History
Our inaugural event in December of 2005 was a 10 team, dual meet tournament that culminated with the Pennsylvania powerhouse Easton Red Rovers downing the host Council Rock South Golden Hawks 37-24 in what was a very exciting final that featured wrestlers with 10 PA state titles including future NCAA 2x Champ Jordan Oliver, NCAA qualifers Mark & Mike Rappo, Kegan Handlovic and Austin Carter. Parkland took 3rd over a State College squad who had advanced to the 3/4 match with a thrilling come from behind criteria win over Fox Chapel with back-to-back pin in the final two matches. The field also included a Germantown Academy squad featuring future 3x NCAA All American Chris Heinrich.
In January of 2007, the event became a 24 team, individual tournament. Perennial New Jersey state power Paulsboro waged a great battle with Council Rock South for team honors with the hosts coming out on top. Future NCAA Champ Steve Bosak took 3rd in a bracket won by future 2x NWCA Champ Dillon Evans. Austin Carter won the 189 title over future NCAA All American Joe Kennedy in a field that included future NFL star Gerald Hodges, while future NCAA 2x All American Tyler Nauman took home a belt at 135lb. 215lb Champ Ziad Haddad went on to become a 2x NCAA DII titleist and a 152lb freshman from St. Marks in Bobby Telford made the round of 12. Telford went on to become a 3x All American at 285lbs.
2008 saw Wyoming Seminary make their first appearance at ETR and take home the team title. The tournament featured two future NFL players in Nate Eachus and Gerald Hodges, who won the 215lb title after finishing 3rd the year before. Eachus fell in the 189lb final to Joe Kennedy and Ziad Haddad won his 2nd title, this time at 285lb. Future Penn star, Mark Rappo, also added his 2nd title by defeating future University of Indiana wrestler Joe Duca.
Wyoming Seminary was upstaged in 2009 by ETR newcomer, and 2010 PIAA State Champion, Central Mountain, who were crowned team champion. The Central Mountain squad featured future NCAA All American Dylan Alton and his twin brother, Andrew, who won titles at 145lb and 140lb respectively. Seminary was led by bookends in 285lb titleist and future 4x NCAA All American Mike McMullen and future Northwestern star Dom Malone, who won the 103lb title over a field that included Bethlehem Catholic freshman Randy Cruz. Council Rock South sophomore Matt Martoccio won the 130lb belt and would later garner DII All American status twice at Kutztown.
Wyoming Seminary then returned the favor in 2010, claiming their second ETR team title with Dom Malone capturing his 2nd title, this time at 113lb and future NCAA Championship qualifier Chris Moon winning his 1st at 160lb. Andrew Alton earned his second ETR Outstanding Wrestler Award for winning the 145lb title over future Iowa star Josh Dziewa in a bracket that included future NCAA D1 Championship qualifiers Mike Ottinger and Eliot Riddick. Dylan Alton & Joe Duca both claimed their 2nd ETR belts, while future NCAA All American Dan Neff won his first title at 130lb. Two future NCAA champs squared off in the 103lb final as Zain Retherford won a thrilling 1-0 match over Darian Cruz.
2011 brought a big step forward for Escape the Rock, as the field was expanded to 32 teams. Event newcomers were headlined by three historically successful programs in Camden Catholic, NJ, Colonial Forge, VA and Clearfield, PA. However, it was a very stout Bethlehem Catholic team that took home the team trophy on their way to winning the PIAA AA State Dual Meet title. Eventual top 5 PIAA AAA State Tournament finishers Parkland and Solanco also had strong showings at ETR, finishing 2nd and 3rd. There were outstanding individual battles throughout the entire tournament, including the final bout of the event, where the top ranked 103 pounder in the nation, Darian Cruz of Bethlehem Catholic, was knocked off by CR South’s Billy Rappo. The win for Rappo not only earned him the Outstanding Wrestler Award, but also spring boarded him toward his first of two eventual PIAA State Titles. Central Mountain’s Zach Corl, a two time ETR champion, received the award for most falls. A pair of future NCAA All Americans reached the podium as Camden Catholic's Chad Walsh placed 3rd at 119lb and Malvern Prep's Rick Durso placed 4th at 125lb.
In 2012, the competition was absolutely stellar and included twelve 2012 State Champions, plus two other former state champs that did not repeat. ETR team Champion Bethlehem Catholic won both the PIAA AA State Tournament and the AA State Dual title. Colonial Forge was the Virginia AAA State Tournament Champion, where Forest Park was 5th. Fort LeBoeuf was third at both the PIAA AA state tourney and the AA state duals. Four teams finished in the top ten at PIAA AAA states – Chambersburg, Norristown, CR South and Solanco. There were TEN teams from ETR that qualified for the PIAA state dual tournaments. Smyrna was the Delaware State Dual runner-up. Highlights from the 2012 event included Solanco’s Thomas Haines dominating performance in earning his second ETR belt and the OW Award, Central Mountain’s Brian Brill becoming the first ever 3-time ETR Champion and Bethlehem Catholic joined Wyoming Seminary as the only teams to win two ETR team titles. Chambersburg's Garrett Hammond won his first title at 152lb over a future NCAA All American in Norristown's Casey Kent. Randy Cruz became a 4x ETR placewinner with his title at 132lb and future NCAA qualifier Matt Cimato won the 145lb title for LaSalle.
For 2013, another outstanding field was assembled that featured TWENTY ONE 2013 State Champions, 72 state place winners, 126 state qualifiers and 8 National Prep Tournament place winners! Team post season accolades included eight teams that finished in the top 16 at the 2013 PIAA State Tournaments (Solanco, Norristown, Parkland, Chambersburg, Bald Eagle Area, Saucon Valley, Northampton and Council Rock North), the Delaware State Champion (Smyrna) and Runner-up (Caesar Rodney), plus two teams that were in the top five at the Virginia State Tournaments (Forest Park and Brentsville). There were seven teams that qualified for the PA and NJ state dual tournaments – Parkland, Owen J Roberts, Delaware Valley, Saucon Valley, Chambersburg, LaSalle and Paulsboro. Malvern Prep had a strong 5th place showing at the National Prep tourney. 2013 ETR highlights: the 182 pound final featured a preview of the PIAA state final between BEA’sJake Taylor and Norristown’s future NCAA All American Brett Harner, where Taylor prevailed in an epic overtime battle to earn the OW award. Solanco's Thomas Haines became the second 3x ETR champion and Parkland put seven wrestlers on the podium on their way to their 1st team crown.
The 2014 Escape the Rock Tournament proved to be the best to date. Highlights start with an appearance by World Champion Jordan Burroughs, as he presented awards for some weight classes and also took time to pose for pictures, sign autographs and shoot some t-shirts to fans in the stands. He showed why he is not only the best wrestler in the world, but an outstanding young man and a great ambassador of our sport. The competition was absolutely stellar and featured 23 State/National Prep Champions, 99 state place winners, 125 state qualifiers and 17 national prep tournament place winners! Team post season accolades were also abundant, with nine teams that finished in the top 17 at the 2014 PIAA State Tournaments, including AA state champion (Bethlehem Catholic), the Delaware State Champion (Smyrna) and Runner-up (Caesar Rodney), plus two Virginia State Champion teams (JW Robinson and Hanover) and three more that finished in the top 7 (Colonial Forge, Forest Park and New Kent). Paulsboro was the runner-up at the NJ state dual tournament and perennial national power, Blair Academy, was runner-up at the national prep tournament. Blair also showed their team strength in making their first appearance at ETR and dominated the field in winning the team title. Thomas Haines completed an historic run to become the first ever, 4-time ETR Champion, enroute to also winning his fourth PIAA State title. There were several strong weight classes that stood out. Blair’s Charles Tucker survived a gauntlet at 120lb, which had five nationally ranked wrestlers, by beating three of them to earn OW honors. 106lb also proved to be very deep and saw eventual PIAA State Champion, Jake Riegel from Bethlehem Catholic come out on top of a weight that included twelve state and national prep medalists. The 126lb final was a rematch from the Beast of the East final, where future NCAA finalist Zeke Moisey and Matt Kolodzik waged another epic battle, with Moisey again earning a hard fought victory. Future NCAA All American Joey McKenna of Blair won the 138lb belt while future NCAA qualifier and PA State Champ Joey Galasso of Father Judge won his 2nd title at 145lb. Solanco's Bo Spiller edged out teammate Haines by just 15 seconds for the most falls award.
The 2015 Escape the Rock Tournament was another outstanding showcase of talent, which included 20 State/Nat Prep champions, 114 State/Nat Prep medalists and 210 qualifiers. Bethlehem Catholic became the first three-time team champion, while Solanco’s Bo Spiller and BECA’s Andrew Dunn & Jake Riegel each earned their second ETR belt. Spiller also joined the ranks of 4-time ETR placewinners with his victory. Georgetown Prep’s Eric Hong dominated the field at 132 with a major decision and three falls, but Anthony Cefelo of Hanover Park took home Outstanding Wrestler honors by downing Luke Karam in a thrilling victory to win a bracket that featured 5 nationally ranked wrestlers. Team post season accolades were also abundant, including 10 teams in the top 20 at the PA State tournaments (AAA & AA) and 8 teams that qualified for the PA AAA state duals (3 of the top 6); a NJ Group State Champion (Hanover Park) and a runner up (Paulsboro); the DE Team State Champion (Smyrna); 4 of the top 6 teams at the VA 6A State tournament, including the State Champion (Colonial Forge), as well as 2 others in the top 5 at VA 5A and 3A; and 4 teams in the top 17 at National Preps.
Individual Champions
- 2007 Escape the Rock Champions
103 - Mark Rappo, Council Rock South
112 - Scotty Lawrence, Sussex Central
119 - Connor McDonald, Sussex Central
125 - Matt Bogusz, Parkland
130 - Tyler Nauman, Middletown
135 - Oliver Hertzel, Council Rock North
140 - Randy Abel, Spring Grove
145 - Mallie Shuster, Big Spring
152 - Dillon Evans, Council Rock South
160 - Ben Eachus, Hazleton
171 - Mike Reilly, Crestwood
189 - Austin Carter, Council Rock South
215 - Ziad Haddad, Bethlehem Catholic
285 - Demitrius Hester, Paulsboro
OW: Connor McDonald, Sussex Central
Most Falls: Demitrius Hester, Paulsboro
Team Champion: Council Rock South
- 2008 Escape the Rock Champions
103 - Colton Keck, Big Spring
112 - Mark Rappo, Council Rock South
119 - Chris Kochinsky, Middletown
125 - Andrew Wrede, Lenape Valley
130 - Nicky Gordon, Wyoming Seminary
135 - Oliver Hertzel, Council Rock North
140 - Adam Healy, Wyoming Seminary
145 - Josh Roosa, Crestwood
152 - Mallie Shuster, Big Spring
160 - Jim Gentile, Paulsboro
171 - Brock Budesheim, Sussex Central
189 - Joe Kennedy, Delaware Valley
215 - Gerald Hodges, Paulsboro
285 - Ziad Haddad, Bethlehem Catholic
OW: Joe Kennedy, Delaware Valley
Most Falls: Nate Eachus, Hazleton
Team Champion: Wyoming Seminary
- 2009 Escape the Rock Champions
103 - Dom Malone, Wyoming Seminary
112 - Kyle Johnson, Wyoming Seminary
119 - Joe Duca, Paulsboro
125 - Jordan Rich, Central Mountain
130 - Matt Martoccio, Council Rock South
135 - Bryan Smith, Bethlehem Catholic
140 - Andrew Alton, Central Mountain
145 - Dylan Alton, Central Mountain
152 - Jimmy Vollrath, Council Rock South
160 - Ed Shupe, Council Rock South
171 - Jim Gentile, Paulsboro
189 - Donald McNeal, Wyoming Seminary
215 - Zach Greenwald, Paulsboro
285 - Mike McMullan, Wyoming Seminary
OW: Andrew Alton, Central Mountain
Most Falls: Jim Tersigna, Phillipsburg
Team Champion: Central Mountain
- 2010 Escape the Rock Champions
103 - Zain Retherford, Line Mountain
112 - Dom Malone, Wyoming Seminary
119 - Kyle Johnson, Wyoming Seminary
125 - Joe Duca, Paulsboro
130 - Dan Neff, Solanco
135 - Simon Kitzis, Wyoming Seminary
140 - Brian Brill, Central Mountain
145 - Andrew Alton, Central Mountain
152 - Dylan Alton, Central Mountain
160 - Chris Moon, Wyoming Seminary
171 - Dylan Caprio, Central Mountain
189 - Jamie Callender, Council Rock North
215 - Zach Greenwald, Paulsboro
285 - Zach Corl, Central Mountain
OW: Andrew Alton, Central Mountain
Most Falls: Cody Dolan, Central Mountain
Team Champion: Wyoming Seminary
- 2011 Escape the Rock Champions
103 - Billy Rappo, Council Rock South
112 - Zain Retherford, Line Mountain
119 - Dereck Enders, Big Spring
125 - CJ Palmer, Delaware Valley
130 - Matt Sausman, Camden Catholic
135 - TJ Miller, Camden Catholic
140 - Dan Neff, Solanco
145 - Travis Erdman, Line Mountain
152 - Brian Brill, Central Mountain
160 - Mike Ottinger, Parkland
171 - Connor Moran, Solanco
189 - David Reck, Colonial Forge
215 - Thomas Haines, Solanco
285 - Zach Corl, Central Mountain
OW: Billy Rappo, Council Rock South
Most Falls: Zach Corl, Central Mountain
Team Champion: Bethlehem Catholic
- 2012 Escape the Rock Champions
106 - Brent Fleetwood, Smyrna
113 - Billy Rappo, Council Rock South
120 - Corey McQuiston, West Chester Rustin
126 - Michael Hayes, Colonial Forge
132 - Randy Cruz, Bethlehem Catholic
138 - Seth Lansberry, Line Mountain
145 - Matt Cimato, LaSalle
152 - Garrett Hammond, Chambersburg
160 - Brian Brill, Central Mountain
170 - Elliot Riddick, Bethlehem Catholic
182 - David Reck, Colonial Forge
195 - Ray O’Donnell III, Saucon Valley
220 - Thomas Haines, Solanco
285 - Josh Duplin, Westmont Hilltop
OW: Thomas Haines, Solanco
Most Falls: Ben Bunce, Bethlehem Catholic
Team Champion: Bethlehem Catholic
- 2013 Escape the Rock Champions
106 - Tommy Aloi, Forest Park
113 - Brent Fleetwood, Smyrna
120 - Zach Valley, Northampton
126 - Dustin Rook, Big Spring
132 - Dennis Gustafson, Forest Park
138 - John Dutrow, Council Rock North
145 - Joey Galasso, Father Judge
152 - Garrett Hammond, Chambersburg
160 - Greg Bacci, Malvern Prep
170 - Brett Stein, Forest Park
182 - Jake Taylor, Bald Eagle Area
195 - PJ Steinmetz, Council Rock South
220 - Thomas Haines, Solanco
285 - Bo Spiller, Solanco
OW: Jake Taylor, Bald Eagle Area
Most Falls: Josh Fye, Bald Eagle Area
Team Champion: Parkland
- 2014 Escape the Rock Champions
106 - Jake Riegel, Bethlehem Catholic
113 - Luke Karam, Bethlehem Catholic
120 - Charles Tucker, Blair Academy
126 - Zeke Moisey, Bethlehem Catholic
132 - Matt Grossman, Manheim Township
138 - Joey McKenna, Blair Academy
145 - Joey Galasso, Father Judge
152 - Mason Manville, Blair Academy
160 - Bobby Fehr, Northampton
171 - Brandon Dallavia, Blair Academy
182 - Cole DePasquale, JW Robinson
195 - Nezar Haddad, Bethlehem Catholic
220 - Andrew Dunn, Bethlehem Catholic
285 - Thomas Haines, Solanco
OW: Charles Tucker, Blair Academy
Most Falls: Bo Spiller, Solanco
Team Champion: Blair Academy
- 2015 Escape the Rock Champions
106 - Riley Palmer, Council Rock South
113 - Austin DeSanto, Exeter
120 - Jake Riegel, Bethlehem Catholic
126 - Anthony Cefelo, Hanover Park
132 - Eric Hong, Georgetown Prep
138 - Stephen Maloney, Bethlehem Catholic
145 - BC Laprade, New Kent
152 - Mikey Labriola, Bethlehem Catholic
160 - Pat Duggan, Cumberland Valley
170 - Kyle Gentile, Pennridge
182 - John Jakobsen, Stroudsburg
195 - Francis Duggan, Cumberland Valley
220 - Andrew Dunn, Bethlehem Catholic
285 - Bo Spiller, Solanco
OW: Anthony Cefolo, Hanover Park
Most Falls: Tommy Killoran, Boyertown
Team Champion: Bethlehem Catholic
- 2016 Escape the Rock Champions
106 - Brandon Kassis, Parkland
113 - Julian Chlebove, Northampton
120 - Dan Moran, Northampton
126 - KJ Fenstermacher, Liberty
132 - Zack Trampe, Council Rock South
138 - Riley Palmer, Council Rock South
145 - Jared Verkleeren, Belle Vernon
152 - Dominic Mandarino, Don Bosco Prep
160 - Kyle Bierdumpfel, Don Bosco Prep
170 - Austin Bell, Belle Vernon
182 - Michael Beard, Malvern
195 - John Jakobsen, Stroudsburg
220 - Jordan Wood, Boyertown
285 - Andrew Gunning, Liberty
OW: Dan Moran, Northampton
Most Falls: River Curtis, Battlefield
Team Champion: Belle Vernon
2017 Escape the Rock Champions
106 - Kurt McHenry, St. Paul's School
113 - Jaret Lane, Southern Columbia
120 - Pat Glory, Delbarton
126 - Nick Raimo, Hanover Park
132 - KJ Fenstermacher, Northampton
138 - PJ Crane, Malvern
145 - John Pipa, Bishop McDevitt
152 - Gerrit Nijenhuis, Canon McMillan
160 - Eric Hong, North Allegheny
170 - Jacob Oliver, Huntingdon
182 - Michael Beard, Malvern
195 - Jake Woodley, North Allegheny
220 - Joey Doyle, Council Rock South
285 - Brendan Furman, Canon McMillan
OW: Michael Beard, Malvern
Most Falls: Britain Shields, Big Spring
Team Champion: Malvern
2018 Escape the Rock Champions
106 Nico Nardone, Delbarton
113 Anthony Clark, Delbarton
120 Brandon Kassis, Parkland
126 Pat Glory, Delbarton
132 Nicky Raimo, Hanover Park
138 Quinn Kinner, Kingsway
145 Travis Tavoso, Delbarton
152 William Evanitsky, Scranton
160 Zach Hartman, Belle Vernon
170 Jackson Turley, St. Christopher's
182 Billy Janzer, Delsea
195 Michael Beard, Malvern
220 Ian Edenfield, Laurel Highlands
285 Jon Birchmeier, Broad Run
OW: Pat Glory, Delbarton
Most Falls: Bryan Wallace, Clarke County
Team Champion: Bethlehem Catholic
Escape the rock History
ESCAPE THE ROCK WRESTLING TOURNAMENT-JANUARY 18 & 19, 2025 - COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL