HERSHEY - Northwestern senior Katie Brensinger has been part of the Tigers’ varsity wrestling line up for most of her varsity career.

She’s spent a lot time on the mat competing and holding her own against boys wrestlers. While she’s been to state tournaments before that were not sanctioned by the PIAA, this season she was able to enjoy the first sanctioned girls wrestling season in state history.

And she made the most of it.

Brensinger turned the opportunity into hardware as she placed fifth in the state last weekend at Hershey’s Giant Center to earn a medal in the 148-pound weight class.

Brensinger pinned Alahna Morris of Lake Lehman in 1:44 to win her consolation round bout and grab her first medal at the Giant Center. Brensinger was a district champion and regional runner-up this season.

“It’s so much more meaningful to get a medal here,” Brensinger said. “There’s so many more fans and people that can see me out here, and it just gets my name out there even more.

“Knowing girls come out and wrestle because they see us out there means a lot to me. It makes me feel like I’ve done something.”

Brensinger advanced to the semifinals last Friday night and fell to unbeaten Charlotte Gilfoil (30-0) of Central Dauphin.

“I knew she would have a tough one in the semis,” said Tiger head coach Joe Killar. “She was a little bit overpowered. The girl didn’t wrestle that much better than her, she was just bigger and stronger. But I thought she did her best, gave as much effort as you could ask for.

“She was losing by three going into the third period, tried to get a cradle and ended up getting pinned. But she was going for it. She fought the whole time and didn’t give up, so I was super happy with her.”

The match was scoreless into the second period when Gilfoil locked up three back points.

Gilfoil got out from bottom early in the third and secured a reversal before finishing the match with a pin in 4:38.

Brensinger dropped a 7-3 decision to Marissa Rumsey in the consolation semifinals, which put her in the fifth-place match.

Brensinger was happy to solidify her spot on the medal stand with a fall over Karsyn Champion of Norwin in 3:54 during the quarters.

Being able to solidify a Hershey medal was the top goal for Brensinger after taking third last year at the non-PIAA sanctioned girls’ tournament.

“I want to say that medaling out here is more important than last year, but last year was technically states as well,” said Brensinger. “Now that it’s PIAA certified, it’s an official medal, but back then we were still girls wrestling just like we are now.”

Brensigner also wrestled an efficient and dominating match in her 148-pound opener, scoring a 16-1 technical fall in 6:00 over Angie Grieb of Bald Eagle Area.

Grieb got in deep on a shot early in the first period, but Brensinger dominated the rest of the way, scoring two takedowns and turning Grieb both times in the opening period to build a commanding 9-1 advantage. Even with a 14-1 lead and the clock ticking down to the final seconds of the third period, Brensinger kept working toward more back points to register a technical fall.

“I like top and working different moves. I haven’t hit a bar and a half combined all year, so it’s fun to do something new,” said Brensinger of finishing her win strong. “She came in strong and aggressive and went for a shot, but couldn’t quite get my legs and I was able to take my opportunity after that and turn it around and make it my match.”

“It’s amazing to be out here,” said Brensinger. “Year-round I wrestle against guys and I’m the only girl on the boys’ team, but out here, making it official and wrestling side-by-side with the guys makes it all that more special and even more meaningful and important.”