Looks like CRS is getting healthy at the right time.
http://papreplive.com/2017/02/02/district-1-duals-quarterfinals-preview/
http://papreplive.com/2017/02/02/district-1-duals-quarterfinals-preview/
Preview of the D1 Duals this weekend
- Thread starter Relayer
- Start date
Here are the updated brackets, no surprise it's Boyertown and CR-South in the finals for the third year in a row.
http://www.pa-wrestling.com/hs/district1/districtduals/2017.htm
http://www.pa-wrestling.com/hs/district1/districtduals/2017.htm
Thanks Aragorn. Solid win for CRS over Boyertown. Interesting that Methacton didn't qualify for states, but gave CRS their toughest match.
Let's be honest, it"s ridiculous that D11 only gets 2 teams in and D1 gets 4 teams in. I understand the numbers issue, but D11 deserves at least 3 teams. Northampton is not going to states, but might beat every squad from D1.
Let's be honest, it"s ridiculous that D11 only gets 2 teams in and D1 gets 4 teams in. I understand the numbers issue, but D11 deserves at least 3 teams. Northampton is not going to states, but might beat every squad from D1.
Last night's Nazareth-Bethlehem Catholic D11 final will go down as one of the all time greats in D11 history. Blue Eagles looked awesome, handing Becahi their first loss in D11 since 2011. I expect a rematch in state finals next weekend.
Yes, Northampton probably would make semis next weekend if they could qualify. Nowhere near as deep as D11's top 2, but Chlebove, Fenstermscher, and Moran are all state title contenders, and those are huge points through the middle.
But it's better than it was. In 2003 and 2004, Easton and Northampton were both in the top 5 in America, and only 1 team went to state duals. Easton won all-time classics both years, then wiped the floor with the field at states while Northampton sat at home. The '04 Northampton team had 3 state champs and 10(!) state medalists, but couldn't get out of their own district!
Yes, Northampton probably would make semis next weekend if they could qualify. Nowhere near as deep as D11's top 2, but Chlebove, Fenstermscher, and Moran are all state title contenders, and those are huge points through the middle.
But it's better than it was. In 2003 and 2004, Easton and Northampton were both in the top 5 in America, and only 1 team went to state duals. Easton won all-time classics both years, then wiped the floor with the field at states while Northampton sat at home. The '04 Northampton team had 3 state champs and 10(!) state medalists, but couldn't get out of their own district!
Relayer,
Happy for South, was great reminiscing about the Vic days. Such a great sport, especially in this state!!... and what's going on at PSU under Cael is dynasty discussion worthy.
Be careful brother posting this type of thread on this forum. There are a few non-mentally gifted followers/posters whom find it hard to understand/accept that sports not called football are even worthy of athletic discussion in their importance and impact on our youth, especially at the next level...
This board is so dead in the off season, everything should be fair game.
Here are the state brackets. A few local teams in action tonight for the prelims.
http://www.pa-wrestling.com/hs/stateduals/2017_aaa.htm
Here are the state brackets. A few local teams in action tonight for the prelims.
http://www.pa-wrestling.com/hs/stateduals/2017_aaa.htm
#8 Council Rock South vs. #7 Erie Cathedral Prep
Last Night: Council Rock South won a thrilling match up with fellow state power Canon-McMillan, getting a fall in the final match at 220 from Joe Doyle to erase a five point deficit. Cathedral Prep stomped on DuBois, 42-22.
Council Rock South Hammers: The Golden Hawks will roll out Zack Trampe at 132, ranked 3rd in the state and 16th national at the weight. The Binghamton recruit was a state finalist as a sophomore and has medaled twice in Hershey. He’s one of a handful of contenders to face Sammy Sasso in the finals this year at 138 next month. Fellow Binghamton commit Joe Doyle is another state title contender for CRS. The senior 220 pounder is 23-1 on the season, with 18 pins, and is currently ranked 2nd in the state behind Upper Darby’s Brian Kennerly (who gave Doyle his only loss on the season). Doyle placed 4th in Hershey last season. Riley Palmer at 152 pounds has been a state-wide contender for most of his career, medaling as a freshman and was ranked 1st in the state as a sophomore before missing weight at Districts. This year, Palmer is 17-4 and ranked 6th in the state at his weight class. Also projected to medal at states is 106 pounder Maximino Mendez, a 32-4 sophomore.
Erie Cathedral Prep Hammers: ECP is lead by two of the best sohpomores in Pennsylvania, 152 pounder Carter Starocci and 285 pounder Kuwon DeBoe. Both were state medalists last season and are potential state finalists at their weight this year. Starocci placed 8th last season at 138 pounds and this year is 29-2 and ranked 4th at 152. He’s been a national name since junior high school. DuBoe comes into State Duals at 23-2 and ranked 4th in the state as well. He’s one of the few freshman ever to place at heavyweight in Pennsylvania history, taking home a 7th place medal last season. The top 4 heavyweights in the state are all at state duals this weekend (Bethlehem Catholic’s Niko Camacho, Canon Mac’s Brandon Furman, and Kiski’s Isaac Reid join DeBoe), so we’ll get a really good chance to see what the pecking order is before Hershey. Also in the ECP lineup is the state’s 5th ranked 160 pounder, junior Dazion Castro, who is 22-1 on the year.
Football Connections: CRS heavyweight Shane Anderson was on the varsity football squad as a sophomore defensive lineman last fall, while 152 pounder Rob Cooper was rostered as an inside linebacker. For the Ramblers, junior 170 pounder Luigi Yates was a contributor at outside linebacker for the 4A state champions. Yates is also the 9th ranked 170 pounder in the state. DeBoe and Starocci were also on the varsity roster as sophomores for the Ramblers, and DeBoe, at 6’3 270 pounds, is a budding star on the gridiron.
Best Match Ups: Palmer and Starocci will be a great one if it happens. Both can really score points and it would be fun to see the young Starocci get tested, which the ECP schedule doesn’t totally allow for. There also is the possibility of CRS moving Joe Doyle up to heavyweight to take on DeBoe if they need to neutralize those points, but I think that is a long shot.
Prediction: CRS 39-34. This one is going to be closer than people think and will come down to who can get more bonus points from their studs. CRS has to clean up down low, because ECP is going to score a lot from 160 and up. ECP needs Starocci to beat Palmer, plus get at least one upset. Too tall an order.
Last Night: Council Rock South won a thrilling match up with fellow state power Canon-McMillan, getting a fall in the final match at 220 from Joe Doyle to erase a five point deficit. Cathedral Prep stomped on DuBois, 42-22.
Council Rock South Hammers: The Golden Hawks will roll out Zack Trampe at 132, ranked 3rd in the state and 16th national at the weight. The Binghamton recruit was a state finalist as a sophomore and has medaled twice in Hershey. He’s one of a handful of contenders to face Sammy Sasso in the finals this year at 138 next month. Fellow Binghamton commit Joe Doyle is another state title contender for CRS. The senior 220 pounder is 23-1 on the season, with 18 pins, and is currently ranked 2nd in the state behind Upper Darby’s Brian Kennerly (who gave Doyle his only loss on the season). Doyle placed 4th in Hershey last season. Riley Palmer at 152 pounds has been a state-wide contender for most of his career, medaling as a freshman and was ranked 1st in the state as a sophomore before missing weight at Districts. This year, Palmer is 17-4 and ranked 6th in the state at his weight class. Also projected to medal at states is 106 pounder Maximino Mendez, a 32-4 sophomore.
Erie Cathedral Prep Hammers: ECP is lead by two of the best sohpomores in Pennsylvania, 152 pounder Carter Starocci and 285 pounder Kuwon DeBoe. Both were state medalists last season and are potential state finalists at their weight this year. Starocci placed 8th last season at 138 pounds and this year is 29-2 and ranked 4th at 152. He’s been a national name since junior high school. DuBoe comes into State Duals at 23-2 and ranked 4th in the state as well. He’s one of the few freshman ever to place at heavyweight in Pennsylvania history, taking home a 7th place medal last season. The top 4 heavyweights in the state are all at state duals this weekend (Bethlehem Catholic’s Niko Camacho, Canon Mac’s Brandon Furman, and Kiski’s Isaac Reid join DeBoe), so we’ll get a really good chance to see what the pecking order is before Hershey. Also in the ECP lineup is the state’s 5th ranked 160 pounder, junior Dazion Castro, who is 22-1 on the year.
Football Connections: CRS heavyweight Shane Anderson was on the varsity football squad as a sophomore defensive lineman last fall, while 152 pounder Rob Cooper was rostered as an inside linebacker. For the Ramblers, junior 170 pounder Luigi Yates was a contributor at outside linebacker for the 4A state champions. Yates is also the 9th ranked 170 pounder in the state. DeBoe and Starocci were also on the varsity roster as sophomores for the Ramblers, and DeBoe, at 6’3 270 pounds, is a budding star on the gridiron.
Best Match Ups: Palmer and Starocci will be a great one if it happens. Both can really score points and it would be fun to see the young Starocci get tested, which the ECP schedule doesn’t totally allow for. There also is the possibility of CRS moving Joe Doyle up to heavyweight to take on DeBoe if they need to neutralize those points, but I think that is a long shot.
Prediction: CRS 39-34. This one is going to be closer than people think and will come down to who can get more bonus points from their studs. CRS has to clean up down low, because ECP is going to score a lot from 160 and up. ECP needs Starocci to beat Palmer, plus get at least one upset. Too tall an order.
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#1 Nazareth vs. #10 Cedar Cliff
Last Night: Nazareth pasted Owen J. Roberts, 53-13. Cedar Cliff beat District 2 champ Hazleton, 43-16.
Nazareth Hammers: Nazareth is the most star-studded team in the field, with four potential state finalists and arguably the best wrestler in the tournament. It starts at the bottom with freshman 106 pounder Andrew Cerniglia, who is arguably the top freshman in the state, and ranked 14th nationally in the freshman class by FloWrestling. A broken collar bone at Beast of the East cost Cernigilia most of his season, but he came back during last week’s District Duals and looks like he hasn’t missed a beat. Cerniglia is the latest product of Red Hawk wrestling, the club now run by former Easton 2x state finalist Seth Ciasulli (who took over for his father in 2014) which has produced the Ciasulli brothers, Tim Darling, Mike Rogers, Nick Guida, Hudson Taylor, Zach Horan, and Mitch Minotti, amongst others. It’s the best top wrestling club in the country, and Cerniglia absolutely kills people with mat wrestling. He’s ranked 3rd in the state. The highlight of the Nazareth lineup is junior Sammy Sasso, who will wrestle either 145 or 152 for the Blue Eagles this weekend before dropping to 138 for the postseason. Sasso is currently the #1 ranked wrestler in the country at 145 pounds and is ranked as the #5 overall recruit in the junior class by FloWrestling. He was 3rd in the state last year, losing in quarterfinals to state champ and current Ohio State 141 pounder Luke Pletcher. As a freshman Sasso lost in state finals to Spencer Lee. He is a Cadet Freestyle champion and two time finalist in Fargo, and amongst the most explosive offensive wrestlers in America. He is considering Iowa, Ohio State, Nebraska, Virginia Tech, and NC State, and Buckeye head coach Tom Ryan was in the Lehigh Valley last month to watch Sasso in their dual with Northampton. Rounding out the Nazareth murders row are Brock Wilson at 152 pounds and Travis Stefanik at 182. Wilson was the state runner up last season at 145 pounds (where he will wrestle again this postseason) and the Harvard recruit is currently 26-6 and ranked 2nd in the state at 152. Stefanik finished 3rd in the state last season at 152, losing in semis to eventual state champ Hayden Hidlay. Stefanik then went on to win FloNationals in April. He’s currently ranked 2nd in the state at 182 pounds and 6th nationally in the weight class. He’s the 54th overall recruit in the senior class and signed to wrestle at Princeton. Stefanik will wrestle anywhere between 182 and 220 this weekend.
Cedar Cliff Hammers: Cedar Cliff is led by junior 220 pounder Francis Duggan. Duggan is currently ranked 3rd in the state and 11th nationally at 220, and is the 26th ranked recruit in the junior class. Duggan is wrestling at his third high school in three years, spending his freshman season at Cumberland Valley (where his brother was a state finalist), his sophomore year at North Allegheny, and this season at Cedar Cliff. Duggan is a two time state medalist, placing 6th as a freshman and 7th as a sophomore at 195 pounds.
Football Connection: Cedar Cliff has a ton of football contributors who are in the wrestling lineup, led by Duggan, who made 65 tackles and had six sacks as the Colts middle linebacker this fall. Duggan made my PaPreps All State team in 2015 when he had a 100+ tackle season at North Allegheny. Sophomore 170 pounder Bobby Whalen led Cedar Cliff in receptions and receiving yards this fall and snagged 4 interceptions on defense. Heavyweight Erik Musselman was a two-way starting lineman, and sophomore 195 pounder Donovon Ball was second to Duggan on the team in tackles. Ball and Duggan will be the backbone of their defense again in 2017. For Nazareth, Stefanik is probably the best football player in the field. This season, he played quarterback and strong safety, and was the EPC Offensive Player of the Year. As a junior, Stefanik threw for over 2,000 yards and rushed for over 1,000 yards. He was receiving attention from Patriot League schools as a football player, but was one of the best wrestling recruits in the country and opted for the mat over the gridiron. His athleticism is apparent on the mat. Junior 195 pounder Zac Keifer caught 37 passes for 660 yards and 9 touchdowns and is their leading returning offensive weapon. Heavyweight Mohamed Tounkara is 6’3 250 pounds and was a two-way starter at tackle and defensive end. And freshman 138 pounder Nathan Stefanik is the heir apparent to his brother at quarterback.
Best Match Up: JJ Wilson and Sean Pierson will lock horns at 113 in a match up of top 10 wrestlers in the state. Pierson has been in and out of the lineup with injuries, but looks to be healthy and is a strong state medal contender. Wilson is ranked 10th in the state and is the best lightweight in the Cedar Cliff lineup.
Prediction: Nazareth is a top 10 team in the country for a reason. I’ve got match ups split 11-3 with a ton of bonus points for the Blue Eagles in a 44-15 rout.
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#2 Bethlehem Catholic vs. #3 Kiski Area
Last Night: Bethlehem Catholic rolled up Central Mountain in a 49-6 win, while Kiski Area blew out Central Dauphin 52-11.
Bethlehem Catholic Hammers: The conversation starts with returning state champion Mikey Labriola, ranked 1st in the state and the country at 170 pounds. The Nebraska recruit and Wilson Area native is the #8 overall recruit in the senior class by FloWrestling and is Flo’s #12 pound for pound wrestler in the country. He was 7th in the state as a freshman, 3rd as a sophomore, and won his first title last year. This season, he’s both an Ironman and Beast of the East champion. In short, he’s really good, probably the best from the Lehigh Valley since Jordan Oliver. He’s crazy active on his feet with a variety of leg attacks, can scramble with the best in America, and is a finisher from the mat. Sophomore 120 pounder Ryan Anderson, of Hackettstown, NJ, is currently ranked 2nd in the state and 4th nationally at his weight class, though he’s mostly wrestled at 126 since returning from injury. Anderson was a finalist at both Ironman and Beast of the East, and is the 17th ranked sophomore in the country regardless of weight class. He missed weight last year at Districts, so he’s still looking for his first state medal. Anderson will likely flip postseason weights with Salisbury’s Zack Glenn, who ranks 4th in the state at 126. Glenn was a state 5th place finisher last year and is 17-3 on the season. Finally, the Becahi line up finishes with heavyweight Niko Camacho, ranked 1st in the state, and 11th nationally. Camacho won Ironamn and was a Beast of the East runner up. The Nazareth product and American University recruit was 4th in the state last season. Eleven of Becahi’s 14 wrestlers are ranked in the top 20 in the state.
Kiski Area Hammers: Kiski’s lineup starts with a bang, with sophomore Darren Miller at 106, who is 27-2 and ranked 2nd in the state at his weight. Miller is 63-10 in his career and was a 2x junior high state finalist, winning a junior high state title as an 8th grader, which is usually a very good predictor of high school success. Junior 126 pounder Noah Levett was 6th in the state last season and is ranked 6th currently this year. He is already a two-time state qualifier. Sophomore Cameron Conner is ranked 5th in the state at 138 pounds and is 27-5 on the season, while Joey Blumer, a state medalist in 2015, is ranked 5th at 145. The other bookend to the lineup is Isaac Reid, a junior heavyweight, who is 30-2 on the season, including giving Brandon Furman his only loss. Reid was a 6th place finisher at states last year as is part of the crazy loaded heavyweight field at State Duals.
Football Connection: Becahi heavyweight Niko Camacho was an All State pick on the offensive line this year and was a three year starter at offensive and defensive tackle. He was an FCS recruit, but will wrestle in college. Freshman 160 pounder Tavion Banks started at cornerback this season and saw snaps at kick returner and wide receiver. Banks is the most exciting freshman football prospect in the Valley. Sophomore 220 pounder Andrew Balukas also saw snaps at linebacker. For Kiski Area, the lone football player on the wrestling team is Reid, who is in the rotation on the defensive line.
Best Matchups: Camacho and Reid is a possible state final, while Levett and Anderson will be a match up of likely state medalists. Kiski needs them both to pull the upset. Cameron Conner and Jared Papcsy at 138 could also be a barnburner, which again, Kiski would need to knock off the Golden Hawks.
Prediction: This one is the best quarter, and is going to be a lot closer than people think. I’ve got Becahi winning 30-21, but wins in two of the three tossups above by Kiski could flip it.
Apparently he broke the skin on O'Grady. Teeth marks plus blood is pretty much an automatic DQ. Sucks because it means he's suspended for Disrifts, which ends his season.
I expected Cerniglia to win, I did not expect such an easy tech. I thought he was a title contender coming into the year, but I thought after missing six weeks with the injury he would be too far behind. It doesn't look like it phased him at all, and I don't know how he's not the favorite at 106. Red Hawk strikes again.
I expected Cerniglia to win, I did not expect such an easy tech. I thought he was a title contender coming into the year, but I thought after missing six weeks with the injury he would be too far behind. It doesn't look like it phased him at all, and I don't know how he's not the favorite at 106. Red Hawk strikes again.
That's a scheduling save for Radner, he should be good to go for sectionals next weekend then.
And I'll be rooting for Nazareth as well. It's hard not to like Dave Crowell and this is one of his best teams. I think all of DXI will be pulling for them. They'll need to win the flip again, and Carty being back in Becahi's lineup is big boost, but Nazareth's plethora of big guns gives them a lot of outs.
It's also hard to believe that the last all DXI final was ten years ago! Also the last time Nazareth won state duals.
And I'll be rooting for Nazareth as well. It's hard not to like Dave Crowell and this is one of his best teams. I think all of DXI will be pulling for them. They'll need to win the flip again, and Carty being back in Becahi's lineup is big boost, but Nazareth's plethora of big guns gives them a lot of outs.
It's also hard to believe that the last all DXI final was ten years ago! Also the last time Nazareth won state duals.
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Instant classic! This tournament almost always delivers great duals. Pierson, O'Grady, Nate Stefanik, and Keifer all heros for the Blue Eagles. Studs delivered for both sides, but Naz won every toss up but 195.
Beca also got pins from both Nazareth kids in their lineup, imagine how loaded this Nazareth team would be with Papscy and Camacho in their lineup. Throw in Mike Madera from Blair and it could be a top 3 team nationally.
Beca also got pins from both Nazareth kids in their lineup, imagine how loaded this Nazareth team would be with Papscy and Camacho in their lineup. Throw in Mike Madera from Blair and it could be a top 3 team nationally.
Rover,
Agree it was a "instant classic", that's a Kyle Berger signature, not sure if you were aware.... you probably were. Despite the broadcast team misspeaking on potential criteria resultant, thought they did a really good job. Nice when you have broadcasters that have a solid understanding of the sport. There's a spring sport televised by PCN/PIAA that could use some help.
Not sure who received Most Outstanding Wrestler (probably one of the studs) but thought the O'Grady over Green match was pivotal. Lost to him twice during the season then comes back to register a shut-out. Despite the falls, I think Nazareth saw the light for a conceivable comeback with that match. IMO...
...and here's why wrestling is struggling in certain areas. Also, I believe CB West only had 7-8 kids on their entire roster this season. Where have you gone Dave Armstrong?
CRS 82 Abington 0
6 pins, 6 forfeits, and 2 tech falls
However, I will give Abington major props for beating P-W to win the SOL championship in hoops. I'll be rooting for the Ghosts in the post season.
CRS 82 Abington 0
6 pins, 6 forfeits, and 2 tech falls
However, I will give Abington major props for beating P-W to win the SOL championship in hoops. I'll be rooting for the Ghosts in the post season.
Is wrestling struggling because there is just such discrepency between the best programs in PA (which are nationally elite) and the also-rans?
The big difference is just infastructure and culture. I'm not sure how much there is in District 1 overall. Up here, Northampton has 35 kids entered in the Junior High D11 Tournament this weekend. Easton has four different youth programs in different parts of the city that feed into the high school. Any day of the week from, kids can drop in to Dark Knights, Weaver Elite, Red Hawk, Gold Medal, or Talon clubs run out of high school rooms that have former state champs and college All Americans running them, and get elite clinicians to come in, teach technique, and run practice. And all of these kids have the opportunity to train and practice with each other year round, even if they're at different schools (though more and more the kids that do that magically wind up going to school off of Illick's Mill Road). Steel sharpens steel, and that goes for kids at the Nazareths, Becas, and Northamptons of the world, but also kids in lesser programs who have access to the attention and high level coaching these programs draw.
And then, when you get to high school, Easton's head coach was a 3x All American who was also an assistant at Cornell, Northampton's coach was a 4x NCAA qualifier, Becahi's coach made the NCAA Round of 12, as did Liberty's, Nazareth's coach is in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Parkland has an 2x NCAA finalist on staff, Saucon Valley has an NCAA Champion on staff, Emmaus's head coach was an NCAA qualifier, etc. etc.
I know Pittsburgh works the same way - every town has good youth programs, the best club in the United States is available for anybody to drop in, and the high schools are staffed with great, accomplished coaches. Ditto for the Harrisburg area. D1 has more pockets, but it doesn't seem to permeate into an area wide movement, so the gaps get huge.
The big difference is just infastructure and culture. I'm not sure how much there is in District 1 overall. Up here, Northampton has 35 kids entered in the Junior High D11 Tournament this weekend. Easton has four different youth programs in different parts of the city that feed into the high school. Any day of the week from, kids can drop in to Dark Knights, Weaver Elite, Red Hawk, Gold Medal, or Talon clubs run out of high school rooms that have former state champs and college All Americans running them, and get elite clinicians to come in, teach technique, and run practice. And all of these kids have the opportunity to train and practice with each other year round, even if they're at different schools (though more and more the kids that do that magically wind up going to school off of Illick's Mill Road). Steel sharpens steel, and that goes for kids at the Nazareths, Becas, and Northamptons of the world, but also kids in lesser programs who have access to the attention and high level coaching these programs draw.
And then, when you get to high school, Easton's head coach was a 3x All American who was also an assistant at Cornell, Northampton's coach was a 4x NCAA qualifier, Becahi's coach made the NCAA Round of 12, as did Liberty's, Nazareth's coach is in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Parkland has an 2x NCAA finalist on staff, Saucon Valley has an NCAA Champion on staff, Emmaus's head coach was an NCAA qualifier, etc. etc.
I know Pittsburgh works the same way - every town has good youth programs, the best club in the United States is available for anybody to drop in, and the high schools are staffed with great, accomplished coaches. Ditto for the Harrisburg area. D1 has more pockets, but it doesn't seem to permeate into an area wide movement, so the gaps get huge.
Rover, would like to get your opinion on the chances for the D1/D12 guys tomorrow.
Have to admit, really rooting for Miles Lee from South Philly High. First wrestler to medal from the PUB.
Hoping Trampe, Doyle, Parker, Stillings, Lucerne, Zapf, Shannon, Resnick and Duliakis show well. Yeah, didn't mention Kennerly, but expect another showdown with Joey D in the final.
Have to admit, really rooting for Miles Lee from South Philly High. First wrestler to medal from the PUB.
Hoping Trampe, Doyle, Parker, Stillings, Lucerne, Zapf, Shannon, Resnick and Duliakis show well. Yeah, didn't mention Kennerly, but expect another showdown with Joey D in the final.
I was rooting for Lee as well, Laird looked really sharp this morning against him, but nonetheless, it's been a good showing from Lee.
I thought Cerniglia was going to beat Zapf, he did not look sharp this weekend however, freshman jitters from a talented kid. I think Zapf is the favorite tonight. I didn't know a ton about the Lucerne and Sullivan coming in, but a heartbreaker for the CRN kid.
At 120, Luke Werner from Liberty has been around a while (this is his third state medal) but I did not think he would beat Parker. Parker whipped him 10-1 last season at states, so a huge turnaround. Werner will get his third shot at Julian Chlebove tonight, who beat Werner in districts and regionals (and is the #2 kid in America at 120).
Trampe looked great at 132. I don't love the way Central Dauphin wrestles, so I was happy to see him beat up on Wert. He gets Jimmy Hoffman tonight, who beat Trampe at states 3-1 last year. Hoffman is headed to Lehigh, Trampe to Binghamton - good final.
Shannon ran into a buzz saw at 152, Cameron Coy is arguably the best 152 in America and is going to his 4th state final tonight, and should roll to his 3rd title.
Resnick had the upset of the tourney in round 1, beating national #4 Eric Hong of North Allegheny (his 3rd school in 4 years), but going through Hong and Trent Hidlay before even getting to finals is brutal. Hidlay is another top 10 kid nationally, and that wasn't a surprise. Stillings was my pick to get out of the bottom half of the bracket and took care of business. Hidlay is the favorite tonight though.
Duliaks also ran into a buzz saw, Jake Woolley is the defending champ and headed to wrestle for Lou Rosselli at Oklahoma. No shame in bowing out there.
Obviously the big surprise was Doyle dropping in the semi. I thought we were getting Doyle-Kennerly for the fourth time this year. I don't know a ton about Edenfield, but he looked spectacular. Kennerly will have his hands full.
Nazareth looks like they're going to clinch the lead here in consis, just had two punch into the 3/4 match, great effort from the Blue Eagles. That Camacho loss will haunt Becahi.
I thought Cerniglia was going to beat Zapf, he did not look sharp this weekend however, freshman jitters from a talented kid. I think Zapf is the favorite tonight. I didn't know a ton about the Lucerne and Sullivan coming in, but a heartbreaker for the CRN kid.
At 120, Luke Werner from Liberty has been around a while (this is his third state medal) but I did not think he would beat Parker. Parker whipped him 10-1 last season at states, so a huge turnaround. Werner will get his third shot at Julian Chlebove tonight, who beat Werner in districts and regionals (and is the #2 kid in America at 120).
Trampe looked great at 132. I don't love the way Central Dauphin wrestles, so I was happy to see him beat up on Wert. He gets Jimmy Hoffman tonight, who beat Trampe at states 3-1 last year. Hoffman is headed to Lehigh, Trampe to Binghamton - good final.
Shannon ran into a buzz saw at 152, Cameron Coy is arguably the best 152 in America and is going to his 4th state final tonight, and should roll to his 3rd title.
Resnick had the upset of the tourney in round 1, beating national #4 Eric Hong of North Allegheny (his 3rd school in 4 years), but going through Hong and Trent Hidlay before even getting to finals is brutal. Hidlay is another top 10 kid nationally, and that wasn't a surprise. Stillings was my pick to get out of the bottom half of the bracket and took care of business. Hidlay is the favorite tonight though.
Duliaks also ran into a buzz saw, Jake Woolley is the defending champ and headed to wrestle for Lou Rosselli at Oklahoma. No shame in bowing out there.
Obviously the big surprise was Doyle dropping in the semi. I thought we were getting Doyle-Kennerly for the fourth time this year. I don't know a ton about Edenfield, but he looked spectacular. Kennerly will have his hands full.
Nazareth looks like they're going to clinch the lead here in consis, just had two punch into the 3/4 match, great effort from the Blue Eagles. That Camacho loss will haunt Becahi.
Picks for finals
106: Doug Zapf, Downingtown West
113: Sam Hillegas, North Hills
120: Julian Chlebove, Northampton
126: Spencer Lee, Franklin Regional
132: Zack Trampe, Council Rock South
138: Sammy Sasso, Nazareth
145: Jared Verkleeran, Hempfield (7)
152: Cameron Coy, Penn-Trafford
160: Trent Hidlay, Mifflin County
170: Mikey Labriola, Bethlehem Catholic
182: Travis Stefanik, Nazareth
195: Jake Woodley, North Allegheny
220: Brian Kennerly, Upper Darby
285: Brandon Furman, Canon McMillan
The finals are loaded with national caliber kids. Lee, Labriola and Verkleeran are all national #1 at their weight class. Chlebove, Sasso, Coy, Nino Bonaccorsi, rank 2nd in the country. Hidlay and Woodley are ranked 3rd. Austin DeSanto is 4th, Stefanik is 5th, and Hillegas, Trampe, Dan Moran, Kennerly, and Furman are all nationally ranked. Because there are so many studs, finals may be anti-climactic, with good kids dominating. Even at 126, where it is two top 4 kids, Spencer Lee is on another planet and should put bonus points on DeSanto.
The best final is 182 where #2 Nino Bonaccorsi of Bethel Park wrestled #5 Travis Stefanik of Nazareth. Both are obviously studs, I'm taking the local boy Stefanik, who is a throwback athlete. In addition to being one of the best wrestlers in America, he was the EPC Offensive Player of the Year as Nazareth's quarterback. As a junior, he threw for 2,000 yards and rushed for 1,000 and as a senior he had 34 total touchdowns passing and rushing. Oh, and he's going to Princeton to wrestle, so I'm assuming a decent student too.
Also, weird to pick District 3 get shut out.
106: Doug Zapf, Downingtown West
113: Sam Hillegas, North Hills
120: Julian Chlebove, Northampton
126: Spencer Lee, Franklin Regional
132: Zack Trampe, Council Rock South
138: Sammy Sasso, Nazareth
145: Jared Verkleeran, Hempfield (7)
152: Cameron Coy, Penn-Trafford
160: Trent Hidlay, Mifflin County
170: Mikey Labriola, Bethlehem Catholic
182: Travis Stefanik, Nazareth
195: Jake Woodley, North Allegheny
220: Brian Kennerly, Upper Darby
285: Brandon Furman, Canon McMillan
The finals are loaded with national caliber kids. Lee, Labriola and Verkleeran are all national #1 at their weight class. Chlebove, Sasso, Coy, Nino Bonaccorsi, rank 2nd in the country. Hidlay and Woodley are ranked 3rd. Austin DeSanto is 4th, Stefanik is 5th, and Hillegas, Trampe, Dan Moran, Kennerly, and Furman are all nationally ranked. Because there are so many studs, finals may be anti-climactic, with good kids dominating. Even at 126, where it is two top 4 kids, Spencer Lee is on another planet and should put bonus points on DeSanto.
The best final is 182 where #2 Nino Bonaccorsi of Bethel Park wrestled #5 Travis Stefanik of Nazareth. Both are obviously studs, I'm taking the local boy Stefanik, who is a throwback athlete. In addition to being one of the best wrestlers in America, he was the EPC Offensive Player of the Year as Nazareth's quarterback. As a junior, he threw for 2,000 yards and rushed for 1,000 and as a senior he had 34 total touchdowns passing and rushing. Oh, and he's going to Princeton to wrestle, so I'm assuming a decent student too.
Also, weird to pick District 3 get shut out.
He had that big brace on and apparently his dad said it after the match. Either way, DeSanto came to wrestle and looked awesome. Has to be the biggest upset in state history.
What a match. Just looked like DeSanto wanted it more. Congrats DWest Doug Zapf 106 lb winner. Look out for the Lucerne boy from CRN, only a freshman. Battled Zapf in the SE region final last week losing 3-1. Nice twist to that story Luke is the son of David, nephew of John-both state qualifiers for Downingtown back in the 80's, both wrestled in college at Rider.
What an impressive showing for PSU tonight. 5 for 5 in the semis, and all 5 are underclassmen. And to think the scoring difference would be greater is Suriano was healthy. Looking forward to the finals tomorrow night.
How about the all D11 final at 125? Kind of crazy that Lizak and Cruz never wrestled in high school despite being around the same size, in the same conference, and 10 miles apart.
It'll be D11's 18th national championship and 12th different wrestler to win one. Cruz is Becahi's 7th finals appearance, 5th different finalist, and would be their first champ since Santoro (now Cruz's head coach) won his second in 1989. Cruz would join Santoro and Tom Sculley as champs from Becahi, joining Liberty as the only LV schools with 3 different NCAA champs, and would tie Easton with 4 total titles.
Lizak is Parkland's second finalist, joining 2x runner up Jon Trenge in '01 and '02. Trenge was one of Lizak's coaches in high school. If Lizak wins, he would make Parkland the 8th different Lehigh Valley school with a national championship.
It'll be D11's 18th national championship and 12th different wrestler to win one. Cruz is Becahi's 7th finals appearance, 5th different finalist, and would be their first champ since Santoro (now Cruz's head coach) won his second in 1989. Cruz would join Santoro and Tom Sculley as champs from Becahi, joining Liberty as the only LV schools with 3 different NCAA champs, and would tie Easton with 4 total titles.
Lizak is Parkland's second finalist, joining 2x runner up Jon Trenge in '01 and '02. Trenge was one of Lizak's coaches in high school. If Lizak wins, he would make Parkland the 8th different Lehigh Valley school with a national championship.
Good stuff Rover! I figured D11 has had their share of national champs. How many from SE PA? I know CD Mock (CR) won a title at UNC.
From Southeast PA, I have 8 titles from 6 different champs. Mock was the most recent winner.
CD Mock, UNC - 134 lbs. (1982) - Council Rock
Andy Matter, Penn State - 167 lbs. (1972, 1971) - Upper Darby
Bill Stuart, Lehigh - 137 lbs. (1965) - Penn Charter
Roger Sanders, West Chester - 157 lbs. (1964) - Pennsbury
Andy Fitch, Yale - 115 lbs. (1959) - The Hill School
Dick DiBattista, Penn - 175 lbs. (1941, 1942) - Lower Merion
District 1 did get an All American this year from Scotty Parker of Lehigh, a Pennridge grad. I believe Parker is Pennridge's first All American.
CD Mock, UNC - 134 lbs. (1982) - Council Rock
Andy Matter, Penn State - 167 lbs. (1972, 1971) - Upper Darby
Bill Stuart, Lehigh - 137 lbs. (1965) - Penn Charter
Roger Sanders, West Chester - 157 lbs. (1964) - Pennsbury
Andy Fitch, Yale - 115 lbs. (1959) - The Hill School
Dick DiBattista, Penn - 175 lbs. (1941, 1942) - Lower Merion
District 1 did get an All American this year from Scotty Parker of Lehigh, a Pennridge grad. I believe Parker is Pennridge's first All American.
And while I'm in this rabbit hole, SEPA's most recent finalist was John Reich from Neshaminy, who was a runner-up for Navy in 1983 (lost to Oklahoma State's Mike Sheets in finals).
Other D1 Finalists are:
Max Pearson, Michigan (The Hill School) - 130 (1958, 1957)
Anthony Stremic, Navy (Cheltenham) - 191 lbs. (1957)
Werner Steel, Lehigh (Lansdowne) - HWT (1955)
Chuck Weber, West Chester (Abington) - 191 lbs. (1953)
Harry Fields, Haverford (Frankford) - HWT (1931)
Since I have the D11 list too, our champs are:
Jordan Oliver, Oklahoma State (Easton) - 2011, 2013
Rob Rohn, Lehigh (Nazareth) - 2002
Jack Cuvo, East Stroudsburg (Easton) - 1989, 1988
Pat Santoro, Pittsburgh (Bethlehem Catholic) - 1989, 1988
Scott Turner, NC State (Freedom) - 1988
Matt Reiss, NC State (Liberty) - 1980
John Fritz, Penn State (Liberty) - 1975)
Tom Sculley, Lehigh (Bethlehem Catholic) - 1974
Don Rohn, Clarion (Saucon Valley) - 1973
Stan Dziedzic, Slippery Rock (William Allen) - 1971
Geoff Baum, Oklahoma State (William Allen) - 1971, 1970
Greg Ruth, Oklahoma (Liberty) - 1966, 1965
Runner Ups
Zeke Moisey, West Virginia (Bethlehem Catholic) - 2015
Jimmy Sheptock, Maryland (Northampton) - 2014
Josh Kindig, Oklahoma State (Blue Mountain) - 2014
Jordan Oliver, Oklahoma State (Easton) - 2012
Jon Trenge, Lehigh (Parkland) - 2003, 2002
Bryan Snyder, Nebraska (Easton) - 2002, 2001 - lost in double OT both years
Scott Scheichler, Navy (William Allen) - 1990
Pat Santoro, Pittsburgh (Bethlehem Catholic) - 1987
Dennis Semmel, Army (Lehighton) - 1985
Mike Brown, Lehigh (Bethlehem Catholic) - 1979
Stan Dziedzic, Slippery Rock (William Allen) - 1972
Bob Ferraro, Indiana State (Easton) - 1970
Ron Flemming, Lehigh (Liberty) - 1957
Other D1 Finalists are:
Max Pearson, Michigan (The Hill School) - 130 (1958, 1957)
Anthony Stremic, Navy (Cheltenham) - 191 lbs. (1957)
Werner Steel, Lehigh (Lansdowne) - HWT (1955)
Chuck Weber, West Chester (Abington) - 191 lbs. (1953)
Harry Fields, Haverford (Frankford) - HWT (1931)
Since I have the D11 list too, our champs are:
Jordan Oliver, Oklahoma State (Easton) - 2011, 2013
Rob Rohn, Lehigh (Nazareth) - 2002
Jack Cuvo, East Stroudsburg (Easton) - 1989, 1988
Pat Santoro, Pittsburgh (Bethlehem Catholic) - 1989, 1988
Scott Turner, NC State (Freedom) - 1988
Matt Reiss, NC State (Liberty) - 1980
John Fritz, Penn State (Liberty) - 1975)
Tom Sculley, Lehigh (Bethlehem Catholic) - 1974
Don Rohn, Clarion (Saucon Valley) - 1973
Stan Dziedzic, Slippery Rock (William Allen) - 1971
Geoff Baum, Oklahoma State (William Allen) - 1971, 1970
Greg Ruth, Oklahoma (Liberty) - 1966, 1965
Runner Ups
Zeke Moisey, West Virginia (Bethlehem Catholic) - 2015
Jimmy Sheptock, Maryland (Northampton) - 2014
Josh Kindig, Oklahoma State (Blue Mountain) - 2014
Jordan Oliver, Oklahoma State (Easton) - 2012
Jon Trenge, Lehigh (Parkland) - 2003, 2002
Bryan Snyder, Nebraska (Easton) - 2002, 2001 - lost in double OT both years
Scott Scheichler, Navy (William Allen) - 1990
Pat Santoro, Pittsburgh (Bethlehem Catholic) - 1987
Dennis Semmel, Army (Lehighton) - 1985
Mike Brown, Lehigh (Bethlehem Catholic) - 1979
Stan Dziedzic, Slippery Rock (William Allen) - 1972
Bob Ferraro, Indiana State (Easton) - 1970
Ron Flemming, Lehigh (Liberty) - 1957