TIM WEIGHT/Special to the Sun-Gazette Central Mountain’s Collin Bauman has his hand raised after winning a match this year. After missing out on his sophomore season, Bauman rebounded with a trip to regionals this year.

Following a promising freshman campaign, Central Mountain’s Collin Bauman entered his sophomore year with heightened expectations. He had just stood as the starter at 107 throughout his entire first season with the team and capped off a strong start to his high school career by making podium at regionals.

But just as the 2023-24 season was kicking off, he’d endure a setback that would derail his chances of picking up where he left off.

A broken collarbone would keep him off the mats indefinitely. And though he’d manage to see action before season’s end, it wouldn’t come until state duals in February, not nearly enough time to get him where he needed to be to make another deep postseason run.

“It was the practice right after our first match, so it was kind of bad,” said Bauman on the injury. “I wasn’t conditioned enough last year as I am now, and I think that’s a big reason why I didn’t (qualify for regionals).”

Just like that, his sophomore season was lost – a campaign which did feature a district medal but none of the glory that came with his prior run.

But rather than let that become a defining shift in his success with the team, he got to work getting back to where he had been in terms of conditioning and building on what he learned as a freshman. He’s since gone on to surpass his win total from his first season (18), with his 19th win over Mifflin County’s Paxton Shawver granting him a district bronze and the second regional berth of his career.

“It feels great. Glad to be back in a regional spot,” said Bauman. “Now that I’m more conditioned and energized, I think that’s why I am where I am now.”

Those improvements have become more apparent through the month of February, particularly in matchups that previously stood in his way.

After getting pinned by Shikellamy’s Ryder Borich six matches into his junior season, Bauman would avenge the loss in a crucial spot for the team, defeating Borich by 9-3 decision as the Wildcats scraped by the Braves, 29-28. That nine-point flip was crucial in helping his team prevail, a victory which propelled it into the PIAA Class AAA Team quarterfinals.

And on two separate occasions at districts, he’d be tasked with overcoming Shawver, an opponent who previously held a 3-0 record over him.

In a way, Shawver was a representation of the hardships Bauman had to endure as a sophomore. Two of his seven defeats within that campaign had occurred against the Mifflin County sophomore, one which sent him to consolations at districts.

“The first match of the day was against and that just got my heart racing,” said Bauman on the matchup. “I knew he was one of the better ones in this bracket and that if I could beat him, I could go to regionals.”

In their most recent matchup up to that point, one match removed from Bauman’s earlier loss to Borich, Shawver had prevailed in a 6-1 decision.

But under the bright lights at Altoona through two vastly different matches, it’d be all Bauman, who’d advance to district semifinals with a second-period pin before prevailing in a tight, third-place bout to clinch his regional berth.

That third-place final would fully display Bauman’s improvements, both in terms of technique and ever-growing confidence. After giving up a late lead in the third period, with Shawver pulling off a reversal to send the bout into sudden victory, the Central Mountain junior remained on the attack with everything on the line.

He’d catch his opponent reeling from the very beginning of the period, getting a good grip established behind him before slamming him down to the mat. Though that wouldn’t result in a takedown, it would set the foundation for Bauman’s eventual, double-legged clincher seconds later, as the junior took district bronze before flexing for the crowd.

“It’s very exciting,” said Bauman on the moment. “Lately, I’ve been wrestling with a lot of space and that’s where I get most my takedowns because I’m a lengthier guy. So, I always lower my level and go right through, get on a double and finish.”

Having grown since his freshman season, Bauman has learned to take advantage of the benefits that spurt has gained him. And when he was asked about the keys to his growth in confidence, Bauman gave credit to his teammates.

“I think most of it is confidence. Lately, a lot of our coaches and teammates have been hyping each other up more than I’ve seen,” said Bauman. “We all believe in each other and push each other in the mat room. I think that’s why we are where we are right now.”

He joins seven other Wildcats in their respective pursuits of making podium at regionals and keeping their individual postseason runs alive another round. While the going gets tougher from here, Bauman looks forward to next Saturday, where the team will look to leave its marking on the West Class AAA Regional.

“I think it’s just staying calm and confident and believing in everyone here,” said Bauman on his focuses moving forward. “Always believe in yourself and never give up.”