BETHLEHEM - It was a night of missed opportunities for Times News area wrestlers, but also one of learning at the Bethlehem Holiday Wrestling Classic at Liberty's Memorial Gymnasium.

Northern Lehigh's Ryan Farber and Lehighton's Connor Frey both reached their respective finals, but both came home short of gold medals.Farber lost a 3-1 decision to Nazareth's Travis Stefanik in the 160-pound finals, while Frey (195) fell victim to Stroudsburg's Jake Jacobsen, losing by fall in 4:28.Despite the losses, both wrestlers came away from the tournament with confidence heading into the New Year."I'm disappointed that I didn't win because I really thought I could," said Farber. "I already knew that I could compete with the best guys around here, but I felt like I wrestled defensively and didn't take many shots. That's something I know I can get better at moving forward."Farber trailed 3-0 after two periods of action following a Stefanik take down in the second period near the edge of the mat to build his cushion going into the final period.A third period escape is all Farber could muster, as he was the only Bulldog to reach the main stage on the night.Stefanik was one of five Nazareth wrestlers to came away with championships Tuesday night, as the Blue Eagles (234.5 points) distanced themselves from second-place Council Rock South (192 points) for the top finish.Northern Lehigh finished the highest out of Times News teams, placing five wrestlers and finishing 14th in the team standings with 82 points.Head coach Steve Hlushack was pleased with that distinction, as well as the on-going progress he's witnessed from his team at this tournament since taking over the program three years ago."My first year we didn't place anyone here," Hlushack said. "Last year, we placed two or three guys, so to have five this year is a real improvement. We're getting progressively better every year and that's what you want as a program. Out of all the 2A teams, we placed the most, so we hope to build on this."Frey also hopes to build off his loss to Jakobsen, who was a PIAA 3A runner-up a year ago at 182-pounds.Tuesday night's match was scoreless heading into the second period, until Jakobsen turned it on and was able to garner a fall."He just got me with a deep power half on top and I couldn't get out," said Frey. "He was able to sink that power half deep and I wasn't expecting it. He's nationally ranked in the country and we were scoreless after the first period, so that gives me confidence, but I also know I need to work on my feet better and get out from bottom."Other wrestlers to place from the tournament from the coverage area included: Northern Lehigh-Colten Rex (120, 6th); Matt Schmall (145, 6th); CJ Young (170, 6th) and Cameron Kates (HWT, 4th). Lehighton-Tegan Durishin (145, 8th) and Tyler Cann (170, 5th). Northwestern- Quentin Bernhard (126, 4th). Pleasant Valley-Jason Jacobi (132, 4th) and Trent Thomas (195, 5th).Durishin also took home the John Fenstermacher Scholar-Athlete award on the night. He's a three-sport athlete and is eighth in his class.Team standings1. Nazareth 234.5, 2. Council Rock South 192, 3. Central Dauphin 184.5, 4. Phillipsburg 138, 5. Liberty 136.5, 6. Northern Lebanon 134.5, 7. Stroudsburg 132., 8. Saucon Valley 100, 8. Blue Mountain 100, 10. Northampton 94.5, 11. North Penn 87, 12. Freedom 85.5, 13. La Salle 82.5, 14. Northern Lehigh 82, 15. Hazleton 75, 16. Pottsville 71, 17. Wilson-West Lawn 69, 18. Delaware Valley (Pa.) 66.5, 19. Lehighton 64, 20. Pleasant Valley 61.5, 21. Northwestern Lehigh 56, 22. Quakertown 54, 23. Warwick 52, 24. Pen Argyl 46, 25. Tri-Valley 39, 26. Wyoming Valley West 27, 27. St. Mark's (Del.) 10Championship finals106: Sean Pierson (Naz) 6-2 dec. over Cameron Enriquez (Str)113: Tyson Klump (Naz) 5-2 dec. over Luke Werner (Lib)120: Julian Chlebove (Nor) 5-4 dec. over Ben Radner (CRS)126: Tyshawn White (CD) 3-2 dec. over Dan Moran (Nor)132: Zack Trampe (CRS) 17-8 major dec. over Andrew Wert (CD)138: Sammy Sasso (Naz) 10-2 major dec. over Jimmy Hoffman (Haz)145: Lucas Martoccio (CRS) 2-1 dec. over Brock Wilson (Naz)152: Dylan Schwartz (CRS) 4-2 dec. over Colin Shannon (NP)160: Travis Stefanik (Naz) 3-1 dec. over Ryan Farber (NL)170: Cade Wilson (Naz) 2-0 dec. over Coltyn Eason (CD)182: Luke Funck (NLeb) fall in 2:16 Devon Krammes (BM)195: Jake Jakobsen (Str) fall in 4:28 Connor Frey (Leh)220: Robert Melise (Pb) 4-1 dec. over Evan Callahan (Fr)285: Andrew Gunning (Lib) 19-6 major dec. over Evan Childs (CD)Third-place consolation106: Nick Rosengrant (SV) 7-4 dec. over Matthew Maloney (Lib)113: Devin Schnupp (War) 3-1 dec. over Kyle Markus (Pb)120: Ryan O'Grady (Naz) 5-2 dec. over Jake Cherry (CD)126: KJ Fenstermacher (Lib) 10-1 major dec. over Quentin Bernhard (NW)132: Sammy Hepler (TV) fall in 3:00 Jason Jacobi (PV)138: Ryan Vulakh (NP) 4-2 dec. over Chase Anklam (PA)145: Luke Gardner (Pot) 6-1 dec. over Brian Meyer (Pb)152: Skitch Light (CD) fall in 3:00 Keaton Eidle (WWL)160: Tommy O'Brien (WWL) 17-3 major dec. over Dylan Yonney (SV)170: Luke Ratchford (LC) 10-4 dec. over Quinn Baltt (NLeb)182: Kolby Kleckner (Pot) 3-1 dec. over Nick Bonomo (Q)195: Anthony Piscopo (LC) 3-1 dec. over Andrew Horun (Pb)220: Erech Noecker (BM) fall in :49 Gavin Caroff (Q)285: Kyle Nothnagel (Pb) 4-3 TB over Cameron Kates (NL)