Times News mat rankings

Through Jan. 8

(bout minimum: 5)

106 – 1. William Schwartz, Jim Thorpe, So. (7-4), 2. Jake Dellicker, Northwestern, So. (8-6).

Notes – Schwartz placed first at 106 pounds for the Olympians at the South Williamsport Tournament over the weekend. The sophomore was fourth at Jim Thorpe’s Christmas Tournament earlier this season. Four of Dellicker’s wins this season have come by fall.

113 – 1. John Newhall, Jim Thorpe, Sr. (10-0).

Notes – Newhall has been on fire this season. The senior breezed to a title at the South Williamsport Tournament over the weekend, getting two first period falls en route to a title. Newhall was also impressive in placing first in the Jim Thorpe Christmas Tournament earlier this year.

120 – 1. Preston Bauer, Northern Lehigh, So. (9-3), 2. Colby Newton, Panther Valley, Jr. (12-8), 3. Anthony Coccio, Tamaqua, Fr. (9-6).

Honorable Mention - Kevin Madea, Lehighton, Jr. (7-7).

Notes – Bauer was third at the Sam Levello Memorial Wrestling Tournament in December. The sophomore pinned Madea in 39 seconds in the Bulldogs’ dual against the Indians last month. Newton, who was seventh at the season-opening Jarvis Memorial Tournament, pinned Madea at the Anthracite Duals over the weekend. Madea was fourth in the Tony Iasiello Memorial Christmas City Tournament. Coccio was third at the season-opening DKI Invitational at Bloomsburg.

126 – 1. Nate Kemmerer, Lehighton, Sr. (13-4), 2. Harrison Bernhard, Northwestern, So. (8-4). 3. Pierce Demetriades, Tamaqua, So. (8-8).

Notes – Kemmerer was second at the Sam Lovello Classic and placed third at the Tony Iasiello Memorial Christmas City Tournament. The senior has enjoyed a remarkable run, and has a chance to end his career as one of Lehighton’s best. Demetriades was fifth at the season-opening DKI Invitational with a 9-3 decision over Troy’s Jacob Turner in the medal round.

132 – 1. Lucas Sangiuliano, Lehighton, So. (10-7), 2. Seth Fronheiser, Northern Lehigh, Sr. (9-5), 3. James Gehr, Pleasant Valley, Sr. (11-5).

Notes – Sangiuliano, a district runner-up a year ago at 106 pounds, has been solid so far this season. The sophomore was fourth at the Sam Lovello Classic and posted a 4-1 mark at the Anthracite Duals over the weekend. Fronheiser was also fourth at the Sam Lovello Classic, wrestling at 138 pounds. Fronheiser lost a 5-2 decision to Notre Dame Green Pond’s Nick Vonelli, ranked 12th at 138 pounds by Off the Mat earlier this season. Fronheiser also dropped a 1-0 decision to Northwestern’s Matt Peters, a former state qualifier, earlier this year. Gehr was a runner-up at the season-opening Saucon Valley Tournament wrestling at 138 pounds.

138 – 1. Matt Peters, Northwesterm, Sr. (14-4), 2. Logan Pagotto, Lehighton, Jr. (8-2), 3. Brandon Mader, Tamaqua, Sr. (9-5).

Honorable Mention - Matt Lalik, Palmerton, So. (7-7).

Notes – Peters is healthy – and it shows. A state qualifier as a freshman, Peters has had his last two seasons cut short due to injury and illness. So far this year, the senior has placed second at the Xcalibur Tournament and sixth at the Bethlehem Holiday Classic. Pagotto has enjoyed a strong start to the season. The junior has four wins by fall and just two forfeit victories. Pagotto also owns a pin over Lalik, who was fourth at Catasauqua’s Rough Rider Invitational and fifth at the Governon Mifflin Holiday Tournament.

145 – 1. Colin Rex, Northwestern, Sr. (9-4), 2. Lucas Christman, Palmerton, Jr. (11-1), 3. Chris Whiteman, Lehighton, Jr. (13-6).

Notes – Rex was a state qualifier a year ago after making it to regionals as an injury replacement following a fifth place finish at districts. He has plenty of postseason experience under his belt coming into his senior season. Christman was first at the Rough Rider Tournament at Catasauqua and third at the Governor Mifflin Holiday Tournament, where he suffered his only loss of the season, dropping a 5-0 decision to Malvern Prep’s PJ Crane. Christman also owns a 6-2 decision over Whiteman. Christman and Rex did not wrestle each other when Palmerton faced Northwestern earlier this season; Christman wrestled at 152 pounds, while Rex was at 145. Whiteman was third at the Sam Lovello Classic and fifth at the Tony Iasiello Memorial Christmas Tournament.

152 – 1. Tyler Shock, Lehighton, Sr. (12-4), 2. Nate Sterner, Palmerton, Sr. (6-4).

Notes – Schock was second at the Sam Lovello Classic, and posted a 4-1 mark at the Anthracite Duals this past weekend. Sterner was second at Catasauqua’s Rough Rider Invitational in December. In Palmerton’s dual against Lehighton earlier this month, Sterner did not wrestle Schock. Sterner got a forfeit at 152 pounds.

160 – 1. Jackson Bernhard, Northwestern, Sr. (12-4), 2. Tanner Kennedy, Panther Valley, Sr. (15-4), 3. Richard Fronheiser, Lehighton, Fr. (10-9).

Notes – Bernhard, a state qualifier a year ago, was fifth at the ultra-competitive Bethlehem Holiday Classic. Bernhard was fourth at the District 11 Class 2A Tournament at 145 pounds and advanced to states with a sixth-place finish at the Southeast Regional. Kennedy earned his 100th career victory this past weekend at the Anthracite Duals where he went 5-0. A Schuylkill League champion, the senior was also third at the Windsor Christmas Tournament. Kennedy was third at districts a year ago and advanced to the regional tournament. Fronheiser was sixth at the Sam Lovello Classic, and fifth at the Tony Iasiello Memorial Christmas City Tournament.

170 – 1. Caleb Clymer, Northwestern, Sr. (15-0), 2.Hunter Kennedy, Panther Valley, Sr. (15-5), 3. Christian Rodriguez, Lehighton, Jr. (7-6).

Honorable Mention – Carson Krell, Tamaqua, Fr. (5-5), Damion Rodriguez, Jr. (8-7).

Notes – Clymer has been as-advertised so far this season. A state medalist a year ago, the senior was first at the Xcalibur Tournament and also left the Bethlehem Holiday Classic with a gold medal. Clymer picked up a 3-0 decision against Pen Argyl’s Chase Anklam, ranked No. 2 in the state at 160 pounds by Off the Mat, in the Xcalibur final. Seven of Clymer’s victories have come by fall. Clymer won his second district title a year ago and narrowly missed on another gold medal at regional, placing second. The senior was third at states. After reaching district and regional finals a year ago and advancing to states for the first time, Kennedy has been stellar so far this season. The senior was sixth at the Penn Manor Tournament and fourth at the Windsor Christmas Tournament. Kennedy also picked up his 100th career victory earlier this season, and went 5-0 at the Anthracite Duals this past weekend. Rodriguez enjoyed a solid weekend at the Anthracite Duals, going 4-1. The junior also was sixth earlier this season at the Sam Lovello Classic. Kennedy and Rodriguez did not wrestle each other at the Anthracite Duals.

182 – 1. Austin Williams, Jim Thorpe, Sr. (9-3), 2. Derrick Beckham, Panther Valley, Jr. (13-7), 3. Jack Zimmerman, Lehighton, Sr. (9-7).

Honorable Mention - Tyler Watson, Northwestern, So. (3-2), Christopher Frable, Pleasant Valley, Fr. (8-6).

Notes –Williams has been impressive so far this season for the Olympians. The senior was second at the New Hope Solebury Tournament, fifth at the Jim Thorpe Christmas Tournament and placed first at the South Williamsport this past weekend. Beckham was third at the Windsor Christmas Tournament and went 4-1 this past weekend at Panther Valley’s Anthracite Duals. Zimmerman has bounced between 182 and 195 pounds this season. The senior took fourth at the Sam Lovello Classic earlier this year wrestling at 195 pounds. All five of Zimmerman’s matches at this past weekend’s Anthracite Duals were at 182 pounds. Frable was fifth at the season-opening Saucon Valley Tournament. Watson’s sample size is small, but all three of his wins have come via a pin – two in the first period.

195 – 1. Ethan Mordaunt, Jim Thorpe, Jr. (10-0), 2. Kyle Kralik, Palmerton, Sr. (7-3).

Notes – Mordaunt has been an absolute beast for the Olympians so far this year. The junior won titles at the New Hope Solebury Tournament, Jim Thorpe Christmas Tournament and at the South Williamsport Tournament. Nine of Mordaunt’s victories have come by fall - eight have them in the first period. After making it to regionals a year ago, look for Mordaunt to take the next step and advance to Hershey this season after placing third at districts last season and advancing to regionals. Kralik was fourth at the Governor Mifflin Holiday Tournament.

220 – 1. Bronson Strouse, Tamaqua, So. (17-2), 2. Brett Gasker, Lehighton, So. (13-4), 3. Quinn Moyer, Northwestern, Sr. (10-5).

Notes – Strouse, who placed third at districts last year and won two matches at regionals, was first at Bloomsburg’s DKI Invitational, pinning all of his opponents. The sophomore was fifth at the Trojan Wars. A District 11 junior high champion, look for Strouse to just keep getting better with more experience. Another sophomore, Gasker has been just as good for the Indians. He was second at the Sam Lovello Classic, fourth at the Tony Iasiello Memorial Christmas Tournament and went 4-1 at the Anthracite Duals over the weekend. A meeting between Strouse and Gasker at some point this season is one I’m really, really looking forward to. Moyer has been a really steady presence for the Tigers this season. The senior was seventh at the Bethlehem Holiday Classic. Moyer also picked up a 9-6 decision over Palmerton’s Kyle Kralik earlier this season.

285 – 1. Aaron Eidem, Panther Valley, Jr. (16-5).

Notes – Eidem has built a nice resume so far this season. The junior was third at the Windsor Christmas Tournament and posed a 4-1 mark at the Anthracite Duals over the weekend. Eidem is a pinner, too. Thirteen of his victories this season have come by fall, with 11 of those coming in the first period. Eidem could be a force to be reckoned with once the postseason rolls around.

(Compiled by Patrick Matsinko)