Indianamat.com Staff Pre-season picks for 2009-2010

Starting with this season, indianamat.com’s staff will be making pre-season predictions and post-season awards. The term pre-season is used loosely, obviously, since we’re well into the season. However, given the nature of the sport, with weight class changes, eligibility issues, move-ins and move-outs, we had to wait a little while to compile our predictions. This was meant as something fun and yet another topic for fans to argue about. Best of luck to all Indiana wrestlers this season.

Starting with this season, indianamat.com’s staff will be making pre-season predictions and post-season awards. The term pre-season is used loosely, obviously, since we’re well into the season. However, given the nature of the sport, with weigh class changes, eligibility issues, move-ins and move-outs, we had to wait a little while to compile our predictions. This was meant as something fun and yet another topic for fans to argue about. Best of luck to all Indiana wrestlers this season.
Wrestler(s) of the year:

Brandon Wright, Warren Central – Our voters liked Wright’s combination of in-state and national excellence. Wright is a substantial favorite this season at 125 and is off to a great start, including a 14-7 over 2X state placer Justin Kieffer. Wright also nabbed a runner-up finish at the very prestigious Super 32 tourney earlier this year.

and

Jason Tsirtsis, Crown Point – The staff also liked Tsirtsis’ accomplishments and season outlook, which pretty much mirror Wright’s. Jason is also a prohibitive favorite at 130 and already has two wins over top-10 rivals this season. Tsirtsis followed up an exceptional summer with a runner-up finish at the Super 32 tournament in North Carolina.

Tie

Also receiving votes:  Sean McMurray, Portage
Senior wrestler of the year:

Sean McMurray, Portage – The two-time (soon to be three-time?) champ has as impressive a resume as anyone and already has beaten two #2 ranked wrestlers this season. He has significant national accomplishments as well and is one of the truly elite wrestlers in the state.

Also receiving votes: Brandon Wright, Warren Central
Freshman of the year:

Mitch Sliga, Fishers – Fishers’ freshman sensation got the nod, partially because of his impressive middle-school resume, partially because of the fine season he’s had thus far and partially because he competes at a weight that heavily favors upper-classmen.

Also receiving votes: Neal Molloy – Danville
Team champs:

Mishawaka – The Cavemen feature depth and quality at all weights, and are greatly bolstered by the presence of former Elkhart Memorial stud Ryan Stahl. The tradition-rich squad put a pretty good beating on the competition at the Traicoff and looked poised for a third all-time team title.

Also receiving votes: Evansville Mater Dei
Merrillville SS wrestler of the year:

Sean McMurray, Portage

Also receiving votes: Jason Tsirtsis (Crown Point), Eric Roach (Crown Point), Frankie Porras (Hobart)
New Castle SS wrestler of the year:

Brandon Wright, Warren Central

Also receiving votes: Brenden Campbell (New Castle), Sammy Bennett (Anderson Highland), Cody Phillips (Union County)
Evansville SS wrestler of the year:

Aaron Stevenson, Indian Creek – The standout football player is also a pretty terrific wrestler. Stevenson stormed his way through 189 last year en route to a 3rd place finish as a sophomore. He’s the current #1 ranked wrestler at 189 and looks to garner his first state title this year.

Also receiving votes: John Sims (Evansville Mater Dei), Dustin Kief (Franklin)
Fort Wayne SS wrestler of the year:

Brock Norton, Carroll – Norton had a fantastic year last season and currently carries the heavy crown that comes with a #1 ranking at 135, a very deep and strong weight class.

Also receiving votes: Tony Lovejoy (Fort Wayne Luers), Andrew Hiestand (Yorktown)
Surprise state finals team:

Yorktown – On the heels of their impressive national performances in Florida and Missouri, the Tigers look to break through this season to qualify for the team title at Center Grove. They have made the big show twice, in 2000 and 2001.

Also receiving votes: Bloomington South, Franklin, New Palestine, Huntington North, Jeffersonville
Coach of the year:

Trent McCormick, Yorktown – It’s kind of hard to top a USA Wrestling National Coach of the year award, but Coach McCormick is a class act and represents the state and his school with incredible integrity, intelligence and hard work…plus, he’s created a pretty beastly program.

Also receiving votes: Darrick Snyder (Mishawaka), Danny Struck (Jeffersonville)