2016 Powerade Preview: Top-Ranked Lee Returns, Teasdale Eyes 3rd Title
2016 Powerade Preview: Top-Ranked Lee Returns, Teasdale Eyes 3rd Title
It's the eve of Powerade, and the biggest contenders are champing at the bit to hit the mats at Canon-McMillan for the 50th year of the tournament.
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It's the eve of Powerade, and the biggest contenders are champing at the bit to hit the mats at Canon-McMillan High School in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, for the 50th year of the tournament on Thursday, Dec. 29, and Friday, Dec. 30. This year's tournament features some seriously high-profile talent as three-time world champion and No. 1-ranked Spencer Lee makes his return to the tournament and No. 1 Gavin Teasdale looks to claim his third straight title.
Fellow Cadet World champion Kurt McHenry, who is the favorite at 106, is looking to claim another title after getting the win over Julian Tagg in the Beast of the East finals on Dec. 18.
New to this year's tournament is New York top dog Frankie Gissendanner, who will have to go through another Cadet World champ, Jarod Verkleeren, to get the title at 145. There are more stars slated to be at this year's tournament, so let's get to the weight classes and break down the competition.
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No. 2 Kurt McHenry, St. Pauls (MD)
Darren Miller, Kiski Area (PA)
Nick Kayal, Bergen Catholic (NJ)
Matt Ramos, Lockport (IL)
Drew Munch, Wyoming Seminary (PA)
Commentary: As stated previously, McHenry is the favorite in this weight class. You can't overlook him at all. Getting in the mix will be Drew Munch, who has come down to 106, switching spots with Mosha Schwartz, who is now at 113. Munch didn't have a great start to his season at Ironman at 113, so the move down will definitely do some good for him as I expect him to be in the title hunt. Note: I am excited to see women's Fargo champion Vayle-Rae Baker registered for this tournament -- can't wait to see her compete at Powerade.
Holmes' picks: 1. McHenry 2. Munch 3. Ramos 4. Miller
Louis Newell, Seneca Valley (PA)
No. 7 Robert Howard, Bergen Catholic (NJ)
JJ Wilson, Ceder Cliff (PA)
No. 18 (at 106) Mosha Schwartz, Wyoming Seminary (PA)
Beau Payless, Reynolds (PA)
Sammy Hillegas, North Hills (PA)
Commentary: Robert Howard had a setback at the Beast of the East, so I expect him to come with some heat to get back on track. Schwartz, who I mentioned in the commentary at 106, is now here at 113. We'll see if the weight change helps him, but I think that he should do well. Don't let the seed, or lack of seed, fool you. Sammy Hillegas is the truth and will be in the mix late to contend for the title.
Holmes' picks: 1. Howard 2. Hillegas 3. Bayless 4. Schwartz
No. 1 Gavin Teasdale, Jefferson Morgan (PA)
No. 5 Beau Bartlett, Wyoming Seminary (PA)
Logan Macri, Canon-McMillan (PA)
Gavin Park, Brookville (PA)
Logan Seliga, Belle Vernon (PA)
Colton Camacho, Franklin Regional (PA)
Commentary: Gavin Teasdale has claimed back-to-back wins over Patrick Glory in the finals at Powerade, but this year Glory isn't making the trip. Instead, Teasdale will be hunting for title No. 3 with freshman Beau Bartlett in his way. Bartlett has been living up to the hype as he won the Ironman title just a few weeks ago. Now he's got his chance to take on the top-ranked 120-pounder in the country. Logan Macri will also be a nice test for the freshman, and I expect them to meet in the semifinals. But it's going to be all about the potential matchup between Bartlett and Teasdale for the title.
Holmes' picks: 1. Teasdale 2. Bartlett 3. Macri 4. Park
No. 1 Spencer Lee, Franklin Regional (PA)
No. 20 Jack Davis, Wyoming Seminary (PA)
Daniel Planta, St. Pauls (MD)
Carmen Ferrante, Bergen Catholic (NJ)
Levi Englman, Colonial Forge (VA)
Commentary: You're crazy if you think I'm picking anyone but Spencer Lee. I don't think there's much else to really say. It's great to have him back for this year's tournament, and I don't see him having the "tough" time he had at Ironman either.
Holmes' picks: 1. Lee 2. Planta 3. Davis 4. Ferrante
Jake Riegel, Wyoming Seminary (PA)
Quincy Monday, Carrboro (NC)
Job Chishko, Penn Trafford (PA)
Marc Garofalo, Colonial Forge (VA)
Hunter Baxter, Pine Richland (PA)
Caleb Morris, Waynesburg (PA)
River Curtis, Battlefield (VA)
Commentary: Riegel is the returning champion, and he put in one hell of an effort last year at 126 to defeat Cole Matthews, which helped Wyoming Seminary win the team title. As the top seed this year, I only see Riegel as a slim favorite. Quincy Monday is very tough and has shined in this tournament the past few years. Here's my first dark horse pick: Hunter Baxter.
Holmes' picks: 1. Monday 2. Baxter 3. Riegel 4. Chishko
No. 6 Cole Matthews, Reynolds (PA)
No. Gerard Angelo, Bergen Catholic (NJ)
No. 19 Josh Humphreys, St. Albans (WV)
Brandon Ramos, Lockport (IL)
Zach Ortman, Parkland (PA)
Imran Heard, St. Pauls (MD)
Luke Kemerer, Hempfield (PA)
Alfonso Martinez, Wyoming Seminary (PA)
Commentary: The question at 138 is: Can anyone scramble with the stingy Cole Matthews? I never really saw Angelo as being much of a scrambler, but that's probably because he finishes pretty clean before guys get the chance to create opportunities against him. However, Humphreys is a returning champion and is super talented. Matthews lost a battle to Riegel at 126 last year and obviously wants to improve upon that finish, especially because he's had back-to-back runner-up finishes at Ironman the past two years. Dark horse pick No. 2: Imran Heard. He gave Angelo a fit at the Beast in a match that had a controversial ending.
Holmes' picks: 1. Matthews 2. Angelo 3. Humphreys 4. Heard
No. 3. Jarod Verkleeren, Hempfield (PA)
No 8 (at 152) Frankie Gissendanner
Jake Hinkson, North Allegheny (PA)
John Pipa, Bishop McDevitt (PA)
Tyler Seliga, Belle Vernon (PA)
Wade Unger, Bergen Catholic (NJ)
Will Moss, Wyoming Seminary (PA)
Commentary: Welcome to the party Frankie Gissendanner. He has proved to be an extremely powerful competitor who can blast through just about anyone. This will be an awesome test for him as well as Jarod Verkleeren, who came up short last year. This is one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament and when (if) they meet in the finals it will be a match you don't want to miss.
Holmes' picks: 1. Gissendanner 2. Verkleeren 3. Unger 4. Moss
No. 2 (at 160) Cam Coy, Penn Trafford (PA)
No. 4 Shane Griffith, Bergen Catholic (NJ)
No. 6 Stephan Glasgow, Bound Brook (NJ)
Bailey Thomas, Good Counsel (MD)
Caleb Hetrick, Brookville (PA)
Gerrit Nijenhuis, Canon-McMillan (PA)
Commentary: It's a three-horse race with Cam Coy having the slight lead to start. Coy showed off his offense at Who's #1, which proved that he's not the defensive guy he had been defined as in the past. Glasgow is just tough, and what I mean is that my, my, my he's a lot to handle. Then there's two-time New Jersey state champion Shane Griffith. I really like Griffith and his style. It's a close call, but I'm going to say that Griffith and Coy meet in the final -- however, only after a hard-fought semifinal between the Jersey boys. Dark horse pick No. 3: freshman Gerrit Nijenhuis. He's an up-and-comer who has a lot of promise.
Holmes' picks: 1. Coy 2. Griffith 3. Glasgow 4. Nijenhuis
No. 9 Mekhi Lewis, Bound Brook (NJ)
Zach Hartman, Belle Vernon (PA)
Trevell Timmons, Lockport (IL)
Chris Foca, Bergen Catholic (NJ)
Jared Lough, Colonial Forge (VA)
Commentary: While it's difficult to see anyone beating Lewis, there is surely some talent headed his way this weekend. Hartman as well as Timmons and Foca are tough. Foca had one of the highest peaks a season ago when he won the Beast of the East tournament, but since then it's been tough sledding for him with weight changes. Timmons had some gas-tank issues last year, so here's hoping that's a thing of the past. He can go hard when everything is clicking.
Holmes' picks: 1. Lewis 2. Hartman 3. Timmons 4. Foca
No. 6 Trent Hidlay, Mifflin County (PA)
Dale Tiongson, St. Pauls (MD)
Abel Garcia, Oakdale (CA)
Jake Hendricks, Wyoming Seminary (PA)
Jared McGill, Chestnut Ridge (PA)
Commentary: Can anyone stop the underhook offense of Trent Hidlay? He's got so many attacks and controls his opponents so well without that hook, but if you're shoulder is in your ear, it's already too late. I really like Dale Tiongson. After some bumps in the road a week ago, he is looking to bounce back, but it's not going to be easy. Though I like Tiongson, I like Hidlay even more and see him improving upon his runner-up finish from a season ago.
Holmes' picks: 1. Hidlay 2. Tiongson 3. Hendricks 4. Garcia
No. 3 Nino Bonaccorsi, Bethel Park (PA)
Cody Mulligan, Saegertown (PA)
Jacob Hart, Independence (WV)
Frank Guida, Parkland (PA)
Austin Cooley, Wyoming Seminary (PA)
Kellen McClure, St. Albans (WV)
Commentary: Bonaccorsi is the favorite at 182, and I'm not sure anyone can go with him. Jacob Hart is tough and so is Guida, who is my dark horse pick. Guida isn't the most technical, but he just goes. He's got a reckless style that's fueled by a serious gas tank. But I see Hart getting by Mulligan to face Bonaccorsi in the finals.
Holmes' picks: 1. Bonaccorsi 2. Hart 3. Mulligan 4. Guida
No. 4 Gavin Hoffman, Montoursville (PA)
No. 6 Jake Woodley, North Allegheny (PA)
No. 19 Cole Nye, Bishop McDevitt (PA)
Colin McCracken, Waynesburg (PA)
Commentary: Once again, Woodley has a tall task in front of him this week as he and Hoffman are on a collision course for one another. Woodley is coming off a close loss to John Borst, who also edged out Hoffman in the Super 32 finals. I expect a similar matchup between these two in the finals, where a takedown on the edge decides the outcome. Last time they met at Super 32 in the quarters it was Hoffman who got the one-point win over Woodley, so expect this one to go the distance as well.
Note: No. 7 Brandon Kui and No. 12 Josh McKenzie are both missing at 195. That would have made things extra interesting had they made the trip.
Holmes' picks: 1. Hoffman 2. Woodley 3. Nye 4. McCracken
No. 2 Noah Adams, Independence (WV)
No. 5 Francis Duggan, Cedar Cliff (PA)
Joe Soreco, DePaul Catholic (NJ)
Brady Daniel, Good Counsel (MD)
Billy Korber, Belle Vernon (PA)
Josiah Jones, Bishop McCort (PA)
Commentary: Duggan really impressed me with how he performed at the Beast. He was in a tough match with No. 1 Chase Singletary that was decided in OT. Adams, a FloNational champion, is going to pose some of the same issues for Duggan. But I expect for there to be a lot of points scored.
Holmes' picks: 1. Duggan 2. Adams 3. Daniel 4. Jones
No. 17 Brendan Furman, Canon-McMillan (PA)
Ronald Tucker, Lockport (IL)
Isaac Reid, Kiski Area (PA)
Evan Sweesy, Freedom (PA)
Kawuan DeBoe, Erie Prep (PA)
Commentary: Furman, Tucker, and Reid: Those are the wrestlers to watch at 285. Tucker is the returning champion who took over the bracket last season as an unseeded freshman. Furman is the Super 32 champ and had some tough battles to the top. Reid is the guy who took out Furman last weekend at the Beast. Obviously this goes without saying, but whoever makes the least amount of mistakes will come out on top. It's going to be close, and each one of these guys has what it takes to be the champion.
Holmes' picks: 1. Reid 2. Tucker 3. Furman 4. Sweesy
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It's the eve of Powerade, and the biggest contenders are champing at the bit to hit the mats at Canon-McMillan High School in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, for the 50th year of the tournament on Thursday, Dec. 29, and Friday, Dec. 30. This year's tournament features some seriously high-profile talent as three-time world champion and No. 1-ranked Spencer Lee makes his return to the tournament and No. 1 Gavin Teasdale looks to claim his third straight title.
Fellow Cadet World champion Kurt McHenry, who is the favorite at 106, is looking to claim another title after getting the win over Julian Tagg in the Beast of the East finals on Dec. 18.
New to this year's tournament is New York top dog Frankie Gissendanner, who will have to go through another Cadet World champ, Jarod Verkleeren, to get the title at 145. There are more stars slated to be at this year's tournament, so let's get to the weight classes and break down the competition.
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106
ContendersNo. 2 Kurt McHenry, St. Pauls (MD)
Darren Miller, Kiski Area (PA)
Nick Kayal, Bergen Catholic (NJ)
Matt Ramos, Lockport (IL)
Drew Munch, Wyoming Seminary (PA)
Commentary: As stated previously, McHenry is the favorite in this weight class. You can't overlook him at all. Getting in the mix will be Drew Munch, who has come down to 106, switching spots with Mosha Schwartz, who is now at 113. Munch didn't have a great start to his season at Ironman at 113, so the move down will definitely do some good for him as I expect him to be in the title hunt. Note: I am excited to see women's Fargo champion Vayle-Rae Baker registered for this tournament -- can't wait to see her compete at Powerade.
Holmes' picks: 1. McHenry 2. Munch 3. Ramos 4. Miller
113
ContendersLouis Newell, Seneca Valley (PA)
No. 7 Robert Howard, Bergen Catholic (NJ)
JJ Wilson, Ceder Cliff (PA)
No. 18 (at 106) Mosha Schwartz, Wyoming Seminary (PA)
Beau Payless, Reynolds (PA)
Sammy Hillegas, North Hills (PA)
Commentary: Robert Howard had a setback at the Beast of the East, so I expect him to come with some heat to get back on track. Schwartz, who I mentioned in the commentary at 106, is now here at 113. We'll see if the weight change helps him, but I think that he should do well. Don't let the seed, or lack of seed, fool you. Sammy Hillegas is the truth and will be in the mix late to contend for the title.
Holmes' picks: 1. Howard 2. Hillegas 3. Bayless 4. Schwartz
120
ContendersNo. 1 Gavin Teasdale, Jefferson Morgan (PA)
No. 5 Beau Bartlett, Wyoming Seminary (PA)
Logan Macri, Canon-McMillan (PA)
Gavin Park, Brookville (PA)
Logan Seliga, Belle Vernon (PA)
Colton Camacho, Franklin Regional (PA)
Commentary: Gavin Teasdale has claimed back-to-back wins over Patrick Glory in the finals at Powerade, but this year Glory isn't making the trip. Instead, Teasdale will be hunting for title No. 3 with freshman Beau Bartlett in his way. Bartlett has been living up to the hype as he won the Ironman title just a few weeks ago. Now he's got his chance to take on the top-ranked 120-pounder in the country. Logan Macri will also be a nice test for the freshman, and I expect them to meet in the semifinals. But it's going to be all about the potential matchup between Bartlett and Teasdale for the title.
Holmes' picks: 1. Teasdale 2. Bartlett 3. Macri 4. Park
126
ContendersNo. 1 Spencer Lee, Franklin Regional (PA)
No. 20 Jack Davis, Wyoming Seminary (PA)
Daniel Planta, St. Pauls (MD)
Carmen Ferrante, Bergen Catholic (NJ)
Levi Englman, Colonial Forge (VA)
Commentary: You're crazy if you think I'm picking anyone but Spencer Lee. I don't think there's much else to really say. It's great to have him back for this year's tournament, and I don't see him having the "tough" time he had at Ironman either.
Holmes' picks: 1. Lee 2. Planta 3. Davis 4. Ferrante
132
ContendersJake Riegel, Wyoming Seminary (PA)
Quincy Monday, Carrboro (NC)
Job Chishko, Penn Trafford (PA)
Marc Garofalo, Colonial Forge (VA)
Hunter Baxter, Pine Richland (PA)
Caleb Morris, Waynesburg (PA)
River Curtis, Battlefield (VA)
Commentary: Riegel is the returning champion, and he put in one hell of an effort last year at 126 to defeat Cole Matthews, which helped Wyoming Seminary win the team title. As the top seed this year, I only see Riegel as a slim favorite. Quincy Monday is very tough and has shined in this tournament the past few years. Here's my first dark horse pick: Hunter Baxter.
Holmes' picks: 1. Monday 2. Baxter 3. Riegel 4. Chishko
138
ContendersNo. 6 Cole Matthews, Reynolds (PA)
No. Gerard Angelo, Bergen Catholic (NJ)
No. 19 Josh Humphreys, St. Albans (WV)
Brandon Ramos, Lockport (IL)
Zach Ortman, Parkland (PA)
Imran Heard, St. Pauls (MD)
Luke Kemerer, Hempfield (PA)
Alfonso Martinez, Wyoming Seminary (PA)
Commentary: The question at 138 is: Can anyone scramble with the stingy Cole Matthews? I never really saw Angelo as being much of a scrambler, but that's probably because he finishes pretty clean before guys get the chance to create opportunities against him. However, Humphreys is a returning champion and is super talented. Matthews lost a battle to Riegel at 126 last year and obviously wants to improve upon that finish, especially because he's had back-to-back runner-up finishes at Ironman the past two years. Dark horse pick No. 2: Imran Heard. He gave Angelo a fit at the Beast in a match that had a controversial ending.
Holmes' picks: 1. Matthews 2. Angelo 3. Humphreys 4. Heard
145
ContendersNo. 3. Jarod Verkleeren, Hempfield (PA)
No 8 (at 152) Frankie Gissendanner
Jake Hinkson, North Allegheny (PA)
John Pipa, Bishop McDevitt (PA)
Tyler Seliga, Belle Vernon (PA)
Wade Unger, Bergen Catholic (NJ)
Will Moss, Wyoming Seminary (PA)
Commentary: Welcome to the party Frankie Gissendanner. He has proved to be an extremely powerful competitor who can blast through just about anyone. This will be an awesome test for him as well as Jarod Verkleeren, who came up short last year. This is one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament and when (if) they meet in the finals it will be a match you don't want to miss.
Holmes' picks: 1. Gissendanner 2. Verkleeren 3. Unger 4. Moss
152
ContendersNo. 2 (at 160) Cam Coy, Penn Trafford (PA)
No. 4 Shane Griffith, Bergen Catholic (NJ)
No. 6 Stephan Glasgow, Bound Brook (NJ)
Bailey Thomas, Good Counsel (MD)
Caleb Hetrick, Brookville (PA)
Gerrit Nijenhuis, Canon-McMillan (PA)
Commentary: It's a three-horse race with Cam Coy having the slight lead to start. Coy showed off his offense at Who's #1, which proved that he's not the defensive guy he had been defined as in the past. Glasgow is just tough, and what I mean is that my, my, my he's a lot to handle. Then there's two-time New Jersey state champion Shane Griffith. I really like Griffith and his style. It's a close call, but I'm going to say that Griffith and Coy meet in the final -- however, only after a hard-fought semifinal between the Jersey boys. Dark horse pick No. 3: freshman Gerrit Nijenhuis. He's an up-and-comer who has a lot of promise.
Holmes' picks: 1. Coy 2. Griffith 3. Glasgow 4. Nijenhuis
160
ContendersNo. 9 Mekhi Lewis, Bound Brook (NJ)
Zach Hartman, Belle Vernon (PA)
Trevell Timmons, Lockport (IL)
Chris Foca, Bergen Catholic (NJ)
Jared Lough, Colonial Forge (VA)
Commentary: While it's difficult to see anyone beating Lewis, there is surely some talent headed his way this weekend. Hartman as well as Timmons and Foca are tough. Foca had one of the highest peaks a season ago when he won the Beast of the East tournament, but since then it's been tough sledding for him with weight changes. Timmons had some gas-tank issues last year, so here's hoping that's a thing of the past. He can go hard when everything is clicking.
Holmes' picks: 1. Lewis 2. Hartman 3. Timmons 4. Foca
170
ContendersNo. 6 Trent Hidlay, Mifflin County (PA)
Dale Tiongson, St. Pauls (MD)
Abel Garcia, Oakdale (CA)
Jake Hendricks, Wyoming Seminary (PA)
Jared McGill, Chestnut Ridge (PA)
Commentary: Can anyone stop the underhook offense of Trent Hidlay? He's got so many attacks and controls his opponents so well without that hook, but if you're shoulder is in your ear, it's already too late. I really like Dale Tiongson. After some bumps in the road a week ago, he is looking to bounce back, but it's not going to be easy. Though I like Tiongson, I like Hidlay even more and see him improving upon his runner-up finish from a season ago.
Holmes' picks: 1. Hidlay 2. Tiongson 3. Hendricks 4. Garcia
182
ContendersNo. 3 Nino Bonaccorsi, Bethel Park (PA)
Cody Mulligan, Saegertown (PA)
Jacob Hart, Independence (WV)
Frank Guida, Parkland (PA)
Austin Cooley, Wyoming Seminary (PA)
Kellen McClure, St. Albans (WV)
Commentary: Bonaccorsi is the favorite at 182, and I'm not sure anyone can go with him. Jacob Hart is tough and so is Guida, who is my dark horse pick. Guida isn't the most technical, but he just goes. He's got a reckless style that's fueled by a serious gas tank. But I see Hart getting by Mulligan to face Bonaccorsi in the finals.
Holmes' picks: 1. Bonaccorsi 2. Hart 3. Mulligan 4. Guida
195
ContendersNo. 4 Gavin Hoffman, Montoursville (PA)
No. 6 Jake Woodley, North Allegheny (PA)
No. 19 Cole Nye, Bishop McDevitt (PA)
Colin McCracken, Waynesburg (PA)
Commentary: Once again, Woodley has a tall task in front of him this week as he and Hoffman are on a collision course for one another. Woodley is coming off a close loss to John Borst, who also edged out Hoffman in the Super 32 finals. I expect a similar matchup between these two in the finals, where a takedown on the edge decides the outcome. Last time they met at Super 32 in the quarters it was Hoffman who got the one-point win over Woodley, so expect this one to go the distance as well.
Note: No. 7 Brandon Kui and No. 12 Josh McKenzie are both missing at 195. That would have made things extra interesting had they made the trip.
Holmes' picks: 1. Hoffman 2. Woodley 3. Nye 4. McCracken
220
ContendersNo. 2 Noah Adams, Independence (WV)
No. 5 Francis Duggan, Cedar Cliff (PA)
Joe Soreco, DePaul Catholic (NJ)
Brady Daniel, Good Counsel (MD)
Billy Korber, Belle Vernon (PA)
Josiah Jones, Bishop McCort (PA)
Commentary: Duggan really impressed me with how he performed at the Beast. He was in a tough match with No. 1 Chase Singletary that was decided in OT. Adams, a FloNational champion, is going to pose some of the same issues for Duggan. But I expect for there to be a lot of points scored.
Holmes' picks: 1. Duggan 2. Adams 3. Daniel 4. Jones
285
ContendersNo. 17 Brendan Furman, Canon-McMillan (PA)
Ronald Tucker, Lockport (IL)
Isaac Reid, Kiski Area (PA)
Evan Sweesy, Freedom (PA)
Kawuan DeBoe, Erie Prep (PA)
Commentary: Furman, Tucker, and Reid: Those are the wrestlers to watch at 285. Tucker is the returning champion who took over the bracket last season as an unseeded freshman. Furman is the Super 32 champ and had some tough battles to the top. Reid is the guy who took out Furman last weekend at the Beast. Obviously this goes without saying, but whoever makes the least amount of mistakes will come out on top. It's going to be close, and each one of these guys has what it takes to be the champion.
Holmes' picks: 1. Reid 2. Tucker 3. Furman 4. Sweesy
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