N’western leads way with six on first team

Another year is in the books.

And the 2017-18 high school wrestling season offered a little bit of everything.

From the first whistle in December to the final buzzer at the Giant Center in March, wrestlers from around the Times News coverage area produced drama in droves.

Northwestern’s Caleb Clymer capped a memorable year with a gold medal at the PIAA Championships in Hershey, adding to an already remarkable family legacy - and accomplished career.

“It’s always great for one of our student-athletes to win a state title,” said Tigers’ head coach Jim Moll. “That was Caleb’s goal from Day 1 in the practice room his freshman year, and probably even before then. To see that goal realized was a pretty special moment for him.

“For me, and the rest of our coaching staff, it was nice, but our goals are a little different than what happens in the state tournament. Our job is to help these kids develop good habits. Habits that translate into success beyond wrestling. Those habits are the same habits that help make a successful wrestler. So to see Caleb exercising some of those things on his way to winning that gold medal was really great to see.”

Already a two-time state medalist and coming off a third place finish last season, Clymer’s intentions of winning a state title were clear throughout the season.

But he embraced those expectations, and thrived in the spotlight.

“He never really showed signs of having that pressure,” Moll said of Clymer. “We all kind of knew the expectation he had for himself. But he didn’t show it much.”

Clymer’s decisive 8-0 major decision over Port Allegany’s Jacob Kallenborn in the Class 2A 160-pound final wrapped up a stellar high school career, and highlighted a stellar campaign for Northwestern as a program.

The Tigers sent four wrestlers to the state tournament, and had seven regional qualifiers, both the most of any school in the area. In addition to their success on the mat, Moll was also named the District 11 Class 2A Coach of the Year.

It’s not much of a surprise, then, that Northwestern leads the way with six wrestlers on this year’s Times News/Lehigh Valley Health Network Wrestling All Star First Team.

Panther Valley had three wrestlers qualify for states in Tanner and Hunter Kennedy and Derrick Beckham. The trio were selected to the first team.

“All three had great seasons,” said Panthers’ head coach Tim Robb. “Having three guys in the district finals was special. While I certainly would have liked to win one, the three of them all represented themselves and our program well.”

Jim Thorpe placed two on the first team, while Lehighton, Palmerton and Tamaqua have one wrestler apiece on the first team.

The 14 selections for the first team posted a combined record of 464-137 and are made from any weight class. They are listed below in alphabetical order, followed by the second team all stars.

FIRST TEAM

Derrick Beckham, Panther Valley, Jr. (34-14)

NOTES ... Beckham was third at the Windsor Christmas Tournament, third at the Schuylkill League Tournament, third at the Coal Cracker Tournament, a district runner-up and placed fifth at regionals to advance to Hershey for the first time. He has a career record of 68-45.

QUOTABLE: “Derrick improved as much as anyone, in one season, as I have coached in a long time. He worked out with the twins, and it definitely helped all three of them improve all season long. Derrick’s biggest obstacle this season, was convincing himself that he belonged,” Robb.

Harrison Bernhard, Northwestern, So. (23-13)

NOTES ... Harrison Bernhard was seventh at the Coal Cracker Tournament, fourth at districts and qualified for regionals. Bernhard earned Colonial League honorable mention honors. Bernhard was a second team all star last season.

QUOTABLE: “Harrison is a hard worker and very coachable, which are the two most important qualities for a wrestler in our program. He is already working on next season,” Northwestern head coach JIm Moll.

Jackson Bernhard, Northwestern, Sr. (38-9)

NOTES ... Jackson Bernhard was fifth at the Bethlehem Holiday Classic, third at the Coal Cracker Tournament, a district and regional runner-up, and made it to Hershey for the second straight year. Bernhard was a second team Colonial League all star. Bernhard was a first team all star last season.

QUOTABLE: “Jackson had a great season. He is a kid that when he sets his mind to something, he is going to get it done. He is going to do very well for himself through college and beyond,” Moll.

Lucas Christman, Palmerton, Jr. (33-7)

NOTES ... Christman was first at the Rough Rider Tournament, third at the Governor Mifflin Holiday Tournament, fifth at the Coal Cracker Tournament, a district runner-up, third at regionals and qualified for states for the first time.

QUOTABLE: “Lucas is a very gifted wrestler with a ton of talent. This season wasn’t a surprise to anyone in our program. He has dealt with a ton of adversity over the last couple of years due to injury. He has shown that he is capable of putting his head down and getting back to where he wants to be. What’s exciting is that he still has a ton of potential that he can tap into over the offseason and into next season,” Palmerton head coach Justin Petersen.

Caleb Clymer, Northwestern, Sr. (44-1)

NOTES ... Clymer completed the trifecta - winning district, regional and state titles to cap a stellar career. Clymer was also first at the Excalibur Tournament, the Bethlehem Holiday Classic and the Coal Cracker Tournament. Clymer, a four-time state qualifier and three-time district champion, was a first team Colonial League All Star. After winning a state title, Clymer was selected to represent Team Pennsylvania in last month’s annual Dapper Dan wrestling event in Pittsburgh. The Times News Wrestler of the Year will continue his wrestling career at Lock Haven University.

QUOTABLE: “His goal was to be undefeated this year. While he didn’t quite do that, he came as close as he could. Winning the Coal Cracker, Excalibur, and Holiday Classic was great. But it is like I tell the kids all season, we are only in those tournaments to help prepare us for the postseason, the wins and losses don’t really matter until you get to the district tournament. Yes, it’s nice to win them, but it’s more important to use them as an opportunity to improve. He was second in the Coal Cracker last year, third at the Excalibur, and third at the Holiday Classic. He placed at the Holiday Classic all four years, which is really impressive. My expectations for him at Lock Haven are pretty simple. Do well in school, and continue to improve as a wrestler, and as a man. I hope that he takes the things he learned in his time in our program and uses them over the next four or more years to do that. He should continue to be coachable, and willing to learn. If he can do that, then I think he will do well. He knows he still has a lot of work to do to improve his wrestling. He knows he needs to get better on his feet, take advantage of his opponents shots more often, etc. I think he realizes he has the potential to be much better than he already is. Hopefully he sets new goals for the collegiate level, and works with the same enthusiasm toward those,” Moll.

Hunter Kennedy, Panther Valley, Sr. (32-11)

NOTES ... Hunter Kennedy was sixth at the Penn Manor Tournament, fourth at the Windsor Christmas Tournament, a Schuylkill League runner-up, third at the Coal Cracker Tournament, district runner-up and placed sixth at regionals to advance to states for the second straight year. Finishing his career with a record of 128-55, Kennedy was a first team all star last season.

QUOTABLE: “Hunter is more of a wide-open wrestler. He hurt his knee the day before regionals, and was as tough as you can be just to wrestle at regionals. The injury, at states, had him wrestling pretty much on one leg. Very bad timing. He still managed to take both matches to overtime. Like (his brother) Tanner (Kennedy), his work ethic is second to none, and he is a great student as well,” Robb.

Tanner Kennedy, Panther Valley, Sr. (35-12)

NOTES ... Tanner Kennedy was third at the Windsor Christmas Tournament, third at the Coal Cracker Tournament, fourth at the Schuylkill League Tournament, a district runner-up, was third at regionals and qualified for states for the first time. He finished his career with a record of 120-56, and was a first team all star last season.

QUOTABLE: “Tanner is a hard worker that is really hard to score on. His style should be great at the college level. He has always been a great student, and his work ethic is as good as anyone that I have coached,” Robb.

Ethan Mordaunt, Jim Thorpe, Jr. (32-7)

NOTES ... Mordaunt was first at the New Hope Solebury Tournament, first at the Jim Thorpe Tournament, South Williamsport Tournament, seventh at the Coal Cracker Tournament, third at the Schuylkill League Tournament, a district runner-up and placed third in his second straight trip to regionals to advance to states for the first time. Mordaunt was a first team all star last season.

QUOTABLE: “Ethan Mordaunt continues to build his case as one of the better wrestlers to come through Jim Thorpe. I’m really proud of his development thus far. His commitment to the weight room, off-season wrestling, and controlling his mindset in the midst of high level competition really paid off this year. He became really strong wrestling on the mat. His improvement in all positions helped him advance to the state tournament and along the way, he placed higher at districts and regionals in comparison to last year. I told Ethan after his run at states, “thanks for bringing us along for the ride.” We are excited about the leadership role that he created this season, and is building on currently in the off-season in helping coordinate his teammates to attend wrestling workouts at different clubs and tournaments,” Jim Thorpe head coach Shawn Albert.

Quin Moyer, Northwestern, Sr. (26-13)

NOTES ... Moyer was eighth at the Bethlehem Holiday Classic, fifth at the Coal Cracker Tournament, fourth at districts and made it to regionals. Moyer was a second team Colonial League all star.

QUOTABLE: “Quin was a whole new animal this season. He matured physically and mentally, and turned into one of our best wrestlers.” Moll.

John Newhall, Jim Thorpe, Sr. (29-4)

NOTES ... Newhall was first at the New Hope Solebury Tournament, first at the Jim Thorpe Tournament, first at the South Williamsport Tournament, first at the Coal Cracker Tournament, a Schuylkill League runner-up, district runner-up and qualified for regionals. Newhall was a second team all star last season.

QUOTABLE: “John Newhall had a great season. He accomplished several goals this year that he’s had for his entire career here at Jim Thorpe. We are very proud of him entering the 100-win club and advancing to Regionals. What really impressed me about John this year was his focus. One thing you can’t teach is that intrinsic motivation and determination, and John had that this year. Each time John when out on the mat, we had no hesitation that he would win for the team in a dual meet and in the tournaments we wrestled in. He will be missed by the wrestling program, as he’s been a contributor for many years. He’s built the Newhall name in our program, and while he will be missed, he’s set the bar for his brother, who will be a freshman next season,” Albert.

Matt Peters, Northwestern, Sr. (35-12)

NOTES ... Peters was second at the Excalibur Tournament, sixth at the Bethlehem Holiday Classic, first at the Coal Cracker Tournament, a district runner-up, sixth at regionals and qualified for states for the second time in his career. Peters was a second team Colonial League All Star.

QUOTABLE: “No one worked harder than Matt did this year. I couldn’t be more proud of a wrestler’s work ethic and commitment than I am of his. He is one of the reasons Caleb was able to win a state title. Matt didn’t just push himself in the room, he pushed his teammates too,” Moll.

Colin Rex, Northwestern, Sr. (34-12)

NOTES ... Rex was fourth at the Coal Cracker Tournament, third at districts, fifth at regionals and qualified for states for the second straight year. Rex was a second team Colonial League all star. Rex was a first team all star last season.

QUOTABLE: “He is so much fun to watch wrestle. He really is a talented wrestler. I think he is done with wrestling, but it would be fun to see how he would do if he decided to try it out at East Stroudsburg University,” Moll.

Bronson Strouse, Tamaqua, So. (40-9)

NOTES ... Strouse was a Schuylkill League champion, a district runner-up and finished sixth at regionals to qualify for states for the first time. The sophomore was also first at the Bloomsburg’s DKI Invitational, pinning all of his opponents, and fifth at the Trojan Wars. Strouse, who was a District 11 junior high champion, was a first team all star last season. Strouse’s 40 wins are the second-highest single-season total at Tamaqua.

QUOTABLE ... “Bronson is a great, likable kid because he respects the coaching staff’s experience in coaching. Because of that, he has the opportunity to grow and learn quicker than others possibly. He doesn’t question decisions on thoughts on technique to make him better. His diabetes is a learning experience for him, myself, the staff and family, and we are progressively working together to help him become more comfortable in matches by getting to understand it more. It didn’t matter to him if we pushed him up to heavyweight for the team. His mindset was still to go after the guy and dominate,” Tamaqua head coach Jim McCabe.

Chris Whiteman, Lehighton, Jr. (29-13)

NOTES ... Whiteman was a Schuylkill League champion, third at the Sam Lovello Classic, fifth at the Tony Iasiello Memorial Christmas City Tournament, placed fourth at districts and qualified for regionals for the first time. Whiteman was a second team all star last season.

QUOTABLE: “He had a great junior season this year. Chris is one of the hardest workers in the room. He was one of our team leaders, and his work ethic at practice was a great model for his teammates. He is self-motivated and puts in the required time during the off-season. He not only excels on the mat, but in the classroom as well. In addition, he is a three-sport athlete and excels in all three sports. He has been a pleasure to coach, and I am excited to see what next season brings for him,” Lehighton head coach Floyd Brown.

SECOND TEAM

Jake Dellicker, Northwestern, So. (28-11), Pierce Demetriades, Tamaqua, So. (25-23), Nate Kemmerer, Lehighton, Sr. (27-8), Tyler Shock, Lehighton, Sr. (21-12), Cody Scherer, Lehighton, Sr. (12-4), Austin Williams, Jim Thorpe, Sr. (20-12), Brandon Mader, Tamaqua, Sr. (29-13), Matt Lalik, Palmerton, So. (21-12), Seth Fronheiser, Northern Lehigh, Sr. (23-8), Logan Pagotto, Lehighton, Jr. (19-8), Preston Bauer, Northern Lehigh, So. (16-9), Aaron Coccio, Tamaqua, Fr. (22-18), Aaron Eidem, Panther Valley, Jr. (24-10), James Gehr, Pleasant Valley, Sr. (17-7).