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District 11 Wrestling

RoverNation05

Well-Known Member
Aug 22, 2010
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Time to turn the page, with most schools opening tonight or tomorrow. District 11 is loaded this year, with five of the top seven in the state in 3A, and five preseason #1 ranked wrestlers in Pennsylvania. Going to be a very fun and competitive year. Here are some team capsules.
 
Bethlehem Catholic
Head Coach: Mike Cole (2nd Season)

2023-24: State Dual Champions, D11 Dual Champions, D11, NE Regional, and PIAA State Tournament Champions

Lineup (with preseason state ranking)
107: #8 Nico Emili (Fr. Easton): PJW5
114: Andre Cerrato (Fr. Nazareth): JH4
121: Louden Hower (So. 16-18, Quakertown): D6
127: #1 Keanu Dillard (Jr. 41-5, Nazareth; Lehigh): D1, R1, S1/1, 1
133: #10 Reef Dillard (So. 34-14, Nazareth): D2, R2, SQ
139: #6 Ryder Campbell (Sr. 29-11 Palisades): D3, R2, SQ
145: Mason Thomas (So. 14-15, Whitehall): D6
152: #4 Marco Frinzi (Sr. 37-16, Quakertown; Columbia): D2, R2, S6
160: #7 Charlie Scanlan (Sr. 36-11, Freedom): D2, R3, SQ
172: #6 Shane McFillin (Sr. 40-9, Northampton; Bucknell): D1, R1, S4
189: #7 James DeLuise (Sr. 27-10 Bangor; Bloomsburg): D3, R2, S7
215: #22 Connor Gillahan (So. 7-2, Upper Perkiomen/Faith Christian)
285: Grant Mulhearn (Jr. 3-12, Southern Lehigh)

Nationally Ranked Wrestlers: #7 Keanu Dillard (127)

The Standouts: Keanu Dillard is halfway to being D11’s second four-time state champion. He was on the U16 World Team, where he won a bronze medal this summer, he’s one of the best lightweights in America. Frinzi burst onto the scene in his first year as a varsity starter to medal at states. McFillin is a state title contender after nearly making finals as a junior. Scanlan was a beast of the East finalist and can wrestle as well as anybody on the right day. A more consistent postseason could have him in the title mix as he looks for his first state medal. Emili is a Fargo medalist and one of the best freshman in the state. His dad was a state finalist at Northampton in the ‘90s. DeLuise is an explosive upper weight who has battled injuries. A healthy season could have him contending at 189.

Who’s Next: Emili should be in the mix statewide right away at 107 in a great weight class locally. Cerrato is an exciting freshman from a good feeder system in Nazareth. Reef Dillard qualified for states as a freshman and really came on at the end of the year. Gillahan earned matches in the Faith Christian lineup as a freshman, he’ll be a full time starter and a good one here.

Lineup Flexibility: AJ Gomez is another great freshmen lightweight who was a d11 champ and he’lll battle Cerrato for the 114 spot all year and they can use both to bump their lineup.

Question Marks: Heavyweight has been a concern with Becahi for the last few years and this will be no exception. Mulhearn is out for the early part of the year with an injury, and you may see them move the lineup around to cover heavyweight with Gillahan. Hower and Thomas both have a lot to prove coming into their sophomore seasons as well.

The Schedule: Becahi travels to Ironman this weekend in Akron, Ohio, consistently the toughest high school tournament in America. They also have tournament trips to Beast of the East and Escape the Rock, so they’ll hit the two best tournaments on the East Coast as well. Dual dates loom with Northampton (12/11), Notre Dame (1/4), and Easton (1/8), before getting into the postseason schedule. They’ll be battled tested.

Outlook: Even without Kollin Rath, their two-time state champ who has opted to spend his senior season at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Bethlehem Catholic is the solid favorite to repeat as state champions this year. It’s a deep and balanced lineup with one major star (Keanu Dillard) and lots of very solid, state medalist level wrestlers. They lost their first dual to a Pennsylvania team in five years last season when Easton took them down in January, but avenged that loss in District and State finals. they’ll be pushed locally by Nazareth, Easton, and Northampton, but expect them to come out on top.
 
Easton Red Rovers
Head Coach: Jody Karam (5th season)

2023-24: State Duals 2nd, EPC Champions, D11 Duals Runner Up, D11 Tournament 2nd and NE Regionals 3rd, PIAA States 31st

Lineup
107: Gavyn Mindler (Fr.):JH8
114: Brayden Abrams (Sr.)
121: #4 Nick Salamone (Jr. 34-9): D1, R1, S8/ 7, 8
127: #12 Noah Fenner (So. 38-5) D3, R5
133: Ethan Krazer (So. 22-16)
139: #7 Chris Kelly (Sr. 35-11): D2, R3, SQ
145: Brendan Bowman (Sr.): JV1
152: Evan Carss (So. 3-4): JV1
160: #12 Quentin Hammerstone (Sr. 30-17): D4, R5
172: #15 Justin Cosover (So. 30-14): D2, R4, SQ
189: #9 Shae Linegar (Sr. 39-11): D2, R3, SQ
215: #8 Kurtis Crossman (Jr. 38-12): D2, R3, SQ
285: Alonzo Parker (So.): JH2/Dan Vargas (So.): JH2/Isiah Cabin (Sr.)

The Standouts: Salamone has a pair of state medals and is poised to break through the barrier he’s hit in state quarters the last two years. Time for him to jump levels to a high state/national caliber kid. Fenner was their most consistent wrestler last year, lost a wrestle off for the post season at his natural weight to Salamone, bumped up to 116 and was a match away from states. Could explode as a sophomore. Kelly has consistently been a state level kid, a little more consistency gets him an elusive first state medal, though his weight class in D11 is loaded, with four of the top seven wrestlers in the state. Cosover is a monster in training, tremendous freshman year, not a lot of ninth graders make states at a weight like 170. As he adds some man strength, he’s a major problem. Could be a state champ in the next three years. Linegar was maybe the most improved wrestler in the state last year, going from a JV sophomore to nearly winning 40 matches and finishing a match away from the podium in Hershey. And Crossman also had a breakout sophomore year as an underclassmen at 215 going to states. He’s coming off of a tremendous football season and has added a ton of strength, should contend for a medal.

Who’s Next: Evan Carss was a junior high district champ and pinned his way through the JV tournament last year. He suffered a football injury that kept him from getting down to a weight where he could challenge for a starting spot last year as a freshman. Fully healthy, he could be a revelation. Hammerstone is a D1 lacrosse player who made a huge jump as a junior, finishing a match away from states after being a sub .500 sophomore.

Unexpected Contributors: Jody Karam is one of the best in the country at turning mediocre wrestlers into good ones (see Hammerstone and Linegar last year). Brendan Bowman and Krazer are the guys to watch jumping levels here. Bowman has been blocked for three years and has spot started up a bunch of weight. He’s finally in the right spot with a solid lineup slot. He could blossom. Ethan Krazer competed up two weights from his natural 107 last year (blocked by Salamone and Fenner) and held his own at 121. He’s put on good weight and hit a little growth spurt to be ready at 127/133 this year. Both of his brothers were state qualifiers and his sister is one of the best girls in America. He’s received a ton of praise from Karam in the preseason.

Question Marks: 107 and 114 are going to be manned by a lot of inexperience. They’ll need Abrams and Mindler to compete and grow. My guess is everybody comes down for the postseason, with Salamone coming down to 114 and Mindler going to 107. Heavyweight will also be an adventure, with Isiah Cabin a senior who has grinded through the program, Vargas a sophomore who started wrestling last year and had a great freshman season in junior high (24-1; D11 runner-up), but it's a massive jump from junior high to varsity wrestling at heavyweight. Alonzo Parker is a great athlete, but wrestling is his third sport (lacrosse and football), and he’s more of a 215. My guess is Parker will be the guy and they’ll play match ups with Crossman and Parker between 215 and heavy.

The Future: This is Jody Karam’s last year at Easton. He’d accomplished his goal of getting his Alma mater back to state prominence, and he’s been a bridge coach, likely to assistant coach Corey Keener. Keener will have one of the best freshman classes in the state coming in next year, as the Rovers have a massive wave of 8th graders who can be ready right away in 2025-26.

Lineup Flexibility: They can use Crossman at heavyweight, he’s got the power and athleticism to do damage there in duals with Parker more natural at 215. As the postseason approaches, Salamone through Carss all may come down. Freshman Wyatt Snyder is the flexibility option at 139/145 in the middle if they want to move guys, and may be the 152 insert as the season goes on.

The Schedule: Easton was an excellent dual team last year, but didn’t have the high end firepower to do a ton of damage in individual tournaments. This year, they are entered in Beast of the East for the first time since 1999 (one of the best tournaments in the country), Escape the Rock replaces the Boyertown dual tournament on the schedule, and they open the season next week with Top Hat in Williamsport. That says to me Karam thinks Fenner, Salamone, Cosover, are jumping levels to compete there, and some of the other individuals (Kelly, Linegar, Hammerstone, Crossman) can also do some damage. This may be a better tourney team this year. They also have duals with Nazareth, Bethlehem Catholic, and Phillipsburg that are major schedule highlights. Nazareth on December 11th will be a huge measuring stick right away, while P’Burg on January 25th will be a madhouse as Easton tries to break their last long losing streak after last years incredible 25-25 dual, decided on 5th criteria for a P’Burg win.

Ceiling: The Red Rovers will be in th mix for D11 and state duals championships. They’re probably a step behind Becahi, but right in the mix with Nazareth, Northampton, and Notre Dame for the other D11 state tournament spot. If some kids take jumps, particularly the two sophomores, they could be a dangerous tournament team.
 
Nazareth Blue Eagles

Head Coach: Dave Crowell (22nd season at Nazareth, 601-146-1 career record at Nazareth/Wilson/Easton)

Last Season: 14-2, 8-1; District 11 Tournament 3rd, NE Regional Tournament 2nd, PIAA State Tournament 2nd

Lineup
107: #11 Derek Fulmer (Jr. 22-15): D5, R6
114: Mikey Good (So.)
121: #9 Remy Trach (Sr. 26-16): D3, R4, SQ
127: #23 Cooper Wenrich (So. 26-13): D5
133: Matteo Martincavage (So.): JV2
139: #2 Jack Campbell (Jr. 37-8): D1, R1, S5
145: #1 Tahir Parkins (Sr. 42-5; Rutgers): D1, R1, S1
145: Chase Brown (Fr.): JH1, PJW4
152: Dominick Tunison (Jr. 14-13)
160: #8 Cade Campbell (Jr. 27-9): D2, R3, SQ
172: #23 Elijah Simak (Jr. 27-13): D4
189: #6 Brayden Zuercher (Jr.): D1, R2, SQ
215: Vinny Giacobbe (Sr. 11-16)
215: Austin Christine (So.): JH1
285: Jacob Cozze (Sr.)

Nationally Ranked Wrestlers: #6 Tahir Parkins (139)

The Standouts: Parkins is a returning state champion and one of the top wrestlers in the country. He’s really blossomed, and absolutely dominated the postseason as a junior. Expect him to contend in their national events for titles and he’s a strong favorite to repeat at states. The Campbell twins, Jack and Cade, are both returning qualifiers with Jack earning his first medal last year. Jack is the best in the loaded D11 group at 139. Zuercher had an enviable sophomore season at 172 and has put on good weight to be a potential high medalist at 189. He’s a really good athlete who has thrived as an underclassman.

Who’s Next: Simak is an exciting talent, who really came on as his sophomore year progressed. Did not have the postseason he wanted, but he’s really athletic and a tough match up. Wenrich held his own as a freshman, and Nazareth kids have a habit of making big jumps in year two. One to watch. Trach was a surprise state qualifier, if he can use that momentum he’ll give Nazareth another lineup anchor. And Chase Brown may not get to really compete until Tahir Parkins drops to 139 for the postseason, but Brown is one of the more exciting freshmen in D11. Crowell also really likes Christine at 215, who could make a push to unseat Giacobbe.

Question Marks: Cozze was a state champ in Junior High, but has’ not wrestled in a few years and came back out following Sean Kinney’s graduation. How quickly can he get back up to speed? The lightweights are also being sorted out, with Fulmer and Good the likely starters who both will need to grown up fast with a tough December schedule. Martincavage is also getting high praise from Crowell in the preseason, but has no varsity experience.

Lineup Flexibility: They can definitely use Brown in the middle to bump or drop for match ups.

The Schedule: An early season dual at Easton will be a huge measuring stick for both programs right away, and a trip to Northampton the following week will do the same. On the individual side, they’ll be at the Cumberland Valley Kickoff Classic, a solid PA focused tournament, before traveling to Beast of the East and the Bethlehem Hurricane Classic at the end of the month. They’ll take their annual trip to Virginia Duals in January, where they have won more than any other program in the event’s 30 year history.

Outlook: Nazareth lost an early season dual to Easton last year, which probably cost them a spot in State Duals, as it put them on the same side of the bracket as eventual state champ Bethlehem Catholic. They’re looking to avenge that loss and make it back to the state tournament, where they’ve been a staple in the last ten years. It’s a solid individual team too, with four likely state medalists plus a handful who have that potential. Maybe the second best team in the state, and certainly a strong contender for everything in front of them.
 
Notre Dame (GP) Crusaders

Head Coach: Matt Veres

Last Season: D11 Duals Champions, D11 1st, SE Regional 2nd, PIAA States 5th (All AA)

The Lineup
107: #5 Cael Mueller (Fr. Catasaqua/Bethehem Catholic): JH1
114: Aiden Vanicky (Fr. Pleasant Valley): JH5
121: Jacob Volpe (So. 11-9)
127: #10 Cooper Feltman (Sr. 21-14 Easton): D1, R5, SQ
133: #13 Tanner Berkenstock (Sr. 23-18 Easton): D2, R4, S1
139: #5 Gavyn Kelton (Jr. 26-15 Bangor): D1, R4, SQ
145: #19 Jared Gonzalez (Jr. 13-12): D2
152: Stephen Bialek (Sr. 3-4)
160: #5 Keegan Ramsay (Sr. 34-12 Pleasant Valley): D1, R2, S3
172: #4 Dominic Sumpolec (Jr. 43-13 Northwestern Lehigh): D1, R3, S7
189: #10 Connor Smalley (Jr. 35-14 Northwestern Lehigh): D2, R3, RQ
215: Noah Knorp (So. 0-2)
285: John Hull (So.)

The Standouts: Sumpolec and Ramsey are a very exciting 1-2 punch in the middle of the lineup. Sumpolec was one of the best sophomores in Pennsylvania last year, and was the only person to take state champ Conner Harar to decision at the state tournament (3-0). He could really explode this year. Ramsay has been solid his whole career, and capped that with his highest state finish last season, though it finished with a bitter state semifinal loss to the opponent he beat for the D11 title. Muller is a two-time D11 junior high district champ, once for Catasauqua and once for Bethlehem Catholic, but came over to ND when Nico Emili decided to enroll at Becahi. He’ll be another major player in a loaded 107 weight class locally. Smalley was a state qualifier as a very undersized sophomore at 189, that is more of a natural weight for him and he could really be a contender.

Who’s Next: Mueller is the next individual star for the Crusaders. Kelton has steadily improved through the first half of his career, we’ll see how he continues to evolve in the jump to 3A. Vanicky is another junior high medalist getting a shot as a freshman.

Question Marks: Less on the individual side (though the top two weights are something to watch), but how does ND translate to moving up to 3A after getting forced up due to transfers. Sumpolec, Ramsay, and Muller all should be elite, but they have had a lot of kids move on in the postseason thanks to a relatively weak 2A field in the Lehigh Valley. Kelton, Feltman, Berkenstock, and Gonzalez have high state rankings based on 2A postseasons, we’ll see how it translates. Are those .500ish kids getting knocked out early in the postseason, or does the Notre Dame schedule prep them for the meatgrinder that is the 3A postseason.

Lineup Flexibility: Sumpolec and Ramsay still have not decided who will end up where between 160 and 172 and could be fluid based on matchups.

The Schedule: Notre Dame will join Becahi and Northampton out in Akron at Ironman next weekend, followed by Beast of the East and PowerAde (outside of Pittsburgh) for a brutally tough December. They also have Escape the Rock on the slate in January, giving them four of the best tournaments in America on their schedule. The dual season starts and ends with a January 4th date with Bethlehem Catholic.

Outlook: It’s an odd time for Notre Dame to move up classifications, as they do not have the incredible depth of talent they’ve had in the past. Still, their top end kids are very good and should be immediately successful in the higher classification. They may take some lumps in the team postseason as they now are locking horns with Nazareth, Easton, Northampton, and Becahi. But they’ll fit right in come individual time, particularly Sumpolec and Mueller, who can compete for a state title.
 
Northampton Konkrete Kids

Head Coach: Joe Provini (3rd Season, 18-9)

Last Season: 9-6; D11 Tournament 4th, NE Regionals 4th, PIAA States 13th

Lineup
107: #1 Brayden Wenrich (Fr.): JH1, PJW1
114: Ryan Marano (Sr. 18-13)
121: #22 Colin Marano (Sr. 26-13): D4, R6
127: #3 Gabe Ballard (So. 41-3): D1, R1, S4
133: #1 Trey Wagner (Jr. 34-3; Navy): D1, R1, S1
133: Davi Glykas (So.): JH1
139: Matt Sommer (Jr. 5-3)
145: Carter Chlebove (Fr.): JH1
152: #16 Chase Grabfelder (Jr. 26-12): D4, R5
160: Parker Williams (Jr.): JH1
172: Logan Rusnock (Fr.)
189: Joell Small (So. 3-7)
215: Blayze Ibarra (So.)
285: #3 Gavin Grell (Sr. 29-11): D1, R4, SQ

Nationally Ranked Wrestlers: #7 Brayden Wenrich (107), #24 Gabe Ballard (121),

Standouts: Maybe the best set of stars in District 11. Trey Wagner is a returning state champion who is one of the best kids in Pennsylvania on top and should really benefit from the new backpoint rules. Ballard had an incredible freshman year, starting with a bronze medal at Beast of the East and win streak that lasted from Beast quarterfinals to State semifinals. He’s absolutely a title contender. Wenrich is the most highly anticipated freshman in D11 this year. After flirting with Faith Christian, he is in the orange and black, where he is an immediate state title contender and carries a top ten national ranking. Grell is one of the few state qualifiers returning at heavyweight and is the clear favorite locally with the graduation of Sean Kinney.

Who’s Next: Chlebove is a junior high district champ, whose brother and dad are both state champions for Northampton. He’s got a tough assignment as a freshman middle weight, but the talent is there. Grabfelder has been slowly improving in his two years on varsity, he may really break out as a junior.

Wildcard: Parker Williams was a junior high district champ as a freshman, then didn’t wrestle last year. He’s got the talent to stabilize 160 for the KKids if he can shake off the rust.

Lineup Flexibility: Davi Glykas allows them to move Wagner around for match ups. Glykas was a D11 junior high champ last season and is one of the more versatile guys they have.

Question Marks: The upper weights are going to make big-time duals tough for Northampton. Rusnock, Small, and Ibarra have limited experience and credentials, and are going to have to grow up fast for Northampton’s early season duals with Becahi and Nazareth.

The Schedule: Northampton will travel out to Ironman for the first time since the 1990s, where Wenrich, Ballard, and Wagner should make serious noise at the best high school tournament in America. They follow up their Ironman weekend with duals at Bethlehem Catholic and Nazareth before a Beast of the East trip the weekend before Christmas. Then they’ll stay local with the Bethlehem Hurricane Classic over Christmas break, one of the toughest Decembers of any high school program in America. Their duals ease up in January before their postseason run.

Outlook: It’s going to be a crazy December and a very fun March for the Konkrete Kids. They’re probably on the outside looking in at the D11 team tournament and making State Duals, but once the individual portion of the season starts, this is a team that may have three state champions, which puts them in rare air, and they easily could win the PIAA tournament on the strength of their four studs.
 
Best of the Rest


Whitehall Zephyrs

Contenders
114: #4 Wilmont Kai (Jr. 39-7): D3, R2, S7
121: #11 Kade Pascoe (29-15): D5, R4, SQ
139: #13 Trokon Kai (Sr. 21-11): D5, R4, SQ
189: James Hopkins (Jr. 34-10): D4, R6
285: Justin Heckert (So. 6-3)

The Zephyrs have been sneakily competitive throughout the Tim Cunningham era, with another solid set of top end wrestlers this year. Kai was a state medalist last season in only his second year wrestling, avenging a NE Regional finals loss to Nick Salamone for 7th place. Pascoe and Kai’s brother Trokon also joined him in Hershey. Hopkins is a really exciting young upperweight, who had a bunch of success as a sophomore and missed Hershey by a match. Heckert was a junior high district champ at heavyweight, and got some varsity matches as a freshman and is poised to take over in a wide open heavyweight class as a sophomore.

Emmaus Green Hornets
Contenders
114: #1 Emilio Albanese (So. 41-8): D2, R3, S4
127: #13 Teagan Caciolo (So. 31-10): D3, R5
139: Xyler Salit (Fr.): JH1
160: #11 Jesse Scott (Sr. 30-13; Franklin & Marshall): D5, R5
172: #21 Xayden Sallit (Jr. 25-15): D5, R6

Albanese is the top ranked 114 pounder in the preseason after an excellent state tournament that saw him make a run to semifinals before falling to eventual champ Dom Morrison and outplaced both wrestlers that finished ahead of him in regionals. He’s one of the best sophomores in America and firmly in the mix to win a title. Caciolo is similarly talented and could make a real jump as a sophomore after a promising ninth grade season. Scott and the Sallit brothers also give Emmaus some depth for head coach Tom Best.

Liberty Hurricanes
Contenders
107: #23 Elijah Heimbach (So. 17-13)
114: #22 Jasiah Pagan (Sr. 24-12): D6
285: #24 Daunte Morrison (Sr. 25-11): D5, R6

One of the youngest teams in Pennsylvania, Liberty has one of the most exciting heavyweights in the state in Daunte Morrison. The standout defensive lineman is super aggressive and moves very well at his size, despite being a lighter heavyweight. Pagan and Heimbach are a pair of talented lightweights who will be leaders of this roster. Heimbach took his lumps last year as a 90-something pound freshman at 107, he’ll be closer to weight with a year of varsity experience, that often pays big dividends.
 
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PA Power’s 3A State Dual Rankings
1. Bethlehem Catholic (11)
2. Connellsville (7)
3. Easton (11)
4. Notre Dame (GP) (11)
5. Nazareth (11)
6. Wilson West Lawn (3)
7. Gettysburg (3)
8. State College (6)
9. Franklin Regional (7)
10. North Allegheny (7)

Northampton down at 19. That feels low given their bonus point potential and the potential of guys like Chlebove, Glykas, and Williams to give them a bump.

Easton, Connellsville, and #14 Central Mountain (plus 2A ranked teams Saucon Valley and Line Mountain) will battle at Top Hat in Williamsport this weekend. Notre Dame, Bethlehem Catholic, and State College will be at Ironman in Akron.
 
I guess it’s no surprise FCA is ranked #1 in 2A. You mentioned how loaded 139 is, I'm sure Anthony Mutarelli (CRS) will meet up with some during the tournament season like ETR. The field there looks loaded this year.
 
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FCA is #2 in America on MatScouts (compiled by esteemed Easton alum Willie Saylor). They’re absolutely loaded at all 13 weights. Should break the points record they set last year.

Mutarelli is the preseason #1 at 139. I think he’s a decided favorite above the rest of the field (assuming neither Parkins from Nazareth or Perry from Central Mountain drops from 145) but four of the top six behind Mutarelli are all D11 kids. I think he wins the weight class, but it will be a fun round robin up here to determine his biggest challenger. I kind of think Jeff at PaPower overinflated some of the ND kids based on being state qualifiers in 2A, so we’ll see if Gavyn Kelton really is a top five kid in the state, but Jack Campbell is quite good, and Chris Kelly/Ryder Campbell traded matches between the team states, districts, and regionals with Campbell getting the last laugh. They’re both solid.

Gavin Cole up at 172 (I think he’s 10 preseason) will also be in a good mix of D11 kids with Sumpolec, Cosover, and McFillin. That weight is Asher Cunningham’s (State College) to lose, but gets fun behind him.

Escape the Rock is awesome this year. Easton is going after a couple year hiatus, then you have Becahi and Notre Dame also from up here (so Mutarelli, Campbell, and Kelly all in the bracket). Faith Christian, Malvern Prep, and Connellsville the other huge teams from PA. Then out of state brings St. Edward (OH), long one of my favorite programs, Lake Highland Prep (FL), tons of good New Jersey and Virginia schools. Really fun tournament that’ll have some hammers there.

I know on our end, Jody’s big mission for the year is to improve how guys wrestle at individual states, and ETR is going to be one of the tentpoles of the year that get them there. The rebuild has been so dual focused (rightfully so), but we’re now at the longest state champ drought in school history and we need to get kids in position to win one. That’s the next step, which is why you now see Beast and ETR on the schedule (though RIP Reno Tournament of Champions, the biggest staple of the Easton schedule from 1996-2016).
 
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Ironman Seeds - Pennsylania Only
107
#2 Justin Farnsworth, Malvern Prep
#3 Brayden Wenrich, Northampton
#5 Keegan Bassett, Bishop McCourt
#14 Wyatt Stauffer, Wyoming Seminary
#16 Nico Emili, Bethlehem Catholic

113
#1 Freddy Bachmann, Faith Christian Academy
#12 Brendan Kelly, Malvern Prep
#16 Eli Herring, Bishop McCourt (originally from Tennessee)

120
#1 Joey Bachmann, Faith Christian Academy
#4 Luke Littleton-Mascaro, Malvern Prep
#6 Seamus Regan, Wyoming Seminary (from South Carolina)

126
#1 Nate Desmond, Wyoming Seminary (formerly Bethlehem Catholic)
#2 Keanu Dillard, Bethlehem Catholic
#3 Lincoln Sledzianowski, St. John Neuman (FL) (formerly Faith Christian Academy)
#5 Gauge Botero, Faith Christian Academy
#9 Matty O'Neill, Malvern Prep
#14 Gabe Ballard, Northampton

132
#1 Jax Forrest, Bishop McCourt (originally from North Carolina)
#3 Matt Botello, Wyoming Seminary (from Massachusetts)
#8 Trey Wagner, Northampton

138
#4 Sam Herring, Bishop McCourt (originally from Tennessee)
#15 Jason Torres, Malvern Prep

144
#1 Bo Bassett, Bishop McCourt
#10 Mason Wagner, Faith Christian Academy
#14 James Whitbred, State College

150
#6 Max Stein, Faith Christian Academy

157
#6 Devon Magro, Bishop McCourt
#8 Anthony Evanitsky, Wyoming Seminary (formerly Wyoming Area)
#9 Chase Hontz, Faith Christian Academy
#12 Charlie Scanlan, Bethlehem Catholic

165
#2 Melvin Miller, Bishop McCourt
#3 Cael Weidemoyer, Faith Christian Academy
#10 Keegan Ramsay, Notre Dame (GP)
#13 Shane McFillin, Bethlehem Catholic

175
#3 Asher Cunningham, State College
#7 Nick Singer, Faith Christian Academy
#13 Dom Sumpolec, Notre Dame (GP)
#14 Brian Chamberlain, Wyoming Seminary (formerly Malvern Prep/Phelps School)

190
#1 Adam Waters, Faith Christian Academy
#16 Matt Connolly, Malvern Prep

215
#1 Jude Correa, Wyoming Seminary (from Massachusetts)
#6 Jason Singer, Faith Christian Academy
#10 Stosh Zalota, Malvern Prep

285
#2 Mark Effendian, Faith Christian Academy
#9 Caleb Rodriguez, Bishop McCourt (originally from Florida)
#12 Lukas Zalota, Malvern Prep
#13 Gavin Grell, Northampton
 
Most notable PA Ironman result. Becahi freshman Nico Emili wrestled national number one Caleb Noble (IL) in the round of 16. Trailing 10-5, Emili hit a cement mixer (his dad is a Kkid after all) for 3 points in the takedown and four backpoints. Noble escaped at the end of the match, so Emili wins 12-11.

However, the scoreboard operator got the sequence totally wrong, and they never fixed it. Emili was a point short on the board, so the escape “tied” the score, and Noble won in OT. Would hs d been the biggest upset of the tourney so far. Like I said, the D11 107 class is very good.
 
Bethlehem Catholic with Keanu Dillard alive in semis, Charlie Scanlan and Shane McFillin made it to day 2. McFillin won his blood round match to medal, Scanlan got knocked out this morning. They sit in 13th

Northampton has Wenrich and Ballard alive on the backside. Wenrich just beat fellow freshman phenom Keegan Bassett from McCourt to medal. Trey Wagner got knocked out yesterday. Ballard lost in quarters to Karson Brown from St. Ed’s, who is on fire. Kkids are in 15th.

Notre Dame advanced Ramsay and Sumpolec to day 2 (Ramsay made
quarters and lost yesterday). Ramsay won this morning to medal, Sumpolec is out. The rest of their lineup combined to win three matches, two by 107 Cael Mueller.
 
Statewide at Ironman, Faith Christian had a tourney high 7 semifinalists to lead the team score going into day 2. Bishop McCourt with five in semis is in second. Wyoming Seminary is missing two starters, including National #1 Vince Bouzakis, and sit in third. Semifinals start at 11:45 in Akron. I’m
 
Intrigue at Ironman - the finals at 126 is Nate Desmond (Wyoming Seminary) vs Keanu Dillard (Bethlehem Catholic). Desmond transferred out of Becahi after winning two state titles, when Becahi didn’t hire Desmond’s dad as their next head coach. Desmond and Dillard have been training partners since they were little (both products of Red Hawk wrestling, run by Desmond’s uncle).

Desmond is signed with Penn State, Dillard is a junior committed to Lehigh.
 
At Top Hat in Williamsport, Easton goes 10-0 in quarterfinals to open up a double digit lead over Saucon Valley and 3A #2 Connellsville.

Less is down to two after consolation round, but Easton has nine scoring wrestlers in semis to Saucon Valley’s five. Third place Clearfield has four, Connellsville has four
 
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At Top Hat in Williamsport, Easton goes 10-0 in quarterfinals to open up a double digit lead over Saucon Valley and 3A #2 Connellsville.

Less is down to two after consolation round, but Easton has nine scoring wrestlers in semis to Saucon Valley’s five. Third place Clearfield has four, Connellsville has four
Spoke too soon - Easton goes 3-7 in semifinals after the 10-0 round, including Quentin Hammerstone blowing a big lead at 160, Kurtis Crossman getting upset at 215, and Chris Kelly falling 1-0 to Saucon’s Aiden Grogg. Only favored in one of three finals matches (Salamone at 121, Cosover at 172, Linegar at 189).
 
going into finals at Top Hat
1. Easton 193.5
2. Connellsville 191
3. Saucon Valley 185
4. Clearfield 158.5
5. Emmaus 157.5
 
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The host team Boyertown won the Bear Duals defeating CR-North 48-23. North beat Wilson West Lawn 33-31 in the semis and Boyertown over Pennridge 37-25. Wilson beat Pennridge 39-32 for 3rd.

Was Wilson missing any starters? I ask because they are ranked #6 heading into the season. Boyertown must be pretty good this year.
 
121: Salamone 2nd
127: Fenner 3rd
133: Krazer 3rd
139: Kelly 3rd
145: Bowman 8th
160: Hammerstone 5th
172: Cosover 2nd
189: Linegar 2nd
215: Crossman 3rd

Salamone lost to nationally ranked Brock Rothermel (Line Mountain). Had a lead at the end of the first period but couldn’t hold on. Cosover got pinned early by Brody Collins (Clearfield), the top seed and third in the state last year. Linegar lost in overtime in the last Easton final. They drop the tournament to Connellsville (three champs), 220.5 to 210.5
 
The host team Boyertown won the Bear Duals defeating CR-North 48-23. North beat Wilson West Lawn 33-31 in the semis and Boyertown over Pennridge 37-25. Wilson beat Pennridge 39-32 for 3rd.

Was Wilson missing any starters? I ask because they are ranked #6 heading into the season. Boyertown must be pretty good this year.
Matteo Garcia, state ranked at 160 didn’t wrestle. They also sent Speece up to 152 to chase Eren Sement, who beat him 8-4. Wilson West Lawn is ranked pretty high, but they aren’t exactly star studded. Feels like of wide open after Connellsville and the D11 teams. When I said Northampton is underranked, I’d probably take them over a team like Wilson West Lawn.
 
Huge one tomorrow night as #5 Nazareth hosts #3 Easton at Ray Nunamaker Gymnasium on Alumni Night for the Blue Eagles. Last season, Easton beat Nazareth for the first time since 2014 with a 39-19 triumph that catapulted the Rovers to a "we're back" season that included a trip to the state finals. The Blue Eagles are eager for payback this year, as both teams have big goals and are vying for a conference title and a trip back to states.
Projected Lineups
#3 Easton vs. #5 Nazareth
107: Gavyn Mindler vs. #11 Derek Fulmer
114: Brayden Abrams vs. Mikey Good:
121: #4 Nick Salamone vs. #9 Remy Trach:
127: #12 Noah Fenner vs. #23 Cooper Wenrich
133: #18 Ethan Krazer vs. Matteo Martincavage
139: #7 Chris Kelly vs. #2 Jack Campbell
145: Brendan Bowman vs. #1 Tahir Parkins
152: Evan Carss/Christian Molina vs. Dominick Tunison
160: #12 Quentin Hammerstone vs. #8 Cade Campbell
172: #15 Justin Cosover vs. #23 Elijah Simak
189: #12 Shae Linegar vs. #6 Brayden Zuercher
215: #8 Kurtis Crossman vs. Vinny Giacobbe
285: Isaiah Caban vs. Jacob Cozze

Easton Favored: 121, 127, 133, 172, 215
Nazareth Favored: 107, 114, 139, 145, 160, 189
Toss-Ups: 152, 285

How Nazareth Wins: Wrestle it straight up and get pins from Fulmer and Parkins and I don't think Easton has a way to overcome them without a big upset. They match up very well with Easton as currently constructed. They'll be in particularly good shape if guys like Brayden Zuercher have taken the leap I expect - he's been a solid state qualifier hsi first two years, has he jumped where he's a possible finalist? Jack Campbell similarly has momentum after taking 5th in the state last year, if those two come out and just hammer Chris Kelly and Shae Linegar, two state qualifiers from Easton, then Nazareth is on a different level than we thought in the preseason.

How Easton Wins: They're not dropping their lineup for a December dual, though I think we see everybody from 121 to 152 down a weight class by the end of the year. But the shuffle here may be Alonzo Parker at 215 (he lost a 2-1 match to state #9 Chris Cook of Connellsville over the weekend) and Kurtis Crossman up at heavyweight to try and win both and get bonus at heavy. Easton needs the toss-up at 152 with whoever they send out, it's a little curious Carss didn't wrestle at Top Hat, I thought he'd be a pretty solid part of the lineup. They absolutely need bonus from Salamone (who has pinned Trach in the past), Fenner, Krazer, and wherever Crossman wrestles. Their best good-on-good upset opportunity is Hammerstone vs. Cade Campbell, next would be Kelly vs. Jack Campbell. Probably need one of those.

Best Individual Bout: Simak vs. Cosover is a ton of fun with two great athletes. Cosover kind of put it on him last year in their dual as a coming out party for the freshman, but Simak grew by leaps and bounds throughout the year.

Who Could Be Unlikely Heros: The two least heralded wrestlers in either lineup are at 114. If Abrams or Good pins the other, it’s a massive swing. I have Good pinning Abrams.

Predicted Score: Nazareth 33-25
Nazareth with falls at 107, 114, 145 and decisions at 139, 152, 160, 172, and 285; Easton with a fall at 133 and 215, techs at 121 and 127, and a decision at 172.
 
Also tomorrow night, #1 Bethlehem Catholic hosts #19 Northampton in a match up of teams coming off of the nation's toughest tournament, Walsh Ironman at Walsh Jesuit in Akron, Ohio, where Bethlehem Catholic finished 13th (one runner-up, one sixth) and Northampton finished 13th (one fourth, one sixth). There are some tremendous individual bouts in this one, though Becahi is the decided team favorite.

Probable Lineups
#19 Northampton at #1 Bethlehem Catholic
107: #1 Brayden Wenrich vs. #8 Nico Emili
114: Ryan Marano vs. Andre Cerrato
121: #22 Colin Marano vs. Louden Hower
127: #3 Gabe Ballard vs. #1 Keanu Dillard
133: #1 Trey Wagner vs. #10 Reef Dillard
139: Matt Sommer vs. #6 Ryder Campbell
145: Carter Chlebove vs. Mason Thomas
152: #16 Chase Grabfelder vs. #4 Marco Frinzi
160: Parker Williams vs. #7 Charlie Scanlan
172: Logan Rusnock vs. #6 Shane McFillin
189: Joell Small vs. #7 James DeLuise
215: Blayze Ibarra vs. #22 Connor Gillahan
285: #3 Gavin Grell vs. ???

Northampton Favored: 107, 121, 133, 145, 285
Bethlehem Catholic Favored: 127, 133, 139, 152, 160, 172, 189, 215
Toss-Ups: 114

Best Individual Bout: If it happens, Gabe Ballard vs. Keanu Dillard is a potential state finals preview. Two elite kids, though Dillard is a year older and more seasoned. Dillard was the Ironman runner-up, while Ballard took 6th. Also a possible state final is the 107 bout with Brayden Wenrich and Nico Emili, two fantastic freshmen. Emili had the Ironman champ beat, but a scoring error cost him the match and he ended up not medaling, while Wenrich took fourth. This could be the first matchup in a long rivalry.

Other Fun One: Trey Wagner is teh returning state champ at 133, Reef Dillard really caught fire at the end of his freshman season. This is a good test match for Dillard to see just how far he's come and what can be expected from his as a sophomore.

Upset Watch: Chase Grabfelder wrestled really well at Ironman, does he potentially knock-off Frinzi?

Flexibility: Northampton could use Davi Glykas at 133 against Dillard, and bump Wagner up as a solid favorite against Campbell. Probably don't gain anything in points either way.

Predicted Final Score: 36-21 Bethlehem Catholic
 
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Easton and Nazareth will be televised by RCN tonight, who has started live streaming their broadcasts on YouTube. I’m assuming it’ll be Scott Barr on play-by-play, who for my money is the best to do it. Should be a fun night from a great rivalry.

 
Nevermind - Scott Barr not on the call, Ryan Nunamaker is (who is usually Scott’s color guy). Ryan is also really good - he was the head coach at Parklqnd that took them to the state finals in 2012. Was a state champ at Nazareth for his dad, Ray, who the Nazareth gym is named after.
 
Parker with a huge win in his first official varsity hour for the sophomore. 7-4 with a third period takedown and backpoints. 3-0 Easton. One of the toss ups they had to have.

Gavin Mindler saves a couple team points losing 17-6 to Derek Fulmer. Expected a fall there.

4-3 Nazareth after two bouts.
 
Mikey Good beats Brayden Abrams 17-5, again, Easton saves two team points not getting pinned.

8-3 Nazareth after three bouts. Rovers are +4 on my predictions.
 
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Nick Salamone by fall - Nazareth is bumping Trach and Cooper Wenrich up.

9-8 Easton after four bouts.
 
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Fenner major Remy Trach 13-1! That was a one takedown match at regionals last year when Fenner had to bump up to 114.

Easton goes up 13-8. Big toss up here.
 
Wow. 14-2 major for Cooper Wenrich over Ethan Krazer. Monster effort to flip the result from last years dual.

13-12 Easton.

Highlight bout coming up with Chris Kelly and Jack Campbell. Both state 2x state qualifiers, with Campbell taking 5th last year.
 
Shit. Jack Campbell hammers Chris Kelly. 2-0 lead after two (reversal) pours it on in the third period to win 12-2.

16-12 Nazareth now. Tahir Parkins pin coming up.
 
In other news - Keanu Dillard beats Gabe Ballard 7-0 in Becahi/Northampton.

Kkids bumped Brayden Wenrich to 114, so Wenrich/Emili didn’t happen.
 
Tahir Parkins techs Brendan Bowman. Saved Easton a team points- kind of gets back Kelly’s major.

21-13 Nazareth. Five bouts left.
 
EVAN CARSS WITH THE FALL!!!!!!! Six points in a toss up is huge. Carss locks up a vicious cross-face cradle and sticks him in the first period.

21-19 Nazareth now.

Hammerstone-Cade Campbell now.
 
Cade Campbell 12-6 decision. Hammerstone nearly rides out the third period to stave off bonus points (2 stall points to show for it though).

24-19 Nazareth.

Easton needs to either win all three, or get 172 and 215 and get two bonus points.
 
Justin Cosover gets a takedown at the end for a 13-4 major.

Nazareth up 24-23.

Nazareth favored here at 189. Easton a heavy favorite at 215.
 
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