TIM WEIGHT/Special to the Sun-Gazette Central Mountain’s Aiden Kunes wrestles State College’s Nico Diaz at the District 6 Class AA Duals tournament in January.

It took Aiden Kunes just one tournament to put the high school wrestling world on notice as a sophomore.

Coming off a breakout freshman season that featured success – 35 wins, a district and regional title – and room for improvement – an 0-2 showing at states, the Wildcat showed he had taken a clear leap forward at Top Hat, immediately upping his projection as a perennial PIAA medal contender.

His 7-1 title win over Mifflinburg’s Bradley Wagner – a returning PIAA Class AA medalist ranked No. 4 in the state at 127 – was enough to be recognized by Sports Illustrated as a National Lower Weight Wrestler of the Week nominee. And he’d go on to prove that nomination valid through the following months, going into February with a 27-5 record and a plethora of considerable wins.

However, come mid-March, the then-Central Mountain sophomore hadn’t reached the postseason heights many expected of him.

Kunes’ record from February onward was 11-7. He didn’t repeat as district or regional champion. He scraped into states and fell one win short of a PIAA medal. And while he had the excuse of dealing with a knee injury throughout that period, it wasn’t an excuse he himself adopted.

In ensuring his previous postseason wasn’t repeated, Kunes immediately got back to work following his disappointing run at states, continuing to build on his already potent technique while focusing more on his health.

Though he wouldn’t repeat as Top Hat champion at the start of his junior campaign, he’d dominate every tournament that followed. Now, heading into regionals, he holds a 32-match win streak, Penns Manor, King of the Mountain, PHAC and Ultimate Warrior titles, and most recently took back his District 6 crown in dominant fashion on Saturday.

Following his district title run on Saturday, which featured two second-period pins, Kunes reflected on the journey back to the top of the podium at Altoona. It wasn’t an easy one by any means, one started by acknowledging his shortcomings and working to alleviate them. But it’s one that’s built him into the confident wrestler he is today, one that’s now vying for a state title.

“That whole postseason last year motivated me more than ever to become a way better wrestler and never let that postseason ever happen again,” said Kunes.

“That was very disappointing. I was very high at the beginning of the season. I was like top tier in Sports Illustrated in the country and then, I go on to not place at states. So that was definitely a spark for me, and I worked very hard this offseason.”

A big part of that success has been continuing to operate at full capacity.

While injured throughout last February and March, every shot felt like a risk, and Kunes had to take on a more defensive approach to his matches. More known for his ability to control a match offensively, that adjustment was mentally draining and ultimately put a limit on what he could accomplish.

“It makes a big difference,” said Kunes when discussing his health. “It definitely feels way better being 100 percent, not having to worry if I shoot. In practice, I can fully practice and go as hard as I can.”

Now, the focus shifts to what lies ahead. And while the mindset obviously remains on taking things one match at a time, there are a few potential matchups that are deadlocked in the back of the junior’s mind.

Barring upsets on either side of the 145-pound West Regional bracket this weekend, Kunes – ranked No. 3 in the state at 145 – faces his first rematch against Connellsville’s Kai Vielma since Top Hat. Vielma – a returning PIAA bronze medalist ranked No. 1 in the state at 145 – is responsible for the Air Force commit’s lone loss on the season, a 5-2 decision.

It’s a rematch that’s been on Kunes’s mind since that afternoon at Williamsport. While Vielma (43-3) – coming off his own dominant district run – poses a greater challenge than the Wildcat has faced since, it’s a matchup he’s largely excited about heading into the weekend.

“I think about that Top Hat match every day,” said Kunes on his loss to Vielma. “I think about wrestling Kai again every day, whether it’s in the state finals or regional finals. I’ve just got to game plan a little better. He’s definitely beatable. I’m right there with him.”

For that matchup to occur, both will have to traverse a regional bracket that could feature as many as nine other state-ranked wrestlers. The West Class AAA regional is set to take place at Canon-McMillan on Friday at 5 p.m., with finals set for Saturday.