NW’s Clymer going for gold

HERSHEY – Caleb Clymer had a lot of time to think.

After winning his quarterfinal match Friday morning at the PIAA Championships, Clymer had plenty of downtime before he returned to the Giant Center for one of the biggest matches of his life.

But the Northwestern senior didn’t change a thing.

Now he’s less than 24 hours away from wrestling for a state title.

It was business as usual for Clymer, who edged Derek Yingling of West Branch in the 160-pound semifinals Friday night. Clymer will wrestle Jacob Kallenborn of Port Allegany in the final.

“Everything was pretty routine,” Clymer said of his day. “I finished my first match, talked to my brothers about it … and then called my brothers about it, and talked to them about my next match, and (we) talked about being smart, always being offensive and pushing the pace.

“So I listened to their advice, and pushed the pace. I’m definitely excited.”

After a scoreless first period, Clymer got an escape early in the second to take a 1-0 lead. Clymer rode Yingling out in the third period to secure the win.

In three matches at the state tournament, Clymer has given up one point, outscoring his opponents 12-1.

“So far, I feel like I’ve wrestled pretty good,” Clymer said. “I’m wrestling very smart so far; haven’t given up a lot of points. I’ve only given up one in my last three matches. But I definitely feel good.

“I need to open it up a little bit more on my feet as far as just firing off my shots and being confident in them. But I feel like with this last match, just leave it all out there on the mat. Last high school match ever. But overall, I’m pretty happy with myself and how I’m performing.”

Though he scored just one point, Clymer was in control throughout against Yingling.

“He pushed the pace,” said Northwestern head coach Jim Moll. “He was very active on his feet, he just couldn’t get to a leg. The kid had good defense, so it was hard to get to his leg.

“And Caleb is really good on the mat. He’s real comfortable underneath with no points scored. And he’s comfortable on top with a one-point lead because he’s such a good rider.”

Clymer is firing on all cylinders, and he’s not about to change anything anytime soon.

“Wrestle six hard minutes and keep pushing the pace,” Clymer said with a smile.

End of the line

The PIAA Championships came to an end for Times News area wrestlers Matt Peters, Jackson Bernhard and Lucas Christman on Thursday afternoon at the Giant Center.

Peters, a Northwestern senior, lost a 10-1 major decision to Anthony Corrado (Burrell) in a third round consolation bout.

For Peters, who was at states for this first time since his freshman season after battling injuries the last two years, the opportunity to finish his career in Hershey was one he didn’t take for granted.

“It’s been exciting,” said Peters. “It’s a roller coaster out here. Everybody wants to win, and sometimes there are obstacles and dreams come short.

“But there’s more to life than this sport. I wrestled my heart out. I didn’t come away with the goal I wanted, but you can’t hang your head. You just gotta keep moving forward.”

Peters was happy to be at states again – and to experience it with three of his teammates.

“It’s nice because we all push each other and joke around,” Peters said. “We’re all seniors … and we’re all just having a good time.

“The biggest part is just having a good time, with a good group off friends around you, pushing you when you can’t push yourself anymore. They help you keep your head high even you don’t get what you want. They’re always there for you.”

The Tigers’ Bernhard also lost by major decision, falling 15-3 to Peyton Hearn (Conneaut Area) in his 152-pound consolation match.

Like Peters, Bernhard, also a senior, also was reflective after his loss.

“It was a surreal experience,” said Bernhard. “There definitely was a lot of nostalgia with guys I’ve wrestled with my whole life.

“I was going in for my match and (teammate) Colin (Rex) was wrestling. And I just kept thinking it was the last match he was going to wrestle, and I was there when he wrestled his first match. And then I thought the same thing with Matt. It was definitely really emotional to know that it’s over.”

Palmerton’s Christman fell by a 14-3 major decision to Hunter Michaels (Reynolds) in their 145-pound consolation match.

“It was fun,” said Blue Bombers’ head coach Justin Petersen. “There’s always a lot of ups and a lot of downs. That’s part of wrestling. It’s tough. He had a great season. It’s an unfortunate ending.

“But one good thing is he has next year to come back, and hopefully learn from it, and definitely be on the medal stand next year.”

Christman’s junior year included a district runner-up finish and a third place result at regionals. Petersen is looking for Christman to continue that growth next season.

“Maturity is definitely a big difference from last year to this year,” Petersen said of Christman. “He’s dealt with a lot of adversity. He had a decent season as a freshman and then he dealt with a lot of injuries and stuff last year and now had a great season again this year.

“Hopefully, we can get more growth next year. And I think he will. He always puts a lot of work in over the offseason so he should do well again.”

LOOKING AHEAD … The PWCA Class 2A Coach of the Year presentation will be made today 1:40 p.m. prior to the Parade of Champions at 1:45 p.m. The championship finals, third, fifth and seventh place matches are scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.

AROUND THE DISTRICT … Saucon Valley’s Josh Jones will wrestle three-time state champion Gavin Teasdale of Jefferson Morgan (161-2 career record) in the 126-pound final. Teasdale is a Penn State commit. Nathan Haubert of Palisades also advanced to the 145-pound final. Haubert will wrestle Kollin Myers (Boiling Springs) in the final.

HOW MANY? … Cole Matthews of Reynolds got his 100th career pin Friday morning against Braeden Swab (Central Martinsburg) in a 138-pound quarterfinal match. Matthews will wrestle Caleb Dowling (St. Joseph’s) in the final.