So claiming a gold medal at districts is quite an honor. And don’t get Jersey Shore’s Gabriel Fisher wrong, he’s glad to have won. But what was he most happy about on Saturday?

“I like winning, but I think it’s just about wrestling and having fun and enjoying what you’re doing,” Fisher said with a gold medal around his neck. “Seeing your progress as you grow.”

Fisher’s title on Saturday at 121 pounds was the biggest piece of evidence as to the progress and growth he’s made this year from his first match to now.

The Jersey Shore freshman was one of a trio of Bulldogs to walk away Saturday with gold medals as he was joined by Tobias Morgret (160) and Louden Spotts (152). Jersey Shore also saw Jonathan Dincher take silver at 172 pounds.

The District IV AAA Champions pose for a photo at Williamsport High School during the Championships Finals. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Benjamin Lovell (145) and Bo Sechrist (215) came a win shy of advancing to the Northeast Class AAA Regional tournament in Bethlehem Liberty next week as they finished fourth. The top 3 in Class AAA advance to regionals.

“I feel like I’ve improved a lot, especially like my mentality,” Fisher said. “Coming into this season I was nervous coming in as a freshman because I was thinking I’m going to be wrestling seniors, juniors and sophomores. But at the end, I’m just wrestling.”

Fisher dominated on Saturday as a freshman. The top-seed in the 121 field had a 17-2, 53-second tech fall in the championship semifinals against CMVT’s Christopher Getz. In the final against Shikellamy’s Bobby Felmy, Fisher dominated again en route to a 25-7, 5:49 tech fall win.

After leading 10-3 going into the third period, Fisher started racking up points quickly and scored 15 in that final two-minute session.

“That’s what I’m used to at practice. Our practices are very hard conditioning wise,” Fisher said. “Those third periods are always where I push it. I have more stamina than most kids, so I can get that lead even further.”

Brendan Cooke of Athens controls the action as he wrestles Riley Kanski of Jersey Shore during their match at 189 pounds at the District IV Championship wrestling at Williamsport High School. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

And that’s what happened on Saturday. In the third period, Fisher quickly went ahead 14-6, 15-6 and then 18-6 as he controlled and didn’t allow Felmy to get any offense mounted. With 16 seconds left, he led 21-6 before solidifying the tech fall just five seconds later.

Fisher realized that he belongs on the mat, no matter what age level his opponent is.

“I feel like even if I do get smoked at the end of the day, I’m there,” Fisher said. “I appreciate being there.”

Fisher is 29-8 entering regionals and has won three straight matches via tech fall. Prior to districts, he earned a dominating 19-3, 60-second win vs. Wellsboro’s Connor Linden. The two tech fall wins Saturday puts Fisher at 14 for the season.

At 152, Spotts wrestled against Gabe Paradis of Selinsgrove. Spotts held a 7-0 lead in the final before winning via medical forfeit. Spots reached the final thanks to a semifinal pin against Williamsport’s Jahki Burget in 1:17. Spotts was the top seed in the field.

Tobias Morgret of Jersey Shore tries to get Cain Carter of Selinsgrove to his back during their match at 160 pounds at the District IV Championship wrestling at Williamsport High School. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Morgret was also the top seed in his bracket at 160 as he entered districts 26-10. Morgret pinned Williamsport’s Austin Dunlap in 3:54 in the semifinals and had a 13-5 major decision win against Selinsgrove’s Cain Carter for gold. At 172, Dincher was pinned in the final by Athens’ Connor Davidson and Shore’s Riley Kanski was pinned by Brendan Cooke of Athens in 1:50.

“I feel like definitely our coach (is a big reason why),” Fisher said about having five qualifiers. “Mainly all of us being together and pushing us together in the practice room, making sure we’re all doing the right thing after every practice.”

Fisher noted that the team feeds off one another in not only the mat room, but in competition. When one Bulldog wins, another follows suit and it builds up momentum.

“I think so. I think if I start in a good mood, start if off good, everybody else will follow,” Fisher said. “If anybody else before me gets it off, I’ll do better.”

Jersey Shore finished Saturday fifth in the Class AAA team race with 98 points, behind Athens (115), Williamsport (123), Shikellamy (143) and Class AAA champion Selinsgrove (153.5). The Bulldogs’ three district champs was second among Class AAA teams, behind only Athens’ four.

Louden Spotts of Jersey Shore takes down Gabe Paradis of Selinsgrove during their match at 152 pounds at the District IV Championship wrestling at Williamsport High School. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Gabe Fisher of Jersey Shore tries to get the upper hand as he wrestles Bobby Felmy of Shikellamy during their match at 121 pounds at the District IV Championship wrestling at Williamsport High School. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette