Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Pennsylvania Wrestling does not have a strong presence at the 2017 Ironman as in years past but The Keystone State still managed to advanced nine wrestlers into the Championship Quarterfinals at the Nation’s toughest Tournament.

The Surprises

Upon entering Walsh Jesuit High School on Friday I learned that Pennsylvania stud and 2016 Ironman Runner-up Cole Matthews (Reynolds) suffered a defeat in the second round to unseeded wrestler JT Stinson (California). Matthews, the third seed, was eliminated from the Tournament when he fell in the wrestle-backs to eighth seed Tony Mendoza (Selma, CA). 

One wrestler who had people scrambling to figure out who he was came at 120 lbs. with Bethlehem Catholic sophomore Matthew Lackman. He turned heads in round two taking out the 5th seed Christian Nunez (St John Bosco Prep, CA) with a (2-0) decision. Lackman, who is in his first year of varsity action for the Golden Hawks, next took out the 12th seed Anthony Molton (Lockport Township, IL) grinding to a (3-2) win.

The Contenders

Of the nine Pennsylvania wrestlers still alive in the Championship bracket six are seeded in the top four. At 106 lbs. Ryan Miller (Blair/Stroudsburg, PA), a sophomore for the powerhouse Blair Academy, is in the quarterfinals where he will take on unseeded wrestler Diego Sotelo (Illinois). Returning Ironman Champion and Wyoming Seminary sophomore Beau Bartlett looked strong on Day #1 picking up a fall and taking out a strong Kenny Herrmann (Bethlehem Catholic) in the Round of 16.

Two wrestlers remain at 132 lbs. with Bethlehem Catholic’s Ryan Anderson and Mike Madara (Blair/Nazareth, PA) both in the quarters Anderson was a 2016 Ironman runner-up and will face #6 seed Josh Saunders (Missouri) first thing Saturday. Madara, a 2017 National Prep third place medalist, will have his hands full with top seed Joey Silva (Florida).  At 160 lbs. #4 seed Jake Hendricks (Wyoming Seminary) takes on Kevon Freeman (Ohio) for a spot in the semifinals while teammate Darrien Roberts meets #2 seed AJ Ferrari (Texas) in the quarterfinals.

Top seed Michael Beard (Malvern Prep) had no issues advancing at 195 lbs. picking up a (0:17) fall and a tech-fall (25-10). 2017 PIAA State Finalist Ian Edenfield is a one man team competing in his first Ironman Tournament. He will take on #6 seed Johnny Shafer (Graham, OH) in the quarters. Below is a recap of all the Pennsylvania Wrestlers still alive at the Ironman.

 

Quarterfinal Matchups

 

106 lbs.
#4 Ryan Miller (Blair) vs Diego Sotelo (Marmion Academy, IL)

120 lbs.
Matt Lackman (BECA) vs #4 Julian Tagg (Ohio)

126 lbs.
#7 Peyton Hall (WV) vs #2 Beau Bartlett (Sem)

132 lbs.
#3 Ryan Anderson (BECA) vs. #6 Josh Saunders (MO)

#1 Joey Silva (LHP, FL) vs. #8 Mike Madara (Blair)

160 lbs.
#4 Jake Hendricks (Sem) vs #5 Kevon Freeman (Ohio)

182 lbs.
#2 AJ Ferrari (Allen Hs, TX) vs. #7 Darrien Roberts (SEM)

195 lbs.
#1 Michael Beard (Malvern) vs #8 Peter Christenson (Montini Catholic, IL)

220 lbs.
#3 Ian Edenfield (Laurel Highlands) vs. #6 Johnny Shafer (Graham HS, OH)

 

Still Alive:

106 lbs.

Nate Lackman (BECA) vs Richard Delsanter (St Eds)

113 lbs.

Beau Bayless (Reynolds) vs Michael Jaffe (Marmion Academy)

126 lbs.

Kenny Herrmann (BECA) vs Connor Gaynor (Mt Carmel)

138 lbs.

Jack Davis (Sem) vs Luka Wick (San Marino)

Henry Hague (Malvern) vs Colton Yapoujian (Ponoma)

145 lbs.

Cole Handlovic (BECA) vs Frankie Talshahar (Heritage)

152 lbs.

Luca Frinzi (BECA) vs Aurelius Dunbar (Mercersburg)

170 lbs.

Nick Florschutz (Malvern) vs Nate Jiminez (Marmion)

195 lbs.

Jarod Miller (Reynolds) vs Ty Kwak (Christianburg)

220 lbs.

Michael Doggett (Sem) vs Andy Smith (Christianburg)