Since Chief brought this to everyone's attention, a little preview:
Event details: This weekend, 3/9-11. They alternate sessions, AA goes first, then AAA. AA finals will be Sat 1:30 pm ET, AAA 6:30 pm.
Finals will be televised free on PCN TV (PA public cable channel), streaming $13/day. Will be replayed Sat 10 pm (AA), Sun 1:30 am (AAA). Do not expect any earlier rounds to be streamed by PCN or any other media outlet, though you might find some matches on YouTube or embedded in various online reports.
https://pcntv.com/wrestling/
As for the wrestlers, I'll order these in most to least likely to win:
Gavin Teasdale (AA 126): Last year he went 4-0 with 4 TFs and 96 pts scored. Expect similar results this year (though 24 pts/match is still eye-popping). This field is not at his level.
Spencer Lee (AAA 126): Last year Lee and Drexel commit, national top 5 Austin DeSanto both bonused their way into the finals, where Lee won 15-0/3:43. Expect a finals rematch, with both wrecking their halves. I think the rematch will be a little more competitive -- last year DeSanto did not prep for Lee at all, instead took the "he has to adjust to me" approach. Oops. (That doesn't mean I think it'll be close.)
The only other opponent who might make him break a sweat is national top 20 guy Ryan Anderson in the semis. Lee should still win convincingly.
Afterward (or possibly at the medal ceremony, which will be after AAA 132), the event will be paused to honor Lee as a 4x state champ. If you're watching anyway, be sure to stick around for this. It's a real special moment. (Also, AAA 132 is probably the most stacked bracket this weekend, so its final will be a nice bonus.)
Sammy Sasso (AAA 138): He's the best wrestler in the field and got a favorable draw -- the toughest opponents are all in the opposite side. His most likely finals victim will be either Pitt commit Colin Cronin, Lehigh commit Dan Moran (former state finalist), or Powerade 4th placer Luke Kemerer. Expect him to win fairly easily. But he can't afford to lose focus either -- last week he beat Moran 7-4 at regionals (after winning 13-5 the weekend before at districts).
Max Murin (AA 138): Murin vs. Cole Matthews is possibly the most anticipated finals matchup of the entire weekend, either class, any weight. Matthews is also a returning state champ, current Powerade champ, with his only loss in SV of the Ironman finals. Both guys like to go after it. I would rate Murin a very slight favorite, but this match could go either way, and OT should not surprise anyone.
Matthews' likely opponent in the semis, Lock Haven commit Sammy Hepler, beat Brian Courtney in the offseason, so he can't be ignored.
Anyway, hope this helps. Feel free to ask questions about these or other brackets -- will try to respond (or let Dice give the correct answer). Enjoy!
