Merrillville Semi-State Preview

-56 Wrestlers look for trip to Indy

On Saturday, February 14th over two hundred athletes will converge in the Merrillville High School gymnasium, not to trade valentines, but to scratch and claw their way to a berth in state finals. Many would argue that this semi-state is the most competitive in the state and many wrestlers with the ability to place at Conseco will end their seasons in the “ticket round†at Merrillville. In total, fifty-three ranked wrestlers and six top ranked individuals will take part in this annual region brawl.

103

Kyle Ayersman from Lake Central is the clear favorite in this class as he has already beaten most of the other contenders. The potential match of the day will be between Merrillville’s Zack Stevens and Warsaw’s mighty mite, Jarred Brooks.[caption id=attachment_705" align="alignright" width="124" caption="The Big Kahuna][/caption]

The Big Kahuna

#4 Kyle Ayersman - Lake Central - Freshman (42-0)

[caption id=attachment_706" align="alignleft" width="157" caption="Stepin\' Up to Conseco][/caption]

Conseco Bound

#6 Zack Stevens – Merrillville - Junior (34-4)

#11 Cameron Halsted - Crown Point - Freshman (29-6)

#8 Aurelio Medina – Munster - Sophomore (37-4)

[caption id=attachment_708" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Buster Brown][/caption]

Bracket Buster

#13 Jarred Brooks – Warsaw - Freshman (35-1)

112

Crown Point should crown their first of several semi-state champions at this class. Anthony Hawkins has beaten many of the state’s best and is heavily favored to claim the top spot on the podium this year. The best ticket round matches should pit Rochester’s Garth Simpson versus Calumet regional champ Danny Rodriguez of Highland and Alex Gregory of Penn taking on Brandon Coppinger of Portage.[caption id=attachment_705" align="alignright" width="124" caption="The Big Kahuna][/caption]

The Big Kahuna

#1 Anthony Hawkins - Crown Point - Junior (34-0)

[caption id=attachment_706" align="alignleft" width="157" caption="Stepin\' Up to Conseco][/caption]

Conseco Bound

Garth Simpson – Rochester - Sophomore (43-4)

#13 Brandon Coppinger – Portage - Sophomore (35-7)

Robert Floyd – Delphi - Senior (14-3)

[caption id=attachment_708" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Buster Brown][/caption]

Bracket Busters

Alex Gregory – Penn - Sophomore (29-4)

Danny Rodriguez – Highland - Sophomore (29-6)

119

Indiana University bound Justin Brooks should be the winner here but might be tested by dangerous Danny Bradley of Knox and/or John Petrov of Hanover Central. Bradley would first have to get by the tough Caveman Matt Guerra in the ticket round headliner. Logansport regional champ Oscar Trujillo of Lafayette Jeff will try to upset #15 ranked Cory Hildebrandt in an effort to reach the state finals.[caption id=attachment_705" align="alignright" width="124" caption="The Big Kahuna][/caption]

The Big Kahuna

#3 Justin Brooks – Warsaw - Senior (35-0)

[caption id=attachment_706" align="alignleft" width="157" caption="Stepin\' Up to Conseco][/caption]

Conseco Bound

#15 Cory Hildebrandt – Penn -Senior (34-5)

#9 Danny Bradley – Knox - Junior (35-0)

#10 John Petrov - Hanover Central - Junior (36-2)

[caption id=attachment_708" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Buster Brown][/caption]

Bracket Busters

Matt Guerra – Mishawaka - Junior (31-5)

Oscar Trujillo - Lafayette Jeff - Senior (31-6)

125

Fabulous freshman Jason Tsirtsis looks to avenge his team regional loss to Anthony Napules. These two studs are the favorites in this very deep weight class. There are compelling matches littered throughout this bracket. Unheralded Nick Schrader of Mishawaka put himself in prime position for slot in the state finals with his regional victory over Tony Stevens of Penn.[caption id=attachment_705" align="alignright" width="124" caption="The Big Kahuna][/caption]

The Big Kahuna

#2 Jason Tsirtsis - Crown Point - Freshman (32-2)

[caption id=attachment_706" align="alignleft" width="157" caption="Stepin\' Up to Conseco][/caption]

Conseco Bound

#3 Anthony Napules – Merrillville - Junior (37-3)

#10 Ezra Penn – Harrison - Senior (39-3)

Nick Schrader – Mishawaka - Junior (26-11)

[caption id=attachment_708" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Buster Brown][/caption]

Bracket Busters

Sam Camacho – Hobart - Senior (27-8)

Kyle Hernandez – Knox - Junior (32-7)

Tony Stevens – Penn - Senior (35-3)

#16 Luis Acuna – Portage -Sophomore (36-4)

130

Josh Harper continues in his quest for state title number four but it will not be easy. In a likely rematch of last year’s state finals, second ranked Frankie Porras looks to unseat the top ranked Harper.[caption id=attachment_705" align="alignright" width="124" caption="The Big Kahuna][/caption]

The Big Kahuna

#1 Josh Harper – Mishawaka - Senior (30-2)

[caption id=attachment_706" align="alignleft" width="157" caption="Stepin\' Up to Conseco][/caption]

Conseco Bound

Dallas Schurg - Crown Point - Junior (29-6)

#6 Zack Thornton – Chesterton - Junior (33-2)

#2 Frankie Porras – Hobart - Junior (32-1)

[caption id=attachment_708" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Buster Brown][/caption]

Bracket Busters

Bobby Marcuccilli – Wawasee - Sophomore (30-3)

Nathan McTigue – Delphi - Junior (26-5)

135

Another battle between the two top ranked wrestlers in the state looks to be on tap at the 135 lb. class. Eric Roach of Crown Point has been nearly untouchable this year but Johnny “Thrillin†Dillon wants a chance to knock off another highly ranked wrestler. Dillon beat Taylor March of East Noble earlier in the year. Sixth ranked Trent Reinoehl could be a factor as he hopes to upset Roach in the semifinals.[caption id=attachment_705" align="alignright" width="124" caption="The Big Kahuna][/caption]

The Big Kahuna

#1 Eric Roach - Crown Point - Sophomore (34-0)

[caption id=attachment_706" align="alignleft" width="157" caption="Stepin\' Up to Conseco][/caption]

Conseco Bound

#2 Johnny Dillon – Hobart - Senior (33-0)

Chase Lewandowski – Plymouth - Junior (32-6)

#6 Trent Reinoehl – Mishawaka - Senior (8-0)

[caption id=attachment_708" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Buster Brown][/caption]

Bracket Buster

Owen Dorris – Pioneer - Sophomore (41-5)

140

Fans at the Merrillville semi-state should be in for yet another treat at 140. Defending state champion Steve Sandefer must negotiate a bracket filled with landmines. Sandefer could face third ranked Alex Surma in the semis and then sixth ranked Trace Hall in the finals. Hall has given the top ranked Sandefer his only loss on the season.[caption id=attachment_705" align="alignright" width="124" caption="The Big Kahuna][/caption]

The Big Kahuna

#1 Steve Sandefer – Mishawaka - Senior (36-1)

[caption id=attachment_706" align="alignleft" width="157" caption="Stepin\' Up to Conseco][/caption]

Conseco Bound

#6 Trace Hall - SB Riley - Senior (31-5)

Darrius Richmond – Merrillville - Senior (31-5)

#3 Alex Surma – Munster - Junior (42-0)

[caption id=attachment_708" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Buster Brown][/caption]

Bracket Busters

Tanner Lynde – Delphi - Freshman (34-6)

Dustin Schultz - Kankakee Valley - Junior (37 -3 )

145

Daniel Young of Culver Academies was sharp as a tack at the Rochester regional and will look to carry that momentum through the semi-state. He will likely face the surprise Calumet champion Keon Jones in the semifinals and will then match up with the winner of the Almaraz-Ray ticket round battle.[caption id=attachment_705" align="alignright" width="124" caption="The Big Kahuna][/caption]

The Big Kahuna

#2 Daniel Young – CMA - Senior (40-0)

[caption id=attachment_706" align="alignleft" width="157" caption="Stepin\' Up to Conseco][/caption]

Conseco Bound

Keon Jones – Merrillville - Senior (33-5)

#3 Chris Almaraz – Highland - Senior (33-1)

Tyler Lymburner - SB Riley - Senior (23-3)

[caption id=attachment_708" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Buster Brown][/caption]

Bracket Busters

Cody Ray - North Newton - Senior (40-1)

Shane Evers – Harrison - Senior (46-5)

152

Sean McMurray of Portage toughest match may be a semifinal match-up with third ranked Aaron Estrada of Munster. Veteran wrestlers, David Minix of Winamac, Adam Keener of Warsaw, Jordan Martin of New Prairie and Tim Forte of Mishawaka look to fill the other two slots at Conseco.[caption id=attachment_705" align="alignright" width="124" caption="The Big Kahuna][/caption]

The Big Kahuna

#1 Sean McMurray – Portage - Junior (41-0)

[caption id=attachment_706" align="alignleft" width="157" caption="Stepin\' Up to Conseco][/caption]

Conseco Bound

#3 Aaron Estrada – Munster - Senior (20-1)

Adam Keener – Warsaw - Senior (32-4)

#5 David Minix – Winamac - Senior (36-1)

[caption id=attachment_708" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Buster Brown][/caption]

Bracket Busters

Jordan Martin - New Prairie - Senior (32-6)

Tim Forte – Mishawaka - Senior (25-6)

160

Mark Meyers is the clear favorite in this field. He has torn through most of his competition this year and may not be seriously threatened until he gets to Indianapolis.[caption id=attachment_705" align="alignright" width="124" caption="The Big Kahuna][/caption]

The Big Kahuna

#2 Mark Meyers - Crown Point - Senior (34-0)

[caption id=attachment_706" align="alignleft" width="157" caption="Stepin\' Up to Conseco][/caption]

Conseco Bound

#9 Kurt Monix – Lowell - Senior (29-2)

Adam Arsenault - SB St. Joe - Senior (23-10)

#16 Richard Morin – Mishawaka - Junior (32-6)

[caption id=attachment_708" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Buster Brown][/caption]

Bracket Busters

Cheney Dale – McCutcheon - Junior (33-7)

Rob Keough - Lake Central - Senior (37-6)

171

A very deep field is headlined by second ranked Braden Atwood. Atwood is probably the only sure thing at this weight class as up to eight other wrestlers have a legitimate shot a securing a slot in the state finals.[caption id=attachment_705" align="alignright" width="124" caption="The Big Kahuna][/caption]

The Big Kahuna

#2 Braden Atwood – Delphi - Junior (41-0)

[caption id=attachment_706" align="alignleft" width="157" caption="Stepin\' Up to Conseco][/caption]

Conseco Bound

#12 Huey Hudson - SB Riley - Senior (32-5)

#13 Tyler McCoy – McCutcheon - Senior (34-4)

Chris Bartley – Griffith - Senior (31-3)

[caption id=attachment_708" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Buster Brown][/caption]

Bracket Busters

Ryne Bell - South Newton - Junior (34-2)

#7 Blake Hoffer – Triton - Senior (17-3)

Andrew Sands - Hanover Central - Senior (33-12)

Joey Smith – Mishawaka - Senior (13-6)

189

If Shrewsbury comes into Merrillville focused he should leave a semi-state champion for the first time. Shrewsbury had previously lost to Jake Salas of Merrillville and Ian Hinton of Mishawaka. I don’t think there is anyone of that quality to challenge Shrewsbury this year. There are, however, a whole host of challengers for the other three state slots.[caption id=attachment_705" align="alignright" width="124" caption="The Big Kahuna][/caption]

The Big Kahuna

#1 Marcus Shrewsbury - Crown Point - Senior (34-0)

[caption id=attachment_706" align="alignleft" width="157" caption="Stepin\' Up to Conseco][/caption]

Conseco Bound

#12 Travis Kepner - Benton Central - Senior (38-4)

Kyle Keith – Portage - Senior (34-8)

Willie Lott - East Chicago Central - Senior (22-1)

[caption id=attachment_708" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Buster Brown][/caption]

Bracket Busters

Bryce Holland – LaPorte - Senior (30-10)

Randy Kaufman – Rensselaer - Senior (32-5)

Dustin Boyd – Mishawaka - Senior (31-8)

Timmy Buckingham - SB Riley - Junior (27-8)

215

This class has the best 215 lb. wrestlers in the state not named Baker. Cleveland is the favorite but by no means is he a sure thing. It will be a shame that either fourth ranked Christain Lentz or third ranked Kannon Keigley of New Prairie will not be wrestling at Conseco Field House this year.[caption id=attachment_705" align="alignright" width="124" caption="The Big Kahuna][/caption]

The Big Kahuna

#2 Nathan Cleveland – Lowell - Junior (31-1)

[caption id=attachment_706" align="alignleft" width="157" caption="Stepin\' Up to Conseco][/caption]

Conseco Bound

Brady Tolle - Lewis Cass - Senior (33-1)

Nathaniel Coleman – Portage - Senior (34-7)

#4 Christain Lentz – Mishawaka - Junior (37-3)

[caption id=attachment_708" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Buster Brown][/caption]

Bracket Busters

Travis Yoakum – Delphi - Senior (26-5)

#3 Kannon Keigley - New Prairie - Senior (40-2)

Vlade Nacovski - Lake Central - Junior (34-4)

285

The top five wrestlers at heavyweight combine for a record of 168-3. Craig Fitzgerald of John Glenn gets the nod as favorite due to his fifth place finish at last year’s state finals. The other big boys are all capable of upsets. 285 should keep fans in their seats at Merrillville.[caption id=attachment_705" align="alignright" width="124" caption="The Big Kahuna][/caption]

The Biggest Kahuna

#2 Craig Fitzgerald – Glenn - Senior (41-0)

[caption id=attachment_706" align="alignleft" width="157" caption="Stepin\' Up to Conseco][/caption]

Conseco Bound

#13 Wes Everett – Delphi - Senior (39-0)

#7 Travis Thomas – Mishawaka - Junior (22-2)

#5 James Travis – Merrillville - Junior (38-0)

[caption id=attachment_708" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Buster Brown][/caption]

Bracket Buster

#14 Coty Anderson – Highland - Senior (28-1)