2026 PIAA postseason
- Thread starter El_Jefe
- Start date
I thought I was the only one rooting against McCort. I guess I have friends in the matter.
Very. He trains at NLWC (though not exclusively among RTCs).
A lot more than you think. If you attended either the District 6 tournament or the Regionals this weekend at Altoona Fieldhouse it was extremely obvious how many fans rooted against McCruit. Nearly everyone. With good reason: They have no business competing against small public schools who actually run their programs with integrity.
Shock coming up in PA AA brackets: Joe Bachmann won SE Regionals but will not be the #1 seed at PA AA 152. He lost the PIAA seeding math to returning state finalist Hudson Hohman, who had a far better Win % this year.
Before going thru the brackets, this probably doesn't affect much. They're the clear 2 best guys in the weight.
We of course will root for the guy coached by Wes Phipps over the Iowa commit.
EDIT: Bigger shock at AA 172: Nick Singer will be the 2 seed behind Montoursville returning finalist Gage Wentzel, for the same reason -- Win %. The kicker: Singer majored Wentzel in last year's state final.
Before going thru the brackets, this probably doesn't affect much. They're the clear 2 best guys in the weight.
We of course will root for the guy coached by Wes Phipps over the Iowa commit.
EDIT: Bigger shock at AA 172: Nick Singer will be the 2 seed behind Montoursville returning finalist Gage Wentzel, for the same reason -- Win %. The kicker: Singer majored Wentzel in last year's state final.
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No private school has any business competing against public schools. The PIAA is a toothless tiger.
And one unfortunate injury: returning S4 Thomas Boyce, Conwell-Egan, injury defaulted in SE Regional quarters and DNP. He was undefeated at the time.
Or to put it another way. We, of course, will root for the public school wrestler over the kid attending a private school that shamelessly recruits.
We would root for Sam Herring if he were competing this year.
AA bracket preview ... below is according to PIAA seeding math:
107 seeds:
1 - Nathan Schuman, Honesdale SO, NE-1, 47-1
2 - Van Ward, Union City SR, NW-1, 35-4
3 - Kooper Deputy, Chestnut Ridge FR, SW-1, 48-0
4 - Arav Pandey, Trinity FR, SE-1, 36-3
114 seeds:
1 - Braiden Lotier, Bishop McDevitt SO, SE-1, 44-1 -- returning S1
2 - Chase Karenbauer, Grove City SO, NW-1, 42-0 -- returning S3
3 - Zander Wilson, Williamson SO, NE-1, 38-4
4 - Patrick Bulger, Derry FR, SW-1, 44-9
121 seeds:
1 - Sam Wolford, Northern Lebanon SR, SE-1, 49-3 -- returning S2
2 - Keegan Bassett, Bishop McCruit SO, SW-1, 34-4 -- returning S4
3 - Brock Rothermel, Line Mountain JR, NE-1, 43-4 -- returning S5
4 - Elijah Scriven, Hickory JR, NW-1, 24-4 -- returning S4
127 seeds:
1 - Freddy Bachmann, FCA SO, SE-1, 36-1 -- returning S1
2 - Dom Deputy, Chestnut Ridge SR, SW-1, 49-2 -- returning 2x S1
3 - CJ Caines, Hanover SO, NE-1, 43-0 -- returning S6
4 - Logan Stewart, Reynolds JR, NW-1, 47-2 -- returning S7
133 seeds:
1 - Will Detar, Trinity SR, SE-1, 43-1 -- returning S3
2 - Bradley Wagner, Mifflinburg JR, NE-1, 46-2 -- returning S6
3 - Tanner Guenot, BEA JR, SW-1, 41-4 -- returning S8
4 - Brady Slicker, Hickory JR, NW-1, 42-6
139 seeds:
1 - Camden Baum, Bishop McDevitt SR, SE-1, 32-2 -- returning S2
2 - Kamdyn Borrero, Erie Prep SO, NW-1, 43-3
3 - Drake McClure, Bentworth JR, SW-1, 45-8
4 - Chase Boozer, Muncy FR, NE-1, 42-3
145 seeds -- Bassett and Harer are tied in PIAA math. IDK if Bassett will be the 1 due to national ranking, or Harer due to more matches wrestled. Either way, they'll be separated.
1 or 2 - Bo Bassett, Bishop McCort SR, SW-1, 40-0 -- returning 2x S1
1 or 2 - Brandt Harer, Montgomery SR, NE-1, 54-0 -- returning 2x S1
3 - Greyson Music, Bishop McDevitt JR, SE-1, 41-4 -- returning S3
4 - Rudy Gentile, Greenville SR, NW-1, 36-4
152 seeds:
1 - Hudson Hohman, Grove City SR, NW-1, 41-2 -- returning S2
2 - Joe Bachmann, FCA JR, SE-1, 23-3 -- returning 2x S1
3 - Jonah Erdely, Frazier SR, SW-1, 32-1
4 - Dalton Schadel, Line Mountain SR, NE-1, 28-8
160 seeds:
1 - Melvin Miller, Bishop McCruit JR, SW-1, 50-1 -- returning S1
2 - Reagan Milheim, Warrior Run SR, NE-1, 49-0 -- returning S2
3 - Jordan Thompson, Bradford SR, NW-1, 35-3
4 - Leyden Acevedo, Berks Catholic SO, SE-1, 37-6
172 seeds:
1 - Gage Wentzel, Montoursville SR, NE-1, 45-2 -- returning S2
2 - Nick Singer, FCA JR, SE-1, 29-4 -- returning S1
3 - Cash Morrell, Cochranton SR, NW-1, 35-2
4 - Emory Gunby, Bishop McCruit JR, SW-1, 37-11
189 seeds:
1 - Adam Waters, FCA SR, SE-1, 29-2 -- returning 3x champ
2 - Kyle Scott, Tyrone SR, SW-1, 43-0 -- returning S4
3 - Hayden Harvey, Montoursville JR, NE-1, 44-2
4 - Hunter Cox, Greenville JR, NW-1, 37-4
215 seeds:
1 - Aiden Bliss, Port Allegany SR, NW-1, 39-1 -- returning SS3
2 - Landon Erdman, Huntingdon SR, SW-1, 44-3
3 - Landon Tucker, Mifflinburg SO, NE-1, 43-1
4 - Cael Weidemoyer, FCA SR, SE-1, 35-4
285 seeds:
1 - Mark Effendian, FCA SR, SE-1, 42-0 -- returning S2
2 - Colin Whyte, West Greene SR, SW-1, 44-3 -- returning S4
3 - Luke Sottolano, Williamson SR, NE-1, 42-2
4 - Owen Nickerson, Corry SR, NW-1, 38-8
EDIT: I had the wrong Catholic school for Music.
107 seeds:
1 - Nathan Schuman, Honesdale SO, NE-1, 47-1
2 - Van Ward, Union City SR, NW-1, 35-4
3 - Kooper Deputy, Chestnut Ridge FR, SW-1, 48-0
4 - Arav Pandey, Trinity FR, SE-1, 36-3
114 seeds:
1 - Braiden Lotier, Bishop McDevitt SO, SE-1, 44-1 -- returning S1
2 - Chase Karenbauer, Grove City SO, NW-1, 42-0 -- returning S3
3 - Zander Wilson, Williamson SO, NE-1, 38-4
4 - Patrick Bulger, Derry FR, SW-1, 44-9
121 seeds:
1 - Sam Wolford, Northern Lebanon SR, SE-1, 49-3 -- returning S2
2 - Keegan Bassett, Bishop McCruit SO, SW-1, 34-4 -- returning S4
3 - Brock Rothermel, Line Mountain JR, NE-1, 43-4 -- returning S5
4 - Elijah Scriven, Hickory JR, NW-1, 24-4 -- returning S4
127 seeds:
1 - Freddy Bachmann, FCA SO, SE-1, 36-1 -- returning S1
2 - Dom Deputy, Chestnut Ridge SR, SW-1, 49-2 -- returning 2x S1
3 - CJ Caines, Hanover SO, NE-1, 43-0 -- returning S6
4 - Logan Stewart, Reynolds JR, NW-1, 47-2 -- returning S7
133 seeds:
1 - Will Detar, Trinity SR, SE-1, 43-1 -- returning S3
2 - Bradley Wagner, Mifflinburg JR, NE-1, 46-2 -- returning S6
3 - Tanner Guenot, BEA JR, SW-1, 41-4 -- returning S8
4 - Brady Slicker, Hickory JR, NW-1, 42-6
139 seeds:
1 - Camden Baum, Bishop McDevitt SR, SE-1, 32-2 -- returning S2
2 - Kamdyn Borrero, Erie Prep SO, NW-1, 43-3
3 - Drake McClure, Bentworth JR, SW-1, 45-8
4 - Chase Boozer, Muncy FR, NE-1, 42-3
145 seeds -- Bassett and Harer are tied in PIAA math. IDK if Bassett will be the 1 due to national ranking, or Harer due to more matches wrestled. Either way, they'll be separated.
1 or 2 - Bo Bassett, Bishop McCort SR, SW-1, 40-0 -- returning 2x S1
1 or 2 - Brandt Harer, Montgomery SR, NE-1, 54-0 -- returning 2x S1
3 - Greyson Music, Bishop McDevitt JR, SE-1, 41-4 -- returning S3
4 - Rudy Gentile, Greenville SR, NW-1, 36-4
152 seeds:
1 - Hudson Hohman, Grove City SR, NW-1, 41-2 -- returning S2
2 - Joe Bachmann, FCA JR, SE-1, 23-3 -- returning 2x S1
3 - Jonah Erdely, Frazier SR, SW-1, 32-1
4 - Dalton Schadel, Line Mountain SR, NE-1, 28-8
160 seeds:
1 - Melvin Miller, Bishop McCruit JR, SW-1, 50-1 -- returning S1
2 - Reagan Milheim, Warrior Run SR, NE-1, 49-0 -- returning S2
3 - Jordan Thompson, Bradford SR, NW-1, 35-3
4 - Leyden Acevedo, Berks Catholic SO, SE-1, 37-6
172 seeds:
1 - Gage Wentzel, Montoursville SR, NE-1, 45-2 -- returning S2
2 - Nick Singer, FCA JR, SE-1, 29-4 -- returning S1
3 - Cash Morrell, Cochranton SR, NW-1, 35-2
4 - Emory Gunby, Bishop McCruit JR, SW-1, 37-11
189 seeds:
1 - Adam Waters, FCA SR, SE-1, 29-2 -- returning 3x champ
2 - Kyle Scott, Tyrone SR, SW-1, 43-0 -- returning S4
3 - Hayden Harvey, Montoursville JR, NE-1, 44-2
4 - Hunter Cox, Greenville JR, NW-1, 37-4
215 seeds:
1 - Aiden Bliss, Port Allegany SR, NW-1, 39-1 -- returning SS3
2 - Landon Erdman, Huntingdon SR, SW-1, 44-3
3 - Landon Tucker, Mifflinburg SO, NE-1, 43-1
4 - Cael Weidemoyer, FCA SR, SE-1, 35-4
285 seeds:
1 - Mark Effendian, FCA SR, SE-1, 42-0 -- returning S2
2 - Colin Whyte, West Greene SR, SW-1, 44-3 -- returning S4
3 - Luke Sottolano, Williamson SR, NE-1, 42-2
4 - Owen Nickerson, Corry SR, NW-1, 38-8
EDIT: I had the wrong Catholic school for Music.
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Brown, Whitbred, Teag, and Hutcherson all won AAA West Regional.
Brown beat Hoare 7-1 in the final.
Brown beat Hoare 7-1 in the final.
AAA seed preview:
107 seeds:
1 - Jacob Carr, Sun Valley SO, SE-1, 39-2
2 - Sean Morley, Conestoga Valley SR, SC-1, 40-2
3 - Lee Dreshman, Canon McMillan FR, W-1, 48-4
4 - Luis Moya, Parkland JR, NE-1, 36-5
114 seeds:
1 - Brayden Wenrich, Northampton SO, NE-1, 32-1 -- returning S2
2 - Thunder Beard, Central Dauphin SR, SC-1, 44-2 -- returning S4
3 - Dom Powell, Upper Dublin JR, SE-1, 35-3
4 - Zach Rehak, Thomas Jefferson JR, W-1, 41-4
121 seeds:
1 - Mateo Gallegos, Dubois SO, W-1, 45-2 -- returning S2
2 - Dominick Morrison, Hatboro-Horsham JR, SE-1, 43-2 -- returning S5 (2024 S1)
3 - Nico Emili, Beca SO, NE-1, 30-6 -- returning S7
4 - Abramm Schaffer, Wilson West Lawn SR, SC-1, 42-6
Landon Sidun will be drawn into the bottom half.
127 seeds:
1 - Chase Williams, Central Bucks East SO, SE-1, 37-4 -- returning S1
2 - Santino Sloboda, Butler SR, W-1, 43-1 -- returning S3
3 - Emilio Albanese, Emmaus JR, NE-1, 37-2 -- returning S3
4 - Kavin Muyleart, Cedar Cliff JR, SC-1, 34-4 -- returning S2
133 seeds:
1 - Keanu Dillard, Beca SR, NE-1, 43-3 -- returning 3x S1
2 - Drew Scherer, Boiling Springs SR, SC-1, 38-5 -- returning S7
3 - Brayden Sigle, Downingtown West SR, SE-1, 36-6
4 - Cael Yanek, Moon SR, W-1, 42-6
Braiden Weaver and 2025 state champ Willmont Kai will both be in the bottom half.
139 seeds:
1 - Blake Boyer, Kennett SR, SE-1, 43-2 -- returning S5
2 - Aiden Herndon, Cedar Cliff JR, SC-1, 37-5 -- returning S4
3 - Trey Wagner, Northampton SR, NE-1, 34-4 -- returning S5 (past S1)
4 - Dalton Wenner, Cranberry SR, W-1, 42-5 -- returning S7
145 seeds:
1 - Kai Vielma, Connellsville JR, W-1, 47-3 -- returning S3
2 - Myles Grossman, Gettysburg JR, SC-1, 27-1 -- returning S6
3 - Jack Campbell, Nazareth SR, NE-1, 32-3 -- returning S6
4 - Daniel Dennis (not the Iowa one), Central Bucks West SO, SE-1, 36-4
152 seeds:
1 - Luke Knox, Perkiomen Valley JR, SE-1, 42-2 -- returning S3
2 - Gabriel Ballard, Northampton JR, NE-1, 37-5 -- returning S2
3 - James Whitbred, State College JR, W-1, 45-5 -- returning S6
4 - Ian Longenberger, Boiling Springs SR, SC-1, 42-1 -- returning S8
160 seeds:
1 - Jon Smith, Oxford JR, SE-1, 33-2 -- returning S4
2 - Gavin Ciampoli, Altoona JR, W-1, 34-6 -- returning S7
3 - Nathan Replogle, Central York SO, SC-1, 41-3
4 - Tommy Schechterly, West Scranton SO, NE-1, 36-6
172 seeds:
1 - McKaden Speece, Wilson West Lawn SR, SC-1, 51-1 -- returning S4
2 - Chris Dennis, Central Bucks West SR, SE-1, 38-2 -- returning S4
3 - Brock Frable, Southern Lehigh JR, NE-1, 41-5
4 - Teag Sanderson, State College FR, W-1, 38-9
189 seeds:
1 - Mario Hutcherson, Kiski SO, W-1, 44-1 -- returning S6
2 - Dom Sumpolec, NDGP SR, NE-1, 37-5 -- returning S5
3 - Franco Latorre, Interboro JR, SE-1, 42-2
4 - Noah Templin, Manheim Central SR, SC-1, 38-1
215 seeds:
1 - Elijah Brown, Belle Vernon SR, W-1, 43-1 -- defending state champ
2 - Paxton Hunt, Garnet Valley SR, SE-1, 43-1
3 - Connor Smalley, NDGP SR, NE-1, 28-9
4 - Cole Stake, Eastern York SR, SC-1, 35-1
Hoare and Roscosky will be in the bottom half. Decker Bechtold will be in the top half.
285 seeds:
1 - Dean Bechtold, Owen J Roberts SR, SE-1, 24-0 -- defending state champ
2 - Brody Rebuck, Shikellamy SR, NE-1, 39-0 -- returning S8
3 - Braydn McConneha, North Allegheny SR, W-1, 39-3
4 - Nolan Reinert, Gettysburg JR, SC-1, 32-0
107 seeds:
1 - Jacob Carr, Sun Valley SO, SE-1, 39-2
2 - Sean Morley, Conestoga Valley SR, SC-1, 40-2
3 - Lee Dreshman, Canon McMillan FR, W-1, 48-4
4 - Luis Moya, Parkland JR, NE-1, 36-5
114 seeds:
1 - Brayden Wenrich, Northampton SO, NE-1, 32-1 -- returning S2
2 - Thunder Beard, Central Dauphin SR, SC-1, 44-2 -- returning S4
3 - Dom Powell, Upper Dublin JR, SE-1, 35-3
4 - Zach Rehak, Thomas Jefferson JR, W-1, 41-4
121 seeds:
1 - Mateo Gallegos, Dubois SO, W-1, 45-2 -- returning S2
2 - Dominick Morrison, Hatboro-Horsham JR, SE-1, 43-2 -- returning S5 (2024 S1)
3 - Nico Emili, Beca SO, NE-1, 30-6 -- returning S7
4 - Abramm Schaffer, Wilson West Lawn SR, SC-1, 42-6
Landon Sidun will be drawn into the bottom half.
127 seeds:
1 - Chase Williams, Central Bucks East SO, SE-1, 37-4 -- returning S1
2 - Santino Sloboda, Butler SR, W-1, 43-1 -- returning S3
3 - Emilio Albanese, Emmaus JR, NE-1, 37-2 -- returning S3
4 - Kavin Muyleart, Cedar Cliff JR, SC-1, 34-4 -- returning S2
133 seeds:
1 - Keanu Dillard, Beca SR, NE-1, 43-3 -- returning 3x S1
2 - Drew Scherer, Boiling Springs SR, SC-1, 38-5 -- returning S7
3 - Brayden Sigle, Downingtown West SR, SE-1, 36-6
4 - Cael Yanek, Moon SR, W-1, 42-6
Braiden Weaver and 2025 state champ Willmont Kai will both be in the bottom half.
139 seeds:
1 - Blake Boyer, Kennett SR, SE-1, 43-2 -- returning S5
2 - Aiden Herndon, Cedar Cliff JR, SC-1, 37-5 -- returning S4
3 - Trey Wagner, Northampton SR, NE-1, 34-4 -- returning S5 (past S1)
4 - Dalton Wenner, Cranberry SR, W-1, 42-5 -- returning S7
145 seeds:
1 - Kai Vielma, Connellsville JR, W-1, 47-3 -- returning S3
2 - Myles Grossman, Gettysburg JR, SC-1, 27-1 -- returning S6
3 - Jack Campbell, Nazareth SR, NE-1, 32-3 -- returning S6
4 - Daniel Dennis (not the Iowa one), Central Bucks West SO, SE-1, 36-4
152 seeds:
1 - Luke Knox, Perkiomen Valley JR, SE-1, 42-2 -- returning S3
2 - Gabriel Ballard, Northampton JR, NE-1, 37-5 -- returning S2
3 - James Whitbred, State College JR, W-1, 45-5 -- returning S6
4 - Ian Longenberger, Boiling Springs SR, SC-1, 42-1 -- returning S8
160 seeds:
1 - Jon Smith, Oxford JR, SE-1, 33-2 -- returning S4
2 - Gavin Ciampoli, Altoona JR, W-1, 34-6 -- returning S7
3 - Nathan Replogle, Central York SO, SC-1, 41-3
4 - Tommy Schechterly, West Scranton SO, NE-1, 36-6
172 seeds:
1 - McKaden Speece, Wilson West Lawn SR, SC-1, 51-1 -- returning S4
2 - Chris Dennis, Central Bucks West SR, SE-1, 38-2 -- returning S4
3 - Brock Frable, Southern Lehigh JR, NE-1, 41-5
4 - Teag Sanderson, State College FR, W-1, 38-9
189 seeds:
1 - Mario Hutcherson, Kiski SO, W-1, 44-1 -- returning S6
2 - Dom Sumpolec, NDGP SR, NE-1, 37-5 -- returning S5
3 - Franco Latorre, Interboro JR, SE-1, 42-2
4 - Noah Templin, Manheim Central SR, SC-1, 38-1
215 seeds:
1 - Elijah Brown, Belle Vernon SR, W-1, 43-1 -- defending state champ
2 - Paxton Hunt, Garnet Valley SR, SE-1, 43-1
3 - Connor Smalley, NDGP SR, NE-1, 28-9
4 - Cole Stake, Eastern York SR, SC-1, 35-1
Hoare and Roscosky will be in the bottom half. Decker Bechtold will be in the top half.
285 seeds:
1 - Dean Bechtold, Owen J Roberts SR, SE-1, 24-0 -- defending state champ
2 - Brody Rebuck, Shikellamy SR, NE-1, 39-0 -- returning S8
3 - Braydn McConneha, North Allegheny SR, W-1, 39-3
4 - Nolan Reinert, Gettysburg JR, SC-1, 32-0
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Zinkin beats Sanchez 5-2. Sanchez was about a second from getting the tying TD and potential backs as time expired. Zinkin ends his high school career as a 3-time California state champion and 4-time finalist.
Sanchez is a couple years behind I think? Any idea on age of the two?
I don't know their ages, but Sanchez is a sophomore and Zinkin is a senior.
**Unofficial** brackets for PA states released. I wouldn't expect changes barring withdrawals.
Pretty much as listed above. Harer got the 1 over Bassett, but the only real effect is to lock in a headliner Harer vs Bassett unbeaten champ vs champ final (where maybe 3-seed Greyson Music had some shot at beating Harer).
Joe Bachmann and Singer both got the 2, as the seeding math predicted.
Braiden Weaver is in the same side as Willmont Kai as expected, but they won't meet until the semis -- assuming Weaver gets past S8 Mason Whitney in Round 1 and SC-1/S7 Drew Scherer in the quarters.
Pretty much as listed above. Harer got the 1 over Bassett, but the only real effect is to lock in a headliner Harer vs Bassett unbeaten champ vs champ final (where maybe 3-seed Greyson Music had some shot at beating Harer).
Joe Bachmann and Singer both got the 2, as the seeding math predicted.
Braiden Weaver is in the same side as Willmont Kai as expected, but they won't meet until the semis -- assuming Weaver gets past S8 Mason Whitney in Round 1 and SC-1/S7 Drew Scherer in the quarters.
Think about this: As an upper weight as a freshman, Teag will have a shot at a state championship competing against almost entirely seniors who are 4 years older than him as teenagers. If you don't think that's special you are insane, it's basically unheard of...
This is about where I’m at, I don’t hate the kids as much as the system that allows for it. I pull for the Bassett Bros and the other PA natives. Any dislike is just from how someone conducts himself (like at any school really, not unique to how I’d view an athlete at a private).
Props to Jefe for keeping this updated, you the real MVP.
I've seeded hundreds of tournaments over the years, and I don't obsess over who's 1 and who's 2, unless it makes the bracket unbalanced. Separation is far more important than seeding. I can look at a bracket and tell whether it was well seeded or not, regardless of the number next to the kid's name. If there are the same number of the top guys on each side of the bracket, I've done my job.
There was a lot of discussion in Illinois when Jaxon Penovich only got the 4 seed at 190 in 2A. He was a state champion in 2024, but he was suspended last season, so he had no 2025 credentials, which meant he got no seed at all. That put him on the same side of the bracket as the defending champion, Judah Heeg of Lemont, who got the 1. Penovich was going to win the bracket regardless of where he was placed, and he teched Heeg, as I expected, and went on to win it easily. As least the two best guys got to the finals, but I didn't like the way it happened.
Yeah, 1 and 2 flipping generally isn't such a big deal.
PIAA has a similar issue as you saw with Penovich, in which half of the seeding criteria is "prestige points" for last year's postseason placement. It often relegates the best wrestler to the 4 seed for being injured the year before or being a freshman. Weidemoyer is the most obvious example this year. Sidun would've been an even more egregious example (#1 nationally, 4 seed at states!) had he won regionals.
Also it has downstream effects on future years' brackets. Which is stupid on stilts.
But at least it's an improvement over the infamous Sasso-Pletcher random draw quarters, when both were state finalists the year before and the obvious best 2 guys at the weight. However marginal an improvement, still better than that mess.
Yeah, that's another example of "prestige points" driving the finals into the semis.
Then-2x champ Chlebove was the 4 seed because he missed the prior postseason.
At long last, Jefe’s PIAA predictions that are 100% guaranteed to be wrong, or your money back!
As usual, this will be many posts:
- Overviews of the field
- One post per weight, to keep posts shorter and for easier replies
- I’ll (badly) predict the finals for each weight; any deeper is a bonus
- I’m not going thru consi brackets to determine placement. If my 3rd and 4th placers meet earlier, oh well.
Returning state finalists:
AA 114: Braiden Lotier (S1)
AA 121: Sam Wolford (S2)
AA 127: Freddy Bachmann (S1), Dom Deputy (2x S1), Carter Chunko (S2)
AA 133: Will Detar (2024-S2)
AA 139: Camden Baum (S2)
AA 145: Brandt Harer (2x S1), Bo Bassett (2x S1), Greyson Music (2024-S2)
AA 152: Joe Bachmann (2x S1), Hudson Hohman (S2)
AA 160: Melvin Miller (S1, 2024 S2), Reagan Milheim (S2-S1-S2)
AA 172: Nick Singer (S1), Gage Wentzel (S2)
AA 189: Adam Waters (3x S1), Luke Fugazzotto (2024-S2)
AA 215: Cael Weidemoyer (2024-S2)
AA 285: Mark Effendian (S2)
AAA 114: Brayden Wenrich (S2)
AAA 121: Landon Sidun (2024-S1), Mateo Gallegos (S2), Dominick Morrison (2024-S1)
AAA 127: Chase Williams (S1), Nicholas Salamone (S1), Kavin Muyleart (S2)
AAA 133: Keanu Dillard (3x S1), Willmont Kai (S1)
AAA 139: Trey Wagner (2024-S1)
AAA 152: Gabriel Ballard (S2)
AAA 215: Elijah Brown (S1), Cooper Roscosky (S2)
AAA 285: Dean Bechtold (S1)
As usual, this will be many posts:
- Overviews of the field
- One post per weight, to keep posts shorter and for easier replies
- I’ll (badly) predict the finals for each weight; any deeper is a bonus
- I’m not going thru consi brackets to determine placement. If my 3rd and 4th placers meet earlier, oh well.
Returning state finalists:
AA 114: Braiden Lotier (S1)
AA 121: Sam Wolford (S2)
AA 127: Freddy Bachmann (S1), Dom Deputy (2x S1), Carter Chunko (S2)
AA 133: Will Detar (2024-S2)
AA 139: Camden Baum (S2)
AA 145: Brandt Harer (2x S1), Bo Bassett (2x S1), Greyson Music (2024-S2)
AA 152: Joe Bachmann (2x S1), Hudson Hohman (S2)
AA 160: Melvin Miller (S1, 2024 S2), Reagan Milheim (S2-S1-S2)
AA 172: Nick Singer (S1), Gage Wentzel (S2)
AA 189: Adam Waters (3x S1), Luke Fugazzotto (2024-S2)
AA 215: Cael Weidemoyer (2024-S2)
AA 285: Mark Effendian (S2)
AAA 114: Brayden Wenrich (S2)
AAA 121: Landon Sidun (2024-S1), Mateo Gallegos (S2), Dominick Morrison (2024-S1)
AAA 127: Chase Williams (S1), Nicholas Salamone (S1), Kavin Muyleart (S2)
AAA 133: Keanu Dillard (3x S1), Willmont Kai (S1)
AAA 139: Trey Wagner (2024-S1)
AAA 152: Gabriel Ballard (S2)
AAA 215: Elijah Brown (S1), Cooper Roscosky (S2)
AAA 285: Dean Bechtold (S1)
For something a little lighter …
Best names: Sadly there are no entertaining names this year. Worse, a lot of kids whose parents can’t spell … there’s a Jacksin and a Jaccob among others. A shame for the kids.
Cael/Kael count (3):
Kael Kimmy (AA 114)
Cael Muller (AAA 114)
Cael Yanek (AAA 133)
It's a down year for the Cael count. But no Gables, so there's that.
Best names: Sadly there are no entertaining names this year. Worse, a lot of kids whose parents can’t spell … there’s a Jacksin and a Jaccob among others. A shame for the kids.
Cael/Kael count (3):
Kael Kimmy (AA 114)
Cael Muller (AAA 114)
Cael Yanek (AAA 133)
It's a down year for the Cael count. But no Gables, so there's that.
AA 106:
Top half:
1 – Nathan Schuman, NE-1
4 – Arav Pandey, SE-1
Bottom half:
3 – Kooper Deputy, SW-1
Deputy has the easiest path. Schuman and Pandey are capable. This is a good 3-way battle.
1 – Deputy
2 – Schuman
3 – Pandey
4 – Branden Eisenhour, NE-2
Top half:
1 – Nathan Schuman, NE-1
4 – Arav Pandey, SE-1
Bottom half:
3 – Kooper Deputy, SW-1
Deputy has the easiest path. Schuman and Pandey are capable. This is a good 3-way battle.
1 – Deputy
2 – Schuman
3 – Pandey
4 – Branden Eisenhour, NE-2
AA 114:
The finals seem straight-forward: SC-1 Braiden Lotier and NW-1 Chase Karenbauer both placed high at 107 last year. Lotier won, Karenbauer was S3.
1 – Lotier
2 – Karenbauer
3 – Zander Wilson, NE-1
The finals seem straight-forward: SC-1 Braiden Lotier and NW-1 Chase Karenbauer both placed high at 107 last year. Lotier won, Karenbauer was S3.
1 – Lotier
2 – Karenbauer
3 – Zander Wilson, NE-1
AA 121:
Top half:
1 – Sam Wolford, SE-1 (S2, Navy commit)
4 – Elijah Scriven, NW-1 (S4)
Max Dinges, SW-2 (S3)
Dakota Santamaria, SW-3 (S5, Kutztown)
Bottom half:
2 – Keegan Bassett, SW-1 (S4)
3 – Brock Rothermel, NE-1 (S5, Pitt)
Good weight. Wolford put a scare into Freddy Bachmann in last year’s final and regional finals. Rothermel beat Bassett 10-4 in January. Bassett majored Scriven at the same event.
1 – Wolford
2 – Rothermel
3 – Bassett
4 - Dinges
5 – Scriven
6 – Santamaria
Top half:
1 – Sam Wolford, SE-1 (S2, Navy commit)
4 – Elijah Scriven, NW-1 (S4)
Max Dinges, SW-2 (S3)
Dakota Santamaria, SW-3 (S5, Kutztown)
Bottom half:
2 – Keegan Bassett, SW-1 (S4)
3 – Brock Rothermel, NE-1 (S5, Pitt)
Good weight. Wolford put a scare into Freddy Bachmann in last year’s final and regional finals. Rothermel beat Bassett 10-4 in January. Bassett majored Scriven at the same event.
1 – Wolford
2 – Rothermel
3 – Bassett
4 - Dinges
5 – Scriven
6 – Santamaria
AA 127:
Top half:
1 – Freddy Bachmann, SE-1 (returning S1, Iowa), #1 nationally
4 – Logan Stewart, NW-1 (S7)
Chase Wirnsberger, NE-2
Bottom half:
2 – Dom Deputy, SW-1 (returning 2x S1, NC State)
3 – CJ Caines, NE-1 (S6)
Carter Chunko, SE-2 (returning S2, Rutger)
Everybody’s looking for the champ-on-champ Bachmann vs Deputy final. But this weight has a lot of land mines, especially in the bottom half. Caines is undefeated, and Chunko lost to Bachmann 3-2 UTB in the regional final.
If this final happens, it might be the dullest final this year. Bachmann likes to drop to a knee, and Deputy is no stranger to low-scoring matches. This has OT rideouts written all over it.
1 – Deputy
2 – Bachmann
3 – Chunko
4 – Caines
5 – Stewart
6 – Wirnsberger
Top half:
1 – Freddy Bachmann, SE-1 (returning S1, Iowa), #1 nationally
4 – Logan Stewart, NW-1 (S7)
Chase Wirnsberger, NE-2
Bottom half:
2 – Dom Deputy, SW-1 (returning 2x S1, NC State)
3 – CJ Caines, NE-1 (S6)
Carter Chunko, SE-2 (returning S2, Rutger)
Everybody’s looking for the champ-on-champ Bachmann vs Deputy final. But this weight has a lot of land mines, especially in the bottom half. Caines is undefeated, and Chunko lost to Bachmann 3-2 UTB in the regional final.
If this final happens, it might be the dullest final this year. Bachmann likes to drop to a knee, and Deputy is no stranger to low-scoring matches. This has OT rideouts written all over it.
1 – Deputy
2 – Bachmann
3 – Chunko
4 – Caines
5 – Stewart
6 – Wirnsberger
AA 133:
Top Half:
1 – Will Detar, SE-1 (S3-S2-S3, NW)
4 – Brady Slicker, NW-1 (S8)
Lucas Barr, SW-3 (W&J)
Bottom half:
2 – Bradley Wagner, NE-1 (S6, Bucknell)
3 – Tanner Guenot, SW-1 (S8, West Virginia)
Chase Homan, SE-2 (S6)
Liam Lawler, SE-3 (S7, Edinboro)
This should be a more entertaining final than the more-hyped 127. Detar’s only losses at states were to 2x champs Deputy and Ayden Smith.
1 – Detar
2 – Wagner
3 – Guenot
4 – Homan
Top Half:
1 – Will Detar, SE-1 (S3-S2-S3, NW)
4 – Brady Slicker, NW-1 (S8)
Lucas Barr, SW-3 (W&J)
Bottom half:
2 – Bradley Wagner, NE-1 (S6, Bucknell)
3 – Tanner Guenot, SW-1 (S8, West Virginia)
Chase Homan, SE-2 (S6)
Liam Lawler, SE-3 (S7, Edinboro)
This should be a more entertaining final than the more-hyped 127. Detar’s only losses at states were to 2x champs Deputy and Ayden Smith.
1 – Detar
2 – Wagner
3 – Guenot
4 – Homan
AA 139:
Top half:
1 – Camden Baum, SE-1 (S2, Purdue)
4 – Chase Boozer, NE-1
Owen McMullen, SW-3 (VT)
Bottom half:
2 – Drake McClure, SW-1 (S8)
3 – Kamdyn Borrero, NW-1
Hayden Yacoviello-Andrus, SE-2 (S5, UPJ)
Ben Straub, NE-3 (S7)
Matthew Almedina, NE-2 (Mercyhurst)
With Sam Herring at NLWC, this is a wide-wide-wide open weight after Baum.
1 – Baum
2 – Yacovielo-Andrus
3 – McClure
4 – McMullen
5 – Boozer
6 – Borrero
7 - Almedina
Top half:
1 – Camden Baum, SE-1 (S2, Purdue)
4 – Chase Boozer, NE-1
Owen McMullen, SW-3 (VT)
Bottom half:
2 – Drake McClure, SW-1 (S8)
3 – Kamdyn Borrero, NW-1
Hayden Yacoviello-Andrus, SE-2 (S5, UPJ)
Ben Straub, NE-3 (S7)
Matthew Almedina, NE-2 (Mercyhurst)
With Sam Herring at NLWC, this is a wide-wide-wide open weight after Baum.
1 – Baum
2 – Yacovielo-Andrus
3 – McClure
4 – McMullen
5 – Boozer
6 – Borrero
7 - Almedina