Preseason Team Rankings

1. Franklin Regional

Key Losses: Conner Medlang (120, 4-2); Luke Fleck (Hvy, 23-5).
Key Returns: Tyler Smith (12, 132, 45-4, PIAA champion); Michael Kemerer (11, 126, 38-6, PIAA runnerup); Kyle Berk (11, 113, 31-15); Josh Maruca (11, 138, 43-8, 5th PIAA); Josh Shields (11, 145, 44-6, 3rd PIAA);
Comment: Two transfers _ Devin Brown, a state champ from Saegertown, and Spencer Lee, top-ranked freshman - make them unstoppable.

2. Latrobe

Key Losses: Eric Mills (120, 19-16)
Key Returns: Luke Pletcher (10, 106, 41-2, state champ); Jake Shaffer (10, 138, 34-11), Travis Schmeling (10, 195, 20-12); Tyler Mears (11, Hvy, 28-11)
Comment: Two transfers from Kiski Prep - Ethan McCoy (106) and Dam Scalise (16) - make Wildcats tougher.

3. Canon-McMillan

Key Losses: Connor Schram (126, 44-3, state champ); Will Pihiou (152, 15-13); Sam Minor (160, 35-8); Cody Wiercioch (170, 44-1); Steve LaFrance (182, 25-13); Alex Campbell (220, 37-10); Angelo Broglia (Hvy, 37-10)
Key Returns: Brendan Price (12, 106, 38-9); Dalton Macri (12, 120, 45-7, PIAA runnerup); Alec Hutchin (12, 132, 23-13); Josiah Hritsko (12, 138, 20-15); Malachi Krenzelak (12, 138, 10-7); Solomon Chishko (12, 145, 11-0, state champ)
Comment:. If Big Macs can find some heavyweights, they will be hard to beat..

4. North Allegheny

Key Losses: Ben Schweiger (160, 25-13); Alex DeCiantis (182, 35-4)Dan Watson (Hvy, 23-18)
Key Returns: Jesse Rodgers (12, 138, 40-7, 4th PIAA); Clay Byerly (11, 170, 20-8); Zach Smith (11, 195, 35-10)
Comment: Getting production out the lightweights will be crucial.

5.  Peters Township

Key Losses: Devan Evanovich (138, 22-13); John Ivanschenko (145, 20-12); Jake Caputo (152, 22-13)Mack Mitchell (160, 10-4)
Key Returns: Phil Mary (11, 113, 29-8); Tyler Buckiso (12, 126, 34-5); Italo Merante (12, 132, 29-5); Mac Oberschelp (12, 170, 20-18); Luke Cervanak (12, Hvy, 21-16)
Comment: Solid team that needs big wins from Mary, Buckiso and Merante.

 

6. Connellsville

Key Losses: Ethan Kenney (138, 34-7, 3rd PIAA); Dylan Miller (Hvy, 32-6);
Key Returns: Tyler Kenney (11, 106, 25-10); Dale Provance (11, 152, 22-7); Tommy Provance (10, 160, 26-11); Matt Butler (12, 195, 23-13)
Comment: Numbers are good, but talent level just not there yet.

7. Belle Vernon

Key Losses: Nate Russo (126, 34-6); Adam Nickelson (182, 41-7, 5th PIAA);
Key Returns: Mitch Hartman (10, 113, 26-11); Brendan Hassan (12, 120, 34-6); Derek Verkleen (10, 145, 26-8); Austin Bell (160, 10, 35-9); Milt Kobaly (10, 170, 30-12); Pat Mayernik (11, 220, 22-16)
Comment:  Might have had best crop of freshmen in WPIAL last year.

 

8. Greensburg Salem

Key Losses: Tyler Reinhart (152, 39-9, 6th PIAA); Zach Voytek (160, 43-5, 4th PIAA)
Key Returns: Chris Eddins (10, 106, 32-13); Austin Shaw (11, 126, 33-13); Zach Mattucci (11, 138, 28-17);
Comment: Strong down low, but heavyweights a question mark.

9. Kiski

Key Losses: Cole Landowsky (145, 34-5); Kyle Skelly (152, 26-8)Matt McCutcheon (195, 37-2, 2nd PIAA);
Key Returns:  Ryan Hardaway (12, 120, 26-7); Shane Kuhn (12, Hvy, 42-1, 3rd PIAA)
Comment: Hardaway, Kuhn provide punch, but they need more.

10. Hempfield

Key Losses: Sean LaVella (138, 26-5); Dom Nania (170, 30-10);
Key Returns: Ricky Cavallo (11, 113, 24-6); Sam Krivus (11, 120, 40-3, state champ); Joey Alessandro (12, 132, 29-9);
Comment:  Not enough punch at the end of the lineup.

 

Class AA

1. Burrell

Key Losses: Phil Marra (145, 32-10, 4th PIAA); Dakota DesLauriers (182, 36-0, state champ)
Key Returns: Damon Greenwald (10, 126, 27-15); John Andrejcik (12, 132, 31-11); Steve Edwards (12, 138, 43-10, 6th in PIAA); Corey Falleroni (12, 152, 24-5); Alan Beattie (11, Hvy, 36-10)
Comment: Good wrestlers sprinkled throughout lineup.

 

2. Jefferson-Morgan

Key Losses: Dustin Conti (170, 42-1, 3rd in PIAA)
Key Returns: Brendan Howard (11, 106, 40-9); John Demaske (12, 126, 29-6, 4th PIAA); Jason Miller (12, 138, 36-11); Ryan Zalar (12, 145, 22-11); Bill Bowlen (10, 160, 31-13)
Comment: Lots of talent. New coach needs to coax more of it out of others.

3. South Fayette

Key Losses: Seth Carr (113, 39-5, 2nd PIAA); Mike Fetchet (170, 45-5, 4th PIAA); Brad Haney (182, 26-18)
Key Returns: Jasper Wolfe (10, 106, 22-11); Mike Carr (10, 120, 29-13); Grant Fetchet (12, 152, 37-12); Jared Walker (11, 160, 34-9, 7th PIAA); Zach Walker (12, 195, 32-7)
Comment: Football will cut into wrestling season. Lions will be much better at end than beginning of season. My dark horse pick to win WPIAL.

4. Kittanning

Key Losses: Christian Emminger (126, 22-16); Taylor Jack (152, 34-11); Zac Croyle (195, 30-14, 6th PIAA)
Key Returns: Jason Nolf (12, 132, 45-0, state champ); Jacob Robb (10, 160, 27-10); Logan Robb (11, 220, 19-5)
Comment: Balance, balance, balance. Need to stay away from injuries.

5. Burgettstown

Key Losses: Matt Abbott (160, 27-18)
Key Returns: Austin McDermott (11, 106, 37-8); John Dennis (12, 113, 25-15); Stephen Kotouch (12, 132, 30-14);
Comment: Lots of experience returning but still a young team.