BUTLER TWP — The WPIAL Wrestling Tournament didn’t go Blake Caudill’s way last winter.

Butler’s sophomore 112-pounder won the section title in his weight class and was looking to work his way through to the WPIAL meet in Hershey.

Instead, he failed to place in the WPIAL tourney and his season was over.

“Tremendously disappointing,” Caudill admitted. “I didn’t expect to go out like that. I feel like I didn’t realize my potential.”

He’s been working on it ever since.

Caudill qualified for the recent U.S. Amateur Wrestling Junior Greco-Roman Nationals in Fargo, N.D., by placing first at the Pennsylvania state meet. He also qualified for freestyle nationals in Fargo by placing second in that state tourney.

He had to top a 12-wrestler field at the state meet. At nationals, there were 48 to 50 wrestlers in his weight class and Caudill placed sixth.

“I didn’t do well in freestyle because I wasn’t ready to make the mental adjustments that were needed,” Caudill said.

He went two-and-out in the freestyle meet after winning four Greco-Roman matches, including a 1-0, 2-2 upset of top-seeded Braun Marquez from Texas.

“That kid was an All-American and I beat an All-American from Illinois, too,” Caudill said. “Those matches gave me a lot of confidence.

“I feel like, if I’m focused and on my game, I can compete with anybody.”

Butler wrestling coach Scott Stoner won’t dispute that, but does say Caudill needs to tame his aggressiveness at times.

“Blake’s intensity causes him to try some high-risk stuff that has cost him in the past,” Stoner said. “There’s no denying his dedication and passion for the sport, though.

“We graduated some key names in our program last year. Blake could be that leader we’re looking for.”

Among Butler’s 2011 graduating class are Cole Baxter and Mike Crawford, the two winningest wrestlers in Tornado mat history.

Caudill is 58-14 over two years and is on pace to take his place among Butler’s all-time top wrestlers.

“He’s into this all around the calendar,” Stoner said. “If anything, Blake could use some time off the mat, he goes so hard all of the time.

“He’s got the workout partner in (twin brother) Korey, who is always pushing him and challenging him. Korey has played a big part in Blake’s success.”

Caudill qualified for Greco-Roman nationals last year as well — finishing first in the state meet — but did not make the trip.

When the high school season ended last winter, Caudill never left the wrestling room.

“A lot of the top Pa. kids are doing these tournaments and working year round,” Caudill said. “I want to stay right with them.”

After competing in Greco-Roman (no use of legs in scoring) and freestyle, Caudill is preparing for a folkstyle tournament in North Carolina in late August.

“You can roll around and get into different scrambles in folkstyle,” he said. “That style will suit me.

“I want to get to the WPIAL Finals next year, maybe win it, then take my chances in Hershey. Yeah, I’m looking for a break-through year.”

So is Stoner — with cautious optimism.

“Wrestling is so strong in Pennsylvania, especially in the WPIAL,” the coach said. “There are no guarantees. But Blake is giving himself every opportunity.

“He got knocked out during practice at Pitt-Johnstown days before the Pa. team bus left for Fargo. He had to sit around during that time waiting for the doctor to clear him to compete. His mother eventually signed a waiver and he was on that bus.

“For him to place sixth after all that was impressive. Blake has the family support and I’m impressed by how much he’s improved. He means business and I hope it pays off for him,” Stoner added.