Palmerton didn’t separate itself from Northern Lehigh with one dominant bout or early surge.

Instead, the Bombers leaned on poise — surviving overtime, rallying from deficits and winning tight matches — to earn a 39-30 girls wrestling victory Wednesday night.

Northern Lehigh opened with a forfeit win at 100 pounds by Mackennah Mosser, but Palmerton answered quickly. Sofia Amorim earned a forfeit at 106, and Paige Kibler followed with one of the night’s most dramatic wins at 112.

Kibler and Northern Lehigh’s Addison Banda were scoreless through three periods before Kibler secured the victory with a takedown in sudden-victory overtime, giving the Bombers their first points earned on the mat.

Momentum swung further in Palmerton’s favor at 118, where Izabella McFarland battled back after trailing early. McFarland was down 6-3 after the first period, and 9-7 late in the match before fighting through the position and securing the pin in 3:32 against Alexis Fick.

“I think our girls did amazing today,” McFarland said. “Everybody wrestled really hard. Me and Cassie both had tough matches, but we stayed strong, just like the rest of our girls.”

Senior Cassidy Merkel followed with a hard-earned decision at 124 pounds. The match was scoreless until Merkel scored a takedown and two near-fall points late in the first period to build a 5-0 lead, then controlled the action the rest of the way for an 8-2 win over Autumn Khuu.

McFarland and Merkel said the team’s ability to wrestle through long, close matches continues to build confidence and experience.

“I think everybody learns the most from those long matches,” said McFarland. “Getting through three periods, whether it’s a win or a loss, gives us more experience.”

“It shows our strength and stamina when things get hard,” added Merkel. “It boosts my mindset, and I know it does the same for our whole team.”

Alexxa Winger and Lea Schaible added back-to-back pins at 130 and 136 to break the dual open. Winger stuck Giana LaFiura in 1:34, and fellow senior Schaible needed just 22 seconds to pin Yana Holva, pushing Palmerton’s lead to 30-6.

Northern Lehigh earned a forfeit at 142 from Anna Trelease, but Palmerton answered again at 148 as Nickayla Tomsic pinned Sophia Papay in 1:30. The Bulldogs stayed within striking distance with a forfeit win by Zaydra Martinez at 155.

At 170, Palmerton’s Abigail Baker posted a tough 4-1 decision over De’Ja Gold in a defensive battle that was scoreless after one period, and 1-0 after the second.

Northern Lehigh closed strong in the upper weights, highlighted by Emiko Lucas’ first-period pin of Kyleigh Jennings in 1:49 at 190. Alexa Maehrer added a forfeit win at 235 to wrap up the night.

McFarland said the support within the Palmerton lineup continues to play a major role in the team’s growth.

“Our girls support each other so much,” she said. “Everybody’s loud, cheering, and wishing each other the best. That support — from our teammates, our coaches and even from the stands — really helps.”

Palmerton coach Josh Rake said that environment has helped the Bombers continue to make strides as the season progresses.

“We’re starting to see things click out on the mat,” Rake said. “They’re incorporating things we’re working on in the room, and when they go out there with confidence, they wrestle really well.”

Despite the result, Northern Lehigh coach Junior Ortiz said the night provided valuable experience for a young lineup. This season marks the first year of girls wrestling at Northern Lehigh, adding to the significance of nights like Wednesday for a program still in its early stages.

“You can’t simulate experience,” Ortiz said. “This is one of those nights that helps down the road.”

“This doesn’t define us as a team,” Ortiz added. “We’re proud of our kids, their commitment to each other, and the way they keep showing up.”

UP NEXT ... Palmerton will be competing in the Souderton Big Red Girls Individual this Friday and Saturday, while Northern Lehigh will travel to Lehighton next Wednesday.

Palmerton 39, Northern Lehigh 30

100 - Mackennah Mosser (NL) won by forfeit; 106 - Sofia Amorim (P) won by forfeit; 112 - Paige Kibler (P) dec. Addison Banda, 3-0 (SV); 118 - Izabella McFarland (P) pinned Alexis Fick in 3:32; 124 - Cassidy Merkel (P) dec. Autumn Khuu, 8-2; 130 - Alexxa Winger (P) pinned Giana LaFiura in 1:34; 136 - Lea Schaible (P) pinned Yana Holva in 0:22; 142 - Anna Trelease (NL) won by forfeit; 148 - Nickayla Tomsic (P) pinned Sophia Papay in 1:30; 155 - Zaydra Martinez (NL) won by forfeit; 170 - Abigail Baker (P) dec. De’Ja Gold, 4-1; 190 - Emiko Lucas (NL) pinned Kyleigh Jennings in 1:49; 235 - Alexa Maehrer (NL) won by forfeit.

Records: Palmerton (4-0); Northern Lehigh (3-2)