By Amanda Crowl (editor in chief) and Sam Hetrick (news editor)

Saegertown will send three wrestlers to the new Super Regional tournament. The Panthers will be represented by senior Jaden Reagle, junior Landon Caldwell, and junior Hunter Robison at a one-day tournament that takes place Saturday in Indiana (Pa.)

Due to COVID-19, the state tournament is an extra step away this year. PIAA has decided to have only four wrestlers from each side of the state, totalling eight wrestlers competing in Hershey.

In previous years, 16 wrestlers would represent each weight class at states, though “the PIAA just declared that they’re [all Super Region competitors] actually going down in the history books as state qualifiers,” head coach Jim Mulligan said.

Robison (19-1) has been exceeding for the Panthers. He earned last weekend’s Northwest AA Regional championship at 106 pounds.

“I’m excited for this weekend,” Robison said. “I’m really hoping for another gold, and then move onto the actual state finals.”

Robison is the only non-freshman in his bracket. His first match is at 8 a.m. Saturday against Burgettstown’s Parker Sentipal (22-6).

“I feel like I have an advantage,” the junior grappler said. “I am older, more experienced, and probably stronger.”

Caldwell (17-3) finished in second place at 172 pounds at regionals. He will face Glendale’s Suds Dubler (13-3), a junior, first. The 145-pound to 285-pound opening round portion of Saturday’s tournament begins at noon.

“It was nice to see my hard work paying off,” Caldwell said. “Everyone there is good, and they are there for a reason, so I can just work my hardest.”

Reagle, who is 17-5 this season, lost his first match at regionals to the eventual regional champion (Reynolds’ Kaeden Berger). He then won three straight matches to capture the regional’s final Super Regional qualifying spot at 145 pounds.

“Yes, I feel like an underdog,” Reagle said when asked. “Because most of the people in my bracket have been to states and already placed in previous years.”

Reagle will face Tyler Cymmerman (30-5) from Derry Area in the first round. The competition will be tough, but “I know that I’m right there with them, and at any time, anyone can be beat,” Reagle said.

As for Reagle’s last season wrestling at the high school level, emotions are running high.

“I feel really excited to be going and super confident, but also at the same time I’m very nervous,” Reagle said.

The Panthers took three wrestlers to last weekend’s regional tournament and all three advanced to Super Regionals.

“They had as good of a weekend wrestling, as well as any group of kids that I’ve ever taken to that level,” Mulligan said.

Mulligan feels the wrestlers’ recent success isn’t random.

“It’s the whole body of work they’ve put in this year, dealing with the whole COVID thing,” Mulligan said. “It’s just a testament of who they are.”

Listen live to Saturday’s action at wjpa.com. The Panther Press will tweet results.