Westmont snatches title again

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December 2, 2007

By ERIC KNOPSNYDER The Tribune-Democrat Sun Dec 02, 2007, 12:47 AM EST

DAVIDSVILLE — The 40th annual Conemaugh Township Holiday Wrestling tournament looked a lot like the 39th version of the event.

Westmont Hilltop beat out Chestnut Ridge for the team title and Greater Johnstown’s Will Harris captured the Outstanding Wrestler award on Saturday night – the same results as last year.

This time, the Hilltoppers got individual titles from Tanner Hough (103 pounds), Devin Dorian (112), Trevor Kushner (119), T.J. Keklak (145), T.J. Polacek (152) and Mike Brant (160),

“As I’ve said before, these tournaments are all about the kids and what they do individually,” Westmont coach Matt Beaujon said. “The team stuff just takes care of itself. Up and down, I thought we wrestled a good tournament.”

The Hilltoppers were without Zac Bennett, who won a PIAA Class AA title at 189 pounds last season.

Beaujon would not elaborate on the reason for Bennett’s absence from the lineup, but the junior did not appear to have a serious injury and his coach said he expects him to return soon.

The Hilltoppers got a boost from Hough, a freshman who won a junior wrestling state title a year ago.

“We need those guys that were in the junior high or JV last year to step up and do jobs for us,” Beaujon said.

Dorian and Keklak posted wins over Chestnut Ridge wrestlers in the finals, as the teams split four championship matchups.

“Obviously those matches are magnified,” Beaujon said. “I told the guys to go out and win it for themselves, don’t worry about the team score.”

Chestnut Ridge’s champs include: Josh Neatrour (125), Chans Feather (130), Gary Pfahler (140). They also had 13 placewinners, including 12 in the top four.

“We almost were able to overcome Westmont in the team title,” Chestnut Ridge coach Jim Clark said. “Having four starters out hurt us, but that’s just life. You have to go with what you’ve got.”

Harris pinned all three of his opponents in defense of his 171-pound title, including Ligonier Valley’s Myers Miller in the finals.

“I wanted to come back and beat a kid that had beaten me earlier in my career,” Harris said.

The match was tied entering the third period, before Miller chose to let Harris up in an attempt to take the Johnstown wrestler down. The plan backfired, as Harris blocked Miller’s shot attempt and threw him to his back before securing the fall in 4:32.

“I was just relaxed and waited for him to make a mistake and then I capitalized off it,” Harris said. “I’m used to kids doing that, and when it happens, I’m ready for it.”

Harris, who recently signed a letter-of-intent to wrestle for Pitt-Johnstown, said that he hopes this season’s strong start leads to a better finish at the PIAA Class AAA championships, where he did not place last season.

“I started off the season the same way last year,” he said. “I just don’t want this season to end the same way it did last year.”

Richland got individual titles from Marco Pecora (189) and Ryan Krouse (215).

Hyndman’s Logan Sheldon (135) and Bucktail’s Jesse Newlin (285) also won titles.

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Westmont snatches title again

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