By Payton Brooks, staff writer and Cutter’b Pritchard, sports editor

In the last 25 years, no team from Crawford County had won the Tool City wrestling tournament. That is until January 7, when Saegertown took the tournament in stellar fashion, marking the first time any PENNCREST school has held the crown.

“It showed that we have a chance to make it to states and win,” said freshman Kenny Kiser. This was Kiser’s first time at the tournament, and he placed second after pinning his way through the bracket. Kiser was one of four Panthers to go to the finals, including juniors Colton Beck and Cody Mulligan, and senior Jude Mattocks. Beck and Kiser finished as runner-ups, while both Mulligan and Mattocks took home first place plaques.

An additional six Panthers reached the podium; freshman Alex Kightlinger, senior Brent Elizon, and senior Jarott Ruhl placed sixth, while seniors Daytona English, Zack Posego, and Tyler Brooks finished in fifth.

Mulligan’s finish was especially impressive because not only was it his third Tool City title, but it was also his 100th win. After he won the championship, Mulligan looked into the stands to find his supporters.

“I was excited because I saw a bunch of my family there with a sign, and that meant a lot. The whole crowd applauded, and the announcer announced it as my 100th win,” said Mulligan. Now that he has this milestone under his belt, he wants to win states as an individual and make it to Hershey with the team.
“It isn’t just one Saegertown wrestler out there on that mat, it is all of us wrestling that match. We feel the pain of losing, and we feel the high of winning as a family.That’s what makes a great team. To be able to go out and wrestle every match to our best ability, that is what won us this tournament,” said Beck.