Bowen Claims North Section Wrestling Tournament Title

By: Ed Weaver  /  February 16, 2025  /  Photo: Matt Stevens

Senior Ryder Bowen became Wellsboro's first North Section champion since the 2016-17 season after securing the 189 lb. bracket in front of the Hornet crowd on Saturday, February 15.

The last Wellsboro wrestler to win his or her section was Kaleb Smith at 220 lbs.

Bowen started the day with a 21-11 major decision over Canton's Leland Pepper in the semi-finals after receiving a 1st round bye. He then defeated Towanda's Zach Lantz 10-3 in the 189 lb. final. After a scoreless 1st period, Bowen was hit was an early warning, which led to Lantz escaping from the bottom position to take a 1-0 lead over Bowen. Bowen later took the lead with 21 seconds left in the 2nd period on a takedown. After picking the bottom position to start period three, Bowen escaped to push the lead to 4-1, then secured two more takedowns to solidify his title.

"It feels amazing," Bowen said after the match. "I've been a runner up and a qualifier but it's been a long time coming and feels great. Once I got that takedown I felt the energy switch over to my side."

Bowen achieved his first goal of the season to become a sectional champion. Now he sets his sights on next weekend's District tournament.

"That tournament is hard but if I wrestle smart, I have the ability, I can make it happen."

"I’m so proud of Ryder and the hard work he's put in over the past 4 years, which ended in him achieving his goal of a sectional title after falling short last year," said head coach Bryce Bitner. "It was special for him and all of us winning it in our own building especially after our journey of trying to rebuild the program. He's earned it and I'm really happy for him, his family, and his teammates who all contributed to his success."

Wellsboro also had four other wrestlers advance to next week's District tournament. Joining Bowen will be juniors Hayden Stevens (285) and Mason Nowak (133) and seniors Silas Mickey (160) and Evan Ingerick (172).

Nowak won his 1st round match via a 14-0 major decision over Williamson's Ryder Dacheux before falling to Towanda's Gage Evans in the semi-finals via a 18-1 tech fall in 1:25. Nowak rebounded to win his consolation semi-final match as he pinned Wyalusing's Marshall Huston in 4:08. Nowak dropped his 3rd place bout to Troy's Keagan Kerr in 2:33 to finish 4th overall.

After falling to Williamson's Steven Olson in the quarterfinals (3:29), Mickey pinned Canton's Lawrence Halbfoerster in 14 seconds in the 3rd round consolation, then pinned Wyalusing's Reuben Kinney in 4:26 to win his consolation semi-final bout. Mickey ended up placing 4th on the day, falling to Towanda's Jace Gunther on a 4-1 decision in sudden victory (overtime).

Ingerick won this opening round match, pinning North Penn-Liberty's Ryan Roupp in 1:10, but then fell to Towanda's Chase Geurin in a 19-3 tech fall in the semi-finals. In his consolation semi-final match Ingerick pinned Northeast Bradford's Connor Eastabrook in 3:54 before falling to Troy's Rylan Breidt in 3:12 to finish in 4th place.

Stevens won a 4-1 decision over NEB's Ben Ellis to start his day before being pinned by Towanda's undefeated heavyweight, Mason Higley, in 1:36. Stevens won his consolation semi-final match 1-0 over Wyalusing's Brenden Wells before falling to Troy's Reed Palmer 4-2 in the 3rd place match.

Sophomore Wyatt Kilburn finished 5th overall in his 152 lb. weight class. He was pinned by Towanda's Rylee Sluyter in 2:39 to start the day, he then defeated Troy's Bridon Putnam in 2:28 in his third round consolation match. Kilburn fell to Sullivan County's Layne Price in 3:50 in the consolation semi-finals before scoring a 9-6 decision over Canton's Manuel Halbfoerster for 5th place.

"I'm extremely proud of all of our Hornet wrestlers for their efforts today, with some falling just short," continued Bitner. "They've all made improvements this year and we're so proud of them. Hayden, Mason, Silas, and Evan have worked hard and set goals for themselves to make it to Williamsport, and they've achieved it. I'm so proud of them, just as our fans, teammates, and their families are. We're excited for the next step in the journey."

Bowen, Stevens, Mickey, Nowak and Ingerick will all take part in next week's District tournament at Williamsport beginning on Friday evening.