Cougars Slip Past Dawgs 35 - 30 On January 18
Coach Yates Honored By Berwick Wrestling Family For His 200th Career Win

Berwick hosted the Cougars of Hazleton Area on January 18.  Prior to the night's action, Head Coach Ernie Yates was honored in front of the Berwick Faithful for notching his 200th career win against Lake Lehman on January 12 (click here for previous story).   With great pride, the Berwick Wrestling Family presented Coach Yates with both a commemorative plaque and a basket of gifts for his historic achievement.  Congratulations Coach Yates!!

It was no secret that this dual with Hazleton would be a tight contest featuring several key bouts.  In the end, both teams split the featured key bouts as well as recorded pins.  Hazleton's ability to gain wins in 8 bouts versus 6 for Berwick was the difference and the Cougars slipped past the Dawgs by the score of 35-30.

Hazleton opened the night's action on a strong note taking the first three bouts, two by fall and one exciting 3-0 decision in a key match-up.  After just a short period of time Berwick was on the low side of a 0-15 score.

Phenom freshman Dominick Yantorn, in a battle featuring the top 2 ranked district 103-pounders, put on a dazzling display of determination to gain a hotly contested and thrilling 1-0 decision.  Yantorn's victory put the first points on the board for the Dawgs but Hazleton would come right back and take the next 3 bouts.  The second Cougar rally secured two decisions and one fall for Hazleton.

Berwick was now down 3-27 and in danger of letting the night's action get out of control.  The young and talented Dawgs responded in brilliant fashion by igniting their own come-back rally that raised the fervent Berwick fans to their feet several times.

Junior team captain Tyler Perry got the Berwick fans to their feet by recording a lightening quick and devastating pin in just a mere 19 seconds.  Super sophomore Nick Venditti followed suit by delivering a commanding second period fall that once again elevated the Dawg Faithful to their feet.  The two falls recorded by Perry and Venditti quickly closed the scoring gap to a 15-27 deficit.

The Cougars captured the next bout by major decision that elevated the Hazleton lead to 31-15.

Berwick then put on another dazzling display of wrestling that saw them capture three of the final four bouts of the night.  The Cougars tipped their hat and awarded a forfeit to sophomore Sean Armstrong.  Senior team captain Josh Walsh then took to the circle of war next and lit the fireworks by delivering a crushing first period fall.

Walsh's fall brought the Dawgs back in reach.  What was once a 3-27 score was now 27-31 and Berwick was only down by a mere four points.

Hazleton finally put the match in their pocket by taking the next bout by major decision that provided them with an untouchable 35-27 lead.

The last bout of the night also featured another great battle.  Sophomore sensation Aaron Karns squared up for a battle that was not for a team win.  This battle was for pride.  Karns got the Dawg crowd on the feet with voices raised high as Aaron wrestled a smart and intense full six minutes for a superb 11-7 decision.

The win by Karns, just one of many talented Berwick underclassman, gave the Berwick Faithful cheers to end the night and continued hope that the young and talented Dawgs will only continue to improve.

Winning Dawgs Against Hazleton
Dom Yantorn:  Decision
Tyler Perry:  Fall
Nick Venditti:  Fall
Sean Armstrong:  Forfeit
Josh Walsh:  Fall
Aaron Karns:  Decision

Go Dawgs!!