Weekend Preview

   Here's a closer look at two dual meet tournaments on Saturday that involve three of my coverage area teams:

18th Annual Ultimate Duals @ Brookville HS
Saturday, 8 a.m.

Teams
Brookville
Brockway
Burrell
Chestnut Ridge
Reynolds
Saegertown

Class AA State Rankings (Off the Mat)
2. Reynolds
5. Burrell
6. Brookville
13. Chestnut Ridge

Schedule
8 a.m. - Brockway vs. Saegertown; Burrell vs. Chestnut Ridge
9:30 a.m. - Saegertown vs. Brookville; Chestnut Ridge vs. Reynolds
11 a.m. - Brookville vs. Burrell; Reynolds vs. Brockway
12:30 p.m. - Saegertown vs. Burrell; Chestnut Ridge vs. Brockway
2 p.m. - Reynolds vs. Saegertown; Brookville vs. Chestnut Ridge
3:30 p.m. - Burrell vs. Reynolds; Brockway vs. Brookville
5 p.m. - Burrell vs. Brockway; Chestnut Ridge vs. Saegertown
6:30 p.m. - Brookville vs. Reynolds

   The Ultimate Duals have always been highly regarded as one of the top events in Pennsylvania, and the field this year certainly adds to that tradition. Off the Mat's Mark Dugan has four of the six participants ranked in his top 13 teams, while Saegertown is also strong and has been mentioned highly in other rankings. Another Class AA power, Boiling Springs, was originally entered but had to withdraw due to a scheduling conflict. Brockway is the replacement.
   Five of the six teams were in the PIAA State Duals last year. Reynolds finished second, Chestnut Ridge placed fourth, Saegertown went 3-2, and Burrell was 1-2. Brookville lost to Saegertown in a preliminary round match.
 
Chestnut Ridge coach Greg Lazor's thoughts on the Ultimate Duals:
   "We're excited. We got it on the schedule because we're trying to get everything we can before the postseason. So when we get to the postseason, whether it's duals or individual stuff, we've seen these guys and we feel comfortable wrestling them — there's not going to be any shock factor. We're going up there to get some real good matches in. I see five tight matches, and it's going to come down to who's wrestling better and who gets more bonus points. Either way it goes for us, it's going to be a lot of fun."

   Spring's Outlook: I like host Brookville to come out on top, though the nightcap match with Reynolds should be interesting. Reynolds had been ranked lower than second in previous polls by both Off the Mat and PA Power, but the Raiders throttled District 10 rival Fort LeBoeuf last week, a team that had been ranked higher, to move up right behind Bethlehem Catholic. Reynolds lost four bouts in overtime to FLB, but still won the dual by 15 points, 34-19. Reynolds is 54-10 all-time at the Ultimate Duals. Brookville has seven kids ranked by OTM, while Burrell, Chestnut Ridge, and Saegertown also have several outstanding individuals. How good might Saegertown have been if Devin Brown and Spencer Lee hadn't transferred to Franklin Regional?

Top Individuals (with Off the Mat rankings)
106
8. Aaron Burkett, Chestnut Ridge
14. Gage Bayless, Reynolds
15. Gavin Park, Brookville
113
7. Taylor Ortz, Brookville
16. Seth Hogue, Reynolds
120
None ranked
126
8. Michael Bartolo, Reynolds
16. Cole Aaron, Brookville
132
4. Dalton Zimmerman, Brookville
5. JR Andrejcik, Burrell
7. Tyler Vath, Saegertown
138
1. Brock Zacherl, Brookville
8. Nick Monico, Saegertown
15. Derrick Claar, Chestnut Ridge
145
3. Levi Stoyer, Reynolds
6. Corey Falleroni, Burrell
8. Matt Humes, Saegertown
152
2. Steven Edwards, Burrell
12. Mason McCollum, Reynolds
160
5. Brodie Zacherl, Brookville
170
8. Zach Vroman, Brookville
182
2. Dylan Reynolds, Saegertown
195
None ranked
220
None ranked
285
2. Allan Beattie, Burrell
4. Austin Buttry, Chestnut Ridge
12. Gene Ringer, Reynolds

—————————
2nd Annual Mountaineer Duals @ Berlin Brothersvalley HS
Saturday, 9 a.m.

Pool A Teams
Berlin
Claysburg
Frankfort, WV
Moshannon Valley

Pool B Teams
Bellwood
Greenville
HOPE for Hyndman
Osbourn Park, VA

Class AA State Rankings (Off the Mat)
10. Greenville
18. Berlin

   This is a round robin tournament where each team wrestles the other three in their pool and then has two placement round matches following. Host Berlin, Bellwood, Frankfort, HOPE for Hyndman, and Osbourn Park return to the event from last year.

   Spring's Outlook: Hard not to see a Berlin-Greenville championship match in this tournament. Claysburg is likely third best in Pool A, and HOPE for Hyndman could be anywhere from 2-4 in Pool B.

Top Pennsylvania Individuals (with Off the Mat rankings)
106
16. Michael Lineman, Greenville
113
None ranked
120
6. Joe Swank, Berlin
126
None ranked
132
None ranked
138
None ranked
145
12. Braden Fochtman, Berlin
152
6. Taylor Cahill, Berlin
160
4. Bryce Fochtman, Berlin
170
None ranked
182
7. Justin Reynolds, Greenville
195
3. Jake Bennett, HOPE for Hyndman
220
None ranked
285
11. Jack Bunnell, Moshannon Valley