Odds are more than a few people will confuse this Thomas tournament with the one a week later at Bedford, but they are not related in any way. I wasn't sure what to expect out of this tournament, being that it is in its first year, but it looks like it could turn out to be pretty decent. The finals will feature some very good matchups and a few of the weights will have very good semis. At 120, even the quarterfinals should be good.
For a complete look at each team, click on the link and the NWCA site includes a full roster and records for each individual wrestler. I'll also list the top wrestler(s) from each team along with rankings from Off the Mat (OTM) and PA Power Wrestling (PAPOW)
Competing teams
Blairsville - Scott Thompson (182, Jr., 17-1, No. 3 OTM/No. 4 PAPOW); Drew Doak (152, Jr., 16-2, No. 4 OTM/No. 3 PAPOW); Channing Cavender (170, Jr., 6-3); Nick Pecze (152, Jr., 9-6).Cambria Heights - Joe Davis (132, Sr., 3-0, No. 5 OTM); Levi Niebauer (160, Jr., 10-1, No. 10 OTM/No. 12 PAPOW); Aaron Gill (285, Sr., 9-0, No. 9 OTM/No. 13 PAPOW); Dennis Link (182, So., 10-2).
Central - Nick Hoenstine (138, Jr., 7-0, No. 14 OTM/No. 18 PAPOW); Kale Burkett (120, Jr., 3-2, No. 14 PAPOW); Mike Mock (152, Jr., 7-0); Brock Biddle (113, Fr., 7-0); Blake Burkett (170, Sr., 6-1); Ethan Kennedy (126, Fr., 6-1).
Central Cambria - Max Murin (106, Fr., 19-0, No. 4 OTM/No. 3 PAPOW); Ian Ostrowski (113, So., 16-2); Tommy Opdenhoff (132, So., 16-3).
Central York - Dylan Chatterton (120, So., 15-2, No. 15 PAPOW (AAA)); Sam Butler (126, Sr., 14-5); Xavier Musti (132, So., 10-9).
Conemaugh Township - Kody Ofsanko (126, Sr., 13-1); Aaron Griffith (113, So., 11-2); Nathaniel Thomas (106, Fr., 7-2); Zachary Svencer (220, Sr., 9-6).
Donegal - Jacob Ziegler (120, Jr., 11-1); Barry Sauder (170, Sr., 14-2); Connor Maxwell (182, Jr., 12-3); Darren Miller (126, Sr., 13-4).
Forest Hills - Triston Law (120, Jr., 17-2, No. 12 OTM/No. 3 PAPOW); Travis Templeton (145, Jr., 17-5); Jake Keiper (Jr., 126, 14-7); Josh Gould (132, Jr., 13-8).
Glendale - Jett Sacolic (120, Jr. 14-4); Johnathan Rojas (138, Jr., 15-3); Kody Ness (285, Jr., 14-4); Justin Hommer (152, Jr., 13-5); Brandon Hughes (132, Jr., 13-5); Raymond Carlheim (220, Jr., 13-5).
Greater Johnstown -Malik Walker (126, Sr., 6-3); Richard White (160, Sr., 1-3); Ameer Connor (138, So., 4-4).
Richland - Nick Naglic (145, Sr., 12-3, No. 7 PAPOW); Nico Pecora (170, Sr., 13-0, No. 5 OTM/No. 12 PAPOW); Adam George (126, Jr., No. 13 OTM/No. 20 PAPOW); Stephen Rouser (120, Jr., 12-3).
Ridgway - Ryan Geyer (195, Jr., 8-2); Sam Delhunty (182, Sr., 8-3); Drew Baumgratz (120, Fr., 7-3).
St. Joseph's Catholic Academy - Joseph Kusmierz-Mobley (285, Jr., 7-5); Austin Emel (138, So., 8-8).
Somerset - Luke Lohr (170, Sr., 8-0, No. 6 PAPOW); Logan Eller (195, Jr., 9-0); Jon Fabian (138, Jr., 7-2); Mike Laue (152, Sr., 5-2); Sheldon Wagner (145, Jr., 6-3); Damian Jano (120, Sr., 6-4); Quinn Cole (106, Fr., 6-4); Garret Foster (126, Sr., 3-3, No. 21, PAPOW).
United - Tyler Oliver (195, Jr., 16-3, No. 10 OTM/No. 12 PAPOW); Andrew Deitman (285, Jr., 16-2); Seth McLendon (220, Sr., 17-3, No. 14 OTM)
Tyrone - Jared Beckwith (195, Sr., 13-0, No. 6 OTM/No. 3 PAPOW); Jason Schopp (145, Sr., 9-4); Sage Dixon (126, Fr., 7-5).
Tentative schedule
Friday-Preliminaries, 5 p.m.; Quarterfinals, 7 p.m.Saturday-Wrestling resumes 9 a.m.; Parade of champions, 5 p.m.; finals, 5:30 p.m.
Weight-by-weight analysis
106-Central Cambria's Max Murin is the clear favorite. Conemaugh Township's Nathaniel Thomas could be in the mix, and I wouldn't overlook Somerset's Quinn Cole.113-I don't really know much about Central's Brock Biddle, so I'm not sure how he fits in here. I'd give Central Cambria's Ian Ostrowski a slight edge. I'd expect Biddle and Conemaugh Township's Aaron Griffith to be in the mix as well.
120-This is one of the toughest weights in the tournament. Forest Hills' Triston Law is a returning state placewinner, so he'd have to be the favorite. Central York's Dylan Chatterton has a spot in the AAA rankings, so he should be in contention. Richland's Stephen Rouser and Donegal's Jacob Ziegler could also push for a spot in the finals, but there is plenty of depth here, which means the quarterfinals and semifinals should be a lot of fun.
126-This could be a wide-open weight class. Richland's Adam George could give the host team a title, but Conemaugh Township's Kody Ofsanko also has been wrestling well, even though he hasn't faced great competition. I don't know much about most of the others or the strength of their schedules well enough to give much insight, but Central's Ethan Kennedy, Central York's Sam Butler and Donegal's Darren Miller have good records. Forest Hills' Jake Keiper has taken a step forward this year and Somerset's Garret Foster, who is as up-and-down as any wrestler in the area, can compete here if he wrestles well.
132-Joe Davis is the most proven wrestler here, but the big question mark will be his fitness level as he just hit the mat for the first time a week ago after missing all December with an injury. I'd still make him the favorite, especially since Central Cambria's Tommy Opdenhoff has struggled at times this season. The race for third could be up in the air.
138-This weight only includes one ranked wrestler - Central's Nick Hoenstine, and I'd say he's the favorite. After that I'd look for Somerset's Jon Fabian, or possibly Glendale's Jonathan Rojas to make a finals appearance.
145-Richland has another favorite here, as Nick Naglic looks like the best bet to win. Forest Hills' Travis Templeton, Somerset's Sheldon Wagner and Tyrone's Jason Schopp should be battling for top-four spots.
152-This weight is likely a battle for second place, as Blairsville's Drew Doak will be the heavy favorite. Central's Mike Mock, Glendale's Justin Hommer and Somerset's Mike Laue could make for some interesting placement matches.
160-Judging by the wrestlers who I listed above, this looks like one of the weakest weights here. Cambria Heights' Levi Niebauer shouldn't face too much competition. Greater Johnstown's Richard White had a nice little postseason run last year, but he is only 1-3 this season. Blairsville's Nick Pecze could end up here since Doak is at 152.
170-I expect Richland's Nico Pecora and Somerset's Luke Lohr could be an interesting final here, assuming they both get there. While they are the favorites, they could face some competition from the likes of Central's Blake Burkett and Donegal's Barry Sauder.
182-It would take a major upset for Blairsville's Scott Thompson to not win this weight. Cambria Heights' Dennis Link has been making a name for himself and could add to his resume here. Donegal's Connor Maxell and Ridgway's Sam Delhunty also could be in the mix for placement.
195-If 120 isn't the best weight here, this might be it. It might not have the depth that the lighter weight does, but it definitely has talent at the top. Tyrone's Jared Beckwith already owns a victory over United's Tyler Oliver in the Conemaugh Township Holiday Tournament finals, and it would take an upset to prevent a rematch here. Somerset's Logan Eller is unbeaten, but will face his biggest test of the season here. Ridway's Ryan Geyer gives the weight some depth.
220-United's Seth McLendon should be the clear favorite here. Glendale's Raymond Carlheim and Conemaugh Township's Zachary Svencer could be in the mix for placement.
285-Another United wrestler likely will be in the finals here. I expect it to be United's Andrew Deitman and Cambria Heights' Aaron Gill to battle it out for first place. Glendale's Kody Ness is another possible placewinner.
Team race: I'm really not sure what to expect here. Richland could have the most champions, but I don't think the Rams have enough depth to be a real force in the standings. Cambria Heights and United also could have three champions and have a bit more depth. Somerset might not have any champions, but I'd think the Golden Eagles will be contention for the title due to their solid lineup. Glendale has a lot of good records, but I'm not sure if that is the product of a weak schedule, an improved team or a combination of the two. Central also has some solid records, but it's another school that I haven't seen yet. Throw in out-of-the-area teams like Central York, Donegal and Ridgway, and who knows what happens. If I had to pick one favorite, I'd probably go with Somerset, but it really could be a wide-open race, which should make for a fun event.
I'd like to think this is a pretty thorough preview, but I'm sure there are other opinions out there, so let me know in the comments. Who did I overlook that I shouldn't have? Did I get the team race wrong?
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