Two top-ranked wrestlers fall in the Beast of the East semifinals

Photo of Tyler Vazquez getting his hand raised after knocking off No. 1 Marc-Anthony McGowan in the 106 pound semifinals.

 The 2019 Beast of the East has been brutal. Always one of the best high school tournaments in the country, this year’s level of competition seems tough to top. This was emphatically demonstrated when two of the nation’s top-ranked wrestlers fell in the semifinals.

The first No. 1 to go down occurred in the 106 pound weight class where No. 4 seed Tyler Vazquez of Delbarton defeated the No. 1 wrestler in the country Marc-Anthony McGowan, a Cadet World Champion from Blair Academy, 1-0. Vasquez rode McGowan during the second period and picked up an escape in the third to earn the one-point victory. Vasquez, a freshman currently unranked by Trackwrestling, stated that being able to escape on bottom is a big part of his coach’s philosophy.

“Once I got out there and started feeling him, I started getting more confident…  My coaches always say, if you want to win big matches, you’ve got to get out on bottom. If you’re good on your feet like me, they can’t score, or I score on them,” Vazquez said.

In the finals, Vasquez will face a wrestler on a Cinderella run of his own, Brandon Cannon of Wyoming Seminary. Cannon is the No. 23 seed in the tournament and not Wyoming Seminary’s usual starter. Wyoming Seminary did not bring their starting lineup to the Beast of the East but usually features Daniel Sheen, who last weekend placed seventh at the Walsh Jesuit Ironman, another one of the premier high school tournaments in the country.

To reach the finals, Cannon defeated the No. 4 wrestler in the country Mac Church of Waynesburg, 5-2, in the quarterfinals and the No. 8 wrestler in the country Gabe Giampietro of Smyrna, 5-3, in the semifinals.

Ryan Crookham of Notre Dame was the other wrestler to take out the top-ranked individual in the country. Crookham, a sophomore who is currently ranked No. 3, defeated three-time Cadet World Team member and Youth Olympic Games gold medalist Robert Howard of Bergen Catholic, 3-2, in the 126 pound semifinals.  The only points Crookham surrendered came from a reversal in the closing seconds of the match. Howard, a senior, is committed to wrestle at Penn State. In the finals, Crookham will face top-seeded Eddie Ventresca of Pope John XXII.

Another wrestler having a breakout tournament is Blair Academy’s Lucas Chittum. Seeded 16th at 138 pounds, Chittum advanced to the finals with a dominant, 12-2, major decision over Waynesburg’s Wyatt Henson, the No. 4 seed. In the finals, Chittum will face No. 3 seed Kenny Herrmann of Bethlehem Catholic

Domonic Mata, another Blair wrestler, has annihilated the 170 pound field on his way to the finals. Mata, the only wrestler in the tournament with a chance to win back-to-back titles, has earned five pins in five matches. In the finals he will square off with Connor O’Neill of DePaul Catholic. Mata is currently ranked No. 6 in the country while O’Neill is ranked No. 11.

The finals will begin at 2:30 p.m. ET and can be streamed on Trackwrestling.

Finals Pairings
106 pounds
Tyler Vaszquez (Delbarton) vs. Brandon Cannon (Wyoming Seminary)

113 pounds
Stevo Poulin (Shenendehowa) vs. Brett Ungar (Notre Dame)

120 pounds
Ryan Miller (Blair) vs. Dean Peterson (St John Vianney)

126 pounds
Eddie Ventresca (Pope John XXII) vs. Ryan Crookham (Notre Dame)

132 pounds
Joey Olivieri (Hanover Park) vs. Jimmy Carmany (Brecksville)

138
Lucas Chittum (Blair Academy) vs. Kenny Herrmann (Bethlehem Catholic)

145
Manzona Bryant (Western Reserve Academy) vs. Jagger Condomitti (Northampton)

152
Dalton Harkins (Malvern Prep) vs. Cole Handlovic (Bethlehem Catholic)

160
Andrew Cerniglia (Notre Dame) vs. Clayton Ulrey (Lower Dauphin)

170
Domonic Mata (Blair Academy) vs. Connor O’Neill (DePaul Catholic)

182
John Poznanski (Colonia) vs. Rylan Rogers (Blair Academy)

195
Nicholas Feldman (Malvern Prep) vs. Peyton Craft (Blair Academy)

220
Ethan Hatcher (Brecksville) vs. Kyonte Hamilton (Georgetown Prep)

285
Hunter Catka (Sun Valley) vs. Max Millin (Perry Massillon)

Semifinal Results

106 pounds
Tyler Vazquez (Delbarton) dec Marc-Anthony McGowan (Blair Academy), 1-0
Brandon Cannon (Wyoming Seminary) dec Gabe Giampietro (Smyrna), 5-2

113 pounds
Stevo Poulin (Shenendehowa) dec Joe Cangro (Bergen Catholic), 10-4
Brett Ungar (Notre Dame) dec Kelly Dunnigan (Don Bosco Prep), 4-1

120 pounds
Ryan Miller (Blair) dec Nick Kayal (Bergen Catholic), 5-2
Dean Peterson (St John Vianney) dec Alex Almeyda (St. Joes Regional), 2-1

126
Eddie Ventresca (Pope John XXII) dec Dylan Shawver (Elyria), 8-7
Ryan Crookham (Notre Dame) dec Robert Howard (Bergan Catholic), 3-2

132
Joey Olivieri (Hanover Park) dec Dylan Cedeno (Bergen Catholic), 1-0
Jimmy Carmany (Brecksville) maj dec Dec Clayton Gabrielson (McDonogh), 12-0

138
Lucas Chittum (Blair Academy) maj dec Wyatt Henson (Waynesburg), 12-2
Kenny Herrmann (Bethlehem Catholic) dec Mick Burnett (Elyria), 1-0

145
Manzona Bryant (Western Reserve Academy) dec Victor Voinovich (Brecksville), 4-2
Jagger Condomitti (Northampton) dec Jackson Dean (Caesar Rodney), 10-5

152
Dalton Harkins (Malvern Prep) def Alex Strashinsky (Bergen Catholic), MFF
Cole Handlovic (Bethlehem Catholic) dec Kolby Allred (Great Bridge), 2-1

160
Andrew Cerniglia (Notre Dame) fall Luke Nichter (Chambersburg), 5:49
Clayton Ulrey (Lower Dauphin) maj Matthew Arciuolo (Saucon Valley), 14-3

170
Domonic Mata (Blair Academy) fall Angel Garcia (Mariana Bracetti Academy), 3:57
Connor O’Neill (DePaul Catholic) dec Dylan Reinert (Gettysburg), 3-0

182
John Poznanski (Colonia) dec Sam Fisher (Fauquier), 5-3
Rylan Rogers (Blair Academy) dec JT Davis (Smyrna), 7-3

195
Nicholas Feldman (Malvern Prep) dec Jack Wimmer (McDonogh), 7-2
Peyton Craft (Blair Academy) dec Ben Vanadia (Brecksville), 3-0

220
Ethan Hatcher (Brecksville) dec Kyle Jacob (Paramus), 4-3
Kyonte Hamilton (Georgetown Prep) dec Noah Pettigrew (Blair Academy), 9-4

285
Hunter Catka (Sun Valley) major dec Kevin Hudson (Caesar Rodney, 17-4
Max Millin (Perry Massillon) fall Coltin Deery (Malvern Prep),

Quarterfinal Results

106
Marc-Anthony McGowan (Blair Academy) 4-0 won by major decision over Pito Castro (Brecksville) 26-11 (MD 10-2)
Tyler Vazquez (Delbarton) 4-0 won by fall over Charlie Bunting (Nazareth) 10-2 (Fall 3:22)
Gabe Giampietro (Smyrna) 15-1 won by decision over Carson Wagner (Northampton) 6-2 (Dec 12-5)
Brandon Cannon (Wyoming Seminary) 14-2 won by decision over Mac Church (Waynesburg) 11-2 (Dec 5-2)

113
Stevo Poulin (Shenendehowa) 4-0 won by major decision over Luke Poore (Caravel Academy) 36-6 (MD 9-1)
Joe Cangro (Bergen Catholic) 4-0 won by decision over Joe Manno (St. Joes Regional) 3-2 (Dec 7-0)
Brett Ungar (Notre Dame) 9-1 won by decision over Brady Conlin (Williamstown) 3-2 (Dec 5-0)
Kelly Dunnigan (Don Bosco Prep) 4-0 won by decision over Erik Roggie (St Christophers) 4-1 (Dec 4-1)

120
Nick Kayal (Bergen Catholic) 4-0 won by decision over Brandon Crowder (Christiansburg) 126-17 (Dec 3-1)
Ryan Miller (Blair Academy) 4-0 won by decision over Dayton Delviscio (Malvern Prep) 103-36 (Dec 7-1)
Alex Almeyda (St. Joes Regional) 4-0 won by decision over Cooper Flynn (McDonogh) 54-8 (Dec 3-2)
Dean Peterson (St John Vianney) 39-0 won by decision over Danny Nini (Lake Highland Prep) 4-1 (Dec 5-0)

126
Eddie Ventresca (Pope John XXIII) 4-0 won by decision over Rocco Welsh (Waynesburg) 10-4 (Dec 5-4)
Dylan Shawver (Elyria) 103-23 won by decision over Ethan Gray (Caravel Academy) 45-5 (Dec 6-0)
Ryan Crookham (Notre Dame) 9-1 won by fall over Daniel Wask (Blair Academy) 3-2 (Fall 5:53)
Robert Howard (Bergen Catholic) 4-0 won by decision over Trae McDaniel (Cleveland) 4-1 (Dec 8-4)

132
Joey Olivieri (Hanover Park) 4-0 won by fall over Cole Homet (Waynesburg) 10-3 (Fall 5:26)
Dylan Cedeno (Bergen Catholic) 4-0 won by decision over Justin Bierdumpfel (St. Joes Regional) 2-2 (Dec 7-3)
Jimmy Carmany (Brecksville) 48-6 won by decision over Evan Buchanan (Atlee) 15-3 (Dec 5-1)
Clayton Gabrielson (McDonogh) 6-0 won by decision over Nathan Porter (Mount St Joes) 10-4 (Dec 4-2)

138
Lucas Chittum (Blair Academy) 4-0 won by major decision over Dom Baker (New Kent) 14-3 (MD 12-2) Wyatt Henson (Waynesburg) 11-2 won in tie breaker - 1 over Chris Rivera (Lake Highland Prep) 5-1 (TB-1 2-1)
Kenny Herrmann (Bethlehem Catholic) 113-36 won by injury default over Damon McGee (Bullis) 30-3 (Inj. 1:33)
Mick Burnett (Elyria) 104-26 won by decision over Michael Cetta (St. Joes Regional) 5-1 (Dec 7-4)

145
Victor Voinovich (Brecksville) 43-6 won by decision over Joe Zargo (Bergen Catholic) 4-1 (Dec 2-1)
Manzona Bryant (Western Reserve Academy) 15-2 won by decision over Justin Rivera (Lake Highland Prep) 4-1 (Dec 7-2)
Jagger Condomitti (Northampton) 90-22 won by decision over Bretli Reyna (South Dade) 4-1 (Dec 6-5)
Jackson Dean (Caesar Rodney) 42-5 won by decision over Dashawn Farber (Nazareth) 5-1 (Dec 8-5)

152
Dalton Harkins (Malvern Prep) 104-28 won by decision over Aaron Ayzerov (Paramus) 66-24 (Dec 4-0)
Alex Strashinsky (Bergen Catholic) 5-1 won in sudden victory - 1 over Enrique Munguia (Elyria) 84-25 (SV-1 7-6)
Kolby Allred (Great Bridge) 14-1 won by major decision over Tate Nichter (Chambersburg) 42-8 (MD 9-0)
Cole Handlovic (Bethlehem Catholic) 90-22 won by fall over Payne Carr (Union County) 113-26 (Fall 2:58)

160
Andrew Cerniglia (Notre Dame) 11-1 won by fall over Aurelius Dunbar (Mercersburg Academy) 19-2 (Fall 1:39)
Luke Nichter (Chambersburg) 50-5 won by decision over Luca Augustine (Waynesburg) 13-3 (Dec 9-5)
Mathew Arciuolo (Saucon Valley) 67-8 won by decision over Alex Whitworth (McCallie School) 12-1 (Dec 6-4)
Clayton Ulrey (Lower Dauphin High School) 116-12 won by decision over Connor Strong (Mount St Joes) 16-4 (Dec 9-5)

170
Domonic Mata (Blair Academy) 4-0 won by fall over Sam Bergin (Shenendehowa) 3-2 (Fall 1:53)
Angel Garcia (Mariana Bracetti Academy) 103-26 won by decision over Gavin Cagle (McCallie School) 6-3 (Dec 5-1)
Dylan Reinert (Gettysburg) 51-5 won by decision over Jaden Bullock (Oscar Smith) 13-2 (Dec 5-0)
Connor O`Neill (DePaul Catholic) 4-0 won by decision over Connor Herceg (Nazareth) 8-1 (Dec 5-1)

182
John Poznanski (Colonia) 103-12 won by major decision over Drew Clearie (Nazareth) 8-2 (MD 13-4)
Sam Fisher (Fauquier) 12-3 won by decision over Brock Delsignore (Shenendehowa) 4-1 (Dec 7-4)
JT Davis (Smyrna) 14-3 won by decision over Jake Evans (Elyria) 88-22 (Dec 3-2)
Rylan Rogers (Blair Academy) 4-0 won by major decision over Dominic Solis (McDonogh) 43-11 (MD 12-4)

195
Nicholas Feldman (Malvern Prep) 54-8 won by decision over Maximus Hale (Downingtown West) 102-27 (Dec 5-2)
Jack Wimmer (McDonogh) 44-9 won by decision over Jackson Talbott (Central Dauphin HS) 38-9 (Dec 9-3)
Peyton Craft (Blair Academy) 4-0 won by major decision over Azeem Bell (AI DuPont) 50-7 (MD 10-2)
Ben Vanadia (Brecksville) 48-9 won in sudden victory - 1 over Mike Misita (St Augustine) 71-18 (SV-1 9-7)

220

Ethan Hatcher (Brecksville) 53-5 won by major decision over Chase Mielnik (Downingtown West) 94-32 (MD 14-5)
Kyle Jacob (Paramus) 85-27 won by decision over Matt Kaplan (Lake Highland Prep) 3-1 (Dec 6-2)
Noah Pettigrew (Blair Academy) 3-0 won by fall over Steven Schott (Nazareth) 7-3 (Fall 3:46)
Kyonte Hamilton (Georgetown Prep) 94-10 won by decision over Ashton Davis (Cleveland) 3-1 (Dec 6-2)

285
Hunter Catka (Sun Valley) 103-9 won by major decision over Eijah Anthony (Blair Academy) 3-1 (MD 11-3)
Kevin Hudson (Caesar Rodney) 33-7 won by fall over Jordan Agosto (Danbury) 3-1 (Fall 5:35)
Max Millin (Perry (Massillon)) 11-1 won by decision over James Howard (McCallie School) 7-1 (Dec 3-1)
Coltin Deery (Malvern Prep) 74-15 won by fall over Ben Grafton (North Allegheny) 7-2 (Fall 2:00)