The path to Northampton’s first District XI wrestling team title since 2009 was testament to depth and balance of their lineup. Each wrestler contributed at least two wins and a pin to the cause.

Senior Ryan Stilgenbauer took fourth place at 106 pounds to qualify for his first appearance in the NE Regional Tournament. In addition to his placement, Stilgenbauer also scored two pins.

Freshman Alex Hanley captured sixth place at 113 pounds. He narrowly missed a spot at regionals when he was taken down with 28 seconds left and dropped a 5-4 decision in the fifth place consolation bout. Hanley added team points with a fall, a forfeit, and tech fall.

Sam Hanley is going to the regional tournament for the third time in his career. The senior finished fourth in the district and piled up three pins at 120. Hanley fell just short of qualifying for states last year, finishing fifth at 113.

At 126 pounds, Ethan Szerencsits battled back from a first round loss to claim fifth place and his first trip to regionals. Along his way through the consolations, the junior picked up a tech fall and then a key fall over Blaine Wilson of Nazareth.

Julian Chlebove started his march toward his third state title by being named the AAA tournament’s Most Outstanding Wrestler. He won his third district title in style by pinning nationally-ranked Kenny Herrmann of Beca in 4:58. The future Arizona State Sun Devil has a bye into the quarterfinals at 132.

Devon Britton qualified for his fourth regional tournament with a run to the district final that included two pins. However, Britton suffered a rib injury in his semifinal bout which was later aggravated in the final, causing a medical forfeit. If he can recover in time, the Rutgers-bound senior will take on James Clacks, the fourth place finisher at 138 in District 12.

Jagger Condomitti pinned his way to a finals showdown with Beca’s Ryan Anderson at 145 pounds. Anderson avenged his only loss of the season with a 5-3 decision on the strength of two near-fall points in the second period. Condomitti couldn’t quite break through with an equalizing takedown in the final minute. Can the rest of the regional group at 145 just agree to wrestle for third and give us Condomitti/Anderson five?

At 152, senior Mikey Kistler made his first district final with a major decision over Jake Dressler of Nazareth in the semis. While he couldn’t overcome Cole Handlovic in the final, Kistler will participate in his third straight regional tournament. He’ll be looking to make his second state tournament appearance before continuing his career at the University of Pennsylvania.

At 160, Erik Schreck contributed two wins in the championship bracket and fall to the Kids’ cause.

At 170, Traisach Roland advanced to the quarterfinals, won a consolation bout, and added a fall to Northampton’s team total.

Junior Riley Gallagher will make his first regional appearance following a run to 5th place that included two pins and a forfeit.

Jayden Bortz was Northampton’s first district champion of the night (the tournament started at 152). He pushed through the fatigue of a tough battle with top-seeded Damen Moyer of Liberty to score the decisive escape with seconds left on the clock to win 3-2. Bortz remarked on what it meant to him to win the 195-pound championship in his senior year.

“It feels amazing,” Bortz said. “I wanted my name on the board in the wrestling room. That’s all I wanted honestly. Some day I’m going to be able to go in there and show my kids, my wife. It’s going to feel good.”

At 220, junior Blake Lambert will be making his first regional tournament appearance. He lost a 1-0 decision to eventual champion Nick Nittoli in the semis but won his consolation semi on the way to a fourth place finish.

Bubba Werkheiser pinned his way into the semis before knocking off top-seeded Jase Crouse of Beca to reach the final at 285 and secure his first regional berth. Through two periods the score was 2-2, but his opponent scored an escape and a late takedown to take the title 5-2.