Pennsylvania is once again loaded with high-level high school talent. The state currently has well-established upperclassmen and a crop of up-and-coming young stars looking to take over the state and national landscape. With the Pennsylvania high school season kicking off this week, here’s a look at some of the top names to watch out for this season in the Keystone State. 

Landon Sidun (Norwin) — Junior, 121 pounds AAA

Following an excellent 42-2 freshman season capped with a AAA state championship in 2024, Landon Sidun looked well on his way to a second state championship last season. Sidun won Beast of the East, Powerade and Doc B titles before suffering a season-ending injury that sidelined him from high-level competition throughout the summer. He returned in October and dominated Rocklin Zinkin 13-4 at Who’s Number One to retain his #1 national ranking at 120 pounds. The Penn State commit will look to pick up his second PIAA AAA state championship this year. 

Watch Sidun dominate at the 2025 Who’s Number One.

Freddy Bachmann (Faith Christian Academy) — Sophomore, 133 pounds AA

We watched Freddy Bachmann make a huge splash last season when he won a Super 32 title and then followed that up with an undefeated 43-0 high school season, punctuated with a PIAA title at 114 pounds. Much like his older brother, Joe, we will see Freddy make a big jump up in weight this year to 133 pounds, and we will see if the Iowa commit can use that to jump levels as well in his sophomore season. The #3-ranked wrestler on the Class of 2028 Big Board will have plenty of tough competition this season with guys like returning PIAA Champion Dominic Deputy and Will Detar in his weight class. 

Jax Forrest (Bishop McCort) — Senior, 139 pounds AA

One of the most highly credentialed high school wrestlers in American history. Forrest, the #1 prospect on the Class of 2026 Big Board, is the reigning U23 World champion at 61 kilograms. Before he earned that distinction, he knocked off 2023 World champ Vito Arujau in two straight matches to earn a spot on the American Senior freestyle World Team and went on to place fifth at the World Championships. At the high school level, Forrest is a three-time Who’s Number One winner and a two-time PIAA AA state champion. He captured his second title last season in one of the most historic Pennsylvania state championship finals when he defeated three-time PIAA champion and all-time state wins leader Aaron Seidel for the 133-pound championship. 

Watch Forrest defeat Seidel at the 2025 PIAA State Championships.

Keanu Dillard (Bethlehem Catholic) — Senior, 139 pounds, AAA

Dillard has sneakily had one of the best careers in PIAA history. The Lehigh commit has made a career of finding a way to win when necessary, while also dominating when he is favored. Dillard has also been a huge key player for a historic Bethlehem Catholic squad that has won the PIAA Dual State Championship each year Dillard has been on the team. The 2024 U17 World bronze medalist will look to cap his career this season with both a fourth Dual State Championship and also join the exclusive list of four-time PIAA individual state champions. 

Brandt Harer (Montgomery) — Senior, 145 pounds, AA

Harer is another individual looking to cap a historic Pennsylvania high school career. After a 46-2 freshman campaign that concluded with a runner-up finish at the state tournament, Harer has posted back-to-back dominant, undefeated state championship seasons to up his career tally to 158-2. We saw Aaron Seidel set the PIAA wins record a year ago at 206 wins, and Harer realistically could break that mark, barring any upsets or injuries. Harer looked incredible this fall on his way to a Super 32 title and plans to join his older brother Conor as a three-time PIAA champion before literally joining Conor next year in New Brunswick at Rutgers. 

Watch Harer win a Super 32 title this fall.

Bo Bassett (Bishop McCort) — Senior, 152 pounds, AA

Bassett may go down as the most popular high school wrestler of all time. The future Virginia Tech Hokie is currently 126-0 in his high school career, and after becoming the first four-time Super 32 champion this fall, he will look to win his fourth Ironman, Powerade, and third PIAA state championship this season. Bassett appears to have jumped levels recently, as just in the last month, he dominated his way through both the Clarion Open and the Bill Farrell Memorial in brackets featuring several All-Americans and NCAA qualifiers. 

Watch Bassett win his historic fourth Super 32 title.

Joe Bachmann (Faith Christian Academy) — Junior, 152 pounds, AA

Joe Bachmann is a crafty wrestler with a variety ways to win matches, and he has been able to translate that to winning back-to-back PIAA titles in his first two seasons. The recent Iowa commit has sometimes struggled to separate himself from the field, but has always found a way to get it done. He’s making the jump from 127 pounds last season up to 152. Will that give him an extra edge to widen the gap? While in pursuit of this third PIAA title this year, Bachmann may be the biggest challenger to Bassett this season as well. 

Melvin Miller (Bishop McCort) — Junior, 160 pounds, AA

Melvin Miller is one of the most impressive wrestlers in the country at any weight. The #1 wrestler on the Class of 2027 Big Board has won just about everything there is to win in high school folkstyle wrestling, and he seems to be jumping levels in the last year and starting to widen the gap against his competition. After dominant performances at both Who’s Number One and Super 32, we saw Miller defeat the current NCAA #4-ranked wrestler at 157 pounds, Brandon Cannon, on his way to the Clarion Open title. The Virginia Tech commit will look to win his third PIAA state championship this season and should be near the top of the list of guys you’ll want to watch. 

Watch Melvin Miller defeat Brandon Cannon at the Clarion Open.

Nicholas Singer (Faith Christian Academy) — Junior, 172 pounds, AA

Singer found himself in a lineup battle his freshman year back in 2024 and missed the postseason. Following an injury to Cael Weidemoyer last season, Singer stepped up for Faith Christian Academy and made the most of his opportunity, ultimately winning the PIAA AA crown at 172 pounds. Since then, Singer catapulted himself up to #1 in the country after winning Fargo and defeating Joseph Jeter at Who’s Number One. Singer recently made his commitment to Ohio State and will look to continue to be a force for a loaded Faith Christian Academy lineup. 

Watch Singer win the 2025 PIAA title.

Adam Waters (Faith Christian Academy) — Senior, 189 pounds, AA

Waters has dominated throughout his entire career in the PIAA AA field. In his three PIAA finals appearances, Waters registered two first-period falls and an 11-1 major decision. Waters has always been a guy climbing toward the top step of the national stage and was finally able to make that jump this fall with his win over U17 World bronze medalist Tanner Hodgins at Who’s Number One to take over the #1 spot in the country at 190 pounds. The Ohio State recruit looks to continue to dominate for Faith Christian and bookend his career with a fourth state championship. 

Watch Waters win his third state championship and make his college commitment. 

Dean Bechtold (Owen J. Roberts) — Senior, 285 pounds, AAA

Dean Bechtold has certainly jumped levels throughout his career. Following a sixth-place finish at the state tournament as a freshman at 189 pounds, Bechtold moved up to heavyweight his sophomore year and made the state finals before being halted by Pennsylvania heavyweight legend Sean Kinney to finish as a runner-up. After defeating Michael Mocco for a Super 32 title last year, Bechtold dominated his way to his first PIAA state championship, scoring technical falls or pins against each of his opponents last season. Bechtold is chasing his second PIAA title this season before joining the long list of successful heavyweights for the Lehigh Moutainhawks. 

Watch Bechtold dominate for his first PIAA crown.