Bethlehem Catholic's Darian Cruz ended his high school career in style, defeating Bedford's Ryan Easter with a 16-4 major decision at 120 pounds to earn his second straight PIAA Class 2A state title.

One might have thought it would be difficult for Cruz to maintain his focus and intensity after winning the title at 106 pounds last year, but the Lehigh-bound senior never lost sight of his goals.

"All the hard work that I put in, year after year, just paid off," Cruz said. "It's hard to get to the top, but it's even harder to stay at the top. You see a lot of guys win state titles and fall off; come back the next year and not win.

"I think it's most important, that, once you're on top, to stay on top. And just keep working hard to stay there.

"Thank God and thank my coaches for keeping me level-headed to realize that I can fall off if I slack a little bit. They wouldn't let me slack and kept pushing me, harder and harder."

The significance of Cruz's consecutive titles is wide-ranging, and not at all lost on him.

"Making history for Bethlehem Catholic is one of the things I've wanted to do since I was a freshman," Cruz said. "To do it for the school, the city of Bethlehem and the family, Bethlehem Catholic as a family, is huge."

Even though Cruz has been on this stage before, he admitted that he still had nerves before his match in the finals.

"The first time I didn't know what to expect, with it being my first state title," Cruz said. "They both have their own nerves, but for this one there was a little bit of pressure knowing I'm a senior and this is my second time and my last high school match.

"But then right away, I thought, 'it's my last match and I just want to have fun.' Go out there and let it rip and that's what both of my coaches told me before I went out. The work that I put in should show out on the mat."

That hard work allowed to Cruz to savor his final high school match and reflect on the career he's had.

"It was nice," Cruz said. "I just took it in so much. I was holding back tears but all I could do was smile.

"It was my last match and hopefully I gave everyone here what they paid for, a show. That's what I love doing; not only wrestling but putting on a show for people and making it fun."

Bethlehem Catholic coach Jeff Karam had high praise for Cruz and what he has brought to the program over the last four years.

"Just to see him mature over the years and grow into an unbelievable young man," Karam said. "So many times you get the kids that have the ability and you say as a coach, 'man, if they'd only do this or do that.'

"Well, Darian has all the ability and he's done everything I have asked him and all the other coaches have asked him. He's one of those special, rare kids that you get once-in-a-lifetime if you're lucky as a coach and he's definitely going to be missed.

"For as happy as I am to see him be a state champ again, I know that's the last time he's going to be wrestling for us."

Karam credits Cruz's work ethic as one of the primary reasons he has had such a successful career.

"He's just so self-motivated," Karam said. "Every aspect of wrestling which you need to instill into a young man, he has. He just has it.

"He's been such a great role model and great leader for our team this year."