FloNationals Preview & Predictions

The 2012 FloNationals will be taking place this weekend in Philadelphia, PA at Drexel University. The Nation’s best wrestlers will collide and only one will be crowned FloNational Champion. Wrestling begins on Saturday at 8:00 AM and the finals will take place on Sunday at 4:00 PM. Here is a preview of each weight class at the FloNationals and my predictions for this major off-season tournament. For complete coverage and information on the event click here.

 

106 LBS:

 

The Stud:

The stud at this weight is Zahid Valencia from St. John Bosco in California. This freshman is ranked #1 in the Nation by InterMat and #2 in the Nation by TheOpenMat. This season Valencia won the Walsh Ironman title at 106 LBS and he recently won his first California State title with a season record of 40-0.

 

The Contenders:

The East Coast contenders include PA’s Scott Parker, Jake Gromacki, Luke Pletcher and A.C. Headlee, along with New Jersey Senior Jan Rosenberg and New York’s Nick Piccininni. At 106 LBS Pennridge’s Scott Parker was a 4^th place finisher in the PIAA State AAA Tournament and was this seasons Champion at the Bethlehem Holiday Classic. Gromacki is a sophomore and 2x PA State place winner, finishing 6^th this season at 106 LBS. Pletcher has already caught the Nation’s attention as just an 8^th grader when he placed 4^th at the Super 32 High School Division at 106 LBS. Pletcher recently won his 5^th straight Pennsylvania Junior Wrestling Championship. Headlee is a talented freshman from Waynesburg Central that finished the season 42-3 and was behind three PIAA State Place winners in his region. New Jersey State 3^rd place finisher this season at 106 LBS, Jan Rosenberg from Morris Knolls, was 37-2 as a senior and should compete for a medal at the FloNationals. New York’s Lucas Malmberg, a senior, is a 2x New York Division II State Champion. Joining him is Nick Piccininni, a freshman from Ward Melville, recently won his first New York Division I State Championship at 106 LBS and should also compete for a medal.

 

Notables:

Other notable names at 106 LBS are California State place winners Isaiah Hokit and Matt Smull. Hokit, a freshman, placed 4^th at 106 LBS while Smull, a junior, placed 8^th at 106 LBS. Wisconsin’s junior Bobby Nachreiner is a 3x State medal winner and should fair well. New Jersey 7^th place finisher at 106 LBS AJ Vindici, a freshman, and sophomore Jean DuBois a NJ State qualifier at 106 LBS should also fair well at the Flo Nationals.

 

PA Power Wrestling’s Predictions:

1. Zahid Valencia-California
2. Luke Pletcher-Pennsylvania
3. Scott Parker-Pennsylvania
4. Jake Gromacki-Pennsylvania
5. Nick Piccininni-New York
6. A.C. Headlee-Pennsylvania
7. Jan Rosenberg-New Jersey
8. Issiah Hokit-California

 

113 LBS

 

The Stud:

J.R. Wert a junior from Christiansburg, VA, who PA Wrestling fans may remember, is the one to beat at the 2012 FloNationals. Wert wrestled for Bellefonte, PA for part of his freshman season before moving to Georgia where he won the State Championship at 112 LBS. During his sophomore year Wert moved to Christiansburg, VA where he won a VA Class AA State title in 2011 at 112 LBS and again this season at 120 LBS. This season Wert placed 3^rd at the Super 32 at 113 LBS, placed 5^th at the Walsh Ironman Tournament at 113 LBS, and placed 3^rd at the Beast of the East at 113 LBS. Wert has the National experience and credential which makes him a favorite to take the title at 113 LBS.

 

The Contenders:

Four relatively equal opponents will challenge J.R. Wert in the 113 LBS bracket with California State runner-up Jonas Gayton of Clovis, Minnesota Class AA State Champion Kyle Gliva from Simley, and Pennsylvania 3^rd place finisher Sam Krivus from Hempfield Area. Gayton is a junior ranked 14^th in the Nation at 113 LBS by InterMat and recently finished 2^nd at the California State Championships falling to #4 in the Nation Isaiah Locsin. Kyle Gilva is a junior ranked 13^th in the Nation by InterMat and #16 in the Nation by TheOpenMat. Gilva recently won the Minnesota Class AA State Title. Sam Krivus is a freshman who placed 6^th at the Super 32 and 3^rd at both the POWERade Holiday Tournament and the PA State Championships at 113 LBS. Krivus is ranked #20 in the Nation by Intermat and #19 in the Nation by TheOpenMat.

 

Notables:

PA has a pair of State AAA medal winners who will compete for a spot on the FloNationals podium. North Allegheny sophomore Dom Forys is a 2x State place winner who finished 3^rd this season at 106 LBS and was a FloNationals 6^th place finisher a year ago at 103 LBS. Joining Forys is Chambersburg junior Tanner Shoap who this season was a Walsh Ironman Tournament 8^th place finisher at 113 LBS and a PA State 7^th place finisher at 113 LBS. New Jersey sophomore Luis Gonzalez from North Bergen will also add to the 113 LBS field. Gonzalez finished 4^th at the New Jersey State Championships at 113 LBS. Coming down a weight is Connecticut sophomore Will Crisco who recently won the New England Championship at 120 LBS.

 

PA Power Wrestling’s Predictions:

1. J.R. Wert-Virginia
2. Sam Krivus-Pennsylvania
3. Kyle Giva-Minnesota
4. Jonas Gayton-California
5. Dom Forys-Pennsylvania
6. Tanner Shoap-Pennsylvania
7. Will Crisco-Connecticut
8. Luis Gonzalez-New Jersey

 

120 LBS

 

The Stud:

Senior Godwin Nyama made Pennsylvania history when he became the first District 8 wrestler to win a State Championship and now Nyama is looking for his first FloNationals title. Last season Nyama finished 3^rd at the FloNationals at 112 LBS. This season the Pittsburgh recruit placed 5^th at the Walsh Ironman Tournament, won the PowerADE Holiday Tournament, and captured the PA State AAA title at 120 LBS. Nyama also placed 7^th at the Super 32 at 120 LBS and is ranked #12 in the Nation at 120 LBS by InterMat.

 

The Contenders:

Nyama’s competition won’t be far away with PA’s Jason Nolf and Zeke Moisey leading the group of contenders. Nolf was a PA State Champion last season at 103 LBS and the Kittaning sophomore suffered his first career defeat this season when he finished 3^rd in the PA State AA Tournament at 113 LBS. Nolf is ranked #6 in the Nation at 113 LBS by InterMat. Zeke Moisey, a sophomore from Bethlehem Catholic, was a PA State AA runner-up this season at 120 LBS and is ranked #13 in the Nation at 120 LBS by TheOpenMat. This season Moisey was a Walsh Ironman 3^rd place finisher at 113 LBS and a Beast of the East runner-up also at 113 LBS. 2x New England Champion Ryan O’Boyle, a senior from Massachusetts, won this years New England title at 126 LBS in dominating fashion. O’Boyle will be well tested at the 2012 FloNationals. 3x North Carolina State Champion Garrison White, who won his third this season at 126 LBS, and a FILA Cadet 3^rd place finisher in Freestyle will add to the depth at 120 LBS.

 

Notables:

Three New Jersey State medal winners will be joining the 120 LBS field with 4^th place finisher Ricky Carter from Timber Creek, 5^th place finisher Anthony Giraldo from North Bergen, and 7^th place finisher Max Rogers from Delbarton. Both Carter and Giraldo were Beast of the East medal winners this season at 120 LBS; Giraldo placed 4^th and Carter placed 8^th. PA’s Corey McQuiston and Mike Marino were also both Beast of the East medal winners. McQuiston placed 5^th at 120 LBS and defeated Ricky Carter (6-2). Mike Marino placed 7^th at 120 LBS defeating Carter (3-2 in TB). McQuiston is a senior who placed 8^th this season at the PA State AAA Tournament Marino, a sophomore, was a PA State AAA qualifier at 113 LBS.

 

PA Power Wrestling’s Predictions:

1. Godwin Nyama-Pennsylvania
2. Jason Nolf-Pennsylvania
3. Zeke Moisey-Pennsylvania
4. Corey McQuiston-Pennsylvania
5. Anthony Giraldo-New Jersey
6. Garrison White-North Carolina
7. Ryan O’Boyle
8. Mike Marino-Pennsylvania

 

 

126 LBS

 

The Stud:

Freshman Anthony Valencia from St. John Bosco, California recently earned his first State title when he won the California State Championship at 126 LBS. Valencia also placed 8^th this season at the Walsh Ironman Tournament at 126 LBS.

 

The Contenders:

Harvard recruit Jeff Ott from Belmont Hill, Massachusetts is a senior who will contend for a FloNational title. Ott was a National Prep runner-up this season at 126 LBS and is currently ranked #15 in the Nation by InterMat. Ott placed 4^th at the FloNationals a year ago at 125 LBS. Pennsylvania is well represented by several top wrestlers such as senior C.J. Palmer, junior Nick Zanetta and freshman Josh Maruca. Palmer lost his first match at the PA State AAA Tournament and came all the way back to place 3^rd at 126 LBS. Keystone Oaks junior Nick Zanetta was a PA State AA runner-up this season at 126 LBS. As a freshman Maruca already has medals from the PowerADE Tournament and the PA State AAA. Maruca placed 5^th at 126 LBS at the PA State Tournament and 4^th at the POWERade Tournament. Sophomore New Jersey State runner-up Gary Dinmore from Hunterdon Central will look to challenge the top wrestlers. Sophomore Tyler Berger, already a 2x Oregon State Champion and FILA Cadet 4^th place finisher in Freestyle will look to improve on his 4^th place finisher in last years FloNationals.

 

Notables:

The FloNationals will include this years New York Division I State Champion and runner-up at 126 LBS. Senior Maverick Passero defeated fellow senior Sam Speno (2-1) in the New York Division I finals at 126 LBS. Both New Yorkers should compete for a medal at FloNationals. New Jersey State place winner Jalen Ramous, a senior from Central Regional, will compete for a medal. New York senior Corey Dake placed 3^rd in the New York State Division II Championship. Dake’s older brother Kyle recently won his third straight NCAA Division I title for Cornell. North Carolina junior wrestler Jake DeAngelo from South Alamance placed 3^rd in the State AAAA Tournament at 126 LBS. 3x Tennessee State Champion Brandon Brunner may end up with a medal here as well.

 

PA Power Wrestling’s Predictions:

1. Jeff Ott-Massachusetts
2. Anthony Valecia-California
3. C.J. Palemer-Pennsylvania
4. Tyler Berger-Oregon
5. Gary Dinmore-New Jersey
6. Josh Maruca-Pennsylvania
7. Maverick Passero-New York
8. Sam Speno-New York

 

132 LBS

 

The Stud:

Sophomore California State Champion Nikko Villarreal from Gilroy High School is the top wrestler in the weight class, ranked #12 in the Nation by InterMat and #14 in the Nation by TheOpenMat. Nikko won the California state title at 132 LBS this season by pulling one of the biggest upsets in the Nation when he downed Cornell recruit and previous 3x State Champion Alex Cisneros in the State finals (5-3)

 

The Contenders:

New Jersey State Champion Scott DelVecchio from South Plainfield had an undefeated junior season finishing 44-0 and earning a State title at 133 LBS. Florida freshman Fox Baldwin will challenge for a FloNationals title. The Kissimmee-Osceola wrestler was a PowerADE 4^th place finisher at 138 LBS and a Florida State AAA Champion at 138 LBS. Pennsylvania State medalists John Dutrow and Joe Galasso are both entered at 132 LBS where the finished 4^th and 5^th in the PA State AAA Championship respectively. Dutrow is a dangerous mat wrestler who pinned Galasso in 0:53 at the State Tournament. Senior Dylan Cohen from Williamsville East High School in New York was a Division I State runner-up this season at 132 LBS. Joining Cohen from the Empire State are the 2012 Division II 132 LBS State Champion and runner-up. Junior Connor Lapresi from Lansing, New York won the title over Duanesburg senior Curt Rowely (6-3) at 132 LBS.

 

Notables:

Several notables in this weight class. California 2x State medal winner Victor Lopez culd sneak onto the medal stand, as well as Jake Smith, a 3x Virginia State medalist before heading West his senior year and placing 5^th this year at the California State Tournament. Junior Devin Reynolds from McNary High School Oregon was a Oregon 6A State Champion this season at 132 LBS with a dominating performance throughout the State Tournament. Camden Catholic junior Chad Walsh was a New Jersey State 5^th place finisher this season at 138 LBS and also won the Bethlehem Holiday Classic at 138 LBS. Joining Walsh from New Jersey are NJ State place winners Joseph Esposito, a senior from St. Augustine, who took 7^th at 138 LBS and senior Jesse Meaney who finished 6^th at 132 LBS in the NJ State Tournament. Also in the mix will be Wisconsin senior Nate Hennes who won the Wisconsin State Division I Championship at 132 LBS this season. Hennes finished the season with a 50-6 record.

 

PA Power Wrestling’s Predictions:

1. Nikko Villarreal-California
2. Scott DelVecchio-New Jersey
3. Fox Baldwin-Florida
4. Connor Lapresi-New York
5. John Dutrow-Pennsylvania
6. Devin Reynolds-Oregon
7. Chad Walsh-New Jersey
8. Joe Galasso-Pennsylvania

 

 

138 LBS

 

The Stud:

Senior Alex Cisneros from Selma, California will be heading east next season to wrestle for Cornell. He is ranked #2 in the Nation at 132 LBS by InterMat and will enter the 2012 FloNationals as a 3x California State Champion and 2x Super 32 Champion. Despite suffering a major upset in the State Finals this season when he lost (5-3) to Gilroy sophomore Nikko Villarreal, Cisneros is still the clear favorite at 138 LBS at the 2012 FloNationals.

 

The Contenders:

Not far behind is Minnesota junior Jake Short from Simley High School. Short is ranked #3 in the Nation at 145 LBS by InterMat and he has captured a State title in all three of his high school years. Short was also a Junior Nationals Freestyle runner-up. North Carolina senior Tony Deangelo is ranked #12 in the Nation at 138 LBS by InterMat and is a 2x North Carolina AAAA State Champion. Wrestling in his future home, Matt Cimato from LaSalle College High School, PA will attend Drexel next season and will look to start the journey with a FloNationals championship. Cimato, ranked #8 in the Nation at 138 LBS, is a PA State AAA 2x medal winner, finishing 3^rd in 2011 and 4^th this past March at 138 LBS. Cimato also placed 4^th in last seasons FloNationals. California senior Willie Fox, ranked #15 in the Nation at 145 LBS by InterMat, was a State Champion this season at 145 LBS. Joining Fox from California is junior Shayne Tucker who was a State runner-up this season at 138 lBS. Tucker is ranked #17 in the Nation by InterMat.

 

Notables:

New Jersey State runner-up this season Tyler Hunt, a senior from South Plainfield, will compete for a medal at 138 LBS. Hunt came into the New Jersey State Championships undefeated and left with one loss and a silver medal. Coming all the way from Hawaii is senior Bryan Peralta from Punahou, Hawaii. Peralta is a 2x State Champion, winning this years title at 152 LBS. Maryland’s George Weber, a junior from John Carroll, is a 3x Prep National medal winner, placing 3^rd in 2012 at 145 LBS. Also able to medal this year are New York’s Anthony Finochario and New Jersey’s Tyler Hunt. Finochario, a senior, was a New York State Division II runner-up this season at 138 LBS. Hunt was also a runner-up this season, finishing 2^nd at 138 LBS in the New Jersey State Championships.

 

PA Power Wrestling’s Predictions:

1. Alex Cisneros-California
2. Jake Short-Minnesota
3. Willie Fox-California
4. Matt Cimato-Pennsylvania
5. Tony DeAngelo-North Carolina
6. Shayne Tucker-California
7. George Weber-Maryland
8. Tyler Hunt-New Jersey

 

 

145 LBS

 

The Stud:

Joey Lavallee from Reno, Nevada will be the top wrestler at 145 LBS. Ranked #14 in the Nation at 145 LBS by InterMat, Lavallee is junior and a 3x Nevada State Champion. In addition Lavallee was a Junior Freestyle 5h place finisher and a FILA Cadet Freestyle Champion.

 

The Contenders:

Senior T.J. Fox from Mogadore Field High School in Ohio finished 3^rd at the 2012 Ohio Division II State Tournament at 145 LBS. It was Fox’s third time placing at the Ohio State Tournament finishing 7^th his sophomore season and 2^nd his junior season. Fox is looking to improve upon his 3^rd place finish at the 2011 FloNationals. PA’s Chris Yankowich from Germantown Academy was a 2011 National Prep Champion and a 3^rd place finisher this season at 138 LBS. The senior also placed 6^th this season at the Beast of the East at 138 LBS. Kentucky junior Kevin Cooper recently won his second Kentucky State Championship, winning the 145 LBS weight class, and was also a Cadet Freestyle 5^th place finisher. Senior Joey Moon from North Carolina went undefeated his senior season winning the North Carolina State title at 145 LBS. It was Moon’s second State title.

 

Notables:

West Virginia’s Cody Spinks is a 2x State Champion, winning the 152 LBS title in 2012. Michigan’s Logan Maricicki, a sophomore from Detroit Central Catholic, was a 2011 Michigan Division I State Champion his freshman year at 130 LBS. Logan was also a Cadet National double All-American. Pennsylvania’s Justin Staudenmayer, a junior from Plymouth-Whitemarsh and his District 1 rival Brandon Arnsberger, a senior from Octorara, will both compete for medals. Arnsberger was a 2x PA State medal winner. Keep an eye on freshman Myles Martin from McDonogh, Maryland at 145 LBS. Martin is a freshman and recently was the National Prep runner-up at 152 LBS. Also, Pennsylvania junior Kyle Barnes was a State Class AA runner-up this season at 145 LBS.

 

PA Power Wrestling’s Predictions:

1. Joe Lavallee-Nevada
2. Chris Yankowich-Pennsylvania
3. T.J. Fox-Ohio
4. Joey Moon-North Carolina
5. Brandon Arnsberger-Pennsylvania
6. Logan Maricicki-Michigan
7. Cody Spinks-West Virginia
8. Myles Martin-Maryland

 

 

152 LBS

 

The Stud:

Isaiah Martinez was a 2011 FloNationals runner-up and this season he is the favorite to take the title at 152 LBS. Martinez is ranked #2 in the Nation by InterMat. The junior from Lemoore, California won his 2^nd straight State title this season and recorded all falls en route to the 152 LBS California State Championship.

 

The Contenders:

There are several high quality wrestlers who will push Martinez for the title including several Nationally ranked competitors. InterMat’s #10-#12 in the Nation at 152 LBS will all be in Philadelphia this weekend. #10 Josh Llopez has an extensive resume as only a sophomore. Llopez, from La Plata, Maryland, is a 2x Maryland State Champion, a Super 32 Challenge Champion, and a Cadet Freestyle 3^rd place finisher. #11 is Minnesota’s Nick Wanzek from Simley High School. Wanzek, a junior, has been in the Minnesota Class AA State finals all three years and has captured the State title in his last two attempts. In 2012 Wanzek won the State Championship at 152 LBS with a tech-fall in the finals. #12 is Nick Becker, a senior from Hartford, Wisconsin. Becker is a 4x Wisconsin State Division I medal winner, capping his career with a State Championship this season at 152 LBS. Becker was also a Junior National double 7^th place finisher.

 

Notables:

Maryland’s sophomore Toby Hague from McDonogh is a 2x National Prep medal winner, placing 7^th his freshman year and finishing as the runner-up this season at 160 LBS. Hague was a Beast of the East 8^th place finisher this season at 160 LBS and was a past 2x Cadet National Freestyle All-American. Georgia senior Hunter Gamble was a 3x Georgia Class AAAA finalist during his 4 years at Union Grove High School. Gamble claimed the Georgia State Championship his senior year at 160 LBS. Pennsylvania State Class AA runner-up Pete Renda will look to earn a 2012 FloNationals medal. Renda, a junior from Brandywine Heights, was a State runner-up at 152 LBS this season. Indiana State Champion Isaiah Bradley, a junior from Muncie Southside High School, won his first Indiana State title this season at 152 LBS.

 

PA Power Wrestling’s Predictions:

1. Isaiah Martinez-California
2. Josh Llopez-Maryland
3. Nick Wanzek-Minnesota
4. Nick Becker-Wisconsin
5. Toby Hague-Maryland
6. Isaiah Bradley-Indiana
7. Peter Renda-Pennsylvania
8. Hunter Gamble-Georgia

 

 

160 LBS

 

The Stud:

Joey Davis, a senior from Santa Fe, California will be the one to beat as he already has a FloNational Championship to his name. Davis was a 3x California State finalist in his four years, winning the State title in his last two seasons. In 2012, Davis won the 152 LBS State Championship.

 

The Contenders:

A talented group follows suite behind Davis. Coming down from 170 LBS is Minnesota senior Micah Barnes. Barnes, from Simley High School, is ranked #5 in the Nation at 170 LBS by InterMat and was a 3x Minnesota Class AA State Finalist, winning the State title this year at 170 LBS. Barnes capped his senior season with a 48-0 record and was also a Junior Nationals Freestyle 7^th place finisher. Joey Davis may face a familiar opponent at the 2012 FloNationals as California’s Victor Pereira will be making the trip to Philadelphia also. Pereira was a Super 32 4^th place finisher in 2011 at 160 LBS. Pereira is ranked #9 in the Nation by InterMat and was a 3x California State medal winner in his four years at Newark Memorial High School. Twice Pereira was a runner-up including this season when Joey Davis defeated him 12-5 in the California State finals at 160 LBS. Also making the drop from 170 LBS is Georgia junior Tyler Askey who is already a Class AAAA 3x State Champion for Northgate High School. Askey has won State titles at 140 LBS, 152 LBS, and this season at 170 LBS. The junior will look to improve on his 3^rd place finish a year ago at the 2011 FloNationals.

 

Notables:

Pennsylvania State Class AA runner-up this season at 160 LBS was junior Cody Law from Forest Hills High School. Law was also a previous Cadet National double All-American. Additionally, 160 LBS New Jersey State runner-up Philip Bakuckas, a senior from Hammonton High School, will compete for a medal. Sophomore Dakota Sizemore from Moeller, OH was a 3^rd place finisher this season at 152 LBS in the Division I Ohio State Championships. Indiana’s Kirk Johnson is a 2x State medal winner finishing 3^rd this season and is also a Junior Greco-Roman 8^th place finisher.

 

PA Power Wrestling’s Predictions:

1. Joey Davis-California
2. Tyler Askey-Georgia
3. Micah Barnes-Minnesota
4. Victor Pereira-California
5. Phillip Bakuckas-New Jersey
6. Dakota Sizemore-Ohio
7. Keaton Subjek-California
8. Cody Law-Pennsylvania

 

 

170 LBS

 

The Stud:

Senior Zach Nevills is ranked #10 in the Nation at 170 LBS and recently won his first California State Championship. The Clovis High School wrester and Stanford recruit placed all four years at the State Tournament finishing 5^th as a freshman, 2^nd as a sophomore, 3^rd as a junior, and 1^st this season. As a freshman Nevills placed 7^th at the POWERade Tournament at 171 LBS.

 

The Contenders:

Not far behind are several top quality wrestlers with proven track records who could all find themselves earning medals at the 2012 FloNationals. #16 in the Nation at 170 LBS according to InterMat is Steven Elicegui from Wooster Nevada. The senior will be making an early trip to Drexel where in the fall he will begin his academic and wrestling career. Elicegui was a Nevada AAAA State Champion in both his junior and senior seasons. New York junior Zack Zupan from Canastota High School has already won two New York Division II State Championships and was a NHSCA Freshman National Champion in 2010. West Virginia senior Tory Bennett from Berkley Springs finished his high school career at Berkley Springs with a 217-8 record, the most wins by a wrestler in West Virginia State history. Bennett was a 3x West Virginia Class AA State Champion and is heading to Lock Haven in the fall.

 

Notables:

Pennsylvania will have a trio of wrestlers competing for a medal at the 2012 FloNationals at 170 LBS, all who placed at the State AAA Championships this season at 170 LBS. 3^rd place finisher junior Jake Taylor from Bald Eagle Area High School, 4^th place finisher Connor Moran from Solanco High School, and 5^th place medal winner Geno Morelli a senior from DuBois Area High School. Moran may have the opportunity to wrestle his future teammate Steven Elicegui as both wrestlers are heading to Drexel University in the fall. Both Taylor and Morelli were Super 32 place winners this season finishing 4^th and 6^th respectively at 170 LBS while Morelli is a returning 3^rd place medal winner from a season ago at the 2011 FloNationals.

 

PA Power Wrestling’s Predictions:

1. Zach Nevillis-California
2. Steven Elicegui-Nevada
3. Tory Bennett-West Virginia
4. Jake Taylor-Pennsylvania
5. Connor Moran-Pennsylvania
6. Zach Zupan-New York
7. Geno Morelli-Pennsylvania
8. Shane Nelson-New Jersey

 

 

182 LBS

 

The Stud:

Senior Nikko Reyes from Clovis West High School in California is the #5 ranked wrestler in the Nation at 182 LBS according to InterMat. Reyes is a 2x California State Champion and both a NHSCA Sophomore and Junior National Champion. The senior will be heading to the University of Illinois in the fall.

 

The Contenders:

Senior Kevin Beazley from Detroit Central Catholic is ranked #15 in the Nation at 182 LBS by InterMat. The Old Dominion recruit won his first Michigan Division I State Championship this season at 189 LBS. At the 2011 FloNationals Beazley was a runner-up at 189 LBS and was also a Super 32 7^th place finisher in 2011. In addition Beazley was a Junior National runner-up in Greco-Roman. Ryan Wolfe, ranked #18 in the Nation by InterMat, was a 2011 Beast of the East Champion at 182 LBS. The Caravel Academy senior won the Delaware State title this season at 182 LBS after finishing as the runner-up his junior season.

 

Notables:

Pennsylvania seniors Chris Jastzebski and Ray O’Donnell will look to earn medals at the 2012 FloNationals. O’Donnell was a 3^rd place finisher this season in the Pennsylvania Class AA 195 LBS Championship and last summer was a Cadet double All-American. Jastzebski finished 5^th this season in the Pennsylvania Class AAA 182 LBS Championship and also was a NHSCA Junior Nationals 8^th place finisher. Also looing to earn a 2012 FloNationals medal is California junior Trevor Smith. Smith, from Ripon High School, was a California State 6^th place finisher this season at 182 LBS.

 

PA Power Wrestling’s Predictions:

1. Nikko Reyes-California
2. Kevin Beazley-Michigan
3. Ray O’Donnell-Pennsylvania
4. Ryan Wolfe-Delaware
5. Chris Jastrzebski-Pennsylvania
6. Alex DeCiantis-Pennsylvania
7. Jacob Berkowitz-New York
8. Liam Korbul-New Jersey

 

 

195 LBS

 

The Stud:

Illinois senior Gage Harrah is ranked #5 in the Nation by InterMat and recently competed in the Dappar Dan Classic where he won (5-3) over Pennsylvania’s Perry Hills. Harrah, who will attend Drexel University in the fall, was a 2x Illinois State Champion and 4x State medal winner for Crystal Lake Central High School. Additionally, Harrah was a 2x Junior National Freestyle All-American.

 

The Contenders:

2012 National Prep runner-up at 195 LBS Dylan Devine from Dematha, Maryland will contend for the 2012 FloNationals medal. The senior was also a National Prep 3^rd place finisher his junior year. Texas senior Troy Mercer was a Super 32 8^th place medal winner in 2011 and was 2x Texas State place winner, finishing as the runner-up his senior season at 195 LBS. California sophomore Jeramy Sweany from Vacaville High School was a 2012 California State 8^th place medal winner and last summer was a Cadet Greco-Roman 8^th place finisher. New Jersey senior Tyler Rios was a 2011 State 4^th place winner in 2011 at 189 lBS and in 2012 he was undefeated and ranked #1 in the State before his season was ended when he was late for school on the first day of the District Tournament.

 

Notables:

2011 Ohio State Division I 8^th place finisher Jerry Thornberry and this seasons Walsh Ironman 6^th place finisher at 195 LBS will contend for a medal at the 2012 FloNationals. Pennsylvania State Class AAA qualifier Hunter Hatlee, a sophomore from Wilson West Lawn High School, should fair well at 195 LBS.

 

PA Power Wrestling Predictions:

1. Gage Harrah-Illinois
2. Dylan Devine-Maryand
3. Tyler Rios-New Jersey
4. Jeremy Sweany-California
5. Hunter Hatlee-Pennsylvania
6. Jovon Reyes-Pennsylvania
7. Troy Mercer-Texas
8. Jerry Thornberry-Ohio

 

 

220 LBS

 

The Stud:

Sophomore sensation Kyle Snyder is the real deal at 220 LBS. Both InterMat and TheOpenMat rank him #1 in the Nation at 220 LBS. Snyder won his 2^nd straight National Prep Championship for Good Counsel in Maryland. In addition, last summer Snyder was a Cadet National double All-American, winning the Freestyle Championship.

 

The Contenders:

InterMat’s #8 in the Nation at 285 LBS Nick Nevills will be making the drop to 220 LBS for the 2012 FloNationals. The sophomore from Clovis, California has placed twice at the California State Championships, winning the 285 LBS title in 2011 and finishing 3^rd in 2012. Nevada junior Spencer Empey is a 2x Nevada State Champion and ranked as the #15 best in the Nation at 220 LBS by InterMat. Emey was a NHSCA Sophomore National runner-up last season. New Jersey junior Roy Lucas from St. Joseph Hammontown High School was a 2012 State 3^rd place finisher at 220 LBS.

 

Notables:

Pennsylvania sophomore Mike Boykin from Coatsville High School was a Regional Champion and Pennsylvania State Class AAA qualifier at 220 LBS this season. New Jersey freshman Zack Chakonis from Don Bosco Prep was a State 6^th place finisher in his first year of high school at 220 LBS. Chakonis was also a Beast of the East 5^th place finisher at 220 LBS this season. New York senior Patryk Kopcynski from Brooklyn Tech was a New York Division I State 4^th place finisher at 220 LBS this season. Ohio senior Kody Bellamy was a Ohio Division III State 3^rd place finisher this season at 220 LBS.

 

PA Power Wrestling’s Predictions:

1. Kyle Snyder-Maryland
2. Spencer Empey-Nevada
3. Nick Nevills-California
4. Roy Lucas-New Jersey
5. Zach Chaknis-New Jersey
6. Mike Boykin-Pennsylvania
7. Patrick Kopczynski-New York
8. Kody Bellamy-Ohio

 

 

285 LBS

 

The Stud:

Ohio senior Nick Tavanello from Wadsworth High School is ranked #9 in the Nation at 285 LBS by InterMat. The Ohio State recruit is a 4x Ohio Division I State place winner and a 3x State Champion. This season Tavanello won the title at 285 LBS with a (6-5) tiebreaker win in the finals.

 

The Contenders:

2x Delaware State Champion Dink Purnell is ranked #11 in the Nation at 285 LBS by InterMat and will compete with Tavanello for the title at 285 LBS. The senior from A.I. DuPont was a Beast of the East runner-up this season at 285 LBS and will be heading to West Virginia University next season to compete for the Mountaineers.

 

Notables:

New York Division II State runner-up Alex Soutiere is a junior and will compete for a medal. Joining Soutiere from New York is senior Cole Lampman, Lampman was a 2012 New York Division I State 3^rd place finisher and a 2011 State 5^th place finisher. Pennsylvania senior Chuck Boddy from Germantown Academy was a National Prep 3^rd place finisher this season at 285 LBS and also a Beast of the East 7^th place finisher. Also from Pennsylvania is Hopewell High School’s Damon Sims Jr. who this season was a State Class AAA qualifier at 285 LBS.

 

PA Power Wrestling’s Predictions:

1. Nick Tavanello-Ohio
2. Dink Purnell-Delaware
3. Chuck Boddy-Pennsylvania
4. Alex Soutiere-New York
5. Skip Conner-Michigan
6. Cole Lampman-New York
7. Damon Sims Jr.-Pennsylvania
8. Pat Effein-Ohio