With the graduation of 10 former state champions in 2009, it opens up a new class of seniors itching for a spot on top of the podium. This year features five returning champions including two-time champion Sean McMurray of Portage and one-time champion and three-time finalist Brandon Wright of Warren Central. Frankie Porras, Michael Duckworth and Anthony Hawkins round out the other returning champions. Two wrestlers in the top ten have already committed to wrestling at the next level after graduation. Braden Atwood has committed to Purdue and Sean McMurray has committed to wrestle for Michigan State.
1a) Sean McMurray- Portage
Projected 2009-10 Weight: 160
Projected College Weight: 165
McMurray heads into the 2009-10 season looking to finish off one of the greatest careers in Indiana history. After finishing 7th at 112 in 2007, McMurray captured state titles at 135 in 2008 and at 152 in 2009. In 2009-10 he looks to join the likes of recent Indiana products Andrew Howe and Reece Humphrey as a 3x IHSAA State Champion. McMurray has just verbally committed to wrestle for Michigan State next year.
1b) Brandon Wright- Warren Central
Projected 2009-10 Weight: 125
Projected College Weight: 125
Wright will begin the 2009-10 season in a new environment this year after his transfer from Indianapolis Cathedral to Warren Central. The former Cadet Freestyle National Champion will look to finish off his career with a second state title. He has been 2nd at 103 in 2007, 1st at 112 in 2008, and 2nd at 119 in 2009. Ironically, all three of his previous state championship match appearances came against Purdue recruit Camden Eppert. He is also the son of four-time DII champion Tim Wright.
3) Frankie Porras- Hobart
Projected 2009-10 Weight: 140
Projected College Weight: 141
Frankie Porras has been a consistent performer starting early on. He qualified for state as a freshman and then finished second as a sophomore to three-time champion Josh Harper before capturing his first title last year at 130lbs. Last summer saw Porras finish 8th in Cadet freestyle while, this spring he finished 5th at the NHSCA Junior Nationals and also went 7-1 at the Brute Scholastic Duals.
4) Michael Duckworth- Union County
Projected 2009-10 Weight: 189
Projected College Weight: 184
As a sophomore Michael Duckworth had a monumental challenge in the state finals. That challenge was now NCAA runner-up Andrew Howe. While Duckworth did not win that match, he was the only wrestler that day that Howe did not tech fall or pin. This year at state Duckworth had to fend off landmines everywhere from Braden Atwood in the quarterfinals to avenging a loss to Bryce Grimes in the finals. This spring Duckworth also placed 5th at the NHSCA Junior Nationals.
5) Ryan Stahl- Mishawaka
Projected 2009-10 Weight: 152
Projected College Weight: 157
Ryan Stahl had a great spring and summer of wrestling after his runner-up finish this year. He first finished 8th at the NHSCA Junior Nationals. Then he came one match from placing in Junior Greco and proceeded to place 8th in an absolutely loaded weight class in freestyle. Among his wins was a pin of highly touted Destin McCauley of Minnesota.
6) Anthony Hawkins- Crown Point
Projected 2009-10 Weight: 125
Projected College Weight: 125
Anthony Hawkins has steadily improved each year at state, from being a qualifier as a freshman, to 4th place as a sophomore to state champion as a junior.
7) Sammy Bennett- Anderson Highland
Projected 2009-10 Weight: 152
Projected College Weight: 157
Sammy Bennett will be looking for the ever-elusive state title this year. His freshman year he was a state qualifier at 140lbs and as a sophomore he lost in the state finals at 145lbs. This past season he lost to eventual state champion, Daniel Young, in the semi-finals and finished 3rd. This spring he placed 5th at the NHSCA Junior Nationals.
8) Christian Lentz- Mishawaka
Projected 2009-10 Weight: 215
Projected College Weight: 285
Christian Lentz took full advantage of his first full year of varsity action by placing second in the state this past season. He went 4-2 at the Junior Duals wrestling heavyweight, but will be back down to 215lbs this season.
9) Brandon Nelsen- Lawrence North
Projected 2009-10 Weight: 119
Projected College Weight: 125
Brandon Nelsen has finished in the top four of the state all three years so far, but never reached the finals. As a freshman he finished 4th and as a sophomore and junior brought home 3rd place medals. He has also placed 4th in Junior Freestyle nationals at 105lbs in 2008 and 6th at the NHSCA Junior Nationals.
10) Braden Atwood- Delphi
Projected 2009-10 Weight: 189
Projected College Weight: 184
Atwood has finished 4th and 5th in the state the past two years. He also finished 5th in Cadet Freestyle in 2008 at 171lbs. He went 6-1 at the Brute Scholastic Duals including avenging his quarterfinal loss to Michael Duckworth. His only loss was to Jahwon Akui of Illinois. Atwood has verbally committed to wrestle for Purdue next season.
Honorable Mention
Brock Norton- Fort Wayne Carroll
Projected 2009-10 Weight: 135
Nathan Cleveland- Lowell
Projected 2009-10 Weight: 215
Derek Bevans- Yorktown
Projected 2009-10 Weight: 125
Zach Stevens- Merrillville
Projected 2009-10 Weight: 112
Mason Berryman- Anderson Highland
Projected 2009-10 Weight: 130
Tony Lovejoy- Fort Wayne Bishop Luers
Projected 2009-10 Weight: 130
Zach Corpe- Elkhart Memorial
Projected 2009-10 Weight: 152
James Travis- Merrillville
Projected 2009-10 Weight: 285
Alex Surma- Munster
Projected 2009-10 Weight: 145
Michael Johnson-Jones- Warren Central
Projected 2009-10 Weight: 189
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