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Six Of Pennsylvania’s Top Performers At Escape The Rock – FloWrestling

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Six Of Pennsylvania’s Top Performers At Escape The Rock – FloWrestling


Those attending last weekend’s Escape The Rock escaped a day earlier than anticipated after tournament officials crammed the scheduled two-day event into one with an incoming storm bearing down on the Philadelphia suburbs. 

Those associated with the tournament were able to adapt, overcome and knock out an amazing event in less than 12 hours. Here’s a look at some of the top Pennsylvania performers at Escape The Rock. 

Arav Pandey (FR) — Trinity, 107 pounds

Trinity’s Arav Pandey had an incredible run Saturday to the 107-pound title. The 14th-ranked freshman entered the tournament as the top seed and rolled into the semifinals with two first-period falls and an 18-2 technical fall in the quarterfinals before taking out #17 Ace Chittum 6-2 in the semifinals. Chittum was coming off a 5-0 win in the quarters against #10 Max Quarry, a Beast of the East and Powerade finalist. Pandey cruised in the finals, notching a 10-2 major decision against #12 Jack Anello of Blair Academy. Pandey is now 22-2 on the season and looking like a serious contender for the 107-pound PIAA title in AA. 

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Watch Pandey Dominate In The Escape The Rock Finals

Braiden Lotier (JR) — Bishop McDevitt, 114 pounds 

After a runner-up finish at Powerade, returning PIAA AA state champion Braiden Lotier won a deep 114-pound Escape The Rock bracket. After cruising to the semifinals with two falls and a technical fall, #18 Lotier won a 10-6 battle over #17 Killian Coluccio to reach the finals, where many thought he would be taking on #2 Justin Farnsworth. However, Charlie Esposito spoiled the party. Esposito picked up a late reversal in the semifinal against Farnsworth and rode Farnsworth out for the 2-1 win. In the finals, it was all Lotier as he picked up two takedowns to go on to win the 114-pound belt with an 8-3 decision. 

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Watch Lotier Defeat Esposito In The Escape The Rock Finals

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Nico Emili (SO) — Bethlehem Catholic, 121 pounds

Returning PIAA medalist Nico Emili got off to a bit of a slow start to his sophomore season. However, he picked up one of the biggest wins in dramatic fashion last weekend at Escape The Rock. Coming into the tournament as the #8 seed at 121 pounds, Emili earned a tech fall and a 5-2 decision to reach the quarterfinals, where he took on the top seed and fifth-ranked Johnathon McGinty of St. Joseph Regional. McGinty was rolling as he led 7-1 with a little over a minute to go in the third period before Emili got to a front headlock and hit his patented cement mixer. Emili took McGinty to his back with the mixer and picked up the fall in 5:05 for the huge upset win and to advance to the semifinals. Emili would go on to finish fourth at 121 pounds. Still, it was still a great win for Emili and good momentum for him as we draw closer to the postseason. 

Watch Emili’s Dramatic Quarterfinal WIn

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Kai Vielma (JR) — Connellsville, 145 pounds

Returning PIAA third-place finisher Kai Vielma impressed, reaching the finals in a deep 145-pound Escape The Rock field. After picking up a tech fall and 10-0 major decision in the round of 16, Vielma picked up a huge win over #10 Greyson Music, defeating the past PIAA finalist 5-1 to advance to the semifinals. Vielma then downed a red-hot Anthony DePaul, who had just taken out #5 Matthew O’Neill in the quarterfinals with a buzzer-beater takedown. Vielma rode DePaul out in the first tiebreaker and then earned his escape and held DePaul off for the 2-1 tiebreaker win. Vielma battled hard in the finals but fell just short against #2 Tyler Dekraker, as Dekraker’s first-period takedown was the difference in a 4-2 win. 

Watch Vielma’s Quarterfinal Against Music

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McKaden Speece (SR) — Wilson West Lawn, 172 pounds

Two-time PIAA medalist McKaden Speece continued his impressive senior run with an Escape The Rock championship at 172 pounds. Speece rolled into the semifinals with a technical fall, a fall, and an 8-2 decision. In the semifinals, Speece gave up the first takedown to second-seeded Chris Dennis and battled back to tie the match 5-5 with a second-period takedown before Dennis was ford to injury default after an apparent knee injury. Speece took on #18 Barry Norman of Blair Academy in the finals after Norman defeated #15 Lucas Boe 3-2 in ultimate tiebreaker in the semifinals. In the finals, Speece outlasted Norman, picking up an escape in the ultimate tiebreaker for the 3-2 win and the 172-pound Escape The Rock title. Speece is now 37-1 on the season and will look to end his career with a state championship before moving on to Navy next season. 

Watch Speece Defeat Norman In The Escape The Rock Finals

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Elijah Brown (SR) — Belle Vernon, 215 pounds

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Returning PIAA AAA champion Elijah Brown dominated the 215-pound Escape The Rock field. On his way to the finals, Brown picked up three first-period falls and a 16-0 tech fall in 1:48 in the semifinals, setting up his title matchup with Nicholas Gonzalez, who was fresh off of a 10-5 win over #17 Cash Colbert in the semifinals. Brown once again wasted no time getting to work, as he took an early 7-0 lead and picked up the first-period fall in just 46 seconds. For his performance, the Penn State commit received the Outstanding Wrestler award and he is looking to close out his career with his second state title. 

Watch Brown Waste No Time In the Escape The Rock Finals

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Pennsylvania High School Premium Rankings

Check out the Pennsylvania High School Wrestling Premium Rankings, which are generated by using an athlete’s complete match history to predict a wrestler’s performance against others in their weight class by considering factors such as win-loss records, the quality of their victories (pins, technical falls, major decisions), the strength of their opponents, and overall historical performance patterns. 

The data is updated every Monday, sourced from the Trackwrestling season results. Since each team is responsible for maintaining its season results, any data discrepancies for a wrestler should be addressed by contacting their coach to manage the information within the season. This includes the weight class assigned. Wrestlers are eligible to be ranked after competing in five matches at a single weight.

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Pennsylvania High School Wrestling Rankings Before 2026 PIAA States – FloWrestling

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Pennsylvania High School Wrestling Rankings Before 2026 PIAA States – FloWrestling


Is Pennsylvania the most wrestling-centric state in the country? Does the Keystone State have the most talent? Or even the top talent? Is it harder to win a state title there than anywhere else?

These all are terrific questions, and the answers may vary depending on who you ask and where they’re from, much like our nation’s great pizza debate, where the answers will vary by region.

What we do know for sure, is that Pennsylvania is well-represented in the 2025-2026 FloWrestling High School Wrestling Rankings, but with the 2026 Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Boys & Girls Individual State Wrestling Championships on the horizon, where do the competitors rank amongst their peers?

If you follow high school wrestling, you’ve probably already heard many of the names, whether it was at past PIAA events, national tournaments, international competition, college recruiting news or signings, etc.

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Now, here they are listed by weight class in FloWrestling’s latest Pennsylvania-only rankings.

Among the most recognizable are Bishop McCort senior Bo Bassett (152 pounds), his brother and teammate Melvin Miller (172 pounds) and Adam Waters (189 pounds) from rival school Faith Christian Academy. 

As you get ready to see who takes home the titles at the 2026 PIAA Individual State Wrestling Championships, set for March 5-7 at GIANT Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania, here’s a look at where everyone falls in the pecking order:

What Are The Weight Classes For High School Wrestling In Pennsylvania?

  • Boys: 107, 114, 121, 127, 133, 139, 145, 152, 160, 172, 189, 215, 285
  • Girls: 100, 106, 112, 118, 124, 130, 136, 142, 148, 155, 170, 190, 235

Pennsylvania High School Wrestling Rankings Before 2026 PIAA State Championships

As of Feb. 22, 2026

Boys

Girls

When Are The 2026 PIAA Boys & Girls Individual State Wrestling Championships?

The 2026 PIAA Boys & Girls Individual State Wrestling Championships will take place March 5-7, live on FloWrestling and the FloSports app.

The first girls wrestling champions in PIAA action were determined in 2024.

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The road back to GIANT Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania, began with regional competition across 12 sites (eight boys, four girls) in February (Feb. 20-21; Feb. 22; Feb. 27-28; Feb. 28)

Among the highlights at the 2025 event was Bassett winning his second individual PIAA state championship and helping Bishop McCort to a Class AA runner-up finish behind Faith Christian. 

Read more: 2025 PIAA Wrestling State Championship Results And Brackets

How To Watch The 2026 PIAA Individual State Wrestling Championships 

Live coverage of the 2026 PIAA Individual State Wrestling Championships on March 5-7 will be broadcast on FloWrestling and the FloSports app, with news, notes, stats and more available on both platforms.

Archives will be available immediately following the conclusion of each match.

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If you’re going to be in the area and want to catch the action in person, click here for spectator and ticket information. 

Read more: 2026 PIAA Individual State Wrestling Championships Schedule & Brackets

2026 PIAA Individual State Wrestling Championships Brackets

Here’s where you’ll be able to find the brackets for the 2026 PIAA Individual State Wrestling Championships: 

2026 PIAA Individual State Wrestling Championships Schedule

Here’s a look at when everything is going down:

All Times Eastern

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Wednesday, March 4

  • 4-7 p.m. – Media registration
  • 4-7 p.m. – School registration (AA/Girls/AAA)
  • 4-7 p.m. – Qualifying wrestlers’ workout (AA/Girls/AAA) (six mats)
  • 6 p.m. – Officials’ meeting

Thursday, March 5 (Session 1)

  • 7:30 a.m. – Media registration
  • 7:30 a.m. – Admit coaches and contestants (AA)
  • 7:30 a.m. – Late school registration (AA)
  • 7:45 a.m. – Skin condition check (AA)
  • 8 a.m. – Weigh-ins (AA)
  • 9 a.m. – Preliminaries and first round (AA), six mats (52/104 matches)
  • 12:30 p.m. – First-round consolations (AA), six mats
  • 12:30 p.m. – Admit coaches and contestants (Girls)
  • 12:30 p.m. – Late school registration (Girls)
  • 12:45 p.m. – Skin condition check (Girls)
  • 1 p.m. – Weigh-ins (Girls)
  • 2 p.m. – First round (Girls), six mats (104 matches)
  • 3 p.m. – Admit coaches and contestants (AAA)
  • 3 p.m. – Late school registration (AAA)
  • 3:15 p.m. – Skin condition check (AAA)
  • 3:30 p.m. – Weigh-ins (AAA)
  • 3:30 p.m. – First-round consolations (Girls), six mats (52 matches)
  • 4:30 p.m. – Preliminaries and first round (AAA), six mats (52/104 matches)
  • 8 p.m. – First-round consolations (AAA), six mats (52 matches)

Friday, March 6 (Session 2/Session 3)

  • 6:30 a.m. – Admit coaches and contestants (AA)
  • 6:45 a.m. – Skin condition check (AA)
  • 7 a.m. – Weigh-ins (AA)
  • 8 a.m. – Quarterfinals (AA), three mats (52 matches)
  • 8 a.m. – Second-round consolations (AA), three mats (52 matches)
  • 10:15 a.m. – Admit coaches and contestants (Girls)
  • 10:30 a.m. – Third-round consolations (AA), three mats (52 matches)
  • 10:30 a.m. – Skin condition check (Girls)
  • 10:45 a.m. – Weigh-ins (Girls)
  • 11:45 a.m. – Quarterfinals (Girls), six mats (52 matches)
  • 12:45 p.m. – Admit coaches and contestants (AAA)
  • 1 p.m. – Skin condition check (AAA)
  • 1:15 p.m. – Weigh-ins (AAA)
  • 1:15 p.m. – Second-round consolations (Girls), six mats (52 matches)
  • 2:15 p.m. – Quarterfinals (AAA), three mats (52 matches)
  • 2:15 p.m. – Second-round consolations (AAA), three mats (52 matches)
  • 4:45 p.m. – Third-round consolations (AAA), six mats (52 matches)
  • 6:15 p.m. – Admit coaches and contestants (AA/Girls/AAA)
  • 7 p.m. – Semifinals (AA/Girls/AAA), 2/2/2 mats (26/26/26 matches)
  • 9 p.m. – Fourth-round consolations (AA/AAA), 2/2 mats (26/26 matches)
  • 9 p.m. – Third-round consolations (Girls), two mats (26 matches)

Saturday, March 7 (Session 4/Session 5)

  • 8 a.m. – Admit coaches and contestants (AA/Girls/AAA) 
  • 8:15 a.m. – Skin condition check (AA/Girls/AAA)
  • 8:30 a.m. – Weigh-ins (AA/Girls/AAA)
  • 8:45 a.m. – Skin condition check, finalists (AA/Girls/AAA)
  • 9 a.m. – Weigh-in, finalists (AA/Girls/AAA)
  • 9:30 a.m. – Fifth-round consolations (AA/AAA), 2/2 mats (26/26 matches)
  • 9:30 a.m. – Fourth-round consolations (Girls), 2 mats (26 matches)
  • 11:30 a.m. – Third-, fifth- and seventh-place matches (AA/Girls/AAA), 2/2/2 mats (39/39/39 matches)
  • 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. – Admit coaches and contestants (AA/Girls/AAA)
  • 3:40 p.m. – Parade of Champions (AA/Girls/AAA)
  • 4 p.m. – Championship Finals (AA/Girls/AAA), 1/1/1 mats (13/13/13 matches)

When Was The 2026 PIAA Team Wrestling State Championships?

The 2026 PIAA Team Wrestling State Championships took place Feb. 6-7 at the 1st Summit Arena in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and included 20 teams that survived the preliminary and first round of the tournament, which was held Feb. 3 at host schools across the state.

The advancing teams made their way to Johnstown for two more days of intense competition, with the 1st Summit Arena hosting the quarterfinals through the championship matches. 

In Pennsylvania this year, there were 475 schools participating in boys wrestling. 

They were divided into two classifications – 228 schools in AA and 247 schools in AAA – which are further split into 12 districts. Class AA is for schools with 1-308 male enrollees, and Class AAA wrestling includes schools with 309-9999 male students. 

Read more: 2026 PIAA Team Wrestling State Championships Schedule & Brackets

Did You Know: PIAA Wrestling Has A Long History

The first state wrestling championships in Keystone State happened in 1938, while the girls were added to the action in 2024. The PIAA Team Wrestling State Championships debuted in 1999.

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There are 14 four-time individual state champions in Pennsylvania. Another 30 have won three times.

2025-2026 FloWrestling High School Wrestling Rankings

Top 20 as of Feb. 18, 2026

Curious about how the top wrestlers from each state stack up against competitors from across the country?

Click here to see the latest high school rankings from FloWrestling.

FULL DUAL: Bishop McCort vs. Faith Christian | 2026 PIAA AA Team State Finals

Faith Christian has been dominant in team wrestling in Pennsylvania, and Bishop McCort keeps falling just short.

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Trackwrestling Has Joined The New FloWrestling

Trackwrestling officially has merged with FloWrestling, bringing its powerful tournament tracking tools and live data into a modern, all-in-one platform. 

Fans can follow every bout with pro-grade brackets, mat schedules, team rosters and detailed wrestler profiles—all seamlessly integrated within FloWrestling.

This move delivers a faster, smarter and more connected experience for the wrestling community. Through the updated FloSports app, users can track live results, explore brackets and even sign up for free alerts so they never miss a match.

FloWrestling Archived Footage

Video footage from all events on FloWrestling will be archived and stored in a video library for FloWrestling subscribers to watch for the duration of their subscriptions.

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Man cited after abandoning car in frozen pond at Pennsylvania country club: Police

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Man cited after abandoning car in frozen pond at Pennsylvania country club: Police


A man has been cited after police said he drove a vehicle into a frozen pond at a country club in Pennsylvania, left the scene, then spent the night in a hotel.

According to the East Lampeter Township Police Department, on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, around 10:38 a.m., officers were called to the Lancaster Country Club after receiving reports about a vehicle in a pond.

Police said that, through an investigation, it was learned that Sung Chun, a 50-year-old man from Hoboken, New Jersey, had driven onto the property the day before around 8:30 p.m., crossed portions of the golf course, and ultimately ended up in a pond.

Chun then exited the vehicle and walked away without reporting the incident and spent the night at a nearby hotel, according to police.

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Credit: East Lampeter Township Police Department

Credit: East Lampeter Township Police Department

Credit: East Lampeter Township Police Department

Police said Chun returned to the location while police were on scene investigating the incident and was ultimately cited with “Trespass by Motor Vehicle.”



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State College, Pennsylvania: 2026 USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards

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State College, Pennsylvania: 2026 USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards


In rural Pennsylvania, State College houses Penn State against a backdrop of beautiful country scenery. The university hosts many events, arts performances, and lively festivals that give the town year-round excitement that blends student life with local charm. Visitors can attend a football game, explore nearby parks and trails, and savor the town’s growing culinary scene of pubs and local eateries.



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