By Kenny Varner

SPRING MILLS – It was a night of mixed results for the Bellefonte wrestling team Thursday night against Laurel Highlands foe Penns Valley.

On the mats, the Red Raiders had a strong showing only losing two of its nine matches.

However, the Achilles heel for the Red Raiders on the night was four consecutive forfeits to give the Rams a comeback victory as  at 133-pounds the Rams’ Tripp Watson pinned Jacob Horn to take the 36-33 victory at the Penns Valley gymnasium.

“Coming off the bus we were down 0-24 coming in. So not saying we would have won those weights or anything because I know they have really good guys at those weights but you at least give yourself a chance your putting a body out there ,” said Bellefonte coach Michael Maney. “So we’re given away 24 free points and we had to move other guys around to give ourselves a chance. Wyatt Long went up two weight classes. Other guys had to move around. I think we ended up winning seven of the nine. They were fantastic bouts.”

Starting at 139 – pounds, the Red Raiders Wyatt Long picked up a  9-1 major decision over Zach Rummel.

Long got the early first period takedown followed by getting Rummel on his back nearly getting the pinfall. He picked up four back points for the nearfall.

In the second, Long was able to add to his lead posting two points in the period leading 9-0. In the final period, Rummel battled his way from the down position to pick up a late escape. But Long clinched the victory.

Cam Garcia took care of the 145-pound weight class as he posted a 12-5 decision over Sawyer Fetterholf.

Garcia got the early takedown and like in Long’s win, put Fetterholf in a near fall, picking up four back points in the process. Garcia would pick up an 11-0 advantage before Fetterholf made a third period comeback. But it was too little too late as Garcia went onto the victory.

Wrestling at 152, the Huskies Ezra Swisher was able to pick up his team’s first pin of the day. Swisher pinned Seth Fetterolf in a first period victory at :42.

Penns Valley was able to pick up its first win of the evening. 160 – pounder Braydon Lisowski was also able to pick up a pin. Lisowski’s pin over Mason Grove, cut into the Red Raiders lead at 13-6.

Noah Weaver kept the wins going as the 172-pounder muscled out a 9-0 major decision over Robert Martin.

Weaver came out and took control from the beginning and went right to work. He took down Martin early, picking up the takedown. Taking the up position in the second, Weaver was able to pick up four back points as he was able to keep control and work Martin into a near pinfall. He would add a third period reversal to clinch the major decision.

At 189, the Red Raiders’ Jackson Long also notched a 9-0 major decision defeating Shane Rimmey.

215 – pounder Luke Hockenberry pinned Ty Steiger at 4:30.

Bellefonte went ahead 30-6 when 285 – pounder Logan Rarrick pinned Landon Hess in a late third period pin at 5:30.

Penns Valley’s bonus points started with its forfeit wins. At 107, Evan Lisowski won by forfeit. 114 -pounder Max Dinges won by forfeit.

The points started to add up for the Rams at 121 when Connor Myers also won by forfeit

Finally, in the 127 – pound weight class Erik Carlisle won by forfeit, cutting the Bellefonte advantage to just three at 33-30.

At 133, The Rams Watson came out strong and took the momentum early. He was able to control Horn from the top and as the first period was running down he was able pinHorn at the 1:49 mark, giving the Rams the come from behind victory.

Penns Valley 36, Bellefonte 33

139 – Wyatt Long (B) maj. dec. over Zach Rummel (PV) 9-1.

145 – Cam Garcia (B) 12-5 decision over Sawyer Fetterholf (PV).

152 – Ezra Swisher (B) pinned Seth Fetterolf (PV) :42.

160 –  Braydon Lisowski (PV) pin over Mason Grove (B) :49.

172 – Noah Weaver (B) Major dec. Robert Martin (PV) 9-0.

189 – Jackson Long (B) Major dec. Shane Rimmey (PV) 9-0.

215 – Luke Hockenberry (B) pinned Ty Steiger (PV) 4:30.

285 – Logan Rarrick (B) pinned Hess (PV) 5:30.

107 – Evan Lisowski (PV) won by forfeit

114 – Max Dinges (PV) won by forfeit

121 – Connor Myers (PV) won by forfeit

127 – Erik Carlisle won by forfeit

133 – Tripp Watson (PV) pinned Jacob Horn (B)  1:49