HERSHEY–When Warrior Run fell behind early in the match and didn’t have all momentum or control in Friday morning’s consolation match, the Defenders didn’t panic. They knew as long as they battled in every match and hung around close enough, they would put themselves in position to win.

The Defenders did that when a final pin at 145 sealed a 28-22 victory.

The beginning of the match wasn’t the prettiest at times for Warrior Run. Wrestlers battled hard and fought in each match, but West Perry was doing everything they could to stay ahead. The Mustangs won four of the opening six bouts, but Warrior Run never gave up.

The Defenders closed the match with four victories in a row–including three wins by decision–to help advance them to the second round of the consolation bracket. The win was far from easy, but the sharp technique and never-give-up mentality paced Tyler Ulrich, Samuel Hall, Reagan and Kaden Millheim and Warrior Run to the top.

“We had two guys that we relied on there at the end,” Warrior Run coach Jeremy Betz said after the match. “Having to win two matches with two guys that have won a lot of matches this year, we felt comfortable.”

West Perry had all control for a majority of the match. The Defenders began the match down 9-3 and eventually fell behind 12-3 after the Mustangs won at 189. But Warrior Run did enough to hang around and stay in the match.

Connor Parker went ahead 7-0 early and got a fall in 3:48 to bring Warrior Run within three points. Down 15-7 at 107, Cohen Zechman won a 7-4 decision that gave the Defenders some life. Although Warrior Run dropped the following two matches, Zechman’s victory was proof that a comeback was possible.

“Everybody just focused on their job and didn’t look at the score in the moment,” coach Betz said. “They knew what their job was at any given point. We were overmatched in a few weights early (but) they didn’t look at the team score. They rooted their teammates on and that helped get the job done.”

Warrior Run’s poise was a huge part of their success. For a team that was in an elimination situation and didn’t have momentum, the Defenders were keen on their team dynamics. Based on the team’s balance and presence of the moment, Warrior Run trusted one another.

In matches where the Defenders lost, there were many times when Warrior Run could have given up points and stopped fighting, but they didn’t. Not only was that huge for the team in the end, but it was monumental on an individual basis.

“Isaiah (Betz) came back, he was on the verge of losing a major decision, Hunter Hauck fought hard in heavyweight and Gavin Hunter,” coach Betz said when asked what matches helped contribute to the win. “That kid is a stud. He scraped and went toe-to-toe that helped us win.”

Warrior Run now sets their sights on a matchup with Berks Catholic/Brookville at Warrior Run’s objective is to focus on themselves–particularly their mindsets–before worrying about what team to wrestle in front of them.

“It’s basically them taking care of their bodies and trying to get themselves in the right mental mindset,” coach Betz concluded.

Warrior Run 28, West Perry 22.

152 – Carter Nace pinned Eli Butler, 1:51 (0-6); 160 – Cameron Milheim dec. Nolen Zeigler, 7-1 (3-6); 172 – Justice Hockenberry-Folk dec. Isaiah Betz, 7-2 (3-9); 189 – Quade Boden dec. Cole Shupp, 3-1 SV (3-12); 215 – Connor Parker pinned Cayden Sleva, 2:42 (9-12); 285 – Anthony D’Angelo dec. Hunter Hauck, 9-6 (9-15); 107 – Cohen Zechman dec. Ethan Rea, 7-4 (12-15); 114 – Ashtyn Leigh dec. Trey Nicholas, 10-4 (12-18); 121 – Jackson Rush maj. dec. Gavin Hunter, 14-4 (12-22); 127 – Tyler Ulrich maj. dec. Cooper Nace, 14-4 (16-22); 133 – Samuel Hall dec. Blain Puchalsky, 4-2 SV (19-22); 139 – Reagan Milheim dec. Tyler Morrison, 6-3 (22-22); 145 – Kaden Milheim pinned Tucker Seidel, 4:05 (28-22).