On January 7th, the Juniata wrestling team hosted Susquehanna Township, Bald Eagle Area High School, West Perry, and Harry S. Sherman for the Juniata Pooled Duals. Bald Eagle Area High School took home the first-place trophy, but Juniata placed third, winning 3 of their five matches.
During their first match versus Susquenita, the team needed to win to secure a chance at the TVL title, and they secured the opportunity with a 42-32 win. Wrestling 121, Casey Smith, wrestling 145, Taylor Smith, wrestling 189, Harrison Mummah, and wrestling 215 Kelton Bunnel each pinned their opponents. Wrestling 285, 139, and 107, Jason Goss, Quintin Parish, and Anthony Maradiaga each won by forfeit.
In the tournament’s second match against Susquehanna Township, the team won 66-12 without giving up any forfeits, with all but two wrestlers winning their matches. Joey Baumbarger, wrestling in the 114th weight class, pinned his opponent in 55 seconds. Wrestling at 139, Casey Smith pinned his opponent in 2 minutes and 23 seconds. Taylor Smith, wrestling 145, pinned his opponent in one minute and 26 seconds. Charlie Telfer pinned his opponent in 55 seconds while wrestling in the 152nd weight class. Javier Lopez, wrestling 160, pinned his opponent in 1 minute and 33 seconds. Anthony Maradiaga also pinned his opponent in 1 minute and 43 seconds. Amelia Smith, Colton Roles, Rider Smith, Wesley Woodward, and Harrison Mummah all won by forfeit.
During the third match against Bald Eagle Area High School, the team lost 51-17. Joey Baumbarger, wrestling 114, lost by decision but scored two personal points to his opponent’s five. Wrestling 133, Casey Smith won by a major decision 21-7, and wrestling 139, Taylor Smith pinned his opponent in 58 seconds. In the 172nd class, Harrison Mummah won by decision 7-3, sporting a new black eye at the end of the match. At 107, Anthony Maradia ga won by a major decision, 11-1.
In the fourth match, Juniata lost to West Perry 45-23. At 114, Joey Baumarger pinned his opponent in 4 minutes and 48 seconds. Casey Smith at 133 won by tech fall 18-1. Wrestling at 139 and 107, Taylor Smith and Anthony Maradiaga won by decision, Smith 4-3 and Maradiaga 7-2. Kelton Bunnel had an eventful match! After being put on his back in a headlock early in the round, his opponent lost his arms, making it an illegal move, allowing Bunnel to regain control, and eventually pinning his opponent in 1 minute and 21 seconds.
In their fifth and final match, Juniata won against Harry S. Sherman High School 52-19, with 8 team members pinning their opponents. Wrestling 145, Taylor Smith pinned his opponent in 3 minutes and 49 seconds. Charlie Telfer, wrestling 152, pinned his opponent in 3 minutes and 44 seconds. At 172, Wesley Woodward pinned his opponent in 1 minute and 14 seconds. Wrestling up a weight class, at 189, Harrison Mummah won by Major Decision 11-3. At 215, Kelton Bunnel pinned his opponent in 5 minutes and 11 seconds. At 107, Anthony Maradiaga pinned his opponent with 5 seconds remaining in the second period. Joey Baumbarger, wrestling at 114, pinned his opponent in 1 minute and 24 seconds. At 127, Rider Smith won by injury default after choking out his opponent during the match. At 133, Casey Smith pinned his opponent in 1 minute and 33 seconds.