Pennsylvania is as soon as once more loaded with high-level highschool expertise. The state presently has well-established upperclassmen and a crop of younger stars arising and seeking to take over the state and nationwide panorama. With Pennsylvania being one of many high states at producing Division 1 and worldwide stars, it’s not laborious to search out 25 top-level performers to function right here.
It’s value noting that U17 World silver medalist Tyler Kasak reportedly plans to forgo his senior season and isn’t included on this checklist. Additionally, Bishop McCort is ineligible for PIAA postseason competitors, however its wrestlers are anticipated to be within the subject at among the nation’s high highschool occasions all through the season.
Listed here are 25 names it’s essential know this season:
Bo Bassett (Bishop McCort) — Freshman, 113 kilos
Only a freshman, Bo Bassett has already established himself as one of many nation’s greatest. The 2021 Cadet World Champion most lately was in a position to get revenge over Anthony Knox on his option to a Tremendous 32 belt that catapulted him to the #1 rating within the nation at 113 kilos.
Gauge Botero (Religion Christian Academy) — Sophomore, 120 kilos
Botero had a powerful begin to his highschool profession final season as he completed with a 45-7 document and positioned third at 113 kilos in AA. Botero continued to indicate enchancment all through the summer season and preseason with third-place finishes at Fargo in each freestyle and Greco and has elevated himself to #12 within the nation at 120 kilos. Botero may have his eyes set on successful his first state championship this season.
Vince Bouzakis (Notre Dame-Inexperienced Pond) — Sophomore, 138 kilos
The PIAA shall be including a brand new face this season with Vince Bouzakis becoming a member of the Notre Dame-Inexperienced Pond squad. Bouzakis competed for Wyoming Seminary final season together with his older brother, Nic, and was a Powerade champion at 126 kilos as a freshman. Bouzakis has proven to make steady development as he was a Fargo runner-up this summer season and was second at Tremendous 32 final month, dropping each of these bouts to P.J. Duke. Because the #7-ranked 138-pounder within the nation, Bouzakis shall be an important addition to Pennsylvania and could possibly be the favourite to win his first PIAA championship.
Andrew Christie (Bishop McDevitt) — Senior, 160 kilos
After failing to put on the state championships as a freshman and a sophomore, Andrew Christie confirmed big enchancment final season, when he completed because the state runner-up at 152 kilos, dropping within the finals to present N.C. State starter Jackson Arrington. With a powerful efficiency at Tremendous 32, the place he completed in sixth place at 160 kilos, Christie has proven the flexibility to wrestle with among the greatest wrestlers within the nation. The Military commit shall be seeking to finish his highschool profession with PIAA gold.
Mac Church (Waynesburg Central) — Senior, 145 kilos
Though Mac Church was third as a freshman and a PIAA champion as a sophomore, final season he confirmed enchancment and began to widen the hole over his opponents on his option to his second PIAA AAA Championship. Church simply joined a uncommon group of wrestlers in historical past as he turned a four-time Tremendous 32 medalist final month when he completed fifth. The seventh-ranked 145-pounder within the nation shall be examined alongside the best way to his third PIAA Championship run earlier than becoming a member of the Virginia Tech Hokies subsequent season.
Nathan Desmond (Bethlehem Catholic) — Sophomore, 113 kilos
Nate Desmond was ultra-impressive final yr as a freshman. After ending fifth at Tremendous 32, Desmond was second at Ironman, a Beast of the East champion, received the Escape the Rock and dominated his option to a AAA state championship at 106 kilos. Over the summer season Desmond completed third within the Junior division in Fargo and most lately picked up two wins over fellow PIAA champion Louie Gill on his option to his second straight fifth-place end at Tremendous 32. Desmond shall be a giant favourite to win his second PIAA Championship this season.
Dylan Evans (Chartiers Valley) — Senior, 152 kilos
Following eighth- and fourth-place finishes on the PA state event his first two seasons, Evans had a breakout yr in 2021-22. After ending third in each freestyle and Greco in Fargo, Evans was fifth at Tremendous 32 and went on to win his first PIAA AAA State Championship. Evans was additionally a Fargo runner-up this previous summer season in Junior Greco. The longer term Pitt Panther could possibly be staring down the barrel at a showdown with one other returning PIAA champion in Ty Watters, which might be an superior fashion conflict with a second state championship on the road for each wrestlers.
Jax Forrest (Bishop McCort) — Freshman, 120 kilos
Very similar to his teammate Bo Bassett, Jax Forrest has already confirmed to be one of many pound-for-pound high wrestlers within the nation as only a freshman. Forrest was a U17 World silver medalist this summer season and has continued to run with that momentum all through the autumn. After selecting up one other win over Nate Jesuroga at Who’s Quantity One in September, Forrest has notched double-digit wins over guys ranked within the high 20 within the nation over the past two months, with most of them coming with bonus factors. Forrest completed third at Tremendous 32 final month after taking a loss by fall to Jordyn Raney in a match Forrest led 14-3. He maintained his #1 rating within the nation as he has a current head-to-head win over eventual champion Luke Lilledahl. Forrest was additionally very spectacular towards Division 1 competitors at each the Clarion Open and the Bearcat Open the place he was third and fifth, respectively.
Mason Gibson (Bishop McCort) — Junior, 126 kilos
Mason Gibson has been on everybody’s radar since successful a Tremendous 32 title as an eighth-grader. Gibson completed as a PIAA runner-up in 2021 as a freshman however missed all the 2022 season after struggling a knee harm at Fargo. Gibson returned with a bang by successful the Fargo Junior title at 126 kilos this previous summer season and most lately had a really spectacular Tremendous 32, the place he completed as runner-up to Ben Davino in a canine combat.
Louie Gill (Hickory) — Junior, 113 kilos
Louie Gill shocked lots of people in 2021 when he got here away from his first state event with a PIAA championship. Gill went into the state event final season as a heavy favourite to repeat however was thwarted by Aaron Seidel within the finals at 106 kilos. Coming off a powerful Tremendous 32 final month when he received his second straight medal with a sixth-place end, Gill will look to bounce again this season and return to the highest of the rostrum in Hershey.
Conner Harer (Montgomery) — Junior, 152 kilos
After a fifth-place end on the PIAA Championships as a freshman, Harer broke out final yr as he capped an undefeated 47-0 season with a AA State title at 145 kilos. Harer has confirmed the place he stacks up towards the nation’s greatest as he had an excellent Tremendous 32, selecting up a number of ranked wins and ending third, which vaulted him all the best way as much as the #4 rating within the nation at 152 kilos. With all of that in thoughts, Harer is clearly the early favourite to win his second AA state crown this season.
Zach Jacaruso (Delaware Valley) — Senior, 113 kilos
Jacaruso was a PIAA runner-up in 2021 after falling in time beyond regulation to Jacob Van Dee. He navigated his option to the highest of the rostrum final season for his first state championship. Throughout his 40-1 2021-22 season, Jacaurso picked up an enormous win within the Escape the Rock finals over Anthony Knox that has helped him rise to the #3 rating within the nation at 113 kilos. The George Mason commit shall be seeking to cap his highschool profession together with his second AAA PIAA championship.
Vinny Kilkeary (Better Latrobe) — Senior, 120 kilos
Vinny Kilkeary has been a must-watch competitor his complete profession. With first-, third- and first-place finishes in three tries on the PIAA AAA state event, Kilkeary is likely one of the most completed wrestlers in Pennsylvania this season. Most lately, Kilkeary picked up a win over Mason Gibson in a PA Energy All-Star twin and positioned fifth at Tremendous 32, which contributed to his #5 rating within the nation at 120 kilos. The Ohio State recruit shall be wanting so as to add a 3rd state gold in his ultimate attempt.
Sean Kinney (Nazareth) — Junior, 285 kilos
Kinney was a state runner-up as a freshman at heavyweight. Kinney improved on that efficiency final season by selecting up a fourth straight victory over Matthew Cruise within the state finals after dropping to Cruise early within the season, serving to lead Nazareth to the AAA staff title. Kinney is now one of many high heavyweights within the nation at #3 within the nation and would be the favourite to repeat as a state champion this season.
Rune Lawrence (Frazier) — Junior, 195 kilos
Rune Lawrence made a reputation for himself after navigating his option to a PIAA AA state title as a freshman. Nevertheless, Lawrence seemed like a totally totally different wrestler final season as he dominated his option to a second state championship by selecting up three falls and a 7-0 choice on the state event. Lawrence was lately third at Tremendous 32 at 195 kilos, which helped cement himself on the #7 rating within the nation. Lawrence is likely one of the most fun guys to observe in Pennsylvania with an aggressive fashion particularly within the high place and with a capability to pin anybody. He is also midway in the direction of becoming a member of a really unique group of four-time Pennsylvania state champions.
Pierson Manville (State School) — Junior, 145 kilos
After failing to qualify for the state event in 2021, Pierson Manville was type of an unknown so far as the place he stacked up with one of the best guys going into final season. Manville proved his mettle as he received a Powerade title early final season and had the Large Heart rocking when he picked up the late fall towards Tyler Kasak within the state semifinals. Manville went on to defeat a second returning state champion within the finals as he took out Briar Priest in tiebreakers to win his first PIAA AAA state championship. Manville is coming off a tough efficiency at Tremendous 32 and shall be seeking to bounce again in his junior season and defend his state championship.
Jaden Pepe (Wyoming Space) — Senior, 138 kilos
Jaden Pepe is likely one of the greatest within the state of Pennsylvania however is commonly ignored. Pepe has been third, first, and first in three tries on the state event and is 114-4 in his profession. Pepe dominated his option to his second AA state championship final yr and accomplished a 45-0 season. It’s been laborious to inform precisely the place Pepe stacks up towards the highest wrestlers within the nation on account of his lack of ends in high-level nationwide tournaments. Pepe is likely one of the few high seniors left which are presently uncommitted to a school.
Dalton Perry (Central Mountain) — Sophomore, 132 kilos
Dalton Perry had a implausible freshman season final yr. After a disappointing efficiency at Powerade early within the season, Perry ran the desk the remainder of the yr and picked up wins over a returning PIAA champion in Jacob Van Dee and Maddox Shaw on his option to a AAA state championship. Control Perry this season and we are going to discover out if he has made jumps since final season and if he is ready to go back-to-back on the state event.
Kollin Rath (Bethlehem Catholic) — Sophomore, 138 kilos
Rath was a well-established wrestler coming into his freshman season and proved to be the actual deal as he completed a 24-2 season with a third-place end at 132 kilos on the state event. Rath’s lone loss at PIAA’s was a decent 3-1 choice towards two-time state champion Mac Church within the semis. He defeated one other powerful freshman in Collin Gaj for third place. Rath had a productive offseason as he was a freestyle runner-up within the 16U division at Fargo and picked up his third Tremendous 32 medal as he completed third final month at 138 kilos. Rath is presently ranked #6 within the nation at 138 kilos and could possibly be the favourite to win his first PIAA championship this season.
Sonny Sasso (Nazareth) — Senior, 189 kilos
Following a seventh-place end on the AAA state event as a sophomore, Sonny Sasso had a breakout yr in 2022. Throughout his 46-0 season, Sasso picked up an enormous win over Mac Stout in an superior semifinal bout on his option to his first state championship. Together with a person title, Sasso was an enormous contributor to serving to Nazareth win the AAA staff state title as nicely. Regardless of being an upperweight, Sasso has a really distinctive fashion wherein he’s glorious in scrambles and may cradle opponents from nearly anyplace. Sasso lately dedicated to Virginia Tech and shall be seeking to cap off his highschool profession with a second PIAA gold medal.
Aaron Seidel (North Lebanon) — Sophomore, 113 kilos
Aaron Seidel was type of an unknown coming into final season and he instantly exploded onto the scene. Seidel accomplished a 49-1 freshman season by defeating returning state champion Louie Gill within the PIAA finals for a state title. Seidel has appeared to enhance all through the offseason as he completed sixth in freestyle in Fargo and lately positioned third on the Tremendous 32. Seidel is presently ranked #11 within the nation at 113 kilos and could possibly be taking a look at a possible rematch with Louie Gill when the postseason comes round if he chooses to remain at 113 kilos.
Maddox Shaw (Thomas Jefferson) — Sophomore, 132 kilos
Maddox Shaw had a wonderful freshman season. He was a Powerade runner-up and positioned third on the AAA state championships together with his solely loss on the state event coming to fellow freshman Dalton Perry in an superior semifinal. Shaw was third in Fargo within the 16U division this summer season and had a superb efficiency at Tremendous 32, regardless of failing to put. Shaw is presently ranked #10 within the nation at 132 kilos and will doubtlessly have an anticipated rematch with Dalton Perry coming this season.
Ty Watters (West Allegheny) — Senior, 152 kilos
Ty Watters was an enormous story final season as he break up 4 matches with returning PIAA champion Finn Solomon all year long, together with a win within the state finals. Because of this, his first PIAA medal was a gold. Watters was spectacular on the Tremendous 32 final month in addition to he made the finals and pushed LaDarion Lockett to the brink earlier than ending because the runner-up, which helped him climb to #3 within the nationwide rankings at 152 kilos. Watters has a wild fashion and is likely one of the most fun guys to observe within the nation proper now. The longer term West Virginia Mountaineer needs to be in your must-watch checklist each time he takes the mat this season.
Rocco Welsh (Waynesburg Central) — Senior, 170 kilos
Welsh has probably the most spectacular resumes within the nation in the intervening time. He completed as a state runner-up as a freshman and a sophomore earlier than dominating his option to his first AAA state championship final season with three bonus-point wins and a technical fall within the finals. Welsh additionally picked up an Ironman title final season and was a runner-up in Fargo within the Junior division. Welsh avenged his loss from the Fargo finals in September by defeating Josh Barr at Who’s Quantity One in an superior bout. Welsh additionally received his first Tremendous 32 belt final month in a wild comeback win over Daschle Lamer within the finals. The longer term Ohio State Buckeye and #1 wrestler within the nation at 170 kilos shall be again this season seeking to dominate his option to a second state crown.
Branden Wenztel (Montoursville Space) — Senior, 120 kilos
Wentzel has had a implausible profession to this point for Montoursville. He began his highschool profession by successful a state championship in 2020. Since then, Wenztel has completed third on the state event as a sophomore and was the state runner-up at 113 kilos final yr after dropping the rubber match towards Gavin Bradley in a 4-3 barnburner within the state finals. Wentzel had important wins final yr over Gauge Botero, Gavin Bradley, and Devin Jackson and will definitely be one of many favorites to finish his profession with a second state championship earlier than shifting on to Penn State subsequent season.
