Mifflin County battles CM in title tilt, falls short in mat rivalry

By Kenny Varner

MILL HALL – Two familiar foes, one goal!

Saturday, the Mifflin County Huskies and Central Mountain wrestling team’s lined up to go toe-to-toe for the District 6 Class AAA team duals championship.

It was not an unfamiliar fight as the two seem to year-in and year-out seem to be battling for the berth in the PIAA dual championships.

It always seems to be quite a battle when they meet, bringing out the best-of-the-best.

Saturday was no exception.

Despite the Wildcats coming out the winner of a 36-18 victory, the atmosphere was electric as not only did Central Mountain have a strong showing but the MIfflin County faithful made the trip up to Mill Hall to route their Huskies.

In their first bout of the night over Altoona 34-33. The Huskies got ahead early and posted enough points that they could forfeit the final five matches.

In the championship, the group battled strong through out, keeping the score at 18-18 going into 172. But the Wildcats upper weights notched some very close battles en route to the win.

Mifflin County started things off with a win at 114. Paxton Shawver picked up a pin over Collin Bauman at 1:37. Shawver led 4-2 at the time of the pinfall.

Central Mountain’s Aiden Kunes and  Mifflin County’s Jake Knable battled from beginning to end with Kunes escaping with a 10-8 decision. The match was decided in the final seconds of the match when Kunes picked up two points on a reversal.

Back came the Huskies at 127. Blake Aumiller defeated Patrick Tarantella in one of the night’s most nail biting match. Aumiller and Tarantella took a 6-6 tie into the first overtime period. In the end, Aumiller picked up the takedown in the Sudden Victory period to take the 8-6 victory.

Things continued in the Huskies favor at 133. Kamden Everly opened early with a takedown in the first along with two back points to lead 4-0 going into the second against Mario Serafini. In the second, Everly Fall notched the pin at 2:41.

A close bout at 139, the Wildcats Carnell Noone came on strong late posting a pin over Brian Albert 3:18.

State ranked 145-pounder Dalton Perry picked up a pin of his own over Colby Seiler at 2:11, knotting the contest at 15-15.

Also shining for  Central Mountain was 152-pounder Luke Simcox as he was able to win a very hard fought 5-0 victory over state ranked Parker Kearns by a 5-0 contest.

In the night’s biggest event, Mifflin County’s 160-pounder Deakon Schaeffer was able to hold onto a very tough 3-2 decision over Griffin Walizer. Schaeffer took the lead on an early takedown in the first. Walizer managed to escape, cutting it to a 2-1 contest. Sitting in the down position to start the second d period, Walizer was able to pick up his second escape tying the match at two. In the third it was Schaeffer’s chance to be in the down position. He would also escape and then hold on for the last two minutes, capturing the 3-2 victory.

At 172, things started to click for the Wildcats when Jacob Weaver muscled out a 3-2 win over Avery Aurand.

Bryce Brungard kept the Central Mountain wins going at 189.  Brungard escaped a 7-5 Sudden victory win over Reese Christine.

The Wildcats a very clutch win at 215. Rocco Serafini topped Gavin Mickey 9-6.

The Wildcats kept their winning streak going into 285.

Giovanni Tarentella also had to battle but in the end he would come out a 3-1 winner over Truitt Davis.

Rounding out the day at 107, Central Mountain’s Gavin Heverly picked up the forfeit en route to capturing its second team championship in as many years.

Mifflin County 34, Altoona 33

Opening the day at 107, Andrew Alexander blanked  Dom Nardozza in a 5-0 decision.

Paxton Shawver notched the Huskies first pin of the day at 114 as he took a pin over Taber Baker 3:25.

At 127, Blake Aumiller won via a major decision over Gavin Ciampoli 11-3.

Kamden Everly got an easy win at 133 as he got his hand raised after an Altoona forfeit.

139-pounder Brian Albert also win by a forfeit by the Mountain Lions.

Colby Seiler won in a close decision over Wyatt Young 6-2 at 145 pounds.

Rounding out the Huskies wins 152-pounder Parker Kearns pinned Damian Mellott in 0:26.