Being a wrestling state runner-up in Pennsylvania is an objectively stellar achievement, but when you are a returning state champion, that silver medal serves as a reminder of the one that got away than the culmination of dreams.

Whitehall’s Willmont Kai rolled through the rest of the 133-pound field at Hershey last weekend, posting a pair of pins to go with a 16-6 major decision to reach a state final for the second-straight year.

Unfortunately for the Zephyr senior, he drew an all-too-familiar foe: Bethlehem Catholic’s Keanu Dillard. The Golden Hawk used a second-period escape and a third-period rideout to become the first District XI AAA wrestler to ever win four state titles with a 1-0 decision.

As a fellow District XI competitor, Dillard kept Kai off the top of the podium at all three postseason tournaments. He won districts 1-0 and regionals 4-2. He was named Outstanding Wrestler at all tournaments as well.

A disappointed Kai offered these thoughts immediately after the match, “I tried to push the pace more. I worked on my attacks. Trying to score points. I know I can score on anybody, but…,” he ended with a sigh and a shrug.

His mood was decidedly more upbeat Friday night after pinning Altoona’s Braiden Weaver, a Penn State commit, in the semifinals.

The win was number 148 in his Whitehall career, making him the Zephyr’s all-time wins leader, surpassing Christian Franco’s 147.

“It’s getting me pumped that I made it to the finals, pinning a really good guy, who’s committed to Penn State, you know. That was a really big one for me personally,” the future Nebraska Cornhusker said with satisfaction.

About setting the Whitehall wins record Kai explained, “I was kind of pushing for 150 plus wins. I didn’t wrestle a tournament last year, but I still got it done (breaking the record). Hopefully, one of my teammates, one of the younger guys, can go break this one.”

Freshman Mason Hopkins, the other Zephyr state qualifier, finished the year with 32 wins after going 0-2 in Hershey. He lost a tough 6-5 match in the opening round before being pinned in consolations.

Head coach Tim Cunningham offered his final thoughts on Kai and fellow senior 100-match winners, Kade Pascoe and James Hopkins, “The good thing is that they led the way the last four years. The younger guys know what it’s all about. They built a culture within the program that should last.”