BETHLEHEM - Four Times News area wrestlers advanced to the PIAA Championships at Saturday’s Southeast Regional Tournament.

Northwestern’s Luke Fugazzotto and Nolan Koehler, along with Palmerton’s Dillon Lombardi and Mahanoy’s Rory Dixon (Marian) all qualified for states with top five finishes at the Class 2A regional event.

Fugazzotto qualified for states for the third time in his career after reaching the final Saturday, where he dropped a 12-0 major decision to Faith Christian Academy’s Nick Singer at 172 pounds.

“It just helps me learn what I have to do better if I see him again,” said Fugazzotto. “I still was able to do better than I did last year at this tournament. It just gives me more to work for. I wrestled some talented guys, and it just shows me what I have to do better.”

Fugazzotto was third last year at regionals before advancing to the finals in Hershey. He had three first-period pins at regionals to reach the final.

A freshman, Koehler advanced to states with a 6-5 decision over Seth Karpulk (Tulpehocken) in the 152-pound fifth-place match.

“It’s a great feeling,” said Koehler. “Being a freshman, going to states, it’s very exciting. My coaches have really helped me with my mentality throughout a match.

“My goals coming into this weekend were of course to go to states. I just wanted to stay in matches as much as possible.”

Lombardi, a senior, qualified for states in his second trip to regionals after placing fourth at 172 pounds. He also earned his 100th career win Friday night.

“I would rate this weekend pretty much a 10 out of 10,” said Lombardi. “Even though I got fourth, I hit two of the biggest goals I’ve ever had, reaching 100 wins and getting to states. It just feels amazing right now.”

Lombardi dropped an 18-5 major decision to Carmine Lenzi (Berks Catholic) in his third-place match.

Dixon, who attends Marian and wrestles for Mahanoy through a co-op between the schools, also qualified for states for the first time after placing fourth at 160 pounds.

It comes after a knee injury ended his season a year ago at districts, and also cost the sophomore time this year.

“This feels amazing,” said Dixon, who lost a 2-0 decision to Nicky Negron (Bishop McDevitt) in his third-place match. “This is such a great feeling. With everything that I had to go through to come back over these last two years and being able to reach the goal that I wanted, it’s the best feeling in the world.”

Mahanoy’s Kyler Quick also advanced to states with a fifth-place finish at 189 pounds, topping Eduardo Franco (Berks Catholic) 5-4 in their fifth-place match.

MEDALISTS ... While not advancing to Hershey, several area wrestlers landed on the podium Saturday at Freedom High School. Northwestern’s Weston Killar (114) and Lehighton’s Lukas Croizier (139) both placed sixth at regionals.

UP NEXT ... The PIAA Championships will be held March 6-8 at the Giant Center in Hershey.