Insider: PA Bracket Breakdowns-All You Need To Know for Hershey

Insider: PA Bracket Breakdowns-All You Need To Know for Hershey

Mar 5, 2013 by Willie Saylor
Insider: PA Bracket Breakdowns-All You Need To Know for Hershey
Insider: PA Bracket Breakdowns

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Insider: PA Bracket Breakdowns
Willie Saylor, Editor

Typically PA is the last state tournament to be held. Leave it to Lada Gaga and Dirty Jersey to mess things up. I kid, I, kid. 

But if you don't already know, the New Jersey state tournament, usually held one week prior to PA's, was pushed back due to Lady Gaga playing a concert at wrestling's venue in Atlantic City.

If Lady Gaga were playing at the Giant Center in Hershey this weekend, she'd get blast doubled all the way to Harrisburg. I'm just saying. 

In any case, there are many story lines in PA. It's been another fantastic season in the Keystone State that is once again filled with talent. Connor Schram and Cody Wiercioch, both from Canon Mac, the defending state team champs, are going for their 4th state finals appearance. It's a rarity to see a 4x finalist in PA. Rarer yet to see two on a team in the same year.

Other questions that loom:
- Can #4-Luke Pletcher (106) capture a title as a Freshman?
- Can Scotty Parker or Zach Fuentes unseat #14-Ethan Lizak from his state champion status?
- Who will win the Top 10 Showdowns at 126 between #3-Connor Schram and #7-Mike - Kemerer in AAA and #4-Ryan Diehl and #9-Zeke Moisey in AA?
- Will #10-Tyson Dippery finally get his state title or will #11-Joey Galasso prevent him?
- Can teammates Connor Schram and Cody Wiercioch each reach their fourth state final?
- Who will win in a battle of Super 32 finalists: #3-Jake Taylor or #5-Brett Harner?
- Will Chance stay perfect with fellow state champ, Garrett Peppelman in his way?

The beauty of the PA tournament, aside from its sheer quality of competitors, is that it's unseeded. We get great match-ups all over the place and early; the early rounds are not a snooze fest like they are at other tournaments. It's fun from the opening whistle.

One last note on the subject of quantity. While the number of studs and 'big names' remains about as constant as it's had in recent years, it's the depth that seems to be on the uptick in PA this year. To be sure, PA always has numbers. But across the board, there seems to be more real contenders. In particular, the upperweights in AAA are more solid than ever before, and AA seems to be gaining real momentum in the depth department.

On to the breakdown....


Weight Class Capsules 
# = National Rank

106 AA
Contenders: 
#10-Devin Brown, Saegerstown - Powerade Runner-up
Austin Griffiths, Southmoreland - Returning State 3rd
Luke Karam, BECA - 2011 Fargo Runner-Up
Collin Glorioso, Huntington - WPIAL Champ
Tristan Law, Forest Hills
Taylor Ortz, Brookville
Austin McDermitt, Burgettestown - Returning State 7th

What the Bracket Looks Like: A lot of young talent, especially coming out of the WPIAL where that region got all out of whack last week. Gloriosa won it. He's in the bottom bracket with Karam, whose only two losses on the season came at Temecula Valley in California. 
In the top half, Saegarstown's Devin Brown, a state medalist in Ohio last year, leads the way. If anyone can knock him off, it might be Austin Griffiths, who I considered the best in the WPIAL until last week.

First RD Match-Up To Watch: Griffiths vs. Jaryd Flank, a long lanky senior. And Brown vs. McDermitt

FLO Picks: 1. Brown   2. Karam    3. Griffiths    4. Glorioso


106 AAA
Contenders:
#4-Luke Pletcher, Greater Latrobe - Powerade Champ, FloNats and S32 Placer
Devin Schnupp, Warwick - Double Fargo Champ
Connor Sheehan, Solanco - Powerade 4th
Zach Elvin, Central Dauphin
Brendan Price, Canon Mac
Joe Wheeling, General McClane - King of the Mountain Champ
Gage Curry, North Hills
Dylan Chatterton, Central York

What the Bracket Looks Like: Pletcher is your leader in the top half, though he'll face challenges every step of the way. Expect a semi's with him and Wheeling. It should be a dandy.
In the bottom half, I really like Connor Sheehan.

First RD Match-Up To Watch: Chatterton vs. Curry. They are two of PA's finest freshmen, and I guarantee you they're future stars on the national scene.

FLO Picks: 1. Pletcher   2. Sheehan   3. Wheeling    4. Curry


113 AA
Contenders: 
Korbin Myers, Boiling Springs - Returning State Runner-Up
George Phillippi, Derry
Seth Carr, South Fayette
Justin Patrick, Ligonier Valley - Returning State 4th

What the Bracket Looks Like: One of the rarer brackets this year that look rather wide open. Carr sits up top. He just beat Patrick, who, last week I would have said was the favorite. He should clear the top half.
Down below, Patrick and Myers, who was a runner-up at 106 last year to Darian Cruz, will meet in the quarters, which will probably determine the other finalist.

First RD Match-Up To Watch: Take a look at Phillippi. He has a lot of talent.

FLO Picks:  1. Myers   2. Carr   3. Patrick   4. Phillippi


113 AAA
Contenders:
#11-Zach Fuentes, Norristown - Ironman, Beast Placer, Returning State 5th
#12-Scotty Parker, Pennridge - Fargo and FloNationals Runner-Up, Returning State 4th
#14-Ethan Lizak, Parkland - State Champ, 2x Finalist, Fargo AA, Powerade Champ
#18-AC Headlee, Waynesburg - Powerade 3rd, Fargo AA
#19-Dom Forys, North Allegheny - Fargo AA, Returning State 3rd
Jake Gromacki, Erie Prep - Returning State 6th
Hayden Hidlay, Mifflin County - King of the Mountain Runner-Up
Tanner Shoap, Chambersburg - Returning State 7th

What the Bracket Looks Like: Welcome to the meat grinder. These guys are all very good. Predictions here are gut feelings. These guys are about as even as you can be. It should make for some great action, close matches, and buzzer beaters. 
I'm a big Scotty Parker fan, but him and Forys have a grueling road to a state title. They wrestle each other first round and have a date with Gromacki in the quarters. Also up top is defending champ Lizak and Shoap, who should make up the other top quarter.
Underneath is Fuentes, who has been sensational this year. He handed Parker his only loss of the year last week in OT. In the quarters, Fuentes likely has a meeting with Hidlay, who just might be the best freshman in the state. Headlee is also in the bottom half.

First RD Match-Up To Watch: Parker vs. Forys. Best first round match-up in any state tournament this year.

FLO Picks: 1. Fuentes   2. Lizak   3. Headlee   4. Parker

113 Statewide Dapper Dan Picture: Unless Cruz is picked here, Fuentes will solidfy his spot. Even if he doesn't win the title, a high placing probably gets him in.


120 AA
Contenders:
#3-Darian Cruz, BECA - Returning State Champ, Super 32 Champ, Beast Champ
Josh Patrick, Ligonier Valley - Returning State 5th
Matt Welliver, Benton - Returning State 4th
Ryan Easter, Bedford - Returning State 6th
Tyler Vath, Saegerstown - Returning State 5th

What the Bracket Looks Like: This should be Darian's sound off. But the second best kid, in my opinion, is Patrick, who is in the top half with him. They should hit in semi's.
In the bottom half, Vath has been wrestling really well. But he'd have to get through Easter and then Welliver to make finals. I think he does the first, but not the latter.

First RD Match-Up To Watch: Easter and Bloomsburg commitment, Bryan Israel.

FLO Picks:  1. Cruz   2. Welliver   3. Patrick   4. Vath


120 AAA
Contenders: 
#4-Sam Krivus, Hempfield - Super 32 Champ, Powerade Runner Up
#16-Dalton Macri, Canon Mac - Fargo AA, Reno, Ironman Placer
#20-Vincenzo Joseph, Pitt CC - Fargo AA, Ironman, Beast, Powerade Placer
Grim Gonzalez, Liberty - Hurricane Runner-Up, Returning State 3rd
Zach Ulerick, Middletown - Returning State 6th
Zach Valley, Northampton - Returning State 5th

What the Bracket Looks Like: This is what happens when there's an upset in a regional: we get a ridiculously good match up in the first round. It will occur here with Macri, who lost last week to Joseph, and Grim Gonzalez, one of the better wrestlers that no one talks about. Gonzalez narrowly missed making the finals last year when his only loss came in the semi's 3-2 to Connor Schram.
Joseph is up top with those guys too, but I think whomever wins that opening match is your finalist.
On the bottom half is Krivus, who's your favorite here. He's looked amazing this season. His only loss at the state tournament last year was to Ulerick in the first round. Interestingly enough, Ulerick could see Krivus in the semi's.

First RD Match-Up To Watch: Gonzalez vs. Macri

FLO Picks: 1. Krivus   2. Gonzalez   3. Ulerick   4. Macri

120 Statewide Dapper Dan Picture: Cruz is your guy. Whether the committee takes him at 113 or 120 is the question. If they take him for 113, the highest placing senior will likely come from AAA, Gonzalez or Ulerick.


126 AA
Contenders: 
#4-Ryan Diehl, Trinity - State Champ, Super 32 Champ
#9-Zeke Moisey, BECA - State Runner-Up, 2x Beast Runner-Up, FloNationals Champ
Kent Lane, Southern Columbia - Fargo AA
Greg Bulsak, South Park
John Demaske, Jefferson Morgan
Logan Everett, Williamson
Kyle Shoop, Boiling Springs

What the Bracket Looks Like: Diehl is going for his 2nd state title and his 4th overall (he had two in WV). And he should cruise in the top half. Look for Lane, who's just a Sophomore, to be his semifinals opponent. He's one to watch for in the future.
Although he was upset by Shoop last week, Moisey is the favorite to come out of the bottom half. His semifinals opponent would likely be Shoop or Bulsak.

First RD Match-Up To Watch: Everett vs. Shoop

FLO Picks: 1. Diehl   2. Moisey   3. Lane   4. Bulsak


126 AAA
Contenders:
#3-Connor Schram, Canon Mac - 3x State Finalist
#7-Michael Kemerer, Franklin Regional - State Runner-Up, S32 Champ
Kyle Krasavage, Wyoming Valley West - Hurricane Classic Champ
Courtland Schuyler, Manheim - Beast Placer
Colby Ems, East Stroudsburg South - Super 32 Placer
Josh DiSanto, Pennsbury - Returning State 7th
Dustin Rook, Big Springs - Escape the Rock Champ
Chase Zemenak, Nazareth - Returning State 4th

What the Bracket Looks Like: Schram is looking to get to the finals for the fourth time and for his second state title. With multiple wins over his chief rival Kemerer, he should be favored to do so. But there's a darkhorse looming in his half of the bracket in the form of Krasavage, a Hofstra recruit that's largely gone unnoticed. I promise you, that will be a tight bout.
In the top half of the bracket is Kemerer and Ems, who had a great run at Super 32.
First RD Match-Up To Watch: Both Ems and Kemerer is the big one. But Rook vs. DiSanto will be great as well.

FLO Picks: 1. Schram   2. Kemerer   3. Krasavage   4. Ems

126 Statewide Dapper Dan Picture:  Schram's win over Diehl at Powerade had a lot to say about the pick here. But what if Diehl wins a title and Schram doesn't?


132 AA
Contenders
#5-Jason Nolf, Kittanning - 2x State finalist, Super 3rd, Powerade Champ
Ian Brown, Hanover - Returning State 4th
Nick Zanetta, Keystone Oaks - Returning State Runner-Up
Cole Walter, Mifflinburg - Returning State 3rd
Austin Harry, Lake Lehman - Returning State 8th
Karl Lightner, Smethport - Returning State 6th

What the Bracket Looks Like: With so many placers returning at this weight, it sounds silly to say anyone is a 'lock' to make the finals. But Nolf pretty much is. He's in the bottom half of the bracket and should cruise to the semi's where he'll see Walter.
Up top is Zanetta, last year's Runner-Up to Jimmy Gulibon. He should have an interesting match-up with Harry, who just knocked off Walter last week. But the guy I like to make it from this half is Brown. He looked very good at Super 32.

First RD Match-Up To Watch: Nolf vs. BECA's Lee Todora, who's just a freshman, but could be very good going forward.

FLO Picks:  1. Nolf 2. Brown 3. Zanetta 4. Harry


132 AAA
Contenders:
#13-Patrick Duggan, Cumberland Valley - Fargo Runner-Up, Returning State 4th
Robbie Rizzolino, Easton
Tyler Smith, Franklin Regional - Returning State, Powerade Runner-Up
Bryce Killian, Middletown - Super 32 Placer
Ethan Kenney, Connelsville - Returning State 8th
Nick Gibson, Erie McDowell

What the Bracket Looks Like: A rather odd weight with no clear-cut favorite.The two best guys are Duggan and Kenney, who are looking at a bottom half semi. Everyone knows Duggan. But keep an eye on Kenney who's been wrestling well.
The top half is really anyone's game. Tyler Smith is talented, but he'll have the toughest road with a match-up against Killian in RD 1, then Rizzolino in quarters, which was a 4-3 Smith win at state duals.

First RD Match-Up To Watch: Smtih vs. Killian

FLO Picks: 1. Duggan 2. Smith 3. Kenney 4. Rizzolino

132 Statewide Dapper Dan Picture: My projected champs are both underclassmen, and the committee could go a few different ways here. Zanetta, moving Diehl or Schram up, or moving Retherford down.


138 AA
Contenders:
#1-Zain Retherford, Benton - State, Cadet World, Fargo, Fila, S32, Powerade, Ironman Champ
Brock Zacherl, Brookville - Returning State 7th, Powerade
Sean Heggs, Juniata - Returning State 4th
Seth Landsberry, Line Mountain - Returning State 7th
Ryan Todora, BECA - Returning State 5th

What the Bracket Looks Like: After being ruled ineligible due to transfer last year, Zain is chomping at the bit to wrestle in the Giant Center again. Despite all his accomplishments, Retherford hasn't won a state title since his freshman year. He'll be amped up for this. He should dominate till his semi's with Zacherl.
Up top is a guy I really like in Heggs, who I see making the semi's opposite the Lansberry-Todora quart final winner.

First RD Match-Up To Watch: Zain. Watch all his matches.

FLO Picks: 1. Retherford 2. Heggs 3. Landsberry 4. Todora


138 AAA
Contenders:
#10-Tyson Dippery, Central Dauphin - State Runner-Up, Fargo AA
#11-Joey Galasso, Father Judge - FloNationals Runner-Up, Super 32 Placer
#19-John Dutrow, Council Rock North - Returning State 4th, Escape the Rock Champ
Josh Maruca, Franklin Regional - Flonationals AA, Returning State 5th
Chad Wickard, Big Springs 
Shawn Spearman, Erie McDowell
Jake Shaffer, Greater Latrobe
Josh Ortman, Parkland
TJ Brandt, Altoona
Jesse Rodgers, North Allgheny

What the Bracket Looks Like: Solid talent all throughout the bracket makes it a weight where you could see some upsets. But I won't be picking them. I like Dippery to come through the bottom half. He's too savvy to slip up. Keep an eye on Rodgers though. He's been wrestling well.
The top half is wicked. Galasso has always been 'my guy,' and lately he's taken it to another level. He beat Maruca soundly (8-3) at Powerade. But he has a monster match-up with Dutrow, which will be one of the best quarterfinals of the round.

First RD Match-Up To Watch: Dippery against Shaffer, who I have ranked as one of the Top 50 freshmen in the country.

FLO Picks 1. Galasso 2. Dippery 3. Dutrow 3. Maruca

138 Statewide Dapper Dan Picture: Retherford's the pick here unless they flex him down, in which case, it's Dippery.


145 AA
Contenders:
#3-Mikey Racciato, Pen Argyl - 3x State Placer, 2x State Champ, KOM Champ
#17-Colt Cotten, Benton - 2x State 4th, S32 3rd, Fargo AA, Ironman, Powerade Placer
Blake Bowman, Tri Valley
Tanner Sutton, Chartiers Houston
Billy Barnes, Williamson
Levi Stoyer, Reynolds

What the Bracket Looks Like: Sometimes, by sheer luck, things work out and the best two kids are on opposite sides of the bracket. Racciato, who only has 1 loss ever in a 3-1-1 career in Hershey, is up top and shouldn't have any problems.
Colt Cotten is down below, and is a similar, odds-on favorite.

First RD Match-Up To Watch: Racciato and Marra, simply because I think Mikey will hit something big. But the kid I'm really looking forward to seeing is Soph. Billy Barnes. He could be a good one.

FLO Picks: 1. Racciato 2. Cotten 3. Stoyer 4. Barnes


145 AAA
Contenders:
#4-Solomon Chishko, Canon Mac - 2x State 3rd, S32 Finalist
#10-Josh Shields, Franklin Regional - Returning State 6th, Powerade Champ
#15-Chris Vassar, Cedar Cliff - Returning State Runner-Up
Mikey Springer, Norristown, Beast Placer, Returning State 8th
Matt Mirth, Southern Lehigh
Nolan Barger, Clearfield

What the Bracket Looks Like: Chishko has only suffered two narrow defeats in Hershey, both to the eventual champion (Horan, Spearman). This should be the year he gets it done, though Shields has been lights out, beating Dylan Milonas for the Powerade title after a breakout performance at Ironman.
Chishko is in the bottom half and shouldn't be touched. Shields and runner-up Vassar have a collision course waiting in semi's if they get by Mirth and Springer, respectively.

First RD Match-Up To Watch: I'm watching Chishko. He was seriously injured in his S32 Final and only recently got back to live action. I'm interested to see how he looks.

FLO Picks: 1. Chishko   2. Shields   3. Vassar   4. Springer   

145 Statewide Dapper Dan Picture: Barring something unforeseen, Racciato has this in the back. His state record is impeccable.


152 AA
Contenders
#7-Austin Mathews, Reynolds - 2x State Runner-Up, Ironman and S32 Runner-Up
Ty Herzog, Northern Lehigh - Returning State 8th
Blake Marks, Southern Columbia
Kyle Bova, Coudersport
Kyle Barnes, Hughesville - Returning State Runner-Up
Ryan Preisch, Milton - Beast Placer
Andrew Doak, Blairsville - Returning State 7th

What the Bracket Looks Like: After reaching the finals two years in a row, perhaps it's Mathews year. He's by far the most talented in the bracket. He sits at the bottom of the bracket with Doak and Preisch, who is a guy you should keep in mind for the future. In fact, Priesch beat Barnes in regionals last week. Barnes could get back to the finals, but he has a tough row to hoe. He'll have Herzog in the semi's, whom he beat 3-2 in state quarters last year.

First RD Match-Up To Watch: Barnes, the returning state finalist, vs. Bova, whose only loss of the year came last week to Mathews.

FLO Picks: 1. Mathews   2. Herzog   3. Preisch   4. Barnes


152 AAA
Contenders
#8-TC Warner, Cumberland Valley - Returning State Runner-Up, Beast 3rd
#9-Garrett Hammond, Chambersburg - State Champ, Ironman and S32 Finalist
Heath Coles, Norwin - Fargo AA, Powerade 3rd, Returning State 4th
Mike Sutton, General McLane
Tyler Reinhart, Greensburg-Salem - Powerade 4th
Austin Rose, Central Dauphin - Beast 3rd
Ray Nicosia, Pocono Mtn. East - Returning State 6th

What the Bracket Looks Like: We could have a rematch of last year's state finals where Hammond beat Warner. But Warner turned the tables this season, owning victories over Hammond and Sectionals and Districts. Hammond is in the loaded bottom bracket, but he should sail to semi's. The bottom most quarter features Rose, Nicosia, and Reinhart, who has split matches with Coles this year.
Warner is up top with Coles

First RD Match-Up To Watch: Rose and Nicosia

FLO Picks: 1. Hammond   2. Warner   3. Rose   4. Coles
 
152 Statewide Dapper Dan Picture: If the above scenerios (both Mathews and Hammond winning) it will be interesting to see who is picked, considering Hammond will have two titles to Mathews one, though less finals appearances.


160 AA
Contenders:
#10-Cody Law, Forest Hills - Super 32 5th, Returning State Runner-Up
Ty Walter, Mifflinburg - Super 32 Placer, KOM Runner-Up, 2011 State Placer
Evan DeLong, Kane, Returning State 7th
Jeric Kusanic, Benton, Returning State 5th
Ty Schoffstall, Tri Valley - Returning State 3rd
Cole Shirey, Redbank Valley

What the Bracket Looks Like: Law comes in as the most credentialled, but he has an awfully tough road. If he makes it back, he certainly will have earned it. He's looking at a Hedash-Shirey-Walter run. But I think he will. Kid's got grit and heart.
Down below is Schoffstall's to lose. Expect him to face DeLong or Kusanic in semi's.

First RD Match-Up To Watch: Hedash vs. Law should be a good one.

FLO Picks: 1. Schoffstall   2. Law   3. Walter   4. Shirey


160 AAA
Contenders
#1-Chance Marsteller, Kennard Dale - 2x State Champ, Fargo, Fila, Powerade, S32 Champ
#5-Garrett Peppelman, Central Dauphin - State Champ, Beast Champ
#13-Zack Zavatsky, Greater Latrobe - Powerade Champ, KOM Runner-Up
Zach Voytek, Greensburg-Salem - Powerade Runner-Up, Returning State 7th
Tyree Spearman, Erie McDowell
Evan DiSora, Easton - 2011 State Placer
Justin Staudenmayer, Plymouth-Whitmarsh

What the Bracket Looks Like: Chance is up top, and though Zavatsky has been nothing short of impressive this season, he shouldn't pose a probably for the nation's pound-for-pound king. This is one case where it would have been nice to see the bracket seeded and a Zavatsky-Peppelman semi. But the pros outweigh the cons.
Peppelman is down below where his stiffest resistance should come from Voytek.

First RD Match-Up To Watch: Bobby Fehr vs. Zach Voytek

FLO Picks: 1. Marsteller   2. Peppelman   3. Zavatsky    4. Voytek

160 Statewide Dapper Dan Picture: With the AAA talent all being JR's, I think you're looking at the Schoffstall-Law winner as your DD rep.


170 AA
#4-Pete Renda, Brandywine - Returning State Runner-Up, Super 32 3rd
Tim Vargo, Union City
Ty Dibert, Chestnut Ridge
Mike Fetchet, South Fayette - Returning State 5th
Dustin Conti, Jefferson Morgan - Returning State 5th
Tristan Sponseller, Bermudian Springs - Returning State 3rd
Ben Minnich, North Penn

What the Bracket Looks Like: Renda is the prohibitive favorite. Over the past year, he's hit the next level. He's up top with only a quarterfinal with Fetchet standing between him and the finals again.
There are three near-equal contenders in the bottom half: Conti, Minnich, and Sponseller.

First RD Match-Up To Watch: Ty Dibert and Justin Knee

FLO Picks: 1. Renda   2. Conti   3. Sponseller   4. Fetchet


170 AAA
Contenders
#1-Cody Wiercioch, Canon Mac - 3x State Finalist, 3x Powerade Finalist, 2x Super 32 Champ
Tom Sleigh, Dubois - King of the Mountain Champ
Dom Rigous, Central Bucks South
Colton Peppelman, Central Dauphin - Beast Placer
Joey Krulock, Mechanicsburg - Beast Placer
Noah Wilps, Chartiers Valley - Powerade Placer
Nick Shawley, Bellefonte - King of the Mountain Runner-Up, Returning State 4th
Ernest Fogle, Pocono Mtn. East

What the Bracket Looks Like: Wiercioch is up top, and, unfortunately Tom Sleigh will hit him in quarters. What a difference a year makes. Sleigh went 0-2 in Hershey in 2012, then moved up three weights and won KOM over Ty Walter this fall. 
The bottom half is absolutely wide open. Probably the most uninspiring half bracket this year. Advantage: Krulock.

First RD Match-Up To Watch: Shawley vs. Wilps

FLO Picks: 1. Wiercioch   2. Krulock   3. Sleigh   3. Wilps

170 Statewide Dapper Dan Picture: Wiercioch all the way.


182 AA
Contenders
#9-Dakota DesLauriers, Burrell - Returning State Runner-Up, Powerade Champ, S32 Placer
Stephen Loiseau, Lancaster Catholic
Jose Ortiz, BECA -King of the Mountain Champ
Dylan Reynolds, Saegertown - Powerade Placer
Adam Mackie, Brandywine - Returning State 6th
Terrell Fields, Valley
Troy Hembury, Muncy - Returning State 4th, Fargo AA

What the Bracket Looks Like: There are a couple kids I like here, but none of them with the sophistication of Des Lauriers, who should finally get his title. He's down below with Loiseau and Ortiz, two talented JR's.
Speaking of talented JR's, watch for Terrell Fields up top. He's a darkhorse for the state finals, if he can get past Hembury. He looked great at Cadet Duals last summer.

First RD Match-Up To Watch: Loiseau and Garrett Wesneski

FLO Picks:  1. Des Lauriers   2. Hembury   3. Ortiz   4. Fields


182 AAA
Contenders
#3-Jake Taylor, Bald Eagle - Returning State 3rd, Flonats Champ, Super 32 Champ
#5-Brett Harner, Norristown - Returning State 3rd, Beast, Ironman, S32 Runner-Up
Martin Strenk, Delaware Valley
Tyler Greene, Easton - Returning State 7th, Reno Runner-Up
Alex DiCiantis, North Allegheny
Drew Phipps, Norwin - Powerade 4th
Josh Colello, Cedar Cliff - Powerade 3rd
Nezar Haddad, Parkland - Powerade 5th
Adam Nickelson, Belle Vernon - Returning State 8th
Marcus Johnson, Governor Mifflin
Blaze Buckwalter, Central Mountain

What the Bracket Looks Like: What a monster bracket. College recruiters take note. If you place in this one, you're legit. Harner and Taylor are top dogs, and, thankfully, on opposite sides of the bracket. Taylor beat Harner this year in the Escape the Rock finals.
Harner is up top and should have DiCiantis in quarters. Though his first round opponent (Strenk) is no slouch either. Pay attention to Drew Phipps, who is one of the best freshmen in the state. He could very well make semi's.
Speaking of 'best freshmen', how about Cedar Cliff's Collelo, who beat Phipps for 3rd at Powerade. Unfortunately for him, he has Taylor first round.

FLO Picks:  1. Taylor   2. Harner   3. Phipps    4. Nickelson

First RD Match-Up To Watch: Take your pick: Harner-Strenk, Colello-Taylor, Haddad-Buckwalter.

182 Statewide Dapper Dan Picture: Tough decision for the committee to make. They could go (justifiably) with Eric Morris of Wyoming Seminary. If they opt for a PIAA kid, they still have questions. Taylor or Des Lauriers?


195 AA
Contenders
#1-Ryan Solomon, Milton - 2x State Finalist, 6x Fargo AA, Beast Champ
Adam Geiger, Trinity
Garrett Volcano, Chartiers Houston - Powerade 4th
Josh Alpha, BECA - Temecula Valley placer, 3x State Qualifier

What the Bracket Looks Like: Solomon is looking to make his third straight trip to the finals and I don't see anyone stopping him. He should clear the top half with ease.
The bottom half should be a semi of Geiger and Volcano, who's really stepped his game up this year.

First RD Match-Up To Watch: Josh Alpha vs. James Stoddart

FLO Picks: 1. Solomon   2. Volcano   3. Geiger   4. Alpha


195 AAA
Contenders
#3-Matt McCutcheon, Kiski - Returning State Champ, 2x Super 32 Champ
#17-Jake Hart, Hampton - Returning State Runner-Up, Powerade Runner-Up
Mantae Barnes, Altoona - Powerade Placer
Landon Hanna, Dubois - King of the Mountain Runner-Up
Jeff Pickel, Lampeter-Strasburg 
Omar Haddad, Parkland
PJ Steinmetz, Council Rock South - Returning State 3rd, KOM and ETR Champ
Aaron Varner, Bald Eagle - Returning State 6th
Jovan Reyes, Dieruff - 2011 Fargo finalist, Flonationals AA
Alan Turcinhodzic, North Hills - Fargo GR Finalist, Super 32 Placer

What the Bracket Looks Like: Another AAA monster bracket made all the more interesting by McCutcheon's loss to Hart in the WPIAL finals. That puts McCutcheon in landmine territory. He'll have Varner, whose been wrestling great this year, in the first round. Then a potential match with future Nittany Lion teammate, Steinmetz, who himself has been on a tear.
The top bracket has Hart firmly in the driver's seat, with only Hanna as a concern.
I'm hoping Steinmetz-McCutcheon materializes. Steinmetz is vastly under-appreciated. It will be a great bout.

First RD Match-Up To Watch: Everywhere. McCutcheon-Varner most definitely. Turcinhodzic-Reyes, and Hanna-Pickel.

FLO Picks:  1. McCutcheon   2. Hart    3. Steinmetz   4. Hanna

195 Statewide Dapper Dan Picture: After McCutcheon's loss to Hart, I think Solomon has the spot. But who knows?


220 AA
Contenders
#5-Ray O'Donnell, Saucon Valley - Returning State 3rd, S32, Beast, and ETR Runner-Up, Fargo and Fila GR Champ
Cam Cyphert, Cochranton - Returning State 6th
Evan Daley, Ft. LeBeouf - Returning State 5th
Jake Temple, Avella
Brandon Smith, Lewisburg - Returning State 5th
Joey Kaufman, Halifax

What the Bracket Looks Like: O'Donnell is set up to reach the final. He's in the top with only a potential semi with Cyphert in his way.
The bottom of the bracket features all four of the other contenders listed. I'm leaning towards Smith.

First RD Match-Up To Watch: Daley vs. Dennis Atiyeh.

FLO Picks: 1. O'Donnell   2. Smith   3. Cyphert   4. Temple


220 AAA
Contenders
#3-Thomas Haines, Solanco - 2x State Champ, 2x Super 32 Finalist
Evan Kauffman, Freedom - Returning State 6th
Nathan Sharkey, Bald Eagle
Alex Campbell, Canon Mac - Returning State 5th, Ironman Runner-Up, Powerade 4th, Reno 3rd
Zach De Luca, Pitt CC
Jordan Wood, Boyertown - Super 32 4th, King of the Mountain Champ
Cole Macek, Montour
Shaun Heist, Parkland - Escape the Rock 3rd, Powerade 5th

What the Bracket Looks Like: Another great example of the depth PA is building in the upperweights. Haines is your resident stud looking to stay perfect in Hershey. And though he'll get the Ironman finalist in the quarters, he handled Campbell rather easily at the Powerade. Also up top is Kauffman.
The bottom half features De Luca, who has been wrestling especially well of late, and FR Jordan Wood. Also watch out for Heist on the bottom half.

First RD Match-Up To Watch: Wood vs. Macek

FLO Picks: 1. Haines   2. 
Wood   3. Kauffman   4. Heist 

220 Statewide Dapper Dan Picture: There's a bunch of weight shifting going on by both sides. The committee selected Frank Mattiace, a natural 195. It's likely they either select O'Donnell, or both Solomon and McCutcheon, provided they both win.


HWT AA
#15-Nazar Mironenko, Mifflinburg - Returning State Champ, King of the Mountain Champ
Trevor Stover, Biglerville - Returning State 6th
Sam Breese, Lakeview
Brent Sterner, Susquenita

What the Bracket Looks Like: Not much to write home about here. There were only three underclassmen in the state bracket last year and all of them are back, incuding the champ, Mironenko.

First RD Match-Up To Watch: Stover vs. Jake Becker

FLO Picks: 1. Mironenko  2. Stover   3. Sterner   4. Breese


HWT AAA
Contenders
#6-Aaron Bradley, Nazareth - Returning State Runner-Up, Beast Runner-Up
#19-Shane Kuhn, Kiski - Returning State 4th
Joey Goodhart, Hempfield
Andrew Welton, Central Tech
Brad Emerick, Coughlin - Returning State 5th
Angelo Broglia, Canon Mac - Powerade 7th
Luke Fleck, Franklin Regional - Super 32 Runner-Up
Bo Spiller, Solanco - Escape the Rock Champ, Powerade 6th

What the Bracket Looks Like
: Really good group here with Bradley leading the way. He just beat a very tough Emerick in Regional finals last week. But Bradley's road back to the finals won't be an easy one. He gets Super 32 finalist Fleck in the first round, followed by likely dates with Spiller and Kuhn.
On the top side, things are dicey with compelling head-to-heads early and often. Goodhart just beat Spiller in Regionals. He'll likley get a kid many are talking about (Andrew Welton) in the quarters.

First RD Match-Up To Watch: Bradley vs. Fleck, for sure. One of the best match-ups in the entire first round.

FLO Picks: 1. Bradley   2. Emerick   3. Kuhn   4. Spiller

HWT Statewide Dapper Dan Picture: The highest placer between Bradly and Kuhn almost assuredly gets the nod.