They’d be dead wrong.

Following his blood round exit as a sophomore, Central Mountain junior Aiden Kunes took the motivation gained from that heartache and put it into action. Upon entering his junior campaign, he’d be a completely different wrestler, one capable of making it to Day 3 of the PIAA Wrestling Championships without a loss.

That quest was fully realized on Friday. Behind two dominant victories, including a pin in championship semis, Kunes made his dream of competing on the state’s grandest stage a reality, advancing to the 145-pound Class AAA final and becoming the fifth straight Wildcat to earn to the title of PIAA finalist.

“It felt great to finally prove that I belong in the finals of the state championships,” said Kunes on the accomplishment. “All the work has paid off. It’s not finished yet, but it’s paying off.”

Aiden Kunes of Central Mountain takes down Myles Grossman of Gettysburg in their semi-final match during the PIAA State Wrestling Championships at the Giant Center in Hershey. DAVE KENNEDY/For The Express

Kunes headlined a storied day of wrestling for the area, one of three first-time state finalists within it that will push for their first state gold on Saturday. In Class AA, Bald Eagle junior Tanner Guenot and Penns Valley sophomore Max Dinges also shattered that barrier, overcoming their own adversity in the process.

Throughout his Day Two run, the Wildcat rarely faced tension, even when faced with an opponent that outranked him. Against No. 2 Jack Campbell (Nazareth) in quarters, he surrendered just one escape while completely controlling the pace of the match, using a seven-point move in the second period to cruise past Campbell by 8-1 decision.

He’d come close to surrendering his first takedown of the run in his semifinal bout against No. 5 Myles Grossman (Gettysburg) but was able to get out of the jam before taking control in the third. There, a single-legged shot would give him the opportunity he needed to seal the deal, as he was able to work it into a takedown before establishing the cradle for the pin.

“Just staying calm, confident, relaxed and focused,” said Kunes when discussing what allowed him to control those tough matchups. “Whenever he reached down and got my ankle, I knew I could get that cradle.”

The job’s not finished yet, as Kunes heads into a battle for a state title against the only wrestler that’s handed him a loss this season. He’ll be looking to avenge his two losses – including one in the West Regional final last Saturday – against No. 1 Kai Vielma (Connellsville) on Saturday.

Tanner Guenot of Bald Eagle Area wins his match against Bradley Wagner of Mifflinburg to advance to the finals during the PIAA State Wrestling Championships at the Giant Center in Hershey. DAVE KENNEDY/For The Express

“Just got to fix up the little details,” said Kunes. “I’ve got to know in my head that I can go out there and beat him, that I can go out there and dominate that match.”

COMPOSED AS EVER

One year removed from being knocked out to close out a run, some might bring bad memories into the run back and have it affect their performance. However, some wouldn’t describe Tanner Guenot.

Rather than focus on the end result, Guenot instead focused on the losses that prevented him from reaching a final, using the performance as a whole as motivation to get better. And in his third appearance at states, that hard work has certainly paid off so far, with the Eagle putting together a masterclass of composed aggression in route to the 133-pound PIAA Class AA final.

“Just a lot of emotion, especially after being knocked out last year and having to forfeit out of the tournament. I’m grateful just to be back and have the opportunity to be in the finals,” said Guenot when asked what was going through his head following the run.

Max Dinges of Penns Valley wins his match against Dakota Santamaria of Tussey Mountain during their semi-final match at 121 pounds at the PIAA State Wrestling Championships at the Giant Center in Hershey. DAVE KENNEDY/For The Express

“It’s crazy. Just the work that I put in and the relationship I have with my coaches, they believed in my throughout the whole entire journey this year.”

Both wrestlers he faced throughout Day 2 – No. 3 Chase Homan (Hamburg) and No. 2 Bradley Wagner (Mifflinburg) – outranked him, but you wouldn’t have theorized that if you were watching the matches.

They were certainly tense, each coming by way of decision, with his quarterfinal match against Homan being tied entering in the last minute. But each time he needed a takedown, he was right where he needed to be to secure it.

With the score deadlocked at 2-2, Guenot was able to work a takedown against Homan before turning him for three extra points and riding out the remaining time for the 8-2 decision. Then, against Wagner in semis, a last-second takedown in the first set the tone and another late in the third sealed the deal, as he won 7-3.

“Just wrestling solid and smart,” said Guenot when asked what was key to his composure in those moments. “I think a big thing for me is just shooting to score and attacking when it’s there. I don’t want to take bad shots or half shots that end up costing me points.”

Max Dinges of Penns Valley dodges a shot by Dakota Santamaria of Tussey Mountain during their semi-final match at 121 pounds at the PIAA State Wrestling Championships at the Giant Center in Hershey. DAVE KENNEDY/For The Express

Moving forward, Guenot does face a tremendous challenge in the final, as four-time top three finisher Will Detar (Trinity) stands in his path to state gold. However, Guenot looks forward to the match, nonetheless, believing he can get the job done.

“Should be a good match. I’m looking forward to it,” said Guenot. “Just grateful to have the opportunity. The job’s not finished yet, and I want to be a state champ, so that’s what I’m hoping for.”

SHIFT IN ATTITUDE

While Max Dinges’s bronze medal finish as a freshman was certainly a feat, Dinges felt his attitude then compared to now was completely different. As a freshman, he had to convince himself he could win, whereas as a sophomore, he was already a believer.

It’s an attitude that’s carried him every step of the way in route to a state final appearance. Now he has a chance to earn Penns Valley’s first state title since 1963, which just so happened to be won by Dinges’ grandfather sharing the same first name.

Brandt Harer of Montgomery and Caden Judice of Bald Eagle Area exchange words after their semi-final match during the PIAA State Wrestling Championships at the Giant Center in Hershey. DAVE KENNEDY/For The Express

“It feels surreal, but I know it’s real because of how hard I work,” said Dinges. “I know what I want, and I’m gonna go get it. I’m gonna go win a state title. It’s what I’ve said all year; it’s what I’ve been saying for all my life. I’ve always said in due time, but my time’s tomorrow.”

It was never easy for the Ram, with each match coming down to one sequence. But each time, it was Dinges that found himself clutching it out and on the winning end.

In his 6-4 decision over fellow returning state medalist Elijah Scriven (Hickory), the sophomore weathered a tense final minute that featured an all-out scramble, immediately working a match-sealing reversal just seconds after giving up two near-fall points.

Then, in a scrum late in the second against Dakota Santamaria (Tussey Mountain), he’d use sound positioning to work his way behind his opponent for the 4-2 decision’s only takedown.

Moving forward, the focus turns to the final opponent standing in his path of a title. Like Kunes, Dinges will face an opponent that’s gotten the better of him twice this season in Bishop McCort’s Keegan Bassett, with both those losses coming in postseason finals.

“Just have fun, trust in God’s presence. He’ll make it right,” said Dinges on the keys to bouncing back. “No disrespect, but I guarantee there’ll be some controversial calls. I’m gonna try to take that out of the match. I’m excited. That crowd roaring is gonna be on my side this time.”

Brandt Harer of Montgomery escapes the grasp of Caden Judice of Bald Eagle Area during their semi-final match during the PIAA State Wrestling Championships at the Giant Center in Hershey. DAVE KENNEDY/For The Express

Brandt Harer of Montgomery takes a shot on Caden Judice of Bald Eagle Area during their semi-final match during the PIAA State Wrestling Championships at the Giant Center in Hershey. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette