For many wrestlers in District 1, the Class 3A Southeast Regional is THE tournament.
Just getting to Hershey, for the state tournament, and accomplishing that milestone is a huge hurdle cleared, whether as a young wrestler trying to establish oneself or a veteran with one last chance to compete in the Giant Center.
For a smaller percentage, regionals is a chance to set oneself up to climb the podium and even chase a state title.
Either way, the mats at Oxford High will be rolled out again, Friday and Saturday, for 13 16-man brackets that will produce top-five qualifiers for states.
The action begins Friday at 5 p.m., with the first round and quarterfinals. Saturday commences with the first round of consolations at 9:30 a.m., followed by the semifinals. The championship finals, consolation finals and fifth-place matches will start at 6 p.m.
When the dust settles, 208 of the finest District 1 wrestlers will be filtered down to 65, and those left standing will finish their seasons on Pennsylvania wrestling’s grandest stage.
Here is what to look for at each weight class. All state rankings are according to Pa Power Wrestling.
106
Only 26 freshmen qualified for regionals, and, not surprisingly, 10 are here. The top seed is Eren Sement, who’s ranked No. 3 in the state, and he’s looking to become the first freshman regional champ at Council Rock North. Also up top is Central Bucks West’s Teague McCormack, who’s the lone senior in the bracket and is 8-1 since dropping, losing only to Sement. The bottom half is headlined by Haverford’s Cole McFarland, who’s No. 5 in the state, and Council Rock South’s Luke Reitter. McFarland qualified for states as a freshman, while Reitter was sixth in the region at 113. Downingtown West’s Chase Sigle could see McFarland in quarters, and as long as he wins his first, Sigle should be in the mix to place. Spring-Ford’s Gus Smith is another contender for one of those slots. Unionville’s Cole Haines and West Chester Henderson’s Ryan Schalleur are other locals in this bracket.
113
CR North has had a regional champ four straight years, but senior Tony Burke is looking for his first after taking second behind Spring-Ford’s Cole Smith last winter. They are the top two seeds here. Up top with the returning seventh-place state medalist, Burke, is Boyertown’s Luke Heimbach and CB West’s Patrick Kelly. Andrij Szczesniuk makes his debut at regionals, looking to become Coatesville’s first-ever freshman state qualifier. Coatesville has had a regional placer 10 straight seasons, and Szczesniuk is favored in his opener and could see Pennridge’s Cole Coffin in quarters. The winner there likely gets Smith. Sun Valley’s Timmy Kearney could throw a wrench in things, but Szczesniuk has the talent to punch his ticket. Avon Grove’s Christian Ford and Henderson’s Billy Forcine are also in this bracket.
120
Quakertown has only had two wrestlers win two or more regional titles, Pat Flynn in 2006 being the last, but sophomore Mason Ziegler has a chance to join that group already. Ziegler is ranked No. 7 in the state after taking seventh at states as a freshman, but is the No. 2 seed, behind Boyertown’s returning state qualifier, Gavin Sheridan. Kennett’s Kane Lengel hopes to see Sheridan in the quarters, and Sheridan likely sees another Ches-Mont League foe in semis, with Sun Valley’s Shane Holefelder and Henderson’s Carmen Cortese primed for a rubber match in quarters. Expect that trio to contend for spots on the podium. Down low, with Ziegler, Spring-Ford’s Dom Ortlip is the No. 3 seed as a two-time state qualifier. It’d be an upset if that duo doesn’t square off in the semifinals, but this weight should provide some fireworks. Downingtown West’s Kevin Bernhard is in this bracket.
126
Cannon Hershey is sitting on 99 career victories and can become the fourth wrestler from Oxford to be a three-time 3A regional placer. Thanks to the new seeding format that seeds all 16 wrestlers instead of just the sectional champs, Hershey, who’s ranked No. 10 in the state, likely sees No. 12 Quinn Smith of Spring-Ford in quarters. The winner there could get No. 25 Sam Kuhns of Pennridge. Henderson’s Max Jackman will try to knock off Kuhns in quarters, first. Jackman’s third-period pin of Garnet Valley’s Matt Ricci, while trailing 5-2, actually set up the senior Jaguar, who also has 99 career wins, with a better draw. Quakertown’s Todd McGann and Council Rock South freshman, Ben Brillhart, are top challengers for the finals spot on the lower half. Coatesville’s Malik Lavalais and Conestoga’s Miles Warkentine are in this bracket.
132
Half of this bracket is filled by seniors, but Quakertown freshman, Collin Gaj, is the presumed favorite. He’s the No. 2 seed on the lighter half of the bracket, where Henderson’s Billy Wilson is the third-seed. Wilson has a winnable path to the semis, though Hatboro-Horsham’s Christopher Staub is an up-and-comer. Interboro’s Nate Shippey is the top seed as a returning eighth-place state medalist, and he will be tested. A rubber match between Oxford’s Austin McMillan and Sun Valley’s Danny Kearney will send the winner to Shippey in quarters. Owen J. Roberts’ Matt Englehardt is a dark horse, but he gets a North sectional final rematch with Boyertown’s Beck Babb first, before the winner of Neshaminy’s Calvin Lederer and Souderton’s Tyler Geiger. Downingtown East’s Josh Hillestad is also in this bracket.
138
Downingtown West has had a regional champ five straight years but has never had a four-time regional placer. Dom Findora could accomplish both this weekend. Were Findora to win this bracket, he’d become the third wrestler from West with multiple regional titles. He’s ranked No. 2 in the state and is the top seed. A pair of locals, Conestoga’s Mitch Baker and West Chester East’s Max Parnis square off in the first round and the winner likely faces Garnet’s Daniel Husain in quarters, on Findora’s side. The lower half features Perkiomen Valley’s returning state medalist, Kelly Kakos, and Souderton’s Erick Dominguez, a Kansas state champion last winer. They are ranked seventh and ninth in the state, respectively. CR South upstart, Gavin Cole, is a threat in Kakos’ quarter of the bracket, while Boyertown’s Dom Sheridan and Pennsbury’s Mason Grodzki should have a good go in the first round before seeing Dominguez.
145
Boyertown and Council Rock South have the longest active streak of regional placers at 19 years. That’s every year of South’s existence and the two programs could duke it out for supremacy at this weight. Boyertown’s returning eighth-place state medalist, Chance Babb, is the No. 1 seed while CR South’s Shermuhammad Sadriddinov is the two seed. Abington’s Shane Kibler and Quakertown’s Zach Borzio have been to states before and Garnet Valley’s Chris Wood and Henderson’s Palmer Delaney have been knocking on the door in previous years. Those are the six names many would figure to be last standing, but Owen J. Roberts’ Sam Gautreau and Spring-Ford’s Ryan Lepore can’t be counted out. Downingtown East’s Noah Pagaduan also hopes to surprise some people.
152
The Ches-Mont League and Suburban One League both have five wrestlers here, but this is Suburban One’s bracket to lose. CR South’s Bekhruz Sadriddinov, North Penn’s Will Morrow and Central Bucks East’s Mason Stein are the top three seeds and picked to finish that way. Sadriddinov and Morrow, a returning eighth-place state medalist with 98 career wins, have split decisions this season, and Stein reached states as a junior. Strath Haven’s Kelton Brunner is the fourth seed as a returning state qualifier. If Unionville’s Topher Tryon can shake off his third-place finish from a week ago, he could keep himself in the mix, and Henderson’s Brett Patton could hang around with his explosive style. Patton starts with Spring-Ford’s Anthony Attilio, whom beat Patton at district duals. Sun Valley’s Alexander Gamble-Williams had an impressive showing last week, and he gets a rubber match with Kennett’s Josh Kochersperger in the first round. Great Valley’s Nick Mort starts with Morrow.
160
CR South hasn’t had a regional champ since 2019, which is a drought for District 1’s premier program. Top-seeded Matt Colajezzi could fix that. He took fourth at states as a junior, is ranked No. 1 in the state and is the active wins leader in the district with 138. Lower Merion’s Jack Lledo, a regional champ at 172 as a junior, should give him his best shot as the No. 4 seed. On the lower half, a pair of cousins own the No. 2 and 3 seeds. Strath Haven’s Chase Barlow is the two as the No. 6 ranked kid in the state, and Kennett’s Josh Barlow hopes to meet him in the semis. Chase Barlow has a chance to become Haven’s first four-time state qualifier, with fifth, fourth and third-place finishes his first three seasons. West Chester Rustin’s Ryan Corp opens with Pennridge’s Talan Hogan, a tough freshman will have a say on who gets out. Conestoga’s Hayden McLellan has a winnable opener to get to Lledo in the quarters. Great Valley’s Sully Seeley was a late addition due to injury.
172
This could be the bracket of ending streaks, or starting new ones. Interboro’s one and only regional champ was Ron Teufel in 1974. Top-seeded Dom D’Agostino, who has 97 career wins, is ranked second in the state and is positioned to add his name to the shortlist. Marek Seaman is on the opposite side as the No. 2 seed, and hopes to become Rustin’s first regional finalist since 2012. Seaman could see his rival, Darrale Barrett of Kennett, in the semis. CB East’s Nils Updale will be a challenge for Barrett, first. Up top, with D’Agostino, Dillon Bechtold is the No. 4 seed, and he’s looking to restart Owen J. Roberts’ streak of state qualifiers that ended last winter at 16 straight seasons. Like Bechtold, Quakertown’s Calvin Lachman is an impressive sophomore and the two may dance in the quarters. Conestoga’s Bryce Beltrante and Downingtown East’s Connor Huntoon are also in this bracket.
189
There are a tournament-high 12 seniors here and this is the only bracket with no sophomores or freshmen. CB East hasn’t had a regional champ since 2015, but Quinn Collins is No. 3 in the state and the top seed after placing sixth in Hershey as a junior. He’s not lost in 2022, holding a 35-1 record, but he has one of three undefeated wrestlers in the tourney on his side, Strath Haven’s Sam Milligan, who’s the No. 5 seed. Phoenixville’s Owen Koch and Sun Valley’s Chase Thompson are also up top. On the lower half, Garnet’s Sam DiTrolio is the second seed, as he seeks his 100th career win. Garnet has had a regional placer in 15 straight seasons. Conestoga’s Jake Allred has only wrestled nine matches since the new year, but has won eight straight and is the No. 3 seed. Haverford’s Jon Harwood could be Allred’s biggest roadblock to the semis in a half of the bracket that has four Central League wrestlers. Henderson’s Owen McCarthy is in this bracket.
215
Like its crosstown rivals, CB West is also looking for its first regional champ since 2015, and senior Carl DiGiorgio gives the Bucks a good shot at ending that dry spell. He’s ranked No. 2 in the state after a fifth-place finish at states, last winter, and is the top seed. Downingtown West’s Mason Hale is hoping to become the third brother from his family to reach states, and he’s the No. 5 seed. Pottsgrove’s Dominic DeMeno stands in Hale’s way to a potential semifinal against DiGiorgio. On the bottom half, CR South’s Lucas Doyle, the No. 2 seed, and CR North’s Aden Roe may meet in quarters. Kennett’s John Pardo is one of two sophomores in the bracket, and he has a path to the semis where Doyle is expected to be waiting. Kennett has never had more than two wrestlers reach states in the same season, but if his lighter teammates come through, Pardo could help make school history.
285
Upper Darby’s Julien Laventure and Quakertown’s Freddie Retter are ranked No. 3 and 6 in the state, respectively, but Retter earned the top seed. Retter’s path to the finals has less resistance, at least on paper, and Perk Valley’s Cole Euker is up there with him as the only freshman from 172-up to qualify for regionals. Kennett’s Bailey Shindle could very well hang around if he’s on his game. The lower half has more known entities, but maybe none at the level of Laventure, who could become Upper Darby’s third two-time regional champ. West sectional champ, Troy Mack of Downingtown West, looks to avenge a loss to Henderson’s Liam Keevill in the first round. Strath Haven’s Ben Farabaugh and Garnet’s Nicholas Mahoney are big-bodied veterans with regional experience.