HERSHEY – It didn’t come any easier than the grinds of the killer practices and team runs over the years, but Faith Christian’s Adam Waters and Bethlehem Catholic’s Keanu Dillard made PIAA history by becoming the 15th and 16th wrestlers, respectively, to win four state titles.
Waters needed a third-period takedown to beat Tyrone’s Kyle Scott, 4-1, for Class 2A gold at 189 pounds.
“I just go out there with thoughts of getting to my offense and let it fly,” Waters said. “That’s all that’s in my mind when I walk out there. I got to three of my shots, finished one. It’s not what I usually do. It’s not what I wanted to do.
“But I got it done.”
Waters is the only PIAA wrestler to win four state gold medals as an individual and with his team. Faith Christian won four consecutive state team tournament titles. He also is the first from District 1 to capture four state titles.
Dillard needed a third-period rideout of Whitehall’s returning state champion Willmont Kai to win 1-0 for 3A gold at 133. He is only the second District 11 wrestler to win four. Catasauqua’s Matt Gerhard in 1984 was the first.
“Willmont is an excellent competitor and a state champ,” Dillard said. “Being a four-timer is tough, obviously, because of injuries and setbacks. You have to constantly work to get better because everyone is trying one-up you.”
Waters started his run with a headlock of a returning state champion, Notre Dame-Green Pond’s Holden Garcia, in the 2023 final as a freshman.
Faith Christian’s Adam Waters celebrates his fourth PIAA wrestling championship after winning on Saturday in Hershey. (Nate Heckenberger photo)
The Ohio State commit finished off his career with 27 consecutive wins after injuring his knee at the Walsh Jesuit Ironman tournament, including 20 in a row leading up to the state final by either pin or technical fall.
“It was an amazing moment to stand out in the middle of the mat and take in the Giant Center one more time,” Waters said. “Last time wearing my Faith Christian [singlet], last time jumping on coach Ben [Clymer].
“So many amazing moments. Going and hugging my mom [Michele]. She was balling her eyes out.”
Dillard’s run started in January of his freshman year after a couple injuries delayed his anticipated debut against, you guessed it, Kai, who was a raw newcomer to the sport.
Dillard beat Kai three times that year, including by fall in his varsity debut. The Golden Hawk’s first year ended with a second win in an as many weeks over Abington Heights’ Luke Sirianni in his first state final.
He leaves Bethlehem Catholic for Lehigh with a 147-10 record, with champion match wins the last two weeks being 1-0 grinders over Kai. Dillard was voted the 3A outstanding wrestler award recipient.
“[Kai] is long and strong,” Dillard said, “and he knew I was trying to throw that leg in so I had to find other ways, had to get gritty, get a couple chops and mat returns. I found a way to get it done.”
Ironically, Kai finishes with 148 career wins, most in Whitehall history
Senior writer Tom Housenick can be reached at thousenick@mcall.com