Ches-Mont League National Division
Avon Grove Red Devils
Head coach: Bill Kirwin, third year
Last season: 0-4 division, 2-8 overall
Key wrestlers: Dominic Osborne, Sr., 189; Garrett Landon, Jr., 160; Christian Ford, Soph., 113; Brock Wickline, Sr., 145
Outlook: The Red Devils start their season with two strong tests, traveling to Solanco for the Mule Classic and then at dual meet at Oxford, for their only competitions prior to the New Year. That extended break after two tough competitions will be needed for an inexperienced roster. Osborne, Landon and Wickline are captains and Osborne and Landon finished sixth at sectionals two years ago. Though no Red Devils were selected to the postseason last year, Ford is a promising lightweight, having gone 8-2 as a freshman.
Coatesville Red Raiders
Coatesville’s Dylan McGuire. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)
Head coach: Jeff Bowyer, fifth year
Last season: 1-3 division, 1-7 overall
Key wrestlers: Dylan McGuire, Jr., 285; Evan Seagreaves, Jr., 132; Jason Seagreaves, Jr., 138; Malik Lavalais, Sr., 145
Outlook: Coatesville has had a state qualifier for 10 straight seasons, but it will need someone to take a major leap to continue that streak. McGuire is the only returner who saw the postseason last winter. After two years of being a younger heavyweight, McGuire should be filling into the weight class. The Seagreaves twins bring back some experience, as well as Lavalais, who’s dealt with injuries. The Red Raiders are hoping for some help from junior Matt Luton (182 pounds) and freshman Jack Weldon (152).
Downingtown East Cougars
Downingtown East’s Ryan Loraw. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)
Head coach: Joe Horvath, 24th year
Last season: 3-1 division, 6-2 overall
Key wrestlers: Ryan Loraw, Jr., 152; Connor Huntoon, Sr., 172; Nick Viscomi, Jr., 160; Paxson Warnock, Soph., 120
Outlook: Horvath called his squad one of the least-experienced teams in a long time, and that comes after a pair of state medalists graduated and another state qualifier, Bo Horvath, decided not to wrestle. Loraw reached Hershey as a freshman, but found the sledding a little tougher at a higher weight last winter, and he’s up another three weights. Warnock showed some scrap as a frosh. Huntoon and Viscomi provide leadership and experience, while junior, Noah Pagaduan (138), is an addition from New Jersey and Tommie Grizzanti (189) had a solid youth career.
Downingtown West Whippets
Downingtown West’s Mason Hale. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)
Head coach: Brad Breese, eighth season
Last season: 1-3 division, 1-5 overall
Key wrestlers: Dom Findora, Sr., 138; Mason Hale, Jr., 215; Kevin Bernhard, Soph., 126; Troy Mack, Soph., 285
Outlook: Findora is the only returning state medalist in the Ches-Mont, placing fourth as a junior. He is the lone star in a lineup that should be improved coming off a disappointing shortened 2020-21 season. Bernhard and Mack are a part of solid sophomore class, and Hale is looking to bounce back. Fellow junior, Harrison Hayford (160) returns and should help in the middle of the lineup, while freshman Chase Sigle (106) has potential down low. The Whippets will be tested with their non-league schedule, as they look for a state medalist for the sixth straight year.
West Chester East Vikings
West Chester East’s Max Parnis. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)
Head coach: John Gallo, 15th year
Last season: 3-2 division, 5-4 overall
Key wrestlers: Max Parnis, Jr., 138; Jacob Sbur, Sr., 215; Connor Whitton, Sr., 120; Rhys Holvey, Jr., 160
Outlook: The Vikings will open their season at the Pottstown Invitational, along with the other two West Chester schools, where they’ll see a lot of District 1 competition. Parnis is the lone returner who saw the postseason last year, and he’s up a few weights after his first two seasons at 120. Jacob Sbur, Tyler Sbur (189), Whitton, Tanner Wolov and Dan Arevalo (285) contributed as juniors, as the Vikings only graduated three starters. Holvey and Jeff Cooper (145), who combined for 32 wins as freshmen, are back after sitting out last winter.
West Chester Henderson Warriors
WC Henderson’s Billy Wilson. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)
Head coach: Rob Beighley, ninth year
Last season: 5-0 division, 10-1 overall
Key wrestlers: Palmer Delaney, Sr., 152; Billy Wilson, Sr., 132; Carmen Cortese, Jr., 120; Wyatt Hampton, Jr., 215; Brett Patton, Jr., 145
Outlook: The Warriors have won three straight National Division titles and are the favorites to win a fourth. Wilson and Cortese qualified for states, last winter, and Delaney finished sixth in the region. Hampton and Patton saw postseason action, while Owen McCarthy (189) could step in and make an impact up top. Henderson’s biggest problem is a logjam in the lower weights. Max Jackman (126) was a regional qualifier two years ago, Brien Wildermuth (132) has postseason experience and Hunter Delaney (126) is knocking on the door as a freshman, as the youngest of the Delaney brother trio.
Ches-Mont American Division
Great Valley Patriots
Head coach: Bobby Lavelle, third year
Last season: 0-4 division, 0-7 overall
Key wrestlers: Nick Mort, Sr., 152; Michael Cruz, Jr., 120; Brandon Son, Jr., 126
Outlook: It’s been a slow build for Lavelle, and the shortened COVID-19 season last winter did not help. As has been the case, the Patriots are lean on star power but continue to try to build a foundation. Mort is the kind of hard-nosed, big-effort seniors to lead the way. Cruz missed last season, but won 13 matches as a freshman, and he and Son will push each other amongst the lightweights. Great Valley’s most recent state medalist, Ethan Seeley, joined the staff as an assistant, and his brother, Sullivan Seeley (172) is a freshman.
Kennett Blue Demons
Kennett’s Darrale Barrett. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)
Head coach: Kevin Reigel, fifth year
Last season: 3-0 division, 6-2 overall
Key wrestlers: Darrale Barrett, Sr., 172; Josh Barlow, Jr., 160; John Pardo, Soph., 215; Bailey Shindle, Jr., 285; Joey Wuchter, Soph., 132
Outlook: Kennett finally made some noise last year, thanks in large part to its talented young core. Trent Kochersperger won Kennett’s first state medal since 2009, and though he graduated, there’s still plenty of hope another drought won’t be nearly as long. Barrett surprised many by reaching the regional finals and qualifying for states, and Barlow, Pardo, Shindle and Wuchter have the talent to be in that mix, come March. Haylie Jaffe (126) is ranked nationally in the girls rankings, and she mixes with Michael Pepe (138) and Josh Kochersperger (152) to add depth to one of the stronger lineups in the county.
Oxford Hornets
Oxford’s Cannon Hershey. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)
Head coach: Tony Fabri, first year
Last season: 0-0 division, 0-0 overall
Key wrestlers: Cannon Hershey, Sr., 120; Jeremy McKinney, Jr., 189; Austin McMillan, Jr., 132; Ben Smith, Sr., 138; Reiland Canaday, Jr., 126
Outlook: Only Hershey and McMillan got any official competition last season, as Oxford was the last team to restart wrestling during the pandemic. Hershey has qualified for states his last two seasons and is 33 wins shy of 100. McMillan, McKinney and Canaday can provide some spark as a talented trio of juniors. McKinney reached regionals as a 145-pound freshman. Smith returns after winning 50 matches through his first two seasons. After 49 years of no coaching changes, under Scott Gold, Fabri is the second Oxford coach since Gold retired in 2020.
Unionville Longhorns
Head coach: Todd Szewczyk, third year
Last season: 1-2 division, 1-3 overall
Key wrestlers: Jackson Roberts, Sr., 145; Topher Tryon, Jr., 152; Mason Coursey, Soph., 113
Outlook: Tryon is the biggest wildcard for the Longhorns, who were another team robbed of competitive opportunities, due to Covid. After getting hurt early on in his freshman season, Tryon went 4-0 last year but didn’t get selected to the postseason. He’s 10-3 for his career and hoping to finally get a chance to prove himself. Roberts will be nice practice partner as the only Longhorn with over 50 career bouts. Coursey should gobble up some wins down low, along with Cole Haines (106), and Chase Mousaw (126) looks to follow his brother’s footsteps.
West Chester Rustin Golden Knights
West Chester Rustin’s Marek Seaman. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)
Head coach: Aston White, first year
Last season: 2-2 division, 5-3 overall
Key wrestlers: Marek Seaman, Jr., 172; Chris Yanko, Sr., 160; James Pizzi, Soph., 120; Anthony Meadows, Sr., 215
Outlook: Seaman had a successful first season, as a sophomore, qualifying for states and going 13-7. A lot of Rustin’s talent surrounds Seaman, with Yanko and Ryan Corp (189) trying to settle into their weights. Meadows returns after a year off, and he and Drew Brown (285) should add to the depth, up top. Pizzi had a successful freshman campaign, and Charlie Emmonds (113) hopes to do the same. Roman Seaman (138) and Gavin Seaman (145) help in the middle, along with Dayshawn Jacobs (152), who returns to the mat after a historic football season.
Other Leagues
Conestoga Pioneers
Conestoga’s Mitch Baker. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)
Head coach: Tom Elicker, eighth year
Last season: 3-2 Central League, 4-2 overall
Key wrestlers: Jake Allred, Jr., 189; Mitch Baker, Sr., 138; Hayden McLellan, Jr., 160
Outlook: The Pioneers graduated five starters and will now look to the underclassmen to build back up. Baker is the top senior, with 60 career wins. Baker reached regionals as a sophomore, which is what Allred also did, last winter. Allred, who is slated at 189 after wrestling 215 a year ago, gives ’Stoga some toughness and talent up top, while McLellan was a regional qualifier two years ago and was selected to the postseason, once again, as a sophomore.
Church Farm Griffins
Church Farm’s Sebasian Chiesa. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)
Head coach: Art Smith, 16th year
Key wrestlers: Sebastian Chiesa, Jr., 132; Marvellous Utobunwa-Nwachukwu, Sr., 120; Sibo Tuyishimire, Sr., 138
Outlook: The Griffins did not compete last season, due to Covid, and are anxious to get back on the mats. Chiesa reached regionals as a freshman, going 17-8 in the process, and he is the most-experienced wrestler on the roster. Utobunwa-Nwachukwu and Tuyishimire collected double-digit wins two years ago, and bring some leadership. Seniors, Navriel Martinez (160) and Yohannan Brown (215), and junior Kwadwo Onyinah (172) will be the pace-setters in the second half of the lineup.
Malvern Prep Friars
Malvern Prep’s Jack Wehmeyer (Nate Heckenberger – for MediaNews Group)
Head coach: Nate Lautar, 11th year
Key wrestlers: Nick Feldman, Sr., 285; Jack Wehmeyer, Sr., 182; Caden Rogers, Sr., 220; Andrew Connolly, Sr., 195; Spencer Barnhart, Jr., 132
Outlook: Coming off a season where the Friars ended as the No. 1-ranked team in the country, they begin at No. 2, behind Wyoming Seminary, according to Matscouts. The lineup is loaded, and it starts with Feldman, who’s the top-ranked pound-for-pound wrestler in the country, also by Matscouts. He’s committed to wrestle at Ohio State after graduation, and is joined by seven other nationally-ranked teammates — Anthony Mutarelli (106 pounds, 15th), Jack Consiglio (120, 25), Nick O’Neill (126, 16), Barnhart (16), Reed Fullmer (145, 24), Wehmeyer (2) and Connolly (13). Malvern also boasts seniors Owen Quinn (160) and Isaiah Wright (170), as well as two-time national prep placer, Tommy Link (113). The Friars are so stacked, two-time prep national champ, Cole Deery (285), is a backup.
Westtown Quakers
Head coach: Jay Farrow, 36th year
Key wrestlers: Nicolo Seoul, Sr., 138; Yoonha Nam, Sr., 170; Erick Iraheta, Sr., 220
Outlook: Another casualty of the Covid year, Westtown is anticipating getting back to competition of a year off. As usual, the Quakers will use their strength in numbers in the Friends School League, where they have typically fared well. Seoul, Nam and Iraheta are returning starters, and Farrow is looking for contributions from newcomers, Patrick McKinley (145), Ian McKinley (152), Santi Benbow (16) and Jake Dynan (182).
