Looking through the seeds all I can think about are the potential match-ups, the hottest storylines, and biggest contenders to follow. And each weight class offers something new and something to watch out for.

A lot of the time, some of the best things to watch are how the newcomers step-up to the competition. And at this point in the season, there are plenty of freshmen that have already started to make a name for themselves, so continuing that path against some different competition will be interesting to see. There’s plenty more that I could go on and on about, but instead let’s just get to it.

106

Here we’ve got a handful of guys that can contend for the title. Jaret Lane, Kurt McHenry, Brandon Kassis, Jacob Dunlop and Shane Hanson-Ashworth all have what it takes to stand atop the podium, but I’m looking for it to come down to McHenry and Lane. McHenry was impressive at the Beast of the East despite taking a loss in the finals and Lane is a very season sophomore who is on the rise even more this year. McHenry is also coming off a little break from competition so getting him back to action will be great to see, as well. Does McHenry have what it takes or will it be Lane?

113

Like I spoke about earlier, seeing how the newcomers take on some season competition is always intriguing and this weight class has exactly that as Julian Chlebove makes the move down to 113 from 120. Though he isn’t the top seed, Matty Parker is the guy that has an advantage here. The match-up I’m looking forward to seeing is Chlebove vs. Parker in the semifinals. Whoever takes that one will have their hands full with with Jakob Campbell in the finals.

120

Another 2 vs 3 match-up to watch here with Danny Moran vs Daniel Planta. A season ago Moran came in as the top seed but was defeated in the semis by eventual champ Austin DeSanto. As the 2-seed it’s a possibility again with Planta looming here. Joey Prata comes in as the top seed, but I’m not sure he has the advantage here. He’s had a tough time so far this year with low finishes at Ironman and the Beast. To come out on top, he will have to step up big time.

126

Starting to get to some more experienced competition. The top three seeds (Nick Lattanze, Kordell Rush and KJ Fenstermacher) are all game opponents, however, I feel like the darkhorse here is coming from the 7-seed Tyler Seliga. If there is anyone who can through a monkey wrench in the works, it’s Seliga.

132

Everyone remembers Zack Trampe’s awesome thriller last year with Anthony Cefolo. It’s going to be tough to defeat him if he’s bringing that type of competitive level again. Trampe’s biggest competition will come from Zach Hartman. Hartman is a tough dude that I can see finishing high. Colin Glorioso, Wyatt Long and Aaron Rump are also three guys that shouldn’t be overlooked either here.

138

This weight might be the most intriguing for me because it’s the first time I will see returning champ Riley Palmer this season, Palmer is up from 106 where he came away with the belt last year and from what it seems, he’s put on some size and is filling in nicely at 138. Another darkhorse pick for me is once again the 7-seed in Will Kaldes. Expect him to come away with a favorable finish.

145

We will most likely get a rematch from just a few weeks ago here with Jared Verkleeren and Eric Hong. Hong made his season debut at this tournament last season and it was a nice one as he dominated the field and took home the title. Verkleeren defeated in semis of the WCCA tournament so seeing this one for a second time will definitely be a treat. For Verkleeren’s sake, hopefully it doesn’t go into overtime, he hasn’t had much luck there this season. But if it does we will get to see if he fixed his issue with getting off the bottom.

152

Chris Hisey, the 10-seed, and Felix Belga, the 5-seeds, are coming out with the double darkhorse pick to make the finals. Derek Verkleeren is riding high after winning the WCCA tournament so if he can ride that momentum and confidence into this tournament, theres another favorable finish coming his way.

160

Not sure anyone here can take out #1-seed Kyle Bierdumpfel, but whoever it is will certainly have to earn it because Bierdumpfel is stingy and isn’t afraid to go into deep waters with anyone. It’s almost as if he gets stronger as matches go on. It’s hard to see him with anything but the belt at the end.

170

The top two seeds, Austin Bell and Jacob Oliver, should be the last men standing. Bell has yet to take a loss this season so if Oliver is going to be the first to do it, he better be ready for a battle because Bell is pretty battle tested with top finishes coming at Ironman and Powerade so far this season.

182

Beast of the East rematch is coming here with Kyle Gentile and Michael Beard. Gentile won round one so you know that Beard will be looking for revenge. I expect Beard to close the gap a bit, but I still see it going in Gentile’s favor.

195

Another first look of the season with John Jakobsen. He’s another returning champ that’s gone up in weight. The semifinal between Rashon LuSane and Zane Black will have plenty of action that I believe LuSane will come out on top of to meet Jakobsen in another final. But no matter who wins the semifinal (LuSane or Black), I’m still taking Jakobsen to come out on top again.

220

Could we get a rematch of last year’s PA state finals? Maybe. But that all depends on if Janney can get by Robert Winters. Jordan Wood took a tough loss at the Beast in the finals so getting back on track with a win here is clearly what he’s looking for. But between Wood, Janney, Winters and Cole Nye, who comes in as the #5-seed, things could get interesting.

285

The heavyweight race will be pretty compelling with three of the nation’s best in the bracket. Andrew Gunning started off with a Super 32 title right before the season and hasn’t looked back. But he will have all he can handle with Tommy Killoran and Eric Chakonis. Gunning already has a win over Killoran from Super 32, but Chakonis is a different animal. This will be fun to watch.