Local Sports

Huskies earn spot on Day 3 with win over Big Macs

HERSHEY -- Despite losing its first dual meet of the season, there were plenty of positives for Mifflin County on day two of the PIAA Class 3A Team Wrestling Championship on Friday.

The Huskies dropped their first match of the season, losing 31-24 to WPIAL power Waynesburg Central in the quarterfinals. On the bright side, Mifflin County bounced back nicely with a 45-23 drubbing of Canon-McMillan in the second round of consolations.

The victory marked the first time the program won two matches at the same PIAA duals, and it will be the first time the Huskies will wrestle on day three (Saturday) at states.

"That was a goal we had set before we came down here. Win at least two and make it to Saturday. That was something the kids expected to do," Mifflin County coach Kirby Martin said. "It was on them. The kids went out, picked themselves up, and got us our second win of the tournament and made sure we were wrestling into Saturday."

The Huskies face District 4 champion Williamsport in the third round of consolations at 9 a.m. today.

"Williamsport has a nice group of seniors. They've had a solid season in dual meets and individual tournaments. That's the nature of the beast down here. All the teams are tough," Martin said. "Some of our younger kids are feeling it. They feel the ruggedness of this tournament and how much of a beast it is. We have our work cut out for us."

The Big Macs won the opening match at 126 before Mifflin County (13-1) captured five consecutive bouts to take a commanding 31-5 lead.

Blake Aumiller got the ball rolling with a fall in 5:33 over Mikhail Krenzelak at 132. Jacob Cunningham followed with a tough 5-3 win over Josiah Gardner at 138, while Deakon Schaeffer scored the 5-5 ultimate tiebreaker win over Tyler Soulie at 145.

Parker Kearns kept the momentum going with a solid 6-1 win over Landen Simms at 152. Kyler Everly concluded the win streak by getting a fall in 2:52 over Gianmarco Ramos with his patented three-quarters nelson at 160.

"The challenge put forth was to rise to the occasion against Canon-McMillan. Against Waynesburg, I don't think we wrestled badly. They were a little more physical than we were at certain spots," Martin said. "I explained to them we are facing some adversity now, and how you respond to it is a sign of your character. How do you want to come back? Do you want to take a punch in the mouth and just lay there or fight in your next match? I thought our response was outstanding, and they looked tough against Canon-McMillan."

Mifflin County put the match out of reach when Trey Shoemaker decked Geno Calgaro with a cradle in 3:47 of their 189-pound match. Anson Wagner (215) and Jaxson Pupo (285) picked up forfeits to make it 39-11. The Huskies got their last win of the night when Nic Allison dominated Brandon Dami in a battle of ranked wrestlers at 113. Allison locked up a cradle in the second period, and it was lights out for Dami in 2:22.

Earlier in the quarterfinals, the Raiders won eight matches, picking up bonus points in five to hand the Huskies their first loss of the season.

Managing wins for Mifflin County were Hunter Johnson (120), Kearns (152), Everly (160), Styers Oden (106), and Allison (113).

"With Canon-McMillan's long tradition and reputation, it's another great win for us this season. It's a feather in the cap for Mifflin County," Martin said. "Against Waynesburg, we didn't get the bonus points like we usually do. They are a solid team, and the two top-ranked kids (Mac Church and Rocco Welsh) they have are the real deal."

Mifflin County is now only two wins away from an elusive PIAA medal. For Martin, the success of the 2021-22 squad comes down to the wrestlers themselves.

"I'm very thankful for this group and how they continue to progress throughout the season. They are very coachable, and they have responded well to what we expect out of them," he said. "Their expectations are high, and they want to prove that on the mat."

Mifflin County 45, Canon McMillan 23

126: Andrew Binni (CMH) over Colby Seiler (MCH) (TF 23-8 5:31) 132: Blake Aumiller (MCH) over Mikhail Krenzelak (CMH) (Fall 5:33) 138: Jacob Cunningham (MCH) over Josiah Gardner (CMH) (Dec 5-3) 145: Deakon Schaeffer (MCH) over Tyler Soule (CMH) (UTB 5-5) 152: Parker Kearns (MCH) over Landen Simms (CMH) (Dec 6-1) 160: Kyler Everly (MCH) over Gianmarco Ramos (CMH) (Fall 2:52) 172: Matthew Furman (CMH) over Avery Aurand (MCH) (Fall 0:07) 189: Trey Shoemaker (MCH) over Geno Calgaro (CMH) (Fall 3:47) 215: Anson Wagner (MCH) over (CMH) (For.) 285: Jaxson Pupo (MCH) over (CMH) (For.) 106: Tanner Mizenko (CMH) over Styers Oden (MCH) (Fall 2:23) 113: Nic Allison (MCH) over Brandon Dami (CMH) (Fall 2:22) 120: Jacob Houpt (CMH) over Hunter Johnson (MCH) (Def.)

Waynesburg 31, Mifflin County 24

120: Hunter Johnson (MCH) over Xavier Harmon (WCH) (Fall 1:33) 126: Zander Phatorus (WCH) over Colby Seiler (MCH) (MD 12-4) 132: Mac Church (WCH) over Blake Aumiller (MCH) (Fall 3:47) 138: Colton Stoneking (WCH) over Jacob Cunningham (MCH) (MD 11-3) 145: Nate Jones (WCH) over Deakon Schaeffer (MCH) (TB-1 9-8) 152: Parker Kearns (MCH) over Jake Stephenson (WCH) (Dec 5-0) 160: Kyler Everly (MCH) over Nate Kirby (WCH) (Dec 5-2) 172: Brody Evans (WCH) over Avery Aurand (MCH) (MD 12-3) 189: Rocco Welsh (WCH) over Trey Shoemaker (MCH) (MD 13-4) 215: Eli Makel (WCH) over Anson Wagner (MCH) (Dec 7-5) 285: Noah Tustin (WCH) over Jaxson Pupo (MCH) (Dec 6-2) 106: Styers Oden (MCH) over Jake Thomas (WCH) (Fall 0:57) 113: Nic Allison (MCH) over (WCH) (For.)