2022 PA States

[Tom McAndrew]

AA Finals:

106: Aaron Seidel (Northern Lebanon) DEC Louie Gill (Hickory), 4-2
113: Gavin Bradley (Athens) DEC Brandon Wentzel (Montoursville), 4-3
120: Jade Pepe (Wyoming Area) MAJ Brock Weiss (Jersey Shore), 15-4
126: Scott Johnson (Muncy) DEC Mark Palmer (Brockway), 9-2
132: Brandan Chletsos (Notre Dame-GP) DEC Owen Reinsel (Brookville), 1-0
138: Ryan Crookham (Saucon Valley) DEC Connor Pierce (Harbor Creek), 5-1
145: Conner Harer (Montgomery) DEC Eric Alderfer (Faith Christian Academy), 3-0
152: Jackson Arrington (Forest Hills) pinned Andrew Christie (Bishop McDevitt) @ 1:45
160: Holden Garcia (Notre Dame-GP) DEC Grant MacKay (Laurel), 2-1
172: Rune Lawrence (Frazier) pinned Jacob Jones (Saucon Valley, @ 4:43
189: Isaac Cory (Montoursville) DEC Cole Karpinski (Greenville), 5-1
215: Dayton Pitzer (Mount Pleasant) pinned Brad Morrison (West Perry), @ 1:07
285: Riley Robell (Bishop McDevitt) DEC Austin Johnson (Muncy), 5-0

Johnson was attempting to become the first freshman in PIAA history to win a championship at 285 as a freshman. I believe he was only the second freshman in PIAA history to make it to a 285 final.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Gavin Bradley with quite a celebration after winning AA 113:

 

[Roaddog55]

Wyoming Area had a great tournament. Pepe takes gold and Evanitsky takes 3rd as a freshman! Go Warriors!

 

[El_Jefe]

Now I definitely have to root for Leiphart in the final.

We all threw up a little there too.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Nice story, but too bad he has Pitzer.

yeah, he lasted all of 1:07 before Pitzer got the pin.

 

[El_Jefe]

AA Finals:
106: Seidel dec Gill 4-2
113: Bradley dec Wentzel 4-3
120: Pepe MD Weiss 15-4
126: Johnson dec Palmer 9-2
132: Chletsos dec Reinsel 1-0
138: Crookham dec Pierce 5-1
145: Harer dec Alderfer 3-0
152: Arrington F Christie 1:$5
160: Garcia dec MacKay 2-1
172: Lawrence F Jones 4:43
189: Cory dec Karpinski 5-1
215: Pitzer F Morrison 1:07
285: Robell dec Johnson 5-0

A few thoughts:
- M2 went 1-3 in the finals .... still pretty good to get 4 into the finals.
- 132 ... zzzzzzzz. I think DT was the one who said: if you lose 1-0, you didn't take any chances.
- This version of Crookham is not beating Jesse Mendez at Dapper Dan.
- Cory bumped up from 172 for the postseason, and beat the undefeated highest returning placer in the finals.
- Pitzer spent 12:03 on the mat -- in the entire postseason. He pinned every opponent this year except TJ Stewart.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

- Cory bumped up from 172 for the postseason, and beat the undefeated highest returning placer in the finals.

yeah, I noticed that he bumped up for the postseason. Most guys stay at the same weight, but most of those that change weights for the postseason drop down. Pretty impressive on Isaac Cory's part.

- Pitzer spent 12:03 on the mat -- in the entire postseason. He pinned every opponent this year except TJ Stewart.

crazy. That's dominance

 

[El_Jefe]

yeah, I noticed that he bumped up for the postseason. Most guys stay at the same weight, but most of those that change weights for the postseason drop down. Pretty impressive on Isaac Cory's part.

Also turned out to be pretty smart, especially for his last shot at states.

IDK if they thought of this before sectionals, but if he had stayed at 172, he almost certainly would've been on Lawrence's side of the bracket. His run at 189 as the 2 seed was far more manageable.

Montoursviile has now won 5 of the last 7 titles at 189/195 (Hoffman 3x, Crebs, Cory) -- and the other 2 stayed in D4 (Garcia 2x).

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[Tom McAndrew]

AAA Finals:

106: Nathan Desmond (BECA) MAJ Luke Willochell (Greater Latrobe), 15-5
113: Zach Jacaruso (Delaware Valley) DEC Cole Campbell (BECA), 3-1
120: Vincent Kilkeary (Greater Latrobe) MAJ Mason Leiphart (Dover), 12-3
126: Dalton Perry (Central Mountain) DEC Ethan Lebin (Hempfield Area), 6-3
132: Mac Church (Waynesburg Central) DEC Matt Repos (Central Dauphin), 3-1
138: Pierson Manville (State College) DEC Briar Priest (Hempfield Area), 5-4, TB-2
145: Ty Watters (West Allegheny) DEC Finn Solomon (Franklin Regional), 7-4
152: Dylan Evans (Chartiers Valley) DEC Kaemen Smith (Erie Cathedral Prep), 3-2
160: Jared Keslar (Connellsville) DEC Ryan Garyick (Central Dauphin), 7-5
172: Rocco Welsh (Waynesburg Central) TFed Dom D'Agostino (Interboro), 24-8, @ 5:00
189: Sonny Sasso (Nazareth) DEC Quinn Collins (Central Bucks East), 5-0
215: Brian Finnerty (Thomas Jefferson) DEC Cole Weightman (Belle Vernon), 6-5
285: Sean Kinney (Nazareth) DEC Matthew Cruise (Easton), 2-0

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[Tom McAndrew]

AAA Team Scores

1. Nazareth - 135.0
2. Bethlehem Catholic - 109.0
3. Waynesburg Central - 89.5
4. Greater Latrobe - 78.0
5. Hempfield Area - 62.0
6. State College - 53.5
7. Franklin Regional - 51.0
8. Quakertown - 49.0
9. Central Dauphin - 44.0
10. Thomas Jefferson - 42.0
11. Central Mountain - 41.0
12. West Allegheny - 40.0
13. Manheim Township - 39.0
14. Clearfield - 38.0
15. Connellsville - 36.0
16. Williamsport - 35.5
17. Belle Vernon - 34.0
17. Erie Cathedral Prep - 34.0
17. Northampton - 34.0
20. Council Rock South - 33.5
21. Council Rock North - 33.0
22. Daniel Boone - 32.5
23. Canon-McMillan - 26.0
23. Central Bucks East - 26.0
23. Chartiers Valley - 26.0
23. Delaware Valley -26.0
27. Dover - 25.0
28. Easton - 24.0
29. Interboro - 21.0
29. Strath Haven - 21.0
...

 

[Tom McAndrew]

AA Team Scores

1. Notre Dame-GP - 116.0
2. Saucon Valley - 99.0
3. Faith Christian Academy - 68.0
4. Wyoming Area - 60.0
5. Bishop McDevitt - 58.0
6. Muncy - 55.5
7. Hickory - 49.5
7. Montoursville - 49.5
9. Brookville - 45.5
10. Chestnut Ridge - 44.0
10. Jersey Shore - 44.0
10. Saegertown - 44.0
13. West Perry - 42.0
14. Bale Eagle Area - 41.5
14. Forest Hills - 41.5
16. Mount Pleasant - 39.0
17. Glendale - 38.0
17. Montgomery - 38.0
19. Brockway - 36.5
20. Quaker Valley - 35.0
...

 

[El_Jefe]

AAA Finals:

106: Nathan Desmond (BECA) MAJ Luke Willochell (Greater Latrobe), 15-5
113: Zach Jacaruso (Delaware Valley) DEC Cole Campbell (BECA), 3-1
120: Vincent Kilkeary (Greater Latrobe) MAJ Mason Leiphart (Dover), 12-3
126: Dalton Perry (Central Mountain) DEC Ethan Lebin (Hempfield Area), 6-3
132: Mac Church (Waynesburg Central) DEC Matt Repos (Central Dauphin), 3-1
138: Pierson Manville (State College) DEC Briar Priest (Hempfield Area), 5-4, TB-2
145: Ty Watters (West Allegheny) DEC Finn Solomon (Franklin Regional), 7-4
152: Dylan Evans (Chartiers Valley) DEC Kaemen Smith (Erie Cathedral Prep), 3-2
160: Jared Keslar (Connellsville) DEC Ryan Garyick (Central Dauphin), 7-5
172: Rocco Welsh (Waynesburg Central) TFed Dom D'Agostino (Interboro), 24-8, @ 5:00
189: Sonny Sasso (Nazareth) DEC Quinn Collins (Central Bucks East), 5-0
215: Brian Finnerty (Thomas Jefferson) DEC Cole Weightman (Belle Vernon), 6-5
285: Sean Kinney (Nazareth) DEC Matthew Cruise (Easton), 2-0

A few thoughts:
- Desmond looks like a 4x champ. Already a force on top and bottom.
- Perry and Shaw will have some epic battles if at the same weights. Both look like high-end D1 recruits, and are both FR.
- HS boundary rules + small HS mat sucks. It affected a couple finals -- Jacaruso had a takedown waived off, and Manville had a reversal waived off.
- Tan Tom got a couple really good ones (Kilkeary and Welsh). Really hope Welsh faces Barr at Fargo.
- Sasso looked really good too.
- Weightman had a great run -- he had a late-season football injury and was held together with duct tape.
- Kinney is a very complete HWT already as a SO. He had 3 first-period pins, and controlled his very familiar rival from Easton.
- Kasak put his stunning loss behind him quickly, and dominated the next 2 opponents for 3rd. Good sign.
- Wagner (113) and Condomitti (152) both recovered from opening losses to make the 3rd place match.
- Beca surprisingly had only 4 placers and none below 3rd. Nazareth knocked several of them out of consis H2H.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[Tom McAndrew]

A few thoughts:
- Desmond looks like a 4x champ. Already a force on top and bottom.
- Perry and Shaw will have some epic battles if at the same weights. Both look like high-end D1 recruits, and are both FR.
- HS boundary rules + small HS mat sucks. It affected a couple finals -- Jacaruso had a takedown waived off, and Manville had a reversal waived off.
- Tan Tom got a couple really good ones (Kilkeary and Welsh). Really hope Welsh faces Barr at Fargo.
- Sasso looked really good too.
- Weightman had a great run -- he had a late-season football injury and was held together with duct tape.
- Kinney is a very complete HWT already as a SO. He had 3 first-period pins, and controlled his very familiar rival from Easton.
- Kasak put his stunning loss behind him quickly, and dominated the next 2 opponents for 3rd. Good sign.
- Wagner (113) and Condomitti (152) both recovered from opening losses to make the 3rd place match.
- Beca surprisingly had only 4 placers and none below 3rd. Nazareth knocked several of them out of consis H2H.

some excellent observations.

- Desmond really does look that good. You never know what happens if a growth spurt kicks in, they gain weight, etc., but he really does have that "look," which you really can't miss if you've watched enough HS wrestling
- agree on Perry and Shaw
- I have no issue with the HS boundary rules, but that's what I'm used to. They've been modified a great deal in the past decade so that for pins and NF points, the boundary isn't a great impediment. For TD and reversals, it is a bigger issue. I completely agree on small mats. Those make a huge difference
- Tan Tom is a PITA
- concur on Sasso
- I almost commented on Weightman earlier during the tournament. Hard to believe he did as well as he did considering his injuries
- Kasak getting pinned was one of the bigger upsets of the tournament. Kudos for him for moving on, and getting 3rd
- I would have liked to have seen Wagner - Nasdeo, round 2 (of States) in the consolation semis. Alas, Nasdeo had to MFF

 

[El_Jefe]

- Tan Tom is a PITA

LOL. But y'know, when looking at his PIAA recruits, we're doing OK.

Welsh is the best of them, probably a 3x/4x AA, and I'll take Barr if they're at the same weight.

Kilkeary didn't do nearly as well in offseason events as you'd expect given his Hershey success. I'll take Howard or Davis.

The Williams twins were better last year. And not just at states -- Kaedyn losing to Tocci at sectionals; Kamdyn getting decked by a D2 5th placer. It's early for them, and maybe this will change, but right now it looks like he bought too early on them like he did on Shumate (which cost him Fishback).

Gut feeling says he won't get Sonny Sasso -- they have Shumate incoming at 197, and cutting down to 184 seems like a bad idea.

Those 3 guys he got this year ... let's not talk about them.

 

[El_Jefe]

A few stats:

Champs by regional:
AA: NE 5, SE 5, SW 3, NW 0
AAA: SW 7, NE 4, NW 2, SC 0, SE 2

Medalists by regional:
AA: NE 27, SE 27, SW 26, NW 24
AAA: SW 34, NE 19, SC 18, NW 17, SE 16

Champs by year:
AA: SR 6, JR 4, SO 4, FR 1
AAA: SR 2, JR 7, SO 2, FR 2

Medalists by year:
AA: SR 43, JR 29, SO 23, FR 9
AAA: SR 49, JR 25, SO 20, FR 10

25 of 26 champs were regional champs. Watters was a regional runner-up.

20 champs were previous medalists. 3 are freshmen (Desmond, Perry, Seidel). 2 (Watters, Finnerty) are returning SQs who had never placed before). Manville is the only first-time qualifier, though he was a MN state champ in 7th grade and last year was NW-3 (which qualifies every year except 2021).

2 SR champs remain uncommitted (Bradley, Cory); plus 5 SR runners-up (Palmer, Pierce, Alderfer, Morrison, Collins). (As far as I know they're still uncommitted.)

 

[LB99]

LOL. But y'know, when looking at his PIAA recruits, we're doing OK.

Welsh is the best of them, probably a 3x/4x AA, and I'll take Barr if they're at the same weight.

Kilkeary didn't do nearly as well in offseason events as you'd expect given his Hershey success. I'll take Howard or Davis.

The Williams twins were better last year. And not just at states -- Kaedyn losing to Tocci at sectionals; Kamdyn getting decked by a D2 5th placer. It's early for them, and maybe this will change, but right now it looks like he bought too early on them like he did on Shumate (which cost him Fishback).

Gut feeling says he won't get Sonny Sasso -- they have Shumate incoming at 197, and cutting down to 184 seems like a bad idea.

Those 3 guys he got this year ... let's not talk about them.

Feldman is a beast. Very Snyder-like HWT. Maybe he’ll transfer to PSU when Kerk moves on? Stranger things have happened.

 

[El_Jefe]

Feldman is a beast. Very Snyder-like HWT. Maybe he’ll transfer to PSU when Kerk moves on? Stranger things have happened.

That seems to be a recurring fantasy.

I just don't see it. Excluding grad transfers, nearly all transfer destinations involve their recruiting relationship. Feldman did not have PSU among his top 6 schools even though one of his Malvern Prep coaches is a PSU Wrestling alum.

Besides, it looks like we're in really good shape with Mullen (if he doesn't go football). And I'm good with that. Mullen is a world silver medalist as a part-year football player, and is a volume scorer at HWT. If I can't get Snyder, I'm very happy with Gwiz. Cael has moved on, so should we.

 

[Psalm 1 guy]

I would support high school out-of-bounds rules mirroring college rules. The current college rules have made a dramatic difference in the quality of matches and made college wrestling much more viewer friendly.

 

[LB99]

That seems to be a recurring fantasy.

I just don't see it. Excluding grad transfers, nearly all transfer destinations involve their recruiting relationship. Feldman did not have PSU among his top 6 schools even though one of his Malvern Prep coaches is a PSU Wrestling alum.

Besides, it looks like we're in really good shape with Mullen (if he doesn't go football). And I'm good with that. Mullen is a world silver medalist as a part-year football player, and is a volume scorer at HWT. If I can't get Snyder, I'm very happy with Gwiz. Cael has moved on, so should we.

YesI agree. I was joking.

 

[Sunshinedynomite 1]

SIAP

 

[Tgar]

Just a shout out to @El Jefe and @Tom McAndrew for all the great coverage and analysis. I am traveling out of the country and really appreciate the info you guys delivered this weekend. Thank you

 

[El_Jefe]

I would support high school out-of-bounds rules mirroring college rules. The current college rules have made a dramatic difference in the quality of matches and made college wrestling much more viewer friendly.

Yes! 1000x this^^. (Except for college boundary stall rules -- gag.)

Also folkstyle wrestling should have one set of rules where there is little/no additional risk to health and safety (and where it doesn't drive burdensome cost or logistics). It would make the sport easier to watch, reduce needless controversies, make athlete training more consistent, etc.

So I would support the college boundary rules at every level. And eliminating riding time in college (which would also drive more action in college).

I would not support 7-min matches in HS -- that's a burden on those kids, especially the FR/SO. Nor would I support legalizing the bow and arrow before college.

I would be hesitant to require college sized mats, because it would force every dirt-poor rural school to buy new equipment, would be a space issue for tournaments in small gyms, etc. (Though would OKST mats really be any different?) But I would be OK with allowing them.

 

[1995PSUGrad]

AAA Team Scores

1. Nazareth - 135.0
2. Bethlehem Catholic - 109.0
3. Waynesburg Central - 89.5
4. Greater Latrobe - 78.0
5. Hempfield Area - 62.0
6. State College - 53.5
7. Franklin Regional - 51.0
8. Quakertown - 49.0
9. Central Dauphin - 44.0
10. Thomas Jefferson - 42.0
11. Central Mountain - 41.0
12. West Allegheny - 40.0
13. Manheim Township - 39.0
14. Clearfield - 38.0
15. Connellsville - 36.0
16. Williamsport - 35.5
17. Belle Vernon - 34.0
17. Erie Cathedral Prep - 34.0
17. Northampton - 34.0
20. Council Rock South - 33.5
21. Council Rock North - 33.0
22. Daniel Boone - 32.5
23. Canon-McMillan - 26.0
23. Central Bucks East - 26.0
23. Chartiers Valley - 26.0
23. Delaware Valley -26.0
27. Dover - 25.0
28. Easton - 24.0
29. Interboro - 21.0
29. Strath Haven - 21.0
...

As a former Blue Eagle, I am very happy to see Nazareth win the title!

 

[Doggiedodoyouknowwho2]

PSU have Any chance with Sonny Sasso? See him as 197 pounder in college with another year of high school. Timing would be perfect and allow him to redshirt with Dean and Beard there for the next 2 or 3 years.

 

[El_Jefe]

PSU have Any chance with Sonny Sasso? See him as 197 pounder in college with another year of high school. Timing would be perfect and allow him to redshirt with Dean and Beard there for the next 2 or 3 years.

Just a guess but I think it's unlikely.

If no other reason, just look at the potential size of next year's class:
Committed: Nasdeo, Davis, Barr
Being recruited: Kasak, McGowan, Shapiro, Mullen

It's also possible that the coaches see Barr as a long-term 197. In which case, we're set.

Not sure if this is a factor or not, but PSU did not recruit Sammy. Some families would reject coaches out of hand for that.

He had a very good season and PA state tournament, but I'd like to see him against national competition. Stout is a good D1 prospect. Collins will probably start D1 but is less of a sure thing. Sasso did place 2nd at Fargo last year, but that event was thinned out with a number of world team candidates not going.

If it helps, gut says he doesn't join Sammy in Columbus. Tan Tom has Shumate incoming at 197 -- and actually, that's the level of opponent I'd like to see Sasso face this offseason.

 

[LB99]

Just a guess but I think it's unlikely.

If no other reason, just look at the potential size of next year's class:
Committed: Nasdeo, Davis, Barr
Being recruited: Kasak, McGowan, Shapiro, Mullen

It's also possible that the coaches see Barr as a long-term 197. In which case, we're set.

Not sure if this is a factor or not, but PSU did not recruit Sammy. Some families would reject coaches out of hand for that.

He had a very good season and PA state tournament, but I'd like to see him against national competition. Stout is a good D1 prospect. Collins will probably start D1 but is less of a sure thing. Sasso did place 2nd at Fargo last year, but that event was thinned out with a number of world team candidates not going.

If it helps, gut says he doesn't join Sammy in Columbus. Tan Tom has Shumate incoming at 197 -- and actually, that's the level of opponent I'd like to see Sasso face this offseason.

Collins is rumored to be either going to Lock Haven or Brown. At Brown he could play lacrosse also.

 

[El_Jefe]

Collins is rumored to be either going to Lock Haven or Brown. At Brown he could play lacrosse also.

I saw that -- not rumored, published in a Bucks County paper last month.

The article said he was "focused" on Lock Haven for wrestling, but was also considering Brown for both wrestling and lacrosse. Made it sound like Brown lacrosse was not yet settled, but would drive him there if he could do both, otherwise he's headed to Clinton County.

I should've said more clearly that I'm not sold on Collins being a quality starter in D1. He'll probably start either way, though that's less certain at Lock Haven since Moore recruits by the truckload. He wouldn't be as good at Brown due to program quality + split attention with lacrosse.

 

[Doggiedodoyouknowwho2]

Just a guess but I think it's unlikely.

If no other reason, just look at the potential size of next year's class:
Committed: Nasdeo, Davis, Barr
Being recruited: Kasak, McGowan, Shapiro, Mullen

It's also possible that the coaches see Barr as a long-term 197. In which case, we're set.

Not sure if this is a factor or not, but PSU did not recruit Sammy. Some families would reject coaches out of hand for that.

He had a very good season and PA state tournament, but I'd like to see him against national competition. Stout is a good D1 prospect. Collins will probably start D1 but is less of a sure thing. Sasso did place 2nd at Fargo last year, but that event was thinned out with a number of world team candidates not going.

If it helps, gut says he doesn't join Sammy in Columbus. Tan Tom has Shumate incoming at 197 -- and actually, that's the level of opponent I'd like to see Sasso face this offseason.

Thanks for the update. What kind of grades to student athletes need to get into PSU?

 

[El_Jefe]

Thanks for the update. What kind of grades to student athletes need to get into PSU?

Close to the requirements for University Park admission. Coaches in most sports can work with Admissions for candidates who are not quite there, but it can't be too many and they're gonna have to be close. And probably best if each coach doesn't play that card every year (except the revenue sports).

The coaches generally want better students. Academic eligibility is less off a concern, and better students are usually more focused and mature (translated, they show up for practice and stay out of trouble).

 

[razpsu]

So manville from state high win states?? Wow that is awesome!

 

[Tom McAndrew]

So manville from state high win states?? Wow that is awesome!

 

[ptomaselli]

Wyoming Area had a great tournament. Pepe takes gold and Evanitsky takes 3rd as a freshman! Go Warriors!

Has Pepe chosen a school?

 

[dicemen99]

I'm not sure how you come up with Lock Haven and Brown as your finalists - something seems very off with that.

@El Jefe Typo in your AAA champs by region - 7 SE, 4 NE, 2 NW 0 from SC, SE

 

[El_Jefe]

I'm not sure how you come up with Lock Haven and Brown as your finalists - something seems very off with that.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Hey @dicemen99 -- not a great year for SE Regional in AAA. If I recall correctly, the two SE guys in the finals lost. Any studs on your radar from SE that could be at the top of the platform in future years?

 

[razpsu]

Hail maroon and grey!!

 

[dicemen99]

Hey @dicemen99 -- not a great year for SE Regional in AAA. If I recall correctly, the two SE guys in the finals lost. Any studs on your radar from SE that could be at the top of the platform in future years?

Best underclassmen in SE Region that have top of the podium potential IMO:

Botero - FR - Faith Christian (AA)
Gaj - FR Quakertown
Sadriddinov - SO - CR South
Bechtold - SO - Owen J Roberts

Kakos is probably the best wrestler in the JR class, but he would have a very hard road to get to the top next year.

Next year Faith is going to add some more to the mix.