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Wrestling

Altoona, Glendale, Tyrone well-represented

Altoona sophomore Luke Sipes revealed after he won his second District 6 Class 3A title this season, there had been some concern in the offseason that he wouldn’t be able to wrestle after undergoing surgery for a torn labrum. Not only did he wrestle, but he excelled on the mat — as did freshman teammate Braiden Weaver, who burst upon the high school scene in sensational fashion. Weaver and Sipes formed a formidable 1-2 punch for the Mountain Lions. Sipes went 41-5, which is a school record for wins, while Weaver posted a 39-6 record, which is a school record for wins by a ...

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 ...

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 ...

Area wrestlers able to bounce back in earning medals

By Todd Irwin sports@altoonamirror.com HERSHEY — It’s kind of fitting that after enduring frustrating losses, questionable officiating and timely wins at the PIAA Class 3A Championships, Altoona’s Braiden Weaver and Luke Sipes ended their time in Hershey on respective high ...

Sipes leaves with a medal

By Todd Irwin sports@altoonamirror.com HERSHEY — Altoona’s Luke Sipes was in one of those odd positions on Friday he’s been finding himself in this year to get winning pins or takedowns. Sipes was tied 1-1 in overtime with Boiling Springs’ two-time Class placewinner Michael ...

Four 2A area wrestlers navigate first round

HERSHEY — Penn Cambria’s Trent Hoover wasn’t happy about his performance in last year’s PIAA Class 2A Championships. The District 6 and Southwest Regional champion won his first bout, but then lost his next two to be eliminated from the state tournament on Day 2. A motivated ...