The PIAA State Wrestling Championships get underway Thursday, March 7th at 9AM EST. All the action will be live on FloWrestling. Sessions will alternate between AA and AAA, with AA kicking off the action Thursday AM. This four-part preview series will give you an idea of what to look for when the whistles blow in Hershey. 

WATCH THE PIAA INDIVIDUAL STATE CHAMPIONS LIVE MARCH 7-9

106 Pounds

Overview:

Kyle Waterman (Council Rock South) is the lone returning medalist in the field, but not the favorite. Waterman has taken several losses to crosstown rival Kyle Hauserman (Council Rock North) this season including the Southeast Region final. The Council Rock rivals also find themselves behind the power of the Southwest Region in the perceived pecking order. Carter Dibert (Franklin Regional) has found himself on the losing end just twice this year, and one of those came in the Southwest Region finals to Dylan Chappell (Seneca Valley). Chappell comes in as the favorite after having to wrestle the 2018 postseason at 113 pounds because state champion Alejandro Herrera occupied 106 pounds for Seneca Valley.

Top Bracket:

Aiden Lewis (Cedar Cliff) is the top seed, but finds himself in a tough quarter. Opposite of Lewis should be Dibert. These two wrestled at Powerade and Dibert put up a major decision over Lewis. Hauserman appears to be a strong favorite in the bottom quarter as he enters the tournament as the fourth seed. I think Dibert’s top game separates him from the field and he gets to the final out of the top bracket.

Bottom Bracket:

Nic Allison (Mifflin County) and Dylan Chappell are the regional champions in the bottom bracket seeded two and three. Allison could face the aforementioned Waterman in the quarters and be a solid underdog in the bout. Chappell will be a solid favorite to come out of the bottom bracket to potentially set up the all southwest final.

 Prediction:

Dylan Chappell (Seneca Valley) over Carter Dibert (Franklin Regional)

2018 Placewinners:

1. Alejandro Herrera, 9th, Seneca Valley

2. Kurtis Phipps, 10th, Norwin

3. Tal-Reese Flemming, 11th, Bethlehem Liberty

4. Matt Mayer, 9th, Bethlehem Catholic

5. Kyle Waterman, 10th, Council Rock South

6. Ben Monn, 10th, Cumberland Valley

7. Matt Sarbo, 9th, Altoona

8. Matt Vulakh, 9th, Pope John Paul II

113 Pounds

Overview:

Alejandro Herrera (Seneca Valley) is a returning champion, ranked #2 in the country, and a solid favorite at 113 pounds. That doesn’t mean he won’t face some stiff challenges over the three-day tournament. Five other wrestlers have earned a medal in Hershey.

Top Bracket:

Herrera is the top seed and strong favorite in the top bracket. Andrew Smith (Nazareth) is a returning medalist and could pose a stiff challenge for Herrera in the quarterfinal. Matt Mayer (Becahi) is the lone returning medalist in the bottom quarter, but he will have to deal with two regional champions in Jude Swisher (State College) and Maximo Mendez (Council Rock South). Herrera scrambles with the best of them and can put on a tough ride when he needs to, I look for him to repeat.

Bottom Bracket:

Tal-Reese Flemming (Liberty) is the second seed and Ben Monn (Cumberland Valley) is the third seed, but returning third place finisher Kyle Burkholder (Hempfield) could be considered the favorite to make the finals from the bottom half. The potential round of 16 bout between Finn Solomon (Franklin Regional) and Flemming will be must watch in the Thursday afternoon session. I’ll take Burkholder to make and all Southwest Region final.

Prediction:

Alejandro Herrera (Seneca Valley) over Kyle Burkholder (Hempfield)

2018 Placewinners:

1. Ryan Sullivan, 11th, Shaler

2. Killian Delaney, 10th, West Chester Henderson

3. Kyle Burkholder, 11th, Hempfield

4. Cole Wilson, 10th, Northeastern

5. Matthew Maloney, 11th, Bethlehem Liberty

6. Andrew Smith, 10th, Nazareth

7. Will Betancourt, 10th, Manheim Central

8. Christian Fisher, 11th, Mifflin County

120 Pounds

Overview:

Eight state medalists occupy the bracket at 120 pounds and that doesn’t include 2018 state champion, Ryan Sullivan (Shaler), that was forced to withdraw from regionals with an injury. 

Top Bracket:

Kurtis Phipps (Norwin) is the top seed and should be awaiting the winner of the premier round of 16 bout that features returning medalists Cole Wilson (Northeastern) and Cameron Enriquez (Stroudsburg). Phipps defeated Enriquez in the Powerade finals in late December. Matt Maloney (Liberty) is a returning medalist in the bottom quarter, but it’s Lane Aikey (Bellefonte) and Shane Hanson-Ashworth (Council Rock South) that are the regional champions in the quarter. I will take Phipps to make a repeat trip to the finals.

Bottom Bracket:

The round of 16 will be great in the bottom bracket. Sean Pierson (Nazareth) is the second seed and should see tough freshman Cole Homet (Waynesburg)  in the round of 16. The matchup just above them in the bracket is returning medalists Christian Fisher (Mifflin County) and Killian Delaney (West Chester Henderson). Delaney defeated Fisher 4-2 en route to the finals last year. Returning medalist Will Betancourt (Manheim Central) should face off with Eamonn Logue (Father Judge) in another great round of 16 matchup. I like Pierson out of the bottom half, but don’t write that in ink. This bracket will be fun to watch.

Prediction:

Sean Pierson (Nazareth) over Kurtis Phipps (Norwin)

2018 Placewinners:

1. Logan Macri, 12th, Canon McMillan

2. Doug Zapf, 12th, Downingtown West

3. Sean Pierson, 11th, Nazareth

4. JJ Wilson, 11th, Cedar Cliff

5. Wyatt Henson, 9th, Waynesburg Central

6. Cameron Enriquez, 11th, Stroudsburg

7. Louis Newell, 12th, Seneca Valley

8. Paniro Johnson, 9th, Erie Cathedral Prep

126 Pounds

Overview:

Returning runner-up Colton Camacho (Franklin Regional) is looking for another trip to the finals, but there is an interesting twist. He wrestled at 132 pounds last year. Camacho and Darren Miller (Kiski) have traded matches this season. JJ Wilson (Cedar Cliff) is seeded right behind Camacho and outplaced him at Powerade. However, Wilson and Camacho finished second and third with a common loss.

Top Bracket:

The top bracket appears clear cut and should go to chalk. Camacho is the one seed, and Patrick Noonan (Stroudsburg) is the four seed as the Northeast Regional champion. I think the biggest threat to disrupt that semifinal is Kenny Hayman (Canon-McMillan), who should hit Noonan in the round of 16. I will take Noonan out of the top bracket.

Bottom Bracket:

JJ Wilson is the second seed, but his bracket position has the toughest path to the title of anywhere in the bracket. A possible path could lead through tough freshman Jared Keslar (Connellsville), former medalist Patrick Gould (East Stroudsburg South), and former medalist Darren Miller (Kiski). Miller should hit returning medalist Matt Sarbo (Altoona) in a good quarterfinal matchup. I will take Miller to reach the finals here with so many landmines for Wilson.

Prediction:

Darren Miller (Kiski) over Patrick Noonan (Stroudsburg)

2018 Placewinners:

1. Sam Hillegas, 10th, North Hills

2. Chris Wright, 12th, Central Dauphin

3. Dalton Rohrbaugh, 12th, Spring Grove

4. Kenny Herrmann, 10th, Bethlehem Catholic

5. Jacob Ealy, 11th, Hopewell

6. Gabe Willochell, 10th, Greater Latrobe

7. Caleb Morris, 12th, Waynesburg Central

8. Gunnar Fuss, 11th, Harry S. Truman

132 Pounds

Overview:

The focus heading into the PIAA Wrestling Championships often used to be about the predetermined brackets that often led to championship caliber bouts being wrestled in the semifinals or even the occasional quarterfinal. The separation of regional champions has alleviated most of that, but some loopholes still exist. Freshmen and wrestlers that missed the previous season recieve zero prestige points, and are assured of being seeded behind the champions with any prestige points at all. This is the case for the fifth seed Julian Chlebove (Northampton). Chlebove missed the 2018 season after winning titles in 2016 and 2017. The problem it causes is that number one seed Sam Hillegas (North Hills) is also a two-time state champion and now on the same side of the bracket as Chlebove. Both competitors probably don’t think much of it, but it would be nice for the fans to watch this match happen on Saturday night. If I could make a tweek to the system it would include a legacy clause that prestige points could be divided by the number of years the wrestler is removed from the credential. Freshman still throw a wrench into the system, but it could be a step forward.

Top Bracket:

Hillegas one, Chlebove five is what you need to know. Both should have game opponent in the quarters with returning medalist Gunnar Fuss (Harry S. Truman) on the top with Hillegas and South Central Regional champion Michael Cassidy on the bottom with Chlebove. Saturday 9AM is the semifinal round and all eyes should be on the Hillegas vs Chlebove semifinal. Hillegas is in line to become a four-time champion and Chlebove is looking to play the spoiler. I like Chlebove in the neutral position and Hillegas on the mat. I think Chlebove will be able to dictate where the match plays out and takes the win.

Bottom Bracket:

Gabe Willochell (Latrobe) and Kenny Herrmann (Becahi) have state medals, but neither was a regional champion as they went head-to-head with with Hillegas and Chlebove. Returning qualifiers Lukas Ritchie (Downingtown East) and Cade Balestrini (Shikellamy) hold down the third and second seeds. I like Herrmann to set up another bout with Chlebove.

Prediction:

Julian Chlebove (Northampton) over Kenny Herrmann (Becahi)

2018 Placewinners:

1. Jeffrey Boyd, 11th, Erie McDowell

2. Colton Camacho, 11th, Franklin Regional

3. Devon Britton, 11th, Northampton

4. Andrew Wert, 12th, Central Dauphin

5. Nick Coy, 11th, Penn Trafford

6. Tyler Williams, 11th, Souderton

7. Ben Radner, 12th, Council Rock South

8. Jonathan Miers, 10th, Easton

138 Pounds

Overview:

138 pounds will be wild. Postseason favorites Jeffrey Boyd (Erie McDowell) and Devon Britton (Northampton) both dropped region finals. Powerade champion Ed Scott (DuBois) took out returning champion Boyd, and Georgia state champion DeShawn Farber (Nazareth) defeated Britton. These results set the bracket on end and will provide some juicy early matchups.

Top Bracket:

Returning medalist Tyler Williams (Souderton) is the top seed, but it’s not an enviable position in the bracket. Boyd should be waiting in the quarterfinals and Farber is the probably semifinal matchup waiting for that winner. I like Boyd out of the top bracket.

Bottom Bracket:

Nick Coy (Penn Trafford) defeated Williams for fifth place last year, but his lower win percentage dropped him to the second seed. The second seed position isn’t any better than the top seed position as Coy will probably see returning third place finisher Britton in the quarterfinal. Ed Scott looks to be in the best bracket position as the third seed. Britton missed a large portion of the season and I have questions about how good he feels. Due to the health status of Britton I think Scott is the safer pick to come out of the bottom bracket.

Prediction:

Ed Scott (DuBois) over Jeffrey Boyd (Erie McDowell)

2018 Placewinners:

1. Ryan Anderson, 11th, Bethlehem Catholic

2. Seth Koleno, 12th, Bald Eagle Area

3. Noah Levett, 12th, Kiski Area

4. Paul Feite, 12th, Northern York

5. Cameron Robinson, 10th, Council Rock North

6. Nathan Stefanik, 10th, Nazareth

7. Zach Ortman, 12th, Parkland

8. Leno Ciotti, 12th, Erie McDowell

145 Pounds

Overview:

Ryan Anderson (Becahi) is ranked #1 in the country and back to defend his title. The only loss of the season for Anderson came in the Giant Center to #19 Jagger Condomitti (Northampton) in the PIAA Dual Championships. Anderson has avenged that loss since the early February meeting. #18 Cameron Robinson (Council Rock North) rounds out the trio if nationally ranked wrestlers.

Top Bracket:

Anderson is the top seed and should be the finalist from the top side. Anderson isn’t without challengers though. AJ Tamburrino (William Tennant) was third in the tough Escape the Rock bracket with a win over Condomitti. Tamburrino is likely the quarterfinal bout for Anderson. Freshman Tate Nichter is the four seed and South Central Regional champion. Nichter is likely to be the semifinal opponent of Anderson. That matchup took place at Escape the Rock in January. Anderson took that match, 7-1.

Bottom Bracket:

Condomitti and Robinson appear to be on track to meet in the semifinals. Although, both should have good tests before the semifinal showdown. Robinson could see returning placer Nathan Stefanik (Nazareth) in the round of 16 and Condomitti is in line to take on returning medalist Paniro Johnson (Erie Cathedral Prep) in his quarter. Robinson defeated Stefanik for fifth place a year ago. I think Robinson is still under the radar a bit at #18 and like him to secure his place opposite of Anderson. Robinson and Condomitti did meet at Escape the Rock and the bout wasn’t as close as the 6-4 score indicates.

Prediction:

Ryan Anderson (Becahi) over Cameron Robinson (Council Rock North)

2018 Placewinners:

1. Sammy Sasso, 12th, Nazareth

2. Kolby Ho, 12th, DuBois

3. Ryan Vulakh, 11th, Pope John Paul II

4. Micah Hoffman, 12th, Northern York

5. Job Chishko, 12th, Penn Trafford

6. Cole Handlovic, 11th, Bethlehem Catholic

7. Cam Connor, 11th, Kiski Area

8. Alexander Hornfeck, 12th, Mars