Thursday, February 28, 2013

Updated Regional Rankings

Here are the latest Southwest Regional Rankings by PA Power, on the eve of the tournament. Top 5 at each weight.

106
1. McDermitt, Burgettstown
2. Griffiths, Southmoreland
3. Gabriel, Bedford
4. Howard, Jefferson-Morgan
5. Law, Forest Hills

113
1. Brown, Claysburg
2. Patrick, Ligonier Valley
3. Phillippi, Derry
4. Carr, South Fayette
5. Swarrow, Beth-Center

120
1. Patrick, Ligonier Valley
2. Easter, Bedford
3. Reckner, South Side Beaver
4. Hughes, Valley
5. Carr, South Fayette

126
1. Thomas, Bedford
2. Bulsak, South Park
3. Demaske, Jefferson-Morgan
4. Crouse, Chestnut Ridge
5. Day, Meyersdale

132
1. Nolf, Kittanning
2. Zanetta, Keystone Oaks
3. Andrejcik, Burrell
4. Gentry, South Side Beaver
5. Hayles, West Branch

138
1. Heggs, Juniata
2. Gavazzi, Charleroi
3. Welsh, Beth-Center
4. Naglic, Richland
5. Edwards, Burrell

145
1. Marra, Burrell
2. Sutton, Chartiers-Houston
3. Tarr, Blairsville
4. Cahill, Conemaugh Township
5. Gartland, Northern Bedford

152
1. Doak, Blairsville
2. Bonzo, Freedom
3. Williams, Bedford
4. Jack, Kittanning
5. Fetchet, South Fayette

160
1. Law, Forest Hills
2. Fochtman, Berlin
3. Walker, South Fayette
4. Payne, South Side Beaver
5. Hazel, Penns Valley

170
1. Conti, Jefferson-Morgan
2. Dibert, Chestnut Ridge
3. Fetchet, South Fayette
4. Kylor, Mount Union
5. Pecora, Richland

182
1. DesLauriers, Burrell
2. Thompson, Blairsville
3. Fields, Valley
4. Rogers, Penns Valley
5. Berkley, Meyersdale

195
1. Vulcano, Chartiers-Houston
2. Stodart, Moshannon Valley
3. Albright, Chestnut Ridge
4. Walker, South Fayette
5. Croyle, Kittanning

220
1. Temple, Avella
2. Ludwig, Moshannon Valley
3. Jacobs, West Greene
4. Bennett, HOPE for Hyndman
5. Shovestull, Westmont

285
1. Hall, Tussey Mountain
2. Buttry, Chestnut Ridge
3. Selepack, West Branch
4. Gill, Cambria Heights
5. Smith, Mount Union

Monday, February 25, 2013

PJW Area 2, Section 4 photos

   I spent a couple of hours on Monday evening taking photos of the PJW Section tournament at Bedford High School, and those photos are available for viewing and purchase on the Bedford Gazette's website.  I know that several of you who regularly follow this blog are either parents or family members of current junior age and/or varsity wrestlers.

   To see the photos, visit www.bedfordgazette.com and click on the Gazette Scrapbook icon. From there, you should see the appropriate album (Bedford Area II Tournament) to click on and then check out individual photos. Of course, I am unfamiliar with about 98% of these wrestlers, so I cannot specifically say who I got shots of.

   You do not have to be an online subscriber to the newspaper to access the photos. Also, many albums from past sporting events are now available online as well. There have been technical issues with uploading them for much of this high school season, but they seem to have been resolved for now.

SW Regional Glance

   Here is a look at the SW Regional Brackets and some highlight matchups for Friday's action. The full brackets can be found here. And the time schedule for the weekend can be found here.

106 pounds
Projected highlight quarterfinals
   Jonathan Gabriel, Bedford (30-2) vs. Austin Griffiths, Southmoreland (28-3) - Gabriel won District 5, while Griffiths was second in District 7. Griffiths was third in the state at this weight last year.

   Brendan Howard, Jefferson-Morgan (36-5) vs. Triston Law, Forest Hills (27-3) - Law won the District 6 title. Howard was third in the loaded D7 bracket.

Noted here is that the Gabriel/Griffiths and Howard/Law losers will likely meet in the third round consolations, with the loser there being done for the year.

113 pounds
Projected highlight quarterfinal
   Josh Brown, Claysburg (25-5) vs. Zach Swarrow, Beth-Center (20-6) - Brown got a monkey off his back by winning the District 6 title. Swarrow third in District 7, but he seems to thrive late in the season with a pair of state medals in his pocket already. Brown beat Swarrow in overtime in the semifinals of the Thomas Subaru Tournament last month.

126 pounds
Highlight first-round bouts
   Vince Vahaly, Bentworth (29-5) vs. Collin Day, Meyersdale (35-8) - Vahaly was second in D7, with Day third in a strong District 5 group. Day was a state qualifier last year at 120, with Vahaly a win short of Hershey at 126 last year.

   Pat Dewitt, Valley (31-9) vs. Trent Crouse, Chestnut Ridge (34-6) - Dewitt fourth in District 7, Crouse second in District 5.

132 pounds
Highlight first-round bout
   Brennon Shields, Southern Huntingdon (25-1) vs. Shane Gentry, South Side Beaver (35-3) - Two pretty solid wrestlers here who didn't win district titles. Shields second in D6, and Gentry was fourth in the WPIAL.

145 pounds
Projected highlight quarterfinal
   Tanner Sutton, Chartiers-Houston (38-6) vs. Drew Gartland, Northern Bedford (28-1) - Sutton, a returning state qualifier, was second in District 7. Gartland second in District 5.

182 pounds
Projected highlight quarterfinal
   Gavin Berkley, Meyersdale (39-2) vs. Terrell Fields, Valley (33-5) - Berkley impressive all season and coming off a District 5 title. Fields second in District 7.

195 pounds
Projected highlight quarterfinal
   Jacob Nickelson, Somerset (26-2) vs. James Stodart, Moshannon Valley (28-2) - Nickelson settled for third in District 5 after being surprisingly pinned in semifinals. Stodart is the District 6 champion.

220 pounds
Projected highlight quarterfinal
   Reynold Maines, West Branch (33-4) vs. Jake Bennett, HOPE for Hyndman (35-1) - Maines fourth in District 6 but likely better than that when healthy. Ankle injury is a big question with him. Bennett continued a strong season by winning the D5 title.

285 pounds
Projected highlight quarterfinal
   Mitchell Hall, Tussey Mountain (27-2) vs. Jacob Beistel, Southmoreland (30-3) - Hall won District 5 title to become Tussey's first district gold medalist since Mark Brown in 2010. Just a freshman, Beistel was second in D7.

Friday, February 22, 2013

District 5 Friday videos

Videos are at these links by clicking on them:

120 quarterfinals - Kody Ofsanko (Conemaugh Twp.) pins Tayte Mostoller (North Star)

138 quarterfinals - Braden Fochtman (Berlin) dec. Jerimiah Zimmerman (Chestnut Ridge), 4-3

145 quarterfinals - Drew Gartland (Northern Bedford) dec. Luke Lepley (North Star), 7-0 *Gartland's 100th victory*

District 5 Friday Results

2013 District 5 Tournament
Team Key and Standings
  CR - Chestnut Ridge, 62; M - Meyersdale, 48; B - Bedford, 47.5; S -
Somerset, 46.5; BB - Berlin, 42; CT - Conemaugh Township, 38; NB - Northern
Bedford, 33; NS - North Star, 33; H - HOPE for Hyndman, 31; E - Everett, 20;
TM - Tussey Mountain, 10; Sh - Shade, 6.

Preliminary Round
  106 ­ Kat Luteri, S, maj. dec. Aaron Griffith, CT, 12-2; Lenny Beeman, NS,
pinned Blake Sheehan, Sh, 0:50; Tanner Clites, H, pinned Emil Kiesnowski,
BB, 0:53.
  120 ­ Jared Helsley, NB, pinned Dylan Park, TM, 5:01; Damian Jano, S,
tech. fall Jacob Musselman, H, 16-0, 2:00; Brady McKenzie, M, tech. fall
Mahlon Akers, E, 15-0, 4:00.
  126 ­ David Dietz, Sh, pinned Joey Bryner, E, 5:19.
  132 ­ Matt Bridge, CT, dec. Mike Manges, Sh, 8-5; Colby Hillegass, CR,
pinned Anthony Hall, E, 2:27; Kyle Mehle, B, pinned Michael Baker, NS, 3:31.
  138 ­ Casey Berchick, CT, dec. Matt Duvall, TM, 8-6 OT; Shayne Rininger,
E, pinned Bailey Phillips, S, 3:24.
  145 ­ Luke Lepley, NS, maj. dec. Kenny Collins, B, 13-0.
  152 ­ Tyler Clites, H, dec. Kody Williams, S, 13-11; Ejai Rock, E, pinned
Bronson Clapper, NB, 0:56; Tim Hines, M, pinned Tyler Husick, TM, 3:33.
  160 ­ David Stanton, M, dec. Cody Sheeder, E, 10-6; Austin Connor, NS,
dec. Lucas Kolinchak, NB, 9-4.
  170 ­ Thomas Hocket, S, pinned Skyler Brumbaugh, TM, 5:38; Thomas Miller,
NS, dec. Ryan Landis, BB, 4-0; Ryan Shifflett, CT, pinned Jarrett Brantner,
E, 0:57.
  182 ­ Teddy Albright, CR, pinned Zach Claycomb, E, 1:27.
  220 ­ Zach Svencer, CT, pinned Sam Sosak, TM, 5:05; Eli Claycomb, E, dec.
Ty Smith, M, 5-2.
  285 ­ Ben Shaw, CT, pinned Brady Vinisky, NS, 1:15.

Quarterfinals
  106 ­ Jonathan Gabriel, B, pinned Luteri, S, 1:20; Trey Childers, NB, dec.
Trevor Thomas, M, 9-2; Dalton Klotz, E, pinned Beeman, NS, 2:48; Aaron
Burkett, CR, pinned Clites, H, 1:41.
  113 ­ Garret Foster, S, dec. Robby Snyder, H, 4-2; Blake Dunlap, CR,
pinned Tommy DeArmitt, BB, 5:32; Jake Warren, B, dec. Ben Stover, E, 10-3.
  120 ­ Ryan Easter, B, tech. fall Helsley, NB, 16-1, 2:34; Kody Ofsanko,
CT, pinned Tayte Mostoller, NS, 0:45; Derrick Claar, CR, pinned Jano, S,
1:25; Joey Swank, BB, pinned McKenzie, M, 3:06.
  126 ­ Garrett Thomas, B, pinned Dietz, Sh, 0:23; Sheldon Wagner, S, pinned
E.J. Custer, BB, 0:57; Collin Day, M, pinned Scott Weimert, TM, 3:06; Trent
Crouse, CR, pinned Judah Gochnour, NB, 2:36.
  132 ­ Chris Miller, BB, maj. dec. Bridge, CT, 17-5; Jon Fabian, S, pinned
Chris Gibbner, H, 3:14; Mason Replogle, NB, dec. Hillegass, CR, 4-0; Tanner
Hetrick, M, tech. fall Mehle, B, 23-8, 5:48.
  138 ­ Toby Brett, B, pinned Berchick, CT, 1:22; Braden Fochtman, BB, dec.
Jerimiah Zimmerman, CR, 4-3; Tevin Mostoller, NS, dec. Hunter Lantz, M, 6-2;
Damian Corle, NB, pinned Rininger, E, 3:54.
  145 ­ Drew Gartland, NB, dec. Lepley, NS, 7-0; Mike Laue, S, dec. Eric
Darr, BB, 6-2; Seth Deist, M, pinned Quinn Barnett, TM, 1:08; Tanner Cahill,
CT, dec. Kyle Winegardner, CR, 5-1.
  152 ­ Tanner Williams, B, pinned Clites, H, 1:20; Corey Fritch, NS, dec.
Blake Miller, BB, 5-3; Conner Buttry, CR, maj. dec. Rock, E, 10-2; Taylor
Cahill, CT, tech. fall Hines, M, 20-5, 4:57.
  160 ­ Bryce Fochtman, BB, pinned Stanton, M, 5:33; Richard Moskey, H, dec.
Ryan Grosik, CT, 11-6; Landon Lohr, S, maj. dec. Wyatt Brumbaugh, TM, 16-4;
Bradie Bollman, CR, pinned Connor, NS, 5:23.
  170 ­ Tyler Dibert, CR, pinned Hocket, S, 1:43; Duelin Douglas, NB, maj.
dec. Oscar Miller, H, 15-4; Caleb Grimes, B, pinned Miller, NS, 3:12; Billy
Dunbar, M, dec. Shifflett, CT, 7-2.
  182 ­ Gavin Berkley, M, maj. dec. Albright, CR, 9-0; Logan Eller, S, maj.
dec. Justin Brunner, NB, 13-3; Hunter Connor, NS, dec. Andrew Gowarty, CT,
11-4; Michael Brett, B, pinned Shane Pepper, BB, 1:38.
  195 ­ Jacob Nickelson, S, pinned Robert Minnich, B, 1:12; Shad Brumbaugh,
TM, pinned Derick Eichelberger, NB, 3:28; Stew Trulick, BB, pinned Kevin
Horner, NS, 2:37; Dan Albright, CR, pinned Brandon Bittinger, E, 1:10.
  220 ­ Jake Bennett, H, pinned Svencer, CT, 0:36; Mitchell Walker, BB, maj.
dec. Trevor Brown, Sh, 13-3; Levi Albright, NS, dec. Chance Williams, B, 5-3
OT; Brad Winegardner, CR, dec. Claycomb, E, 3-1.
  285 ­ Mitchell Hall, TM, pinned Shaw, CT, 0:57; Anthony Collins, BB,
pinned Justin Easter, B, 4:22; Dylan Emerick, H, pinned Chase Ott, NB, 3:29;
Austin Buttry, CR, pinned Cody Edwards, Sh, 0:34.

First Round Consolations
  106 ­ Luteri, S, pinned Kiesnowski, BB, 4:40; Thomas, M, pinned Sheehan,
Sh, 1:49; Clites, H, maj. dec. Griffith, CT, 13-0.
  120 ­ Helsley, NB, maj. dec. Akers, E, 10-0; Mostoller, NS, pinned
Musselman, H, 0:30; McKenzie, M, pinned Park, 3:57.
  126 ­ Gochnour, NB, inj. def. Bryner, E.
  132 ­ Bridge, CT, de. Baker, NS, 6-0; Gibbner, H, pinned Hall, E, 2:01;
Manges, Sh, dec. Mehle, B, 9-5.
  138 ­ Berchick, CT, pinned Phillips, S, 1:25; Rininger, E, dec,. Duvall,
TM, 4-3.
  145 ­ Winegardner, CR, dec. Collins, B, 2-1.
  152 ­ Clites, H, pinned Husick, TM, 3:49; Miller, BB, pinned Clapper, NB,
0:35; Hines, M, pinned Williams, S, 2:07.
  160 ­ Kolinchak, NB, dec. Stanton, M, 6-1; Connor, NS, pinned Sheeder, E,
2:06.
  170 - Hocket, S, pinned Brantner, E, 1:17; Miller, H, dec. Landis, BB,
5-0; Shifflett, CT, tech. fall Brumbaugh, TM, 15-0, 3:51.
  182 - Pepper, BB, pinned Claycomb, E, 0:39.
  220 - Smith, M, pinned Svencer, CT, 0:34; Claycomb, E, pinned Sosak, TM,
1:14.
  285 - Edwards, Sh, dec. Vinisky, NS, 13-9.

Thursday, February 21, 2013

District 5 Wrestlers in state rankings

   Here are the District 5 wrestlers that will be in the district tournament this weekend that are ranked in the latest statewide edition of PA Power Rankings.

106
5. Jonathan Gabriel, Bedford
120
3. Ryan Easter, Bedford
16. Joe Swank, Berlin
17. Derrick Claar, Chestnut Ridge
126
6. Garrett Thomas, Bedford
9. Collin Day, Meyersdale
14. Trent Crouse, Chestnut Ridge
132
18. Chris Miller, Berlin
21. Tanner Hetrick, Meyersdale
138
15. Toby Brett, Bedford
16. Damian Corle, Northern Bedford
145
6. Drew Gartland, Northern Bedford
9. Tanner Cahill, Conemaugh Township
21. Seth Deist, Meyersdale
152
14. Tanner Williams, Bedford
19. Taylor Cahill, Conemaugh Township
160
12. Bryce Fochtman, Berlin
170
4. Tyler Dibert, Chestnut Ridge
20. Billy Dunbar, Meyersdale
182
14. Gavin Berkley, Meyersdale
195
8. Jacob Nickelson, Somerset
9. Dan Albright, Chestnut Ridge
220
11. Jake Bennett, HOPE for Hyndman
18. Levi Albright, North Star
20. Mitchell Walker, Berlin
285
4. Mitchell Hall, Tussey Mountain
6. Austin Buttry, Chestnut Ridge

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Statewide notes

   As district tournament weekend approaches, here are some points of interest around the state.

- On a local chat Tuesday night, questions were asked regarding the 160 and 170 pound brackets for the District 5 Tournament. Although not officially confirmed (and it may not be until Friday), Bedford's Caleb Grimes is likely to be at 170. HOPE for Hyndman's Richard Moskey is staying at 160 and should still be the fourth seed. Moskey and Grimes were originally placed in the 4-5 quarterfinal matchup at 160.

- Tri-Valley senior Ty Schoffstall is in the District 11-AA Tournament, at least as of the pre-tournament brackets. Feared lost for the season with an ankle injury, Schoffstall is slotted at the top of the 160-pound bracket. He is 23-2 but hasn't competed since January 18 when he was forced to default out of the final at the Schuylkill League Tournament. Schoffstall finished third in the state last season.

- Former Somerset wrestler Michael Sutton captured a District 10-AAA championship this past weekend, wrestling for General McLane. Sutton is at 152 this season and is 26-3. Last year at 160, he was a district champion and state qualifier for the Golden Eagles.

- Canon-McMillan senior Cody Wiercioch is the first wrestler named to the Pennsylvania team that will wrestle a United States All-Star team in the annual Dapper Dan Classic on March 17 at the University of Pittsburgh. Wiercioch, a Pitt recruit, has a career record of 157-5 and is aiming for his third state championship this postseason. The other members of the PA team are expected to be announced after the state tournament.

  Remember to pick up a copy of Friday's Bedford Gazette that will have a full preview and predictions for this weekend's district action at Windber.

Monday, February 18, 2013

District 5 Tournament Info

District 5 Tournament
Friday, Saturday at Windber Area High School

Time Schedule
Friday
2 p.m. - Preliminaries
3:30 p.m. - Quarterfinals

Saturday
10 a.m. - Semifinals/Consolations
6 p.m. - Consolation Finals, Championships to follow

Defending champions - Dan Albright (Chestnut Ridge), Toby Brett (Bedford), Tanner Cahill (Conemaugh Township), Derrick Claar (Chestnut Ridge), Tyler Dibert (Chestnut Ridge), Ryan Easter (Bedford), Drew Gartland (Northern Bedford), Jacob Nickelson (Somerset).

Defending team champion - Chestnut Ridge.

Notes - Dibert seeking to become a four-time champion and just the second from his school. Cahill and Easter can become three-time winners. Gartland enters the weekend with 99 career victories. Top 3 finishers in each weight advance to next weekend's Southwest Regional.

Link to brackets: District 5 Brackets

Friday, February 15, 2013

District 6-AA Updated Results


2013 District 6-AA Tournament
Team Key
BA – Bellwood; Bl – Blairsville; CH – Cambria Heights; CC – Central Cambria; CK – Claysburg; FH – Forest Hills; G – Glendale; H – Huntingdon; J – Juniata; JV – Juniata Valley; LV – Ligonier Valley; MC – Marion Center; MV – Moshannon Valley; MU – Mount Union; NC – Northern Cambria; PC – Penn Cambria; PV – Penns Valley; P – Portage; R – Richland; SH – Southern Huntingdon; T – Tyrone; U – United; WB – West Branch; WH – Westmont.

Pigtail Round
106 – Hunter Cunningham, Bl, pinned Kayron Joseph, C, 1:07.
120 – Noah Tomallo, NC, dec. Kolton Confer, PV, 8-4; Dylan Fudalski, MV, pinned Ryan Biter, PC, 0:35; Dakota Walter, CK, pinned Ayrton Lamantia, Bl, 1:34; Collin Ulery, C, pinned Brady Ratosky, P, 0:58.
126 – Jacob Confer, PV, dec. Josh Wilson, BA, 3-0; Max Caldwell, LV, pinned Dillan Palmer, Bl, 1:34; Warren Lowther, U, pinned Lane Yoder, CK, 0:37; Josh Gould, FH, dec. Stephen Rouser, R, 3-1; Nick Lutz, P, maj. dec. Nathan Feagley, JV, 12-2; Alec Hunter, T, pinned Justin Reid, J, 5:37.
132 – Nick Pecze, Bl, pinned Jaret Dicken, BA, 3:06; Terry Albright, C, pinned Kyle Confer, PV, 1:41; Luke McCloskey, T, pinned Tyler Gaston, NC, 5:34; Brent Troutman, JV, dec. Devon Walker, U, 9-3; Ryan Thomas, MV, pinned Coltin Makin, CC, 1:41; Cole Hypes, CK, pinned Osbourne Cheripka, G, 0:46.
138 – Matt Hosterman. PV, pinned Ty Snyder, T, 3:22; Austin Gill, CH, pinned Tanner Martz, G, 3:50; Tanner Bilonick, CC, pinned Mark Barbera, WH, 5:45; Joseph Neiderhiser, LV, pinned Nevin Love, SH, 1:34; Dom Farabaugh, PC, dec. Grant Ingalls, U, 7-0; Caleb Wagner, JV, pinned Bryan Nealen, NC, 2:39; Kalib Weyandt, CK, dec. Robbie Steel, MU, 7-2.
145 – Aaron Hogue, PC, dec. Dallas Huff, BA, 4-3; Justin Hommer, G, pinned Chad Repine, MC, 0:56; Cordale Kline, CC, maj. dec. Jacob Damon, T, 15-4; Trae Shirey, C, pinned Warren Benson, SH, 2:23; Michael Zabinski, CH, maj. dec. Dakotah Feathers, CK, 12-3.
152 – Luke Kozorosky, CC, dec. Brad Mikitko, NC, 5-3 OT; Caleb Kephartm P, maj. dec. Trevor Henry, R, 11-0; Cody Hamilton, MV, pinned Brian Nemyo, MU, 3:00; Derrik Talbot, SH, pinned Nik Stahl, LV, 5:43; Jeremy Wilson, BA, pinned Dustin Houck, JV, 0:33; Keith Gates, G, pinned Nick Custer-Sell, CK, 1:22.
160 – Cole Fisher, JV, pinned Justin Bellas, LV, 0:43; Matt Wyland, PC, pinned Devyn Bowser, CC, 3:20; Kyle McCullough, MC, pinned Hunter Cober, R, 3:48; Justin Hammel, CK, pinned Canyon Burda, C, 1:24.
170 – Hunter Rupert, H, pinned Alex Croft, CC, 3:34; Travis Yahner, CH, pinned Oliver Hall, LV, 0:33; James Holley, MC, tech. fall Matt Smith, PC, 20-2; Matt Walter, CK, pinned Bruce Knisely, BA, 2:53.
182 – Codi Harcleroad, SH, pinned Calvin Crow, CC, 3:39; Charlie Brewer, MC, pinned Logan Gallagher, H, 3:10.
195 – Jake Cribbs, MC, pinned Tom Howell, CC, 1:33; Isaac Little, C, dec. Casey Carowick, SH, 11-9; Charles Litzinger, P, pinned Ben Hoch, LV, 0:34; Anthony Mezzello, CH, pinned Cody Pentland, G, 3:06.
220 – Cole Herrington, SH, won by forfeit.
285 – Kody Ness, G, dec. Lucas Clites, H, 5-1; Christian Ronan, WH, pinned Wes Hueston, C, 1:23; Brandon Cunkleman, Bl, won by forfeit; Mike Confer, PV, won by forfeit; Matt Marra, FH, pinned Austyn Polisky, MC, 4:38.

Preliminary Round



106 – Triston Law, FH, pinned Cunningham, Bl, 0:58; Justin Grassmyer, BA, tech. fall Jordan Musselman, CK, 17-1, 5:15; Drake Dorian, WH, tech. fall Isaac Bierly, PV, 15-0, 4:15; Ian Ostrowski, CC, pinned Nick Krupa, MV, 2:34; David Wiles, MC, pinned Dalton Erb, SH, 1:23; Dustin Deliman, WB, pinned Thomas Kovach, G, 0:30; Michael Dautlick, CH, dec. Gordon Matson, LV, 10-6; Collin Glorioso, H, pinned Tylynn Miller, J, 1:51.
113 – Justin Patrick, LV, pinned Joey Vanish, MV, 1:08; Dan Yost, WH, dec. Jake Keiper, FH, 9-4; Curtis Decker, PV, maj. dec. Jacob Dubbs, H, 17-6; Sage Moist, MU, pinned William Davis, NC, 0:33; Kale Burket, C, pinned Judah Napolitano, Bl, 0:32; Zach Stevens, PC, dec. Jett Sacolic, G, 4-2; Tyler Bodenschatz, R, pinned Wyatt Sankey, WB, 3:12; Josh Brown, CK, pinned Cole Walters, J, 1:06.
120 – Josh Patrick, LV, pinned Tomallo, NC, 4:51; Adam George, R, dec. Richie Gilson, J, 2-0; Tom Opdenhoff, CC, pinned Pat Johnson, G, 1:16; Matt Wilson, H, dec. Fudalski, MV, 8-4; Joe Davis, CH, pinned Walter, CK, 0:56; Logan Blackburn, WH, maj. dec. Tyler Foor, MU, 10-0; Quentin Whitsel, SH, dec. Jacob Brown, WB, 8-4; Jason Schopp, T, pinned Ulery, C, 1:10.
126 – Dison Myers, SH, pinned Jacob Confer, PV, 3:50; Jon Rojas, G, dec. Austin Farabaugh, PC, 6-4; Devon Green, H, dec. Caldwell, LV, 6-0; Jordan Quarello, C, maj. dec. Lowther, U, 11-0; Jake Boozel, MU, pinned Gould, FH, 2:45; Steven Zipf, WH, maj. dec. Lutz, P, 10-1; Bryce Bloom, MV, dec. Brad Taylor, CC, 9-2; Hunter, T, dec. Abe Albright, WB, 9-7.
132 – JP Hayles, WB, pinned Pecze, Bl, 5:06; Brad Thomas, CH, pinned Kord Aurand, MU, 2:41; Mike Eckenrode, PC, dec. Albright, C, 3-2; Mike Walsh, WH, maj. dec. McCloskey, T, 12-2; Adam Barrick, J, pinned Troutman, JV, 0:54; Issac Stewart, MC, pinned Dan Croyle, LV, 2:44; Brennon Shields, SH, pinned Hypes, CK, 1:12.
138 – Sean Heggs, J, pinned Hosterman, PV, 2:42; Jon Wagner, H, dec. Zach Mock, BA, 9-2; Nick Hoenstine, C, dec. Austin Gill, CH, 5-4; Brandon Heberling, MC, pinned Bilonick, CC, 2:39; Parker Bumbarger, WB, pinned Joe Neiderhiser, LV, 0:15; Chase Fox, P, dec. Caleb Wagner, JV, 7-2; Nick Naglic, R, pinned Weyandt, CK, 1:07.
145 – Noah Tarr, Bl, pinned Hogue, PC, 3:29; Travis Templeton, FH, won by forfeit; Sam Ohler, MV, pinned Hommer, G, 1:11; Luke Nanna, J, pinned Kline, CC, 0:53; Eric Lynn, H, dec. Shirey, C, 4-0; Derick Croyle, LV, dec. Tyler Long, MU, 8-6; Clayton Green, WB, dec. Tyler Mack, U, 12-7; Seth Decker, PV, pinned Zabinski, CH, 0:57.
152 – Andrew Doak, Bl, pinned Kozorosky, CC, 3:37; Nick Getz, T, dec. Mike Mock, C, 2-1; Luke Slippey, WB, dec. Caleb Kephart, P, 3-2; Cole Confer, PV, pinned Cody Hamilton, MV, 2:15; Logan Fisher, H, pinned Derrik Talbot, SH, 2:48; Levi Niebauer, CH, dec. Jeremy Wilson, BA, 9-2; Jared Benner, J, pinned Jacob Driskel, PC, 1:47; Phil Crook, MC, pinned Gates, G, 1:17.
160 – Cody Law, FH, pinned Cole Fisher, JV, 0:54; Chad Waite, SH, dec. Kyle Stewart, G, 5-2; Matt Norris, H, dec. Riley Schropp, WH, 13-6; Dylan Smith, MU, pinned Wyland, PC, 0:47; Derek Beitz, J, pinned McCullough, MC, 2:55; Nick Torsell, BA, dec. Myers, WB, 6-5; Dalton Waksmunski, CH, pinned Anthony Michaels, U, 2:49; Corey Hazel, PV, pinned Hammel, CK, 1:34.

170 – Lucas Kristofits, WB, pinned Rupert, H, 3:15; Andrew Hurd, PV, dec. Scott Carbaugh, SH, 7-0; Nico Pecora, R, pinned Blake Burket, C, 2:43; Bobby Thompson, Bl, pinned Travis Yahner, CH, 4:57; Zack Pinkas, FH, tech. fall James Holley, MC, 17-2, 3:09; Kephart, P, maj. dec. Collin Barron, WH, 13-2; Stahl, U, pinned Tyler Hershey, J, 5:53; Cory Kylor, MU, pinned Walter, CK, 5:01.
182 – Scott Thompson, Bl, pinned Harcleroad, SH, 1:46; Cameron Strayer, CK, pinned Jared Ponder, C, 2:52; Devon Kylor, MU, pinned Paul Husar, P, 2:52; Tyler Crawford, CH, pinned Joey Frontino, NC, 1:13; Dom Shawley, LV, pinned Taylor Foster, J, 2:31; Charles Hropovich, U, pinned Hess, JV, 0:48; Kent Stewart, MV, dec. Vince McDowell, WB, 8-6; Mike Rogers, PV, pinned Brewer, MC, 0:22.
195 – James Stodart, MV, pinned Cribbs, MC, 0:17; Ty Treaster, J, pinned Tyler Elder, CK, 1:12; Mitchell Lauer, H, pinned Damion Dunkle, JV, 0:26; Phil Kyle, MU, pinned Little, C, 0:39; Tyler Oliver, U, pinned Charles Litzinger, P, 1:40; Alex Tripodis, Bl, maj. dec. Ethan Hunter, BA, 12-2; Henry Schlosser, PC, dec. Robert Pearce, WB, 4-0; Maverick Swartz, PV, pinned Mezzello, CH, 1:07.

220 – Don Shovestull, WH, pinned Herrington, SH, 1:02; Darrian Stapleton, MU, dec. Ray Carlheim, G, 17-12; Luke White, Bl, pinned Novella, CH, 1:28; Ray Marsh, LV, pinned Pat Fitzgerald, J, 0:44; Jacob Ludwig, MV, pinned Scott Walter, CK, 0:43; Andrew Deitman, U, dec. Wholaver, H, 5-0; Seth McLendon, PC, pinned Rudd, MC, 1:53; Reynold Maines, WB, pinned John Branick, CC, 2:36.
285 – Aaron Gill, CH, dec. Ness, G, 4-1; Wilkinson, PC, pinned Herrington, SH, 3:00; Matt Moose, R, pinned Roman, WH, 4:24; Nik Smith, MU, pinned Cunkleman, Bl, 0:22; Keith Shawley, BA, pinned Confer, PV, 0:35; Ben Mountan, U, pinned Joel Hammel, CK, 1:27; Jack Bunnell, MV, pinned Alex Culp, JV, 1:38; Morgan Selepack, WB, pinned Marra, FH, 0:19.


Quarterfinals
106 – Law, FH, pinned Grassmyer, BA, 1:09; Dorian, WH, dec. Ostrowski, CC, 6-4; Deliman, WB, dec. Wiles, MC, 11-8; Glorioso, H, pinned Dautlick, CH, 3:21.
113 – Patrick, LV, tech. fall Yost, WH, 19-1, 5:26; Moist, MU, dec. Decker, PV, 7-6; Burket, C, tech. fall Stevens, PC, 16-0, 3:08; Brown, CK, maj. dec. Bodenschatz, R, 13-4.
120 – Patrick, LV, tech. fall George, R, 16-0, 4:28; Opdenhoff, CC, dec. Wilson, H, 6-4; Davis, CH, dec. Blackburn, WH, 2-0; Schopp, T, maj. dec. Whitsel, SH, 12-1.
126 – Myers, SH, pinned Rojas, G, 3:22; Green, H, dec. Quarello, C, 8-7; Boozel, MU, pinned Zipf, WH, 1:47; Bloom, MV, dec. Hunter, T, 6-4.
132 – Hayles, WB, pinned Thomas, CH, 2:41; Walsh, WH, pinned Eckenrode, PC, 1:27; Russell, H, dec. Barrick, J, 2-0; Shields, SH, pinned Stewart, MC, 1:53.
138 – Heggs, J, maj. dec. Wagner, H, 14-4; Hoenstine, C, dec. Heberling, MC, 3-2; Bumbarger, WB, pinned Palmer, Bl, 5:34; Naglic, R, pinned Fox, P, 5:33.

145 – Tarr, Bl, tech. fall Templeton, FH, 15-0, 3:17; Nanna, J, dec. Ohler, MV, 3-2; Lynn, H, dec. Croyle, LV, 8-1; Decker, PV, pinned Green, WB, 0:59.
152 – Doak, Bl, dec. Getz, T, 12-5; Confer, PV, dec. Slippey, WB, 4-1; Niebauer, CH, dec. Fisher, H, 5-0; Crook, MC, dec. Benner, J, 6-4 OT.
160 – Law, FH, pinned Waite, SH, 1:20; Smith, MU, dec. Norris, H, 11-4; Torsell, BA, dec. Beitz, J, 3-2; Hazel, PV, dec. Waksmunski, CH, 7-2.

170 – Kristofits, WB, dec. Hurd, PV, 5-4; Pecora, R, dec. Thompson, Bl, 10-8; Pinkas, FH, pinned Kephart, P, 2:48; Kylor, MU, dec. Stahl, U, 4-2.
182 – Thompson, Bl, tech. fall Strayer, CK, 17-2, 2:31; Crawford, CH, pinned Kylor, MU, 2:34; Hropovich, U, dec. Shawley, LV, 3-0; Rogers, PV, maj. dec. Stewart, mV, 16-3.
195 – Stodart, MV, pinned Treaster, J, 0:46; Kyle, MU, maj. dec. Lauer, H, 10-1; Oliver, U, dec. Tripodis, Bl, 6-1 OT; Swartz, PV, dec. Schlosser, PC, 9-3.

220 – Shovestull, WH, pinned Stapleton, MU, 1:10; Marsh, LV, pinned White, Bl, 2:31; Ludwig, MV, dec. Deitman, U, 15-10; McLendon, PC, dec. Maines, WB, 2-1.
285 – Gill, CH, dec. Wilkinson, PC, 3-2 2OT; Moose, R, dec. Smith, MU, 6-5; Shawley, BA, dec. Mountan, U, 8-3; Selepack, WB, pinned Bunnell, MV, 0:24.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

PA Power State Rankings

Locals in latest state rankings.

106
5. Jonathan Gabriel, Bedford
113
8. Josh Brown, Claysburg
120
3. Ryan Easter, Bedford
20. Derrick Claar, Chestnut Ridge
126
6. Garrett Thomas, Bedford
13. Trent Crouse, Chestnut Ridge
138
14. Toby Brett, Bedford
16. Damian Corle, Northern Bedford
145
5. Drew Gartland, Northern Bedford
152
14. Tanner Williams, Bedford
170
4. Tyler Dibert, Chestnut Ridge
195
9. Jake Bennett, HOPE for Hyndman
220
9. Dan Albright, Chestnut Ridge
18. Eric Grace, Northern Bedford
285
4. Mitchell Hall, Tussey Mountain
6. Austin Buttry, Chestnut Ridge

WPIAL Sectional Brackets

Links to this weekend's sectional tournament brackets for District 7 are below.

WPIAL Class AA Section 1

WPIAL Class AA Section 2

WPIAL Class AA Section 3

SW Regional Info

   Time information released for this year's Southwest Regional at the Cambria County War Memorial in Johnstown.

Friday, March 1
1 pm - Preliminaries
4 pm - Quarterfinals/1st Round Consolations
7 pm - 2nd Round Consolations

Saturday, March 2
11 am - Semifinals/3rd Round Consolations
1:30 pm - Consolation Semifinals
5 pm - 1st, 3rd, 5th place bouts (3 mats)

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Bedford '08-09 and Chestnut Ridge '12-13

   I've been asked several times over the last three days about a hypothetical match between Bedford's 2008-09 team and Chestnut Ridge's current team, which are the only two District 5 squads to place in the PIAA Team Championships. Both finished fourth in Class AA. No predictions here, but I have listed each team's starting lineup from the state duals in their respective appearances.

Bedford 2008-09                
103 - Sam Keister               
112 - Trey Easter        
119 - Cory Thomas
125 - Zach Maust
130 - Devin Cook
135 - Tanner Ripple
140 - Levi Miller
145 - Brian Gibbons
152 - Tyler Gould
160 - Ryan Hocker
171 - P.J. Brett
189 - Dallas Evans
215 - Cody Shippey
285 - Josh Krupa

Chestnut Ridge 2012-13
106 - Aaron Burkett
113 - Sam Shank
120 - Derrick Claar
126 - Trent Crouse
132 - Colby Hillegass
138 - Jerimiah Zimmerman
145 - Kyle Winegardner
152 - Conner Buttry
160 - Bradie Bollman or Teddy Albright
170 - Bollman, Albright or Tyler Dibert
182 - Albright or Dibert
195 - Dan Albright or Brad Winegardner
220 - D. Albright or Winegardner
285 - Austin Buttry

Monday, February 11, 2013

PJW announces changes

   Pennsylvania Junior Wrestling will make changes for the 2014-15 season as the 13-14 age group will now be a separate Junior High state championship meet.

   The state meet for 8-under, 9-10, and 11-12 will now be called the PJW Youth Championships. PJW is also expanding from 11 to 13 Areas, and possibly a 14th. More on this when it becomes available.

Sunday, February 10, 2013

4th place for Chestnut Ridge

   Chestnut Ridge finished fourth on Saturday for its first team state wrestling medal and the first for an area school since Bedford was fourth in 2009. See Monday's Bedford Gazette for my full wrapup from Saturday's action. Plus in Tuesday's wrestling page, I take a look at the impact of this senior group at Chestnut Ridge with comments from all seven of them.

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Chestnut Ridge vs Central Columbia

Third Round Consolation preview. Winner faces Bermudian Springs in the consolation semifinals.

(5-1) Chestnut Ridge vs (4-1) Central Columbia
(Chestnut Ridge wrestlers listed first)
106 - Aaron Burkett vs Trystan Johnson
113 - Sam Shank vs Taylor Johnson
120 - Derrick Claar vs Lewis Williams
126 - Trent Crouse vs Steven Shannon
132 - Colby Hillegass vs Jesse Shannon
138 - Jerimiah Zimmerman or Dustin Bence vs Tyler Johnson
145 - Zimmerman, Bence or Kyle Winegardner vs Aaron Johnson
152 - Winegardner or Conner Buttry vs Cameron Farr
160 - Buttry or Bradie Bollman vs Austin Miknich
170 - Bollman, Tyler Dibert or Teddy Albright vs Nick Fester
182 - Dibert, Albright or vs Jacob Coombe
195 - Brad Winegardner vs Matt Hackenberg
220 - Dan Albright vs Eric McCracken
285 - Austin Buttry vs Alex Shiber

Analysis: Third day of state duals begins with early consolation round, where winner must beat a semifinal loser later to guarantee top four finish and a medal. I like Chestnut Ridge here, with advantage  at 106, 126, 138, 152, 160, 170, and 182. Central Columbia is good at 113, 132, and 145, with 120, 220, and 285 being interesting tossups on paper. Heavyweight bout could be the best with two of the higher ranked kids in the state. Lions should draw a second match this season with Bermudian Springs, but who knows at this point in the tournament. How many people had Reynolds in today's final?

Ridge beat Bermudian Springs, 37-24, at the Chambersburg Duals, but remember, Bermudian was without two starters then including tough middleweight Austin Jackson.

Prediction: Chestnut Ridge 38, Central Columbia 27

Friday, February 8, 2013

Chestnut Ridge vs Boiling Springs

Class AA Quarterfinals
(5-1) Chestnut Ridge vs (3-1) Boiling Springs
(Chestnut Ridge wrestlers listed first)
106 - Burkett vs Day
113 - Shank or Ickes vs Myers
120 - Claar vs Bond
126 - Crouse vs Shoop
132 - Hillegass vs Mellott
138 - Zimmerman or Bence vs Wickard
145 - Zimmerman, Bence or K. Winegardner vs Kauffman
152 - Winegardner or C. Buttry vs Vaughn
160 - Buttry, T. Albright or Bollman vs Murphy
170 - Albright or Bollman vs Morrow
182 - Dibert vs Taylor
195 - D. Albright or B. Winegardner vs Gouhin
220 - Albright or Winegardner vs Barrick
285 - A. Buttry vs Davis

Analysis: This should be a fascinating match and maybe the best of the four quarterfinals today. I drew this up three times and came up with a 7-7 split twice, so I'll go with that. Chestnut Ridge needs bonus at 106 and has to sweep the top four weights, likely with bonus in two of them. Based on what I think will happen there, 195 and 285 are the best chances for that. I expect the Lions to use Claar against Bond and try and get Crouse on Mellott at 132. Shoop owns a 6-0 win over Bedford's Garrett Thomas so I would assume Crouse will bump if at all possible. If that happens, figure Hillegass vs Wickard and Zimmerman or Winegardner vs Kauffman. I think Chestnut Ridge will need two of those three from 132-145. Also, I would not underestimate a large and loud crowd that Boiling Springs will likely have, even in a big venue such as the Giant Center. There were plenty of Bubbler fans in the building Thursday. I know the wrestling takes place on the mat, but the crowd could be a factor if Boiling Springs gets a lot of momentum.

Prediction: Chestnut Ridge, 31-30. (not a homer pick, just a hunch)

Thursday, February 7, 2013

State Duals Thursday notebook


             Chestnut Ridge coach Greg Lazor was hoping to get a little more shuteye tonight. Lazor and the rest of the Lions crew will get that opportunity after punching their ticket to the Class AA quarterfinals in a 49-23 victory over Benton in the first round of the PIAA state team tournament.
            Thanks to a 30-0 run from 182 to 106, the Lions posted the win in their first-ever match at the state duals and will wrestle defending finalist Boiling Springs in a quarterfinal at noon on Friday.
            “I’ll always take wrestling later in the day anytime over having to get up at 6:30 in the morning,” Lazor said with a laugh. “We’ll get to sleep in a little bit.”
            He also stated a trip to get away from wrestling might be in store before the next dual.
            “Maybe we’ll go to the local Bass Pro Shops store – we have a bunch of country boys and they’ll have some fun with that.”
            While Ridge did win nine bouts against Benton, Lazor was hoping to see some more offense from them.
            “We don’t really talk about the wins or losses,” he said. “We talk about how we wrestle and how we attack and go at it. We want to be the aggressors and that’s something we’re pushing. We felt good about where the match was win and loss wise, but I was looking for us to be a little more aggressive.”
            That bit of timidness could likely be drawn from a first experience in a new event for the Lions. Every wrestler and coach on the squad has been jumping at the chance to make it to Hershey, so a win over a weaker team like Benton as opposed to a stronger first round match should benefit Chestnut Ridge, no matter what happens in the next round.
            “There’s still a lot of nerves to wrestle here at the Giant Center in high school,” said freshman 160-pounder Conner Buttry, who noted he had competed in the building before. “But we came out and did what we had to do.”
            Buttry had one of the signature wins on Thursday, 3-2 over Benton’s Dominic Vitale on the strength of a late second period reversal.

Friday’s First Round Consolations – 8 am
Burrell vs Western Wayne
Lower Moreland vs Central Columbia
Saucon Valley vs South Fayette
Benton vs Saegertown

Friday’s Quarterfinals – Noon
Bermudian Springs vs Redbank Valley
Bethlehem Catholic vs Fort LeBoeuf
Reynolds vs West Branch
Chestnut Ridge vs Boiling Springs

Four matches taking place at the Class AA State Duals on Thursday.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

PIAA Team Duals Live Updates

Up to date results can be viewed at the link below.

http://teamduals.escapesports.com/2013_PIAA_Team_Duals_204.htm

State Duals - Other names to watch

   Here are some others not listed in the previous posting that are names to know this weekend with any notes as well. For the listing of top returnees from each team, click here.

Burrell - Allan Beattie (18-4 record)
Bermudian Springs - Colton Dull (31-1)
Redbank Valley - Aaron Hook (25-2)
Western Wayne - Virgil Burns (24-1), Austin Swoyer (26-5)
Bethlehem Catholic (don't have updated records) - Luke Karam, Connor Hedash, Nick Cortopassi
Lower Moreland - Jimmy McGuigan (25-6), George Zisis (20-3)
Central Columbia - Alex Shiber (28-1), Jesse Shannon (27-1)
Fort LeBoeuf - Taylor Fox (23-6)
Reynolds - Levi Stoyer (26-6), Jamar Henry (26-7)
Saucon Valley - Travis Buddock (24-4), Justin Blobe (25-6)
West Branch - Reynold Maines (29-1), Parker Bumbarger (27-5), Morgan Selepack (27-4), JP Hayles (25-5)
South Fayette - Zach Walker (24-3), Grant Fetchet (26-5), Michael Carr (18-7)
Boiling Springs - Grant Bond (27-4), Kyle Shoop (26-5), Andrew Mellott (25-7), Calvin Barrick (19-6)
Saegertown - Devin Brown (30-1), Dylan Reynolds (29-4)

State Duals Team Info

   Here are some of the teams' top returning wrestlers from last season that should be at the Class AA State Duals, listed in order of each first round match on Thursday. Wrestlers have highest district, regional or state finish listed in parenthesis.

  I detailed Chestnut Ridge's first round dual with Benton in a blog post yesterday. To view that, scroll down or click here.

(7-1) Burrell vs. (3-2) Bermudian Springs
    Burrell - Dakota DesLauriers (State 2nd); Phillip Marra (Regional 4th); Steven Edwards (Regional 4th)
    Bermudian Springs - Tristan Sponseller (State 3rd); Austin Jackson (Regional 4th); Brock Linebaugh (Regional 4th); Ted Marines (State Qualifier in 2011)
   
(9-1) Redbank Valley vs. (2-1) Western Wayne
    Redbank Valley - Willie Gruver (Regional 1st); Ty Haines (Regional 3rd); Cole Shirey (Regional 4th)
    Western Wayne - Conner Rosensweet (District 1st)
   
(11-1) Bethlehem Catholic vs. (1-1) Lower Moreland
    Bethlehem Catholic - Darian Cruz (State 1st); Zeke Moisey (State 2nd); Ryan Todora (State 5th); Jose Ortiz (Regional 2nd); Josh Alpha (Regional 2nd)
    Lower Moreland - Hank Campbell (District 1st)
   
(4-1) Central Columbia vs. (10-2) Fort LeBoeuf
    Central Columbia - Eric McCracken (Regional 2nd)
    Fort LeBoeuf - Evan Daley (State 5th); George McGuire (Regional 3rd); Taylor Harrington (Regional 4th); Brad Malinowski (Regional 4th)
   
(10-1) Reynolds vs. (11-2) Saucon Valley
    Reynolds - Austin Matthews (State 2nd)
    Saucon Valley - Ray O'Donnell (State 3rd); Bryan Israel (Regional 3rd, State 6th in 2011)
   
(6-1) West Branch vs. (7-2) South Fayette
    South Fayette - Michael Fetchet (State 5th); Jared Walker (Regional 4th); Seth Carr (Regional 5th)
   
(3-1) Boiling Springs vs. (10-3) Saegertown
    Boiling Springs - Korbin Myers (State 2nd); John Vaughn (Regional 5th)
    Saegertown - Tyler Vath (State 5th)

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Thursday's State Duals look

  I've been feeling a little under the weather the past few days and haven't been able to do much at all here. But I'm getting recharged for another big wrestling weekend as the PIAA team tournaments are on deck for the Giant Center in Hershey on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

  With Monday's wrestling in the books, the 16 teams that will comprise the Hershey portion of the Class AA bracket are set. In the latest Off the Mat rankings, 14 of them are ranked in the top 16. The only exceptions are #11 Biglerville, who was the odd team out in a tough District 3 this season that includes last year's finalist Boiling Springs and perennial power Bermudian Springs. The other is District 9 runner-up Brookville, which was ranked #15 but lost to #14 Saegertown in a play-in match. Brookville beat Saegertown, 32-29, in a dual earlier this season. Last night, Saegertown, District 10's third place unit, returned the favor by prevailing 33-29, a key win coming at 138 as Matt Humes upset Daulton Zimmerman in overtime. Brookville's Zimmerman came in ranked seventh in the state at the weight.

   In the other play-in's, Bermudian Springs beat Mount Union, Saucon Valley defeated Hughesville, and Fort LeBoeuf won over Chartiers-Houston. In the Saucon Valley victory, its 152-pounder Travis Buddock scored a 14-5 major decision over Hughesville's Kyle Barnes, a state finalist last year.

   The two teams in the field that are not ranked in the top 16 are District 1 champion Lower Moreland and District 2 champion Western Wayne. Off the Mat has neither ranked, while Western Wayne is listed 19th by PA Power Wrestling.

   District 5 champion Chestnut Ridge will wrestle the District 4 second place team, Benton. Ridge is ranked second by Off the Mat and eighth by PA Power. Benton is 16th in the latest edition of both polls. While I like Chestnut Ridge here based on balance and depth (see my breakdown below), the Tigers have some very notable names. Aside from some video clips, I haven't seen Zain Retherford wrestle since the individual state tournament two years ago. Retherford was ineligible last season after transferring from nearby Line Mountain. He is not only ranked first in the state, he's first in the country at 138 pounds. Retherford is a Penn State recruit. Also of note, Benton has state placewinners Matt Welliver (120), Colt Cotten (145) and Jeric Kasunic (160) in its lineup.

   Here's my take on Thursday's opener for Chestnut Ridge. To view Eric Knopsnyder's at Knop's Knotes, go here.

(5-1) Chestnut Ridge vs. (4-2) Benton
(Chestnut Ridge wrestlers listed first)
106 - Aaron Burkett (Fr., 21-5) vs. Alan Diltz (Fr., 11-13)
113 - Sam Shank (Jr., 19-10) vs. No entry
120 - Derrick Claar (So., 26-6) vs. Matt Welliver (Sr., 24-8)
126 - Trent Crouse (So., 26-4) vs. Ronald Flick (Fr., 11-13)
132 - Colby Hillegass (So., 18-11) vs. Joe Smith (So., 0-6)
138 - Jerimiah Zimmerman (Sr., 11-7) or Dustin Bence (Sr., 9-9) vs. Zain Retherford (Sr., 31-0)
145 - Zimmerman or Bence vs. Colt Cotten (Sr., 28-5) or Russ Ramsey (Jr., 7-3)
152 - Kyle Winegardner (Jr., 18-12) vs. Dominic Vitale (So., 16-7)
160 - Conner Buttry (Fr., 14-10) or Teddy Albright (Sr., 3-2) vs. Jeric Kasunic (Jr., 22-6) or Brandon Lontz (Sr. 13-2)
170 - Bradie Bollman (Sr., 23-4) vs. Brad Miccio (Jr., 12-10)
182 - Tyler Dibert (Sr., 26-3) vs. Logan Womelsdorf (So., 18-10)
195 - Dan Albright (Sr., 25-2) or Brad Winegardner (Sr., 25-3) vs. Luke Bogart (Sr., 5-15)
220 - Albright or Winegardner vs. Marcus Welliver (So., 6-10)
285 - Austin Buttry (Jr., 27-1) vs. Anthony Davis (Sr., 2-0)

Analysis: Chestnut Ridge is favored at 106, 126, 132, plus the likely forfeit down low. The Lions also have a decided edge at 195, 220, and 285. I expect the locals to get some bonus points in at least a few of these bouts. Benton did go to the Ironman and Powerade Tournaments this year, so records can be a bit deceiving. That said, the Tigers don't have the flexibility and depth in their lineup that the Lions do. Sources are telling me that Chestnut Ridge could have a little different look at weigh-ins with Kyle Winegardner at 145, Conner Buttry at 152, and Bradie Bollman at 160. That shouldn't mean much in this one, as I think Ridge has too much power, but it could play a factor in the rest of the tournament as matchups dictate.

Prediction: Chestnut Ridge, 44-26.

Other predicted first round winners:
Bermudian Springs over Burrell
Redbank Valley over Western Wayne
Bethlehem Catholic over Lower Moreland
Fort LeBoeuf over Central Columbia
Reynolds over Saucon Valley
West Branch over South Fayette
Boiling Springs over Saegertown

Friday, February 1, 2013

District 5 Duals Semifinal preview

   Here's my match breakdown for Saturday's semifinals, to be held at Chestnut Ridge at 11 a.m. The championship match will follow at 2 p.m. with the winner advancing to Hershey next week for the Class AA State Duals.

(1) Chestnut Ridge, 18-1 vs. (4) Berlin, 12-2
(Chestnut Ridge wrestlers listed first)
106 - Aaron Burkett (Fr., 20-4) vs. Emil Kiesnowski (Fr., 8-19)
113 - Sam Shank (Jr., 18-9) or Blake Dunlap (Fr., 8-2) vs. Tommy DeArmitt (Jr. 19-2)
120 - Derrick Claar (So., 26-4) vs. Joey Swank (Fr., 27-5)
126 - Trent Crouse (So., 24-4) vs. E.J. Custer (Jr., 22-8)
132 - Colby Hillegass (So., 18-10) vs. Chris Miller (Sr., 29-3)
138 - Jerimiah Zimmerman (Sr., 10-6) or Dustin Bence (Sr., 9-7) vs. Braden Fochtman (Fr., 24-8)
145 - Zimmerman or Bence vs. Eric Darr (Sr., 19-12)
152 - Kyle Winegardner (Jr., 18-10) vs. Blake Miller (Sr., 25-10)
160 - Conner Buttry (Fr., 14-8) or Teddy Albright (Sr., 3-2) vs. Bryce Fochtman (So., 28-2)
170 - Bradie Bollman (Sr., 21-4) vs. Trevor Moore (So., 13-15)
182 - Tyler Dibert (Sr., 24-3) vs. Shane Pepper (So., 14-15)
195 - Dan Albright (Sr., 23-2) or Brad Winegardner (Sr., 23-3) vs. Stew Trulick (Jr., 26-5) or Mitchell Walker (Sr., 21-7)
220 - D. Albright or B. Winegardner vs. Trulick or Walker
285 - Austin Buttry (Jr., 25-1) vs. Anthony Collins (Fr., 12-5)

Analysis: Chestnut Ridge defeated Berlin, 43-19, on January 17. If you were there, then you know that final score was not indicative of how close things were. Since then, the light and middle weights for Ridge have changed with Shank, Claar, Crouse, Hillegass, and Zimmerman all coming down a weight. Straight up in this one, I favor Chestnut Ridge at 106, 113, 126, 170, 182, and 285 with slight edges at 195 and 220. Those matchups up top could change as Walker was down at 195 in the quarterfinal win over North Star. Word is that Trulick will be back after missing some time with an injury. Berlin has the edge at 132, 138, and 160. Claar beat Swank in the consolations at the Thomas Subaru Tournament last weekend, but I'll call 120 a tossup along with 145 and 152. The teams split 145 and 152 last time.

Prediction: Chestnut Ridge, 41-25.

______________________

(2) Bedford, 15-2 vs. (6) Northern Bedford, 10-5
(Bedford wrestlers listed first)
106 - Jonathan Gabriel (Fr., 25-1) vs. Trey Childers (So., 11-12)
113 - Jake Warren (Jr., 18-9) vs. Brandon Defibaugh (Fr., 8-10)
120 - Ryan Easter (Jr., 25-1) vs. Jared Helsley (So., 12-12)
126 - Garrett Thomas (Jr., 24-2) vs. Judah Gochnour (So., 2-11)
132 - Kenny Collins (So., 10-11) or Kyle Swindell (Sr., 1-1) vs. Mason Replogle (Sr., 18-6)
138 - Toby Brett (Jr., 20-5) vs.  Damian Corle (Sr., 19-7)
145 - Ty Zimmerman (So., 2-7) vs. Drew Gartland (Sr., 23-0)
152 - Tanner Williams (Sr., 24-4) or Niklas Wendt (Sr., 1-4) vs. Ty Bechtel (So., 10-10)
160 - Caleb Grimes (Sr., 19-8) vs. Lucas Kolinchak (Fr., 5-7)
170 - Cameron Sheeder (So., 0-6) vs. Duelin Douglas (Sr., 9-7)
182 - Michael Brett (Sr., 18-7) or Robert Minnich (Sr., 1-2) vs. Justin Brunner (Sr., 15-9) or Jesse Claar (So., 6-5)
195 - Daryl Stiffler (Jr., 6-10) vs. Derick Eichelberger (Sr., 8-9)
220 - Chance Williams (Jr., 16-9) vs. Eric Grace (Sr., 19-4) or Chase Ott (So., 9-12)
285 - Nate Shoemaker (So., 11-9) vs. Grace or Ott

Analysis: Bedford won at Northern Bedford on January 12, 44-27. With Easter and Thomas down a weight since, Bedford is heavily favored in the first four. The Bisons would also have edges at 152, 160, 182, and 285 if Shoemaker vs. Ott, and a very slight edge at 138 based on Brett's earlier win over Corle. Give Northern the advantage at 132, 145, 170, and 220 if Grace goes there. I call 195 a tossup. The Black Panthers will have to have all of those plus at least one upset and still stay off their backs where they need to if this is going to be real close.

Prediction: Bedford, 43-24.