By Kenny Varner

MIFFLINTOWN – The Juniata wrestling team officially opened its home 2022-23 campaign Wednesday in style in their match against Halifax in the Tri-Valley Athletic Association contest.

In the end, Juniata made the most of eight forfeits to take care of the Wildcats 59-9.

For having our first dual meet at home it could have been better if we had a full line up in both sides. The matches we did wrestle I thought we did well“. Said Juniata Co-Coach Jarred Dressler. “There is always going to be things that we need to tweak. I’m pleased with a lot of things I saw.”

Opening up the night at 107, Anthony Marndinga picked up the first six points via a forfeit.

Joey Bomberger took care of things against Grace Woodring at 114, winning by tech fall at the 3.32 mark in the match at Bomberger delivered a takedown and five back points in the first to take an early 7-0 advantage. He continued things in the second and rounded it out with a 15-0 win, making it a 11-0 advantage.

At 121, the Indians’ Amelia Smith won by forfeit, increasing their lead to 17-0.

Juniata continued its winning streak into the 127-pound weight class.

Colton Rowles muscled out a 5-3 decision over Micah Ocasio.

Ocasio started things with a takedown of Rowles early on.

In the second, thanks to a reversal, Rowles found himself in the lead after trying viciously to turn the tables on Ocasio. Rowles, fighting through pain was able to keep Ocasio in his grips, went into the third period tied at two.

In the final period, the two spent much of the first part in a stalemate where neither one could take the advantage. However, Rowles was able to shoot the legs and come up with the takedown and also picked up an extra point on a Halifax penalty.

As the buzzer sounded, Rowles took home the 5-3 victory.

Then the forfeits began to return. At 133, Ryder Smith won by forfeit as did teammate Casey Smith at 139.

Back in the mat at 145, Tyler Smith picked up a solid 9-5 decision over Peter Ranck.

Again, the Wildcats got off to a quick start, taking down Smith early.

However, Smith was able to escape, cutting the Wildcat lead to 2-1. Still in the first, Smith notched a takedown to take the lead. But Smith was in total control of the second, upping his lead to 7-2 and then holding off Ranck.

At 152, Charlie Telfer won by forfeit followed by 160 -pounder Livia Arentz, making it a 47-0 advantage.

172-pounder Wesley Woodward made it a 53-0 advantage as he also won by forfeit.

Halifax finished off the night with winning 2-of-3.

At 189 Carter Endres took an 8-1 decision over Harrison Mummah.

But at 215, Jonathan Kauffman won by forfeit for the final points for the Indians.

Rounding things out at 285, the Wildcats Ben Cornwell pinned Jason Goss at 1:12.

Friday and Saturday Juniata travels to Mount Aloysius College to compete in the Panther Holiday Classic.

Juniata  59, Halifax 9

107 – Anthony Marndinga (JUN) won by forfeit.

114 – Joey Bomberger (JUN) won by tech fall 3:32 Grace Woodring (H), 15-0.

121 – Amelia Smith (JUN) won by forfeit.

127 – Colton Rowles (JUN) decision over Micah Ocasio , 5-3.

133 – Ryder Smith (JUN) won by forfeit.

139 – Casey Smith (JUN) won by forfeit.

145 – Tyler Smith (JUN) decision over Peter Rank (H), 9-5.

152 – Charlie Telfer (JUN) won by forfeit

160 – Livia Arentz (JUN) won by forfeit.

172 – Wesley Woodward (JUN) won by forfeit.

189 – Carter Endres (H) decision over Harrison Mummah (J), 8-1

215 – Jonathan Kauffman (J) won by forfeit

285 – Ben Cornwell (H) pinned Jason Goss (JUN), 1:12.