Glenn Kaiser previews the 2016 PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships and makes his predictions for each weight class.
ROUGH RIDE TO HERSHEY
By Glenn Kaiser
After three tough weeks of wrestling here in the Southeast Region that began with League qualifiers, Suburban One League wrestlers have no time to rest. For some, the grind of battling District One’s best week in and week out in the postseason will provide valuable experience and confidence, and for others, the ultimate trip to Hershey, PA, for the 2016 PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships could be a short one. Nonetheless, the 20-man bracket for each weight class will have to be wrestled out, and those looking to stand on the podium Saturday night will need some luck and a lot of great wrestling each time they step to the mat. No SOL wrestler has an easy path to the top of the podium.
The 20-man bracket has some flaws, especially this year as the top half brackets of multiple weight classes will feature some of the state’s best grapplers going head-to-head in quarterfinal action. The PIAA will need to consider seeding the state tournament in the future, as random draw of formulated brackets seems to be a thing of the past and could create a situation where the best of the best don’t get to the finals. Of course, you have to beat the best to be the best, so no argument here that wrestlers must win to advance no matter what round it is or whom they are wrestling. Here is a breakdown of each weight class and how the SOL wrestlers will fare as the AAA tournament gets set to kick off today at 4:00pm.
106 pounds: SE Region runner-up Tyler Williams (Souderton) will have a tough time in the upper bracket here as he starts off against Jobe Chisko (Penn Trafford). Williams only has three losses on the season, but three of the top five ranked wrestlers in the state are in his bracket. He most likely will have to wrestle back through the consolations to medal.
113: Matt Parker (Pennridge) sits atop the bracket, and is headed for an early showdown with undefeated Gage Curry (North Hills) in the quarterfinals, he will have to be in championship form on day two of this tournament. Aidan Burke (Council Rock North) doesn’t have an easier path in the lower half of the bracket, as he will most likely run into talented freshman Julian Chelebove (Northampton) in the quarters. There are six returning place winners at this weight class. Both Parker and Burke are two of them.
120: Gunnar Fuss (Harry S Truman) will have a preliminary bout, but he has a good draw down below in the lower half of the bracket. He will wrestle Caleb Morris (Waynesburg) out of the gate. Perhaps the best wrestler in the USA is in the bracket here, and that is two-time state champion Spencer Lee (Franklin Regional).
126: Kordell Rush (Pennridge) has the experience to get back on the podium, as he looks to be matched up with Luke Karam (Bethlehem Catholic) in the quarterfinals. This weight class is stacked with seven returning medalists. Cary Palmer (Council Rock South) will be in the mix here but will have to be in top form for a spot on the podium.
132: Zack Trampe (CR South) will look to return to the finals for a second chance at a state title. He is the man to beat at this weight class. Ryan Vulakh (North Penn) is only a freshman, but he can wrestle anyone and have a chance. He gets a good draw in the lower half of the bracket and will wrestle Andrew Wert (Central Dauphin) in the first round.
138: Riley Palmer (CR South) is in a great spot down below, as Luke Plethcher (Greater Latrobe) and Sammy Sasso (Nazareth) are up top and are scheduled to do battle in the quarterfinals. Palmer has a great opportunity to reach the finals.
145: Penn Trafford’s Cameron Coy is the man to beat here as he is undefeated at 33-0, but the rest of the weight class may be wide open. Thus, both Lucas Martoccio (CR South) and Dustin Stone (Truman) have chances to medal. Martoccio with his tight cradle and Stone with his strength will be tough outs in this tournament.
152: The SOL has three wrestlers here. Dylan Schwartz (CR South) is the SE Region champ and will most likely see Cole Karam (Becca) in first round action. Colin Shannon gets top-ranked Hayden Hidlay (Mifflin) in round one. Tanner Seislove (Quakertown) has a prelim bout against Austin Bonnacci (West Mifflin). This rugged weight class will test our wrestlers, but Schwartz should be able to work his way to the podium. Shannon may have to wrestle all the way back for a medal.
160: Josh Stillings (Pennridge) is primed to place. He is atop the bracket, and he will see an undefeated wrestler early in the quarters in Kaleb Young (Punxsutawney). He has the experience and is battled tested with his second trip to Chocolate Town, USA.
170: Josh Shalinsky (Council Rock North) will also be looking at an undefeated wrestler in the quarters as Jared Siegrist (Manheim Central) is atop the bracket with Shalinsky. Shalinsky is a sure bet to medal in the top eight.
182: Kyle Gentile (Pennridge) has one goal in mind - to win a state championship. His championship bout may very well be in the quarterfinals as Jake Woodley (North Allegheny) is Genitile’s most significant threat to derail him from reaching the top of the podium. Quakertown’s Nick Bonomo joins Gentile at this weight, and he has a preliminary match versus Evan Morrill (Lower Dauphin).
195: In a wide-open weight class, Joe Doyle (CR South) has what it takes to medal here. Patrick Walker (Upper Moreland) is a bit of a dark horse to medal, but don’t be surprised to still see him wrestling on Saturday.
220: Gavin Caroff (Quakertown) is the SE Regional champ as a result of Jordan Wood (Boyertown) not entered due to injury. Wood, the returning state champ at this weight, will not get a chance to defend his title. Caroff has been on a roll, using his heavyweight strength and big move (lateral drop) to advance himself back to the Giant Center for a second straight appearance.
285: Bruce Graeber (Neshaminy) will have plenty of work to do here. Although, he returns to Hershey as the fifth place finisher from a year ago, he will be joined by three other returning medalists in this heavyweight class. Graeber should reach the semifinals where he will most likely face off with either Josh Fye (Bald Eagle) or Andrew Gunning (Bethlehem Liberty), both whom are undefeated. They meet in the quarterfinals.
Champion Predictions:
106-Tyson Klump (Nazareth)
113-Gage Curry (North Hills)
120-Spencer Lee (Franklin Regional)
126-Tyshawn White (Central Dauphin)
132-Zack Trampe (Council Rock South)
138-Luke Pletcher (Greater Latrobe)
145-Cameron Coy (Penn Trafford)
152-Hayden Hidlay (Mifflin)
160-Kaleb Young (Punxsutawney)
170-Nino Bonaccorsi (Bethel Park)
182-Kyle Gentile (Pennridge)
195-Drew Phipps (Norwin)
220-Cameron Tinner (Shippensburg)
285-Tommy Killoran (Boyertown)
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