2025 MIAA Wrestling Tournament Preview

by Billy Buckheit

In the season opening preview, it was asked if Gilman’s reign atop the MIAA “A” Conference was a one-time anomaly or the beginning of a new era of Greyhound excellence. The results so far this season suggest the latter as the No. 1 team in the state completed the dual meet gauntlet unscathed to secure its second straight “A” Conference Dual Meet Crown.

There were a few close scares with No. 2 Archbishop Spalding and No. 4 Mt. St. Joseph that came down to the heavyweight bouts, but as champions do, Gilman found a way to win.

As we take a look at this weekend’s MIAA Tournament, the Greyhounds look poised to claim the MIAA Tournament title for the second year in a row. Their four No. 1 seeds lead the way as do their four No. 2 seeds. The eight top two guys exceed No. 5 Loyola-Blakefield’s five. Spalding and St. Joe have four apiece.

Receiving the top seeds for Gilman were Liam McGettigan (113), John Jurkovic (157), Emmitt Sherlock (190), and Isaiah Trusty (215). McGettigan and Sherlock are defending champs, with Sherlock a senior, who is committed to the University of Virginia, seeking his third crown. Both are No. 1 at their weights in the state rankings.

Jurkovic, who is also ranked first at his weight, and Trusty are looking to become champs for the first time. JD Vassar (120), Zach Glory (132), Arthur Konschak (175), and Noah Lawrence (285) are the Greyhounds’ second seeded guys. Christian Wirts received the three-seed at 106.

Spalding’s No. 2 Sean Garretson, who was top ranked at 126 before rising in weight, has been in the MIAA Finals every year of his career. The senior was second as a sophomore and is looking for title No. 3 this year.  No. 1 Zane Leitzel, a junior, is after his first crown after being second last year.

Coming in as number two seeds for the Cavs are Eli Chesla (113) and Quentin Bailey (126). Spalding’s title chances are boosted by their depth with eight other wrestlers seeded in the top five, giving them twelve total in that range, the most of any team.

Placed in the third spots at their weight were Isaac Cicchetti (120), Henry Gessford (144), Dylan Briles (157), and Josh Taylor (165). Interestingly, the remaining four were all given the fifth seed, Charlie Mutschler (106), Ryder Kolat (150), Luke Winkler (190), and Luke Barulli (215).

St. Joe and Loyola both received three number one seeds.

The Gaels were No. 1 Corey Brown (106), No. 2 Jake Tamai (126), and No. 3 Brooklyn Pickett. Brown and Pickett were Fargo placers, in addition, Brown (No. 10 at 106) is nationally ranked by Sports Illustrated alongside Sherlock (No. 7 at 175). No. 2 Cameron Cannaday is seeded second at 157.

The Dons’ No. 2 Jayden Jackson is in pursuit of title number three in his third trip to the tournament. The junior is joined in the top spot by No. 8 Riley Miller (175) and No. 1 Luke Randazzo (285). Randazzo, who has spent some time in the national rankings, is hoping to improve upon two consecutive runner-up finishes and finish his career on top.

Nationally ranked Fargo All-American, No. 2 Tyler Verceles (No. 29 at 106 by SI) is seeded behind Brown. Josh Hale is starting in the second position at 138lbs.

No. 12 Saint Frances Academy and No. 27 Calvert Hall have one top-rated wrestler each with the Cardinals’ coming at 150 in No. 4 Griffin Stewart and No. 15 Chase Carpintieri repping the Panthers at 165.

No. 8 McDonogh is on an upswing as evidenced by their dual meet win over Spalding in the season finale for both. But the fact they have no one in the top two of their weights shows they are not all the way back to their former selves. Seven Eagles did receive third or fourth seeds.

McDonogh had another reason to celebrate this year as coach Pete Welch picked up his 400^th career win.

On a deeper individual note, half of the potential finals matches, assuming the top two make it that far, would feature rematches in some form. Plus, Brown and Verceles have likely met as junior leaguers at some point.

McGettigan beat Chesla at Ray Oliver. Jackson downed Vassar two times last season. Garretson last met Glory two years ago and won all three of their matches. Leitzel has defeated Hale at Ray Oliver and War on the Shore this season. Jurkovic lost to Cannaday twice last year, then won their last meeting of 2024 at this tournament and beat his rival in this year’s dual meet. Trusty beat Garland in the Adam Janet Finals. Randazzo pinned Lawrence in their dual.

Will Spalding’s depth be enough to overcome Gilman’s power? Will St. Joe, Loyola, or even McDonogh come through with a surprise finish? These questions will be answered on Saturday at the Gilman School.

If you can’t make it there in person, the finals with be Livestreamed on Gilman’s YouTube Channel. Finals are scheduled for 3pm on Saturday.

Saturday's Schedule

7:30 AM Doors Open for Spectators

8:00 AM Weigh-ins, Skin Check, Hair and Nails

9:00 AM Tournament workers arrive

9:15 AM Coaches meeting

9:30 AM Matches begin on 4 Mats

(1st Round, Quarter Finals, 1st Round Consolations, Quarter Final Consolations)

Championship Semi Finals on 2 mats and 3rd Round Consolation on 2 mats (Remove one mat)

12:30 PM Consolation Semi Finals (2 Mats)

3:00 PM Finals (1st, 3rd, 5th on 3 mats)

Seeds:

106

1-Corey Brown (Mt. St. Joe)

2-Tyler Verceles (Loyola)

3-Christian Wirts (Gilman)

4-Jacob Naylor (McDonogh)

5-Charlie Mutschler (Spalding)

6-Zeb Bolden (Saint Frances Academy)

7-Gavin Young (Calvert Hall)

8-Liam Rose (Archbishop Curley)

Alt-Samora Wolokolie (Our Lady of Mt. Carmel)

113

1-Liam McGettigan (Gilman)

2-Eli Chesla (Spalding)

3-Weylin Myers (Gerstell Academy)

4-Evan Kaliakoudas (Curley)

5-James Wright (Mt. St. Joe)

6-Bradley Alexander (St. Frances)

7-Brandon Bates (Mt. Carmel)

8-Andrew Savino (Calvert Hall)

Alt-Connor Moles (Loyola)

120

1-Jayden Jackson (Loyola)

2-JD Vassar (Gilman)

3-Isaac Cicchetti (Spalding)

4-Chad “CJ” Votta (Mt. St. Joe)

5-Cole Polly (Mt. Carmel)

6-Reid Swirnow (McDonogh)

7-Cody Lehman (Calvert Hall)

8-Patrick Gross (St. Paul’s)

Alt-Markwan Hawkins (St. Frances)

126

1-Jake Tamai (Mt. St. Joe)

2-Quentin Bailey (Spalding)

3-Wes Baumgartner (McDonogh)

4-Cayden Farver (Loyola)

5-Kamren Griffin (St. Frances)

6-Michael Banks (Mt. Carmel)

7-EJ Hill (Boys’ Latin)

8-Paul Tomayko (St. Paul’)

Alt-Anders Martin (Gilman)

132

1-Sean Garretson (Spalding)

2-Zach Glory (Gilman)

3-Mason Comegys (McDonogh)

4-Christian Manley (Mt. Carmel)

5-Dom Montgomery (Severn)

6-Ben Scheiner (Mt. St. Joe)

7-Evan Jackson (Loyola)

8-Devon Pringle (Boys’ Latin)

Alt-Charlie Dyke (St. Mary’s)

138

1-Zane Leitzel (Spalding)

2-Josh Hale (Loyola)

3-Tyler Stephens (Mt. St. Joe)

4-Cole Genua (McDonogh)

5-Josh Jackson (Calvert Hall)

6-Oscar Davis (Curley)

7-Sawyer Enright (Gilman)

8-Evan Clarke (Mt. Carmel)

Alt-Rowan Ward (Severn)

144

1-Brooklyn Pickett (Mt. St. Joe)

2-Nicky Melfi (Severn)

3-Henry Gessford (Spalding)

4-Noah Shird (St. Frances)

5-Seve Lombardo (Boys’ Latin)

6-Lincoln Weeks (Loyola)

7-Lincoln Holmes (Friends School of Baltimore)

8-Reed Boettcher (Curley)

Alt-Luke Feldtmose (St. Mary’s)

150

1-Griffin Stewart (Calvert Hall)

2-Braxton McAvey (St. Frances)

3-Nevan McKneely (Loyola)

4-Dominic Manna (McDonogh)

5-Ryder Kolat (Spalding)

6-Connor Allison (Mt. St. Joe)

7-Isaiah Stanley (St. Mary’s)

8-Ma’qyo Hughes (Mt. Carmel)

Alt-Rowen Myers (Gerstell)

157

1-John Jurkovic (Gilman)

2-Cameron Cannaday (Mt. St. Joe)

3-Dylan Briles (Spalding)

4-Caden Gardner (McDonogh)

5-Matai Hughes (Mt. Carmel)

6-Derrick Grant (St. Frances)

7-Aidan Kammar (Calvert Hall)

8-Nathan Shepherd (Loyola)

Alt-Noah Bernstein (Boys’ Latin)

165

1-Chase Carpintieri (St. Frances)

2-Haden Myers (St. Paul’s)

3-Josh Taylor (Spalding)

4-Dylan Fish (Curley)

5-Jack Bruffey (Gerstell)

6-Kamal Fisher (Pallotti)

7-Will Hudson (Mt. St. Joe)

8-Alex Stowbunenko-Saitschenko (Calvert Hall)

Alt-Sawyer Peck

175

1-Riley Miller (Loyola)

2-Arthur Konschak (Gilman)

3-Jakayveon Burton (Mt. Carmel)

4-Izaac Robertucci (Calvert Hall)

5-Jack Farrell (Boys’ Latin)

6-Garrett Greb (Mt. St. Joe)

7-Adeoluwa Adewuyi (Curley)

8-Leo Marks (McDonogh)

Alt-James Ward (Spalding)

190

1-Emmitt Sherlock (Gilman)

2-Elijah Josey (St. Frances)

3-Noah Brannan (Loyola)

4-Talin Krashoc (Severn)

5-Luke Winkler (Spalding)

6-Bailen Boutz (Curley)

7-Ryan Ellis (Gerstell)

8-Benny Laupert (Boys’ Latin)

215

1-Isaiah Trusty (Gilman)

2-Maxwell Garland (Calvert Hall)

3-Max Stanziale (McDonogh)

4-Khalee White (Curley)

5-Luke Barulli (Spalding)

6-Douglas Johnson (St. Frances)

7-Anderson Foster III (Pallotti)

8-Ari Kravitz (Gerstell)

Alt-Brendan Kelly (Loyola)

285

1-Luke Randazzo (Loyola)

2-Noah Lawrence (Gilman)

3-Kahlil Regan (Curley)

4-Maxwell Ohamou (Calvert Hall)

5-Thomas Brandel (Mt. St. Joe)

6-Logan Brown (McDonogh)

7-Michael Byrne (Spalding)

8-Carter Beck (Boys’ Latin)

Alt-Evan Smith-Matlock (St. Frances)