from the desk of

 Brick Bronson

Editor - District 6 AA Rankings

Volume I  -  Page 2

Volume 1 - Page 1

2/10/09

Brick Bronson’s  District 6 AA Power Rankings:

1. Zac Bennett Westmont: Returning State Champ, full ride to NC, and will dominate PA this season.
2. David Fogle Forest Hills: Won Bloomsburg tournament, undefeated and cruising thus far.
3. A.J Schopp Tyrone: Won the Mountain League tourney beating Jordan Rich
4. Ronnie Garbinsky Tyrone: 4^th at Hershey last season, Great workout partner (Schopp), top three this season.
5. Shawn Perich Portage: Won the PC Tourney, big win in finals over Miller
6. Robert Henderson United:  very dominating and will do well
7. Patrick Myers Penn Cambria: Looked extremely strong at PC tournament.
8. Philly Steinberg Central Cambria: Two early losses will push him!
9. Chad Miller Richland:
   Won CT
   tournament, beat Keklak.
10. Zac Hicks: Third trip to states will be a charm…Staying at 171 makes him a bigger threat.
11. Trevor Kushner Westmont: Has potential for a huge year.
12. Tanner Hough Westmont: 6^th at Hershey last season and
13. Luke Lohr Somerset: Makes his run this season, Lohr has a huge year.
14. Jamel Fortson Mount Union: Only a junior and could be scary good.
15. Daniel Knott, Claysburg: If he wrestles, he will do well!
16. Pat Dumire Westmont
17. TJ Keklak Westmont: Lots on the line his senior year. Will make noise.
18. Tyler Capitosti United
19. John Rizzo Richland:
20. RJ Brydon Forest Hills: Multiple time PJW champ, will fill the void of McVicker.
21.  Tanner Bruce Westmont: dec Harris, won CT Tourney
22. Craig Harris Richland: MD Knarr at PC tournament,
23. Joe Shook Portage:
24.  Nick Szala Penn Cambria: Looked tough winning PC Tournament
25. Cole Claar Claysburg:
26. Benji Rager Central Cambria: 3^rd at Gateway and PC tournaments.
27. Robert Oshaben Forest Hills
28. Scott Knarr Northern Cambria:
29. Patrick Connah Central Cambria
30. Ryan Burnhimer Westmont:

Wrestlers on the bubble and honorable mention:, Adam Weinell Blairsville, Zac Glessner Forest Hills,  Josh Duplin Westmont, George Roberts Forest Hills, Kyle Pucci Somerset, Jeffery Meier Forest Hills, David Kephart Portage, Willie Grove Mount Union, Jason Everhart Huntington, Shane Morris CC, Kevin Stager Portage, Andy Sarra Hunt, Elliot Dillon PV, Chris Shope Hunt, John Julian PC, Cory Rickens PC, Willie Grove MU, Josh Polachek W,  Josh Duplin W, Zac Carpinello NC, Nick Marter Hunt, Dalton Smith MU, Kody Bjalme PV, Yingling Hunt.

District 6 Team Power Rankings:

1. Westmont Hilltop: This is the year the make the run at top three… Top three in the state, behind Shady Side and Bedford.
2. Forest Hills: Everyone returns from a very successful team last year. (17-1 and state appearance with only 1 -2 seniors in the lineup) Could have two teams in Hershey making noise. Could get the right matchups against Westy.
3. Huntington: No standout wrestlers, but a whole team full of tough above average wrestlers. A successful Jr High class will boost their chances this season.
4. Claysburg-Kimmel: Wrestling success goes in cycles, and CK’s cycle maybe starting up again.
5. Central Cambria: Unlimited amount of potential, could have a quiet, outstanding season. Very young and could be dangerous.
6. Penn Cambria: After seeing them at the PC tournament, they could create problems and upset some big teams in the duals.
7. Mount Union: 5-0 at the duals and much better than getting credit for.

Tyrone & Portage: Both teams with potential and upside

1/20/09

Brick Bronson's

Southwest AA Regional Power Rankings

Updated 1/20/09

12/15/08

Brick Bronson’s  District 6 AA Power Rankings:

Zac Bennett - Westmont-Hilltop

1.  Zac Bennett Westmont: Returning State Champ, full ride to NC, and will dominate PA this season.
2.  David Fogle Forest Hills: Won Bloomsburg tournament, undefeated and cruising thus far.
3.  A.J Schopp Tyrone: Won the Mountain League tourney beating Jordan Rich
4.  Ronnie Garbinsky Tyrone: 4^th at Hershey last season, Great workout partner (Schopp), top three this season.
5.  Shawn Perich Portage: Won the PC Tourney, big win in finals over Miller
6.  Robert Henderson United:  very dominating and will do well
7.  Patrick Myers Penn Cambria: Looked extremely strong at PC tournament.
8.  Philly Steinberg Central Cambria: Two early losses will push him!
9.  Chad Miller Richland: Won CTtournament, beat Keklak.
10.  Zac Hicks: Third trip to states will be a charm…Staying at 171 makes him a bigger threat.
11.  Trevor Kushner Westmont: Has potential for a huge year.
12.  Tanner Hough Westmont: 6^th at Hershey last season and
13.  Luke Lohr Somerset: Makes his run this season, Lohr has a huge year.
14.  Jamel Fortson Mount Union: Only a junior and could be scary good.
15.  Daniel Knott, Claysburg: If he wrestles, he will do well!
16.  Pat Dumire Westmont
17.  TJ Keklak Westmont: Lots on the line his senior year. Will make noise.
18.  Tyler Capitosti United
19.  John Rizzo Richland:
20.  RJ Brydon Forest Hills: Multiple time PJW champ, will fill the void of McVicker.
21.  Tanner Bruce Westmont: dec Harris, won CT Tourney
22.  Craig Harris Richland: MD Knarr at PC tournament,
23.  Joe Shook Portage:
24.  Nick Szala Penn Cambria: Looked tough winning PC Tournament
25.  Cole Claar Claysburg:
26.  Benji Rager Central Cambria: 3^rd at Gateway and PC tournaments.
27.  Robert Oshaben Forest Hills
28.  Scott Knarr Northern Cambria:
29.  Patrick Connah Central Cambria
30.  Ryan Burnhimer Westmont:

Wrestlers on the bubble and honorable mention:, Adam Weinell Blairsville, Zac Glessner Forest Hills,  Josh Duplin Westmont, George Roberts Forest Hills, Kyle Pucci Somerset, Jeffery Meier Forest Hills, David Kephart Portage, Willie Grove Mount Union, Jason Everhart Huntington, Shane Morris CC, Kevin Stager Portage, Andy Sarra Hunt, Elliot Dillon PV, Chris Shope Hunt, John Julian PC, Cory Rickens PC, Willie Grove MU, Josh Polachek W,  Josh Duplin W, Zac Carpinello NC, Nick Marter Hunt, Dalton Smith MU, Kody Bjalme PV, Yingling Hunt.

District 6 Team Power Rankings:

1. Westmont Hilltop: This is the year the make the run at top three… Top three in the state, behind Shady Side and Bedford.
2. Forest Hills: Everyone returns from a very successful team last year. (17-1 and state appearance with only 1 -2 seniors in the lineup) Could have two teams in Hershey making noise. Could get the right matchups against Westy.
3. Huntington: No standout wrestlers, but a whole team full of tough above average wrestlers. A successful Jr High class will boost their chances this season.
4. Claysburg-Kimmel: Wrestling success goes in cycles, and CK’s cycle maybe starting up again.
5. Central Cambria: Unlimited amount of potential, could have a quiet, outstanding season. Very young and could be dangerous.
6. Penn Cambria: After seeing them at the PC tournament, they could create problems and upset some big teams in the duals.
7. Mount Union: 5-0 at the duals and much better than getting credit for.
8. Tyrone & Portage: Both teams with potential and upside

12/07/08

Hilltoppers and Rangers both cruise to tournament team titles.

Westmont conquered the field, and Richland was a remote second. Westmont advanced 10 into the finals and won 9 overall championships. No other teams really stuck out. Shade has loaded up on coaches and their program looks to be moving in the right direction. The team race was Westmont, Richland, Bellwood Antis. Trevor Kushner was the OW, posting easy wins throughout the tournament. The whole Westmont team looked excellent; Zac Bennett looked very good and beat solid freshmen, John Rizzo in the finals 12-1. Pat Dumire looked exceptionally strong and dominating in the finals. TJ Keklak looked rock-solid all tournament and didn’t break a sweat. Freshmen 171 pounder, Ryan Burnhimer, looked extraordinary strong and pinned his way through the 171 bracket. Josh Duplin also looked sturdy at HWT for the Hilltoppers coming from 7^th seed to win the 285 championship. Richland was the only other noteworthy school; they had 7 in the finals and 3 in the consi finals. The parade of champions looked like a Westmont vs. Richland dual meet. Chad Miller and Craig Harris both were very dominating throughout, both posting easy pins in the finals. Brooks Lohr won the 189 championship and looked strong throughout. John Rizzo beat two good opponents and earned a shot at Zac Bennet. Although Bennett won the match handily 12-1, Rizzo looked extremely strong for a freshmen wrestling a national stud. Richland looked in a lot better shape than last year with 25 plus wrestlers in the varsity and jv tournament.   

            I still question why Westmont would enter a tournament like this, where they wouldn’t get much competition. The Burrells, Reynolds, and Shady Sides of the world, wouldn’t ever think about a ten team local tournament with little fight. This is why they are constantly producing state caliber teams. I still believe Westmont could do extremely well in the dual championships, but this tournament did nothing for their preparation for the big stage at Hershey.

            After the completion of the Finals at Conemaugh Township, I was able to fly out to the Bloomsburg tournament where the Forest Hills Rangers looked extremely impressive winning the overall team title. Brock Gallaher got things started with a win in the finals at 119, followed by Dave Fogle’s decision for a championship. Bob Osaben wrestled HWT and beat a huge opponent in the finals. Overall the Rangers placed 11 out of 12, and had to forfeit 2 classes. RJ Brydon and Jeff Mirer both lost early matches but were able to come back winning 3^rd. Zac Glessner, Robbie Bopp and Chris Gallaher all lost in the finals to earn runner ups points for FH.

            With Westmont and Forest Hills both looking impressive early, this could be a collision course for the District 6 finals. This season will have many great dual meets and should be interesting. With Westmont, Forest Hills, Claysburg, Central Cambria, Huntington all extremely strong this year, will make for a great district 6 AA dual meet championship

9/28/08 

Young Guns Wrestling

Season Kickoff Wrestling Clinic

Young Guns Wrestling Club

         Wrestling season is quickly approaching and the best way to prepare for the season is to get instruction from some of the finest wrestlers in the country. In late October and early November, Young Guns Wrestling Club is bringing in two of the greatest wrestlers in the country to show technique, motivate the wrestlers and give the little secrets which made them so successful.

          On October 25^th, 2008 Olympian and Iowa assistant coach, Doug Schwab will be coming to Penn Trafford High School for a wrestling clinic. The wrestlers will have the opportunity to learn everything he used to advance him into the Olympics in Beijing and what made him a 3-time NCAA All-American. As an Iowa assistant coach he knows what it takes to become a champion.

          Then on November 8^th at Central Cambria High School, Mark Perry, a 2-time NCAA National Champion & 4-time All-American, will be presenting his techniques and secrets. Mark is currently an assistant coach at Penn State University.

         These are the opportunities that all area wrestlers should capitalize on. To be trained and workout with the best in the country doesn’t happen to often. All campers receive a shirt and any coach bringing 5 or more wrestlers get free admission. For further information call Jody Strittmatter 814-421-1481 or take a look at the camp posting.