By ALTHEA HELMS
Editor’s Note: Althea Helms is a student at Bellefonte Area High School. Helms was selected to receive a Press Forward PA Wilds scholarship to cover high school wrestling events.
ALTOONA — While local high school wrestling teams prepare for the district tournament to be held on Saturday, Feb. 21, this past weekend the junior high and youth wrestling team from Bellefonte traveled to Altoona for the PJW Regional Tournament. This was the athletes’ last chance to qualify for the PJW State Tournament Championships. They went to the meet hoping to leave with a few state qualifiers and were not disappointed.
With only the top four advancing to the PAJW State Championships in Johnstown, the junior high team left with two state qualifiers from the 157lb bracket — freshmen Jacob Bowman and Bentlee Hall. In the final round the teammates had to wrestle against each other for the first place title.
Bowman won in a 3-0 match.
“Last year I didn’t make it to states, that motivated me this year,” Bowman said. He faced Qwentyn Campbell from Hollidaysburg in the semi-finals, winning 10-2. Jacob is thrilled about this opportunity, “especially with Bentlee (Hall).”
“The only thing you deserve is what you earned,” Hall said, grateful for the upcoming competition. Hall faced Bald Eagle Area’s Mason Quimby, finishing with a definitive win of 9-0.
Bowman said he recalls discussions with Hall all season about the opportunity to go to states together. Although they dodged having to compete at qualifiers, Hall and Bowman still might have to face off at the state contest.
These two were the only qualifiers from junior high, but others represented Bellefonte well too. Cristiana Pacheco, a middle schooler in the 103lb class, and Mason Jackson, a freshman in the 172lb class, came in 5th.
“So proud of everyone who competed and represented our team so well,” Coach Nate Alterio said. The results seem to be exactly what he wanted from the team.
The youth division also had some outstanding performances, with even fewer advancements allowed than the junior high. Only the top three boys and top two girls will move to the PJW State Tournament in Harrisburg. Bellefonte ended the night taking seven athletes to compete.
There were five first place winners, all in different brackets. In the boys division, Carter Silvis – 135lb, and JJ Wensel – 120lb. And in the girl’s division, Eden Gall – 110lb, Harper Matis – 125lb, and Camryn Scott – 87lb. Second place spots were earned by Josiah Pacheco in the 85lb class and Madison Scott in the girls 125lb. All these wrestlers will move on to states.
Even though they didn’t qualify for states, Karalenna Silvis in the girls 94lb and Harper Maney in the girls 57lb represented Bellefonte with a spot on the podium in third place.
