Looking at the District 5 Duals

   Yes, the wrestling postseason is here. Except for a few remaining (or makeup) dual meets, we are now getting into the meat of the excitement. The District 5 Duals begin tomorrow night. First, here's a look at the final district ratings.

DISTRICT FIVE "AA" WRESTLING RATINGS
RANK	TEAM	WON	LOST	POINTS	RATING
1	CHESTNUT RIDGE	8	0	49	6.125
2	BERLIN	6	1	36	5.143
3	NORTH STAR	7	2	42	4.667
4	SOMERSET	5	4	30	3.333
5	HOPE FOR HYNDMAN	5	5	30	3.000
6	MEYERSDALE	5	5	30	3.000
7	BEDFORD	4	7	24	2.182
8	NORTHERN BEDFORD	5	8	30	2.308
9	CONEMAUGH TWP.	2	4	12	2.000
10	EVERETT	3	8	18	1.636
10	TUSSEY MOUNTAIN	3	8	18	1.636
12	SHADE	0	9	0	0.000

   The top six teams advance into the team tournament this year. Here is the bracket, now updated after Tuesday's results - District 5 Team Bracket.

   Berlin beat Somerset on Tuesday night to keep the Mountaineers at the second seed and a bye into Saturday along with semifinals/final host and top seed Chestnut Ridge. North Star won at Bedford. HOPE for Hyndman and Meyersdale did not wrestle this week and get the last two slots. The Hornets are fifth on a tiebreaker after beating Meyersdale last week. Hyndman goes to Somerset and Meyersdale visits North Star tomorrow.
   Was there ever a year where both Bedford and Northern Bedford didn't qualify? I've posed that question to a couple of people, and haven't had the time to research it yet myself.

   Analysis: It would be a major surprise if we don't see the top four seeds on Saturday at Chestnut Ridge. North Star pounded Meyersdale, 53-12, early in the season and I don't see it being much closer the second time around. Hyndman has some quality individuals, but even if most everything goes right for the Hornets on the mat, the lack of a full lineup, meaning forfeits to Somerset, will hurt on the scoreboard. A Berlin-North Star semifinal is intriguing, given the Mountaineers' 35-33 win over the Cougars in a barnburner not long ago. At Bedford on Tuesday night, North Star had Eric Colangelo (113) and Sam Lepley (120) weighed in. Colangelo was even steps from the mat when Cougars' coach Tim Rosa opted at the last second to forfeit to Bedford's Grant Browell. Lepley then claimed a forfeit win at 120. North Star forfeited both 113 and 120 to Berlin in that dual.
   As for the other side, Chestnut Ridge shouldn't have much trouble with Somerset, given the Lions put a 50-15 decision on the Golden Eagles earlier this month.

   Predictions: First Round - North Star over Meyersdale; Somerset over HOPE for Hyndman... Semifinals - Chestnut Ridge over Somerset; Berlin over North Star... Final - Chestnut Ridge over Berlin.