Preseason Rankings
Class AAA
1. Canon-McMillan
The defending champio Big Macs add two talented freshmen lightweights - Dalton Macri and Solomon Chisko - to a strong lineup that includes defending state champion Connor Schram (103), Nick Catalano (135) and Cody Klempay (215).
2. Central Catholic
Only one senior was lost from last year's team. Lorenzo Thomas (140), a state runner-up, is back as are two state qualifiers in Tyler Zymroz (130) and Eric Nutter (135).
3. Latrobe
Latrobe lost two seniors, but one was state medalist Eric Shaffer. Chase Small (112) and Ty Lydic (130) anchor a strong core of lighterweights.
4. Albert Gallatin
Last year's young talent is a year older and should make a move to the top of the WPIAL. Seniors Tyler Haines(130), Patrick Palmer (145) and Jacob Lowry (152) form a strong middleweight 1-2-3 punch.
5. Connellsville
Graduation wiped out the heavyweight starters from last year, including former state champion Nate Gaffney. State medalist Ethan Kenny (103) leads a dangerous group of lighterweights.
6. Kiski
Eight seniors, including state medalists Zach Shannon and Justin Harold - were lost to graduation. Cole Landowsky (119) and Matt McCutcheon (1760) should improve on their strong freshman seasons.
7. Penn-Trafford
Willie Bohince (103) was one of two state qualifiers. Tim Connelly (119) and Christian Bosco (189) combined for 49 wins. PT lost 194 wins to graduation.
8. Butler
Eleven of 13 starters return. Cole Baxter (171), a state qualifier, and Mike Crawford (140) were 30-match winners last year.
9. North Allegheny
NA lost seven starters from last year, including state qualifier Andy Candiello. Greg Gaus (103) and Kevin Monper (13) head this lineup.
10. Hempfield
Garrett Swarm and Dom Testa are gone. Returning starters Paul Bewak (112) and Nick Garofola (189) made it to Hershey last year. The rest of the lineup is average.
Class AA
1. Burrell
Burrell will repeat as WPIAL team champions because only two starters were lost to graduation from last year's team. Five state qualifiers return, including Dave Makara (125), Jeremy Landowsky (130), Travis McKillop (152), Dakota DesLauriers (171)and Brian Beattie (215).
2. Chartiers-Houston
Michael Innes (140) leads a strong lineup that includes promising sophomores Tanner Sutton (125) and Garrett Vulcano (145). Andrew Vernau (130) and Nate Grandelis (Hvy) combined for 42 wins last year.
3. Burgettstown
The Blue Devils are good at nearly each weight. The question is: Can they be great? Tyler Rommes won 34 matches. Three other 20-match winners - Dom Pulcini (130), Darren Reed (189) and Chris Bendick (215) - add balance.
4. Shady Side Academy
Talent is there in three state qualifiers - Phillip Elias (112), Geoff Alexander (119) and Anthony Elias (125). But from 140 up, SSA's projected starters who combined for just 45 wins.
5. Keystone Oaks
State qualifier Mike Kazalas (171) and 30-match winner Matt Drabick will pace a group of younger talent.
1. Canon-McMillan
The defending champio Big Macs add two talented freshmen lightweights - Dalton Macri and Solomon Chisko - to a strong lineup that includes defending state champion Connor Schram (103), Nick Catalano (135) and Cody Klempay (215).
2. Central Catholic
Only one senior was lost from last year's team. Lorenzo Thomas (140), a state runner-up, is back as are two state qualifiers in Tyler Zymroz (130) and Eric Nutter (135).
3. Latrobe
Latrobe lost two seniors, but one was state medalist Eric Shaffer. Chase Small (112) and Ty Lydic (130) anchor a strong core of lighterweights.
4. Albert Gallatin
Last year's young talent is a year older and should make a move to the top of the WPIAL. Seniors Tyler Haines(130), Patrick Palmer (145) and Jacob Lowry (152) form a strong middleweight 1-2-3 punch.
5. Connellsville
Graduation wiped out the heavyweight starters from last year, including former state champion Nate Gaffney. State medalist Ethan Kenny (103) leads a dangerous group of lighterweights.
6. Kiski
Eight seniors, including state medalists Zach Shannon and Justin Harold - were lost to graduation. Cole Landowsky (119) and Matt McCutcheon (1760) should improve on their strong freshman seasons.
7. Penn-Trafford
Willie Bohince (103) was one of two state qualifiers. Tim Connelly (119) and Christian Bosco (189) combined for 49 wins. PT lost 194 wins to graduation.
8. Butler
Eleven of 13 starters return. Cole Baxter (171), a state qualifier, and Mike Crawford (140) were 30-match winners last year.
9. North Allegheny
NA lost seven starters from last year, including state qualifier Andy Candiello. Greg Gaus (103) and Kevin Monper (13) head this lineup.
10. Hempfield
Garrett Swarm and Dom Testa are gone. Returning starters Paul Bewak (112) and Nick Garofola (189) made it to Hershey last year. The rest of the lineup is average.
Class AA
1. Burrell
Burrell will repeat as WPIAL team champions because only two starters were lost to graduation from last year's team. Five state qualifiers return, including Dave Makara (125), Jeremy Landowsky (130), Travis McKillop (152), Dakota DesLauriers (171)and Brian Beattie (215).
2. Chartiers-Houston
Michael Innes (140) leads a strong lineup that includes promising sophomores Tanner Sutton (125) and Garrett Vulcano (145). Andrew Vernau (130) and Nate Grandelis (Hvy) combined for 42 wins last year.
3. Burgettstown
The Blue Devils are good at nearly each weight. The question is: Can they be great? Tyler Rommes won 34 matches. Three other 20-match winners - Dom Pulcini (130), Darren Reed (189) and Chris Bendick (215) - add balance.
4. Shady Side Academy
Talent is there in three state qualifiers - Phillip Elias (112), Geoff Alexander (119) and Anthony Elias (125). But from 140 up, SSA's projected starters who combined for just 45 wins.
5. Keystone Oaks
State qualifier Mike Kazalas (171) and 30-match winner Matt Drabick will pace a group of younger talent.
posted by Joe Tuscano at
10:41 AM
4 Comments:
FYI Nate Gaffney was a state champ in 2009. Watch out for Franklin Regional. They have two high octane freshman both won PJW's last year, 103 and 112. As for AA Jefferson Morgan will open some eyes this year. Most of the team is back except Doman. They have three very good freshman at 103 -119.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
My bad on Gaffney. I knew he was a state champ, should not have done this ranking post so late at night. I'll correct it.
Franklin Regional will be good down below, it's the upper weights that don't impress me.
For anon that posted earlier JM will not be too bad. They only have two freshman coming up with Miller at 112 being the most impressive. Hey Joe whats going on with Beth Center? Heard the off season was a very controversial one and heard they hired a new coach from the past. If there numbers are always this low why dosent the school board look into a co-op with a neighboring school district? Obviously they cant get the numbers up on their own.
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