District 6 AAA

Wrestler of the Year

Andrew and Dylan Alton (tie)

Central Mountain

For the 1st time ever, I had to call a dead-even tie here. To cite one would slight the other. Both had monster seasons, with each finishing as an undefeated state champion. Andrew (46-0, 33 pins) got national attention early in the season by defeating then #1 Collin Palmer in the Ironman finals. The win earned him OW in the nation's toughest tournament. Dylan's (47-0) big moment came in the PIAA finals when he defeated returning state champion, and #3 nationally ranked, Joey Napoli in the finals. The win earned him the OW award. The pair now has six state medals, including three championships between them. With another season left in their high school careers, those numbers will increase. They should open next season each ranked #1 in the nation and heavy favorites to add another state title to their resumes.

Freshman of the Year

Tom Traxler

Bellefonte

Much was expected of Tom Traxler (39-8) before he ever stepped on a varsity mat. He followed a great Jr High career by making the PJW finals

and won MAWA Eastern Nationals, beating a PIAA medal winner in the process. He didn't disappoint, taking 6th place in Hershey. Traxler went undefeated in dual meets, was District 6 & Mountain League champion, and a medal winner at both King of the Mountain & Powerade.

Team of the Year

Central Mountain Wildcats

The season started with high expectations in Lock Haven. The Central Mountain Wildcats were getting national attention in addition to being one of PA's best. The lineup had great top-to-bottom balance that would be very tough as a tournament team. The Wildcats took 3rd place (59 teams) in the Walsh Ironman tournament (nation's toughest). They finished 4th in the PIAA AAA Team Duals. The CM team finished 1st in the Mountain League, King of the Mountain, and Escape the Rock tournaments. In the postseason, CM took 1st at District 6 & NW Regional, and finished 3rd at the PIAA AAA tourney in Hershey. They finished the season ranked #7 in the AWN national rankings

District 6 AAA

All-Star Team

103 - Kaleb Loht (10) Indian Valley

        State Qualifier

112 - Tom Traxler (9) Bellefonte

        State Medal winner (6th)

119 - Mitchell Port (11) Bellefonte

        State Medal winner (4th)

125 - Jordon Rich (11) Central Mountain

        State Medal winner (4th)

130 - Scott Bosak (10) State College

        State Qualifier

135 - Garrett Singer (12) Bellefonte

        State Qualifier - District 6 champ

140 - Andrew Alton (11) Central Mountain

        STATE CHAMPION

145 - Dylan Alton (11) Central Mountain

        STATE CHAMPION

152 - Colton Spade (11) Lewistown

        State Qualifier

160 - Nick Zimmerman (12) Altoona

        State Qualifier

171 - Christian Oberle (12) Bellefonte

        State Qualifier

189 - Jake Bachman (12) Central Mountain

        State Medal winner (6th)

215 - Jon Gingrich (11) Bald Eagle Area

        State Medal winner (4th)

285 - Zach Corl (10) Central Mountain

        State Medal winner (8th)

District 6 AA

Wrestler of the Year

A J Schopp

Tyrone

A J Schopp (39-1) had a great season very similar to his freshman year. He came up just one point short in the state finals (4-3 to Zanetta) like in his freshman year. Ironically, both year's losses were to a wrestler he had beaten the week before in the SW regional finals. The highlight of Schopp's season came in the SW regional finals where he handed returning state champ Anthony Zanetta an overtime 3-2 defeat that broke Zanetta's 88 match winning streak. A J should open next season ranked #1 in the state.

Freshman of the Year

John Rizzo

Richland

Richland's John Rizzo (36-9) was another Distict 6 wrestler with high expectations before the start of the season. He made the PJW state finals (187) before losing 1-0. Rizzo spent the season alternating between 215 & 285. His losses were to high profile wrestlers (Bennett, McDannell, Shippey, Krupa). Very rare to see freshmen excell in the upperweights, but Rizzo was an exception to that rule this year. He won the District 6 title at 215, and took 5th at the state tournament. In Hershey, he was the only freshman in the 215 weight class. Should see a title or two from him in the future

Team of the Year

Westmont-Hilltop Hilltoppers

Another great season by the Hilltoppers (16-3). Only dual meet defeats were to Bedford (twice) and national powerhouse Reynolds (#22), while going undefeated against District 6 competition. In national tournaments, WH finished 5th at POWERade and 4th at Mount Mat Madness. They won the Conemaugh Twp tourney with ease. In the post-season the Hilltoppers finished 1st in the team race at both District 6 & SW Regional tourneys and 5th at States in Hershey

District 6 AA

All-Star Team

103 - Evan Link (10) Penn Cambria

        State Finalist

112 - Tanner Hough (10) Westmont-Hilltop

        State Qualifier - District 6 champ

119 - A J Schopp (11) Tyrone

        State Finalist

125 - Ronnie Garbinsky (10) Tyrone

        State Medal winner (4th)

130 - Trevor Kushner (11) Westmont-Hilltop

        State Qualifier

135 - Phil Steinberg (11) Central Cambria

        State Finalist

140 - Robert Henderson (10) United

        State Finalist

145 - Shawn Perich (11) Portage

        State Medal winner (7th)

152 - T J Keklak (12) Westmont-Hilltop

        State Medal winner (8th)

160 - John Julian (12) Penn Cambria

        State Medal winner (8th)

171 - Tyler Capitosti (12) United

        State Qualifier - SW Regional champ

189 - Zac Bennett (12) Westmont-Hilltop

        State Medal winner (5th)

215 - John Rizzo (9) Richland

        State Medal winner (5th)

285 - Josh Duplin (9) Westmont-Hilltop

        State Qualifier