WEST CHESTER >> Each time Paul James Pebly gets his arm raised after a win on the wrestling mat, it’s an affirmation of how far he’s come.

A simple act, done almost thoughtlessly, match after match after match, bears more significance to the Kennett junior.

Winning on the mat is hard, but each time Pebly’s arm is raised, there, clear for everyone to see, the extra struggle is evident.

When Pebly was an infant in the Hunan Province of China, he was found abandoned on the steps of a police station. He was badly burned, leaving scarring on his face and resulting in the loss of his fingers and parts of his hands.

Last Saturday, after pinning Chichester’s Tymeir Bush to take third at 152 pounds in the District 1-3A West tournament, Pebly’s forever-altered arm was lifted and his repaired face was held high. The boy, who helplessly survived a disaster he can’t even remember, had punched his ticket to the 3A Southeast Regional tournament

“It was a goal I had at the beginning of the his year,” Pebly said. “I’m just happy that I can show that anything is possible if you just work hard.”

The two-day regional tournament begins, Friday, at 5:30 p.m. at Souderton High, with the top five finishers from each class advancing to the state tournament the following week.

Pebly is not expected to qualify, but then again, his life story screams of overcoming odds.

“It’s an obstacle, of course,” Kennett coach Kevin Reigel said. “But he’s looking for over, under or a way around it.”

After being discovered by the police in China, Paul James was put in an orphanage for four-plus years until he was adopted by Steve and Jen Pebly, when he was six. 

“Looking back, it’s a blessing because they’ve supported me with everything I do,” Paul James said. “They give me the motivation to do stuff that I didn’t think I could possibly do.”

In his elementary school years, Paul James joined the youth wrestling club, but after a few years, gave it up. His friend, Trent Kochersperger, talked him into coming back out in eighth grade.

“I just told him, ‘you’re strong, we need someone like you and you’re not a chump,” said Kochersperger, who will also be competing at regionals for Kennett.

Wrestling gave Paul James a venue to compete, but he took his lumps early, going 4-12 as a freshman.

“Break him down, roll the wrists, he’s not doing that,” Reigel said. “Cross-wrist, he’s not doing that. It made the whole coaching staff just, how are we gonna get to there?”

Paul James Pebly of Kennett finishes a headlock against Great Valley’s Nick Mort for the fall at 152 pounds. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)

Paul James has adjusted, figuring out ways to set up his headlock and working on getting better on top with the use of his legs. 

“You’re just using your body to beat the other guys,” said Paul James, who also long jumps for the track team. “If you know how to use your body, no matter if you’re missing a limb or anything, if you know how to use your body, you can do anything in wrestling.”

He’s done it well, as a junior. He’s 16-6, with 14 pins. Eight of those pins have happened in under a minute. 

Paul James is not blessed with the perfect circumstances to wrestle, but he does not let his circumstances dictate what he can do.

“He just pushes,” Kochersperger said. “In this sport that’s what you have to do to survive. It’s like the jungle. You gotta do what you gotta do to survive and you can’t make excuses for yourself. He doesn’t make any excuses for himself and I respect that a lot about him. It’d be easy for anyone to just give up, but he doesn’t.”

When asked if Paul James was a source of inspiration for his teammates, Reigel paused for a second, but simply stated, ‘no.’ This is who Paul James is, and it’s always been who he is, to the rest of the Blue Demons.

“If you asked all the kids on the team, I think they would sit there and go, you know, actually that is pretty darn impressive,” Reigel said. “It’s not really a daily thing. He’s just one of the wrestlers. … If he’s going with Trent, Trent’s going to rip a headlock and Trent’s gonna do what he does and Paul James can’t hand-fight him. I don’t think they treat him any differently.”

That’s just the way Paul James likes it. In a world that can get a little cold or lonely if someone doesn’t look like everyone else, wrestling has been a big of part of Paul James finding common ground and openness, in his new home.

“I struggle with that a lot, but I’m fortunate to have friends and be surrounded by people who give their love to me and support me,” Paul James said. “(The team) became part of my family. They just encourage me every day and tell me to keep my head up when I’m feeling down.”

Now, a look at each weight class:

Downingtown East’s Keanu Manuel and Oxford’s Cannon Hershey (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)

106

Downingtown East’s Keanu Manuel had a dominant debut at the weight, last weekend, cruising to a title in the West. He’s the No. 1 seed as one of three juniors. Everyone else is younger, but Manuel may see another junior, Council Rock South’s Cavan Kinne, in the semifinals. Oxford’s Cannon Hershey is on the more-crowded side of the bracket, with Central Bucks West’s Teague McCormack a tough first-round foe, and South champ, Victor Quintiliana of Interboro, potentially next. Either Council Rock North’s Anthony Burke or Spring-Ford’s Dominic Ortlip are expected to be the other semifinalist on the bottom half, and West Chester Henderson’s Carmen Cortese starts with Burke. There is a solid chance at a repeat of the West final between Manuel and Hershey, but both should be in contention for a spot to states.

Downingtown West’s Dom Findora collects near-fall points against Downingtown East’s Ryan Loraw. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)

113

Boyertown’s Julien Maldonado is the top seed and favorite as a returning eighth-place state medalist. Downingtown West’s Dom Findora is the No. 2, and has a winnable path to the semis, where he could see a fellow returning state qualifier, Keito Shaw of Upper Darby. Shaw surprised many, last year, but he will be a challenge for Findora, if they meet. Downingtown East’s Ryan Loraw set himself up nicely, after reaching the West finals a week ago. The sectional champ in Loraw’s quadrant is Abington freshman, Matt McCaughey. The semis aren’t out of the realm of possibility for the East frosh, and he could win his way into contention for a top-five spot. Henderson’s Max Jackman would get Maldonado in the quarterfinals, but this is not an overly deep weight, so Jackman could be in the mix, as well.

Coatesville’s Nate Lucier scrambles against WC Henderson’s Killian Delaney. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)

120

Coatesville’s Nate Lucier had the big win in the West, last week, getting past Henderson’s Killian Delaney. As a result, Lucier got the No. 2 seed, away from the No. 1-ranked kid in the state (papowerwrestling.com), Kyle Hauserman of Council Rock North. That’s not to say Lucier’s path is a breeze, but he has a better draw to the finals than Delaney. On Lucier’s side, West Chester Rustin’s Jimmy King found a solid spot, despite placing fourth in the West. He’ll get Ridley junior, Chris Green, first, with a potential rematch against Quakertown’s Kyle Miller in quarters. Miller won the first, 4-3. Delaney should reach the semis, where North’s returning third place state medalist assumably will be waiting. Conestoga’s Mitch Baker finished runner-up in the North and has CB West’s Chris Cleland in the first round, to get to Lucier in quarters.

WC Hendersons’ Sammy McMonagle. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)

126

A 39-2 season with multiple wins over state medalists earned Henderson’s Sammy McMonagle the top seed. The catch, is the other two top-ranked wrestlers were in the same section, meaning the East runner-up, and two-time state medalist, Kyle Waterman of CR South, is McMonagle’s prospective semi opponent. Lucerne, a two-time state medalist, himself, is the No. 2 seed. He could face Garnet Valley’s Griffin Hollingsworth in quarters. Boyertown’s Chance Babb is a rising sophomore at the No. 3 seed, and Oxford’s Cooper Johnson is hoping to see him in quarters. If Hollingsworth and Johnson reach quarters, but don’t advance, they could face off in a rematch of last week, won by Johnson, prior to the consolation semis.

WC Rustin’s Josh Viarengo and Kennett’s Trent Kochersperger. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)

132

This bracket should be a dandy. Top-seeded Chase Barlow, of Strath Haven, No. 3 Zac Martin of Neshaminy, William Tennent’s TJ England and Rustin’s Josh Viarengo made states last winter. Spring-Ford’s No. 2 Quinn Tobin and Perkiomen Valley’s PJ Kakos took sixth at regionals a year ago, and Kennett’s Trent Kochersperger is at regionals for a third time. Kochersperger dominated Viarengo in the West final, but will likely need to get past England to reach the semis. England won their only matchup, last season, 1-0. Viarengo gets Lower Merion sophomore, Jack Lledo, first, to get to Tobin. Oxford’s Kevin Quin is paired up with a stingy Wissahickon junior, Matt Fritz. Quakertown’s Zack Lewis and Norristown’s Isaiah Tucker add depth to arguably the deepest weight in the tournament.

Zach Needles of Spring-Ford pins Seneca Valley’s Austin Fischer at 138 pounds. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)

138

This weight rivals 132, in terms of depth. One-seed Kibwe McNair of Methacton and Quakertown’s Domenic DeFalco are the only returning state qualifiers, but there are a lot of wrestlers who have knocked on the door. Lower Merion’s Christian Hodges took sixth at regions as a sophomore, and he’s the No. 2 seed. North Penn’s Will Morrow broke through as the East champ and sits at No. 3, and he could square up with Spring-Ford’s Zach Needles in quarters. Needles is a contender at the weight, and Oxford’s Landon Meredith’s opener. Henderson’s Palmer Delaney will make his debut at regions as the West champ, but he will get a tough initiation with Upper Perkiomen’s 102-win Zach Rozanski. If Delaney could get past him, DeFalco could be next. This bracket is an uphill battle for the locals.  

WC Rustin’s Alex Pratzner. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)

145

Owen J. Roberts’ Antonio Petrucelli boasts a fifth-place state medal from his junior season, and is the favorite. His half of the bracket has some firepower in it. CR South’s two-time state qualifier, Cole Flanagan, could see Petrucelli in quarters and CR North’s Sammy Hayes may be the other semifinalist. Henderson’s Bobby English gets Hayes, first. Rustin’s Alex Pratzner has the third seed and drew Abington sophomore, Shane Kibler, who beat Pratzner, 7-5, earlier in the season. If Pratzner can avenge his loss, his quarterfinal options have 10 and 17 losses, respectively. Winning the first one is the key for Pratzner, otherwise he’d have to wrestle-back through the loser of Petrucelli-Flanagan. Bensalem’s Connor Eck is No. 2, and the style of Spring-Ford’s Alex Johns makes him a tough out.

Council Rock North’s Cam Robinson and Hatboro-Horsham’s AJ Tamburrino. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)

152

It feels like a two-horse race here, with CR North’s Cam Robinson and Hatboro-Horsham’s AJ Tamburrino, but Spring-Ford’s Jack McGill is not far behind. Robinson has beaten Tamburrino in all six of their high school matchups, most recently in the East finals. That duo took second and third in the state last season, respectively. Downingtown East freshman, Bo Horvath, is the three-seed and has a winnable opener, but would get Tamburrino in quarters. Rustin’s Chris Yanko had a good sectional performance, but it’ll be tough sledding with Owen J. Roberts’ Cole Bechtel in the first round. Kennett’s Paul James Pebly and Conestoga’s Ezra Toll meet in the opener, as well. With some depth from Interboro’s Domenic D’Agostino and CR South’s Joel Martsinovsky, this might be a learning experience for the local underclassmen.

Garnet Valley’s Desmon Perry. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)

160

When CR South’s Matt Colajezzi upset CR North’s Dillon Sheehy in the North final, the balance of the bracket shifted, setting up some Friday evening excitement. Colajezzi took the third seed, forcing Sheehy to the top of the bracket, where he could face top-seeded Connor Quinn of OJR, in quarters. Quinn faces returning sixth-place regional finisher, Spencer Uggla of Downingtown East, in the first round, so any benefits of earning the No. 1 seed are nonexistent for the senior Wildcat. Lower Merion’s James Lledo is a handful at the No. 2 seed, and Unionville’s Sam Elsen hopes to get to him with a win over Spring-Ford’s Xavier Cushman in the first round. Henderson’s Koh Bauman has a tough one, as well, with Methacton’s Roman Moser. Elsen, Uggla and Bauman all figured to better set up, but Garnet Valley’s Desmon Perry pinned each at sectionals to throw his name into the ring of potential surprise qualifiers.

Downingtown East’s Matt Romanelli. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)

170

Another upset in the East pushed the bulk of the talent on the lower half of this bracket. North Penn’s Jarret Niedosik got beat by CR South’s Lucas Doyle a week ago, and they are on the bottom with No. 2 Shane McAdams of Haverford and Downingtown East’s No. 3, Matt Romanelli, who could get Doyle in quarters. Niedosik will be pushed by OJR’s Austin Boaman in the first round, and Henderson’s Mason Baldwin starts with McAdams. Up top, Neshaminy’s Gunner Spain is the top seed, and Downingtown West’s Mason Hale hopes to keep his strong run going if he sees Spain in quarters. Boyertown’s Alan Alexander is No. 4, and seems to be peaking. 

Downingtown West’s Max Hale. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)

182

One of four undefeated wrestlers abides here. Spring-Ford’s Joey Milano is the top seed at 40-0, and he owns two one-point wins over No. 2 Max Hale of Downingtown West. Hale is going for his third straight regional title and also has 149 career wins. Hale’s track to the finals appears winnable, though CR South’s Giani Gilch has been to states twice and is always dangerous. Henderson’s Cash Artis has a decent lie in the bracket, with 14-loss Emilio Hartman-Velez of Bensalem up first and then maybe the South champ, Gabe Federico of Strath Haven in quarters. If Artis can get to the semis, where Milano would be, he’d give himself a legit chance to get out. Conestoga’s Matt Hamilton has Interboro’s Aaron Stankiewicz to get to Gilch in quarters.

Sun Valley’s Ryan Catka. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)

195

There is a lot of parity at this weight, and many of the contenders have met in the regular season or last week. Pennsbury’s Davis Lee came out on top in the East, and he’s the one-seed. Lee, Pennridge’s Logan Green, CB West’s Carl DiGiorgio and CB East’s Quinn Collins have history against one another, and No. 2 Pottsgrove Avery Shivak has seen some of them, too. Third-seeded Ryan Catka of Sun Valley is more of an unknown to the field, but he has cruised to 32 wins this season and is looking to make a name for himself. Oxford’s Kelvin Figueroa begins with Spring-Ford senior, Louis Carbajal, who is stubborn enough to stay around until the end.

Downingtown West’s Chase Mielnik. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)

220

Downingtown West’s Chase Mielnik bumped up for the postseason, but didn’t see much size at 220 a week ago. He may see some this weekend, with CB East’s Danny Eckley a prospective semi opponent. Downingtown East’s Ray Wileczek drew Eckley in the first round, and was pinned by him during the season. Plymouth Whitemarsh’s Paolo DiSanto is 29-0 and the top seed and he could get a quarter scrap with Hatboro-Horsham’s Logan Flynn, if Avon Grove’s Josh Reuter doesn’t upend the Hatter. Wissahickon’s Dan Keller is a returning state qualifier, and he’s Great Valley’s Tyler Humphrey’s first challenger.

Sun Valley’s Hunter Catka and WC East’s Hugh Lemmon-Kishi. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)

285

Two undefeated grapplers, Hunter Catka of Sun Valley and Plymouth Whitemarsh’s Mike Miller, bookend the bracket as the top two seeds. Catka has won 84 of his last 85 matches and is expected to keep that going this weekend. Up top, with him, is Quakertown’s Jeremy McGuigan, who’s won 41 matches in his only year of varsity wrestling. Downingtown East’s Zach Aceto starts with him. On the lower half, West Chester East’s lone qualifier, Hugh Lemmon-Kishi, gets CR North’s Max Harar, with Spring-Ford’s Sean Brogan potentially next. Lemmon-Kishi has the talent to get to semis, where Miller or Bensalem’s John Klewin are picked to be waiting. Downingtown West’s Matt Micale opens with Klewin, but he’s pesky and stingy enough to hang around at this weight.