ORWIGSBURG — Tri-Valley seniors Caleb Bordner and Hunter Harner have three Schuylkill League Wrestling Tournament titles apiece.
Blue Mountain’s Christian Gosch, Tamaqua’s Dylan Rynkiewicz, North Schuylkill’s Nate Gadinski, Pottsville’s Luke Gardner and Tri-Valley’s Sammy Hepler all have won two championships.
That’s a lot of hardware.
And a lot of talent.
“There’s a lot of good wrestlers in the Schuylkill League, and it’s just an honor to (be on the top) of the podium,’’ Gadinski said.
“There’s a lot of upsets in the tournament, and it’s whoever shows up and works the hardest on that particular day.’’
These multiple champions have shown up and worked the hardest when the league tournament comes each January.
Bordner, Harner and Tri-Valley teammate Anthony Snyder became four-time league finalists Saturday at Blue Mountain High School.
Bordner (19-3) dominated his 120-pound final, scoring early and often on his feet to post a 16-3 major decision over Pottsville’s Richie Bentz.
“It was a good four years,’’ Bordner said. “I would have liked to be a four-timer, but ... Now I’ve just got to keep working.’’
At 170, Harner (21-3) got into a scrap with Blue Mountain’s Devon Krammes. The pair met in Wednesday’s dual meet, with Harner earning a 7-3 decision.
This one was much closer as Harner needed a reversal in the first 30-second tiebreaker period to win 5-4.
“I couldn’t imagine this when I was a freshman. ... I couldn’t be happier,’’ Harner said of his three golds and one silver. “(The match) was stressful. He’s strong, he’s quick, he’s a hard-nosed wrestler.’’
A 132-pounder, Hepler won his second title in as many years with a 21-6 technical fall over Pine Grove’s Danny Diaz-Walton. Hepler (18-4) notched two falls en route to the finals.
“It feels great. I put a lot of work in over the summer and it’s paying off now,’’ Hepler said. “I feel much better, much stronger (than last year). I feel like I’m ready to go get a state title.’’
Another wrestler with goals for Hershey is Gardner, who dominated the 126-pound field. A 45-second pin, a 16-0 technical fall in 2:42 and an 18-5 major decision over Tamaqua’s Tanner McHugh (22-3) paved the way to gold. Gardner (22-1) notched seven takedowns in his win in the finals.
“Slowly but surely,’’ Gardner said of his progress. “I’m not right where I want to be. ... Keep working hard, eating right, doing the right things on and off the mat.
“I’m hungry, hungry for that state medal this year,’’ he added. “So I’m going to keep pushing and moving forward.’’
Gadinski (23-0), a state qualifier last season, is pushing forward this season at a higher level. He had his hands full in the finals, though, using an escape for a 1-0 victory over Blue Mountain’s Kirk Dougherty (20-6).
At 138, Rynkiewicz has had a roller-coaster week.
In Wednesday’s dual meet, he suffered a 7-6 loss to Lehighton’s Tegan Durishin.
When they clashed again in Saturday’s finals, Rynkiewicz (23-2) rebounded with a 7-2 decision over Durishin (24-5).
“It feels amazing,’’ Rynkiewicz said. “Coming off that loss to him Wednesday, it crushed my confidence. Coach told me to get back in it: ‘I know you can beat him. Wrestle your match.’
“(Wrestling) around this crowd, it’s awesome,’’ he added. “Nothing’s better than a revenge league championship.’’