Annually one of the toughest in-season tournaments in the country, the Beast of the East kicks off for the 22nd time this weekend. 

The prevailing headline is Nick Suriano's quest to win his third title and maintain pace to capture four with only one other wrestler in tournament history: Mark Grey (Blair, 2008-2011).

Suriano leads #15 Bergen Catholic and the rest of New Jersey in what is the opening weekend for the Garden State. 

For #2 Blair Academy (a private school in New Jersey) it is their second weekend of action as they come off a runner-up finish at the Ironman. In total, 7 of the Top 25 teams in the country will grace the mats at the University of Delaware. In addition to Blair and Bergen, #16-St. Peters (NJ), #17-Bethlehem Catholic (PA), #21-Massillon Perry (OH), #22-Don Bosco (NJ), and #24-Cumberland Valley (PA) are in the field.

Wrestling begins at 8:30 AM (ET) on Saturday with finals taking place on Sunday at 3:15.
All bouts will be streamed live on Flo Pro.

Below are weight class capsules including seeds, notes, and picks.

Wrestlers are listed in order of seeds. # = Flo National Ranking


106
Last Year: Ty Agaisse (Delbarton) dec. Joey Prata (St. Chris), 7-3
2009: Zack Bridson (Timberlane) dec. Max Hvolbeck (Blair), 6-4
1. #14-Jonathan Tropea, St Joseph Montvale - State 8th, Returning 5th
2. HM-Matt Parker, Pennridge - Fargo 3rd
3. Terrell Grant, Tallmadge - Ironman 7th
4. Jakob Campbell, Boyertown - Fargo 5th
5. Zac McCaulley, Massillon Perry - Fargo 4th
6. King Sandoval, St Marys Ryken
7. Mark Salvatore, Malvern Prep
8. Gray Hart, Hanover - State Runner-Up
9. Pat Glory, Delbarton - Top 50 Freshman
10. Killian Cardinale, Patriot - State 4th
11. Levi Englman, Colonial Forge
12. Mason Harrington, Caesar Rodney

Others to Watch: Carmen Ferrante, Bergen Catholic; Gerard Angelo, Hanover Park

Notes: With strong showings at Iron Horse and Super 32, Tropea has emerged as a Top 20 guy and the man to beat here. But I'm real high on Parker, who is coming off a King of the Mountain title. Grant had a really fine showing last week. And Patrick Glory is one of NJ's best freshmen.

Picks:  1. Parker   2. Tropea   3. Grant   4. McCaulley



113
Last Year: Nick Suriano (Bergen Cath.) md. Luke Karam (Beth. Catholic), 11-1
2009: Evan Silver (Blair) dec. Tyler Pendergast (St. Marks), 3-0
1. HM-Joey Prata, St Christophers - Returning Runner-Up
2. #18-Zach Sherman, Blair - Prep Runner-Up, Ironman 8th
3. #8-Brandon Paetzell, Phillipsburg - State Runner-Up
4. HM-Alec Kelly, St Peters Prep - State 3rd, Returning 3rd
5. Danny Moran, Northampton - State Runner-Up
6. Daniel Planta, St Pauls - Prep 3rd
7. Kordell Rush, Pennridge - State 4th
8. Jarod Bronstrup, Brecksville
9. William Kaldes, Cumberland Valley
10. Chase Archangelo, Smyrna
11. Luke Davis, St John's College
12. Aaron Rump, Chambersburg - Returning 7th

Others to Watch: Collin Gerardi, Powhatan

Notes: Prata DNP'd at Ironman, but his losses (Moore, Hoskins) were to two legitimate talents. Kelly's only loss here last year was Agaisse in semi's. Sherman looked strong at Ironman. He's filling out. I'm really interested to see Paetzell. He's been off the grid for a while. Two 'darkhorse' types - Moran will be very good in time; and watch for Kaldes.

Picks:  1. Paetzell   2. Kelly   3. Sherman   4. Moran



120
Last Year: Scotty Parker (Pennridge) dec. Brent Fleetwood (Smyrna), 5-1
2009: Mark Grey (Blair) dec. Brandon Jeske (St. Christopher's) 2-1 RO
1. #2-Nick Suriano, Bergen Catholic - 2x Beast Champion
2. #10 (at 113) Tyshawn White, Central Dauphin - State 3rd
3. Jake Newhouse, Massillon Perry - State Runner-Up
4. Requir Van der merwe, Blair - Prep 3rd, Returning 8th
5. Jake Reigel, Bethlehem Catholic - State Champ
6. Chad Skokowski, John Carroll
7. Michael Doetsch, Severn - Prep 7th
8. Daniel Ariola, Fauquier - State Champ
9. Marshall Keller, Christiansburg 
10. Marc Garofalo, Colonial Forge - State 3rd
11. Matthew Marino, Garnet Valley
12. Andrew Schmeusser, Polytech - State Runner-Up
13. Caden Mareno, McDonogh
14. Kyle Trybus, Mt St Joe's

Others to Watch: Dante Immediato, Middletown; Lou Raimo, Hanover Park; Avery Shay, Don Bosco; Malcolm Robinson, St. Johns

Notes: With Agaisse scratched, Suriano looks to be on cruise control. If there is any chance of an upset, it may come from White, whose only loss in Hershey last year was to Spencer Lee. 

Picks:  1. Suriano   2. White   3. Newhouse   4. Reigel



126
Last Year: Zeke Moisey (Beth. Cath.) dec. Matt Kolodzik (Blair), 7-4
2009: Devin Carter (Christiansburg) dec. Zach Horan (Nazareth), 9-2
1. #6-Austin Assad, Brecksville - Beast 2nd and 3rd, Fargo Champ
2. HM-Luke Karam, Bethlehem Catholic - State Champ, Returning Runner-Up
3. #7-Jose Rodriguez, Massillon Perry - 3x State Finalist, Super 32 Runner-Up
4. #10 (at 120) - Steven Simpson, St Marys Ryken - Returning 4th, Prep 3rd, S32 5th
5. #11-Anthony Cefolo, Hanover Park - State Champ, Returning 7th
6. HM-Patrick D'arcy, Holy Spirit - State Runner-Up, Returning 4th
7. HM (at 132) Peter Lipari, Bergen Catholic - Returning 5th, State 7th
8. JD Gregory, Hanover - State Champ
9. Ryan Freeman, Paramus - State 4th
10. HM-Ryan Friedman, St Pauls - Prep 7th, FloNats 3rd
11. Josh Nail, Colonial Forge - State Champ
12. Michael Sheetz, Northampton - State 6th
13. Nick Farro, Delbarton - State 6th
14. Logan Harvich, Cape Henry Collegiate

Others to Watch: Taylor Shay, Don Bosco; Nick Santos, St. Peters; HM-Sammy Sasso, Nazareth

Notes:  Very deep weight here. Assad beat JRod last week at Ironman, but the two are really neck and neck. D'Arcy was the state runner-up to Suriano last year. The quarters will be particularly compelling with him against JRod, Lipari vs. Karam, and Cefolo vs. Simpson. Simpson's big win in Greensboro was against Doyle Trout. Also lurking is Ryan Friedman. He DNP'd at Ironman last week, but he's more than capable of an upset or two.

Picks:  1. Rodriguez   2. Assad   3. Karam   4. Cefolo



132
Last Year: Anthony Giraldo (N. Bergen) dec. Coy Ozias (Christiansburg), 5-0
2009: Nick Schenk (St. Marks) dec. Sam Sherlock (W. Mifflin), 3-2 OT
1. #2-AC Headlee, Waynesboro - Takes 3rd at Everything
2. #7-Charles Tucker, Blair - Returning 6th, Prep Runner-Up
3. TK Megonigal, James Madison - Prep 3rd, Returning 5th
4. Quinn Devaney, McDonogh - Prep 4th
5. Jason Spencer, Massillon Perry - State 4th
6. JoshWyland, Benedictine - Prep 8th
7. Justin Yorkdale, Westfield - State Champ
8. Derek Bohle, Timberlane - State Runner-Up
9. Adam Wilmer, Matoaca - State 3rd
10. Luke McDonough, Sanford - State Runner-Up
11. Mason Rockman, JW Robinson - State 3rd
12. Kyle Roche, Fauquier - State 4th

Others to Watch: Will Kui, DePaul; Ethan Kraus, Georgetown; Todd Hetrick, Northampton; vince Foggia, N. Burlington; Sam Cali, Don Bosco; Sonny Simonetti, St. Peters; Cal Reichert, Cumberland Valley, Imran Heard, St. Johns; Shawn Orem, Mt. St. Joes; Jared Papscy, Bethlehem Catholic; Josh Stillings, Pennridge; Shane Griffiths, Bergen Catholic

Notes: Sneaky depth here as there are a ton of under the radar types.
As evidenced by his placing here last year and a loss to FR Rocky Jordan last week, Tucker is susceptible to inconsistency. But when he's on, he's as good as anyone. Which makes a potential final with Headlee, who's in contention for the #1 spot in the country, one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament.
Stillings, Papscy, and Griffiths are some of the elite freshman in the country. I also liked what I saw out of Heard last week. And don't be surprised if Cali makes a deep run.

Picks:  1. Headlee   2. Tucker   3. Reichart   4. Griffiths   



138
Last Year: Joey McKenna (Blair) dec. Court Schuyler (Manheim), 9-2
2009: Simon Kitzis (Wyoming Seminary) dec. Wes Cannon (Sussex Tech), 3-2
1. #2-Matt Kolodzik, Blair - Returning Runner-Up, Ironman Runner-Up
2. HM-Zach Elvin, Central Dauphin - State 4th, Returning 4th
3. HM-Connor Burkert, St Peter Prep - State 4th, Returning 6th
4. HM-Peter Tedesco, Belmont Hill - Prep Runner-Up, Returning 8th
5. HM-Kyle Bierdumpfel, Don Bosco Prep - 2x State Runner-Up
6. Hunter Bolen, Christiansburg - Returning 7th, State 6th
7. Mark McCormick, Camden Catholic - State 4th
8. HM-Ryan Peters, Timberlane - State Champ
9. Matt Raines, Fauquier - State Champ
10. Justin Demicco, Brecksville - State 5th
11. Stephen Maloney, Bethlehem Catholic - State 6th
12. Jeff Stone, Colonial Forge - State Runner-Up
13. Patrick Mclaughlin, Lawrenceville - Prep 7th
14. Clint Ferrazzo, Caravel
15. Alex Sebahie, Paramus
16. Ryan Yorkdale, Westfield

Others to Watch: Chris Hisey, Malvern Prep; Matt Deehan, Delbarton

Notes:  Kolodzik is as good as any in America. He should cruise to quarters before hitting  the Bierdumpfel-Tedesco winner. That being said, watch for Peters to turn some heads. I don't think he can give Kolodzik a run, but you'll know his name by the time the weekend's done. I'm also looking for a good performance by McCormick.

Picks:  1. Kolodzik   2. McCormick   3. Bierdumpfel   4. Elvin



145
Last Year: Alfred Bannister (McNamara) dec. Pat Duggan (Cumberland Valley), 3-2
2009: Chris Villalonga (Blair) dec. Codey Combs (Sussex Central), 9-4
1. #12-Kevin Budock, Good Counsel - Prep Runner-Up, Returning 6th
2. Travis Vasquez, Delbarton - State 3rd, Returning 7th
3. Mike Monica, Blair - 2x NHSCA Placer
4. Tyshawn Williams, Archbishop Curley - Prep 3rd
5. Matthew Lattanze, Malvern Prep - Prep 5th
6. Ryan Burkert, St Peter Prep - State Runner-up
7. Robert Dupont, Benedictine College Prep
8. Nick Steed, Massillon Perry - State Runner-up
9. David Giantonio, Christiansburg - State Cham,p
10. Cole Karam, Bethlehem Catholic
11. Sonny Lucas, Brecksville - State 4th
12. Brad Riley, Germantown Academy - Prep 6th
13. Christian Bassolino, Hanover Park
14. Sam Martino, McDonogh - Prep 7th
15. Brendan Lamey, Sanford - State 3rd
16. Daniel Scalzo, Timberlane

Notes:  Budock is the class of the field here as far as national recognition. But he's far from a shoe-in. There are several guys that were just short of major titles including Vazquez and Burkert, who both had just one loss at NJ States, and Williams, who lost just once at Preps. There seems like there's always one weight where a new star emerges every year at Beast, and this looks to beat a great situation for someone to become a new household name. Vazquez's only loss in Atlantic City last year was a 3-2 decision at the hands of eventual champ Gentile. 

Picks:  1. Vazquez   2. Budock   3. Williams   4. Lattanze



152
Last Year: Mason Manville (Blair) dec. Nick Reenan (Wyoming Seminary), 3-1
2009: Ben Dorsay (Cox) dec. Anthony Baldosaro (Eastern), 4-2
1. #4-Patrick Duggan, Cumberland Valley - Returning Runner-Up, State 2nd, 3rd
2. #6-Jordan Kutler, Blair - Ironman 3rd, Prep 5th
3. #7-Cameron Harrell, McDonogh - Prep Runner-Up, Returning 5th, Ironman 4th
4. #15-Joseph Tavoso, Delbarton - State 4th, S32 6th
5. HM-Neal Richards, Matoaca - State Champ, Returning 8th
6. Giovanny Bonilla, Kissimmee Osceola
7. Garrett Tingen, Fauquier - State Champ
8. Creed Lumpp, Christiansburg - State Runner-Up
9. Bailey Hicks, Tabb - State 3rd
10. Joe Trovato, Paramus
11. Michael Labriola, Bethlehem Catholic - State 6th
12. Austin Hiles, Brecksville
13. Kalen Wilson, Smyrna - 2x State Runner-Up
14. Thomas Otlowski, St Marks
15. Paul Hutton, Good Counsel - Prep 8th
16. Riley Jackson, Great Bridge

Notes: We all know the big three here. Duggan was a runner-up at Beat to Alfred Bannister a year ago. Kutler beat Harrell twice at Ironman last week and will have to do so again to reach the finals. Richards is a guy who's been in and out of the rankings and I love the quarterfinal that will have him face Tavoso who recently got in the Top 20 with a win over Richards in Super 32 consi's. Labriola didn't have a great S32, but he's a very talented Sophomore who you'll here from sooner or later.

Picks:  1. Kutler   2. Duggan   3. Harrell   4. Tavoso



160
Last Year: Dylan Milonas (Blair) dec. TC Warner (Cumberland Valley), 5-3
2009: Jesse Shanaman (Blair) dec. Matt White (Wood), 6-5
1. #5-David McFadden, DePaul - State Champ, Fargo Runner-Up, Returning 3rd
2. HM-Corbin Allen, Hanover - State Champ, S32 6th
3. Dorian Giantonio, Christiansburg - State 3rd
4. Michael Beard, Malvern Prep - Ironman 6th
5. Garrett Neff, Good Counsel
6. Eli Hutchinson, Smyrna - State 3rd
7. Peter Bearse, Blair
8. JJ Currie, Cape Henlopen - State 4th
9. Muqkadeen Poole, St Benedicts Prep
10. Hunter Wigginton, St Christophers

Notes: We were all hoping for a rematch of Fargo finals but that went out the window with Manville scratching. And though Corbin Allen has a boatload of national placings, this is McFadden's for the taking. His only loss last year at Beast was in OT to Bannister.
I actually think Beard is the second best wrestler in the weight. And just a freshman, folks. I was ultra impressed with him at Ironman. Just a bull. He went 6-2 with Manville in the opening round and wrestled all the way back to place, beating two seniors who had previously been ranked before losing 3-1 to both Weiler and Rundell.

Picks:  1. McFadden   2. Allen   3. Beard   4. Giantonio



170
Last Year: Myles Martin (McDonogh) dec. Garrett Peppelman (Central Dauphin), 3-2
2009: Marshall Peppelman (Central Dauphin) dec. Nick Visicaro (Long Branch), 4-2 OT
1. #3-Fox Baldwin, Kissimmee Osceola - Super 32 Champ
2. #8-Brandon Dallavia, Blair - Returning 4th, Prep 4th, Ironman 3rd
3. Chris Almony, John Carroll - Prep 5th, Fargo AA
4. Sam Rowell, Mt St Joe's - Prep 7th
5. Anthony Carter, Colonial Forge - State 4th
6. Ronnie Wuest, Smyrna - State 4th
7. Adam Soldridge, Bethlehem Catholic
8. Jimmy Schuitema, Phillipsburg
9. Brett Simon, St John's College
10. Andrew Shedleski, Lewisburg
11. Austin Phillips, Massillon Perry
12. Kenny Long, Holy Cross

Notes: One of the clearest pictures of the tournament. Baldwin and Dallavia are simply at a different level than the rest of the 170lb field. That being said, Dallavia didn't look himself last week.

Picks:  1. Baldwin   2. Dallavia   3. Almony   4. Schuitema



182
Last Year: Johnny Sebastian (Bergen Cath.) md. Joey Balboni (Brearly), 13-5
2009: Kenny Courts (Central Dauphin) dec. Tristan Warner (Cumberland Valley), 6-3
1. #2-Myles Martin, McDonogh - Prep Champ, Returning Champ
2. #11-Dylan Wisman, Millbrook - FloNats Champ
3. #13-Chase Singletary, Blair - State 3rd, Ironman 8th
4. #18-Kevin Mulligan, Bergen Catholic - Super 32 Runner-Up
5. Nick Depalma, DePaul - Returning 6th
6. Joshua Colello, Cedar Cliff - Returning 8th, Powerade 6th
7. Kyle Gentile, Pennridge - Returning 8th
8. Jackson Law, Cape Henry Collegiate - Prep 8th
9. Brian Lonergan, Timberlane - State Runner-Up
10. Joshua Simon, St John's College
11. Luke Strnad, Brecksville
12. Robert Winters, Colonial Forge - State 5th
13. Jay Aiello, Westfield
14. Donovan Mcafee, Good Counsel

Others to Watch: Rahshon Lusane, Malvern Prep; Jens Ames, St. Christophers's

Notes:  Martin is poised for his third final and second title. He'll have to go through Mulligan in the semi's, and he should be able to take care of business there. Wisman is the guy, for me, that poses the most threat to Martin. But it's two straight tournaments now (S32 and Ironman) that he's dropped matches to guys he shouldn't have (Kollin Moore/Nathan Traxler). And Martin had a controlled 5-2 win over Wisman in the Ironman semi's.

Picks:  1. Martin   2. Wisman   3. Mulligan   4. Singletary



195
Last Year: LJ Barlow (Haverford) dec. Matt Correnti (Holy Cross), 6-5 OT
2009: Mike Evans (Blair) dec. Jamie Callendar (Council Rock North), 5-2
1. #18-LJ Barlow, Haverford - Returning Champ, Prep Runner-Up
2. #11-Matt Correnti, Holy Cross - State 3rd, Returning Runner-Up
3. #5-Hunter Ritter, John Carroll - Super 32 Champ
4. Neil Putnam, Blair - Returning 7th, Ironman 7th
5. HM-Desmond Johnson, Chestnut Hill - Prep 5th, Returning 8th
6. TJ Allen, Hanover - State Runner-Up
7. HM-Kevin Snyder, Good Counsel - Prep 8th, S32 8th
8. HM-Tyler Love, Centerville - State Champ
9. Carrington Lanier, St Christophers
10. Logan Rill, Mt St Joe's
11. Camerson Houston, Colonial Forge - State 8th
12. Zac Faust, GAR
13. Brian Hennessy, St John's College
14. Marquelle Bennett, Smyrna

Others to Watch: Francis Duggan, Cumberland Valley

Notes: Last year, Barlow was disappointing at Ironman, but had one of the most impressive Beast tournaments a week later beating three nationally ranked wrestlers in a row to win the title (Ritter-Hawkins-Correnti). Can he do it again?
Ritter is probably the guy to beat but he puts himself in risky situations sometimes. His potential match-up with Correnti will be one of the best of the semi's. 
Two legit darkorse contenders here and both are on the same side of the bracket: Desmond Johnson and Tyler Love.
Also pay attention to Duggan, who will be VERY good in time.

Picks:  1. Ritter   2. Love   3. Correnti   4. Barlow



220
Last Year: Jordan Wood (Boyertown) md. Zack Chakonis (Don Bosco), 10-1
2009: Matt Idelson (Garnet Valley) dec. Nate Gaffney (Connelsville), 6-4
1. #7-Andrew Dunn, Bethlehem Catholic - S32 Champ, State 3rd, Returning 5th
2. HM-David Showunmi, Blair - Ironman Champ, Returning 6th, Prep 6th
3. #5-Patrick Grayson, Colonial Forge - Super 32 Champ, State Champ
4. HM-Mike Smith, McDonogh - Prep 3rd, Ironman 6th
5. Nick Miller, Good Counsel - Prep 7th
6. #17-Christian Colucci, St Peters Prep - Super 32 3rd
7. Keith Medley, St Marks
8. Christian Scott, John Carroll
9. Mark Mullnack, Polytech
10. Paul Triandafilou, Georgetown Prep
11. Troy Mcnally, Caesar Rodney
12. Riley Montgomery, Salesianum

Notes: Even with last year's champ Jordan Wood on the shelf with injury, this weight is super intriguing with two Super 32 Champs and an Ironman Champ.
Dunn was your S32 Champ at HWT, Grayson won it at 220. Collucci's only loss in Greensboro was to Grayson, 5-3 in the semi's. 
Showunmi is the other guy I'm looking at. Coming off an Ironman title that included no wins over ranked opponents, this is a referendum for him - his shot to prove his Top 20.

Picks: 1. Dunn   2. Grayson   3. Colucci   4. Showunmi



HWT
Last Year: Thomas Haines (Solanco) md. Kevin Wilkins (Montvale), 12-1
2009: Mike McMullan (Wyoming Seminary) dec. Bobby Telford (St. Marks), 4-3
1. #1-Zack Chakonis, Don Bosco Prep - Returning Runner-Up, State Runner-Up
2. HM-Bo Spiller, Solanco - State 4th, Returning 6th
3. DT Badley, St Christopher's - Ironman 8th
4. Anthony Helm, Matoaca - State Champ
5. Phillip Spencer, St John's College
6. Daniel Herman, The Heiths School - State 5th
7. Peter Ciesielski, Malvern Prep
8. Alex Barnabae, Mt St Joe's
9. Saul Wilkins, GAR
10. Tom Lynd, St Augustine
11. Jose Palomino, St Peter's Prep
12. Tanner Whitesell, Christiansburg 

Notes: Chakonis ran in to Jordan Wood last year. Now's he's the clear front-runner for the Beast title. Spiller has been up and down over the past year, but he poses the biggest threat.

Picks:  1. Chakonis   2. Badley   3. Spiller   4. Helm