BETHLEHEM - Roughly nine hours and four matches later, Jim Moll could finally relax.

The Northwestern head coach watched his team grind, battle and ultimately prevail against Lehighton, 34-30, in the true second-place match at Saturday's District 11 Class AA team wrestling championships to advance to the state tournament."It shows a lot of heart. It shows a lot of character," said Moll. "It shows that they really wanted to be out there (at states) and they wrestled well and got it."The fourth-seeded Tigers got contributions from throughout their lineup to secure the win - and they needed every one.Though the two teams won seven matches apiece, Northwestern triumphed largely because it was able to get - and prevent - bonus points in several key bouts."Several matches were swing matches and unfortunately those swing matches just didn't go in our favor," said Lehighton head coach Danny Williams. "But it happens that way sometimes."I knew it was going to be tight. I though that it was going to go down to the wire, like it did. I saw some areas that were key matches that we had to get, and if we could get those I thought we would be really good. … I thought it was going to be a 50-50 thing, and those swing matches made the difference."Quentin Bernhard (126), Caleb Clymer (152) and Andrew Sorensen (182) all won by fall, while Jarett White (132) picked up a forfeit to give the Tigers 24 points. Ryan Dengler (138) scored late to push a decision to a major and grab more bonus points for Northwestern.Jacob Murray (285) and David VanBlargan (160) won by decision for Northwestern, with the latter's victory coming in overtime.But even in the matches they didn't win, the Tigers stayed off their backs.Logan Pagotto (113), Zach Kemmerer (120), Tegan Durishin (145) and Dylan Schock (170) all won by decision for the third-seeded Indians.Jackson Bernhard took Durishin to overtime, a performance that was one of many not lost on Moll."There was no one," Moll said of a deciding factor in the victory. "It's Jacob Murray; it's Ryan Haas (who lost a 4-2 decision to Pagotto) and Ryan Dengler wrestling tough matches; it's Quentin Bernhard getting bonus."So many guys. Dave VanBlargan; Jackson Bernhard wrestling Durishin to overtime. Durishin is an outstanding wrestler and for VanBlargan to wrestle him to overtime was outstanding. I was very proud of his effort."Nate Kemmerer (106) gave Lehighton its first lead at 6-3 with a pin in the second bout following Murray's decision for Northwestern.But it was the last time the Indians would get bonus points of any kind until Connor Frey (195) and Wyatt Clements (220) won by fall in the final two matches."I told the kids that I was proud of them," Williams said afterward. "It was the first time a team from Lehighton ever made the district finals. I thought we had the team to be the one to represent us at states but we just came up a little bit short, and sometimes that happens."But with the season that we've had as a team and what we've been able to put together - overcoming some obstacles and injuries - I'm just real proud of the guys for fighting the whole way."Northwestern won't have too much time to enjoy the win, as the Tigers will face Southern Columbia, the third-place team from District 4, tonight at 6 p.m. at Whitehall High School.But for one night at least, Moll was just fine savoring what his team accomplished."This was one of our goals. You always want to be league champs and district champs," he said. "But (Class AA and Colonial League champion) Saucon Valley is always a tough team to knock off to pull that off, and we get the next best thing, which is a second place medal."Championship finalsSaucon ValleyLehightonLehighton had a chance to clinch a spot in the state tournament earlier in the day against Saucon Valley.But the top-seeded Panthers proved too much, clinching their first district title with a 56-10 victory over the Indians."It's like a huge weight off our shoulders," Saucon Valley coach Chad Shirk said. "It feels good. The kids have worked extremely hard the last couple years and ending up short is always a bitter taste in your mouth. It was a great season and we've got to hopefully keep it going next week down in Hershey. I'm really proud of all the kids and their effort."Tegan Durishin (145) won by fall for the Indians, while Connor Frey (195) was victorious by major decision.Consolation FinalsNorthwestern-Pen ArgylThe Tigers earned a measure of revenge in the consolation finals against the second-seeded Green Knights with a 35-30 victory.Northwestern lost to Pen Argyl 39-24 on Dec. 23."A lot of the match-ups were different. A lot of things were different this time," said Northwestern head coach Jim Moll. "I was confident but nervous. Pen Argyl is tough. They wrestle hard."Their kids are pinners. You always have to worry when you wrestle a team like Pen Argyl because they can pin you."The triumph, coupled with Lehighton's loss to Saucon Valley, sent the Tigers to the true second-place match since they hadn't yet wrestled the Indians in the tournament.Baily Wehr (120), Quentin Bernhard (126) and Anthony DiCataldo (132) won by fall for Northwestern, while Jarett White (138) and Andrew Sorensen (182) picked up major decisions and Jacob Murray (285), Ryan Haas (113) and David VanBlargan (160) were victorious by decision.SemifinalsSaucon Valley-NorthwesternThe Panthers left little doubt in a rematch of last week's Colonial League final, winning the first eight bouts en route to a 59-3 win over the Tigers.Jarett White was the lone victor for the Tigers, claiming a 6-1 decision at 132 pounds."We know they're tough," Northwestern head coach Jim Moll said of Saucon Valley, which prevailed 40-24 in the Colonial League championship match. "Top to bottom, they are one of the most talented teams around."Lehighton-Pen ArgylThe Indians advanced to the finals with a narrow 36-33 win, their third this year, over the Green Knights."Everything had to go our way. Pen Argyl is a good team," said Lehighton head coach Danny Williams. "And it's always tough when you wrestle a team three times."But everything went our way and it was nice to get that win."Connor Frey (195), Zach Kemmerer (126) and Tegan Durishin (145) won by fall for Lehighton. Wyatt Clements (220), Xander Smith (285), Logan Pagotto (113) and Cody Scherer (160) won by decision while Nate Kemmerer (106) picked up a forfeit.Second RoundConsolationsPen Argyl-No. LehighWhile the Tigers avenged a loss earlier this season to the Green Knights, the fifth-seeded Bulldogs were on the wrong end of such a fate, falling 39-36, a loss that ended the tournament for the defending Class AA champions.Northern Lehigh defeated Pen Argyl 39-38 on Jan. 6 in a match that was decided by the first criteria."I thought we wrestled pretty well," said Northern Lehigh head coach Steve Hluschak. "We just didn't do enough there at the end. Give credit to Pen Argyl. That's a good team and they're well-coached and there's nothing you can hang your head about."Cameron Kates (285), Seth Fronheiser (113), Matt Schmall (138), Ryan Farber (170) and CJ Young (182) all record pins for Northern Lehigh, while Colton Rex was victorious by forfeit.Northwestern-PalisadesThe Tigers bounced back from a semifinal loss by topping the sixth-seeded Pirates, 45-29.The highlight came in the ninth bout, when Northwestern's Jarett White picked up a forfeit and his 100th career victory."It feels great," White said. "I think it brings everybody up and creates a really good energy, a positive atmosphere. It's just great to have everyone there with you."In addition to White, Quin Moyer (220), Jacob Murray (285), Zach Anderson (106), Baily Wehr (120) and Andrew Sorensen (182) also won by forfeit. Jackson Bernhard (145) won by fall and Caleb Clymer (160) by decision for the Tigers.First RoundConsolationsNo. Lehigh-No. SchuylkillThe Bulldogs opened the day with a thrilling 34-31 win over the No. 8 seed Spartans.With the match tied at 31-31 heading to the final bout, Brandon Belfonti (170) stepped up and picked up a 7-0 decision over Joe Alexander to secure the win."Anytime you can send a kid out there and he can come up with a win that's great for their confidence," Hluschak said. "And it's great for them to be in that scenario and wrestling in a pressure situation."Matt Schmall (145) and Colton Rex (120) won by fall for the Bulldogs, while Cameron Kates (285) was victorious by major decision. CJ Young (182), Jason Schaffer (220) and Seth Fronheiser (113) won by decision and Ryan Farber (170) picked up a forfeit.Palisades-Panther ValleyThe Panthers' match against the Pirates also came down to the final bout.Unfortunately, Panther Valley wasn't able to pull it out, as Palisades advanced with a 36-30 victory."Just simply wasn't meant to be," said Panthers' head coach Tim Robb.Dylan Moyer (182) won by fall for No. 7 seed Panther Valley, while Justin Rodriguez (220), Aaron Eidem (285), Kyle Rusnak (113) and Hunter Kennedy (138) all won by forfeit.