2016 Escape The Rock Finals Preview

The 2016 Escape The Rock Finals are set for 3:30 today at Council Rock South High School.

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Full brackets can be found at the Flo Arena and information at the ETR website!

 

106 lbs.

#3 Jaret Lane (Southern Columbia Area) vs. #6 Brandon Kassis (Parkland)

#3 Jaret Lane (Southern Columbia Area) was in trouble late in the third period needing to gain an escape to tie the bout but instead hit a peterson to go ahead (2-1) and hold on for a win over #7 Jacob Dunlap (Belle Vernon Area). In the finals he will meet freshman #6 Brandon Kassis (Parkland) who has looked sharp the entire Tournament picking up a fall in the semifinals over second seed Kurt McHenry (St. Paul’s, MD).

 

 

113 lbs.

#3 Matt Parker (Pennridge) vs. #8 Julian Chlebove (Northampton Area)

One of the most anticipated bout of the finals is by far the battle at 113 lbs. These two are going to put on a show as rookie #8 Julian Chlebove (Northampton Area) will go against #3 Matty Parker (Pennridge). Chlebove, the #1 Top Incoming Freshman in PA, defeated a stout Killian Cardinale of Patriot, VA in the semifinals (5-3). Chlebove funked out of several shots from Cardinale and flurried well. PIAA State Medalist Matty Parker avenged a loss to #5 Aiden Burke (Council Rock North) from the State Tournament a year ago coming away with a (3-1) decision over his District 1 rival.

 

 

120 lbs.

Joey Prata (Saint Christopher’s, VA) vs. #2 Dan Moran (Northampton Area)

#2 Daniel Moran (Northampton Area) was impressive against POWERade medalist Daniel Planta (St. Pauls, MD) earning a (9-4) decision to advance into his second career ETR finals. As a freshman Moran was a finalist at 106 lbs. finishing as the runner-up. Last season at 113 lbs. Moran fell in the semifinals of the ETR and was forced in injury default into fifth place. He will meet Joey Prata (St. Christopher’s, VA) who last season finished third at the ETR at 113 lbs. and won over Moran by injury default in the consolation semifinals.

 

 

126 lbs.

#14 Lucas Miller (Boyertown Area) vs. #5 KJ Fenstermacher (Liberty)

Senior #14 Lucas Miller (Boyertown Area) appears to have bounced back at 126 lbs. upsetting the top seed and 3x National Prep Medalist Nick Lattanze (Malvern Prep) in the semifinals (1-0). Miller, a PIAA State Medalist, will meet junior and fellow PIAA State Medalist #5 KJ Fenstermacher (Liberty) in the finals. Fenstermacher’s offense has been in high gear the whole Tournament and in the semifinals poured it on #7 Kordell Rush (Pennridge) by major decision (10-1).

 

 

132 lbs.

#1 Zack Trampe (Council Rock South) vs. #6 Wyatt Long (Cumberland Valley)

The State’s top ranked wrestler at 132 lbs. #1 Zack Trampe (Council Rock South) may not be putting up points like he is used to but the junior is getting the job done. In the semifinals Trampe controlled a (9-4) decision over sophomore and returning PIAA State Medalist Zack Hartman (Belle Vernon Area). If Trampe relaxes and lets his offense flow he should capture his first ETR Championship belt. Standing in his way is a consistent grappler #6 Wyatt Long (Cumberland Valley). Long has looked sharp and aggressive this Tournament and will challenge Trampe on the mat. These two did not meet at this season’s CV Kick-Off Classic where Trampe was the Champion and Long was third.

 

138 lbs.

#14 Riley Palmer (Council Rock South) vs. #9 William Kaldes (Cumberland Valley)

The second Council Rock South vs. Cumberland Valley match-up will take place at 138 lbs. with #14 Riley Palmer (Council Rock South) and #9 William Kaldes (Cumberland Valley). Palmer is looking for his second straight ETR Championship belt having won it in 2015 all the way down at 106 lbs. Surprisingly enough so to was William Kaldes who last season finished third at the ETR. Kaldes and Palmer did not meet in the Escape The Rock but did face off in the CV Kick-Off Classic finals at 106 lbs. There Palmer dominated picking up a tech-fall (15-0) against Kaldes. Both are now up five weight-classes and their styles are much different. Palmer won in the semifinals by injury default over JT Cooley (Boyertown Area) who suffered a neck injury. Kaldes survived a late assault by #16 Jacob Lizak (Parkland) winning (5-3) over the senior.

 

 

145 lbs.

#2 Jarod Verkleeren (Belle Vernon Area) vs. Eric Hong (The Kiski School)

A rematch from a week ago will take place at 145 lbs. with junior #1 Jarod Verkleeren (Belle Vernon Area) and Eric Hong (The Kiski School). Last week in the Westmoreland County Coaches Association Tournament semifinals Verkleeren won a quality match (5-1) over Hong before falling in the finals to #1 Cameron Coy (Penn Trafford). Hong is looking for his second straight ETR Championship Belt after winning the 132 lbs. bracket last season.

 

 

152 lbs.

Dominic Mandarino (Don Bosco Prep, NJ) vs. #6 Dylan Schwartz (Council Rock South)

#6 Dylan Schwartz (Council Rock North) survived a barnburner of a match in the semifinals with (7-6) over #18 Hunter Vogels (Boyertown Area). Schwartz got a late takedown to win the come from behind match. He faces the top seed Dom Mandarino of Don Bosco Prep, NJ in the finals who got past #3 Felix Belga (Cumberland Valley) in the semifinals (3-2).

 

 

160 lbs.

Kyle Bierdumpfel (Don Bosco Prep, NJ) vs. #10 Mitchell Hartmann (Belle Vernon Area)

#10 Mitch Hartman (Belle Vernon Area) continued his streak of knocking-off higher ranked wrestlers when he upset #7 Bailey Shutt (Lower Dauphin) in sudden victory (3-1 SV). He will meet the top seed Kyle Bierdumpfel (Don Bosco Prep, NJ) in the finals.

 

 

170 lbs.

#1 Austin Bell (Belle Vernon Area) vs. #1 Jacob Oliver (Huntingdon Area)

#1 State Ranked wrestlers Austin Bell (Belle Vernon Area) and Jacob Oliver (Huntingdon Area) will face off in the 170 lbs. finals. Oliver, a PIAA State Runner-up, took care of business against Cade Moisey (Northampton Area) winning (5-0). Bell himself had a quality win by fall over #13 Trent Cook (Cumberland Valley) in the semifinals. Bell, who is undefeated, is going for a trifecta having already won Championships at the Walsh Ironman and POWERade. Oliver can slow down a MAC truck an Bell likes to hit high value moves so it will be interesting to see the two styles clash.

 

 

182 lbs.

Antonio Agee (Hayfield, VA) vs. Mike Beard (Malvern Prep)

Hayfield, VA wrestler Antonio Agee is a strong brute who upset top seed #2 Kyle Gentile (Pennridge) in the semifinals. Agee and Gentile went into ultimate tiebreaker with Agee earning the win with an escape. On the bottom half sophomore Mike Beard (Malvern Prep) was untested in the semifinals against #4 Gregg Harvey Jr. (Boyertown Area) almost picking up a tech-fall (14-0).

 

195 lbs.

#1 John Jakobsen (Stroudsburg) vs. Rashon Lusane (Malvern Prep)

PA’s top Class AAA wrestler at 195 lbs. #1 John Jakobson (Stroudsburg) was only on the mat for (2:38) on Saturday winning by fall in his two lone matches. On Sunday morning he won by major decision over #6 Joe Doyle (Council Rock South) in the semifinals (10-1). The senior is in search of his second straight Escape The Rock Championship Belt having won the 182 lbs. Championship a season ago. In the finals Jackobson will meet National Prep Third Place Medalist Rashon Lusane (Malvern Prep). Last season in the semifinals of the ETR Jackobson defeated Lusane (7-0) at 182 lbs. and the Malvern Prep wrestler bounced back to finish third.

 

 

220 lbs.

#1 Jordan Wood (Boyertown Area) vs. Seth Janney (Malvern Prep)

A rematch of the 2015 PIAA State Championship finals between #1 Jordan Wood (Boyertown Area) and Seth Janney (Malvern Prep) will take place at 220 lbs. Last March Wood won (4-0) over Janney at 220 lbs. to capture his first PIAA State Championship in three attempts. In the semifinals Wood took it to junior #2 Coley Nye (Bishop McDevitt) winning (10-1).

 

 

285 lbs.

#1 Andrew Gunning (Liberty) vs. Eric Chakonis (Don Bosco Prep, NJ)

#1 Andrew Gunning (Liberty) will look to stay undefeated on the season as the top seed faces off with Eric Chakonis (Don Bosco Prep, NJ). In the semifinals Chakonis upset second seed #7 Tommy Killoran (Boyertown Area) by decision (5-3).

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