Fi: Escape The Rock Preview

Jan 16, 2014 by Willie Saylor

Escape The Rock Preview

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Escape The Rock Preview
Willie Saylor, Sr. Editor

What’s solidified itself as one of the strongest in-season high school tournaments in the country, Escape the Rock welcomes the nation’s #1 team this year.

Blair Academy joins the field at Council Rock South High School along with nationally ranked Bethlehem Catholic, who won both the dual and individual state titles last season.

Below are weight class capsules, notes and picks.

Action gets underway Saturday at 11 AM. Brackets can be found on trackwrestling.

*Wrestlers are listed in order of Preseeds

106:
Last Year’s Final: Tommy Aloi, Forest Park dec. Connor Sheehan, Solanco, 6-3
The Contenders:
#16-Sr. Connor Sheehan, Solanco - State Runner-Up, Returning Runner-Up
Fr. John Pipa, Bishop McDevitt - Powerade 4th
Fr. Aaron Rump, Chambersburg - Beast 7th
Fr. Dan Moran, Northampton - Hurricane 3rd
So. Kordell Rush, Pennridge - Fargo AA
Fr. Riley Palmer, Council Rock South - King of the Mountain Champ
Fr. Zach Sherman, Blair Academy - Beast 8th

Commentary: As a returning finalist and the most seasoned, Sheehan will be a strong bet to make the finals. Moran is a really tough Frosh that looked good at both S32 and the Hurricane. I like him over Rush in the quarters which will set up a Sheehan-Moran semi. I’m going with the upset there.
In the bottom half of the bracket, give me Pipa. He looked really tough at Powerade, losing twice narrowly (OT and 1-0) to Lizak, who’s up at 113 here.

Willie’s Picks: 1. Moran 2. Pipa 3. Sheehan

113:
Last Year’s Final: Brent Fleetwood, Smyrna dec. Ethan Lizak, 3-1
The Contenders:
#15-So. Luke Karam, BECA - State Runner-Up, Fargo 3rd
Jr. Michael Sheetz, Northampton - State 7th, Hurricane Champ
So. Requir Van der Merwre, Blair Academy - Beast 8th
Jr. Derek Gulotta, Owen J. Roberts - State 8th
So. Jacob Lizak, Parkland - Fargo 4th, Powerade 3rd
Sr. Nick Palmer, Council Rock South - Hurricane 7th

Commentary: Karam is the class of the weight. He should get the winner of Lizak and Gulotta in the semi’s. Lizak looked very good at Powerade, but he’s up a weight and shouldn’t pose a major threat to Karam.
The bottom half should feature a match-up of really interesting guys. Both Sheetz and Van der Merwe have been wrestling tough with Sheetz winning Hurricane and VDM beating a nationally ranked Eli Stickley in the St. Paris Graham dual.

Willie’s Picks: 1. Karam 2. Sheetz 3. Van der Merwe

120:
Last Year’s Final: Zach Valley, Northampton dec. Micah Hight, 3-2
The Contenders:
#7-Sr. Brent Fleetwood, Smyrna - 2x ETR Champ, Fargo 5th
#4-Sr. Ethan Lizak, Parkland - 2x State Champ, 2x ETR Runner-Up
#6-Sr. Scotty Parker, Pennridge - Beast Champ, Hurricane Champ
HM-Jr. Chaz Tucker, Blair Academy - Fargo 5th, Ironman 5th, Beast 6th
HM-Sr. Micah Hight, Caesar Rodney - 3x State Champ, Ironman 7th
Sr. Justin Patrick, Kiski - State 4th, FloNationals 8th

Commentary: The money weight. These kids are elite and there’s been a ton of head-to-head action among them. Let’s start with the fact that Fleetwood has beaten Lizak here in the finals the last two years. Lizak beat Parker in last year’s State semi en route to his third straight final and second straight title. Fleetwood beat Tucker 1-0 in Beast semi’s this year. And Hight beat Fleetwood in the first weekend of the season at Ray Oliver.
How to sort it all out?
Tucker and Hight will tangle in quarters for the right to face Fleetwood in semi’s. Gimme Tucker there, with Fleetwood’s riding ability being the difference once again in semi’s.
Parker will have to get past a tough out in Patrick in the quarters, which will match him up with Lizak in the semi’s. While Parker has the ability to win that match, the pick on paper has to be Lizak, setting up a Lizak-Fleetwood final for the third straight year.

Willie’s Picks: 1. Lizak 2. Fleetwood 3. Parker

126:
Last Year’s Final: Dustin Rook, Big Spring dec. Matt Grossman, Manheim, 7-5
The Contenders:
#3-Sr. Zeke Moisey, BECA - 2x State Runner-Up, FloNats Champ, Beast Champ
#6-Jr. Matt Kolodzik, Blair Academy - Ironman Champ, Beast Runner-Up
HM-Sr. Zack Valley, Northampton - Hurricane Champ, Beast 4th, FloNats 5th
Jr. JD Gregory, Hanover - State Champ, Fargo 6th
Sr. Rodney Sunday, Dallastown
Sr. Dan Martoccio, Council Rock South - Hurricane Runner-Up, KOM 3rd
Sr. Ben Ross, Pennridge - Beast 4th, Hurricane 5th

Commentary: A potential rematch of a wild Beast of the East final where Moisey rallied back to beat Kolodzik.
Moisey should cruise to the finals over the Sunday-Martoccio quarter winner. Valley drops from 132 and presents a solid test for Kolodzik, but he’ll need to get through Ben Ross first.
It all comes down to what should be the best bout of the finals. Kolodzik will be focused and poised for redemption. But at the Beast, Moisey showed the mental toughness scouts wanted to see from him. I’ll take the same result.

Willie’s Picks: 1. Moisey 2. Kolodzik 3. Valley

132:
Last Year’s Final: Dennis Gustafson, Forest Park md. Jalen Palmer, Del Val, 19-8
The Contenders:
HM-Jr. Kent Lane, Southern Columbia - State 6th, FloNationals 6th
Sr. Alex Rinaldi, Blair Academy
Sr. Matt Grossman, Manheim - 2012 State Runner-Up, Beast 7th
Sr. Greg Warner, Big Spring - Hurricane 5th
Sr. Jalen Palmer, Del Val - Hurricane 7th

Commentary: Interesting weight here with a group of darkhorses. Lane had fine FR and SO campaigns. Now it’s time to see if he’s at the next level.
Warner beat Palmer at Hurricane. Expect that same result with him getting to the semi to face Lane.
Rinaldi takes the place of the injured Jordan Kutler. He’s a talented athlete, but has struggled recently being pressed into action. Expect a better performance from him here where he’ll be fully prepared.
A match with Grossman, who’s been hit-or-miss, in the semi’s will be highly entertaining.

Willie’s Picks: 1. Lane 2. Rinaldi 3. Warner

138:
Last Year’s Final: John Dutrow, CR North dec. Corbin Allen, Hanover, 9-8
The Contenders:
#1-Sr. Joey McKenna, Blair Academy - Ironman & Beast Champ, Fargo Runner-Up
#15-Jr. Ronnie Gentile, Paulsboro - Fargo 4th, State Runner-Up
Sr. Cort Schuyler, Manheim - Beast Runner-Up
Jr. BC Laprade, New Kent
Jr. Frank Carrozza, Chambersburg - Hurricane 3rd
Fr. Mikey Labriola, BECA

Commentary: Huge potential final between McKenna and Gentile. Everyone knows McKenna. But the country might be less familiar with Gentile. He was a state runner-up to Scott Delvecchio last year and has placed 3rd and 4th in Fargo the past two years with wins over top competition (like Anthony Valencia). Big test for him and a gauge to see just where he’s at.
McKenna beat Schuyler in Beast finals last month.
Watch for Labriola. He’s one of America’s best freshmen. He might be a little green yet, but he’ll be one to keep an eye on going forward.

Willie’s Picks: 1. McKenna 2. Gentile 3. Schuyler

145:
Last Year’s Final: Joey Galasso, Father Judge dec. Mikey Springer, Norristown, 7-4
The Contenders:
#4-Sr. Joey Galasso, Father Judge - State Champ, Returning Champ
Sr. Walker Dempsey, Blair Academy - Beast 4th
Sr. Chad Wickard, Big Spring - Hurricane Runner-Up, State 7th
Sr. Chad Saunders, The Hill School

Commentary: The return of Galasso. He’s (wisely) slow played a shoulder injury that kept him out of Super 32, Who’s #1, and Powerade. He should be back and ready to roll.
Dempsey is good, but not at the level of Galasso yet. It should be a good semi between him and Wickard, a runner-up to Nick Reenan at 152 at Hurricane.

Willie’s Picks: 1. Galasso 2. Wickard 3. Dempsey

152:
Last Year’s Final: Garrett Hammond, Chambersburg md. Travis Buddock, Saucon, 11-1
The Contenders:
#7-So. Mason Manville, Blair Academy - Beast, Ironman, Fargo Champ
#18-Sr. Jack Bass, Robinson - Ironman 4th, Super 32 4th
Sr. Mikey Springer, Norristown - Returning Runner-Up, State 8th, Beast 8th
Sr. Josh Ortman, Parkland - Powerade 8th, State 8th
So. Blake Marks, Southern Columbia

Commentary: Manville is about as steady and consistent as they come. To the same degree, Bass is about as finicky. He’s a real talent that can beat anyone, but who sometimes lets lesser opponents hang around in close matches.
Bass should get through a semi with Springer, and Manville should cruise, where we’ll have a fun final.

Willie’s Picks: 1. Manville 2. Bass 3. Springer

160:
Last Year’s Final: Greg Bacci, Malvern dec. Justin Staudenmayer, PWM, 5-0
The Contenders:
HM-Sr. Bobby Fehr, Northampton - Super 32 6th, State 6th, Hurricane Runner-Up
Sr. Zack DePasquale, Robinson - Beast 6th, State 4th
Sr. Chad Reese, Central Mountain - KOM4th
So. Kyle Gentile, Pennridge - Beast 8th
Sr. Colin Irwin, Del Val - Hurricane 4th
Jr. Christian Almony, John Carroll - Fargo 5th
So. Zack Richard, Paulsboro
Fr. Frank Guida, Parkland
Fr. Drew Peck, Chambersburg

Commentary: Really fun bracket with a little bit of everything.
Fehr is coming off a runner-up performance to Peppelman at the Hurricane. Pasquale performed well at both the Ironman and Beast where he beat Gentile, 4-2. Gentile owns a major over Almony.
Watch for two of the better freshman in PA: Guida and Peck. Guida has a win over Irwin.

Willie’s Picks: 1. Fehr 2. DePasquale 3. Gentile

170:
Last Year’s Final: Brett Stein, Forest Park md. Idris White, Father Judge, 10-0
The Contenders:
#19-So. Brandon Dallavia, Blair Academy - Beast 4th, Fargo 5th, Ironman 6th
Sr. Dan Mika, Robinson - State 6th
Sr. Nick Cortapassi, BECA - King of the Mountain Champ
Sr. Cody Seibert, Big Spring - Hurricane 4th
So. Rashon Lusane, Norristown
Sr. Idris White, Father Judge - Returning Runner-Up, Powerade 6th
Fr. Zane Black, Bishop McDevitt
Jr. Gavin Caprio, Central Mountain - KOM 4th

Commentary: Dallavia has turned in to one of the country’s best underclassmen and will be a strong favorite at ETR. His quarterfinal opponent is likely Caprio, who Cortapassi majored at KOM.
I like Cortapassi to reach the finals, but it won’t be easy. He’ll have to go through White, a returning finalist, in the quarters. In the other quarter, I like Black, one of the best Freshmen in the country, to take out 2nd seeded Mika.

Willie’s Picks: 1. Dallavia 2. Cortapassi 3. White

182:
Last Year’s Final: Jake Taylor, Bald Eagle dec. Brett Harner, Norristown, 3-2 OT
The Contenders:
Jr. Cole DePasquale, Robinson - State Runner-Up, Ironman 8th
Sr. Josh Shorter, Manheim
Sr. Jose Ortiz, BECA - KOM 5th
Sr. Calvin O’Farrell, Chambersburg
Sr. Nick DiNapoli, Blair Academy
Jr. Christian Scott, John Carroll

Commentary: DePasquale has really come on this season with good performances at both Beast and Ironman.
Shorter and O’Farrell were both a bout from placing at the Beast. Shorter pinned Ortiz the round prior there.
Ortiz is an interesting kid. He has all the tools, and if he puts it together, he could make a run.

Willie’s Picks: 1. DePasquale 2. Ortiz 3. Shorter

195:
Last Year’s Final: PJ Steinmetz, CRS dec. Zach Rosenberry, BR, 9-4
The Contenders:
#15-Jr. Hunter Ritter, John Carroll - Fargo 3rd, Prep 3rd, Beast 3rd
HM-Sr. Nezar Haddad, Parkland - Powerade Runner-Up, FloNationals 7th
Jr. Tommy Rayhart, Big Spring - State 7th
Jr. David Showunmi, Blair Academy - Ironman 6th, Beast 6th, Prep 6th
Jr. Matt Wagner, Del Val - Hurricane Runner-Up
Sr. Justin Blobe, Saucon Valley - Hurricane 4th
Fr. Cole Nye, Bishop McDevitt

Commentary: A Ritter-Haddad final would be one of the best of the night. Ritter has been ultra consistent. And Haddad looked amazing at Powerade.
Ritter will have to get through the winner of Showunmi-Wagner.

Willie’s Picks: 1. Haddad 2. Ritter 3. Showunmi

220:
Last Year’s Final: Thomas Haines, Solanco md. Ray ODonnell, Saucon, 10-2
The Contenders:
HM-Jr. Andrew Dunn, BECA - S32 4th, Beast 5th, State 6th, KOM Runner-Up
Jr. Omar Haddad, Parkland - Powerade Champ, KOM 3rd
Jr. Patrick Grayson, Colonial Forge - State 8th
Sr. Sam Reid, Central
So. Neil Putnam, Blair Academy - Beast 7th, State Runner-Up (Hawaii)
Sr. Travis Kehs, Saucon Valley - Hurricane 5th

Commentary: A really good potential final between District 11 foes Dunn and Haddad.
Dunn is one of my favorite under-the-radar guys. High upside with him. He beat Haddad in December in KOM semi’s 3-2. Haddad went on to win Powerade.
Reid has a win over Putnam.

Willie’s Picks: 1. Dunn 2. Haddad 3. Reid

HWT:
Last Year’s Final: Bo Spiller, Solanco dec. Caleb Stover, CM, 4-3
The Contenders:
#2-Sr. Thomas Haines, Solanco - 3x State Champ, 2x S32 Champ
HM-Sr. Zack Parker, Caesar Rodney - State Champ, Ironman 4th, Beast 4th
HM-Sr. Jake Pinkston, Robinson - State Champ, Ironman 8th, Beast 7th
Sr. Will Cooley, Blair Academy - Beast 8th
Jr. Shaheed Hill, Norristown
Jr. Kostya Golobokov, Hill School

Commentary: Although Parker and Pinkston have turned in two straight years of solid performances, they shouldn’t pose a legitimate threat to Haines, who’s among the best big men in recent times.
Both Parker and Pinkston had good showings at Ironman and Beast. Their semi will be the match of most anticipation in this bracket. But there’s precedent. Parker beat Pinkston, 7-2 in Ironman consi semi’s and pinned him in Beast quarters.

Willie’s Picks: 1. Haines 2. Parker 3. Pinkston