GREENSBORO, NC – There were plenty of Pennsylvania Wrestlers outside of the 16 medalists at the Super 32 who impressed us in Greensboro, NC. We look at five names who didn’t end on the podium but who left an impression with quality wins and toughness.

 

Sean Pierson

Nazareth Area – 120 lbs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nazareth Area junior Sean Pierson came into his own last season after finishing fourth in the State at 113 lbs. and helping the Blue Eagles win the PIAA State Dual Team Championship. He entered the 2017 Super 32 at 120 lbs. after going (1-2) in 2016. Pierson greatly improved with a (6-2) record this time around and several notable wins. After falling to the Nation’s #1 ranked wrestler Patrick McKee (Minnesota) in the Round of 32, Sean defeated Pennsylvania wrestlers Zack Witmer (4-2) and Lincoln Heck (8-2). Pierson next took out returning Super 32 fourth place medalist and the Nation’s #19 ranked wrestler by Flo Anthony Minninno (New Jersey). In the blood round Pierson again faced #1 Patrick McKee and jumped out to a (3-0) advantage early in the second period. McKee stormed back to win (4-3).  Overall I think Pierson’s Super 32 performance should move his stock up significantly as it appears the junior put on some muscle mass and is growing into the 120 lbs. weight. 

 

Colton Camacho

Franklin Regional – 132 lbs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Franklin Regional junior Colton Camacho won’t be in Spencer Lee’s shadow any longer and the PIAA State Qualifier made strides at the Super 32. Camacho has had an up and down career thus far for the Panthers but, now a little more mature, he should be taking the reins for head coach Matt Lebe. Camacho went (2-2) in Greensboro last season at 120 lbs. and fell to fellow Pennsylvania wrestler Ryan O’Grady (Nazareth) along the way. This season Colton competed at 132 lbs. going (4-2) and challenging the Nation’s top wrestlers. After three straight wins Camacho took on 2x PIAA State Medalist Andrew Wert (Central Dauphin), who recently committed to Army, in the Round of 32. Camacho collected a takedown late in the first period that would prove to be crucial. The two exchanged escapes as Camacho hung on to win (3-1). Wert entered the day ranked #20 in the Nation by Flo while Camacho was unranked. In the Round of 16 Colton took on California stud Jesse Vasquez who would go on to finish as the Super 32 Runner-up. In the match Vasquez recorded three takedowns on Camacho who escaped three times to fall into the consolations (6-3). There he took on the #7 ranked wrestler in the Nation Andrew Alirez (Colorado) who was a returning Super 32 Finalist. After a scoreless first period Camacho escaped in the second but Alirez countered with a reversal in the third period. Down one Colton had to fight for an escape to even the match, which he did with 30 seconds left. In sudden victory neither could finish on a takedown and they went into UTB with Alirez holding the junior down for the win. It was a much better performance from a year ago in Greensboro where Camacho looked unimposing. Defeating a Nationally ranked wrestler and falling, one very narrowly, to two top ten ranked wrestlers is nothing to be disappointed in. If he can stay focused and healthy throughout the season Camacho will be challenging for a spot on the podium come March.

 

Seth Koleno

Bald Eagle Area – 145 lbs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2x PIAA State Medalist Seth Koleno (Bald Eagle Area) went (3-2) in the 2016 Super 32 but in 2017 the senior walked away from Greensboro with a (6-2) record in two days. Competing at 145 lbs. Koleno recently committed to Clarion where he joins an impressive list of recruits. Koleno knocked off four straight wins to advance into the Round of 16 where he took on super frosh Alex Facundo (Missouri) who had a #12 National ranking by Flo. Following a scoreless first period Koleno escaped to go up (1-0) but then it was all Facundo who went on a tear over the next two periods racking up seven takedowns winning (15-6). Koleno dropped to the consolations where he faced 2017 PIAA State Medalist William Evanitsky (Scranton) in a wild match. Koleno raced out to a (12-3) advantage over Evanitsky picking up two sets of back points, two takedowns, and a reversal. Evanitsky countered with two takedowns but a reversal by Koleno lead to a fall with only 11 seconds left in the match. In his next match Koleno faced PIAA State Medalist and senior Job Chishko (Penn Trafford). Koleno showed resilience when he was down (3-0) late in the third period but with (0:11) seconds left in the match he hit a switch for a reversal and right away locked up a near side cradle. As time ticked away Koleno picked up two back points and won the match (4-3). Despite the quality win Koleno was knocked out of the tournament when he was defeated by the #17 ranked wrestler in the Nation Kasper McIntosh (Indiana) by major decision (14-3). 

 

Thayne Lawrence 

Fraizer – 145 lbs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the biggest surprises, at least for folks outside of Pennsylvania, was PIAA State third place medalist and sophomore Thayne Lawrence (Frazier) at 145 lbs. Thayne won the Mars Super 32 Qualifier and stormed into the quarterfinals in Greensboro, N.C. with some big wins. In the Championship Round of 32 Thayne took down the #3 ranked wrestler in the Nation and top seed Alex Lloyd (Minnesota) with a hard fought (6-4) decision. In his next match Lawrence faced the #19 ranked wrestler in the Nation Drew Scharenbrock of Wisconsin. After rolling to a (9-0) advantage Thayne “I bring the pain” Lawrence stuck Scharenbrock in (4:37) to advance into the Super 32 quarterfinals. There he took on the #8 ranked wrestler in the Nation, Mason Phillips (Washington), who stopped his cinderella run. The two exchanged takedowns and Lawrence took a (4-3) lead in the third period after earning an escape. Phillips connected on a takedown and turn to close out the match (7-4) over Lawrence. Mason Phillips would go on to win the Super 32 Belt. Thayne dropped into the consolations and faced, yet again, the top seed Alex Lloyd (Minnesota). This time around however it was Lloyd who came out on top with a (7-1) win over Lawrence. Lloyd would go on to finish in third place. Despite not finishing in the top eight Thayne officially introduced himself to the National Wrestling stage!

 

Kyle Homet 

Waynesburg Central – 170 lbs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Waynesburg Central senior Kyle Homet has twice qualified for the PIAA State Tournament but has yet to come home with hardware. He’s hoping to change that in 2018. In Greensboro he competed at 170 lbs. and collected a major decision in his first match before falling to 2017 National Prep runner-up Jackson Turley (Virginia). Homet bounced back with four straight wins in the consolations including a (8-5) win over California State Medalist Christian Rodriguez. Once again Kyle ran into Virginia’s Jackson Turley and this time Homet held his own as the two were tied up (4-4) late in the third period when Turley grabbed a takedown and ultimately a fall. Homet fell to the same wrestler twice but proved he has and continues to progress with a (5-2) record at a deep 170 lbs. weight.