The Crusher's Path To Gold: Unpacking The Bishop McCort Wrestling Schedule For The 2025-2026 Season
The Bishop McCort Catholic High School Crushers are not just a high school wrestling team; they are a national powerhouse, and the 2025-2026 season schedule is a gauntlet designed to prove their elite status. As of today, December 24, 2025, the team, led by a roster featuring multiple nationally-ranked wrestlers, is already deep into a demanding schedule that includes some of the most prestigious tournaments in the country. The path to PIAA Class AA glory is already underway, with fans eager to see if this squad can improve upon last season's impressive second-place finish behind the formidable Faith Christian Academy.
This article breaks down the must-watch dates, the key tournaments, and the star athletes—including the highly-touted Jax Forrest and Bo Bassett—who make the Bishop McCort wrestling program a perennial contender on the national stage. The schedule is strategically crafted by Head Coach Bill Bassett to challenge the team against the best competition, ensuring they are peaking for the state and national championships.
The National Contenders: Bishop McCort’s Star Wrestlers and Coaching Staff
The strength of the Bishop McCort Crushers lies in a deep roster anchored by some of the most highly credentialed high school wrestlers in America. Their individual profiles and achievements are central to the team's national ranking and their challenging 2025-2026 schedule. The program’s success is a testament to the dedication of its athletes and the experienced coaching staff.
Key Athlete Profiles (Class of 2026)
- Jax Forrest (Senior)
- Weight Class: Nationally ranked at 132-Pounds, though often projected at 139 pounds in PIAA Class AA.
- National Rank: Ranked No. 1 in the nation at his weight class as of December 2025.
- Achievements: Widely considered one of the most credentialed high school wrestlers in American history.
- College Commitment: Expected to wrestle for the Oklahoma State Cowboys.
- Bo Bassett (Senior)
- Weight Class: Nationally ranked at 144 lbs or 152 lbs in Class AA.
- National Rank: Ranked No. 1 in the nation at his weight class, making him one of three Bishop McCort wrestlers ranked No. 1 nationally in the preseason.
- Achievements: A highly popular figure in the wrestling community and a member of the elite Young Guns Wrestling Club.
- College Commitment: A future Virginia Tech Hokie, though some recruiting boards list him as heading to Iowa.
- Other Notable Crushers: The roster depth includes other top talents like Melvin Miller, Jackson Butler, and Keegan Bassett, who are crucial to the team's dual meet success.
The Bishop McCort Wrestling Coaching Staff (2025-2026)
- Head Wrestling Coach: Bill Bassett. Coach Bassett is instrumental in setting the demanding schedule, often citing the need to challenge his star wrestlers like Bo and Jax Forrest against the nation's best.
- Assistant Wrestling Coaches: Jack Bassett and Howard Forrest. Their work is vital in developing the entire program, from the varsity squad to the Junior High (JH) Wrestling team.
- Program Alumni: The program's legacy is further cemented by alumni who have moved on to major collegiate programs, such as Erik Gibson (Penn State) and Conner Harer (Rutgers University).
The Bishop McCort Wrestling Schedule: Must-See Dates for 2025-2026
The 2025-2026 Bishop McCort wrestling schedule is meticulously structured to provide maximum exposure and preparation for the PIAA State Championships. It is a mix of high-stakes dual meets and national-level tournaments that test the team's endurance and skill. The following are the most critical dates and events on the calendar.
December 2025: The National Tournament Gauntlet
The first month of the season is dominated by two of the most prestigious high school wrestling tournaments in the country, where the Crushers compete not just for titles but for national team ranking points.
- Ironman Wrestling Classic
- Date: December 12–13, 2025.
- Location: Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.
- Significance: This event brings together the best teams from across the nation and is a major early-season indicator of a team's national championship potential.
- Dual Meet Victory:
- Date: December 17, 2025.
- Opponent: Johnstown.
- Result: The Crushers shut out the Trojans with a commanding 67-0 victory, showcasing the team's depth even in early-season duals.
- Powerade Tournament
- Date: December 29–30, 2025.
- Significance: Another elite tournament where Bishop McCort wrestlers like Bo Bassett have historically excelled, often earning Most Falls awards and proving their dominance against top-tier competition. This event is a critical test before the new year.
January & February 2026: The PIAA Championship Push
As the calendar turns to the new year, the focus shifts to the PIAA (Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association) playoffs and the quest for a state dual-meet title. The team will also host key home duals, such as the previously mentioned 2025 Home Opener against local rival Central Cambria, though the exact date for the 2026 dual is pending.
- Key Dual Meet:
- Opponent: Central Cambria.
- Significance: Local rivalries are crucial for district seeding and building momentum. These duals often feature exciting matchups between highly-ranked individuals from both teams.
- PAUSAW Bishop McCort Qualifier:
- Significance: This event is a critical qualifier for state tournaments, offering wrestlers a chance to advance to states in both Greco-Roman and Freestyle wrestling disciplines.
- PIAA Team Wrestling State Championships
- Significance: This is the ultimate team goal. The Crushers are consistently in the mix, having placed second in the AA team race the previous season.
- Potential Matchups: The path to the final will likely involve tough matches against teams like Berks Catholic, a matchup that was featured in the 2025 semifinals.
Why the 2025-2026 Season is a Must-Watch
The 2025-2026 season for Bishop McCort Catholic High School is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated in the program's history. With two nationally-ranked No. 1 seniors, Jax Forrest and Bo Bassett, the team is poised to make a serious run at both the PIAA Class AA Team Championship and the national team title.
The strategic scheduling, from the Ironman Wrestling Classic to the Powerade Tournament, ensures the Crushers are constantly facing top-tier opponents, honing their skills for the postseason. This challenging path is a deliberate choice by Coach Bill Bassett to give his athletes the best chance to succeed at the highest levels.
Wrestling fans should closely follow the official Bishop McCort Catholic High School Athletics website for the most current updates, as schedules, especially for the Girls Wrestling program and the Junior High (JH) Wrestling team, can be subject to change. The pursuit of the state title is on, and the Crushers are ready to dominate the mat.
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