2023 PIAA Wrestling Team Championships - AAA

By: Brian Ingalls | PA Sports History | February 6, 2023

The PIAA AAA Wrestling Team Championships start this week.  There are 4 play-in matches that take place Monday evening.  Those 4 winners will then join the 12 teams already secured a spot at the Giant Center.  The first round starts 2/9 at 6pm, with the quarter-finals scheduled for 2/10 @ 2pm, the semis 2/10 @ 7pm, and the finals set for 2/11 @ 1pm. 

District 11 has the most AAA titles, followed by D7 (6), D3 (4), D6 (1), and D1 (1).  All other districts have 0 titles.  Easton, Central Dauphin, and Bethlehem Catholic are tied for the most AAA titles with 4 each.  Nazareth (3), Franklin Regional (2), and Canon-McMillan (2) are the only other teams with more then 1 state team title.  The 2022 PIAA AAA Champion was Bethlehem Catholic who beat Nazareth in the finals 34-22.  Waynesburg finished 3rd by beating Williamsport 31-30 in the consy finals. 

Here are the 4 play-in game matchups followed by the first round matchups:

Play-In Matches:

Taylor Allderdice (D8-1) vs Hempfield Area (D7-3) at Carrick HS 2/6 @ 6pm

The Taylor Allderdice Dragons are 10-2 on the season.  The Dragons won the D8 duals by beating Brashear 54-18 and Carrick 42-33 in the finals.  Taylor Allderdice took 9th at the Steve DeAugustino Classic, 18th at the Bo Wood Tournament, and 24th at the Allegheny County Championships.  Taylor Allderdice is led by Junior Marcus Wahila (189lbs) who is 23-4 on the season and 39-10 for his career.  Marcus is the 2022 D8 AAA Champion.

The Hempfield Area Spartans are 9-5 on the season.  In the D7 Duals, the Spartans beat Trinity 34-33 and Butler 32-31, then lost to Canon-McMillan 37-26 and then beat Connellsville 32-31 to place 3rd.  Hempfield took 3rd at the Top Hat tournament, 43rd at Powerade, and 3rd place at the WCCA Tournament.  Hempfield is led by Junior Eli Carr (139lbs) who is 26-4 this season and 61-11 for his career.  Eli took 4th at regionals but didn't place at states last year. 

Wilson (D3-4) @ Council Rock South (D1-3)  2/6 @ 6pm

The Wilson Bulldogs are 16-4 on the season.  The Bulldogs beat Manheim Central 59-12, Central York 39-22, then lost to Cumberland Valley 39-28 and then bounced back to beat Spring Grove 36-25 to take 3rd at the D3 Duals.  Wilson took 4th at the Cumberland Valley Classic, 1st at the Donegal Tournament, 8th at the Bethlehem Holiday Classic, 2nd at the BCIAA Championships, and 4th at the Coal Cracker Tournament.  Wilson is led by Sophomore Blaise Eidle (172lbs) who is 41-7 on the season and 71-16 for his career.  Freshman McKaden Speece (107lbs) is 39-2 on the season.  Junior Ryan McMillan (215lbs) is 37-6 this season and 91-19 for his career.  Ryan took 3rd at regionals but didn't place at states last year.  Junior James Garcia (121lbs) is 37-7 on the season and 100-17 for his career.  James finished 3rd at regionals but failed to place at states last year.  Junior Logan Kurzweg (HWT) is 35-10 and has a career record of 54-34.  Wilson has 8 wrestlers with at least 20 wins on the season. 

The Council Rock South Golden Hawks are 12-3 on the season.  In the D1 duals, Council Rock south beat Upper Perkiomen 45-19, then lost to Owen J. Roberts 36-30, and then beat Boyertown 31-27, Sun Valley 33-27, and Quakertown 40-21 to take 3rd place.  The Golden Hawks placed 5th at the Cumberland Valley Classic, 33rd at the Beast of the East, 7th at the Bethlehem Holiday Classic, 17th at the Escape the Rock, and 1st at the SOL Patriot Championships.  Council Rock South is led by Junior Connor Lenahan (107lbs) who is 32-7 and has a career record of 57-19.  Junior Bekhruz Sadriddinov (160lbs) is 31-6 and 92-20 for his career.  Bekhruz took 1st at regionals but didn't place at states last year.  Sophomore Ben Brillhart (133lbs) is 27-9 on the season and 56-22 for his career.  Sophomore Gavin Cole (152lbs) is 25-12. 

Nazareth (D11-2) vs St. Joseph's Prep (D12-2) @ Catasauqua 2/6 @ 6pm

The Nazareth Blue Eagles are 14-2 on the season.  Nazareth lost to Wyoming Seminary 54-9 in the Virginia Duals National Finals and Beth Catholic in the D11 Dual finals 33-25.  Before losing t Beth Catholic, Nazareth beat Emmaus 64-9 and Northampton 57-13 in the D11 Duals.  Nazareth finished 2nd at the Cumberland Valley Classic, 27th at the Beast of the East Tournament, and 1st at the Bethlehem Holiday Classic.  The Blue Eagles were runner-up in the 2022 PIAA AAA Duals-lost to Beth Catholic 34-22.  Nazareth is led by Senior Dominic Wheatley (172lbs) who is 25-3 this season and 73-31 for his career.  Dominic finished 2nd-districts, 3rd-regionals but failed to place at states last year.  Dominic finished 7th at states as a Sophomore.  Freshman Jack Campbell (133lbs) is 24-7 this season. 

The St. Joseph's Prep Hawks are 11-7 this season.  The Hawks beat Roman Catholic 51-13 and then lost to LaSalle 45-18, then they beat Archbishop Ryan 42-23, Central High 57-6, and Northeast High 48-18 in the true second match to finish 2nd at the D12 Duals.  The Hawks finished 25th at the Penn Manor Tournament, 19th at the Neil Turner Classic, 46th at the Escape the Rock, and 17th at the Coal Cracker Tournament.  St. Joseph's Prep is led by Sophomore Maxwell Roy who is 27-4 and 64-12 for his career.  Maxwell is the 2022 D12 AAA Champion.

Quakertown (D1-4) @ Chambersburg (D3-3) 2/6 @ 6pm

The Quakertown Panthers are 15-7 on the season.  The Panthers beat Pennsbury 37-28, lost to Pennridge 38-22, and then beat Perkiomen Valley 43-24 and Owen J. Roberts 51-19, before losing to Council Rock South in the consy finals 40-21 to take 4th at the D1 Duals.  Quakertown took 5th at X-Calibur, 6th at the Bethlehem Holiday Classic, and 11th at the Escape the Rock.  The Panthers are led by Sophomore Collen Gaj (145lbs) who is 35-0 on the season and 80-7 for his career.  Collin took 1st at regionals and 4th at states last year as a Freshman.  Collin has 22 falls on the season.  Junior Mason Ziegler (121lbs) is 32-4 and has a career record of 104-14.  Mason took 2nd at regionals but didn't place at states last year.  Mason finished 7th in the state his Freshman year.  Junior Calvin Lachman (215lbs) is 31-4 on the season and 83-24 for his career.  Calvin took 5th at regionals and didn't place at states last year.  Senior Zach Borzio (152lbs) is 30-8 and has a career record of 122-46.  Zach finished 6th at regionals last year.

The Chambersburg Trojans are 18-3 on the season.  The Trojans beat Lower Dauphin 37-24 and Conestoga Valley 47-19, then lost to Central Dauphin 38-19, then beat Boiling Springs 33-31 and Wilson 33-25 in the consy finals to take 3rd at the D3 Duals.  Chambersburg took 29th at the Beast of the East, 4th at MyHouse Trojan Wars, and 33rd at the Escape the Rock.  Chambersburg is led by Zach Evans (215lbs) who is 31-5 on the season and 90-34 for his career. 

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

Pennridge (D1-1) vs winner of Taylor Allderdice and Hempfield  2/9 @ 6pm

The Pennridge Rams are 20-3 this season.  Pennridge won the D1 Duals by beating Strath Haven 48-16, Quakertown 38-22, Sun Valley 39-18, and Spring-Ford 36-22.  Pennridge took 6th at Cumberland Valley Classic and 21st at the Escape the Rock.  The Rams are led by Junior Cole Coffin (114lbs) who is 28-3 and has a career record of 72-19.  Cole took 5th at regionals and didn't place at states last year.  Sophomore Talan Hogan (172lbs) is 25-7 this season and has a career record of 53-16. 

Central Mountain (D6-1) vs Cumberland Valley (D3-2)  2/9 @ 6pm

The Central Mountain Wildcats are 8-0 on the season.  Central Mountain is 1 of 3 undefeated teams in the 2023 PIAA AAA Wrestling Team Championships.  In the D6 Duals, Central Mountain beat State College 36-34 in the finals.  The Wildcats took 5th at the Top Hat Tournament, 1st at the King of the Mountain, 14th at Powerade, 10th at the Escape the Rock, 2nd at the Big 7 Tournament, and 1st at the Ultimate Warrior Tournament.  Central Mountain is led by Sophomore returning State Champion Dalton Perry.  Dalton is 33-2 on the season and has a career record of 74-4.  Dalton lost to 2022 AAA State Champion Pierson Manville from State College 2-1 TB1 and lost 3-2 to Vincent Robinson from Homewood, FL.  Dalton has beat last year's AA Champion Scott Johnson 2 times this year.  Junior Luke Simcox (133lbs) is 30-3 and has a career record of 94-14.  Luke is a 2x District 6 Champion, 2x Regional Champion, and has placed 5th at states the last 2 years.  Junior Griffin Walizer (145lbs) is 28-6 on the season and owns a career record of 75-28.  Griffin took 2nd-districts, 3rd-regionals, and 8th at states last year. 

The Cumberland Valley Eagles are 21-3 this season.  In the D3 Duals, the Eagles beat Red Land 51-18, Boiling Springs 38-28, then lost to Central Dauphin 41-14 in the finals.  Cumberland Valley took 3rd at the Cumberland Valley Classic and 10th at the King of the Mountain.  The Eagles are led by Sophomore Phil Montes (107lbs) who is 30-5 and has a career record of 54-15.  Sophomore Jake Mitchell (133lbs) is 28-6 this season and 52-18 for his career.  Senior Gabriel Belga (152lbs) is 27-7 on the season and 119-29 for his career.

Shikellamy (D4-1) vs Waynesburg (D7-2)  2/9 @ 6pm

The Shikellamy Braves are 17-2 this season.  The Braves beat Jersey Shore 60-12 and Williamsport 44-23 in the finals to win the D4 Championship.  Shikellamy placed 9th at the Cumberland Valley Classic, 3rd at the Neil Turner Memorial Classic, and 1st at the Big 7 Tournament.  Shikellamy is led by Junior Isaac McGregor (133lbs) who is 30-2 and has a career record of 74-21.  Isaac took 2nd-districts and 4th-regionals.  Junior Alex Reed (114lbs) is 28-3 on the season and 65-21 for his career.  Alex took 4th-districts and 6th at regionals.  Sophomore Connor Wetzel (160lbs) is 27-5 on the season and 51-22 for his career.  Connor took 3rd last year at districts. 

The Waynesburg Central Raiders are 13-3 on the season.  In the D7 Duals, Waynesburg beat Fox Chapel 54-9, Plum 48-14, and Connellsville 45-25 then lost to Canon-McMillan 29-28 in the finals.  The Raiders took 17th at the Ironman, 8th at Powerade, 3rd at the TRICADA Tournament, and 4th at the Winner's Choice Tournament.  Waynesburg is led by returning State Champion Senior Rocco Welsh (172lbs) and 2x State Champion Senior Mac Church.  Rocco is 27-0 this season and 147-17 for his career.  The Ohio State commitment took 2nd at states his Freshman and Sophomore seasons to go with the championship from last year.  Mac is 21-1 on the season and 137-11 for his career.  The Virginia Tech commit took 3rd at states his Freshman year to go with the Championships the last 2 years.  Mac's only blemish on his record this year is a 3-2 decision to Jayden Robinson from Homewood, IL.  Senior Eli Makel (215lbs) is 31-3 on the season and 108-37 for his career.  Junior Ky Szewczyk (114lbs) is 28-8 and 69-27 for his career. 

Bethlehem Catholic (D11-1) vs winner of Council Rock South vs Wilson  2/9 6pm

The Bethlehem Catholic Golden Hawks are 14-0 this season.  The Golden Hawks are 1 of 3 undefeated teams in the 2023 PIAA AAA Team Wrestling Championships.  Beth Catholic won the D11 Duals by beating Bethlehem Freedom 59-7, Easton 41-6, and Nazareth 33-25.  Beth Center placed 8th at Ironman, 2nd at Beast of the East, 1st at the Tony Iasiello Tournament, and 5th at Escape the Rock.  Beth Catholic has big wins against Malvern Prep 21-18 and Notre Dame GP 29-23.  The Golden Hawks are led by Senior Andrew Harmon (160lbs).  The Air Force Commit is 28-6 and has a career record of 81-29.  Andrew was 1st at districts and regionals the last 2 seasons.  Andrew placed 7th at states as a Sophomore but failed to place last year at states.  Junior Jake Dailey (152lbs) is 27-7 on the season and 49-15 for his career.  The US Military Academy commit was 3rd-districts, 2nd-regionals, and didn't place at states last year.  Sophomore Nathan Desmond (114lbs) is 26-1 and owns a career record of 65-3.  The returning State Champion's only loss, this season, was a 6-1 decision to Beric Jordan from Stillwater, OK.  Sophomore Kollin Rath (138lbs) is 24-1 and 48-3 for his career.  Kollin placed 1st at districts and regionals and was 3rd at states last year.  Kollin's only loss, this season, was a 5-4 decision to Kannon Webster from Washington, IL. 

Central Dauphin (D3-1) vs LaSalle (D12-1)  2/9 @ 8pm

The Central Dauphin Rams are 15-0 this season.  The Rams are 1 of 3 undefeated teams in the 2023 PIAA AAA Wrestling Team Championships.  Central Dauphin won the D3 Duals by beating Carlisle 54-9, Spring Grove 52-15, Chambersburg 38-19, and Cumberland Valley 41-14 in the finals.  Central Dauphin took 1st at the Solanco Mule Classic, 14th at Beast of the East, 1st at the Neil Turner Memorial Classic, and 2nd at the Coal Cracker Tournament.  The Rams are led by Seniors Matt Repos (145lbs) and Ryan Garvick (160lbs).  Matt, the Lehigh Commit, is 34-3 this season and has a career record of 144-18.  Matt is a 3x regional champion and placed 4th as a Freshman, 7th as a Sophomore and 2nd last year at states.  Ryan is 33-3 this season and 97-13 for his career.  Ryan didn't wrestle in the post season last year and took 1st-regionals and 2nd-states his Sophomore year.  Freshman Thunder Beard (107lbs) is 32-6 on the season.  Senior Michael Beers (152lbs) is 31-9 and has a career record of 69-36.  Junior Liam Flanagan (127lbs) is 30-5 on the season and for his career is 79-19.  Liam took 1st at regionals and didn't place at states last year.  Central Dauphin has 9 wrestlers with at least 20 wins on the season.

The LaSalle Explorers are 14-3 on the season.  The Explorers took 2nd at the Pottstown Tournament, 7th at the Penn Manor Tournament, 9th at the Neil Turner Memorial, and 1st at the Heebner Tournament.  LaSalle is led by Sophomore Dominic Parenti (114lbs) who is 31-9 on the season and 35-12 for his career.  Junior Cormac Morrissey (152lbs) is 29-4 this season and 63-30 for his career.  Cormac is the 2022 D12 Champion.  Sophomore Jackson Hersh (107lbs) is 26-6 and 52-17 for his career.  Jackson took 2nd last year at districts.  Senior Matt Wiley (145lbs) is 25-11 this season.  Matt took 3rd the last 2 years at districts.  

Delaware Valley (D2-1) vs winner of Nazareth and St. Joseph's Prep  2/9 @ 8pm

The Delaware Valley Warriors are 14-2 on the season.  The Warriors won the D2 Duals by beating Crestwood 45-24, Wyoming Valley West 34-24, and Abington Heights 37-25 in the finals.  Delaware Valley took 12th at the Cumberland Valley Classic, 1st at the Lackawaana League Championships, 10th at the Bethlehem Holiday Classic, and 8th at Escape the Rock.  Delaware Valley is led by Junior Dom Moyer (133lbs) who is 26-9 on the season and 65-23 for his career.  Dom took 2nd and 3rd the last 2 years at districts.  

Cathedral Prep (D10-1) vs Spring-Ford (D1-2)  2/9 @ 8pm

The Erie Cathedral Prep Ramblers are 13-7 on the season.  The Ramblers won the D10 Duals by beating Hickory 32-30 and McDowell 37-29 in the finals.  Cathedral Prep took 58th at Powerade, 2nd at the Pin City Tournament, and 3rd at the Frank Ferguson Classic.  Cathedral Prep is led by Senior Sam Stabb (127lbs) who is 26-7 on the season and 58-19 for his career.  Sam took 1st the last two seasons at districts.  

The Spring-Ford Rams are 16-4 on the season.  In the D1 Duals, the Rams beat Conestoga 35-23, Boyertown 36-24, and Owen J. Roberts 36-31, then lost to Pennridge 36-22 in the finals.  Spring-Ford placed 20th at the Cumberland Valley Classic, 18th at the Bethlehem Holiday Classic, and 1st at the PAC Championships.  The Rams are led by Senior Cole Smith (114lbs) who is 25-1 on the season and has a career record 101-21.  Cole took 2nd last year at regionals and didn't place at states.  

Canon McMillan (D7-1) vs winner of Chambersburg and Quakertown  2/9 @ 8pm

The Canon McMillan Big Macs are 14-2 on the season.  The Big Macs won the D7 Duals by beating Penn Trafford 49-15, Norwin 56-9, Hempfield 37-36, and Waynesburg 29-28 in the finals.  Canon McMillan took 45th at Ironman, 2nd at King of the Mountain, 20th at Powerade, and 2nd at the TRICADA Tournament.  The Big Macs are led by Junior Andrew Binni (126lbs) who is 31-4 this season and 84-24 for his career.  Andrew took 5th at regionals last year.  Andrew took 3rd at regionals as a freshman but didn't place at states.  Senior Matt Furman (172lbs) is 27-2 this season and 113-33 for his career.  The Cornell Commit was 2nd at regionals and 4th at states last year.  Matt beat last year's AA State Champion Holden Garcia 3-2 this year.  Junior Tanner Mizenko (107lbs) is 27-7 this season and 58-21 for his career.  Tanner took 4th at regionals and didn't place at states last year.  

 

                 

                     

                                              

    

  

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