When she had last competed at a state tournament two seasons ago, it had taken place in a high school gym within the span of one day. Now, one lost season and resounding bounce back later, she’d finally get to experience the thrill and drama of its improved three-day affair, looking to prove herself with more eyes on the sport than ever.

“When I last wrestled, this sport wasn’t sanctioned for girls. Now that it’s sanctioned, it’s like people are actually going to look, and I would like to wrestle in college,” said Furman on the opportunity. “People are looking for girls to recruit for college and that’s ultimately my goal, just competing with the best.”

By the end of her debut, it was safe to say she had made a name for herself, if she hadn’t already.

Though she suffered a heartbreaking loss to cap her run, that defeat came at the hands of two-time PIAA champion Aubre Krazer (Easton), three state wins removed from her debut and occurring on the grandest stage in the state finals. Even that loss featured positives, as Furman landed the first takedown and came one last second takedown short of going the distance against one of the best wrestlers in the nation.

CHRIS MANNING/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montgomery’s Jenna Houseknecht wrestles in the bronze medal match at the PIAA girls wrestling championships last weekend.

To make it there, she posted three wins over returning state medalists, including a third-period pin against a returning runner-up in Moon’s Haley Smarsh. All three victories featured bonus points, and she came one late adjustment short of heading to the finals off three straight falls.

“I’m just thankful to be able to compete on this level and see the ways that this sport has transformed since it was sanctioned,” said Furman after making the finals last Friday. “The level of competition here is massive.”

It was an effort that headlined Montgomery’s team title, a run which featured standout performances across the board. Furman, Emily Murphy and Jenna Houseknecht all shined in their own right through their respective runs, warranting further discussions across the board.

FINISH STRONG

After finishing her PIAA debut by taking bronze last season, the sky was the limit as Emily Murphy looked to build on it in her senior campaign. She’d spend much of the season as one of the, if not the, favorite(s) to take home the state title at 124, appearing as primed as ever to end up at the top of the podium come March.

CHRIS MANNING/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Montgomery’s Emily Murphy wrestles last Saturday in Hershey at the PIAA girls wrestling championships for a third-place medal.

But as is often the case at states, the biggest challenges can present themselves unexpectedly early.

On Day 2, Murphy would run into Garnet Valley’s Neve O’Byrne in the quarterfinals and the matchup proved more than difficult. Though the Red Raider narrowed a five-point gap in the third with a takedown, O’Byrne would wrap things up with her response, posting a six-point move before riding Murphy out for the 11-3 major decision.

O’Byrne would go on to dominate her way to a PIAA title, with Murphy actually coming closest to toppling the eventual state champion. But even in hindsight, the loss was disheartening.

Nonetheless, there was still plenty to keep her motivated, as she turned her focus to the next best end result: a second bronze medal.

Outside of a tight 6-0 decision in consolation quarters, she’d leave little room for doubt through her next four bouts, three of which featured pins and one of which featured a point from her opponent. And with a chance to avenge another tough loss she suffered in the previous weekend’s regional final, she’d dominate, racking up ten straight points before pinning Northeast Bradford’s Anaiah Kolesar to earn bronze.

CHRIS MANNING/Sun-Gazette Correspodnent Montgomery’s Emily Murphy wrestles in the bronze medal match at the PIAA girls wrestling championships last weekend. Murphy, Zoe Furman and Jenna Houseknecht all medaled as Montgomery won the team title, just the second state team title in school history (softball, 2022).

“Yeah, that put a fire under my butt, I knew that wasn’t me that day,” said Murphy on if she had added motivation heading into that match. “She beat me at the wrong time, and I came back and beat her where it mattered.”

With the win, she added to a vast list of accolades, capping her two PIAA stints repping back-to-back bronze medals and wrapping up her career with the most wins in Montgomery’s short history with 103.

Through four seasons, she finished with a 103-9 record (.920) and 84 pins, closing things out with an absurd 43-2 record and 38 pins as a senior. She ran the table in the first two renditions of the District 4 Championships, earning a regional title as a junior as well.

“Not the outcome I wanted but came back for the next best thing I could do. “Very proud of myself no matter what,” said Murphy. “I’m so proud of all the girls. Last year, it was just me that came down. Now, to have more than just me and all these other girls, I’m incredibly proud of our team.”

With her storied high school career wrapped up, she heads to Lock Haven University looking to build off that momentum.

“I’m excited to compete,” said Murphy on her future at Lock Haven. “I just really want to get up there, be the best I can be, stay healthy and keep the pace high.”

FRESHMAN PHENOM

Though the departure of Murphy stings, there’s reason to believe this team could have more successful postseason runs to come in the near future. And it’s not just the prospect of having a returning state finalist on its roster.

After putting together a more-than-promising regular season campaign, Montgomery freshman Jenna Houseknecht took things a step further come time for postseason, dominating her way to District 4 and Central Regional titles and setting the stage for a great run at states.

There were bumps in the road, as Houseknecht made it three Red Raiders to endure a loss to an eventual state champ through the weekend. But like Murphy and Furman, that was her only loss of the entire event, coming against an opponent close to Krazer’s caliber in two-time PIAA champ Julia Horger (Conwell-Egan). Ultimately, she’d take bronze, with three seasons left to build on it.

“It means so much to me,” said Houseknecht on the accomplishment. “I’m so grateful for the opportunity, so proud to see my hard work finally pay off. But job’s not done; I’ll be back next year.”

On multiple occasions, the freshman stared down defeat and didn’t blink, proving composed, confident and clutch in tight, late-match scenarios. A last-minute takedown against Mechanicsburg’s Alexis Pancoast scraped her into the third-place bout, where she battled Big Spring’s Jordyn Suhina for the second time in two days.

When it seemed like the freshman would fall to quarters, giving up a late takedown to Suhina to surrender the lead, she’d immediately respond with a reversal just before the final whistle blew. Then, with the score knotted at 2-2 heading into the third of the rematch, she’d secure an early takedown before holding firm to seal the top-three finish.

“No, I just knew if I kept my defense up and kept my feet active, hands active, I’d be fine, and she wouldn’t score on me,” said Houseknecht when asked if there were nerves after taking that lead in the third. “I made sure of it.”

“I learned how she was with her style, especially in neutral. When I pulled myself out of that quarterfinal match, I was able to stop all her offensive attacks,” she added on her rematch against Suhina.

With Houseknecht and Furman each showing they could handle the pressure of the grand stage on multiple occasions, there are plenty of reasons to be excited about this team’s future. Though both are proud, neither are satisfied, as each looks to go the distance in the run back next season.

“We’re looking forward to learning from this experience, especially Zoe and Jenna being their first times here. Emily, we’re going to be sad to see her go. The contributions she made to the team are going to be hard to replace,” said Montgomery coach Matt Furman. “But I truly believe we have enough talent to come back and make another run.”