Hornets Go 2-2 At Wildcat Duals

By: Ed Weaver  /  December 23, 2023  /  Photo: Tim Birney

Wellsboro picked up a pair of wins at the Wildcat Duals last Friday, December 22.

The Hornets fell 60-10 in the opening round to Athens, then picked up a 31-30 (criteria) win over Loyalsock, a 57-18 loss to South Williamsport, and a 46-24 win against Valley View.

Against the Wildcats, juniors Ryder Bowen and Evan Ingerick picked up a pair of wins to start the match, Bowen's being a 35 second pin over Keegan Congdon and Ingerick's being a 14-6 major decision against Kaden Parris. Those wins gave Wellsboro an early 10-0, however, the Wildcats rattled off 10 straight wins, including 8 pins, to defeat the Hornets.

Wellsboro started off trailing Loyalsock 6-0 but rattled off back-to-back forfeit wins by sophomores Hayden Stevens (215) and Jacob Thurstin (285). After two pins by the Lancers to put them ahead 18-12 after the 133 lb. match, the Hornets took the next three out of five matches. Sophomore Cole Knapp (139) and junior Silas Mickey (152) won forfeits and Bowen pinned Braden Vincenzes to tie the match up at 30-all. Wellsboro won the match on number of forfeits won.

Against South Williamsport, the Mounties opened up with eight straight victories to jump out to a 48-0 lead before freshman Wyatt Kilburn won by forfeit at 145 lbs. Mickey backed up that match with a forfeit at 152 lbs. and Bowen pinned Landon Gephart in 3:05.

In their final match of the day against Valley View, Thurstin opened the competition by pinning Apollo Kazmierski in 3:18. Following a Wellsboro forfeit at 107 lbs. to tie the match up, sophomores Gavyn Jelliff (121) and Mason Nowak (133) won forfeits to put the Hornets ahead, 18-12. Valley View tied the match with a pin fall at 139 lbs., but Wellsboro took the next five of six matches to claim the victory. Freshman Wyatt Kilburn (145) and Bowen claimed forfeits, Mickey and Stevens scored pin falls, and junior Jacob Dean scored an 11-2 major decision over Jabari Glezen at 160 lbs.

Wellsboro (4-9, 0-4 NTL) travels to North Penn-Liberty on January 4.