State Dual Team 2A First Round Preview
#9 Hamburg (17-0) vs. #10 Westmont Hilltop (13-3)
Number of State Ranked Wrestlers: Hamburg (6); Westmont Hilltop (5)
A classic #9 vs. #10. Both teams are making their second straight trips to Hershey and could come down to the wire. Westmont continues to produce but Hamburg is full of talent including the Gimbor twins and Kyle Vernon. This one will be tight.
#5 Chestnut Ridge (14-1) vs. #12 Burgettstown (14-2)
Number of State Ranked Wrestlers: Chestnut Ridge (8); Burgettstown (4)
All Chestnut Ridge does at the State Dual Team Tournament is win. They are always fired up to compete inside the GIANT Center. They will have a tough Burrgettstown team that was put away by Burrell in the WPIAL Finals. Chestnut Ridge beat Burrell at the Brookville Duals.
#6 Brookville (21-2) vs. Tunkhannock (13-4)
Number of State Ranked Wrestlers: Brookville (6); Tunkhannock (6)
Tunkhannock has some studs but not a ton of depth. Brookville is consistent throughout and have some anchors such as State Champ Colby Whitehill (285). Tunkhannock is lead by #3 David Evans (132) and #12 Gavin D’Amato (145).
#2 Southern Columbia (17-2) vs. #19 Corry Area (17-2)
Number of State Ranked Wrestlers: Southern Columbia (9); Corry Area (5)
Southern Columbia was second in Hershey last season and they return majority of their line-up. They are very tough throughout with hammers like Gaige Garcia and Lear Quinton. They shouldn’t have any issues with Corry Area in the first round.
#7 Burrell (10-5) vs. #13 Montoursville (23-1)
Number of State Ranked Wrestlers: Burrell (5); Montoursville (6)
One of the more intriguing first round matches will be Burrell vs. Montoursville. Burrell is battle tested but Montoursville’s only loss on the season is to #2 Southern Columbia. This one should be tight as both teams are well balanced. Burrell is tough in the middle and Montoursville is good up top.
#3 Saucon Valley (17-2) vs. #11 Line Mountain (19-2)
Number of State Ranked Wrestlers: Saucon Valley (6); Line Mountain (7)
Saucon Valley, despite being down a few guys, will be one of the best teams in Hershey. They will need their best against a good Line Mountain team. Where Line Mountain is weak they tend to give up bonus so Saucon Valley will need to expose those holes in order to come out on top.
#8 Forest Hills (12-1) vs. Faith Christian Academy (12-6)
Number of State Ranked Wrestlers: Forest Hills (5); Faith Christian (5)
Forest Hills has many talented wrestlers such as State Champion Jackson Arrignton and Erik Gibson but do they have enough to earn a medal in Hershey? They should have no issues with Faith Christian Academy in the first round. Faith Christian has several good wrestlers, including #9 Eric Alderfer at 120 pounds who could meet #2 Jackson Arrignton, but they don’t have enough to hang with the Rangers.
#1 Reynolds (18-0) vs. #4 Notre Dame – Green Pond (13-2)
Number of State Ranked Wrestlers: Reynolds (11); NDGP (7)
The best first round match on all of Thursday will be Reynolds vs. NDGP. Reynolds has won three straight PIAA State Dual Team Championships while NDGP is making their second trip to Hershey. We could see a potential Ironman Finals rematch between #1 Gary Steen and #2 Brett Unger at 113 pounds. Reynolds boasts eleven State Ranked wrestlers while NDGP has seven studs who are all PIAA State Medalist contenders at their respective weights. Don’t miss this dual meet.