2023 PIAA Wrestling Team Championships - AA

By: Brian Ingalls | PA Sports History | February 5, 2023

The 2023 PIAA AA Wrestling Championships get started this week.  There are 3 play-in matches that will happen on Monday at neutral sites.  Those 3 winners of the play-in matches will join the 13 teams already in the 16 team tournament in Hershey at the Giant Center.  These 16 teams are the best teams across the state of PA, and will start competing Thursday afternoon.  The Quarterfinals (12pm) and Semi-Finals (7pm) will happen on Friday, and the Finals are set for 1pm on Saturday.

District 10 has the most Team State Titles with 9.  D11 has 8, D3-2, D4-2, D9-2, and D7-1.  The other districts have never won a title.  Reynolds has 8 team championships for the most in history.  Beth Catholic (4), Wilson (2), and Brookville (2) are the only teams in history to win 2 championships.   

Here is a breakdown of the 3 play-in matches and then the first round matches.

Play in Matches:

Saucon Valley (D11-2) vs Bishop McDevitt (D3-3) at Catasauqua HS 2/6 @ 7pm. Winner wrestles United (D6-1) on Thursday @ 2pm.  

The Saucon Valley Panthers are 16-2 on the season.  The Panthers two losses are to Notre Dame Green Pond.  NDGP is the #1 ranked team in the state.  Saucon Valley lost to 40-20 on 1/20 and lost in the D11 Team Duals yesterday 49-15.  Saucon Valley took 1st at the Tom Best Memorial Tournament, 12th at the Beast of the East Tournament, 5th at the Bethlehem Holiday Classic, and 1st at the Colonial League Championships.  Saucon Valley hasn't wrestled anyone in the Championships except for Notre Dame Green Pond.  The Panthers are led by Senior Liam Scrivanich (152lbs).  Liam is 33-4 this season and has a career record of 83-30.  Liam is a 2-time D11 runner-up and placed 4th the last two years at regionals.  Senior Jacob Jones (189lbs) is 31-4 on the season and has a career record of 136-23.  Jacob took 2nd/2nd/1st at D11 districts, regionals-1st,2nd,1st and was the state runner-up last year and 4th place as a sophomore.  Saucon Valley has 6 wrestlers with over 20 wins on the season.  The Panthers beat Blue Mountain 55-18 and Lehighton 52-23 in the D11 duals, before falling to NDGP in the finals.  Saucon Valley is the returning PIAA AA State Champion.  Saucon Valley beat Notre-Dame GP in the finals last year 29-22.   

The Bishop McDevitt Crusaders are 14-3 on the season.  The Crusaders beat Eastern York 52-18 and then lost to Berks Catholic 37-25 in the D3 AA Duals.  Bishop McDevitt then came back in the consolation round of the D3 duals and beat Northern Lebanon 48-25 and Biglerville 44-18 to take 3rd place.  Bishop McDevitt took 14th at the Cumberland Valley Holiday tournament, 17th place at the Powerade,  and 15th place at the Escape the Rock tournament.  The Crusaders are led by Senior Jake Gilfoil (189lbs).  Jake is 24-5 on the season and 90-32 for his career.  Jake was runner-up last year at the D3 tournament and then took 3rd at regionals, but didn't place at states.  Jake is a 2-time state qualifier.   Sophomore Ryan Lawler (145lbs) is 23-6 on the season and 55-15 for his career. Senior Riley Robell (HWT) is 21-2 on the season and owns a career record of 121-14.  Riley is a D3 3-time champion, took 1st at regionals the last 2 years and 2nd as a Freshman.  Riley is the returning PIAA AA Champion and took 2nd at states as a Sophomore. 

Frazier (D7-4) @ Fort LeBoeuf 2/6 @ 7pm.  Winner wrestles Warrior Run (D4-1) on Thursday @ 2pm

The Frazier Commodores are 11-8 this season.  In the D7 Duals, Frazier beat Hopewell 54-18 and Highlands 45-30, then lost to Burgettstown 49-24 and Quaker Valley 46-27 to take 4th.  Frazier took 49th at the Ironman tournament, 28th at Powerade, and 7th at the Thomas Automotive Tournament.  The Commodores are led by 2x PIAA State Champion Junior Rune Lawrence (189lbs).  Rune is 27-3 on the season and 94-7 for his career.  Rune's only loss, on the mat, was 6-4 against Camden McDanel from Teays Valley, OH.  Rune's other 2 losses were from when he forfeited out of the Powerade.  Freshamn Jackson Angelo (160lbs) is 24-4 this season.  Freshman Jonah Erdely (145lbs) is 23-6 on the season.  Sophomore Ryan Celaschi is 22-4 this season and has a career record of 49-15.  Ryan took 3rd at districts last year. 

The Fort LeBoeuf Bisons are 14-5 this season.  At the D10 duals, Fort LeBoeuf beat Sharpsville 57-12 and General McLane 34-21 before losing to Reynolds 38-28 in the finals.  Fort LeBoeuf took 1st at the Hickory Tournament, 29th at Powerade, and 2nd at the Mid-Winter Mayhem.  The Bisons have 4 wins against teams in the state tournament: Quaker Valley 45-22, Burrell 36-19, Brookville 33-25, and Chestnut Ridge 35-24.  Fort LeBoeuf is led by Juniors JoJo Przybycien (133lbs) and Conner McChesney (172lbs).  JoJo is 26-4 this season and owns a career record of 87-21.  JoJo took 1st-districts, 2nd-regionals, and 4th at states last year.  JoJo was 2nd-districts, 3rd-regionals, and 6th at states as a Freshman.  Conner is 26-4 this year and 71-22 for his career.  Conner took 3rd at districts and regionals last year but failed to place at states.  Senior Danny Church (215lbs) is 25-4 this season and 93-37 for his career.  Danny took 3rd-districts and 5th at regionals last year.  Junior Jake Bennett (121 lbs) is 23-8 this year and 69-32 for his career.  Jake took 4th-districts and 5th-regionals last year.

Quaker Valley (D7-3) @ Huntingdon (D6-2) 2/6 @ 7pm.  Winner will wrestle Notre Dame Green Pond D11-1) Thursday @ 4pm

The Quaker Valley Quakers are 15-5 for the season.  In the D7 Duals, Quaker Valley beat Jefferson Morgan 42-36 and McGuffey 44-21, then lost to Burrell 41-30, then beat Frazier 46-27 to claim 3rd place.  The Quakers took 62nd at the Powerade, 2nd at the Ed Driscoll MAC Tournament, and 4th at the Allegheny County Championships.  Quaker Valley is led by Senior Brandon Krul (127lbs).  Brandon is 28-2 this season and 96-35 for his career.  Brandon took 3rd-districts and 7th-regionals last year.  Senior Michael Carmody (133lbs) is 25-7 this year and 67-48 for his career.  Freshman Bruce Anderchak (107lbs) is 25-8 for the season.  Junior Jack Kazalas (121lbs) is 24-2 on the season and 92-18 for his career.  Jack took 4th-districts, 3rd-regionals, and 8th-states last year.  Senior Logan Richey (145lbs) is 24-8 on the season and has a career recor of 102-43.  Logan tokk 4th-districts, 5th-regionals, and 8th-states last year. 

The Huntingdon Bearcats are 18-4 this season.  In the D6 Duals, The Bearcats beat Bellefonte 33-28 and Bald Eagle Area 42-27 before losing 33-30 to United in the finals.  Huntingdon took 2nd at the Panther Holiday Classic and 8th at the Thomas Automotive Tournament.  Huntingdon is led by Senior Gunner Singleton (HWT).  Gunner is 31-2 this season and 91-32 for his career.  Gunner took 1st-districts, 2nd-regionals, but failed to place at states last year.  Junior Andrew McMonagle (160lbs) is 26-3 this season.  Senior Devin Grubb (152lbs) is 26-9 this season and 71-41 for his career.  Devin took 6th at districts last year.                           

First Round Matches (all matches at the Giant Center):

Burgettstown (D7-1) vs. Honesdale (D2-1) 2/9 @ 2pm

The Burgettstown Devils are 15-0 on the season.  Burgettstown is 1 of 3 undefeated teams in the 2023 PIAA AA Wrestling Team State Championships.  In the D7 Duals, the Devils beat Southmoreland 70-6, Mount Pleasant 42-25, Frazier 49-24, and Burrell 31-24 to win the D7 AA Championship.  Burgettstown took 2nd at the Chartiers-Houston tournament, 19th at MyHouse Trojan Wars, 1st place at the TRICADA Tournament, and 1st place at the Burgettstown tournament.  Burgettstown is led by Junior Parker Sentipal (114lbs).  Parker is 30-2 on the season and 94-15 for his career.  Parker took 1st-districts, 1st-regionals, and 5th-states last year.  Parker took 3rd-districts, 4th-regionals, but didn't place at state shis Freshman year.  Senior Joey Sentipal (139lbs) is 29-4 on the career and owns a career record of 130-36.  Joey took 1st-districts, 2nd-regionals, but failed to place at states last year.  Joey is a 3x state qualifier.  Junior Gaven Suica (133lbs) is 28-5 this season and 83-24 in his career.  Gaven took 6th-districts, 5th-regionals, and 8th-states last year.  Gaven took 3rd-districts, 4th-regionals, and didn't place at states his Freshman season.   

The Honesdale Hornets are 17-4 this season.  Honesdale won the D2 AA Championship by beating Western Wayne 51-15, Berwick 45-18, and Lackawanna Trail 42-26 in the finals.  The Hornets took 4th at the Lackawanna League Championships, 20th at the Bethlehem Holiday Classic, and 14th at the Coal Cracker Invitational.  Honesdale is led by Sophomore Mason Avery (152lbs).  Mason is 27-9 for the season and 57-20 for his career.  Mason finished 3rd last year at districts.  Senior T.J. Martin (139lbs) is 26-9 this season and 82-34 for his career.  T.J. took 3rd last year at districts.  Senior Josh Young (121lbs) is 25-8 on the season and his career record is 51-17.  Josh took 2nd at districts last year.  Junior Joey Giannetti (145lbs) is 25-9 on the season and 57-25 for his career. 

United (D6-1) vs winner of Saucon Valley vs Bishop McDevitt  2/9 @ 2pm.

The United Lions are 19-0 on the season.  The Lions are 1 of 3 undefeated teams in the 2023 PIAA AA Wrestling Team State Championships.  United won the D6 AA Team Championships by beating Mount Union 50-15, Penns Valley 32-27. and Huntingdon 33-30 in the finals.  The Lions finished 4th at the Southmoreland Tournament, 1st at the Bloody Run Duals, and 4th at the Ultimate Warrior Tournament.  United is led by Freshman Josef Garshnick (114lbs).  Josef is 31-2 and his 2 losses are to 2022 AA State 6th place Landon Bainey 2-0 and 2022 AAA State Qualifier Jorden Williams 6-3.  Sophomore Gideon Bracken (121lbs) is 26-3 on the season and 50-15 for is career.  Gideon took 5th-districts, 5th-regionals, but failed to place at states last year.  Sophomore Colton Henning (127lbs) is 25-4 for this season and has a career record of 44-15.  Colton placed 6th at districts last year.  United has 8 wrestlers with at least 20 wins on the season. 

Chestnut Ridge (D5-1) vs West Perry (D3-2)  2/9 @ 2pm

The Chestnut Ridge Lions are 14-2 this season.  The Lions won the D5 Championship by beating Berlin-Brothersvalley 55-18 and Somerset 62-12 in the finals.  Chestnut Ridge took 12th at the King of the Mountain, 15th at Powerade, and 1st at the Thomas Automotive Tournament.  Chestnut Ridge is led by Freshman Dominic Deputy (107lbs).  Dominic is 27-3 on the season.  Senior Brock Holderbaum (121lbs) is 27-5 for the season and has a career record of 62-20.  Brock took 1st-districts, 4th-regionals, but failed to place at states last year.  Senior Kobi Burkett (127lbs) is 25-6 this season and has a career record of 82-34.  Kobi took 2nd-districts, 3rd-regionals, and didn't place at states last year. Chestnut Ridge took 3rd last year at the PIAA AA Team States.  

The West Perry Mustangs are 15-2 this season.  West Perry beat Trinity 52-12, Upper Dauphin 71-6, then lost to Berks Catholic 31-25 in the D3 finals.  The Mustangs took 8th at the Cumberland Valley Classic, 2nd at Carlisle Christmas Classic, and 3rd at MyHouse Trojan Wars.  West Perry is led by Sophomore Tyler Morrison (139lbs).  Tyler is 30-5 this season and 68-17 for his career.  Tyler was 2nd-districts, 7th-regionals, but didn't place at states last year.  Sophomore Jackson Rush (121lbs) is 27-3 on the season and 60-18 for his career.  Jackson took 2nd-districts, 4th-regionals, but failed to place at states last year.  Senior Nolen Zeigler (152lbs) is 25-5 this season and owns a 112-43 career record.  Nolen finished 2nd-districts and 7th-regionals last year.  Nolen finished 8th at states his Sophomore year. 

Warrior Run (D4-1) vs winner of Fort LeBoeuf vs Frazier match  2/9 2pm.

The Warrior Run Defenders are 19-1 on the season.  The Defenders won the D4 Title by beating Southern Columbia 60-12, Montgomery 36-24, and Canton 32-30 in the finals.  Warrior Runs only loss was a 31-27 to Benton at the beginning of the season.  Warrior Run took 1st at the Darren Klingerman Tournament, 6th at King of the Mountain, and 2nd at MyHouse Trojan Wars.  The Defenders are led by 3 brothers in the middle of their lineup.  These brothers are Freshman Reagan Milheim (139lbs), Senior Kaden Milheim (145lbs), and Sophomore Cameron Milheim (152lbs).  Reagan is 34-3 this season and has 5 wins against 2022 state qualifiers including a 5-3 UTB win vs Connor Saylor from Hickory who placed 5th at states last year.  Reagan lost to 2022 AAA State Champion Dalton Perry 7-4 and 2022 AAA State 3rd place Maddox Shaw 3-1.  Kaden is 33-2 for the season and owns a career record of 112-22.  Kaden was 2nd-districts, 2nd-regionals, and 3rd states last year.  Kaden also has 5 wins against 2022 state qualifiers.  Kaden's losses are a 5-0 SV loss to 2022 AAA 8th place finisher Asher Cunningham and Patrick Jordon from New Kent, VA.  Cameron is 31-4 on the season and is 72-14 for his career.  Cameron placed 2nd-districts, 1st-regionals, and 7th-states last year as a Freshman.  Cameron beat 2022 AA State 3rd place Michael Duggan 1-0 this year.  Two of Cameron's losses were from 2022 AA State Champion Conner Harer 7-3 and 5-3.  Freshman Tyler Ulrich (127lbs) is 28-6 on the season.  Sophomore Samuel Hall (133lbs) is 27-9 this season and 53-20 for his career.   Sophomore Isaiah Betz (160lbs) is 25-9 on the season and 44-25 for his career.  Warrior run has 8 wrestlers with atleast 20 wins.                                 

Berks Catholic (D3-1) vs Canton (D4-2)  2/9 @ 4pm

The Berks Catholic Saints are 22-0 this season.  Berks Catholic is 1 of 3 undefeated team in the 2023 PIAA AA Wrestling Team State Championships.  Berks Catholic claimed the D3 Championship by beating Biglerville 58-9, Bishop McDevitt 37-25, and West Perry 33-25 in the finals.  The Saints took 1st at the Sam Lovello Classic, 2nd at the Tony Iasiello Christmas Tournament, and 1st at the BCIAA Championships.  Berks Catholic is led by Junior Gabe Davis (172lbs),  Junior Marvin Armistead (127lbs),  Sophomore Brayden Hartranft (114lbs), and Sophomore Carmine Lenzi (152lbs).  Gabe is 30-2 on the season and 77-18 for his career.  Gabe placed 2nd-districts, 4th-regionals, but failed to place at states last year.  Marvin is 30-2 on the season and is 79-19 for his career.  Marvin took 3rd-districts, 5th-regionals, and didn't place at states last year.  Brayden is 30-2 on the season and 63-15 for his career.  Brayden was 3rd-districts, 5th-regionals, but failed to place at states last year.  Carmine is 30-5 this season and owns a career record of 60-18.  Carmine took 3rd-districts, 6th-regionals, and didn't place at states last year.  Junior Brody Kline (215lbs) is 28-3 this season and 81-15 for his career.  Brody was 2nd-districts, 2nd-regionals, and didn't place at states last year.  Junior Christopher Smith (107lbs) is 28-3 this season and 58-23 for his career.  Berks Catholic has 11 wrestlers with at least 20 wins on the season.                

The Canton Warriors are 17-3 this season. In the D4 Duals, Canton beat Milton 42-22, Towanda 48-20, Benton 32-31, before losing to Warrior Run, in the finals, 32-30 to take 2nd.  The Warriors took 30th at MyHouse Trojan Wars, 17th at the Mid-Winter Mayhem, and 8th place at the Ultimate Warrior Tournament.  Canton is led by Junior Hudson Ward (145lbs) and Junior Michael Davis (215lbs).  Hudson is 34-8 on the season and has a career record of 73-24.  Hudson placed 8th at districts last year.  Michael is 30-5 this season and 35-9 for his career.  Senior Hayden Ward (139lbs) is 28-5 for the season and has a career record of 119-28.  Hayden placed 3rd-districts, 3rd-regionals, and didn't place at states last year.  Senior Riley Parker (189lbs) is 28-7 this season and 97-40 for his career.  Riley took 3rd-districts, 3rd-regionals, and 6th-states last year.              

Brookville (D9-1) vs Burrell (D7-2)  2/9 @ 4pm

The Brookville Raiders are 18-2 on the season.  In the D9 duals, Brookville beat Saint Mary's 39-36 and Clearfield 33-26 in the finals to win the championship.  Brookville placed 17th at the King of the Mountain and 4th at the Mid-Winter Mayhem.  The Raiders are led by Senior Jackson Zimmerman (189lbs).  Jackson is 26-3 on the season and has a career record of 78-23.  Jackson finished 2nd-districts, 3rd-regionals, and didn't place at states last year.  Sophomore Cole Householder (127lbs) is 25-5 on the season and has a career record of 62-15.  Cole placed 1st-districts, 1st-regionals, and 7th-states last year.         

The Burrell Buccaneers are 11-4 this season.  Burrell beat Knoch 71-3, Laurel 39-19, Quaker Valley 41-24, before losing to Burgettstown 31-21 in the finals of the D7 Duals.  The Buccaneers took 7th at the King of the Mountain, 20th at Powerade, 5th at the WCCA Tournament, and 2nd at the Thomas Automotive Tournament.  Burrell is led by Senior Niko Ferra (139lbs) who is 29-7 this season and 117-58 for his career.  Niko placed 5th-districts, 6th-regionals, and didn't place as states last year.   Freshman Cameron Baker (107lbs) is 28-6 on the season.  Sophomore Isaac Lacinski (172lbs) is 27-9 this season and 57-24 for his career.  Isaac placed 5th at districts last year.  Junior Cooper Hornack (127lbs) is 26-5 for the season and is 99-18 for his career.  Cooper was 2nd-districts, 3rd-regionals, and 4th at states last year.  Cooper was 1st-districts, 1st-regionals, and 2nd at states as a Freshman.             

Notre Dame Green Pond (D11-1) vs winner of Huntingdon vs Quaker Valley  2/9 @ 4pm

The Notre Dame Green Pond Crusaders are 11-1 this season. NDGP beat Tri Valley 66-6, North Schuylkill 73-0, and Saucon Valley 49-15 in the finals to claim the D11 title.  The Crusaders only blemish this season was a close 29-23 loss to AAA Beth Catholic.  NDGP took 16th at Ironman, 5th at Beast of the East, 6th at Powerade, 7th at Escape the Rock, and 2nd at the Colonial League Championships.  NDGP is led by Junior Ayden Smith (107lbs) who is 86-16 on the season and 86-16 for his career.  Ayden placed 1st-districts, 2nd-regionals, and 3rd at states last year.  Ayden took 1st-districts, 1st-regionals, and 4th at states as a Freshman. Sophomore Vince Bouzakis (138lbs) is 28-7 and 35-8 for his career.  Senior Aiden Compton (HWT) is 28-8 this season and 70-25 for his career.  Aiden didn't wrestle last year, but is a 2x state qualifier while at Pen Argyl his Freshman and Sophomore years.  Senior Holden Garcia (172 lbs) is 26-6 for the season and 123-32 for his career.  Holden is the 2022 AA State Champion and placed 6th as a Sophomore.  Holden is a 3x District 11 Champion.  NDGP took second last year at PIAA AA Team States.              

Reynolds (D10-1) vs Faith Christian Academy (D1-1)  2/9 @ 4pm

The Reynolds Raiders are 14-4 on the season.  The Raiders won the D10 Championship by beating Grove City 48-22, Corry 32-30, and Fort LeBoeuf 38-28 in the finals.  The Raiders took 45th at Ironman, 22nd at Powerade, and 5th at the Ultimate Warrior tournament.  Reynolds is led by Senior Jalen Wagner (172lbs) who is 24-2 this season and 98-39 for his career.  Jalen is a 2x state qualifier but hasn't placed at states.  Last year, Jalen was 2nd at districts and 3rd at regionals.  Senior Brayden McCloskey (189lbs) is 24-8 this season and 52-22 for his career.  Brayden was 4th at districts last year.         

The Faith Christian Academy Lions are 9-1 this season.  Faith Christian won the D1 championship by beating Bristol 72-0.  The Lions only blemish on the season was a 32-20 loss to St. Peter's Prep, NJ.  Faith Christian was 1st at Cumberland Valley Classic, 3rd at the Beast of the East, 4th at Escape the Rock, and 1st at the Coal Cracker Tournament.  The Lions are led by Freshman Adam Waters (172lbs) who is 30-1 on the season.  Adam beat Holden Garcia 3-1, Garcia was the 2022 PIAA AA State Champion.  Adam has 6 wins, this season, over 2022 state qualifiers.  Adam's only loss was a 4-3 SV loss to Abe Wojcikiewicz from Civic Memorial, IL.  Sophomore Gauge Botero (121lbs) is 29-2 this season and 74-9 for his career.  Gauge was 1st-districts, 1st-regionals, and 3rd at states last year.  Sophomore Max Stein (145lbs) is 28-7 this season and 63-19 for his career.  Max was 1st-districts, 2nd-regionals, and 6th at states last year.  Freshman Mark Effendian (215lbs) is 27-8 this season.             

                                   

      

                      

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