District 1 Duals preview capsules
No. 1 Council Rock South (6-0) v. No. 16 Great Valley (13-4), 7 p.m. at Hatboro Horsham
Ranked wrestlers (according to pa-wrestling.com): CR South — Cavan Kinne, 5/106; Kyle Waterman, No. 1 at 113; Maximo Mendez, 2/120; Shane Hanson-Ashworth, 3/126; Braden Ricchini, 3/132; LJ Kahn, HM/138; Eric Woloshyn, 5/145; Cole Flanagan, 5/152; Matt Colajezzi, 3/160; Nik Korbich, 5/170; Gianni Gilch, 4/195
Great Valley — Ethan Seeley, 2/195
Outlook: Kudos to Patriots’ coach Mike Semar for applying and getting his kids a chance to better themselves. No doubt Semar is hoping Seeley gets a bout with Gilch. The Patriots could find some success up top, but considering seven Golden Hawks reached states last year, the benefit for Great Valley is being exposed to that level of competition.
No. 2 Spring-Ford (13-2) v. No. 15 West Chester Rustin (9-4) 530 p.m. at Rustin
Ranked wrestlers: Spring-Ford — Shane Reynolds, 4/113; Jack McGill, 4/138; Chase Smith, HM/170; Joey Milano, 2/182
Rustin — Jimmy King, HM/113
Outlook: The Golden Knights have won their first round dual the last three years, twice as lower seeds. The task will be much more daunting this year with a very seasoned and talented Spring-Ford squad. The Rams are basically a better version of Rustin, with no superstars, but solid wrestlers seemingly at every weight.
No. 3 Owen J. Roberts (12-2) v. No. 14 Hatboro Horsham (11-6), 530 p.m. at Hatboro Horsham
Ranked wrestlers: OJR — David Forrest, 5/120; Cole Meredith, 5/138; Antonio Petrucelli, 3/145; Dan Mancini, 2/152; Connor Quinn, HM/160; Ricky McCutchen, HM/170
Hatboro — Logan Flynn, 3/220
Outlook: The Wildcats have arguably the best middle of the lineup in District 1. The Hatters have given up the 12th most pins in all of District 1, so that does not bode well for a team that has to wrestle perfect at the top and bottom of the lineup. Owen J. will be coming off a big dual against Spring-Ford, Wednesday, but a major letdown is still unlikely.
No. 4 West Chester Henderson (14-2) v. No. 13 Ridley (10-5), 7 p.m. at Rustin
Ranked wrestlers: Henderson — Sammy McMonagle, 2/113; Killian Delaney, 1/120; Luke Phayre, HM/152
Ridley — Tommy Bramwell, 4/285
Outlook: The Warriors begin their quest to reach states for the first time in their history after coming a win short last season. Ridley is an up-and-comer under coach Tony Fabri, but doesn’t appear to have the firepower to match some of Henderson’s big scorers. Henderson’s supporting cast is better and more experienced and will play a crucial role this tournament.
No. 5 Boyertown (9-6) v. No. 12 Souderton (7-6), 530 p.m. at Hatboro
Ranked wrestlers: Boyertown — Julien Maldonado, 4/106; Jacob Miller, 1/195
Souderton — Tyler Williams, 1/138; Bruno Stolfi, 3/195
Outlook: The Bears have reached the state duals six straight seasons, but this is the lowest they’ve been seeded since the start of that run, 2013. Souderton has some high end talent in Williams and Stolfi, but it will be a challenge for the Indians to match the Bears’ toughness and experience. Boyertown has been dealing with injuries, so we’ll see how much that plays a part.
No. 6 Garnet Valley (11-2) v. No. 11 Wissahickon (11-4), 7 p.m. at Rustin
Ranked wrestlers: Garnet Valley — Griffin Hollingsworth, HM/120; Coltin Deery, 1/285
Wissahickon — Matt Fritz, HM/126; Daniel Keller, 5/182; Brian Fennell, HM/195; Mark Thompson, HM/285
Outlook — What these programs lack in big name personas they make up for it with full lineups that typically win more than they lose. Deery is a rising star in District 1 and he has pinned in 16 of 20 of his wins. The Trojans haven’t competed in District Duals since 2012, so they will have to get acclimated quickly against a team who’s used to the stage.
No. 7 Downingtown West (7-3) v. No. 10 Council Rock North (7-7), 530 p.m. at Rustin
Ranked wrestlers: Downingtown West — Dom Findora, 5/106; Max Hale, 1/170; Chase Mielnik, 3/182; Joe Shafer, HM/195; Pat Cusack, HM/220
Council Rock North — Kyle Hauserman, 1/113; Luke Lucerne, 3/126; Cam Robinson, 1/145; Dillon Sheehy, 4/160
Outlook: There is a lot of star power between the two teams, but none of it lines up. That means bonus points could be flowing hot and heavy, and whoever can limit them more will have the advantage. The Indians have dealt with some injuries and the Whippets are eager to prove last year’s run to states was no one-year wonder.
No. 8 Quakertown (7-5) v. No. 9 Neshaminy (12-5), 7 p.m. at Hatboro
Ranked wrestlers: Quakertown — Kyle Miller, HM/113; Corey Cope, 4/120
Neshaminy — Colton Jordan, 1/126; Zach Martin, 4/132; Jackson Erb, 3/152
Outlook: Neshaminy has a good core and should be taking a few wrestlers to Hershey in March, but they are short an upper weight and have been forced to forfeit. Quakertown has a full lineup and the Panthers have been pretty good at staying off their backs this season. They’re only 23-51 in matches decided by decisions, however.
*all records and stats were prior to dual meets on 1/23.
