Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Jeff Upson
Pennsylvania State Dual Team Rankings Released
The 2019 Season is here and top programs from across Pennsylvania are only days away from their first competition. That means we need to take a look at who will be some of the top dual teams in 2019. In Class AAA, District 11’s Bethlehem Catholic will be the team to catch as the returning PIAA State Dual Team Champions return a powerful line-up that includes five State Medalists.
#20 Taylor Ortz Reopens Recruiting Search
Brookville Area Wrestling star Taylor Ortz has reopened his recruiting search after committing to Clarion in October 2014. The 2x PIAA State Third Place Medalist is now reconsidering where he will land following high school. Tate has been one of the most consistent Class AA wrestlers of the past three seasons entering his final season with a career record of (111-11). As a freshman he was a State Qualifier before finishing in third place the next two seasons at the PIAA State Tournament.
PA Power Wrestling Announces Inaugural Pre-Season Tournament "The Surge"
PITTSBURGH -– The Pennsylvania Wrestling Media Company, PA Power Wrestling, has announced an inaugural preseason tournament, The Surge, which will place on Saturday, Nov. 3 and Sunday Nov. 4, 2018, on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. The Surge will serve as a guide to PA Power Wrestling’s preseason State Rankings for returning Keystone State stars, but also a chance for high school freshmen to earn a spot on the Top Incoming Freshmen (TIF) Report.
Local wrestlers place at FloNationals
INDIANA – Chestnut Ridge teammates Justin McCoy and Jared McGill each finished second at the FloNationals tournament at Indiana (Pa.) this past weekend.McCoy, who won a 2017 PIAA title and was a runner-up this season, dropped an 8-3 decision to Peyton Mocco of Wisconsin at 152 pounds.
Where will Pennsylvania's Austin DeSanto land?
Now, after weeks of speculation, it has been confirmed by multiple sources, and first reported by Flowrestling, that Drexel true freshman Austin DeSanto has been granted a release. It has been a wild ride for DeSanto over the last year – doing the unthinkable and defeating Spencer Lee in the Pennsylvania State Finals, dominating at the Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic, and starting straight away for Drexel at 133 pounds.
Pennsylvania Wins Four National Championships on Saturday Night; Retherford, Nolf, and Joseph Repeat
Owner & Operator of PA Power Wrestling • 2015 PA Wrestling "Person of the Year" • Former Central Dauphin Wrestler
Four Pennsylvania Wrestlers Take Fourth as NCAA Consolation Medal Round Concludes
Owner & Operator of PA Power Wrestling • 2015 PA Wrestling "Person of the Year" • Former Central Dauphin Wrestler
Pennsylvania Class AA State Champions and Medalists Crowned in Hershey
Owner & Operator of PA Power Wrestling • 2015 PA Wrestling "Person of the Year" • Former Central Dauphin Wrestler
10 Must Watch Class AA State Tournament Quarterfinals
This match at one time could have been a State Finals match. Edsell won a State title last year at 160 lbs. and won 40 straight matches before falling in the regional finals last weekend to sophomore Tyler Stoltzfus. McGill is undefeated this year and wrestled 170 lbs. last season where he took fourth in the State. My pick: McGill Jason Jones has over 150 career wins and is in his fourth trip to the PIAA State Tournament but still in search of his first career medal.
PIAA Class AA State Tournament Brackets Released
Owner & Operator of PA Power Wrestling • 2015 PA Wrestling "Person of the Year" • Former Central Dauphin Wrestler
State Qualifiers Determined as District 3 Medal Round Set; Lower Dauphin & Central Dauphin Lead Team Race
The first wrestlers to punch their tickets to the PIAA Class AAA State Championship were determined on Friday night inside the GIANT Center. The medal round matches will take place Saturday morning with the top four wrestlers in each weight advancing to the State Tournament in two weeks. District 3 programs Central Dauphin and Lower Dauphin are tied for first place at 94.5 points with each having five wrestlers remaining.
District 4 Sectional Tournament Results; #2 Klock downs #1 Rhone
District 4’s Sectional Tournaments are in the books and there were few surprises across the three sites. One of the more notable results came in the Central Section where the top two wrestlers in the State at 132 lbs. clashed. It was the second time this year #1 Cole Rhone (Benton) and #2 Joe Klock (Muncy) met and this time around Klock came out the winner (10-5). Klock, who fell to Rhone (3-2) on January 25th, scored four points in the second and never looked back.
PAP38: Hating on BECAHI, Team Tournament Attendance, and Postseason Seeds
PAP38: In Episode 38 PA Power Wrestling’s Jeff Upson @PAPowerWrestle and Eric Knopsynder @KnopsKnotes discuss the Private vs. Public school debate, hating on Bethlehem Catholic, and the State Dual Team attendance. The pair also look at some of the postseason seeds and brackets from across the State! Take a listen below. 03:20 – Why is attendance so low at the State Dual Team Championships in Hershey? 22:00 – Public vs. Private School Debate. Will it ever end?
Updated Dual Team Rankings Following State Tournament in Hershey - PA Power Wrestling
The medals have been handed out and Champions determined at the 2018 PIAA State Dual Team Tournament so let’s take a look at where everyone ranks now. There were several teams who made jumps based on their performance in Hershey including District 6’s Class AA program Huntingdon who moved from #25 to #10 after knocking off Greenville, Derry, and Bishop McDevitt.
#1 Reynolds Looks to Defend It's Crown Against #2 Southern Columbia in Class AA Finals - PA Power Wrestling
HERSHEY – It is a match that fans have been talking about since the PIAA State Dual Team Championships ended in 2017. Reynolds had just completed an undefeated season en route to a PIAA State Championship while Southern Columbia ended their season in third place. All the talk was about a Southern Columbia team who returned virtually their entire starting line-up. The question was, could Southern Columbia have enough to tackle the Champion Raiders in 2018.
Muncy Survives Burrell in First Round; #2 So. Columbia faces #3 Brookville in Quarters - PA Power Wrestling
HERSHEY – Day one of the 2018 PIAA State Dual Team Tournament is in the books and there were very few surprises but several tight matches. The most entertaining dual meet came when District 4 runner-up Muncy was able to fend-off WPIAL Champion Burrell in a tight (34-30) win. On the bottom half a major meet will occur when #2 Southern Columbia takes on #3 Brookville Area in the most anticipated match of the Class AA Quarterfinals.
Updated Class AA Dual Team Rankings and Tournament Predictions - PA Power Wrestling
The Class AA State Dual Tournament begins tonight with preliminary round matches taking place across the State. Winners will advance to the Giant Center in Hershey, PA . PA Power Wrestling’s Jeff Upson is making predictions on who will be advancing. Check-out the updated State Dual Team Rankings here. Share This Story, Choose Your Platform! Owner & Operator of PA Power Wrestling • 2015 PA Wrestling "Person of the Year" • Former Central Dauphin Wrestler
USA All-Star Team Selected for 44th Annual Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic - PA Power Wrestling
Pittsburgh, PA – The 44th Annual Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic will feature a USA Team that includes the biggest names in High School Wrestling; David Carr, Gable Stevenson, Travis Wittlake, and Roman Bravo-Young. There will be two 120 lbs. wrestlers as opposed to a 113 lbs. weight class due in part to the amount of depth both in Pennsylvania and the Nation at the weight.
King of The Mountain Semifinals Set - PA Power Wrestling
Below is a look at the match-ups for the 2017 King of The Mountain Semifinals. You can follow along on PA Power Wrestling’s Twitter and also there is a live audio stream on The Record Online. 106 lbs. #3 Andrew Brest (General McLane) vs. #11 Carter Dibert (Franklin Regional)Â #7 Kyle Waterman (Council Rock South) vs. Sammy McMonagle (West Chester Henderson)Â 113 lbs. #2 Christian Fisher (Mifflin County) vs. #12 Trent Valovchik (Burrell) Cullen Day (Phillipsburg, NJ) vs. #5 Jacob Blair (Muncy) 120 lbs.
King of The Mountain Updates, Brackets and Schedule - PA Power Wrestling
Updates from the King of The Mountain are on PA Power Wrestling’s Twitter timeline below…I will do the best I can to update results as I get them. Updated Brackets (Best I could do was take pictures and post) Team List Schedule State Qualifiers Live Updates Tweets by PAPowerWrestle Share This Story, Choose Your Platform! Owner & Operator of PA Power Wrestling • 2015 PA Wrestling "Person of the Year" • Former Central Dauphin Wrestler
Tackling history of race and policing starts with well-informed officers
In order for police to build trust with marginalized communities, we must first understand the origins of distrust. When our veteran police officers first learn that they’re going to get a lecture on the history of race and policing, we tend to get responses along these lines: “I’ve been a good cop for 20 years, what does this have to do with me?” By this point, we’re used to the skepticism — and, on one level, it makes sense.
Who's #1? Preview with Michael Beard & why Trent Hidlay is Good for Wrestling - PA Power Wrestling
PAP30: The pre-season fan favorite Who’s #1? by FloWrestling will kick off the 2017-2018 Folkstyle season in The Snake Pit of Lehigh. Pennsylvania will have six wrestlers competing in the All-Star clash that will determine who holds the #1 ranking in the Nation. Episode 30 welcomes guest Michael Beard who is competing in his second straight Who’s #1? in search of his second straight win. The PA Power Wrestling team of Jeff Upson and Eric Knopsnyder sit down to preview the 2017 Who’s #1?
PA Power Podcast: Post-Fargo Thoughts and Debate with Guest John Strittmatter - PA Power Wrestling
PAP26: The PA Power Wrestling pair Jeff Upson and Eric Knopsnyder return from Fargo and give a recap on Team Pennsylvania’s performance and the State of Freestyle/Greco-Roman Wrestling in the Keystone State. They breakdown a seven year average on All-Americans from PA and discuss what the PAWF can do to improve numbers. Guest John Strittmatter of Young Guns Wrestling Club joins the show to talk about Fargo and it’s importance.
Team Pennsylvania Set to Earn 12 Cadet Freestyle All-Americans in Fargo - PA Power Wrestling
Team Pennsylvania Set to Earn 12 Cadet Freestyle All-Americans in Fargo FARGO, ND – Despite having a dismal quarterfinal round going only 2 for 7 Team Pennsylvania bounced back in the consolation round to come away with 12 Cadet Freestyle All-Americans in Fargo.
Bison System Duals Attract Keystone State's Best Wrestlers - PA Power Wrestling
LEWISBURG – The 2017 Bison System Duals held on the campus of Bucknell University will once again welcome club teams from across several States including many of the top grapplers from the Keystone State. Leading the charge are State Champions and Dark Knight teammates Julian Chlebove (Northampton) and Sammy Sasso (Nazareth). Rookie State Champion Sam Hillegas (North Hills) will compete for a loaded Quest School of Wrestling squad.
Pennsylvania Claims 23 Champions at Ohio TOC
COLUMBUS – The largest one day tournament in the Nation is one that always finds Pennsylvania talent throughout – and 2017 was no different. In Columbus, Ohio at the 25th annual Ohio Tournament of Champions the Keystone State came away with 23 Champions across seven different age divisions. Young talent from the Schoolboy division had a Pennsylvania leading seven Tournament Champions and 34 overall medalists. While the Cadet division saw a leading 37 overall medalists including five Champions.
State Tournament Preview Podcast With Guest Cole Matthews - PA Power Wrestling
State Tournament Preview Podcast With Guest Cole Matthews Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: iTunes | Android | RSSPA Power Wrestling’s Jeff Upson and Eric Knopsnyder breakdown the 2017 PIAA State Tournament going through each weight and analyzing the match-ups. The pair talk with Reynolds junior Cole Matthews who is trying to earn his second PIAA State Championship in three years.
PJW State Junior High Brackets Released - PA Power Wrestling
The 2017 Pennsylvania Junior Wrestling Junior High brackets have been released and fans can get a glimpse of the future this weekend. Taking place on March 4th & 5th at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena in Johnstown the top junior high wrestlers from across the Keystone State will do battle to determine PJW State Champions.
Pre-Season State Dual Team Rankings Released - PA Power Wrestling
Pre-Season State Dual Team Rankings Released With the 2016-2017 PIAA State Wrestling Season just around the corner it is time to take a look at the Dual Team landscape and where the Keystone State’s top programs rank. Take a look at the Top 25 Pre-Season Dual Team Rankings in both Class AA and Class AAA. Additionally I review the top five teams in each class providing projected starting lineups and key wrestlers.
#6 Max Murin Commits to the Iowa Hawkeyes
The Young Guns pipeline keeps paying off for the Iowa Hawkeyes. Central Cambria senior Max Murin, a three-time PIAA State medalist and three-time Fargo All-American, told PA Power Wrestling on Friday night that he has committed to wrestle for Iowa. Murin is the fifth Young Guns wrestler to commit to the Hawkeyes in the past two years. Franklin Regional’s Michael Kemerer, who will look to start for Iowa this season as a redshirt freshman, started the trend.
Loaded PA Line-up Set for Pinning Down Autism All-Star Duals
The Sixth Annual Pinning Down Autism has expanded from a dual meet between New York vs. New Jersey and now includes four All-Star Teams. An absolute loaded Pennsylvania team will be competing against All-Star line-ups from New York, New Jersey, and Ohio in Allentown, PA at Muhlenberg College on Saturday April 23rd. Leading Team PA are seniors Micky Phillippi (Derry Area), Hayden Hidlay (Mifflin County), Jake Wentzel (South Park), and Michael Rogers (Wyoming Seminary).
"The Kid" Spencer Lee Commits To Iowa Hawkeyes
2x World Champion Spencer Lee (Franklin Regional) the top wrestler in Pennsylvania and the Nation has given a verbal commitment to continue his academic and wrestling career at Iowa. Photo by Stephanie Strittmatter of theladyofthelens.com The #1 recruit in the Nation announced to the World his intentions to attend Iowa in an open letter to PA Power Wrestling.
Iowa Hawkeyes Grab Two Pennsylvania Studs
Two of Pennsylvania’s best wrestlers have both committed to the Iowa Hawkeyes. Photo by Stephanie Strittmatter of theladyofthelens.com Below is a look at Andy Hamilton’s article from The Des Moines Register. Iowa scored one of the biggest recruiting coups in the rich history of its wrestling program Wednesday afternoon when the Hawkeyes plucked two of the nation’s top prospects out of Pennsylvania.
Despite Valiant Push Team PA Falls at Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic
The match wrestling fans wanted to see never took place but one that everyone thought was a lock proved to be suspenseful. The Nation’s top ranked wrestler at 132 lbs., Chad Red (Indiana), was unable to make the required weight, which was 137 lbs. with a 5 lbs. allowance, thwarting a showdown with Luke Pletcher (Greater Latrobe). The 3x PIAA State Champion and Ohio State recruit competed his senior season at 138 lbs. but elected to compete at 132 lbs., with the 5 lbs.
PA's Samantha Klingel Wins Women College National Title
Former Pleasant Valley High School wrestler and current King University senior Samantha Klingel (Kresgeville, Pa.) captured the 2016 Women’s College National Championship over the weekend in Oklahoma City, OK. (Photo From King Athletics). It was the final touches on a successful career at the National power King University. Klingel’s National Championship at 116 lbs. helped the Tornados claim their third straight WCWA National Team Title.
Roberts and Reinhart Capture NCAA Division II Championships; 9 PA All-Americans
Pitt-Johnstown head coach Pat Pecora is no stranger to success at the NCAA Division II National Championships and 2016 was another example of the Mountain Cats success in March. Pecora’s squad finished the team race in fourth place a year after finishing in 31st place. In 2015 Pecora stated, despite having a successful dual meet record of (12-2), his Mountain Cats were struck with multiple injuries during the individual post-season.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Jeff
Contact Jeff, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack