Barvitskie picks up 100th career win in Tigers' victory

Jan. 8—CATAWISSA — Southern Columbia senior Mason Barvitskie may have had to wait a little for his 100th career victory, but at least he achieved it in front of the home crowd.

Barvitskie's milestone came at the last match of the night at 152 pounds where he pinned Mifflinburg's Bryan Reeder in 42 seconds. Barvitskie's win was one of six pins for the Tigers in their 44-23 win against the Wildcats in a Heartland Athletic Conference-crossover dual meet at Southern Columbia High School on Monday night.

"It was a relief a little bit," said Barvitskie, who's a three-time state medalist and committed to wrestle at West Point. "I mean I kind of expected it my whole high school career, but just getting it felt different. It's just a good feeling honestly and getting it at home again in front of the home crowd is always fun."

According to coach Steve Pesarchick, Barvitskie's milestone got delayed for a pair of reasons. A couple weeks back, Barvitskie had to forfeit a pair of matches at the Trojan Wars at Chambersburg High School. Also, Saturday's snow storm canceled five of Southern's dual meets, giving Barvitskie the opportunity to get 100 wins at home.

"He comes in, he works everyday," Pesarchick said. "He never gives anybody a problem. He does what he has to do, handles his business, so he's the type of guy that leads by example.

"He's just been waiting and waiting (for his 100th win). Now he has it and he can enjoy it and just move on."

All six of the Tigers' pins came at 145 and higher. The match started at 160 where Jaymen Golden pinned Oliver Patte in 2:54. Then at 172, Louden Murphy got through Landon Moser in 2:31 to double the Tigers' lead to 12-0.

At 189, Jude Bremigen won his match against Cyrus Douty in 2:59 to make it 18-0. Then at 215, Garrett Garcia needed only six seconds to get the pin on Greg Maxfield. Garcia improves to 3-0 on the season with one of his wins being a forfeit. Before Monday, Garcia's other win in a match came via a nine-second pin, so he's only been on the mat for 15 seconds this season.

"I want to see him wrestle a match," Pesarchick said. "He's wrestled twice ... I'm ready to see him get out there and blow his lungs out and let if fly from there."

Southern continued its dominance at the heavier weights when freshman Aidyn McHale picked up a 3-0 decision over Cadyn Huffman. The match was scoreless until the third period when McHale used an escape and takedown to expand the Tigers' lead to 27-0.

After McHale's win, the match transitioned to the lightweights, where Mifflinburg dominated Southern. At 107, Jack Gramly picked up a 6-0 decision over Rowen Humphrey for the Wildcats' first three points of the match. At 114, Coltyn Wagner used a technical fall in 5:08 to defeat Kaden Zachman.

Then at 121, Mifflinburg earned its first pin when Bradley Wagner bested Gage Clossen in 3:08 to make the deficit 32-9. The Wildcats picked up another technical fall at 127 after Ben Straub defeated Gavin Brown in the second period for another five points.

At 133, Lane Kenamond pinned Caiden Gray in 5:38 to pull the Wildcats within 32-30. The Wildcats' final victory came at 139 where Wesley Smith picked up an 11-5 decision to make it 32-23.

Right before Barvitskie's win, Brayden Andrews sealed the Tigers' win at 145 when he pinned Gradyn Shuck in 4:42. Andrews made the score 38-23, which set the stage for Barvitskie.

"All of our guys, they stepped up up top," Pesarchick said. 'Our lineup from 145 up is pretty soild, so they handle their business. But there's gonna be nights where they're gonna have tough matches too, so that's when we need the lightweights to show up sometimes."

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SOUTHERN COLUMBIA 44, MIFFLINBURG 23

160: Jaymen Golden (SC) pinned Oliver Patte (M), 2:54; 172: Louden Murphy (SC) pinned Landon Moser (M), 2:31; 189: Jude Bremigen (SC) pinned Cyrus Douty (M), 2:59; 215: Garrett Garcia (SC) pinned Greg Maxfield (M), :06; 285: Aidyn McHale (SC) dec. Cadyn Huffman (M), 3-0; 107: Jack Gramly (M) dec. Rowen Humphrey (SC), 6-0; 114: Coltyn Wagner (M) tech. fall Kaden Zachman (SC), 16-0 (5:08); 121: Bradley Wagner (M) pinned Gage Clossen (SC), 3:08; 127: Ben Straub (M) tech. fall Gavin Brown (SC), 15-0; 133: Lane Kenamond (M) pinned Caiden Gray (SC), 5:38; 139: Wesley Smith (M) dec. Colton Habowski (SC), 11-5; 145: Brayden Andrews (SC) pinned Gradyn Shuck (M), 4:42; 152: Mason Barvitskie (SC) pinned Bryan Reeder (M), :42.