BETHLEHEM - Survive and advance.

It was the motto for nearly every wrestler competing at Friday night's District 11 Class AA individual tournament.And when the dust settled, it was clear that most had succeeded in accomplishing that goal.A total of 21 wrestlers made it to the semifinals, with many more still alive in the consolation bracket.Northern Lehigh led the way after the first night of competition at Freedom High School with a total of six wrestlers moving on to the semifinals. Northwestern wasn't far behind, with five advancing to the semis, while Lehighton had four move on and Panther Valley, three, respectively.Jim Thorpe, Palmerton and Tamaqua all have one wrestler still with a shot at gold.Banner DayThe 21 total wrestlers coming back in the semis is an uptick from last year, when 18 were still in contention to stand on the top step of the podium.For Northern Lehigh's Colton Rex, who picked up a dominating 18-3 (4:34) technical fall over Pen Argyl's Nick Reto in the 120-pound quarterfinals after pinning Mahanoy's Seth Maley in 21 seconds in the first round, to opportunity to repeat as a district champion is secondary to what the senior wants to see the rest of the Bulldogs accomplish on the second day of the tournament."I always said to myself that I want to repeat, that's all I want to do is get that district gold," Rex said. "But especially coming back with this team. Obviously, we didn't get to do it at team duals (after winning the Class AA title a year ago). But I believe that we have a great amount of kids that we can repeat out title as team champions from this tournament last year."Rex will be joined in the semifinals by Seth Fronheiser (113), Mat Schmall (138), Ryan Farber (160), CJ Young (170) and Cameron Kates (285).In addition to Rex, Schmall and Farber will also be going for their second straight district titles. Young will be going for his first district gold after taking second a year ago.Northwestern will have one wrestler looking to repeat as a district champion, as Caleb Clymer (145) moved into the semis by pinning Tri Valley's Aaron Heffron in 1:06 before winning by injury default against Williams Valley's Colten Rabuck in the quarters.Clymer will be joined by Baily Wehr (120), Quentin Bernhard (126), Jarett White (132) and David VanBlargan (152) in the semis.While Clymer is aiming for his second straight gold, Bernhard is looking for gunning for his first title after falling in the finals a year ago."I'm hoping to be able to get into the finals," said Bernahrd. "Always if I can do better that would be great; but it's all up to how I wrestle. I'll do my best."I like to think about last year because that shows me what I'm capable of. I know that I'm of that caliber and that I should be wrestling this well, and I can get to states. But at the same time, I can't get to confident. I have to keep a good head."White, who pinned Wilson's Zavery Lesher in the first round before earning an 11-3 major decision over Palmerton's Lucas Christman in the quarters, gets No. 2 seed Jacob Wasser of Palisades in the semis.Despite the fact that Wasser is 31-0 this season, White is looking forward to the challenge."It's exciting," the senior said. "You thrive on the matches you've won and lost; it helps to keep pushing you through the tournament."For Lehighton, Zach Kemmerer (120), Tegan Durishin (145), Connor Frey (195) and Wyatt Clements (220) all advanced to the semifinals. Frey will try for his second consecutive district gold after claiming the top spot at 182-pounds last year.Panther Valley's Hunter Kennedy (138), Ali Capobianco (152) and Dylan Moyer (182) all made it through to the semis."I'm definitely peaking. I'm definitely at the top of my game," said Capobianco, who earned a 15-4 major decision over Wilson's Jonathon Fischer in the quarterfinals. "Now it's just time to show off what I've been working for these past couple of months. Now it's time to lay down the hammer and show people what I'm about."Jim Thorpe's Kevan Gentile (106), Palmerton's Jared Mooney (182) and Tamaqua's Tanner McHugh (126) all made it through to the semifinals.Of all the area wrestlers seeking another district title, Gentile is the only one doing so in the same weight class."I just feel better. I feel more confident in myself," said Gentile. "I feel like I'm more in control. I can't be cocky, but I just want to wrestle hard and do what I always do."Mooney earned the No. 1 overall seed after a stellar season and will be looking to improve his fifth place finish from a year ago."I feel like I'm much stronger this year with the experience I got last year," said Mooney, who was a state qualifier a year ago. "Just the experience of how to handle these situations has really helped me a lot."WIN-WINSeveral semifinal matches will feature two area wrestlers: Kemmerer will face Rex; Bernhard will take on McHugh; Kennedy will see Schmall; and Clymer will battle Durishin."We just went hiking together last Sunday," Kemmerer said of Rex. "We're good friends and it's fun to wrestle kids like that because it takes that pressure off. You can just worry about wrestling."For McHugh, Bernhard is an unfamiliar foe. But the junior's outlook remains the same."The top four, maybe top six are all really even," McHugh said of the weight class."It just comes down to a couple of seconds and just whoever can get maybe just one takedown or one escape; it all comes down to the mindset of the match."STILL ALIVEThe following are the wrestlers, by school, that are still in contention for a medal in the consolation bracket: Lehighton's Nate Kemmerer (106), Logan Pagotto (113), Chris Whiteman (132), Cody Scherer (152), Jack Zimmerman (182) and Xander Smith (285); Northern Lehigh's Ezra Neff (126), Brandon Belfonti (152) and Jason Schaffer (220); Northwestern's Jackson Bernhard (128), Jason Hottinger (160), Andrew Sorenson (170), Eddie Parrish (182) and Jacob Murray (285); Palmerton's Chase Faulstick (126), Lucas Christman (132), Damien Fink (138), Nate Sterner (145), Kyle Kralik (160), Riad Kapur (170), John Iles (195) and Jericho Burger (285); Panther Valley's Kyle Rusnock (113), Justin Ogozalek (120), Derrick Beckham (145), Xander Kern (160) and Justin Rodriguez (220); Jim Thorpe's Cameron Condly (160), Robbie Geisinger (170) and Ryan O'Rourke (285); and Tamaqua's Ty Hinkle (145).HAPPY RETURNSAction resumed this morning with second round consolations at 9 a.m., at Freedom High School. The consolation finals (third and fifth place) and championship finals will be at Liberty High School.