HERSHEY — Evan Gillespie’s ride at the PIAA wrestling championships ended on Thursday night in a barren arena.

Gillespie bowed out of the tournament following a 7-2 loss to Wilson’s Ethan Brownback in the first round of consolations of the 215-pound bracket.

Gillespie went 0-2 on the evening, ending his trip early, but not without reflection of what he was able to accomplish his senior season.

“I don’t know if it’s tough,” said head coach James Weiss about Gillespie’s career at PV being over. “It was good coaching him. Now he’s going to be moving on to bigger and better things.

“I think the school and wrestling program he’s going to in college is a great fit, and he’s going to be successful there.”

Gillespie will be heading to Castleton College in Vermont next year, but he doesn’t leave the PV program without imprinting an indelible mark for his hard work and determination.

His heralded run through districts gave the Bears their first district champion since 2012, and his appearance in Hershey was the first for a program that was missing a male participant since 2016.

Gillespie throttled the competition at districts, but then slowed down at regionals to take fifth place before not being able to find his magic again at the Giant Center.

He started the day out with a 16-7 major decision loss to Brayden-Collins of Canon McMillan.

It was a back-and-forth bout, with both wrestlers earning takedowns and back points in the opening period.

Collins was able to keep his offense going with takedowns in the next two periods, while Gillespie was left with just an escape.

He battled with Brownback until the end, coming close multiple times to putting him on his back, but was never able to finish.

Gillespie ends his season 35-6, but more importantly gave the program a shining star that was earned through good old-fashioned hard work.

“Evan sets a very good example for the other kids because they see how hard he works,” said Weiss. “Pleasant Valley is a very small community, and I think of it as a sitcom.

“All the kids know what the other kids are doing, and they all see what he’s been able to do. It’s insane to think how hard he’s worked to get good in this sport.”