L-L Tournament matchups

OK, here's the skinny on the league wrestling tournament today:
The first round begins at 4 p.m. at Manheim Township. Today, the wrestling will include pigtails, the first round, quarterfinals and the first round of consolations.

Action picks back up tomorrow at 10 a.m. with more consolations. Semifinals are scheduled to kick off at 11:30 a.m. And the fifth, third and first-place bouts will all take place following the L-L Hall of Fame inductions at 4;30 p.m. Personally, I think it's an awful idea to run the 1st, 3rd and 5th place bouts simultaneously. Not only because it makes it more difficult for me to cover, but because it takes away from the kids – and that's the most important thing. The championship matches should be the ONLY matches happening in the gym when they are up. Those kids earned it. From what I understand, this was Township's decision (that's not confirmed, just hearsay). If that's the case, I feel like they are making a mistake.

Anyway, onto the first round matchups. Forgive me if I don't know the first name of an E-town opponent. All I was given was last names and I don't know all of the other wrestlers' first names.

103 – Matt Hoover, E-town, (18-4, 3 pins) vs. the winner of the May, Cocalico, and O'Malley, Garden Spot.
* The favorite in this bracket has to be Ortiz from McCaskey. I've seen him for a couple years now, and he's going to be tough to beat. Hoover's only a freshman though, so this will be a good measuring stick for him.
112 – Calvin Anderton, E-town, (20-4, 4 pins) vs. Sullivan, Solanco.
* Anderton has had a great season, but the Stoltz kids from Township is really good. Calvin could open some eyes though.
119 – Antonio Rodriguez, E-town, (7-15, 1 pin) vs. Quinn, Warwick.
* This is a pigtail matchup. The winner of this bout gets second-seeded Aspril, of L-S.
125 – Kyle Morrow, E-town, (5-16) vs. Evan, Ephrata.
* Another pigtail matchup. The winner here gets the top seed, Warwick's Pearsall.
130 – Chapis, Warwick, vs. Justin Lewis, E-town (10-6, 3 pins).
* Lewis is a scrappy wrestler with a pretty decent record, but I'm predicting Donegal's Grove wins this bracket. Just a hunch.
135 – Oliver Thayer, E-town, (21-2, 2 pins) vs. the winner of Wager, Manheim Twp, and Webber, Cocalico.
* The Big O is the top seed in this bracket. He hasn't lost a dual meet match, but has 2 losses in tournaments. I expect him to be wrestling in the finals.
140 – Robby Townsley, E-town, (6-6, 2 pins), vs. Hamid, CV.
* I'd be shocked if Garden Spot's Aaron Yohn didn't win this bracket. The kid is very good. Townsley could surprise a few people and place high in this bracket, though.
145 – Blake Rosenberger, E-town (21-2, 3 pins), vs. the winner of Haitos, Lebanon and Ki. Kinderwater, Manheim Twp.
* Blake's the top seed here. He is one of the best wrestlers (arguably the best) on a very strong E-town team. Expect him to be in the finals.
152 – Zach Myers, E-town, (1-5) vs. Weatherholtz, Elco.
* Pigtail matchup here. The winner gets Graeff, of L-S. This is usually Zac Distasio's weight class, but he's not in the tournament. Haven't gotten word yet if it is an injury, or what is happening with Zac, but Myers, a sophomore, will be E-town's 152 pounder.
160 – Adam Zellman, E-town, (18-5, 5 pins), vs. Gieniec, PM and Belousov, Ephrata winner.
* Zellman has pretty quietly put together an outstanding campaign this year. He could finish very high in this bracket, but I like Sweigart from Donegal. That kid is so tall for a 160 pounder that he has a definite advantage.
171 – Travis Lever, E-town, (21-2, 4 pins), vs. winner of Fowler, L-S, and Hinerman, GS.
* Travis is the 2-seed in this bracket (Ephrata's Blake Crowther is the top seed). If he can get to the finals against Crowther, it will be a fantastic matchup.
189 – Shane Rosenberry, E-town (21-1, 7 pins) vs. winner of Ueberroth, Cocalico and Felus, Columbia.
* Rosie is the 2 seed in this bracket. The Giorgio kid from Warwick is an absolute beast and the top seed. Should Shane make the finals (and he should), he'll have his hands full with him.
215 – Sean McMullen, E-town, (13-5, 4 pins) vs. winner of Stuckey, Cedar Crest and Torres, McCaskey.
* The obvious favorite here is Central's Jordan Enck (who I believe will be a state champion this year). McMullen is giving up weight to almost everyone, but he has the ability and strength to get far.
285 – Alex Kirchner, E-town, (15-9, 2 pins) vs. Force, L-S.
* Kirchner is another kid giving up a lot of weight in this class. But he's strong and he's quick, and that could propel him to a top-five finish.

There you have it. Enjoy the tournament.