Breaking News
Local Sports

PIAA CHAMPIONSHIPS: Todd Irwin’s 2A PICKS

3 min read

107 POUNDS: Finalists: Dominic Deputy, Chestnut Ridge vs. Joey Bachman, Faith Christian Academy. Champion: Bachman. Comment: I'm giving the edge to top-ranked Bachman in this battle of unbeatens. Bachman could have his hands full with Bald Eagle Area's Tanner Guenot in the quarterfinals.

114 POUNDS: Finalists: Ayden Smith, Notre Dame-Green Pond vs. Dalton Wenner, Cranberry. Champion: Smith. Comment: Smith eked out a 5-4 win over West Branch's Landon Bainey to win a state title last year.

121 POUNDS: Finalists: Aaron Seidel, Northern Lebanon vs. Louie Gill, Reynolds. Champion: Seidel. Comment: There are three former state champions, including these two, at the weight and runner-up Bainey. The wildcard at this weight could be Bishop McCort's Lincoln Sledzianowski.

127 POUNDS: Finalists: Chris Vargo, Bentworth vs. Jax Forrest, Bishop McCort. Champion: Forrest. Comment: Vargo shocked the state by beating Forrest, 13-7, in the Southwest Regional finals. But I think Forrest will be ready for him in a rematch.

133 POUNDS: Finalists: Brandt Harer, Montgomery vs. Camden Baum, Bishop McDevitt. Champion: Harer. Comment: Harer will have a huge semifinal against McCort's Mason Gibson. Harer beat Gibson, 3-1, this season.

139 POUNDS: Finalists: Bo Bassett, Bishop McCort vs. Cooper Hornack, Burrell. Champion: Bassett. Comment: Bassett has been looking forward to the state tournament for a long time.

145 POUNDS: Finalists: Ryan Lawler, Bishop McDevitt vs. Mason Barvitskie, Southern Columbia. Champion: Lawler. Comment: Warrior Run's Reagan Milheim could stop Lawler's run to the finals.

152 POUNDS: Finalists: Melvin Miller, Bishop McCort vs. Max Stein, Faith Christian Academy. Champion: Stein. Comment: Penn Cambria's Trent Hoover will have a gauntlet to go through for a rematch with Miller, including Grove City's Cody Hamilton in the quarterfinals and Stein in the semifinals.

160 POUNDS: Finalists: Conner Harer, Montgomery vs. Cael Weidemoyer, Faith Christian Academy. Champion: Harer. Comment: I've been impressed with McCort's Devon Magro but I don't think he'll beat two-time state champ Harer in the semis. By the way Conner and Brandt Harer are a combined 101-0.

172 POUNDS: Finalists: Adam Waters, Faith Christian Academy vs. Hunter Hohman, Grove City. Champion: Waters. Comment: Waters is a returning state champion.

189 POUNDS: Finalists: Caleb Close, Bald Eagle Area vs. Andrew McMonagle, Huntingdon/Williamsburg. Champion: Close. Comment: I'd like to pick McMonagle, but Close just seems to have his number in the postseason. Close will have to beat Southern Columbia's 30-0 Garrett Garcia in the semifinals.

215 POUNDS: Finalists: Rune Lawrence, Frazier vs. Austin Johnson, Muncy. Champion: Lawrence. Comment: Lawrence is a beast, and should win his fourth state title against returning champ Johnson.

285 POUNDS: Finalists: Brenan Morgan, Central Valley vs. Carson Neely, Port Allegany. Champion: Morgan. Comment: Glendale's Daniel Williams and Tyrone's Braden Ewing will get shots at Neely in back-to-back bouts.

OUTSTANDING WRESTLER: Aaron Seidel, Northern Lebanon

TEAM CHAMPION: Faith Christian Academy. Comment: With Faith Christian Academy and Bishop McCort first and second in the standings, public school supporters will be testy.

-- Todd Irwin

Starting at /week.