Wrestlers prep for D9 meet

Dirk Cowburn

Local scholastic wrestlers are hoping to move on after some rugged competition during the PIAA District 9 this Friday and Saturday at Clarion University. Top three finishers progress into the Northwest Regionals the following weekend at Sharon.

Cameron County and Coudersport could each be fielding a district champion.

Coudersport freshman Dirk Cowburn came through the regular season with a spotless 25-0 record, mostly at 140 lbs. He'll be a force to reckon with at Clarion. Cowburn has a firstround bye on Friday.

Cameron County senior Chad Schatz, 29-2 with 26 pins, should be a major force in the heavyweight division. He's a second seed, starting out on Friday against Keystone's Ethan Hannold (11-11). Brookville's undefeated Eli Morres (35-0) looms down the road.

Coudersport sophomore Rich Keagle (12-11) is a dark horse at 189. He takes the mat on Friday against Oswayo Valley's Andy Benjamin, who's also 12-11.

Joining Schatz with hopes of advancing to regionals for the are junior Taylor Songer (152), who is 28-3; freshman Dom Manginell (25-6) at 112; sophomore Randy Schatz (24- 6) at 145, and sophomore Mike Baker, who is 26-5 at 160.

Coach Scott Baker confers with Matt Burke (left) as Chad Schatz (right) prepares for action. Several Red Raiders stand a good chance of advancing.

Songer drew a fourth seed and has a bye in Friday's opening round. Manginell, also fourth-seeded, meets Dane Neely (6-17) of Cranberry. Fifth-seeded Schatz draws Kane's Tyler Geer (3-7) in his opener. Baker, a fourth seed, starts with Brookville's Noah Johnson (14-16).

Falcons lose finale

Smethport scored a 72-10 win at Coudersport Friday night in the regular season finale.

Cowburn pinned Shane Miller in 52 seconds at 140. Falcon Keegan DeLung (7-14) followed with a 10-0 major decision over Tim Mackey at 145.

"I was especially proud of Keegan and glad to see him get a return on all his hard work this season," said Coudersport first-year head coach Thad Taylor. "In fact, I'm very proud of these kids for gutting it out through a tough season."

Senior Sean Davis lasted almost two minutes before falling to Smethport's talented Ben Hahn at 152. Brett Chilson also had his moments before he was pinned by another Hubber standout, Kyle Nobles, at 160.