Piper secures victory for Juniata wrestlers in D6 team duals opener

By Kenny Varner Jr.
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Updated: January 30, 2024

By Kenny Varner

WINGATE – The wrestling post season is officially underway.

Tuesday night the Juniata Indians wrestling team traveled to Bald Eagle Area high school to start its District 6 Class AA team duals.

The Indians opened the early evening with a match against 11-7 Central.

Posting an 11-4 mark of their own, Juniata looked to move to the evening contest against Bald Eagle in the night cap.

Juniata trailed through most of the contest but quickly caught up thanks to its heavier weights. Juniata rallied to take home a 35-33 victory.

Needing to pick up a pin at 285, Juniata’s Lane Peiper needed a tech fall or a pin to clinch a victory for the Indians wrestling team Tuesday in their opening District 6 Class AA Team duals against Central.

Holding a 29-27 advantage with Peiper heading into the match.

Needing the bonus points with a pending forfeit at 107, Peiper did not blink.

He faced Avery Campbell for the right to advance his team. He did just that.

In the first period, Peiper got the quick take down and spent most of the period trying to clamp on and roll Campbell over for the pinfall. Campbell refused as the Indians took a 2-0 advantage going into the second period.

Campbell was bullish on going down as he chose to start in the neutral position. He was able to keep Peiper from a successful shoot, blocking his attempts numerous times.

The match went into the third period with Peiper still looking for the pinfall.

Peiper took the top position and went right to work, he was able to wear out Campbell. He took the advantage of being in the up position and was able to clamp in a cradle and put both of Campbell’s shoulders on the mat finishing with the pinfall and the securing the team victory at 4:54.

Juniata’s first win came at 121, trailing 6-0, Joey Bomberger cut the Dragons lead with a decision over Joel Morris, 4-2.

After trailing 2-0, Bomberger was able to get a takedown of his own in the second, tying the contest going into the third. Bomberger sealed the win with a takedown in the third.

At 133, Colton Rowles dominated from beginning to end as he had his way with Bailey Wilt posting a second period tech fall with 2:46 winning, 16-1.

Ryder Smith added to his team’s wins as he won by a forfeit at 142.

Trailing 27-17 going into Javier Lopez was able to give the Indians some much needed points as he outlasted Blair Miller in a 5-2 decision. Lopez posted a takedown in the first and three back points and never looked back.

Harrison Mummah posted Juniata’s first pin of the night. At 189 Mummah dropped John Polcine while leading 4-0 at the time. The pin was at 3:22, closing the gap on the scoreboard 27-23.

But at 215, Kelton Bonnell knew what he had to do and came out like a man on a mission pinning Felix Diaz in :35. With the pinfall, the Indians had their first lead in the contest, 29-27.

Pipers pinfall would clinch it for the Indians as they earned a match against Bald Eagle area in the night cap.

BEA 58, Juniata 6

In their second round match, the Indians went to battle against the number one seed and juggernaut Bald Eagle Area team.

The number one seed proved to be too powerful as they fell 58-6.

Picking up wins for the Indians were

139-pounder Ryder Smith. Smith took a 3-1 decision over Connor Maney. SV and 215-pound Kelton Bonnell, as he muscled out a 2-1 decision over Gage Gardner.

Juniata 35 , Central 33

114 – Carson Mowery (C) pinned Anthony Maradiaga (J), :58.

121 – Joey Bomberger (J) decision over Joel Morris, 4-2.

127 – Kaden Horn (C) pinned Cody Nipple 1:08.

133 – Colton Rowles (J) techfall Bailey Wilt (C), 2:46 16-1.

139 – Thais Mickel (C) pinned Ty Fahnstock (J), 1:57.

145 – Ryder Smith (J) won by forfeit

152 -Isaac Smith (C)Jerry Cordova (J), 1:10.

160 – Cody Clapper (C) dec. over Charlie Telfer, 10-5.

172 – Javier Lopez (J) dec. over Blair Miller (C) 5-2.

189 – Harrison Mummah (J) pinned John Polcine (C), 3:22.

215 – Kelton Bonnell (J) pinned Felix Diaz (C), :35.