Bison Wrestlers Secure Second Place at Top Hat Tournament
The Clearfield wrestling team had an exciting first day at the 2024 Tom Best Top Hat Tournament. With six wrestlers advancing to the quarterfinals and six more in the consolation bracket, the Bison are in second place, just one point behind Saucon Valley. What a nail-biter!
On Day 1, the 13-man Bison squad showed their strength with an impressive 18-8 record. They racked up an outstanding 14 pins and a technical fall. Clearfield’s 14 total pins were the most of any team on that day, putting them in a solid position for the tournament.
Leading the pack are Bo Aveni, Colton Bumbarger, Colton Ryan, Brady Collins, Carter Freeland, and Nick Bailor, who all advanced to the quarterfinal round. Freeland was on fire with two first-period falls, while Bumbarger secured a decision and a pin. Collins, Bailor, Aveni, and Ryan all followed up their first-round byes with impressive pins in the Round of 16. Keep an eye on Collins as the top seed at 172, Bailor as the No. 2 seed at 285, and Ryan as the third seed at 152.
Still in contention in the consolation bracket are Xavier Lutz, Connor Peacock, Bryndin Chamberlain, Cash Diehl, Ty Aveni, and Ryan Ludwig, with Peacock, Diehl, Aveni, and Ludwig each boasting a 2-1 record on the first day. Diehl, Aveni, and Ludwig have each earned two pins, and Chamberlain recorded a major decision and a pin.
Unfortunately, Bison 121-pounder Dakota Shugarts was eliminated after a 1-2 record, but he did secure a 13-3 major decision win. The competition is fierce, with Saucon Valley in the lead by just one point, followed closely by Clearfield, Easton, Connellsville, and Central Mountain in the Top 5 standings out of 24 teams heading into Day 2.
Stay tuned for more updates from the Tom Best Memorial Top Hat Tournament, and let’s cheer on the Clearfield wrestling team as they continue their journey to the top!
