Views June 8, 2008 District 6 AAA early favorites for 2008-09.. Team of the Year Central Mountain Fueled by a 3rd place finish in the PIAA Team Duals, last season's Central Mountain team moved into the PA elite. As the Altons-led Fab 5 era enters its third year, CM will be seeking their spot on the national stage. A ton of talent returns and the lineup will have good balance from top to bottom. Entry into this years ultra-tough Walsh Ironman should provide an early indication of where CM ranks with the nation's powerhouse programs. Another schedule upgrade on their schedule is Escape the Rock in January. As a dual meet team, Central Mountain is probably at least 20 points better than everyone else in District 6, and won't be tested until the Team Duals in Hershey. 
Central Mountain HS * * * * * Wrestler of the Year Dylan/Andrew Alton Flip a coin here. Heads, it's Dylan..tails it's Andrew. Either way, it looks like an Alton. These kids are amassing hardware at a rapid pace on both the state and national levels. It's hard to imagine they're only half way through their high school careers. Four PIAA medals in four tries, including a state title by Dylan last season. Four national titles in two trips to Fargo, including three by Andrew. College recruiters, as well as Ironman's Bob Preusse, are already drooling. Each is among the favorites to win state titles next season. 
Dylan and Andrew Alton * * * * * Freshman of the Year Tom Traxler I've had Bellefonte's Tom Traxler at the top of next years freshmen prospects since the end of the Jr High season. Since then, he's made the PJW state finals (107) before losing 1-0 and won a title (105) at MAWA Eastern Nationals. His only loss as an 8th-grader came on a slam call, and he was 17-1 as a 7th-grader. He'll start at either 103 or 112 (I have 112) for Bellefonte and is a likely freshman state qualifier (medal winner, if at 103). District 6 AAA 2008-09 All-Star Team
May 13, 2008 The first time I ever saw… With the PAWF Team Duals nearing, I remember one several years ago held at Rec Hall. It was the year Penn State had the monster recruiting class that included Nate Galloway, Matt Storniolo, James Yonushonis among others. NLWC had an all-star team that year, and was heavily favored to win the event. Their lineup was full of state medal winners & champions, except at 98 and 105. PAWF allows clubs to use Junior High kids rather than have to give a forfeit.
NLWC’s entry at 105 was a kid who went undefeated on the day. He would go on to defeat 3X state champ Coleman Scott at PAWF States and win a Cadet National title in Fargo all before entering the 9th grade. At the PIAA level, personal problems cost him a chance to be PA’s first 4X champ since Jeremy Hunter..my first look at Garrett Scott.
Their entry at 98 was a kid I’d heard about, but hadn’t yet seen. A 7th grader who probably didn’t even weight 90 pounds yet, but still won most of his matches. He would go on to be a 3X state finalist and 2X champion, including back-to-back undefeated seasons..my first look at Quentin Wright.
| Previews June 13, 2008 Updated June 26,2008 District 6 AAA Individual A VERY early overview of the 2008-09 season 103 - Wendell Myers (ALT), with 19 wins his freshman season, was a PJW state qualifier this year at 92. so I expect to see him back at 103 next season. BEL has two top freshman contenders here in Leo Wortman and Cody Fisher. Both were Big 7 champs and both were PJW state qualifiers. Fisher medalled at PJWs, while Wortman medalled at MAWA Eastern Nationals. Could come down to who makes the weight. Another name to look for in the rankings is IV's Mason Grove. Early pick..Wendell Myers
112 - This looks like a very good weight class for D6 next season. Contenders include state qualifier Forrest Bechdel (CM), district champ Jacob Hines (ALT). regional qualifiers Justin Giedroc (BEA) and Chris Barksdale (SC), and freshman-to-be Tom Traxler (BEL). Hines has been able to handle Bechdel in the past, but can he handle Traxler?. I think not. Early pick..Tom Traxler
119 - Last season's 112 group swept regionals and put two on the podium in Hershey. As freshmen 103 lbers, they also had two medal winners. Look for the group to split next season with Mitchell Port (BEL) and Nick Gurol (PO) here, and Erik Galloway (SC) a possibility. Jake Schultz (LEW) and Vince McCracken (ALT) also in the post-season mix. Early pick..Mitchell Port
 Mitchell Port 125 - This will be a strong weight class next season led by returning state medal winners Jordan Rich (CM) and Erik Galloway (SC). They've wrestled close in the past, with the edge to Rich. Fargo qualifier Dan Dreibelbis (BEL) was 11-7 in a reserve role, often wrestling up a weight class or two. He figures to be a regional qualifier at his normal weight. Regional qualifier Coleman Hoffman (BEA) rounds out the group. Early pick..Jordan Rich
130 - Scott Bosak followed a successful freshman season with a 4th place finish and AA status at Freshman Nationals and winning a title at MAWA Eastern Nationals. He appears ready for a trip to Hershey this season. Biggest question here is if he can make the weight or be at 135. Returning regional qualifier Gage Smith (LEW) will also be a factor at this weight. Most of last year's 125-130 lbers were seniors, so you may see some new names this season. Possibilities include Brandon Grau and Cody Ream. Early pick..Scott Bosak
135 - This has the makings of a very solid weight class for next season. State qualifier Tyler Bedelyon (IV) leads the pack here, and will be looking for a spot on the podium this year. With Jon Quiggle gone, there's a good chance you'll see Dylan Caprio (CM) wrestling before the Altons, rather than after them. Could see a big year from him. Scott Glass (SC) should return after missing last year due to injury. Dion Holland (LEW), Chris McCarthy (ALT), and others fill out the weight. Early pick..Tyler Bedelyon
 Tyler Bedelyon 140 - State and National champion Dylan Alton (CM) headlines a strong weight class. Near certain to be on the podium in Hershey for the 3rd time in 3 years. Three-time regional qualifier Garrett Singer (BEL) returns and will looking for a trip to Hershey. Regional qualifier David McCloskey (ALT) may also be here, if not 145. Early pick..Dylan Alton
145 - Three-time Cadet National Champion Andrew Alton (CM) heads the field here. After two 3rd place finishes in Hershey, he'll be looking for the top of the podium this season. State qualifier Tye Boyer (IV) will be looking to return and bring home a medal this year. Some new names could surface here, among them Phil Hartman (SC) and Nathan Alterio (BEL). Early pick.. Andrew Alton
 Andrew Alton 152 - This weight class will be loaded unless one or two move up to 160. Two-time state qualifier and Eastern National champ Shane Alterio (BEL) leads the way. State qualifier Colton Spade (LEW) will be looking for another trip to Hershey. Cory Battista (IV) barely missed a trip to states (6-4 loss to Spade in regional consi finals) and will be a factor. Regional qualifier Ethan Greenawalt (PO) will be in the mix, as well as Nick Zimmerman (ALT). Early pick..Shane Alterio
160 - Expect to see some new names here, since last year's top four were all seniors, and three of the top four at 152 were also seniors. That could change if a few of the 152lbers move up. Regional qualifier Tyler Buckwalter (CM) may be the frontrunner. Bronson Phahler (ALT), a former regional qualifier who missed last season due to injury, may be back. Among the newcomers, Brad Grieb (BEL) could crack the top four early. He followed two excellent Jr High seasons by being a medal winner at both PJW states and Eastern Nationals this spring. Early pick..Tyler Buckwalter
171 - Three quality wrestlers are contending at this weight, and one or more will be Hershey-bound. 2X regional qualifier Christian Oberle (BEL) won a title at Eastern Nationals and is ready for a big year. Regional qualifier Jake Parks (CM) will challenge for a trip to states, as will Allen Dreibelbis (SC). The three wrestle each other tough, so it will come down to who has improved the most year-to-year. Early pick..Christian Oberle
 Christian Oberle 189 - The district has been strong at this weight for the last several years, and next season will be no different. The 1st major matchup will occur in the Central Mountain wrestle-offs. Cody Dolan, a freshman regional qualifier, was last year's starter before suffering a season-ending injury. Jake Bachman replaced him and had a big season, earning the #2 seed in the D6 tourney. The winner figures to go deep in the post-season, while the loser will be the best upperweight reserve in the district. Regional qualifiers A J Robinson (BEA) and K J Walters (ALT) both return with their sights set on Hershey. Jacob Walls (HOL) and freshman Tyson Searer (LEW) will battle for the 4th spot. Early pick..Cody Dolan
 Cody Dolan 215 - Fan favorite Glenn Barnes (CM), with just 3 career wins entering the season, came out of nowhere to be a state qualifier. Similar improvement this year could put him on the podium. Regional qualifier Jon Gingrich (BEA) will be trying to go deeper into the post-season this year. Stephen King (LEW) and Andrew Dreibelbis (SC) make this another top weight class. Early pick..Glenn Barnes
285 - Most of last season's 285lbers were seniors, so expect to see some new names this year. Zach Corl (CM) was a regional qualifier his freshman year, and figures to dominate the weight in D6. Colton Wrye (PO), a PJW state champ two years ago, probably takes over for Mike Horton and should have a good season. Colin Seaward (BEL) and Tim Ishler (SC) could be factors. Early pick..Zach Corl
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