Bentworth’s McClure proves he’s a fast learner
HERSHEY – Sometimes, losing can be a very constructive experience.
Just ask Drake McClure.
The Bentworth 139-pound junior gained a wealth of information about his opponent in a 6-3 loss to Michael McNeal of Derry at the Class 2A Southwest Regional at Altoona last week.
That information was more than useful in McClure’s first-round match in the PIAA Class 2A Championships at the Giant Center on Thursday.
McClure, who finished eighth in this tournament last year, pinned McNeal in 3:26 and will take on Gavin Green of Delone Catholic in the quarterfinals. Green has a 39-7 record and finished fifth in the state tournament last year.
“I learned a lot,” said McClure. “Now that I look back on that match, I’m thankful I lost that match. I would have been complacent, and I don’t know whether I would have won this one.”
McClure broke a 0-0 tie when he cradled McNeal and then pinned him. That win brought him as much satisfaction as did beating the top seed in the regional Owen McMullen, 1-0.
“I had low confidence,” McClure said, “and that just gave me a lot more.”
Lucas Barr of McGuffey has confidence, and a heck of an arm bar. He used those bars to take a 16-1 technical fall over Andrew Kapec of Sullivan County in the first round. Barr, who won his 175th career match, will get Brady Slicker of Hickory in the second round today.
“I didn’t do anything crazy,” Barr said. “I kept to my basics. Working hard, tech falled him.”
Barr said the main goal is to secure a medal. He has been here four times without doing so. He wants that to change.
Barr used to talk to Jeremy Hunter, whose win record he’s broken, when Jeremy’s father lived next door. But now that he’s passed, Barr has lost a good friend. Jeremy is currently the head coach at Illinois.
Nathan Layhuue of Beth-Center won his first bout at 215 against Jacob Schwaimer. He takes on Aiden Bliss of Port Allegheny in the second round.
Heavyweight Colin Whyte of West Greene won his opening bout by 16-1 technical fall over Davis Peters of Greensburg Salem. Next up is Eoghan Savage of Upper Darby.