PIAA boys wrestling season preview 2025-26: Meet the Top 15 grapplers to watch in Butler County
Butler County’s boys wrestling scene this season will include seniors looking to cap solid, or in the case of Butler’s Santino Sloboda, historic high school careers on the mat.
It will also feature a strong group of sophomores striving to take the next step after promising freshman campaigns. Leading the county in that regard is North Catholic’s Michael Pierro, who is coming off an introduction to varsity wrestling that yielded a 33-12 record.
“He wrestled at 107 pounds last year, and at 5-foot-8, was very tall for his weight class,” North coach Darin Lyles said. “He’s now 5-10 and will be at no lighter than 127, so he’s growing into his body. He needs to get stronger, but technically, he’s a very strong wrestler.”
Other sophomores who are back for more after laying strong foundations a season ago include Mars’ Sam Passarelli (27-11 record), Butler’s Ace McElravy (25-17) and Seneca Valley’s Bryce Berekstazi (22-18).
They are all included in the following wrestlers to watch list, appearing alphabetically, for the upcoming 2025-26 PIAA season.
Placed fifth in WPIAL Class 2A as a junior, compiling a 33-13 record. He has qualified for districts in each of his three previous seasons.
He will look to take the next step after a 22-win, 13-fall effort as a freshman.
Seventeen of his 29 victories as a junior came by technical fall. He will move up a weight class after competing at 139 pounds last year.
His 33-8 record last year included a section title and a WPIAL Class 2A runner-up finish. He was not pinned during his sophomore and junior seasons, a total of 75 matches.
Will look for a longer postseason run after bowing out in WPIAL sectionals last year. Sixteen of his 25 wins came by fall.
Reached the WPIAL Class 3A tournament by placing third at sectionals. Finished 27-11 as a freshman.
Tallied 10 of his 33 wins a year ago via major decision. Reached regionals by placing seventh in WPIAL Class 2A.
He is eyeing his first trip past WPIALs after placing eighth last year. Finished 32-11 as a sophomore.
Tallied his second straight 20-plus win season last year with a 20-12 record. Finished eighth in District 10 Section 2, which included 14 schools.
The Pitt commit went 50-1 last season, with his lone loss coming in the state quarterfinals. Has a career record of 128-7, 33 wins shy of breaking Cole Baxter’s school record of 160 victories, and 48 wins short of former Seneca Valley star Alejandro Herrera-Rondon’s Butler County standard of 175 wins.
Had a breakout 28-14 season after going 7-20 as a freshman. Qualified for the WPIAL Class 3A tournament by placing fifth at sectionals.
Went 35-8 last year with 12 victories via pin and 17 by technical fall. Won a District 10 Section 2 title and placed fourth at the Class 2A district tournament. Enters this season with 90 varsity wins.
He will be in search of his third appearance at regionals after a 35-11 sophomore season. Placed third at sectionals and fifth in WPIAL Class 2A in each of the past two years.
Earned his first winning season last year with a 21-9 record. Seventeen of his victories came by fall.
After combining for 12 wins his first two seasons, he won 18 bouts last year and qualified for the WPIAL Class 3A tournament.
