Freedom came away from the Bethlehem Holiday Wrestling Classic with a top-10 finish that could be a precursor of what to come for the Pates in the New Year.

Freedom placed six wrestlers and finished ninth overall in the Valley’s top holiday tournament last week held at Liberty’s Memorial Gymnasium.

“I am happy with a top 10 finish - that was pretty much the realistic goal,” said Freedom head coach Dante Terenzio. “I did think we could punch another few guys through to day two. I expect the guys who underachieved to refocus and move forward from some tough losses. The guys who did well, despite not having a champion, are expected to get back to work and get better.”

CJ Horvath led the medal stand, coming in fourth at 120 following a 7-4 defeat to Quakertown’s Mason Ziegler.

Other Pates to medal included: Jared Karabinus (172, seventh), Connor Bevan (152, fifth), Tristan Hofman (106, eighth), Cameron Wickemeyer (132, eighth) and Joey Bodnar (138, eighth).

While the results were promising, the focus now shifts to dual meet action as they take on Central Catholic and Bethlehem Catholic this week, before heading to the Central Dauphin Duals this weekend.

Freedom comes into the week 6-1 overall on the season, but will get a tough match on Thursday at home against the Hawks before a challenging dual tournament.

“I think we’re on the right track but we still have a ways to go,” said Terenzio of the team’s progress so far. “We don’t have much time until we hit the top teams in the EPC, so we will need to gel quickly.

“In this week’s duals, we are looking to be aggressive and not back down from a challenge. Our goal, win or lose, is always to make our opponent feel like they were in a dogfight when the match is over.”

Liberty finished 18th overall at the Holiday Classic, coming home with two medalists in Javien DeLeon and Christian Reid.

DeLeon took fourth at 132 and Reid finished in eighth at 160, as both wrestlers forfeited their medal round bouts.

The Hurricanes (3-3) now turn their attention to two duals this week when they take on Parkland and East Stroudsburg North on Wednesday and Thursday respectively.