That talent was on display at the USA Wrestling Women’s National Duals for Pennsylvania as a number of outstanding area girls wrestlers competed at various age divisions and represented District 4 well. The first session of camp was held in Lock Haven on June 13 and the matches were competed recently in Westfield, Indiana. Team Pennsylvania had ten teams head to nationals — six freestyle teams and four Greco-Roman teams and competed against the best in the United States.

Junior Freestyle had 45 teams from 37 state associations. Junior Greco-Roman had 27 teams from 24 states, 16U Freestyle had 34 teams from 31 state associations, 16U Greco-Roman had 20 teams from 20 states, 14U Freestyle had 30 teams from 29 states and 14U Greco-Roman saw 19 teams from 18 states.

Wrestling as part of Team PA for the 14U team were Montgomery’s Kylie Houseknecht, Sullivan County’s Lydia Lentz and Montgomery’s Willow Reynolds. Houseknecht finished eighth in the PA Red Greco tournament.

At the 16U level, Montgomery saw three wrestlers all take third place. Montgomery’s Hadey Heaster took third in Freestyle competition (PA Blue), Montgomery’s Jenna Houseknecht took third in Greco competition (PA Blue) and Montgomery’s Adelyn Rine was third in Greco competition (PA Blue).

PHOTO PROVIDED Williamsport’s Malaina Comfort competes at the USA Wrestling Women’s National Duals for Team Pennsylvania.Comfort was one of a number of area girl wrestlers who competed from Williamsport, Montgomery, Hughesville and Sullivan County. The area saw plenty of success at the 14U, 16U and junior levels of competition.

At the junior level, Williamsport’s Malaina Comfort took first in the Freestyle competition (PA Blue) and sixth in Greco (PA Blue). Hughesville’s Avery Earnest competed in the junior level, but did not reach the podium. Montgomery’s Zoe Furman, a state champion this past winter, won the Freestyle competition (PA Blue) and took sixth in Greco competition (PA Blue). Northeast Bradford’s Anaiah Kolesar went undefeated and was named to the all-tournament team. Benton’s Callie Hess also competed in the junior level but did not reach the podium.

A number of the area girls wrestlers also qualified for the US Marine Corp Nationals in Fargo, North Dakota, the biggest individual US wrestling tournament of the year. To qualify, a wrestler must be a returning All-American, finish in the top 4 at a freestyle/Greco state event, or take sixth at the northeast regional.

Among those who qualified were Furman, Heaster, Jenna Houseknecht, Rine, Montgomery’s Georgina Leet, Kolesar, Hess, Earnest and Malaina Comfort.

There were five training sessions at camp before the wrestlers made the trip to Indiana.

In the team competition, Pennsylvania had a ton of success.

In 14U competition, Pennsylvania Blue won the national title in Freestyle after being seeded fifth. Pennsylvania Blue were national runners-up in Greco-Roman after being seeded tenth. Pennsylvania Red finished 13th overall in the Freestyle competition and were seeded 11th.

At the 16U level, Pennsylvania Blue took third overall in Freestyle after being seeded second. Pennsylvania Blue took third overall in Greco-Roman after being seeded seventh. Pennsylvania Red took 25th overall in Freestyle.

In the junior division, Pennsylvania Blue won the national title by being seeded first in Freeestyle. Pennsylvania Blue was sixth overall in Greco-Roman after being seeded tenth and Pennsylvania Red took 27th overall in Freestyle.