103 Pounds
In a weight class traditionally dominated by freshman, sophomores Devin Carter of Christiansburg (Virginia) and Sean Boylan of Sr. Marks (Delaware) lead the pack. Boylan defeated Carter earlier this year, but Carter is coming off a solid performance at the Ironman. Anything short of a re-match here will be an upset. Keep an eye on Tyler Biscaha of Jackson Memorial (New Jersey) who wrestled Boylan tough at Super 32.
The favorites: Devin Carter, Sean Boylan and Evan Silver of Blair Academy (New Jersey)
The ones you may not know: Zachary Horan of Nazareth (Pennsylvania), Robert Deutsch of Eastern Regional (New Jersey) and Clayton Youtz of Central Dauphin (Pennsylvania)
Predicted Final: Boylan over Carter
112 Pounds
Sean Boyle of Blair Academy (New Jersey) came back strong after an early round upset last week to finish third at the Ironman. Look for him to carry that momentum into this week. Shane Gentry of Colonial Forge (Virginia) and Sean Dolan of St Marks (Delaware) could challenge.
The favorites: Sean Boyle, Shane Gentry and Sean Dolan
The ones you may not know: Hunter Wood of East Fairmont (West Virginia), Kyle Johnson of Wyoming Seminary (Pennsylvania) and Zach Huxford of Jackson Memorial (New Jersey)
Predicted Final: Boyle over Gentry
119 Pounds
Returning Beast champ and Fargo All-American Nick Schenk of McDonogh School (Maryland) moves up two weight classes this year. To repeat, he will have to go through Michael Garafalo of Colonial Forge (Virginia) and Matt Snyder of Lewistown (Pennsylvania). Also keep an eye on Ken Knapp of David Brearley (New Jersey), who finished third in the New Jersey States last year.
The favorites: Nick Schenk, Matt Snyder, and Michael Garafalo
The ones you may not know: Simon Kitzis of Wyoming Seminary (Pennsylvania), Andrew Bannister of Bishop McNamara (Virginia) and Colton McFatridge of Sussex Vo-Tech (Delaware)
Predicted Final: Garafalo over Fava
125 Pounds
Definitely one of the deepest weights in the tournament with three studs from New Jersey: Two-Time State Champ Joe Trause of Bergen Catholic, Ironman Champ Chris Villalonga of Blair Academy and Patrick Hunter of St. Benedicts.
The favorites: Joe Trause, Chris Villalonga and Patrick Hunter
The ones you may not know: Derrick Russell of Jackson Memorial (New Jersey), Trevor Dearden of Salem (NH) and Mike Holcomb of Kellam (Virginia)
Predicted Final: Trause over Hunter
130 Pounds
In a wide open weight class, Anthony Valles of Blair Academy appears to be the front runner, but any number of wrestlers could win this weight class. Keep an eye on Mike Crowley of Eastern Regional (New Jersey) who could make a run out of the 7 seed.
The favorites: Anthony Valles, Zac Coulas of Ocean Township (New Jersey), and Nick Gordon of Wyoming Seminary (Pennsylvania)
The ones you may not know: Luke Fedecko of Delsea Regional (New Jersey), Mike Crowley of Eastern Regional (New Jersey) and Ben Schaufele of Mt. St. Joes (Maryland)
Predicted Final: Valles over Coulas
135 Pounds
Another weight class with no clear favorite, look for two freshmen to make a run at the title: Austin Ormsbee of Blair Academy (New Jersey) and Ken Courts of Central Dauphin (Pennsylvania). Top Seeded Cullen Isenberg of Wyoming Seminary (Pennsylvania) should make it through the top bracket and see the finals.
The favorites: Cullen Isenberg, Austin Ormsbee and Ken Courts
The ones you may not know: John Renard of Kingsway Regional (New Jersey), Joe Lospinoso of David Brearley (New Jersey) and Ben Dorsay of Cox (Virginia)
Predicted Final: Courts over Isenberg
140 Pounds
One of the deeper weight classes now that Kyle Lang of Brecksville (Ohio) has moved up. Top seeded Marshall Peppleman of Central Dauphin (Pennsylvania) should meet up with John Guzzo of Blair Academy (New Jersey) in one of the more anticipated semifinals.
The favorites: Marshall Peppleman, John Guzzo and Kyle Lang
The ones you may not know: Anthony Baldasarro of Delsea Regional (New Jersey), Matt Spataro of Bergen Catholic (New Jersey) and Louis Johnson of Great Bridge (Virginia)
Predicted Final: Baldasarro over Guzzo
145 Pounds
Walter Peppeleman of Central Dauphin (Pennsylvania) is the clear front-runner here. Although expect Peter Yates of Salem (Georgia) to give him a match in the championship final.
The favorites: Walter Peppelman, Peter Yates and Joey Napoli of Cumberland Valley (Pennsylvania)
The ones you may not know: Jackson Brady of Camden Catholic (New Jersey), Rich Bushby of Kingsway Regional (New Jersey) and Joey Grainger of Great Bridge (Virginia)
Predicted Final: Peppelman over Yates
152 Pounds
Hands down, the deepest weight class in the tournament. Leading the pack is defending champ Alex Meade of Caesar Rodney (Delaware) and Nick Menditto of Ocean Township (New Jersey). Mallie Shuster of Big Spring (Pennsylvania) and Sean Byrnes of Jackson Memorial (New Jersey) round the top 4 seeded wrestlers.
The favorites: Alex Meade, Nick Menditto, Mallie Shuster
The ones you may not know: Brandon Rolnick of Lawrenceville (New Jersey), Preston Keiffer of Eastern Regional (New Jersey) and Jonathan Weibel of Quakertown (Pennsylvania)
Predicted Final: Meade over Shuster
160 Pounds
Although he suffered an out of season loss at Super 32, Scott Winston of Jackson Memorial (New Jersey) is a clear favorite here. The kid is the real deal and should keep his unbeaten streak going. Look for Keith Hynson of William Penn (Delaware) to give Winston a match in the semifinals.
The favorites: Scott Winston, Keith Hynson and Tony Dallago of Central Dauphin (Pennsylvania)
The ones you may not know: Jesse Shanman of Blair Academy (New Jersey), Sam Rakes of Christiansburg (Virginia) and Jared King of Great Bridge (Virginia)
Predicted Final: Winston over Dallago
171 Pounds
Similar to 160 pounds, there is one standout, Quentin Wright of Bald Eagle Area (Pennsylvania). Defending Beast champ Corey Peltier of Blair Academy (New Jersey) should make it interesting should they meet but Wright is definitely one of the nation's elite.
The favorites: Corey Peltier and Quentin Wright
The ones you may not know: Bagna Tovuujav of St. Benedicts, Michael Harvey of Germantown Prep (Pennsylvania) and Pat Murphy of East Fairmont (West Virginia)
Predicted Final: Wright over Peltier
189 Pounds
It is rare that a weight this high is so competitive, but this weight is flat out stacked with several nationally ranked kids. Leading the pack is Erich Schmidtke of Aberdeen (Washington) and Mac Mancuso of Holy Spirit (New Jersey).
The favorites: Erich Schmidtke, Mac Mancuso and Max Huntley of Colonial Forge (Virginia).
The ones you may not know: Jonathan Becker of Bergen Catholic (New Jersey), Vinnie Ranauto of Caravel Academy (Delaware) and Michael McMullen of Wyoming Seminary (Pennsylvania)
Predicted Final: Mancuso over Schmidtke
215 Pounds
Although Joe McMullen of Wyoming Seminary (Pennsylvania) is the top seed, should make it to the finals, look for the winner of the Carson/ Boyden match to win this bracket. There should be some interesting matches in the earlier rounds
The favorites: Joe McMullen, Glen Carson of Southern Regional (New Jersey) and Jesse Boyden of David Brearley (New Jersey)
The ones you may not know: Jon Weber of Christiansburg (Virginia), Corey Olsen of St. Marks (Delaware) and Steve Hanzlik of Blair Academy (New Jersey)
Predicted Final: Carson over McMullen
285 Pounds
In typical fashion, HWT features a couple favorites in John Hiles and Nick Cook who should get to the final, although with this weight class upsets certainly can happen. Keep an eye on Kyle Hanson of Blair Academy who had a strong performance at the Ironman last week.
The favorites: John Hiles of St. Francis DeSales (Ohio), Nick Cook Fauquier (Virginia), and Kyle Hanson of Blair Academy (New Jersey)
The ones you may not know: Justin Haines of Connellsville (Pennsylvania), and Jack Burbank of Cox (Virginia)
Predicted Final: Hiles over Cook
Team: Look for Blair Academy to rebound from last week's performance at the Ironman and win the team race over Northampton and Central Dauphin.
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