TOP INCOMING FRESHMEN OF 2017
TOP INCOMING
FRESHMEN THE PENNSYLVANIA’S TIF OF 2017 FUTURE
IS HERE The Top Incoming Freshmen Report of 2017 is a preview of
Pennsylvania’s talented youth wrestlers who will attempt to make an impact in their first season of high school The next Pennsylvania competition. Compiled by PA Power Wrestling’s Jeff Upson Wrestling Stars will soon the TIF of 2017 ranks the Top 75 freshmen and includes 31 arrive and PA Power Wrestling gives you the Honorable Mentions for a total of 106 wrestlers. first look. Pennsylvania’s Top Incoming Freshmen have faced high expectations but always seem to live up to that hype. The top ranked freshmen over the last five years have all been highly 2016’s TIF successful in their first year and careers. Going back through Julian Chlebove the years the highest ranked TIF included Michael Kemerer (2012), Luke Pletcher (2013), Spencer Lee (2014), Gavin Northampton Area Teasdale (2015), and Julian Chlebove (2016). The last four PIAA State Champion all won a PIAA State Championship in their freshman season.
All wrestlers who call Pennsylvania home and have competed as Youth wrestlers in the Keystone State are considered for the 2017 TIF Report. The ranking is designed to showcase those freshmen who are likely to find success in their rookie seasons. Included are wrestlers who will compete in the PIAA and the National Preps, even if a Pennsylvania wrestler elects to attend a private school outside of the State.
Please feel free to send any feedback or corrections to Jeff Upson at the e-mail address [email protected]
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TOP INCOMING FRESHMEN OF 2017
Teams With Most TIF
Wyoming Seminary – Five
Bethlehem Catholic – Four
Cathedral Prep – Four
Southern Columbia Area – Four (Photo by Bill Ennis) by Bill (Photo Bishop McDevitt – Three
#39 Sheldon Seymour – Troy Area Canon-McMillan – Three
Nazareth Area – Three TIF Breakdown by Districts
District 1: 8
District 2: 2
District 3: 16
District 4: 9
District 5: 1
District 6: 9 Kollin Myers – Boiling Springs 2016 PIAA State Runner-Up District 7: 21
District 9: 2 2016 TIF Recap
District 10: 9 37 – PIAA State Qualifiers
District 11: 16 12 – PIAA State Medalists
District 12: 2 5 – National Prep Qualifiers
National Prep: 11 3 – National Prep Medalists
1 – PIAA State Champion
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TOP INCOMING FRESHMEN OF 2017
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Recruiting has never been easier with PA Power Wrestling’s all new PA Power Recruiting. Now wrestlers, coaches, and parents have the ability to create Recruiting Profiles on PA Power Wrestling that can be shared on social media and are distributed to our database of collegiate programs. This feature is designed for wrestlers of all skill levels, whether a State Champion or first year varsity starter, there is a collegiate program fit for you.
What sets Pennsylvania Wrestling apart from other States is the depth of talent found within the Keystone State. Now every single college coach in the NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA, NCWA, plus women’s college programs, will have free access to your Recruiting Profile. Not only are Recruiting Profiles free to view by coaches but we also send your profile directly to head coaches in your selected Divisions.
Recruiting Profiles are easy to create and you can update the Profile at any time. Profiles include uploading a photo, your projected college weight, your graduation year, career record, and an area for a short bio highlighting your achievements. The most intriguing aspect of the Recruiting Profile is the opportunity for the user to upload a highlight video directly to your Profile. Users are encouraged to create a highlight video or upload a notable match to the Recruiting Profile. View an example Recruiting Profile below and start preparing for your college career!
TOP INCOMING FRESHMEN OF 2017
High School: Wyoming Seminary Class: National Prep Region: PAISAA Weight: 120 lbs. Projected 17’ Finish: National Prep Champion
Career Highlights:
2016: UWW World Team Trials (Cadet) – 58 kg – Eighth Place 2016: Phil Portuese NE Regional Freestyle (Cadet) – 126 lbs. – Champion 2016: Phil Portuese NE Regional Greco-Roman (Cadet) – 126 lbs. – Champion 2016: PJW State Tournament (Junior High) – 124 lbs. – Champion 2016: PJW Area XII Tournament (Junior High) – 124 lbs. – Champion 2016: USAW Folkstyle Nationals (Cadet) – 126 lbs. – Champion 2016: Eastern States Classic – 113 lbs. – Champion 2015: VACW National Holiday Duals (Middle School) – 119 lbs. – Record of (10-0) 2015: Flo Nationals Kick-Off (15 & Under) – 115 lbs. – Champion 2015: Super 32 Challenge (Middle School) – 120 lbs. – Champion 2015: Phil Portuese NE Regional Freestyle (Schoolboy) – 115 lbs. – Champion 2015: Phil Portuese NE Regional Greco-Roman (Schoolboy) – 115 lbs. – Champion 2015: NHSCA Nationals (Middle School) – 112 lbs. – Third Place 2015: National Freestyle Duals (Schoolboy) – 112 lbs. – Record of (8-0) 2015: Cliff Keen USAW Pre-Season Nationals (Middle School) – 120 lbs. – Champion 2015: VACW National Holiday Duals (Middle School) – 119 lbs. – Record of (10-0) 2015: ASICS/USAW Freestyle Nationals (Schoolboy) – 112 lbs. – Champion 2015: ASICS/USAW Greco-Roman Nationals (Schoolboy) – 112 lbs. – Champion 2015: ASICS/USAW Folkstyle Nationals (Schoolboy) – 112 lbs. – Champion 2015: PAWF State Freestyle Tournament (Schoolboy) – 112 lbs. – Champion 2015: PAWF State Greco-Roman Tournament (Schoolboy) – 112 lbs. – Champion 2015: Flo Tulsa Nationals (15 & Under) – 101 lbs. – Champion 2014: Super 32 Challenge (Middle School) – 100 lbs. – Runner-up 2014: Flo National Kick-Off Classic (15 & Under) – 101 lbs. – Runner-up 2014: Journeymen Classic – Group A (High School) – 99 lbs. – Champion 2014: ASICS/USAW Greco-Roman Nationals (Schoolboy) – 91 lbs. – Runner-up 2014: Tulsa Nationals (12 & Under) – 84 lbs. – Champion 2013: Flo National Kick-Off Classic (12 & Under) – 84 lbs. – Runner-up 2013: Tulsa Nationals (12 & Under) – 73 lbs. – Fifth Place 2011: Tulsa Nationals (10 & Under) – 58 lbs. – Third Place
The top Freshman in the Nation, according to both Flo and Intermat, will be competing in the Keystone State this season as Beau Bartlett takes on the National Prep scene at Wyoming Seminary. Bartlett spent much of his childhood in Arizona but has strong ties to Pennsylvania. His father grew up in Pennsylvania and in 2014 Beau and his family moved to Kingston, PA where he enrolled at the Wyoming Seminary Lower School. Competing for the X-Caliber Wrestling Club the youth star continued to impress on the mat representing Team Pennsylvania. In 2015 Beau was simply perfect winning nearly every tournament
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TOP INCOMING FRESHMEN OF 2017 he entered. After finishing as a runner-up the previous two seasons Beau grabbed a Tulsa Nationals Championship at 101 lbs. and followed it up with a Schoolboy Pennsylvania State Championship in both Freestyle and Greco-Roman. The next feat Bartlett captured is considered one of the most significant achievements in a youth career; the USA Wrestling National Championship Triple Crown. The first leg was the USAW Folkstyle Schoolboy Nationals that he captured in sudden victory over Jacob Dado of Illinois. The second and third legs of the Triple Crown came slightly easier for Beau as he won all five matches in Freestyle by tech-fall without surrendering a single point. In Greco-Roman Bartlett earned three falls and a tech-fall en route to winning the Triple Crown Championship for the first time in his youth career.
After finishing as the Super 32 Runner-up in 2014 Bartlett continued his dominance in 2015 capturing the Championship title with three falls, a major decision, and a tech-fall in the finals at 120 lbs. The name Beau Bartlett became a household name in January 2016 when the eighth grader turned heads at the Eastern States Classic when he dominated his way to a Championship at 113 lbs. Competing against high school wrestlers Beau picked up two falls and three technical-falls to advance into the finals where he faced Nationally ranked Tommy Cox. Bartlett downed Cox, a N.C. State recruit and 2016 New York State Champion, by a (12-5) score. Following the Championship Wyoming Seminary head coach Scott Green stated Beau Bartlett was the best wrestler in the gym which is an incredible compliment considering New York studs Yianni Diakomihalis and Vito Arujau were present.
When asked about Bartlett’s rookie season coach Green asserted “Beau will step into our line-up immediately with the expectation that he will compete for a National Title. He is a tireless worker and a student of the sport. I can't imagine anyone more prepared for their high school career than Beau, and we are thrilled to have him joining us every weekend.”
Slated to compete at 120 lbs. this season Bartlett will be one of the top wrestlers in the Nation and as coach Green stated he will compete for a National Prep Championship. Beau has the opportunity to compete for one of the top programs in the Nation with a talented practice room and challenging schedule.
2. Sam Hillegas
High School: North Hills Class: AAA District: 7 Region: South West Weight: 120 lbs. Projected 17’ Finish: PIAA State Medalist
Career Highlights:
2016: Phil Portuese NE Regional Freestyle (Cadet) – 120 lbs. – Champion 2016: PJW State Tournament (Junior High) – 117 lbs. – Champion 2016: PJW Area VII Tournament (Junior High) – 117 lbs. – Champion 2015: Super 32 Challenge (Middle School) – 112 lbs. – Champion 2015: ASICS/USAW Freestyle Nationals (Schoolboy) – 105 lbs. – Third Place 2015: PJW State Tournament (Junior High) – 97 lbs. – Champion
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TOP INCOMING FRESHMEN OF 2017
2015: PJW Area VII Tournament (Junior High) – 97 lbs. – Champion 2014: Super 32 Challenge (Middle School) – 90 lbs. – Champion 2014: Ohio Tournament of Champions (Schoolboy) – 88 lbs. – Champion 2014: PJW State Tournament (11 & 12) – 80 lbs. – Champion 2014: PJW Area VII Tournament (11 & 12) – 80 lbs. – Champion 2013: Super 32 Challenge (Middle School) – 75 lbs. – Third Place 2013: Ohio Tournament of Champions (Junior) – 76 lbs. – Champion 2013: Phil Portuese NE Regional Freestyle (Novice) – 75 lbs. – Third Place 2013: PJW State Tournament (9 & 10) – 65 lbs. – Champion 2013: PJW Area VII Tournament (9 & 10) – 65 lbs. – Champion 2012: Super 32 Challenge (Middle School) – 70 lbs. – Champion 2012: Ohio Tournament of Champions (Junior) – 67 lbs. – Champion 2012: PJW State Tournament (9 & 10) – 65 lbs. – Champion 2012: PJW Area VII Tournament (9 & 10) – 65 lbs. – Champion 2011: Ohio Tournament of Champions (Midget) – 60 lbs. – Champion 2011: MAWA Eastern Nationals (Midget) – 62 lbs. – Champion 2011: PJW State Tournament (9 & 10) – 60 lbs. – Champion 2011: PJW Area VII Tournament (9 & 10) – 60 lbs. – Champion 2010: PJW State Tournament (8 & Under) – 55 lbs. – Runner-up 2010: PJW Area VII Tournament (8 & Under) – 55 lbs. – Champion
A very close second follows up Bartlett with the most accomplished Pennsylvania Junior Wrestling freshman on the list. Sam “The Bull” Hillegas is a six-time PJW State Champion winning a title every year since 2011. Sammy’s feats don’t stop on the State level as he is a 3x Super 32 Middle School Champion capturing his first Championship in 2012 as a fifth grader. After finishing third in 2013 he bounced back to win back-to-back Super 32 Middle School Championships in 2014 and 2015. Hillegas got a taste of high school competition in October 2016 competing in the Super 32. In Greensboro, NC he knocked off senior PIAA State Medalist in Gavin Park (Brookville Area) and also earned revenge on the opponent who sent him into the consolations when he downed Lucas Revano (New Jersey) turning around a (5-3) defeat into a (3-2) victory. The Bull narrowly missed a spot in the top eight falling to Ryan Anderson (Bethlehem Catholic) in the blood-round (5-3). In 2015 Hillegas competed in the USAW Schoolboy Freestyle Nationals at 105 lbs. and finished third. At the Ohio Tournament of Champions Sam is a 4x Champion in the prestigious event in addition to owning a 2011 MAWA Eastern National Championship. Competing for North Hills High School in the WPIAL Sam may not be faced with an overwhelming schedule but the rookie will still be tested. Hillegas trains with the Quest School of Wrestling and head coach Jim Ackerly who himself was a 5x PJW State Champion. 4x PIAA State Medalist Gage Curry of North Hills is now down at American University and Sam will be a nice replacement in the light-weights. I expect Hillegas to end his rookie season with a PIAA State Medal and should push the top talent for a State Championship. Sam will likely start the season at 120 lbs. and it isn’t out of the question if he drops to 113 lbs. for the post-season. Regardless of where he ends up Sam will be a force.
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TOP INCOMING FRESHMEN OF 2017
3. Gerrit Nijenhuis
High School: Canon-McMillan Class: AAA District: 7 Region: South West Weight: 152 lbs. Projected 17’ Finish: PIAA State Qualifier
Career Highlights:
2016: PJW State Tournament (Junior High) – 147 lbs. – Champion 2016: PJW Area IV Tournament (Junior High) – 147 lbs. – Champion 2016: Flo Tulsa Nationals (15 & Under) – 145 lbs. – Champion 2015: VACW National Holiday Duals (Middle School) – 150 lbs. – Record of (9-1) 2015: POWERade (15 & Under) – 155 lbs. – Champion 2015: Super 32 Challenge (Middle School) – 145 lbs. – Champion 2015: Heartland National Duals (Junior High) – 132 lbs. – Record of (8-0) 2015: PJW State Tournament (Junior High) – 132 lbs. – Champion 2015: PJW Area IV Tournament (Junior High) – 132 lbs. – Champion 2014: VACW National Holiday Duals (Middle School) – 135 lbs. – Record of (9-1) 2014: Super 32 Challenge (Middle School) – 136 lbs. – Fourth Place 2014: PJW State Tournament (11 & 12) – 115 lbs. – Runner-up 2014: PJW Area IV Tournament (11 & 12) – 115 lbs. – Champion 2014: Tulsa Nationals (12 & Under) – 110 lbs. – Champion 2013: Ohio Tournament of Champions (Junior) – 110 lbs. – Runner-up 2012: PJW State Tournament (9 & 10) – 90 lbs. – Runner-up 2012: PJW Area IV Tournament (9 & 10) – 90 lbs. – Champion 2011: Ohio Tournament of Champions (Midget) – 85 lbs. – Champion 2011: PJW Area IV Tournament (9 & 10) – 75 lbs. – Champion 2010: PJW State Tournament (8 & Under) – 70 lbs. – Runner-up 2010: PJW Area IV Tournament (8 & Under) – 70 lbs. – Champion 2009: Ohio Tournament of Champions (Bantam) – 72 lbs. – Third Place
#3 is Canon-McMillan stud Gerit Nijenhuis who is a 5x PJW State Finalist and 2x PJW State Champion. In 2016 at the PJW State Championship Nijenhuis dominated the 147 lbs. bracket picking up two first periods falls, two technical-falls, and a (10-0) major decision in the Finals. It was not unlike 2015 when Gerit dominated the 132 lbs. Junior High bracket as he earned four total falls in five wins including one in the finals over Scott Joll (Belle Vernon Area). In 2014 competing in the (11 & 12) Division at 115 lbs. Nijenhuis advanced into the State Finals where he faced Carter Starocci (Cathedral Prep) who in 2016 was a PIAA State Medalist his rookie season. Nijenhuis fell in ultimate tie-breaker (1-0) to Starocci. The middle-weight had a tremendous 2015 winning Championships at the PJW State Tournament, The Super 32 Challenge, the POWERade, and went undefeated (8-0) at the Heartland National Duals. In 2016 Gerit won the prestigious Tulsa Nationals at 145 lbs. and in October 2016 he travelled to Greensboro, NC to compete in the Super 32 High School Tournament. Nijenhuis, although he didn’t end up on the podium, had a solid performance competing at 152 lbs. going (3-2). Nijenhuis earned a very impressive decision
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TOP INCOMING FRESHMEN OF 2017 over 3x Florida State Champion and senior Jake Brindley (Lake Highland Prep) score (3-2). Like Hillegas before him Nijenhuis trains with the Quest School of Wrestling and will be competing for the historic WPIAL powerhouse Canon-McMillan. He will be tested early and often with multiple high profile Tournaments on the schedule including the CV Kick-Off Classic, POWERade, and Escape the Rock.
4. Gaige Garcia
High School: Southern Columbia Area Class: AA District: 4 Region: North East Weight: 170 lbs. Projected 17’ Finish: PIAA State Medalist
Career Highlights:
2016: PJW State Tournament (Junior High) – 167 lbs. – Champion 2016: PJW Area X Tournament (Junior High) – 167 lbs. – Champion 2016: NHSCA Nationals (Middle School) – 165 lbs. – Champion 2014: PJW State Tournament (11 & 12) – 100 lbs. – Runner-up 2014: PJW Area X Tournament (11 & 12) – 100 lbs. – Champion 2012: PJW State Tournament (9 & 10) – 85 lbs. – Champion 2012: PJW Area X Tournament (9 & 10) – 85 lbs. – Champion 2011: MAWA Eastern Nationals (Midget) – 80 lbs. – Champion 2011: PJW State Tournament (9 & 10) – 75 lbs. – Champion 2011: PJW Area X Tournament (9 & 10) – 75 lbs. – Champion 2010: MAWA Eastern Nationals (Midget) – 70 lbs. – Third Place 2010: PJW State Tournament (8 & Under) – 70 lbs. – Runner-up 2010: PJW Area X Tournament (8 & Under) – 70 lbs. – Champion 2009: MAWA Eastern Nationals (Bantam) – 60 lbs. – Third Place
Gaige Garcia is already making headlines for his efforts on the football field as the freshman is helping to lead the charge for the Southern Columbia Tigers at running back. Garcia has over 1,400 yards on the ground and 25 rushing touchdowns for the 2015 PIAA State Champion program. While Gaige is busy racking up stats on the gridiron he will soon be doing the same on the mat. Garcia has enormous shoes to fill as his father, Mike Garcia, is one of the most accomplished high school wrestlers from Pennsylvania. Garcia, a 1994 graduate of Mount Carmel High School, was a 3x PIAA State Champion recording a (144- 9) career record. Known for being a hammer Mike Garcia physically imposed his will on opponents. After finishing in fifth place his freshman season Garcia only lost once in his final three seasons. He would go on to compete for Bucknell and was a 1996 NCAA Qualifier at 150 lbs. Gaige Garcia has already established himself on the mat advancing into five PJW State Tournament Finals with three PJW State Championships to his name. In 2016 Garcia simply destroyed the field en route to the 167 lbs. Championship. In five matches Garcia was only on the mat for a total of (6:46) as he picked up four falls all in under (0:51) seconds including a (0:26) second fall over #20 Dorian Crosby in the State finals. In
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TOP INCOMING FRESHMEN OF 2017
2016 Garcia was a NHSCA Middle School National Champion and he also owns a MAWA Eastern National Champion. Garcia will attempt to match his father’s feat to become a 3x PIAA State Champion and as a rookie will likely finish high on the podium. Depending on where Garcia’s weight is following a football season, that could go well into December, Garcia may begin up at 182 lbs. but drop to 170 lbs. for the post-season.
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