FORT WASHINGTON – Germantown Academy’s wrestling team delivered a strong performance at the 2025 Pennsylvania Independent Schools Wrestling Tournament (PAISWT), finishing third overall and qualifying eight wrestlers for the National Prep Wrestling Championships, set for Feb. 20-22 at Lehigh University.

Leading the way were Jack Baron ’25 (120 lbs.) and Nadav Nafshi ’26 (157 lbs.), who captured individual titles with dominant performances. Baron secured his championship with a 4-0 decision over Rocco Lombardo (Malvern Prep), while Nafshi battled through a tense final, defeating Arment Waltenbaugh (Hill School) 3-0 in sudden victory. Their wins mark a milestone for the program, as they are the first Prep State Champions under Head Coach John Staudenmayer.

Several other GA wrestlers fought through the consolation bracket to earn podium finishes. Shai Sabag ’27 (126), Adam Seidman ’27 (132), Robert Leeds ’25 (138), and Gavri Sabag ’26 (144) all placed third, showing resilience and determination. Seidman and Leeds capped off their tournaments with technical falls, while the Sabag brothers secured their bronze medals with pins.

Aidan Lee ’27 (113) battled to a fourth-place finish, highlighted by a key win over Ryder Horan (Penn Charter) in the consolation semifinals. Jack Breme ’26 (175) rebounded from a tough semifinal loss to finish fifth, securing his second straight Nationals qualification with a fall over Landon Cottrill (Linsly School). Miles Chapman ’26 (150) put up a strong fight in the consolation rounds but was eliminated before placing.

Reflecting on the team’s success, Staudenmayer expressed his pride in their performances.

“Shai lost a close semifinal but is determined to get that one back at Nationals. Adam faced a tough opponent in the semis but bounced back strong to take third—he’s really proven himself this season. Gavri had the best performance of his career, taking down a returning All-American. Aidan Lee battled his way into the third-place match, earning a spot at next week’s big tournament. Jack Breme finished fifth, qualifying for Nationals again and setting his sights on a deep run. I’m incredibly proud of how all these guys competed and can’t wait to see what they do next.”

With momentum on their side, GA’s wrestlers now turn their focus to Nationals, where they’ll take on the country’s best in pursuit of even greater achievements.