Hawkeye Classic Brings Early-Season Heat as Young Wrestlers Battle for Bragging Rights
By: Emily Kivler | SportzWire | November 16, 2025 | Photo courtesy Emily Kivler
2025 Hanover Hawkeye Classic Pre-Season Tournament Recap
November 9, 2025 • Hanover Area High School
The annual Hawkeye Classic wasted no time producing intensity, highlight finishes, and early-season storylines. Across brackets, wrestlers showed off offseason improvement and postseason-level determination, giving the Hanover crowd a tournament packed with close decisions, statement tech falls, and dramatic pins.
115–127 lbs: Clime Caps Thriller With OT Fall
In one of the most electric matches of the day, Nate Clime (Hanover Area) outlasted Chase Wilhelm (Unattached) in a back-and-forth battle. Wilhelm struck first with a takedown, but Clime clawed his way back to tie things at 5–5 by the end of regulation. In overtime, Clime seized control and secured the fall at 4:59, closing out an 8–5 victory in dramatic fashion.
125–140 lbs: Gomez, Cerrato Accept Double Forfeit
Bethlehem Catholic teammates Andrew Gomez and Andre Cerrato elected not to face each other, choosing brotherhood over bracket rivalry. With points tallied, Gomez finished atop the weight class with Cerrato just behind him.
130–145 lbs: Schuckers Finishes Strong for 4–0 Decision
Caiden Schuckers (Mat Assassins) and Jackson Scott (Unattached) battled through two scoreless periods, with neither wrestler giving an inch. Schuckers took control in the third, escaping for one and delivering a decisive takedown en route to a 4–0 decision.
143–152 lbs: Butler Brings the Pressure, Secures the Fall
Teagen Butler (Wolfpack) pushed the pace early against Brody Sowden (Valley View HS), earning a first-period takedown. Sowden answered with a second-period escape, but Butler regrouped quickly—adding another takedown before finishing the match by fall at 1:56.
148–165 lbs: Booth Edges Perez in Hard-Fought Decision
In a showcase of toughness and technical discipline, Bobby Booth (Mat Assassins) earned a 4–2 decision over Michael Perez (Hanover Area). Booth struck first with a takedown, while Perez battled for an escape and stalling point, but Booth’s steady pressure carried him through all three periods for the win.
160–172 lbs: Evanko Controls Frantz in 7–0 Shutout
District champion Liam Evanko (Wilkes-Barre Area) delivered a composed, clinical performance, blanking Austin Frantz (Rock Mat Club) 7–0. While Frantz pushed the pace at times, Evanko’s positioning and defense held firm as he cruised to a dominant decision.
160–172 lbs: Brown Runs the Bracket With Tech Fall
Jordan Brown (United Training Facility) went on a mission through his bracket, overwhelming Jaxon Backus (Anarchy) with nonstop pressure. Brown secured a tech fall at 3:15, putting an exclamation point on his first-place finish.
172–189 lbs: Vassallo Pins His Way to Victory
Gregory Vassallo (Hanover) continued a strong showing for the host program, earning the first takedown before pinning Sawyer Jones (Unattached) at 2:03. Vassallo’s aggression set the tone early and never let up.
190–192 lbs: Conte Dominates in Tech Fall Win
Lukas Conte (Mat Assassins) made his presence known across the bracket, scoring the opening takedown in each of his matches and powering to a tech fall over Ridwan Katzarov (G6) at 2:08.
242–270 lbs: Rivas Secures Late Fall in Heavyweight Clash
Heavyweights Urijah Rivas (Hanover Area) and Ethan Smith (Elk Lake) battled through three grueling periods. Smith defended well and held off multiple attempts, but Rivas surged late and sealed the match with a fall at 4:14—just 20 seconds before the final whistle.
Images courtesy of Emily Kivler Media
