Bethlehem Catholic sophomore Luke Karam brought home the highest finish from any Pennsylvania representative during last month's ASICS/Vaughan Junior & Cadet National Championships in Fago, ND.

Karam took third place from the event at 106-pounds in the freestyle portion of the tournament.

"Basically, it's the biggest tournament in the country and there's a lot of top talent out there," said Luke's father, Becahi head coach Jeff Karam. "Some states didn't bring all their top guys out there, and Pennsylvania was one of them, but you're still wrestling against great competition and all the major college coaches are out there watching."

Karam was a PIAA 2A finalist last year at 106 pounds, where he finished as a state-runner up his freshman year with a 34-3 record.

He beat the defending Fargo national champion in the quarterfinals last month, but lost in the semifinals to California's Joe Cisneros, giving up a 3-0 lead with two minutes left, to trail 8-5 with 10 seconds left before a desperation move found him on his back for the final points as he lost 12-5.

Winning the tournament was a goal for Karam, but settling for third are sometimes the realities you have to deal with in wrestling.

"Winning was his top goal, but he got a little lazy in the semifinal and it cost him," Karam said. "I think it'll teach him a lesson and that's what you really want to take away from matches like that."

Becahi's Jose Ortiz also qualified for the tournament, but didn't place. Ortiz went 1-2 at 182-pounds, as Pennsylvania finished 13th overall in the junior division.

"It definitely was not a good showing for Pennsylvania," said Karam. "This is probably the lowest finish I've seen from us in awhile. Part of that is due to not having all of our best talent out there and that happens when some kids have already made college commitments."