If taken as a collective, like any other state, the National Preps have 35 wrestlers ranked, which would come in 3rd behind PA and CA.
The contingent is led by Wyoming Seminary, a team that has 10 out of 14 weights ranked. There’s also Anthony Evanitsky, in the honorable mention section, and spent some time this season ranked, so we all know the strength of this team.
After Sem, Blair comes in with 7 ranked and 2 additional who dropped out due to non-participation at Nationals. That would give them 9 and the clear 2nd most of any team in the country.
The biggest result of the season was in the 120 national finals where #4 Nate Desmond pulled out the huge title win over #2 Leo DeLuca. DeLuca had been in the midst of one of the most impressive seasons in the country, and he still is of course a phenomenal wrestler. Desmond was able to write the story to his liking and will finish the year ranked 2nd in the country, with DeLuca 3rd.
The most dominant season of the bunch was probably Jude Correa up at 215. Only a junior, it’s scary to think where he might grow to next year.
One of the biggest stories was Jake Dailey making the move to Sem from Bethlehem Catholic and going from 6th in the state of PA to #1 in the national preps – all the way up at 190 pounds. He’s like the anti-cutting exhibit A.
Of course we have to mention Luke Lilledahl.. not as much for what he was able to do this HS season – where he has very few peers remaining – but instead for earning a spot in the upcoming Olympic trials.
The breakdown by class is as follows: Senior (15), Junior (12), Sophomore (4), Freshman (4).
Based in Western PA. Right in the heart of WPIAL country, Todd brings an insider’s view from the country’s epicenter of wrestling. He’s excited to build on the TKDWN tradition of starting with the story first. The athletes, the coaches, their families and supporters, there is no shortage of stories to tell. And Todd will bring his unique perspective to help us continue to deliver top notch content for the world’s greatest sport!