In the Mid-Penn Conference Keystone Division, wrestling is always competitive, and the 2024–25 campaign will be no exception.
This is PennLive’s sneak peek at the Keystone Division’s landscape, as we polled coaches to find out how each team and its players are expected to perform, as well as the coaches’ choice for preseason MVP.
A survey of coaches in the Keystone Division was compiled to determine the preseason team rankings.
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CD East on November 14, 2024, during PennLive’s wrestling media day.
Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)
8. CD East
Jeff Eason is the coach.
Last year: July 14
Important wrestlers include Jared Porter, Sr. (160), CJ Hershman, Jr. (285), Ethan Miller, So. (152), Braydon Sparks, Fr., and Zaire Young, Sr. (152).
The Buzz: Some clubs will be surprised by the high number of motivated and self-assured CD East wrestlers who have worked hard throughout the off-season. Young is a transfer from Trinity who won 17 fights in his second year. Porter finished fifth at sectionals and won 24 fights the previous season.
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Mechanicsburg on November 14, 2024, at PennLive’s wrestling media day.
Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)
7. Mechanicsburg
Coach: Dave Heckard
Last year: 3–9
Important wrestlers include Trey Olivetti, Fr. (120), James Spargo, Jr. (127), JJ Gould, Jr. (127), Cole Sweitzer, Jr. (145), Collin Stare, Jr. (285), and Willie Travis, Sr. (189/215).
The Buzz: After a dual meet season with three wins, the Wildcats aim to improve. Stare won a sectional medal and a 21-bout match. Sweitzer was a regional qualifier with 20 victories. Travis had a season with 20 wins.
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Hershey on November 14, 2024, at PennLive’s wrestling media day.
Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)
6. Hershey’s
Brandon Bucher is the coach.
9–4 last year
Christian Burd, Jr. (160), Xander Korn (152), Tyler Laughman (145), Alexander Tagliati (Fr.), Christian Tagliati (Fr.), and Cooper Wisniewski (So.) were important wrestlers.
The Buzz: With 32 wins, a bronze in sectionals, and a silver in regionals, Burd is a reliable star for the Trojans. This year, Korn is anticipated to advance in weight class. After a 22-win season, Laughman is back. There will be many freshmen and sophomores in the starting lineup.
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Carlisle on November 14, 2024, during PennLive’s wrestling media day.
Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)
5. The city of Carlisle
Coach: Joe Wilson
Last year: 4–8
Key wrestlers include Shae Salerno, Fr. (121), Brayen Hunter, Fr. (127), Gunner Shephard, Fr. (133), Steffon Urban, Jr. (172), Caleb Adams, Jr. (152), Daniel Ortega, Jr. (285), Bradyn Jumper, Sr. (215), and Carter Pedrick, Sr. (133).
The Buzz: Another MPC club with a nice mix of fresh and experienced wrestlers hoping to increase the number of victories in the upcoming season is the Thundering Herd. Jumper is a returning regional qualifier who has won 25 fights. With 27-9 last season, Pedrick is just 24 wins away from reaching the century milestone. Urban is back as the 26-bout champion.
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Lower Dauphin on November 14, 2024, at PennLive’s wrestling media day.
Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)
4. Dauphin Lower
David Wuestner, coach
Last year: 16–4
Important wrestlers include Christian Madden, So. (114), Ryan Ulrich, So. (152), Hunter Stoak, So. (285), Tommy Oswald, So. (121), James Rogers, Sr. (139), Nathan Stuckey, Sr. (189), and Isaac Ulrich, Sr. (172).
The Buzz: Stuckey, Ulrich, and Rogers, three seasoned seniors, return as the reigning Keystone champions. Ulrich defeated 18 opponents, while Stuckey won 30 fights. Oswald was a freshman who won 27 fights. After missing the majority of the previous season due to injury, Stoak is back at heavyweight.
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During PennLive’s wrestling media day, Palmyra wrestled. November 14, 2024. [email protected] Sean Simmers
3. The Palmyra
Jonathan Regerts is the coach.
9–8 last year
Important wrestlers: Trevor Carl, Fr. (138), Evan Andrew, Fr. (152), Jason Foutz, Aaron Andrew, Elijah Foutz, Fr. (107), and Tyler Detwiler, Jr. (121).
The Buzz: Palmyra recorded its first winning dual meet season in recent memory, and the Cougars camp is brimming with confidence as they look to build on this success. Since many wrestlers, like Detwiler and Andrew, had injuries that ended their seasons, staying healthy is crucial. After creating a 25-win season, Foutz is back. The freshmen who are coming in show promise.
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During PennLive’s wrestling media day, Red Land wrestled. November 14, 2024. [email protected] Sean SimmersSimmers, Sean
2. The Land of Red
Brian Baglio is the coach.
13–6 last year
Key wrestlers: Sam Culp, Sr, (114), Jake Owen, Jr. (285), Ryan Beck, Sr. (172), MaClane Englert, So. (139), Garrett Anderson, Sr. (133), Kyle Wonders, Jr., Pierson Hoffman, Jr., Eli Phillips, Fr. (160), Anthony Scarlato, Fr. (127).
The Buzz: Baglio says the Patriots have they most solid and balance lineup in the Keystone. Culp qualified for the state with 26 victories. Owen qualified regionally with 22 victories. Beck, a regional qualifier as a freshman, returns this year from injury. Englert and Hoffman both place fifth at sectionals. Freshmen Phillips and Scarlato both won 28 and 25 wins, respectively, in junior high.
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Northern York during PennLive s wrestling media day on Nov. 14, 2024.
Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)
1. Northern
Coach: Cory Johnson
Last year:14-5
Key wrestlers: Nico Fratelli, Sr. (152), Harley Dolly, Sr. (172), Braden Wivell, So. (107), Gabe Johnson, So., (160), Jackson Lininger, So. (121), Braxton Gingerich, So. (133), Tristan Cruz, Fr. (107), Jeremiah Bailey, Fr. (114).
The Buzz:The well-balanced Polar Bears are the consensus choice of the Keystone Division coaches and returns six District 3 qualifiers. Wivell, Gingerich, Fratelli and Lininger all won more than 20 bouts last season. Johnson won 33 times and took sectional gold. Northern is looking for its first berth in the PIAA team tournament.
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Hershey s Christian Burd during PennLive s wrestling media day on Nov. 14, 2024.
Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)
KEYSTONE DIVISION PRESEASON MVP
Christian Burd, Hershey
Burd fashioned a 32-9 campaign as a sophomore, wrestling at the 160-pound weight class. He placed second in sectionals and third in regionals last season. Burd is 39 victories away from 100 career wins with a two-year mark of 61-12.
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