Sasso, Jones competing in annual event
Nazareth two-time state champion Sonny Sasso and Saucon Valley three-time state placewinner Jake Jones are among those competing at the annual Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic at 6 p.m. March 25 at Peters Township High School in McMurray, Washington County.
Sasso, last week’s 215-pound champ who was unbeaten his final two seasons for coach Dave Crowell’s Blue Eagles, faces Simley, Minn. senior Gavin Nelson. Sasso is headed to Virginia Tech. Nelson is a Minnesota commit.
Nelson is ranked third nationally according to MatScouts. Sasso is sixth.
Jones, an Ithaca commit, takes on Oklahoma State commit Brayden Thompson from Stillwater Okla., at 189 pounds. Jones finished his high school career with 152 wins and 102 pins for coach Chad Shirk’s Panthers.
Former Bethlehem Catholic state champion Tyler Kasak faces Iowa commit Ryder Block of Waverly Shell Rock, Iowa. Kasak skipped his senior season to be homeschooled and train in State College ahead of his career at Penn State. Block is ranked second nationally.
Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic Weight: Competitor, High school (College)
(Pennsylvania wrestlers listed first)
GIRLS
164: Abbie Miles, Laurel (Albion) vs. Destiny Rodriguez, West Linn, Ore. (McKendree)
BOYS
121: Cael Nasdeo, Williamsport (Penn State) vs. Marc-Anthony McGowan, Blair Academy (Princeton)
127: Vinny Kilkeary, Greater Latrobe (Ohio State) vs. Braeden Davis, Dundee, Mich. (Penn State) 133: Jaden Pepe, Wyoming Area (Harvard) vs. Cael Hughes, Stillwater, Okla. (Oklahoma State) 139: Tyler Kasak, Bethlehem Catholic (Penn State) vs. Ryder Block, Waverly-Shell Rock, Iowa (Iowa)
145: Mac Church, Waynesburg Central (Virginia Tech) vs. Koy Buesgens, New Prague, Minn. (N.C. State)
152: Ty Watters, West Allegheny (West Virginia) vs. Dylan Gilcher, Detroit Catholic (Michigan)
160: Dylan Evans, Chartiers Valley (Pittsburgh) vs. Ethan Stiles, James B. Conant, Ill. (Nebraska) 172: Rocco Welsh, Waynesburg (Ohio State) vs. Josh Barr, Davison, Mich. (Penn State)
189: Jake Jones, Saucon Valley (Ithaca) vs. Brayden Thompson, Stillwater, Okla. (Oklahoma State)
215: Sonny Sasso, Nazareth (Virginia Tech) vs. Gavin Nelson, Simley, Minn. (Minnesota)
285: Layton Schmick, Carlisle (East Stroudsburg) vs. Matt Moore, Mesa Ridge, Colo. (Nebraska)