Lehigh Valley area’s 1st pound-for-pound top-10 rankings
There are not a lot of weight differences among those in the first Lehigh Valley area pound-forpound top-10 rankings.
Six of the 10 competitors are in the first four weight classes. Two others are at 152, another at 172 and the top-ranked wrestler is at 285.
That is a microcosm of the regional scene. It is young. Many of the best competitors are either freshmen or sophomores. Only two of the top 10 are seniors. They bookend the rankings.
The area’s best teams are loaded with underclassmen, which bodes well for the future in postseason team and individual tournaments.
District 11 may struggle — relative to its domination the past three-plus decades — in the 2024 postseason. But there is a lot of time between now and then to alter that likelihood.
Here is the first set of pound-for-pound rankings of the season:
At a glance
(Entering Wednesday’s matches) 1. Sr. Sean Kinney, Nazareth (16-1): Two-time state champion has 13 pins 2. Fr. Joey Bachmann,
Faith Christian (17-0): Won Ironman, Beast of the East titles
3. Jr. Kollin Rath, Bethlehem Catholic (17-1):
Third at Ironman, won Beast of the East
4. Jr. Collin Gaj, Quakertown (15-1): Has 12 bonus-point victories
5. So. Adam Waters, Faith Christian (17-3): Hasn’t given up more than four points in any bout
6. Sr. Ayden Smith, Notre Dame-GP (20-2): Beast of the East champ has 123 career wins
7. Fr. Gabe Ballard, Northampton (23-1): Has 15 bonus-point wins in his first varsity season
8. Jr. Gauge Botero, Faith Christian (4-0): Had two pins in first four bouts back after knee surgery
9. So. Keanu Dillard, Bethlehem Catholic (13-4):
Four losses by six points, including two in OT
10. Sr. Mason Ziegler, Quakertown (17-2): Has 134 career wins, 70 by pin Honorable mention (in
alphabetical order): Emilio Albanese, Emmaus (12-1); Keegan Demarest, Pocono Mountain East (14-1); Noah Fenner, Easton (17-2); Luke Fugazzotto, Northwestern (17-1); Jared Karabinus, Freedom (16-0); Calvin Lachman, Quakertown (17-2); Colby Martinelli, Pennridge (2-0); Tahir Parkins, Nazareth (18-2); Charlie Scanlan, Bethlehem Catholic (12-4); Cael Weidemoyer, Faith Christian (4-0)