Central Mountain’s Kunes lands semifinal pin, advances to first state final
Aiden Kunes of Central Mountain runs off the arena floor as he smiles and pumps his fist after defeating Myles Grossman of Gettysburg in their semi-final match during the PIAA State Wrestling Championships at the Giant Center in Hershey. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
Aiden Kunes of Central Mountain takes down Myles Grossman of Gettysburg in their semi-final match during the PIAA State Wrestling Championships at the Giant Center in Hershey. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
Aiden Kunes of Central Mountain runs off the arena floor as he smiles and pumps his fist after defeating Myles Grossman of Gettysburg in their semi-final match during the PIAA State Wrestling Championships at the Giant Center in Hershey. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
Aiden Kunes of Central Mountain takes down Myles Grossman of Gettysburg in their semi-final match during the PIAA State Wrestling Championships at the Giant Center in Hershey. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
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HERSHEY - It's been a good couple years since Central Mountain last entered Day 3 of states without a state finalist. With Dalton Perry graduating and without a returning state medalist on its roster, some might've assumed this would be the year the streak was broken.
They'd be dead wrong.
Following his blood round exit as a sophomore, Central Mountain junior Aiden Kunes took the motivation gained from that heartache and put it into action. Upon entering his junior campaign, he'd be a completely different wrestler, one capable of making it to Day 3 of the PIAA Wrestling Championships without a loss.
That quest was fully realized on Friday. Behind two dominant victories, including a pin in championship semis, Kunes made his dream of competing on the state's grandest stage a reality, advancing to the 145-pound Class AAA final and becoming the fifth straight Wildcat to earn to the title of PIAA finalist.
"It felt great to finally prove that I belong in the finals of the state championships," said Kunes on the accomplishment. "All the work has paid off. It's not finished yet, but it's paying off."
Throughout his Day Two run, the Wildcat rarely faced tension, even when faced with an opponent that outranked him. Against No. 2 Jack Campbell (Nazareth) in quarters, he surrendered just one escape while completely controlling the pace of the match, using a seven-point move in the second period to cruise past Campbell by 8-1 decision.
He'd come close to surrendering his first takedown of the run in his semifinal bout against No. 5 Myles Grossman (Gettysburg) but was able to get out of the jam before taking control in the third. There, a single-legged shot would give him the opportunity he needed to seal the deal, as he was able to work it into a takedown before establishing the cradle for the pin.
"Just staying calm, confident, relaxed and focused," said Kunes when discussing what allowed him to control those tough matchups. "Whenever he reached down and got my ankle, I knew I could get that cradle."
The job's not finished yet, as Kunes heads into a battle for a state title against the only wrestler that's handed him a loss this season. He'll be looking to avenge his two losses - including one in the West Regional final last Saturday - against No. 1 Kai Vielma (Connellsville) on Saturday.
"Just got to fix up the little details," said Kunes. "I've got to know in my head that I can go out there and beat him, that I can go out there and dominate that match."