Regarded as the most competitive state for high school wrestling, it is again a banner year for the Pennsylvania senior class. The Keystone State sports a World champion and national champion, a Pan American champion, and numerous state champions. In all, these ten wrestlers have combined for twelve state championships, a national prep championship, and nineteen state finals appearances.
Here are the top ten wrestlers in the state of Pennsylvania for the Class of 2013 ...
1. Zain Retherford (Benton)
Projected 2012-2013 High School Weight Class: 132/138
Projected College Weight Class: 133/141
College Choices (listed alphabetically): Cornell, Iowa, Lehigh, Oklahoma State, Penn State
Zain Retherford won a Junior National freestyle title in Fargo (Photo/Dave Jedlicka, jedicheetah.com)Words From the Corner: "Zain is an incredibly dedicated student-athlete. How many wrestlers can miss a whole high school season and still win FILA Cadets and Fargo in the same summer? He is one of the few to accomplish these feats. This shows a lot about the character and self sacrifice of this young man. He spent his junior year learning, training, coaching, and studying to help him excel at the next level. Zain has two great parents who have helped guide their son into a great citizen. But what makes me most proud is how he has traded his eagle wings in for tiger claws and is ready to show the world how good of a wrestler he has become." -- Russ Hughes, Benton head wrestling coach
Career Highlights:
2. Eric Morris (Wyoming Seminary)
Projected 2012-13 High School Weight Class: 170
Projected College Weight Class: 174/184
College Choices: Cornell, Harvard, Pennsylvania
Eric MorrisWords From the Corner: "No one in the country wrestles harder than Eric. He has an advanced understanding of position and tremendous short offense. He has put a ton of effort into generating his own offense. His top position is college-ready now. His accomplishments on our schedule speak for themselves." -- Scott Green, Wyoming Seminary head wrestling coach
Career Highlights:
3. Cody Wiercioch (Canon-McMillan)
Projected 2012-13 High School Weight Class: 170/182
Projected College Weight Class: 174
College Choices: Maryland, North Carolina, Penn State, West Virginia
Cody Wiercioch (Photo/Rob Preston)Words From the Corner: "Great kid. So technically sound in all three positions. Truly one of the most talented wrestlers in the country! Pleasure to coach and fun to watch. Also big goals, bright future! Cody is coming off an outstanding junior season, being part of state dual meet championship team and capturing his second individual state title." -- Chris Mary, Canon-McMillan head wrestling coach
Career Highlights:
4. Michael Racciato (Pen Argyl)
Projected 2012-13 High School Weight Class: 152/160
Projected College Weight Class: 157
College Choices: Lehigh, Ohio State, Penn State, Virginia Tech
Analysis: In the heart of the nation's hotbed for wrestling, District 11, reigns one of America's most exciting wrestlers in Racciato. A superior athlete who also stars as a do-it-all playmaker for his football team. In a highly anticipated state final match in 2012, Racciato decisioned Austin Matthews 11-8 to capture his second state gold medal. As a sophomore, Racciato won his first state title by beating Matthews' older brother Adam by major decision 10-2.
Words From the Corner: "Mikey's wrestling style is phenomenal and exciting to watch and be a part of! His brute strength and wanting to win is the reason we as coaches want to be a part of his success. But most of all wrestling isn't the only thing Mikey is good at. When he walks into a room his fun personality makes you laugh and care for our kids is tremendous! Mike will be very successful as he moves on in life." -- Scott Desmond, Pen Argyl head wrestling coach
Career Highlights:
5. Connor Schram (Canon-McMillan)
Projected 2012-13 High School Weight Class: 126
Projected College Weight Class: 125/133
College Choices: Harvard, Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, Princeton, Stanford
Analysis: Schram is looking to become a rare four-time state finalist. After winning gold as a freshman at 103, he has had to settle for silver the past two seasons. Don't look for the silver trend to continue during Schram's senior year as he will be more determined than ever to win his second state title. Had an impressive showing at Fargo in July at Junior Nationals in freestyle by placing fourth. Schram had wrestled very few freestyle matches before this summer and did not skip a beat when he was in action beating many consensus national top twenty wrestlers.
Words From the Corner: "An excellent student-athlete! Extremely talented in all three positions. A pleasure to coach, a true champion on and off the mat! A bright kid, big goals, and bright future! I am sure Connor and Cody Wiercioch's goal is to win state titles in their senior season. Both individuals will be noted as two of the best in Pennsylvania history. -- Chris Mary, Canon-McMillan head wrestling coach
Career Highlights:
Schram had wrestled very few freestyle matches before this summer and did not skip a beat when he was in action beating many consensus national top twenty wrestlers.
6. Ryan Diehl (Trinity)
Projected 2012-13 High School Weight Class: 126
Projected College Weight Class: 133
College Commitment: Maryland
Analysis: The Diehl hype-train began after he won the Super 32 Challenge by beating No. 1-ranked 120-pound wrestler George DiCamillo of St. Ignatius, Ohio in the final. Living in West Virginia, Diehl commutes daily to attend Trinity High School. He is a two-time West Virginia state champion, accomplishing the feat at Berkeley Springs, a Class AA school that sits in the northeastern corner of the Mountain State. He went undefeated as a sophomore, with his only two losses coming during his freshman year. He beat the same opponent, Zach Brown of Oak Glen, W.V., to win his first two state tournaments.
Words From the Corner: "Ryan is a fantastic individual overall. He works hard on and off the mat, and it shows. He challenges himself daily and looks to continually evolve as a wrestler and a person. It has been an honor to have been part of his growth over the years. He is dedicated to his team, his partners, and his self development, while being very thankful for the outstanding support network he has daily. I expect Ryan to be successful not only on the mat in the future, but in life in general. He has learned that wrestling is a tool that has established key individual values and characteristics that will allow him to overcome any obstacle. (Maryland coach) Kerry McCoy is getting an outstanding young man. I wish him the best and I look forward to seeing him on the national stage soon." -- Chris Bentley, Trinity head wrestling coach
Career Highlights:
7. Austin Matthews (Reynolds)
Projected 2012-13 High School Weight Class: 152
Projected College Weight Class: 157
College Choices: Binghamton, Kent State, Penn State, Virginia
Austin Matthew (Photo/Rob Preston)Words From the Corner: "It has been an honor to coach Austin the past three years and look forward to his senior year as he has committed himself to becoming a leader on and off the mat. Austin is a pleasure to be around, and is a great role model for his teammates and youth wrestlers. He always has time for the young wrestlers that look up to him. I firmly believe that he has the intangibles to obtain his goal of a state title this year and transfer that success on to the collegiate level." -- Casey Taylor, Reynolds head wrestling coach
Career Highlights:
8. Ryan Solomon (Milton)
Projected 2012-13 High School Weight Class: 195
Projected College Weight Class: 197 College Choices: Cornell, Iowa State, Maryland, Penn State, Pittsburgh
Ryan Solomon (Photo/Dave Jedlicka, jedicheetah.com)Words From the Corner: "Every high school coach should have an opportunity to coach a student-athlete like Ryan Solomon. He is a first-class wrestler and person who epitomizes the work ethic that it takes to succeed in any endeavor in life. An outspoken leader that is a winner on and off the mat. It is because of his character, that I have no doubts that Ryan will accomplish his lofty goals as a wrestler and most importantly in his career after wrestling." -- Mike Snyder, Milton head wrestling coach
Career Highlights:
9. Matt McCutcheon (Kiski Area)
Projected 2012-13 High School Weight Class: 182/195
Projected College Weight Class: 184
College Commitment: Penn State
Matt McCutcheonWords From the Corner: "Matt has worked very hard over his career and has made himself into one of best high school wrestlers in the country. He has showed big improvements with his offseason workouts recently now with his focus only on wrestling. Matt is a great kid and is an awesome role model for younger wrestlers both on and off the mat." -- Jody Strittmatter, coach/club director Young Guns Wrestling
Career Highlights:
10. Garrett Hammond (Chambersburg)
Projected 2012-13 High School Weight Class: 152
Projected College Weight Class: 157/165
College Choices: Drexel, Maryland, Northwestern, Penn State, Pittsburgh
Analysis: In his first high school tournament as a freshman for Wyoming Seminary, Hammond grinded his way through the consolation bracket of the Walsh Ironman to finish eighth at 125 pounds. As a sophomore, he returned home to Chambersburg High School and immediately was a threat in the South Central Region. He capped off a phenomenal sophomore campaign by placing third at the NHSCA Nationals. A talented mat wrestler, Hammond scores from the top position with a patented crab ride.
Words From the Corner: "Garett is an excellent role model and example for our young wrestlers to follow. He is very coachable, driven and goal-oriented in his approach toward his training. He is always looking to improve his skills and techniques." -- Matt Mentzer, Chambersburg assistant wrestling coach
Career Highlights:
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