The Final Four of High School Wrestling was created to pitch the very best from across the country in a dual meet environment.  We have an event committee that discusses which teams to invite for the following year.  The Final Four is held in the Lehigh Valley, a hot-bed for high school wrestling.  This year's event will feature 8 high school teams, including the top 4 ranked teams in this event will then compete in the official "Final Four."

2010 Teams
(Current rankings according to WIN Magazine, January 5, 2010)

Benton (PA)
Benton, the PA AA Individual State Runner Ups, started this season with 4th place at the King of the Mountain and 9th at Powerade.  Benton is one of the top AA school's with a couple of top wrestlers returning.  Leading the team is returning PA State Champ, currently ranked 12th nationally, and future Lehigh Mountain Hawk, Eric Hess (145).  He's followed by returning seniors, State Runner Up at 285 Tyler DeMott, also ranked 12th nationally, and State Qualifier at 119 Mike Rhone, both of which have signed with Lock Haven University.


#19  Bishop Lynch (TX)
Bishop Lynch is ranked #19 in the Nation and has been one of the top 25 for the past couple of years.  For the 2009-2010 season, they took 7th in the Ironman and competed this past weekend in the Lone Star Duals.  Ironman placers include Judson Preskitt (7th at 103), Case Garrison (5th at 130), future UNC Tarheel Troy Silver (6th at 135), Cody Bye (7th at 145), future Virginia Tech Hokie Tanner Eitel, and Bucknell signee Stephen McPeek (4th at 189) round out their top prospects.


#1  Blair Academy (NJ)
Currently ranked #1 in the Nation, Blair is a perennial powerhouse. Year in and year out, Blair tops the team rankings. For the 2009-2010 season, they were the Ironman, Beast of the East, and the Bethlehem Holiday Classic Champions. Leading the way is senior Ironman and Beast Champion, and one of Cornell University's top recruits, Chris Villalonga. Other nationally ranked wrestlers include: Max Hvolbek (11th at 103), Evan Silver (1st at 112), Mark Grey (11th at 119), Todd Preston (16th at 130), Austin Ormsbee (4th at 135), Jesse Shanaman (5th at 152), Mike Evans (3rd at 189), and Brooks Black (11th at 285).


#14  Collins Hill (GA)
Collins Hill travels north from Georgia to compete against top teams.  They won the Toshiba Midwest Classic by 120 points.  They have won the last two large class state championships in Georgia and four of the last seven state championships.  The team is led by Joel Smith, future ASU Sun Devil currently ranked 13th, and  future VT Hokie TJ Mitchell, ranked #9 nationally.  Other top performers are returning state champion Bazell Partridge at 112 pounds and state runner-up CJ Collins at 215 pounds.


Easton (PA)
Easton is currently not in the top 25, but don't count them short.  A national powerhouse house for the past 15 years, they are never far behind.  They were 2nd at the 2009 Reno Tournament of Champions, a tournament which they placed in the top 8 all 14 appearances out there.  They also won the Manheim Central Holiday Tournament, which they have won 14 team championships over their 24 year tenure there.  This year's teams lead by Reno Champion and future Maryland Terrapin, Mark Hartenstine.  Following suit are Reno placers Mitchell Minotti (2nd at 135), Evan Disora (5th at 103), and Joey Rizzolino (5th at 135).


Franklin (MA)
Franklin High School has won their Region for the past 6 seasons and claimed the Massachusetts Division 2 State Champions from the 2008-2009 season.  They are currently 6-0 on the 2009-2010 season and ranked #1 in the state by masswrestling.com.  Franklin also claimed 1st place as a team at the Framingham Holiday Tournament over the Christmas break.  Leading the way for the Panthers is Dan Telhada, Eric Deslauriers,  Brandon Sheck, Sean O'Brien, Mike Hoey, Chris Dixon, Chris Kelly, Mickey Carbone, Dillon Gallagher, and Joe Alle.


#21  High Point (NJ)
High Point Regional, ranked #1 late into the 2008-2009 season, it is one of New Jersey's toughest high schools comes into the event ranked 21st.  They took 7th as a team at King of the Mountain this past December.    Leading the High Point team is Columbia signee Tom Di Vitantonio, Nick Francavilla, Joey Gaccione, Tyler Forbeck, Drew Wagonhoffer, Griffin Panicucci, and Billy Smith. 


#24  Long Branch (NJ)
Long Branch, another one of New Jersey's top school, and the #1 school in New Jersey in the 2008-2009 season.  Long Branch is currently ranked #24 nationally.  Currently 7-0 on the season with a 7th place finish at the Beast of the East, continuing to look for big things to happen in the 2009-2010 season.  Leading the team is seniors Scott Festejo, future Scarlet Knight for Rutgers University Nick Visicaro, and Cornell signee Billy George.