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 CHAMPIONSHIPS LIVE MARCH 7-9

152 Pounds

Overview:

Ryan Vulakh (Pope John Paul II) is ranked #3 in the country and might be the heaviest favorite in Hershey. Vulakh was third a year ago in AAA. Only three other wrestlers in the field have experience in the Giant Center, and second seed Trent Schultheis (Freedom Area) is the only other competitor in the field with a medal on his resume. Schultheis was eighth a year ago.

Top Bracket:

Vulakh should cruise on this half of the bracket. Hudson Holbay (Westmont Hilltop) and Cael Crebs (Montoursville) should have a good round of 16 bout with the winner advancing to probably see Sully Allen (Sharon).

Bottom Bracket:

Schultheis and DJ Erickson are the regional champions on the bottom side. Expect to see them square off to make the final. If an upset were to occur look to the potential quarterfinal between Schultheis and Mason Karpinski (Greenville). I like Schultheis to challenge Vulakh in the final.

Prediction:

Ryan Vulakh (Pope John Paul II) over Trent Schultheis (Freedom)

2018 Placewinners:

1. Thayne Lawrence, 10th, Frazier

2. Justin McCoy, 12th, Chestnut Ridge

3. Andrew Todaro, 12th, Mount Union

4. Tyler Wileman, 11th, Juniata

5. Corey Christie, 12th, Burrell

6. Peyton Hearn, 11th, Conneaut Area

7. Cade Linn, 11th, Southern Columbia

8. Darren Beall, 12th, Bermudian Springs

160 Pounds

Overview:

Thayne Lawrence (Frazier) was a surprise winner at the 2018 PIAA State Wrestling Championships. That won’t be the case if he’s on top of the podium Saturday afternoon this year. Lawrence is the top seed and a strong favorite to repeat. Tyler Stoltzfus (St. Joseph’s Academy) appears to be the main threat to Lawrence. They met in the Southwest Regional final with Lawrence scoring an 8-2 decision.

Top Bracket:

Lawrence resides in the top quarter and should easily find his way into the semifinal. The bottom quarter is a little more unclear. It’s likely to be a battle between Peyton Hearn (Conneaut Area) and Cooper Mosier (Towanda). Hearn is a returning medalist that finished second in the Northwest Region, Mosier won the Northeast Region title over a returning medalist last week. I will pick Lawrence to make it out of the top bracket.

Bottom Bracket:

Alec English (Kane) is the second seed and appears to be headed for a clash with returning medalist Cade Linn (Southern Columbia) in the bottom quarterfinal. Matt Arciuolo (Saucon Valley) is the third seed and should be half of the premier quarterfinal at the weight. Stoltzfus should be opposite Arciuolo Friday morning. I like the top game of Stoltzfus to prevail in the bottom bracket.

Prediction:

Thayne Lawrence (Frazier) over Tyler Stoltzfus (St. Joseph’s Academy)

2018 Placewinners:

1. Caleb Clymer, 12th, Northwestern Lehigh

2. Jacob Kallenborn, 12th, Port Allegheny

3. Jared McGill, 11th, Chestnut Ridge

4. Creighton Edsell, 12th, Wyalusing

5. Tyler Stoltzfus, 10th, St. Joseph’s Academy

6. Derek Yingling, 11th, West Branch

7. Nate Bradley, 12th, Athens

8. Shaun Gates, 12th, Burrell

170 Pounds

Overview:

Last year Jared McGill (Chestnut Ridge) knocked off returning state champion Creighton Edsell (Wyalusing) in the quarterfinals. He appeared to be on his way to his first state title. Jacob Kallenborn (Port Allegheny) had different plans as he knocked off McGill the next round. McGill appears to be a heavy favorite this year.

Top Bracket:

McGill is a two-time Powerade champion and has made an appearance in a FloNationals final. He is the class of the top bracket and it’s hard to find someone I feel will push him on the top side. Brady Gentile (Greenville) is the fourth seed and the likely opponent for McGill in the semifinals.

Bottom Bracket:

Christian Clutter (McGuffey) was not a regional champion, but is the favorite to make his way through the bottom. Clutter fell in the regional final to McGill 8-2. That was a little more breathing room for McGill than their first meeting at Powerade that was a 4-2sv win for McGill. David Galasso (Athens) and returning medalist Carl Harris (Littlestown) are the seeded wrestlers on the bottom half and both face tough tests in the quarterfinals. Galasso should be opposite of Clutter and it appears Harris will face returning medalist Derek Brown (Penn Cambria). Brown finished third in the Southwest Region behind Clutter and McGill. 

Prediction:

Jared McGill (Chestnut Ridge) over Christian Clutter (McGuffey)

2018 Placewinners:

1. Edmond Ruth, 11th, Susquehanna Township

2. Robert Patrick, 12th, Ligonier Valley

3. Dalton Group, 12th, Susquenita

4. Christian Clutter, 11th, McGuffey

5. Jaden Datz, 12th, Southmoreland

6. Derek Brown, 11th, Penn Cambria

7. Owen Hivner, 12th, Lackawanna Trail

8. Carl Harris, 11th, Littlestown

182 Pounds

Overview:

Not often is a freshman considered the favorite heading into the state tournament. We have a few on the AA side this year. Often if freshmen win titles it’s in the lighter weight classes. In fact, Cody Wiercioch, Terry Williams, Chance Marsteller, and Thomas Haines are the only freshmen to capture titles at 152 pounds and higher. Dayton Pitzer (Mount Pleasant) is looking to add his name to the list of freshman titleist as he comes into the championships as a favorite.

Top Bracket:

Hunter O’Connor (Jersey Shore) is the top seed as a returning medalist from last year. He should be tested in the quarterfinals by Austin Walley (Ellwood City) who had Pitzer in a deep hole in the regional final before the freshman pulled off a huge comeback. Garrett McClintick (Brockway) and Bryson Miller (Freedom Area) both have Giant Center experience and Miller took home a medal at 195 pounds last season. They meet in the round of 16, in what should be a battle to reach the semifinal. I will take McClintick out of the top bracket.

Bottom Bracket:

Gavin Henry (Union City) and Pitzer looked to be on a collision course in the bottom semifinal. They are the seeded regional champions on the bottom half and appear to be the odds on favorites to hit in the semifinal. I will take the youth and predict a rare freshman finalist and think Pitzer will fight off any jitters the big match might bring to take home the title.

Prediction:

Dayton Pitzer (Mount Pleasant) over Garrett McClintick (Brockway)

2018 Placewinners:

1. Cody Mulligan, 12th, Saegertown

2. Julian Gorring, 11th, Fort LeBoeuf

3. Gaige Garcia, 10th, Southern Columbia

4. Luca Colestock, 12th, Camp Hill

5. Jonathan Vargo, 11th, Bentworth

6. Matt Lewandowski, 12th, Mahanoy Area

7. Andrew Shedleski, 12th, Lewisburg

8. Hunter O’Connor, 11th, Jersey Shore

195 Pounds

Overview:

Gaige Garcia (Southern Columbia) is the strong favorite after finishing fifth and third the past two seasons. Kolby Franklin (St. Joseph’s Academy) made two finals and won one stop sign in Fargo this summer appears to be the biggest threat to Garcia. Franklin is just a freshman, and would like to join that elite crowd of freshman champions just like Pitzer at 182 pounds.

Top Bracket:

Garcia is the top seed and a heavy favorite in the top bracket. The bottom quarter could have several different wrestlers make it to the semifinal opposite of Garcia. John Vargo (Bentworth) is a returning medalist, but comes into the tournament a fifth place finisher out of the Southwest Region. Cael Black (Eisenhower) is another freshman and regional champion in the quarter. The best matchup of the round of 16 also resides in the bottom quarter with returning state qualifiers Dane Csencsits (Saucon Valley) and Hunter Tremain (North Star) squaring off in the first round. 

Bottom Bracket:

The bottom bracket appears to be a little more clear cut with returning qualifier Colin Fegley (Mahanoy Area) being a strong favorite as the second seed to reach the semifinal opposite of Gable Crebs (Montoursville) or Franklin. I like Franklin to reach his first final.

Prediction:

Gaige Garcia (Southern Columbia) over Kolby Franklin (St. Joseph’s Academy)

2018 Placewinners:

1. Gavin Hoffman, 12th, Montoursville

2. Chase Dull, 11th, Bermudian Springs

3. Clay Verbanac, 12th, Cambridge Springs

4. Ivan Balavage, 12th, Scranton Prep

5. Brenden Calvin, 12th, Greenville

6. Bryson Miller, 11th, Freedom Area

7. Lucas Folmar, 12th, Harbor Creek

8. Brady Herr, 12th, Newport

220 Pounds

Overview:

Last year Dominic DeLuca (Derry Area) defeated Jacob McMaster (Greenville) 4-2 on a takedown in the closing ten seconds of the match. This year it appears we will get to see that showdown Saturday afternoon for the title.

Top Bracket:

DeLuca is the class of the top bracket and is likely to make his second straight finals appearance. Cameron Wood (Montoursville) is the other regional champion in the half and likely to be the semifinal opponent for DeLuca.

Bottom Bracket:

Jacob McMaster is undefeated and looking to set up the rematch with DeLuca for the title. He has two medals in two trips to the Giant Center and appears to be the clear favorite on the bottom side. Look out for Ethan Mordaunt (Jim Thorpe Area). He comes into the championships with just one loss and is the third seed. 

Prediction:

Dominic DeLuca (Derry Area) over Jacob McMaster (Greenville)

2018 Placewinners:

1. Anthony Walters, 12th, Bishop McCort

2. Dominic DeLuca, 11th, Derry Area

3. Jacob McMaster, 11th, Greenville

4. Jake Ryan, 10th, Mount Union

5. Landon Fisher, 12th, Huntingdon

6. Khalil Messai, 12th, Jamestown

7. Cole Fuller, 12th, Western Wayne

8. Hunter Poust, 12th, Muncy

285 Pounds

Overview:

Two wrestlers in the bracket have walked away from Hershey with medals prior to this year. Jake Ryan (Mount Union) was fourth at 220 pounds a year ago and Colby Whitehill (Brookville) was eighth at 285 pounds. They look to be headed to a showdown in the finals. 

Top Bracket:

Derek Skeehan (Reynolds) appears to be the biggest threat to Ryan in the top half along with returning state qualifier Matt Long (Union City). Ryan could have to go through the Northwest Regional third and second place finishers in the quarters and semis. I like Ryan to hold up his end as the top seed.

Bottom Bracket:

The bottom bracket has a few more potential roadblocks for Whitehill. Jalen Stephens (Meyersdale) and Kole Winfield (Southern Huntingdon) are highly respected wrestlers that finished second and third to Ryan out of the Southwest Region. They are potential quarter and semifinal opponents. Watch out for the Lear Quinton (Southern Columbia) and Kole Winfield matchup in the top quarterfinal.  

Prediction:

Jake Ryan (Mount Union) over Colby Whitehill (Brookville)

2018 Placewinners:

1. Dan Scheib, 12th, Tri-Valley

2. Bishop McCoy, 12th, South Side Beaver

3. Josiah Jones, 12th, Bishop McCort

4. Steven McClure, 12th, Curwensville

5. Justin Kriner, 12th, North Penn-Liberty

6. John Fulmer, 12th, Southern Columbia

7. David Schuffert, 11th, Valley

8. Colby Whitehill, 10th, Brookville