Some wrestlers might take nerves into a matchup like that. But in Furman’s case, all she was feeling was excitement.

“Actually, I was very excited to be able to wrestle higher-level competition, especially in regionals – that one step before states,” said Furman when asked if the potential matchup altered her mindset. “To get a good, hard match, get my heart rate going, scrap a bit. It was exciting.”

Ultimately, their paths inevitably crossed, and that aforementioned excitement showed in the aggression Furman brought from the jump. That aggression briefly made things dicey, but it wasn’t a situation the returning PIAA runner-up couldn’t manage.

While patiently working her way out of a headlock in the second period, Furman established a grip that would lead to a takedown once her head was free. She created her own forward momentum – both physical and mental. And it wasn’t long before she was turning it into a pin and her second straight regional title.

FRANK DIMON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montgomery's Zoe Furman gestures at a teammate after winning her second regional championship on Saturday at Milton.

“As soon as I felt it coming, I had that outside leg posted up,” said Furman on evading the headlock. “So, I took a second to control myself and remind myself I’m still in the match, that the match is still mine.”

“Obviously, it’s cool to have back-to-back titles, but that win meant a lot, especially for postseason. It’s great being able to get that extra set of competition just before states,” she added.

Her effort was one of two headliners within another strong regional tournament for the Red Raiders.

Sophomore Jenna Houseknecht made it two repeat champions for Montgomery, claiming gold at 106. Brielle Walk (130) earned her second state bid by taking bronze and Georgina Leet (155) and Adelyn Rine (235) each placed fifth, as the Red Raiders placed second overall, falling one point short of back-to-back team titles.

“I could not be more thankful for our team,” said Walk when asked about the team’s success.

FRANK DIMON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montgomery's Jenna Houseknect puts Redbank Valley's Breanna Crawford on her back during the PIAA Girls Central Regional wrestling tournament on Saturday at Milton.

“The people that I’ve been surrounded with, my coaches and teammates, are the best people I could ever have around me and supporting me, and I would not be able to do the things that I do today without them.”

Having won a title in her regional debut, Houseknecht brought increased confidence, intensity and aggression into the run back. Like Furman, it occasionally led to unnecessarily tense moments, like a near-reverse rally at the hands of Northern Bedford’s Rachel Clouse in championship semis. But most times, it paid dividends.

Against No. 13 Aliza Brambley (Bedford) in the 106 final, bulldozed her way to a 14-0 lead behind two takedowns and ensuing back points. Ultimately, it wouldn’t result in a tech fall for the Montgomery sophomore, but it did complete a dominant day.

“I worked on some newer moves. Almost got me in a little bit of trouble, but overall, I think I had a solid performance,” said Houseknecht. “The goal was just to get some tougher matches, and I saw some pretty tough girls. And my shot finish rate was really good today.”

Directly following up Montgomery in the team standings were Hughesville and Williamsport, who took third and fourth respectively while each having one champion. The Millionaires qualified three – Malaina Comfort (100), Lillian Rumsey (118) and Mia Davis (190) – for states while the Spartans qualified one – Avery Earnest (142).

FRANK DIMON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Williamsport's Lillian Rumsey pins Northern Beddford's Myha Dixon at 118 during the PIAA Girls Central Regional wrestling tournament on Saturday at Milton.

Rumsey finished her regional run as she had the previous three, claiming gold in dominant fashion to cap her career as a four-time regional champ (three-time in PIAA-sanctioned regionals). Through her three bouts, including one against state-ranked Madison Bryner (Juniata) in her final, the Williamsport senior never once sniffed the second period, with her longest match spanning a minute and 17 seconds.

“It’s definitely great to be back, and I really enjoy being able to be one of the girls that won all three years for PIAA,” said Rumsey. “I was trying to do a different style to switch it up a little bit so I’m not doing all the same things. Just focused on what I’ve been practicing, putting it out there and trying more shots.”

She’ll be joined by two PIAA first timers in Davis and Comfort.

Davis made it to her first regional final as a senior behind a barrage of pins, ultimately falling to No. 11 Morgan Reichard (Central Columbia) to close out her run. And in her first regional appearance, Comfort – a sophomore – bounced back from a tough semifinal loss in emphatic fashion, posting bonus-point victories of No. 16 Isabella Olshefskie (Hughesville) and No. 8 Juliette Cuevas (Bellwood-Antis).

“Second’s not the best, but hey, I get to go to states,” said Davis on the accomplishment. “I’ll do better next week.”

FRANK DIMON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Hughesville's Avery Earnest brings down Milton's Shu Hyra Ali at 147 during the finals of the PIAA Girls Central Regional wrestling tournament on Saturday at Milton.

“I’m really excited,” said Comfort. “This is my first-year wrestling varsity, and I’ve never been to high school states. I’ve never seen such a stacked bracket either. The 100 field is amazing this year, and I love meeting and wrestling all the people in it.”

For Hughesville, sophomore Avery Earnest built on her fourth place showing from her freshman stint and then some, finishing at champion at 142. All three of her victories, two against state-ranked wrestlers, came by pin, none of which were more emphatic than the last.

Trailing No. 20 Shu Kyra Ali (Milton) in the championship final, Earnest had a pin opportunity called off due to legality, taking a 4-3 lead with back points but losing the chance to end the bout then and there. However, moments later, the next chance came, and the Spartan took full advantage to secure her first regional gold.

“You just have to go back in the middle knowing, ‘Hey, I had her on her back once. It can happen again.’ So, I just waited for the opportunity and took it,” said Earnest, who became Hughesville’s first regional champion on Saturday. “I’m definitely just overwhelmed with excitement. I’m just proud with how I did.”

Hughesville did see heartache on its way to taking third as a team, as though it finished with six medalists, five fell one slot short of advancing to states, with Isabella Olshefskie (100), Julia Ritter (106), Jaysa Kiess (112), Ariahna Moore (118) and Caroline Hicks (148) all taking fifth. The outcome stings, but Earnest was still very proud of her teammates.

FRANK DIMON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Hughesville's Ariahna Moore controls Rivery Valley's Kira Watt at 118 pounds during the PIAA Girls Central Regional wrestling tournament on Saturday at Milton.

“I’m so proud of our team,” said Earnest. “We fell a little short of another district title this year, but we are missing three of our starters because they’re hurt. So, taking six girls to regionals and placing all six girls is just a huge accomplishment for our team this year.”

Rounding out the area’s placements and state qualifiers were Milton’s Kyleigh Ficks (112) and Shu Hyra Ali (142) and Central Mountain’s Kendall Wagner (17), who each finished as runners-up. With that, the area finished the day with ten state qualifiers, who will look to leave their mark at Hershey starting next Thursday.