Catasauqua's Jake Rusnock figured wrestling in the PIAA Class 2A Southeastern Regional would be a challenge, but it was more of an obstacle than he believed.

"It was a really good experience," said Rusnock, a senior. "I didn't really realize how close the competition really was. Every match is really a big match. It is totally different than anything else because you really don't know too much about your opponent.

"It is different than wrestling during the season and wrestling at home. You can do certain things and prepare in a certain way, but you really can't get a good gauge at what could happen out there."

Along with fellow seniors Zac Bradley and Rhaine Sziy, Rusnock represented the Roughies' program at the event. Bradley finished third overall at 160, Sziy was fifth at 195, and Rusnock was sixth at 132.

At the district tournament, Sziy was the champion in his bracket, while Bradley was the runner-up. Both Bradley (38-5) and Sziy (37-5) will advance to the state tournament this weekend. The Roughies finished 17th overall in the field of 49 teams.

Rusnock won a major decision in his opening match before he was the victim of a technical fall in the next round and was eliminated from the championship round.

In the consolation round, Rusnock won his opening match, 3-2, and followed with a 4-2 decision. During the battle for third place, Rusnock dropped a 4-2 decision and then lost a 5-4 decision in the battle for fifth place and finished sixth overall.

He punched his ticket to the regional tournament with a fourth-place finish at the district tournament and ended his career with an overall 37-9 mark.

"I won a match big and then lost one big," recalled Rusnock. "I then won match by two points and lost two matches by a combined three points. Everybody comes right at you. That's how close it is."

With his wrestling career behind him, Rusnock was pleased with his season, as he was joined Bradley and Sziy who all gained their 100th career victory this season.

"I thought it was a good season for all of us," said Rusnock, who plans to run distance in track this spring. "I really thought that I exceeded all expectations for myself. I really achieved all of my goals and hope (Bradley and Sziy) can come back with gold."