A sheer lack of wrestlers on its bench has hurt the Bradford Owls this season.  

Giving up a slew of points via forfeit every match, the winless Owls came face-to-face with a team that looked very familiar to its own— in terms of size that is.

In a night that featured only four contested matches, Bradford toppled understaffed Allegheny Mountain Division opponent Cameron County 36-6 to take home its first win of the season.

Brett Thompson (132) won by pin in 42 seconds, Dillon Keane (170) won by pin in 25 seconds, Kholten Fuller (195) won by pin in 1:33 and Dylan Mazzone won by a 3-0 decision.

“Really, they’re fairly inexperienced,” said Owls coach Jamey Miller on the Raiders team. “All their experienced kids are out and ineligible, which really is unfortunate for us because we were trying to get some better matchups.”  

These “better matchups” are what the Owls have been looking for all season in preparation for the postseason what’s to come after the regular season is over.

“I think we have a decent shot in the postseason,” said Miller who’s kept his team’s attention there all season. “With our low numbers again this year, that’s all we’ve been focusing on.”

With so few wrestlers to contest matches with, Bradford’s attention has moved to looking at the individuals that make up the team rather than the team itself.

“I honestly believe Brett Thompson has a really good shot at possibly making it to states, Colby and Dillon Keane both and Derek Sunafrank for that matter as well all have a chance to go far in the postseason,” said Miller.

“For the first time this season, Bradford didn’t lose based solely on the fact that it failed to fill a wrestler in each weight class.

“Instead, Cameron County handed over the forfeits, giving the Owls the same look they’ve given competition all season.

BRADFORD 36, CAMERON CO. 6

106- No Match

113 – No Match

120 – No Match

126- No Match

132 – Brett Thompson (B) won by fall over Eryn Kreig, 0:42

138 – Michael Gow (B) received a forfeit

145 – Ethan Fields (CC) received a forfeit

152 – No Match

160 – Colby Keane (B) won by forfeit

170 – Dillon Keane (B) won by fall over Caleb Pifer, 0:25

182 – Derek Sunafrank (B) received a forfeit

195 – Kholten Fuller (B) won by fall over Devin Geitner, 3:33

220 – No Match

285- Dylan Mazzone (B) won by decision over Tim Hasselman, 1-0