By Kenny Varner

HERSHEY – It’s the destination all local wrestlers circle on their calendar to be when their wrestling season nears an end.

Thursday three MIfflin County matmen traveled from Lewistown to Hershey to take care of buisness.

In the first day, they did just that.

Mifflin County was represented by Andrew Alexander, Avery Aurand and Peyton Kearns.

It would be a tough start for the Huskies on the mats but in the end all wrestlers moved on.

“It’s a mixed bag. Ideally on day one you win your first match and you don’t have to take a loss and have to work your way through the wrestlebacks,” said Mifflin County coach Kirby Martin. “ Butvat this tournament everybody is good and adversity will strike and you just have to persevere. I give these guys a lot of credit. They are persevering right now.”

Leading things off for the Huskies was 107-pounder Andrew Alexander.

Alexander got the wrestling started for his team as he battled tough in his opening match. He faced off against Notre Dame GP’s Cael Muller.

After the lock up, Alexander got first advantage the advantage as he was able to gain control and get the takedown.

Alexander started the second in the down position and was kept in check as the match remained a 3-0 contest going into the third.

Muller took the down position in the third. Alexander worked Muller keeping him in check despite the Notre Dame wrestlers numerous escape attempts. However, Muller was able to rally back late and won 4-3, to give him the last second victory.

Avery Aurand opened his day at 189 pounds against Abdul Akala of Conestoga Valley. Akala got the first takedown to start off the scoring.

Trailing 3-0, Aurand tried to start at the down position to try get some momentum going. He was able to escape, but still found himself trailing 7-1.

In the third, Akala added an escape point, upping his lead to 8-1.

Akala was able to hold on while Aurand fell into the consolation round of action.

In the opening round at 285-pounds Peyton Kearns went up against Gavin Grell of Northampton.

After a scoreless first period, Kearns took the down position, and notched an escape point. Both locked up again as the contest continued to get more intense.

The score remained 1-0 going into the final stanza with Grell taking the down spot. Kearns used his weight to try to wear down Grell. He also kept his opponent facedown in the mat, taking out Grell’s arms as he tried to get up. Kearns was relentless as he refused to let Grell up. He was able to do so and held onto the 1-0 victory. He was the first Husky to punch his ticket to Day 2.

In the consolation match at 107-pounds, Alexander faced Michael Johnson of West Allegheny.

In a back and forth affair, Alexander took a slim 4-3 advantage going into the second period.

Alexander came out scoring a reversal, upping his lead to 6-3.

Johnson escaped late, as the two went into the third with Alexander leading by two.

Alexander remained aggressive and would add a point to up the score to 7-4 and then he slammed the door on Johnson picking up a crucial takedown en route to the victory and a berth into tomorrow’s action, keeping his season alive.

Rounding out the opening night, Aurand tried to keep his season alive with a consolation match up against Hazelton’s Mason Marolo.

Marolo had the early takedown. Aurand responded with a quick escape. Aurand took the lead with a takedown to end the first period scoring.

Aurand took the top to start the second. An escape by Marolo tied it at four. But Aurand took his opponent down once again to take the lead back with. 7-4 advantage.

With a second escape, Aurand found himself leading by two.

By the time the third period started Aurand had built up. Commanding 12-7 lead.

From there the Husky matman took home the win and will be back in action Friday.