One of the most competitive weight classes in the state this season was 189 pounds.

Two grapplers entered the PIAA championship tournament undefeated, and three others qualified with just one loss.

The intense competition brings out the best in each one of the wrestlers, which can result in upsets and disappointing finishes.

Unfortunately for Norwin senior Mike Salopek, Saturday wasn't his lucky day.

The standout 189-pounder, who entered the tournament 31-0 as the WPIAL champion, lost in the state semifinals for the second straight season.

He then lost in the consolation round just 30 minutes later but rebounded to win the fifth place consolation match.

"He wrestled good out there. We have no complaints," Schuchert said.

"Obviously, we went out there for a state title, but there were about five or six kids in our weight class that were pretty good."

After cruising through the first round and quarterfinals with an 11-3 win and pinfall in 3:26, respectively, Salopek faced off against Delaware Valley's Joe Kennedy (44-1), the eventual PIAA champion, in the semifinals on Saturday.

The pair battled to a 6-6 tie late into the third period, but as Salopek went for a shot in the final seconds, Kennedy was able to counter and take down the Norwin grappler to seal the 8-6 win.

"(Mike) kept pushing the action. He scored both of his takedowns from defensive positions. We kept shooting with 15 seconds left. (Kennedy's) a very good counter wrestler. He countered one of our shots with only a couple seconds left," Schuchert said.

"Obviously it's a heartbreaker, but we went for it. Sometimes you get it. Sometimes you don't."

Salopek was right back on the mat in the fourth-round consolations where he was knocked off by Chartiers Valley's Matt Wilps, 8-4. Salopek defeated Wilps (41-5) in the WPIAL finals last month, 3-1.

The loss put the Norwin star into the fifth-place consolation final against Hempfield Area's T.J. Valore (35-8). Salopek regrouped to earn a 6-5 win over the Spartan foe.

"Once he got his mind clear from the semis and focused back in, he was ready for the fifth and sixth match, which was a good way to end his career," the Norwin coach said.

"Throughout the whole tournament, Mike was real good on his feet. He outwrestled everyone on his feet. There were just a few mistakes on the mat that came back to hurt us."

Salopek finished the season 34-2 overall. Now that his high school career is complete after a record of 112-18, he will turn his focus to college, where he will wrestle for Virginia.

"It was a pleasure to coach him this year," Schuchert said. "I was real pleased with the way he performed all year. He was a fun kid to coach."