Mount Union cruises to 600th victory
Trojans are fourth in D6 to hit milestone
Trending
MOUNT UNION -- On a December night back in 1954, coach Irvin Hess picked up the first win by a wrestling team for Captain Jack High School. Eventually, Captain Jack became Mount Union -- and with the name change, the victories kept right on coming.
Now, 63 years later, Mount Union coach Corey Wertz and his Trojans crossed a special milestone -- posting win number 600 in program history by taking care of Claysburg-Kimmel 48-22 in an Inter-County Conference contest Wednesday evening.
"Six hundred wins as a program takes a lot of people over the years, clear back when the program started," Wertz said. "It was nice to see a bunch of alumni back. It was nice to see a lot of participation in our food drive because we met that goal, too, with over 600 items donated, so it was a good night all around."
Wertz had kind words for Sheetz, Checkers Grill, Yetter's Restaurant and Dairy Queen, who helped with the draw, too.
"They donated some of the gift cards, and I would like to thank them for helping us with the food drive and the prizes we raised," he said.
Wertz said the key to Mount Union's success in wrestling is consistency. Since 1964, the Trojans have had only four coaches (John Goshorn, Randy Stewart, Dan Brown and Wertz). Mount Union joins Bald Eagle Area, State College and Blairsville as the only District 6 schools with 600 or more wins.
"Consistency is the answer. Each group that came along knew what to expect. From clear back when Mr. Goshorn coached to Randy Stewart, Dan Brown and then me," Wertz said. "Everyone knew what to expect and what you had to do. Consistency is a big part of it. We are the fourth school with 600 wins. It's nice to be up there with those programs."
With the Bulldogs forfeiting four weights and the Trojan dominance up above, Mount Union's victory was all but a foregone conclusion. The Trojans (7-1, 5-0) won nine bouts, scoring bonus points in seven of those.
The match started off with the Trojans winning the first four bouts to take a 21-0 lead. Bryce Beatty (106), Kevin Morehouse (113) and Josh Boozel (126) won by forfeit, while Caleb Cramer posted a 5-0 shutout over Hunter Dively at 120. Cramer had a takedown in the first two periods and an escape in the third for the victory.
"It's a special accomplishment. It's pretty impressive and that's something we can all be proud of here at Mount Union," Boozel said. "I mean, only four other schools in our area have done it, so it's something to be proud of and brag about a little."
Claysburg-Kimmel (0-4, 0-4) answered Mount Union with four consecutive victories to cut the deficit to 21-16. Zach Claycomb majored Trevor Skopic 12-1 at 132, Cade Keithley pinned Seth Jaymes in 3:53 at 138, Blayde Shawley scored an 11-8 decision over Tavin McMickens at 145, and Liam Lafferty beat Caleb Morgan 6-2 at 152.
"We were flat in the middle and picked it up at the end. We have to get balanced in the lineup. Our middleweights have to pick it up and not give up the bonus points," Wertz said. "We're not going to win close dual meets doing that. It's still early in the season, but we've got to get to work and keep improving."
In the feature bout at 160, state-ranked Andrew Todaro opened up a 7-1 first-period lead and then had to hang on to defeat previously unbeaten Kobe Harr, 7-5.
Todaro (12-1) scored off two single legs and racked up a three-point nearfall for the big lead after one. Harr (5-1) chose neutral to start the second and hit a takedown with two back to make it 7-5 after two. The third ended scoreless with Todaro on the bottom.
"Andrew's been wrestling well all year. He had a nice win up at Penn Cambria against Jon Dale of Moshannon Valley," Wertz said. "He looked real good early then fizzled out late so we'll have to work on that and little bit."
After a forfeit win by Bulldog Cole Lingenfelter at 170 made it 24-22, the Trojans put it away in the heavyweights with three falls and a forfeit.
At 182, Tucker Helfrick had an 8-3 lead before clamping Brock Weyandt in 1:38, Levi Hockenberry followed with a forfeit at 195, before Jake Ryan (13-1) stacked Dalton Corle for the pin in 1:46. Clayton Arnold closed things out for the Trojans with a fall in 1:59 over Isaac Kerr.
"Our upperweights went for the bonus points and got the job done tonight," Wertz said. "They have been wrestling well all season."
The Trojans won the takedown battle 16-8. Mount Union travels to Southern Huntingdon on Tuesday.