TYRONE — It’s not always the big names that deliver team championships in wrestling. In fact, there are almost always some unsung heroes who make a big difference.
That was the case for Forest Hills on Monday night, as Ian McClelland and Tyler Shaffer played key roles in helping the Rangers win their first District 6 Class AA championship since 2003.
Forest Hills (17-2) knocked off defending champion Westmont Hilltop 34-31 in the semifinal round, then beat top-seeded Huntingdon 35-30 to punch its ticket to Hershey for Friday’s PIAA dual-meet championships.
“It was just such a team effort,” Forest Hills coach Jim Bowser said. “Every guy contributed. Just gutsy performances, we wrestled with heart.”
Bob Oshaben started the championship by pinning Huntingdon’s Nick Shope at 285 pounds, and McClelland followed with the second of his two falls on the night. With the match tied at 2 in the third period, the freshman 103-pounder pinned Ethan Everetts to give the Rangers a 12-0 lead.
“We needed a spark, and little Ian was that spark,” Bowser said.
“He gave us a fire.”
Brock Gallaher (119 pounds), R.J. Brydon (140) and Zac Carden (145) scored major-decision victories to help Forest Hills build a 24-18 lead.
Huntingdon tied it on Nick Marter’s fall over Shaffer at 152, but Forest Hills used its strong upperweights to pull away again. Chris Gallaher scored a technical fall over Nathan Shope at 160 and Mitch Brewer pulled out a wild, 13-11 victory over Alex Miller at 171 pounds.
Miller was close to a fall at one point, but Brewer – who bled throughout the match – got a blood timeout that might have saved him.
“When he got thrown, I guess he got a nice shot to the nose,” Bowser said.
“I was worried about it spurting and worried about going through the five minutes of injury time. That’s a nine-point swing, if that blood time runs out.”
Zack Glessner sealed the victory with a 6-0 win over Jake Reid at 189 pounds.
Huntingdon (17-2) will wrestle District 5 champion Bedford tonight at Chestnut Ridge Middle School with the winner advancing to Hershey.
“We wrestled tough,” Huntingdon coach Jon Mykut said.
“That’s a good team over there, Forest Hills. We have nothing to be ashamed of.”
Shaffer provided the spark for Forest Hills in the semifinal win over Westmont, which had won three of the past four District 6 championships.
Trailing 28-22 with five bouts remaining, Shaffer delivered a 4-3 victory over Sam Patrick at 152 pounds.
Shaffer missed most of the season with an injury, but he returned just in time for Forest Hills.
“What a great time to have him,” Bowser said.
Gallaher pinned Jake Stefan at 160 to tie it before Westmont briefly retook the lead with Ryan Burnheimer’s 2-1 victory over Brewer at 171. Glessner sealed the Rangers’ victory with a first-period fall over Alex Parlock at 189 pounds.
High School Sports
Related Photos
-
Jason Sipes/For The Tribune-Democrat
-
Jason Sipes/For The Tribune-Democrat
Discussion
District 6 duals | ‘Team effort’ powers Rangers
- High School Sports
-
-
Bedford goes to Class AA quarterfinals by thumping first-time participant Western Wayne
Bedford was making its fifth straight appearance in the PIAA Class AA Dual-Meet Championships on Thursday.
-
High School Basketball in Brief
A closer look at Thursday's boys and girls high school basketball games:
-
High School Basketball in Brief
-
[VIDEO] Cory Berchick sets Township school mark, but Somerset wins the match
Jarod Feathers didn’t necessarily see this moment coming four years ago.
-
High school basketball in brief
A closer look at Tuesday's boys and girls high school basketball games:
-
High school basketball in brief
A closer look at Monday's boys and girls high school basketball games:
-
Mifflin County bests Westmont Hilltop in District 6 Class AAA semis
Mifflin County finished Saturday’s District 6 Class AAA semifinal with a flourish – both in the dual meet and individual matches – on the way to a 36-26 victory over Westmont Hilltop.
-
Bedford captures District 5 crown
Michael Brett is known for his ability to lock up a cross-face cradle.
-
[VIDEO] Bishop McCort avenges earlier loss to Richland
Bishop McCort’s girls were looking for a little payback for an earlier loss that they had suffered at Laurel Highlands Section 2 rival Richland.
It was mission accomplished for the Crimson Crushers on Friday night as McCort held off the Rams for a physical 47-43 victory. -
Westy set to face Mifflin County at District 6 meet
Westmont Hilltop coach Matt Beaujon takes pride in having his wrestling team well-prepared heading into a dual meet.
- More High School Sports Headlines
-
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
