The ultimate goal for most wrestlers is to peak in the postseason.

The best way to prepare for the grind of districts, regionals and even states is to simulate that environment during the regular season.This past weekend's Coal Cracker Tournament offered host school Panther Valley and Jim Thorpe, along with several teams from out of the Times News area, the chance to do just that.The event, which was modified this year from a round-robin format into a two-day, advancement-style tournament, served as a final tune-up with the end of the regular season fast approaching.If Saturday's final round was any indication, the Panthers and Olympians showed they're ready for what's to come.Panther Valley's Tanner Kennedy (132) and Ali Capobianco (152) and Jim Thorpe's Kevan Gentile (106) and Justice Batts (220) all captured gold, while PV walked away with the team title."We entered 13 kids (in the 14 weight classes) and all of them finished in the top eight, " Panthers' head coach Tim Robb said of his team's medal haul. "That's where you get bonus points. … and that's how you win tournaments."Panther Valley's first title of the day came from Kennedy, who turned in a gritty performance to knock off Lackawanna Trail's Tyler Baltyusaitis 3-0 in their 132-pound final."It means a lot," Kennedy said. "Last year, I came in here and didn't wrestle very well at all. But this year was much better, and I think it'll help me prepare for districts, regionals and possibly states."While Kennedy persevered in a hard-fought, low-scoring match, Capobianco prevailed in a thriller against Bloomsburg's Mitch Millbrand at 152-pounds.After falling behind 4-1 early in the match, Capobianco was able to regroup and hit several big moves to come out on top, 17-11."It's definitely a confidence-booster. Being able to score points is the biggest thing in wrestling," Capobianco said. "Everyone wants pins, but the ultimate goal is to score as many points as possible and that's what I went for in the finals."Action in Gentile's match against Abington Heights' Noah Sarianni also proved to be fast and furious until the Jim Thorpe senior turned his counterpart in the third period, winning by fall in 5:15."I was glad to see Kevan get a pretty tough match there in the finals," said Olympians' head coach Shawn Albert. "That kid (Sarianni) made him work hard, and that's what we need - hard matches that go three periods where he has to score when he needs to score."After medaling at states a year ago, Gentile appears to be primed to make another run in Hershey this season."I have a lot of confidence," said Gentile. "I feel like this could be my year and I can get to where I want to be."Batts was equally impressive in winning the title with a 4-2 decision over Dieruff's Adam Roldan at 220 pounds."I was really happy with how he wrestled," Albert said of Batts. "He's had a couple of situations where he's gone to double overtime or ultimate rideout, and I think he's starting to really learn what it takes to win those types of matches."With the score knotted at 1-1, Batts got an escape and a takedown in succession and held on for the win."It means a lot. This is my first gold medal this season," Batts said after stepping off the podium. "All the hard work I've been doing in the room showed off today."Panther Valley's Dylan Moyer also advanced to the finals at 182-pounds, but lost a 9-3 decision to Dieruff's Jayden Reyes.Despite coming up short, Moyer knows the two days of competition will help him in his quest to qualify for his first state tournament."It helps a lot," the senior said. "It shows who the best kids are in this tournament and around this area. You get to see who wants it more and who doesn't."HOME COOKING … Panther Valley's Darren Goida didn't leave with a gold medal Saturday, but the senior did capture his 100th career victory. Goida pinned Catasauqua's Oscar Cordon in 16 seconds in their 126-pound consolation bout to become the fourth straight Panther Valley wrestler to hit the milestone win total at home. Lenny Ogozalek did it at the 2014 Anthracite Duals; Rian Shubeck accomplished the feat at last year's Coal Cracker Tournament; and Capobianco joined the club earlier this season at the Anthracite Duals. "It was nice," Goida said. "Having it at home, there were a lot more people that were able to show up and see it, so it means a lot."MEDALISTS … In addition to Goida, Panther Valley's Hunter Kennedy (138) and Jim Thorpe's John Newhall (113) and Ryan O'Rourke (285) also took third.ON THE BOX … Though medals only went to the top-three, several TN area wrestlers finished on the podium. Panther Valley's Kyle Rusnak (113), Xander Skoutelas-Kern (160), Hunter Kerestes (172) and Justin Rodriguez (220) all took fourth. Derrick Beckham (145) placed fifth for the Panthers, as did Jim Thorpe's Cameron Condly (160). Panther Valley's Miguel Santiago (106) and Jim Thorpe's Jarrin Geisinger (152) and Ethan Mordaunt (182) took sixth. Finishing in seventh were JT's Robbie Geisinger (172) and PV's Aaron Eidem (285), while Justin Ogozalek (120) took eighth for the Panthers.