McKenzie Hodak poses with her fourth-place medal from the Phil Portuese Northeast Regional Championship. Photo submitted to the Times Observer

POCONO MANOR — Youngsville’s McKenzie Hodak continued her freestyle tour with another major tournament in the Phil Portuese Northeast Regional Championship.

Hodak placed second at this tournament a year ago and returned looking to add another medal to her collection.

Hodak opened her tournament with Julie Smith of Whitney Point, New York. Hodak picked up a couple of push out points before collecting two takedowns to jump out to a 6-0 lead. Hodak then took advantage of Smith’s aggressiveness and executed a four point throw to wrap up a first period 10-0 technical fall.

Hodak went on to match up with New Jersey state champion Brooke Cannici in the semifinals. Cannici led 4-0 after one and Hodak continued to look for opportunities to score as the second period began. Cannici proved to be a stingy defender as she scored two takedowns in the second period to extend her lead and win 8-0. Hodak proved to be the only person Cannici didn’t pin as she went on to pin her finals opponent in just 45 seconds.

Now in the consolation semifinals, Hodak matched up with familiar foe Gia Kiprislis of Southern Lehigh. Kiprislis had beaten Hodak 6-5 in their previous meeting and Hodak was looking for some revenge. Hodak gave up the opening score, but then rattled off six unanswered points to close out the first period with a 6-2 lead. Hodak gave up another three points at the beginning of the second period before answering with four points of her own to extend her lead to 10-5. A late four point throw by Kiprislis proved to be a tempest in a teacup as Hodak moved on with the 10-9 win.

In the consolation finals Hodak had another barn burner. Opposite Hodak was multiple time state placewinner Brooklynn Fitzgerald of Hilton, New York. Fitzgerald wasted no time and raced out to an early 7-0 lead. However, Hodak stayed poised and began to chip away at the lead by scoring a pair of two point exchanges to cut the lead to 7-4. She gave up a one point reversal to make the score 8-4 headed into the second period. Fitzgerald added another takedown early in the second to go up 10-4, but Hodak scored six straight points to tie the match 10-10. A reversal by Fitzgerald moved her back in front 11-10. After resetting to their feet, Fitzgerald scored another takedown and picked up the fall with twenty seconds left to conclude the match.

“I had some tough matches,” said Hodak “but I wrestled through them pretty well and I’m proud of my improvements”