Liberty and Freedom had solo acts in Hershey last weekend for the PIAA wrestling tournament, but both schools came home with state medalists from their caravan.

Liberty’s Kam Abboud (139) and Freedom’s Jared Karabinus (189) went out to the Giant Center, as the lone wolves for their respective programs and made it to Saturday’s medal rounds.

Abboud finished his career with his first state medal, taking eighth place following a 4-2 loss to West Scranton’s Michael Turi in the consolation round.

Karabinus earned his first state medal as well, as the Patriot junior finished fourth following a third-place consolation loss to Selinsgrove’s Tucker Teats by fall in 1:37.

Despite losing in the consolation finals, both wrestlers were happy to come away with state hardware.

“Getting a medal means a lot,” said Karabinus. “Just seeing your name on the board with state place-winners would feel amazing. I was ready to be out on the big stage again. First time you get out there, you’re a little nervous, but I’m used to it now.”

Karabinus reached the quarterfinals before losing to Nathan Campbell of Norwin by fall in 3:01 to bump into the consolation rounds where he won three straight to reach the third-place match. He knocked off two District 11 foes in Easton’s Shane Linegar and Bethlehem Catholic’s James Deluise by 3-2 and 3-1 margins respectively, before holding off Cooper Roscosky of Kiski Area 7-5.

Abboud made the most of his tournament after losing his preliminary match 3-1 to Blake Reihner of Trinity to pit him in an unfavorable position right out of the gate, but it didn’t deter him from making a run. He won his next three matches to guarantee himself a medal, but lost to Becahi’s Marco Frinzi 6-2 to drop him into the seventh place consolation round.

Still, coming home from Hershey after a grueling season and ending his career with a state medal fulfilled what Abboud wanted for himself this season.

“It’s been my goal for a long time and I think it’s every wrestlers goal,” said Abboud of placing in Hershey. “There’s nothing sweeter that I can think of than placing at states.”