ATHENS RACKS UP WINS OVER NEB, SAYRE

By: Tim Birney  /  January 21, 2021  /  Photo: Matt Patton

ATHENS — Athens earned a pair of forfeit-filled wins over Northeast Bradford and Sayre here Thursday night in NTL wrestling action.

The Wildcats improved to 7-3 season, including a 3-1 mark in the NTL.

Athens 63, NEB 6
Athens won both bouts on the mat, and picked up nine forfeits in a 63-6 win over Northeast Bradford.

Freshman Josh NIttinger gave the Wildcats a quick 6-0 lead with a pin of NEB’s Kamden Ricci in 28 seconds at 285 pounds.

Six consecutive forfeits — to freshman Josh Courtney, at 113 pounds, junior Gavin Bradley (120), freshman Mason Vanderpool (126), sophomore Jake Courtney (132), junior Kaden Setzer (138), and junior Lucas Forbes — gave Athens a 42-0 lead.

In the only other contested weight class, Athens sophomore Chris Bathgate earned a hard-fought, 8-4, win over Jack Shumway.

Forfeits to junior Karter Rude (160), senior Zach Stafursky (172), and junior Collin Rosh (189) extend the Athens lead to 63-0.

Kenric received a forfeit at 215 pounds for NEB’s only points.

Athens 60, Sayre 12
The Wildcats won two of three bouts on the mat, and picked up eight forfeits in a 60-12 win over Sayre.

Athens junior Kaden Setzer opened the match with a pin of Sayre senior Bobby Benjamin in 1:32 at 138 pounds.

Forfeits to Lucas Forbes (145) and Chris Bathgate (152) made it 18-0, and Athens junior Karter Rude decked Sayre’s Kaden Bennett in 13 seconds at 160 pounds to extend the Wildcat lead to 24-0.

Senior Zach Stafursky gave Athens a 30-0 lead with a pin of Sayre’s Aiden Reid in 2:32 at 172 pounds.

The Redskins got on the board at 189 pounds when sophomore Glen Romberger pinned Athens junior Collin Rosh in 3:38.

After neither team sent a wrestler to the mat for the 215-pound bout, Athens freshman Josh Nittinger picked up a forfeit at 285, and Sayre freshman Kendrick Ross had his hand raised at 106 pounds.

Josh Courtney, at 113 pounds), Gavin Bradley (120), Mason Vanderpool (126), and Jake Courtney (132) received forfeits for the Wildcats to close out the match.

Athens hosts the Jarvis Tournament Saturday, starting at 10 a.m.