Sophomore Surprises of 2014 Season

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Kiski Area Sophomore Tyler Worthing

Kiski Area Sophomore Tyler Worthing

Last season was full of new faces who lived up to expectations and those who surprised fans come March. Now with a season of high school wrestling under their belt, its the sophomores of 2014 who will return to the mats in search of redemption. There will be a ton of known talents returning for their second season – such as Luke Pletcher, Mickey Phillippi, Jordan Wood, Gage Curry, Luke Karem, Colin Glorioso, Blake Marks, and Jake Wentzel. There will be, however, several sophomores who will look to make the jump and earn a trip to Hershey this season with some leaving with PIAA Hardware. Below is a look at the sophomores who competed in their freshman season but did not advance to the PIAA State Tournament and who, I believe, have paths leading to success in 2014.

 

1.  Jonathan Gabriel – Bedford – 113 lbs.

Class AA – District 5 – South West Regional

2013 Record (32-4)

With only 4 defeats in his rookie season Jonathan Gabriel returns this season to prove he should be mentioned with some of the State’s top lightweights. In 2013 Gabriel lost to General McLane’s multiple State Tournament Qualifier Joe Wheeling, 2013 Class AAA State Champion Luke Pletcher, 2013 Class AA Fifth Place Medalist Austin Griffiths, and Jefferson-Morgan’s Brendan Howard. His best performance of the season came at the Thomas Subaru Wrestling Tournament when he defeated Collin Glorioso (Huntingdon Area) by a score of (2-1) in the semifinals and pinned Brendan Howard in the finals (5:39). Fellow freshman Collin Glorioso would go on to finish Third in the State at 106 lbs. Despite not punching a ticket to Hershey in 2013, Gabriel has shown he can hang with the State’s top wrestlers and come 2014, don’t be surprised to see him walk away with a PIAA Medal of his own.

 

2.  Tyler Worthing – Kiski Area – 195 lbs.

Class AAA – District 7 – Southwest Regional

2013 Record (31-11)

Tyler Worthing is bigger than other sophomores on this list yet he is going to be one of the top upper weights in the WPIAL for years to come. In 2013 Worthing faced some stiff competition and never looked intimated. Of his 11 defeats as a freshman only three came by way of pin, with one coming at the hands of 3x State Champion Cody Wiercioch in (0:59). Against fellow freshman and 2013 PIAA State Qualifier Drew Phipps (Norwin), Tyler went (1-3) falling in overtime once and never by a margin larger than 4 points. At the Super 32 Challenge last month Worthing improved his record against Phipps as he placed third, defeating Phipps in the consolation finals (4-3). In 2014 Worthing will likely be moving up two weight classes to 195 lbs. where he will be a top contender for a WPIAL Championship and a PIAA State Medal.

 

3.  Lucas Ortiz – Conestoga Valley – 138 lbs.

Class AAA – District 3 – South Central Regional

2013 Record (31-4)

Before suffering season ending injury to his knee, Lucas Ortiz was well on his way to qualifying for the PIAA State Tournament in his freshman campaign. Ortiz defeated 2012 PIAA State Runner-up Matt Grossman (Manheim Township) in tiebreaker (5-4) and split a series with 2013 PIAA State Qualifier Nick Cook (Garden Spot) one win a piece. Ortiz began the season by capturing the Carlisle Holiday Tournament defeating 2012 PIAA State Qualifier Wyatt Keck (Big Spring) in the finals (1-0). Moving up one weight-class in 2014 Ortiz will likely compete at 138 lbs. and will be one of several contenders for a District 3 Championship at the weight.

 

4.  Wade Cummings – Downingtown East – 126 lbs.

Class AAA – District 1 – South East Regional

2013 Record (42-3)

One of the best records for any freshman across PA, Wade Cummings had a solid freshman season for Downingtown East. Cummings amassed 42 wins to only three defeats, all of which came in the post-season. Wade defeated 2x PIAA State Qualifier Kenny Yanovich (Pleasant Valley) by a score of (8-4) and a pair of 2013 State Qualifiers, downing Austin Camacci (Central Dauphin) and Derek Carlisle (Spring Grove Area). Half of his victories came by fall, pinning 21 of his opponents, while only giving up one pin to 2013 PIAA State Runner-up Zach Fuentes (Norristown Area). Wade Cummings is bound for yet another successful season in 2014 and the sophomore should battle for a PIAA State Medal.

 

5.  Bill Bowlen – Jefferson-Morgan – 170 lbs.

Class AA – District 7 – Southwest Regional

2013 Record (31-13)

Billy Bowlen captured a PJW State Championship in 2013 at 157 lbs. after finishing 6th in the Class AA South West Region at 160 lbs.. The freshman was one win away from qualifying for the PIAA State AA Tournament and will be in search of not only qualifying for the PIAA State Tournament but earning a career first State Medal. In his sophomore season Bowlen will likely compete at 170 lbs. in 2014.

 

6.  Jimmy Saylor – Easton Area – 138 lbs.

Class AAA – District 11 – North East Regional

2013 Record (27-7)

Easton Area sophomore Jimmy Saylor placed third at the 2013 PJW State Championships at 132 lbs. after finishing third in District 11 and qualifying for the North East Regional Tournament. To begin his freshman campaign Saylor defeated 2013 PIAA State Medalist Michael Marino (Garnet Valley) at the Manheim Holiday Tournament en route to capturing the Championship title. Saylor will have his hands full with talent in the North East Region but is poised to qualify for the PIAA State Tournament. In 2014 Saylor will likely compete at 138 lbs.

 

7.  Jonathan Ross – Northern York – 132 lbs.

Class AAA – District 3 – South Central Regional

2013 Record (25-7)

Sophomore Jonathan Ross of Northern York placed sixth in 2013 at the South Central Regional Tournament. In July 2013 Ross compted in the Fargo, ND Cadet Freestyle Nationals and finished as the runner-up at 132 lbs. Ross amassed a (9-1) record in Fargo against the Nation’s top Cadet wrestlers. Moving up two weight classes in 2014, Ross will likely compete at 132 lbs. in his sophomore season. One of the biggest victories Ross had in 2013 was against 2x PIAA State Qualifier Greg Warner (Big Spring) by score of (8-7). Two of his 7 defeats came at the hands of 2x PIAA State Champion Ryan Diehl (Trinity) both by regular decision (6-2) and (5-2). In 2014 Ross will look to keep the momentum of his Cadet National runner-up finish rolling and qualify for the PIAA State Championship.

 

8.  Logan Heinl – Shaler Area – 126 lbs.

Class AAA – District 7 – South West Regional

2013 Record (31-6)

Shaler Area’s Logan Heinl placed third at the 2013 PJW State Championships at 124 lbs. As a freshman Heinl faced some of the State’s top wrestlers at 120 lbs. and faired well, falling just one win shy of qualifying for the PIAA State Championships. At the WPIAL/South West Regional Tournament Heinl fell twice  to 2013 PIAA State Runner-up Dalton Macri (Canon-McMillan). Heinl will likely move up a weight-class to compete at 126 lbs. in his sophomore season. Looking to improve on his fourth place Regional medal, Logan Heinl has the capability to make an impact not only in the WPIAL but the State.

 

9.  Derek Verkleeren – Belle Vernon Area – 152 lbs.

Class AAA – District 7 – South West Regional

2013 Record (26-8)

Sophomore Derek Verkleeren will be joined by his younger brother Jared this season for Belle Vernon Area. In 2013 Derek qualified for the WPIAL/South West Regional Tournament at 145 lbs. where he went (2-2) falling to the eventual runner-up and third place medalist. The freshman had victories over Brooks Wilding (Upper St. Clair), Tyler Steele (Connellsville Area), and Shane Piper (Waynesburg Cenral). Moving up a weight-class in 2014, Derek will be a key contributor to a loaded Belle Vernon Area team. Expect to see Derek and brother Jared in Hershey in the near future.

 

10.  Anthony Piscopo – LaSalle College – 195 lbs.

Class AAA – District 12 – North East Regional

2013 Record (32-9)

Sophomore Anthony Piscopo returns to LaSalle College in 2014 in search of a State Tournament birth after qualifying for the North East Regional Tournament where he went (2-2). Piscopo improved as the season progressed winning the District 12 Championship at 182 lbs. and only giving up one fall in 9 defeats. Moving up to 195 lbs. in 2014 Piscopo will continue to benefit from his drilling partner – Anthony Pelusi a 2x Regional Medalist and 100 match winner for LaSalle College.

 

11.  John Jackobsen – Stroudsburg – 160 lbs.

Class AAA – District 11 – North East Regional

2013 Record (31-13)

North East Regional Tournament fourth place finisher at 152 lbs. John Jackobsen was one win from earning a trip to Hershey, Now, as a sophomore, Jackobsen will look to improve on his 31 victories from a season ago. Jackobsen placed third at the District 11 Tournament prior to his fourth place finish at Regionals. The freshman had several quality wins such as victories over Michael Sutton (General McLane), Gordon Daichendt (Emmaus), and Nick Musa (East Stroudsburg Area South). Moving up to 160 lbs. in 2014 Jackobsen should be one of the top wrestlers in his weight.

 

12.  Gregg Harvey – Boyertown Area – 160 lbs.

Class AAA – District 1 – South East Regional

2013 Record (30-13)

The “other” sophomore from Boyertown Area is overshadowed by big man Jordan Wood but Gregg Harvey had an impressive rookie season for the Bears. Competing at 152 lbs. Harvey qualified for the South East Regional Tournament where he went (1-2). Against 2013 State Qualifier Nick Giangiulio (Perkiomen Valley) Harvey went (1-2). Overall the sophomore will only be improving as a sophomore and will likely compete at 160 lbs. come the post-season where he aims to end in Hershey. Harvey will be a key part to a Boyertown team which will be one of the toughest in District 1.

 

13.  Nate Newberry – Biglerville – 120 lbs.

Class AA – District 3 – South East Regional

2013 Record (35-10)

2013 South East Regional Sixth place medalist at 113 lbs. Nate Newberry had an impressive rookie season but was unable to advance to Hershey. Three of his eleven defeats came at the hands of Korbin Myers (Boiling Springs) a 2012 PIAA State runner-up and 2013 PIAA State Third Place finisher. Newberry had notable victories over Sage Moist (Mount Union Area), David Pipa (Bishop McDevitt), and Willis Gruver (Redbank Valley). At the Fargo, ND Cadet Freestyle Nationals Newberry went (1-2) at 120 lbs. In his sophomore campaign Newberry will likely compete at 120 lbs. He will have stiff competition again in the South East Regionalbut expect to see Newberry competing at the PIAA State Tournament.

 

14.  Austin Bell – Belle Vernon Area – 170 lbs.

Class AAA – District 7 – South West Regional

2013 Record (35-9)

Yet another Belle Vernon Area Leopard on the list is sophomore Austin Bell. The 2013 WPIAL/South West Regional Tournament qualifier had several notable wins over wrestlers such as Dom Nania (Hempfield Area), Tommy Provance (Connellsville Area), and Dmitry Wilding (Upper Saint Clair). This past summer Bell competed at the Cadet Freestyle National’s in Fargo, ND at 160 lbs. Bell went an impressive (5-3) and earned a sixth place medal against the Nation’s top talent. With 35 victories as a freshman Bell will continue his success into 2014 and attempt to earn his first trip to Hershey. Bell will also help a talented Belle Vernon Area team this season likely competing at 170 lbs.

 

15. Garrett Hoffman – Montoursville Area – 170 lbs. 

Class AA – District 4 – Northeast Regional 

2013 Record (30-10)

Sophomore Garrett Hoffman captured a sectional tournament Championship, placed 5th in District 4, and qualified for the North East Regional Tournament. There Hoffman fell (9-7) to Benton Area’s Colt Cotton a 2x PIAA Class AA State Runner-up. Hoffman, a 30 match winner in 2013 at 145 lbs., had quality wins over Dom Vitale (Benton Area), Dakota Nixon (Hughesville Area), and Brandon Conrad (Bloomsburg). Hoffman may be moving up three weight-classes in 2014 competing at 170 lbs. If he makes the transition smoothly Hoffman should have continued success in the North East Region.

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