The Warriors and Defenders of District 4 themselves finished in its top eighth, with Montoursville taking bronze and Warrior Run placing fourth. Montoursville did so in its first appearance at King of the Mountain and the Defenders earned their highest placement since their initial invitation in 2021.

For Montoursville, it faced additional adversity to the large cast of talented teams. A vast portion of its wrestlers had dealt with sickness throughout the week, which came with a lack of practice and an overarching sluggishness throughout the event.

“We had a number of kids that were very sick, did not practice all week, and then came here and gutted out some hard performances,” said Montoursville coach Matt Yonkin. “We preached to the kids this week that adversity creates character and dealing with what was put in front of us, we did what we had to do. We handled it well.”

That was certainly the case, as Montoursville’s placement came thanks to an all-around team performance.

David Kennedy of Montoursville and Aiden Kunes of Central Mountain wrestle at 127 pounds during the King of the Mountain wrestling meet tournament at Central Mountain High School, Saturday Dec. 16, 2023. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Eight members of the roster performed on Day 2, with five ultimately placing in the top-five of their respective weight classes in Teli Bobotas (second), David Kennedy (third), Cole Yonkin (fourth), Gage Wentzel (fifth) and Landon Morehart (fifth). The Warriors were also second behind tourney champion Central Mountain in pins with 19, a factor that boosted them to where they ultimately finished.

“What I’m excited about was the level of intensity and urgency we wrestled with this weekend,” said Yonkin. “We came out of the gate strong, physical, aggressive and that translated not only into wins but into bonus points. The work that our guys did in the consolation round, I’m super proud of.”

Every point and placement mattered, with Warrior Run coming just five points away from surpassing them.

Four of its five wrestlers that placed won at least one consolation game. Morehart carried his consolation run through Day 2’s entirety and bounce-back wins from Yonkin in consolation semis, Wentzel for fifth and Kennedy for third all served to bolster their score. And on limited practice, along with Kennedy and Wentzel – among others, Bobotas showed little signs of struggle in his run for silver.

“I just think this was a solid team effort and the progress that we made from the other night (against Hughesville) was very important and it showed,” said Yonkin. “This was a team performance, super proud to come out of here third. We’ll take it, be happy and move forward.”

David Kennedy of Montoursville and Aiden Kunes of Central Mountain wrestle at 127 pounds during the King of the Mountain wrestling meet tournament at Central Mountain High School, Saturday Dec. 16, 2023. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

On the other side, Warrior Run saw four of its seven Day 2 representatives get eliminated and stood unshaken, prospering in the final rounds and sporting enough firepower down the stretch to place in the top five.

Meadowbrook Christian transfer Max Wirnsberger, Reagan Milheim and Cameron Milheim all earned gold in their respective weight classes, with the former Milheim avenging his fourth-place finish from last year’s tournament, the latter securing his second King of the Mountain title and Wirnsberger taking first in his first appearance at the tournament.

“We wanted to have more placers, but we came out with three finalists and three champs,” said Cameron Milheim on the team’s success. “So, I think that speaks a lot about the kids in our room and how hard we’re working. This tournament is a building block to the state tournament.”

His final opponent didn’t make his run easy, as Central Mountain’s Griffin Walizer gave him a serious run for the title at 152. A late ankle-sweep takedown was enough to ultimately seal the deal – as he took complete control of their low-scoring battle from there, but there’s not a lot of room for error in a contest that concludes at 5-2.

“Me and Griffin [Walizer] train at the same club, so we’re familiar. He’s a great competitor and good friend,” said Milheim when discussing his opponent. “I think just working more on my offense is a big thing I’m focusing on this year. Last year, I was a bit timid in matches with good opponents. I think improving on my offense will take me to the next level.”

Max Wirnsberger of Warrior Run is taken down by Gavin Sheridan of Boyertown during their match at 133 pounds during the King of the Mountain wrestling meet tournament at Central Mountain High School, Saturday Dec. 16, 2023. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Though Reagan’s run finished anticlimactically, with him winning the title at 145 by injury default, his previous matches were anything but. He was able to secure a second-period pin in his quarterfinal match after racking up seven quick points. Then, in his semifinal matchup, he secured a late pin after racking up 12.

“Yeah, it’s exciting because I came here last year, faced a tough bracket and took fourth,” said Milheim. “So, coming back and taking first feels good.”

Last but not least, Wirnberger’s tournament conclusion was the opposite. Close defensive battles through quarters and semis carried into a championship matchup in which he trailed 1-0 heading into its final moments. With all hope seeming lost – to the audience – and his opponent at his back, he was able to flip him over and miraculously finished the match with a reversal at the buzzer.

“I knew there was short time left and I’ve never panicked in those situations,” said Wirnsberger. “I knew there was still time on the clock to get it and I got it.”

All in all, each team did what it had to do to prosper in a tournament featuring an immense number of teams and considerable talent. It’s a testament to what they’ve been building and a sign of things to come later in the season.

Cole Yonkin of Montoursville is taken down by Rocco Serafini of Central Mountain during their match at 215 pounds during the King of the Mountain wrestling meet tournament at Central Mountain High School, Saturday Dec. 16, 2023. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

TEAM KEY: CMT–Central Mountain; BOY-Boyertown; MCT-Mifflin County; MTV-Montoursville; BEA-Bald Eagle Area; BPK-Bethel Park; CBG-Chambersburg; WRR-Warrior Run; OJR-Owen J. Roberts; CYK-Central York; CHR-Chestnut Ridge; WAL-West Allegheny; CMV-Cumberland Valley; GRL-Greater Latrobe; GML-General McLane; PKL-Parkland; HMP-Hempfield; BKV-Brookville; LMT-Line Mountain; NYK-Northern York; STC-State College; CMM-Canon McMillan; CRB-Cranberry; SHL-Shaler; EPH-Ephrata; PTV-Pottsville; WCR-West Chester Rustin; BLF-Bellefonte; ALT-Altoona; RDL-Red Lion; MUN-Muncy; WPT-Williamsport; CRN-Cranberry; LTR-Latrobe

CHAMPIONSHIP

QUARTERFINALS

107: Tanner Guenot, BEA maj. dec. Andrew Alexander, MCT 11-2; Gavin Heverly, CMT dec. Wyatt Long, BLF 2-1; Aaden Schieffer, CYK dec. Dominick Nardozza, ALT 7-0; Teli Bobotas, MTV maj. dec. Anthony Jones, SHL 12-2. 114: Dominic Deputy, CHR pinned Bradyn Schadel, LMT 2:36; Dalton Wenner, CRN dec. Leo Joseph, LTR; Tanner Mizenko, CMM dec. Phil Montes, CMV 6-4; Braiden Weaver, ALT pinned Eli Russ, PRK 0:38. 121: Luke Willochell, LTR pinned Caden Judice, BEA 2:13; Caiden Harbert WAL dec. Blake Dergham, PKL 5-4; Zach Sherman, CBG dec. Easton Mull, CHR 5-4; Brock Rothermel, LMT dec. Collier Hartman, CMM, 7-4. 127: Andrew Binni, CMM pinned Seth Miller, BPK, 4:41; Jacob Braun, LTR dec. Blake Aumiller, MCT 5-3; David Kennedy, MTV dec. Aiden Kunes, CMT 12-5; Lucas Fye, BEA maj. dec. Jackson Orrell, RDL 8-0.

133: Gavin Sheridan, BOY pinned Mason Harvey, RDL 1:31; Connor Killion, CMVV dec. Mason Weyandt, CHR 6-4; Elijas Brosious, CRN dec. Aden Stout, BPK 1-0; Max Wirnsberger, WRR dec. Logan Maurer, CVV 3-0. 139: Luke Simcox, CMT pinned Beck Babb, BOY 4:53; Nolan Baumert, LMT dec. Dane Wenner, CRN 4-1; Mason Kernan, BPK tech fall Ezra Swisher, BLF 20-5, 4:48; Seamus Mack, HM pinned James Whitbred, STC 0:35. 145: Dalton Perry, CMT pinned Noah Weaver, BLF 0:52; Cole Householder , BKV dec. Jake Mitchell, CMV 8-3; Ethan Higgins, BPK dec. Elias Long, CYK 5-1; Reagan Milheim, WRR pinned Shane Stankina, BOY, 3:25. 152: Cameron Milheim, WRR tech fall Devyn Fleeger, CRN 22-7, 5:07; Parker Kearns, MCT dec. Nick Jones, WAL 6-4; GAge Wentzel, MTV maj. dec. Wyatt Dillon, CYK 11-3; Griffin Walizer, CMT maj. dec. Kyle Deisley, HM 13-5.

Reagan Milheim of Warrior Run and Dalton Perry of Central Mountain tie up during their match at 145 pounds during the King of the Mountain wrestling meet tournament at Central Mountain High School, Saturday Dec. 16, 2023. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

160: Asher Cunningham, STC tech fall Eli Butler WRR 16-1, 3:05; Carter Davis, CYK maj. dec. Parrish McFarland, PTV 9-0; Luke Spies, ALT dec. Deakon Schaefer, MCT 7-3; Nick Kunstek, PTV maj. dec. Dalton Schadel, LMT 15-2. 172: Shawn Taylor, WAL via DQ; Hunter Snyder, LTR dec. Avery Aurand, MCT 7-5; Terrell McFarland, PTV dec. Jacob Weaver, CMT 2-1 TB; Sam Gaeutreau OJR tech fall Kohen Shingara, LMT 19-4, 3:23. 189: Cole Bartram, NYK pinned Dysen Neill, OJR 1:46; Easton Belfiore, BBKV pinned JJ Plaza, HMP 4:23; Dayne Miller, CMV pinned Magnus Lloyd, GML 4:43; Caleb Close EA pinned Bryce Brungard, CMT 3:12. 215: Dillon Bechtold OJR pinned Vito Barravecchio, SHL 0:18; Cole Yonkin, MTV pinned Nicky Bruno, HM 1:30; Rocco Serafini, CMT dec. Landon Hartman, BPK 5-0; Aiden Hight CMB maj. dec. Gavin Hannah, BKV 11-3. 285: Nick Pavlechko, STC pinned Truitt Davis, MCT 1:22; Gio Tarantella, CMT dec. Frank Barrientos, CMB 3-0; Michael Gavrielsku, PRK pinned Eric Clark, BEA 0:31; Dean Bechtold, OJR pinned Casey Shaak, BOY, 1:50.

CHAMPIONSHIP

SEMIFINALS

107: Tanner Guenot, BEA dec. Gavin Heverly, CMT, 3-1; Teli Bobotas, MTV dec. Aaden Schiefer, CYK, 10-3. 114: Dominic Deputy, CHR dec. Dalton Wenner, CRB 2-0; Braiden Weaver, ALT dec. Tanner Mizenko, CMM, 1-0. 121: Luke Willochell, GRL pinned Caiden Harbert, WAL 2:42; Brock Rothermel, LMT tech fall Zachary Sherman, CBG 5:50, 20-5. 127: Andrew Binni, CMM maj. dec. Jacob Braun, GRL 21-8; Lucas Fye, BEA dec. David Kennedy, MTV 11-5. 133: Gavin Sheridan, BOY dec. Connor Killion, CMV 5-3; Max Wirnsberger, WRR dec. Eliah Brosius, CRB 3-2. 139: Luke Simcox, CMT pinned Nolan Baumert, LMT, 0:49; Seamus Mack, HM pinned Mason Kernan, BPK 2:33. 145: Dalton Perry, CMT dec. Cole Householder, BKV 5-2; Reagan Milheim, WR pinned Ethan Higgins, BPK 5:13.

152: Cameron Milheim, WR dec. Parker Kearns, MCT 3-2; Griffin Walizer, CMT dec. Gage Wentzel, MTV 3-1. 160: Asher Cunningham, STC pinned Carter Davis, CYK 5:27; Nick Kunslek PTV dec. Luke Sipes, ALT 8-2. 172: Shawn Taylor, WAL maj. dec. Hunter Snyder, GRL 19-8; Terrell McFarland PTV dec. Sam Gautreau, OJR 4-3. 189: Cole Bartram, NYK pinned Easton Belifore, BKV 1:42; Caleb Close, BEA pinned Dayne Miller, CMV, 2:50. 215: Dilon Bechtold, OJR pinned Cole Yonkin, 1:30; Aiden Hight, CBG dec. Rocco Serafini, CMT, 8-4. 285: Nicholas Pavlechko, STC pinned Giovanni Tarantella 1:15; Dean Bechtold, OJR pinned Michael Gavrilesku, PKL 1:13.

CONSOLATION

QUARTERFINALS

107: Andrew Alexander, MCT dec. Wyatt Long, BLF 9-2; Ben Hoover, CBG dec. Dominic Nardozza, ALT, 4-0. 114: Leo Joseph GRL maj. dec. Noah Young, STC 10-0; Phil Montes CMV dec. Eli Russ, PKL 2-1. 121: Caden Judice BEA dec. Blake Dergham PKL 4-1; Easton Mull, CHR pinned Colier Hartman CMM, 1:48. 127: Miller BPK def. Blake Aumiller, MCT via forfeit; Aiden Kunes, CMT dec. Jackson Orrell, RDL, 5-1. 133: Mason Weyant, CHR dec. Maso Harvey, RDL 3-2; Alex Brandt, OJR dec. Zymir McCain-Mur, HM, 1-0. 139: Dane Wenner, CRB dec. Beck Babb, BOY 10-4; Swisher, BLF dec. Imeen Whitbread, STC, 3-1 SV-1. 145: Jake Mitchell, CMV dec. Noah Weaver, BLF 3-0; Elias Long, CYK pinned Shane Stankina, BOY 3:26.

152: Nick Jones, WAL maj. dec. Devyn Fleeger, CRB 9-0; Owen Dykie, BOY pinned Jayden Imler, CHR 2:28. 160: Andrew Corp, WCR pinned Parrish McFarland, PTV 3:09; Deakon Schaeffler, MCT dec. Dalton Schadel, LMT 7-2. 172: Avery Aurand, MCT pinned Shawn Knepp, BEA 2:21; Jacob Weaver, CMT dec. Hunter Snyder, GRL 5-1. 189: JJ Plaza, HMP dec. Dysen Neill, OJR 2-0; Magnus Lloyd, GML maj. dec. Bryce Brungard, CMT 9-0. 215: Gage Gardner, BEA dec. Brody Ayers, BOY 2-0; Gavin Hannah, BKV dec. Landon Hartman, 5-0. 285: Truitt Davis, MCT dec. Frank Barrientos, CBG 3-2; Landon Morehart, MTV dec. Cam Danna, WAL 3-2 UTB.

CONSOLATION

SEMIFINALS

107: Aaden Schiefer, CYK dec. Andrew Alexander, MCT, 5-4; Gavin Heverly, CMT maj. dec. Ben Hoover, CBG, 4-3. 114: Tanner Mizenko CMM dec. Leo Joseph GRL 12-8 TB-1; Dalton Wenner CRB dec. Phil Montes CMV 7-3. 121: Caden Judice BEA tech fall Zachary Sherman, CBG 3:24, 15-0; Easton Mul, CHR dec. Caiden Harbert, WAL, 4-2 SV-1. 127: David Kennedy, MTV pinned Seth Miller, BPK, 0:16; Aiden Kunes, CMT dec. Jacob Braun, GRL, 4-2. 133: Mason Weyant, CHR dec. Elijah Brosious, CRB 5-0; Connor Killion, CMV pinned Alex Brandt, OJR 4:57. 139: Mason Kernan, BPK tech fall Dane Wenner, CRB, 3:00, 15-0; Nolan Baumert, LMT dec. Ezra Swisher, BLF 5-0. 145: Ethan Higgins, BPK dec. Jake Mitchell, CMV 5-0; Cole Householder, BKV dec. Elias Long, CYK 6-4 SV-1.

152: Nick Jones, WAL dec. Gage Wentzel, MTV 2-0; Parker Kearns, MCT maj. dec. Owen Dykie, BOY, 9-1. 160: Luke Sipes, ALT pinned Andrew Corp, WCR, 0:26; Carter Davis, CYK dec. Deakon Schaeffer, MCT 7-3. 172: Sam Gautreau, OJR maj. dec. Avery Aurand, MCT 13-5; Hunter Snyder, GRL dec. Jacob Weaver, CMT 5-1. 189: JJ Plazaa, HM dec. Dayne Miller, CMV, 5-4; Magnus Lloyd, GML dec. Easton Belifiore, BKV, 3-1. 215: Rocco Serafini, CMT dec. Gage Gardner, BEA 9-2; Cole Yonkin, MTV dec. Gavin Hannah, BKV 7-3. 285: Michael Gavrilesku, PKL pinned Truitt Davis, MCT 0:47; Giovanni Tarrantella, CMT dec. Landon Morehart, MTV 3-1 UTB.

FIRST-PLACE FINALS

107: Tanner Guenot, BEA pinned Teli Bobotas, MTV 1:25. 114: Dominic Deputy, CHR dec. Braiden Weaver, ALT 4-3. 121: Luke Willochell, GLR pinned Brock Rothermel, LMT 1:09. 127: Andrew Binni, CMM dec. Lucas Fye, BEA 7-6. 133: Max Wirnsberger, WRR dec. Gavin Sheridan, BOY 2-1. 139: Luke Simcox, CMT dec. Seamus Mack, HMP 10-3. 145: Reagan Milheim, WRR def. Dalton Perry, CMT via inj. 152: Cameron Milheim, WRR dec. Griffin Walizer, CMT, 5-2. 160: Asher Cunningham, STC dec. Nick Kunstek, PTV, 7-2. 172: Shawn Taylor, WAL dec. Terrell McFarland, PTV, 6-4. 189: Cole Bartram, NYK dec. Caleb Close, BEA 7-2. 215: Dillion Bechtold, OJR pinned Aiden Hight, CBG 1:46. 285: Nicholas Pavlechko, STC pinned Dean Bechtold, OJR 3:26.

THIRD-PLACE FINALS

107: Gavin Heverly, CMT dec. Aaden Schiefer, CYK, 10-3. 114: Dalton Wenner, CRN dec. Tanner Mizenko, CMM 5-0. 121: Caden Judice, BEA dec. Easton Mull, CHR 5-3. 127: David Kennedy, MTV dec. Aiden Kunes, CMT, 10-8 SV-1. 133: Connor Killion, CMV dec. Mason Weyant, CHR 7-5. 139: Mason Kernan, BPK dec. Nolan Baumert, LMT 9-2. 145: Cole Householder, BKV dec. Jake MItchell, CMV. 152: Parker Kearns, MCT dec. Nick Jones, WAL, 6-3. 160: Luke Sipes, ALT dec. Carter Davis, CYK, 9-2. 172: Sam Gautreau, OJR dec. Hunter Snyder, GLR 9-3. 189: Magnus Lloyd, GML maj. dec. JJ Plaza, HMP 10-1. 215: Rocco Serafini, CMT dec. Cole Yonkin, MTV 5-2. 285: Michael Gavrilesku, PKL dec. Giovanni Tarantella, CMT 9-2.

FIFTH-PLACE FINALS

107: Andrew Alexander, MCT dec. Ben Hoover, CMB 4-2. 114: Leo Joseph, GLR maj. dec. Phil Montes, CMV 9-1. 121: Caiden Harbert, WAL dec. Zachary Sherman, 5-4. 127: Jacob Braun, GLR pinned Seth Miller, BPK 1:25. 133: Elijah Brosious, CRN dec. Alex Brandt, OJR 3-1. 139: Ezra Swisher, BL dec. Dane Wenner, CRN 5-0. 145: Cole Householder, BKV dec. Ethan Higgins, BPK 3-0. 152: Gage Wentzel, MTV maj. dec. Owen Dykie, BOY 16-3. 160: Andrew Corp, WCR pinned Deakon Schaeffer, MCT 2:12. 172: Avery Aurand, MCT dec. Jacob Weaver, CMT, 6-3. 189: Dayne Miller, CMV dec. Easton Belifiore, BKV, 6-4. 215: Gavin Hannah, BKV dec. Gage Gardner, BEA 5-0. 285: Landon Morehart, MTV pinned Truitt Davis, MCT 2:11.

SEVENTH-PLACE FINALS

107: Wyatt Long, BLF dec. Dominic Nardozza, ALT 7-0. 114: Noah Yong, STC dec. Eli Russ, PKL 3-0. 121: Collier Hartman, CMM dec. Blake Dergham, PKL 7-3. 127: Jackson Orrell, RDL def. Blake Aumiller, MCT, via forfeit. 133: Mason Harvey, RDL dec. Zymir McCain, HMP 3-0. 139: James Whitbred, STC pinned Beck Babb, BOY, 3:42. 145: Noah Weaver, BLF pinned Shane Stankina, BOY, 1:35. 152: Devyn Fleeger, CRN dec. Jayden Imler, CHR 7-5. 160: Dalton Schadel, LMT def. Parrish McFarland, POT, via forfeit. 172: Reese Christine, MCT pinned Shawn Knepp, BEA, 1:38. 189: Bryce Brungard, CMT pinned Dysen Neill, OJR 1:37. 215: Landon Hartman, BPK maj. dec. Brody Ayers, BOY, 15-3. 285: Cam Danna, WAL dec. Frank Barrientos, CBG 1-0.