The PIAA Wrestling Championships return to FloWrestling March 7-9 LIVE from the Giant Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania. All bouts will be streamed live starting with AA on Thursday morning at 9 am EST. AAA gets underway at 4 pm Thursday afternoon. This four-part series will preview each bracket for lightweights (107-145) and heavyweights (152-285) on both the AA and AAA side. AA release will be followed by AAA. Check into the event hub for all written and video content. Interactive brackets will be live on FloArena.

2024 PIAA Brackets, Results, and Schedule

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107

Returning Qualifiers: (7)

Cam Baker, 10th, Burrell

Aristotel Bobotas, 10th, Montoursville

Sierra Chiesa, 11th, Northwestern

Dominic Deputy, 10th, Chestnut Ridge

Caleb Hummel, 10th, Philipsburg-Osceola

Manny Stoltzfus, 10th, Montgomery

Sam Wolford, 10th, Northern Lebanon

Returning Medalists: (2)

Dominic Deputy, 10th, Chesnut Ridge 2nd 107

Cam Baker, 10th, Burrell 4th 107

Top Bracket:

The returning runner-up at this weight class from a year ago, #2 Dominic Deputy is the top seed and heavily favored in the half. Deputy is 46-0 on the year and looks poised to make his second-straight final. Deputy is looking at a potential quarterfinal matchup between the winner of #3 Sam Wolford and #7 Aristotel Bobotas in what could be a very competitive match. #9 Caleb Hummel and #10 Angelo Lomonte could meet early in the round of 16 in a rematch from earlier in the season that Hummel took 6-3 with the winner likely making the semifinals. Despite possibly being challenged along the way, I fully expect Deputy to make the finals out of this half once again. 

Bottom Bracket:

Joe Bachmann is 34-0 this season and the #1 ranked lightweight in the country. He will be looking to join the very exclusive list of PIAA freshman state champions this weekend. He will likely be starting his tournament off against #8 Bruce Anderchak in the round of 16 before meeting up with #4 Tanner Guenot, another very strong freshman, in the quarterfinals. Guenot is 32-2 on the year with his only losses both coming in tight bouts against #2 Deputy, so we could learn a lot about both freshman in this matchup. Two returning qualifiers will hit in the round of 16 with Sierra Chiesa and #5 Cam Baker squaring off. Baker was fourth a year ago as a freshman while Chiesa lost in the blood round and will be looking once again to become the first woman to place at the PIAA Wrestling Championships this weekend.  Bachmann is the favorite to come out of the bottom side of this bracket and I believe his extremely tough schedule throughout this season will give him the edge to navigate his way to the finals.  

Although Deputy has the size advantage and quite possibly the advantage on the mat, I believe Bachmann’s advantage in the neutral position will be the deciding factor in this bout. Either way, this will be an awesome final between two undefeated lowerclassmen if we get to see it. 

Prediction: Joe Bachmann (Faith Christian Academy) over Dominic Deputy (Chestnut Ridge)

2023 Results:

106 LBS

1st Aaron Seidel (Northern Lebanon) DEC Dominic Deputy (Chestnut Ridge), 6-1

3rd Will Detar (Trinity) TF Cam Baker (Burrell), 17-0 

5th Kole Davidheiser (Faith Christian Academy) DEC Antonio Boni (Central Valley), 3-0

7th Dalton Wenner (Cranberry) DEC Gage Swank (Muncy), 4-1

114

Returning Qualifiers: (8)

Kevin Bagnell, 12th, Conwell-Egan

Carter Beck, 11th, Saegertown

Will Detar, 10th, Trinity

Chase Homan, 10th, Canton

Easton Mull, 11th, Chestnut Ridge

Ayden Smith, 12th, Notre Dame Green Pond

Dalton Wenner, 10th, Cranberry

Jorden Williams, 12th, Chartiers-Houston

Returning Medalists: (3)

Ayden Smith, 12th, Notre Dame 1st 114

Will Detar, 10th, Trinity 3rd 107

Carter Beck, 11th, Saegertown 6th 106 (2022)

Dalton Wenner, 10th, Cranberry 7th 107

Top Bracket:

The returning PIAA champion from this weight a year ago, Ayden Smith is the top seed and will be looking to close out his career with state title #2. Smith is ranked #2 in the country currently and will be heading to Rutgers next season. Smith will likely see #10 Anthony Mucci in the round of 16 before hitting #6 Easton Mull in the quarterfinals. #5 Carter Beck was sixth down at 106 pounds two years ago and will tested early in the round of 16 against #7 Caden Judice. That could set up a very interesting quarterfinal between #5 Beck if he were to make it there and likely #2 at this weight and freshman Brock Rothermel. Rothermel has been excellent this season with the winner of that getting their shot at Smith with Smith being the unquestionable favorite to make another final out of this half. 

Bottom Bracket:

Jorden Williams is now a three-time qualifier and will be looking to close out his high school career with his first state medal. #4 Will Detar was third at 107 pounds a year ago and will be the favorite to make the semifinals out of his side where he will likely meet up with #3 Dalton Wenner. Wenner was seventh at 107 pounds a year ago and despite dropping a 6-0 decision to Detar a year ago in the quarterfinals, he was able to avenge that loss back in January when he defeated Detar 7-0 for third place at the Mid Winter Mayhem. This ultimately makes Wenner the favorite to come out of the bottom half of the 114-pound bracket, but don’t be surprised if Detar can get this one back. 

Smith has been excellent all year and I believe has the advantage over Wenner in all three positions. Smith needed a late takedown a year ago to win in the finals over Landon Bainey, which I do not believe will be the case this year. 

Prediction: Ayden Smith (Notre Dame Green Pond) over Dalton Wenner (Cranberry)

2023 Results:

114 LBS

1st Ayden Smith (Notre Dame Green Pond) DEC Landon Bainey (West Branch), 5-4

3rd Weston Pisarchick (Brockway) DEC Nico Fanella (Indiana), 3-1

5th Cole Hubert (Saucon Valley) DEC Mason McLendon (Susquenita), 6-2

7th Colton Wade (Sullivan County) DEC Josef Garshnick (United), 2-0

121

Returning Qualifiers: (10)

Landon Bainey, 12th, West Branch

Antonio Boni, 10th, Central Valley

Gauge Botero, 11th, Faith Christian Academy

Cooper Feltman, 11th, Notre Dame Green Pond

Josef Garschnick, 10th, United

Brayden Hartranft, 11th, Berks Catholic

Aaron Seidel, 11th, Northern Lebanon

Chase Shaner, 11th, Hughesville

Jeffrey Spofford, 11th, Conwell-Egan

Colton Wade, 11th, Sullivan County

Returning Medalists: (7)

Gauge Botero, 11th, Faith Christian Academy 1st 121

Aaron Seidel, 11th, Northern Lebanon 1st 107

Landon Bainey, 12th, West Branch 2nd 114

Louie Gill, 12th, Reynolds 2nd 106 (2022)

Antonio Boni, 10th, Central Valley 6th 107

Colton Wade, 11th, Sullivan County 7th 114

Josef Garschnick, 10th, United 8th 114

The AA 121-pound bracket is loaded. With two returning state champions from a year ago (Seidel and Botero) along with another former state champion (Gill-2021) in addition to four other returning medalists, this weight class may be the deepest in all of Pennsylvania.   

Top Bracket:

Aaron Seidel is currently on track to join the very prestigious list of four-time Pennsylvania state champions after winning titles down at 106 and 107 pounds the last two seasons. Interestingly, Seidel defeated #2 Louie Gill for his first state title back in 2022 when Gill was the returning state champion and was looking for his second state championship. Seidel has just two losses in his career and will likely start his weekend off against returning sixth-place finisher #8 Antonio Boni in the round of 16. Seidel will be heavily favored to make the semifinals out of the top quarter. The bottom quarter on the top half could be very interesting between #5 Lincoln Sledzianowski and #7 Colton Wade. Wade is a returning seventh-place finisher while Sledzianowski is very tested and defeated three-time state medalist and returning runner-up Landon Bainey last weekend 7-1 for the Southwest Region title. I believe Sledzianowski will come out on top of that quarter and set up a rematch with Seidel from the Mid Winter Mayhem finals. Seidel came out on top of that match 11-5, but Sledzianowski had his moments and is a very dangerous wrestler, however, ultimately Seidel is the pick to make the finals out of the top half.

Bottom Bracket:

After missing that postseason a year ago due to a transfer dispute, Louie Gill will return to Hershey for the final time looking to come out on top of this loaded bracket for his second state title. Gill was a bit of a surprise champion as a freshman back in 2021 before the aforementioned loss in the finals as a sophomore to Seidel in 2022. Gill has had an excellent second half to the season including a late 5-3 victory over the returning state champion at this weight, Gauge Botero a month ago at the PIAA Team State Championships. Gill is staring down the barrel at a potential rematch with Botero in the top quarter on the bottom half of the bracket. Botero will need to get through #6 and returning medalist Josef Garshnick in his round of 16 bout to set up that rematch. Gill controlled the majority of the match against Botero a month ago and despite giving up a controversial takedown, he was able to close it out with a takedown with just a few seconds to go in regulation to win it 5-3. For that reason, Gill is my pick to come out of that top quarter, but don’t be surprised if Botero can get his revenge there as he has been excellent at this tournament with third and first-place finishes the last two years. Three-time state medalist and returning runner-up Landon Bainey is very seasoned and crafty and will be heavily favored to make the semifinals out of the bottom quarter. Gill and Bainey met back in late January with Gill getting the 11-3 major decision and is my favorite to make the finals out of the bottom half of the bracket. 

This will be a rematch of the 2022 106-pound final and will be both guy's third championship final appearance. We saw some wild scrambles in that match but it was Seidel who was able to open it up from the top position with a reinforced bar tilt in the second period. I believe Gill’s path to victory here is to slow Seidel down in the neutral position with his scrambles and avoid giving up his wrists on bottom to keep himself in it. If Gill is able to do that, it really could be anyone’s match to win. However, Seidel has made significant jumps since two years ago and is unquestionably one of the best in the country at this weight class and for that reason, he is my pick to come out on top of this amazing bracket for his third state championship. 

Prediction: Aaron Seidel (Northern Lebanon) over Louie Gill (Reynolds)

2023 Results:

121 LBS

1st Gauge Botero (Faith Christian Academy) DEC Brandt Harer (Montgomery), 5-1

3rd Branden Wentzel (Montoursville) DEC Hudson Hohman (Grove City), 9-5

5th Lucas Fye (Bald Eagle Area) DEC Aiden Grogg (Saucon Valley), 3-1

7th Max Wirnsberger (Meadowbrook Christian) DEC Elijah Brosius (Cranberry), 3-2

127

Returning Qualifiers: (8)

Lucas Barr, 10th, McGuffey

Gideon Bracken, 11th, United

Elijah Brosius, 11th, Cranberry

Nico Fanella, 11th, Indiana

David Kennedy, 11th, Montoursville

Weston Pisarchick, 12th, Brockway

Jackson Rush, 11th, West Perry

Chris Vargo, 12th, Bentworth

Returning Medalists: (4)

Chris Vargo, 12th, Bentworth 2nd 127

Weston Pisarchick, 12th, Brockway 3rd 114

Nico Fanella, 11th, Indiana 4th 114

Elijah Brosius, 11th, Cranberry 8th 121

Top Bracket:

Chris Vargo is the returning state runner-up at this weight class from a year ago and the top seed. He was the victor of likely the biggest upset of the season in all of Pennsylvania this past weekend when he defeated Jax Forrest 13-7 for the Southwest Region title. Vargo is a huge favorite to make the semifinals out of the top quarter where he will likely meet #3 Logan Stewart of Reynolds. Stewart is just a freshman but has had an excellent season including wins over three returning medalists at this weight including Weston Pisarchick by fall for the Northwest Region title last weekend. Vargo and Stewart met back in January and it was Vargo winning by a 13-4 major decision. With that being said, Vargo is the favorite to make the finals out of the top half of the bracket.

Bottom Bracket:

Jackson Rush of West Perry will be making his third appearance at the PIAA State Championships this weekend and will be looking for his first medal. Rush will be favored to win his opening bout and make the top quarter where he will meet the winner between two-time returning eighth-place finisher Elijah Brosius and Jax Forrest. Despite dropping the Southwest Region final to Vargo, Forrest is one of the top talents in high school and currently #2 in the country and will be heavily favored to bounce back this weekend and make it through to the semifinals out of the top quarter. The round-of-16 bout between Pisarchick and Nico Fanella is very interesting. Those two met in both the quarters and for third-place down at 114 pounds a year ago with Pisarchick coming out on top of both in close bouts. However, they met back in January and it was Fanella winning that one by a 9-0 major decision. With that information, Fanella will be favored to make it to the bottom quarter where he will likely get another rematch from earlier in the season against David Kennedy. Kennedy was the winner of that match 5-3 and for that reason will be my pick to meet up in the semifinals against Forrest. Forrest is the pick here to make his first PIAA final and get his rematch against Vargo. 

I’ve had the ability to watch a lot of Jax Forrest matches over the last few years and he is currently one of the most impressive kids in the country. Vargo will be looking to prove that his win last week was no fluke and close out his high school career with a state championship. However, if you ask me, I believe Forrest is going to come back this weekend with a point to prove and solidify his spot on the top of the podium. 

Prediction: Jax Forrest (Bishop McCort) over Chris Vargo (Bentworth)

2023 Results:

127 LBS

1st Cooper Hornack (Burrell) DEC Chris Vargo (Bentworth), 2-1

3rd Hayden Yacoviello-Andrus (Bermudian Springs) DEF 2:28 Coen Bainey (Bald Eagle Area)

5th Hunter Gould (Conneaut) DEC Cyrus Hurd (North East), 4-0

7th Arment Waltenbaugh (Faith Christian Academy) DEC Marvin Armistead (Berks Catholic), 7-2

133

Returning Qualifiers: (13)

Marcus Colson, 12th, Camp Hill

Hunter Gould, 12th, Conneaut Area

Brandt Harer, 10th, Montgomery

Hudson Hohman, 10th, Grove City

Cyrus Hurd, 11th, North East

Jack Kazalas, 12th, Quaker Valley

Gavin Kelton, 10th, Notre Dame Green Pond

Anthony Orlandini, 12th, Montour

Charlie Robson, 12th, Conwell-Egan

Parker Sentipal, 12th, Burgettstown

Colten Shunk, 12th, Penns Valley

Max Wirnsberger, 10th, Warrior Run

Hayden Yacoviello-Andrus, 10th, Bermudian Springs

Returning Medalists: (10)

Mason Gibson, 12th, Bishop McCort 2nd 120 (2021)

Brandt Harer, 10th, Montgomery 2nd 121

Hayden Yacoviello-Andrus, 10th, Bermudian Springs 3rd 127

Hudson Hohman, 10th, Grove City 4th 121

Charlie Robson, 12th, Conwell-Egan 4th 133

Hunter Gould, 12th, Conneaut Area 5th 127

Parker Sentipal, 12th, Burgettstown 5th 106 (2022)

Cyrus Hurd, 11th, North East 6th 127

Max Wirnsberger, 10th, Warrior Run 7th 121

Jack Kazalas, 12th, Quaker Valley 8th 113 (2022)

The AA 133 pound bracket is definitely a sleeper as one of the toughest brackets in all of Pennsylvania. With 13 returning qualifiers and 10 former medalists lining this bracket, expect there to be some madness. 

Top Bracket:

Brandt Harer is the top seed as a returning PIAA runner-up and is currently #15 in the country, but could be tested early on. Parker Sentipal, a fifth-place finisher in 2022, will likely be Harer’s round-of-16 opponent and it certainly will not get easier from there. Harer would then face off in the top quarter against the winner between #4 Charlie Robson and #7 Cyrus Hurd, two more returning state medalists. Robson is the favorite over Hurd, but could definitely push Harer in that top quarter. #8 Hunter Gould and #5 Hayden Yacoviello-Andrus meet in the round of 16 in another matchup of returning state medalists with the winner likely getting #3 Mason Gibson in the bottom quarterfinal. That sets up a rematch between Harer and Gibson in the semifinals. Harer and Gibson met back in January in the finals of the Mid Winter Mayhem and it was Harer closing it out with a late takedown in the third to win 3-1 in the battle between state runner-ups. In that match, Gibson controlled a lot of the pace and handfight but Harer was able to gut it out for the win. I believe Harer will be able to find a way to win again in this one and make it back to the finals out of the top half.

Bottom Bracket:

#2 Camden Baum has had an excellent season including a win over Mason Gibson for third at Powerade. He will likely see returning medalist #6 Max Wirnsberger in the top quarter in what could be a pretty competitive bout, but I have Baum making the semifinals.  Returning fourth-place finisher from a year ago Hudson Hohman had an excellent Northwest Regional tournament where he avenged two previous losses to returning medalists Cyrus Hurd and Hudson Gould to win the Northwest Region title. I believe Hohman will meet Baum in the bottom semifinal. These two have not met this season and despite Hohman having the advantage of competing in the Giant Center a year ago, Baum has shown the ability numerous times this season to win very close matches in big moments and for that reason, he is my pick to make the final against Harer. 

Harer was on an absolute bonus point tear a year ago to the finals of this tournament before being slowed down and defeated by Gauge Botero. He has been utterly dominant this season for the most part as well and although Baum may be able to slow him down and keep it close, I believe Harer will find a way to win this monster bracket for his first state title. 

Prediction: Brandt Harer (Montgomery) over Camden Baum (Bishop-McDevitt)

2023 Results:

133 LBS

1st Jaden Pepe (Wyoming Area) DEC Conner Heckman (Midd-West), 5-3

3rd Scott Johnson (Muncy) DEC Charlie Robson (Conwell-Egan), 5-2

5th Mason Wagner (Faith Christian Academy) DEC Dylan Granahan (Benton), 2-1

7th Noah Doi (Camp Hill) DEC Chase Bell (Reynolds), 3-2

139

Returning Qualifiers: (14)

Matthew Almedina, 10th, Mid Valley

Marvin Armistead, 12th, Wyomissing

Nolan Baumert, 12th, Line Mountain

Chase Bell, 12th, Reynolds

Noah Doi, 11th, Camp Hill

Cooper Hornack, 12th, Burrell

Cameron Mingee, 12th, Littlestown

Parker Pisarchick, 11th, Brockway (2022)

Blain Puchalsky, 12th, West Perry

Alex Rueberger, 12th, Sharpsville

Matthew Smith, 11th, Midd-West

Gaven Suica, 12th, Burgettstown

Mason Wagner, 10th, Faith Christian Academy

Dane Wenner, 11th, Cranberry

Returning Medalists: (6)

Cooper Hornack, 12th, Burrell 1st 127

Mason Wagner, 10th, Faith Christian Academy 5th 133

Noah Doi, 11th, Camp Hill 7th 133

Marvin Armistead, 12th, Wyomissing 8th 127

Chase Bell, 12th, Reynolds 8th 133

Gaven Suica, 12th, Burgettstown 8th 126 (2022)

Top Bracket:

#3 Mason Wagner was fifth at this tournament a year ago as a freshman and the top seed favored to make the top quarter. He would likely meet fellow returning medalist #7 Chase Bell in that quarter. Bell has been a little bit up-and-down this season but could make that bout competitive, but Wagner is the favorite to make that top semifinal. The bottom half of the top bracket is all about Bo Bassett. Bassett is 52-0 this season including a second-period fall over the returning state champion in this bracket, Cooper Hornack, last week for the Southwest Region title. Although Bassett and Wagner have not met this season, I expect Bassett to cruise to the finals out of the top half of the bracket. 

Bottom Bracket:

Dane Wenner has had a bit of an up-and-down season himself, but after a strong performance last weekend including a win over Chase Bell for the Northwest Region title, I expect him to make the top quarter likely against a former medalist in Gaven Suica. Despite failing to make the podium here a year ago, I expect Suica to win that top quarter and make the semifinals. Returning state champion #2 Hornack will meet another returning medalist in the round of 16 against #6 Noah Doi. Hornack will be favored to make the semifinals for the third time in his career out of the bottom quarter against Suica for the second time over the last few weeks. Hornack won that match 3-1 in sudden victory for the District 7 title and I expect him to come out on top of this one as well for this third PIAA final appearance. 

Bo Bassett has been nothing short of dominant this entire season despite moving up a few weight classes. These two met last weekend and it was Bassett coming away with the second-period fall and I expect Bassett to go out and let it fly in this one as well for his first state title. 

Prediction: Bo Bassett (Bishop McCort) over Cooper Hornack (Burrell)

2023 Results:

139 LBS

1st Anthony Evanitsky (Wyoming Area) DEC Reagan Milheim, 7-4

3rd Chase Hontz (Faith Christian Academy) DEC Brady Collins (Clearfield), 2-0

5th Mason Barvitskie (Southern Columbia) DEC Tyler Morrison (West Perry), 4-0

7th Wyatt Lazzar (Commodore Perry) DEC Liam Cornetto (Marion Center), 3-1

145

Returning Qualifiers: (10)

Jackson Albert, 11th, Saucon Valley

Mason Barvitskie, 12th, Southern Columbia

Brody Beck, 12th, Cambridge Springs

Chase Hontz, 11th, Faith Christian Academy

Cole Householder, 11th, Brookville

Owen Ivcic, 10th, Bentworth

Wyatt Lazzar, 12th, Commodore Perry

Ryan Lawler, 11th, Bishop McDevitt

Reagan Milheim, 10th, Warrior Run

Jamison Poklembo, 12th, Mt. Pleasant

Returning Medalists: (6)

Reagan Milheim, 10th, Warrior Run 2nd 139

Chase Hontz, 11th, Faith Christian Academy 3rd 139

Ryan Lawler, 11th, Bishop McDevitt 4th 145

Mason Barvitskie, 12th, Southern Columbia 5th 139

Cole Householder, 11th, Brookville 7th 120 (2022)

Wyatt Lazzar, 12th, Commodore Perry 7th 139

Top Bracket:

Ryan Lawler is a returning fourth-place finisher from a year ago and the top seed. He will likely hit another returning medalist in the top quarterfinal against Wyatt Lazzar. I expect Lawler to win that one to make the semifinals but it will be very competitive. Reagan Milheim was a runner-up as a freshman a year ago but dropped a 3-1 bout in the Northeast Region final last weekend against Mason Barvitskie, whom Milheim had defeated 2-1 twice previously this season. I expect Milheim to somewhat cruise to the semifinals where he will meet Lawler. Lawler has had two impressive tight wins over Chase Hontz this season and that helps contribute to my belief that he can find a way to get it done here against Milheim in a close bout. Milheim is excellent however and I would not be surprised if he made his way back to the state finals, but for now, I’m taking Lawler. 

Bottom Bracket:

Cole Householder was a medalist two years ago and had an impressive run to a Northwest Region title last weekend. He is favored to make the top quarter on the bottom half of the bracket where he will likely see Hontz. Hontz is very good and he’s my pick to take that quarter and make the semifinals. Barvitskie is a three-time state medalist and won the aforementioned upset over Milheim in the Northeast Region final last weekend. I expect Barvitskie to meet Hontz in those semifinals on the bottom half of the bracket. Hontz defeated Barvitskie in Hershey last season 2-1, and I believe Hontz will be able to defeat him once again to make the finals out of the bottom half. 

As I mentioned earlier, Lawler has defeated Hontz twice this season 1-0 back in January and 5-1 just last weekend in the Southeast Region final. Both guys have been excellent this season but I believe Lawler will find a way to get it done once again. 

Prediction: Ryan Lawler (Bishop McDevitt) over Chase Hontz (Faith Christian Academy)

2023 Results:

145 LBS

1st Vince Bouzakis (Notre Dame Green Pond) DEC Cade Wirnsberger (Meadowbrook Christian), 3-2

3rd Kaden Milheim (Warrior Run) DEC Ryan Lawler (Bishop McDevitt), 5-3

5th Gage Wentzel (Montoursville) DEC Calan Bollman (Chestnut Ridge), 7-3

7th Chase Burke (Benton) DEC Cody Hamilton (Grove City), 3-1