BURNHAM - After each event in Mifflin County's swim meet against Cedar Cliff Tuesday, one swimmer or another would approach Mifflin County coach Connie Welch alongside the Juniata Valley YMCA pool.
They were looking for advice, reinforcement - maybe both. And she had plenty to offer.
"Kick, kick, kick," she told one. "You were great," to another.
Article Photos
Sentinel photo by BRADLEY KREITZER
Mifflin County’s Sarah Bonson swims the 100-yard butterfly in a swim meet against Cedar Cliff Tuesday evening in Burnham.
And then she'd lean down to the water and shout encouragement at the person racing - an exercise in futility, she admitted, more for her than the athletes, since they probably couldn't hear her in the water anyway.
It's no wonder she was exhausted at the end of the night - she's as active as anyone in a suit, pushing to make her Huskies as strong as the teams they've been facing all winter in the Mid-Penn Conference.
Tuesday was different only in that the Colts aren't a Commonwealth Division opponent, but did fill in for one when a scheduling snafu meant no home meet with Central Dauphin and CD East this year. It was a better match on paper for the Huskies, as the squads were closer in size - but the visitors still made it home with the victory.
The girls won 100-67. For the boys it was 92-63.
"I was hopeful. They really gave us some great races," Welch said. "Hopefully we can swim them next year and do better."
The Mifflin County swimmers didn't lack encouragement - while most of the Colts sat on the bench when they weren't in the water, the home side kids were on their feet and cheering all night. It couldn't hurt for a squad that is so varied in experience, from the quartet that leads the Huskies in performance to a newcomer who was added to the roster since New Year's Day.
Success is finally coming to some of the others, which pleases Welch to no end.
"Isn't it great? It's nice to see some of the other swimmers getting recognized for their hard work. They are doing an exceptional job," she said, noting one freshman in particular. "It's nice to see Zack Bonson get another district qualifying event as well."
Mifflin County hosts Central Mountain Tuesday.
Wrestling
Mount Union 39, Northern Bedford 33
MOUNT UNION - It was knotted up at 33-33 when the Mount Union grapplers entered their last bout of the night Tuesday against Inter-County Conference opponent Northern Bedford, but the Trojans' Nikolas Smith wasn't about to let his team down.
Handling Northern Bedford's Chase Ott for the pin at 1:26, Smith propelled his team to victory in the 39-33 contest.
Mid way through the match, Mount Union took a pin from Tyler long, a Dylan Smith decision and a Cory Kylor pin to give the Trojans a 27-24 lead after falling behind, 24-12.
Other Trojans with wins included Sage Moist, Jake Boozel and Devon Kylor.
Mount Union travels to Claysburg-Kimmel today to conclude its regular season.
Girls basketball
Mount Union 65, Glendale 28
FLINTON - Mount Union's Ashlyn Drake put up 23 points - just five fewer than Glendale was able to manage total - leading the Trojans to a 65-28 Inter-County Conference victory Tuesday.
"Ashlyn was on tonight," Mount Union coach Jenny Cunningham said. "She shot the threes, she drove, she played defense and she was definitely our go-to girl tonight."
Glendale struggled to score the entire game, whereas Mount Union put up at least 13 points each quarter.
"Our scoring was very spread out. Everyone played good tonight," Cunningham said.
In JV action, Mount Union was victorious, dropping the Vikings, 36-26.
Mount Union (7-7, 4-3) hosts Bellwood-Antis Thursday.
Midd-West 45, Jersey Shore 27
MIDDLEBURG - Brianna Beiler had a career-high 21 points and pulled down eight rebounds as Midd-West picked up a Heartland Conference win over Jersey Shore, 45-27, in girls basketball Tuesday.
Although only four players scored for the Mustangs, three were in double digits. Mikayla Beiler added 11 and Allie Camp 10 in the win.
Jersey Shore won the JV game, 39-10.
Midd-West (6-8) travels to Selinsgrove Friday.
Juniata Mennonite 47, New Covenant 29
BEAVER SPRINGS - Juniata Mennonite held New Covenant's top scorer to a dozen and Bethany Saner got the Lions rolling in the second half as the local squad topped the Mansfield school 47-29 in a Allegheny Christian Athletic Association girls basketball game Tuesday at West Snyder Elementary.
"Saner really turned the game around for us in the third quarter," Juniata Mennonite coach Andy Meiser said. "She really brings the energy. It was good to see us pick our energy level up."
Saner's scoring was not on the top of the sheet, but she got into it at the right time, after the Lions took a seven-point edge into the locker room. The team went on to have an 18-point stanza to put the game out of reach.
Overall, Meiser said, his team delivered offensive balance. Molly Arnold (14 points), Valarie Meiser (13) and Lauren Breon (10) were all in double digits.
Juniata Mennonite (5-7, 3-5) hosts unbeaten Sunbury Christian Friday.
Boys basketball
Juniata Mennonite 66, New Convenant 61 OT
BEAVER SPRINGS - Despite losing two starters to fouls, Juniata Mennonite's boys came through when it counted, picking up a 66-61 win in overtime against Allegheny Christian Athletic Association foe New Convenant Tuesday.
Although all the quarter scores were close, the Mansfield team held a lead most of the game, at one point by nine.
"We got a little sloppy inside for a while and they took advantage of it," he said. "It was a little scary when you go into OT and lose two of your starters."
Jessie Watts hit a three on the buzzer to force the extra period, and the Lions found success by cutting off the middle and forcing the visitors to the outside.
Watts ended the game with 26 points. Luke Showers scored 16 and Caleb Gehman 10.
Juniata Mennonite (8-5, 5-4) host Sunbury Christian Friday.
Carlisle 49, Mifflin County 42
CARLISLE - The Huskies trailed Commonwealth Division opponent Carlisle by just three points late in the boy basketball game Tuesday, but a few key possessions later, the Thundering Herd was the team to come out on top in the 49-42 contest.
"Tonight was a very physical game against a big Carlisle team who has been playing very well, winning five of their last seven in the Mid-Penn. Our guys played hard enough to win; however, shooting 7-for-20 from the foul line and giving up several key offensive rebounds to Carlisle made the difference in a one possession game down the stretch," Mifflin County coach Aaron Gingrich said.
The Huskies' Seth Wagner had a team-high 11 points, but Hunter Wright and Cy Treaster were also a force behind the team's effort.
"Hunter Wright and Cy Treaster came out of too many slumps and combined for 14 points, 12 rebounds and five steals. It was a quality production from those two positions," Gingrich said.
Carlisle won the JV game, 48-41.
Mifflin County (6-10, 1-10) hosts State College Friday.
Junior high
Boys basketball
9th grade: Carlisle 44, Mifflin County 28. High scorer, Cade Attick 14 points. Mifflin County travels to Hollidaysburg Friday.
Wrestling
Mount Union 46, Northern Bedford 40. Winners for Mount Union were Josh Boozel, Evan Fortney, Andrew Todaro, Nathanael Morgan, Dylan Smith, D.J. Bookwalter, Teagan Locke, Mason Hockenberry and Riley Grainey.
