Thursday recap and KOM Seeds

NORTHERN BEDFORD 33, CENTRAL 32

160 - Mike Mock, C, pinned Dakota Brunner, 2:26.

170 - Lucas Kolinchak, NB, pinned Jeremiah Albright, 1:40.

182 - No Match.

195 - Mason Guyer, NB, pinned Blake Burket, 0:47.

220 - Austin Conrath, C, dec. Jesse Claar, 5-2.

285 - Chase Ott, NB, pinned Wes Hueston, 3:05.

106 - Zach Clark, NB, pinned Devon Mountain, 5:00.

113 - Brock Biddle, C, pinned Trey Childers, 3:49.

120 - Kale Burket, C, won by forfeit.

126 - Ethan Kennedy, C, dec. Jared Helsley, 4-2.

132 - Carter Replogle, NB, pinned Collin Ulery, 4:26.

138 - Nick Hoenstine, C, tech. fall Ridge Hershberger, 20-5, 5:28.

145 - Bryce Biddle, C, dec. Marcus Crawford, 7-2.

152 - Austin Heck, NB, dec. Trae Shirey, 7-6.

   I attended this match and it was a good one. Both teams were missing regulars. Most notable of those was Central's Jordan Quarello. After hearing rumors of Quarello's likely longterm absence, I confirmed with Dragons' coach Mike Shippy that Quarello is out for the season. He either has or will have shoulder surgery. The decision was made to do it this year so that Quarello has two years left to build on a 25-7 freshman season that included a District 6-AA third place medal. Tough break for Central, but it seems to be the right move for a talented kid.

   Back to the match, where several Northern Bedford youngsters stepped forward and showed themselves very well. Among them were freshmen Zach Clark at 106 and Carter Replogle at 132. Clark dominated Central's Devon Mountain before decking him. Replogle is built much like his older brother Mason, tall and lanky. I look for both to have good seasons. 

Other Scores

Chestnut Ridge 40, Philipsburg 25

Claysburg 36, Southern Huntingdon 33

Everett 48, Juniata Valley 25

Mount Union 70, Tussey Mountain 12

Link for King of the Mountain seeding, top 10 seeds listed.

http://CentralMountainHighSchool.bigteams.com/siteRepository/1759/userfiles/2013-KOM-seeding-file.pdf

King of the Mountain Info

2013 King of the Mountain Tournament at Central Mountain HS

Friday's Schedule (8 mats used all day)
Wrestling begins at 11 a.m. - Round 1/Consy Round 1/Round 2/Consy Round 2/Consy Round 3

Saturday's Schedule
Quarterfinals and Consy Round 4 - 10 a.m. (5 mats)
Semifinals and Consy Round 5 - 12:45 p.m. (5 mats)
Consy Round 6 - 2:30 p.m. (4 mats)
Finals and Consy Finals - 4:45 p.m. (4 mats)

Teams
Bedford, Bellefonte, Benton, Bethlehem Catholic, Biglerville, Blairsville, Boiling Springs, Boyertown, Burrell, Calvary Christian Academy, Central Mountain, Council Rock South, Cumberland Valley, DuBois, Erie McDowell, Fort LeBoeuf, General McLane, Greater Latrobe, Hempfield (D7), Jersey Shore, Kittanning, Lansing (NY), Line Mountain, Mifflinburg, Mifflin County, North Penn, Parkland, Penn Trafford, Penns Valley, Redbank Valley, Schuylkill Valley, South Western, Spring Grove, Stroudsburg.

State Medalists in the field
1st
Will Koll, Lansing (NY)
Sam Krivus, Hempfield (AAA)
Ethan Lizak, Parkland (AAA)
Nazar Mironenko, Mifflinburg (2012)
Jason Nolf, Kittanning
Luke Pletcher, Greater Latrobe (AAA)

2nd
Patrick Duggan, Cumberland Valley (AAA)
Ryan Easter, Bedford
Luke Karam, Bethlehem Catholic
Conner Lepresi, Lansing (NY)
Zeke Moisey, Bethlehem Catholic
T.C. Warner, Cumberland Valley (AAA)
Jordan Wood, Boyertown (AAA)

3rd
Korbin Myers, Boiling Springs
Kyle Shoop, Boiling Springs
Tom Sleigh, DuBois (AAA)
Zach Zavatsky, Greater Latrobe (AAA)

4th
None

5th
Tyree Spearman, Erie McDowell (AAA)

6th
Andrew Dunn, Bethlehem Catholic
Steven Edwards, Burrell
Jeric Kasunic, Benton

7th
Mason Bentzel, Spring Grove (AAA)
Andrew Doak, Blairsville
Willie Gruver, Redbank Valley
Cole Walter, Mifflinburg

8th
Cameron Newman, Line Mountain
Josh Ortman, Parkland (AAA)

Tuesday recap

   Three of the four matches in my coverage area were wrestled on Tuesday night. Here's a quick glance.

BEDFORD 34, NORTH STAR 32

145 - Garrett Thomas, B, dec. Tevin Mostoller, 6-4.

152 - Corey Fritch, NS, dec. Toby Brett, 3-2.

160 - Gus Strasiser, NS, pinned Ty Zimmerman, 3:37.

170 - Dillon Charlton, NS, maj. dec. Dan Brett, 11-3.

182 - Hunter Connor, NS, dec. Chance Williams, 4-2.

195 - Kevin Horner, NS, pinned Matt Kline, 1:02.

220 - Braden Crawley, B, dec. Ray Burley, 4-2.

285 - Nate Shoemaker, B, pinned Brady Vinisky, 1:11.

106 - Lenny Beeman, NS, won by forfeit.

113 - Eric Colangelo, NS, maj. dec. Noah Baughman, 15-4.

120 - Jonathan Gabriel, B, maj. dec. Colton Gennett, 16-2.

126 - Jake Warren, B, won by forfeit.

132 - Kyle Mehle, B, won by forfeit.

138 - Ryan Easter, B, won by forfeit.

   Bedford pulled out a two-point win at North Star. Bouts at 145 and 152 jump out right away. The Bison wrestlers there, Garrett Thomas and Toby Brett, were up in weight, but kudos to Mostoller and Fritch of North Star there, hanging with and beating one of Bedford's defending District 5 champions. The Cougars put together a nice run from 152-195. Bedford coach Brian Creps noted that Braden Crawley's win at 220 was big for his side, especially with the Bisons knowing they had some of their best wrestlers left to try and pull out the comeback victory. I was not at this match, so hard to analyze, but I'm sure Eric Knopsnyder will be doing that at Knop's Knotes.

CLAYSBURG 51, JUNIATA VALLEY 18

220 - Tyler Elder, CK, won by forfeit.

285 - James Walker, CK, won by forfeit.

106 - Jordan Musselman, CK, pinned Brice Fisher, 1:28.

113 - Dakota Walter, CK, won by forfeit.

120 - Hunter Kern, JV, pinned Alan Wright, 0:35.

126 - No Match.

132 - Matt Grubb, JV, dec. Trenton Ritchey, 13-6.

138 - Caleb Wagner, JV, dec. Cole Hypes, 7-3.

145 - Brent Troutman, JV, pinned Nick Custer-Sell, 3:17.

152 - Scott Walter, CK, pinned Sam Singer, 3:30.

160 - Dakotah Feathers, CK, dec. Damion Dunkle, 7-0.

170 - Justin Hammel, CK, pinned Ryan McMullen, 1:14.

182 - Jacob Hypes, CK, won by forfeit.

195 - Owen Musselman, CK, won by forfeit.

    I attended this match, not so much because I thought it would be a very strong one, but I am trying to see as many of my local teams as possible before my son is born (within the next 2-3 weeks). Justin Hammel looked as good as any of the Claysburg wrestlers in his quick pin. The marquee bout would have been 138, where Caleb Wagner is Valley's best returnee, while Hypes is one of the better Bulldogs. Wagner dominated this one on his feet to gain the victory.

MOUNT UNION 72, EVERETT 12

106 - Bryton Stidfole, MU, pinned Landon Bambling, 0:54.

113 - Mason Craig, MU, won by forfeit.

120 - Sage Moist, MU, won by forfeit.

126 - Jake Boozel, MU, won by forfeit.

132 - Robbie Steel, MU, pinned Ben Stover, 2:49.

138 - Mahlon Akers, E, pinned Curtis Jury, 4:12.

145 - Sam Estep, MU, pinned Mike Rininger, 0:26.

152 - Dylan Smith, MU, pinned Josh Bonner, 0:50.

160 - Austin Low, MU, pinned Wes Graham, 3:00.

170 - Devon Kylor, MU, pinned Seth Mantia, 1:43.

182 - D.J. Bookwalter, MU, pinned Cody Sheeder, 2:15.

195 - Phil Kyle, MU, pinned Travis Shoemaker, 0:13.

220 - Darrian Stapleton, MU, pinned Zach Claycomb, 0:28.

285 - Devin Reed, E, pinned Nik Smith, 5:24.

    Not surprised by this final as Mount Union is one of the more loaded lineups in District 6-AA this season. Nice win by Everett's Devin Reed at heavyweight. Reed is a transfer from James Buchanan, where he was 19-9 last year. Smith was 29-8 and finished third in the district tournament for the Trojans. I haven't seen Reed yet, but I've heard he's a very physical wrestler.

The upcoming week in Wrestling

Monday
HOPE for Hyndman at Portage - postponed until January 23.

Tuesday
Bedford at North Star
Juniata Valley at Claysburg
Everett at Mount Union
Southern Huntingdon at Northern Bedford
   Quick Look - Each of my local teams on tomorrow's card is involved in its season opener. Bedford goes to North Star to face a Cougar team coming off a pretty solid performance at the Conemaugh Township Tournament on Saturday. North Star had three champions and 13 placewinners. Meanwhile, Claysburg's Dave Aungst makes his varsity coaching debut at home.

Wednesday
HOPE for Hyndman, Martinsburg (WV) at Southern Garrett (Md.)

Thursday
Westmont at Bedford
Chestnut Ridge at Philipsburg
Claysburg at Southern Huntingdon
Everett at Juniata Valley
Central at Northern Bedford
Tussey Mountain at Mount Union
   Quick Look - The first huge night of wrestling in my area as six matches take place. Chestnut Ridge takes the varsity mat for the first time this winter in an outing at Philipsburg. The Mounties crowned three champs and finished second at their own hosted season-opening tournament on Saturday. Elsewhere, Bedford hosts Westmont in a clash of two usual frontrunners in the LHAC, while Northern Bedford is home to Central in what could be a pretty good match.

Friday
Bedford at King of the Mountain Tournament

Saturday
Bedford at King of the Mountain Tournament
Chestnut Ridge at Athens Tournament
ICC North/South Duals at Tussey Mountain
   Quick Look - Bedford returns to the very tough King of the Mountain Tournament at Central Mountain. The Bisons are still looking for an individual champion there after Jon Gabriel and Ryan Easter finished second last year. Easter is a three-time runner-up. Chestnut Ridge visits the Athens Tournament, and in the ICC Duals at Tussey, Everett, Northern Bedford, and the host Titans will each take on Glendale, Moshannon Valley, and West Branch.

Thoughts from Penn State-Pitt dual

 

   I attended Sunday's highly-anticipated dual between Penn State and Pitt at the sold-out Bryce Jordan Center. Most wrestling events I go to are for work purposes, but I made the trip with some friends as just a spectator this time. Here are some thoughts from the day.
New Record
   The attendance was reported at 15,996, which set a new mark for both Penn State and the NCAA. The Nittany Lions, who usually wrestle home meets in Rec Hall, drew over 11,000 for a match against Iowa in the BJC in 1996. The previous NCAA record was held by the Hawkeyes, who had in the 15,500 range for a match five years ago with Ohio State.
   Needless to say, the atmosphere was electric. The arena was set up like that of the NCAA Division I finals, where the mat is placed on a platform in the center. And a sizable Penn State student section was feet from the platform in one section on the floor.
Risky Racciato
   I've said it in newspaper columns and I'm saying it here again - Pitt's Michael Racciato (some call him Mikey) is just plain fun to watch.
   Racciato was one of Pitt's prized recruits this year, and he has cracked the starting lineup at 149 pounds. As a three-time Class AA state champion from Pen Argyl, Racciato has often shown off his best wrestling in front of big crowds.
   He did so again at Penn State. Racciato, a true freshman, took on PSU's James English, who is a sixth-year senior after taking a medical redshirt. Age gaps like that can make the difference sometimes. In the end, this one didn't matter.
   Racciato lives for the scrambles on the mat. That's his main game. For most of the bout, English kept him at bay and even built up riding time enough to earn a point. But in the final seconds of the bout, a scramble for position and points ensued. English appeared to have control, yet Racciato kept his hips moving and decked English with a cement job that gave the Panthers a 9-3 lead.
   I'm glad Racciato hasn't changed his style early in his career at the next level, where the multiple-time state champions dot nearly every Division I roster and the competition is so good across the board. Racciato was one of the Pitt youngsters I was hoping to see in action, and he delivered like he has many times before.
Other observations
   Penn State 184-pounder Wes Phipps looked very good. Filling in for the suspended Ed Ruth, Phipps dominated Pitt's Aaron Rothwell from the start, eventually winning by a 13-3 major decision. He was in on a deep single several times and showed off his strength by lifting Rothwell well off the mat on two occasions.
  I'm sure Phipps, a redshirt freshman from Grove City, gets beat up pretty good in practice by Ruth, so I would guess he's been chomping at the bit to take out any frustration on people in other singlets.
  I was also looking forward to seeing Penn State true freshman Zain Retherford at 141. His opponent, Edgar Bright, was not a name I was familiar with, though the fact he is a product of Ohio high school powerhouse St. Edward says something there. This was a good bout, not a lot of great action, but Retherford pulled out a 3-2 victory.
  Many people thought Retherford would be redshirted this season, but he's ranked #11 right now and it will be interesting to see how far he goes.
  

State Team Rankings

   PA Power Wrestling has released its 2013-14 Preseason Team Rankings. In Class AA, several teams in Districts 5 and 6 are mentioned. Chestnut Ridge, fourth in the state last season, is rated eighth this winter. Bedford, Berlin, Huntingdon, Mount Union, and West Branch are all tabbed as Honorable Mention.
   I would say in Berlin's case, it does not appear that PA Power took into account the addition of Taylor Cahill from Conemaugh Township. In the individual rankings, Cahill is still listed as a member of the Indians.
   Below is the Class AA Poll:

1. Bethlehem Catholic
2. Boiling Springs
3. Brookville
4. Bermudian Springs
5. Fort LeBoeuf
6. Saegertown
7. Reynolds
8. Chestnut Ridge
9. South Fayette
10. Saucon Valley
11. Palisades
12. Wyalusing

HM
Redbank Valley
West Branch
Bedford
Mount Union
Warrior Run
Berlin
Burrell
Huntingdon
Biglerville

Season is days away

   Are we there yet?
   Remember when you might have asked your parents that when you were going somewhere. Well, that question applies to me again here, when the wrestling season is within my vision of starting. I'm like a kid in a candy store this time of year.
   Locally, the season begins Saturday with one dual meet as Bedford hosts Claysburg. I'll be on hand to catch a first view of the Bisons and Bulldogs this year, before heading to Penn State on Sunday for the sold out match with Pitt at the Bryce Jordan Center.
   Next week's high school slate has a variety of matches and tournaments. To view a list of selected events, see http://springintosports.blogspot.com/2013/11/dates-to-remember-for-local-wrestling.html
   You can also access my preseason primer at http://springintosports.blogspot.com/2013/10/preseason-primer.html
   I do encourage everyone to get a copy of the Bedford Gazette's Winter Sports Preview, which comes out on Friday. In it, I have more of an in-depth look at each of the local teams. For now, here's a quick look at my early take on Districts 5 and 6 in Class AA this winter.

District 5
   Despite the last six years being dominated by Bedford and Chestnut Ridge, it's not a stretch at all to think the best team in District 5 may reside in Somerset County this season. But it very well could be as on paper, Berlin has to be considered a co-favorite going in, at the least. The Mountaineers already were going to be pretty good, with Joey Swank, Braden and Bryce Fochtman, and Stew Trulick leading them. Then came word that Taylor Cahill and younger brother Toby transferred in from Conemaugh Township. Taylor Cahill was one win from a state medal last season, while Toby Cahill finished second in the PJW Championships. The Fochtmans, Swank, and Trulick combined for 130 wins in a Berlin singlet.
   If Berlin is a co-favorite, the other is Chestnut Ridge, who lost seven seniors but has a strong nucleus of kids returning that should keep the Lions very formidable as they try to defend their district dual meet and tournament titles.
   And while Bedford may not be seen as one of the top squads overall, the Bisons have a handful of very good wrestlers, led by returning state finalist Ryan Easter.

District 6
   Based on who's coming back, it appears that the District 6-AA race is likely between Huntingdon, Mount Union, and West Branch. Huntingdon has nine wrestlers that won at least 20 bouts last season returning, and I know that Jacob Oliver is a promising newcomer for the Bearcats. Huntingdon is led by sophomore lightweight Collin Glorioso, a 39-bout winner and last year's third-place medalist at states. Mount Union's returning nucleus is senior-heavy with a lot of experience. West Branch welcomes back four 30-bout winners, including state medalist Morgan Selepack at heavyweight. I would also throw in Penns Valley as a darkhorse. The Rams have four or five solid kids, though they did lose Michael Rogers to Wyoming Seminary in the offseason.

   For a closer look at the returning wrestlers in both districts, Eric Knopsnyder did a nice job putting all of that together on his Knop's Knotes blog: http://knopsnyder.blogspot.com/2013/12/complete-guide-to-returning-wrestlers.html