Four YAIAA wrestlers reach 100-win milestone
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Four YAIAA wrestlers joined the 100-win club over the weekend, doubling the total number of athletes who've reached that milestone in the 2016-17 season.
Eight wrestlers have now reached the mark on the season.
Northeastern’s Blaine Yinger was the first of the four to reach the mark this weekend, winning his 100th career match at the New Oxford Invitational on Friday night. The senior picked up three falls and a decision in winning the 285-pound crown.
Kennard-Dale senior Andrew Barnett reached his 100th career victory Saturday morning in the Rams' 48-27 loss at Solanco. He picked up the milestone victory with a 50-second fall against Billy Maeda at 145 pounds in the second-to-last match of the day.
Dallastown senior 220-pounder Bryce Shields picked up his 100th career victory Saturday in a Keystone Cup match against Lower Dauphin at home. He earned the milestone win with a 1:24 fall against Kyler Wuestner.
In other news at that tournament, the Wildcats went 2-0, beating the Falcons (50-23) and Governor Mifflin (48-23) to essentially seal up a District 3 team tournament berth.
Finally, Bermudian Springs got its second 100-match winner of the season. Noah Fleshman joined the club with a match-clinching fall against Big Spring in the Eagles' 34-29 victory. Fleshman has competed at 195 and 220 pounds this season. He joins teammate Ashton West as new members of the 100-win club this year, and teammate Austin Clabaugh joined the club last year.
After this weekend's onslaught of new 100-match winners, there are two more wrestlers who could reach the milestone this year: Spring Grove’s Dalton Rohrbaugh (96-10) and Red Lion’s Dylan Gurreri (99-36).
Tournament victories
York Suburban’s Adoniyah Johnson finished in first place at the TWC Trojan Battle tournament at York Suburban on Saturday afternoon. Johnson picked up two first-period falls at 285 pounds to propel him to the win.
Northeastern freshman Cole Wilson dropped to 106 pounds last week and tore through the New Oxford Invitational bracket, picking up three first-period falls and a forfeit to pick up the title.
New Oxford’s Zurich Storm earned two falls, a tech fall and a major decision to win the 120-pound title at the New Oxford Invitational.
Gettysburg freshman Dylan Reinert used three falls and a major decision to win the 138-pound weight class at the New Oxford Invitational.
And Delone Catholic’s Brian Shermeyer blazed through the 160-pound field at the New Oxford Invitational, picking up a pair of falls, a decision and a major decision to capture the title.
District tournament watch
Five YAIAA wrestling teams currently stand to qualify for the District 3 team tournament, which gets under way next week.
In Class 3A, Spring Grove looks to host a pod as the current No. 3 seed. Additionally, Dallastown (No. 7), Gettysburg (No. 9) and South Western (No. 14) should all get into the tournament. If the standings hold, the Mustangs would meet the Rockets in the first round. The Wildcats would head to No. 2 Central Dauphin where they would face No. 10 Cocalico in the first round, and the Warriors would travel to No. 1 Exeter Township and meet No. 8 Chambersburg in the first round.
In Class 2A, Bermudian Springs holds the No. 1 spot in a tight field at the top. The Eagles' current pod would include defending District 3 champ Northern Lebanon and perennial power Boiling Springs. Yikes. However, that could change as the Eagles and Bubblers meet this weekend.
Delone Catholic held the No. 7 seed over the weekend, but the Squires' loss to Camp Hill on Monday could cost them a district spot. They currently hold the No. 10 spot, and eight teams make the field. Delone has one more shot to try and get back in when it faces Eastern York at home Wednesday night.
Wrestlers to reach 100 wins so far this year:
Brian Shermeyer, Delone Catholic – Dec. 10 at Solanco Mule Classic
Zurich Storm, New Oxford – Jan. 7 at the Octorara Duals
Ashton West, Bermudian Springs – Jan. 7 at Lancaster Catholic Duals
Chase Mowery, South Western – Jan. 14 at Waynesboro Duals.
Andrew Barnett, Kennard-Dale – Jan. 21 at Solanco.
Bryce Shields, Dallastown – Jan. 21 in Keystone Cup match vs. Lower Dauphin at Dallastown.
Noah Fleshman, Bermudian Springs – Jan. 21 at Big Spring.
Blaine Yinger, Northeastern – Jan. 21 at New Oxford Invitational.