From staff reports
BURNHAM - Mifflin County's Evan Becker won the 200-yard individual medley and the 100-yard backstroke events in the Huskies' swim meet against Hershey Thursday, starting the year with something coach Connie Welch said he hadn't accomplished previously this season - a first-place finish in an individual event.
His two personal victories were among the highlights for Mifflin County, even though it was Hershey who left the Juniata Valley YMCA with the top team scores. The Trojan boys won 122-45 and the girls 125-43.
Becker was part of a third gold medal when the Huskies won the 200 freestyle relay. Also in that race were Zack Bonson, Shane Whalen and Seth Barger.
"The boys 200 relay was neck and neck. It was a great race," Welch said. "What a great win for them."
The girls had two first-place finishers in three events. Sarah Bonson won the 200 individual medley and the 100 butterfly while Megan Becker took the 50 freestyle.
"I wish we could pull out a (team) win," Welch said. "The kids just keep swimming great, they keep dropping times. It's just not reflected in the score."
Third-place individuals for the boys were Zack Bonson (50 freestyle and 100 butterfly), Barger (100 freestyle) and Drew Kline (500 freestyle). The boys also were third in the 200 medley relay and 400 freestyle relay.
Morgan Angney was the only other top placewinner for the girls, finishing third in the 100 backstroke. The girls finished third in three relays, the 200 medley, 200 freestyle and 400 freestyle.
Up next for the Huskies is a trip to Clearfield Saturday for the Arctic Classic.
Wrestling
Cumberland Valley 42, Mifflin County 18
MECHANICSBURG - Bonus points and a forfeit proved harmful to Mifflin County, which fell for just the second time this year in a dual meet and the first time in the Mid-Penn Conference, dropping a Commonwealth Division match to Cumberland Valley, 42-18, Thursday.
The Huskies entered the meet giving up six points at 113 pounds due to an injured Hayden Hidlay, who is among the state's best in his weight class and could have turned a 12-point swing on the scoreboard. But even that would not have helped against the powerful Eagles, who have a couple state-ranked wrestlers on their roster.
Mifflin County won only five matches, four of those by straight decision: Isaac Underhill (120), Noah Stewart (126), Brandon Wilson (145) and Kyle Kahley (220). Caleb Rhodes pinned CV's Shane DuPietro in the biggest win of the night for the Huskies, one that came after the winner had been decided.
Mifflin County hosts Central Mountain Wednesday.
Mount Union 51, Moshannon Valley 25
HOUTZDALE - Three forfeits to Mount Union opened the Trojans Inter-County Conference dual at Moshannon Valley, and it didn't get any better for the Knights after that, as the home team dropped a 51-25 decision to the Trojans Thursday.
Nikolas Smith (185 pounds) and Sage Moist (113) each pinned their opponent in less than a minute; it took only slightly longer for Tyler Foor (120) and Jake Boozel (126) to earn six points for the team.
Mount Union hosts Bellwood-Antis tonight.
Shikellamy 47, Midd-West 23
SUNBURY - Midd-West and Shikellamy traded leads briefly before the Braves moved ahead for good in a Heartland Conference dual meet Thursday, winning 47-23.
The Mustangs got bonus-point wins outs of Tanner Ebright (126 pounds), Zach Heeter (145) and Alex Lieberman (170).
Midd-West is in the Panther Duals Saturday.
Girls basketball
Mount Union 65, Moshannon Valley 47
MOUNT UNION - Tynita White scored 27 points and two other Mount Union players struck in double figures as the Trojans handled Moshannon Valley, 65-47, in Inter-County Conference girls basketball Thursday.
"(White) posted up well," Mount Union coach Jenny Cunningham said. "When she gets the ball in the blocks it's easy for her - she's a strong, dominant player."
While the team did better as a whole on offense, she said, it still needs work on execution.
Ashlyn Drake had 12 for the Trojans and Aaliyah Gilbert-Walker 12.
Moshannon Valley won the JV game.
Mount Union (5-4, 2-2) travels to Juniata Valley Jan. 10.
Boys basketball
Halifax 47, Juniata 38
HALIFAX - A few fouls for possession late in the game didn't hurt Juniata - but sending Halifax to the line 31 times was the difference, especially when the Wildcats converted 20 of those chances.
Halifax won the Tri-Valley League boys basketball game, 47-38.
"They went more to the line in the first half more than we did in the whole game," Juniata coach Nate Geibel said. "Then we turned the ball over 20 times, too."
Geibel said the Indians were outplayed defensively, which led to them fouling.
Zack Graybill scored 14 for Juniata and Logan Knepp 12.
Halifax won the JV game, 38-28.
Juniata (1-7, 0-4) hosts Newport Monday.
Junior high
Boys basketball
9th grade: Mount Nittany 65, Mifflin County 32. High scorer, Cade Attick 25 points.
8th grade: Mount Nittany 25, Mifflin County 23. High scorer, Nelson Cook 9 points.
7th grade: Mount Nittany 34, Mifflin County 18. High scorer, Drew Westover 9 points. The Huskies host Penns Valley tonight.
Wrestling
Mifflin County 54, Cumberland Valley 34. Winners for the Huskies were Joey Taptich, Andrew Wert, Kyle Smith, Jonah Kile, Daulton Hildebrandt, Austin Emel, Quentin Milliken, Isaac Maclay, Trey Hartsock, Mike Bielski and Gavin Patterson. The Huskies are 9-1.
Mount Union 60, Moshannon Valley 30. Winners for the Trojans were Jonathan Atherton, Samuel Estep, D.J. Bookwalter, Teagan Locke, Riley Grainey, Mason Hockenberry, Josh Boozel, Devon Pearce, Evan Fortney, Andrew Todaro, Bryce Smith and Devin Kuhstos.
