Pine Grove Area wrestling hosted Williams Valley for their first home match. The bleachers were filled with supporting parents, students, and fans. As the lights were dimmed, the energy rose. Cheers came from the stands as the wrestling team lined up in a tunnel, ready to send out Cade Schneck, senior. Schenck faced Drew Buffington in the 152 weight class. Schneck strikes quickly and is able to score takedown points. Throughout the first period, Schneck scores 8 near fall points. In the second period, Schneck scores 2 more nearfall points and take down points making the score 14-0. At the beginning of the third period, Schneck gets an escape and ends up winning by tech fall.

“My goal was to go and dominate in front of the home crowd to show why I’m a captain and a leader of this team,” says Schneck.

In the 189 weight class, Robbie Schaeffer, sophomore, faced Trent McAloose. As Schaeffer ran out of the tunnel, cheers flooded the gym. Immediately, McAloose takes a shot against Schaeffer but Schaeffer is able to quickly react. Schaffer scores his first points with a takedown and near falls. At the buzzard of the first period, Schaeffer scores more near fall points, making the score 8-0. Halfway through the second period, Schaeffer is able to pin McAloose in 3:04 and ends with a score 8-0.

“I had a lot of confidence coming into the match and had high expectations for myself. My goal was to win, since it was our first home meet,” says Schaeffer.

Austin Martin, Sophomore, faced Parker Lords in the 145 weight class. Within the first 10 seconds of the match, Martin takes a successful shot and earns takedown points. Lords tries to stand up but Martin gets a good mat return and is able to pin Lords. Martin ended up with a pin in 1:20 and a score of 2-0.

Martin says, “I was hoping for a quick match and my results showed that.”

Williams Valley ended up with 7 wins to Pine Grove’s 5 wins. Although Williams Valley had 3 forfeits and Pine Grove only had 2, Williams Valley had won the match 42-29.