2022-23 Mercury Wrestling Team-By-Team Previews
Boyertown
Head coach: Tony Haley, 3rd season (17-6)
Last year’s record: 3-2 PAC Liberty, 12-5 overall
Wrestlers to watch: Luke Heimbach, Sr. (30-12, state qualifier); Sonny Mash, Sr. (12-4); Gavin Sheridan, Jr. (36-9, PAC champion, state qualifier); Ryder Gehris, Jr. (14-10); Brody Coleman, So. (12-5, PAC champion); Shane Stankina, So. (16-11); Beck Babb, So. (20-14); Owen Dykie, So. (7-9)
Outlook: Bears qualified for the District 1-3A Duals last season and lost in the opening round by criteria, finished second in the PAC and District 1-3A North tournaments. … Graduated state sixth-place finisher Chance Babb (106-47 career record), but return state qualifiers Heimbach and Sheridan and a talented group of underclassmen. … “We have leadership with two returning state qualifiers in Luke Heimbach and Gavin Sheridan, along with a great group of sophomores,” said Haley. “It should be an interesting year in the PAC with Perkiomen Valley, Spring-Ford and Owen J. Roberts. We hope to stay injury free and that our younger wrestlers progress through the year.”
Daniel Boone
Head coach: Jim Hogan, 6th season (54-32)
Last year’s record: 4-2 Berks Division I, 8-8 overall
Wrestlers to watch: Nolan Brown, Sr., 139 (20-12, 3rd in District 3-3A Section 1); Brett Marchiano, Sr., 145 (19-15, 2nd in District 3-3A Section 1); Khyre Inman, Sr., 171 (20-16); Dean Houser, Jr., 121 (41-8, 6th in states); Tucker Hogan, Jr., 189 (44-2, 3rd in states)
Outlook: Junior Tucker Hogan was the area’s highest state finisher last winter when he placed third at 172 at the PIAA Championships. Hogan opened the season in strong fashion last weekend with the 189 title at the Top Hat tournament, topping last year’s 2A state runner-up in the final. … Others to watch include seniors Jared Hewitt and Jamie Harris, sophomore Ryan Poore and freshman Jackson Drumheller. … “We are looking to develop young talent and continue to build on the success of our seasoned wrestlers,” said coach Hogan.
The Hill School
Head coach: David Hoffman, 5th season
Last year’s record: 2-1 MAPL, 5-2 overall
Wrestlers to watch: Kade Davidheiser, Sr., 126; Hunter Sloan, Sr., 144 (26-13, 6th at National Preps); Colby Isabelle, Sr., 165 (28-8, 5th at National Preps); Billy Antippas, Jr., 285; Cole Albert, So., 138; Robert Pavlek, So., 132 (26-12); Zak Zindle, So., 25-9, 175
Outlook: Blues sent 19 wrestlers to the season-opening Battle at Germantown Academy where Antippas placed second, five won bronze medals and one finished fourth. … Finished second in the PAISAA Duals last season. … “Hill has a nice mix of returning athletes and a handful of newcomers this year in what will be the best team to take the mat in the past 20 years,” said Hoffman. “Hill is led by a trio of seniors (Davidheiser, Sloan, and Isabelle) who are all multiple-time National Prep All-Americans. The expectation for this team is to place a minimum of seven wrestlers at the National Prep tournament and make a push to be in the top five at Preps.”
Methacton
Head coach: Mark Harner, 3rd season (19-12)
Last year’s record: 1-4 PAC Liberty, 15-7 overall.
Wrestlers to watch: Josh Cancro, Sr., 215 (25-6, regional qualifier); Damian Moser, Sr., 285 (24-4); Joe Simko, Jr., 127 (24-7); Ryan Hayes, So., 114 (22-10, regional qualifier); Matty Shumaker, So., 152 (25-9, regional qualifier).
Outlook: The Warriors had seven wrestlers with at least 20 wins last season and five of them are returning. … “We have over 30 kids on the team this year and look to improve over last year,” said Harner.
Norristown
Head coach: William Evans, 2nd season (11-11)
Last year’s record: 0-5 PAC Liberty, 11-11 overall
Wrestlers to watch: Doug Cawley, Sr., 114/121 (28-6); Nikosh Marston, Jr., 127/133 (13-15)
Outlook: Eagles bounced back from a 2020 season in which they did not wrestle any matches. … Graduated three wrestlers with more than 20 wins last season at the three highest weight classes – regional qualifier Eric Whitt, Todd Picard and Chris Carter. … “We do have some other wrestlers to look out for this season – Samir Miles, Deshaun Mathews, and Israel Valente, all seniors who should make an impact this season,” said Evans. “We’ll be looking to improve on our performance from last year as we continue to build the program back.”
Owen J. Roberts
Head coach: Stephen DeRafelo, 21st season (225-100)
Last year’s record: 2-3 PAC Liberty, 7-10 overall
Wrestlers to watch: Ray Bolger, Sr., 139/145; Mason Karkoska, Sr., 139/145 (18-8); Skylur Davidheiser, Sr., 152/160 (7-11); Mason Mazzerle, Sr., 152/160; Christian Gregory, Sr., 285
Outlook: Dillon Bechtold finished fifth in the state last year as a sophomore and the Wildcats graduated just three regular starters. … “We are looking for big things from our seniors this year,” said DeRafelo. “We are also excited about our underclassmen, who have been working extremely hard to prepare for the season. The PAC is full of great coaches and outstanding wrestlers. This year will be extremely competitive and we look forward to the challenge.”
Perkiomen Valley
Head coach: Dave Thomas, 3rd season (22-8)
Last year’s record: 4-1 PAC Liberty, 15-6 overall
Wrestlers to watch: Kelly Kakos, Sr., 152 (41-7, PAC champion, 6th in state); Gavin Pascoe, Sr., 160 (12-7); Carson Pascoe, Sr., 172/189 (17-6); Grant Euker, 215, Sr. (16-7); Carter Euker, So., 172/189 (25-12); Cole Euker, So., 285 (31-9, state qualifier); Max Tancini, Fr., 107
Outlook: The Vikings finished second in the PAC Liberty Division and made it to the District 1-3A duals tournament last year and are looking for more after losing just two seniors. … “We’re working to win a PAC championship,” said Thomas. “These seven wrestlers (above) want to make it to the individual state championships and make the team championship in Hershey.”
Phoenixville
Head coach: Brad Clark, 2nd season (4-12)
Last year’s record: 3-2 PAC Frontier, 4-12 overall
Wrestlers to watch: Matteo Ferri, Jr., 145; Zach Rakowski, So., 107; Landon Koch, So., 139; Dylan Stehly, Fr., 152
Outlook: The Phantoms graduated nine wrestlers, including PAC champion and state qualifier Owen Koch and three other regional qualifiers. … “We are looking forward to seeing our young team progress over the season,” said Clark. “We have a few individuals who are looking to get to the regional tournament.”
Pope John Paul II
Head coach: Mike Moyano, 1st season
Last year’s record: 0-5 PAC Frontier, 0-7 overall
Wrestlers to watch: Brady Pires, Jr., (18-16, 2nd in District 1/12-AA)
Outlook: Golden Panthers graduated PIAA Class 2A qualifier Alan Alexander and district qualifier Nick Togno.
Pottsgrove
Head coach: Jeff Madden, 14th season (123-125)
Last year’s record: 5-0 PAC Frontier, 9-9 overall
Wrestlers to watch: Trenton Allen, Sr., 145 (27-8); Brandon Rivera, Sr., 152 (4-11); Dominic Sithens, Sr., 160 (10-14) Dominic DeMeno, Sr., 215 (30-6,PAC champion, regional medalist); Anthony Testa, Jr., 107 (10-16); Nathan Gillin, Jr., 139 (17-23); Damien Polloway, Jr., 285 (7-12); Jake Palladino, So., 215 (8-15); Jacob Frederick, So., 285 (2-10)
Outlook: The Falcons graduated only two regulars from last year’s PAC Frontier Division championship team. … Allen and DeMeno placed third in the season-opening, 21-team Pottstown Invitational.
Pottstown
Head coach: Mike Hewitt, 1st season
Last year’s record: 2-3 PAC Frontier, 5-11 overall
Wrestlers to watch: Malachi Jones, Sr., 132 (20-12); Devon Green, Sr., 160 (23-12).
Outlook: Hewitt becomes the 10th head coach in the 59-year history of the program after serving as an assistant the past four seasons. … Jones and Green were the top two winners for the Trojans last season. … Green finished third as Pottstown opened the season by hosting 20 teams in its second annual Pottstown Invitational last weekend. … “Devon and Malachi have become the true leaders in the wrestling room and the classroom,” said Hewitt. “Both have displayed some of the hardest work ethics and leadership skills and have made an example of what it takes to become Trojan Tough.”
Spring-Ford
Head coach: Tim Seislove, 24th season (402-163)
Last year’s record: 5-0 PAC Liberty, 19-5 overall, District 1-3A Duals 3rd place and PIAA qualifier, PAC Tournament and District 1-3A North champion
Wrestlers to watch: Cole Smith, Sr., 121 (32-5, PAC champion, state qualifier); Quinn Smith, Sr., 133 (45-7, PAC champion, state qualifier); Anthony Attilio, Sr., 172 (29-13, regional qualifier). Gus Smith, So., 107 (35-11, state qualifier)
Outlook: The Rams have made it to the PIAA Class 3A Duals Tournament the past five years. … Seislove has won the most matches in program history and was inducted into the Tri-County Area Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame last month. … “We are working hard to prepare for a very tough and competitive PAC season,” said Seislove.
Upper Merion
Head coach: Chris Falcone, 3rd season (6-28)
Last year’s record: 1-4 PAC Frontier, 5-18 overall
Wrestlers to watch: Casey Lamey, Sr., 160 (15-5); Declan Ryan, So., 133/139 (14-16); Jowell Jones, Fr., 152; Nikito Hansell, Fr., 107/114
Outlook: “We are a super young team,” said Falcone. “This year there are 15 freshmen on the team. This year is also one of the school’s biggest turnout in years of wrestlers with a total of 25. This is something that is positive for the program. Ultimately, we just want to show up to each dual meet, dual meet tournament and individual tournament and just compete. We have a motto of ‘Do the work’ and that is our mission this year. Just show up and do the work that is needed to win.”
Upper Perkiomen
Head coach: Steve Adam, 6th season (35-37)
Last year’s record: 4-1 PAC Frontier, 6-6 overall
Wrestlers to watch: Shane Freeh, Sr., 139 (9-6); Gabe Coddington, Sr., 139 (2-11); Tyler Hoffer, Sr., 145 (19-17, 6th in district); Chidike Eruba, Sr., 189 (4-13); Tommy Flud, Sr., 215 (17-6); Gabe Tulone, Jr., 114 (24-7); Branden Rozanski, Jr., 127 (34-8, state qualifier); Brandon Godshall, Jr., 133 (18-21, regional qualifier); Gabe Sanfelice, Jr., 133 (10-9); Roy Cobb, Jr., 145 (10-14)
Outlook: Top newcomers include Joe Reed, Ben Godshall, Zane Saeger, Drew Bennett and Kale Flud. “We are hoping to compete for the Frontier Division title and qualify for the District 1 dual meet in the postseason,” said Adams.
