Today opens state duals in 2A and 3A. I won't follow the 2A tournament particularly closely (Faith Christian will win in a rout) but the 3A has more intrigue than has existed in years. This is the most parity at the top of the big school classification that I have seen in years. There are legitimately seven teams that could win a state championship on Saturday if everything breaks right. Today, with one exception, is probably going to be chalk outcomes, tomorrow's quarterfinal round is total fireworks.
The top half of the bracket is loaded. Council Rock South wrestles Franklin Regional today and should beat them handily. CRS comes in ranked as the #1 team in the state by PaPower, and despite the ineligibility of state #1 Anthony Mutarelli (127), they are still loaded. Connor Lenehan (114), Luke Reitter (121, probably wrestling up at 127), Pat Woloshyn (127/133), Gavin Cole (160), and Bekruz Saddridinov (172) are all projected state medalists, with Saddridinov (a Lehigh commit) the top ranked wrestler in Pennsylvania at his weight.
CRS will face the winner of Central Mountain and Boiling Springs. Central Mountain is ranked #2 in the state, so the looming quarterfinal is massive. Central Mountain is probably the most star studded lineup in the field, with two former state champs in Dalton Perry (139/145) and Luke Simcox (139/145/152). Simcox has been hurt for a lot of the year and has wrestled at wildly fluctuating weights since his return, so where he slots in has a lot of intrigue. They also have wrestlers ranked near the top of the state in Griffin Walizer (#4 at 152) and Rocco Serafini (#7 at 215), so bonus points will be there ticket to keep moving on.
Selinsgrove and Trinity should be a win for the District 7 champs. The teams are weird match ups, with Selinsgrove really good from 189 and up and Trinity having their strength in the middle and lower parts of their lineups. Lots of falls here.
Last match on top is Bethlehem Catholic and Central Dauphin. Certainly a premier match up of blue bloods and the Hawks are looking to match Central Dauphin's run of four straight state championships, which the Rams did from 2008-2011. Bethlehem Catholic should win comfortably, but keep an eye out for a possible match up of state champ Kollin Rath (Missouri commit) and two-time state state finalist Ryan Garvick (Indiana commit) at 160.
The lower half feels wide open once quarters hit, but should be kind of chalk today. Gettysburg and LaSalle meet at the top and the Warriors really don't have a star, but they are one of the most balanced lineups in the tournament and should be able to overwhelm the D12 champ.
West Scranton takes on Easton in a preview of a lot of Northeast Regional match ups come individual time. West Scranton actually has more stars than the Red Rovers, with Michael Turi (145) a possible state finalist and Connor Lagier (#6 at 107) and Tyson Cook (#7 at 127) setting up for really good match ups with Easton lineup anchors Noah Fenner (#5 at 107) and Chris Kelly (#9 at 127). But one through thirteen, Easton is too deep.
In other years, Erie Cathedral Prep and Pennridge would be a big match up, but the Ramblers are not a power team this year and Pennridge is a very strong lineup after getting alot of guys healthy. Colby Martinelli (#2 at 114) is the headliner, but Cole Coffin (#6 at 121), Quinn McBride (#8 at 127), Sam Kuhns (#10 at 152), and Talan Hogan (#10 at 172) are all hammers in their own right. The Rams are a sneaky pick to make finals.
Biggest toss up match of the day is Connellsville and Wilson West Lawn in the bottom of the bracket. Again, the winner here could make a run all the way to finals. Connellsville is tough through the middle with the Vielma brothers (Kai is #7 at 133 and Lonny is #6 at 160) and Evan Petrovich (#4 at 145). West Lawn counters with four real hammers in McKaden Speece (#6 at 127), James Garcia (#6 at 133), Blaise Eidle (#7 at 172) and Ryan McMillan (#7 at 215). Vielma-Garcia may be a toss up that decides the dual if it happens.
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