HERSHEY –The goal is a state title.

A big statement Friday morning got Northwestern’s Caleb Clymer one step closer to realizing that dream.

Clymer continued his march to the top of the podium with a 6-1 decision over Portage Area’s Cole Sossong in the 160-pound quarterfinals.

“It’s what we expected coming in,” said Tigers’ head coach Jim Moll. “The goal is top of the podium, so this was another match to get there.”

Clymer, who was third at states a year ago, was never in trouble against Sossong, scoring first and building a big advantage.

“I was able to push the pace on top and get that takedown at the end of the first period,” said Clymer. “So I felt pretty good about it.”

Clymer will face Derek Yingling (West Branch) in tonight’s semifinals.

The senior knows he will have to be at his best to reach Saturday’s finals.

“It feels good and it’s a confidence booster going into the semis,” said Clymer. “But I definitely have to open up a little bit more on my feet, get to my snaps a little bit more; I was just talking to my brothers about it.

“So that’s pretty much it. I have to work on my tight waist a little bit more, as far as coming across and really going forward with it. So I definitely have to get to that a little bit better. And I just have to work better on my feet.”

Clymer was the only Times News area wrestler to advance to the semifinals Friday morning at the Giant Center.

Northwestern’s Matt Peters dropped a 3-1 decision to Notre Dame Green Pond’s Ryan McGuire in the 132-pound quarters. McGuire beat Peters for a district title a few weeks ago after Peters won the first meeting 1-0 at the Coal Cracker Tournament earlier this season.

Teammate Jackson Bernhard lost a 14-6 major decision to Corey Christie (Burrell) in the 152-pound quarters.

Both are still alive in the consolation bracket.

“They gotta get their heads right and wrestle back,” said Moll. “The tournament’s not over for them.”

Palmerton’s Lucas Christman dropped a 10-0 major decision to Caleb Hetrick (Brookville) in the 145-pound quarters.

“He couldn’t get to his offense, that’s the biggest thing I saw,” said Blue Bombers’ head coach Justin Petersen. “We didn’t do a goo enough job creating enough to get to his spots.

“He forced a couple things. But he tried. He wasn’t just defensive. He was trying to get to his stuff, and he was pushing the pace. But the kid (Hetrick) was good. Today he was better than him. But now we have to come back. The medal stand is where we want to be anyway, and he still has a chance.”

Northwestern’s Colin Rex and Panther Valley’s Tanner Kennedy were both eliminated Friday morning.

Rex lost a 4-3 decision to Tyler Feltman (Juniata) in the 138-pound consolation bracket. Kennedy also lost a close match, falling 3-2 to Jason Bratt (Harbor Creek) in a 160-pound second round consolation match.

Thursday

Peters rallied to top Mount Pleasant’s Alex Miscovich 6-3 in overtime to punch his ticket to the quarterfinals at the PIAA Championships on Thursday.

“I just wanted to wrestle hard and be in positions where I’m good,” said Peters. “He got the takedown early, which I was looking to get a takedown.

“But it’s six minutes plus overtime. So you never just stop because of one takedown. You just gotta keep wrestling. Just keep pushing the pace as much as you can.”

Bernhard and Clymer joined Peters in the quarters.

Bernhard pinned Canton’s Timmy Ward in 5:48 to advance to the 152-pound quarterfinals.

Clymer posted an equally impressive victory, shutting out Shamokin’s Jacob Carpenter 5-0 in their 160-pound first round match.

Christman executed his game plan to advance to the quarterfinals with a 6-1 decision over Hanover’s D.J. Erickson in their 145-pound first round match.

MAKING IT TO FRIDAY … Rex stayed alive Thursday with an 8-4 decision over Wyalusing’s Luke O’Connor in a first round consolation match. Panther Valley’s Tanner Kennedy also kept his tournament going with a 7-4 decision against Penn Cambria’s Jarred Stoy in his first round consolation bout.

ELIMINATED … Four area wrestlers were eliminated on Thursday after the first round of consolation matches. Panther Valley’s Hunter Kennedy lost a 4-3 (TB2) decision against Harbor Creek’s Shane Watkins in a 170-pound match. The Panthers’ Derrick Beckham also lost a close match the first round of consolations, dropping an 11-8 decision to Quaker Valley’s Geoff Magin in his 182-pound bout. Tamaqua’s Bronson Strouse lost a 3-2 (UTB) decision to Wilson’s Kolby Flank in a 220-pound contest. Jim Thorpe’s Ethan Mordaunt saw his season come to an end with a 9-0 major decision loss to Jarod Miller of Reynolds in a 195-pound contest.

UP NEXT … Third round consolations will take place Friday at 11:45 a.m. Wrestlers will return to the Giant Center Friday night for semifinals and fourth round consolations at 7:30 p.m. Fifth round consolations are scheduled for 9:30 p.m.