PIAA girls wrestling season preview 2024-25: Meet the Top 6 grapplers to watch in Butler County
Anastasia Manchester entered her first season of varsity wrestling with seven years of experience under her belt. She was hoping to do well — then she turned in a 2023-24 season that not only added to her experience, but gave her even more confidence.
As a freshman at Butler, Manchester compiled a 25-8 record with 24 pins. She placed third in WPIAL Class 3A and at regionals and competed in the first ever PIAA girls championship tournament in Hershey in March.
“I didn’t think I would get to states. That was definitely a surprise,” Manchester said. “The support from my family, coaches and teammates helped me get there.”
She began competing in the elementary ranks.
“I liked wrestling right away,” she said. “I remember looking forward to matches, and I was able to win a lot of them.”
Manchester, who lost both of her PIAA matches last year, wants to take the next step as a sophomore. In her mind, it’s clear what that would entail.
“I want to place higher at tournaments and definitely go further at states, maybe even medal,” she said. “I’ve gotten stronger since last year and have spent a lot of time on my footwork.”
Manchester is a Butler County girls wrestler to watch as the 2024-25 season begins. The County has three varsity teams know in Seneca Valley, Butler and newly formed Knoch; Slippery Rock’s varsity team is expected to begin full competition next season but will field some wrestlers at tournaments.
The following are some of the area’s top wrestlers you don’t want to miss this season, listed alphabetically.
Was 26-9 as a junior and reached WPIAL quarterfinals at 130.
“She is aggressive on the mat and does a good job adjusting to her opponent’s style,” SV coach Jessica Leighty said.
Went 23-15 last year and finished runner-up at WPIALs.
"She's a very aggressive wrestler who does a good job of setting the pace," Leighty said. "But she can also adjust to her opponent's style if needed."
Was 12-10 against male wrestlers last year; an injury kept her out of the postseason.
"She’s one of the more technical wrestlers we have, boys or girls,“ Knoch assistant coach JB Orris said. ”She is very tough on top and isn’t afraid to be physical.“
Compiled a record of 18-9 last year. Placed third at WPIALs, regionals and PIAAs. She’s ranked 19th in the country by USA Wrestling and is committed to Hastings College.
"She leads by example, and her accomplishments speak for themselves," Knoch coach Logan Downes said. "She wants to be coached and critiqued because she wants to be great."
Finished 25-8 last year, third at WPIALs and regionals.
"She wrestled 142 last year but was actually 132 on a good day," Butler coach Nathan Bottiger said. "So she wrestled up quite a bit, and 142 was a tough weight class last year. She's 142 right now and has to decide if she's going to stay there or move down to 136.
"She's a wildcard, pretty unpredictable, but she's strong in the scramble position and almost always comes out on top. She throws (her opponent) when she has to and is fearless."
Placed fifth at WPIALs last year and went 12-13 overall.
“Half of her losses came from awareness issues that come with match experience," Bottiger said. "Last year was valuable in that regard, and I think this year she can put that stuff behind her and really lock in."
