HERSHEY — Seneca Valley 106-pound freshman Louis Newell wrestler holds pow-wows before each match with his coaches to plan for each opponent.

Before facing Bethlehem Catholic’s Sean Redington in a third-round consolation during the PIAA Class AAA championships Friday at the Giant Center, Newell’s plan was to keep Redington on his feet.

With the match tied after two periods, Newell took neutral, scored a takedown and rode the momentum to a 6-3 win.

“I knew I had to finish my shots quickly,” Newell said. “If I went down on bottom, he could grab my legs and ride because he’s long. I went neutral.”

With the win, Newell guaranteed himself a medal.

He will be Seneca Valley’s first state medalist since Shawn Cully placed fifth at 125 pounds in 2001.

“It feels great being a state medalist,” said Newell, who had improved his record to 35-7. “Now other kids from Seneca can see it can be done and we will have more state place-winners in coming years.”

Newell will wrestle Boyertown’s Jakob Campbell, the third qualifier out of the Southeast Regional, in the fourth round of consolations Saturday.

Central Catholic senior and Cranberry Township resident Tony Palumbo also advanced to the medal round.

Palumbo beat Mechanicsburg’s Tristen Skelly 5-2 in the second round of consolations and Bethlehem Catholic’s Amen Soldrige 3-1 in the third.

Raiders coach Kevin Wildrick said he thought Newell would be able to make a run.

It was all about what his draw looked like.

“A lot of times in wrestling, it’s all about matchups,” Wildrick said. “(Redington) is a super tall kid and we matched up goofy. Louis needed to utilize his strengths as far as his quickness.”

Redington upset third-seeded Caleb Morris of Waynesburg earlier int he tournament.

Morris pinned Newell in the WPIAL quarterfinals the week before.

Newell also beat Dubois’ Kolby Ho in the second round of consolations, 6-0.

“Louis wrestled smart today,” Wildrick said. “He knew the situation he was in and didn’t try to do much in different situations.”

Newell watched Campbell’s bout versus Penn-Trafford’s Job Chishko and hopes to find the right plan to keep matching toward the third-place match.

“We watch kids and see their strengths and weaknesses,” Newell said. “The coaches ask what do you think will work best and we take it from there.”