Class AAA First Round Matches You Can't Miss

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Class AAA

 

106 lbs.: #2 Gage Curry (North Hills) vs. #6 Connor Sheehan (Solanco)

Returning State runner-up Connor Sheehan draws a tough first round match-up against returning PIAA fourth place medalist Gage Curry. Sheehan, a senior, did not meet Curry in last season’s State Tournament and finished second in the SC Regional falling to #5 Brett Kulp (Exeter Township) two weeks ago. The sophomore Curry comes into the Tournament with only one defeat which he suffered in the WPIAL finals to #1 Decin Brown (Franklin Regional).

 

113 lbs.: #2 TyShawn White (Central Dauphin) vs. #7 Michael Scheetz (Northampton Area)

South Central Regional Champion TyShawn White is no stranger to the PIAA State Tournament. Last season as a freshman White competed for Class AA school Bishop McDevitt (District 3) and placed seventh at 106 lbs. Equally, Northampton Area junior Michael Scheetz was a Class AAA seventh place medalist at 106 lbs. The two met at the Bethlehem Liberty Hurricane Classic in December 2013 which Scheetz won (5-4). White has been on a tear since then not dropping one match since then. Scheetz has ran into some trouble in District 11 but will poised to duplicate his last meeting with White.

 

120 lbs. #2 Scott Parker (Pennridge) vs. #7 Zack Ulerick (Middletown Area)

Depending on Ulerick’s health this could be a close match or Parker could pick up a win with relative ease. Since he had a week off between the Regional Tournament and the State Tournament I am leaning towards Ulerick being healthy and ready to go. He is a former PIAA State Medalist who two years ago upset Sam Krivus (Hempfield Area) in the first-round. Parker has been nothing short of dominate in his senior season. Keep an eye on these two experienced wrestlers.

 

126 lbs.  #3 A.C. Headlee (Waynesburg Central) vs. #7 Ben Ross (Pennridge)

Headlee impressed me against #5 Dominic Forys (North Allegheny) in the WPIAL consolation finals and I expect to see him continue that momentum into the State Tournament. The returning PIAA sixth place medalist did, however, catch an unlucky break drawing South East Regional Champion Ben Ross in the first round. Ross is a dangerous wrestler who placed fifth at last year’s PIAA State Tournament at 120 lbs. Don’t be surprised if this one ends in a fall – as both wrestlers enjoy hittinga big move to secure a victory.

 

132 lbs. #2 Tyler Smith (Franklin Regional) vs. #7 Alex Wolfe (Cumberland Valley)

This is Wolfe’s first trip to Hershey but the Cumberland Valley senior has competed against the top wrestlers his entire career. Returning PIAA State Champion Tyler Smith will be returning to the mat for the first time since his emotional defeat to freshman #1 Cameron Coy (Penn Trafford) in the WPIAL finals last weekend. Wolfe is tough on top and likes to keep matches close. That could potential frustrate Smith who is aggressive on his feet. Don’t miss this match.

 

138 lbs. #17 Demetri D’Orsaneo (Owen J. Roberts) vs. #15 Greg Konieczny (LaSalle College)

Two closely matched juniors who have not met this season and both are making their first appearance in Hershey. D’Orsaneo comes in as the SE Regional #1 while Koniecny had an impressive NE Regional Tournament finishing in third ina deep weight-class.

 

145 lbs. #5 Nathan Cheek (Wyoming Valley West) vs. #10 Francesco Fabozzi (Central Bucks East)

Two seniors with impressive records will meet as returning PIAA State fifth place medalist Francesco Fabozzi brings a career win percentage of 86%. Cheek has had an impressive senior season with several quality wins and is making his first PIAA State Tournament appearance. Fabozzi is a strong wrestler who will look to over power the quick Cheek.

 

152 lbs. #4 Mason Bentzel (Spring Grove Area) vs. #8 Noah Stewart (Mifflin County)

Returning PIAA seventh place medalist Mason Bentzel will be making his second trip to the GIANT Center while sophomore Noah Stewart makes his first. Both competed at the King of the Mountain Tournament this season as Bentzel finished as the runner-up and Stewart finished fourth.

 

160 lbs. #1 Garrett Peppelman (Central Dauphin) vs. #7 Dom Scalice (Greater Latrobe)

The #1 and #2 ranked wrestlers in the State for majority of the season will meet in the first round of States. Scalice was upset in the WPIAL Tournament quarterfinals but bounced back to finish in third place. Although Peppelman is favored to win his second PIAA State Championship it will be interesting to see how these compare.

 

170 lbs. #2 Kyle Coniker (Central Catholic) vs. #7 Ben Swarr (Garden Spot)

Both seniors are making their first career trips to Hershey but both have had successful careers. Coniker won a tight WPIAL finals match against #3 Noah Wilps (Chartiers Valley) and kept #1 Chance Marsteller to a regular decision (8-1) at the POWERade Tournament this season. It was the closest match the undefeated 3x PIAA State Champion had this season. Don’t count out Ben Swarr who is strong as an ox and has a killer cradle. The Garden Spot senior has an impressive (136-16) career record.

 

182 lbs. #4 Kyle Koser (Northern York) vs. #10 Tyree Spearman (McDowell)

A very interesting first-round match-up will take place at 182 lbs. as returning PIAA State fifth place medalist Tyree Spearman will look to rebound from an upset at the North West Regional Tournament. Spearman has had an impressive senior season but comes in as the NW Regional third place after falling to #9 Try Hartsock (Mifflin County) in the Regional semifinals. Koser will be making his first trip to Hershey after capturing the SC Regional Championship. Expect a close match between these two seniors.

 

195 lbs. #2 Jan Johnson (Governor Mifflin) vs. #9 Zach Smith (North Allegheny)

Probably the first round match I am most excited for will be between junior Jan Johnson and Zach Smith. Johnson was a PIAA State third place medalist last season and has since won 40 matches to one defeat by way of a forfeit. Zach Smith is an explosive junior who puts up big points and can pin an opponent from any position. Although Smith will be making his first trip to Hershey – don’t expect him to be intimidated.

 

220 lbs. #6 Marc Isaac (William Tennent) vs. #7 Bo Spiller (Solanco)

Both wrestlers are making their second trip to the PIAA State Tournament as both fell short of placing last season. Isaac is a pinning machine and comes in with only one defeat on the season, last weekend to #1 Mike Boykin (Coatsville) by major decision (13-1). Isaac is up from 195 lbs. last season while Spiller is down from heavyweight. Spiller won the SC Regional and despite a nagging elbow injury has produced a solid junior season.

 

285 lbs. #4 Pitt Finn (Pottsgrove) vs. #6 Joey Goodhart (Hempfield)

Goodhart is making his second trip to States while Finn is making his first. The Pottsgrove junior made a late return to the mat this season but has since been impressive defeating #3 Tracey Green (Methacton) once and falling to the senior the last three weeks. Similary Goodhart has been behind #1 Thomas Haines (Solanco) since competing at heavyweight.

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