The PIAA Championships return to FloWrestling March 9-11. All bouts will be streamed live starting with AA on Thursday morning at 9am EST. AAA gets underway at 4pm Thursday afternoon.This four part series will preview each bracket for lightweights (107-145) and heavyweights (152-285) on both the AA and AAA side. AA release will be followed by AAA. Check into the event hub for all written and video content. Interactive brackets will be live on FloArena.

107

Returning Qualifiers: (4)

Tanner Mizenko, 11th, Canon-McMillan

Curtis Nelson, 10th, Ridley

Gus Smith, 10th, Spring-Ford

Returning Medalists: (1)

Luke Sirianni, 12th, Abington Heights 7th 106

Keanu Dillard is #2 in the country and viewed as heavy of a favorite as anyone in the tournament. Dillard missed time at the beginning of the season coming back from injury. He is still 20-0 and has only missed bonusing in two of those 20 wins. 

Top Bracket:

Tanner Mizenko (Canon-McMillan) is the top seed, but not necessarily the favorite to advance out of his quarter. Returning medalist Luke Sirianni (Abington Heights) drew into the top quarter with Mizenko. Two losses to New Jersey medalist Johnathon McGinty and a regional final loss to Dillard are the blemishes on Sirianni’s record. He should be viewed as the favorite in the top half.

Regional champions Thunder Beard (Central Dauphin) and Colby Martinelli (Pennridge) squared off in the Giant Center already this season at the dual championships. That bout went to Martinelli 8-6. It will be interesting to see what adjustments are made on both sides.

Bottom Bracket:

The top quarter is the most intriguing in the bracket for me. The freshmen in this quarter come with solid PJW credentials. Santino Sloboda (Butler) and Max Tancini (Perkiomen Valley) have had very different seasons. Tancini has had nine matches against PIAA qualifiers and two against New Jersey Medalists. Sloboda Has gotten the opportunity just twice. This will be a match to follow in the championship round of 16. 

Dillard is the second seed. Connor Lenahan (Council Rock South) could wrestle into Dillard. That is one of Dillard’s decisions this year and his closest bout that finished 6-1 at the team duals in February. 

Prediction: Keanu Dillard (Bethlehem Catholic) over Luke Sirianni (Abington Heights)

2022 Results:

106 LBS

1st Nathan Desmond (Bethlehem Catholic) MD Luke Willochell (Greater Latrobe), 15-5

3rd Eren Sement (Council Rock North) DEC Tyler Kapusta (Franklin Regional), 1-0

5th Cole Mcfarland (Haverford) DEC Dean Houser (Daniel Boone), 6-0

7th Luke Sirianni (Abington Heights) MD Luke Reitter (Council Rock South), 20-8

114

Returning Qualifiers: (10)

Cole Coffin, 11th, Pennridge

Tyson Cook, 11th, West Scranton

Logan Sallott, 12th, Erie McDowell (2021)

Returning Medalists: (7)

Nathan Desmond, 10th, Bethlehem Catholic 1st 106

Luke Willochell, 10th, Greater Latrobe 2nd 106

Kaedyn Williams, 11th, Manheim Township 3rd 113

Tyler Kapusta, 11th, Franklin Regional 4th 106

Carson Wagner, 12th, Northampton 4th 113

Cole McFarland, 11th, Haverford 5th 106

Luke Reitter, 11th, Council Rock South 8th 106

Nathan Desmond (Bethlehem Catholic) was thoroughly dominant in the postseason a year ago. He bonused his way through the postseason. That won’t happen this season as he won an 8-1 decision over Carson Wagner (Northampton) in the regional final. It doesn’t take anything away from the expectations in Hershey. The third ranked wrestler in the country will be appointment viewing as he gets after points from whistle to whistle.

Top Bracket:

Desmond sits at the top of the bracket and could hit his semifinal opponent from last year in the quarters. The semifinal was a 16-0 technical fall over Tyler Kapusta (Franklin Regional). Kapusta went on to finish fourth. 

The bottom quarter is going to be very interesting. Logan Sallott (Erie McDowell) already has a win over Connor Smith (Seneca Valley) on the season 7-6 back in early January. That should be tightly contested is Smith can get through the opening round. 

Chris Dennis (Central Bucks West) was a PJW runner-up to Dillard a year ago. He has to potential to make a run to the semifinals. Lots of potential for different outcomes in this quarter.

Bottom Bracket:

Four returning medalists are all separated in the bottom half. Wagner made the postseason drop to 114 and is seeking his fourth medal. A showdown with returning runner-up Luke Wilochell (Greater Latrobe) looms in the top quarter. 

2021 PIAA Champion Kaedyn Williams (Manheim Township)  got a late start to the season, but has put up bonus points in all 20 of his outings. I think he’ll continue his roll into the semifinals. Either opponent out of the top creates an interesting storyline. Williams beat Wagner for third a year ago at 113lbs. Willochell could create an exciting unconventional match-up that is very pleasing to watch from a fans perspective. Either way the fans win.

Prediction: Nathan Desmond (Bethlehem Catholic) over Carson Wagner (Northampton)

2022 Results:

113 LBS

1st Zachary Jacaruso (Delaware Valley) DEC Cole Campbell (Bethlehem Catholic), 3-1

3rd Kaedyn Williams (Manheim Township) DEC Carson Wagner (Northampton), 1-0

5th Tony Burke (Council Rock North) FOR Cael Nasdeo (Williamsport)

7th Tyler Chappell (Seneca Valley) DEC Nico Tocci (Warwick), 4-0

121

Returning Qualifiers: (11)

James Garcia, 11th, Wilson

Christian Horvath, 12th, Bethlehem Freedom

Hunter Johnson, 12th, Mifflin County

Brady Joling, 12th, Chartiers Valley

Keagan Oler, 10th, Erie Cathedral Prep

Branden Rozanski, 11th, Upper Perkiomen

Marco Tocci, 12th, Warwick

James Garcia, 11th, Wilson 

Returning Medalists: (3)

Dean Houser, 11th, Daniel Boone 6th 106

Cael Nasdeo, 12th, Williamsport 6th 113

Mason Ziegler, 11th, Quakertown 7th 113 (2021)

This is the first weight on the AAA side that I feel is lacking a true favorite. I think there are as many as five wrestlers that have a legitimate shot at leaving the Giant Center with a title Saturday night. 

Top Bracket:

Cael Nasdeo (Williamsport) is the top seed and made a final back in 2021. Christian Horvath (Bethlehem Freedom) is the fourth seed. I view these guys in a very similar tier when it comes to wrestling skill. Credentials heavily favor Nasdeo as Horvath has had some inconsistent results and took some losses at the most inopportune times. A surface level look would heavily favor Nasdeo on this half, but don’t get caught up in that. There will be battles to make the final.

Bottom Bracket:

Mason Ziegler (Quakertown) and Dean Houser (Daniel Boone) are the regional champions on this side. Ziegler is currently ranked #14 in the country. Houser isn’t the favorite in his quarter as Trey Wagner (Northampton) majored him at the Top Hat in December. I favor Ziegler in this half, but you probably would have to put much effort into talking me into taking Wagner.

Prediction: Christian Horvath (Bethlehem Freedom) over Mason Ziegler (Quakertown)

2022 Results:

120 LBS

1st Vinny Kilkeary (Greater Latrobe) MD Mason Leiphart (Dover), 12-3

3rd Charlie Bunting (Nazareth) DEC Sean Logue (Father Judge), 4-1

5th Kamdyn Williams (Manheim Township) DEC Jacob Houpt (Canon-McMillan), 8-2

7th Troy Hohman (Penn Trafford) F Asher Cunningham (State College), 1:11

127

Returning Qualifiers: (10)

Andrew Binni, 11th, Canon-McMillan

Hayden Cunningham, 12th, State College (2020)

Caleb Fasick, 12th, Altoona (2021)

Liam Flanagan, 11th, Central Dauphin

Tahir Parkins, 10th, Nazareth

Quinn Smith, 12th, Spring-Ford

Returning Medalists: (4)

Vinny Kilkeary, 12th, Greater Latrobe 1st 120

Eren Sement, 10th, Council Rock North 3rd 106

Tyler Chappell, 12th, Seneca Valley 7th 113

Seamus Mack, 11th, Hempfield 8th 126

Vinny Kilkeary (Greater Latrobe) is looking for his third title. He is currently undefeated and ranked #6 in the country. Kilkeary missed almost the entire month of December, but has managed to put up bonus in 23 of 25 bouts this season. 

Top Bracket:

Kilkeary should cruise to the semifinal from the top of the bracket. The bottom quarter could unfold so many different ways we don’t have enough time to go over all the scenarios before the first whistle blows. Tyler Chappell (Seneca Valley) is the most credentialed wrestler in the quarter and finished fourth in the Southwest Region. Hayden Cunningham (State College) made the late season descent and carries a very deceiving record of 28-7. That includes a win over New Jersey runner-up Jack Bastarrika. Cunningham has missed a large portion of his high school career due to injury. I think he will make the most of this weekend.

Bottom Bracket:

Maybe I am missing something, but this looks like a straightforward clash of regional champions in the semifinal. Tahir Parkins (Nazareth) and Eren Sement (Council Rock North) are those champions occupying the seeded positions in the bracket. Andrew Binni (Canon-McMillan) could be the trap match that makes this thought process look silly. Binni has a motor with just one gear as he is always looking to press the pace. 

Parkins had a disappointing tournament a year ago as it appeared to me that he grew into a difficult cut. He dropped to 121lbs after coming back from an injury, but went back up to 127lbs. I think he learned a valuable lesson last year. 

Prediction: Vinny Kilkeary (Greater Latrobe) over Tahir Parkins (Nazareth)

2022 Results:

126 LBS

1st Dalton Perry (Central Mountain) DEC Ethan Lebin (Hempfield Area), 6-3

3rd Maddox Shaw (Thomas Jefferson) DEC Braxton Appello-fries (Nazareth), 8-2

5th Jake Vandee (Erie Cathedral Prep) F Zander Phatorus (Waynesburg), 3:29

7th Karl Shindledecker (Chambersburg) DEC Seamus Mack (Hempfield), 7-0

133

Returning Qualifiers: (12)

Carmen Cortese, 12th, West Chester Henderson

Anthony Ferraro, 12th, Pine-Richland

Rocco Fratelli, 11th, Northern York

Jared Fulton, 12th, Solanco

Gavin Sheridan, 11th, Boyertown

Returning Medalists: (7)

Ethan Lebin, 12th, Hempfield Area 2nd 126

Charlie Bunting, 12th, Nazareth 3rd 120

Maddox Shaw, 10th, Thomas Jefferson 3rd 126

Luke Simcox, 11th, Central Mountain 5th 132

Gunnar Myers, 11th, Wallenpaupack 5th 120 (2021)

Cael McIntyre, 12th, Bethlehem Catholic 6th 113 (2021)

Eli Bounds, 12th, Boiling Springs 7th 126 (AA)

Maddox Shaw (Thomas Jefferson) and Luke Simcox (Central Mountain) enter the weekend ranked #11 and #12 in the country. Simcox probably found the path of most resistance and will be a deserving winner if he finds himself on top of the podium Saturday night.

Top Bracket:

Shaw is sitting in a good spot at the top of the bracket. I think Cael McIntyre (Bethlehem Catholic) is the favorite in the bottom quarter, but did himself no favors taking the early loss at regionals and having to battle back for third. More than likely he will have to go through two regional champions en route to the semifinal.

Bottom Bracket:

Four of five wrestlers in the top quarter have earned a PIAA medal in the past.Simcox is the regional champion in the quarter and owns a major decision win this year over returning runner-up Ethan Lebin (Hempfield). 

Dave Crowell has an incredible track record of having his teams ready for the state tournament. I think Charlie Bunting (Nazareth) becomes a little heavier of a favorite in the bottom quarter when you account for Nazareth’s track record over the years under Crowell. Bunting finished third a year ago playing a huge role in the team championship. I will always expect Nazareth to over perform here.

Unlock this video, live events, and more with a subscription!

Sign Up

Already a subscriber? Log In

Prediction: Maddox Shaw (Thomas Jefferson) over Luke Simcox (Central Mountain)

2022 Results:

132 LBS

1st Mac Church (Waynesburg) DEC Matt Repos (Central Dauphin), 3-1

3rd Kollin Rath (Bethlehem Catholic) DEC Collin Gaj (Quakertown), 3-1 SV

5th Luke Simcox (Central Mountain) DEC Julian Everitt (Pittston Area), 4-0

7th Chad Ozias (Connellsville) DEC Ayden Rader (Nazareth), 4-3

139

Returning Qualifiers: (10)

Oliver Fairchild, 12th, Easton

Sam Kuhns, 11th, Pennridge (2021)

Gabriel Pecaitis, 11th, Gettysburg

Blake Reihner, 11th, Trinity

Austin Smith, 11th, Abington Heights

Lonzy Vielma, 10th, Connellsville

Returning Medalists: (4)

Pierson Manville, 11th, State College 1st 138

Dalton Perry, 10th, Central Mountain 1st 126

Kollin Rath, 10th, Bethlehem Catholic 3rd 132

Connor Saylor, 12th, Hickory 5th 138 (AA)

You will have to dig deep into the record books to find a season with more top tier wins than the one Kollin Rath (Bethlehem Catholic) has put together in ‘22-’23. New Jersey State Champion, two National Prep Champions, West Virginia State Champion, Ohio State Champion, Tennessee State Champion, and three PIAA Champions are on the hit list. Rath is ranked #3 in the country and the favorite in the 139lb bracket. In order to take home his first title he will likely have to beat two of those PIAA Champions he took down earlier in the year.

Unlock this video, live events, and more with a subscription!

Sign Up

Already a subscriber? Log In

Pierson Manville (State College) is the top seed and favorite in the top bracket. Manville was defeated by Rath at Escape the Rock. This path to a title familiar to Manville. Last year he lost to Bethlehem Catholic’s Tyler Kasak at Escape the Rock before knocking him off in the PIAA semifinal. Manville is 3-0 against fellow District 6 returning state champ Dalton Perry (Central Mountain). The regional final win was the most important one to push Perry and Rath to the other side of the bracket.

Bottom Bracket:

I have a hard time not looking directly at the semifinal between Rath and Perry. Rath took the 1-0 victory at the team duals in February. That same day Rath bumped up to beat 2x champ Mac Church (Waynesburg). When you look at the historical significance of this weight class, remember that Perry was a freshman champion and trying to keep his bid for four titles alive.

Prediction: Kollin Rath (Bethlehem Catholic) over Pierson Manville (State College)

2022 Results:

138 LBS

1st Pierson Manville (State College) DEC Briar Priest (Hempfield Area), 5-4 TB2

3rd Tyler Kasak (Bethlehem Catholic) DEC Dominic Findora (Downingtown West), 4-0

5th Colton Stoneking (Waynesburg) DEC Kelly Kakos (Perkiomen Valley), 6-4

7th Jake Doone (Nazareth) DEC Aliazer Alicea (Manheim Township), 8-6

145

Returning Qualifiers: (11)

Wyatt Dillon, 11th, Central York

Max Parnis, 12th, West Chester East

Aiden Swann, 12th, Cocalico

Ean Wilson, 11th, Boiling Springs (AA)

Returning Medalists: (7)

Mac Church, 12th, Waynesburg 1st 132

Matt Repos, 12th, Central Dauphin 2nd 132

Collin Gaj, 10th, Quakertown 4th 132

Nico Taddy, 12th, West Allegheny 4th 113 (2020)

Jake Doone, 12th, Nazareth 7th 138

Asher Cunningham, 10th, State College 8th 120

Griffin Walizer, 11th, Central Mountain 8th 145

Mac Church (Waynesburg) is ranked #3 in the country and the second wrestler in the AAA field seeking his third title. Church finished third as a freshman at 106lbs before claiming titles at 120lbs and 132lbs. Church hasn’t blown through the field in either of his title runs, and I expect him to be tested in the Giant Center this weekend as well.

Top Bracket:

In a departure from the past two years, Church seems to have a clear path to the finals. Asher Cunningham (State College) appears to be the biggest threat in the semifinal. Church defeated Cunningham 7-2 at Powerade. 

Bottom Bracket:

Matt Repos (Central Dauphin) dropped the final to Church a year ago. Repos is trying to earn his fourth medal as he’s finished 4th, 7th, and 2nd. He won the Southcentral Region and is the second seed. Don’t get ahead of yourself and schedule the rematch just yet. Repos needed sudden victory to defeat Griffin Walizer (Central Mountain) at the dual championships and Collin Gaj (Quakertown) is the third seed. He is ranked #5 in the country and undefeated this season. He had an incredible Escape the Rock running off three straight top 15 wins en route to the belt. Gaj is my pick in the bottom.

Unlock this video, live events, and more with a subscription!

Sign Up

Already a subscriber? Log In

Prediction: Mac Church (Waynesburg) over Collin Gaj (Quakertown)

2022 Results:

145 LBS

1st Ty Watters (West Allegheny) DEC Finn Solomon (Franklin Regional), 7-4

3rd Jude Swisher (Bellefonte) MD Nicholas Foster (Nazareth), 8-0

5th Lucas Kapusta (Hempfield Area) DEC Chance Babb (Boyertown), 1-0

7th Riley Bower (Williamsport) DEC Griffin Walizer (Central Mountain), 4-2