PA Earns 4 Super 32 Challenge Belts and 31 Medalists

Keeping with tradition Pennsylvania wrestlers succeeded on the mats of the Greensboro Coliseum Events Center at the Super 32 Challenge. This season at the premier pre-season high school event in the Nation a total of 30 Super 32 Challenge medalists were Pennsylvania wrestlers. Four of the 31 medalists earned Super 32 Challenge Championship Belts. The number of medalists increased by nine from a year ago when 22 wrestlers came away with Super 32 hardware including five Champions. While some stars, such as Spencer Lee, Luke Pletcher, and Jarod Verkleeren from a season ago did not compete in 2015, those who did carried the State to another successful showing.

Freshman Jo-Jo Aragona of Milford, PA was the surprise of the Tournament for fans and experts alike as he earned a name for himself in just two days. The rookie, who attends Pope John Paul XXIII in New Jersey, stormed into the Super 32 Challenge finals at 106 lbs. defeating many of the top ranked wrestlers in the Nation along the way. Aragona defeated freshman Aden Reeves (Iowa), who entered the Super 32 ranked #8 in the Nation by Flo, (7-2) in the Round of 64. Jo-Jo didn’t let up picking up three straight wins and quickly finding himself in the Super 32 semifinals. There he faced sophomore Nick Aguilar (California), who entered the Super 32 ranked #6 in the Nation by Flo, and was victorious (4-3). The 2x PJW State Third Place Medalist now found himself on the biggest stage of his young career. In 2012 Aragona competed in the Super 32 Challenge Middle School Division and placed fourth at 75 lbs. In the finals Jo-Jo faced fellow freshman Adam Busiello of Eastport, NY. Busiello, who as an eighth grader won a New York State Championship in 2015, came in ranked #5 in the Nation by Flo. The Cinderella story would not be completed as Busiello shut-out Aragola by decision (5-0) to win the Super 32 Challenge Belt. In the semifinals Busiello downed 2015 PIAA State Medalist Kevan Gentile (Palisades Area) by decision (4-3). Gentile would end up finishing in fourth place at 106 lbs.

 

106 lbs.

Jo-Jo Aragona (Pope John Paul, NJ) – Runner-up

Kevan Gentile (Jim Thorpe Area) – Fourth Place 

 

 

PIAA State Runner-up Gage Curry (North Hills) was a 2013 Super 32 Challenge Runner-up at 106 lbs. and added a seventh place finish in 2015. After falling in the Round of 16 Curry rebounded in a difficult 113 lbs. weight-class to finish in seventh. In the consolation round Gage knocked out two PA Wrestlers defeating sophomore Cole Rhone (Benton Area) score (3-0) and downing returning PIAA State Medalist Jakob Campbell (Boyertown Area) score (5-3). Benton’s Cole Rhone had a big win over 2015 PIAA State Champion Tyrone Klump (Nazareth Area) in the consolation round picking up a fall in (0:55). In the consolation quarterfinals Curry fell to Ohio junior Drew Mattin, ranked #4 in the Nation by Flo, by fall. Gage was the lone PA Medalist at 113 lbs.

 

113 lbs.

Gage Curry (North Hills) – Seventh Place

 

The Keystone State’s second 2015 Super 32 finalist came at 120 lbs. with Exeter Township junior Austin DeSanto. The 2015 PIAA State Medalist defeated Iowa sophomore Alex Thomsen, ranked #13 in the Nation by Flo, (3-1) in sudden victory. In the finals Austin took on Florida sophomore, a State Champion ranked #12 in the Nation by Flo at 126 lbs., but was unable to get past him falling (6-3). Also earning a spot on the podium was Central Dauphin senior Tyshawn White. The 2x PIAA State Third Place Medalist fell to the same wrestler twice to finish in fourth place. In the quarterfinals White lost to New Jersey freshman Nick Ramio, ranked #12 in the Nation by Flo, in a narrow (3-2) match. Tyshawn, who came in ranked #16 in the Nation by Flo, bounced back to defeat #13 Alex Thomsen (Iowa) in the consolation semifinals by fall in tiebreaker (6:13 TB). In the third place match White faced off with Ramio for a second time as the two entered overtime. In tiebreaker Ramio was victorious by fall in (6:12 TB).

 

120 lbs.

Austin DeSanto (Exeter Township) – Runner-up

Tyshawn White (Central Dauphin) – Fourth Place

 

The talk of the 2015 Super 32 was no doubt the loaded 126 lbs. bracket. In that weight 2x PIAA State Champion Luke Karam (Bethlehem Catholic) always seemed to take a back seat to names such as Daton Fix and Nick Suriano. Karam, who recently committed to Lehigh, entered the 2015 Super 32 ranked #6 in the Nation by Flo at 132 lbs. The anticipated semifinals match-up between Luke Karam and Daton Fix (Oklahoma) took place after Karam survived a (1-0) victory over junior Peter Pappas (New York). Pennsylvania Wrestling fans became familiar with the name Daton Fix over the summer when he handed Spencer “The Kid” Lee two defeats at the Cadet World Freestyle Team Trials. Fix, ranked #1 in the Nation by Flo, was no match for a determined Luke Karam. In arguably the most impressive performance of his career Luke turned it on rolling to a (9-3) decision upset over Fix. The victory stopped an chance of the highly anticipated meeting between Daton Fix and Nick Suriano. In the finals Luke was unable to get past the Penn State recruit falling (5-1) in his highest career finish at the Super 32 Challenge. Sophomore and returning PIAA State Medalist Andrew Wert (Central Dauphin) fell to Fix (12-5) in the quarterfinals but earned a hard-fought tiebreaker victory over fellow PIAA State Medalist KJ Fenstermacher (Liberty) to advance into the medal round (3-1 TB). Wert was forced to medical forfeit his next match and finished in eighth place.

 

126 lbs.

Luke Karam (Bethlehem Catholic) – Runner-up

Andrew Wert (Central Dauphin) – Eighth Place

 

Three Keystone State grapplers finished on the podium at 132 lbs. with sophomore Sammy Sasso (Nazareth Area) leading the way. Sasso fell to the Nation’s #3 ranked wrestler by Flo at 132 lbs., Yianni Diakhomihalis (New York) in the semifinals (4-0). Sasso, ranked #9 in the Nation, had no issues claiming third place defeating PIAA State Medalist Wade Cummings (Downingtown East) in the consolation semifinals by major decision (10-2). Cummings ended in fifth place and defeated Palisades Jacob Wasser in the consolation quarterfinals (3-1 SV). Wasser would go on to place seventh.

 

132 lbs.

Sam Sasso (Nazareth Area) – Third Place

Wade Cummings (Downingtown East) – Fifth Place

Jacob Wasser (Palisades) – Seventh Place

 

Going in to the Super 32 Challenge the 138 lbs. participants had a ton of potential with an impressive group from Pennsylvania. Despite the list of talented wrestlers only Easton Area senior Evan Fidelibus came out a medalist finishing in seventh place. Pennsylvania wrestlers faced off against each other a total of nine times in the consolation round forcing many of the top names out the Tournament.

 

138 lbs.

Evan Fidelibus (Easton Area) – Seventh Place

 

Kiski Prep junior Eric Hong, a 2015 National Prep Runner-up, entered the Super 32 Challenge ranked #7 in the Nation by Flo. Earning his second career Super 32 Challenge medal Hong rebounded to finish in third place after he fell to #6 David Carr (Ohio) in the semifinals (3-0). Hong was the only Pennsylvania Medalist in a slim field of Keystone State wrestlers.

 

145 lbs.

Eric Hong (Kiski Prep) – Third Place

 

Hayden Hidlay will not be satisfied with his finish at the 2015 Super 32 Challenge. Expect to see the 2x PIAA State Medalist come back more motivated than ever after finishing in fourth place at 152 lbs. Fans were hoping to see a Hidlay and Manville rematch from Flo’s Who’s Number One? event in October. Hidlay and Manville have been on a collision course the last six months but a sixth meeting would not take place. In the semifinals Hayden was defeated by Archer, GA senior Thomas Bullard (3-0). Bullard, ranked #6 in the Nation by Flo at 160 lbs. was the 2014 Super 32 Challenge Champion at 152 lbs. Manville would go on to defeat Bullard in the Super 32 Finals (4-2). Hidlay won his next match over Minnesota’s Jake Allar in overtime (5-3 SV) to advance into the consolation finals. In the battle for third place Hayden was defeated in overtime (3-1 SV) to senior Griffin Parriott (Minnesota).

 

152 lbs.

Hayden Hidlay (Mifflin County) – Fourth Place

 

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”]

The first Super 32 Challenge Champion from Pennsylvania was at 160 lbs. with senior Kaleb Young (Punxsutawney Area). The future Iowa Hawkeye, ranked #10 in the Nation at 160 lbs. by Flo, was spectacular in his best performance at the Super 32. Last season Kaleb placed seventh at 152 lbs. but advanced into the finals with a rematch victory over Michael Labriola (Bethlehem Catholic) in the semifinals. At the 2015 PIAA State Tournament Labriola downed Young for third place at 152 lbs. in ultimate tiebreaker (5-3 UTB). This time around it took no more than (0:40) seconds to decide a winner with Kaleb earning a fall over Labriola in (0:40). In the finals Young continued his dominance picking up a (12-5) win over Daniel Bullard (Archer, GA) in the finals. Bullard, ranked #6 in the Nation by Flo, was a 2014 POWERade Champion. Labriola, a junior who recently committed to Nebraska, came back strong to finish in third place. Hayden’s younger brother Trent Hidlay earned his first Super 32 Challenge medal with a seventh place finish.

 

160 lbs.

Kaleb Young (Punxsutawney Area) – Champion

Mikey Labriola (Bethlehem Catholic) – Third Place

Trent Hidlay (Mifflin County) – Seventh Place

 

 

The second Pennsylvania wrestler to win a Super 32 Challenge Championship Belt came next at 170 lbs. with Wyoming Seminary senior Chris Weiler. The Shippensburg, PA native and National Prep Champion added a Super 32 Belt to his accomplishments. The Lehigh recruit had no issues in his run to the Super 32 Championship with his closest match coming in the finals (8-4). While Chris Weiler was the highlight at 170 lbs. Bethel Park junior Nino Bonaccorsi showed his season potential with a strong showing. In the quarterfinals Nino defeated fellow PIAA State Medalist Jared Siegrist (Manheim Central) score (7-1). After falling in the semifinals (1-0) to junior Louie DePrez (New York) Bonaccorsi picked up two wins and finished in third place. Despite having six wrestlers at 170 lbs. advance to day two of the Super 32 Challenge only two spots on the podium were filled with Keystone State wrestlers.

 

170 lbs.

Chris Weiler (Wyoming Seminary) – Champion

Nino Bonaccorsi (Bethel Park) – Third Place

 

 

Two wrestlers ranked #1 in the Nation by Flo clashed in the Super 32 Challenge finals at 182 lbs. Texas native Nick Reenan (Wyoming Seminary), ranked #1 in the Nation at 195 lbs., dropped to 182 lbs. for the Super 32 after winning at Flo’s Who’s Number One? event in October at 195 lbs. The National Prep Champion met PIAA State Champion Dakota Geer (Franklin) who entered ranked #1 in the Nation at 182 lbs. In the quarterfinals Geer defeated fellow 2015 PIAA State Champion Greg Bulsak (South Park) in an impressive (5-0) performance. In the finals Geer gave Reenan everything he could handle coming up short (4-3). It was a big jump for Geer who finished in seventh place at the 2014 Super 32. The wrestler who impressed me most was undoubtedly Drew Peck (Chambersburg Area). The junior and 2015 PIAA State Qualifier fell in the Round of 32 to Illinois State Champion Nathan Traxler (4-1) but knocked off four straight wins in the consolation round to guarantee a medal. Along the way Drew downed a tough senior Milton Kobaly (8-6) and upset PA State Champion Greg Bulsak (South Park) in the consolation quarterfinals (3-1). Peck earned his first Super 32 Medal finishing in sixth place. Bulsak improved on his 2014 Super 32 Eighth Place Medal to finish in seventh place.

 

182 lbs.

Dakota Geer (Franklin) – Runner-up

Drew Peck (Chambersburg Area) – Sixth Place

Greg Bulsak (South Park) – Seventh Place

 

 

Another weight-class with a load of Pennsylvania talent finished strong with all three wrestlers who advanced to Day 2 earning medals. Boyertown Area senior Gregg Harvey Jr. found himself in the Super 32 Challenge semifinals after knocking off #1 seed and National Prep Champion Chris Dietrich (Wyoming Seminary). Harvey and Dietrich tangled into tiebreaker where the Boyertown Bear came out on top earning a fall in (7:15 TB). The 2015 PIAA State Medalist was unable to duplicate the result falling in the semifinals by fall in tiebreaker (7:05). Harvey fell in his first consolation match and dropped to the fifth place match where he had a rematch with Dietrich. The New York native and #3 ranked wrestler in the Nation according to Flo got revenge against Harvey Jr. winning (5-3) to finish in fifth place. In the seventh place match two Pennsylvania wrestlers squared off with PIAA State Medalist Gavin Hoffman (Montoursville Area) and Trey Hartsock (Mifflin County). As expected regulation would not deicide a winner and in tiebreaker senior Trey Hartsock was victorious by fall (6:19 TB) to claim seventh place.

 

195 lbs.

Greg Harvey Jr. (Boyertown Area) – Sixth Place

Trey Hartsock (Mifflin County) – Seventh Place

Gavin Hoffman (Montoursville Area) – Eighth Place

 

The third Pennsylvania Super 32 Challenge wrestler who left wearing a Championship belt was senior Jordan Wood (Boyertown Area). It was Wood’s second straight Super 32 Belt at 220 lbs. The Lehigh recruit and PIAA State Champion was untested en route to the Championship finals picking up two major decisions and a fall over fellow PA Wrestler Zane Black (The Phelps School). In the finals Wood had a much closer match than he would have liked but came out on top (6-5) over Matt Stencel (Ohio) a senior who won an Ohio State Championship last season. Former teammates Cole Nye and Zane Black spent the last two seasons together, first at Bishop McDevitt and last season at Wyoming Seminary, but will be apart their junior years. Nye is returning to Bishop McDevitt while Zane Black is heading to The Phelps School. The two friends did not wrestle against each other as Cole Nye was awarded the winner by forfeit which indicates Black must have lost the coin flip or best-of-three rock/paper/scissor.

 

220 lbs.

Jordan Wood (Boyertown Area) – Champion

Cole Nye (Bishop McDevitt) – Fifth Place

Zane Black (The Phelps School) – Sixth Place

 

The fourth and final Keystone State wrestler who donned the Super 32 Challenge Belt was senior Andrew Gunning (Liberty) at heavyweight. In the quarterfinals Gunning, a 2015 PIAA State Medalist at 220 lbs., defeated fellow 2015 PIAA State Medalist Tommy Killoran (Boyertown Area) score (8-5). Andrew then downed returning Super 32 fifth place medalist Sam Bouis (Virginia) in the semifinals (3-2). Gunning claimed the Super 32 Championship Belt in the finals over Jacob Lill (Archer, GA) by a score of (6-4). In the consolation round Tommy Killoran defeated Red Lion senior Jared Schell, a 2015 SC Regional Fifth Place Medalist, by fall in (1:28). A wrestler who flew way under the radar, so much that I missed his result, was Upper Darby senior Peter Augustin. The senior, who has a career record of (37-28), has improved immensely over the summer as he placed fifth at the Super 32. In the fifth place bout Peter defeated  Killoran (8-4) to earn the highest achievement of his career. Jared Schell finished in eighth place and in the consolation round downed talented sophomore Isaac Reid (Kiski Area) by a (10-4) decision after defeating fellow District 3 wrestler Oscar Daniel (Exeter Township) by a narrow (1-0) decision.

 

285 lbs.

Andrew Gunning (Liberty) – Champion

Peter Augustin (Upper Darby) – Fifth Place

Tommy Killoran (Boyertown Area) – Sixth Place

Jared Schell (Red Lion Area) – Eighth Place

 [/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]