Lions claim third in Hershey

   It was another special weekend for Chestnut Ridge in Hershey.
   Special, because competing at the Giant Center, the PIAA's grand stage for these events, is an accomplishment in itself.
   Special, since a win that was so elusive for years was finally theirs early Friday afternoon.
   And oh so special, because the Lions came home with their third medal in the last six years.
   Chestnut Ridge secured it with a 31-27 victory over Harbor Creek in the consolation semifinals, before beating Muncy 39-22 to finish in third place in the Class AA state duals.
   The Lions placed fourth in their first-ever trip in 2013, and were the tournament's runner-up two years later. After two years of near misses, the District 5 power can now hang another banner in its home gymnasium.
   Seniors Seth Harbaugh and Scotty Miller didn't take long to mention the word 'team' in celebrating a medal.
   "I'm just so happy how the team performed, and how we overcame the tough loss (30-27 to Southern Columbia) in the semifinals," said Harbaugh. "It feels great."
   "I love my team," added Miller. "We are a family, and I'm glad to be a part of this experience with them."
   Helping pave the way was a hard-fought 35-27 quarterfinal win over state duals nemesis Boiling Springs, who was 5-0 against Chestnut Ridge on the floor of the Giant Center. Tied at 27 with two bouts remaining, state champion Justin McCoy rolled up a technical fall before Brodie Harbaugh scored a decision to exorcise demons of the past.
   That put the Lions in the semifinals for the second time in history (2015), going up against Southern Columbia. The District 4 champions were a little too much and went on to give defending champion Reynolds all it could handle in a 30-25 title match.
   Chestnut Ridge's third medal gives District 5 four team placewinners in the 20-year history of the event. Bedford owns the other one, having finished fourth in 2009.
   "It feels good to finally come through as a team," said junior and two-time individual state placer Jared McGill. "I've been on two previous teams that were so close to getting that medal but fell short. The guys really stepped it up and I'm proud of everyone.
   "I also want to give a shoutout to our fans for coming down to cheer us on."
   While the Lions will lose a number of seniors, headlined by McCoy, they'll have McGill and a host of experience back. That will include state placewinner Kaden Cassidy, who had his sophomore season cut short due to a hand injury. And as the varsity squad was winning another state medal, Chestnut Ridge also won another Mountain Conference junior high tournament championship, putting seven wrestlers into the finals with two champions.

State Duals Tidbits
- I had posted on social media after the win over Boiling Springs that Chestnut Ridge was 13-7 overall at the state duals. That was an error on my part as I had missed one year of results. To date including this season now, the Lions are 17-10 in Hershey.

- Reynolds repeated as Class AA champion for the second time (2006 and 07) and won its fifth title in history.

- According to Williamsport Sun-Gazette writer Mitch Rupert, Muncy's fourth-place effort is the first team medal by a Lycoming County school. Coupled with Southern Columbia's finals appearance, it's the first time two District 4 teams have placed in the same season.