2010 East Regional Wrestling Championship Preview

While this is not the Big 10, there are some very, very high quality wrestlers in the East Region. Most of the top seeds at each weight have about a 70% or better winning percentage, about half have been mentioned in national rankings, and many of them have placed at some of the top college tournaments.

Brackets

Teams
Campbell, Duquesne, Gardner-Webb, Liberty, Millersville

Schedule
12:30 p.m. – Session I
2 p.m. – Championship semifinals and first round consolation
3:30 p.m. – Consolation semifinals
5 p.m. – Session II (Championship and consolation finals)

2010 East Regional NCAA Tournament Allocations by Weight:

125
Preseason, most believed Duquesne’s Will Chamberlain (ranked in top 30) would have led the ER’s class at 125lbs, but he hasn’t wrestled this year either due to injury or other eligibility issues. In his absence Gard-Webb’s Mike Slaughter (Jr.), with a 14-7 overall record looks to be the guy lead the ER’s 125lbers. Slaughter owns wins over the next two contenders, Campbell’s CJ Gittens (Sr. – 15 wins on the year) and Liberty’s Jon Childress (10 wins and a 5th place finish at the Keystone Classic). Slaughter has also beaten UTC’s highly touted Mitch Johnson. Gittens is a seasoned wrestler who is quick and technical. Childress can go with anyone in the country (pushed Triggas of OSt., losing 2-0). Another wrestler to watch is Duq’s Taylor Wilde (prepped at Great Bridge, VA HS).

Probable Seeding:
1. Michael Slaughter-Garnder-Webb (Jr.), 15-7
2. CJ Gittens-Campbell (Sr.), 15-12
3. Jonathan Childress-Liberty (Fr.), 10-14

133
It appears Gard-Webb’s Richie Spicel, who wrested at 133 in the beginning of the year, will move up to 141lbs. He’s wrestled the last two dual meets (post 15 Feb.) at 141lbs, so it appears he would be ineligible to wrestle the ER tourney at 133lbs. That puts Liberty’s R-Fr. Joe Pantaleo (13 wins on the year) at the top of the heap. Pantaleo tried to make 125lbs for much of the early part of the season and struggled with the size difference at 133lbs. However, since committing to the 133lbs weight class (Southern Scuffle time frame), he is on an upswing, winning 5 of his last 7 matches. He’s a 2X Va. state champ and has wins over Big Ten starters at this weight. Next in line looks to be Rich Apolinar (Sr. – Campbell). Apolinar also has 13 wins on the year and is a dangerous pinner – likes the big moves. Following Apolinar is Duq’s Jake Swink. The freshmen, who hails from Connellsville, Pa. has 9 wins on the season. Rounding out the ER’s 133lbers is Gard-Webb’s Kostern and Millersville’s Fegley.

Probable Seeding:
1. Joe Pantaleo-Liberty (R-Fr.), 13-11
2. Richie Apolinar-Campbell (Sr.), 13-15
3. Jake Swink-Duquesne (Fr.), 9-18

141
One of the deeper weight classes in the ER. Liberty’s Scott Clymer (R-So.) looks to be the leader of the pack. The Red Lion, Pa. product is sporting a very impressive 18-10 record with wins over UNC-Greensboro’s Lopouchanski and Kent St’s Chase Skoniecnzy. His near upset win of Rutger’s T. Melde was dwarfed by a two point move in the waning seconds of the match. Next in line looks to be either Gard-Webb’s Rich Spicel (R-Fr.) or Duq’s Tony Lascari (Sr.). Spicel is a 2X Ohio state champ and owns a 4-2 win over Lascari. Lascari has the capability of pushing Spicel and Clymer and has a win over D-III AA, Nick Garber. An individual that none of these guys can look past is Millersville’s Mike Greck (So.). Gleck owns a solid 14-7 record and has scored victories over the likes of Vaith (Hofstra) and Hluschak (ESU). All 7 of his losses were by minor decisions.

Probable Seeding:
1. Scott Clymer-Liberty (R-So.), 18-10
2. Richie Spicel-Gardner-Webb (R-Fr.), 14-9
3. Tony Lascari-Duquesne (Sr.), 14-10
4. Mike Greck-Millersville (So.), 14-7

149
This weight class is lead by LU’s senior Frank Gayeski. Gayeski is nationally ranked in every poll, was the Keystone Classic Champion, and sports a 24-6 record. He is one of the nation’s most improved wrestlers from last season where he posted a 12-19 record. Had a 16 match winning streak snapped at the semis of the Southern Scuffle – losing to Grajales on a controversial call. Has signature wins over Ward (NC St.) and Vinson (Binghamton). Pushing Gayeski is Millersville’s JJ Lester (Jr. with 13 wins on the season) and Gard-Webb’s Ryan Medved (R-Fr. – 18-16 record). Lester has an OT win over Pascazi (Duq) and has a plethora of one point losses … he’s “in” every match he wrestles. Medved owns wins over Helmer (Camp) and Pascarzi (Duq) looks to be the 3rd seed. He’s wrestled many ranked opponents to very close matches this year to include Gayeski, Ward (NC St.), and Nicholson (ODU). Rounding out the next two slots are Duq’s Pascazi (26 wins on the season) and Campbell’s Heemer.

Probable Seeding:
1. Frankie Gayeski-Liberty (R-Sr.), 24-6
2. JJ Lester-Millersville (Jr.), 13-16
3. Ryan Medved-Gardner-Webb (R-Fr.), 18-16

157
Two outstanding wrestlers lead this weight class; Millersville’s Jarrett Hostetter (Sr.) and LU’s Shaun Smith (Sr.). Both have been mentioned in national rankings and both deserve a shot at the NCAA tourney. If there is a weight class in the ER where two wrestlers ought to be at the “big dance” it’s either this weight class or 285lbs. (NCAA National Wildcard selection committee, are you listening?). Hostetter, 21-5 on the season, is nationally ranked in just about every poll, has minor decision losses to Moley (Bloomsburg) and Bubba Jenkins (PSU), and was an NCAA qualifier two years ago. Smith, 17-8 on the year, is a former NCAA qualifier, took 2nd at the Keystone Classic (losing to S. Fittery of American), and has truly been surging down the stretch, winning 9 of his last 10. Both of these grapplers would be excellent additions to the 157lbs bracket at the NCAA tournament. The next two wrestlers in line include Alex Medved (R-Fr. from Gardner-Webb) who is a very impressive 20-15 on the season and Jake Fose (Jr. from Campbell) who has 11 wins.

Probable Seeding:
1. Jarrett Hostetter-Millersville (R-Sr.), 21-9
2. Shaun Smith-Liberty (Sr.), 17-8
3. Alex Medved-Gardner-Webb (R-Fr.), 20-15

165
Two-time NCAA qualifier, Chad Porter (Jr.) of LU will be seeking his 3rd ER title. The West Va. native was 2nd at the Keystone Classic, sports a 21-9 record on the season, and is peaking at just the right time (winning 7 of his last 8 matches). Porter will be pushed by Millersville senior, Jeremy Brooks (7-6 record); Duquense’s Matt Gregg (Jr.) with a 6-13 record; Camp’s Peter Comis (So.), and Gard-Webb’s fifth year senior, David Pelsang. While those four are all solid wrestlers, none of them have the pedigree of LU’s Chad Porter. Last season, as a red-shirt, Porter won the tough-as-nails West Virginia Open and looks to make a mark on the national scene in March.

Probable Seeding:
1. Chad Porter-Liberty (R-Jr.), 21-9
2. Jeremy Brooks-Millersville (Sr.), 7-6
3. Matt Gregg-Duquesne (Jr.), 6-13

174
This weight class is led by returning ER champ, Shane Smith (So. – Millersville). Smith is a devastating pinner (more than half of his 21 wins are by pin); who is notoriously brutal from the top position. He placed three times at the Beast of the East tournament while he prepped at Upper Perk HS and carries a 21-8 record into the ER tourney. Pushing Smith is LU’s Brad Clark (R-So.) with a 17-12 record. Clark, coming off a red-shirt season, poses problems with his exceptional height / lankiness. He took a very respectable 3rd place finish at the Keystone Classic, and has not wrestled Smith yet this season. Rounding out the 174lbs weight class is Duq’s Seth Csaszar (Fr.), GW’s Vincent Salyer and Campbell’s John Merickel.

Probable Seeding:
1. Shane Smith-Millersville (R-So.), 21-7
2. Brad Clark-Liberty (R-So.), 17-12
3. Seth Csaszar-Duquesne (Fr.), 6-12

184
As far as I can tell, Millersville’s Jason Foor (So.) is the only returning wrestler from last year’s ER tournament at this weight class. It appears to be wide open – who wants it? On paper, it looks as if it will be a battle of Juniors – Duq’s Ryan Sula (12-12 record) and LU’s Nick Knowles (15-14). Sula has wins over all of the others in this weight class, except Knowles (they haven’t wrestled). Knowles is one of the most under-rated wrestlers in the tourney. He just recently lost a heartbreaker to 18th ranked Trotman (Appy St.) — going down 5-4 after leading 4-3 with just seconds remaining. Has improved greatly throughout the season and has won 5 of his last 6– he is peaking at the right time. Pushing Knowles and Sula will be Millersville’s Jason Foor, GW’s John Velazquez, and Campbell’s Derek Tomasone.

Probable Seeding:
1 or 2. Ryan Sula-Duquesne (Sr.), 12-12
1 or 2. Nick Knowles-Liberty (Jr.), 15-4
3. Jason Foor-Millersville (R-So.), 9-17

197
The 197lb weight-class has the potential to be the most hotly contested weights in the ER. Three wrestlers appear to be close in talent, skill, and most of all, desire. Gardner-Webb’s Travis Porter (Fr) looks to lead this weight with his 14-13 record and a 4th place finish at the NC St. Open. Hot on Porter’s heels is LU’s Brandon Johnson (Jr). These two wrestled to a very exciting overtime match during the LU/GW dual meet, with Porter coming out on top. Johnson is quick, explosive, and athletic. Also in the hunt for the championship will be Campbell’s Parker Burns (Jr.). Burns sports a 10-7 record with includes a win over UVA’s nationally ranked Brent Jones.

Probable Seeding:
1. Travis Porter-Gardner-Webb (So.), 14-13
2. Jacobi Johnson-Liberty (Jr.), 10-19
3. Parker Burns-Campbell (Jr.), 10-7

285
Like 157lbs, this weight class features more than one national-level wrestler. The leader is three-time NCAA qualifier Dustin Porter-Gardner-Webb (Sr.). Porter is nationally ranked in every poll and brings in a very impressive 31-5 record and will attempt to become Gardner-Webb’s first 4 time regional champion. He is seasoned, tough, and strong. However, LU’s Josh Pelletier is no stranger to locking horns with nationally ranked individuals: he’s wrestled five of them on the season and was “in” every match except one. Pelletier sports a 15-7 record, with nearly all of his losses coming at the hands of top 25 competition. An individual that neither should look past is Campbell’s Khiry Reid (So.). He was runner-up to Porter last year, dropping a tough 3-2 match. Match-ups between all three of these wrestlers could come down to triple OT. Also in the hunt are Duq’s Nadeem Farah and Millersville’s Charles Godfrey.

Probable Seeding:
1. Dustin Porter-Gardner-Webb (R-Sr.), 31-5
2. Josh Pelletier-Liberty (R-Jr.), 15-7
3. Khiry Reid-Campbell (So.), 1-1