A Look Back At Pennsylvania's Incredible Super 32 Performance
A Look Back At Pennsylvania's Incredible Super 32 Performance
Pennsylvania turned in one of the most dominant Super 32 performances in recent history with 28 medalists and seven champions in the high school division.
Pennsylvania turned in one of the most dominant Super 32 performances in recent history, piling up 28 place-winners and seven champs in the high school division, the most for a single state since PA produced eight champs in 2013.
Among Pennsylvania’s seven champions, two impressive freshmen walked away with their first high school belts. Joe Bachmann, who already had seven Super 32 belts between the elementary and middle school divisions entering the weekend, squeezed out tight wins in both his quarterfinal and semifinal before dominating Rocco Hayes in the finals for the 106-pound title.
Coming off of a 16U Fargo title this summer, Melvin Miller established himself as a title threat. After pulling off a come-from-behind victory over top seed Jaxon Joy in the quarterfinals, Miller finished the job in the finals over a seasoned senior Cameron Catrobone for the 144-pound title. Bachmann and Miller were also the only two freshmen to make the finals in the High School division.
Aaron Seidel was dominant all weekend heading into the finals, including a commanding 8-3 victory over fellow returning PIAA AA Champion Ayden Smith in the semifinals. Seidel matched up with 2022 U17 World champion Domenic Munaretto in the 113-pound finals in a rematch of a consolation semifinal at last year’s Super 32, with Seidel coming out on top once again with a turn in the third period and a dominant ride for the 113-pound title.
After finishing third the last two years at Super 32, Jax Forrest was not going to be denied his title this year. Forrest bonused his way to the finals before meeting up with J.J. McComas in a rematch of a tight Fargo Junior final this summer. Forrest came on top of McComas once again with an escape right into a blast double leg in the third period for his first Super 32 title.
After taking a loss at 138 pounds at Who’s Number One last month, Bo Bassett made the drop down to a more comfortable weight of 132 pounds and was impressive. Bassett bonused his way to the semifinals where he met up with #2 Kyler Larkin and blasted out to a 9-0 lead before coming away with the 11-6 victory. Many, including Bassett himself, believed #1 Ben Davino would be waiting in the finals out of the top side of the 132-pound bracket, but Sergio Vega spoiled the party by defeating Davino in the semifinals with a late takedown to meet up with Bassett in the finals. Bassett left no doubt in the finals, picking up the 11-0 major decision for his second straight Super 32 title.
Maddox Shaw had one of the most surprising performances on the weekend. After picking up impressive wins over the #3 seed Paul Kelly in the quarterfinals and the #2 seed Alex Braun in the semifinals, Shaw finished his run with a 7-3 win over #1 seed Landon Robideau in the finals for the 138-pound title. Shaw attributed his strong performance to taking a break from competition this offseason, and will now be a favorite to win his first PIAA title this season.
After taking a loss to Pierson Manville last month at Who’s Number One, Kollin Rath entered this tournament looking to bounce back. Rath was originally registered at 144 pounds but made the late weight change up to 150 pounds and was the best guy all weekend. Rath said the move-up in weight was the best thing for him as he was able to feel good and train hard leading up to the tournament rather than focus on the weight cut. Rath dominated to the semifinals before picking up a close 5-3 win in an entertaining semifinal over Claudio Torres. Rath faced off with Kody Routledge in the finals in a rematch of a 2022 16U Fargo final. Rath got his revenge over Routledge with a takedown with under a minute to go in the third to win his first Super 32 belt after previously placing at Super 32 the last three years.
2023 Pennsylvania Super 32 All-Americans:
106 pounds
Joe Bachmann — 1st place
Dominic Deputy — 4th place
113 pounds
Aaron Seidel — 1st place
Landon Sidun — 3rd place
Ayden Smith — 5th place
120 pounds
Nathan Desmond — 2nd place
Keanu Dillard — 6th place
126 pounds
Jax Forrest — 1st place
Nikolaus O’Neil — 4th place
Eren Sement — 6th place
132 pounds
Bo Bassett — 1st place
Tahir Parkins — 8th place
138 pounds
Maddox Shaw — 1st place
Sam Herring — 5th place
Luke Simcox — 6th place
Dalton Perry — 8th place
144 pounds
Melvin Miller — 1st place
150 pounds
Kollin Rath — 1st place
Vince Bouzakis — 3rd place
157 pounds
Conner Harer — 3rd place
165 pounds
No finishers in the top 8
175 pounds
Dom Federici — 3rd place
190 pounds
Rune Lawrence — 2nd place
Tucker Hogan — 3rd place
215 pounds
Dillon Bechtold — 5th place
285 pounds
Nicholas Pavlechko — 4th place
Mark Effendian — 5th place
Calvin Lachman — 6th place
Dean Bechtold — 7th place