Ches-Mont supremacy up for grabs in early-season league tournament
Christmas is coming early this year for those who are fans of the Ches-Mont Championships.
With District 1 removing the league tournaments as a postseason qualifier, leagues had the option to run their own tournaments, and the Ches-Mont has its Saturday at West Chester Rustin.
The tournament won’t count as competition points for scheduling and the results won’t go towards seeding for the district tournaments, but bragging rights will be on the line as the best from the American and National Divisions collide.
The action starts at 9 A.M. and will run through to completion, with no scheduled time for the finals.
Now, a quick look at each of the weights.
106
Downingtown East’s Keanu Manuel has grown into the weight and is the top dog in the area as a sophomore. Downingtown West freshman Dom Findora will get a chance to make a name for himself. Fellow freshmen, Billy Wilson of West Chester Henderson and Cannon Hershey of Oxford throw their names into the hat with Wilson on Manuel’s side and Hershey on Findora’s Coatesville’s Eli Lavalais will get a shot to undo Hershey, first.
113
Two of the top sophomores in the league reside here in West Chester Henderson’s Sammy McMonagle, a returning state qualifier, and Coatesville’s Nate Lucier, a returning regional qualifier. If those two meet in the finals, it should be highly-competitive in a bracket that has only seven participants. West Chester Rustin’s Jimmy King is hoping to spoil the party on Lucier’s side of the bracket.
120
Henderson’s Killian Delaney is the heavy favorite as a returning state finalist. Coatesville’s Brennan McBride was scratched from the bracket, so expect Oxford junior Kevin Quin and Kennett sophomore Trent Kochersperger to duke it out for a trip to the finals. West Chester East’s Andrew Luke could see Delaney in the upper semis.
126
This weight is pretty wide open, especially with Rustin’s Josh Viarengo not in the mix. Oxford’s Cooper Johnson has the best resume as a regional qualifier a year ago and is the top seed. Great Valley’s Casey Capetola is the No. 2 seed, but Henderson’s talented freshman, No. 3 Palmer Delaney, could very well find himself battling for a finals spot.
132
A pair of seniors, West Chester East’s Corey Celenza and Unionville’s Dom Chaclas, are the two top seeds and are looking for their first league titles. Celenza owns a win in their only match two years ago and would be the pick as a state qualifier. Downingtown East junior Kyle Mittlestadt in on Chaclas’ side.
138
Downingtown East’s Lukas Richie returned last weekend after an offseason injury and he picked up where he left off as a junior with a 4-0 start to the season. He’s the class of the group, but Unionville’s Jacob Lehman has the look of someone who could make some noise in his senior season.
145
It’s been awhile since the league got to see a healthy Brandon Sheffield, but he’s here and if he’s right, he’s the guy to beat. Rustin’s Alex Pratzner is the No. 2 seed and will likely get Downingtown East’s regional qualifier, Jett Lucas-Murphy, in the semis if the seeds hold up. Henderson’s Bobby English has improved and would likely see Sheffield in the semis.
152
There are a pair of returning state qualifiers in Nick Barnhart of Avon Grove and Luke Phayre of Henderson. Phayre will try to use his size, while Barnhart will try to use his funk, and it could be an entertaining final if it happens. Barnhart reached the 100-win mark a week ago and currently has 104 for his career.
160
Rustin’s Collin Hurley is the biggest name in the bracket and health might be the only thing that could stop him in an otherwise inexperienced bracket. Henderson’s Koh Bauman is a bit of an unknown as a sophomore, but has a chance to open some eyes. Avon Grove senior Carson Peck could see him in the semis.
170
After starting 7-0 at 182, Downingtown East’s Matt Romanelli makes his debut here and steps in as the favorite as the lone returning regional qualifier. Oxford’s Will Johnson is his biggest threat to the title. Johnson could see Rustin’s Chris Hatzipavlides in the semis, while Romanelli likely gets Henderson’s Mason Baldwin.
182
This is the deepest weight in the tournament with two state medalists — Downingtown West’s Max Hale and Unionville’s Tyler Mousaw — and another state qualifier, West Chester East’s Andrew DiBernardo. They’re a combined 24-3 this season, and Hale will likely be waiting for either one in the finals as the top seed. DiBernardo won two of three against Mousaw last winter.
195
Great Valley’s Ethan Seeley defeated Downingtown West’s Chase Mielnik in the finals of leagues and districts last year and there should be round three for the title again. Rustin’s Zack Jones is 7-3, but he’d have a tough one in Seeley if he reaches semis. Avon Grove’s Chris Buonocore seemingly stands in Mielnik’s way on the bottom half.
220
With reigning state champ Hunter Catka of Sun Valley still recovering from an offseason injury, the weight is up for grabs. Downingtown West’s Pat Cusack looks like the top contender on the bottom half of the bracket. Great Valley’s Tyler Humphreys and Rustin’s Owen Walsh should battle for a shot at him. Downingtown East’s Zach Aceto makes his season debut and is the top seed with West Chester East’s Syncere Cooper and Henderson’s Gavin Range.
285
There is no dominant heavyweight, but the field seems fairly even. Oxford’s Sam Blevins would likely be favored, as he owns a win over West Chester East’s Hugh Lemmon-Kishi this season. Coatesville’s Ayden Geter was a regional qualifier as a junior and he may see Downingtown West’s Matt Micale in the quarterfinals. Kennett’s Colin Watson, Downingtown East’s Zach Sharaf and Unionville’s Eli Lyons are up top with Blevins.
