2024 Ironman Top Potential Quarterfinals
2024 Ironman Top Potential Quarterfinals
A preview of some of the top potential quarterfinal matches we could see this weekend at the 2024 Ironman!
Ironman is arguably the toughest in-season high school tournament year in and year out. This year is no different as every weight class is loaded with nationally ranked competitors and up-and-coming guys looking to make a splash. There will be amazing bouts from the get-go and upsets all along the way, but here we will preview some of the top potential quarterfinals at the 2024 Ironman!
Ironman Wrestling Brackets
Top Potential Quarterfinals
126 lbs- #8 (at 120) Keanu Dillard, Bethlehem Catholic vs. #9 Sebastian Degennaro, Jensen Beach
U17 world bronze medalist and two-time PIAA AAA champion Keanu Dillard could face off with #9 Oklahoma commit and past Ironman placewinner Sebastian Degennaro in the bottom quarterfinal at 126 pounds. Both of these guys fell short of placing at Ironman last season as Dillard lost to Louie Gill in the blood round at 120 pounds, while Degennaro fell to Jayden Raney in the blood round at 126 pounds. Dillard is coming up in weight against a very strong handfighter in Degennaro so it'll be interesting to see who will punch through to the semis out of this one!
132 lbs- #2 (at 126) Jayden Raney, Union County vs. #9 Zach Stewart, Marmion Academy
#6 on the Class of 2026 Big Board Jayden Raney will be moving up to 132 pounds for Ironman and could match up with a very tough Zach Stewart in the quarterfinals. The Raney brothers are two of the most exciting wrestlers in the country right now and are alway must-watch when they take the mat. Raney is two-for-two coming away from Ironman with a medal in two very tough weight classes the last two seasons, while Stewart was 5th at Super 32 this fall. The other interesting note about this matchup is the winner will likely see #2 Jax Forrest in the semifinals.
138 lbs- #6 Sam Herring, Bishop McCort vs. #7 Jace Paridon, Lake Highland Prep
A #6 vs. #7 in the country in the quarterfinals is a testament to how high level this tournament is. These two split at Super 32 this fall with Paridon winning 6-3 in the round of 16 while Herring won 10-4 in the consolation semifinals. They were two very different matches so I'm here for the rubber match with the winner likely taking on #1 Marcus Blaze in the semifinals!
Watch Paridon take out Herring in the Round of 16 at Super 32
Watch Herring get his revenge over Paridon in the consi semis at Super 32
157 lbs- #5 Kody Routledge, Edmond North vs. Anthony Evanitsky, Wyoming Seminary
Returning Ironman finalist Kody Routledge could see National Prep and 2023 PIAA champion Anthony Evanitsky in the quarterfinals. Routledge pulled off one of the bigger upsets of Ironman last year when he defeated Kollin Rath 3-2 in tiebreakers in the semifinals before falling to Evanitsky's teammate Vince Bouzakis in the finals. Although Evanitsky is currently not nationally ranked, he has the ability to beat anyone in the country so don't be surprised if he plays spoiler here and takes out the #1 seed in this quarterfinal.
Watch Routledge defeat Kollin Rath to make the 2023 Ironman finals
175 lbs- #4 (at 165) Asher Cunningham, State College vs. #14 Waylon Cressell, Warren Central
Asher Cunningham has been one of the most improved wrestlers in the country year-to-year throughout his whole career. The Super 32 champ is absolutely appointment viewing every time he takes the mat as he has one of the most exciting styles and matches filled with wild scrambles and exchanges. He will be making the jump up to 175 pounds for Ironman and could see Super 32 medalist Waylon Cressell in the quarterfinals. If Cunningham were to win this matchup, he would likely set up a rematch from last year's Ironman semifinal against #2 Aaron Stewart.
Watch last year's Ironman semifinal between Stewart and Cunningham
175 lbs- #8 Emmitt Sherlock, Gilman School vs. #6 Tyrel Miller, St. Edward
U17 world 5th-place finisher and Virginia commit Emmitt Sherlock could see Iowa commit Tyrel Miller in another tough 175-pound quarterfinal. Both of these guys finished seventh last year at Ironman and will be looking to climb up the podium for their final Ironman. The winner of this matchup will also likely see #2 William Henckel in the semifinals.
190 lbs- #4 (at 175) Adam Waters, Faith Christian Academy vs. #17 Gunner Henry, Brownsburg
Two-time PIAA champion Adam Waters has competed on some of the biggest stages there are in high school wrestling, but will be looking for his first Ironman title this weekend. Waters finished in fifth-place a season ago and is making the jump up to 190 pounds after spending the last two seasons 172/175. It'll be interesting to see Waters up at a new weight class against a very proven guy at this weight class in Gunner Henry with the winner likely seeing #5 Jarrel Miller in the semifinals.
Tune in LIVE this weekend on FloWrestling to see all of these potential quarterfinals and much much more at the 2024 Ironman!