When Quentin Bernhard and Jarett White joined Northwestern’s varsity wrestling team as freshmen, the program was in a rebuilding stage.

The two are now seniors and the rebuilding process has been completed. In their four years they have helped the team return to its place as one of the Colonial League and District 11 championship contenders.

Both wrestlers recently crossed the 100-win milestone early in the postseason of their senior year.

Bernhard notched his 100th at the Colonial League team tournament in a semifinal win over Northern Lehigh.

“It was really exciting,” said Bernhard. “Definitely coming in as a freshman I hadn’t really given it a lot of thought. Then I thought about it a little bit at the end of last year. I knew if I could get 35 this year I could do it.

“It felt great for it to come against Northern Lehigh, our rival, and be part of that win.”

White picked up his 100th during the District 11 team tournament.

“It’s kind of exciting,” said White. “You put four years in high school and you work your butt off to do it. Once you achieve your goals it’s nice to see how far you’ve come along since you first started, from one to 100.

“We have a board out in the gymnasium. Looking at all the people on there, to achieve that goal is a high expectation. That was one of my goals for the year.”

Both wrestlers started at a young age and, despite trying other sports, stuck with the one they liked best.

“It’s a lot more demanding [than other sports],” said Bernhard. “Even though there is that big team aspect, a lot of it is individual. You can’t blame someone else for what happens. There’s more pressure but it’s more rewarding.”

Bernhard began his wrestling career in kindergarten. A lack of early success didn’t turn him away. It just made him work harder.

“I had a lot of years when I only won one or two matches,” he said. “In sixth grade something clicked. That was my last year of youth wrestling. A lot of it was just the time I put in. It felt more natural and just the confidence you build up after you start beating some guys.”

Bernhard joined his first wrestling team in first grade and took to the sports quickly. He tried football and soccer, but he always enjoyed wrestling the most.

“It’s more of a thrill,” said White. “It’s six minutes as hard as you can push yourself. You can go out to win for yourself and/or as a team. It’s just exciting when you come up with a win and your team is winning.”

Both wrestlers are happy for what they’ve done to help the program in its resurgence.

“We had some lumps our first two years,” said White. “After that we had some guys come in and just kept working and didn’t stop.”

“It feels great after ninth, 10th and 11th grade to have lost to Northern Lehigh and now beat them three times this year,” said Bernhard. “The first two years we didn’t have that many wins. Last year and this year we got in league and districts duals. I’d like to see us improve as it goes on. Hopefully I’ll be able to get back to some matches.”

Both wrestlers will move on to the District 11 individual tournament. Both are two-time district place-winners who made their first appearance at states last year.

Bernhard finished second at districts at 120 pounds. He went on to get sixth at regionals before going 0-2 at states.

White took third in districts at 126, but got fifth at regionals and went 2-2 at states. He came up one win short of earning a state medal. He’s hoping to get further this year.

“I want to go out to states this year,” he said. “I want to step onto the podium my first time.”