Nate Desmond isn’t your typical freshman and he’s certainly shown that all season for Bethlehem Catholic’s wrestling team.

He proved it again last Saturday night as Desmond continued his dominating run through the postseason with a state gold medal. Desmond ran through the 106-pound circuit at Hershey’s Giant Center, which culminated with a 15-5 major decision over Greater Latrobe’s Luke Willochell.

Desmond becomes the first freshman under head coach Jeff Karam to bring home a state championship, as he finished the season 39-2 in his inaugural campaign. Desmond won three of his bouts in Hershey by major decisions and added a technical fall for good measure to dominate the competition.

After starting off the tournament with some expected rookie jitters, Desmond became comfortable after the first day of competition en route to winning the most meaningful tournament of his early career.

“I think I was being closed off to start because I was afraid to lose,” said Desmond, “but as the tournament went on I got more comfortable. I just knew that if I put in my best effort, I would be tough to beat.”

Desmond was the highlight of Becahi’s weekend, as the Hawks finished second in the team standings to Nazareth for the third consecutive week and came home with four medalists.

The Hawk freshmen had prepared himself mentally for the thought of winning the state tournament way before arriving in Hershey, but having it come to fruition wasn’t that surprising for one of the nation’s top wrestlers.

The Hawks had two finalists with freshman Cole Campbell reaching the 113-pound grand stage, but coming up short in a 3-1 loss to Delaware Valley’s Zacahary Jacaruso to settle for silver.

Campbell closed the gap from his regional final loss to Jacaruso, which ended up being an 11-0 major decision. Jacaruso’s winning takedown with 1:44 left in the third period was the difference in the match.

The biggest surprise for the Hawks was junior star Tyler Kasak not coming home with the 138-pound title.

The returning state champion endured his first loss of the season in the semifinals, when Pierson Manville of State College shockingly pinned Kasak in 5:39.

Kasak was winning 1-0 at the time, trying to hold Manville down from an escape to tie the match. Manville rolled and caught Kasak on his back for the stunning victory. Kasak came back to finish third following a 4-0 decision over Downingtown West’s Dom Findora.

Another freshman that had state championship aspirations was 132-pounder Kollin Rath, who reached the semifinals for the Hawks, but lost to eventual state champion Mac Church of Waynesburg 3-1.

Rath fought back for bronze with a 3-1 decision over Quakertown’s Collin Gaj.

Desmond now enters rare company with the aspirations of winning four state gold medals. Coming from a family of state championship pedigree, Desmond has already done what none of them could do.

“My uncle Matt [Ciasulli] from Easton won three state titles in high school and I don’t want to say this was expected of me, but my family knew I had the ability,” said Desmond. “One of the things we’ve talked about is how none of them were able to win as freshman, so it really is an honor.”