Sentinel photo by MIKE GOSS Mifflin County's Andrew Alexander controls Central Dauphin's Francis Perry on his way to a win by decision.

LEWISTOWN — It’s been a tough start to the beginning of the season for the Mifflin County wrestling team as they started out with perennial powerhouses Penn Valley and Central Mountain.

On Thursday night, the Huskies welcomed in another strong team in Central Dauphin.

Despite having a lot of younger talent against the more veteran teams, the Huskies have held their own and were looking forward to the challenge the Rams brought in the Dawg Pound.

Central Dauphin is coming off an early season win over State College and a first-place finish at the Solanco Mule Classic.

It would be close early on in the match but in the end, Central Dauphin would take home the 36-22 victory.

“We’re definitely making progress in our conditioning,” said Mifflin County coach Kirby Martin. “Technique-wise we are still working on different areas. The big thing is just the mental aspect of the sport. You need to get to a place where you just want to go out there and keep scoring points so we are still working on that. It’s a work in progress.”

Starting off the night at 107. Central Dauphin’s Gabriel Colonie got the advantage early on versus Huskies matman Rocky Johnson and picked up the pin at 1:52.

But the Huskies would take the 114-pound weight class as Andrew Alexander muscled out some late points to corral an 8-4 decision over Francis Perry.

Central Dauphin took back the momentum at 121 as Thunder Beard was quick to pin Colton Leister at :37.

Back came the Huskies at the 127-pound weight class as Reece Fisher picked up the pin on Gabe Dickon at 3:55, cutting the Rams lead to 12-9.

In the nail biter of the night 133-pounder Trey Salvaggio earned a last second 9-8 decision over a tough Bentley Felmlee, adding three into the scoring column for the Rams.

Veteran Husky 139-pounder Jake Knable controlled his match from beginning to end, blanking Pierce Lemmons 7-0.

At 145, Aiden Mariano picked up a close 4-1 decision over Paxton Shawver.

The tide started to shift in Central Dauphin’s favor as 152 pounder Luke Hitchcock pinned Layten Bowersox at 1:07 and, at 160, Mason Wydra pinned Tyler Williams at 1:13 to add to its lead at 30-12.

But the Huskies would battle to the end. At 172, Brayan Aurand would pick up a major decision over Rashaad Pouncy, 12-4.

Next up at 189, Reece Christine gave the Huskies another win as he defeated Adam Mahmood by a 9-3 decision.

But back came the Rams at 215.

Cole Ramburger notched a quick pin on Jace Bender at :30.

In another thriller, at 285 MIfflin County heavyweight Dekker Pietzsch pulled out a last second win over Anthony Newhart by a score of 3-2.

Editor’s note : History was made earlier in the afternoon as the Mifflin County wrestling community had its first ever Junior High girls match.

Central Dauphin 36, Mifflin County 22

107: Gabriel Colonie (CD) pinned Rocky Johnson (MC), 1:52

114: Andrew Alexander ( MC ) dec. Francis Perry ( CD) 8-4.

121: Thunder Beard (CD) pinned Colton Leister :37

127: Reece Fisher (MC) pinned Gabe Dickon (CD), 3:55

133: Trey Salvaggio (CD) dec. Bentley Felmlee (MC) 9-8.

139: Jake Knable (MC) dec. Pierce Lemmons(CD) 7-0.

145: Aiden Mariano (CD) dec, Paxton Shawver (MC) 4-1.

152: Luke Hitchcock (CD) pinned Layten Bowersox (MC) 1:07.

160: Mason Wydra (CD) pinned Tyler Williams (MC) 1:13

172: Brayan Aurand (MC) Maj. Dec Rashaad Pouncy (CD) 12-4

189: Reece Christine (MC) dec. Adam Mahmood (CD) 9-3.

215: Cole Ramburger (CD) pinned Jace Bender (MC) :30.

285: Dekker Pietzsch (MC) Dec. Anthony Newhart (CD) 3-2