While waiting for the first whistle at Saturday’s District 11 Team Wrestling Championships, let’s take a closer look at the schedule and the quarterfinal matchups.

Schedule

After weigh-ins at 8 a.m. Saturday at Bethlehem Freedom High School, action will begin at 9 a.m. with the Class AA quarterfinals. The Class 3A quarterfinals will follow at 11 a.m. The Class AA semifinals are set for 1 p.m., with the Class 3A semifinals at 2:30 p.m. The championship finals in both classes will be held at 6:30 p.m. on two mats.

The champion and runner-up in each class will represent the district in the 20-team PIAA Team Wrestling Championships.

Preliminary and round-of-16 duals will be held Tuesday, Feb. 3, at regional sites across the state. Then, instead of heading to Hershey’s Giant Center or Altoona Area High School as in recent seasons, the remaining eight teams in each class will gather at 1st Summit Arena, Cambria County War Memorial, Johnstown, on Feb. 6-7 to battle it out for a state title.

Last season, Bethlehem Catholic won its fifth straight District 11 Class 3A championship with a 36-24 victory over Nazareth. In Class AA, Saucon Valley rolled past Northwestern Lehigh 59-12.

At states, Bethlehem Catholic won its fourth straight Class 3A title, topping Nazareth 44-28 in an all-District 11 PIAA final. In the Class AA final, Faith Christian defeated Bishop McCort 34-25.

CLASS AA

Quarterfinals

No. 1 Saucon Valley (12-3) vs. No. 8 Pen Argyl (6-5)

The top-seeded and defending champion Panthers are the favorite to win the district title until somebody proves otherwise.

Saucon Valley opens against Colonial League foe Pen Argyl and should cruise.

Top wrestlers for Saucon Valley include sophomore Gavin Chunko (18-6) at 114-121, junior Carter Chunko (28-2) at 127-133, sophomore Matthew Santoro (25-5) at 145-152 and junior Ezekiel Deily (22-6) at 285.

Pen Argyl will counter with freshman Bo Yeakel (20-8) at 107-114, freshman Mason Ramsay (25-7) at 114-121, senior Isaiah Adams (20-9) at 121-127, senior Collin Ramsay (28-4) at 139-145 and senior Luca Albanese (25-9) at 152-160.

No. 4 North Schuylkill (15-2) vs. No. 5 Lehighton (13-4)

Former Schuylkill League member Lehighton and North Schuylkill are building quite a little rivalry. The teams met Jan. 3 at Lehighton’s Indian Duals, and the Spartans emerged with a 32-31 victory on criteria when the Indians went overboard with a celebration after the final match.

Sparks should fly during the rematch.

The Indians feature sophomore Jack Lucykanish (20-11) at 127-133, senior Connor Dugan (19-9) at 139-145, junior Lukas Croizier (25-11) at 145-152, senior Evan Wentz (22-10) at 152-160, senior Carter Hontz (24-7) at 172, junior Asher Traylor (27-8) at 215 and junior Marc Macias (24-6) at 285.

North Schuylkill had the highest rating in District 11 AA, but the Spartans slipped in the subjective seeding due to a 36-30 loss to Tri-Valley on Dec. 16. Since then, North Schuylkill has captured the Schuylkill League Division I dual-meet championship and the team title at the Schuylkill League Wrestling Championships.

Top wrestlers for North Schuylkill include senior Gaige Mentusky (28-7) at 107, senior Stanley Padakowski (20-10) at 121-127, sophomore Noah Leib (25-11) at 133, freshman Brock Holmes (27-9) at 139, freshman Bode Gates (29-11) at 145, junior Kaden Tavares (23-11) at 152, sophomore Bryce Kile (24-11) at 160 and senior Cadyn McGraw (28-9) at 215.

No. 3 Northwestern Lehigh (10-3)

vs. No. 6 Pine Grove (13-5)

The Tigers have quality wins over Bethlehem Freedom, Lehighton, Abington Heights and La Salle College, among others.

They feature some heavy hitters as well, including sophomore Weston Killar (25-13) at 127, junior Trent Croll (26-11) at 145-152, sophomore Chase Sukanick (18-11) at 145-160, sophomore Nolan Koehler (24-7) at 160-172, sophomore Vinnie Fugazzotto (30-7) at 172-189 and senior Luke Fugazzotto (23-2) at 189-215.

Pine Grove’s best wins have come over Souderton, Twin Valley, Camp Hill and Ephrata.

Leading the way for the Cardinals are sophomore Chase Nagle (21-13) at 121, junior James Hoy (25-12) at 139, junior Aaron Osatchuck (28-6) at 145-152, junior Isaiah Miller (27-11) at 172, junior Zach Kurtz (31-6) at 215 and junior Scout Frantz (30-7) at 285.

No. 2 Tri-Valley (13-3) vs. No. 7 Mahanoy Area (6-4)

The Bulldogs handled the Golden Bears 49-17 on Dec. 17 and added victories over Blue Mountain (40-33), North Schuylkill (36-30), Line Mountain (33-31) and Pine Grove (33-30).

Senior Owen Wolfgang (27-6) at 107, senior Jaxson Bruso (28-9) at 133-139, junior Hunter Updegrave (22-12) at 172 and senior Max Masser (25-6) at 189 lead the Bulldogs, who have 12 wrestlers with double-digit wins.

Freshman Arturo Reyes (30-4) at 121, junior Rory Dixon (34-4) at 152, sophomore Stanley Boris (25-13) at 189 and senior Kyler Quick (33-3) at 215 power Mahanoy Area.

CLASS 3A

Quarterfinals

No. 1 Nazareth (13-1) vs. No. 8 Bethlehem Liberty (13-5)

Perennial state powerhouse Nazareth leads a loaded big-school field. Six of the top 10 Class 3A teams in the state are from District 11 in the latest PA Power Wrestling Rankings.

The Blue Eagles’ top wrestlers include freshman Jack Dressler (15-8) at 107, freshman Caleb Kosko (17-3) at 133-139, junior Cooper Wenrich (23-5) at 139-145, senior Jack Campbell (17-2) at 145-152, senior Cade Campbell (26-2) at 152-160, senior Elijah Simak (24-7) aty 172-189 and senior Brayden Zuercher (28-2) at 189-215.

Nazareth’s signature win this season is 29-25 over upstart Emmaus.

Leading the way for Liberty are freshman Max Milia (22-4) at 107 and junior Elijah Heimbach (24-7) at 121-127.

No. 4 Notre Dame-Green Pond (8-2)

vs. No. 5 Northampton (14-2)

Two perennial powers lock up in this quarterfinal.

The Crusaders have challenged themselves in the state and beyond, with a victory over Council Rock South and a fifth-place finish at the Beast of the East among the highlights.

Top wrestlers for NDGP include freshman Maximus Quarry (23-8) at 107, sophomore Cael Muller (22-8) at 114-121, senior Gavyn Kelton (17-6) at 145-152, senior Dominic Sumpolec (28-4) at 189, senior Connor Smalley (20-7) at 215 and junior Noah Knorp (20-10) at 185.

Northampton beat Boyertown and placed third at the Mid-Winter Mayhem event.

The Konkrete Kids feature sophomore Brayden Wenrich (23-1) at 121-127, senior Trey Wagner (25-3) at 145, senior Chase Grabfelder (26-5) at 152, junior Gabriel Ballard (28-5) at 160-172 and sophomore Carter Chlebove (24-9) at 160-172.

No. 3 Bethlehem Catholic (9-1) vs. No. 6 Easton (12-3)

The Golden Hawks have owned the team championship in recent seasons but will have their hands full trying to make it six straight District 11 Duals titles. They downed Easton 40-17 on Dec. 17.

Easton has been coming on of late, though, and knocked off cross-river rival Phillipsburg (New Jersey) 38-30 on Jan. 24.

Bethlehem Catholic’s stars include senior Keanu Dillard (27-3) at 139-145 and junior Connor Gillahan (20-5) at 189-215.

For Easton, freshman Jack Famularo (21-9) at 127, senior Nicholas Salamone (28-5) at 133, junior Noah Fenner (23-4), junior Ethan Krazer (19-5) at 145-152, junior Justin Cosover (21-5) at 189, junior Alonzo Parker (22-9) at 215 and senior Kurtis Crossman (15-2) at 285 are quality.

No. 2 Emmaus (15-1) vs. No. 7 Whitehall (13-2)

A pair of up-and-coming programs meet in this quarterfinal.

Emmaus announced itself early, knocking off Bethlehem Catholic 31-21 on Dec. 3 and losing only to Nazareth this season.

Leading Emmaus are sophomore Camren Martinez (11-0) at 107, sophomore Talan Springer (19-7) at 114-121, junior Teagan Caciolo (24-4) at 121-127, junior Emilio Albanese (28-2) at 127-133, senior Jackson Max (24-9) at 139-145, sophomore Xyler Sallit (19-7) at 160-172 and senior Logan Armstrong (18-4) at 172-189.

Whitehall counters with senior Kade Pascoe (24-6) at 121-127, senior and recent Nebraska commit Willmont Kai (30-1) at 127-133, freshman Mason Hopkins (21-11) at 160, junior Layony Sanchez (18-9) at 172-189 and senior James Hopkins (25-7) at 172-189.

District 11 Team Wrestling Championships

At Bethlehem Freedom High School

Saturday’s schedule

CLASS AA

Quarterfinals

No. 1 Saucon Valley (12-3) vs. No. 8 Pen Argyl (6-5), 9 a.m.

No. 4 North Schuylkill (15-2) vs. No. 5 Lehighton (13-4), 9 a.m.

No. 3 Northwestern Lehigh (10-3) vs. No. 6 Pine Grove (13-5), 9 a.m.

No. 2 Tri-Valley (13-3) vs. No. 7 Mahanoy Area (6-4), 9 a.m.

Semifinals

Saucon Valley/Pen Argyl winner vs. North Schuylkill/Lehighton winner, 1 p.m.

Northwestern Lehigh/Pine Grove winner vs. Tri-Valley/Mahanoy Area winner, 1 p.m.

Championship

Semifinal winners, 6:30 p.m.

CLASS 3A

Quarterfinals

No. 1 Nazareth (13-1) vs. No. 8 Bethlehem Liberty (13-5), 11 a.m.

No. 4 Notre Dame-Green Pond (8-2) vs. No. 5 Northampton (14-2), 11 a.m.

No. 3 Bethlehem Catholic (9-1) vs. No. 6 Easton (12-3), 11 a.m.

No. 2 Emmaus (15-1) vs. No. 7 Whitehall (13-2), 11 a.m.

Semifinals

Nazareth/Liberty winner vs. NDGP/Northampton winner, 2:30 p.m.

Bethlehem Catholic/Easton winner vs. Emmaus/Whitehall winner, 2:30 p.m.

Championship

Semifinal winners, 6:30 p.m.