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Wrestling

Mtn. Lions dominated

CLEARFIELD — Altoona managed just two wins in a 58-9 loss to Clearfield in high school wrestling action on Tuesday. Dom Nardozza won by technical fall at 107-pounds, while Braiden Weaver claimed a major decision in the 121-pound match for the Lions.. 114–Shugarts, C, pinned Irwin, 4:45; 121–Weaver, A, major dec. Diehl, 9-0; 127–B. Chamberlain, C, won by forfeit; 133–Rougeux. C. pinned Geishauser, 1:10; 139–Ryan, C, pinned Sarbo, 3:55; 145–Bumbarger, C, pinned Young, 2:55. 152–Aveni, C, major dec. Marks, 10-0; 160–Collins, C, dec. Sipes, 3-2; 172–Domico, C, dec. ...

Sipes gives Princeton verbal nod

Altoona junior Luke Sipes has a 4.0 grade point average. When you combine that with his wrestling skills, college coaches have been very interested in Sipes during the recruiting process. On Friday, Sipes announced that he has verbally committed to wrestle at Ivy League Princeton University in Princeton, N.J. Asked why he chose Princeton, Sipes said, “Obviously (for) the academic part setting me up for life after wrestling. Wrestling is going to end some day. But the atmosphere on the team and the coaches are outstanding. Everyone wants to be there and is excited. “I’m hyped. ...

Girls wrestling plans take hold in region

The PIAA answered the call that wrestling fans were hoping for recently as girls wrestling was officially sanctioned for the 2023-24 season. Pennsylvania is now the 38th state to officially sponsor girls wrestling. PIAA executive director Robert Lombardi said four years ago that the state would need 100 schools in order for girls wrestling to officially be recognized by PIAA. That number was crossed earlier this year, and now the state has 111 schools that sponsor girls wrestling and will likely continue to grow. Plans are already being made to hold the girls state tournament on the ...

Altoona’s Barr places second in national tourney

Altoona seventh-grader Deklan Barr finished second at 90 pounds at the NHSCA Middle School Nationals on Sunday at the Virginia Beach Sports Center. Barr went 5-1 in the tournament, racking up a technical fall, pin and three decisions, including a 2-1 win over Maryland’s Eli Gabrielson in the semifinals. In the finals, Barr was beaten by Brighton Karvoski, 8-0, of Newtown, CT. Karvoksi is a five-time Youth New England Wrestling Championship winner who was voted 2022 Most Outstanding Wrestler in the New England event. Tyrone Area High School freshman Kyle Scott placed seventh at ...

Altoona’s Gilbert, Tyrone’s Wright named Mirror Coaches of the Year

Altoona coach Joel Gilbert and Tyrone coach Quentin Wright had to navigate the two toughest schedules in the Mirror coverage area this season. Wright had to face a brutal Mountain League schedule (the top six teams were a combined 85-29) often forfeiting three weights. Tyrone went 6-8, but qualified five to the Southwest Regional and two to the PIAA Championships. Altoona, which wrestled in the Panther Classic, Mountaineer Duals, Big 7 Tournament and Powerade, in addition to dual meets with Tyrone and Huntingdon, went 6-10 and qualified five to the Northwest Regional and three to ...

Mtn. Lions Sipes, Weaver atop the pride

Altoona freshman Braiden Weaver and sophomore Luke Sipes have grown up in Sinking Valley three houses from each other. They’ve been lifelong friends and their parents are friends. They go to school in Sipes’ car every day — although that might change as 16-year-old Braiden has hopes of getting his first car. This year, in their first season at the high school level together, they both excelled on the wrestling mat. They excelled so much that they’ve been named the Wrestlers of the Year on the 40th annual Mirror All-Star Team. “I wouldn’t want to share it with anyone ...