However, with some coaxing from head coach Biff Walizer, that attitude towards the sport changed. The Wildcats needed a 172-pounder, Serafini fit the mold and ultimately, he decided to give it another try.

“Coach pulled me out of class one day, said we needed a 172 starter,” said Serafini. “I decided to step up for the team, just go out there with the team on my mind.”

Since then, the senior has proven to be a reliable piece in Central Mountain’s dual success, seeming to find more of a feel each time he takes the mat. That showed in Thursday’s Senior Night dual against Jersey Shore, where he looked off a deficit against a tough opponent to secure a hard-fought, second-period pin.

Serafini’s pin was one of seven on the night for the Wildcats, who put forth a dominant showing on a special night for the program against their rival. Central Mountain (11-0) finished with 11 wins – all featuring bonus points – to roll past Jersey Shore, 64-6, and finish its fourth consecutive regular season undefeated.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Central Mountain's Mario Serafini works a pin against Jersey Shore's Jonathan Dincher during a boys wrestling dual on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, at Central Mountain. The Wildcats won 64-6.

It remains to be seen where the team will fall in the final District 6 Class AAA standings ahead of district duals. But whatever the result, Walizer is ecstatic with what his team put together on Thursday and throughout the regular season and looks forward to postseason.

“Everybody went out and fought hard as they have all season, were able to cap the regular season winning 11 straight,” said Walizer. “That’s just one piece of the puzzle, so we’ve got to continue putting the pieces together until it’s complete.”

Against returning regional qualifier Jonathan Dincher, Serafini found himself down 4-0 deep in the second period. He had given an early takedown in the first and an escape out of top to start the second, but as that stanza entered its closing fourth, he’d find the opportunity he needed.

Out of a neutral reset, he’d absorb a shot from Dincher and create a headlock opportunity, using it to land him a takedown before working it into a pin. Upon securing it, Serafini received an ovation from the crowd, reflecting the difficulty of the matchup and what he was able to overcome.

“It’s definitely a great feeling. There’s nothing like it,” said Serafini on the response from the crowd. “My coach told me to pop an underhook and did. I saw the headlock was there, so I took it.”

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Central Mountain's Mario Serafini gets his hand raised during a boys wrestling dual on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, at Central Mountain. The Wildcats won 64-6.

“That’s the second match in a row where he’s given up the first takedown and ends up pinning the guy,” laughed Walizer when discussing the win. “So, he’s never out of the match.”

Serafini wasn’t the only senior to succeed in Thursday’s Senior Night affair.

Though Collin Bauman (121) and Dalton McDermott (160) fell in hard-fought decisions against two tough opponents – Gabe Fisher and Tobias Morgret, they kept team points surrendered to a minimum. And on the other hand, Hunter Donley (189) picked up a dominant win of his own.

After netting a quick takedown against Shore’s Riley Kanski at 189, Donley managed to work him on his back on three separate occasions through the first for six combined back points. Then, when he secured another takedown out the gate in the second, it didn’t take long for him to post the last three back points he needed to seal the deal.

“I was working my tilt, got to the wrist and was able to get a couple near-fall points. Also got to my shots pretty easily on my feet,” said Donley. “It feels pretty good to get back here and wrestle with all my friends. Hopefully, we can host (District Duals) here and wrestle back home again.”

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Central Mountain's Hunter Donley wrestles Jersey Shore's Riley Kanski at 189 during a boys wrestling dual on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, at Central Mountain. The Wildcats won 64-6.

Donley was followed up by two pins from Todd Caris (215) and Hayes Henry (285) that finished the job, with Caris landing his in the first period. Hunter Nace (107), Hayes Donley (139) and Luke Garman (145) netted first-period pins of their own, with Donley and Garman’s occurring back-to-back in less than 30 seconds.

Patrick Tarantella (133) wasn’t far behind them, securing his 19 seconds into the second. Aiden Kunes (152) racked up four takedowns through the fourth to post a late tech fall against defending District 4 champ Louden Spotts. And Angelo Tarantella (114) and Gavin Heverly (127) rounded out the team’s wins, winning by forfeit.

The win should help propel the team into a tough District 6 Class AAA Duals tournament, where it’ll draw either Bellefonte or State College depending on seeding. For now, Central Mountain’s focus turns to its final tournament of the regular season – Ultimate Warrior – where it’s set to compete starting on Friday.

“We’re just focused on putting together a good weekend together and hopefully staying healthy, knock on wood,” said Walizer. “Hopefully, the guys go out and continue taking steps forward to improve.”

For Jersey Shore (6-13), action resumes next Wednesday, as it continues its four-match road stint at Troy. That match is set for 7 p.m.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Jersey Shore's Tobias Morgret wrestles Central Mountain's Dalton McDermott at 160 during a boys wrestling dual on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, at Central Mountain. The Bulldogs fell 64-6.

Central Mountain 64, Jersey Shore 6

107: Hunter Nace (CM) pinned Travis Merrill (JS), 1:45. 114: Angelo Tarantella (CM) won by forfeit. 121: Gabriel Fisher (JS) dec. Collin Bauman (CM), 10-5. 127: Gavin Heverly (CM) won by forfeit. 133: Patrick Tarantella (CM) pinned Talin Kline (JS), 2:19. 139: Hayes Donley (CM) pinned Colton Gordner (JS), :29. 145: Luke Garman (CM) pinned BenJamin Lovell (JS), :26. 152: Aiden Kunes (CM) tech fall Louden Spotts (JS) 22-6 (5:48). 160: Tobias Morgret (JS) dec. Dalton McDermott (CM), 1-0. 172: Mario Serafini (CM) pinned Jonathan Dincher (JS), 3:37. 189: Hunter Donley (CM) tech fall Riley Kanski (JS), 15-0 (2:57). 215: Todd Caris (CM) pinned Aiden Patts (JS), 1:28. 285: Hayes Henry (CM) pinned Garret Barner (JS), 4:23.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Central Mountain's Luke Garman works a pin during a boys wrestling dual on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, at Central Mountain. The Wildcats won 64-6.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Central Mountain's Hayes Donley works a pin during a boys wrestling dual on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, at Central Mountain. The Wildcats won 64-6.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Central Mountain's Aiden Kunes wrestles Jersey Shore's Louden Spotts during a boys wrestling dual on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, at Central Mountain. The Wildcats won 64-6.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Central Mountain's Patrick Tarantella gets his hand raised during a boys wrestling dual on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, at Central Mountain. The Wildcats won 64-6.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Jersey Shore's Gabriel Fisher wrestles Central Mountain's Collin Bauman at 121 during a boys wrestling dual on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, at Central Mountain. The Bulldogs fell 64-6.