The original idea of Escape the Rock was conceived in 2004 by the Council Rock South coaching staff – Brad Silimperi, Trap McCormack, Greg Osbeck, Darrell Martoccio and Deric Lynch. They envisioned a tournament that would provide increased competition for their team and wrestlers, while staging it as a high-quality event that would also showcase Council Rock South High School, the CRS wrestling community and its boosters. The inaugural Escape the Rock Tournament took place in December of 2005 as a 10 team, dual meet event that culminated with the Pennsylvania powerhouse Easton Red Rovers downing the host Council Rock South Golden Hawks in what was a very exciting final. The following year, the event became a 24 team, individual tournament, with then CR South Wrestling Booster Club president, Ed Evans, taking the reins as tournament director.
The first installment of Escape the Rock as an individual tournament took place in January of 2007, where perennial New Jersey state power Paulsboro waged a great battle with Council Rock South for team honors. While crowning three champions, the hosts came out on top. Sussex Central’s Connor McDonald was dominant throughout the tournament and voted the Outstanding Wrestler.
2008 saw Wyoming Seminary take home the team title while making their first appearance at ETR. Seminary was upstaged in 2009 by ETR newcomer, and eventual PIAA State Champion, Central Mountain, who were crowned team champions. Seminary then returned the favor in 2010, claiming their second ETR team title while two-time PA State Champion Andrew Alton became the only 2-time ETR Outstanding Wrestler Award winner.
2011 brought a big step forward for Escape the Rock, as the field was expanded to 32 teams. Bethlehem Catholic took home their first ETR team trophy. The level of competition continued to increase in 2012, Bethlehem Catholic joined Wyoming Seminary as the only teams to win two ETR team titles. Other highlights included Central Mountain’s Brian Brill becoming the first ever 3-time Escape the Rock Tournament Champion.
In what was the deepest ETR field yet, our 2013 event had competition that was absolutely stellar. Solanco’s Thomas Haines became the second 3-time ETR Champion and Parkland stepped to the forefront in the team race and put 7 wrestlers on the podium on their way to their first ETR team crown.
The 2014 Escape the Rock was highlighted with an appearance by Olympic and World Champion, Jordan Burroughs, who interacted with kids and adults alike and presented awards. Blair Academy, in their first appearance at ETR, dominated the field to win the team title. Thomas Haines completed an historic run to become the first ever, 4-time ETR Champion, while Blair’s Charles Tucker survived a gauntlet at 120, which had five nationally ranked wrestlers, by beating three of them to earn OW honors.
The 2015 Escape the Rock was another outstanding showcase of talent. Bethlehem Catholic became the first 3-time ETR team champion, while Solanco’s Bo Spiller and BECA’s Andrew Dunn & Jake Riegel each earned their second ETR belts. Anthony Cefolo of Hanover Park took home Outstanding Wrestler honors by downing BECA’s Luke Karam in a thrilling victory to win a bracket that featured 5 nationally ranked wrestlers.
Our 2016 event welcomed the first ever PA District 7 team to compete in Belle Vernon. They didn’t disappoint, winning the team title and finishing #7 in the nation, as ranked by Flo Wrestling. CR South’s Riley Palmer and Stroudsburg’s John Jakobsen each took home their second ETR belts. Dan Moran wrestled real tough in getting by two nationally ranked wrestlers on his way to earning the 120lb belt and was named Outstanding Wrestler. In 2017, Malvern Prep won their first ETR team title. Michael Beard dominated the 182 pound bracket with 2 falls and 2 tech falls in winning his 2nd ETR belt and the Outstanding Wrestler Award. KJ Fenstermacher and Eric Hong both also won their 2nd ETR titles.
2018 brought even more depth and diversity with the addition of national power LaSalle out of Cincinnati, Ohio. The team race was fierce, with Bethlehem Catholic winning their record 4th ETR team title by just a few points over LaSalle and Delbarton. The finals had numerous epic battles, with ten bouts decided by 1 or 2 points, four of which went to overtime, including the final bout at 138 where Quinn Kinner escaped with a thrilling UTB win over Ryan Anderson. Michael Beard became only the third ever 3-time ETR Champion. Brandon Kassis earned his 2nd ETR belt, as did Nicky Raimo and Patrick Glory, who was truly outstanding while tearing through the 126 bracket to win the OW award.
Another strong field for the 2019 Escape the Rock had 49 teams, with some of the top individuals in the country competing. Bethlehem Catholic nailed down their 5th team crown in another close battle with LaSalle and Delbarton. Our first ever team from Florida, Osceola, crowned a champion in Malyke Hines, while Nico Nardone, Julian Chlebove, Jackson Turley and John Birchmeier each became 2x ETR Champions. Birchmeier also won the Outstanding Wrestler award by dominating the field at 285 with 3 falls and a major decision. Other highlights included eventual PA State Champion & OW, Ryan Vulakh, finishing off a rare regular season trifecta by winning titles at the Beast of the East, Powerade and Escape the Rock.
Notre Dame-Green Pond made a big splash as a first time entrant at ETR in 2020 by crowning 4 champions and placing 2nd behind Malvern Prep, who won their 2nd team title. Eventual PIAA State Champion and OW Gaige Garcia won his 2nd ETR belt by beating National Prep Champ Nick Feldman on a late takedown in a great final bout. Andrew Cerniglia tore through the 160 bracket with 3 falls and a 14-2 major over fellow PA state champ and defending ETR champ Luke Nichter to earn OW honors.
After taking the covid hiatus in 2021, Escape the Rock came back strong as ever in 2022. A big highlight was Malvern Prep’s Nick Feldman completing an unprecedented regular season run of winning Ironman, Beast of the East, Powerade and Escape the Rock. He was completely dominant with 2 tech falls, a fall and a major on his way to earning Outstanding Wrestler honors. There were many great battles throughout the tournament, including an epic final at 113, where Delaware Valley’s Zach Jacaruso knocked off nationally number one ranked Anthony Knox from St. John Vianney.
2023 saw our field grow to 53 teams being represented. Malvern Prep earned their 4th team title, while there were plenty of impressive performances throughout the tournament. Anthony Knox won the belt that eluded him in 2022 and took Outstanding Wrestler honors. Faith Christian freshman Adam Waters took down defending PA State Champion Holden Garcia in the 172 final, in what was a prelude to Waters beating him again to earn OW in the state final. Bethlehem Catholic’s Nate Desmond pinned his way to the finals in a very tough 114 bracket, then beat eventual National Prep Champ Lukas Littleton-Mascaro to win his second ETR championship.
Malvern Prep became the second team to win five Escape the Rock team titles in 2024, crowning three champs in the process. With nine returning ETR champions in the field, there were many great performances and battles throughout the tournament. The 152 bracket provided some excellent match ups, featuring three returning champs, with Kollin Rath coming out on top to get his second ETR belt. Faith Christian’s Gauge Botero looked dominant on his way to getting the OW award, while Dillon Bechtold from Owen J Roberts pinned his way to earn his second belt.
Perennial national power St. Edward out of Ohio made their first appearance at Escape the Rock in 2025 with a good showing, finishing 6th and crowning a champion. Faith Christian continued their magical season in winning their first ETR team title after also winning the Walsh Ironman and Beast of the East. Quakertown’s Collin Gaj cruised his way to his 2nd belt, as did FCA’s Adam Waters. Chase Van Hoven from Brooke Point in Virginia earned the OW with a tech fall in the finals against eventual National Prep champion, Zeno Moore from Lake Highland Prep in Florida.
Escape the rock History
ESCAPE THE ROCK BOYS -JANUARY 17 & 18, 2026 - ESCAPE THE ROCK GIRLS - DECEMBER 13 & 14, 2025