EVAN WHEATON/Sun-Gazette Williamsport’s wrestling team warms up before the opening round of the PIAA Class AAA team tournament. The Millionaires have sent five wrestlers to the individual state tournament, the most since 1994.

The tree was planted years ago. Now the fruit is ripe for picking.

Williamsport’s wrestling team has become a powerhouse in Pennsylvania. This year’s Millionaires roster — and its results — is the culmination of countless hours put in by coach Brian Nasdeo to build up the program.

Taking first as a team in the District 4-9 Class AAA tournament, as well as first at the Northwest Regionals, are just the latest additions to a rapidly growing resume.

Williamsport made its best finish at the Top Hat since the mid-1990s, won its first ever King of the Mountain title, finished within the top 20 at the Powerade, handed Central Mountain its first dual loss to a HAC team since the Wildcats joined the conference, and now five wrestlers are heading to the PIAA tournament.

“This was all the expectations from me,” Nasdeo said. “I would’ve been disappointed if we didn’t do all those things.”

Nasdeo’s son and Penn State commit, Cael, as well as Charles Crews, were crowned regional champions at 113 and 285 respectively.

Twin brothers Riley (145) and Braden Bower (132) — both Bucknell commits — along with Roman Morrone (160), each placed second at regionals, clinching berths to Hershey.

The most wrestlers Williamsport has ever sent to the individual state tournament was six in 1994. One wrestler short of matching that record, the 2021-22 Millionaires are glowing from numerous years of polish.

“It’s been a long journey that not many other people have seen. It feels like it’s been the last couple of years, but it’s been the last over a decade of my life,” Nasdeo said. “It’s been a long, long journey, and these were the goals. The neat part about it is these were the goals for a long time and they’ve come to fruition.”

Cael Nasdeo — now a two-time state qualifier and ranked third in the state at 113 — earned a pin and tech fall through the bracket before taking a 6-4 decision over Mifflin County’s Nic Allison in the final for his second regional title. Nasdeo is the reigning state runner-up, Williamsport’s first state finalist in 26 years.

Crews earned his regional title via a 3-2 decision in his sixth career meeting with Clearfield’s Oliver Billotte. Since losing his first three matches against Billotte, Crews has placed fourth in Fargo over the summer and opened this season with finals appearances at the Top Hat and King of the Mountain, winning out the latter.

“He didn’t start wrestling until he was in seventh grade, so it’s only his sixth year of wrestling,” Nasdeo said on Crews. “He’s come pretty darn far … he gets better and better all the time.”

Cael Nasdeo (30-3) will face the winner between Boyertown’s No. 26 Luke Heimbach and Northampton’s No. 7 Carson Wagner to open the state tournament. Crews (37-6) will take on Kiski’s Stone Joseph.

Morrone has had a strong postseason going back to the team tournament, coming up with crucial wins to help land the Millionaires in fourth place. In the individual postseason, Morrone reached two career milestones with his 100th win and 50th pin over the past two weeks.

“He’s been wrestling well. He’s putting it together at the right time,” Nasdeo said on Morrone.

Sitting on a 33-10 record this season, Morrone will kick off the tournament with a bout against Beth Cath’s Landon Muth.

Three-time state qualifier Braden Bower, ranked No. 4 in the state, will take on No. 20 Ivan Vega of Spring Grove. Riley Bower — also No. 4 in the state — will duel Nazareth’s No. 14 Nicholas Foster.

Brian Nasdeo was a part of that 1994 team that sent six wrestlers to the individual state tournament. From his own wrestling career to his coaching one, Nasdeo is more than familiar with the grand stage.

But that was then. The focus is solely on five of Williamsport’s current wrestlers this week.

“I don’t know that I’ve ever really thought about it, it was so long ago that it’s not real ripe in the memory,” Nasdeo said on his trips to the state finals as both wrestler and coach. “I’m glad to be here and I care about this program. … It’s a whole new group of kids and it’s a different day and age for sure.”

The most notable season in decades for the Millionaires has reached its climax. The opening rounds of the Class AAA tournament begin at 4 p.m. on Thursday.

“I don’t know if it’s paid off yet. We’ll find out this week,” Nasdeo said on Williamsport’s season. “This was the goal. We’ll see what we can do.”