BETHLEHEM – Caleb Clymer’s objective at the District 11 wrestling tournament was as clear as it was simple.

Win.

The Northwestern senior operated with a cool confidence befitting of a wrestler who has been there, done that.

When it was over, Clymer stood atop the podium once again, winning the 160-pound title with a 3-2 decision over Panther Valley’s Tanner Kennedy for this third district title.

Business as usual.

“This is a business trip, that’s all it is,” said Clymer, who was the top seed at 160 pounds. “When you come here, I know how I’m gonna do, and what I have to do. So it’s just, come down here, perform, and it’s not whether I’m gonna lose a match – it’s am I gonna major this kid; am I gonna pin this kid … I just gotta go out and work my moves, preparing for regionals and states.”

Clymer’s aim has been clear since the start of the season: state championship or bust.

Already a two-time state medalist – sixth as a sophomore and third a year ago – Clymer wants gold this time.

“I’m definitely excited,” Clymer said of his postseason prospects. “Senior year, you gotta be excited for it. Win or lose, going out there and compete and having fun, that’s what it’s all about.”

But he had to navigate through the first stop on the road to Hershey over two days at the district tournament. While he came out of it with another gold medal, Clymer wasn’t necessarily pleased with his performance.

“It definitely means a lot, it being my third time,” said Clymer, who was also a district champion last season and as a freshman. “But as far as momentum going into regionals, I was a little bit disappointed with my last performance, just because I felt like I wasn’t leaving it all out on the mat. I wasn’t really opening up.

“But a win is still a win. And at this point in the season, it’s survive and advance, get to states, and that’s when it all matters. And that’s what I have to do yet.”

Clymer’s victory over Kennedy mirrored his two previous wins over the Panthers’ senior – 6-0 at the Coal Cracker tournament earlier this season and 3-0 in the district semis a year ago.

“It is a little different, just because then he knows what you do, he knows all your setups,” Clymer said of facing Kennedy again. “But then again, it almost plays out in your favor, because you know how he’s gonna react. This match … I feel like I wrestled well enough. Going into these next tournaments, I need to pick it up a lot, especially on my feet.

“But as far as a win goes, a win is a win. You come out here and it doen’t matter if it’s by five points, a tech, or a point. A win is a win.”

Poised and prepared, Clymer has positioned himself to end his career with a bang.

“He definitely believes he can win gold at Hershey this year,” said Northwestern head coach Jim Moll. “I think last year, he knew he had a chance. But I don’t know how much he believed it, condidence-wise, and that makes all the difference.

“Confidence is huge. He’s much more confident, and he has that.”

Clymer’s triumph highlighted a stellar tournament for the Tigers, who also had Matt Peters and Jackson Bernhard in the finals.

Northwestern placed second in the team standings with 166 points, just behind Saucon Valley (166.5), and Moll was also named Class 2A Coach of the Year.

“We had a good tournament,” said Moll. “It’s nice to see them wrestle at their best, this time of the year.”

Peters lost a 3-2 decision to top seed Ryan McGuire of Notre Dame Green Pond in the 132-pound final. Peters defeated McGuire 1-0 in the 132-pound final at the Coal Cracker tournament earlier this season.

Peters, who was seeded second at 132, has failed to finish the last two seasons due to injury and illness after qualifying for states as a freshman. The opportunity to return to the regional tournament – and possibly states – as a senior is something Peters is looking forward to.

“It was nice to come here and finish second,” said Peters. “But it’s not what we wanted. Still gotta work.

“But it’s not the end, still got two weeks left with states and regionals. That’s when it really matters.”

Peters’ drive has put him in a position to end his career with his second trip to Hershey.

“I’ll tell you what, no one works harder,” Moll said of Peters. “Definitely in our room, no one outworked him. I don’t know about other rooms, but I put him up against any kid in the district for hard work.

“He busted his tail all season, in season, lifting in the weight room, everything. He’s a dedicated individual. And that makes a dangerous wrestler.”

Bernhard lost a 13-4 major decision to top seed Chase Anklam of Pen Argyl in the 152-pound championship match “I’m really hoping to make it to states again, and maybe get a spot on the podium there,” said Bernhard. “I just wanna keep pushing myself as hard as I can.”

In addition to Tanner Kennedy, Panther Valley also had Hunter Kennedy and Derrick Beckham in the finals.

Hunter Kennedy lost a 9-3 decision to Mahanoy’s Colin Fegley in the 170-pound final. Beckham lost 6-2 to Mahanoy’s Matt Lewandowski in the 182-pound title tilt.

“We were excited,” said Panthers’ head coach Tim Robb. “I explained to the kids, it’s a three-week tournament; it’s not a one week tournament. We wanted to get district champs, obviously.

“It is what it is. I told them not to get too high or too low this week. They did what they needed to do, they got to the finals, and we’ll go from there.”

Beckham and Kennedy both had rematches in the finals. Kennedy lost to Fegley in the Schuylkill League finals earlier this season. Beckham lost to Lewandowski, who won the 170-pound title last year at districts, at the Coal Cracker and league tournaments.

“I wasn’t nervous, I just too focused on keeping the pace high,” said Beckham. “I wasn’t focusing on my shots or anything like that. I wasn’t finishing my shots; I was going for other stuff.”

Jim Thorpe’s John Newhall and Ethan Mordaunt also advanced to the finals. Newhall lost a 6-3 decision to Wilson’s Jon Consorti in the 113-pound final, while Mordaunt fell 6-2 to Saucon Valley’s Dane Csencsits in the 195-pound final.

“I was really excited,” said Olympians’ head coach Shawn Albert. “Anytime you get two finalists in the District 11 AA tournament, you’re doing something right. It’s not what I’m going right, it’s what our kids are doing right. So we’re very excited.”

Mordaunt, the No. 4 seed, pinned top seed Kolt Schaeffer in the semifinals to reach the championship match.

Palmerton’s Lucas Christman and Tamaqua’s Bronson Strouse also had runner-up finishes.

Christman fell to top seed Nathan Haubert 5-1 in the 145-pound final. Strouse, the top seed at 220 pounds, lost a 7-3 decision to Wilson’s Kolby Flank, the No. 2 seed, in the championship match.

“I had nothing to lose going out there,” said Christman. “I wish I would have tried to throw something big or something. But it’s all right.

“It was pretty much what I expected. He’s just a tough kid, definitely.”

MOVING ON … A total of 18 area wrestlers advanced to next week’s Southeast Regional tournament at Wilson West Lawn High School.

Northwestern’s Jake Dellicker (3rd, 106), Colin Rex (3rd, 138), Harrison Bernhard (4th, 126) and Quin Moyer (4th, 220), Lehighton’s Chris Whiteman (4th, 145) and Cody Scherer (4th, 170), Jim Thorpe’s Austin Williams (4th, 182), and Tamaqua’s Pierce Demetriades (4th, 132) all qualified for the regional tournament with top-four finishes.

DOMINANT … Tri-Valley’s Danny Scheib won his third straight district title, pinning Saucon Valley’s Nick Warnke in :44. Scheib also won the Class 2A Outstanding Wrestler Award for the second year in a row.

STRONG SHOWING … Panther Valley’s Chris Walkinshaw battled his way to fifth place at 220 pounds. Walkinshaw, the 10th seed, pinned No. 3 seed Austen Ney of Pine Grove in 4:22 for fifth. “I’m really excited about Walkinshaw taking fifth. He’s working his tail off. He’s worked as hard as anybody,” said Robb.

DISTRICT 11 CLASS 2A WRESTLING TOURNAMENT

TOP 10 TEAMS (PLUS OTHER LOCALS)

1. Saucon Valley 166.5; 2. Northwestern 166; 3. Wilson 150.5; 4. Notre Dame-Green Pond 112.5; 5. Pen Argyl 107.5; 6. Tri-Valley 93; 7. Pine Grove 87; 8. Tamaqua 76; 9. Palisades 75.5; 10. Panther Valley 72, 12. Lehighton 67.5, 14. Jim Thorpe 64.5, 18. Palmerton 35, 20. Northern Lehigh 13.

CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS

126

- Josh Jones (Saucon Valley) tech. fall Nick Reto (Pen Argyl) 17-0 (1:36).

132

- Ryan McGuire (Notre Dame-Green Pond) dec. Matt Peters (Northwestern), 3-2.

138

- Jason Jones (Saucon Valley) dec. Nick Vonelli (Notre Dame-Green Pond), 1-0.

145

- Nathan Haubert (Palisades) dec. Lucas Christman (Palmerton), 5-1.

152

- Chase Anklam (Pen Argyl) major dec. Jackson Bernhard (Northwestern), 13-4.

160

- Caleb Clymer (Northwestern) dec. Tanner Kennedy (Panther Valley), 3-2.

170

- Colin Fegley (Mahanoy Area) dec. Hunter Kennedy (Panther Valley), 9-3.

182

- Matt Lewandowski (Mahanoy Area) dec. Derrick Beckham (Panther Valley), 6-2.

195

- Dane Csencsits (Saucon Valley) dec. Ethan Mordaunt (Jim Thorpe), 6-2.

220

- Kolby Flank (Wilson) dec. Bronson Strouse (Tamaqua), 7-3.

285

- Danny Scheib (Tri-Valley) pinned Nick Warnke (Saucon Valley) :44.

106

- Mikey Myers (Williams Valley) dec. Travis Anderson (Pine Grove), 5-0.

113

- Jon Consorti (Wilson) dec. John Newhall (Jim Thorpe), 6-3.

120

- Richie Markulics (Notre Dame-Green Pond) dec. Marckis Branford (Wilson), 5-3.

THIRD-PLACE MATCHES

106

- Jake Dellicker (Northwestern) forfeit over Gavin Locke (North Schuylkill).

113

- Josh Bauman (Notre Dame-Green Pond) pinned Austin Brett (Catasauqua) in 1:53.

120

- Tyler Melendez (Catasauqua) pinned Zach Wasser (Palisades) in 2:47.

126

- Austin Engle (Schuylkill Haven) dec. Harrison Bernhard (Northwestern), 3-1.

132

- Dustin Hunara (Wilson) dec. Pierce Demetriadis (Tamaqua), 5-1.

138

- Colin Rex (Northwestern) pinned Zavery Lesher (Wilson) 3:47.

145

- Thomas Spirk (Saucon Valley) dec. Chris Whiteman (Lehighton), 9-5.

152

- Dillon Kintzel (Pine Grove) dec Angelo Mahaffey (Saucon Valley), 6-1 (SV).

160

- Isaiah DeJesus (Notre Dame-Green Pond) dec. Jon Fischer (Wilson), 9-7.

170

- Alec Snyder (Wilson) dec. Cody Scherer (Lehighton), 6-2.

182

- Dawson Schwalm (Tri-Valley) dec. Austin Williams (Jim Thorpe) 6-4 (SV).

195

- Kolt Schaeffer (Tri-Valley) pinned Jack Donnelly (Palisades) in :43.

220

- Jonah Niesenbaum (Salisbury) dec. Quin Moyer (Northwestern), 7-3.

285

- Blake Fox (Pen Argyl) dec. Joseph Kocher (Schuylkill Haven), 4-2 (UTB).

FIFTH-PLACE MATCHES

106

- Luke Velekei (Pen Argyl) dec. Dane Druckenmiller (Saucon Valley), 2-0 (SV).

113

- Lucas Buskirk (Pen Argyl) tech. fall Kevin Dyer (Saucon Valley), 15-0 (3:37).

120

- Blake Harner (Tri Valley) dec. Ben Griffith (Northwestern), 9-3.

126

- Tyrese Armstead (Pine Grove) dec. Chase Esterline (Williams Valley), 7-5.

132

- Nate Kemmerer (Lehighton) dec. Antonio Reto (Pen Argyl), 11-4.

138

- Brandon Mader (Tamaqua) dec. Jordan Sims (Pen Argyl), 5-1.

145

- Anthony Micci (Wilson) dec. Chett Pesta (Williams Valley), 4-1.

152

- Adam Marsh (Palisades) major dec. Tyler Schock (Lehighton), 8-0.

160

- Danny Lawrence (Mahanoy) dec. Bradley Panto (Catasauqua), 7-0.

170

- Braydyn Lugardo (Saucon Valley) dec. Dalton Kintzel (Pine Grove), 7-2.

182

- Jarrett Hirschbeck (Saucon Valley) dec. Tyler Watson (Northwestern), 4-2.

195

- Isaac Bredbenner (Northwestern) dec. Michael Ansbach (Mahanoy), 3-0.

220

- Chris Walkinshaw (Panther Valley) pinned Austen Ney (Pine Grove) in 4:22.

285

- Ryan Weitz (North Schuylkill) dec. Lavonte Bouie (Catasauqua), 5-2.

SEMIFINALS

106

- Mikey Myers (Williams Valley) major dec. Jake Dellicker (Northwestern), 10-0; Travis Anderson (Pine Grove) dec. Gavin Locke (North Schuylkill), 15-10.

113

- Jon Consorti (Wilson) dec. Josh Bauman (Notre Dame-Green Pond), 1-0; John Newhall (Jim Thorpe) tech. fall Lucas Buskirk (Pen Argyl) 15-0 (4:23).

120

- Richie Markulics (Notre Dame-Green Pond) pinned Tyler Melendez (Catasauqua) in 3:19; Marckis Branford (Wilson) pinned Zach Wasser (Palisades) in 5:00.

126

- Josh Jones (Saucon Valley) major dec. Harrison Bernhard (Northwestern), 12-1; Nick Reto (Pen Argyl) dec. Austin Engle (Schuylkill Haven), 4-2.

132

- Ryan McGuire (Notre Dame-Green Pond) dec. Dustin Hunara (Wilson), 6-0; Matt Peters (Northwestern) pinned Nathan Kemmerer (Lehighton) in 1:52.

138

- Jason Jones (Saucon Valley) tech. fall Zavery Leshery (Wilson) 16-0 (3:32); Nick Vonelli (Notre Dame-Green Pond) dec. Colin Rex (Northwestern), 3-1.

145

- Nathan Haubert (Palisades) pinned Chris Whiteman (Lehighton) in 3:07; Lucas Christman (Palmerton) pinned Thomas Spirk (Saucon Valley) in :20.

152

- Chase Anklam (Pen Argyl) tech. fall Dillon Kintzel (Pine Grove) 16-1 (5:02); Jackson Bernhard (Northwestern) dec. Angelo Mahaffey (Saucon Valley), 3-1.

160

- Caleb Clymer (Northwestern) major dec. Isaiah DeJesus (Notre Dame-Green Pond), 16-2; Tanner Kennedy (Panther Valley) dec. Jon Fischer (Wilson), 8-1.

170

- Colin Fegley (Mahanoy) pinned Dalton Kintzel (Pine Grove) in 2:59; Hunter Kennedy (Panther Valley) dec. Cody Scherer (Lehighton), 5-2.

182

- Matt Lewandowski (Mahanoy) dec. Austin Williams (Jim Thorpe), 14-9; Derrick Beckham (Panther Valley) dec. Dawson Schwalm (Tri-Valley), 10-8.

195

- Ethan Mordaunt (Jim Thorpe) pinned Kolt Schaeffer (Tri-Valley) in 2;27; Dane Csencsits (Saucon Valley) pinned Jack Donnelly (Palisades) in 2:44.

220

- Bronson Strouse (Tamaqua) pinned Quin Moyer (Northwestern) in 5:04; Kolby Flank (Wilson) dec. Austen Ney (Pine Grove), 9-5.

285

- Danny Scheib (Tri-Valley) pinned Blake Fox (Pen Argyl) in 2:48; Nick Warnke (Saucon Valley) pinned Joseph Kocher (Schuylkill Haven) in 4:55.