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Quartet of Lions win titles; Manley gets fourth crown

Hollidaysburg’s Swartz, Gill, P-O’s Sidorick also triumph

02/25/17 By GAry M. Baranec Altoona's Hunter Hileman celebrates his win over State College's Jacob Pammer in the championship match at 120lbs Saturday at the AAHS Fieldhouse.

Four was the magic number for the Altoona Area High School wrestling team at the District 6-3A tournament Saturday night.

Senior 132-pounder Cole Manley became just the second wrestler in school history to win four D6 3A championships, and Manley was one of four individual champions that the Mountain Lions crowned in the tournament, which was held before a near-capacity crowd at the Altoona Area High School Fieldhouse.

Manley (17-0 this season) needed only 43 seconds to pin Bellefonte freshman Keegan Rothrock in the finals, enabling Manley to join T.J. Brandt as the only four-time district champion in Altoona’s long wrestling history.

“I was just trying to get bonus points for my team, because we (had) the opportunity to win the team title,” said Manley, who sat out the first half of this season after rehabbing from shoulder surgery. “If I had the opportunity to get the pin, I was going to do it.”

Manley, a Division I signee with Virginia Tech, won his first two matches of the one-day tournament by technical fall and fall.

“He looked great out there,” Altoona coach Joel Gilbert said. “He took it to his (finals) opponent, and he was relentless. When he puts opponents on their backs, they don’t get off.”

Manley, a two-time PIAA Class 3A state medalist, was a heavy favorite to win his fourth district championship, but he wasn’t assuming anything, either.

“He’s a freshman, but he’s a tough kid,” Manley said of Rothrock. “I couldn’t take anything for granted. It feels great to (win the fourth title). There’s a short list of guys in District 6 who have done it, and it feels great to be on that list.”

Manley was joined on the top of the podium for Altoona by district champs Hunter Hileman (120 pounds), Brinton Simington (170) and Parker McClellan (195). The Mountain Lions finished a close second to Central Mountain in the team standings, with Altoona’s 179 team points coming up just short of the champion Wildcats’ 182.

Three other area wrestlers — Hollidaysburg’s Nathan Swartz (138) and Hunter Gill (285), along with Philipsburg-Osceola’s Micah Sidorick (220) — also won district championships Saturday.

All the district champions will advance to next weekend’s Northwest 3A Regional Tournament, which will also be held at the Altoona Fieldhouse. Along with the seven area district champs, seven other area wrestlers advanced to the regional with finishes of fourth place or better at districts.

They include Altoona’s Haden Boutiller (fourth, 152), Hunter Stoudnour (fourth, 160), and Nate Simmers (third, 220), along with Hollidaysburg’s Dalton Long (third, 145), Mason McCready (third, 182) and Gus Dellinger (fourth, 195), and Philipsburg-Osceola’s Levi Hughes (third, 138).

Hileman and Simington, a pair of seniors, both became two-time district champions. Hileman (27-6) carved out a methodical 11-0 major decision over State College senior Jacob Pammer in the 120-pound championship match, while Simington (29-4) parlayed takedowns in the first and second periods into a 5-2 win over Mifflin County senior Austin Harbrick in the 170-pound title bout.

Hileman’s objective was to keep Pammer from executing big moves for bonus points.

“When I got the first takedown, I just tried to not get caught up in any throws,” said Hileman, who won a 113-pound district championship two years ago as a sophomore. “It feels good to get my name up on the wall again.”

Simington also got his name up on the wall again as a district champion when he won the 170-pound title. Simington had won the 182-pound championship two years ago as a sophomore, and finished second in the district at 182 last year as a junior.

“It feels good to win again,” Simington said. “I stayed in good position to take my shots and finish them.”

McClellan, a junior who stands 6 feet, 3 inches tall, uses his lanky frame to optimal advantage. He improved to 30-4 by cradling Somerset senior Chase Marple into an 85-second fall in the 195-pound championship bout.

“Last year, I lost in the (170-pound) district final, which was a bit of a downer,” McClellan said. “I just worked hard in the offseason and came out on top tonight.”

Gilbert had high praise for all of his wrestlers.

“Hileman went out there and was real physical and dominated, and both he and Simington looked good in winning their second titles,” Gilbert said. “Parker McClellan uses his leverage advantage very well. He can put his opponents on their backs from any position, and he’s getting better and better.

“As a team tonight, I think every one of my guys put forth the best efforts that they possibly could,” Gilbert said. “I could not ask for anything more than what these kids put forth tonight.”

Hollidaysburg enjoyed its share of laurels as well. Swartz, a junior with a 28-4 record this season, edged Bald Eagle Area junior Seth Koleno, 3-2 in the 138-pound match, while Gill (26-4) followed his 100th career victory in the semifinals by scoring two takedowns in the final 30 seconds to post a 5-2 win over top-seeded Richard Thompson of Central Mountain the 285-pound championship match.

“I’ve been working for this for years,” Swartz said after winning the district champion on a third-period escape. “Now that it has finally happened, it makes me feel very good.”

Gill entered the tournament as the third seed in his 285-pound weight class, despite coming off a junior season in which he was a state-tournament qualifier.

After topping second-seeded Drew Linnes of State College, 5-2 in the semis for his 100th win, Gill broke out of a 1-1 third-period tie with the two late takedowns against Thompson in the championship match.

“It was all about endurance and the will to win,” said Gill, who captured his first district title. “It feels pretty good.”

Hollidaysburg coach Mike Moore applauded both of his champions.

“Nathan has wrestled solid all season — he’s on a mission,” Moore said of Swartz. “Hunter came in as the third seed and wrestled smart matches. Both had outstanding tournaments.”

So did P-O senior Sidorick, a second seed at 220 whose third-period takedown produced a 5-4 title victory over State College senior Pete Haffner.

“He took a shot, I sprawled on him, and spun behind him to get the two (points),” Sidorick said of the decisive takedown move. “There are a lot of close matches in the heavier weights, and that was what I expected.”

Meet notes: Central Mountain’s Biff Walizer was named 6-3A Coach of the Year, and Bellefonte’s Brock Port, who became a four-time district champion by winning the 145-pound title, was named the tourney’s Outstanding Wrestler … District 6 Hall of Fame inductees honored Saturday were the late Altoona School District coach and wrestling tournament director Bill Reimer, former Altoona High School standout Jason Kutz, former West Branch High School state champions Rob English, Justin Owens and Jared Ricotta, ex-Indian Valley standout Rob Ruby, and former Bald Eagle Area athlete and coach Alex Murynack … Gary Miller, former West Branch coach, was named Man of the Year.

KEY, TEAM STANDINGS

1. CM–Central Mountain 182; 2. A–Altoona 179; 3. BEL–Bellefonte 166; 4. MC–Mifflin County 159.5; 5. SC–State College 137; 6. BEA–Bald Eagle Area 130.5; 7. H–Hollidaysburg 119; 8. PO–Philipsburg-Osceola 87.5; 9. S–Somerset 58.5.

Pigtails

106–Brandon Thompkins, A, won by tech. fall over Jared Giarth, H, 16-0 (4:33). 138–John Retherford, MC, dec. Seth McMahon, SC, 7-1. 152–Richard Taylor, BEA, dec. Kaden Knouse, MC, 6-4 SV. 160–Bailey Irvin, BEA, pinned Noah Houck, H, 1:02. 195–Brandon Anderson, PO, pinned Jacob Liechty, SC, 1:02.

Quarterfinals

106–Cole Stewart, BEL, pinned Thompkins, 1:38; Clayton Leidy, SC, dec. Garrett Giedroc, BEA, 1-0; Chase Chapman, PO, won by tech. fall over Derek Talley, S, 20-4 (5:41); Christian Fisher, MC, maj. dec. Johnathan Shreffler, CM, 14-3.

113–Geo Barzona, CM, pinned Dylan Benz, A, :42; Joey Taptich, MC, pinned Andrew Simpson, H, 1:15; Aleck Nyman, BEA, pinned Jason Franchock, PO, :13; Alex Coppolo, BEL, pinned Ben Krick, SC, 1:47.

120–Hunter Hileman, A, bye; Derek Burk, MC, maj. dec. Dalton Bechdel, CM, 13-5; Ryan Smith, BEL, pinned Drew Koleno, BEA, :34; Jacob Pammer, SC, pinned Noah Clark, PO, 4:49.

126–Noah Myers, MC, pinned Noah Twoey, PO, 3:13; Adam Stover, SC, pinned Jordan Wagner, A, 1:23; Garrett Rigg, BEA, maj. dec. Nathaniel Wert, BEL, 13-3; Seth Andrus, CM, pinned Mathew Hines, H, 4:44.

132–Cole Manley, A, won by tech. fall over Seth Reese, CM, 22-6 (3:52); Clayton Giedroc, BEA, maj. dec. Cody Dively, H, 9-1; Logan Wise, MC, won by tech. fall over Braedon Butler, PO, 19-4 (4:08); Keegan Rothrock, BEL, pinned Jason Zuech, SC, 1:55.

138–Nathan Swartz, H, pinned Retherford, 1:13; Quinn Cole, S, dec. Jerrell Kephart, A, 3-1 SV; Levi Hughes, PO, dec. Logan Long, CM, 7-6; Seth Koleno, BEA, won by tech. fall over Cameron Coppolo, BEL, 16-1 (3:22).

145–Brock Port, BEL, pinned Brian Smink, MC, 1:00; Colton Weaver, CM, dec. Kobe Harr, A, 5-3; Dalton Long, H, pinned Jansen Hemminger, S, :27; Gage McClenahan, BEA, pinned Tristan Beauseigneur, 2:21.

152–Chase Gardner, BEL, pinned Richard Taylor, BEA, 3:00; Haden Boutiller, A, dec. Aden Myers, H, 4-2; Asher Corl, CM, maj. dec. Matt Shimmel, PO, 9-1; Austin Hemminger, S, pinned Brett Fields, SC, 2:23.

160–Trent Hidlay, MC, pinned Irvin, 1:11; Ian Klinger, PO, pinned Lukas McClure, BEL, 3:59; Ian Barr, SC, pinned Tyler Krause, S, 1:52; Tanner Weaver, CM, maj. dec. Hunter Stoudnour, A, 9-1.

170–Brinton Simington, A, pinned Vincent Burkhart, H, :14; Mason Cooper, BEL, pinned Dylan Bisel, BEA, 5:46; Austin Haubrick, MC, maj. dec. Kyle Taylor, PO, 11-2; Brandon Miller, CM, pinned Zach Laue, S, 1:01.

182–Cole Urbas, SC, pinned Dylan Grassmyer, MC, :32; James Boland, BEL, dec. Andrew Cohen, BEA, 5-3; Mason McCready, H, pinned Josh Hubler, PO, 2:39; Caleb Turner, CM, pinned Jeremy Reed, A, 2:26.

195–Parker McClellan, A, pinned Anderson, 3:31; Tanner Riggle, CM, dec. Scout Kyper, MC, 6-5; Brien McChesney, BEL, dec. Augustus Dellinger, H, 1-0; Chase Marple, S, dec. David Close, BEA, 7-5.

220–Pete Haffner, SC, pinned Josh Lynn, H, :38; Mahlik Houtz, CM, dec. Max Mondy, BEL, 3-2; Nate Simmers, A, dec. Jack Hause, S, 6-3; Micah Sidorick, PO, pinned Hunter Wagner, MC, 1:38.

285–Richard Thompson, CM, bye; Sean Irvin, BEL, dec. David Hess, A, 1-0; Hunter Gill, H, pinned Brad Dunkel, PO, 3:25; Drew Linnes, SC, pinned Kurt Hall, BEA, 1:47.

Consolation pigtails

106–Shreffler pinned Giarth, 1:20. 138–Coppolo maj. dec. McMahon, 13-3. 152–Knouse dec. Fields, 5-3. 160–Stoudnour pinned Houck, :11. 195–Close pinned Liechty, 4:25.

Consolation first round

106–Shreffler maj. dec. Talley, 10-2; Giedroc pinned Thompkins, :51. 113–Simpson pinned Benz, 2:03; Krick pinned Franchock, 1:58. 120–Bechdel, bye; Koleno pinned Clark, 4:27. 126–Wagner won by tech. fall over Twoey, 17-2 (3:33); Hines won by DQ over Wert. 132–Dively dec. Reese, 5-2; Zuech dec. Butler, 12-7. 138–Long dec. Coppolo, 5-2; Kephart won by tech. fall over Retherford, 16-1 (3:17). 145–Harr pinned Smink, :25; Beauseigneur dec. Hemminger, 6-5.

152–Shimmel dec. Knouse, 4-3; Myers pinned Taylor, 2:43. 160–Stoudnour maj. dec. Krause, 14-3; McClure pinned Irvin, 1:38. 170–Bisel maj. dec. Burkhart, 14-4; Taylor pinned Laue, 2:02. 182–Grassmyer dec. Cohen, 3-2; Hubler dec. Reed, 6-2. 195–Dellinger dec. Close, 5-3; Kyper pinned Anderson, 4:38. 220–Mondy pinned Lynn, :31; Hause dec. Wagner, 4-1. 285–Hess, bye; Dunkel pinned Hall, 1:35.

Semifinals

106–Stewart pinned Leidy, 1:53; Fisher won by inj. def. over Chapman. 113–Barzona maj. dec. Taptich, 14-4; Nyman dec. Coppolo, 5-3 TB. 120–Hileman maj. dec. Burk, 16-2; Pammer dec. Smith, 1-0. 126–Myers dec. Stover, 5-2; Rigg pinned Andrus, 6:17. 132–Manley pinned Giedroc, 1:30; Rothrock dec. Wise, 3-0. 138–Swartz dec. Cole, 9-4; Koleno dec. Hughes, 7-3. 145–Port maj. dec. Weaver, 12-2; McClenahan dec. Long, 9-3.

152–Gardner maj. dec. Boutiller, 15-2; Hemminger won by tech. fall over Corl, 15-0 (2:15). 160–Hidlay pinned Klinger, 2:34; Barr pinned Weaver, 1:18. 170–Simington pinned Cooper, 1:50; Haubrick dec. Miller, 3-1. 182–Urbas pinned Boland, 1:16; Turner dec. McCready, 3-2. 195–McClellan pinned Riggle, 2:48; Marple dec. McChesney, 7-5. 220–Haffner pinned Houtz, :49; Sidorick dec. Simmers, 3-0. 285–Thompson dec. Irvin, 2-0; Gill dec. Linnes, 5-2.

Consolation semifinals

106–Leidy dec. Shreffler, 5-1; Giedroc won by med. Forfeit over Chapman. 113–Coppolo dec. Simpson, 6-1; Taptich pinned Krick, :34. 120–Smith dec. Bechdel, 5-0; Burk won by tech. fall over Koleno, 16-1 (4:48). 126–Andrus pinned Wagner, 2:04; Stover won by med. Forfeit over Hines. 132–Wise pinned Dively, :50; Giedroc pinned Zuech, 2:03. 138–Long pinned Cole, 1:42; Hughes dewc. Kephart, 5-3. 145–Long dec. Harr, 7-0; Weaver maj. dec. Beauseigneur, 12-0.

152–Boutiller dec. Shimmel, 3-0; Corl dec. Myers, 5-1. 160–Stoudnour pinned Klinger, 1:51; Weaver pinned McClure, 2:24. 170–Bisel dec. Miller, 6-3; Cooper pinned Taylor, 2:44. 182–McCready pinned Grassmyer, 1:16; Hubler dec. Boland, 3-2 UTB. 195–Dellinger dec. Riggle, 2-1 TB2; Kyper dec. McChesney, 9-4. 220–Simmers won by default over Mondy; Houtz dec. Hause, 9-5. 285–Linnes dec. Hess, 7-1; Irvin dec. Dunkel, 6-2.

Fifth-place bouts

106–Shreffler, CM, won by med. Forfeit. 113–Simpson, H, dec. Krick, SC, 3-0. 120–Bechdel, CM, maj. dec. Koleno, BEA, 11-3. 126–Wagner, A, won by med. Forfeit over Hines, H. 132–Dively, H, dec. Zuech, SC, 8-3. 138–Kephart, A, pinned Cole, S, 4;27. 145–Harr, A, dec. Beauseigneur, PO, 7-1.

152–Myers, H, dec. Shimmel, PO, 7-3. 160–McClure, BEL, won by Med. Forfeit over Klinger, PO. 170–Miller, CM, pinned Taylor, PO, 1:19. 182–Grassmyer, MC, dec. Boland, BEL, 3-2. 195–Riggle, CM, pinned McChesney, BEL, 1:26. 220–Hause, S, won by med. Forfeit over Mondy, BEL. 285–Hess, A, pinned Dunkel, PO, 4:42.

Third-place bouts

106–Leidy, SC, dec. Giedroc, BEA, 1-0. 113–Taptich, MC, dec. Coppolo, BEL, 8-2. 120–Smith, BEL, dec. Burk, MC, 6-0. 126–Andrus, CM, dec. Stover, SC, 7-1. 132–Wise, MC, dec. Giedroc, BEA, 3-0. 138–Hughes, PO, dec. Long, CM, 9-3. 145–Long, H, won by default over Weaver, CM.

152–Corl, CM, dec. Boutiller, A, 1-0. 160–Weaver, CM, pinned Stoudnour, A, 2:37. 170–Bisel, BEA, pinned Cooper, BEL, 2:42. 182–McCready, H, pinned Hubler, PO, :51. 195–Kyper, CM, dec. Dellinger, H, 4-1. 220–Simmers, A, dec. Houtz, CM, 3-1. 285–Linnes, SC, dec. Irvin, BEL, 3-1.

Championship finals

106–Fisher, MC, dec. Stewart, BEL, 4-0. 113–Barzona, CM, won by med. Forfeit. 120–Hileman, A, maj. dec. Pammer, SC, 11-0. 126–Myers, MC, dec. Rigg, BEA, 7-4. 132–Manley, A, pinned Rothrock, :43. 138–Swartz, H, dec. Koleno. BEA, 3-2. 145–Port, BEL, maj. dec. McClenahan, 12-4.

152–Hemminger, S, dec. Gardner, BEL, 15-8. 160–Hidlay, CM, won by tech. fall over Barr, SC, 25-10 (5:39). 170–Simington, A, dec. Haubrick, MC, 5-2. 182–Urbas, SC, maj. dec. Turner, CM, 11-2. 195–McClellan, A, pinned Marple, S, 1:25. 220–Sidorick, PO, dec. Haffner, SC, 5-4. 285–Gill, H, dec. Thompson, CM, 5-2.

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