Obviously, making a state final is an incredible feat, one only 78 of the thousands of wrestlers in the state of Pennsylvania get to experience. But the difference between winning and losing it is monumental, one all three area finalists had the displeasure of experiencing on Saturday night.

Central Mountain’s Aiden Kunes, Bald Eagle’s Tanner Guenot and Penns Valley’s Max Dinges each put together exceptional runs and valiant efforts in their respective finals, staying within striking distance until the closing whistle. But ultimately, those three bouts came and went without gold.

Tough conclusion would be an understatement for the trio. But fortunately, it isn’t their last chance to man the top of the podium at the Giant Center.

Kunes and Guenot each get one more crack at a championship, and Dinges gets two. And now, having experienced that heartache, each is eager to see it through come next season.

Max Dinges of Penns Valley tries to escape the grasp of Keegan Bassett of Bishop McCort in the 121 pound championship match during the PIAA State Wrestling Championships at the Giant Center in Hershey. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“I’m glad I proved to a lot of people that I belong,” said Kunes on his run. “There’s always room for improvement. So, I’m going to use this as motivation to keep getting better.”

“Just keeping working hard, stay consistent, and hopefully, I’ll be back next year with a better performance,” said Guenot.

Between his previous bouts against Kai Vielma and the run back in Saturday’s 145-pound AAA final, much remained the same. Despite working tirelessly on a game plan and putting in the time in the mat room to ensure a different result, Vielma’s defense – which surrendered one point through his entire run – just proved too difficult to overcome.

Following two periods where neither gained a point, Vielma scored a quick escape that forced Kunes to attack. The Connellsville junior was then able to get behind the Wildcat before tripping him up to his feet and getting him down to the mat.

Kunes pushed to avoid the takedown but it was in vain, as Vielma got him on his stomach before riding out the remaining time for the 4-0 decision.

Tanner Guenot of Bald Eagle Area and Will Detar of Trinity tie up in the 133 pound championship match during the PIAA State Wrestling Championships at the Giant Center in Hershey. DAVE KENNEDY/For The Express

“Just got to fix the little things,” said Kunes on the match. “More fakes, more level changes so I can get to my shots better and set them up. If I fix those little things, I win that match.”

Extinguished offense was also a theme in Guenot and Dinges’s bouts.

After giving up an escape to start the second period, Guenot had just under four minutes in neutral to land a response against Trinity’s Will Detar. But Detar’s positioning was a problem he couldn’t find an answer for, and those four minutes came and went with outside another point on either side.

“I wouldn’t say nerves, just my opponent stayed in really good position and wrestled smart and tough,” said Guenot when asked about his hesitancy on shots. “I just wasn’t able to open him up.”

He had an opportunity to push for an escape to start the third period, getting a choice for where he was positioned. But Detar’s top game is well known for being brutal to deal with, and Guenot chose to trust his offense, picking neutral.

The Giant Center is lit with red and blue lights during the National Anthem before the start of the championship matchs during the PIAA State Wrestling Championships at the Giant Center in Hershey. DAVE KENNEDY/For The Express

Ultimately, Detar maintained his 1-0 decision, but the Bald Eagle junior was still proud of his effort.

“It was a good match,” said Guenot. “Obviously, I didn’t win, so I’m not satisfied with it. But at the end of the day, there are just some things to improve on. One-score match, so one good attack or one good score would have won me the match.”

Like Kunes, Dinges met an opponent – Bishop McCort’s Keegan Bassett – that just seemed to slip his grasp time and time again. It happened in both the District 6 and Southwest Regional finals. And it’d happen again on Saturday night.

After securing a takedown deep in the first period, Bassett to a more defensive approach, pushing Dinges to respond rather than forcing out more attacks. That approach worked wonders for the second straight occasion, with the Penns Valley sophomore falling short of a takedown in route to a 4-2 decision loss.

“I think there’s a bit of a stalemate that I wrestle into that slows me down a bit,” said Dinges on the matchup. “It’s tough. I get to the positions, and I just haven’t come away with many points. I think that was his only shot (on the takedown), and it was still enough for him to win.”

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

“It’s tough. It’s just a whole another 365 days till I can achieve a goal that could have been done ten minutes ago, so it stings a little. It’s tough that I can’t compete for a bit to prove myself again,” he added when reflecting on the loss.

His best opportunity to score came in the second period.

There, he started to secure advantage in a scramble and appeared close to posting a takedown, but an attempt to work a cradle and earn back points backfired. From there, Bassett was able to make the scramble more neutral and soon after, the second-period whistle blew.

“I got in a position down two possessions, so I was trying to get some backs instead of getting my three first,” said Dinges on the exchange. “So, maybe got a little greedy.”

There were still positives to take away from the experience, outside of the obvious climb to be in that position.

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

In their first finals in front of the Giant Center crowd, the experience of the moments, from walking out while being broadcasted on the jumbotron to the consistent roars of the fans, was certainly an exhilarating one. Each will look to get a chance to experience that again, this time on the winning end.

“The experience was nice, just would’ve been a lot better with gold,” said Kunes.

“It was an awesome experience,” emphasized Guenot. “I took it all in as much as I could and just being out there was awesome.”

Their coaches are certainly proud of them as well.

“Obviously, his goal is to be a state champ, but he’s got two more cracks at this,” said Penns Valley head coach Joel Brinker on Dinges. “The kid just puts so much into it, so that’s why you hurt for the kids. But very proud of him, another very successful season.”

“Going from being a state qualifier a year ago to wrestling in the state finals, that’s a big jump,” said Central Mountain head coach Biff Walizer on Kunes. “It’s a testament to all the hard work that he’s put in, his dedication. Another year to go, so anxious to see where he can get himself for next year.”

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