So far, so good.

In a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it opening affair, Earnest – ranked No. 10 in the state at 142 – immediately built on her debut stint in one fell swoop, pinning No. 13 Taylor Pears (Hickory) in just 20 seconds. The win advances her to her first PIAA quarterfinal appearance, an accomplishment she took great pride in coming off the mat.

“I know since I’m the only one that made it, there are definitely a lot of people back home watching me,” said Earnest. “Going in, I told myself, ‘You have expectations. Everybody’s watching me. You need to perform the way everybody wants you to perform.'”

Earnest’s advancement was just one of the five for Lycoming County, a group which has tremendous expectations coming off a strong performance at last year’s event. Seniors Lillian Rumsey (118) and Mia Davis (19) each finished Day One as quarterfinalists alongside Montgomery’s Jenna Houseknecht (106) and Zoe Furman (136), giving the area plenty of representation going into Day 2.

CHRIS MANNING/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Hughesville's Avery Earnest competes at the PIAA girls wrestling championships on Thursday at Hershey's Giant Center.

When asked about what led to the quick pin against Pears, Earnest brought up pre-match observations as a reason. The Hughesville sophomore overheard her coaches mention focusing more on offense, which Earnest then used for her own offense in route to victory.

“I knew she was going to shoot right away, and I’m really comfortable with my top stuff, like my pancakes and all that stuff,” said Earnest. “So, I knew when she shot, I would be able to get in that position to throw her right on her back. She took it really fast, and there it was.”

On Friday, she’ll face Laila Colon (Manheim) in hopes of building on her previous run even further.

“I think we’re good,” said Earnest. “We’re definitely better this year. I’m calmer. I’m ready for it. Ready for whatever comes out.”

Similar dominance was present through Montgomery’s two advancements, who fell seconds short of two first-period victories of their own.

CHRIS MANNING/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Williamsport's Lillian Rumsey competes at the PIAA girls wrestling championships on Thursday at Hershey's Giant Center.

Houseknecht worked a first-period fall against No. 15 Jessica Li (Chambersburg), and early near-fall points in the second propelled Furman to a tech fall over No. 12 Alexa Elbertson (Central Dauphin). Furman’s did come at the cost of two fingers, which were jammed early in the match. But clearly, that didn’t faze her.

“I thought I could have decked her right there after that first takedown, but she could wrestle,” said Furman. “She’s really flexible, so being able to transition through multiple moves was a nice feel early on in the tournament.”

“We’ll be all right. Got them taped up,” she added with a smile when discussing her fingers.

Furman is set to face Angelina Spaceman (Parkland) in Friday’s quarterfinal. Houseknecht will face off against Finley Fourspring (Corry).

“I’ve never wrestled her before, so excited to get a new match up here,” said Furman on the matchup.

CHRIS MANNING/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Williamsport's Lillian Rumsey competes at the PIAA girls wrestling championships on Thursday at Hershey's Giant Center.

For Williamsport, its two first-round wins were more on the dramatic side, each coming down to the wire and requiring a strong closing effort.

Rumsey – ranked No. 2 in the state at 118 – scored four unanswered points in the third to scrape her way out of an upset, edging out No. 19 JennY Kramer (Northeastern) by 9-7 decision. And Davis – ranked No. 12 in the state at 190 – overcame a 5-0 deficit in the third period, working a turn against No. 10 Kinsley Ferreria (Lampeter-Strasburg) into a deficit-clearing pin.

On Friday, Rumsey will face Leah Sample (Saegertown) in the 118 in quarters. Davis is set to face top-seeded Caroline Hattala (Quakertown).

Alongside their two quarterfinalists, the Millionaires have a third representative – Williamsport sophomore Malaina Comfort – still alive in consolations. After falling to No. 2 Chelsea Dressler (Nazareth) by 10-6 decision to open, the PIAA first timer bounced back in a big way, posting a 17-2 tech fall over No. 16 Gianna Alcalde (Shaler) to pick up her first state win.

CHRIS MANNING/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montgomery's Jenna Houseknecht competes at the PIAA girls wrestling championships on Thursday at Hershey's Giant Center.

CHRIS MANNING/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montgomery's Zoe Furman competes at the PIAA girls wrestling championships on Thursday at Hershey's Giant Center.

CHRIS MANNING/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montgomery's Zoe Furman competes at the PIAA girls wrestling championships on Thursday at Hershey's Giant Center.

Lillian Rumsey of Williamsport wins her match against Jenny Kramer of Northeastern during the PIAA State Wreslting Championships at the Giant Center in Hershey. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

CHRIS MANNING/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Williamsport's Malaina Comfort competes at the PIAA girls wrestling championships on Thursday at Hershey's Giant Center.

CHRIS MANNING/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montgomery's Briella Walk competes at the PIAA girls wrestling championships on Thursday at Hershey's Giant Center.

CHRIS MANNING/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Milton's Kyleigh Ficks competes at the PIAA girls wrestling championships on Thursday at Hershey's Giant Center.