Playing with pride, shorthanded Juniata matmen battled UD
Jan 22, 2025

By Kenny Varner

MIFFLINTOWN- Wednesday night the Juniata wrestling team welcomed in Upper Dauphin for a Tri-Valley League showdown.

Despite having to forfeit four weight classes in the contest, the Indians battled tough before falling to the Trojans 43-27.

“Coming into the match knowing that it’s going to be 24 free points for them. That’s a hard deficit to comeback from. It’s hard to build moral with the team knowing it’s already going to be down 24,”said Juniata coach Jarred Dressler. “Our upper weights went in, Conrad at 189 and Kelton Bonnell at heavyweight both went out there and wrestled hard matches. They came out on the short end but Conrad was one of the first ones to score. I’m extremely proud of my light weights. Anthony Maradiaga all the way up through Colton Rowles and Ty Fahnestock. They went through and showed them just because we don’t have a full line up we still have a full team.”

Juniata got started right off the bat at 152 pounds. Ryder Smith opened strong in the first with four first period takedowns and allowing just three escapes in his 20-3 technical fall win over Jeffery Teeter at 3:06.

However, Upper Dauphin took the 160-pound weight classes as kai Hicks had a second period pinfall over Cale Fike at 2:46.

At 172, the Trojans Carter Dreibelbis picked up a pinfall win of his own over Thaddaeus Auker at 0:31.

The Trojans made it three wins in-a-row when at 189, Luke Wentzel outmuscled Conrad Long winning by a 12-4 majority decision. Going up 16-5 early on.

The Indians had their first fofeit loss of the night at 215. Wyatt Troutman picked up the easy run to the mat.

In the heavyweight division at 285 The Trojans picked up another win as Eoghan Savage took a hard fought 4-0 victory over Juniata heavyweight Kelton Bonnell.

At 107, the Trojans won by forfeit when Brody Barge (got his hand raised.

It was the same result at 114 as Chalsedon Rocca picked up the easy win.

Finally at 121, Upper Dauphin’s Dillon Lindsley added the final forfeit win of the evening.

Juniata came storming back at 127. Anthony Maradiaga dominated in his win over Wyatt Kassirer winning by a 18-2 tech fall at 2:00.

Teammate Colten Rowles took care of David Hauck at 133: as he picked up an early first period pinfall at 0:54.

Things were quick in the match as Rowles was able to get the takedown and controlled his opponent from there for the pinfall.

The surge of Indians’ wins continued at 139. Cody Nipple won his match also by a pinfall over Nathan Wright at 5:27. Nipple opened the match with a takedown. He allowed Wright up for the escape point but went right to work taking down Wright a second time.

In the second, Nipple had built up an 8-3 advantage and then picked up a nearfall, making it an 15-3 advantage. Leading by 12 going into the final period, Nipple clinched it with a pinfall.

Juniata finished the match strong at 145. Ty Fahnestock dominated through his match with Leroy Zimmerman picking the tech. fall at 5:36 by a score of 17-1.

Fahnestock came out strong in the first picking up a quick takedown. He was able to maintain his grip on Zimmerman into the second period. Things continued to roll for Fahnestock in the second as he was able to roll over Zimmerman for the nearfall taking a 7-0 lead.

The match was stopped in the third as  Fahnestock picked up two takedowns in the period for the 17-1 victory.

In girls varsity action, the Lady Trojans defeated Juniata 60-12. Picking up wins for the Lady Indians from Madison Bryner (118) and Katelynn Krepps (190). Bryner pinned Jenna Teeter at 2:47 while Krepps picked up the forfeit win.

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