Whitehall didn’t have a full contingent at the Bethlehem Holiday Wrestling Classic, but the Zephyrs did get the most out of their lineup at last week’s tournament at Liberty’s Memorial Gymnasium.

The Zephyrs placed three of seven contestants and finished 19th overall out of 27 teams to leave head coach Tim Cunningham still searching for more improvement.

“We still need to make improvements based on the tourney and as coaches it’s our job to prepare these wrestlers to compete in these tourneys,” Cunningham said. “We will make daily improvements so we become better tournament wrestlers as the season moves forward.”

Xavier Arner led the way for Whitehall with a third place finish at 152 following a 5-2 victory over Bekhruz Sadriddinov of Council Rock South.

Arner lost to Nazareth’s Dominic Wheatley 3-2 in the semifinals to place him into the consolation bracket.

Melquan Warren (189) was the only other Zephyr to reach the semis, as he lost to Hazleton’s Bryce Molinaro 11-4.

Warren ended up taking fourth after falling to Phillipsburg’s Caleb Rivera in the consolation medal round.

Tyler Cunningham (132) finished sixth overall following a 2-0 (SV) loss to Nazareth’s Ayden Rader in the medal round.

Whitehall (2-1) now shifts their focus to dual meets this week against East Stroudsburg South on Wednesday and Nazareth on Thursday.

The matchup with the Blue Eagles presents an opportunity for some rematches from last week’s holiday tourney, as well see where the rest of the group stands against one of the state’s elite programs.

“We are looking to compete the best we can as a team and as individuals in both these meets,” Cunningham said. “Nazareth will be another gauge to see where we are and what we need to work on to prepare for the postseason.”