HERSHEY — The end of one career may mark the beginning of something bigger for Northwestern Lehigh wrestling.

Senior Luke Fugazzotto closed his career with another state medal, while a young Tigers core gained valuable experience that could shape the program’s future.

Fugazzotto finished fifth in the Class 2A 189-pound bracket at the PIAA Wrestling Championships Saturday, capping his fourth trip to Hershey with a 7-2 victory over Chestnut Ridge’s Jayden Imler to secure the third state medal of his career.

The Northwestern standout scored a takedown just 20 seconds into the bout and controlled the pace the rest of the way.

“It was good to end on a good note,” Fugazzotto said. “A win’s a win, honestly. After the consi semis I just needed to get my head in a good place and go all out to get the win.”

Fugazzotto finished his senior season with a 34-5 record, and closed his career with a mark of 161-26 with 122 pins. A four-time state qualifier, he finished second as a sophomore, seventh last season and fifth this year while capturing three District 11 championships.

“It was a fun experience,” Fugazzotto said. “Now I’ll put that in the past and make the transition to college.”

Fugazzotto – the Times News Boys Wrestler of the Year each of the past three seasons – will continue his wrestling career at George Mason.

Northwestern coach Joe Killar said Fugazzotto’s leadership helped set the tone for the Tigers’ younger wrestlers.

“He’s a great kid who always puts the team first,” Killar said. “Luke’s a good leader and a very hard worker. He’s a great example for those guys.”

Killar was especially pleased to see his senior finish his career with a win.

“He bounced back after that loss,” Killar said. “I thought that was the best match he wrestled this tournament. It was a good way to end.”

While Fugazzotto’s career came to a close in Hershey, several younger Tigers left the Giant Center with experience that could help shape the program’s next chapter.

Building momentum

Northwestern sent four wrestlers to the PIAA Championships this season after winning the team title at the District 11 individual tournament – where Killar was named Class 2A Coach of the Year – and finishing fourth at the Southeast Regional.

The postseason run reflected the continued growth of the Tigers program, which has developed into one of District 11’s most consistent contenders in recent seasons.

Three of those qualifiers — Vinnie Fugazzotto (40-10), Nolan Koehler (34-11) and Chase Sukanick (26-16) — are all sophomores who gained valuable experience competing on the state stage, with Vinnie Fugazzotto and Koehler each winning a match in Hershey.

Each showed significant improvement from a year ago.

Fugazzotto improved from seventh at regionals last season to third this year to earn his first trip to Hershey after winning a District 11 championship.

Koehler also took a step forward after qualifying for states last year as a district runner-up and regional fifth-place finisher. This winter, he captured a district championship and placed fourth at regionals.

Sukanick made a similar leap, finishing second at districts and fourth at regionals after placing fourth at districts and missing the regional podium last season.

Another sophomore, Weston Killar (32-16), already owns an impressive postseason résumé. Killar captured a District 11 championship as a freshman, and has reached the district final in each of the past two seasons while qualifying for regionals both years.

Killar is also a member of Northwestern’s boys soccer team, which won a PIAA state championship last season and reached the state quarterfinals again this fall.

Junior Trent Croll (29-14) also enjoyed a strong bounce-back season. After winning 25 matches as a freshman, Croll saw limited action last year and went 10-7 without reaching the postseason. This winter he returned to form, finishing as a district runner-up and regional qualifier.

Two of Northwestern’s young standouts also balanced another demanding sport.

Koehler and Sukanick were both key members of Northwestern’s football team that played for a PIAA state championship this fall — the third straight season the Tigers reached the title game — meaning their football season did not end until December after winter sports had already begun.

Pushing each other forward

Northwestern’s lineup features a group of wrestlers who regularly train together in the practice room, helping accelerate each other’s development.

“That just shows how we push each other in the room,” Luke Fugazzotto said. “We’re all practice partners and we help each other get better.”

For Fugazzotto, sharing the experience with teammates made his final trip to Hershey even more meaningful.

“It’s definitely an experience, especially having other guys here with you,” he said.

For the younger wrestlers, that competitive environment has helped create a strong bond.

“It’s pretty cool since we’re all in the same grade and we’re all going to be next to each other until we graduate,” Vinnie Fugazzotto said. “We all push each other in the room, so it’s a good thing if we stick together and keep moving forward.”

Weston Killar said the example set by Fugazzotto has helped shape expectations within the program.

“Everyone on the team looks up to him,” Killar said. “It’s a good level to follow.”

Coach Killar believes the experience gained by his younger wrestlers this season could pay dividends moving forward.

“We had three sophomores here and they were competitive in their matches,” he said. “They’re not far away from placing.”

Looking ahead

While the Tigers will miss Fugazzotto’s presence in the lineup next season, the returning core gives Northwestern plenty of optimism.

Several young wrestlers have already taken significant steps forward, and the experience gained this winter could help push the program even further.

For the younger Tigers, the goals are already taking shape.

“I want to get on the podium next year,” Vinnie Fugazzotto said.

“I want to make it out here next year, definitely,” Weston Killar added.

And with a young group that has already experienced wrestling’s biggest stage — along with the example set by Luke Fugazzotto’s career — Northwestern hopes this year’s trip to Hershey will be only the beginning.