Judice isn’t just here because of the state’s history in wrestling, or what a PIAA medal or title can mean for a resume. He’s here to truly compete against the best of the best, even if it means choosing a weight class that lowers his chances of becoming a two-time state champion.

“I didn’t move to Pennsylvania to take the easy route and dodge the good matches,” said Judice at districts. “For me, now down at the new weight, it’s not about winning a state title. It’s about wrestling every match the best I can and beating the guys I need to beat.”

Tough weight classes are often next-to-impossible to avoid in the realm of PIAA wrestling. For one, there’s only so much fluctuation your build offers when it comes to moving up or down a class or two. And two, most – if not all – weight classes at both the Class AA and AAA levels are difficult in their own way.

However, over the last two years, the path to a Class AA state title has been particularly implausible for two specific weight classes. Those weight classes – 133 in 2025 and 145 in 2026 – just so happen to be the ones the Bald Eagle senior has landed in over the past two postseasons.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bald Eagle's Caden Judice wrestles at 152 pounds during Day One of the District 6 Class AA wrestling championships at Altoona.

In 2025, Bishop McCort’s Jax Forrest and Northern Lebanon’s Aaron Seidel manned the top slots at 133 – a pairing that combined for four state titles and over 300 career wins entering last year’s state tournament. And now, in 2026, Judice’s biggest obstacles in pursuit of a state title appearance will likely be Bishop McCort’s Bo Bassett and Montgomery’s Brandt Harer, who currently have a combined record of 377-2 and five state titles.

Judice had ample notice when it came to both wrestlers competing at 145 heading into the postseason, with Harer residing there for most of the season and Bassett making the decision to drop down from 152 heading into District Duals. In fact, he was still technically at 152 and had recently wrestled at 160 at the time of Bassett’s move.

It wasn’t a matter of being caught off guard or there being no time to cut or gain. It was a matter of choosing the weight that best suited him, 145, and Bassett’s move down created excitement rather than hesitancy when it came to the cut.

“I take it as a great opportunity to wrestle these guys,” said Judice. “You don’t get anything from taking the easy route. I was wrestling light (at 152), so I decided to come down. Some guys happened to come down with me, but that doesn’t change anything.”

Judice has since had two opportunities to face Bassett, with both going Bassett’s way by tech fall. Those results are similar to those he experienced against Forrest and Seidel, which also saw the Eagle fall by tech fall.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bald Eagle's Caden Judice gets his hand raised for winning at 152 pounds during Day One of the District 6 Class AA wrestling championships at Altoona.

Sure, losing in any capacity stings. But Judice has taken each matchup against a plethora of legendary Pennsylvania wrestlers as a learning opportunity, opportunities that he hopes he can learn from in the long run.

“Obviously, it’s tough going against those guys, but I did learn a lot wrestling them,” said Judice. “Every match I’ve wrestled a top guy, I’ve learned a lot. You don’t learn much from just pinning a guy, so I’m grateful for those matches.”

As it stands, Judice – ranked No. 4 in the state at 145 – will have a challenge just getting to a potential semifinal matchup against the top-seeded Harer, facing No. 6 Colin Walther (Conwell-Egan) in his first-round matchup for states on Thursday.

Whatever happens, the Lock Haven commit has already left his mark on PIAA wrestling, having earned two PIAA medals, placed top three at all six of his other postseason tournaments and added over 120 wins to his win total since his move. He’s excited for what’s to come and looks to close his high school career on a high note.

“Looking back, I can say I was in tough brackets my whole life, so it’s awesome,” said Judice. “When I get to states, it’s just one match at a time, make it to the podium and I’ll continue to climb once I get there.”

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bald Eagle's Caden Judice wrestles at 152 pounds during Day One of the District 6 Class AA wrestling championships at Altoona.

“I think I’m wrestling great at the new weight. I feel good, light on my feet. I’m excited for the postseason,” he added.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bald Eagle's Caden Judice wrestles at 152 pounds during Day One of the District 6 Class AA wrestling championships at Altoona.