Top Incoming Freshmen: South West

After a season that saw three freshmen claim State Championships, see below, what is in store for freshmen in 2012?

Jason Nolf-Kittanning – 103 lbs.

Chase Marsteller-Kennard-Dale – 152 lbs.

Thomas Haines-Solanco – 215 lbs.

Three of the top incoming freshmen in PA will all be wrestling at Franklin Regional High School next season. The trio of Panthers have won a combined 6 Pennsylvania Junior Wrestling Championships between them and will add to a line-up that losses 3x State Champion Nico Megaludis to graduation. They include Michael Kemerer, projected at 106 lbs., Josh Maruca, projected at 120 lbs., and Josh Shields, projected at 132 lbs. Kemerer has won PJW gold three times, winning at 70 lbs. in 2007, 85 lbs. in 2009, and 97 lbs. in 2011. Maruca has two championships, winning at 97 lbs. in 2010 and 117 lbs. in 2011. Shields earned his elusive first championship at 124 lbs. in 2011. Not far from the Franklin Regional’s trio is outstanding light-weight Sam Krivus of Hempfield Area, projected at 106 lbs. in 2012. Krivus has captured 3 PJW Championships, winning at 70 lbs. in 2008, 87 lbs. in 2010, and 102 lbs. in 2011. All there of Franklin Regional’s incoming freshmen and Sam Krivus have been mentioned by InterMat.com as “Top Incoming Freshmen in 2012.”

Rounding out the SW Region’s incoming freshmen includes one name that is known across the Nation. A.C. Headlee of Waynesburg Central will look to follow in his two older brothers success. Drew Headlee was a PIAA State Champion and NCAA All-American for Pittsburgh, while Ethan Headlee was a PIAA State Place-winner and NCAA qualifier for Pittsburgh. A.C. has faired well at the PJW Tournaments, finishing 2nd at 92 lbs. in 2011 and winning a State Championship at 77 lbs. in 2010. Headlee is projected to compete at 106 lbs. in 2012. Other lightweights to add to this year’s SW class is Fox Chapel’s Ian Moritz and Southmoreland’s Austin Griffiths. Projected at 106/113 lbs. in 2012, Moritz was a 2x PJW runner-up, at 102 lbs. in 2011 and at 82 lbs. in 2010. Griffiths was a PJW State Champion at 87 lbs. this past season and is projected to compete at 106 lbs. in 2012.