But despite his success as a four-year wrestler, one thing eluded Smith: a gold medal.

While he’s competed at three levels in the postseason, his best finish entering this year was a silver medal at sectionals last year.

It may have taken him until his senior year, but Smith finally can claim that he’s a champion. Smith went 3-0 on Saturday in the 152-pound bracket to win his first-ever postseason gold medal. He claimed the title thanks to a gritty 7-1 decision win over Benton’s Dylan Brokenshire in the final, a returning Northeast Class AA regional qualifier and fifth-place finisher at districts last winter.

“It feels pretty amazing. I feel like the whole season was building up to this point, this is what I was really working towards. Feels good to get a home win as my last match in my own gym,” Smith said with a smile on his face. “I think it’s a great way to start the postseason. Even if it’s not just a good feeling winning gold, to get that seeding in the next tournament and better myself going forward.”

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Hughesville’s Keagan Smith prepares for a match this year against Muncy in a dual. Smith, a senior with 100 career wins, earned his first career postseason gold medal at sectionals on Saturday, doing so in his home gym.

Smith wrestled outstanding on Saturday, earning a win via decision, pin and major decision. in the first round, Smith beat Loyalsock’s Cage Best with a fall in 34 seconds in the quarterfinals. In the 152 semifinals, Smith outworked Muncy’s Paton Derr to secure a 15-1 major decision win. He then beat Brokenshire by decision for his first gold medal.

“I was just trying to capitalize on his mistakes,” Smith said on wrestling Brokenshire. “I have a pretty tight defense most of the time, so I figured that’s where most of my points would be scored.”

This will be Smith’s fourth straight appearance at the district tournament, and the Spartan knows the talent he’ll be facing. But he’s glad to be a sectional champion, giving him a better draw for the first round in the bracket.

“A lot of tough guys are coming into districts. With this better seeding I’m hoping it puts me into a good place in the tournament. I have to be in the right mental head set and be prepared to win close matches,” Smith said.

Smith has picked up wins every sort of way this year. He’s won five matches by decision, three by major decision, seven by tech fall and has pinned 17 opponents. Smith has lost by decision, however, four times, so he knows how crucial it is in matches not to allow points and not give his opponent easy openings to score.

The Spartan has suffered seven losses this year, three of which have come since Jan. 24. Smith has lost to Bradford’s Jordan Thompson by tech fall, Towanda’s Rylee Sluyter by decision 4-2 UTB and to Bishop McDevitt’s Nicky Negron by tech fall.

While those losses are tough, Smith no doubt was able to learn from them and better himself. And Smith seems to be wrestling great at the perfect time of the season. Since that loss to Sluyter, the Hughesville standout has gone 7-1 with two tech falls, two pins, two major decisions and a pin.

Hughesville enters this week’s District 4 tournament at the Magic Dome at Williamsport with six qualifiers, five of whom were silver medalists on Saturday at sectionals and Smith, who won gold.

“I think that it speaks to the culture we’re trying to build right now. It speaks to how much we’re working for each other and working in the practice room,” Smith said on having six Spartans at districts. “We’re bettering each other each and every day.”