Three Hornet boys competed in this past weekend’s PIAA Class 3A Wrestling Championships at the Giant Center in Hershey, PA.

Junior Emilio Albanese nearly added a third gold medal to his season with his performance at states. He won his first three matches in Hershey before coming up short in the 127-pound final against Cedar Cliff’s Kavin Muyleart via a 5-2 decision in three overtimes.

Albanese and Muyleart were deadlocked in a 1-1 tie after three periods of regulation after Albanese picked up an escape early in that third period. After a scoreless first overtime period, Muylear escaped in the second overtime and then picked up a takedown late in the frame. Albanese picked up an escape late in the third overtime.

Albanese had little trouble in the opening round, pinning Boiling Springs’ Alex Mentzer midway through the second period. But his next two matches would test Albanese’s focus and determination.

In the quarterfinal round, Albanese outlasted Max Tancini of Perkiomen Valley to secure a 1-0 victory and advance to the semifinals round. There, Albanese found himself in another tight contest against Manheim Township’s Frank Leanza. Albanese picked up all four of his points in the second period, and held off Leanza for a 4-3 victory to punch his spot in the championship.

Teagan Caciolo went 2-3 at the tournament and advanced to the seventh-place match of the 121-pound bracket. That’s where his state run came to an end against Bethlehem Catholic’s Nico Emili in a two-overtime ultimate tiebreaker, 2-1.

Caciolo, the No. 12 seed, pinned No. 5 seed Alex Su of Central Bucks South in the opening round in the second period. After a 4-0 loss against Connellsville’s Tommy Gretz sent Caciolo into the consolation bracket, the Hornet junior took down second-seeded Titus Colangelo of Franklin via a 2-1 decision.

A close, 4-2 setback against No. 7 Jake Benyo of Hazelton sent Caciolo into that seventh-place match.

Senior Xayden Sallit was the other Hornet who competed at states in the 172-pound bracket. He suffered a 7-1 loss in the first round against West Chester Rustin’s A.J. Corp, but then responded to take down Wallenpaupack’s Gabriel Caufield, 2-1, in the first round of the consolation bracket.

Sallit’s run came to an end against Moon Area’s Liam Costa via a 10-1 major decision in the next round.