Some of the most talented high school wrestlers in the country are set to battle. Before we see the best in the country claim NCAA titles, we will get a glimpse of some future stars as Team PA takes on Team USA.

Let's go weight-by-weight and check out the matchups.

Watch Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic Live

Fri. Mar. 15 | 6PM ET

Note: WPIAL vs New York (lineup below) will wrestle before USA vs PA starting at 6PM ET.

113: Beau Bayless (PA) vs. Kurt McHenry (USA)

This is a serious clash of styles. Kurt McHenry is one of the most dynamic attackers around and Beau Bayless, well, he isn’t. And that’s not a knock against the very talented PA state runner-up either. While McHenry will look for ankle picks, elbow ducks and his always classic shuck by, Bayless wants to wrestle in a phone booth. I think that Bayless will have some trouble keeping up with the highly active McHenry. Also, we will get our first look at Kurt since heading to Michigan early to train at his new home.

Holmes’ pick: McHenry

120: Sean Pierson (PA) vs. Eric Barnett (USA)

Pierson is going to have to bring a hammer with him to get through Barnett’s defense. We’ve seen the recently crowned PA state champ get creative when it comes to scoring points and I assure you that he will have to do so to break down Barnett who has great counter ability. Of the two, Pierson is certainly the more offensive guy, but Barnett is able to turn your offense into point on his side of the scoreboard. If Pierson is able to secure a takedown or two, which I think he can based off of his creativity, I see him getting the win.

Holmes’ pick: Pierson

126: Darren Miller (PA) vs. Mike Colaiocco (USA)

Colaiocco scores a lot. He can turn up his side of the scoreboard in a hurry. We saw Miller’s ability to do the same in the finals where he went up early and was able to hang out to that lead to get the win, but with the high volume of offense that comes from Colaiocco, I’m not sure that strategy would work here. Nonetheless, I think that Colaiocco’s high pace and ability to handfight will be the difference. 

Holmes’ pick: Colaiocco

132: Julian Chlebove (PA) vs. Luke Baughman (USA)

Chlebove is possibly the best guy in Team PA’s lineup not named Carter Starocci, who we will see later at 182 in a match I cannot wait to see. But Chlebove will be his normal high velocity, organized chaos self that is very hard to stop. Baughman has his work cut out for him here.

Holmes’ pick: Chlebove

138: Jacob Ealy (PA) vs. JoJo Aragona (USA)

I like how Ealy stays on the attack. He defends well and will dig an underhook off his opponent’s attacks to look for his own offense as well. Aragona’s biggest threat is his movement on his feet. He’s very active and has a lot of side-to-side movement to setup his shots. I like Aragona here. I think his pace and ability to get to legs is going to be a huge factor in this match.

Holmes’ pick: Aragona

145: Ryan Anderson (PA) vs. Kevon Davenport (USA)

This one right here is something I can’t wait for. This is slickness vs horsepower. Davenport will be coming full force with leg attacks, ducks and basically anything he can. Anderson, who I’ve deemed the Tonka Truck, is all about forward pressure. He’s not going to fire off a lot of shots, if any, but he crowds his opponents and pushes them all over the place. His main attack is a dump and he’s really good at it. I think this one will be close.

Holmes’ pick: Davenport

152: Ryan Vulakh (PA) vs. Cameron Amine (USA)

Man, Vulakh looked tough as nails at PA states. The one thing that I think people underestimate with him is his ability to ride. He can quickly saddle up and turn guys. I’m not saying that he will turn Amine, but I think that Vulakh’s ability to ride could be a factor. Both guys are very stingy on their feet. Vulakh attacks more, but the defense from both sides is solid. This one could go to OT.

Holmes’ pick: Vulakh

160: Daniel Mancini (PA) vs. Zach Lawrence (USA)

Call it recency bias but I don’t really see Mancini having much trouble here.

 Holmes’ pick: Mancini

170: Edmond Ruth (PA) vs. Julian Ramirez (USA)

This is going to be really fun. Ruth likes going upper body and Ramirez doesn’t really like going there. It’s a great clash of styles and I think that if Ramirez starts early he may be able to get Ruth into a hole that he can’t dig himself out of like Nijenhuis did in the PA state finals. But I’m very intrigued by this matchup of future EIWA competitors.

Holmes’ pick: Ramirez

182: Carter Starocci (PA) vs. Abe Assad (USA)

In my mind this is the best match on the card. Starocci looked phenomenal at PA states. Assad is a dual threat type of guy with the Greco skills in his back pocket. Also, let’s not forget that this is a rematch of the Cadet World Team Trials semifinals from last year which was won by Assad. I hope this match is last because it’s going to be awesome. 

Holmes’ pick: Starocci

195: Donovan Ball (PA) vs. Devin Winston (USA)

What we’ve seen as of late is the Ball is a gamer. And after seeing him at Powerade and then last weekend at PA states, he grew to be one of my favorites. But Devin Winston is a whole set of problems. Winston held the top spot in the country at one point during the year and can take things up a notch in a hurry.

Holmes’ pick: Winston

220: Jacob McMaster (PA) vs. Owen Trephan (USA)

This could be a pretty typical big man match where it’s a lot of hand fighting with a low score finish. Trephan will be the aggressor in this instance though I feel. I see him being able to secure at least one takedown and be able to do what he does on top, which is ride and control.

Holmes’ pick: Trephan

285: Kawuan Deboe (PA) vs. John Birchmeier (USA)

Birchmeier is big. Deboe is even bigger. And honestly, that could be a big factor. Birchmeier is more of an active heavyweight and even though Deboe has pretty good footwork, he’s not the type to hit a knee very often, not saying that he can’t or won’t shoot, but you’ll get more hand fighting and heavy-handed snaps from him. But it’s big on bigger and I think it will come down to whoever scores a takedown.  I’ll also be surprised if Birchmeier takes bottom because Deboe is a lot to handle from top.

Holmes’ pick: Birchmeier

WPIAL vs. New York

113: Marino Angelicchio (WPIAL) vs. Terry Adams (New York) 

120: Kyle Burkholder (WPIAL) vs. Jimmy Ryan (New York)

126: Kenny Hayman (WPIAL) vs. Tyler Kellison (New York)

132: Colton Camacho (WPIAL) vs. Alex Sampson (New York)

138: Nick Coy (WPIAL) vs. John Worthing (New York)

145: John Rocco Kazalas (WPIAL)  vs. Hunter Shaut (New York)

152: Cam Connor (WPIAL) vs. Zach Lawrence (New York)

160: Colby Morris (WPIAL) vs. Charlie Grygas (New York)

170: Christian Clutter (WPIAL) vs. Aaron Wolk (New York) 

182: Scott Joll (WPIAL) vs. Patrick Welsh (New York)

195: John Vargo (WPIAL) vs. Robbie Penhollow (New York)

220: Ogden Atwood (WPIAL) vs. Will Leonard (New York)

285: Jake Slinger (WPIAL) vs. Joey Slackman (New York)