The 2025-26 wrestling season across the Times News coverage area wasn’t defined by just one storyline.

It unfolded over months of work — in packed practice rooms, long tournament days, and the grind of a postseason that tested both experienced champions and rising competitors. What emerged was a season built on dominance at the top, steady growth throughout lineups, and a wave of wrestlers who pushed not only themselves, but their programs forward.

From state titles and podium finishes to milestone victories and breakthrough campaigns, the area produced one of its deepest and most complete groups in recent years.

As Northwestern Lehigh head coach Joe Killar noted, the difference often came down to “confidence and belief,” a trait that showed itself across the region — from seasoned leaders finishing historic careers to underclassmen beginning to carve out their own paths.

This year’s Times News/Lehigh Valley Health Network All-Area Wrestling Team reflects that balance, highlighting elite talent, emerging standouts and the kind of leadership that continues to shape the future of the sport locally.

GIRLS FIRST TEAM

Kailey Evans, Lehighton (Sophomore)

Evans competed at 190 pounds and put together one of the biggest improvement stories in the area, finishing 18-11 while placing fourth at districts. She captured a title at the Blue Raider Tournament and added a third-place finish at the Upper Dauphin Trojan Invitational.

Just two of her wins came by forfeit, underscoring how often she earned results on the mat.

Her jump from a six-win season a year ago helped earn her Lehighton’s Most Improved honor.

“Kailey has a physical and mental toughness that makes her a pleasure to coach,” Lehighton girls coach George Ebbert said. “Her ‘never quit’ mindset makes her a natural leader on the team.”

Kennedy Quinn, Lehighton (Sophomore)

Quinn turned in a breakout season at 136 pounds, finishing 28-9 — a team-high in wins — while adding 17 pins and placing fourth at districts after not placing at the event a year ago.

She won the Blue Raider Tournament, placed second at the Upper Dauphin Trojan Invitational, finished fifth at the Coal Cracker, and took eighth at the Beast of the East against top competition from multiple states.

After going 12-12 a year ago, Quinn took a major step forward this winter and was named the team’s MVP.

“Kennedy is the hardest worker, both on and off the mat, that I’ve ever had the pleasure to coach,” Ebbert said. “She leads by example, and her work ethic and wrestling IQ make her a dangerous opponent.”

Alisa Williams, Panther Valley (Senior)

Williams went 32-9 at 170 pounds, placing second at districts and fourth at regionals to qualify for states for the second consecutive season.

Her progression was evident throughout her career, going 14-13 as a sophomore before improving to 33-10 last season and 32-9 this year.

She placed third at Escape the Rock, won the Baguba Brawl and Battle of the Buck, and finished second at the Souderton Big Red Girls Individual.

She also recorded 19 pins, third-most on the team.

“For both of them, it comes down to their work ethic,” Panther Valley head coach Kris Nalesnik said. “When other kids take a day off, they’re working toward postseason success.”

Brenda Banks, Panther Valley (Senior)

Banks closed out one of the most dominant careers in area history at 235 pounds, going 37-0 while winning district, regional and PIAA titles to secure her third consecutive state championship. She finished as a four-time state champion overall, including a freshman title before girls wrestling was PIAA-sanctioned.

A three-time Times News/Lehigh Valley Health Network Girls Wrestler of the Year, she compiled a 110-2 career record, including 84 pins.

She led the team with 31 pins and dominated nearly every opponent she faced throughout her career.

She also captured titles at the Coal Cracker, Escape the Rock, Baguba Brawl, Souderton Big Red Girls Individual, and the Battle of the Buck, where she earned her 100th career victory.

“They’re going to be impossible to replace,” Nalesnik said. “I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to coach them.”

Anna Trelease, Northern Lehigh (Sophomore)

Trelease finished 23-4 at 142 pounds, placing second at districts and third at regionals to qualify for states.

After going 4-3 in girls matches and placing sixth at districts a year ago, she made a significant leap this season.

She captured titles at both the Tony Iasiello Girls Memorial Tournament and the Wyoming Valley West Tournament.

She recorded 12 pins and added six wins by technical fall, showing her ability to control matches in multiple ways.

A standout multi-sport athlete, she also won District 11 Class 2A titles in the discus and javelin and qualified for states in both events last spring.

“Anna came into the season well-prepared,” Northern Lehigh girls coach Junior Ortiz said. “Her mentality was a big strength — she just wanted to wrestle and score points against everyone she faced.”

Josie Fetterman, Pleasant Valley (Senior)

Fetterman delivered a strong senior season at 148 pounds, finishing 24-8 while placing second at the EPC Championships. She also finished second at the Hanover Area Holiday Classic and fourth at the Coal Cracker.

She led the team with 24 wins and 18 pins, with only three victories coming by forfeit.

Her improvement was clear from a year ago, when she went 10-9, to this season’s 24-8 mark.

She will continue her wrestling career at Cedar Crest College.

Hailey Marsh, Pleasant Valley (Junior)

Marsh turned in a breakout campaign at 190 pounds, going 21-6 while placing third at the EPC Championships and third at the Hanover Area Holiday Classic. She added a sixth-place finish at the Coal Cracker.

She recorded 15 pins, second-most on the team, highlighting her ability to finish matches.

The junior also jumped from 6-6 as a sophomore to 21 victories this past season.

Across the girls lineup, the area showed strength throughout, from Quinn at 136 pounds up through Trelease (142), Fetterman (148), Williams (170), Marsh and Evans (190), and Banks anchoring the top at 235.

BOYS FIRST TEAM

Luke Fugazzotto, Northwestern Lehigh (Senior)

Fugazzotto capped a remarkable career at 189 pounds, finishing 34-5 while winning his third district title, placing second at regionals for the second year in a row, and earning a fifth-place medal at the PIAA Championships — his third career state medal.

A four-time state qualifier, he finished with a staggering 161 wins – and 122 career pins – and was a four-time Times News/Lehigh Valley Health Network Boys Wrestler of the Year. Fugazzotto won at least 30 matches in each of his four seasons.

He also won the Rough Rider Invitational and placed second at both the Bethlehem Holiday Classic and Mid-Winter Mayhem.

“This year was the finale of a great four-year career,” Northwestern Lehigh head coach Joe Killar said. “Luke has been a great leader in the room and personifies hard work and a great mentality.”

He will continue his wrestling career at George Mason University.

Vinnie Fugazzotto, Northwestern (Sophomore)

Fugazzotto went 40-10 at 172 pounds, winning a district title, placing third at regionals, and qualifying for states.

His 40 wins and team-high 28 pins highlighted both his consistency and ability to finish matches.

After placing third at districts and seventh at regionals a year ago, his jump to the state tournament marked a major step forward.

He also won the Rough Rider Invitational and placed at both the Bethlehem Holiday Classic and Mid-Winter Mayhem and seventh at the Coal Cracker Tournament.

Nolan Koehler, Northwestern (Sophomore)

Koehler finished 34-11 at 160 pounds, winning a district title and placing fourth at regionals to qualify for states for the second consecutive season.

After finishing second at districts and fifth at regionals a year ago, he continued to build on that success this winter.

He added a fifth-place finish at the Coal Cracker and recorded nine technical falls and 16 pins.

Chase Sukanick, Northwestern (Sophomore)

Sukanick went 26-16 at 152 pounds, placing second at districts and fourth at regionals to qualify for states.

After finishing fourth at districts and not placing at regionals last season, he took a major step forward this year.

He also placed second at the Coal Cracker and sixth at the Bethlehem Holiday Classic.

Koehler and Sukanick were also part of Northwestern’s football team that reached the state championship, forcing both to get a late start to the wrestling season. Despite that, they quickly found their form and played key roles in the Tigers’ postseason success.

“The biggest change from last year to this year is their confidence and belief in themselves,” Killar said. “They all believed they could place at the state tournament and competed hard.”

That group growth reflected what Killar described as “confidence and belief” developing throughout the season.

Killar was also named the Class 2A Coach of the Year at the District 11 individual tournament.

Luke (189), Vinnie (172), Koehler (160) and Sukanick (152) formed a powerful stretch in the lineup, consistently giving Northwestern an edge while pushing each other throughout the season.

Rory Dixon, Mahanoy Area (Junior)

Dixon went 48-7 at 152 pounds, winning a district title and placing third at regionals to qualify for states for the second consecutive season.

After placing third at districts and fourth at regionals a year ago, he continued to build on that success this winter.

He captured titles at the Darren Klingerman Invitational, Jim Thorpe Christmas Tournament, and Schuylkill League Championships, while also placing fourth at the Coal Cracker.

He piled up 48 wins, including 26 by technical fall, consistently controlling matches and getting to his offense. He also earned his 100th career victory and went 6-0 at the Blue Raider Duals.

“Rory has been working toward his goals for a long time,” Mahanoy Area head coach Nathan Fegley said. “He loves to compete, and that helps him grow and makes him really fun to coach.”

Rylan Reitz, Tamaqua (Freshman)

Reitz made an immediate impact at 114 pounds, going 39-10 with 20 pins while winning a district title and placing fifth at regionals.

He captured titles at the Jim Thorpe Christmas Tournament and Schuylkill League Championships, placed third at the Darren Klingerman Invitational, and finished seventh at the Coal Cracker.

“Rylan has a drive that allows him to intentionally learn and grow,” Tamaqua head coach Jim McCabe said. “He’s always looking to build on his lead, and that’s a mentality that’s tough to teach.”

Evan Gillespie, Pleasant Valley (Senior)

Gillespie went 35-6 at 215 pounds with 29 pins, winning a Class 3A district title and placing fifth at regionals to qualify for states for the first time.

His senior campaign capped a steady rise, finishing sixth at districts as a sophomore before improving to third at districts last season and breaking through this year.

Competing at the Class 3A level, his accomplishments stood out even more against deeper competition.

He also won the Frank Wadas Memorial Tournament, placed third at the Coal Cracker, and went unbeaten in multiple dual events.

He will continue his wrestling career at Castleton University.

SECOND TEAM

Girls: Mia Guy, Lehighton; Alivia Reed, Lehighton; Lea Schaible, Palmerton Cassidy Merkel, Palmerton; Sophia Amorim, Palmerton; Nickayla Tomsic, Palmerton; Paige Kibler, Palmerton; Anelia Bennick, Panther Valley.

Boys: Marc Macias, Lehighton; Lukas Croizier, Lehighton; Dillon Anthony, Palmerton; Connor Messinger, Palmerton; Trent Croll, Northwestern Lehigh; Weston Killar, Northwestern Lehigh; Asher Traylor, Lehighton; Evan Wentz, Lehighton.

HONORABLE MENTION

Boys: Stephen Korte, Jim Thorpe; Ryder Croizier, Lehighton; Jack Lucykanish, Lehighton; Mason Rothrock, Northern Lehigh; Connor Dugan, Lehighton; Shawn Radcliffe, Pleasant Valley.