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Bermudian's Clabaugh impresses in second-place finish


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HERSHEY – In the final wrestling match of his career, Austin Clabaugh finished on top.

Not on the scoreboard, but on the mat in control of his opponent, the place where he’s been most comfortable in his four-year career.

A late takedown of Jefferson Morgan’s Gavin Teasdale put the Bermudian Springs senior in his preferred position, but it wasn’t enough to earn gold.

Teasdale, the No. 2-ranked 126-pounder in country, got everything he could handle from Clabaugh but still claimed his third PIAA Class 2A championship, this one at 126 pounds, with a 13-5 major decision

“I think I wrestled my best so I have to be happy with that,” Clabaugh said.

It was a rough weekend in the Hershey for YAAIA competitors: Only five league wrestlers earned medals in the tough three-day event recognized as one of the toughest state high school tournaments in the country.

Delone Catholic’s Brian Shermeyer (160) and Littlestown’s Carl Harris (170) both finished eighth.

New Oxford’s Zurich Storm (120) and Dallastown’s Bryce Shields (220) finished sixth and seventh place, respectively in Class 3A.

Teasdale is one of the most accomplished wrestlers in either classification.

The University of Iowa commit entered with a perfect 121-0 record and was averaging more than 23 points per state tournament match in the last two years.

A terror from the neutral position, the District 7 wrestler took just a 4-1 lead after the first period on the strength of two takedowns.

“I was able definitely to slow him down," Clabaugh said. "He came out full force, really really quick. I was able to compete with that pretty well for the first period.”

With choice in second period, Clabaugh chose top, where he excelled throughout his 149-win career. Clabaugh controlled Teasdale for 1:47 of the second period.

“I took top, had to give myself a chance because he wasn’t going to take down,” said the three-time PIAA qualifier. “I was able to ride him hard. … I dominated him pretty well through that second period.

“I was at least able to work my stuff.”

An emotional Eagles coach Dave McCollum praised his senior star, whose mother passed away suddenly early last season.

“He’s had to deal with things a lot of kids never have to deal with,” McCollum said. “He’s grown up in the last two years. He became a leader. He was like a third coach on the team, motivating the coaches and kids, always being positive.

“He has represented Bermudian with class and great sportsmanship.”

READ MORE: Clabaugh wrestles for his mother's memory

In other action, Shermeyer fought though several injuries during the postseason, the worst a hamstring pull. But there was no thought of taking a medical forfeit.

“I was going to finish it out,” said the 38-8 Shermeyer. “It’s awesome (to win a medal). It’s one of the biggest goals when you get here.”

Harris, only a sophomore, came away from the tournament knowing what he needs to work on.

“This (tournament) is the hardest thing I’ve ever done in high school. … On the mat (skills). I couldn’t get out to save my life,” said the 36-7 Bolt grappler.

Class 3A: Zurich Storm of New Oxford came away with the highest medal in the big school division for the YAIAA, claiming sixth place at 120 pounds.

After starting his four trip to the state tournament with a pair of wins, the Colonial lightweight ran into a buzzsaw in Northampton’s Julian Chlebove. The defending state champion racked up 12 back points on his way to a 4:46 technical fall.

However, another tough loss waited him in the consolation semifinals where, holding a 4-0 on Central Dauphin’s Chris Wright, Storm got caught in a spadle and pinned at 3:31. Two weeks ago, Storm had easily defeated the Ram junior to win his first District 3 title.

A 6-4 loss in the seventh-place match to Logaan Macri of Canon McMillan left him in sixth place but hoping future Colonial wrestlers will learn an important lesson from his stellar career.

“Not to quit. Always find something to work on to get better,” said the 35-4 senior. “To be a four-time qualifier and finally get a medal last time was (great). It’s not the one I wanted but I got it.”

Local medalists 

Class 2A
Second place —
Austin Clabaugh, Bermudian Springs (126)
Eighth place — Delone Catholic’s Brian Shermeyer (160) and Littlestown’s Carl Harris (170) 

Class 3A 
Sixth place — New Oxford’s Zurich Storm (120)
Seventh — Dallastown’s Bryce Shields (220)