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

106 Pounds

Overview: 

The 106AA bracket has the most top end talent of any bracket in either classification. Four wrestlers occupy spots in the top twenty nationally: #6 Sheldon Seymour (Troy), #8 Gary Steen (Reynolds), #10 Joey Fischer (South Park), #12 Levi Haines (Biglerville). Steen is the returning state champion and Seymour was fourth a year ago. Fischer was a qualifier a year ago and brought a title home from Fargo over the summer. Haines is a super freshman that enters the state tournament undefeated. Throw in returning AAA state placewinner Matt Vulakh (Pope John Paul II) and there will be quality matchups in the early rounds. 

Top Bracket: 

Steen and Vulakh are likely to meet in the round of 16. As a freshman, Haines has zero prestige points and is the fourth seed he’ll likely be challenged by fellow freshman Suds Dubler (Glendale) in the bottom quarterfinal. Haines and Steen are the expected to hit in the semifinals in a massive showdown. Give me Steen out of the top side, but he will be challenged in each round.

Bottom Bracket:

Seymour and Fischer are both undefeated in the bottom bracket and look to be headed to a semifinal showdown. Don’t get ahead of yourself as there will be challenges for both en route to that Friday night round. Easton Toth (Forest Hills) and Noah Frack (Brandywine Heights) will probably present those challenges for for Seymour in the bottom quarter and Connor Brown (Littletown) or Owen Reinsel (Brookville) could push Fischer in the top quarter. The match in the round of 16 between Brown and Reinsel is one to watch in the Thursday AM session. I’ll take Fischer to come out of the bottom side. Seymour defeated Fischer 1-0 in the quarterfinal last year. With some added size I like Fischer in the rematch.

Prediction:

Gary Steen (Reynolds) over Joey Fischer (South Park)

2018 Placewinners:

1. Gary Steen, 9th, Reynolds 

2. Patrick DeMark, 10th, Trinity 

3. Conner Redinger, 9th, Quaker Valley 

4. Sheldon Seymour, 10th, Troy 

5. Gable Strickland, 9th, Benton

6. Amonn Ohl, 9th, St. Joseph’s Academy

7. Blake Showers, 10th, Biglerville

8. Logan Jaquay, 10th, Eisenhower

113 Pounds

Overview:

This bracket is one to pick a dark horse if you like to take a flyer on at least one weight class. The four regional champions each have experience at the state tournament and Gable Strickland (Benton) and Logan Jaquay (Eisenhower) took home medals from the 2018 PIAA Championships. However, I don’t think there is a clear favorite.

Top Bracket:

Strickland is the top seed and will look to improve on his 5th place finish a year ago. 2018 PJW State Champion, Freshman, Jackson Arrington (Forest Hills) could provide a test in the quarterfinals for Strickland. Adam Jacobs (East Pennsboro) is the other regional champion on the top side and brings prior state experience into the tournament. I’m going against my advice of taking a flyer and will pick Strickland out of the top half, but don’t be surprised if Arrington pulls the upset. 

Bottom Bracket:

Ryan Michaels (Elizabeth Forward) and Logan Jaquay are the regional champions on the bottom side and both have experience in the Giant Center. Jaquay brought home a medal in 2018. Jaquay should be tested in the quarterfinal by 2018 PJW Kole Biscoe (Southern Columbia). Michaels will have a big test in Gabe Gramley (Mifflinburg) in the quarters. This match was wrestled in the consolation round last year with Michaels winning by fall in sudden victory. I’ll take Michaels in the bottom half to make the finals.

Prediction:

Gable Strickland (Benton) over Ryan Michaels (Elizabeth Forward)

2018 Placewinners:

1. Josh Boozel, 12th, Mount Union

2. Brock McMillen, 9th, Glendale

3. Beau Bayless, 11th, Reynolds

4. Ian Oswalt, 9th, Burrell

5. Wyatt Lutz, 12th, Montoursville

6. Patrick Edmondson, 9th, Southern Columbia

7. Nate Smith, 10th, Bishop McDevitt

8. Blake Passarelli, 11th, Curwensville

120 Pounds

Overview:

Former medalists are abundant at 120 pounds, but the favorite is making his first trip to Hershey. Ryan Crookham (Notre Dame-Green Pond) is ranked #2 in the country and already has victories over former champion Beau Bayless (Reynolds) and two-time medalist Nate Smith (Bishop McDevitt) during his freshman season. 

Top Bracket:

Ian Oswalt (Burrell) is the number one seed, but didn’t reap the benefits of an easy path. In the opening round he could see 2018 7th place medalist Blake Showers (Biglerville). Crookham is the fourth seed and should be waiting for Oswalt in the semifinals. Crookham is my pick from the top half.

Bottom Bracket:

The depth of the weight class really shows in the bottom half of the bracket. Bayless is the number  seed and will likely have to go through two former medalists in order to reach the semifinals in Baylor Shunk (Penns Valley) and Nate Smith. In the top quarter Dave Evans (Tunkhannock) is the regional champion, but the premier opening round bout is between past CIF state qualifier Caydin Wickard (Boiling Springs) and PIAA medalist Amonn Ohl (St. Joseph’s Academy). I’m taking and upset out of the bottom and picking Nate Smith.  

Prediction:

Ryan Crookham (Notre Dame-Green Pond) over Nate Smith (Bishop McDevitt)

2018 Placewinners:

1. Jaret Lane, 12th, Southern Columbia

2. Chase Shields, 11th, Bishop McDevitt

3. Richie Markulics, 11th, Notre Dame-Green Pond

4. Isaac Crowell, 10th, Fort LeBoeuf

5. Zack Witmer, 9th, St. Joseph’s Academy

6. Andrew Ischo, 11th, Reynolds

7. Manny Dovshek, 12th, Bentworth

8. Derrick Christie, 12th, Westmont Hilltop

126 Pounds

Overview:

Both Brock McMillen (Glendale) and Chase Shields (Bishop McDevitt) have PIAA final experience. McMillen came up just short in 2018 and Shields has dropped title bouts in the past two seasons. The rest of the field will be trying to spoil this expected final.

Top Bracket:

McMillen is the top seed, but will face a tough test in the quarter finals. The round of 16 matchup between freshman Brand Chletsos (Notre Dame-Green Pond) and former medalist Anthony Glasl (Brockway) is must watch Thursday morning. The winner should face McMillen in the quarters. Bryce Vollman (Muncy) is the other regional champion in the top half, but I favor three-time medalist Bronson Garber (Upper Dauphin) to come out of the bottom quarter. I like McMillen’s scramble game and believe he will reach the final from the top bracket.

Bottom Bracket:

Shields is the second seed and looks to be the class of the field in the bottom bracket. He could face 2018 medalist Blake Passarelli (Curwensville) in the round of 16 for a tought early round matchup. Bryce Knauf (Greenville) is the third seed and should battle with Ty Cymmerman (Derry Area) to secure a spot opposite of Shields in the semifinal. I like Shields to reach his third straight final.

Prediction:

Brock McMillen (Glendale) over Chase Shields (Bishop McDevitt)

2018 Placewinners:

1. Gavin Teasdale, 12th, Jefferson-Morgan

2. Joshua Jones, 11th, Saucon Valley

3. Garret Cornell, 11th, Everett

4. Tye Varndell, 11th, Cambridge Springs

5. A.J. Burkhart, 12th, Athens

6. Bronson Garber, 11th, Upper Dauphin

7. Jeremy Hanford, 12th, Warrior Run

8. Colin Leonard, 11th, Northern Lebanon

132 Pounds

Overview:

Count them, nine former medalist in the field and four of those medalist have been bronze or silver. Strong matchups will be readily available to watch from the opening whistle Thursday morning. 

Top Bracket:

Joshua Jones (Saucon Valley) is the top seed and a returning runner-up. Kaden Cassidy (Bedford) was third two years ago, but missed the postseason last year. He is the southwest regional champion holding down the fourth seed. Cassidy has a leech like top game and could pose problems for Jones. Don’t use ink when filling out that bracket as Conner Redinger (Quaker Valley) is a dangerous possible round of 16 opponent for Cassidy.

Bottom Bracket:

Tye Varndell (Cambridge Springs) is an undefeated returning fourth place medalist checking in as the second seed. Third seed Nathan Higley (Sullivan County) should have a big test in the round of 16, as Garret Cornell (Everett) is expected to be waiting. They both took home medals from the 2018 PIAA Championships. Zach Witmer (St. Joseph’s Academy) is another returning medalist in the top quarter. Higley and Cornell definitely have an incredibly tough path for either one to make the final. I will take Varndell as I believe he has the path of least resistance.

Prediction:

Joshua Jones (Saucon Valley) over Tye Varndell (Cambridge Springs)

2018 Placewinners:

1. Joseph Klock, 12th, Muncy

2. Cole Rhone, 12th, Benton

3. Rocco Bartolo, 11th, Reynolds

4. Mark-Samuel Sallot, 12th, Harbor Creek

5. Ryan McGuire, 12th, Notre Dame-Green Pond

6. Nathan Higley, 9th, Sullivan County

7. AJ Corrado, 9th, Burrell

8. Trent Schultheis, 9th, Freedom Area

138 Pounds

Overview:

Jacob Ealy (Hopewell) placed fifth in AAA last year and is looking to improve upon that finish. Rocco Bartolo (Reynolds) and AJ Corrado (Burrell) are two returning AA medalists in the field, but neither won their region. Kenny Kiser (Saegertown) defeated Bartolo and won the Northwest, while Ealy won the Southwest Region. However, it was freshman Erik Gibson (Forest Hills) that knocked off Corrado in the semifinal.

Top Bracket:

I think Ealy will cruise in the top half. Bartolo should have a tough quarterfinal matchup with Avery Bassett (Midd-West), but I expect him to be opposite of Ealy Friday night for the semifinals. I’ll take Ealy to reach the final from the top half.

Bottom Bracket:

Kenny Kiser (Saegertown) is the second seed and could face-off with Corrado in the round of 16. In the top quarter Marckis Brandford (Wilson) and the freshman, Gibson appear to be the feature quarterfinal at the weight. Kiser has official wins over Gibson this year, while Gibson took a preseason matchup between the two. I’’l go out on a limb and take Gibson to make the final from the bottom bracket.

Prediction:

Jacob Ealy (Hopewell) over Erik Gibson (Forest Hills)

2018 Placewinners:

1. Cole Matthews, 12th, Reynolds

2. Caleb Dowling, 10th, St. Joseph’s Academy

3. Matthew Milbrand, 12th, Bloomsburg

4. Charlie Beatty, 12th, Marion Center

5. Brock Salvatore, 12th, Sharpsville

6. Lukas McClain, 12th, Ridgway

7. Jason Jones, 12th, Saucon Valley

8. Braeden Swab, 12th, Central

145 Pounds

Overview:

If 106 pounds is the premier AA bracket, 145 is 1A. This weight has many storylines and the action will be tremendous from the quarters on. Nathan Haubert (Palisades) is a returning champion, but missed most of the season due to injury. He finished third in the Southeast Region. Caleb Dowling (St. Joseph’s Academy) was a finalist a year ago and comes in as the top seed. Also in the bracket is super-freshman Gavin Garcia (Southern Columbia). Garcia has seven PJW titles on his resume, making it one of the best entering high school.

Top Bracket:

Seeding criteria has improved the brackets greatly the past few years, but special circumstances at 145 has stacked the bracket on the top side. Dowling is the top seed, but he could see Haubert in the quarterfinals. Haubert finished third in the Southeast Region and is a tough quarterfinal out for a top seed. Gavin Garcia is the fourth seed because freshmen don’t have any prestige points. He looks to be headed for a quarterfinal showdown with former medalist Andrew Cerniglia (Notre Dame-Green Pond). I would label both quarters as pick’ems, as well as the semifinal. Give me the freshman, Garcia to the finals.

Bottom Bracket:

I don’t want to write off the rest of the bottom bracket, but it’s difficult to see a scenario where Gabe Miller (Pequea Valley) doesn’t make it to the final. He did himself a huge favor winning the Southeast Region. That title included wins over both Haubert and Cerniglia. Former medalist John Rocco Kazalas (Quaker Valley) and state qualifier Tristan Pugh (Berlin-Brothersvalley) pose the biggest hurdles for Miller.

Prediction:

Gavin Garcia (Southern Columbia) over Gabe Miller (Pequea Valley)

2018 Placewinners:

1. Nathan Haubert, 11th, Palisades

2. Kollin Myers, 11th, Boiling Springs

3. Tyler Griffiths, 12th, Southmoreland

4. Caleb Hetrick, 12th, Brookville

5. Hunter Michaels, 12th, Reynolds

6. Gabe Miller, 11th, Pequea Valley

7. Mike Cusick, 12th, South Fayette

8. Mikey Doerflinger, 12th, Slippery Rock