South Central Regional Semifinals Set in Hershey

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The District 3/South Central Regional Class AAA wrestling Tournament rarely lacks excitement – especially in the recent past. After a hard day of grappling some of the Mid-State’s top wrestlers advanced to the Championship semifinals moving one win away from a PIAA State Tournament berth. Others are fighting their way back through the consolation rounds in hopes of keep their seasons going.

View the updated brackets here!

(# is the wrestler’s current South Central Regional Ranking)

Visit PennLive’s complete coverage of the South Central Regional Tournament here!

 

106 lbs.

Semifinalists:

#1 Connor Sheehan (Solanco) vs. #3 William Kaldes (Cumberland Valley)

#2 Brett Kulp (Exeter Township) vs. #6 Zurich Storm (New Oxford)

Finalists Prediction:  #1 Connor Sheehan (solanco) vs. #2 Brett Kulp (Exeter Township)

Returning PIAA State runner-up and South Central Regional Champion Connor Sheehan is the experienced horse in this race and look for him to earn a spot in Hershey with a win over CV freshman Will Kaldes. Exeter Township’s Brett Kulp entered the Tournament as the #2 ranked wrestler in the Region but he will be up against a formidable foe in Zurich Storm. The New Oxford freshman, ranked #6 in the Region, knocked off #4 Aaron Rump (Chambersburg Area) in the quarterfinals by a surprising (14-3) major decision. Kulp needed a (5-4) decision over returning PIAA State Qualifier #5 Devin Schnupp (Warwick) to advance to the semifinals. For Devin Schnupp his sophomore season came to a sudden end when he lost in the consolation rounds to Conestoga Valley’s #11 Jose Morales (10-4).

 

113 lbs.

Semifinalists:

#2 Dylan Chatterton (Central York) vs. #6 Mike Bracey (Kennard Dale)

#1 TyShawn White (Central Dauphin) vs. #4 Derek Wilson (South Western)

Finalists Prediction: #2 Dylan Chatterton (Central York) vs. #1 TyShawn White (Central Dauphin)

In a re-match from last week’s Section 5 finals at 113 lbs. returning PIAA State Qualifier Dylan Chatterton will face off against Kennard Dale’s Mike Bracey. Chatterton defeated Bracey (6-1) last week and I predicts a similar result this time around. Returning PIAA Class AA State Medalist TyShawn White (Central Dauphin) has been sharp all season and will face South Western’s Derek Wilson in another re-match. Last month White defeated Wilson (7-0) and again I expect a similar result in the semifinals. Exeter Township freshman #3 Austin DeSanto fell to Derek Wilson in ultimiate tie breaker and held on for a (1-0) victory in the consolation round to keep his season alive. He will face #5 Evan Bogdan (Palmyra Area) in the next round.

 

120 lbs.

Semifinalists:

#2 Zach Clingan (Spring Grove Area) vs. #1 Zack Ulerick (Middletown Area)

#3 Own Wherley (South Western) vs. #8 Chandler Olson (Shippensburg Area)

Finalists Prediction: #2 Zach Clingan (Spring Grove Area) vs. #3 Owen Wherley (South Western)

The top half semifinals is a match that could very well be the finals as I feel both wrestlers are the top two in the weight. #1 Zack Ulerick is an experienced senior with PIAA State hardware but due to an injury that kept him out the entire regular season I am leaning towards #2 Zach Clingan to advance to the finals. Clingan is a well polished wrestler who has over 140 wins in his four year career at Spring Grove Area. In the opposite side sophomore Owen Wherley was a fifth place finisher at 106 lbs. in 2013 and looks poised to earn his first PIAA State Tournament birth. Freshman #8 Chandler Olson advanced to the semifinals with a sudden victory win over #4 Aaron Wildonger (Twin Valley). Olson was defeated last week in the Section 1 finals by #7 Cal Reichart (Cumberland Valley) who fell to Ulerick (7-5 OT) in the quarterfinals. Rechart is still alive in the consolation round. Look for Warwick’s Josh Charles to rebound from a quarterfinal defeat to Owen Wherley and advance to the consolation semifinals.

 

126 lbs.

Semifinalists:  

#1 Rodney Sunday (Dallastown Area) vs. #3Connor Moyer (Wilson West Lawn)

#7 Tristian Watts (Exeter Township) vs. #4 Daniel Grant (Twin Valley)

Finalists Predictions:  #1 Rodney Sunday (Dallastown Area) vs. #4 Daniel Grant (Twin Valley)

Returning PIAA State Medalist Rodney Sunday will have a tough semifinal match against Wilson West Lawn’s Connor Moyer. The senior has peaked at the right moment and last week upset Twin Valley’s Daniel Grant in the finals of the Section 4 Championship finals by a (9-4 SV) win in overtime. Grant, a returning PIAA State Qualifier, will face Exeter Township’s senior Tristian Watts for the third time this season. Grant defeated Watts twice already this season by scores of (3-2) and (3-1). I expect Grant to make it three in a row against Watts in the semifinals. #2 Garrett Kyner (Chambersburg Area) is still alive in the consolation bracket after falling to Connor Moyer (5-3) in the quarterfinals. The third and fourth place wrestlers are going to be in for a dog fight to determine the final two Sate Qualifier spots.

 

132 lbs.

Semifinalists:

#1 Zach Elvin (Central Dauphin) vs. #3 Jonathan Ross (Northern York)

#2 Matt Grossman (Manheim Township) vs. #6 Alex Wolfe (Cumberland Valley)

Finalists Prediction:  #1 Zach Elvin (Central Dauphin) vs. #2 Matt Grossman (Manheim Township)

A ton of talent encompasses the 132 lbs. bracket. A total of nine (9) State ranked wrestlers make up this bracket; which in total includes four (4) total State medals, eleven (11) Regional medals, and eight (8) trips to the PIAA State Tournament. Returning PIAA State Medalist and South Central Regional finalist #1 Zach Elvin (Central Dauphin) downed Wilson West Lawn’s senior #8 Mike Hafer in the quarterfinals for the second time in the last two weeks. 2012 PIAA State runner-up #2 Matt Grossman is on a mission to return to the PIAA State Tournament after finishing as the runner-up as a sophomore in 2012. Grossman will take on tough senior #6 Alex Wolfe (Cumberland Valley) in the semifinals. Elvin, on the other hand, will have to take on #3 Jonathan Ross (Northern York) who is looking to improve on his sixth place medal at Regionals in 2013. In the preliminary round Wolfe faced Section 4 Champion and 2x PIAA State Medalist #4 Joey Fick (Oley Valley) and held on for a (1-0) decision over the senior. Fick responded by defeating former PIAA State Qualifier #7 Nick Shield (Dallastown Area) in the consolation round (3-0) to remain alive. Grossman narrowly escaped Big Spring senior #5 Greg Warner in the quarterfinals (7-6) but the Bulldog is still alive in the consolation round. Warner is in search of his third trip to the GIANT Center for the PIAA State Tournament and this season may be the toughest road yet in a loaded bracket.

 

138 lbs.

Semifinalists:

#1 Patrick Duggan (Cumberland Valley) vs. #7 Kody Hart (Solanco)

#3 David Rump (Chambersburg Area) vs. #2 Cortlandt Schuyler (Manheim Township)

Finalists Predictions: #1 Patrick Duggan (Cumberland Valley) vs. #2 Cortlandt Schuyler (Manheim Township)

Two-time PIAA State Medalist and returning PIAA State runner-up and South Central Regional Champion #1 Patrick Duggan (Cumberland Valley) had no issues advancing to the semifinals and I don’t think he will have much difficulty reaching the Championship finals. Duggan disposed of #4 Lucas Ortiz (Conestoga Valley) in the quarterfinals (13-4) and will face sophomore #7 Kody Hart (Solanco) in the semifinals. Two time South Central Regional Champion and 2x PIAA State Qualifier #2 Cortlandt Schuyler (Manheim Township) advanced to the semifinals with relative ease at 138 lbs. Schuyler will have to get past Chambersburg Area junior #3 David Rump in order to earn his third career South Central Regional Finals appearance. Fans should expect to see a Duggan vs. Schuyler finals that predicts to be high scoring and exciting. The two wrestlers entered the Regional Tournament ranked #2 and #4 in the State respectively. Returning PIAA State Qualifier #5 Wes Hoover (Dallastown Area) and talented sophomore #4 Lucas Ortiz (Conestoga Valley) are both still alive in the consolation bracket.

 

145 lbs.

Semifinalists:

#2 Max Good (Cedar Cliff) vs. #11 Jonah Barley (Penn Manor)

#1 Chad Wickard (Big Spring) vs. #5 Ethan Stever (Exeter Township)

Finalists Prediction: #2 Max Good (Cedar Cliff) vs. #1 Chad Wickard (Big Spring)

A potential re-match from a season ago is brewing at 145 lbs. #2 Max Good (Cedar Cliff) qualified for the PIAA State Tournament in his first two seasons but was disqualified from the South Central Regional Tournament last season forcing his season to end on the spot. Good was disqualified from the Tournament after falling to Big Spring’s Chad Wickard (5-3) in the semifinals. #1 Wickard went on to finish as the runner-up, advance to the PIAA State Tournament, and earned a PIAA State Seventh Place Medal. It is no sure thing that these two seniors meet in the finals as Wickard nearly fell to #7 Garrett Stauffer (West York Area) winning (9-6 TB) in tiebreaker. Wickard will take on talented junior #5 Ethan Stever (Exeter Township) in the semifinals. #2 Max Good advanced to the semifinals with a (3-0) win over #3 Felix Belga (Cumberland Valley) and will face #11 Jonah Barley (Penn Manor) in the finals. Good should have no issues getting past the surprise freshman finalist from Section 3. Sophomore #3 Felix Belga was upset in the consolation round falling to #NR J.P. McCaskey senior Adam Peris (4-3). #7 Garrett Stauffer (West York Area) remains alive in the consolation bracket

 

152 lbs.

Semifinalists:

#1 T.C. Warner (Cumberland Valley) vs. #3 Parker Eldle (Wilson West Lawn)

#7 Jake Colello (Cedar Cliff) vs. #2 Mason Bentzel (Spring Grove Area)

Finalists Prediction: #1 T.C. Warner (Cumberland Valley) vs.#2 Mason Bentzel (Spring Grove Area)

2x PIAA State runner-up #1 T.C. Warner (Cumberland Valley) is on a mission and he has disposed of all those who stepped in his way thus far. I expect that streak to continue in the semifinals and finals of the South Central Regional. Warner will face Wilson West Lawn senior #3 Parker Eldle in the semifinals. Eldle used a pair of regular decisions to advance to the semifinals. On the other half returning PIAA State Medalist #2 Mason Bentzel (Spring Grove Area) will take on Cedar Cliff senior #7 Jake Colello in an intriguing match-up. Although I am giving Bentzel the nod over Colello, do not be surprised if the Cedar Cliff senior upsets Bentzel. Like several other weights the final two PIAA State Tournament qualifying spots will be up for grabs among a handful of able wrestlers. Garen Spot’s #4 Will Finkey and #5 Pat Scarborough (Kennard Dale) are both still alive in the consolation round and have potential to advance.

 

160 lbs.

Semifinalists:

#1 Garrett Peppelman (Central Dauphin) vs. #NR Jack Habowski (Lampeter-Strasburg)

#3 Jared Seigrist (Manheim Central) vs. #2 Ian Shannon (Carlisle Area)

Finalists Prediction: #1 Garrett Peppelman (Central Dauphin) vs.#2 Ian Shannon (Carlisle Area)

2012 PIAA State Champion and #1 Garrett Peppelman (Central Dauphin) is in a league of his own at the South Central Regional. A season after falling to undefeated State Champion Chance Marsteller in both the South Central Regional and PIAA State Finals Peppelman is on track to reclaim both Championships. #1 Peppelman will have no problem with unranked junior Jack Habowski (Lampeter-Strasburg). On the other half senior #2 Ian Shannon (Carlisle Area) is in search of his first career appearance at the PIAA State Tournament. Shannon will take on Manheim Central junior #3 Jared Seigrist in what expects to be a tight bout. Seigrist downed #4 Bailey Shutt (Lower Dauphin) in the quarterfinals (3-2). Shutt, along with #9 Drew Peck (Chambersburg Area), and #10 Sam Marsicano (Mechanicsburg Area) are still alive in the consolation bracket.

 

170 lbs.

Semifinalists:

#1 Chance Marsteller (Kennard Dale) vs. #5 Calvin O’Farrell (Chambersburg Area)

#2 Cody Seibert (Big Spring) vs. #3 Ben Swarr (Garden Spot)

The honest question at 170 lbs. is what three wrestlers will finish behind #1 Chance Marsteller. The undefeated 3x South Central Regional and PIAA State Champion is a man among boys and everyone knows it. I anticipate a competitive match between #2 Cody Seibert (Big Spring) and #3 Ben Swarr (Garden Spot) in the semifinals that is a re-match from the consolation round  semifinals last season. In that match Seibert pinned Swarr in (2:41) to advance to the consolation finals and punch a ticket to the GIANT Center. This season Swarr is again on pace to earn his first career trip to the PIAA State Tournament. In the quarterfinals Swarr had an impressive (11-5) decision over returning PIAA State Qualifier #4 Kyle Narber (West York Area). Both Seibert and Swarr are career pinners and don’t be surprised if this one ends in a slap of the mat for a second straight time. Senior #4 Kyle Narber (West York Area) is a favorite to advance through the consolation bracket and will in all likelihood face Calvin O’Farrell in the consolation semifinals.

 

182 lbs.

Semifinalists:

#2 Kyle Koser (Northern York) vs. #8 Charlie Hoffman (New Oxford)

#1 Josh Colello (Cedar Cliff) vs. #3 John Shorter (Manheim Township)

Finalists Prediction:  #2 Kyle Koser (Northern York) vs. #1 Josh Colello (Cedar Cliff)

#1 Josh Colello (Cedar Cliff) will be taking on #3 John Shorter (Manheim Township) in a battle of familiar foes. Last season John Shorter pinned Josh Colello in the consolation finals to finish in third place. This season, however, when the two returning PIAA State Qualifiers met Josh Colello was victorious (4-2). On the other half Northern York senior #2 Kyle Koser is sitting pretty atop 182 lbs. Koser has only one (1) defeat on the season (to Lancaster Catholic senior #2 Class AA State ranked Stephen Loiseau 15-0) and will be facing an opponent he recently defeated. Koser will take on #8 Charlie Hoffman (New Oxford) whom he defeated (12-4) on January 24, 2014. If history repeats it self Koser will advance to the finals and earn his first career PIAA State Tournament qualification. The gap between the top three ranked wrestlers and the rest of the field is larger than most weights and the consolation bracket is up for grabs. #5 Casey Glunt (James Buchanan) and #9 Trey Baker (Spring Grove Area) are both in position to push for a medal.

 

195 lbs.

Semifinalists:

#1 Jan Johnson (Governor Mifflin) vs. #4 Hasan Alic (Carlisle Area)

#6 Tommy Bennett (Hempfield) vs. #2 Dylan Herb (Shippensburg Area)

Finalists Predictions: #1 Jan Johnson (Governor Mifflin) vs. #2 Dylan Herb (Shippensburg Area)

The 195 lbs. bracket is in my opinion the second toughest weight-class in terms of depth of talent right behind 132 lbs. In the quarterfinals two returning PIAA State Medalists faced off when #1 Jan Johnson (Governor Mifflin) escaped #3 Tommy Rayhart (Big Spring) with a (2-1) decision. Johnson now will take on returning PIAA State Qualifier #3 Hasan Alic (Carlisle Area) in yet another tough match-up. Alic was a South Central Regional runner-up last season at 220 lbs. Hempfield senior #6 Tommy Bennett advanced to the semifinals with a (4-3) win over #5 Adam Gilson (Cedar Crest). Bennett will face #2 Dylan Herb (Shippensburg Area) a week after he upset Tommy Rayhart in the Section 1 finals at 195 lbs. #5 Gilson and #3 Rayhart are both still alive in the consolation bracket and both will need to pull off big wins in order to earn a PIAA State Tournament berth. The top six (6) ranked wrestlers at 195 lbs. in the South Central Regional are all currently ranked in the Top 20 in the State.

 

220 lbs.

Semifinalists:

#1 Hunter Hatlee (Wilson West Lawn) vs. #7 David Wuestner (Lower Dauphin)

#3 Lucas Chestnut (Mechanicsburg Area) vs. #2 Bo Spiller (Solanco)

Finalists Prediction: #1 Hunter Hatlee (Wilson West Lawn) vs. #2 Bo Spiller (Solanco)

The semifinal match-up between #3 Lucas Chestnut (Mechanicsburg Area) and #2 Bo Spiller (Solanco) will be a closely contested bout. Chestnut used a (5-0) win over #5 Matt Reinhart (Reading) to advance into the semifinals. Lower Dauphin senior #7 David Wuestner scored an impressive (4-2) victory over #4 Seth Janney (South Western) in the quarterfinals and will face 2x PIAA State Qualifier #1 Hunter Hatlee (Wilson West Lawn) in the semifinals. Hatlee is a solid wrestle earned a quarterfinal victory over #6 Scott Six (Gettysburg Area) by a score of (11-5). Six is a 195 lbs. wrestler who bumped up to 220 lbs. for the post-season and owns a (7-2) win over #7 Wuestner last month. #4 Janney and #6 Six will meet in the next round of consolations while #5 Matt Reinhart remains alive as well.

 

285 lbs.

Semifinalists:

#1 Thomas Haines (Solanco) vs. #4 Andrew Brown (Harrisburg)

#2 Joey Goodhart (Hempfield) vs. #3 Garrett Spiewak (Mechanicsburg Area)

Finalists Prediction:  #1 Thomas Haines (Solanco) vs. #2 Joey Goodhart (Hempfield)

Much like 170 lbs. the question at heavyweight is which wrestlers earn medals behind #1 Thomas Haines. The Solanco senior is in search of his third South Central Regional Championship on the road to his fourth PIAA State Championship. Haines fell to East Pennsboro’s Zach Nye at the 2011 Regional Tournament but was able to win the PIAA State Championship two weeks later. Like 220 lbs. the semifinal match-up between #2 Joey Goodhart (Hempfield) and #3 Garrett Spiewak (Mechanicsburg Area) predicts to be a very close bout. Goodhart is a returning PIAA State Qualifier while Spiewak only has one defeat on the season. Harrisburg senior #4 Andrew Brown has a chance to wrestle back after facing Thomas Haines in the semifinals and earn his career first Regional medal.

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