VIRGINIA BEACH – For the second year in a row both Chris Wright (Central Dauphin) and Gavin Hoffman (Montoursville) are leaving the NHSCA Nationals in Virginia Beach as Champions. In 2016, competing in the Sophomore Nationals, Chris Wright had an impressive run to the National Title at 113 lbs. while Gavin Hoffman dominated his way to a 195 lbs. Championship – his third straight NHSCA National Championship.

Fast forward a year and Chris Wright, now a junior at Central Dauphin, is a 3-time PIAA State Medalist finishing in fourth the last two seasons. At the NHSCA Junior Nationals Chris earned the top seed and recorded three falls, two decisions, and a tech-fall to advance into his second straight NHSCA National Finals. There the Central Dauphin Ram took on 2-time New York State Champion Orion Anderson. Despite giving up a takedown in the first period Wright escaped twice and Anderson took neutral in the third period to avoid going under the tilting junior. After back-to-back scoreless periods on their feet the pair went into tiebreak with Wright escaping in the first. In tiebreaker two Wright rode out Anderson to pick up the (3-2) win and his second straight NHSCA Nationals Championship. It was Wright’s third straight NHSCA Nationals Medal as he was seventh at 106 lbs.

2-time PIAA State Champion Gavin Hoffman (Montoursville) had no issues last season in the sophomore NHSCA Nationals picking up three tech-falls, a major decision, and a fall in the Championship finals. This season, returning to 195 lbs. for the Junior Nationals, Hoffman again rolled into the National finals with two tech-falls, two major decisions, and a fall. In the finals Hoffman faced 2017 California State Champion Tony Andrade, an impressive junior whose stock increased following his State Championship in January 2017. 

The pair battled their way to a (4-4) tie in the third period after exchanging takedowns in the second period and each escaping twice. With under (0:30) left in the third period Hoffman was pressing the action on their feet and connected on a head inside single near the edge with six seconds left for the go-ahead win (6-4). Hoffman is now just one NHSCA National Title away from completing the circuit with four straight.

Overall Pennsylvania earned 14 NHSCA Junior National medalists in Virginia Beach. In addition to the two National Champions the Keystone State had four National Runner-ups. At 138 lbs. 2015 PIAA State Champion and 2017 PIAA State Runner-up Cole Matthews (Reynolds) was the runner-up falling to 4-time New York State Champion Jacori Teemer in the finals (7-5). 

At 152 lbs. 2-time PIAA State Runner-up Robert Patrick (Ligonier Valley) fell to Aaron Brooks (North Hagerstown, MD) who won his third straight NHSCA National Championship (7-3). Clearfield Area junior Luke McGonigal, a 2017 PIAA State Runner-up, finished second at 170 lbs. falling to New York State Champion Tyler Barnes (14-4).

2017 PIAA State Qualifier Blake Barrick (Big Spring) was the NHSCA National Runner-up at 195 lbs. dropping a (5-3) bout to 2017 Minnesota State Champion Caden Steffen. PIAA State Champion Justin McCoy (Chestnut Ridge) improved on his 7th place finish from 2016 by taking third place at 145 lbs. 

Pennsylvania juniors Andrew Wert (Central Dauphin), Zach Hartman (Belle Vernon), and Jack Davis (Wyoming Seminary) each earned their third straight NHSCA National Medals. 

Full brackets are on the Flo Arena.

 

 

NHSCA JUNIOR NATIONALS

 

106 LBS
1st Dylan Ryder (NY) DEC Jonathan Prata (CA), 11-4
3rd Kyle Kaiser (NJ) DEC Drew Schafer (NY), 3-0
5th Jarod Kosman (CT) TF Devin Sweeney (VA), 17-2 6:00
7th Jon Charles (NY) DEC Jonathan Consorti (Wilson Area), 1-0

113 LBS
1st Jace Koelzer (KS) DEC Nicolas Aguilar (CA), 3-2
3rd Josiah Nava (CO) DEC Cole Laya (WV), 3-1
5th Anthony Sciotto (NY) F Enrique Sanchez (NJ), 4:54
7th Ty Smith (NV) DEC Isaiah Delgado (TX), 9-2

120 LBS
1st Chris Wright (Central Dauphin) DEC Orion Anderson (NY), 3-2 TB2
3rd Drew Bennett (IA) F Graham Shore (OH), 2:54
5th Chase Bittle (IL) FOR Colin Poynter (IN)
7th Bradley Bitting (GA) FOR Brian Stuart (MD)

126 LBS
1st Elijah Palacio (CA) F Weston Diblasi (MO), 5:20
3rd Melquisedec Ortiz (CT) FOR Micah Visuwan (Malvern Prep)
5th Ryan Moore (KY) DEC Matt Kazimir (OH), 2-0 SV
7th Justin Vines (NY) DEC Nathaniel White (MD), 10-3

132 LBS
1st Joseph Silva (FL) DEC Alex Felix (CA), 3-1
3rd Saul Ervin (KY) DEC Andrew Wert (Central Dauphin), 4-3
5th Dawson Bates (GA) DEC Michael Millage (IA), 3-2
7th Jacob Butler (OK) DEC Aaron Diaz (CA), 4-2

138 LBS
1st Jacori Teemer (NY) DEC Cole Matthews (Reynolds), 7-5
3rd Larry Johnson (ID) DEC Trent Johnson (KY), 6-4 SV
5th Mason Eaglin (WA) MD Tony Mendoza (CA), 8-0
7th Jack Davis (Wyoming Seminary) DEC Zach Melloh (IN), 3-1

145 LBS
1st Anthony Artalona (FL) MD Kasper McIntosh (IN), 12-3
3rd Justin McCoy (Chestnut Ridge) DEC Jake Silverstein (NY), 5-0
5th Ryan Luth (CT) TF Peter Enos (NV), 15-0 4:51
7th Joey Sanchez (OH) MD Josh Laubach (MD), 16-5

152 LBS
1st Aaron Brooks (MD) DEC Robert Patrick (Ligonier Valley), 7-3
3rd Zach Hartman (Belle Vernon) DEC Riley Smucker (OH), 6-1
5th Oscar Diaz (CA) F Ron Miller (VA), 1:39
7th Brady Chrisman (OH) FOR Lucas Cordio (MA)

160 LBS
1st Erich Byelick (FL) DEC Billy Higgins (NE), 3-1 SV
3rd Michael Petite (NJ) DEC Jonathan Loew (NY), 13-6
5th Cade Wilson (Nazareth Area) DEC Colt Yinger (OH), 6-0
7th Jimmy Noel (AR) F Ryan Devivo (CT), 5:46

170 LBS
1st Tyler Barnes (NY) MD Luke McGonigal (Clearfield Area), 14-4
3rd Matt Gaiser (NY) F Tate Samuelson (CO), 3:04
5th Kyle Homet (Waynesburg Central) DEC Jayden Woodruff (CO), 6-5
7th Joey Mazzara (NV) MD Jordan Florence (VA), 17-6

182 LBS
1st Caden Steffen (MN) DEC Blake Barrick (Big Spring), 5-3
3rd Gerardo Hernandez (CA) DEC Jake Thompson (OH), 3-2
5th Thomas Penola (IN) DEC Jack Flynn (MO), 14-7
7th Justin Johnson (OK) DEC Jacob Henderson (GA), 6-1

195 LBS
1st Gavin Hoffman (Montoursville) DEC Tony Andrade (CA), 6-4
3rd Zach Elam (MO) DEC Garrett Joles (WI), 5-4
5th Tony Wuest (DE) FOR Dakota Howard (OH)
7th Kyle Lightner (NJ) DEC Joe Miller (NV), 8-2

220 LBS
1st Peter Acciardi (NJ) DEC Ben Goldin (FL), 2-1
3rd Liridon Leka (NJ) DEC Javier Salvador (TN), 3-1
5th Bryce De maille (MD) F Daniel Conley (MO), 2:11
7th Qumari Jackson (SC) DEC Cameron Walker (VA), 7-5

285 LBS
1st Terrese Aaron (MO) DEC Deonte Wilson (NY), 3-1
3rd Paul Robinson (GA) DEC Adrian Hitchcock (MO), 7-3
5th Cade Ridley (GA) DEC Trevor Burns (VA), 3-0
7th Michael Burchell (CT) DEC Alex Leasure (OH), 10-4