The PIAA wrestling championships take place this Thursday through Saturday at the Giant Center in Hershey.

Bethlehem will have nine wrestlers competing, led by Bethlehem Catholic’s contingent of six athletes.

The Hawks took first last year in the team standings and placed four wrestlers, with three returning medalists coming back for more this season.

Junior Keanu Dillard (127) has not lost a postseason match in his career so far and will be going for his third straight PIAA crown.

Seniors Shane McFillin (172) and Marco Frinzi (145) took third and sixth respectively last year. Sophomore Reef Dillard (121) and senior Charlie Scanlan (160) will be making return trips to Hershey, but seeking their first medals.

Freshman (170) Nico Emili will make his first venture to the Giant Center to round out the Hawks contingent.

Freedom’s Dan Schiffert (HWT) and Ivan Bonilla (152) are making their first treks to Hershey as well.

Schiffert, a junior, rose through the ranks this year to establish himself as the top heavyweight in District 11 and Bonilla muscled out two straight fourth place finishes at districts and regionals to punch his ticket to Hershey.

Liberty senior Addyson Munro (235) will make a return trip this week after she took fourth at states a year ago.

Wrestling for the girls tournament begins at 2 p.m. on Thursday afternoon. 3A wrestling starts on Thursday at 4:30 p.m.

Quarterfinal rounds for the girls are Friday at 11:45 a.m. with 3A following at 2:15 p.m.

Friday night the tournament comes together with 3A, 2A and the girls tournament holding the semifinals at once at 7 p.m.

Third, fifth and seventh place matches in all three classifications resume on Saturday morning at 11:30 a.m. with all the finals slated at 4 p.m.

Here are the opening matches for area wrestlers.

107 - First round - Nico Emili (BC) vs Tommy Gretz (Connellsville)

121 - First round - Reef Dillard (BC) vs Luke Desantis (Penn Trafford) or Andrij Szczesniuk (Coatesville)

127 - First round - Keanu Dillard (BC) vs Connor Killion (Cumberland Valley) or Chase Sigle (Downingtown West)

145 - First round - Marco Frinzi (BC) vs Ethan Higgins (Bethel Park)

152 - Preliminary - Ivan Bonilla (Freedom) vs Ezra Swisher (Bellefonte)

160 - First round - Charlie Scanlan (BC) vs Ben Brillhart (Council Rock South) or Gabe Johnson (Northern York)

172 - First round - Shane McFillin (BC) vs Brady Allessie (Donegal)

235 - First round - Addyson Munro (Liberty) vs Noelani Knott (Dallastown)

HWT - First round - Dan Schiffert (Freedom) vs Philup Rearick (Armstrong)