This weekend will be loaded with incredible matches – especially as we get into the later rounds! That said there are always some very intriguing opening round matches that are worth checking out. Let’s take a look at some of the preliminary round matches that could prove to be very interesting!
99 D2: (1)Mason Bush (S3) vs Caleb Svingala (S2)
This match will only happen if Svingala wins his outbracket match but the 40-0 sophomore is the heavy favorite to advance and take on freshman Bush in this potential barn burner in the R16! Bush finished 5th in NYS at this weight last season and is the #1 seed this year. Let’s see if the undefeated Svingala can keep his streak alive and pick off the top dog early!
106 D1: (7) Jayden Scott (S5) vs Kole Mulhauser (S3)
Both of these talented 8th graders are making their first trip to the state tournament and they could provide the crowd with some great opening round action. Scott, the 7th seed, has a 37-3 record with his three losses coming to: the 120 pound Section 5 champ Ryan Burgos, the 2017 99 pound state champ Anthony Noto (1-0), and the 2017 99 pound state 4th Marek Bush (2-0). Mulhauser is 34-4 with 3 of his losses coming to 2018 Eastern States Champ Matt Griffin and the other coming to S3 D2 champ Micah Roes! Which future star will pick up his first big-time varsity win???
120 D1: (7) Marco Vespa (S9) vs Brock Delsignore (S2)
On paper you would think that Vespa, a 4th place finisher at last year’s state tournament, would be a heavy favorite but we can’t look past the Section 2 freshman. Delsignore has only 3 losses this season and they were all at the Eastern States Classic where he placed 8th. Vespa did not place at this year’s ESC and is definitely looking for redemption!
160 D1: (3) Aaron Wolk (S1) vs Demitreus Henry (PSAL)
The 3rd seeded Wolk has 4 losses on his record this year however 2 of them were via forfeit. The only 2 losses on the mat this year for the Section 1 junior were to Eastern States Classic finalist Chris Barker. Wolk took 3rd at this year’s ESC. A healthy Henry is as dangerous as they come. He has battled the injury bug this year but has a 19-0 record and he was one win away from placing at the NYS tournament last year at 152! This match could be electric!
182 D2: (3) Connor Fredericks (S3) vs Mike Sabella (S11)
Fredericks is the #3 seed and he placed 5th in this tournament at 170 pounds last year but he definitely cannot look past the Section 11 champ! Sabella is 32-4 this season and all 4 of his losses have been by a single point to top notch wrestlers! Fredericks has two losses this year – one is to a 2017 state finalist (Ross McFarland) and the other is to a 2018 Eastern States Classic finalist (Jacob Ferreira). This is definitely one to watch for in the the prelims!!!