his back, collecting two back points in the process.

Ballock escaped to cut it to a 4-1 contest. But Dunn put him back on his back and nearly notched a pinfall before the first period would cone to a close.

With Ballock taking the top position in the second, he was able to himself from getting pinned despite a reversal, putting Dunn up 9-1.

An escape by Ballock late in the second, kept the match at 9-2.

With a minute left, Dunn notched yet another reversal, making it an 11-2 contest.

With blood coming from Ballock, the Eagles were forced to a medical stoppage so the Eagle matman could be looked at. As he was being fixed up, Westmont Hilltopper coach Matt Beaujon went to the officials about a possible bite on his wrestlers finger.

Dunn was looked at by the two referees on hand and after a small discussion, the two stopped the match and called the match as a Bite Violation, giving Dunn the six points and erasing three points from the Eagles score, allowing the Hilltoppers to comeback from an eventual loss on criteria points.

The decision left the crowd shocked and not sure what was going on.

But after talking to the scoreboard operator, the match was given to Westmont by one single “digit”.

“I’m speechless. I don’t know what to say. It’s a shame it came down to that. There were other things that took place during the match that effected the outcome. It just so happens that that was the last match of the night. It went down the way it went down,” said Bald Eagle coach Ron Guenot. “I’m not exactly sure what happened. It’s just unfortunate. It was a great dual meet. Both teams fought hard. Both team’s wanted it bad. It’s just a shame that it ended like that.”

Starting at 145, Westmont’s Noah Korenski took home the win posting a major decision over Drew Koleno 13-0.

But the Eagles’ would take back the advantage at 152, Gage McClenahan made quick work of his opponent as he pinned Madox Muto :51.

However, the Eagles’ lead would only be temporary as at 160 pounds, Hudson Holbay took control and kept the control throughout as he won by a major decision over Noah Foltz, 12-3, taking an 8-6 advantage.

At 170 pounds Bald Eagles’ Matt Knepp muscled out a hard fought decision over Hunter Holboy, 6-5.

Westmont Hilltop took control in the higher weights winning 3-of-4 bouts before heading into the lightweights.

182 – pounder Mason Muto pinned Bald Eagle’s Brady Proctor at 3:45.

Tanner Dluhos continued the Hilltoppers winning ways pinning Chandler Burns late in their bout 4:21, giving Westmont a 20-9 advantage.

At 220, Darin Close went right to work and controlled Westmont’s Noah Gresh throughout pinning him at the 1:29 mark, cutting it to 15-20.

But with no one to face 285 – pounder Max Yeorko the Eagles has to take the forfeit, extending back the lead to 26-15.

However, the Eagles would dominate the lighter weight starting at 106 pounds.

106 – pounder Coen Bainey took control right away and put his opponent Sean Wilks right on his back quickly pinning him  Sean Wilks within 52 seconds.

With the win, Bald Eagle pulled to within five, 26-21.

Things continued to roll for Bald Eagle as 113 – pounder Jeff Pifer got in the act, pinning Conner Lamantia at 2:40, putting the Eagles on top by one 27-26.

120 – pounder Cooper Gilham extended the Eagles’ lead as he pinned Luke Benner deep into the third at the 5:30 mark, making it 33-26.

In a clutch match at 126, Bald Eagle Area’s Grace Stem was a girl on a mission as she dominated Tanner Kushner with two leg takedowns in a 6-2 victory, helping her team solidify its lead to 36-26.

But at 132 Westmont Hilltop added to the final drama when Tanner Kosis pinned Isaac Packer at 3:43, setting the stage for the drama that would ensue at 138.

But in the end, it would be an alleged simple Mark on a finger that would seal the Eagles’ fate. Not their effort.

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