Montoursville’s boys wrestling team knew it was in for a huge tall task against state-ranked Berks Catholic in the preliminaries of the PIAA Class AA tournament. Berks Catholic was the fourth-ranked team in the state and, while Montoursville is a top-15 ranked team as well, it was going to be a battle.

The Warriors have talent throughout the lineup and Montoursville secured a huge 35-34 win over Berks Catholic before falling to Saucon Valley in the first round, 36-30.

“That was great. The boys wrestled outstanding,” Montoursville coach Matt Yonkin said about knocking off Berks Catholic. “They approached the match with a lot of focus, lot of intensity and the energy was high. They really supported one another and pushed themselves through the match.”

Montoursville secured the win vs. Berks Catholic with two bouts to go and forfeited the final two weights to prepare for Saucon Valley.

Kaden Kleinman had a huge win at 139 for the Warriors. The standout 139-pounder beat Keith Messner by decision, 12-7, picking up key points in the six minutes and held off Messner late.

“Kleinman had a huge match. Really gutted out a good solid win against a very good kid,” Yonkin said. “His performance early really lifted us and we carried that momentum through the rest of the match. That was a big win.”

Kleinman’s win gave Montoursville an early 8-0 lead through two bouts. Berks Catholic would win the next three bouts with a tech fall at 145 and two pins at 152 and 160 by Andrew Messner and Landon Hartanft, respectively, to go ahead, 17-8.

“After that we were able to sweep 172, 189, 215 and heavyweight with great performances from Butler, Wentzel, Vanderwall and Harvey,” Yonkin said. “We put Harvey at heavyweight, took on big kids and gave up a lot of weight. Battled through.”

Gage Wentzel won at 172 with a 12-1 major decision win vs. Layden Acevedo to narrow the deficit to five points and Zane Butler won at 189 with a big tech fall over Gio Brendlen, 15-0, 3:09, to make it 17-17.

At 215, Gabe Vanderwall pinned Nolan Hook in just 25 seconds to give Montoursville a 23-17 lead before Harvey pinned Palmer Reber at 285 in 1:22 for a 29-17 lead.

Montoursville’s Branden Eisenhour had a 48-second pin at 107 over Kellen McCrea to seal the dual with a 35-17 lead.

“I’m so proud of what Eisenhour has been doing lately. He’s not only one of best in state, but best in country at his weight. The Powerade really lifted him and showed him what he’s capable of,” Yonkin said. “That grind we went through back in Powerade consi brackets wrestling nationally ranked kid and dominating them really lifte dhim and it’s carried through the seaosn. He’s someone we absolutely rely on, he’s become so muhc fun to watch. I’m so thankful we have him on the team.”

Johandiell Gonzalez had a 26-8, 5:46 tech against Coltyn Wagner at 114 for five points before Berks Catholic won the final two via forfeit.

Yonkin noted that Montoursville wasn’t able to get as many bonus points against Saucon Valley and, in the end, that proved to be the difference.

“That’s a one-match dual right there. We can’t say we didn’t have opportunities. There were a couple matches in there, three or four that stand out that we had opportunities to pick up bonus points or flip the win result and we were unable to capitalize,” Yonkin said. “All in all, it was a great effort, heck of a season for these kids. Super proud of them, it was a fun year and we’re gonna finish the season with a lot of pride and gratitude for what this team’s been able to accomplish.”

Montoursville 35, No. 4 Berks Catholic 34

133: Teli Bobotas (M) tech fall Neil Bitting, 19-3, 4:45. 139: Kaden Kleinman (M) dec. Keith Messner, 12-7. 145: Gunnar Maciejewski (BC) tech fall Haze Mullen, 18-1, 3:26. 152: Andrew Messner (BC) pinned Maxton Williamson, 0:31. 160: Landon Hartanft (BC) pinned Brady Evans, 2:54. 172: Gage Wentzel (M) maj. dec. Layden Acevedo, 12-1. 189: Zane Butler (M) tech fall Gio Brendlen, 15-0, 3:09. 215: Gabriel Vanderwall (M) pinned Nolan Hook, 0:25. 285: Hayden Harvey (M) pinned Palmer Reber, 1:22. 107: Branden Eisenhour (M) pinned Kellen McCrea, 0:48. 114: Johandiell Gonzalez (BC) tech fall Coltyn Wagner, 26-8, 5:46. 121: Trapp Walsh (BC) by forfeit. 127: Tyden Shuman (BC) by forfeit.