NANTICOKE — Damon Barhight’s 43-second pin provided the exclamation point as Wyoming Area won five of the seven bouts wrestled Jan. 21 to pick up its first Wyoming Valley Conference Division 2 victory of the season by winning at Nanticoke, 38-24.
The Warriors took advantage of three forfeits, the Trojans picked up two and there were two no contests. That left the outcome to be determined in the half of the weight classes that were contested.
The winner was still in doubt until Jaryn Polit-Moran decisioned Seth Pelton, 7-3, at 195.
Barhight then went out in the final bout at 285 and pinned Sheik Ali.
Tyler Martin and Charlie Banashefski got the Warriors started with decisions in the first two bouts at 132 and 145.
Martin and Corey Mruk (160) each won major decisions.
Hanover Area 39, Wyoming Area 21
Justin Joseph and Adam Buczynski had first-period pins for visiting Wyoming Area at 170 and 195, but by then, Hanover Area had already clinched the win in Wednesday’s WVC Division 2 match.
Robin Wrobleski also had a pin for the Warriors and Corey Mruk won a decision.
Wyoming Valley West 64, Pittston Area 6
Wyoming Valley West took advantage of five forfeits and came up with five pins Wednesday at home to rout Pittston Area in the match that ultimately determined which of the two teams would finish last in WVC Division 1.
Josh McGilvary’s pin at 152 accounted for all the Pittston Area points.
West Scranton 57, Wyoming Area 11
Corey Mruk won by technical fall at 160 pounds to highlight Wyoming Area’s efforts in a non-league loss at West Scranton Thursday.
Adam Buczynski (195) and Damon Barhight (285) won decisions.
Tunkhannock 60, Pittston Area 14
Defending champion Tunkhannock clinched at least a tie for first place in WVC Division 1 with Friday’s road win.
Pittston Area, which remains winless overall, finished winless in its six Division 1 matches.
Josh McGilvary posted a pin at 160 to lead the Patriots. Jason DeBoard won by technical fall at 170 and John Martineze won a decision at 152.
The week ahead
Official pairings have not been released, but both Greater Pittston teams appear likely to have the week off while District 2 conducts its Dual Meet Championship Tournament.
Pittston Area was scheduled to host Mountain View Saturday in a match that was not completed prior to deadline. The Patriots then have eight days off.
Wyoming Area was scheduled to host Meyers Saturday in its last WVC Division 2 match before taking nine days off from competition.