Missed this the other day - William Allen beat Bethlehem Catholic 42-18 in their junior high match. Cupboard bare in Bethlehem? (Kidding)
District 11 Wrestling
- Thread starter RoverNation05
- Start date
It stinks.
I recognize the problem - the Team States event is not a popular one with spectators, and the Hershey arena is way too big for it (and probably expensive to boot). So I get moving it to a smaller venue.
But Altoona is far from everything. I know nothing about their gym, I’m sure it’s nice. The pictures look nice. But you’ve moved the event further from most of the teams that show up to the event the most, which I think will dissipate attendance even further.
What I’ve come around on the last few years for state duals is this - I would like to go back to a single qualifier for each district and have just an 8 team state bracket. Yes, that means D11 getting both finalists wont happen even when they have the two best teams. And that’s good.
What I’ve decided I don’t like is when Nazareth and Becahi or Easton and Northampton wrestle the biggest match of the year with the biggest stakes in Hershey where the full Lehigh Valley fanbase is not going to travel. If the D11 championship is loser goes home, you rachet that event up through the roof, and you’re in the Valley where full fan bases are going to come out to Liberty/Freedom/PPL/wherever you want to host it. That could be my age showing, and the fact that the 2003 and 2004 Easton-Northampton matches in the D11 duals when both were in the top 5 in America are some of the best sporting events I’ve ever seen. To re-wrestle those in Hershey in a non-sold out gym would have been anticlimactic, even if it would have been the state final. I think that happened to Beca-Nazareth in 2017, which is one of the best duals ever, and would have been in the stratosphere if it was at Liberty in front of a full house instead of the Giant Center in front of everybody’s parents and some crazies like me who like team states and drive the couple hours. But what do I know.
At some point I think they need to consider just having a home team / higher seed host some of these finals, if for no other reason to make the atmosphere state championship worthy. If the gym holds 1000, then 250 tickets are allocated to the visitors. There has to be a better way than these neutral sites that don't draw fans.
They're going to have the home team hosting until quarters, and not having wrestlebacks for teams that don't make quarters - which makes perfect sense. But the tournament is too big, there aren't four District 1 teams or whatever that need to be competing for a state championship in duals or whatever it is. The early round match ups are largely a joke in this tournament. And absolutely nobody cares about taking 3rd in the state team tournament, I'd be fine if they eliminated wrestle-backs all together. What it's nice for is getting a couple extra matches against good competition for your best kids before the individual tournament series, but again, I think that can be sacrificed.
I don't want to come off as not liking duals - I think having a dual champion is the best thing wrestling can do, and I wish that the NCAA did the same thing. And the PIAA has been trying to figure them out. The original version (that Northampton coach Don Rohn boycotted by sending his JV team) was during the week before individual districts and totally messed with guys weights for the individual postseason and was dumb and hastiliy thought out. They pivoted off of that pretty quickly (again, one of the best teams in the country sending their JV team to the tournament made quite the statement). The version from 2000-2004 that made sense in the calendar and had the winner-take-all District 11 championship was magical for us. Northampton in 2000 and Easton in 2001 and 2002 were a cut above and won it pretty easily, but the 2003 and 2004 duals between those two were absolutely incredible. (now i'm just going down memory lane, feel free to stop reading).
For the uninitiated, in 2003, Northampton was #4 in the country, Easton was #5. The last Saturday of the regular season, Northampton beat Easton 31-29 by winning four of the last five matches of the dual. The following week, in the D11 finals, Easton turned the table and won 34-23, the catalyst being (current P'burg coach) Brad Gentzle, who lost to John Paukovitz by 15-0 tech fall in the second period, then beat Paukovitz in the D11 final, 7-5. Never seen a one week turnaround like that. Bryan Hart beat state champ Joey Ecklof two matches later and Easton rolled to the win, then ran away with the state championship the next weekend. In March, Northampton tied the record with four individual state champions, while Easton medaled seven at states and both teams were more than 30 points ahead of the field.
In 2004, they were #3 and #5 nationally. Once again, Northampton beat Easton 31-30 in the final week of the regular season. The following week, Easton won maybe the best dual I've ever seen, 29-25, highlighted by Sean Richmond (RIP) getting a match-up with arch-rival Billy Haydt (who finished 3rd and 4th in the state that year) and reversing Haydt in double overtime to win 3-1 and win the dual. That was one of three bouts that night that went to overtime, and Easton won all three. Again, Easton rolled to a state title again the next week. That March, Northampton set the PIAA state record for points in a tournament (132.5) and medalists (10), which included three champs, while Easton put three in finals.
All four of those duals had to be moved to Liberty High School (with it's 5,000 seat gym) to accommodate the crowds. It was pretty cool, one of the high points in Valley wrestling.
Beast of the East starts at 8:30 tomorrow morning. It is Easton’s first trip to Beast since the 1997-98 season - no champs for the Rovers in their only trip, with a then freshman Gino Fortebuono taking second at 112. Gino went on to win a state championship as a senior, then eschewed Division I wrestling to go to NYU film school. Not something you see everyday from nationally ranked kids. Interesting cat, I see his name in credits on Netflix all the time.
Pennsylvania obviously well represented at Beast with Easton, Northampton, Nazareth, Becahi, both Council Rocks, Downingtown West, Faith Christian, Germantown Academy, Gettysburg, the Haverford School, Kennett, Northern Lebanon, Norwin, Notre Dame, Radnor, Red Lion, Saucon Valley, Southern Lehigh, the Hill School, Thomas Jefferson, Whitehall, and Wyoming Seminary.
Lots of overlap with the Ironman field, but swap out all of the local Ohio schools at Ironman with local Jersey schools for Beast. lots of Virginia schools at Beast too (weird that Great Bridge isn’t a player in the team race, they were so good for so long, and have gone to Beast forever and been in the hunt a lot).
Pennsylvania obviously well represented at Beast with Easton, Northampton, Nazareth, Becahi, both Council Rocks, Downingtown West, Faith Christian, Germantown Academy, Gettysburg, the Haverford School, Kennett, Northern Lebanon, Norwin, Notre Dame, Radnor, Red Lion, Saucon Valley, Southern Lehigh, the Hill School, Thomas Jefferson, Whitehall, and Wyoming Seminary.
Lots of overlap with the Ironman field, but swap out all of the local Ohio schools at Ironman with local Jersey schools for Beast. lots of Virginia schools at Beast too (weird that Great Bridge isn’t a player in the team race, they were so good for so long, and have gone to Beast forever and been in the hunt a lot).
After Day 1, Easton sits in 10th place at Beast of the East. Becahi leads the Lehigh Valley contingent in 8th, Notre Dame is in 11th, and Northampton is in 15th. Malvern Prep leads the field, with Faith Christian surprisingly in 3rd. Second place is Lake Highland Prep, a boarding school in Florida.
Rovers still have Nick Salamone alive on the front side, he’ll see National #1 Joey Bachman from Faith Christian in the quarterfinal. Salamone has pinned a state champ from Virginia and a state finalist from Delaware so far. Ethan Krazer (132), Justin Cosover (175), annd Kurtis Crossman (215) are alive on the backside for a medal.
Bethlehem Catholic has Nico Emili (107), Keanu Dillard (126), Charlie Scanlan (157), and Shane McFillin (165) alive in quarterfinals. Dillard has fellow state champ Gauge Botero (Faith Christian) in the morning, who beat Dillard last year at Escape the Rock. Marco Frinzi (150) and Connor Gillahan (215) are wrestling for medals.
Notre Dame has Keegan Ramsay (165) in quarters and Cael Mueller (107), Dom Sumpolec (175), and Connor Smalley (190) alive for medals.
Nazareth had top seed Tahir Parkins (145) in quarterfinals and Remy Trach (126), Jack Campbell (138), and Cade Campbell (157) in wrestle backs.
Northampton has Brayden Wenrich (113) and Gabe Ballard (126) in quarters with Trey Wagner (138) and Gavin Grell (285) in wrestle backs. Wenrich has national #1 Freddy Bachman (Faith Christian) in his quarter. Both are in the top 10 in the country.
Other PA guys in the quarters are Malvern Prep’s Justin Farnsworth (107) Luke Littleton-Nascari (120), Matty O’Neill (126), and Stosh Zamora (215), Faith Christian’s Mason Wagner (144), Max Stein (150), Chase Hontz (157), Nick Singer (175), Adam Waters (190), Jason Singer (215), and Mark Effendian (285), Saucon Valley’s Carter Chunko (113) and Jackson Albert (150), Norwin’s Landon Sidun (120), Northern Lebanon’s Aaron Seidel (132), Council Rock South’s Anthony Mutarelli (138), Council Rock North’s Eren Sement (144), Thomas Jefferson’s Maddux Shaw (157) and Bode Marlow (175), Gettysburg’s Nolan Reinert (190),
Rovers still have Nick Salamone alive on the front side, he’ll see National #1 Joey Bachman from Faith Christian in the quarterfinal. Salamone has pinned a state champ from Virginia and a state finalist from Delaware so far. Ethan Krazer (132), Justin Cosover (175), annd Kurtis Crossman (215) are alive on the backside for a medal.
Bethlehem Catholic has Nico Emili (107), Keanu Dillard (126), Charlie Scanlan (157), and Shane McFillin (165) alive in quarterfinals. Dillard has fellow state champ Gauge Botero (Faith Christian) in the morning, who beat Dillard last year at Escape the Rock. Marco Frinzi (150) and Connor Gillahan (215) are wrestling for medals.
Notre Dame has Keegan Ramsay (165) in quarters and Cael Mueller (107), Dom Sumpolec (175), and Connor Smalley (190) alive for medals.
Nazareth had top seed Tahir Parkins (145) in quarterfinals and Remy Trach (126), Jack Campbell (138), and Cade Campbell (157) in wrestle backs.
Northampton has Brayden Wenrich (113) and Gabe Ballard (126) in quarters with Trey Wagner (138) and Gavin Grell (285) in wrestle backs. Wenrich has national #1 Freddy Bachman (Faith Christian) in his quarter. Both are in the top 10 in the country.
Other PA guys in the quarters are Malvern Prep’s Justin Farnsworth (107) Luke Littleton-Nascari (120), Matty O’Neill (126), and Stosh Zamora (215), Faith Christian’s Mason Wagner (144), Max Stein (150), Chase Hontz (157), Nick Singer (175), Adam Waters (190), Jason Singer (215), and Mark Effendian (285), Saucon Valley’s Carter Chunko (113) and Jackson Albert (150), Norwin’s Landon Sidun (120), Northern Lebanon’s Aaron Seidel (132), Council Rock South’s Anthony Mutarelli (138), Council Rock North’s Eren Sement (144), Thomas Jefferson’s Maddux Shaw (157) and Bode Marlow (175), Gettysburg’s Nolan Reinert (190),
Notable Beast results -
Landon Sidun (Norwin) beats National #1 Joey Bachman (Faith Christian) in a battle of freshman state champs from last year. Sidun, who won 3A 114 last year, beat Bachman, the 2A 107 champ, on an overtime reversal in rideouts.
Bachman’s brother Freddy held onto his #1 status at 113 with a win over Fargo medalist Rylan Seacrist (Brecksville, OH).
National #1 and Cornell recruit Anthony Knox from St John Vianny (NJ) hammered Lehigh recruit Keanu Dillard (Bethlehem Catholic) in a bout of top 5 national wrestlers.
Aaron Seidel (Northern Lebanon) rolled to a title at 132.
Tahir Parkins (Nazareth) beats Eren Sement (CRN), 4-1 in overtime in a possible preview of state finals at 145. Parkins is a returning state champ, Sement has finished third three times, including a win over Parkins for third when both were sophomores.
State champ Maddox Shaw (Thomas Jefferson) had to injury default out of the tournament after semis at 157. Something to watch, as the Ohio State commit is top 3 in the country and a heavy favorite to win his second state title if healthy.
Will Henckel (Blair Academy) beat Ryan Burton (St. Joseph Regional NJ) in the latest installment in their rivalry, erasing a 3-1 deficit in a 5-3 win. Burton had defeated Henckel over the summer in the Fargo Junior Freestyle finals. They were ranked #2 and #1 in the country. Henckel is going to Penn State, Burton to Virginia Tech.
Adam Waters (Faith Christian) also had to dig out of a hole to win 5-4 over Lane Hoarde (Benedictine, VA) in a rematch of the Ironman final that Waters won by fall. Waters is #2 nationally while Hoarde is #3.
In D11 news, Bethlehem Catholic medaled four, with Nico Emili (107) and Keanu Dillard losing in finals. Emili made the 107 finals as an unseeded wrestler, and dominated his way to the title match before losing to Justin Farmsworth (Malvern Prep), 13-3. Emili announced himself as a definite state title contender. Shane McFillin and Charlie Scanlan also placed.
Easton got a medal from Nick Salamone (120), who lost on the front side to Bachman and on the backside to a New York State champ. He beat state finalists from Virginia, Delaware, and New Jersey on his way to a medal. Kurtis Crossman (215) lost in the blood round, and Justin Cosover (175) and Ethan Krazer (132) lost in the round of 16.
Northampton got a medal out of Gabe Ballard (126). Brayden Wenrich (114) lost a fight match to Freddy Bachman kn quarters then surprisingly lost his R12 match. Trey Wagner (139) and Gavin Grell (285) lost in R16.
Parkins was the only medalist for Nazareth. Jack Campbell and Remy Trach lost in R16.
Notre Dame had Dom Sumpolec (175) and Keegan Ramsay (165) both lose in R12.
Saucon Valley had two medalists in Carter Chunko (113) and Jackson Albert (150). Chunko beat Sam Woolford (Northern Lebanon) in a battle of possible 2A state finalists.
Faith Christian won the team title, with Lake Highland Pre (FL) taking second and Malvern Prep taking third. Blair was fourth, and Brecksville (OH) took the public school title in fifth. Bethlehem Catholic was 7th, Nazareth 14th, Easton 17th, Notre Dame 18th, Northampton 19th, and Saucon Valley 23rd in the 184 team field.
Landon Sidun (Norwin) beats National #1 Joey Bachman (Faith Christian) in a battle of freshman state champs from last year. Sidun, who won 3A 114 last year, beat Bachman, the 2A 107 champ, on an overtime reversal in rideouts.
Bachman’s brother Freddy held onto his #1 status at 113 with a win over Fargo medalist Rylan Seacrist (Brecksville, OH).
National #1 and Cornell recruit Anthony Knox from St John Vianny (NJ) hammered Lehigh recruit Keanu Dillard (Bethlehem Catholic) in a bout of top 5 national wrestlers.
Aaron Seidel (Northern Lebanon) rolled to a title at 132.
Tahir Parkins (Nazareth) beats Eren Sement (CRN), 4-1 in overtime in a possible preview of state finals at 145. Parkins is a returning state champ, Sement has finished third three times, including a win over Parkins for third when both were sophomores.
State champ Maddox Shaw (Thomas Jefferson) had to injury default out of the tournament after semis at 157. Something to watch, as the Ohio State commit is top 3 in the country and a heavy favorite to win his second state title if healthy.
Will Henckel (Blair Academy) beat Ryan Burton (St. Joseph Regional NJ) in the latest installment in their rivalry, erasing a 3-1 deficit in a 5-3 win. Burton had defeated Henckel over the summer in the Fargo Junior Freestyle finals. They were ranked #2 and #1 in the country. Henckel is going to Penn State, Burton to Virginia Tech.
Adam Waters (Faith Christian) also had to dig out of a hole to win 5-4 over Lane Hoarde (Benedictine, VA) in a rematch of the Ironman final that Waters won by fall. Waters is #2 nationally while Hoarde is #3.
In D11 news, Bethlehem Catholic medaled four, with Nico Emili (107) and Keanu Dillard losing in finals. Emili made the 107 finals as an unseeded wrestler, and dominated his way to the title match before losing to Justin Farmsworth (Malvern Prep), 13-3. Emili announced himself as a definite state title contender. Shane McFillin and Charlie Scanlan also placed.
Easton got a medal from Nick Salamone (120), who lost on the front side to Bachman and on the backside to a New York State champ. He beat state finalists from Virginia, Delaware, and New Jersey on his way to a medal. Kurtis Crossman (215) lost in the blood round, and Justin Cosover (175) and Ethan Krazer (132) lost in the round of 16.
Northampton got a medal out of Gabe Ballard (126). Brayden Wenrich (114) lost a fight match to Freddy Bachman kn quarters then surprisingly lost his R12 match. Trey Wagner (139) and Gavin Grell (285) lost in R16.
Parkins was the only medalist for Nazareth. Jack Campbell and Remy Trach lost in R16.
Notre Dame had Dom Sumpolec (175) and Keegan Ramsay (165) both lose in R12.
Saucon Valley had two medalists in Carter Chunko (113) and Jackson Albert (150). Chunko beat Sam Woolford (Northern Lebanon) in a battle of possible 2A state finalists.
Faith Christian won the team title, with Lake Highland Pre (FL) taking second and Malvern Prep taking third. Blair was fourth, and Brecksville (OH) took the public school title in fifth. Bethlehem Catholic was 7th, Nazareth 14th, Easton 17th, Notre Dame 18th, Northampton 19th, and Saucon Valley 23rd in the 184 team field.
Bethlehem Hurricane Classic
Biggest news from Day 1 was Brayden Wenrich (Northampton) and Sam Wolford (Northern Lebanon) meeting in the second round at 114. Wolford is nationally ranked at 114, while Wenrich is #7 nationally at 107, but has been up at 114 for the Nazareth dual, Beast of the East, and now the Hurricane. Wenrich beat Wolford 1-0 at Beast, but Woolford put it on him yesterday in a 10-5 revenge win.
In other Northampton vs Northern Lebanon news, Gabe Ballard moved up from 127 to 133 to challenge national #2 Aaron Seidel. They’ll meet in finals.
Biggest surprise of semis so far is Jonny O’Brien putting it on state #5 Gavin Carroll (Quakertown) - and as I was typing this, Carroll took O’Brien to his back and pinned him. Sophomore Teagan Caciolo (Emmaus), who I think is going to be a very good one, pushed state #2 Nick Salamone, it was a 2-1 match the whole way, with Salamone getting a late takedown to seal it. Green Hornets lightweights are something to be reckoned with.
Finals (with state rankings)
107: #20 Jackson Max, Emmaus vs 2A #17 Nathan Schuman, Honesdale
114: #2 Emilio Albanese, Emmaus vs 2A #5 Sam Wolford, Northern Lebanon
121: #2 Nick Salamone, Easton vs #10 Connor Lagier, West Scranton
127: #11 Noah Fenner, Easton vs Mack Santoro, Saucon Valley
133: #3 Gabe Ballard, Northampton vs 2A #2 Aaron Seidel, Northern Lebanon
139: #1 (at 133) Trey Wagner, Northampton vs #5 Jack Campbell, Nazareth
145: #1 Tahir Parkins, Nazareth vs #5 McKaden Speece, Wilson West Lawn
152: #3 Michael Turi, West Scranton vs #5 Gavin Carroll, Quakertown
160: NJ #1 Gavin Hawk, Phillipsburg (NJ) vs #1 Colin Gaj, Quakertown
172: #9 Blaise Eidel, Wilson West Lawn vs #7 Gavin Cole, Council Rock South
189: 2A #3 Luke Fugazzoto, Northwestern Lehigh vs #7 Brayden Zuercher, Nazareth
215: #6 Kurtis Crossman, Easton vs Kaleb Dumin, Boyertown
285: #1 Gavin Grell, Northampton vs #5 Connor Hudak, Spring-Ford
Biggest news from Day 1 was Brayden Wenrich (Northampton) and Sam Wolford (Northern Lebanon) meeting in the second round at 114. Wolford is nationally ranked at 114, while Wenrich is #7 nationally at 107, but has been up at 114 for the Nazareth dual, Beast of the East, and now the Hurricane. Wenrich beat Wolford 1-0 at Beast, but Woolford put it on him yesterday in a 10-5 revenge win.
In other Northampton vs Northern Lebanon news, Gabe Ballard moved up from 127 to 133 to challenge national #2 Aaron Seidel. They’ll meet in finals.
Biggest surprise of semis so far is Jonny O’Brien putting it on state #5 Gavin Carroll (Quakertown) - and as I was typing this, Carroll took O’Brien to his back and pinned him. Sophomore Teagan Caciolo (Emmaus), who I think is going to be a very good one, pushed state #2 Nick Salamone, it was a 2-1 match the whole way, with Salamone getting a late takedown to seal it. Green Hornets lightweights are something to be reckoned with.
Finals (with state rankings)
107: #20 Jackson Max, Emmaus vs 2A #17 Nathan Schuman, Honesdale
114: #2 Emilio Albanese, Emmaus vs 2A #5 Sam Wolford, Northern Lebanon
121: #2 Nick Salamone, Easton vs #10 Connor Lagier, West Scranton
127: #11 Noah Fenner, Easton vs Mack Santoro, Saucon Valley
133: #3 Gabe Ballard, Northampton vs 2A #2 Aaron Seidel, Northern Lebanon
139: #1 (at 133) Trey Wagner, Northampton vs #5 Jack Campbell, Nazareth
145: #1 Tahir Parkins, Nazareth vs #5 McKaden Speece, Wilson West Lawn
152: #3 Michael Turi, West Scranton vs #5 Gavin Carroll, Quakertown
160: NJ #1 Gavin Hawk, Phillipsburg (NJ) vs #1 Colin Gaj, Quakertown
172: #9 Blaise Eidel, Wilson West Lawn vs #7 Gavin Cole, Council Rock South
189: 2A #3 Luke Fugazzoto, Northwestern Lehigh vs #7 Brayden Zuercher, Nazareth
215: #6 Kurtis Crossman, Easton vs Kaleb Dumin, Boyertown
285: #1 Gavin Grell, Northampton vs #5 Connor Hudak, Spring-Ford
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Hurricane Classic Finals
107: Jackson Max, Emmaus decision Nathan Schuman, Honesdale: 11-10
Max scores 8 points in the first period that hold up. Nice tournament for the Emmaus sophomore who sat behind Emilio Albanese last year.
114: Sam Wolford, Northern Lebanon decision Emilio Albanese, Emmaus: 7-3
Wolford has a great tournament beating 3A state title contender Albanese, he’s brutal on top. Brayden Wenrich finishes third and out scores the backside 84-1 after his second round loss to Wolford.
121: Nick Salamone, Easton decision Connor Lagier, West Scranton: 2-0
Salamone reversed Lagier early in the second period, and Lagier never got off of bottom for the rest of the match. Salamone is suffocating on top, if he can get enough neutral offense, he’s dangerous in March (I say for the third year in a row).
127: Noah Fenner, Easton fall Mack Santoro, Saucon Valley: 3:07
Fenner built up a 12-0 lead, then nearly got pinned in the second period, then reversed and flattened Santoro. I would never coach a kid to wrestle the way Fenner does, but he’s an awfully tough, awkward match up and can score a billion points on the mat. He went major, tech, tech, pin through the tournament. Editorial note - it’s weird seeing a Santoro (son of Lehigh coach Pat), not wrestling for Bethlehem Catholic, where uncle Rich won two state titles and his dad was a state bronze medalist before winning two NCAA titles. He’s a freshman to watch with obvious bloodlines.
133: Aaron Seidel, Northern Lebanon major Gabe Ballard, Northampton: 16-2
Ballard is one of the best sophomores in America. But Seidel is one of the best pound for pound wrestlers in America. Seidel is now 165-2 in his high school career. He and Jax Forest could have a national # 1 vs #2 in state finals.
139: Trey Wagner, Northampton decision Jack Campbell, Nazareth: 4-2
Similar to their dual a week ago, Wagner is impressive going up a weight class and beating a potential state finalist. Not sure why Anthony Mutarelli (CRS) was out for this tournament, but would have liked to see him against Wagner here.
145: Tahir Parkins, Nazareth decision McKaden Speece, Wilson West Lawn: 7-3
Kind if a ho-hum finale from Beast champ and returning state champ Parkins. The Rutgers recruit is one of the best in the country, good on Speece for hanging with him.
152: Michael Turi, West Scranton decision Gavin Carroll, Quakertown: 6-1
Turi is the most underrated good wrestler in the state.
160: Colin Gaj, Quakertown major Gavin Hawk, Phillipsburg (NJ): 16-4
Gaj is a monster. Senior and former state champ (2023) and 2x finalist is the #4 ranked 160 pounder in America, and put it on returning New Jersey finalist and top ranked wrestler in the Garden State. Always nice for PA to dominate a potential state champ vs state champ match up with Jersey.
172: Gavin Cole, Council Rock South decision Blaise Eidle, Wilson West Lawn: 7-0
Nice win for Cole in a bout of top ten wrestlers in the state. Cole is really good on top.
Team race is a quite something here. It’s Nazareth 172, Easton 169, Northampton 168.5. Each team had one finalist left (189, 215, 285, respectively). Easton has one going for third (189), Nazareth has one going for seventh (285). If Luke Fugazzoto beats Brayden Zuercher here, it’ll be a wild finish.
189: Luke Fugazzotto, Northwestern Lehigh decision Brayden Zuercher, Nazareth: 4-1
Always fun to see elite 2A vs 3A local match ups. Fugazzotto was a state finalist last year as a sophomore. Zuercher has been to states twice, and is a finals contender kn 3A despite breaking a number of bones in his face at the Cumberland Valley Kickoff Classic (he just got cleared this weekend). Big second period takedown win it for Fugazzotto. And in the third place bout, Shae Linegar had a 4-3 lead, then put Noah McIlroy (Freedom) on his back for 7 and an 11-3 major decision. That gives Easton the team race lead.
215: Kurtis Crossman, Easton decision Kaleb Dumin, Boyertown: 4-2
Workmanlike decision from Crossman will win Easton their first Hurricane Classic title. Fitting In Jody Karam’s last season - Karam founded the tournament as the Liberty head coach back in 1994. He’s now won the tournament as a coach three times, previously winning at Liberty in 2017 and 2018.
285: Gavin Grell, Northampton decision Connor Hudak, Spring-Ford: 7-2
Grell gives the KKids their second champ and he cruises at heavyweight. With Lehigh commit Dean Bechtold (Owen J Roberts) currently injured, Grell is the top ranked heavyweight in 3A and wrestled solidly as a favorite this weekend. Grell’s win, combined with a Nazareth loss in the 7th place match, pushes the Konkrete Kids into second place by half a point.
Final Team Scores (top 10)
1. Easton 178
2. Northampton 172.5
3. Nazareth 172
4. Saucon Valley 142
5. Emmaus 131
6. Phillipsburg (NJ) 120.5
7. Northern Lebanon 115.5
8. Boyertown 114
9. Quakertown 112
10. Wilson West Lawn 109.5
The Rovers, who started attending the Hurricane in 2016, win the tournament its 30th season, joining Northampton, Blair Academy, Nazareth, Wyoming Seminary, Liberty, and Council Rock South as tournament champions. Blair holds the record with 12 titles, Northampton and Nazareth have five, Wyoming Seminary has four. Easton previously had been runner up in 2016 and 2022.
Easton goes 3 for 3 in finals and an eye popping 7-1 in medal round matches, with a pin, a tech, and two majors. After a first session yesterday that Karam said “had us looking for a bridge to jump off of”, quite the recovery for the Red Rovers.
107: Jackson Max, Emmaus decision Nathan Schuman, Honesdale: 11-10
Max scores 8 points in the first period that hold up. Nice tournament for the Emmaus sophomore who sat behind Emilio Albanese last year.
114: Sam Wolford, Northern Lebanon decision Emilio Albanese, Emmaus: 7-3
Wolford has a great tournament beating 3A state title contender Albanese, he’s brutal on top. Brayden Wenrich finishes third and out scores the backside 84-1 after his second round loss to Wolford.
121: Nick Salamone, Easton decision Connor Lagier, West Scranton: 2-0
Salamone reversed Lagier early in the second period, and Lagier never got off of bottom for the rest of the match. Salamone is suffocating on top, if he can get enough neutral offense, he’s dangerous in March (I say for the third year in a row).
127: Noah Fenner, Easton fall Mack Santoro, Saucon Valley: 3:07
Fenner built up a 12-0 lead, then nearly got pinned in the second period, then reversed and flattened Santoro. I would never coach a kid to wrestle the way Fenner does, but he’s an awfully tough, awkward match up and can score a billion points on the mat. He went major, tech, tech, pin through the tournament. Editorial note - it’s weird seeing a Santoro (son of Lehigh coach Pat), not wrestling for Bethlehem Catholic, where uncle Rich won two state titles and his dad was a state bronze medalist before winning two NCAA titles. He’s a freshman to watch with obvious bloodlines.
133: Aaron Seidel, Northern Lebanon major Gabe Ballard, Northampton: 16-2
Ballard is one of the best sophomores in America. But Seidel is one of the best pound for pound wrestlers in America. Seidel is now 165-2 in his high school career. He and Jax Forest could have a national # 1 vs #2 in state finals.
139: Trey Wagner, Northampton decision Jack Campbell, Nazareth: 4-2
Similar to their dual a week ago, Wagner is impressive going up a weight class and beating a potential state finalist. Not sure why Anthony Mutarelli (CRS) was out for this tournament, but would have liked to see him against Wagner here.
145: Tahir Parkins, Nazareth decision McKaden Speece, Wilson West Lawn: 7-3
Kind if a ho-hum finale from Beast champ and returning state champ Parkins. The Rutgers recruit is one of the best in the country, good on Speece for hanging with him.
152: Michael Turi, West Scranton decision Gavin Carroll, Quakertown: 6-1
Turi is the most underrated good wrestler in the state.
160: Colin Gaj, Quakertown major Gavin Hawk, Phillipsburg (NJ): 16-4
Gaj is a monster. Senior and former state champ (2023) and 2x finalist is the #4 ranked 160 pounder in America, and put it on returning New Jersey finalist and top ranked wrestler in the Garden State. Always nice for PA to dominate a potential state champ vs state champ match up with Jersey.
172: Gavin Cole, Council Rock South decision Blaise Eidle, Wilson West Lawn: 7-0
Nice win for Cole in a bout of top ten wrestlers in the state. Cole is really good on top.
Team race is a quite something here. It’s Nazareth 172, Easton 169, Northampton 168.5. Each team had one finalist left (189, 215, 285, respectively). Easton has one going for third (189), Nazareth has one going for seventh (285). If Luke Fugazzoto beats Brayden Zuercher here, it’ll be a wild finish.
189: Luke Fugazzotto, Northwestern Lehigh decision Brayden Zuercher, Nazareth: 4-1
Always fun to see elite 2A vs 3A local match ups. Fugazzotto was a state finalist last year as a sophomore. Zuercher has been to states twice, and is a finals contender kn 3A despite breaking a number of bones in his face at the Cumberland Valley Kickoff Classic (he just got cleared this weekend). Big second period takedown win it for Fugazzotto. And in the third place bout, Shae Linegar had a 4-3 lead, then put Noah McIlroy (Freedom) on his back for 7 and an 11-3 major decision. That gives Easton the team race lead.
215: Kurtis Crossman, Easton decision Kaleb Dumin, Boyertown: 4-2
Workmanlike decision from Crossman will win Easton their first Hurricane Classic title. Fitting In Jody Karam’s last season - Karam founded the tournament as the Liberty head coach back in 1994. He’s now won the tournament as a coach three times, previously winning at Liberty in 2017 and 2018.
285: Gavin Grell, Northampton decision Connor Hudak, Spring-Ford: 7-2
Grell gives the KKids their second champ and he cruises at heavyweight. With Lehigh commit Dean Bechtold (Owen J Roberts) currently injured, Grell is the top ranked heavyweight in 3A and wrestled solidly as a favorite this weekend. Grell’s win, combined with a Nazareth loss in the 7th place match, pushes the Konkrete Kids into second place by half a point.
Final Team Scores (top 10)
1. Easton 178
2. Northampton 172.5
3. Nazareth 172
4. Saucon Valley 142
5. Emmaus 131
6. Phillipsburg (NJ) 120.5
7. Northern Lebanon 115.5
8. Boyertown 114
9. Quakertown 112
10. Wilson West Lawn 109.5
The Rovers, who started attending the Hurricane in 2016, win the tournament its 30th season, joining Northampton, Blair Academy, Nazareth, Wyoming Seminary, Liberty, and Council Rock South as tournament champions. Blair holds the record with 12 titles, Northampton and Nazareth have five, Wyoming Seminary has four. Easton previously had been runner up in 2016 and 2022.
Easton goes 3 for 3 in finals and an eye popping 7-1 in medal round matches, with a pin, a tech, and two majors. After a first session yesterday that Karam said “had us looking for a bridge to jump off of”, quite the recovery for the Red Rovers.
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I saw that Mutarelli had an injury default at the Beast last week. I think he was also injured over the summer. Hope he gets healthy after having to sit out last years post-season.
So after the Christmas Tournaments, here's where we stand statewide
107
The Favorite: Brayden Wenrich, Northampton
Wenrich has been excellent so far, with his only losses at 107 coming at Ironman, where he placed at the toughest tournament in the country. He's been up at 114 since, and I'm assuming that is with the intention of coming back down to 109 (2-pound allowance kicks in for January) where he'll be for the postseason.
The Contenders: Tommy Grentz, Connellsville; Nico Emili, Bethlehem Catholic
Grentz is the veteran here, a 10th grader who is a little bigger and stronger and one of the anchors of the excellent Connellsville lineup. Emili has exploded onto the scene - but for a scoreboard error he would have beaten #1 in the country at Ironman, and he rolled to the Beast of the East finals as an unseeded wrestler. I'm not totally conivnced Wenrich is the favorite over Emili, though we'll have to wait until the individual postseason to see it, as Wenrich bumped up to 114 for their dual in December.
District 11 Angle: With the #1 and #3 ranked wrestlers here, it's easy to see a District/Regional/State finals trifecta between Wenrich and Emili. Wenrich wrestling for Emili's dad's alma mater adds some fun (Dave Emili was a two-time state finalist for Don Rohn's Northampton squads in the early '90s).
National Rankings: #6 Brayden Wenrich, #14 Nico Emili
114
The Favorite: Dominick Morrison, Hatboro-Horsham
Morrison is nationally ranked by MatScouts and the returning state champ (107 last year). He's made the descent down to 114, where the field looks eeriliy similar to the one he won at 107 last year.
The Contenders: Emilio Albanese, Emmaus; Max Tancini, Perkiomen Valley; Mateo Gallegos, DuBois
Deep field of returning state medalists here and freshman phenom Gallegos. Albanese is the best Emmaus wrestler since Bryan Reiss won a state title 20 years ago. Tancini has made the cut down to 114 to give District 1 another hammer here. Gallegos was a PowerAde finalist as a freshman and may be the most talnted guy at the weight.
District 11 Angle: Albanese was state fourth last year at 107, he's as likely as anybody at the top to win this weight. Wilmont Kai (Whitehall) sits there at #6 and he's a huge, strong 114. Potentially a spot for Nick Salamone (Easton) to drop, where he'd be in the group of favorites, though the weight cut for last year's postseason turned out not to be beneficial.
National Rankings; #10 Dom Morrison, #24 Matteo Gallegos
121
The Favorite: Landon Sidun, Norwin
Sidun is the big favorite here. Some polls have him as the #1 wrestler in the country at the weight, he rolled to a state title at 114 as a freshman, and he just beat national #1 Joey Bachman at Beast of the East. He's really good.
Contenders: Nick Salamone, Easton; Braiden Weaver, Altoona; Leo Joseph, Greater Latrobe; Colby Martinelli, Pennridge; Thunder Beard, Central Dauphin; Kavin Muyleart, Cedar Cliff
Big field here behind Sidun. Salamone has a win over a top 10 wrestler in the country when he knocked off Jersey state finalist and Oklahoma commit Joseph McGinty at Beast. Weaver, Joseph, and Beard are veterans with state medals, Martinelli is powerful and after losing his state tournament to injury, seems healthy and ready to go. Muyleart has battled lots of injuries in his career, but is incredibly talented and was one of the more hyped wrestlers coming into high school.
District 11 Angle: Salamone is ranked #2 in the state and after a disappointing state tournament in 2024, is looking to make a deep postseason run. He could be a candidate to move down away from Sidun, but is a finals contender if he stays. He's beaten all of the contenders in D11. Frankly, the biggest contender here would be if Noah Fenner dropped here if Salamone drops to 114.
National Rankings: #1 Landon Sidun,
127
The Favorite: Keanu Dillard, Bethlehem Catholic
Dillard is on track to be the first four-time state champion from District 11 since Matt Gearhart (Catasaqua) won four 2A titles from 1981-1984. Dillard is the third D11 wrestler in the last ten years to win two in his first two years, but it's been the junior year that eluded Ryan Crookham (injury), Julian Chlebove (discipline), and Nate Desmond (transfer). Dillard is a top five ranked wrestler in America at 127 and has already defeated his biggest contender.
The Contenders: Nico Fanella, Indiana; Gabe Ballard, Northampton
Fanella and Ballard are both nationally ranked, Fanella has a pair of state medals, while Ballard is one of the best sophomores in the country. Ballard has medals at Beast and Ironman, but a 7-0 loss to Dillard in their dual.
D11 Angle: Very easily could be a District/Regional/State final with Dillard and Ballard. Noah Fenner from Easton, currently ranked #9, adds a third possible medalist from the Lehigh Valley at the weight, though he may move down to 121 where there is a clearer path for a deeper run.
National Rankings: #5 Keanu Dillard, #21 Gabe Ballard, #22 Nico Fanella
133
The Favorite: Trey Wagner, Northampton
Wagner is a returning state champ and already committed to Navy. He's brutal on top and is part of an impressive core from Northampton, who conceivably could put four wrestlers into state finals.
The Contender: Luke Willochell, Greater Latrobe
Willochell is a former state finalist and has three top 5 finishes at the state tournament. He's funk and wide open, and is a tough match-up for Wagner should they hit in Hershey.
D11 Angle: Wagner is part of a deep local contingent,that includes state #5 Reef Dillard (Bethlehem Catholic) and #6 Tanner Berkenstock (Notre Dame). Wagner is the big favorite - he's gone up and defeated some of the top ranked wrestlers up at 139. Wouldn't be surprised if some of the logjam at 139 came down to 133 for the postseason.
National Rankings: none
139
The Favorite: Anthony Mutarelli, Council Rock South
Mutarelli probably should have a state title at 133 last year (where he would have been favored over Wagner), but was ineliglbe as a transfer. He won a National Prep title as a freshman. He has been out with injury, but a healthy Mutarelli is a big favorite here.
Contenders: Kai Vielma, Connellsville; Elijah Brosius, Cranberry; Blake Boyer, Kennett; Jack Campbell, Nazareth;
Vielma is a super-sophomore, who qualified as a freshman but has really stepped his game up in year two. Brosious has a pair of 2A medals as Cranberry has moved up this cycle. Campbell was fifth in the state as a sophomore and has also really jumped levels.
D11 Angle: Fantastic group here. #5 Campbell, #7 Gavyn Kelton (Notre Dame), #8 Ryder Campbell (Bethlehem Catholic), and #9 Chris Kelly (Easton) are all medal contenders and all have multiple trips to states. Campbell seems to have separated a little, but the other three should have great round robins.
National Rankings: #19 Anthony Mutarelli
145
The Favorite: Tahir Parkins, Nazareth
Beast of the East and Bethlehem Hurricane Champion and a returning state champion, Parkins is a consensus top five ranked wrestler in America. However, this is a monster weight class, so he's not as big a favorite as his talent would tell you.
Contenders: Dalton Perry, Central Mountain; Eren Sement, Council Rock North
A meat grinder of a Pennsylvania weight. Perry is a state champion and Penn State commit (with a third and a runner-up since winning as a freshman) and Sement has finished third three times, including beating Parkins for bronze two years ago. Parkins beat Sement in overtime of the Beast finals.
D11 Angle: Parkins should cap off a great career with a fourth District 11 championship. You can see by the logjam at 139 that nobody wants to have to go through Parkins, as there's not another top 25 wrestler in the state in the weight class, a rarity for D11.
National Rankings: #5 Tahir Parkins, #6 Dalton Perry, #7 Eren Sement
152
The Favorite: Maddox Shaw, Thomas Jefferson
The Ohio State commit is ranked #4 in America and looking for his second state title, going 3-2-1 in his career so far. He's a monster.
The Contenders: Evan Petrovich, Connellsville; Michael Turi, West Scranton
Wrestling for second place here, but both Petrovich and Turi are legit state title contendes in a lot of other years. Petrovich, a Pitt commit, was a bronze medalist here last year, while Turi is on track to be the rare four-time state medalist, and the first from District 2 in a long time.
D11 Angle: It's a deep second tier here contending for medals. #6 Marco Frinzi (Bethlehem Catholic) was sixth last year and is solidly favored here and should get on the podium. #18 Brock Frable (Southern Lehigh) has come down from 160 and could make noise as a talented sophomore. Owen Woll (Blue Mountain) and Chase Grabfelder (Northampton) also guys to watch, as is Evan Carss (Easton) if he returns to the lineup in January. Also a possible spot for Marco Frinzi to go down and Charlie Scanlan to come in here, where he'd be in the Petrovich/Turi group.
National Rankings: #5 Maddox Shaw, #16 Evan Petrovich, #20 Michael Turi
160
The Favorite: Collin Gaj, Quakertown
Another former state champion who is ranked in the top 5 in America and a heavy favorite. Gaj won states as a sophomore, defeating two-time champ Mac Church (Waynesburg/Virginia Tech) in the finals, then lost an all-time thriller last year to Kollin Rath (Bethlehem Catholic) in the finals. There is no Rath (who is training at the Olympic Training Center and skipping his senior year) and Gaj should roll. He's an incredible scrambler and a huge recruit for Virginia Tech.
The Contenders: Luke Sipes, Altoona; Keegan Ramsay, Notre Dame; Lonzy Vielma, Connellsville; Charlie Scanlan, Bethlehem Catholic;
Lots of possible finalists here, even with the big favorite at the top. Sipes is a UNC commit and on track to win four state medals. Ramsay was a whisker away from the 2A state finals last year, he's medaled at Ironman and PowerAde. Vielma also was a PowerAde medalist and has really improved after a fifth place finish last year. Scanlan is uber-talented, a Beast finalist and Columbia commit, who for whatever reason has never put it together in Hershey. He could take off if it all clicks.
D11 Angle: The deepest weight in the District. #3 Ramsay, #5 Scanlan, #6 Cade Campbell (Nazareth), #13 Jorge Moya (Parkland), #14 Jesse Scott (Emmaus), #16 Quentin Hammerstone (Easton) is six legitimate state level kids, not all of whom can even make it out of District 11. Owen Woll and Brock Frable have already moved down, and you may see more if body weight allows it, with Scanlan being my most likely pick.
National Rankings: #3 Collin Gaj, #15 Luke Sipes, #17 Charlie Scanlan,
172
The Favorite: Asher Cunningham, State College
Penn State commit (and son of Penn State assistant Casey Cunningham), Asher is another returning state champ who rolled through the field last year. His two losses have come to the top two ranked wrestlers in the country. He was an Ironman finalist and third at PoweAde. Incredibly funky, brutal on top, has separated from the rest of the state.
The Contenders: Bode Marlow, Thomas Jefferson; Brian Heard, Abington Heights; Dom Sumpolec, Notre Dame; Shane McFillin, Bethehem Catholic; Mario Hutcherson, Kiski Area
Again, a really deep group behind a big favorite. Marlow was third at 160 last year with a loss to Cunningham, he's a Pitt commit. Heard surprised me by moving down fro 189, where he was the preason #1 ranked wrestler in 3A. Sumpolec has medaled in 2A, and placed at PowerAde and was blood round at Beast an Ironman. McFillin took fourth down at 152 last year. Hutcherson is one of the best freshmen in the country - he's not going to win the weight this year, but he might not lose in Hershey again after 2025. Wetzel was fourth here last year, and is a Lock Haven commit. Vaughn Spencer (Pine-Richland) is also lurking here as a returning state champ at this weight, but he's been out all year with an injury.
D11 Angle: Another absolutely loaded group, that Heard and Wetzel, will join for regionals. #4 Sumpolec, #5 McFillin, #14 Terrell McFarland (Pottsville), #19 Justin Cosover (Easton), #20 Xayden Sallit (Emmaus). That's seven wrestlers for five spots at states. McFarland has been a Fargo All America, Cosover was a D11 finalist and state qualifer as a freshman, Sallit has really come on as a senior.
National Rankings: #5 Asher Cunningham, #8 Bode Marlow, #11 Vaughn Spencer, #14 Connor Wetzel, #19 Brian Heard, #20 Shane McFillin,
189
The Favorite: Ty Morrison, West Perry
Maybe the most wide open weight class in the state. Morrison was fifth a year ago in 2A, but then annouced himself as a national wrestler with a fifth place finish at Super 32 in October. He was just runner-up at Trojan Wars to Virginia state runner-up Landon Hoarde (1-0) and won the Cumberland Valley Kickoff Classic, though he won't have a ton of ranked matchups the rest of the way.
The Contenders: Hunter Snyder, Greater Latrobe; Connor Wetzel, Shikellamy, Brayden Zuercher, Nazareth
I could have listed a million guys here, but I'm focusing on these two. Snyder took sixth at 172 as a freshman and was a Fargo Cadet Freestyle All American this summer. He's one of the elite underclassmen. If I'm making a pick, I think it's Snyder. Zuercher looked amazing early in the season, a clear jump from sophomore (where he was a state qualifier for the second time at 172) to his junior season. But he broke a number of bones in his face around his eye and will be something to watch for as he gets deep into the season. He's said his mask helps, but it would be a warrior effort.
D11 Angle: #7 Zuercher, #8 James DeLuise (Bethlehem Catholic), #13 Connor Smalley (Notre Dame), #17 Shae Linegar (Easton), and #20 Noah McIlroy (Freedom) have all either gone to Hershey or been within a match of qualifying. Zuercher is probably the only one talented and consistent enough to make a finals run, but you see major flashes from DeLuise if the Bloomsburg commit could fully put it together.
National Rankings: #13 Ty Morrison
215
The Favorite: Jake Conroy, Ringgold
Conroy, a Cornell commit and Fargo medalist, was fourth at 189 last year and is the most talented guy at the weight. He doesn't have a particularly tough regular season schedule, so it'll be interesting to see how he cranks it into gear in the back half of the season.
The Contenders: Cooper Roscosky, Kiski Area; Elijah Brown, Belle Vernon; Roman Thompson, Pittsburgh Central Catholic; Kendahl Hoare, DuBois; Kurtis Crossman, Easton
An absolutely loaded WPIAL group here, with the top four wrestlers all from District 7. Conroy is the headliner, but Roscosky was a medalist at 215 as a sophomore, Brown exploded to a Fargo title this summer and seems to be hitting his stride up at 215 from 189, Thompson is an elite multisport athlete as a football player and wrestler, and Hoarde is another elite freshman upper weight. And Crossman, like Thompson, is a two-sport guy who was a state qualifier here as a sophomore and looks even more comfortable as a full sized 215.
D11 Angle: #6 Crossman has had quite an eventful couple weeks. He was defensive MVP of Easton-P'burg, a week later he made national wrestling news when he "threw" his headgear to lose the dual against Nazareth on criteria after a team point was deducted, he beat a Virginia state champ and finished in the medal round at Beast of the East, then he won his finals match to cap Easton's incredible comeback at the Behlehem Hurricane Classic, winning Easton it's first title. He's a solid favorite to win D11 at 215. Connor Gilahan (Bethlehem Catholic) is a Faith Christian transfer who is on the cusp of being an elite 215 as as sophomore. It's the rare weight where the next four guys at regionals ranked behind Crossman are all from D2 or D12.
National Rankings: none
285
The Favorite: Dean Bechtold, Owen J. Roberts
Bechtold was the runner-up here last year to all-time heavyweight Sean Kinney (Nazareth) after knocking of nationally ranked Indiana commit Nick Pavlechko (State College) in semis. He's an elite athlete, who recently committed to Lehigh and is a top five heavyweight in the country. He's currently injured, but assuming he can be back for the state series he's a big favorite.
The Contenders: Gavin Grell, Northampton; Jack Peters, Selinsgrove; Shepard Turk, Thomas Jefferson
Throwing my hands up a little here. Grell is currently ranked #1 with Bechtold on the shelf, and he hammered #4 Connor Hudak for probably the best win of the bunch. He is a classic, big strong Northampton upper weight with light feet. Peters is undefeated, though a light schedule and he's a slighly smaller heavyweight, up from 215. Turk is a football recruit (committed to Pitt to play offensive line) and was a PowerAde medalist. This weight class has been ravenged by football injuries, with Max Roy (St. Joseph's Prep) and Kevin Brown (Harrisburg) a pair of elite football recruits who were in this bracket in 2024 that won't be this year.
D11 Angle: Gavin Grell is the big favorite, taking his lumps from Kinney in the finals of tournaments the last two year and now it's his turn to beat some kids up. Dan Schiffert (Freedom) is another FBS offensive line recruit (he's cutting from 305 to make weight here) who took Grell to overtime at the Hurricane. Dante Morrison (Liberty) makes for a second all league football player, though he's a defensive end who is moving up from 215 and can really move. Alonzo Parker (Easton) also is an interesting wild card - he barely weighs 210 pounds, but is a three sport athlete who is really good on top and has a huge gas tank given his athleticism. He's too small for Grell, Morrison, and Schiffert, but in the event Crossman moves up to heavyweight next season, Parker looks like he could be an elite 215.
National Rankings: #3 Dean Bechtold
107
The Favorite: Brayden Wenrich, Northampton
Wenrich has been excellent so far, with his only losses at 107 coming at Ironman, where he placed at the toughest tournament in the country. He's been up at 114 since, and I'm assuming that is with the intention of coming back down to 109 (2-pound allowance kicks in for January) where he'll be for the postseason.
The Contenders: Tommy Grentz, Connellsville; Nico Emili, Bethlehem Catholic
Grentz is the veteran here, a 10th grader who is a little bigger and stronger and one of the anchors of the excellent Connellsville lineup. Emili has exploded onto the scene - but for a scoreboard error he would have beaten #1 in the country at Ironman, and he rolled to the Beast of the East finals as an unseeded wrestler. I'm not totally conivnced Wenrich is the favorite over Emili, though we'll have to wait until the individual postseason to see it, as Wenrich bumped up to 114 for their dual in December.
District 11 Angle: With the #1 and #3 ranked wrestlers here, it's easy to see a District/Regional/State finals trifecta between Wenrich and Emili. Wenrich wrestling for Emili's dad's alma mater adds some fun (Dave Emili was a two-time state finalist for Don Rohn's Northampton squads in the early '90s).
National Rankings: #6 Brayden Wenrich, #14 Nico Emili
114
The Favorite: Dominick Morrison, Hatboro-Horsham
Morrison is nationally ranked by MatScouts and the returning state champ (107 last year). He's made the descent down to 114, where the field looks eeriliy similar to the one he won at 107 last year.
The Contenders: Emilio Albanese, Emmaus; Max Tancini, Perkiomen Valley; Mateo Gallegos, DuBois
Deep field of returning state medalists here and freshman phenom Gallegos. Albanese is the best Emmaus wrestler since Bryan Reiss won a state title 20 years ago. Tancini has made the cut down to 114 to give District 1 another hammer here. Gallegos was a PowerAde finalist as a freshman and may be the most talnted guy at the weight.
District 11 Angle: Albanese was state fourth last year at 107, he's as likely as anybody at the top to win this weight. Wilmont Kai (Whitehall) sits there at #6 and he's a huge, strong 114. Potentially a spot for Nick Salamone (Easton) to drop, where he'd be in the group of favorites, though the weight cut for last year's postseason turned out not to be beneficial.
National Rankings; #10 Dom Morrison, #24 Matteo Gallegos
121
The Favorite: Landon Sidun, Norwin
Sidun is the big favorite here. Some polls have him as the #1 wrestler in the country at the weight, he rolled to a state title at 114 as a freshman, and he just beat national #1 Joey Bachman at Beast of the East. He's really good.
Contenders: Nick Salamone, Easton; Braiden Weaver, Altoona; Leo Joseph, Greater Latrobe; Colby Martinelli, Pennridge; Thunder Beard, Central Dauphin; Kavin Muyleart, Cedar Cliff
Big field here behind Sidun. Salamone has a win over a top 10 wrestler in the country when he knocked off Jersey state finalist and Oklahoma commit Joseph McGinty at Beast. Weaver, Joseph, and Beard are veterans with state medals, Martinelli is powerful and after losing his state tournament to injury, seems healthy and ready to go. Muyleart has battled lots of injuries in his career, but is incredibly talented and was one of the more hyped wrestlers coming into high school.
District 11 Angle: Salamone is ranked #2 in the state and after a disappointing state tournament in 2024, is looking to make a deep postseason run. He could be a candidate to move down away from Sidun, but is a finals contender if he stays. He's beaten all of the contenders in D11. Frankly, the biggest contender here would be if Noah Fenner dropped here if Salamone drops to 114.
National Rankings: #1 Landon Sidun,
127
The Favorite: Keanu Dillard, Bethlehem Catholic
Dillard is on track to be the first four-time state champion from District 11 since Matt Gearhart (Catasaqua) won four 2A titles from 1981-1984. Dillard is the third D11 wrestler in the last ten years to win two in his first two years, but it's been the junior year that eluded Ryan Crookham (injury), Julian Chlebove (discipline), and Nate Desmond (transfer). Dillard is a top five ranked wrestler in America at 127 and has already defeated his biggest contender.
The Contenders: Nico Fanella, Indiana; Gabe Ballard, Northampton
Fanella and Ballard are both nationally ranked, Fanella has a pair of state medals, while Ballard is one of the best sophomores in the country. Ballard has medals at Beast and Ironman, but a 7-0 loss to Dillard in their dual.
D11 Angle: Very easily could be a District/Regional/State final with Dillard and Ballard. Noah Fenner from Easton, currently ranked #9, adds a third possible medalist from the Lehigh Valley at the weight, though he may move down to 121 where there is a clearer path for a deeper run.
National Rankings: #5 Keanu Dillard, #21 Gabe Ballard, #22 Nico Fanella
133
The Favorite: Trey Wagner, Northampton
Wagner is a returning state champ and already committed to Navy. He's brutal on top and is part of an impressive core from Northampton, who conceivably could put four wrestlers into state finals.
The Contender: Luke Willochell, Greater Latrobe
Willochell is a former state finalist and has three top 5 finishes at the state tournament. He's funk and wide open, and is a tough match-up for Wagner should they hit in Hershey.
D11 Angle: Wagner is part of a deep local contingent,that includes state #5 Reef Dillard (Bethlehem Catholic) and #6 Tanner Berkenstock (Notre Dame). Wagner is the big favorite - he's gone up and defeated some of the top ranked wrestlers up at 139. Wouldn't be surprised if some of the logjam at 139 came down to 133 for the postseason.
National Rankings: none
139
The Favorite: Anthony Mutarelli, Council Rock South
Mutarelli probably should have a state title at 133 last year (where he would have been favored over Wagner), but was ineliglbe as a transfer. He won a National Prep title as a freshman. He has been out with injury, but a healthy Mutarelli is a big favorite here.
Contenders: Kai Vielma, Connellsville; Elijah Brosius, Cranberry; Blake Boyer, Kennett; Jack Campbell, Nazareth;
Vielma is a super-sophomore, who qualified as a freshman but has really stepped his game up in year two. Brosious has a pair of 2A medals as Cranberry has moved up this cycle. Campbell was fifth in the state as a sophomore and has also really jumped levels.
D11 Angle: Fantastic group here. #5 Campbell, #7 Gavyn Kelton (Notre Dame), #8 Ryder Campbell (Bethlehem Catholic), and #9 Chris Kelly (Easton) are all medal contenders and all have multiple trips to states. Campbell seems to have separated a little, but the other three should have great round robins.
National Rankings: #19 Anthony Mutarelli
145
The Favorite: Tahir Parkins, Nazareth
Beast of the East and Bethlehem Hurricane Champion and a returning state champion, Parkins is a consensus top five ranked wrestler in America. However, this is a monster weight class, so he's not as big a favorite as his talent would tell you.
Contenders: Dalton Perry, Central Mountain; Eren Sement, Council Rock North
A meat grinder of a Pennsylvania weight. Perry is a state champion and Penn State commit (with a third and a runner-up since winning as a freshman) and Sement has finished third three times, including beating Parkins for bronze two years ago. Parkins beat Sement in overtime of the Beast finals.
D11 Angle: Parkins should cap off a great career with a fourth District 11 championship. You can see by the logjam at 139 that nobody wants to have to go through Parkins, as there's not another top 25 wrestler in the state in the weight class, a rarity for D11.
National Rankings: #5 Tahir Parkins, #6 Dalton Perry, #7 Eren Sement
152
The Favorite: Maddox Shaw, Thomas Jefferson
The Ohio State commit is ranked #4 in America and looking for his second state title, going 3-2-1 in his career so far. He's a monster.
The Contenders: Evan Petrovich, Connellsville; Michael Turi, West Scranton
Wrestling for second place here, but both Petrovich and Turi are legit state title contendes in a lot of other years. Petrovich, a Pitt commit, was a bronze medalist here last year, while Turi is on track to be the rare four-time state medalist, and the first from District 2 in a long time.
D11 Angle: It's a deep second tier here contending for medals. #6 Marco Frinzi (Bethlehem Catholic) was sixth last year and is solidly favored here and should get on the podium. #18 Brock Frable (Southern Lehigh) has come down from 160 and could make noise as a talented sophomore. Owen Woll (Blue Mountain) and Chase Grabfelder (Northampton) also guys to watch, as is Evan Carss (Easton) if he returns to the lineup in January. Also a possible spot for Marco Frinzi to go down and Charlie Scanlan to come in here, where he'd be in the Petrovich/Turi group.
National Rankings: #5 Maddox Shaw, #16 Evan Petrovich, #20 Michael Turi
160
The Favorite: Collin Gaj, Quakertown
Another former state champion who is ranked in the top 5 in America and a heavy favorite. Gaj won states as a sophomore, defeating two-time champ Mac Church (Waynesburg/Virginia Tech) in the finals, then lost an all-time thriller last year to Kollin Rath (Bethlehem Catholic) in the finals. There is no Rath (who is training at the Olympic Training Center and skipping his senior year) and Gaj should roll. He's an incredible scrambler and a huge recruit for Virginia Tech.
The Contenders: Luke Sipes, Altoona; Keegan Ramsay, Notre Dame; Lonzy Vielma, Connellsville; Charlie Scanlan, Bethlehem Catholic;
Lots of possible finalists here, even with the big favorite at the top. Sipes is a UNC commit and on track to win four state medals. Ramsay was a whisker away from the 2A state finals last year, he's medaled at Ironman and PowerAde. Vielma also was a PowerAde medalist and has really improved after a fifth place finish last year. Scanlan is uber-talented, a Beast finalist and Columbia commit, who for whatever reason has never put it together in Hershey. He could take off if it all clicks.
D11 Angle: The deepest weight in the District. #3 Ramsay, #5 Scanlan, #6 Cade Campbell (Nazareth), #13 Jorge Moya (Parkland), #14 Jesse Scott (Emmaus), #16 Quentin Hammerstone (Easton) is six legitimate state level kids, not all of whom can even make it out of District 11. Owen Woll and Brock Frable have already moved down, and you may see more if body weight allows it, with Scanlan being my most likely pick.
National Rankings: #3 Collin Gaj, #15 Luke Sipes, #17 Charlie Scanlan,
172
The Favorite: Asher Cunningham, State College
Penn State commit (and son of Penn State assistant Casey Cunningham), Asher is another returning state champ who rolled through the field last year. His two losses have come to the top two ranked wrestlers in the country. He was an Ironman finalist and third at PoweAde. Incredibly funky, brutal on top, has separated from the rest of the state.
The Contenders: Bode Marlow, Thomas Jefferson; Brian Heard, Abington Heights; Dom Sumpolec, Notre Dame; Shane McFillin, Bethehem Catholic; Mario Hutcherson, Kiski Area
Again, a really deep group behind a big favorite. Marlow was third at 160 last year with a loss to Cunningham, he's a Pitt commit. Heard surprised me by moving down fro 189, where he was the preason #1 ranked wrestler in 3A. Sumpolec has medaled in 2A, and placed at PowerAde and was blood round at Beast an Ironman. McFillin took fourth down at 152 last year. Hutcherson is one of the best freshmen in the country - he's not going to win the weight this year, but he might not lose in Hershey again after 2025. Wetzel was fourth here last year, and is a Lock Haven commit. Vaughn Spencer (Pine-Richland) is also lurking here as a returning state champ at this weight, but he's been out all year with an injury.
D11 Angle: Another absolutely loaded group, that Heard and Wetzel, will join for regionals. #4 Sumpolec, #5 McFillin, #14 Terrell McFarland (Pottsville), #19 Justin Cosover (Easton), #20 Xayden Sallit (Emmaus). That's seven wrestlers for five spots at states. McFarland has been a Fargo All America, Cosover was a D11 finalist and state qualifer as a freshman, Sallit has really come on as a senior.
National Rankings: #5 Asher Cunningham, #8 Bode Marlow, #11 Vaughn Spencer, #14 Connor Wetzel, #19 Brian Heard, #20 Shane McFillin,
189
The Favorite: Ty Morrison, West Perry
Maybe the most wide open weight class in the state. Morrison was fifth a year ago in 2A, but then annouced himself as a national wrestler with a fifth place finish at Super 32 in October. He was just runner-up at Trojan Wars to Virginia state runner-up Landon Hoarde (1-0) and won the Cumberland Valley Kickoff Classic, though he won't have a ton of ranked matchups the rest of the way.
The Contenders: Hunter Snyder, Greater Latrobe; Connor Wetzel, Shikellamy, Brayden Zuercher, Nazareth
I could have listed a million guys here, but I'm focusing on these two. Snyder took sixth at 172 as a freshman and was a Fargo Cadet Freestyle All American this summer. He's one of the elite underclassmen. If I'm making a pick, I think it's Snyder. Zuercher looked amazing early in the season, a clear jump from sophomore (where he was a state qualifier for the second time at 172) to his junior season. But he broke a number of bones in his face around his eye and will be something to watch for as he gets deep into the season. He's said his mask helps, but it would be a warrior effort.
D11 Angle: #7 Zuercher, #8 James DeLuise (Bethlehem Catholic), #13 Connor Smalley (Notre Dame), #17 Shae Linegar (Easton), and #20 Noah McIlroy (Freedom) have all either gone to Hershey or been within a match of qualifying. Zuercher is probably the only one talented and consistent enough to make a finals run, but you see major flashes from DeLuise if the Bloomsburg commit could fully put it together.
National Rankings: #13 Ty Morrison
215
The Favorite: Jake Conroy, Ringgold
Conroy, a Cornell commit and Fargo medalist, was fourth at 189 last year and is the most talented guy at the weight. He doesn't have a particularly tough regular season schedule, so it'll be interesting to see how he cranks it into gear in the back half of the season.
The Contenders: Cooper Roscosky, Kiski Area; Elijah Brown, Belle Vernon; Roman Thompson, Pittsburgh Central Catholic; Kendahl Hoare, DuBois; Kurtis Crossman, Easton
An absolutely loaded WPIAL group here, with the top four wrestlers all from District 7. Conroy is the headliner, but Roscosky was a medalist at 215 as a sophomore, Brown exploded to a Fargo title this summer and seems to be hitting his stride up at 215 from 189, Thompson is an elite multisport athlete as a football player and wrestler, and Hoarde is another elite freshman upper weight. And Crossman, like Thompson, is a two-sport guy who was a state qualifier here as a sophomore and looks even more comfortable as a full sized 215.
D11 Angle: #6 Crossman has had quite an eventful couple weeks. He was defensive MVP of Easton-P'burg, a week later he made national wrestling news when he "threw" his headgear to lose the dual against Nazareth on criteria after a team point was deducted, he beat a Virginia state champ and finished in the medal round at Beast of the East, then he won his finals match to cap Easton's incredible comeback at the Behlehem Hurricane Classic, winning Easton it's first title. He's a solid favorite to win D11 at 215. Connor Gilahan (Bethlehem Catholic) is a Faith Christian transfer who is on the cusp of being an elite 215 as as sophomore. It's the rare weight where the next four guys at regionals ranked behind Crossman are all from D2 or D12.
National Rankings: none
285
The Favorite: Dean Bechtold, Owen J. Roberts
Bechtold was the runner-up here last year to all-time heavyweight Sean Kinney (Nazareth) after knocking of nationally ranked Indiana commit Nick Pavlechko (State College) in semis. He's an elite athlete, who recently committed to Lehigh and is a top five heavyweight in the country. He's currently injured, but assuming he can be back for the state series he's a big favorite.
The Contenders: Gavin Grell, Northampton; Jack Peters, Selinsgrove; Shepard Turk, Thomas Jefferson
Throwing my hands up a little here. Grell is currently ranked #1 with Bechtold on the shelf, and he hammered #4 Connor Hudak for probably the best win of the bunch. He is a classic, big strong Northampton upper weight with light feet. Peters is undefeated, though a light schedule and he's a slighly smaller heavyweight, up from 215. Turk is a football recruit (committed to Pitt to play offensive line) and was a PowerAde medalist. This weight class has been ravenged by football injuries, with Max Roy (St. Joseph's Prep) and Kevin Brown (Harrisburg) a pair of elite football recruits who were in this bracket in 2024 that won't be this year.
D11 Angle: Gavin Grell is the big favorite, taking his lumps from Kinney in the finals of tournaments the last two year and now it's his turn to beat some kids up. Dan Schiffert (Freedom) is another FBS offensive line recruit (he's cutting from 305 to make weight here) who took Grell to overtime at the Hurricane. Dante Morrison (Liberty) makes for a second all league football player, though he's a defensive end who is moving up from 215 and can really move. Alonzo Parker (Easton) also is an interesting wild card - he barely weighs 210 pounds, but is a three sport athlete who is really good on top and has a huge gas tank given his athleticism. He's too small for Grell, Morrison, and Schiffert, but in the event Crossman moves up to heavyweight next season, Parker looks like he could be an elite 215.
National Rankings: #3 Dean Bechtold
I'm not going to run down 2A, but it is the rare year where is seems like there is way more high end national talent in the small school division. Obviously Faith Christian and McCourt partially drive this, but it's more widespread than just those two schools. Here are your nationally ranked 2A wrestlers.
107
#3 Chase Karenbauer, Grove City
#8 Keegan Bassett, Bishop McCourt
#22 Braiden Lotier, Bishop McDevitt
#23 Gabe Benyo, Riverside
114
#1 Freddy Bachman, Faith Christian Academy
#9 CJ Caines, Hanover
#16 Carter Chunko, Saucon Valley
#18 Sam Wolford, Nothern Lebanon
121
#2 Joey Bachman, Faith Christian Academy
#5 Brock Rothermel, Line Mountain
127
#12 Will Detar, Trinity
#13 Gauge Botero, Faith Christian Academy
#14 Dom Deputy, Chestnut Ridge
133
#1 Jax Forrest, Bishop McCourt
#2 Aaron Seidel, Northern Lebanon
139
#6 Sam Herring, Bishop McCourt
#11 Brandt Harer, Montgomery
#19 Caden Baum, Bishop McDevitt
145
#1 Bo Basset, Bishop McCourt
152
#4 Devon Magro, Bishop McCourt
#14 Max Stein, Faith Christian Academy
#23 Ryan Lawler, Bishop McDevitt
160 (combined 157 and 165; Pennsylvania differs from national weights)
#2 Melvin Miller, Bishop McCourt
#11 Cael Weidenmoyer, Faith Christian Academy
#14 Regan Milheim, Warrior Run
#15 Chase Hontz, Faith Christian Academy (not in FCA lineup, blocked by Stein, Weidenmoyer, and Singer)
172
#21 Nick Singer, Faith Christian Academy
189
#2 Adam Waters, Faith Christian Academy
#13 Danarii Mickel, Erie McDowell
#19 Caleb Close, Bald Eagle Area
215
#5 Austin Johnson, Muncy
#16 Rowan Holmes, Somerset
#19 Luke Lawler, Bishop McDevitt
#23 Jason Singer, Faith Christian Academy
285
#8 Mark Effendian, Faith Christian Academy
107
#3 Chase Karenbauer, Grove City
#8 Keegan Bassett, Bishop McCourt
#22 Braiden Lotier, Bishop McDevitt
#23 Gabe Benyo, Riverside
114
#1 Freddy Bachman, Faith Christian Academy
#9 CJ Caines, Hanover
#16 Carter Chunko, Saucon Valley
#18 Sam Wolford, Nothern Lebanon
121
#2 Joey Bachman, Faith Christian Academy
#5 Brock Rothermel, Line Mountain
127
#12 Will Detar, Trinity
#13 Gauge Botero, Faith Christian Academy
#14 Dom Deputy, Chestnut Ridge
133
#1 Jax Forrest, Bishop McCourt
#2 Aaron Seidel, Northern Lebanon
139
#6 Sam Herring, Bishop McCourt
#11 Brandt Harer, Montgomery
#19 Caden Baum, Bishop McDevitt
145
#1 Bo Basset, Bishop McCourt
152
#4 Devon Magro, Bishop McCourt
#14 Max Stein, Faith Christian Academy
#23 Ryan Lawler, Bishop McDevitt
160 (combined 157 and 165; Pennsylvania differs from national weights)
#2 Melvin Miller, Bishop McCourt
#11 Cael Weidenmoyer, Faith Christian Academy
#14 Regan Milheim, Warrior Run
#15 Chase Hontz, Faith Christian Academy (not in FCA lineup, blocked by Stein, Weidenmoyer, and Singer)
172
#21 Nick Singer, Faith Christian Academy
189
#2 Adam Waters, Faith Christian Academy
#13 Danarii Mickel, Erie McDowell
#19 Caleb Close, Bald Eagle Area
215
#5 Austin Johnson, Muncy
#16 Rowan Holmes, Somerset
#19 Luke Lawler, Bishop McDevitt
#23 Jason Singer, Faith Christian Academy
285
#8 Mark Effendian, Faith Christian Academy
The Holy War
#3 Notre Dame (GP) vs #1 Bethlehem Catholic
Possibly the first of three meetings between the two Lehigh Valley Catholic school power houses now that Notre Dame has been forced up into 3A. The Crusaders, long an afterthought of a program, have been taken to the state’s elite by former Bethlehem Catholic Junior High and club coach Matt Veres. He is still looking for his first win over his old program since taking over ND, though has come close a handful of times, including a 26-25 loss last season. Becahi is once again the PIAA 3A favorite, gunning for their fourth straight PIAA Duals title. They can probably wrestle this one straight, it’s ND who will have to move around and find match ups. Becahi has a different vibe under second year coach Mike Cole. It’s more of a cerebral program, less in your face, and it’ll be interesting to see how the results stack up. Of course they are without superstar Kollin Rath, who went to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs for his senior year rather than gun for a third state championship. But it’s a deep lineup, with nine potential state medalists and a heavy title favorite in Keanu Dillard.
ND vs Becahi Probable Lineups
107: #14 Cael Mueller vs #3 Nico Emili
Little bit of intrigue here. Mueller spent 8th grade in Becahi’s junior high program and was long tagged to be a Hawk. But Becahi won a four way recruiting battle for Emili over Notre Dame; Wyoming Seminary, and Blair for the talented fellow freshman. Mueller unenrolled from Becahi shortly before school started and joined the team at ND. Emili is the favorite, but both are high upside and this might be personal.
114: Aiden Vanicky vs AJ Gomez
The unsung guys often swing duals like this. I am guessing on Gomez getting the nod, he’s a very good freshman (2x JH district champ at Bangor). With Louden Hower out, Cerrrato has moved up and looks way more comfortable, so I think we see a shift.
121: Jacob Volpe vs #23 Andre Cerrato
Cerrato wrestled really well at their Christmas Tournament. A third good Becahi freshman.
127: #16 Cooper Feltmann vs #1 Keanu Dillard
Feltmann is a solid veteran. He can’t get pinned here, Dillard is a hammer.
133: #6 Tanner Berkenstock vs #5 Reef Dillard
Berkenstock at 6 feels rich for my blood. Not sure how he carries over in 3A statewide. Dillard is a budding star. Will tell us a lot about both guys.
139: #7 Gavyn Kelton vs #8 Ryder Campbell
I similarly don’t have a great read on Kelton. He and Campbell is probably the biggest toss of the dual.
145: #24 Jared Gonzalez vs Mason Thomas
Another one where unheralded kids win duals.
152: Stephen Bialek vs #6 Marco Frinzi
One of the spots where Becahi is expecting a pin.
160: #3 Keegan Ramsay vs #5 Charlie Scanlan
I would not be surprised if Notre Dame throws a JV kid in here and moves everybody up to cover the hole at heavyweight. That would rob us of this very fun match up. Ramsay is the last of the original generation Lost Boys/Little Hawks who came up through youth programs with Veres. Not flashy, but wrestles really good kids really tough. Scanlan can be electric when he’s on, fun contrast if styles in a massive toss up if if happens.
172: #4 Dom Sumpolec vs # 5 Shane McFillin
Similarly huge toss up we may not see tomorrow. Sumpolec is the biggest upside of the ND kids, he’s probably a title contender as a senior. McFillin has had a really solid career, hard to believe he sat behind Nate Desmond at 106 pounds as a freshman, and now is a good sized 172.
189: #13 Connor Smalley vs #8 James DeLuise
DeLuise is electric when he’s rolling, but he’s been injured and inconsistent through a lot of his career. Smalley is an underdog, but can definitely come up and bite him, again, if he’s not bumping to 215.
215: Noah Knorp vs #19 Connor Gillahan
I wonder if we’re underrating Gillahan. Becahi’s schedule is so hard, it’s tough to get a feel for where he stands. He’s been injured talented rooms (he’s a Faith Christian transfer from Upper Perkiomen, which may have fallen on hard times, but is a wrestling community with real feeders) and may be Becahi’s postseason surprise. If he gets Smalley instead, he’ll need to throw his weight around.
285: ??? vs ???
Neither team has a heavyweight. Grant Mulhearn for Becahi has been hurt all year, and is coming off of a 3-11 season. Notre Dame may throw a first year wrestler who plays football out there, but it’s up in the air. Kind of a weird cap to the dual, which is why I think lineups will move.
If they wrestle straight up, I’ve got it 33-9 Bethlehem Catholic, with a toss at heavy. If Notre Dame bumps, I’ve got it 30-23 Becahi, but that’s giving ND Ramsay, Sumpolec, and Smalley all winning a weight up. Tall task and it still doesn’t get them over the top. Becahi has to be feeling pretty good going into tomorrow.
#3 Notre Dame (GP) vs #1 Bethlehem Catholic
Possibly the first of three meetings between the two Lehigh Valley Catholic school power houses now that Notre Dame has been forced up into 3A. The Crusaders, long an afterthought of a program, have been taken to the state’s elite by former Bethlehem Catholic Junior High and club coach Matt Veres. He is still looking for his first win over his old program since taking over ND, though has come close a handful of times, including a 26-25 loss last season. Becahi is once again the PIAA 3A favorite, gunning for their fourth straight PIAA Duals title. They can probably wrestle this one straight, it’s ND who will have to move around and find match ups. Becahi has a different vibe under second year coach Mike Cole. It’s more of a cerebral program, less in your face, and it’ll be interesting to see how the results stack up. Of course they are without superstar Kollin Rath, who went to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs for his senior year rather than gun for a third state championship. But it’s a deep lineup, with nine potential state medalists and a heavy title favorite in Keanu Dillard.
ND vs Becahi Probable Lineups
107: #14 Cael Mueller vs #3 Nico Emili
Little bit of intrigue here. Mueller spent 8th grade in Becahi’s junior high program and was long tagged to be a Hawk. But Becahi won a four way recruiting battle for Emili over Notre Dame; Wyoming Seminary, and Blair for the talented fellow freshman. Mueller unenrolled from Becahi shortly before school started and joined the team at ND. Emili is the favorite, but both are high upside and this might be personal.
114: Aiden Vanicky vs AJ Gomez
The unsung guys often swing duals like this. I am guessing on Gomez getting the nod, he’s a very good freshman (2x JH district champ at Bangor). With Louden Hower out, Cerrrato has moved up and looks way more comfortable, so I think we see a shift.
121: Jacob Volpe vs #23 Andre Cerrato
Cerrato wrestled really well at their Christmas Tournament. A third good Becahi freshman.
127: #16 Cooper Feltmann vs #1 Keanu Dillard
Feltmann is a solid veteran. He can’t get pinned here, Dillard is a hammer.
133: #6 Tanner Berkenstock vs #5 Reef Dillard
Berkenstock at 6 feels rich for my blood. Not sure how he carries over in 3A statewide. Dillard is a budding star. Will tell us a lot about both guys.
139: #7 Gavyn Kelton vs #8 Ryder Campbell
I similarly don’t have a great read on Kelton. He and Campbell is probably the biggest toss of the dual.
145: #24 Jared Gonzalez vs Mason Thomas
Another one where unheralded kids win duals.
152: Stephen Bialek vs #6 Marco Frinzi
One of the spots where Becahi is expecting a pin.
160: #3 Keegan Ramsay vs #5 Charlie Scanlan
I would not be surprised if Notre Dame throws a JV kid in here and moves everybody up to cover the hole at heavyweight. That would rob us of this very fun match up. Ramsay is the last of the original generation Lost Boys/Little Hawks who came up through youth programs with Veres. Not flashy, but wrestles really good kids really tough. Scanlan can be electric when he’s on, fun contrast if styles in a massive toss up if if happens.
172: #4 Dom Sumpolec vs # 5 Shane McFillin
Similarly huge toss up we may not see tomorrow. Sumpolec is the biggest upside of the ND kids, he’s probably a title contender as a senior. McFillin has had a really solid career, hard to believe he sat behind Nate Desmond at 106 pounds as a freshman, and now is a good sized 172.
189: #13 Connor Smalley vs #8 James DeLuise
DeLuise is electric when he’s rolling, but he’s been injured and inconsistent through a lot of his career. Smalley is an underdog, but can definitely come up and bite him, again, if he’s not bumping to 215.
215: Noah Knorp vs #19 Connor Gillahan
I wonder if we’re underrating Gillahan. Becahi’s schedule is so hard, it’s tough to get a feel for where he stands. He’s been injured talented rooms (he’s a Faith Christian transfer from Upper Perkiomen, which may have fallen on hard times, but is a wrestling community with real feeders) and may be Becahi’s postseason surprise. If he gets Smalley instead, he’ll need to throw his weight around.
285: ??? vs ???
Neither team has a heavyweight. Grant Mulhearn for Becahi has been hurt all year, and is coming off of a 3-11 season. Notre Dame may throw a first year wrestler who plays football out there, but it’s up in the air. Kind of a weird cap to the dual, which is why I think lineups will move.
If they wrestle straight up, I’ve got it 33-9 Bethlehem Catholic, with a toss at heavy. If Notre Dame bumps, I’ve got it 30-23 Becahi, but that’s giving ND Ramsay, Sumpolec, and Smalley all winning a weight up. Tall task and it still doesn’t get them over the top. Becahi has to be feeling pretty good going into tomorrow.
Traditional start at 106
Emili absolutely smokes Tanner Shear. 20-3 second period tech fall. ND bumps Mueller up to 114, where he has a big lead on Louden Hower, who has come down from 121 for Becahi.
Emili absolutely smokes Tanner Shear. 20-3 second period tech fall. ND bumps Mueller up to 114, where he has a big lead on Louden Hower, who has come down from 121 for Becahi.
Dillard ranked in the stare up at 133, he’s a finalist contender if he stays down.
Dillard majors Jacob Volpe 12-1. 9-4 team score
Dillard majors Jacob Volpe 12-1. 9-4 team score
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Keanu Dillard techs Cooper Feltmann.
Tanner Berkenstock with a late takedown to beat Ryder Campbell (down from 139) at 133.
Becahi up 14-9
Tanner Berkenstock with a late takedown to beat Ryder Campbell (down from 139) at 133.
Becahi up 14-9
Gavyn Kelton techs Jaden Santiago at 139, so Becahi isn’t dropping their whole lineup, just Dillard and Campbell so far.
14-12 after six bouts.
14-12 after six bouts.
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Mason Thomas majors Jared Gonzalez - Gonzalez got roll happy in scrambles and caught on his back in the 2nd - and that’s a big bonus point for Becahi.
18-12 at the halfway point.
18-12 at the halfway point.
Marco Frinzi majors Bialek, 22-12 Hawks.
Notre Dame keeping Ramsay at 160, dual gets decided in the next three bouts.
Notre Dame keeping Ramsay at 160, dual gets decided in the next three bouts.
Scanlan takes Ramsay down in overtime to win 4-1. Ramsay took his first real shot of the match in OT, Scanlan countered beautifully for a takedown.
25-12 now
25-12 now
Notre Dame puts a JV in at 172, quick pin for McFillin. ND bumping Sumpolec, Smalley, and Knorp all up.
Becahi puts a JV in at 189 to bump away from Sumpolec. We’ll see DeLuise-Smalley at 215 and Gillahan-Knorp at heavy. Sumpolec on his way to a fall here.
Smalley dominated James DeLuise, up 15-8 before pinning him.
DeLuise tried an ill advised lat drop that threw him to his own back and gave up 7. Then after a takedown in the third to Chip the lead to 15-8, he got caught high and reversed to his back for the pin. Really good match from Smalley.
31-24 Becahi with one match to go.
DeLuise tried an ill advised lat drop that threw him to his own back and gave up 7. Then after a takedown in the third to Chip the lead to 15-8, he got caught high and reversed to his back for the pin. Really good match from Smalley.
31-24 Becahi with one match to go.
Connor Gillahan with a late takedown to win 5-4, closer match than I was expecting.
34-24 final score, Becahi will stay the top team in the state.
34-24 final score, Becahi will stay the top team in the state.