The Whitehall wrestling team completed their EPC schedule by knocking off Liberty 39-30 in the 9th place match at the EPC championships last Saturday at Easton Middle School. It marks the highest finish for the Zephyrs since the formation of the conference in 2014-2015.

Head coach Tim Cunningham explained the significance of the finish.

“We’re turning the corner here a little bit,” he said. “We’re young. It was a good win. The most important thing was the fact that they were all cheering each other on, being good teammates. It’s not always only about the wins and losses.”

After Johnny Colon dropped a tough 9-6 decision at 126 against Kam Abboud, Tyler Cunningham put the Zephyrs ahead with a pin in 1:07 over Jason Torres.

Hudson Saylor continued the momentum with a 12-1 major over Cesar Acosta at 138.

Seth Pascoe added another first-period fall to Whitehall’s ledger at 145 when he pinned Chandler Drew in 1:48.

Xavier Arner moved to 22-2 on the season with a 25-10 tech fall over Edwin Force III in 5:11 to extend the Whitehall lead to 21-3. It was the 90th win of the senior’s career.

Liberty notched a pair of falls at 160 and 172 to pull the Hurricanes to within 21-15 through 7 bouts.

Melquan Warren came back from a 2-0 first period deficit to work for a pin from the top position in the second in 2:48.

Liberty picked up a fall at 215, but Anthony Saed answered back with a third-period pin over Levi Levy at heavyweight. The fall in 4:52 put the Zephs up 33-21.

Liberty continued the alternating sequence of pins by getting one at 106, but the Hurricanes forfeited 113 to clinch the match for Whitehall.

Nolan Schmeckenbecher dropped a 4-1 decision to Jack Evans at 120.

Thursday, the Zephs will attempt to reach the District XI AAA team quarterfinals for the first time since 2010. They face Emmaus at 6 p.m. at Liberty High School. Tickets are sold only online through districtxi.com. Seniors over 65 are admitted free with proof of age. Masks are required by Bethlehem School District.

Whitehall lost to Emmaus 36-23 on Jan. 26, but four of the bouts they lost were decided by 4 points or less so there is chance to flip some results. The winner of that match will face Nazareth at 7:30 and will wrestle in the consolation quarterfinals Saturday morning at 9 a.m. at Freedom.

If the Zephs don’t advance, they will participate in the Falcon Invitational at Cedar Crest HS on Saturday.