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2017 Fort Wayne Semi-State Preview
Here...we....GO! The Fort Wayne semi-state has been dominated by the Tigers of Yorktown High the past five years. Will it change this year? Could there be a new sheriff in town? Likely not, but if the Tigers falter there will be others waiting to take the semi-state plaque home.
 
The friendly confines of the War Memorial Coliseum will play host to 224 wrestlers with only 56 coming away with a ticket to the state finals at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Look for lots of drama and upsets as this day is always chalk full of it.
 
This year we are adding picks to the preview again, however they are those of our Fort Wayne ranking guru Caleb Spires. Good luck to all the competitors this Saturday.
 
Team Race
This is Yorktown’s title to lose at this point. With 12 qualifiers and many of them with very favorable draws they are the heavy favorites to capture their 5th straight semi-state title. However, if they have any missteps there are plenty of teams that will be ready to take the title. Elkhart Memorial has three guys that could win titles, that may not be enough, but they could be near the top. Bellmont always pulls out some upsets none of the prognosticators pick, so they are always dangerous. Carroll could pose a threat as they have three early head to head matches with Yorktown. They would do themselves a HUGE favor by winning those matches. Lastly, you cannot overlook the mighty Panthers of Prairie Heights. The draw gods didn’t do them any favors, but they are battle tested and ready. They aren’t opposed to crashing anyone’s party and cannot be overlooked in the team race. Jimtown is the third team with a shot at making a dent in the team race. They feature two returning state placers in Hunter Watts and Kenny Kerrn along with the Gimson twins that will contend for semi-state titles.
 
Early #SlobberKnockers- Early matches you can't miss
State Street Fights- Ticket round matches that will peak your interest
#WAYL2- Who Are Your Losses To?
 
106
The head of the class in the lightest weight class is Yorktown’s Brayden Curtis. He finished 7th at state last year and is ranked #1. He has the state experience and is poised to repeat as semi-state champion. He will be pushed however by seniors JC Herring and Fernando Flores. Herring was a state qualifier last year. Garrett’s Brayden Shearer has turned it up during the post season and is a dangerous wrestler from all positions.
 
Early #SlobberKnockers
(Bout 4) - Isaac Weimer (West Noble) vs. Payton Lechner (Western)
(Bout 5) - JC Herring (Oak Hill) vs. Jon-Matthew Spaw (East Noble)
 
State Street Fights
Brayden Shearer (Garrett) vs. Nick Buchanan (Prairie Heights)
Brayden Curtis (Yorktown) vs. Isaac Weimer (West Noble) or Payton Lechner (Western)
 
Caleb's Concrete Calls
1. Brayden Curtis
2. JC Herring
3. Fernando Flores
4. Brayden Shearer
 
#WAYL2
Curtis(0)
Herring(1)- Andrew Black
Flores(2)- Gabe Smith, Danny Tolin,
Weimer(4)- Spaw, Buchanan(3),
Spaw(5)- Brendan Mattingly, Tyson Coon, Flores, Weimer, Buchanan
Lechner(5)- Tyson Coon, Herring(3),
Sturgill(6)- Lechner, Herring, Ty Haskins, Martin Cruz, Flores, Trevor Penrod,
Buchanan(6)- Flores(2), Evan Light, Danny Tolin, Weimer, Andrew Black,
Rupp(6)- Weimer, Logan Boe, Jordan George, Aaron Adkins, Suhas Chundi, Curtis,
Shearer(7)- Tanner Schoeff(3), Hunter Watts(2), Gabe Smith, Wyatt Miller,
 
113
Last year at semi-state Hunter Watts pulled a couple upsets to make his way to the finals. This year he’ll come in as the favorite. He will have a somewhat easier road to punch his ticket, but he cannot overlook Adams Central’s Logan Mosser in the ticket round. The other big names in this field include South Adam’s Wyatt Miller. Miller has stumbled at semi-state the past two years. This year he looks to be peaking at the right time and has the tools to give Watts all he can handle. The other quarter-brackets are tossups with Joe Just of Carroll and Yorktown’s Zachary Todd banging heads in the first round. Like we said earlier that match could have an important part in the team race. At the bottom, we have two guys that have had breakout seasons in Woodlan’s Chris Schuller and Evan Beasley of Northridge.
 
Early #SlobberKnockers
(Bout 9) - Gerald Pearson (Eastern (Greentown)) vs. Travis Miller (Fairfield)
(Bout 10) - Zachary Todd (Yorktown) vs. Joe Just (Carroll (Fort Wayne))
 
State Street Fights
Hunter Watts (Jimtown) vs. Logan Mosser (Adams Central)
Wyatt Miller (South Adams) vs. Tanner Schoeff (Central Noble)
Chris Schuller (Woodlan)vs. Evan Beasley (Northridge)
 
Caleb's Concrete Calls
1. Hunter Watts
2. Wyatt Miller
3. Chris Shuller
4. Joe Just
 
#WAYL2
Schoeff(2)- Beasely(2)
Pearson(2)- Miller(Fairfield), Tyler Bowling,
Watts(2)- Kory Cavanaugh(2)
Miller(3)- Mosser, Davaugh Anderson, Kobe King
Schuller(5)- Mosser, Zakk Atkins, Wyatt Miller(2), AJ Selvaggio(OH),
Chauhan(6)- Mosser, Pearson(3), Anderson, ??,
Brooks(6)- Pearson, Anderson(2), Justin Ristin, Just, ??
Beasley(7)- Schoeff, Wyat Miller, Watts(2), Travis Miller, Brayden Curtis, Fernando Flores,
Just(8)- Keegan Overton, Brayden Shearer, Evan Lawhead, Brooks Hartz, Kane Egli, Kory Cavanaugh, Sebastian Cortez, Chris Schuller,
Miller(9)- Brayden Shearer(2), Beasley, Watts, Schoeff, ??, ??, ??, ??,
Todd(9)- Mosser, Gavin Rose, Jacob Fiew, Logan Bailey, Keeghan Overton, Dylan Phelphs(MI), ??, ??, ??
 
120
Last year Christian Mejia had an impressive run at state making his way under the lights. However, he didn't even win semi-state, it was Jabin Wright who ran away with the title. Both return and highlight a deep weight class. Others to watch include Yorktown's Josh Stephenson and Homestead's Blaigh Rushing who both won their respective regionals. Non-regional champs to watch include Dekalb's Trevor Boyce who has been knocking on the state door most of his career.
Early #SlobberKnockers
(Bout 18) - Jaylyn Yoder (Fairfield) vs. Owen Krider (Carroll (Fort Wayne))
(Bout 20) - Dane Martin (Leo) vs. Trevor Boyce (DeKalb)
 
State Street Fights
Josh Stephenson (Yorktown) vs. Jaylyn Yoder (Fairfield) or Owen Krider (Carroll (Fort Wayne))
Jabin Wright (Kokomo) vs. Dane Martin (Leo) or Trevor Boyce (DeKalb)
Blaigh Rushing (Homestead) vs. Nick Liter (Adams Central)
 
Caleb's Concrete Calls
1. Christian Mejia
2. Jabin Wright
3. Josh Stephenson
4. Blaigh Rushing
 
#WAYL2
Wright(1)- Jon Anderson
Mejia(2)- Colin Poynter, Tylor Triana,
Smith(3)- Wright(2), ??,
Boyce(4)- Joe Wright(OH), Sencer Good(OH), Martin, Mejia,
Stephenson(5)- Justice Cash, Keaton Fisher, Lukasz Walendzak, Mejia, ??
Rushing(5)- Boyce, Stephenson(2), Lukasz Walendzak, Spencer Cox,
Martin(8)- Krider, Boyce(2), Rushing, Nick Brady(2), Chase Wilkerson, ??,
 
126
This weight class has numerous storylines and is one that could have a multitude of outcomes. The first storyline is the emergence of Gimson 1. He has had a fine season with only two losses on the season. Then you have the super frosh from Western Hunter Cottingham. Does he have what it takes to punch his ticket to state? He will be a tough out for sure. Back up top you have Garrett’s Dylan DeMarco who had a great regional and could make his first trip to the coliseum a memorable one. Lastly you have three wrestlers that could have a say in the team race in Xayvier Curtis, Joel Byman, and Ryan Rasler. That last quarter bracket will be fun to watch with each wrestler being one that could play spoiler on Saturday.
 
Early #SlobberKnockers
(Bout 26) - Kasey Deardorff (North Miami) vs. William Fiechter (Southern Wells)
(Bout 32) - Joel Byman (Carroll (Fort Wayne)) vs. Ryan Rasler (Prairie Heights)
 
State Street Fights
Hunter Cottingham (Western) vs. Kyle Davis (Leo)
Xayvier Curtis (Yorktown) vs. Joel Byman (Carroll (Fort Wayne)) or Ryan Rasler (Prairie Heights)
 
Caleb's Concrete Calls
1. Matt Gimson
2. Joel Byman
3. Hunter Cottingham
4. Dylan Demarco
 
#WAYL2
Cottingham(1)- Aaron Castillas
Gimson(2)- Jon Becker, Graham Rooks,
Gibson(5)- Jordan Vinson, Cottingham(2), ??, ??,
Davis(6)- Jon Becker, Jacob Hall(2), Seth Burns, DeMarco, ??
Curtis(6)- Dalton Craig, Robinson, Jon Becker, Alec White, Jordan Slivka, ??,
Deardorff(8)- Gibson, ??, ??, ??, ??, ??, ??, ??,
Rasler(8)- Seth Burns, Dallas Pugsley, Noah Hunt, Byman, DeMarco, Cummings, ??, ??,
Fiechter(8)- Curtis, DeMarco, Ledesma, Sanders, ??, ??, ??, ??,
Byman(8)- Dallas Pugsley, Chase Poynter, Carson Willis, Matt Lee, Michael DeLapena, Matt Gimson, Jacob Robinson, Kyle Davis,
Robinson(9)- Byman(2), Jadon Galvin, Davis, Jake Jenkins(2), DeMarco, Carson Willis, ??
Demarco(10)- Jayce Meyer, Austin Moore, Zane Standridge, Adam Davis, Gimson(2), Rasler, Noah Hunt, Byman, Davis
Sanders(10)- Tanner Yenter(OH), Josh Beeks, Cole Houser(OH), Carson Alfred, Larry Evans, Robinson, Jake Jenkins, Fiechter, Curtis, Dylan McClure
 
132
This is another weight where a Tiger will be the favorite. Yorktown’s Christian Hunt has grown into this weight after placing at state at 106lbs two years ago. He is a tough wrestler that is hard to score on and usually scoring more points is how you win wrestling matches. Others to watch here include Gimson 2. Conner Gimson suffered his first loss of the year at regional and will be the favorite in his quarter bracket. Central Noble’s Austin Moore was the one that handed Gimson his lone loss this year. He seems to be peaking at the right time. The most intriguing ticket round battle will be Columbia City’s Matthew Wright against Adams Central’s Anthony Mosser. Mosser was a state qualifier two years ago at 113lbs.
 
Early #SlobberKnockers
(Bout 38) - Jayce Meyer (Angola) vs. Anthony Mosser (Adams Central)
 
State Street Fights
Matthew Wright (Columbia City) vs. Anthony Mosser (Adams Central)
 
Caleb's Concrete Calls
1. Christian Hunt
2. Conner Gimson
3. Austin Moore
4. Anthony Mosser
 
#WAYL2
Gimson(1)- Moore
Mosser(2)- Jack Servies, Hunt,
Moore(2)- Hayden Lohrey, Mosser,
Hunt(2)- Breyden Bailey(2)
Price(3)- Standridge, Wright, Briar Goodwin
Wright(5)- Kyle Davis, Jon Becker, Reilly Heater(OH), Maxwell Hertensteiner(OH), Austin Roemer
Morrisett(5)- Tim Wright, Jaylon Gibson, Zach Burrell, Cordell Cowan, Colin Fletcher
Schliessman(8)- Cainan Schaefer, Gimson, Noah Robinson, Drew Kreitzer, Hunt, Mosser,
 
138
It is looking like a familiar theme with another Tiger being the favorite here. Yorktown’s Eric Hiestand is another great wrestler from the family and has been on a tear this year. He is hard to score on and will be a threat from any position for big points. After him the weight is wide open. You have some great matches and rivalries that could match up in the first round onward. Dillon Yoder and Joe Leazier will renew their NECC rivalry with the winner getting a crack at Hiestand. Others to watch include a ticket round tussle with Ethan Hicks of Carroll and Logan Macklin of Adams Central. Both have had very similar results against common opponents so it should be a fun one. On the bottom quarter there are about three or even four guys with a chance for that last ticket. Most of them are relative unknowns so it will be who wants it more.
 
Early #SlobberKnockers
(Bout 46) - Dillon Yoder (Fairfield) vs. Joe Leazier (Churubusco)
(Bout 48) - Ben Macias (F.w. South Side) vs. Chaz Boyd (Elkhart Central)
 
State Street Fights
Ethan Hicks (Carroll (Fort Wayne)) vs. Logan Macklin (Adams Central)
Owen Eveler (Northridge) vs. Grant Gutierrez (Bellmont)
Lorenzo Trevino (Marion) vs. Ben Macias (FW South Side)
 
Caleb's Concrete Calls
1. Eric Hiestand
2. Ethan Hicks
3. Grant Gutierrez
4. Ben Macias
 
#WAYL2
Hiestand(2)- Donald Campbell, Zach Melloh,
Leazier(4)- Hicks(2), Dillon Yoder, Austin Moore
Macias(4)- Chase Hissong, Leazier, Lorenzo Trevino, Zack Bullock,
Yoder(5)- Dylan DeMarco, Graham Calhoun, Boyd, ??, ??
Hicks(5)- Robert Deters, Kris Rumph, Jake Schoenegge, Grant Gutierrez, Joe Leazier
Trevino(6)- Cody McCune, Matt Wright, Treyven McKinley, Jadon Crisp, Owen Eveler, ??,
Macklin(6)- Calvin Brown(OH), Blake Hohleer(OH), Matt Laughlin, Derek Blubaugh, Payton Asbury, Eric Hiestand,
Eveler(6)- Hiestand, Graham Calhoun(2), Leazier, Jayce Meyer, Yoder
Jones(7)- Leazier, Hiestand, Macklin, Gutierrez, ??, ??, ??
Gutierrez(8)- Sam Osho, Antwaun Graves, Colt Rutter, Hicks, Jacob Laplace, Brooks Davis, Logan Macklin, Hiestand,
 
145
The theme this year seems to be the finals are in the SEMI-finals. This weight is another one with arguably the top two or even three guys in the same half. At the top we have some interesting match-ups with a quarter bracket that is a virtual pick’em. The wrestler with the least number of losses is the #4 seed, while two guys have 10+ losses. There is no big favorite here, so we’ll see who is ready to wrestle on Saturday. Going down the bracket we will get Wyro and Barr III. They have split matches this year with Barr winning early in the season and Wyro taking the match at Christmas time. Teams in the hunt for a semi-state title will be keeping tabs on this match-up. The bottom bracket will provide some fireworks. Jay County’s fab freshman Mason Winner drew the tough Riley Rasler from Prairie Heights. Winner has only one loss in the state and is as tough as they come. On the bottom side the favorite is Super Charger Joel Arney who will need to get pumped for his potential semi-final match.
 
Early #SlobberKnockers
(Bout 52) - Brady Wyro (Homestead) vs. Xander Stroud (Elkhart Central)
(Bout 56) - Parker Bates (Adams Central) vs. Cole Ridgeway (Oak Hill)
 
State Street Fights
Eli Elkins (Eastern (Greentown)) vs. Carlos Aguirre (Garrett)
Alex Barr (Yorktown) vs. Brady Wyro (Homestead) or Xander Stroud (Elkhart Central)
Riley Rasler (Prairie Heights) vs. Mason Winner (Jay County)
 
Caleb's Concrete Calls
1. Mason Winner
2. Alex Barr
3. Joel Arney
4. Carlos Aguirre
 
#WAYL2
Rasler(1)- Kasper McIntosh
Arney(2)- Rasler, Mario Traficanti,
Winner(2)- Barr, Eric Beck(OH),
Barr(4)- Wyro, Jack Ferraro, Colby Deberry(MI), ??,
Stroud(4)- Romeo Hoover, Kassius Breathitt, Haden Hensley, Rasler,
Young(6)- Winner, Barr, Bates, Owen Conklin, Richardson, ??,
Wyro(6)- Barr, Aguirre, Winner, Brayton Lee, Rasler, Tristan Lerch,
Elkins(7)- Kyle Wagner, Chad Rothwell, Ridgeway, Jeffery Closser, Ruger Ranney(MI), Carter Ciscell, ??
Aguirre(10)- Arney(3), Cooper Abramson, Rasler(2), Grant Gutierrez, Mike Humbert, Malik Hoover, Blake Webb
 
152
We knew coming into this weight there could be some cringeworthy ticket round matches here. The bracket gods were at least partially kind, but they still didn’t make it easy for anyone of the top guys to punch their tickets to state. Three wrestlers here have state experience with the fantastic Jimmie Kenny Kerrn leading the way after bringing a medal home last year. Nate Weimer earned a state medal two years ago at 126lbs and Yorktown’s Colt Rutter was a qualifier last year. Sprinkled in with those guys are tough outs in the Patriot Tyler Leonard, three-time ticket rounder Garrett Griffin of Northwood, an undefeated Christian Bratcher of Eastbrook, four loss Dylan Torbush, and finally the mighty Knight Chandler Woenker. There will be some great matches from start to finish here.
 
Early #SlobberKnockers
(Bout 60) - Garrett Griffin (Northwood) vs. Corbin Hetzner (Eastern (Greentown))
(Bout 64) - Dylan Torbush (Wes-Del) vs. Chandler Woenker (F.w. Bishop Luers)
 
State Street Fights
Tyler Leonhard (Jay County) vs. Nathaniel Weimer (East Noble)
Hunter Reed (Columbia City) vs. Garrett Griffin (Northwood) or Corbin Hetzner (Eastern (Greentown))
Christian Bratcher (Eastbrook) vs. Colt Rutter (Yorktown)
Kenny Kerrn (Jimtown) vs. Chandler Woenker (F.w. Bishop Luers)
 
Caleb's Concrete Calls
1. Kenny Kerrn
2. Hunter Reed
3. Nate Weimer
4. Christian Bratcher
 
#WAYL2
Bratcher(0)
Reed(1)- Weimer
Kerrn(1)- Kyle Hatch
Woenker(3)- Reed, Javier Johnson, Bratcher
Evans(3)- Jacob Suski, France, Bratcher
Torbush(4)- Leonard(2), Rutter, ??
Green(4)- Kerrn, Torbush(2), Rutter
Weimer(4)- Hunter Reed, Kenny Kerrn, Michael Lictenberger, Heiniger(Default),
Leonhard(4)- Hunter Perdue(OH), Andrew Negangard, Tony Mosconi, Reed,
Hetzner(5)- Bratcher(3), Clayton Cowan, Reed
Rutter(6)- Josh Cooper, Adam Hall(MI), Tyler Leonhard, Trevor Reese, Riley White, Robert Deters,
Griffin(7)- Kyle Hatch(2), Denver Aydelott, Logan Coyle, Sam Gobeyn, Kerrn(2)
 
160
Three wrestlers with state experience will come into this weight and they all seem to have some history with each other. Leading the way is state #1 and nationally ranked Brad Laughlin. He has adjusted to the 15lbs jump from last year and been extremely dominant. He will be pushed by Tony Busse who has had a fine senior year after qualifying for state last year. Both cannot overlook the ever dangerous Jed Levitz who had a defensive fall against Busse at the Al Smith this year. Levitz isn’t afraid to get funky and he is not afraid to headhunt. The last qualifying spot will be tough with three talented wrestlers looking to punch their tickets to state. Nick Potter has lost to Levitz and Busse the past two years in the ticket round. Tykease Baker and Ivan Hemmelgarn are both game competitors that could push Potter for the last ticket.
 
Early #SlobberKnockers
(Bout 72) - Ivan Hemmelgarn (Jay County) vs. Tykease Baker (Elkhart Central)
 
State Street Fights
Jed Levitz (Prairie Heights) vs. Javier Johnson (F.w. Wayne)
Delton Moore (Manchester) vs. Tony Busse (Bellmont)
Nick Potter (New Haven) vs. Ivan Hemmelgarn (Jay County) or Tykease Baker (Elkhart Central)
 
Caleb's Concrete Calls
1. Brad Laughlin
2. Tony Busse
3. Jed Levitz
4. Nick Potter
 
#WAYL2
Laughlin(1)- Burk Van Horn
Moore(3)- Evan Jeubehussen, Micah Calhoun, Nate Weimer
Levitz(3)- Laine Frazee, Gleason Mappes, Laughlin
Busse(4)- Carson Brewer, Levitz, Chase Wilson, Draker Guerrero,
Potter(5)- Busse(2), Sam Hauke, ??, ??,
Hemmelgarn(5)- Michael Baker(OH), Alston Bane, Jonyvan Johnson, Busse, Laughlin
King(6)- Ethan Stock, Josh Gee, Moore, ??, ??, ??,
Johnson(7)- Potter(3), Weimer, Dru Berkebile, Busse, Carson Brewer
Lone(7)- Lentz, Micah Calhoun, Brenden Montgomery, Micah Wray, Jordan Siddons, Baker, Levitz
Baker(9)- David Sheley, Dalton Heintzberger, Travis Sloffer, Laik Minnick, Bryce Baumgartner, Lucas Scott, Quentin Moore, Levitz, Tavonte Malone
 
170
Three returning wrestlers with state experience headline a loaded 170lbs class at Fort Wayne. Tristan Goering made the move from South Bend and is the only one with a state medal. Bryce Baumgartner has made three trips to the Bank, but never has made it to Saturday. Peru’s Jordan Rader was a state qualifier in 2015. All three were at the Al Smith this year, with only Goering making the medal stand. Look for all three to be contenders for a medal next week.
 
Early #SlobberKnockers
(Bout 74) - Thomas Hemmelgarn (Jay County) vs. Isaac Cornewell (F. W. Bishop Dwenger)
(Bout 78) - Coye Blodgett (Prairie Heights) vs. Brody Hardcastle (Oak Hill)
 
State Street Fights
Jonyvan Johnson (New Haven) vs. Brody Hardcastle (Oak Hill)
Bryce Baumgartner (Bellmont) vs. Quentin Moore (Manchester)
 
Caleb's Concrete Calls
1. Bryce Baumgartner
2. Jordan Rader
3. Tristan Goering
4. Brody Hardcastle
 
#WAYL2
Baumgartner(1)- Zack Fattore
Rader(2)- Tristan Goering, Thomas Penola,
Goering(3)- Jonah Hays, Ismael Cornejo, Conner Graber
Hardcastle(4)- Eli Stock, Silas Allred, Rader(2)
Johnson(5)- Baumgartner, Joe Mazero, Tanner Webster, Caden Friedt, ??
Moore(6)- Rader(2), Conner Graber, Colten Schuler, Hardcastle, ??
Pease(7)- Jake Orschell, Heintzberger, Eli Stock, Justin Miller, Hunter Gulden, Baumgartner, conner Brown
Cardwell(7)- Chirstopher Adams, Trizton Carson, Rader(2), Hardcastle, Moore(2)
Minnick(8)- Blodgett, Sloffer, Hayden McGee(OH), Patric Keown(OH), Johnson, Hardcastle, Cornwell(2)
Edwards(8)- Tevonte Malone, Evan Jones, Tanner Webster, Thomas Penola, Sloffer, Goering(3),
Hemmelgarn(9)- Rylee Schindler, Javier Johnson(2), Sam Smith, Dylan Hicks, Andrew Meyer(OH), Tucker Wallace, Baumgartner(2)
 
182
This weight is going to be another one that you will see some slugfests in the ticket round. Returning state placers Jacob Gray and Joey Blakeley headline this group. Gray’s only losses this year are to #1 and former #800lbGorilla teammate Nathan Walton. Blakeley is currently 1-1 this year with Conner Graber of Northridge who has had a breakout season. However, Graber will have to get past the amazin’ Apache Noah Cressell for a chance to see Blakeley for a third time. If you snuck ahead and read the #WAYL2 you will see that Cressell’s only loss this season is to Graber. Others to watch here is the Saint Stephen Nix who will have to fend off a tough Brave freshman Caden Friedt...weird there have been approximately 8,374 Friedts in the history of Bellmont.
 
Early #SlobberKnockers
(Bout 84) - DaShaun Barbary (Kokomo) vs. Jaxson Savieo (New Haven)
 
State Street Fights
Joey Blakeley (Prairie Heights) vs. Blaney Harrison (Oak Hill)
Stephen Nix (F. W. Bishop Dwenger) vs. Caden Friedt (Bellmont)
Noah Cressell (Wabash) vs. Conner Graber (Northridge)
 
Caleb's Concrete Calls
1. Jacob Gray
2. Conner Graber
3. Joey Blakely
4. Stephen Nix
 
#WAYL2
Graber(1)- Blakeley
Cressell(1)- Graber
Gray(2)- Nathan Walton(2)
Harrison(2)- Cressell(2)
Nix(3)- Jacob Hendrich(2), Cameryn Smith,
Blakeley(3)- Lucas Davison, Graber, Cameryn Smith
Barbary(6)- Graber, Evan Stambaugh, Isaac Fruits, Harrison(2), Cressell
McCann(6)- Blakeley(2), Cressell, Cole Houtz(MI), Scott Sutton(2),
Friedt(7)- Joey Szydlo, Jacob Bondon, Tyler Schlegel, Tevonte Malone, Anthony Cicciarelli, Gray, Savieo
 
195
This weight has a little bit of both state experienced wrestlers and others waiting to break out and make a name for themselves. Leading the way is two-time state placer David Eli who has all the tools to challenge the top guys in the state here. He cannot overlook recent St. Francis Cougar commit Caleb Hankenson who was a state qualifier last year. Before Hankenson takes his skills to the gridiron next fall he will take care of some unfinished business on the mat. Others to watch in this weight is a relative unknown in Wayne’s Dalyn Hart. He could play spoiler this Saturday if he is overlooked.
 
Early #SlobberKnockers
(Bout 90) - Tony Fuller (Oak Hill) vs. Draven Rasler (West Noble)
(Bout 95) - Gavin Herrera (Kokomo) vs. Codey Shafer (Prairie Heights)
(Bout 96) - Kelly Watson (Yorktown) vs. Devonte Brown (New Haven)
 
State Street Fights
Dalyn Hart (F.w. Wayne) vs. Tony Fuller (Oak Hill) or Draven Rasler (West Noble)
David Eli (Elkhart Memorial) vs. Isaiah Baumgartner (South Adams)
Gavin Herrera (Kokomo) vs. Kelly Watson (Yorktown) or Devonte Brown (New Haven)
 
Caleb's Concrete Calls
1. David Eli
2. Caleb Hankenson
3. Dalyn Hart
4. Gavin Herrera
 
#WAYL2
Hankenson(1)- Andrew Davison
Eli(1)- Andrew Davison
Sedwick(2)- Tyler Moser, Herrera,
Hart(3)- Ben Stewart, Hankenson, Victor Lee
Rasler(5)- Eli, Dylan McCune, Tyler Moser, ??, ??
Herrera(6)- Trenton Bixler, Cole Slavens, Fuller, ??, ??, ??,
Fuller(6)- Cavin Beavers, Nash Brunner, Herrera, Sedwick, ??, ??,
Baumgartner(6)- Jacob Elkins, Cordell Camp, Jayden Elwood, Hankenson(2), Levi Leffers
 
220
The light heavies will be knocking heads early. If you peak down to the ticket round matches you will see all four will be doozies. The two wrestlers in this bracket with state experience could face off for a ticket to state. Last year Corbin Maddox had a great year finishing 7th at 195 and Garrett’s mighty Railroader Beck Davis qualified for state at 195. In the top you’ll have a rubber match between NECC rivals JT Kilgore and Austin Evans, no better way to settle your differences than in the ticket round. Nick Fox and Gaven Hare could also have a great match, both are built very similar and both have the experience to punch their ticket to state. On the bottom half of the bracket you’ll have Trenton Bixler who has put up a fine season facing the Charger Tyler McKeever.
 
Early #SlobberKnockers
(Bout 99) - Nick Fox (Kokomo) vs. Austin Amstutz (New Haven)
(Bout 104) - Beck Davis (Garrett) vs. Max Clark (Northwestern)
 
State Street Fights
J.T. Kilgore (Churubusco) vs. Austin Evans (Lakeland)
Nick Fox (Kokomo) vs. Gaven Hare (Jay County)
Trenton Bixler (Northridge) vs. Tyler McKeever (Carroll (Fort Wayne))
Corbin Maddox (Daleville) vs. Beck Davis (Garrett) or Max Clark (Northwestern)
 
Caleb's Concrete Calls
1. Corbin Maddox
2. J.T. Kilgore
3. Tyler McKeever
4. Nick Fox
 
#WAYL2
Maddox(0)
Clark(1)- Fox
Kilgore(3)- Hare, McKeever, Evans
Evans(3)- Bixler(2), Kilgore,
Davis(4)- McKeever(2), Evans(2),
Fox(5)- Joey Myren, Jacob McClaine, Dalton Clouse, ??, ??
Hare(5)- Wyatt Hillard(OH), Jared Brinkman, Blake Ripperger, Zach Klostrman(OH), Maddox
Bixler(5)- Watson, Devonte Brown, Kilgore(2), Cordell Camp(2),
Amstutz(7)- Ethan Bailey, Joe Myren, Jaden Elwood, Kilgore(2), Davis, Ryan Leslie,
McKeever(8)- Tahji Irving, Cordell Camp, Kilgore(2), Riley Peterson, Justin Akers, Michael Boots, Eli Pokorney
 
285
From the beginning of the year we have known this could be a fun weight class to watch. Evan Ellis is the only one with a state medal in the group while Owen Perkins has been to state twice. Carroll's big man Jessie Lawson has had a fine season, but suffered some hiccups along the way. If he's consistent he might give Ellis a good match. Jacob Rhoades had a great season last year, but suffered an injury and was not able to wrestle the state series. He will have a really good ticket round match with Perkins. Don’t overlook the BIG Brave Braiden Shaw, he is a very formidable opponent that has some impressive wins this year. The bottom quarter bracket is a virtual pick’em with Ault and Conner being the favorites to wrestle for a ticket to state.
 
Early #SlobberKnockers
(Bout 106) - Avery Jones (Peru) vs. Vince Yoder (Fairfield)
 
State Street Fights
Jacob Rhoades (Yorktown) vs. Owen Perkins (Oak Hill)
Evan Ellis (Eastern (Greentown)) vs. Braiden Shaw (Bellmont)
Nick Conner (Elkhart Central) vs. Dakota Ault (F.w. North Side)
 
Caleb's Concrete Calls
1. Evan Ellis
2. Jessie Lawson
3. Jacob Rhoades
4. Dakota Ault
 
#WAYL2
Ellis(0)
Rhoades(2)- Rickie Clark, ??,
Lawson(3)- Rickie Clark, Robert Samuels, Shaw
Ault(3)- Lawson(2), Ellis,
Perkins(4)- Ellis(4)
Conner(5)- Lawson, Gio Murillo, Alex Faulkner, Isaiah McWilliams, ??
Shaw(6)- Brett Henson, Tyler Selm, Rhoades(2), Robert Samuels, Steve Woolbright
Jacobs(7)- Yoder, Conner(2), Elisha Tipping, Watson, Nick Fox, Rhoades,
Yoder(8)- Chase Leeper, Conner(2), Alexander McBee, Contreras, Jacobs, ??, ??
Camp(8)- Yoder, JT Kilgore(2), Max Steward, Brian Fuller, Chase Leeper, Ault, Lawson
Contreras(9)- Chanlder Austgen, Lawson, Shaw, Conner(2), Ault, Yoder(2), Jacobs

3990 25
2017 Evansville Semi-State Preview
Welcome to TripleB’s annual Evansville Semi-State Wrestling Preview Spectacular!!
 
Before we get into the good stuff, let’s cover what’s important:
 
The following PSA is brought to you by Markio:
 
Ford Arena info:
Parking and general information about the arena can be found at www.thefordcenter.com
Wrestlers can enter the arena at 7:30am for weigh ins. Wrestlers and coaches will enter at the interior ticket office lobby (to the far right of the main lobby doors) to check in and head back. You will pick up your credentials here.
The only coolers allowed are for wrestlers and must enter at the check in table through the interior ticket lobby. NO OUTSIDE FOOD OR DRINK for anyone else is allowed inside unfortunately. Not my rules, just standard building policy.
Public doors open at 8:00am CST. Enter on Main Street through the main lobby. We will look to create a separate door/entrance for those that already have tickets.
There is NO onsite parking. Please do not have any team vehicles attempt to park in the loading dock or attached outer lot. These are reserved spots.
There is no public Wi-Fi.
Tickets are $10 cash at the door. Premium loge seats are available for purchase now and on event day. They are $40 pre-event and $30 if you show up and want them day of. They include a $15 concessions voucher.There is an ATM in the lobby if you need to get some cash out.
Please do not jump over the dasher walls to access the floor. They try to control access to the floor, so you need to enter from the lower level hallway under section 103. You wouldn't jump the wall at Banker's Life would you? lol
The hospitality room for officials, etc. will be in the Corner Club. Enter from the main lobby and hang a right at lower level hallway.
If you are going to set up a camera please do not have the cord running across the aisle. You will be made to unplug any cords running across an aisle.
We will have full concessions available throughout the day. Coffee and hot chocolate are also available all day as well. (get the bbq pork nachos, huge and awesome)
There is no smoking on or in the Ford Center property, this includes e-cigarettes.
Brackets will be updated throughout the day and posted on several of the 170 or so TVs located all over the arena. The brackets end up kind of small, but hey, they are everywhere and pretty cool.
Lastly,if you are a wrestler that loses please don't kick,throw,or punch Ford Center property. We had a kid break off a door handle last year.Sent the bill to the school.

Thanks Markio!
 
Our next celebrity is Evansville owns HookandHalf and his better half Hookticia:
 
Introduction
 
Republic Aviation built the P-47 Thunderbolt—terror of America’s enemies—in Evansville, Indiana to support the allies’ WWII effort. 224 Thunderbolts will find their way to the mats at the Ford Center, this Saturday…
 
Hook's Recommendations:
 
Friday night- Hit historic Franklin Street; this one is a no-brainer. Tie on the feed bag at the Gerst Haus and enjoy 50 beers on tap. Smitty’s is an authentic Italian steakhouse. Sportsman’s Billiards is a 1920’s style pool hall with great bar food. The Tinman, Lamasco, Leroy’s….the list goes on and on.
Saturday morning- Go to Rosie’s Diner! You will not be impressed with the neighborhood; you will be impressed with the wait staff and food.
Saturday night- Angelo’s is two blocks from the Ford Center. You can thank me later. Enjoy Chicago-style pizza at Franklin Street Pizza.
And, as always, when attending ANYTHING at the Ford Center—bring your wallet. You will need it.
 
Hook’s Dirty South All-Name Team
 
106
Logan “Sport” Stephenson, Owen “Wilson” Sego, Sam “I am” Sego,
Camden “Oops, I Did It Again” Spears, Will “Purple” Hays, Drake “Soup” Campbell
Ray “De Janiero” Rioux, Dayton “Deer” Hunter, Devon “Lightning” Casebolt
Logan Boe “A Constrictor”, “Captain” Morgan Smith , Noah “The Vegetable” Gardner
113
Asa “Andy” Garcia, Brooks “Achy Breaky” Hartz, Joey “Flash” Gordon, Jay “Bird” Orman
Kane “Scrambled” Egli, Aaron Adkins “Diet”, Jake “The Snake” Wilson,
Camden Rose “Has Its Thorn”, Victor “Goes the Spoils” Antunez, Alex “High Octane” Petro
Seth “Rogen” Rohrbach, Keandre “Elementary” Watson, Evan “Breakin’ The” Lawhead
Seth Horty “Hears a Who”
120
“R” Cayden Rooks, Brycen “Grand Slam” Denny, Hunter “Uncle Ben” Rice, Ty “Sugar” Mills
Justin “Time” Ruddick, Neal “The Real Deal” Bealmear, Zane “E” Sullivan,
Eric “Harpen Yes” Harpeneau, Steven “Duck” Weddle, Trenton “Richie” Cunningham
Eli “Whitney” Dickens, Justice “League” Cash, Lane “Wishing” Wells, Alex “Willie” Mosconi
126
“Welcome” Matt Lee, Zach “Turning” Lane, Gabe “Arm” Pitzulo, Dalton “007” Craig
Noah “Rabbit” Hunt, Cameron “Bass” Fisher, Jonathan “Straightnen” Kervin
Peyton “Manning” Pruett, Austin “Fry” Cook, “Peter” Parker McNeely, “Teddy” Graham Rooks
Carson “Whatchu Talkin Bout” Willis
132
“Sweet” Kyle Luigs, Noah “Jim” Morrison, Carson “Black &” Deckard, Mason Miranda “Rights”
David Teague “Of Their Own”, Ethan “Rooster” Hensley, Brett “Michaels” Smith, LJ “Heavy” Burdon
Matt “Johnny” Kincaid, Noah “Ben” Franklin, Donald “Duck” Campbell, Tristen Dowell “Rod”
138
Derek “Red Ball” Blubaugh, Nolan “Double” Weidner, Jake “Arnold” Schoenegge,
Levi “Strauss” Miller, Drew “N” Dearing, Brandon “Pencil &” Penegar, Ryan “Bam Bam” Bigelow
Tristan “Buy Less” Sellmer, Dexter “Lab” Grubb, Colten “Bananas” Foster, Adam “Sapple” Anderson
Robert “The Jeweler” Deters
145
Curtis “Tom” Collins, Brayton “Bruce” Lee, Austin “Texas” Heckman, Corban “Bernson” Pollitt
Tony “Bologna” Mosconi, Luke “What The” Fleck, Harley “Race” Gorman,
Joe “Don’t Worry B” Happe, Ethan “Hair Beginning” Wigand, Sam “Oh No” Osho
Brooks “Trout” Wathen, Blake “Spider” Webb, Evan “No” Bullock, Logan “Spring” Coyle
152
Josh “Anderson” Cooper, Timmy “& Lassie” Burton, Zach “Michael” Myers,
Austin Bethel “I Hear You Callin”, Tucker “Shaw” Schank, Zach “Fig” Newton,
Clay “Almond Joy” McNutt, “Notta” Trace Thomas, Kye “Cabinet” Fehrenbacher
Wyatt “Earp” Dalton, Andy “Harley” Davidson, Denver “Colorado” Aydelott
160
Zane “Meineke” Beineke, Shawn “P Diddy” Coane, Ethan “Beef” Stock
“Car” Chase Wilson, Carson “Master” Brewer, Elliston Ross “Geller”
“Jackie” Gleason Mappes, “Umbilical” Korde Weber, Macartney “Band on the Run” Parkinson
Devon “Yikes” Stikes, DeShawn “Walking Tall” Buford, “Blue” Jaylen Adkins
Jesse “James” Hunter, Jacob “Old MacDonald” Farmer
170
Conner “Moreno” Brown, Anthony “Fusilli” Cicciarelli, Andrew “Dice” Chapman
“I Like” Ike Murrell, Burk “Enstock” Vanhorn, Wyatt “Field Marshall Bernard” Montgomery
Joe “Folded” Creasey, Chris “Tipper” Spiller, Carson “Cougar” Mohler “Camp”
Jonah “And The Whale” Hays, Kameron Fuller “House”, Eli Stock “Market”
Micah “Rock” Keller
182
Jeremy “Mount” McKinley, Sam “Hungry Like The” Woolf, Eyan “Smoldering” Coldren
Jake “Gimme Some” Moore, Jaden “Here Comes The” Sonner, Andrew “Dean” Koonce
Camryn “Was in Egypt’s Land” Smith, Jacob “Jimi” Hendrich, Thomas “Sharpie” Dull
Danny “Zuko” Reams, Will “Priestly” Nunn, Brigham “Young” Kleinhenz
Nathan “Bill” Walton, “Tail” Gunner Williams, Karl “Shed” Hauser
Kiave Guerrier “& Ives”
195
Jack “Russell” Michel, Luke “I’m Your Father” Smith, Grant Goforth “& Prosper”,
Will “Rockin” Rolley, Bradley “Empty Pan” Philpot, Destin “Florida” Hardy
Holden “On” Abshier, Ryan “Green Eggs &” Hammond
Kurtis “Call Of The” Widerman, William “Iphone” Seri, Greg “Brady” Brown
Aaron Breivogel “Electric”, Deion “Sanders” Cooper, Chris Barclay “Center”
220
Abel “Geraldo” Rivera, Clayton “Flat &” Scroggs, Dalton “Pencil Ground” Pinaire
Brennan “Stormin” Norman, Gunnar “Bayonet” Larson, Aaron “Amsterdam” Hollen
Payton “Place” Halbig, Josh “Wine” McCorkle, Michael Boots “Are Made For Walkin”
Tyler “It’s” Allgood, Austin “Powers” Scheckles, Tanner “Hide” Christenberry
Isaac “Spice” McCormick
285
Harley “Von” Hillenburg, Cory “Reef” Heinrichs, Alex “Trebeck” Lichlyter, “Mai” Ty Sorg
Jordan Headdy “Lamar”, Silas Goff “Club”, Rickie “You’re So Fine You Blow My Mind” Clark
Bryce “Is Right” Biddle, Brycen “Tiger” Woods, Dylan “Dean” Cain, “Hip” Wade “R” Ripple
Brett “Gus” Henson, Nathan Long “Jump”,Kody “Love Shack” Moshak
 
Wow, thanks HookandHalf and Hookticia
 
How can I be expected to follow that?? We’ll preview all 14 weights. Each weight will feature:
 
The Charles Barkley “Turrible” Draws - ticket round matches that shouldn’t be happening in the ticket round!
 
The Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerkerss - Best first round matches!
 
Ford Fab 4 - I assemble a regional rep from each regional, myself, and this year a special guest voter (BacktotheMat) and they make their picks and I tally up the votes to assemble our Ford Fab 4.
 
[The Built Ford Tough Locks - The rare of the rare, a Ford Tough Lock is a wrestler who garners first place votes from all 6 voters. This year we had an amazing and record setting 7 Ford Tough Locks, and was just a few votes away from having 9.
 
The Cam Newton Dabs: Wrestlers who got points, but not enough to make the Fab 4, we’ll give them some Dab!
 
Without further ado...UNLEASH THE PREVIEW!!
 
Edit - I just got done with this and I realized that this year is the year of the semi-finals, holy smokes there will be some doozies! This will set up some murder’s row matches next Friday night in Indy!
 
106: Don’t be late, be sure to get to Stoll’s Country Inn early Saturday morning and leave yourself plenty of time to get settled in. “The” Drake Campbell and “There’s something about” Ray Rioux have waged war this year, with Rioux finally grabbing a win last week. Can Devon Casebolt bring drop a lightning bolt on this rivalry or do we see the next battle this weekend? Owen Sego spent a big chunk of the year at 113, he’s been behind Rioux and Campbell, can the Indian Creek Frosh take a big step this weekend?
 
This weight features 4 state ranked wrestlers and 2 great Barry Horowitz Curtain Jerkers!!
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - Regionals isn’t the best time to have an off day and Mater Dei senior Kaleb Hinderliter might see the light close on his career if he’s not ready right off the bat Saturday. Hinderliter and Rioux will mix it up right off the bat, the team race will also start to develop here as well. Unranked, Contender trained Logan Boe looks to go big early as he takes on Castle Knight Devon Casebolt. Boe has flown under radar this year, can he pull off the first early upset?
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draws - Nothing here really sticks out outside of the aforementioned Hinderliter/Rioux first round matchup.
 
The Dab - Terre Haute Senior Logan Stephenson got some love but not enough to get out, but matches happen on the mat, not on the internet!
 
Ford Fab 4 - Campbell, Rioux, and Casebolt all got first place votes… but when the dust settled:
1st - Drake Campbell, Brownsburg. 2nd - Devon Casebolt, Castle. 3rd - Ray Rioux, Avon. 4th - Owen Sego, Indian Creek.
 
113: It’s Asa’s world at 113, and everybody else is just squirrels! Defending State Champ and Avon’s Asa Garcia is our first Ford Tough Lock and he’s repping #TheCounty and #AvonYoungGunz. After Garcia 4 other state ranked wrestlers fill the brackets at 113. That means at least 1 state ranked wrestler isn’t getting out, and the voters think another isn’t getting out either
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - This is turrrrible first round draw and definitely deserves a Baker BOOOOO!! Two state ranked wrestlers, two top four ranked SS kids will be going at it right off the bat; Evansville Memorial senior Seth Horty and Brownsburg Sophomore Evan Lawhead won’t waste time in bringing the fun to the Ford Center. The loser goes home, the winner more than likely punches his ticket to the finals.
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draw - Not a terrible draw on paper, but #19 (#4 SS) Victor Antunez has had a marvelous season, but the voters like Center Grove’s Alex Petro. The votes were razor thin, this match could be a great one!
 
The Dab - See above, don’t be surprised if Antunez is in the finals.
Built Ford Tough Lock: Asa Garcia, Avon, #TheCounty #AvonYoungGunz
 
Ford Fab 4 -
1 - Asa Garcia Avon. 2 - Seth Horty, Evansville Memorial. 3 - Kane Egli, Evansville Mater Dei. 4 - Alex Petro, Center Grove.
 
120: Let’s get this out of the way, no Lock at 120, okay let’s proceed. Team Dark Horses have to be the Columbus East Olympians. Injuries and bad first rd draws could cancel out some Wildcats, Bulldogs, and Orioles. Does that mean Columbus East Hammers can slip through to a very surprising team title? If so Cayden Rooks will need to get the ball rolling at 120. Brownsburg Sophomore Ty Mills has spent 2 years ranked #1 and is returning SS Champ, he hopes to squash Olympic hopes early as him and #3 ranked Rooks should lock up in the semis. This weight class looks lights out on paper w/ 4 ranked and predicted podium placers in the brackets, but also our first true Turrrrrrible Draw!!!
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - There are 2 quarter brackets in the whole semi state w/ no SS ranked wrestlers and 120 features one of those brackets. 3 of the four kids got votes and this quarter bracket should be a doozy, just hungry kids getting after it. Sullivan/Harpenau and Weddle/Cunningham start things off.
 
Also 2 Freshman Phenoms that are more like grizzled veterans will engage right off the bat. SS #3 and state #4 Eli Dickens and SS #7 Justice Cash will battle for the right to compete in a (see below)
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draw - Two top 8 ranked kids going at it in the blood round?!?!?!?! Cash Me On the Mah, HowBow Dah??? Should Mater Dei’s Dickens survive some tough Justice in the first round, then he will get to dance w/ Indian Creek’s Alex Mascarpone Mosconi. Sir Charles is def not a fan of this….
 
The Dab - Mosconi, and the whole unranked quarter bracket all got some Dab, but not enough land in the Ford Fab 4
 
Ford Fab 4:
1st - Ty Mills, Brownsburg. 2nd - Eli Dickens, Evansville Mater Dei. 3rd - Cayden Rooks, Columbus East. 4th - Trenton Cunnigham, New Albany.
 
126: Blake Mulkey pulled a big semi state upset a year ago when he knocked off Graham Rooks, he then followed that up by showing everybody it wasn’t an upset when he beat him again in the third place match at state. 2 more wins in the off season has Mulkey now 4-0 against Rooks. They are now ranked 1st and 2nd in the state, can Mulkey pull out 5 and 6 over the next two weeks? The voters were split and we had to go to a tiebreaker to determine a winner. 126 features 3 former state qualifiers and some kid from Evansville named Lee, not really familiar w/ that name but here he’s okay.
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - No SS ranked opponents square off, grab some drink, stretch your legs, and get ready for some Turrrrible draws.
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draw - Another Panther, another Turrible draw, Dalton Craig is a returning state qualifier who’s battled tested from his matches against Rooks and Schoenegge a year ago. Mater Dei’s freshman Matt Lee has gotten better and better as the season as progressed. Now they meet for a shot at Bankers Life. Also SS #3 Carson Willis got nipped last weekend by Lee, and for that he gets Rooks in the ticket round. Rooks has been money in ticket round matches, but coach Bob Harmon will have his Castle Knight ready!
 
The Dab - Dalton Craig, and Center Grove’s Peyton Pruett both got some love.
 
Ford Fab 4:
1st - Graham Rooks, Columbus East. 2nd - Matt Lee, Evansville Mater Dei. 3rd - Blake Mulkey, Brownsburg. 4th - Noah Hunt, Bloomington South.
 
132: Our second Lock comes in at 132, Evansville’s own Kyle Luigs is undefeated and ranked #3 in the state. Outside of Luigs, this weight features 6 other state ranked kids and is one of the deepest weights at the Ford Center. #7 and returning state medalist Dawson Combest, #11 Mason Miranda, #16 The California Kid Brett Smith, #17 Donald Campbell, #19 Noah Franklin, and #20 Caleb Craig all highlight this field.
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerkers - Well luckily the 7 guys are spread out, no real Curtain jerkers here, Barry can rest. However, that does lead to some…...
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draws - I mean if there are 7 ranked kids, is there really a terrible draw? Well Combest and Luigs on same side is turrrrrrible but this has been and will be a recurring theme throughout the brackets. I guess if I had to pick one it would be Luigs and Miranda, both are returning qualifiers and only one will be punching their ticket to BLF.
 
The Dab - Trips likes both Caleb Craig and Noah Franklin to punch tickets, but I was way, and I mean waaaaaay in the minority.
 
Ford Tough Lock - Sweet Kyle Luigs is our next lock, the Wildcat has punched his ticket twice and has one medal to show. He hopes to break through a tough weight class this year to finish as a state champ.
 
Ford Fab 4 -
1st - Kyle Luigs, Evansville Mater Dei. 2nd - Brett Smith, Bloomington North. 3rd - Dawson Combest, Columbus East. 4th - Donald Campbell
 
138: This weight class could be dubbed the Revenge of the Wrestlers. 3 of the 4 favored wrestlers left Evansville last year with sour tastes in their mouths. Tristan Sellmer leads this group off, he’s now a 3 time regional champ but was a victim of the worse draw ever 2 years ago and was upset last year. This year Sellmer will look to get through the blood round. Jake Schoenegge (officially pronounced Shun-uhh-gee) suffered a tough loss at last year's regionals to nemesis Dalton Craig and got to watch Craig advance. 2 year's ago Levi Miller of North Posey tasted greatness by making it to Bankers Life, but last year he was sent packing early. All 3 will look to join Nathan Conley from Avon on the podium Saturday.
 
I’ll also go on record to say that one of those top 3 kids will ruin the Rumph/Black feud. I think we see Schoenegge and Sellmer under the lights next week in Indianapolis.
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - Nolan Weidner has been a name that’s bounced around the Mater Dei line up now for a few years. Can the Wildcat play spoiler to Regional champ Derek Blubaugh?!?!?!?
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draw - #19 Ryan Bigelow vs. Levi Miller. Let’s just say this, Levi Miller should be ranked. He’s certainly flown under the radar and with former Wildcat Cody Moll as his coach, he’ll be game. Ryan Bigelow has had a phenomenal year for Derrick Snyder’s Bulldogs, are the 8 losses deceiving? Not the worse of draws, but this should be a great ticket round match on Saturday. Also Derek Blubaugh vs. Jake Schoenegge, Blubaugh is solid, don’t discount him on sneaking one past Schoenegge.
 
The Dab - Ryan Bigelow got some votes and is state ranked, but Levi Miller slides by in a tight one.
 
Ford Fab 4 -
1st - Tristen Sellmer, Floyd Central. 2nd - Jake Shun-uhh-gee, Columbus East. 3rd - Nathan Conley, Avon. 4th - Levi Miller, North Posey.
 
145: Brayton Lee has been involved in one of the most exciting matches in Evansville Semi-State history and one of the most hyped matches in Evansville Semi-State history, what does he do to top that? Become a Ford Tough Lock and absolutely dominate the field at 145. After Lee, this weight class is literally wide open, expect great matches, upsets and our picks to be waaaay off as 7 other wrestlers garnered votes after Lee.
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - Both guys were ticket rounders a year ago, this year one of them will be done after round 1. Indian Creek’s Tony Mosconi took 4th in a tough Mooresville Regional last weekend, Columbus East’s Corbin Pollitt showed the magic that he’s starting to get a name for by knocking off season long rival Brooks Wathen. Now they meet for the right to just get to the ticket round!! Insane!!
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draws - Bloominton South’s Blake Webb has had a great senior season, w/ 36 wins and only 4 losses. This regional champ is #14 in the state and will probably have a ticket round match w/ #8 Logan Coyle who has also had a stellar senior year. These guys probably punch their tickets in any other bracket minus Brayton Lees. Unfortunately one will go home Saturday.
 
The Dab - Arms will get tired w/ all The Dabs being given out here - Blake Webb, Joe Happe, Sam Osho Fo’Sho, and Tony Mosconi all got votes to get through and will be looking to crash some brackets.
 
Ford Tough Lock - Brayton Lee, Browsnburg, no drama, no excitement, the Bulldog will take care of business.
 
Ford Fab 4 -
1st - Brayton Lee, Brownsburg. 2nd - Logan Coyle, Center Grove. 3rd - Brooks Wathen, Jennings County. 4th - Corban Pollitt, Columbus East.
 
152: Our next Lock is a familiar name in the Evansville area Joe Lee, the only question at this weight is will this be the last time we Joe Lee at Semi-State, say it ain’t so Joe! The exciting part of this weight is the last quarter bracket w/ no ranked wrestlers. Keep an eye out for the 2nd quarter bracket featuring Tucker Schank, Zach Newton, Clay McNutt, and Trace Thomas. I say FIREWORKS!!
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - Outside of the FIREWORK bracket, look out for Josh Foster of Floyd Central and #16 Denver Aydelott of Edgewood, the winner gets Lee, but this should be a great first round match.
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draw - Josh Cooper of Jeffersonville congrats on your Regional title, you get …… Austin Bethel in the ticket round!!! Boooooooooooo…..
 
The Dab - Tucker Schank, Zach Newton, and Clay McNutt take some dab, bc the voters like Trace Thomas
 
Ford Tough Lock - Joe Lee… Please don’t go!!!
 
Ford Fab 4 -
1st - Joe Lee, Evansville Mater Dei. 2nd - Austin Bethel, Mt. Vernon. 3rd - Jacob Clark, Avon. 4th - Trace Thomas, Greencastle
 
160: Our next Lock is at 160, Center Grove Junior Gleason Mappes brings a 35-1 record into Evansville. This weight features 4 other state ranked grapplers who hope to break this lock; Monrovia’s Ethan Stock, Princeton’s Chase Wilson, Avon’s Carson Brewer, and Castle’s Jacob Farmer will be in line looking for a SS title.
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - Jaylen Adkins is a 3x SSQ, his last two trips he’s ran into eventual SS champs. That’s either a really good sign for DeShawn Buford, or a real bad sign for Buford. This has us on a 4 over 1 upset alert.
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draws - Chase Wilson appeared to be on his way to State a year ago when his ticket round match went south at the hands of Floyd Central’s Tyler Crowl. Wilson lost and exciting 12-8 match. This year he will have Carson Brewer, 5 losses between the 2. Does Wilson, coached by former Madison Cub Mike Duckworth (cheap plug) use that loss to get him over the top or does Brewer’s year's of experience propel him? Regardless Charles is none too happy… Turrrrriiibbbllleeee
 
The Dab - Chase Wilson, get some dab son, you got some votes but just not enough
 
Ford Tough Lock - Gleason Mappes continues this middleweight run of LOCKS!!
 
Ford Fab 4 -
1st - Gleason Mappes, Center Grove. 2nd - Ethan Stock, Monrovia. 3rd - Carson Brewer, Avon. 4th Jacob “Hasn’t he been around forever” Farmer
 
170: Loaded, 7 ranked studs here. Burk Vanhorn, returning state runner up was on a tear and seemed destined to be a lock then he ran into a Stock. Eli Stock put Indiana 170lbers on notice at Sectionals when he defeated Vanhorn. Last week at regionals Vanhorn pulled a victory out in OT and now he’s been named a LOCK in a field full of ranked wrestlers.
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerkers - #18 Stock vs. #20 Micah Keller will get this weight class going early. They have 4 losses between them and the winner probably gets Greco City’s Kameron Fuller. Man that sounds like a
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draw - Kameron Fuller and Aaron Mosley has had a great series this year and with them both being juniors hopefully for us we will get to see them go at it for another year, unfortunately both are victims of some terrible draws. Mosley will get Vanhorn and Fuller will get Stock. Mosley could be the true odd man out here as his loss last week had New Albany fans in an uproar. This draw won’t help calm them down at all.
 
The Dab - Kameron Fuller, Conner Brown, and Joe Creasy will be looking to prove the voters wrong as they all received votes to advance to Bankers Life.
 
Ford Tough Lock - Burk Vanhorn of Franklin will look to navigate a tough field and bring Bob Hasseman’s Franklin squad another SS championship
 
Ford Fab 4 -
1st - Burk Vanhorn, Franklin. 2nd - Jonah Hays, Center Grove. 3rd - Eli Stock, Monrovia. 4th - Tony “Nick’s kid” Cicciarelli
 
182: Brownsburg’s Nathan Walton is ranked #1 in the state, defending SS champ, and a 2 time state medalists. He certainly has the credentials to be a lock, but NOT SO FAST MY FRIEND! In a match dubbed - The ChinWhip vs. The HeadLock on the IndianaMat hangout this rematch of last year’s SS semi final match ( won by Walton 3-0) has some saying Terre Haute’s Thomas Dull could get the win. This bracket is another great one with 7 (including the #1, #2, and #5 ranked wrestlers) ranked grapplers vying for 4 tickets to Indianapolis!
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - Keep an eye out for Camryn Smith vs. #12 Jacob Hendrich. Also Floyd Central’s Karl Hauser and #11 Kiave Guerrier of Evansville Central should be a great match.
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draws - Both Tecumseh’s Jeremy McKinley and Franklin’s Jake Moore has had great seasons, but only one can advance come Saturday. Also #12 and returning state qualifer will take on New Albany’s #5 Jaden Sonner. Sonner was a victim of turrrrrible draw a year ago, can the Bulldog punch that ticket or will Hendrich’s experience in ticket round matches be enough for the Northview Knight?
 
The Dab: While Hendrich and McKinley have the tools to advance, the voters settled on their opponents.
 
Ford Fab 4 -
1st - Nathan Walton, Brownsburg. 2nd - Jaden Sonner, New Albany. 3rd - Thomas Dull, Terre Haute North. 4th - Jake Moore, Franklin.
 
195: In the following 3 weights the Mooresville Regional will attempt to apply a strangle hold and advance all 12 wrestlers. Will any other wrestler be able to rep their schools and regionals? 4 returning state qualifiers shine at 195 and all are ranked 5-8th in the state. Can Evansville’s own Kurtis Wilderman break up the Mooresville Regionals dominance?
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - Whiteland’s Ryan Hammond was a rare upper weight Freshman state qualifier 2 years ago, he sat out last year with an injury. Evansville Memorial’s Holden Abshier has quietly put together a solid year. They will meet first round in hopes of becoming a state qualifier.
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draws - Floyd Central’s Brady Philpott will by far have the best mustache at Evansville, but he’s a victim of 2 years worth of turrrible draws. This year he will have Ryan Hammond, can the Highlander shake the bad draws off and advance? Also Southridge Senior Jack Michel has put together a stellar season at 44-2 and his reward is returning state qualifier Indian Creek’s Grant Goforth, not fair says Charles!
 
The Dab - Brady Philpott, this HHC fan will be rooting for you, but according to the voters Hammond gets the nod
 
Ford Fab 4 -
1st - Kurtis Wilderman, Evansville Mater Dei. 2nd - Ryan Hammond, Whiteland. 3rd - Kyle Shaffer, South Putnam. 4th - Grant Goforth, Indian Creek
 
220: Avon’s Gunnar Larson has put together a stellar career. He’s currently a 3 State Qualifier w/ 2 medals and a 2x SS champ. The Oriole is our last Lock of the year as he looks to add a third SS championship to his impressive career. Mooresville Regional was pretty crazy at this weight and they will look to send all 4 to state.
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - How about winning regionals as a senior with hopes of going to state and then see your draw is the #3 wrestler in the state. Awful. Terre Haute South’s Abel Rivera and #3 Clayton Scroggs of Martinsville will lock up in rd 1. That’s a turrrrrrrrrrilbe draw!
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draws - Monrovia’s Garrison Lee and Evansville Mater Dei’s Michael Boots both lost heart breakers last year in the ticket round. This year they have each other. While it’s the best draw either could have gotten, it’s still a turrrible draw!
 
The Dab - Regional Champ Austin Sheckles of Columbus East and Lee will look to punch their tickets Saturday but neither got great draws, best of luck!
 
Ford Tough Lock - #TheCounty will get to see Gunnar Larson ride off to Indy with one last SS championship!
 
Ford Fab 4 -
1st - Gunnar Larson, Avon. 2nd - Michael Boots, Evansville Mater Dei. 3rd - Clayton Scroggs, Martinsville. 4th Isaac McCormick, Brownsburg.
 
285: What’s TripleB’s favorite weight?!?!? I can’t hear you?!?!?!?! The big boys, 2-8-5! Don’t you dare leave early! Like The New Days says “SHAME” if you cut out! Watch the top quarter bracket as 3 of the 4 wrestlers got votes, there will also be some great ticket round matches here also!
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerkers - Here’s a great idea, let’s have the #3 and #4 state ranked guys go at it in the first round, said no one ever! Why?!?!? Avon’s Brett Henson appears banged up and he gets Mt. Vernon’s Wade Ripple. I guess Henson’s injury could have a Ripple effect on the entire weight class and team race? Bad joke?!?!?
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draws - See above, really?!?!? Also Regional champ Harley Hillenburg from Bloomington South get’s a former state qualifier in Jennings County’s Brendan Sutton. The winner gets returning Center Grove grappler Cory Henrichs. Ouch.
 
The Dab - Floyd Central’s Ty Sorg (TripleB picked you btw), Center Grove’s Cory Heinrichs (another TripleB pick) and Evansville Memorial’s Alex Lichlyter all got votes.
 
Ford Fab 4 -
1st - Wade Ripple, Mt. Vernon. 2nd - Rickie “Juicy Lucy” Clark, Brownsburg. 3rd - Bryce Biddle (TripleB’s pick to win), Plainfield. 4th - Brendan Sutton, Jennings County.
 
Annnnnnnd that’s a wrap folks! Enjoy Evansville! As of now Trips will be missing is first semi-state in over 10 years!! But I’ll be at Bankers Life next week, feel free to buy me a cold one, or give me a sweet suite ticket. I take bribes!!!

1991
Stevan Micic wins co-Big Ten Wrestler of the Week
Michigan and Ohio State Share Wrestler of the Week Honor

Wolverines’ Micic claims honor after picking up two wins; Buckeyes’ Tomasello earns plaudit after claiming top-five victory

Co-Wrestlers of the Week
Stevan Micic, Michigan
133 pounds – Fr. – Cedar Lake, Ind. – Hanover Central

Led the Wolverines with a pair of individual wins, helping Michigan defeat Maryland
Eighth-ranked Micic claimed a 11-4 win over Billy Rappo of Maryland and a 13-7 victory over third-ranked Eric Montoya of Nebraska
Earns the second Wrestler of the Week Award of his career
Last Ohio State Wrestler of the Week: Kyle Snyder (Nov. 22, 2016)

Nathan Tomasello, Ohio State
133 pounds – Jr. – Parma, Ohio – Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy

Helped lead the Buckeyes to a win over No. 12 Illinois
The second-ranked wrestler picked up a 12-4 major decision over No. 4 Zane Richards of Illinois
Remains unbeaten on the year, sporting a 9-0 record
Earns the first Wrestler of the Week Award of his career
Last Michigan Wrestler of the Week: Logan Massa (Dec. 6, 2016)

 
2016-17 Wrestlers of the Week
Nov. 8: Connor Medbery, Sr., WIS
Nov. 15: Connor Medbery, Sr., WIS
Nov. 22: Kyle Snyder, Jr., OSU
Nov. 29: Brett Pfarr, Sr., MINN
Dec. 6: Logan Massa, Fr., MICH
Dec. 13: Anthony Rubinetti, Fr., NU
Dec. 20: Drew Hughes, Fr., MSU
Jan. 3: Thomas Gilman, IOWA
Ethan Lizak, MINN
Jan. 10: Jason Nolf, PSU
Jan. 17: Stevan Micic, Fr., MICH
Nathan Tomasello, Jr., OSU

4886
Drew Hughes wins Big Ten Wrestler of the Week
Michigan State Earns Wrestler of the Week Plaudit

Spartans’ Hughes picks up the honor after winning four matches at the Reno Tournament of Champions

Wrestler of the Week
Drew Hughes, Michigan State
165 pounds – Fr. – Lowell, Ind. – Lowell

Helped lead the Spartans to a second-place finish at the Reno Tournament of Champions
The unranked wrestler picked up three technical falls before earning a 2-0 sudden victory win over 12th-ranked Branson Ashworth of Wyoming
Earns the first Wrestler of the Week Award of his career
Last Michigan State Wrestler of the Week: Michael McClure (Dec. 18, 2012)

2016-17 Wrestlers of the Week
Nov. 8: Connor Medbery, Sr., WIS
Nov. 15: Connor Medbery, Sr., WIS
Nov. 22: Kyle Snyder, Jr., OSU
Nov. 29: Brett Pfarr, Sr., MINN
Dec. 6: Logan Massa, Fr., MICH
Dec. 13: Anthony Rubinetti, Fr., NU
Dec. 20: Drew Hughes, Fr., MSU

2771 43
#Wrestling Wednesday: Faulkens opens up about wrestling
By STEVE KRAH
stvkrh905@gmail.com
 
Robert Faulkens is the face of wrestling at the Indiana High School Athletic Association office.
 
As an assistant commissioner, he administers IHSAA wrestling (as well as football and boys and girls track and field).
 
Faulkens, who also sits on several National Federation of State High School Associations committees, oversees an annual online rules meeting for IHSAA wrestling officials and coaches.
 
He also likes to take advantage of face-to-face opportunities, like the recent St. Joseph Valley Officials Association gathering in Granger. There, Faulkens got a chance to address a roomful of mat referees and area coaching staffs.
 
Faulkens, who defines his job as someone who must be equitable to all 4,000 wrestlers and all 309 programs in Indiana and not just the elite, covered many topics and had a dialogue with those in attendance. Much of the discussion were on areas relating to participation.
 
“Wrestling’s been in a decline for about four or five years,” Faulkens said of dropping participation numbers.
 
He said the only thing propping up participation in Indiana is girls wrestling, which had about 300 competing on boys squads throughout the state last season. It’s a number too low to make it a separate sport. But if the numbers continue to rise it could happen in the future.
 
“My guess is we’re eight or 10 years from pulling girls out and making it a separate sport,” Faulkens said. “the number of teams that have girls wrestling is very small. There are pockets of girls wrestling (currently, Lafayette Jeff and Crispus Attucks each have more than a dozen girls in their programs). Either you have them or you don’t. Very rarely do you have one girl wrestling. Normally you have four or five.”
 
Faulkens sits on the national rules writing committee for the National Federation. The committee met last April and considered and approved a new two-piece uniform with a tight shirt and shorts. The rules regulators at the next level turned down the proposal, saying there was no uniformity in the specifications nor was there time to approve the change by October.
 
“In April (2017), we’ll probably do it all over again and have to be more specific,” Faulkens said. “I think we’re about three years away (from the two-piece uniform).”
 
What’s wrong with the singlet?
 
“Kids are not wresting because they are a little bit embarrassed to wear the singlet,” Faukens said. “Participation numbers have dropped and that’s one of the reasons kids have decided they don’t want to wrestle.”
 
What are some of the other reasons?
 
The long weekend events have become a grind to many young athletes.
 
Faulkens noted that there no joy in spending all day on a Saturday and losing five times and wrestling all of six minutes.
 
“Why as a high school kid would I give up seven weekends to not have fun?,” Faulkens said.
 
Many schools have schedules made up mostly of Saturday super duals or tournaments. The suggestion has been made from some in Indiana to increase the number of weeknight dual meets.
 
Another reason is parents don’t want their kids to wrestle because they equate the sport with brawling.
 
“They see wrestling as MMA or as Ultimate Fight Club,” Faulkens said. “As scholastic wrestlers we’re trying to distance ourselves from those two entities because of the negative connotation.”
 
That’s why he resists calling the lower part of the two-piece uniform “fight” shorts.
 
Faulkens talked about the relationship between football and wrestling — a natural partnership in some communities, but not in all places.
 
He is a fan of multi-sport participation.
 
“Those schools that share kids among sports are normally the ones who are successful over a long period of time,” Faulkens said. “We have some hard-headed football coaches that believe a kid should just play football in the fall and lift weights in the winter and spring.
 
“It goes against everything we know about kids. They need to do different sports at different times of the year. If they do the same thing all the time, they risk burnout and injury. Those two things are not good for any kid.”
 
The assistant commissioner noted that 75 percent of the teams in the IHSAA football state championships have athletes who participate in another sport.
 
At schools where wrestling coaches are having a hard time getting football players (or those specializing in one sport) to join their teams, Faulkens said their must be a conversation between the coach and their athletic director and and principal.
 
Faulkens pointed out the differences in the gridiron and mat, noting that football is anaerobic and wrestling is aerobic “and never the twain shall meet.”
 
“If you try to get a kid to go from quick bursts and a lot of rest to a sport that’s a continual expenditure of energy, it’s very difficult,” Faulkens said. “Wrestling is not an easy sport. We’ve got a group of kids that don’t want to work that hard. They really don’t. They’re going to take the path of least resistance. It’s just the mindset of our kids.”
 
While many will argue that more mat time is always a good thing, Faulkens sees a trend coming from his involvement with the National Federation’s sports medicine advisory committee that calls for a reduction in the number of matches.
 
“What we know is that at a certain point, there’s no return on improvement,” Faulkens said. “It’s likely that in a few years the maximum number of regular-season matches allowed per wrestler will be 25.”
 
This will mean an adjustment in how schedules are made. There may not be as many two-day super duals with teams competing eight to 10 times in a weekend, knowing that they may be getting close to the maximum in a very short time period.
 
A point of emphasis for Faulkens at each online rules meeting is the importance of being vigilant against infectious skin diseases.
 
“Don’t share razors or soap and wash yourself everyday and wash your mats,” Faulkens said.
 
Faulkens said showering after each practice and competition is suggested. But if coaches can’t enforce that they should at least have a bucket of antibacterial wipes for exposed skin when wrestlers get off the mat.
 
Ideally, checking for skin lesions would be a daily occurrence, but every athlete should be checked at least once a week.
 
A year ago, Faulkens said 70 schools had cases of infectious skin disease on their teams and five schools reported five or more cases.
 
“Parents are not going to stand for it,” Faulkens said. “If you get a MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection) in your room, that’s going to cost the parents $40,000. If they don’t have insurance, chances are they are not going to get the treatment that they need.”
 
Faulkens notes that though he may come across as harsh when making his points about matters like this and with the proper administration of the weight management system (he got the athletic directors and athletic trainers involved four years ago), there’s a method to his madness.
 
“We can’t lose wrestling because we can’t lose the lessons that wrestling gives us,” Faulkens said. “As coaches, you are in control of that.”
 
As for the state of the sport as Faulkens heads into his seventh state tournament series, he likes what he sees.
 
“We’re in good shape,” Faulkens said. “I love where we’re are in wrestling in the state of Indiana. I really do.
 
“My job is to do what’s best for everybody.”

2341
Manchester University awarded NCAA Division III Midwest Regional
NORTH MANCHESTER, IND. – Manchester University, in conjunction with the Allen County Memorial Coliseum and Visit Fort Wayne groups, has been awarded a bid to host the 2017 NCAA Division III Midwest Regional wrestling Championships.
 
The event is set for late February at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum.
 
“We’re very appreciative of being the host for this big event,” Director of Athletics Rick Espeset said. “It’s a great honor to have our university’s name and brand associated with this type of NCAA competition.”
 
“Fans should be excited for this coming (to Fort Wayne),” head coach Kevin Lake noted. “There are many athletes on participating teams that are from Fort Wayne and surrounding areas including three-time defending national champion Riley LeFever of Wabash College. It’s an incredible showcase of some of the top student-athletes in NCAA Division III all vying for a berth to the national meet.”
 
Visit Fort Wayne and the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum group mirrored Manchester University’s anticipation.
 
"We’re thrilled to welcome the NCAA DIII Wrestling Regional to Fort Wayne,” Stephanie Coleman, sports sales manager at Visit Fort Wayne, said. “Early estimates have it bringing a quarter of a million dollars in new spending to our community. We’re so fortunate to have a great collaborative relationship between Visit Fort Wayne, the Memorial Coliseum and Manchester University.”
 
“Our location is great for the NCAA’s tournaments,” Dan O’Connell, president and CEO of Visit Fort Wayne, admitted. “(The NCAA) was looking for a central location with a high quality venue and a member university and community interested in making the student athlete’s experience at the tournament memorable. We ‘pinned’ all three of those needs, literally.
 
“Fort Wayne is within a days’ drive of over 90% of the participating institutions,” he added. “We offer an outstanding venue in the Memorial Coliseum which has experience in hosting both wrestling as well as NCAA tournaments. And lastly, along with Manchester University, Visit Fort Wayne is committed to providing every wrestler with a ‘championship experience’.”
 
Allen County War Memorial Coliseum has played host to the 2010 NCAA Division I men’s ice hockey Midwest Regional and 2006 NCAA Division I men’s volleyball national championship as well as the 2015 and 2016 Cliff Keen National Wrestling Coaches Association Division III Duals among its signature events.

2383 5
IndianaMat Awarded National Website of the Year
Back in early December of 2008 three guys conjured up an idea to give Indiana a website dedicated to the sport of wrestling. Looking around other states we saw what could be and knew Indiana fans would absolutely love a similar website. We had no clue where the adventure would take us, but as they said in the Field of Dreams, if you build it they will come.
 
Eric McGill and Chad Hollenbaugh were telling me to pull the trigger, I balked at it. I said it would be too much time and effort. They pestered me into submission. Eric, even while going to college in New York, said he’d do the rankings. Chad said he’d write articles on events he attended. Others joined up with us within in the next few days.
 
We quickly added people to our “staff” that volunteered their time. Dane Fuelling was on top of the team rankings, while we had guys like Zach Pierson, Mike Reiser, and Dustin Bentz handle semi-state rankings. I also extended the olive branch of peace with longtime messageboard rival Dingo Brigade aka Cameron Drury to write some articles.
 
The first big time exposure was at the Triacoff that year. Chad Hollenbaugh made up some lineup cards with almost every team’s projected line-up with their IndianaMat rankings. These cards were a hit as they ran out of them twice during the event. Even more importantly it got IndianaMat a lot of exposure in da region and across the state.
 
Chad came up with the 800lb Gorilla slogan, saying that no one can stop an 800lb Gorilla and he was spot on with that. We received some backlash from groups of people, people with a lot influence within the state. We kept plugging along, even while others thought we’d be a flash in the pan. We kept doing what we thought was right and soon those doubters became supporters.
 
We have changed up the look of the website many times with our biggest and best change coming in 2014 when we did a total redesign to incorporate wrestler and team profiles along with many other unique features. Go ahead and find a website with those types of features and you will come up empty handed. These types of features along with an extremely dedicated staff and loyal supporters have made this website the best in the country. What we have here in Indiana is very unique and it amazes me it has been eight years this December. Think about that, incoming freshmen were in first grade, seniors were in 4th grade. That means most of the wrestling community ONLY knows IndianaMat!
 
This past weekend at the Olympic Trials we were recognized as the National Wrestling Media Association’s Website of the Year. Being recognized by our peers as we were this past weekend was very humbling. Hearing things said about our website and talking to others opened my eyes to what we have done not only on a state level, but a national level. It really makes the work, the long hours, the trials and tribulations worth it when you hear the things we did this weekend.
 
There are many thanks that need to go out and I hope I don’t miss anyone. The first big thanks goes to my wonderful wife and family. I can’t tell you how difficult it is to leave for a weekend in Pittsburgh, Iowa City, Fargo, or wherever I decide to go. Without that support and understanding this website would only be a fraction of what it is today. The next time you see her tell her thanks as she is as big of a part of the success of this website as anyone.
 
Second in line is Chad Hollenbaugh. He’s the type that will take little to no credit, but about 90% of the ideas we have for the site come from him. His articles are top notch and you can always sense the educator in him when he adds the closest river or town nickname to his articles. He is a behind the scenes type of guy, but his impact on this website is undeniable.
 
Eric McGill, while he has stepped aside, is still one of the biggest influences on the website. He took on the rankings task from the beginning while being at an Ivy League school over 500 miles from Indiana. The task of doing rankings is an immense undertaking especially from scratch. Eric is still one that has great ideas and offers advice on the future of this website. He did an outstanding job on the rankings and set the standard for Mike when he took over.
 
Since the beginning of the website Mike Reiser did the Merrillville Semi State rankings. A few years ago he added to his list of tasks the statewide rankings. I didn’t know what to expect, Eric did an outstanding job and following him was not going to be easy. Mike has hit a home run with the rankings since he has taken over. The accuracy of his rankings is mind boggling and his knowledge of kids throughout the state borders on being insane. One of my favorite stories is from last year when I was at an event and I texted Mike, “hey this kid should probably be ranked, probably 14-16 area.” He replies, “he is ranked 14th.” Mike has not only done an outstanding job on the rankings, he has become one of my closest friends and I am very appreciative of all his work.
 
There are many, many others that deserve credit for the success of this website. Dane Fuelling has done a stand up job with the team rankings. His knowledge of the top 30 teams in the state and their lineups is beyond comprehension. His rankings are up to the minute and have been an outstanding contribution to the site. Dustin Bentz has been with us from the beginning as the dirty south rankings guy. Add to that his awesome semi state preview that combines his wit and wisdom with his knowledge of the southern hemisphere of the state. Zach Pierson started as our New Castle rankings guy and did a great job until he moved out of state. He passed on the job to Howard Cottey and he has stepped in nicely the past two years. Zach has one of the best lines from doing rankings I have ever heard. He said, “don’t worry about getting them right, if they are wrong someone will tell you!”
 
Our rankings are awesome, but what I think sets us apart from the other sites is our articles. Cameron Drury’s articles are top notch. He can make the most boring match sound like an epic match between two titans. On top of that his articles have a feeling of genuine love and respect for all the athletes on the mat. We have also added two weekly features over the past couple years. Jeremy Hines came to me asking about doing a weekly article. It didn’t take long for him to start churning them out. This past season we also added another talented writer to the staff in Steve Krah. He has over 30 years of experience in the business and his articles are of the highest quality. All three of those guys have talents I only wish I had and their efforts are greatly appreciated.
 
One thing I know that has put us over the top is our top notch photography. Whenever I upload pictures to Facebook I prepare myself for hundreds upon hundreds of notifications. Paul Tincher is a very talented photographer and has helped tremendously to get us to the highest level. I know the kids, parents, coaches, and others absolutely adore his photos. It makes it a lot easier for us to get photos for our magazine or any other graphic we need when we have as many great photos to choose from as we do.
 
There are many behind the scenes things that go on with the website that most do not realize. We have two other computer nerds that have helped keep the site online and running. Nick Weisjahn and Andy Oberlin have been very helpful especially since we converted to the new site. They have an immense knowledge that have helped keep the site up to date and as good as possible.
 
Lastly, we wouldn’t be where we are without our fans and supporters. You are the ones that make this site so great. Many of you have contributed rankings information, results, posts on the forums, amongst other things. Without that support we do not have the presence we do. Whether you agree with class wrestling or not, you can’t disagree that our state has some of the most passionate fans in the country. Thank you for all your support as this award was something that is for the whole state of Indiana.
 
Here is the award presentation and acceptance speech. Note I do a lot better with a keyboard.


1896
Injured Hildebrandt keeps head high, eyes another run at Olympics
By STEVE KRAH
stvkrh905@gmail.com
IOWA CITY, Iowa — Sarah Hildebrandt’s U.S. Olympic Wrestling Team Trials experience didn’t end the way she wanted.
Wrestling with a right knee injury (impingement and torn meniscus) that few people knew about heading into the tournament, the Penn High School graduate went 3-2 in the 53 kg (116.5 pounds) bracket Sunday, April 10 at the University of Iowa’s Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
The former King University grappler was dominant in her three victories, but her losses were by superiority and pin.
“I actually felt pretty relaxed out there,” Hildebrandt said. “But I didn’t feel comfortable with my knee. I didn’t trust my body. I didn’t trust in my shots. When you have an injury, there’s always a little fear (of pain).
“(My knee has) been bothering me. It’s really an everyday thing. Some days are better than others. Unfortunately, weight-cutting is part of this sport and running goes along with that. I put some time in on the treadmill — about an hour everyday — and it’s pretty hard on my knees.”
Like most Olympic hopefuls, Hildebrandt works out multiple times a day and it takes a physical toll and it did on her knee.
“I knew it could be a problem,” Hildebrandt said. “I just pushed through it and hoped the adrenaline would push me through. At times, it did, and at other times pain won out.”
Hildebrandt’s day began with a 10-2 win over Cady Chessin. She lost out on a chance at the 2016 Rio Olympics (only the champion advances) with a 10-0 loss to Katherine Fulp-Allen.
That was followed by two victories — 8-0 over Dajan Treder and pin of Amy Fearnside in 5:44. The day ended with a loss by pin to Michalea Hutchison in 2:44.
“It’s a huge disappointment,” Hildebrandt said. “I know I had a lot of people cheering for me and supporting me. I wanted to wrestle well for them but for myself as well. Even if I have a bad day, I want to walk off the mat saying I did my best. I don’t feel like that. That’s rough. That’s hard for me to swallow.”
Brad Harper, Hildebrandt’s coach at Penn, was in her corner at all her Iowa City matches and has continued to be there for her in the five years since she graduated from high school. The Kingsmen’s head coach marveled at her willingness to go hard despite the agony.
“She said she didn’t do her best, but she did do her best with the situation she was in. To battle through what she had going on was amazing. I went out to the training center (in Colorado Springs, Colo.) and with her workouts, she was in pain at every practice.”
Hildebrandt, who began her wrestling career at Discovery Middle School in Granger, was full of confidence in the months leading up to Iowa City.
“I really, really believed in myself,” Hildebrandt said. “I’ve had tournaments where I didn’t believe in myself and losing didn’t sting as much. I definitely think I can be the best in the world.”
Hildebrandt’s immediate plans call for knee surgery then quality family time and some relaxation.
“I’d like to go somewhere warm and sit on the beach,” Hildebrandt said.
But she won’t stay away from the sport she loves and still has Olympic dreams.
“I love the sport,” Hildebrandt said. “I have lotta lotta fun with it. This was not as fun as some other days. But I’ll always crave getting back in the mat room.”
The 22-year-old hopes to take a shot at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and all that entails.
“I’ve worked so hard and nothing’s going to change. I’ll just keep striving and burning the fire in my belly.”
Harper believes in Hildebrandt’s mat future.
“She just needs to get healthy and train smarter,” Harper said. “She needs to just keep getting better day by day. When 2020 comes, she will dominate.”
And as for 2016?
“I’m still an American and I want to help my team,” Hildebrandt said. “I know it will be a quick turn-around, but if I can get in there and help the girls on the Olympic team, I would love to.”

1538
Andrew Howe Advances to the Trials Championship
By STEVE KRAH
stvkrh905@gmail.com
 
It took a three-time world champion and defending Olympic champion from allowing Indiana’s Andrew Howe from getting a chance to represent the USA at the 2016 Rio Games.
 
For the second straight U.S. Olympic Team Trials, Jordan Burroughs bested Howe in the finals at 74 kg (163 pounds).
 
Burroughs, a New Jersey native who now lives in Nebraska and represents Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club, beat Howe in 2012 and went on to win it all at the London Olympics. He has only lost twice in the past five years and never to Howe.
 
On Sunday, April 10, Burroughs bested the former Hanover Central High School, University of Wisconsin and Oklahoma University standout 9-3 and 10-0 in the best-of-3 finals before 11,162 at the University of Iowa’s famed Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
 
In the first bout, Burroughs built a 7-0 lead before Howe scored a first-period reversal. The scoring in the second period was a takedown by Burroughs followed by a one-point push-out for Howe. Both periods were three minutes.
 
The second bout saw Burroughs win in just under 90 seconds. He got an early takedown and then executed four consecutive two-point “leg lace” rolls to win by superiority and earn the Olympic berth.
 
“I dominated,” Burroughs said after celebrating with his family. “I’m excited.
“The approach is always to be one of the best ever. It’s hard to be a husband and father and be the best wrestler in the world. But I want to be a role model to all fathers out there.”
 
On his way to the finals, the 26-year-old Howe drew a first-round bye then beat Mark Hall 10-0, Alex Dieringer 5-2 and Nick Marable 2-1 in the challenge tournament. Burroughs earned the right to by-pass the challenge and went right to the finals.
 
Before taking on Burroughs in a “do-or-die” showdown (only the champion advances to the 2016 Rio Olympics), Howe said he needed to “just relax” and “go take it.”
 
He just wasn’t able to get the job completed and still remains winless against Burroughs during his mat career.
 
A five-year member of Team USA, Howe came in ranked No. 4 at 74 kg.
 
Howe’s 2016 resume includes a U.S. Open championship and a fifth-place finish at the Yarygin Grand Prix in Russia.
 
An assistant coach at Oklahoma and a member of the Sooner Wrestling Club, Howe joined the staff after his senior season for the Sooners. He graduated from OU with a bachelor’s degree in multidisciplinary studies and is currently working toward a master’s degree in human relations.
 
“It’s a great situation I have. I really appreciate (head coach) Mark Cody and (associate head coach) Michael Lightner freeing me up at times during the year and letting me get ready for this event.
 
“I wrestle with the college guys almost daily and it helps.”
 
The other wrestler from the Region at Iowa City was Angel Escobedo, who came in No. 3 in the Team USA rankings and a three-year member of Team USA.
 
The four-time state champion while at Griffith High School and three-time Big Ten Conference champion while at Indiana University, lost 12-9 to Nahshon Garrett in his only match Sunday.
 
Escobedo, 29, dropped out of the challenge tournament at 57 kg (125.5 pounds) because of injury. He is now an assistant coach at Iowa State University in Ames.
 
The member of the New York Athletic Club placed seventh at the 2016 U.S. Open.

1472 1
Miracle Takes 4th at Olympic Trials
By STEVE KRAH
stvkrh905@gmail.com
IOWA CITY, Iowa — Kayla Miracle is studying education at Campbellsville (Ky.) University.
The Culver Academies graduate knows about learning.
Miracle, 19, learned more about her herself while preparing for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Wrestling Team Trials.
And while she came away from the event Saturday, April 9, at the University of Iowa’s Carver-Hawkeye Arena with a 3-2 mark, fourth place at 58 kg (127.75 pounds) and disappointment, she also saw the positive in her performance and started looking toward her mat future.
Miracle, a Campbellsville sophomore who counts father Lee as her head coach, pinned Axa Molina (age 22) in 2:59 and beat Randi Beltz (25) 8-3 before losing 6-4 to national champion Alli Ragan (23) in the winners' bracket.
With her chances at the Rio Olympics gone (only the champion moved on), Miracle beat Jenna Burkert (22) 10-5 before losing 12-4 to Beltz in the fourth-place match.
“I feel like I’m ready technically to be with these girls,” Miracle said. “But there’s so much more. There’s the mental side and the game planning. I’ve never really had to gameplan for a match. I need to do that so I know exactly what I need to do.
“I just need to continue to develop. I’ve gotten so much better. I’ve made so many great strides.”
Miracle, who turns 20 on April 26, said she “took a really bad shot” near the end of the match against Ragan.
“I don’t know what was going through my mind,” Miracle said. “I just dove in.
“I had like 45 seconds left, so I had plenty of time to set up the perfect shot and score. Even 40 seconds seems like five hours.”
The freestyle matches were contested with two three-minute periods and criteria was used to break ties.
After dominating Beltz earlier in the day, Miracle was not able to duplicate her result in the rematch.
“I just wasn’t myself,” Miracle said. “I went against all these tough girls all day and then I just bogged down.”
She said she also let a tweak to her back get the best of her.
“I don’t know what was going on with my head,” Miracle said. “(Finishing in the top three) was definitely important because it would have put me on the senior national team and I would get to train with these girls.
“I just lose a lot of respect for people who drop out after they lose. If you’re going to retire as an Olympic athlete, that’s different. But if you’re still and up-and-coming athlete, you can still get third and be on the national team. To forfeit is far worse.”
Miracle, who came into Iowa City with University Nationals and Dave Schultz Memorial International championships on her 2016 resume, sees herself being in the 2020 Olympic Team Trials with a shot at the Tokyo Games.
“I won’t be satisfied until I’m on top of that Olympic podium,” Miracle said. “I had a goal and I didn’t meet it. But give me four years and I’ll be back.”
But her immediate focus will now turn to getting ready for University Worlds and Junior Olympic Trials and, of course, her studies back in Kentucky.
Saturday’s two Olympic Trials sessions drew 21,922 fans (11,067 for the finals).
Sunday’s action from Carver-Hawkeye Area will air on NBC Sports Network on a tape-delay basis starting at 9:30 p.m. (CDT). All matches will be streamed live on the Internet at NBCOlympics.com.

2345 4
Indiana Takes the Mat Against the WPIAL
Over a year of planning and petitioning will come to fruition this week at the Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic. Last year in late February I poked a couple people about the possibility of Indiana participating in the “Rose Bowl of Wrestling.” After many discussions with the event organizers they chose Indiana over a couple other states. As Uncle Ben told Spiderman, with great power comes great responsibility, and thus the planning for this prestigious event began.
 
The Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic, formerly known as the Dapper Dan, has been around since 1975. The event has always featured the Pennsylvania All-Stars vs. the USA All-Stars as the main event with the WPIAL(Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League) All-Stars taking on a state All-Star team in the preliminary bouts. The WPIAL is easily the toughest area for wrestling in the country. This year alone there were 17 wrestlers that qualified for the NCAA’s including NCAA Champion Nico Megaludis and runner-up Jason Nolf. Add in others like Olympic medalists Coleman Scott and Cary Kolat and you get a little sense of how good this area is in wrestling. Over the past five years the WPIAL has won two of the undercard bouts defeating Michigan and Virginia.
 
Indiana has had six previous participants in the event, with all six earning victories. The first participant was Steven Bradley in 1998. In 2004 we had two participants in Alex Tsirtsis and Blake Maurer. We also had two participants eight years later in 2012 when Jason Tsirtsis and Jarred Brooks both took part. Our latest participant was Stevan Micic in 2014, he also took home the Outstanding Wrestler award for Team USA.
 
This year the main event will see the 7th and 8th participants from Indiana in Chad Red at 132lbs and Shawn Streck at heavyweight. Red has been a consensus #1 in the nation guy for the past two years, while Streck has been in the top 5 during the same period. Red will take on rival Luke Pletcher whom he is 2-1 against over the past two years. Red has won the past two meetings at last year’s FloNationals and at Who’s #1. Shawn Streck will take on state champion Jacob Beistel in his match. Beistel was Southmoreland High School’s first state champion this past year. He will play football next year at Saint Francis University.
 
The undercard is always a great match with the WPIAL taking on a state all-star team. Look for all of these matches to be great with some very good wrestlers from Indiana and Pennsylvania. Leading off for Indiana will be two-time 4th place finisher Geoffrey Davis of Fort Wayne Wayne. His opponent will be Aaron Burkett who is a three-time placer, finishing 6th, 2nd, and 3rd during his career at 106lbs. Burkett will wrestle for Lehigh next year and should be a career 125lber.
 
At 120lbs we should have a great match with Indiana being represented by one of four state champions in Drew Hildebrandt. The four-time state medal winner will face a three-time placer in Ethan McCoy. McCoy placed 2nd at National Preps as a freshman and followed that up with 3rd as a junior and 7th as a senior in PIAA. This might not be the last match-up between these two as McCoy has committed to wrestle for Kent State next year.
 
One of two Portage Indians will be the Hoosier representative at 126lbs in Gaige Torres. Torres has a long list of accolades that includes three state medals. His opponent will be Chris Eddins who finished 6th at state this year. Eddins was also a state qualifier as a junior at 120lbs.
 
One of New Haven’s finest, Owen Doster will represent Indiana at 132lbs. This multi-sport superstar qualified for state as a junior and finished 5th this past season. He will take on 2015 state qualifier Mike Heinl in his bout.
 
At 138, two-time state placer and Fargo All-American Evan Eldred will represent Indiana. One of Westfield’s best wrestlers will take on Waynesburg’s Shaun Wilson in his match. Wilson placed 5th this year at 138lbs.
 
We have probably one of the premier matches of the event at 145lbs. Two-time state placer Jordan Vaughn of Franklin Central will face off against state champion Damon Greenwald. Vaughn placed 4th this past year and was a runner-up in 2015. Greenwald was a state champion this year after placing 7th as a junior. Greenwald will wrestle for DII’s Seton Hill next year.
 
Three-time state medalist Steven “BAM” Lawrence will take the mat for Indiana at 152lbs. He placed 7th as a sophomore and followed that up with two runner-up finishes. He will have a tough opponent in state 4th place finisher Derek Verkleeren. Verkleeren’s younger brother was a Cadet World Champion this past summer.
 
Due to an injury this week to Cayden Whitaker, Indiana will now have three-time medalist and Army West Point recruit Cael McCormick manning 160lbs. He will face off with state qualifier Mitch Hartman of Belle Vernon in his match. Hartman has committed to wrestle for Bucknell next year.
 
The string of state champions for Indiana starts at 170lbs with top master Drew Hughes of Lowell. Hughes brings a lot of accolades both in-state and on the national scene to the event. He is a two-time Super 32 placer along with winning the prestigious IndianaMat Hoosier Preseason Open twice. His opponent will be two-time state placer Anthony Welsh. Welsh placed 5th and 3rd during his career and is going to wrestle at Clarion next year.
 
At 182lbs we have another two-time state champion in Blake Rypel. Rypel has four state medals along with a Super 32 championship belt hanging in his room. He will have a tough opponent in state runner-up Milton Kobaly. Kobaly will head to West Virginia and wrestle for West Liberty, a DII school, next year.
 
State champion Jake Kleimola had a great run at state and looks to continue his streak. The recent Indiana Hoosier commit will take on nationally ranked Drew Phipps. Phipps qualified for state all four years coming back with placements of 2nd, 3rd, and 4th during his last three years. Phipps will be attending Bucknell next year to continue his wrestling career.
 
Due to an emergency surgery Sam Hipple will not be able to participate. He will be replaced by his teammate Nick Fox who placed 5th at 195lbs. He will take on PIAA runner-up Mike McAleavy who was a runner-up this year for Peters Township posting a 38-4 record.
 
At heavyweight 3rd place finisher Sean Galligar of Columbus East will take the mat for Indiana. He will face off with state qualifier Hayden Rice in his bout.
 
The event will being at 4pm EST and take place at the University of Pittsburgh’s Fitzgerald Field House. FloWrestling will stream the event live, so people back home can watch the action. Before the event even takes place there will be numerous activities the participants will take part in. On Friday the wrestlers will practice with the Team USA team in the afternoon. In the evening there will be a welcome banquet that will feature team introductions, dinner, and some guest speakers. Saturday morning before the event takes place all the wrestlers will get a tour of Pittsburgh. The activities will culminate with the undercard at 4pm and the main event scheduled to start at 6pm.

1941
2016 IndianaMat Awards
2016 IndianaMat Awards
 

Coach of the Year
1A- Brett Smith of Prairie Heights
2A- Mark Kerrn of Jimtown
3A- Darrick Snyder of Brownsburg
 
Wrestler of the Year
1A- Evan Ellis of Eastern
2A- Brock Hudkins of Danville
3A- Blake Rypel of Cathedral
 
Mr. Gorilla
2nd runner-up- Drew Hughes of Lowell
1st runner-up- Shawn Streck of Merrillville
Mr. Gorilla- Chad Red of New Palestine

4195
Karl Komments on the State Finals
106 - I have it on good authority that Indiana Mudflap is a fan of the lil’ guys on the mats. He says he will be eating some hot wings before invading Banker’s Life but I can guarantee he will be there for the fireworks on display as four, count ‘em, four ranked wrestlers will tangling in the first two matches. Returning state runner up Ty Mills of Brownsburg is the top ranked kid in the bracket and he should get by 16th ranked Gavin Rose of Greenfield Central. Mills will then rest up for Saturday morning where he face off against the winner of one of the premier Friday night tilts. Northwood’s Tanner DeMien is ranked fifth and is a returning 7th place finisher from last year. He will square off with Crown Point’s super frosh Jacob Moran. Moran does a nice impression of Jared Brooks with his athleticism and leg attacks and I feel he will be too much for the Panther.
In the second quarter bracket, Warren Central’s powerful Keyuan Murphy is a strong favorite after his championship run at New Castle. He should get by Castle’s Devon Casebolt on Friday night. The other match features Wheeler’s Jose Diaz and Jimtown’s Hunter Watts. Diaz has impressed region rats with his goer mentality and he has become his school’s first state qualifier. Jimtown’s mighty mite Watts frankly did not look like a state qualifier earlier in the season. A great day at team state has seemed to jump start his season and he has been on a nice run. Another great match up.
In the third quarter bracket there are another four ranked wrestlers and two legitimate threats to win a state championship. Fourth ranked Kory Cavanaugh of Penn has state experience and has been rock solid all season. He will likely see nemesis Sam Fair of Perry Meridian. Fair has two razor thin wins over Cavanaugh. This will be a great Saturday morning tussle. Set your alarms and don’t miss this one.
The final quarter bracket is completely wide open in my mind. Cathedral’s Lukasz Walendzak has wins over some of the best 106ers in the state. Walendzak will face Avon’s ace, Asa Garcia. Garcia is the author of one of the bigger upsets of the semi state weekend when he dashed the dreams of top ranked Cayden Rooks in Evansville. The other tilt features Yorktown’s #7 ranked Brayton Curtis, who won the Ft. Wayne semi state, and Trey McCartney who was impressive at East Chicago.
 
113 – This class is probably not as wide open as the 106ers because of the dominance shown by Lowell Red Devil Colton Cummings. Cummings has shredded everyone put in his path this season with a lethal combination of leg attacks and pinning power. A potential #1 versus #2 is possible in this class as New Palestine’s overshadowed Alec White is poised on the other side of the bracket. White is a three time qualifier and former medalist. White must first survive a brutal quarter bracket that also features seniors 14th ranked Geoffrey Davis of Ft. Wayne Wayne HS, #7 Austin Slates of Penn and frosh #10 Alex Mosconi of Indian Creek. The bottom quarter bracket features super hot grapplers, Colin Poynter of Portage and Nick Weaver of Brownsburg. Poynter vs. Weaver should be outstanding if they meet on Saturday morning.
In that top half, Colton Cummings looms large but he will still need to survive a Saturday morning clash with #3 Skylour Turner of Warren Central and a semi final match with a largely unknown group of wrestlers.
120 - All the top contenders are in the bracket and most of the top names are split in the opposite sides of the bracket. Fifteen of the sixteen state street spots are taken by ranked wrestlers. An impressive display by IndianaMat’s rankit ngs guy. At the top of the bracket, we have one of the most unheralded semi state champs in Brownsburg’s Blake Mulkey. The Bulldog sophomore has an unblemished record but is only ranked 7th. I look for him to win Friday night over Bellmont’s Mason Mendez and then advancing past Beech Grove’s Ethan Smiley on Saturday morning.
The battle to meet Mulkey in the semi’s will be fought by some studs who have a ton of state experience. Columbia City’s fourth ranked Hunter Langeloh, Lebanon’s tenth ranked Caleb Bocock and Griffith’s second ranked Jeremiah Reitz all have multiple years of experience on the floor at Banker’s Life. The projected matchup between Langeloh and Reitz is state final quality wrestling on Saturday morning. Indiana wrestling fans are the winners here.
Top ranked Drew Hildebrandt tops the next quarter bracket but the Kingsman will have no easy road as the winner of the Friday night match up between fifth ranked Blake Glogouski of Fairfield and sixth ranked Kyle Luigs of Mater Dei awaits last year’s state runner up.
The final set of four contains New Castle champ Dylan Culp of Warren Central and third ranked Graham Rooks of Columbus East. The depth of quality wrestling at 120 is quite impressive and this is a weight class that will provide great matches from the beginning.
 
126 - Danville’s Brock Hudkins will look to defend his state title this year and comes into the tournament with an unblemished 43-0 record. The Northern Illinois bound senior will have to top fifth ranked Joel McGhee of Warren Central on Saturday morning and fourth ranked IU bound Austin Holmes of Hamilton Southeastern in the afternoon to make a return to the match under the lights. I like Hudkins chances to do just that.
The other side of the bracket has both the second and third ranked wrestlers and if they hold chalk, Portage’s Gaige Torres and Cathedral’s Breyden Bailey should battle for the right to wrestle Hudkins. Torres versus Bailey should be one of the better semi final matches as they wrestle almost opposite styles. It will be the funky always exciting style of Bailey matched up with the classic in your face toughness of Torres. The top four kids in the state with one in each quarter bracket, what more could wrestling fans ask for.
 
132 - Ali versus Frazier, Red Sox versus Yankees, Michigan versus Ohio State, Chad Red versus Nick Lee. It has been the most talked about match up in the state over the past two years and it appears that we are all going to see the greatest match up ever in the state finals this year at 132.
In one corner you have a returning champ in Mater Dei’s Nick Lee. Lee has shown he is afraid of no one as he squared off against Steven Micic in his freshman year. Lee won a title last year and then followed it up with an impressive spring and summer. He ended up his summer with a scholarship offer to Penn State and top ten national ranking.
In the other corner you have New Palestine’s incredible Chad Red. All he has done is beat everyone put in front of him over the past three years, not only in the state of Indiana but also in the entire country. A fourth state title and an unblemished high school record are what Red puts on the line. The Nebraska recruit is so fun to watch and I, like many, have been dreaming about the potential scrambles these two studs will get into on Saturday night.
 
138 - It has been 150 plus years since those in the north have had to worry about an invasion by Lee but now Indianapolis will have two worry about three Lee’s all coming for Evansville semi state. Nick was the first Lee at 132 and at 138, we see top ranked Brayton Lee of Brownsburg. Brayton is another Bulldog with an perfect record who will be the odds on favorite to win Brownsburg a state title. Lee has exorcised the ghosts of last year’s shocking defeat in the ticket round with a dominating performance last week. The talented sophomore will likely see Westfield’s Evan Eldred in the semi’s. The Shamrock senior’s only loss on the season is a narrow 5-3 loss to…..Brownsburg’s Brayton Lee.
On the other side of the bracket, all eyes will be on the quarter final match up between second ranked Sage Coy of Delta and fourth ranked Matt McKinney of Warren Central. The winner of this match up will likely be under the lights.
 
145 – The third Lee is sophomore Joe Lee of Mater Dei. The younger brother of Nick wrestled under the lights last year and seemed poised to join his brother on top of the podium until Tommy Cash struck with an excellent counter to secure the win. This season looked to be all about Joe until suffering a pair of defeats to New Palestine’s Jared Timberman and Mount Vernon’s Austin Bethel. So what we have is a weight class that is wide open with four or five wrestlers that can make a legitimate run for the crown.
The top half of the bracket looks like an absolute meat grinder. Top ranked Brad Laughlin of Yorktown has one blemish on his record and that was at 160 pounds. He must overcome 2nd ranked Timberman, or 3rd ranked Lee, or 6th ranked Triston Rodriguez of Culver to wrestle Saturday night. No easy task.
On the other side of the bracket we have returning state runner up Jordan Vaughn of Franklin Central and Kasper McIntosh of Portage who come in as semi state champs. But for these two to reach the semis, they must beat Jimtown’s Kenny Kernn and Leo’s Isaac Eicher respectively. Eicher has a state medal on his resume and Kernn has been nothing short of dominant since midseason. I predict a lot of maroon and gold under the lights.
 
152 – No one named Lee is contending at 152 but a similar bracket has been built with one side looking significantly deeper than the other. The bottom half contains #1 BAM Lawrence of Portage, #2 Cael McCormick of Yorktown, #4 Dru Berkebile of Frankton and #5 and #6 Elijah Dunn of Indian Creek and Brett Johnson of Perry Meridian. Can you say meat grinder? I like McCormick and BAM to survive but honestly would not be surprised if any of the other three ranked wrestlers to get to the semis because of the depth at this weight class.
At the other end, the bracket gods smiled down on Trent Pruitt. The third ranked Warren Central junior has a stacked quarter bracket with a tough Friday night tilt with Mater Dei senior Mitch Lehman. Pruitt will face the winner of a likely Denzyl Prentice/Andrew Herrin match up that looks to be a donnybrook. Both are coming off excellent semi states where Herrin throttled the field at Evansville and Prentice looked as good as he ever has, giving Lawrence a great match in the finals.
 
160 – Speaking of bracket gods, they were not too kind at 160 as #1 Jacob Covaciu and #2 Alston Bane were both bracketed on the same side. However, Bane’s Batman last week, Noah Warren of Perry Meridian won the New Castle semi state and put himself in a position to wrestle under the lights on Saturday night. Warren has only one blemish on his record and that was to Jarod Swank of Penn at team state. For Warren to get to the semis he might need to avenge his loss to Swank and then also defeat either the Fort Wayne champ Josh Garman or the ultra talented Tavonte Malone of South Bend Adams.
The other side of the bracket has top ranked and Wisconsin bound Jacob Covaciu of Merrillville. I honestly don’t think he will be seriously challenged until he reaches the finals. 12th ranked Laine Frazee of Fountain Central and Jed Levitz of Prairie Heights is an interesting battle Friday night between a couple of small school studs. Upset Alert: Bellmont’s Tony Busse will be focused and ready to knock of the 2nd ranked Alston Bane of Richmond.
 
170 – This is another weight class where one side of the bracket appears to be a little top heavy. The first quarter bracket contains four ranked grapplers including the 2nd and 3rd ranked Nathan Walton of Brownsburg and Jacob Gray of Delta. Walton is one of the most exciting wrestlers in the state to watch and his match up with Tristan Goering of South Bend Riley will be filled with all kinds of fireworks. Wait for this match to be done before you get your 3rd Shave Ice. Three unranked wrestlers will try to slay “Dragon” Drew Hughes. “Winter is coming” for any of Hughes opponents. He probably won’t be challenged by anyone in the state this year.
On the other side, semi state champs Ricky Samuels and Bryce Baumgartner thanked the bracket gods and both have a shot to wrestle under the spotlight. These two are by no means shoe ins as Thomas ‘Launcher’ Dull and super soph Kameron Fuller will look to make a name for themselves statewide.
 
182 – You win some and you lose some when you randomly draw brackets. Not being able to see the potential match between nationally ranked Big Ten recruits Andrew Davison and Blake Rypel is a shame but let’s not dwell on that and just enjoy this battle between Davison, the undefeated junior from Chesterton and Rypel, the undefeated senior from Cathedral. Davison has committed to Michigan and Rypel to IU. Hopefully they will match up down the road as well.
A couple of other wrestlers look to crash the party. They include Lawrence North’s 3rd ranked Cameron Jones, 4th ranked David Eli, 6th ranked CJ Damler of Brownsburgh and 7th ranked Isaac James of Lowell. James is my pick to click in this half of the bracket. No real reason, just a feeling I have after watching him last weekend.
 
195 – I see at least five potential state champs in the 195 pound class. This makes this bracket incredibly hard to predict but incredibly fun to watch. The top quarter bracket features semi state champ Jake Kleimola of Lake Central. Kleimola is ranked 6th and will face the winner of Carmel’s Nick Fox and Brownsburg’s Isaac McCormick. These two suburban Indy studs have met earlier in the season with the Greyhound winning a narrow 3-1 match.
The second group of four has Fort Wayne semi-state champ Corbin Maddox of Daleville. The Broncos are the third smallest school to send a wrestler to Banker’s Life and he will have a tough road to get through Cedrick Vakalahi of Penn and second ranked Ben Stewart of Indy Cathedral.
In the bottom half, Kurtis Wilderman appears to have a relatively clear path to the semi finals but might have to beat the talented Damari Embery of South Newton (the second smallest school to qualify a finalist) to reach the semis.
The bottom four includes three ranked wrestlers but ‘T Squared’ Triston Tonte is the clear favorite due to his experience, talent and coaching.
 
220 – Ahhhh…… after a few weight classes where the top two were located on the same side of the bracket, we have a match up where two national ranked big men are poised to wrestle under the lights. But this weight class features more than just the big two. All four semi state champs are undefeated and three of them are non seniors. This is good news for the future.
In the top half of the bracket, the semi state champs Mason Parris of Lawrenceburg and Evan Ellis of Eastern (Greentown) are a combined 90-0. Parris is ranked 2nd in the state and 19th in the country. Ellis will be looking to make his bones on Saturday afternoon.
The bottom half of the bracket features 3rd ranked Gunnar Larson of Avon. It seems like he has been around forever but he is still just a junior and comes into the state finals with a 39-0 record with a semi state crown to his name. He is likely to face returning state champ, Kobe Woods of Penn. Woods record is spotless at 33-0. Some have questioned if Kobe is as sharp as he needs to be to win this weight class. I would expect the senior to be ready to rock and roll this weekend.
 
285 – Shawn Streck has been an absolute joy to watch perform the past four years. In many people’s minds he is the finest heavyweight wrestler the state has ever produced. He is the best I have seen in the past 15 years. Unfortunately for 2nd ranked Cory Klem of Gibson Southern that he is in the same quarter bracket as Streck.
In a race for second, 6th ranked Robert Samuels of Lawrence North and 5th ranked Sean Galligar of Columbus East appear poised to match up in the semi finals for a shot to take on the big Pirate in the finals. Samuels would present a nice style contrast whereby Galligar might be able to match Streck for pure strength.

5893 11
2016 State Finals Information Center
State Finals Hashtag: #INStateFinals16
Site: Bankers Life Fieldhouse, 125 S. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis | Website
Admission: $8 per session or $20 both days.
Match Results: TrackWrestling.com
 
Schedule
Friday, Feb. 19, 2016
Wrestler Check-in Time | 3:00-4:30pm ET
Wrestler Weigh-in | 4:30pm ET
Doors Open for General Public | 5:00pm ET
First Round | 6 pm ET.
 
Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016
Wrestler Weigh-in | 8:30am ET
Doors Open for General Public | 8:30am ET
Quarterfinals | 9:30 am ET with semifinals to follow. Fieldhouse will be cleared after this session
Doors Open for General Public | 4:00pm ET
Consolations | 5 pm ET.
Finals | 7:30 pm ET.
 
Brackets
TrackWrestling Link
IndianaMat brackets(with rankings)
 
Video via TrackWrestling's Trackcast
$10 fee to watch all weekend
TrackWrestling Link
 
Streaming and Broadcast Information
 
State Finals Pick’ems
 
Mat Burns Pick the Champions
 
Rankings by the Numbers
 
IHSAA State Preview

4433 4
2016 State Finals By the Numbers
Overall
Once again we have shown how accurate our rankings are with another great year for the final rankings. Note that our rankings are locked before sectional and these do not take into account injuries or semi-state draws as the state series progresses. This year we had a record 175 ranked wrestlers that made it to state. The top weight classes were 120 with 15 of the 16 state qualifiers being ranked. Also 132 had 14 ranked wrestlers and 106, 126, 152, and 182 all had 13. Unfortunately bringing up the rear was 195lbs with only 10 ranked wrestlers. That shows you how crazy of a weight that was.
 
2016- 175
2015- 172
2014- 171
2013- 171
2012- 170
2011- 157
2010- 159
2009- 143
 
106lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 13
Unranked qualifiers:
Devon Casebolt-Castle
Hunter Watts-Jimtown
Trey McCartney-Harrison (WL)
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#2 Ty Mills- Brownsburg vs. #16 Gavin Rose- Greenfield-Central
#5 Tanner DeMien- Northwood vs. #9 Jacob Moran- Crown Point
#4 Kory Cavanaugh- Penn vs. #20 JC Herring- Oak Hill
#11 Brycen Denny- Monrovia vs. #6 Sammy Fair- Perry Meridian
#13 Lukasz Walendzak- Indianapolis Cathedral vs. #8 Asa Garcia- Avon
 
113lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 13
Unranked qualifiers:
Jabin Wright- Kokomo
Hunter Whitman- Jimtown
Donovan Johnson- Logansport
Hayden Lohrey- Shenandoah
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#3 Skylour Turner- Warren Central vs. #16 Dalton Craig- Jennings County
#8 Baxter Annakin- Castle vs. #12 Jordan Slivka- Indianapolis Cathedral
#2 Alec White- New Palestine vs. #10 Alex Mosconi- Indian Creek
#7 Austin Slates- Penn vs. #14 Geoffrey Davis- F.w. Wayne
#20 Christian Mejia- Elkhart Memorial vs. #15 Colin Poynter- Portage
 
120lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 15
Unranked qualifiers:
Adam Davis- Culver Academies
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#7 Blake Mulkey- Brownsburg vs. #18 Mason Mendez- Bellmont
#15 Jonathan Moran- Crown Point vs. #14 Ethan Smiley- Beech Grove
#4 Hunter Langeloh- Columbia City vs. #12 Noah Hunt- Bloomington South
#10 Caleb Bocock- Lebanon vs. #2 Jeremiah Reitz- Griffith
#1 Drew Hildebrandt- Penn vs. #20 Isaac Castro- Lawrence North
#6 Kyle Luigs- Evansville Mater Dei vs. #5 Blake Glogouski- Fairfield
#11 Christian Hunt- Yorktown vs. #3 Graham Rooks- Columbus East
 
126lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 13
Unranked qualifiers:
Travis Davenport- Oak Hill
Reese Rodriguez- Hammond Morton
Bryce Niewoehner- Kankakee Valley
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#8 Marcus Mejia- Elkhart Memorial vs. #7 Logan Dilbeck- Gibson Southern
#4 Austin Holmes- Hamilton Southeastern vs. #9 Michael DeLaPeña- Merrillville
#3 Gaige Torres- Portage vs. #11 Johnny Loos- Franklin County
#19 Dawson Combest- Columbus East vs. #15 Jon Becker- Bellmont
#14 Jack Franklin- Homestead vs. #6 Isaac Gomez- Plainfield
 
132lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 14
Unranked qualifiers:
Nathan Conley- Avon
Aaron Orr- Rochester
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#4 Brendan Black- Hobart vs. #17 Josh Elpers- Evansville North
#16 Boone Welliever- Southmont vs. #8 Owen Doster- New Haven
#11 Fernando Luevano- West Noble vs. #13 DJ Brookbank- Perry Meridian
#5 Drake Rhodes- Homestead vs. #18 Skyler Collins- Frankfort
#3 Elliott Molloy- Danville vs. #7 Kris Rumph- Portage
#1 Chad Red- New Palestine vs. #9 Daniel Gunsett- Bellmont
 
138lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 12
Unranked qualifiers:
Nathan Housholder- East Noble
Cole Lukaszka- Benton Central
Gabe Lane- East Central
Jerrod Smith- Carmel
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#3 Evan Eldred- Westfield vs. #16 Brooks Wathen- Jennings County
#14 Riley Rasler- Prairie Heights vs. #8 Jason Crary- Munster
#11 Tristan Dembowski- Valparaiso vs. #18 Colt Rutter- Yorktown
#10 Cale McCoy- Northview vs. #4 Matthew McKinney- Warren Central
 
145lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 12
Unranked qualifiers:
Matthew Cullen- Avon
Szhantrayle Roberson- Kokomo
Clay Jones- Lafayette Jefferson
Clayton Cowan- Hamilton Heights
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#8 Austen Laughlin- South Bend Riley vs. #20 Derrick Motley- North Central (Indianapolis)
#2 Jared Timberman- New Palestine vs. #6 Triston Rodriguez- Culver Community
#19 Tyler Crowl- Floyd Central vs. #7 Kenny Kerrn- Jimtown
#5 Isaac Eicher- Leo vs. #10 Austin Bethel- Mount Vernon
 
152lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 13
Unranked qualifiers:
Jacob Clark- Avon
Matt Burns- Hobart
Jacob Ferris- Hamilton Southeastern
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#3 Trent Pruitt- Warren Central vs. #15 Mitch Lehman- Evansville Mater Dei
#12 Diego Lemley- Chesterton vs. #17 Hunter Bates- Adams Central
#13 Peyton Sturgill- Peru vs. #9 Denzyl Prentice- Penn
#1 Steven Lawrence- Portage vs. #19 Cross Dietrich- Columbia City
#5 Elijah Dunn- Indian Creek vs. #6 Brett Johnson- Perry Meridian
 
160lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 12
Unranked qualifiers:
Mitchell Mundy- Southridge
Jed Levitz- Prairie Heights
T.C. Perry- Southern Wells
Sam Bublick- Carmel
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#18 Gleason Mappes- Center Grove vs. #9 Tavonte Malone- South Bend Adams
#10 Jarod Swank- Penn vs. #7 Burk VanHorn- Franklin
#5 Cayden Whitaker- Martinsville vs. #13 Oszkar Kasch- Crown Point
#8 Tony Busse- Bellmont vs. #2 Alston Bane- Richmond
 
170lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 12
Unranked qualifiers:
Jacob Hendrich- Northview
Nick Ritchie- Elkhart Memorial
Zach Davis- F.W. Concordia Lutheran
Steven Trammell- Lawrence Central
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#2 Nathan Walton- Brownsburg vs. #6 Tristan Goering- South Bend Riley
#15 Tanner Webster- North Montgomery vs. #3 Jacob Gray- Delta
#9 Thomas Dull- Terre Haute North vs. #8 Ismael Cornejo- Portage
#5 Bryce Baumgartner- Bellmont vs. #13 Dezmen Goddard- Warren Central
#4 Hunter Mote- Delphi vs. #12 Kameron Fuller- Jeffersonville
 
182lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 13
Unranked qualifiers:
Bristen Dial- Brown County
Grant Goforth- Indian Creek
Russell Gibbs- Lake Central
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#2 Andrew Davison- Chesterton vs. #16 Spencer Irick- Hamilton Southeastern
#5 Andy Kohler- Jay County vs. #13 Hunter Dalton- Bloomington North
#6 CJ Damler- Brownsburg vs. #10 Caleb Hankenson- Bellmont
#9 Zach Worm- Southmont vs. #7 Isaac James- Lowell
#17 Ashton Mutuwa- Hanover Central vs. #3 Cameron Jones- Lawrence North
 
195lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 10
Unranked qualifiers:
Keith Barclay- South Spencer
Derrick Craig- New Albany
Luke Elliott- Eastbrook
Beck Davis- Garrett
Damari Embery- South Newton
Cedrick Vakalahi- Penn
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#8 Nick Fox- Carmel vs. #11 Isaac McCormick- Brownsburg
#5 Kurtis Wilderman- Evansville Mater Dei vs. #10 Kolby Ferris- Hamilton Southeastern
#20 Scottie Evans- Delta vs. #17 Evan Larsen- Hanover Central
 
220lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 12
Unranked qualifiers:
Joey Pier- Yorktown
Patrick Ernst- Mishawaka Marian
Donnie Crider- Harrison (wl)
Brandon Streck- Merrillville
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#4 Evan Ellis- Eastern (Greentown) vs. #16 Scott Fuller- Zionsville
#8 Sam Hipple- Carmel vs. #10 Derek Paz- Goshen
#1 Kobe Woods- Penn vs. #15 Tristin Choate- Mount Vernon
#13 Blake Davis- Garrett vs. #9 Ryan Guhl- Indianapolis Cathedral
 
285lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 12
Unranked qualifiers:
Austin Fleck- Evansville Mater Dei
DeAndre Hodge- Marion
Dan Phifer- Tipton
Austin Dollens- Westfield
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#15 Owen Perkins- Oak Hill vs. #17 Isaiah McWilliams- South Bend Washington
#19 Chris Ridle- Perry Meridian vs. #4 Quinn York- Franklin
#1 Shawn Streck- Merrillville vs. #12 Braxton Amos- Prairie Heights
#6 Robert Samuels- Lawrence North vs. Austin Fleck- Evansville Mater Dei
#18 Nick Mammolenti- Jimtown vs. #11 Givoni Murillo- Portage

6712 8
Fort Wayne Semi State Preview
Fort Wayne is quickly becoming the wrestling hub in Indiana and the War Memorial Coliseum plays host to three of the big events. This weekend the friendly confines will hold the all-important semi-state wrestling tournament. With that comes 56 golden tickets to Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
 
This year’s semi-state will provide a great day of wrestling with some very good entertainment from start to finish. At both ends, 106 and 285 you have weights that have many close competitors that will battle it out from the first whistle. Look for some hot and heavy action from all the weights as this might be the most unpredictable year in recent memory for this semi state.
 
On the team side you have the regulars vying for the title with Yorktown looking like a slight favorite over regional foes Bellmont and Delta, along with Carroll and Elkhart Memorial in the mix. On paper Yorktown has the horses and enough ponies to out distance the field, however that is on paper. Never count out Bellmont in big matches, nor look past a solid Carroll squad. Elkhart Memorial and Delta have the potential for a couple champs and could get a few others through to score some points. Overall with about eight weights that are total toss-ups, the team race will also be fun to watch.
 
As a friendly reminder all you men out there make sure you get your Valentine’s Day cards, flowers, and chocolate on Friday so you aren’t getting the “draw of death” from your lady on Sunday.
 
As with last year, due to many wrestlers from Carroll at the event I will refrain from mostly biased picks on the weight classes.
 
106lbs
Don’t sleep in on Saturday, get to the Coliseum early because if you don’t you’ll miss some of the best wrestling of the day. Returning State Streeter…Ben Streeter was a semi state finalist last year, but he’ll be pushed early on by a couple freshmen in Hunter Watts and Kade Zadylak. Brayden Curtis of Yorktown has come on strong this year. Curtis will have to manage a solid quarter bracket to punch his first ticket to state. The mighty little Panther Tanner DeMien is as tough as they come and was on the podium at state last year. The top of the bottom half has some interesting matches with JC Herring of Oak Hill sporting only one blemish on his record, but he can’t overlook the firepower of the Starfire Wyatt Miller, nor the Cougar little man Tanner Schoeff.
 
#WAYL2
Curtis- Jordan Slivka, Seth Horty, Christian Mejia(113)
DeMien- Cayden Rooks, Christian Mejia(113)
Zadylak- Brayden Curtis, Wyatt Miller
Herring- Brycen Denny
Streeter- Gavis Rose, Goeffrey Davis(113), KeeghanOverton
Schoeff- Brayden Shearer, Kade Zadylak, Hunter Watts(2 times)
Miller- Geoffrey Davis(113), Kade Zadylak, Brayden Curtis, Chris Schuller
 
Early #SlobberKnockers
Tanner Schoeff- Central Noble vs. Wyatt Miller- South Adams
Kade Zadylak- Norwell vs. Hunter Watts- Jimtown
 
Ticket Round Tussles
JC Herring- Oak Hill vs. Schoeff/Miller winner
Ben Streeter- North Side vs. Zadylak/Watts winner
 
113lbs
Moving up to 113lbs we have another SAC favorite in the heralded General Geoffrey Davis. Last year he was the semi state champ and brought back a 4th place medal to the south side of Fort Wayne. The other big name to watch for is the Wildkat Jabin Wright. He was at state last year and comes in with expectations of going back this year. Others to watch are #9 Josh Stephenson and #20 Christian Mejia who both come in as regional champions. Some guys to watch that had a blemish last week include Zach Johnson, Trevor Boyce, and Hunter Whitman.
 
#WAYL2
Mejia- Colin Poynter, Jake Schoennegge, Austin Slates
Johnson- Geoffrey Davis(2 times), Owen Krider, Donavon Johnson
Wright- Jordan Slivka, Donavon Johnson(2 times), Jack Franklin(126), Blake Glogouski(120)
Davis- Skylour Turner, Jordan Slivka
Stephenson- Alec White, Nick Weaver, Matt Gimson, Noah Hunt
Summers- Jabin Wright(3 times), Geoffrey Davis, Alex DeLuna
Whitman- Austin Slates(2 times), Christian Mejia(3 times)
 
Early #SlobberKnockers
Andrew Wertman- Garrett vs. Nick Liter- Adams Central
Garrett Summers- Marion vs. Trevor Boyce- Dekalb
 
Ticket Round Tussles
Geoffrey Davis- Wayne vs. Trevor Boyce- Dekalb
Josh Stephenson- Yorktown vs. Hunter Whitman- Jimtown
 
120lbs
This weight will feature three wrestlers with state medals along with another one that has state experience. Unfortunately the bracket gods did not separate them all and one will be sent to the showers early. Both Christian Hunt and Blake Glogouski finished 5th last year in the state finals at 106lbs and 120lbs respectively. Hunter Langeloh has had a great senior campaign after placing as a sophomore and qualifying for state last season. Flying Jet Anthony Mosser caught fire last year and made his way to Banker’s Life at 113lbs, but this year he’ll have to punch his ticket by going through Glogouski. This weight should be one of the more open weights with lots of great matches from start to finish.
 
#WAYL2
Langeloh- Michael Higley(Michigan)
Moore- Blake Glogouski(2 times)
Hunt- Breyden Bailey, Blake Mulkey, Marcus Mejia(126)
Glogouski- Hunter Langeloh
Mendez- Christian Hunt, Graham Rooks, Noah Hunt, David Clayton, Kyle Davis, Dylan Culp
 
Early #SlobberKnockers
Anthony Mosser- Adams Central vs. Joel Byman- Carroll
 
Ticket Round Tussles
Austin Moore- Central Noble vs. Hunter Langeloh- Columbia City
Blake Glogouski- Fairfield vs. Mosser/Byman winner
 
126lbs
Jon Becker of Bellmont is the only wrestler in this weight with state experience, however it was in 2014. Past him you have a lot of guys with good records and solid resumes, which will make for a very eventful weight to watch. At the top you have a very solid senior in Oak Hill’s Travis Davenport. He has been to semi-state what it seems like about 14 times, this year could be his year to punch his ticket to state. Marcus Mejia is a tough wrestler from Elkhart that was painstakingly close to punching his ticket last year. At the bottom you’ll have the favorite in Homestead’s Jack Franklin, but he can’t overlook a pair of seniors that will want one more week of wrestling in Brock House and Chad Elmore.
 
#WAYL2
Mejia-Brock Hudkins, Blake Glogouski(120)
Davenport- Chris Loy, Jayce Meyer
Franklin- Breyden Bailey, Isaac Gomez, Blake Glogouski(120)
Becker- Michael DeLaPena, Ryan Hardesty,
Standridge- Jack Franklin, Ryan Bigelow, Ryan Hardesty, Michael DeLaPena, Dawson Combest, Drake Rhodes
 
Early #SlobberKnockers
Brock House- Delta vs. Chad Elmore- Taylor
 
Ticket Round Tussles
Travis Davenport- Oak Hill vs. Zane Standridge- Carroll
Jack Franklin- Homestead vs. House/Elmore winner
 
132lbs
This weight has been one that people have been talking about all season long. This was probably the first weight most fans clicked on when the brackets came out to see the draws. Starting off you had four returning state qualifiers and another that has been knocking on the door. Unfortunately one of the state qualifiers Kobe Raypole has pulled out of the weight, but that still leaves a lot of great matches on Saturday. The top bracket could be interesting to say the least, Drake Rhodes has been on fire this year until he was upended the past two weeks by Owen Doster. Rhodes will be pushed by Delta’s Noah Richardson and Northwestern’s Hunter Kellogg who is having a very good post season run. Fernando Luevano returns to this weight after qualifying last year for the Chargers. He has yet to be defeated and is one that is very exciting to watch. Returning state qualifiers Daniel Gunsett and Owen Doster are both the favorites in their quarter brackets. Gunsett could face one of two wrestlers with only 6 losses in Kaleb Mooney and Drew Clark. Doster will have the winner of Devin Maggard and Dillon Yoder, both who have good wins on their resume.
 
#WAYL2
Rhodes- Doster(2 times)
Doster- Drake Rhodes, Zach Melloh, Chris Donovan(Ohio)
Gunsett- Owen Doster(2 times), Brendan Black
Maggard- Drew Clark, Dallas Dudelston, ???
Kellog- Hunter Haynes, Caleb Archibald, ???, ???
 
Early #SlobberKnockers
Chase Hissong- Leo vs. Dallas Dudelston- Jay County
Drew Clark- Northfield vs. Kaleb Mooney- Central Noble
Devin Maggard- Marion vs. Dillon Yoder- Fairfield
 
Ticket Round Tussles
Daniel Gunsett- Bellmont vs. Clark/Mooney winner
Owen Doster- New Haven vs. Yoder/Maggard winner
 
138lbs
Last year at 132lbs it was the Sage Coy show, this year seems to be more of the same up at 138lbs. Coy finished a fantastic junior campaign with a 3rd place medal and is eyeing the top step of the podium this year. Others to watch include Riley Rasler who has had a very good year for the Panthers and comes in with only one loss. Joel Arney has come on strong for the Super Chargers the past few weeks after taking some lumps during the regular season. He will have the winner of a tough match between Blade Corpe and Colt Rutter. In the bottom bracket you will have four seniors duking it out for their state ticket. This one is a pick’em and your guess is as good as mine on who advances.
 
#WAYL2
Rasler- Kris Rumph, Jason Crary, Drake Rhodes
Hall- Joel Arney, TT Allen, Brad Smith
Woenker- Joel Arney, Devin Maggard(132), Austin Ochoa, ???
Corpe- Dillon Humbert, Jason Crary, Trace Manspeaker, Kyle Hatch, Nathan Housholder
Arney- Anthony Williams, Kris Rumph, Sage Coy, Cale McCory, Evan Eldred, Nick Ellis, Kody Wagner
Rutter- Sage Coy(2 times), Brooks Wathen, Austin Ramsey, Riley Rasler, James Pritchett, Jaycob Bechtol(Michigan)
Brown- Sage Coy(3 times), Colt Rutter(2 times), ???
 
Early #SlobberKnockers
Colt Rutter- Yorktown vs. Blade Corpe- Elkhart Memorial
Nathan Housholder- East Noble vs. Exuse Brown- Muncie Central
 
Ticket Round Tussles
Riley Rasler- Prairie Heights vs. Skyler Hall- Wabash
Joel Arney- Carroll vs. Corpe/Rutter winner
TT Allen- Kokomo vs. Brown/Householder winner
145lbs
I’m wiping the drool off my screen just looking at this bracket. First you start with two state placers in Isaac Eicher and Brad Laughlin at this weight. Let’s throw in another state placer in Nathan Weimer for some added spice. What? You say you want MORE spice…well here goes, let’s add a little Kerrn, Kenny Kernn that is! This weight is going to be F-U-N to watch. Even the ticket round matches will be interesting with Eicher having a tough Christian Bratcher or NE8 rival Grant Gutierrez. Kerrn will have a very game Corbin Hetzner of Eastern. Ohhh Laughlin will have Weimer in the ticket round most likely. The bottom quarter bracket lacks the drama, but will be one to watch as there is no clear cut favorite.
 
#WAYL2
Laughlin- Cayden Whitaker(160)
Bratcher- TC Perry, Szhantrayle Roberson
Kerrn- Denzyl Prentice, Triston Rodriguez(2 times)
Capps- Corbin Hetzner, Isaac Eicher, Alberto Solis, Tucker Coffman, Nate Weimer
Weimer - Jamal Scott, Isaac Eicher, Jack Eiteljorge(2 times), Patrick Waugh, ???
 
Early #SlobberKnockers
Vince Prescott- Winchester vs. Corbin Hetzner- Eastern
Jamal Scott- Elkhart Central vs. Ethan Hicks- Carroll
 
Ticket Round Tussles
Brad Laughlin- Yorktown vs. Nathan Weimer- East Noble
Szhantrayl Roberson- Kokomo vs. Scott/Hicks winner
Isaac Eicher- Leo vs. Christian Bratcher- Eastbrook
 
152lbs
Three returning state qualifiers highlight this weight at Fort Wayne. The head of the class is probably Cael McCormick of Yorktown who has two state medals, but he cannot look past Doug Levitz or Peyton Sturgill on his way to another semi-state title. Levitz will have the toughest route to qualify for state as he will need to avenge a mid-season loss to Hunter Bates. Sturgill will be pushed by a tough Nick Miller of Snider. In the middle you have a very interesting bracket with Cross Dietrich who has two losses to out of state competition as the regional champ. He will have the winner of Brody Hardcastle and Tyler Leonard to punch his ticket.
 
#WAYL2
Dietrich- Kohle Clellan(Ohio), Quintin Smith(Michigan)
Levitz- Steven Lawrence, Hunter Bates, Brad Laughlin(160)
Sturgill- Tavris Evans, Denzyl Prentice, Micah Calhoun, Kassius Breathitt
Bates- Cael McCormick(2 times), Tyler Leonhard, Ethan Stock, Trent Pruitt
Miller- Elijah Dunn, TC Perry(160), Cross Dietrich, ???, ???
Griffin- Doug Levitz, Micah Calhoun, Nick Miller
 
Early #SlobberKnockers
Tyler Leonard- Jay County vs. Brody Harcastle- Oak Hill
 
Ticket Round Tussles
Doug Levitz- Prairie Heights vs. Hunter Bates- Adams Central
Nick Miller- Snider vs. Peyton Sturgill- Peru
Cael McCormick- Yorktown vs. Garrett Griffin- Northwood
Cross Dietrich- Columbia City vs. Leonard/Hardcastle winner
 
160lbs
This weight is one that will probably have much less drama than most. The favorite is state qualifier Josh Garman of Carroll. After him it looks as if anyone can beat anyone at this weight. One loss Blaney Harrison is the wildcard as he has come on strong this year. Don’t overlook Tony Busse of Bellmont either, he has been battle tested throughout the season. One of the most intriguing matches in the ticket round will be Nick Potter against Jed Levitz. Potter won round one, but this round has much more at stake.
 
#WAYL2
Garman- Jacob Gray(170)
Harrison- Will Bratcher
Levitz- Jordan Rader(2 times), Nick Potter, Cael McCormick(152), Gage Delong
Perry- Tony Busse, Brad Laughlin(145), Hunter Bates, Cody Widner, Doug Levitz
Busse- Jordan Rader, Tavonte Malone, TC Perry, Blake Dager, Noah Warren
 
Early #SlobberKnockers
Ronnie Longbrake- Elkhart Memorial vs. TC Perry- Southern Wells
 
Ticket Round Tussles
Blaney Harrison- Oak Hill vs. Longbrake/Perry winner
Jed Levitz- Prairie Heights vs. Nick Potter- New Haven
 
170lbs
As we get to the upper weights the action will heat up with a lot of intriguing matches. You’ll likely see round two of Baumgartner and Gray as long as they navigate the semi state minefield. There are some very good wrestlers including one loss Quentin Moore, returning state qualifier Zach Davis amongst others that they will need to beat in order to meet again. Seven wrestlers sport five or less losses with most of them at the hands of another semi state competitor. Nick Ritchie could be a surprise wrestler as his only losses were at the Al Smith.
 
#WAYL2
Baumgartner- Drew Hughes
Moore- Amere Dozier
Gray- Bryce Baumgartner
Ritchie- Coy Park, Eli Pokorney
Burns- Caleb Partin, Zach Davis, Robbie Bowers(Ohio)
Davis- Caleb Partin, Noah Cressell, ???
Partin- Tate Burns(2), Tykease Baker, Hunter Mote, Zach Davis
 
Early #SlobberKnockers
Noah Cressell- Wabash vs. Brady Johnson- Prairie Heights
Tykease Baker- Elkhart Central vs. DaShaun Barbary- Kokomo
Caleb Partin- Churubusco vs. Jacob Gray- Delta
 
Ticket Round Tussles
Zach Davis- Concordia vs. Cressell/Johnson winner
Quentin Moore- Manchester vs. Partin/Gray winner
Nick Ritchie- Elkhart Memorial vs. Tate Burns- Eastside
 
182lbs
Before sectional this weight was looking to be really nasty. Even with a couple guys moving up this weight still is going to be one to watch. The bracket gods separated the better guys with no killer ticket round matches. Probably the most intriguing early match will be a rematch of last year’s ticket round between Andy Kohler and Wyatt Clem. Kohler was a state qualifier at this weight last year, while #800lbGorilla David Eli placed 7th. Look for some great matches in the semi-finals and finals at this weight.
 
#WAYL2
Kohler- Caleb Hankenson
Blakeley- David Eli(2 times), Isaac James
Eli- Cam Jones(2 times), Alejandro Castro
Hankenson- Andy Kohler, Rhett Mappes, David Eli, Joey Blakely
Ault- Stephen Nix(2 times), Caleb Blevins, Stephen Possell, Sam Moon
Clem- Andy Kohler, CJ Damler, Hunter Dalton, DaShaun Barbary, Joey Blakely, Stephen Nix
Graber- Jeremy Splix(2 times), David Eli, Joey Blakely, Wyatt Clem, ???
 
Early #SlobberKnockers
Stephen Nix- Bishop Dwenger vs. Conner Graber- Northridge
Heath Ault- Northrop vs. Joey Blakeley- Prairie Heights
 
Ticket Round Tussles
Caleb Hankenson- Bellmont vs. Nix/Graber winner
Andy Kohler- Jay County vs. Wyatt Clem- Homestead
Aaron Sedwick- Maconaquah vs. Ault/Blakeley winner
 
195lbs
Both Corbin Maddox and Luke Elliott wrestled most of the season at 182lbs and made a late jump to this weight even though they both only had one loss during the regular season. Those two added quite a bit of spice to an already wide open weight. Delta’s Scottie Evans is the only returning state qualifier at this weight and will need to navigate a solid quarter-bracket to punch another ticket to Banker’s Life. At the top you’ll have the last(thankfully for most in this area) of the Davis brothers from Garrett against Austin Evans of Lakeland. The two NECC rivals are 1-1 against eachother with Evans getting the win just three weeks ago. Going down the bracket Corbin Maddox has come on strong, but he’ll be pushed by two Al Smith placers in Nate Williams and runner-up Erik Hobbs. Jarod Hayes won regional last week…his reward is a potential pre-Valentine date with state qualifier Scottie Evans. In the bottom bracket you have one loss Elliott with a couple up and comes Isaiah Baumgartner and Tyson Whitner.
 
#WAYL2
Elliott- Corbin Maddox
Maddox- Andy Kohler(182)
Davis- Erik Hobbs, Michael Leonard, Nick Fox, Austin Evans,
Austin Evans- Jennigns Nickolson, Anthony Neal(Michigan), Beck Davis, Jarod Hayes
Baumgartner- Scottie Evans, Andy Kohler, ???
Hobbs- Luke Elliott, Scottie Evans, Cole Slavens, Chris Kidwell, Jake Kleimola
Eckrote 5- Michael Leonard, Erik Hobbs, Luke Elliott, ???, ???
Scottie Evans 5- Corbin Maddox(2 times), Landon Burton, David Delph, ???
 
Early #SlobberKnockers
Lane Eckrote- North Miami vs. Austin Evans- Lakeland
Nate Williams- Elkhart Memorial vs. Erik Hobbs- Peru
Tyson Whitner- North Side vs. Isaiah Baumgartner- South Adams
 
 
Ticket Round Tussles
Beck Davis- Garrett vs. Eckrote/Evans winner
Corbin Maddox- Daleville vs. Williams/Hobbs winner
Jarod Hayes- Jimtown vs. Scottie Evans- Delta
Luke Elliott- Eastbrook vs. Whitner/Baumgartner winner
 
220lbs
All season long this weight has seemed to have three competitors that are ahead of the field. With that said it leaves open a 4th spot that is ripe for the taking. Returning semi state runner-up Evan Ellis comes in undefeated, while Blake Davis is the only other wrestler with state experience in the field. Goshen RedHAWK Derek Paz is as tough as they come and will look to punch his first ticket to state. The bottom of the top bracket will be the interesting one with three wrestlers who can all get to state in Joey Pier, Max Clark, and JT Kilgore. Davis and Ellis should navigate their brackets to setup a semi-finals match.
 
#WAYL2
Paz- Kobe Woods, Trent Bixler, Evan Ellis
Isaacson- Jacob McClaine, Blake Davis, JT Kilgore
Asher- JT Kilgore, PJ Ernst, John Isaacson, Blake Davis
Davis- Braxton Amos(285), Derek Paz, Sam Hipple, Tyler McKeever
Kilgore- Blake Davis(3 times), Tyler McKeever, PJ Ernst
Clark- Trevor Brown, Nick Fox, Tyler Moser, Evan Ellis, ???
 
Early #SlobberKnockers
JT Kilgore- Churubusco vs. Max Clark- Northwestern
Evan Ellis- Eastern vs. Noah Asher- Concordia
 
Ticket Round Tussles
Derek Paz- Goshen vs. John Isaacson- Leo
Joey Pier- Yorktown vs. Clark/Kilgore winner
 
285lbs
Much like 195, this weight is one that is a pick’em from start to finish. If you wrestle this weight 10 times you’ll get 10 different outcomes. As Coach P said on Tuesday, it will come down to who manages risks the best. Two surprise regional champs are at the top half in Bellmont’s Braiden Shaw and Dwenger’s Landon Campbell. Shaw will be pushed by Braxton Amos in the ticket round while Campbell will have a good one with the winner of Jose Montanez and DeAndre Hodge. In the bottom half Owen Perkins qualified for state in 2014 and will have to go through Carroll’s Jessie Lawson to get another ticket to state. Nick Mammolenti of Jimtown had a great regional and will have to get through a tough Ryan George in the quarters. In a weight usually dominated by seniors, we only have five in the field this year. This could be very interesting not only this year, but next!
 
#WAYL2
Perkins- Garrett Clark
Hodge- Owen Perkins(2 times), Jordan Rogers, ???
George- Jessie Lawson, Braiden Shaw(2 times), Ethan Heffernan
Lawson- Robert Samuels(2 times), Nick Mammolenti, Sean Galligar, Landon Campbell
Amos- Blake Davis(220), Givoni Murillo, Sean Galligar, Ethan Bunce, Nick Mammolenti, ???
Mammolenti- Landon Campbell, Isaiah McWilliams, Givoni Murillo, Scott Fuller, William Vakalahi, Blake Davis(220), Braxton Amos
Campbell- Jessie Lawson, Dakota Ault(2 times), Jordan Libby, Jacob Obst, Nick Conner,William Vakalahi
Shaw- Jessie Lawson, Dylan Schumm, Nick Mammolenti, Sean Galligar, Dan Cutter, Chris Ridle
 
Early #SlobberKnockers
DeAndre Hodge- Marion vs. Jose Montanez- Goshen
 
Ticket Round Tussles
Braiden Shaw- Bellmont vs. Braxton Amos- Prairie Heights
Landon Campbell- Bishop Dwenger vs. Montanez/Hodge winner
Owen Perkins- Oak Hill vs. Jessie Lawson- Carroll
Nick Mammolenti- Jimtown vs. Ryan George- Delta

5375 8
East Chicago Semi-State - Karl's Komments
A new era in the northwest part of the state will commence this Saturday at the John A. Baratto Athletic Center on the campus of East Chicago Central High School. After 40 plus years at Merrillville High School, the wrestling semi-state has changed venues and moved to the 2nd largest high school gymnasium in the nation. The additional space should allow for an earlier finish time but the biggest plus in my mind will be that athletes should have adequate space to warm up for their matches.
 
106 – Four state ranked flyweights headline the bill at 106. Penn’s returning state qualifier Kory Cavanaugh has a fine 35-4 record and will face fellow upper classman, Dylan Petrovski of Lake Central in round one before a match up between the winner of Rensselaer’s Ryne Webb and Lowell’s Andres Moreno. Cavanaugh is the heavy favorite.
On the same side of the bracket we find state ranked Jose Diaz of Wheeler. Looking to become Wheeler’s first state qualifier for their young program he must defeat Tyson Coon of Benton Central and then Portage’s Brock Peele. Not an easy task.
On the top half of the bracket is arguably the toughest quarter bracket. Crown Point regional champ Jacob Moran is the favorite by virtue of his 27-1 record and his #9 ranking in the state. But he will likely face a stiff challenge from state ranked (19) Angel Perez of Hammond Morton.
The last quarter bracket has no state ranked kids but does feature 50 match winner Trey McCartney of Lafayette Harrison.
 
Top Ticket Round Tilt(s) – Two great ticket round match ups are in this bracket. Crown Point’s rookie Moran vs. Angel Perez of Hammond Morton. The other is the likely matchup between Jose Diaz of Wheeler and the peaking Brock Peele of Portage
 
4 on the Floor - 1. Cavanaugh – Penn. 2. Moran – Crown Point 3. Peele – Portage, 4. McCartney – Harrison.
 
113 – Six state ranked wrestlers will make the 113 class highly competitive and highly entertaining. The top quarter bracket presents the most compelling story line with last year’s 106 pound state champion, Colton Cummings of Lowell likely squaring off with last year’s 5th place finisher at 106, Tylor Triana of Hobart. Triana is in the ticket round match because of another Portage Indian who is peaking at the right time.
Colin Poynter is that Indian who by virtue of defeating Triana last week has set himself up to make a run at Indy. He will likely face Duneland rival Austin Line of Valpo. Line is a senior and that will give him some extra motivation to qualify for state.
Austin Slates of Penn is the silent beast in the Kingsman lineup. He is not talked about very much but is a likely qualifier and will be a bad draw for someone next week at state.
In the final quarter bracket, an interesting battle between one lose junior Donavan Johnson of Logansport and super talented freshman Rehan Uribe of Crown Point is the likely ticket round match. Will the Berry ripen or burst in the Region?
 
Top Ticket Round Tilt(s) – Three of the four quarter brackets have excellent potential ticket round tilts but the most competitive will likely be the donnybrook between Valpo’s Austin Line and Portage’s Colin Poynter. Will a senior trying to qualify for the first time be able to trump a sophomore coming off the biggest win of his career.
 
4 on the Floor - 1. Cummings – Lowell 2. Poynter – Portage 3. Slates – Penn
4. Uribe – Crown Point.
 
120 – Another weight class with six state ranked wrestlers means that a couple of deserving kids will not be getting the opportunity to continue their season next week. The bracket gods were kind and put the #1 and #2 wrestlers in the state on opposite sides of the semi state bracket. #1 Drew Hildebrandt of Penn is looking to for a 2nd semi state crown but he should be tested by #2 Jeremiah Reitz of Griffith.
Jon Anderson of Lafayette Jeff and Jonathan Moran of Crown Point seem to be frontrunners for the other two spots in the state final bracket but their paths are both filled with potential trouble.
 
Top Ticket Round Tilt(s) – Anderson’s potential ticket round match with Culver Military’s Adam Davis should be excellent.
 
4 on the Floor - 1. Hildebrandt – Penn 2. Reitz – Griffith 3. Moran – Crown Point
4. Anderson – Lafayette Jeff.
 
126 – Only 3 grapplers crack the states top 20 at 126 and two of them are in the same quarter bracket. To me that means this should be a wide open bracket where upsets will be common. Senior Gaige Torres of Portage is the clear favorite here. He has been there and done that, wrestling under the lights in Indy last year.
In the other quarter bracket, Torres’ likely semi final opponent is anyone’s guess. Steve Biancardi wrestled lights out this past Saturday and really seems to be hitting on all cylinders.
At the top of the bracket another wide open quarter bracket is found with one loss Justin Porter of Logansport facing the winner of Kankakee Valley’s Bryce Niewoehner and Griffith’s Cole Cervantes. These two seem very evenly matched.
The final golden ticket will probably be secured by the winner of a great match between Michael DeLaPena of Merrillville and Ryan Hardesty of Mishawaka. DeLaPena hammered Hardesty at the Al Smith but Hardesty is wrestling much better at this point in the season.
 
Top Ticket Round Tilt(s) – DeLaPena vs. Hardesty. A great matchup between two blue blood programs as well as two former state qualifiers.
 
4 on the Floor - 1. Torres – Portage 2. DeLaPena – Merrillville 3. Biancardi – Chesterton 4. Niewoehner – Kankakee Valley.
 
132 – I really like the way this bracket has taken shape. Like 126 it looks like much of the top talent is fairly evenly matched which makes for close matches, upsets and excitement all around. With that being said, Brendan Black of Hobart is a clear favorite to win this bracket. He should cruise into the semis where the funky Blake Strawsma of Benton Central is likely to meet him.
The other half of the bracket is full of regional flavor. Chesterton’s Jack Tolin is peaking at the right time and has a regional crown to prove it. He will have to slay the scary Cody Crary of Munster in the round to go to become a state qualifier. Mishawaka’s Preston Risner is another hot wrestler but he will have his hands full with battle tested Kris Rumph of Portage.
 
Top Ticket Round Tilt(s) – Tough call here. Risner vs. Rumph and Crary vs. Tolin should be tightly fought battles.
 
4 on the Floor - 1. Black – Hobart 2. Tolin – Chesterton 3. Rumph – Portage
4. Strawsma – Benton Central
 
138 – A fistful of ranked wrestlers dot the bracket at 138 and many of them are familiar names to those who follow region wrestling. 9th ranked Daylan Schurg of Crown Point might be the thirty-fifth Schurg to wrestle for Crown Point but he is 34-1 with a regional crown to his name. He will most likely face the winner of #19 Jacy Leon of Hobart and Trace Manspeaker of Penn. Leon won a narrow 7-4 decision over Manspeaker back in December at the Al Smith.
After a long four year wait, the bracket gods seem to have looked favorably on Benton Central’s Cole Lukaszka. The long predicted state finals appearance will look to be a reality as Lukaszka’s three potential quarter bracket opponents have a combined 40 losses.
The bottom half of the bracket has the two highest ranked wrestlers with Jason Crary appearing to have the easier ticket to punch. In the final quarter bracket, Warsaw’s ‘Sloth’ Hatch will be tested in his quarter final round match by Valpo’s Tristan Dembowski but should make it through for his third trip to state.
 
Top Ticket Round Tilt(s) – Hatch versus Dembowski is the top ticket round match up in this bracket. Dembowski has the skill to pull off the upset but I am guessing he would rather be in another quarter bracket.
 
4 on the Floor - 1. Hatch – Warsaw 2. Schurg – Crown Point 3. Crary – Munster 4. Lukaszka – Benton Central
 
145 – The 145 class returns 3 state qualifiers from last year and five state ranked wrestlers. Kasper McIntosh has a state medal to his name and looks to be the favorite in the top quarter bracket. He should have a very competitive ticket round match with Penn’s senior Cameron Beam.
Another former state qualifier looks to be the front runner in quarter bracket number 2. South Bend Riley’s 8th ranked Austen Laughlin went absolutely bananas last year at semistate on his way to a championship. He must defeat Crown Point’s Noah Lamore in what looks to be an epic ticket round match up.
The bottom half of the bracket features Logansport regional champ Clay Jones, who should be tested by Dante Colza. Jones’ funky style is tough to prepare for and look for the Broncho to move to the semis where he will seek revenge for one of his two losses on the season. Culver’s Triston Rodriguez narrowly topped Jones over Christmas break.
 
Top Ticket Round Tilt(s) – Two ticket round beauties await the fans at 145. In the top quarter bracket, a rematch from last year’s ticket round between Kasper McIntosh of Portage and Cameron Beam of Penn is likely. In the second quarter bracket, Riley’s explosive Austen Laughlin will mostly likely tilt with Crown Point’s steady Noah LaMore.
 
4 on the Floor - 1. Rodriguez – Culver 2. Laughlin – SB Riley 3. Jones – Laf. Jeff
4. McIntosh – Portage
 
152 – 152 is a scary weight class that has seven to ten guys that have state level talent. Steven “BAM” Lawrence is the unquestioned favorite and one my favorites to watch in the entire state. Kassius Breathitt of South Bend Riley got the “death draw” notice on Saturday night and will have to pull off a miracle to be a qualifier.
Looking to meet BAM in the semi finals is a trio of grapplers I feel have state finalist level of talent. Unfortunately, only one of the three will qualify. Matt Grammer of Lafayette Jeff, Tavris Evans of South Bend Adams and Diego Lemley of Chesterton are all three excellent wrestlers. The two seniors, Evans and Grammer, will square off early Saturday morning for a chance to face super sophomore Lemley in the ticket round.
In the bottom half of the bracket are regional winners Denzyl Prentice of Penn and Cody Widner of Twin Lakes but neither is lock for state due to the depth at this weight class. Prentice must dispatch of 11th ranked Zach Lorek of Crown Point to earn his first trip to Indy. The final quarter bracket is the proverbial meat grinder with Widner having to beat studs Micah Calhoun of Plymouth and Lucas Scott of Lowell to punch the golden ticket.
 
Top Ticket Round Tilt(s) – 3 of the 4 will be intense and some of the best wrestling all day. I’m not even that sure who will be in most of them.
 
4 on the Floor - 1. BAM - Portage 2. Prentice – Penn 3. Lemley – Chesterton
4. Calhoun – Plymouth
 
160 – Merrillville is making its debut when it comes to state qualifiers and they will do it with a bang due to the presence of defending state champion Jacob Covaciu. Covaciu has gone wire to wire this season and has barely been stressed. The University of Wisconsin recruit is the poster child for consistency and toughness.
The second quarter bracket features two of the top juniors in the semi state. Penn’s Jarod Swank and Valpo’s Greg Lichtenberger are both very seasoned and both have wrestled schedules to prepare them for this moment. Swank was dinged up earlier but appears to be clicking on all cylinders at this time.
Oszkar Kasch of Crown Point highlights the next group of four. He has put together a great sophomore campaign and has already won sectional and regional. He will be challenged by Duneland rival Drake Guerrero and Triton senior Gage Waddle.
Tavonte Malone is the definition of a bad draw for Logansport winner Dennis Ingle. Malone is a returning state finalist, strong, skilled and hungry after last weeks loss to Swank.
 
Top Ticket Round Tilt(s) – Swank of Penn versus Lichtenberger of Valpo is my top pick here. Both are hard nosed, lunch pail type kids who will leave it out on the mat.
 
4 on the Floor - 1. Covaciu – Merrillville 2. Malone – SB Adams 3. Swank – Penn 4. Kasch – Crown Point
 
170 – One of the OG’s dominates the bracket at 170. That Original Gorilla is Drew Hughes of Lowell. Hughes has grown from a lil 120 pound freshman into the 170 beast in four years. He is very likely to pick up his second state title on his way to wrestle in East Lansing, Michigan for Sparty. He has been so dominant this year that only one wrestler has made it to the second period.
That wrestler who made it to the second period is Portage’s Ismael Cornejo. Cornejo has put together a 30-6 season with Portage’s brutal schedule and that’s a good enough resume for me to pick him as the runner up. Challenging Cornejo for a spot in the finals should be Delphi’s Hunter Mote. Seemingly around forever, this is Mote’s senior season and he would love to make the finals at Merrillville. Rounding out the fab four should be Tristan Goering of South Bend Riley.
 
Top Ticket Round Tilt(s) – Logan Nowak of Kankakee Valley will face Ismael Cornejo of Portage for the right to wrestle in Indy. It’s been a few years for a Wheatfield wrestler to make the big stage.
 
4 on the Floor - 1. Hughes – Lowell 2. Cornejo – Portage 3. Mote – Delphi
4. Goering – South Bend Riley.
 
182 – In much the same Hughes has dominated the 170 class this season, Chesterton’s Andrew Davison has had his way with 182 class this season. Davison has already committed to the University of Michigan halfway through his junior season. Only a nationally ranked Blake Rypel is keeping Davison from being top ranked in the state.
In the fight for second place, Lowell’s Ike James looks to join his practice partner at the Big Show next week. There will be no easy tickets, however, and James will have to avenge an earlier season loss to Plymouth’s Jeremy Splix in order to qualify.
The other two qualifiers will also not be regional champs according to my prognostications. I see South Bend Clay’s Mason Cao earning a trip for himself and first year coach, Adam O’Neil. Hanover Central’s Ashton Mutuwa seems poised to be Hanover Central’s next state qualifier but he must defeat Logansport regional champ Isaac Mathis of Lafayette Harrison to do so.
 
Top Ticket Round Tilt(s) – South Bend Clay’s Mason Cao and Lake Central’s Russell Gibbs look to be the top ticket round tilt.
 
4 on the Floor - 1. Davison – Chesterton 2. James – Lowell 3. Cao – SB Clay
4. Mutuwa – Hanover Central
 
195 – One of the worst death draws at East Chicago is in the top quarter bracket at 195. 6th ranked Jake Kleimola of Lake Central will likely match up with Chesterton sophomore, Lucas Davison. Both of these guys deserve a spot at the state finals.
The second group of four is tough to call. The regional champ here is the largely unknown Damari Embery of South Newton. The Rebel has only one loss but South Newton is so far off the grid that Embery doesn’t even appear in the semi state rankings. Embery will have to knock off either LaVille’s Corrian Correll or Plymouth’s peaking sophomore, Nate LaFree.
In the third quarter bracket another brutal ticket round match loom between one match Evan Larsen of Hanover Central and Chris Kidwell of West Lafayette. Larsen’s father was a state champ for the Wildcats and Evan has been to the semi state 3 times.
The final berth is wide open as none of the four wrestlers look to be favorites. The interesting thing about this last quarter bracket is that there is a grappler from Penn, Portage and Crown Point. Whomever comes out on top of this group will have helped their team tremendously.
 
Top Ticket Round Tilt(s) – Kleimola vs Davison will be fun for the fans but heart breaking for the loser.
 
4 on the Floor - 1. Kleimola – Lake Central 2. Evan Larsen – Hanover Central 3. Damari Embery – South Newton 4. Vakalahi – Penn
 
220 – Penn’s Kobe Woods is a runaway favorite here and might not be tested until the semifinals of state. The Purdue recruit might be looking for bonus points all day in order to help his team secure a semi state crown. Returning state qualifier Justin Akers of Crown Point got the proverbial death draw and will likely face Woods in the ticket round.
Facing Woods in the semi finals and earning a trip to state will be the goal of regional champ Brandon Streck. Coming off of injury might be a barrier for Streck 2.0 and seniors Dan Mochen of Chesterton and Dylan Trent of West Lafayette will be gunning for that state berth.
Big Alex Kukurugya of Valpo is the favorite at the top of the bracket. Mishawaka Marian’s Patrick Ernst will be no pushover for Big Green. In the final quarter bracket Warsaw’s Andrew Brock seems likely to battle with regional champ Donnie Crider of Lafayette Harrison.
 
Top Ticket Round Tilt(s) – Kukurugya of Valpo and Ernst of Mishawaka Marian should be outstanding. A contrast of styles usually makes for good entertainment.
 
4 on the Floor - 1. Woods – Penn 2. Kukurugya – Valpo 3. Dan Mochen – Chesterton 4. Andrew Brock - Warsaw
 
285 – Streck 1.0 has been a real joy to watch over the past 4 years. He would be my pick for the best heavyweight wrestler the state has ever produced. In the East Chicago semi state he will probably face either Duneland rival Gio Murillo or big Aron Ceglarek of Kankakee Valley. Ceglarek has really impressed me over the past two weeks.
Isiah McWilliams of South Bend Washington is a fast rising sophomore who looks like he could bench press a Buick. He will likely face Delphi’s Garrett Clark in the 3rd and 4th place match-up.
 
Top Ticket Round Tilt(s) – Ceglarek of Kankakee Valley and Gio Murillo should be a doosy. Murillo has faced the best and Ceglarek moves very well for a big man.
 
4 on the Floor - 1. Streck – Merrillville 2. Ceglarek – Kankakee Valley 3. McWilliams – South Bend Washington 4. Clark – Delphi

6452 29
Evansville Semi-State Preview
Welcome to TripleB’s annual Evansville Semi-State Wrestling Preview Spectacular!!
 
Before we get into the good stuff, let’s cover what’s important:
 
Ford Arena info, provided by Markio:
Parking and general information about the arena can be found at www.thefordcenter.com
Wrestlers can enter the arena at 7:30am for weigh ins. Wrestlers and coaches will enter at the interior ticket office lobby (to the far right of the main lobby doors) to check in and head back. You will pick up your credentials here.
The only coolers allowed are for wrestlers and must enter at the check in table through the interior ticket lobby. NO OUTSIDE FOOD OR DRINK for anyone else is allowed inside unfortunately. Not my rules, just standard building policy.
Public doors open at 8:00am CST. Enter on Main Street through the main lobby. We will look to create a separate door/entrance for those that already have tickets.
There is NO onsite parking. Please do not have any team vehicles attempt to park in the loading dock or attached outer lot. These are reserved spots.
There is no public Wi-Fi.
Tickets are $10 cash at the door. Premium loge seats are available for purchase now and on event day. They are $40 pre-event and $30 if you show up and want them day of. They include a $15 concessions voucher.There is an ATM in the lobby if you need to get some cash out.
Please do not jump over the dasher walls to access the floor. They try to control access to the floor, so you need to enter from the lower level hallway under section 103. You wouldn't jump the wall at Banker's Life would you? lol
The hospitality room for officials, etc. will be in the Corner Club. Enter from the main lobby and hang a right at lower level hallway.
If you are going to set up a camera please do not have the cord running across the aisle. You will be made to unplug any cords running across an aisle.
We will have full concessions available throughout the day. Coffee and hot chocolate are also available all day as well. (get the bbq pork nachos, huge and awesome)
There is no smoking on or in the Ford Center property, this includes e-cigarettes.
Brackets will be updated throughout the day and posted on several of the 170 or so TVs located all over the arena. The brackets end up kind of small, but hey, they are everywhere and pretty cool.
Lastly,if you are a wrestler that loses please don't kick,throw,or punch Ford Center property. We had a kid break off a door handle last year.Sent the bill to the school.

We’ll preview all 14 weights. Each weight will feature:
 
The Charles Barkley “Turrible” Draws - ticket round matches that shouldn’t be happening in the ticket round!
 
The Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerkers - Best first round matches!
 
The Built Ford Tough Locks - Traditionally this is the most stingiest honor to earn. This year though we will name 7, yes half the weight classes, BFTL’s!
 
Ford Fab 4 - After picks were gathered, points distributed, and the dust settled, we’ll have the Ford Fab 4.
 
And new this year:
 
The Cam Newton Dabs: Wrestlers who got points, but not enough to make the Fab 4, we’ll give them some Dab!
 
Hooks Picks and All Semi-State Name Team - Hook and Half brings you a travel guide for things to do and places to eat in Evansville, along with his all name team!
 
Without further ado...UNLEASH THE PREVIEW!!
 
The land encompassing Evansville was formally relinquished by the Delaware Indians in 1805 to General William Henry Harrison, then the governor of the Indiana Territory. On Saturday should anyone surrender a late takedown, escape or back points, they will find themselves relinquishing a spot on the podium. Faltering in the first couple of rounds will likely mean a one-way ticket to palookaville - Hook and Half
 
106: Last year I dubbed 106 the future stars, this year why not go with #StudShow. 4 of the top 10 ranked wrestlers in the state, including the #1 and #2 ranked guys. Wow, the south got some love in the state rankings!
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - No first round matches really jump off the page. I’ll single in on Hunter Rice of Evansville Memorial and Victor Antunez of Jennings County. Both guys have double digit losses and this scrappy match should be fun to watch.
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draws - #1 vs. # 8 in the state….in THE TICKET ROUND!! Cayden Rooks, one part of the 4 horsemen of the Olympians takes on Asa Garcia of Avon. Garcia got no love from the pickers, can he #GrindItOut and #ProveUsWrong?
 
The Dab - Paul Pinkham, Bloomington South. Frosh Senstation Devon Casebolt got the nod to get through. But Pinkham will be looking to get revenge from an early season loss!
 
Ford Fab 4 - The Pickers didn’t like the #1 ranked Rooks (well this picker did), Returning State-Runner Up Ty Mills gets the nod.
#1 Ty Mills, Brownsburg #2 Cayden Rooks, Columbus East #3 Clay Egli, Evansville Mater Dei #4 Devon Casebolt, Castle
113: All 8 Semi State wrestlers here, including a whopping 6 state ranked kids makes 113 a great weight class on Saturday. Last year Nick Weaver was left as a bridesmaid in a rough ticket round draw with Paul (The Magician) Konrath. This year he hopes to join his running mate Ty Mills, and few more Bulldogs, at the top of podium.
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - I got nothing, again. All 8 guys all in different first round matches, it will run status quo.
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draw -While no repeats of last year, the ticket round should be good. Semi-State 2 vs 7, 1 vs 5, 8 vs 3, and 4 vs 6 will make it a great round.
 
The Dab - At one point Columbus East Frosh Jake Schoenegge seemed like a lock to join his Olympian teammates. Then nemesis Dalton Craig rolled into town. Now the Schonegge will have to get through a ticket round match w/ Weaver to get to the Bank. Speaking of Craig, Horty and Craig was almost too close to call. Horty got the nod, but don’t be surprised to see Craig, a ticket round shocker a year ago, punch that ticket. Bloomington South Junior Luke Stull got some love also, but a ticket round match date w/ Marscapone could be too much for the Panther junior.
 
Ford Fab 4 - Look for Weaver to get a stiff match from Indian Creek Freshman Alex Mosconi, but experience will drive Weaver to the tile.
#1 Nick Weaver Brownsburg, #2 Alex Mosconi, Indian Creek #3 Baxter Annakin, Castle #4 Seth Horty, Evansville Memorial
 
 
120: Graham Rooks is pretty good, currently ranked 3rd in the state, took 3rd a year ago, returning Semi State champ, and not the favorite the win Saturday, wait….WHAT??!?!?! Kyle Luigs looks to bring the Wildcats their first of a few SS champs here.
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - Finally something we can sink our teeth into. Grab your coffee, grab me a coffee, head to section 113 and let’s go! Zak Siddiqui has been in and out of the rankings all year, Castle super frosh Neal Bealmear has been another solid young super Knight for Bob Harmon. This match should deliver! Levi Miller is a returning state qualifier, he’s had a rough adjustment at 120 and he’ll have tough Martinsville junior Keaton Fisher. Congrats to the winner, they get Graham Rooks! I love guys with double digit losses hooking horns, usually they let it all go, so watch for Edgewood’s Daniel Bradburn and Columbus North’s Isaac Peetz.
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draw - While not Turrible draws, nobody likes to see 2 SQ’s going at it in ticket round and more than likely we’ll see Miller vs. Rooks. Also Austin Cook of Northview was a ticket rounder a year ago dropping a match to Will (another magician) Egli. This year he gets Luigs in ticket round. Bealmear and Hunt should be another fun Ticket round match.
 
The Dab - Nada, zero, zip, zilch. The pickers were unanimous in the Fab 4
 
Ford Fab 4: I couldn’t calm the pickers, they demanded Luigi Luigs. It was tight, but he gets the nod.
#1 Kyle Luigs, Evansville Mater Dei #2 Graham Rooks, Columbus East #3 Blake Mulkey, Brownsburg #4 Noah Hunt, Bloomington South
 
126: Brock Hudkins becomes the first Built Ford Tough Lock. He’s a returning state champ and he headlines the deepest field in the Semi-State. 8, yes 8 state ranked wrestlers will go at it here. All 8 Semi-State ranked wrestlers are here and they aren’t the same as the 8 state ranked. Take out Hud the Stud and this weight will be fireworks!
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - 4 first round matches that should be good, yes 4! Kicking things off are two state ranked wrestlers and a potential #4 over #1, #10 James Pritchett and #19 Dawson Combest. The pickers say the winner goes to the Bank. Next up Tony Mosconi and Nick South, Mosconi was upset by Panther Dalton Craig a year ago. This year he has Panther frosh Nick South. Does he get revenge to set up a match w/ Logan Dilbeck? Another potential #4 over #1 Mater Dei Junior Joe Happe has 11 losses, but a win over Regional champ and first round opponent Bloomington South Super Freshman Derek Blubaugh. Blubaugh has had a phenomenal second half of the season, does the Panther get revenge? The winner doesn’t get much time to celebrate as they have a date in the ticket round w/ the winner of the 2 state qualifiers, #17 Noah Franklin and #6 Isaac Gomez. Holy smokes what a bracket!
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draw - First round matches Combest/Pritchett and Franklin/Gomez make Sir Charles head sweat, come on man, turrible, turrible, turrible.
 
The Dab - Joe Happe and James Pritchett are both #4’s looking to pull upsets, some say they will be on the podium come Saturday!
 
Built Ford Tough Lock - The first of 7, returning state champ Brock Hudkins
 
Ford Fab 4: While Hud is head and shoulders above this group, not physically, but yeah you get it, Dilbeck and Gomez caused an uproar, Dilbeck barely gets the nod here.
#1 Brock Hudkins, Danville #2 Logan Dilbeck, Gibson Southern #3 Isaac Gomez, Plainfield #4 Dawson Combest, Columbus East
 
 
132: Lots of intriguing stories here. The Return of Nick Lee at Team-State sent shock waves through the state, then he disappeared off into the Western sunset, many assumed going the way of Egli and Konrath...Chatter then started again, he’s shooting for Red, he’s coming back for Red, the day of sectional seeding meetings many sat w/ nervous anticipation. Was it happening? Nothing like this has happened in Indiana. Angel and Hump was on a collision course but ended up at different weights. Dolly/Maurer had tons of hype and lived up to it, but Red and Lee, 2 Big Ten signees going at it! Also Elliott Molloy becomes the second returning semi state champ to not be a favorite. Then the bottom half of the bracket is bananas with 5 of the 8 guys receiving votes. Finally I’ll say don’t sleep on Molloy/Lee, it has potential to be good.
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerkers - Castle’s SS #6 ranked Braedon Clopton and SS #5 ranked Avon’s Nathan Conley, both received votes to be on the podium. Conley was slightly favored here and actually is deadlocked w/ #4 Floyd Central’s Tristan Sellmer, this quarter bracket should be a blast. #17 Josh Elpers is the favorite in his quarter bracket, but a tough first round match w/ upset minded Bulldog Connor Allen will be a good match.
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draws - The only real travesty is Molloy and Lee being on the same side of the bracket. This weight will be decided before face offs.
The Dab - The quarter bracket w/ #4, #5, #6 ranked wrestlers will deliver, so let’s throw some dab at Clopton and Conley, either of those guys can be on the podium. Also some dab thrown to Connor Allen, some people (hint he’s short) thinks Allan can punch that ticket!
 
Built Ford Tough Lock - Returning state champ Nick Lee, he looks to dominate a competitive field.
 
Ford Fab 4 -
#1 Nick Lee, Evansville Mater Dei #2 Tristan Sellmer Floyd Central #3 Elliott Molloy, Danville #4 Josh Elpers Evansville North
 
 
138: Last year people were shocked when Nick Lee wasn’t a BFTL, some thought Brayton Lee could pull the upset. He was in fact upset in the ticket round. Well fast forward, Brayton Lee has been dominate enough to be a BFTL, but indeed some people think state ranked and returning state medalists Blake Jourdan can rain on Lee’s parade in the ticket round again. This will be match of the day. On the opposite side of the bracket Castle senior Austin Ramsey will look to slide into the finalist position and await the winner of Jourdan/Lee.
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - #17 (#7 in SS) ranked Blake Webb vs #5 in SS Trevor Reese, the pickers actually like unranked Reese to beat 2 state ranked grapplers and punch his ticket, but this is another quarter bracket where 3 kids got votes, wide open! Also Tristin Dowell vs. Blake Jourdan. Dowell just returned in time for state tourney is still knocking the rust off, he was a ticket rounder a year ago and dropped a close ticket round match. He can beat Jourdan is Jourdan is looking to Brayton Lee. Don’t be surprised to see Dowell spoil that match.
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draw - 2 top 5 state ranked kids in the ticket round, really? reeeeeallly?? Turrible! Turrible! Turrible! This makes Sir Charles eat Rolaids like candy, not good at all!!!!
 
The Dab - Jennings County Frosh Brooks Wathen got some love, but not enough to get a Ford Fab 4 pick. Blake Jourdan also got some love, but not enough grab a golden ticket either.
 
Ford Fab 4 -
#1 Brayton Lee, Brownsburg #2 Austin Ramsey, Castle #3 Cale McCoy, Northview #4 Trevor Reese, Franklin
 
145: Joe Lee rounds out a group of stellar wrestlers. They almost sound like a law office: Hudkins, Lee, Lee, and Lee! If they are a law firm then Austin Bethel is that pain in backside defense attorney. Little Lee has shown a propensity to give up falls in big matches, Bethel got a huge win over a Lee a year ago and collected another huge win over a Lee at sectionals. Can Bethel slam this case shut?? The jury has spoken…..and no Joe Lee joins his brother in the Built Ford Tough Lock group. The pickers like the Castle 4 to roll here.
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - Stephen Gibson vs Nicholas Burke has #4 over a #1 written all over it, other than that not a lot going on in the first round.
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draws - Center Grove’s Logan Coyle is ranked #12 in the state and #4 in the Semi-State, but the depth of Castle could be too much. Austin Bethel is #10 in state and #2 in SS. This match features 2 state caliber juniors w/ one going home early. #19 ranked Tyler Crowl seemed poised to break through this year, but has #9 ranked Chase Wilson from Princeton in the ticket round, another state ranked stud going home early.
 
Tbe Dab - No love here if you aren’t from the deep South!
 
Ford Tough Lock - Joe Lee, Evansville Mater Dei
 
Ford Fab 4 -
#1 Joe Lee, Evansville Mater Dei #2 Austin Bethel, Mt. Vernon #3 Chase Wilson, Princeton #4 Nicholas Burke
 
 
152: Another weight, another returning SS champ not favored. Indian Creek’s Elijah Dunn stormed on the scene last year. He had an exciting match with Isaiah Kemper at Semi State and battled to 4th place finish at State. Andrew Herrin shocked the field and grabbed a Semi State title for the Panthers of Jennings County. This year these two grapplers appear to be on a collision course in the Semi finals. Can the 5th ranked Dunn get it done or will the 7th ranked Herrin grab his second semi-state crown? Mater Dei’s Mitch Lehman will look to spoil both their parties and grab a SS championship.
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - Regional champ Denver Aydelott will get some Dab but he’ll have to put away Mount Vernon’s Micah Keller first. SS ranked Connor Dean will find himself in a battle with Max Hauser of Floyd Central.
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draw - The Round Mound of Takedowns seems happy with 152, no real complaints
 
The Dab - Unranked Regional Champ Denver Aydelott would like to cap his senior season with a trip to the Bank, but the pickers favor Avon junior Jacob Clark.
 
Ford Fab 4 -
#1 Elijah Dunn, Indian Creek #2 Mitch Lehman, Evansville Mater Dei, #3 Andrew Herrin, Jennings County #4 Jacob Clark, Avon
 
160: This weight class was almost a lock from #1 - #4, Cayden Whitaker seems to be the favorite w/ nemesis Burk Van Horn closely following. Castle junior Jacob Farmer also was unanimous, and Colton O’Neal was almost the unanimous choice for fourth but Arkee Glover from Brownsburg got some Dab to prevent that. I say don’t forget about Southridge senior Mitchell Mundy. He was hurt all year and came back just for the state tourney. He’s undefeated, can an undefeated senior be a sleeper? We shall see!!
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - We’ll start at the top, Mundy vs. Glover could be a battle. 2 hungry seniors going at it! Next is Jeff Red Devil Donovan Smith, a surprise ticket rounder from a year ago and the quarter bracket favorite Colton O’Neal from Pike Central. Can Smith surprise again? Next up is the marquee matchup of the first round 160lb bracket returning state qualifier Gleason Mappes and Conor Hay of Bloomington South. This one could also be a doozy!
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draws - 14th ranked Cole Chandler of Jennings County has had a great year, but he draws 7th ranked Burk Van Horn in the ticket round. Both guys are ranked top 4 in the Semi-State but only one can advance. Turrible draw for the Panther!
 
The Dab - Arkee Glover of Brownsburg another cog in the wheel of the state champ Bulldogs might be the surprise of the bracket!
 
Built Ford Tough Lock - Cayden Whitaker, Martinsville
 
Ford Fab 4 -
#1 Cayden Whitaker, Martinsville #2 Burk Van Horn, Franklin #3 Jacob Farmer, Castle #4 Colton O’Neal, Pike Central
 
170: Another Ford Tough Lock at 170 as Brownsburg’s Nathan Walton is a clear cut favorite here. Ticket round excitement here as 3 of the 4 matches have been highlighted as matches to watch. With 6 state ranked wrestlers and all 8 semi-state ranked wrestlers accounted for the battle for second could be intense!
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerkers - #17 (#6 SS) ranked Evan Dowell from Castle will have his hands full right off the bat as he battles #7 SS ranked Jake Moore of Franklin. The other highlight curtain jerker is #16 ranked Jaylon Owens of Pike Central vs #5 SS ranked Ethan Runyan from Martinsville. The Artesian looks for another 4 over 1 upset here.
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draw - While there are no Turrible draws, there will be some exciting ticket round matches: Jacob Hendrich vs. #10 Jonah Hays, #12 Kameron Fuller vs. #17 Evan Dowell, and the winner of Runyan/Owens vs. #9 Thomas Dull of Terre Haute North
 
The Dab - Jonah Hays, Evan Dowell, and Ethan Runyan all got some love but not enough to get on the podium
 
Built Ford Tough Lock - Nathan Walton, Brownsburg
 
Ford Fab 4 -
#1 Nathan Walton, Brownsburg #2 Kameron Fuller, Jeffersonville #3 Thomas Dull Terre Haute North, #4 Jacob Hendrich Northview
 
182: Brownsburg Senior CJ Damler looks to put a cap on the Bulldogs semi-state championship bid here. He’s another Built Ford Tough Lock and like other weights, after the Lock the weight class will be fun to watch. 4 state ranked and 7 semi-state ranked wrestlers will go to battle here for spots at the Bank. Bristen Dial of Brown County vs. Ike Murrell of Terre Haute North and #13 Hunter Dalton vs. # 11 Jaden Sonner should provide ticket round fun.
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - #7 ss ranked Carson Mohler and #8 ss ranked Marcus Duregger will battle it out to see who gets Damler in the ticket round.
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draws - #2 SS Jaden Sonner vs. #3 SS Hunter Dalton will be a ticket round match of two state ranked wrestlers battling for the golden ticket. Bristen Dial’s win over Sonner last week at regionals set this party up.
 
The Dab - Jaden Sonner of New Albany and Ike Murrell of Terre Haute North both look to spoil some brackets and extend their seasons by one more week.
 
Built Ford Tough Lock - CJ Damler, Brownsburg
 
Ford Fab 4 -
#1 CJ Damler, Brownsburg #2 Jeremy McKinley Tecumseh #3 Hunter Dalton, Bloomington North #4 Bristen Dial, Brown County
 
195: Kurtis Wilderman of Evansville Mater Dei has had a tremendous year, he’s undefeated in the state. Some are saying state title for the Wildcat. But the pickers say hold up, he’s not a lock in weight class featuring 5 state ranked wrestlers and all 8 semi state ranked guys.
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - Nothing here makes Barry pat himself….wait...a 14 loss Bam Bam Newbolt might knock off heavily favored Ty Robinson of Edgewood and throw that quarter bracket into wildness!! Yes some pickers said so!
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draws - Jennings County Senior Christian Redmond rode the overtime train to victories last year over Isaac McCormick and Mater Dei’s Chase Anslinger all the way to the podium at Bankers Life. This year him and McCormick will hook up in the ticket round, both are state ranked. Turrible says Sir Charles, Turrible.
 
The Dab - The aforementioned Redmond pulled more votes than other state qualifiers but not enough to make the Fab 4. Jeff’s Darion Newbolt also got some love, but not enough.
 
Ford Fab 4 -
#1 Kurtis Wilderman, Evansville Mater Dei #2 Isaac McCormick, Brownsburg #3 Garrison Lee, Monrovia #4 Ty Robinson Edgewood
 
220: Usually the big guys get no love. But with 11 state ranked and 15 semi state ranked big dudes in the last 2 weights we hope everybody sticks around for some big guy love! Avon’s Gunnar Larson is the last of the Ford Tough Locks. The defending semi-state champ looks to repeat but will have a stiff challenge from Martinsville’s Clayton Scroggs.
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - Dakota Short vs. Dristin McCubbins features 2 seniors with stellar records. This whole quarter bracket will be amazing - #18 (#7ss) Chase Dixon will hook horns with #6 ss ranked Cory Heinrichs of Center Grove. #15 (#4ss) Tristin Choate goes to battle with #8 ss ranked Nathan Long.
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draws - Dristin McCubbins is ranked #6 in the state, but the pickers went with Michael Boots of Evansville Mater Dei. Were we suffering from pickers fatigue? #18 Chase Dixon vs. #15 Tristin Choate is another match where the pickers went with the underdog. Choate is a returning State Qualifier, evidently we had too much moonshine by 220.
 
The Dab - As mentioned above McCubbins and Choate are both favorites on paper, but didn’t get enough votes to get to the Fab 4.
 
Built Ford Tough Lock - Gunnar Larson, Avon
 
Ford Fab 4 -
#1 Gunnar Larson, Avon #2 Clayton Scroggs, Martinsville #3 Chase Dixon, Bloomington South #4 Michael Boots, Evansville Mater Dei
 
285: Don’t head to Stoll’s Country Inn just yet (but do go afterwards, awesome food!), the big guys are bringing the bang! 7 ranked studs (6 in the top 10) and all 8 ranked semi-state grapplers will be duking it out. This one caused the pickers the most headaches!
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerkers - #7 (#6ss) Brett Henson and #7 ss ranked Austin Fleck will look to do battle. This is a rematch as Fleck upended Henson 3-2 in their first meeting. This match kicks off this exciting weight class!
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draws - #3 state ranked Wade Ripple and #5 state ranked Sean Galligar will go at it for a spot in the Fab 4. Also state ranked #4 Quinn York and state ranked #8 Brendan Sutton will do battle. They wrestled for a 3rd place last year, this year they will wrestle for a spot in the Fab 4!
 
The Dab - While this weight class is loaded, the pickers were almost unanimous in the Fab 4 (not so much in the order though), the only heavy getting dab is EMD’s Austin Fleck. The unranked Wildcat will look to push through a heavily ranked field.
 
Ford Fab 4 -
#1 Quinn York, Franklin #2 Sean Galligar, Columbus East #3 Corey Klem, Gibson Southern, #4 Brett Henson, Avon
 
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Hook’s picks and Hook’s all semi-state name team:
All Name Team:
 
Baxter "Embrace the Dark Side" Annakin
Hunter "Tote That" Baehl
Dylan "Raising" Cain
Carson "Black &" Deckard
Conor "Washer &" Dwyer
Asa "La Machina" Garcia
Grant Goforth "& Prosper"
Max "Brick" Hauser
Cody "Nikon" Kammerer
Tony "Willie" Mosconi
Mitchell "Saturday Sunday" Mundy
Ike "The Mushroom" Murrell
Jeb "Hanky" Pankow
Camden "Wild Irish" Rose
Burk "Gabriel's" Van Horn
 
We’ll end this article with Hook’s Picks:
 
-Do not come early, or stay late, to view the Evansville Icemen, the soon-to-be-departed minor league hockey team. The Icemen had tremendous local support before owner Ron Geary produced three seasons of losing, bad hockey. The coffers have dried up and he is moving them to Owensboro. Boo!
-Dinner- Turoni's has two Evansville locations and a microbrewery. Their pizza is special. DiLegge's is a locally-owned Italian restaurant whose food is out of this world. Visit theHilltop Inn, recently voted theManliest Bar in America. The adventurous should order a brain sandwich. Non-adventurers will be safe and happy with a bowl of Burgoo (trust me). Mrs. Hook loves their chicken livers. I am a Stromboli fiend, accordingly, I have eaten them everywhere. Nobody beats Pizza King for Stroms. Nobody. The Gerst Haus serves authentic German cuisine and has over 30 varieties of beer on tap. Get ready for a carbohydrate and protein load up!
· Franklin Street has a vibrant night life featuring restaurants, bars, taverns and a night club. Park your car, as the city offers shuttle service for the Mardi Gras pub crawl taking place this weekend.
· Get your ticket early. There is only one door to enter the Ford Center and it is going to be cold and windy on Saturday morning.
· Bring money. The Ford Center is one of Indiana's premier venues; it comes at a price. They get NBA-style prices for the concessions. Methinks that the good people of Castle should take over food duties...
· Bring a hoodie. An ice rink is beneath the mats. The place is fa-rosty.
· 70 years ago, 130,000 Americans hit Normandy's beaches, liberated Europe and altered the course of western civilization. Many of our boys caught a ride to the shoreline on the LST, built right here in Evans-Vegas. The LST 325 is downtown and available for tours. You will not regret it.
· John Reitz was a 19th-century lumber baron along the magnitude of a Bill Gates or Donald Trump. His son is the namesake of FJ Reitz High School and Reitz Memorial High School. The Reitz home is open for tours. The Mrs. and the kids will enjoy this.
· The Children's Museum of Evansville (CMOE) is within walking distance of the Ford Center and is a grand slam. When my three children--Hooksly, Hookticia and PowerHalf--were tikes, it was one of their favorite things to do.
 
Thanks everybody! Travel safe and we’ll see you Saturday at The Ford!!!
 
Dustin Bentz “TripleB”

1711
Karl's Komments on the Rochester Regional
Take 'em as gospel or take 'em with a grain of salt but here they are:
 
106 – A potential Mishawaka sectional sweep here with Penn’s junior Kory Cavanaugh leading the way for the flyweights. South Bend Adams frosh Vincent Calhoun will likely meet Cavanaugh in the finals for a second week in a row. I like St. Joe’s Matt Cysewski in a close one over Culver Military’s Spencer Penrose in the 3rd/4th match.
 
113 – Penn’s Austin Slates is clearly the top dog at 113. The Best match in the bracket might be the semi final battle between Wawasee’s freshman, Braxton Alexander and Adams’ Joey Zahl. Alexander was very impressive in winning the Plymouth sectional title and Zahl is a proven tough competitor. Culver Academy should get their 2nd semistate qualifier in junior Robert White.
 
120 – A strong class for the Plymouth Sectional with a trio of former semistate qualifiers looking to return to the region. CMA’s Adam Davis, Triton’s Malachi Greene, and Plymouth’s Zane DeVault all have enough firepower to make the trip to East Chicago but all three together might be needed to slay Penn’s mighty Drew Hildebrandt. Hildebrandt has gone wire to wire as the state’s top ranked 120 pound wrestler.
 
126 – The fab four out of the Mishawaka sectional stand a great chance of moving on to East Chicago. Mishawaka’s Ryan Hardesty has put together an excellent senior season and won last week versus rival Jarrett Selis of Penn. An all Catholic clash will probably make up the 3rd place match with St. Joe’s Jared Kazmierczak and Marian’s Nick Blasko.
 
132 – The Green will be mean at 132. South Bend Washington’s Tondrew Tyler comes in with an excellent 38-1 record and a state ranking of 14th. His likely finals opponent, Tristin Ponsler of Wawasee has been under the radar all season but has state level talent. I like Mishawaka’s Preston Risner and Rochester’s gritty senior Aaron Orr to move on as 3rd and 4th place finishers.
 
138 – This should be a fun weight class to keep an eye on this Saturday. Warsaw’s Kyle Hatch is the clear favorite based on his two state medals but he should be challenged by Clay’s exciting Rishod Cotton in the semis. Penn’s Trace Manspeaker squeaked a victory out over Cotton last week and it set him up well in the regional bracket. I like CMA’s Steven Muthart to be the fourth to move on.
 
145 – I may be biased but I think this is the strongest weight class at the Rochester regional. Two state qualifiers are here in Riley’s Austin Laughlin and Culver’s Triston Rodriguez along with a senior from Penn that has beaten both of them in Cameron Beam. I like Plymouth’s Bodie Neidig to be the fourth qualifier. This regional will create some bad draws for the other regionals at East Chicago.
 
152 – If 145 is not the strongest class then 152 might be. The top five here are all excellent and someone will be ending their season much sooner then they would have liked. The first round tilt between Bremen’s Alex Bollenbacher and South Bend Adams’ Tavris Evans will be a slobber knocker. Penn’s Denzyl Prentice would love a rematch with rival Kassius Breathitt of Riley but first must overcome the ‘rastlin’ Rockie’, Micah Calhoun of Plymouth.
 
160 – These middle weight classes at Rochester will be worth the price of admission and the rivalry between Adams’ Tavonte Malone and Penn’s Jarod Swank will highlight this division. Both are serious threats to be on the podium in a couple of week at Banker’s Life. With Triton’s Gage Waddle added into the mix, there are three legitimate studs at 160.
 
170 – South Bend Riley’s Tristan Goering is the clear favorite here. He has followed up last year’s magical post season run (finishing 4th in the state) with an outstanding junior campaign. No serious challengers to the junior Wildcat have emerged in the regional area.
 
182 – A trio of grapplers have separated themselves from the rest of the field in the 182 weight class. Austin Faulkner won a pair of tight matches last Saturday to put himself in a great position this weekend. He has the easier path to the finals where he will probably meet either conference rival, Mason Cao of Clay or Jeremy Splix of Plymouth. Young Max Chaffee will likely be the fourth qualifier.
 
195 – Wide open would the way to describe the 195 pound class at Rochester. Penn’s Cedrick Vakalahi and Plymouth’s Nate LaFree are the likely finalists but no wrestlers in this weight class have particularly distinguished themselves this season and upsets could likely occur here.
 
220 – The big boys should provide some entertaining wrestling for the fans at Rochester. State champion and Purdue recruit, Kobe Woods is the headliner but there are four other studs that have state level talent. One will be heading home. Bremen’s Tyler Moser has put together an excellent 34-2 record and a sectional championship. Marian’s Patrick Ernst and Culver Academy’s Simon Griffith will square off in a great first round match. Warsaw’s Andrew Brock is the other likely qualifier.
 
285 – South Bend Washington’s Isaiah McWilliams is the favorite here with his 36-3 record and sectional championship. On the other side of the bracket is Rochester’s big man, Dan ‘#TRUCK’ Clark, along with an interesting match up between St. Joe’s veteran Michael Koebel and Culver’s young Alecks McBee. Will Vakalahi, the undersized Penn heavyweight is the other likely semistate qualifier here.

1856
North Montgomery Regional Preview
North Montgomery Regional Preview
 
106
 
Heading to New Castle:
 
1. #18 Strueder, Fishers
2. Grino, Southmont
3. Gobeyn, Zionsville
4. Mennen, Clinton Central
 
Notes: Strueder and Grino met in the regional semis last year, with the Fishers state qualifier winning 7-4. Grino has only one loss all year, to Monrovia’s Denny. Gobeyn is not far from the top-2, and could pull an ‘upset’ or two.
 
Upset alert: Nothing really stands out as a likely candidate in the first round. Gobeyn could spoil the party for Strueder and Grino.
 
113
 
Heading to New Castle:
 
1. Hutson, Westfield
2. Moseley, North Montgomery
3. Pecoraro, Carmel
4. Hubble, Southmont
 
Notes: Last year, Hutson upset top-seed Hubble, which gave the Zionsville sectional four regional placers at this weight. From the hunter to the hunted, Hutson has his work cut out for him at a fairly wide open weight. Moseley is a tough senior, and has as good a shot as Hutson or anyone else to finish on top. Hubble comes in with less momentum than last year, and he’ll have to work hard to beat HSE’s Forbes.
 
Upset alert: Forbes, or Attica’s senior Haas could surprise and advance to New Castle.
 
120
 
Heading to New Castle:
 
1. Bocock, Lebanon
2. Jerde, Carmel
3. Ellis, Zionsville
4. Garcia, HSE
 
Notes: Bocock boat-raced the competition as Frankfort last week and is a strong favorite at North Montgomery. Seeger’s Acton was a sectional champ last week in dominant fashion and has a stellar record, but Garcia is much tougher than his record would indicate and their match should be very competitive.
 
Upset alert: Garcia has a very solid shot of beating Acton.
 
126
 
Heading to New Castle:
 
1. #4 Holmes, HSE
2. #18 Hiestand, Carmel
3. Bowling, Lebanon
4. Eads, Attica
 
Notes: Holmes is an excellent wrestler and he’s having another superb season. He is head and shoulders above this field. Hiestand is inexperienced, but talented, and I think his talent will see him through to a 2nd place finish. Eads has a phenomenal record and was impressive at sectionals, but he will be pushed by Westfield’s Robinson in his opening match.
 
Upset alert: Robinson is a dangerous 4 seed for Eads. Southmont’s McManus is a senior dropping down from 132, and he could stop Hiestand’s momentum before it even starts.
 
132
 
Heading to New Castle:
 
1. #16 Welliever, Southmont
2. #18 Collins, Frankfort
3. Steele, Westfield
4. Wagner, Zionsville
 
Notes: This is simply an outstanding weight class. At least four different wrestlers could win the weight, and it essentially boils down to whose day it is on Saturday. At Frankfort, there were a lot of very close matches, and it’s likely that we’ll see the same thing here. Welliever edged Collins in the regional finals last year.
 
Upset alert: State-ranked Collins had better not overlook Attica’s Henry, as he sports a 29-3 record.
 
 
138
 
Heading to New Castle:
 
1. #3 Eldred, Westfield
2. #15 Moore, Southmont
3. Smith, Carmel
4. Estes, Attica
 
Notes: Moore and Eldred should meet in the finals, provided Smith doesn’t trip up Moore in the semis. Eldred is a returning state placer and Fargo All-American, but Moore is a returning state qualifier, so this is no walk in the part for the Shamrock senior. Smith has been a giant-killer lately. Estes finished 3rd at regionals last year, and battled Moore to a 2-0 decision loss at sectionals.
 
Upset alert: Smith could present trouble for Moore.
 
145
 
Heading to New Castle:
 
1. Eiteljorge, Carmel
2. Wilbrandt, Fishers
3. Brown, North Vermillion
4. Coffman, Lebanon
 
Notes: This is a pretty wide open weight past Eiteljorge. There are very few sure things in this bracket.
 
Upset alert: It’s hard to call anything short of Eiteljorge losing a big upset, but Wilson of Zionsville could knock off the sectional champ Brown.
 
152
 
Heading to New Castle:
 
1. Ferris, HSE
2. Blondeel, Attica
3. Miller, Westfield
4. Long, Southmont
 
Notes: Blondeel dominated sectionals and could give Ferris a tight match, if he doesn’t beat him outright. Miller is peaking and could provide trouble for Blondeel and Ferris potentially. Ferris is battle tested against some of the best in the state but isn’t a huge point scorer, so we could see some close matches this weekend.
 
Upset alert: Watch out for Miller, who is a different wrestler now than he was earlier in the season. Zville’s Banks could knock off Long.
 
160
 
Heading to New Castle:
 
1. #12 Frazee, Fountain Central
2. Bublick, Carmel
3. Penola, Zionsville
4. Jessop, HSE
 
Notes: Frazee is undefeated and wiped up the field at Crawfordsville last weekend. He knocked Bublick out in the opening round of regionals last year. Penola and Jessop are good wrestlers, but maybe a tick below Bublick and a few ticks below Frazee.
 
Upset alert: The two 1-seeds had better not look past their opening matches. Frazee gets WeBo senior Scott and Bublick gets Turkey Run senior Uplinger.
 
170
 
Heading to New Castle:
 
1. #20 Stambaugh, Lebanon
2. Jagow, Westfield
3. #15 Webster, North Montgomery
4. Mazero, HSE
 
Notes: Wow! This is a filthy bracket, and starts off with a bang. #15 Webster and #19 Ragains of Frankfort meet in the opening round. All the heavy hitters in this weight have wins over highly regarded foes this year, and another really tough guy, Pedigo of WeBo, didn’t survive sectionals. The unranked Jagow beat Stambaugh and Ragains in clutch overtime performances at Frankfort last weekend—quite a day for the unheralded Shamrock stud. Stambaugh, Jagow, Ragains and Webster could all win the weight, and I’m picking Stambaugh because he got red-hot in the postseason last year.
 
Upset alert: Ragains could easily take out Webster and win the weight. My advice-take your pick and grab some popcorn.
 
182
 
Heading to New Castle:
 
1. #9 Worm, Southmont
2. #16 Irick, HSE
3. Hill, Zionsville
4. Fruits, North Montgomery
 
Notes: Worm and Irick were each state qualifiers last year and are the clear favorites at 182 this year. Their potential finals match could be one of the best of the day. Hill and Fruits could be a donnybrook.
 
Upset alert: Westfield senior Trompen over North Montgomery’s Fruits. Trompen is battle-tested and is wrestling his best right now.
 
195
 
Heading to New Castle:
 
1. #8 Fox, Carmel
2. #10 Ferris, HSE
3. #13 Slavens, North Montgomery
4. #18 Schaeffer, Westfield
 
Notes: This is a nasty weight class, as four competitors in the top-18 will be vying for the strap. While Fox has to be the favorite based on the impressive season he’s had thus far, Ferris has shown he can go with the elite of the weight class…but then again, Slavens and Schaeffer can say the same thing. Like several of the other top-end weight classes at North Montgomery, we could have 4 different potential champs here. Take your pick.
 
Upset alert: While Ferris could knock off Fox, Slavens might make that situation moot by beating Ferris himself. In fact, Slavens knocked Ferris out of regionals last year. However, to get the opportunity to face Ferris, Slavens has to beat the surging stud Williamson of Zville, which is far from a given.
 
220
 
Heading to New Castle:
 
1. #8 Hipple, Carmel
2. #16 Fuller, Zionsville
3. #17 McClaine, Lebanon
4. Eup, South Vermillion
 
Notes: Hipple caught fire in the postseason last year en route to a high finish at state. Fuller was a state qualifier, but has missed some time this year. McClaine has wins over ranked opponents and is a dangerous semis opponent for Hipple.
 
Upset alert: Sophomore Williams of Southmont is a tough opening match for Fuller.
 
285
 
Heading to New Castle:
 
1. Phelps, Covington
2. Williams, Carmel
3. Chastain, HSE
4. Dollens, Westfield
 
Notes: While perhaps not the most loaded field at North Montgomery, this should be one of the most competitive. One-loss senior Phelps pinned his way through sectionals. Williams was a semistate qualifier last year and is better than his so-so record would indicate. Chastain and Dollens are pretty evenly matched, and it’s basically a pick ‘em between these two.
 
Upset alert: Bettis of South Vermillion pinned three opponents at sectionals and could do the same to returning regional qualifier Dollens. Also, Chastain faces a 30-win senior in Pierce of North Montgomery. Neither of these potential wins by Crawfordsville sectional HWTs would be huge upsets.

8829 9
Richard Jay: Wrestling's Best Friend
By TIM CREASON
 
The wind was howling and snow was blowing on Feb. 14, 2015.
 
As the Merrillville wrestling semistate drew to its close, a blizzard was blanketing northern Indiana.
 
Visibility on some roads was down to zero. Sections of U.S. 20 were closed by police.
 
In the gym, thousands of wrestlers and fans literally didn’t know where to go, or what to do. Many were calling hotels, trying to find vacancies. Others scanned Mapquest, trying to find alternate routes home.
 
In the middle of all this, as I was speaking to a Merrillville police officer about my options for getting back to South Bend, my cell phone rang.
 
It was Richard Jay.
 
“Tim,” he said. “Go to my house.”
 
Now, the thing to understand is this: Richard was not at the semistate.
 
For the first time in decades, he was missing from his usual spot in the crow’s nest, the one with a “Mat Burns” banner hanging on the rail.
 
Richard’s wife was in the hospital. She wasn’t doing well. Truth be told, she was dying.
 
The semistate was always one of Richard’s favorite events. He would alternately cheer local wrestlers while recording the results from every mat for the local media. He was the ultimate wrestling fan.
 
But this year was different. His wife was dying and Richard was at the hospital by her side.
 
And then he looked out the window.
 
“Go to my house. Don’t try to drive home in this. I’m only a few miles away,” I heard Richard’s voice say, crackling over a cell phone in the middle of Merrillville’s gym.
 
“But … but …,” I stammered. “Aren’t you at the hospital?”
 
“Yes, but I’ll leave and go let you in,” he said. “The place is yours. I’m going back to stay with my wife.”
 
“Richard ….,” I said.
 
“Don’t argue about it,” he said. “Just go.”
 
I should have. I didn’t.
 
In hindsight, out of the many stupid decisions I’ve made in my life, this was one of the biggest.
 
Not because it took four hours to get home, and I was terrified the whole way, and I almost drove into a drainage ditch.
 
No, in hindsight, it was stupid because it deprived me of the opportunity to thank Richard for being such a wonderful person, and let him know how much we all missed him that day, and how much he meant to the wrestling community.
 
Because, God knows, he would have done that for any one of us.
 
Richard Jay died from complications of a stroke on Dec. 23. It was about eight months after his wife died.
 
Richard adored his wife. Everyone in his family agrees: the two events were tied together.
 
Richard had been a coach in the Hammond school system – mostly at Gavit – for something like 38 years. He coached wrestling. He coached track. He coached tennis. Hell, he could coach anything.
 
A lot of people came to the funeral home. A lot of people cried. I was one of them.
 
“Richard had a … a humanity that most coaches don’t have,” said veteran Mishawaka coach Al Smith, who, like most of us, was unprepared when he heard the news.
 
Yes. Al Smith.
 
“Rich wanted his kids to win, of course he did, but he was always more interested in what kind of person they would grow up to be,” said Smith. ”Whether you were a good wrestler or not, he always wanted to know how he could help you. You were a person first, a wrestler second.”
 
In the weeks since his death, I’ve been stunned by the number of young wrestlers and coaches who never knew Richard Jay, didn’t even know who he was.
 
Trust me on this: You would have liked him.
 
The “Pick the Champions” contest, the one you saw at every state meet? That was Richard’s contest.
 
The “Quick Pins” list, the one that every wrestler wants to make? That was Richard’s, too.
 
And most of all, there was Mat Burns, the greatest magazine of Indiana wrestling history that ever existed.
 
If you are from a wrestling family – if you and your brother or your father or your sister ever stepped onto a mat in Indiana – odds are that you are in Mat Burns. There are thousands of records in that thing.
 
Literally. Thousands.
 
“I remember he came over here a couple times when he was starting Mat Burns,” said Smith. “He went through our records, he really wanted it to be complete.”
 
Richard sold some ads to try and finance it, but most of the money came out of his own pocket. He didn’t care, he thought it was important.
 
And he was right. I cited Mat Burns -- a lot -- in the wrestling columns that I used to write for the South Bend Tribune.
 
Richard was special because he cared, really cared, about the sport, and all the people in it.
 
Over the years, I have learned one thing the hard way: Lots of coaches say they care about their sport, but the truth is that they only care about stuff that benefits their own teams.
 
Even if a proposal makes all the sense in the world, if it doesn’t help them directly, then … pfffft. They’re gone.
 
Richard was never that way. Wrestling came first.
 
In reporting Richard’s passing, NWI Times sportswriter Jim Peters repeated a story first told by Calumet coach Jim Wadkins.
 
It went like this:
 
“Sitting in the bleachers after losing a freestyle wrestling match, Jim Wadkins was approached by then-Gavit coach Rich Jay.
 
"I remember, I was having a problem with a certain technique," said Wadkins, now the coach at Calumet.
 
"Rich said, 'Jim, come here.' He took me down to an empty mat and showed me a little tweak that helped me fix the problem. That's the kind of guy he was. He was a good guy, a wrestling guy, somebody who was always there to help you regardless of what school you were from."
 
It was exactly that reason another Times columnist, Al Hamnik, wrote a piece titled: Rich Jay was the model for all coaches.
 
It started like this:
 
“If you're a young coach, regardless of the sport, please put your clipboard and whistle down and read the following carefully.
 
“It will help your career.
 
“Let me tell you about Rich Jay.”
 
And then he described the things that made Richard Jay a great coach, and none of them had a thing to do with wins or losses.
 
I can tell you about Richard Jay, as well.
 
Richard was the kind of guy who --while sitting in a hospital room with his dying wife, whom he loved dearly – would look out the window, see a blizzard, and take the time to call a lowly, struggling sportswriter from South Bend, and offer his home as shelter.
 
That’s who Richard Jay was.
 
As I have grown older, I have become convinced of two things.
 
There is a God. And he has put angels in this world.
 
I know, because one of them was just called home.
 
Rest in Peace, Richard. God Bless you.
 
Here is a link to Richard Jay's obituary with many pictures from on and off the mat.
http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Richard-Jay&lc=7158&pid=177034487&mid=6730553&locale=en_US

6326 2
Steven Bradley Named First Coach at Marian University
INDIANAPOLIS - Former three-time Indiana state wrestling champion and Beech Grove standout Steven Bradley has been named the first-ever head wrestling coach at Marian University, director of athletics Steve Downing officially announced on Thursday.
 
"We are excited to have Steven join our staff," said Downing. "We believe he will bring energy to the department and will build the program exactly how we want it built. Steven will bring in quality student-athletes who will perform on the field and in the classroom."
 
"I am very excited about this opportunity to create and enviroment that breeds success on and off the wrestling mat," said Bradley. "I look forward to having a positive influence on the lives of these young men on a daily basis. This wrestling program is a great addition to the high-quality athletics at Marian University as well as to Indiana wrestling as a whole. I would like to thank President Elsener and Mr. Downing for hiring me and having faith in me to run this program with the utmost integrity."
 
Bradley brings a wealth of experience within the wrestling world. In his 10 seasons as a collegiate coach, he has helped guide 33 all-americans, 73 national qualifiers and three national champions.
 
In his first head coaching job, Bradley spent three seasons at Lincoln College in Illinois. From 2012-14, he earned back-to-back regional coach of the year accolades after guiding his team to a pair of team regional championships in 2013 and 2014. In his three seasons, he coached 12 NJCAA All-Americans, 26 national qualifiers, two national champions and had a 21-9 record in dual matches. In his first season, he guided the team to a third-place finish at the 2012 NJCAA National Championship. He was also the director of the Lincoln College Fitness Center during his time as head coach.
 
Bradley spent 2008-11 as assistant coach at Lincoln before being elevated in 2012. During his time as an assistant, he worked with 10 all-americans, 28 national qualifiers and one national champion.
 
His first college coaching stop was as assistant coach at the University of Indianapolis from 2005-08. In his four seasons as an assistant at UIndy, he worked with 11 all-americans and 19 national qualifiers.
 
In 2008, Bradley was inducted into the Indiana Wrestling Hall of Fame as a wrestler.
 
Bradley began his collegiate wrestling career at Lincoln College and was a NJCAA national runner-up in 2000. He graduated from Lincoln in 2000 and continued his studies at UIndy where his career was cut short due to injury. He took up coaching with the Greyhounds and earned his bachelor of science in 2005. He completed his master of coaching education from Ohio University in December of 2013.
 
He resides in Indianapolis and will guide the Knights into their first season as a NAIA program beginning this fall.

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Marian University Adds Wrestling
INDIANAPOLIS - The Marian University department of athletics is proud to announce the expansion of the department with the addition of men's wrestling beginning with the 2016-17 season of competition, director of athletics Steve Downing announced on Thursday.
 
"We are proud to continue the expansion of our department," said Downing. "We have added women's soccer (1998), women's golf (2004), men's football (2007), men's and women's bowling (2010) and women's lacrosse (2015) in the past two decades and the addition of men's wrestling just makes sense. It's an emerging sport across the nation and we are looking to bring in the top quality student-athletes who will not only compete for championships, but also be strong students in the classroom."
 
Beginning in the fall of 2016, the Knights will compete for the NAIA national championship as an independent member.
 
Men's wrestling is the 24th sport within the department of athletics.

3248
Bulldogs, Braves, and Panthers...OH MY!
By STEVE KRAH
 
A bunch of happy Bulldogs, Braves and Panthers left Fort Wayne’s Memorial Coliseum Saturday, Jan. 2.
 
Brownsburg (Class 3A), Bellmont (2A) and Prairie Heights (1A) each earned Indiana High School Wrestling Coaches Association State Duals titles before a record crowd of 2,331 in the fourth annual event.
 
For the second straight year, there were 12 teams in each division.
 
Coach Darrick Snider watched his Brownsburg team take down Warren Central 34-24 in the 3A final after taking down Perry Meridian 36-22 in the semifinals. Warren Central advanced to the championship by beating semifinal foe Evansville Mater Dei 36-19.
 
“Wow, it’s really been an emotional day,” Snyder said. “We felt like we belonged. We felt like we could wrestle anyone. We had a lot of people questioning whether we could compete with the top teams in the state. I’ve got a great group of kids who have worked hard.”
 
Snyder took over a program that had finished near the bottom of its conference and turned it into a championship team.
 
“We have turned the Titanic around,” Snyder said. “I have awesome support from my team and from my superintendent who was here all day. “We break on ‘state champions’ everyday from our 5 year-olds all the way to the high school program, we don’t break on ‘state runner-up.’ We’re here to win it. I have incredible respect for every team and every coach here, especially those last couple programs.”
 
Brownsburg moved to 12-0.
 
Coach Paul Gunsett’s Bellmont squad topped Jimtown 46-23 for the 2A crown after a 54-14 win against North Montgomery in the semifinals. With a dramatic 31-30 semifinals triumph, Jimtown handed Yorktown its first State Duals loss in four years.
 
Gunsett, in his first season as Braves head coach after 22 years as an assistant, talked about unfinished business.
 
“Since we finished second (in 2A) last year, our goal was to come back here and win the whole thing,” Gunsett said. “We had the core of our team back and every opportunity to do it. That was our focus.”
 
Gunsett’s team won its title just two days after the grueling two-day Al Smith Classic at Mishawaka.
 
“Our kids came here ready to fight and ready to wrestle,” Gunsett said. “They were prepared today. They knew what was on the line.
 
“We had excellent senior leadership.”
 
Bellmont improved to 15-1.
 
Jimtown coach Mark Kerrn talked about his squad’s determination.
 
“They are typical Jimtown Jimmies — no quit in them ever,” Kerrn said of his young lineup. “We had five freshmen in our lineup today (including Brayden Curtis who helped Jimtown edge Yorktown by taking the final match to overtime and avoid giving up a major decision or higher). It’s awesome. That took a lot of courage. Some other guys, we were just throwing in there into different weight classes. We had guys 10 and 15 pounds underweight today. They didn’t care, they just kept stepping up and battling. That’s what they do.”
 
The next-to-last match against Yorktown, saw Jimtown heavyweight Nick Mammolenti rally for a 4-3 overtime victory.
 
Coach Brett Smith’s Prairie Heights club walked off with the 1A hardware by besting Southmont 39-29. In the 1A semifinals, Prairie Heights bettered Adams Central 45-19 and Southmont downed Monrovia 34-30.
 
Prairie Heights had enjoyed runner-up and fourth-place finishes at the State Duals and now takes a title back to Brushy Prairie.
 
The Panthers went 30-3 in the 2014-15 and improved to 28-0 in 2015-16 with Saturday’s title-taking performance.
 
“These kids have been together since eighth grade,” Panthers coach Brett Smith said. “They’ve just bought into everything we’ve been doing. The kids are hungry. We were close to Yorktown last year. We were close to Lafayette Harrison. The kids have been really positive and upbeat.”
 
 
IHSWCA STATE DUALS
(At Memorial Coliseum, Fort Wayne)
 
Class 3A
Championship
BROWNSBURG 34, WARREN CENTRAL 24
106 — Ty Mills (BR) pinned Keyuan Murphy 1:11. 113 — Skylour Turner (WC) pinned Nick Weaver :56. 120 — Blake Mulkey (BR) dec. Dylan Culp 6-0. 126 — Joel McGhee (WC) dec. Ryan Bigelow 7-4. 132 — Connor Allen (BR) dec. Tim Wright 9-4. 138 — Brayton Lee (BR) pinned Marcus Scott :33. 145 — Matthew McKinney (WC) dec. Troy Owen 6-4.
152 — Trent Pruitt (WC) pinned Quienton Ingram 1:29. 160 — Dominic Herrick (WC) dec. Arkee Glover 6-3. 170 — Nathan Walton (BR) pinned Dezmen Goddard :31. 182 — CJ Damler (BR) maj. dec. Devon Blount 12-3. 195 — Tristen Tonte (WC) dec. Anthony Cicciarelli 9-2. 220 — Isaac McCormick (BR) dec. Cornelius Knox-Abbott 5-3. Hwt — Rickie Clark (BR) dec. Jasion Brogan 2-1.
 
Third Place
PERRY MERIDIAN 45, EVANSVILLE MATER DEI 18
106 — Sam Fair (PM) dec. Clay Egli 4-2. 113 — Blaine Mayer (MD) dec. Kolton Overley 14-8. 120 — Kyle Luigs (MD) pinned David Clayton 2:42. 126 — Jack Servies (PM) maj. dec. Joe Happe 11-3. 132 — DJ Brookbank (PM) pinned Kyle Embry1:31. 138 — Wyatt Montgomery (MD) dec. Logan Hurley 2-0 (ot). 145 — Kain Rust (PM) pinned Zach Wagner 2:59.
152 — Brett Johnson (PM) maj. dec. Mitch Lehman 11-1. 160 — Noah Warren (PM) pinned Blake Chandler :58. 170 — Christian Warren (PM) pinned Hunter Carr :49. 182 — Rodrigo Diaz (PM) maj. dec. Robbie Helfrich 11-3. 195 — Kurtis Wilderman (MD) dec. Anthony Ruhana 4-2. 220 — Michael Boots (MD) dec. Matt McClosky 6-5. Hwt — Steve Woolbright (PM) pinned Austin Fleck 3:05.
 
 
Class 2A
Championship
BELLMONT 46, JIMTOWN 23
106 — Hunter Watts (Jimtown) over DeAundre James 2:21. 113 — Hunter Whitman (Jimtown) over Jon Ruble 2-0. 120 — Mason Mendez (BE) pinned Matt Gimson 11-4. 126 — Jon Becker (BE) pinned Connor Gimson 2:40. 132 — Daniel Gunsett (BE) pinned Greden Kelley :44. 138 — Gavin Siefring (BE) maj. dec. Cole Watson 11-2. 145 — Kenny Kerrn (J) maj. dec. Grant Guitierez 15-1.
152 — Matt Laughlin (BE) pinned Tyler Norment 5:03. 160 — Tony Busse (BE) pinned Dalton Heintzberger :57. 170 — Bryce Baumgartner (BE) pinned Aaron Martinez :46. 182 — Caleb Hankenson (BE) pinned Ben Davis :49. 195 — Jarod Hayes (J) maj. dec. Jarron Gerwig 10-0. 220 — Drew Butler (BE) dec. Caleb Fowler 9-6. Hwt — Nick Mammolenti (J) pinned Braiden Shaw 4:18.
 
Third Place
YORK TOWN 38, NORTH MONTGOMERY 24
106 — Zachary Todd (Y) dec. Seth Johnson 9-2. 113 — Brayden Curtis (Y) dec. Tucker Moseley 5-2. 120 — Josh Stephenson (Y) dec. Corwyn Hall 9-7. 126 — Christian Hunt (Y) pinned Gavyn Warren 2:58. 132 — Brady Miller (NM) dec. Alex Barr 5-3. 138 — Riley Morehouse (NM) dec. Alara Boyd 5-3 (ot). 145 — Colt Rutter (Y) maj. dec. Cade Groves 11-2.
152 — Cael McCormick (Y) pinned Micah Wray 1:07. 160 — Brad Laughlin (Y) maj. dec. Alec Rossittis 16-5. 170 — 170
Tanner Webster (NM) pinned Jacob Morris 3:53. 182 — Isaac Fruits (NM) pinned Corbin Allen no time reported. 195 — Cole Slavens (NM) pinned Bryce Kidd 1:23. 220 — Kelly Watson (Y) dec. Jarrett Brown 8-2. Hwt —Joey Pier (Y) pinned Kevin Pierce 2:45.
 
 
Class 1A
Championship
PRAIRIE HEIGHTS 39, SOUTHMONT 29
106 — Alex Grino (S) pinned Caleb Shaffer 1:25. 113 — Evan Hubble (S) pinned Blake Hoyer 1:01. 120 — Dimetrie Lauy (S) dec. Zeke Rowdon 11-7. 126 — Ryan Rasler (PH) dec. Kyle McManus 4-3. 132 — Boone Welliever (S) pinned Alex Steele :50. 138 — Riley Rasler (PH) dec. Connor Moore 6-4. 145 — Dakota Ball (S) tech. fall Zane Rowdon 19-3.
152 — Doug Levitz (PH) pinned Peyton Long 1:12. 160 — Jed Levtiz (PH) pinned Josh Weir :56. 170 — Brady Johnson (PH) pinned Scott Madison :50. 182 — Joey Blakeley (PH) pinned Zach Worm 1:00. 195 — Bailey Thompson (PH) dec. Austin Williams 8-2. 220 — Mason Cody (S) dec. Codey Shafer 4-3. Hwt — Braxton Amos (PH) pinned Elijah Price :23.
 
Third Place
MONROVIA 39, ADAMS CENTRAL 27
106 — Brycen Denny (M) dec.Logan Mosse 3-0. 113 — Parker Bates (AC) by forfeit. 120 — Chuck Capps (M) dec. Nick Liter 4-2. 126 — Austin Clark (M) dec. Anthony Mosser 7-4. 132 — Logan Macklin (AC) pinned Jonathon Smallwood 1:46. 138 — Gabe Schwaller (AC) pinned Logan McPeak 3:03. 145 — Ivan Wray (M) pinned Trevor Free 2:59.
152 — Ethan Stock (M) dec. Hunter Bates 2-1. 160 — Elijah Stock (M) dec. Brant Thieme 4-0. 170 — Ryan Ashley (AC) dec. Zach Boles 4-0. 182 — Aaron Cravens (M) pinned Skylar Douglas 2:12. 195 — Garrison Lee (M) pinned Chandler Schumm1:02. 220 — Dristin McCubbins (M) pinned Nash Brunner :19. Hwt — Dylan Schumm (AC) pinned Riley McCubbins 3:34.
 
A — 2,331 (tournament record).

4055 1
Penn's team, Lowell's Drew Hughes win fourth straight Al Smith Classic
By STEVE KRAH
Five Penn wrestlers made it to the championship mat and helped the Kingsmen take the team title at Mishawaka High School’s famed Al Smith Classic for the fourth straight time.
Seniors Drew Hildebrandt (22-0 at 120 pounds) and Kobe Woods (12-0 at 220) were winners and junior Kory Cavanaugh (21-2 at 106) and seniors Austin Slates (20-1 at 113) and Cameron Beam (19-4 at 145) were both runners-up in helping Penn hoist the hardware at Mishawaka for the fifth time in six years.
“This was the most grinding,” Kingsmen coach Brad Harper said. “There were no easy matches.”
While Woods won at 220, Hildebrandt, placed second at 113 at the 2015 IHSAA State Finals. He is taking it up a notch or two this winter.
“I’m trying to open up a lot more,” Hildebrandt said. “I want to be more aggressive this year. I was second last year. There’s more to get.”
U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier Sarah Hildebrandt helped coach her brother along with Harper.
“It’s pretty nice,” Drew Hildebrandt said. “Sometimes I hear her and say that’s not coach Harper and coach (Chad Hershberger).”
Penn, which took its first IHSAA team title last February at Bankers Life Fieldhosue in Indianapolis, tuned up for the Indiana High School Wrestling Coaches Association State Duals (the event is Saturday, Jan. 2, at Fort Wayne’s Memorial Coliseum) by amassing 226 points. Rounding out the top five were Portage (191), Columbus East (150), Lawrence North (149) and Merrillville (136).
The 32-team event wrapped up its two-day run and 37th year Wednesday, Dec. 30, with Lowell senior Drew Hughes (23-0 at 170) taking MVP honors (he pinned all five of his opponents in 6:50) and his fourth Al Smith Classic individual title.
“I was sick Monday,” Hughes said. “It was about getting on and off the mat. I had to take care of business.”
With a pile of early pin falls, Hughes said he has not wrestled in a third period yet this season.
Senior Steven Lawrence (16-0 at 152) was a champion for Portage. The Indian is ranked No. 1 at his weight.
Freshman Cayden Rooks (18-1 at 106) took a title for Columbus East. The Olympian is ranked No. 8. His last two wins Wednesday came against No. 4 Tanner DeMien (at NorthWood sophomore) and No. 3 Cavanaugh of Penn.
Two Merrillville senior athletes — Jacob Covaciu (18-0 at 160) and Shawn Streck (21-0 at heavyweight) — were winners. The Pirates are both ranked No. 1 and coming off state titles in 2015 (Covaciu at 145 and Streck at heavyweight).
A pair of Danville senior grapplers — Brock Hudkins (24-0 at 126) and Elliott Molloy (23-0 at 132) — took top honors back-to-back. Hudkins ranks No. 1 at 126 and Molloy No. 2 to three-time state champion Chad Red of New Palestine at 132.
With his best move — the “blast double” — not paying off Wednesday, Molloy focused on continuous movement and said it benefitted both he and Hudkins that they are Warrior workout partners.
“We are like brothers,” Molloy said. “He’s gotten a lot better at neutral. He keeps moving and gets a lot of points. He’s better on top, too. He can take someone down and finish them.”
Three other first-placers came from The Region in Lowell junior Colton Cummings (23-0 at 113), Chesterton junior Andrew Davison (18-0 at 182) and Lake Central senior Jake Kleimola (20-0 at 195). Cummings is ranked No. 1 in his weight class while Davision is No. 2 and Kleimola No. 3.
Jimtown junior Kenny Kerrn (145) turned up the intensity and took his weight class with father, Mishawaka graduate and IHSWCA Hall of Famer Mark Kerrn (Jimtown’s head coach) in his corner. The unranked wrestler who began the season at 152 said recent ramping up in practice was helpful for him at this tournament.
“We’ve been working really hard in practice this past week,” Kerrn said. “We’ve got (IHSWCA) Team State coming up (Saturday in Fort Wayne). I’ve been practiced with (former Jimtown state champion) Nick Crume and (former Jimtown state runner-up) Colin Crume and athletes.”
AL SMITH CLASSIC
(At Mishawaka)
Team scores (final): Penn 226, Portage 191, Columbus East 150, Lawrence North 149, Bellmont 146, Merrillville 136, Lowell 134, Prairie Heights 132, Chesterton 129, Fort Wayne Carroll 121.5, Jimtown 117, Garrett 114, South Bend Riley 104.5, Elkhart Memorial 103.5, Center Grove 98.5, Hobart 87.5, Lawrence Central 86.5, Danville 77.5, South Bend Adams 77.5, Zionsville 77, Peru 73, Goshen 69, Mishawaka 69, NorthWood 69, Warsaw 55, Princeton 48, LaPorte 42, Munster 40, Rochester 28, Calumet 25, West Noble 15.5.
Championship Summary
106 — Cayden Rooks (Columbus East) dec. Kory Cavanaugh (Penn) 8-3. 113 — Colton Cummings (Lowell) dec. Austin Slates (Penn) 5-0. 120 — Drew Hildebrandt (Penn) maj. dec. Graham Rooks (Columbus East) 12-4. 126 — Brock Hudkins (Danville) dec. Gaige Torres (Portage) 7-1. 132 — Elliott Molloy (Danville) pinned Brendan Black (Hobart) 4:23. 138 — Kyle Hatch (Warsaw) dec. Jason Crary (Munster) 3-0. 145 — Kenny Kerrn (Jimtown) maj. dec. Cameron Beam (Penn) 14-3.
152 — Steven Lawrence (Portage) pinned Doug Levitz (Prairie Heights) 3:11. 160 — Jacob Covaciu (Merrillville) dec. Tavonte Malone (South Bend Adams) 9-2. 170 — Drew Hughes (Lowell) pinned Bryce Baumgartner (Bellmont) 1:24. 182 — Andrew Davison (Chesterton) dec. Cameron Jones (Lawrence North) 6-2. 195 — Jake Kleimola (Lake Central) dec. Erik Hobbs (Peru) 5-0. 220 — Kobe Woods (Penn) dec. Derek Paz (Goshen) 3-2. Hwt — Shawn Streck (Merrillville) tech. fall Ethan Bunce (Lawrence Central) 24-9.
Consolation Summary
106 — Tanner DeMien (NorthWood) pinned Brayden Shearer (Garrett) 1:26. 113 — Colin Poynter (Portage) dec. Jake Schoenegge (Columbus East) 3-1. 120 — Mason Mendez (Bellmont) dec. Isaac Castro (Lawrence North) 7-3. 126 — Marcus Mejia (Elkhart Memorial) dec. Michael DeLaPena (Merrillville) 6-3. 132 — Daniel Gunsett (Bellmont) dec. Jack Tolin (Chesterton) 5-2. 138 — Kris Rumph (Portage) dec. Riley Rasler (Prairie Heights) 6-4. 145 — Austen Laughlin (South Bend Riley) maj. dec. Logan Coyle (Center Grove) 13-4.
152 — Denzyl Prentice (Penn) dec. Diego Lemley (Chesterton) 6-4. 160 — Jarod Swank (Penn) dec. Jordan Rader (Peru) 6-2. 170 — Tristan Goering (South Bend Riley) dec. Ricky Samuels (Lawrence North) 8-5. 182 — David Eli (Elkhart Memorial) pinned Isaac James (Lowell) 1:39. 195 — Lucas Davison (Chesterton) dec. Michael Leonard (NorthWood) 5-1. 220 — Maliq Carr (Lawrence North) dec. Tyler McKeever (Fort Wayne Carroll) 10-3. Hwt — Sean Galligar (Columbus East) dec. Robert Samuels (Lawrence North) 3-2.
MVP: Drew Hughes (Lowell), five pins in 6:50.
Other placers
106 — 5th, Brock Peele (Portage); 6th, Lucas Finger (Lowell); 7th, Fernando Flores (Goshen); 8th, John Gobeyn (Zionsville).
113 — 5th, Christian Mejia (Elkhart Memorial); 6th, Matt Gimson (Jimtown); 7th, Kyler Mckinney (Princeton); 8th, Joey Zahl (South Bend Adams).
120 — 5th, Azariah Ellis (Zionsville); 6th, Joel Byman (Fort Wayne Carroll); 7th, Datrion Vaughn (Lawrence Central); 8th, Dylan DeMarco (Garrett).
126 — 5th, Ryan Hardesty (Mishawaka); 6th, Jon Becker (Bellmont); 7th, Dawson Combest (Columbus East); 8th, Zane Standridge (Fort Wayne Carroll)
132 — 5th, Preston Risner (Mishawaka); 6th, Cody Crary (Munster); 7th, David Roth (Center Grove); 8th, Kameron Hile (Warsaw).
138 — 5th, Jacy Leon (Hobart); 6th, Trace Manspeaker (Penn); 7th, Anthony Williams (Center Grove); 8th, Malik Hoover (Merrillville).
145 — 5th, Chase Wilson (Princeton); 6th, Kasper McIntosh (Portage); 7th, Dante Colza (Hobart); 8th, DeShawn Bayless (Peru).
152 — 5th, Tavris Evans (South Bend Adams); 6th, Kassius Breathitt (South Bend Riley); 7th, Peyton Sturgill (Peru); 8th, Lucas Scott (Lowell).
160 — 5th, Tony Busse (Bellmont); 6th, Josh Garman (Fort Wayne Carroll); 7th, Jed Levitz (Prairie Heights); 8th, Austin Wilson (Columbus East)
170 — 5th, Ismael Cornejo (Portage); 6th, Steven Trammell (Lawrence Central); 7th, Jonah Hays (Center Grove); 8th, Coy Park (Columbus East).
182 — 5th, Joey Blakeley (Prairie Heights); 6th, Caleb Hankenson (Bellmont); 7th, Cameron Simmons (Lawrence Central); 8th, Rhett Mappes (Center Grove).
195 — 5th, Beck Davis (Garrett); 6th, Jarod Hayes (Jimtown); 7th, Jake Grossnickle (Fort Wayne Carroll); 8th, Nate Williams (Elkhart Memorial).
220 — 5th, Blake Davis (Garrett); 6th, Andrew Brock (Warsaw); 7th, Cory Heinrichs (Center Grove); 8th, Dan Mochen (Chesterton).
Hwt — 5th, Givoni Murillo (Portage); 6th, Braxton Amos (Prairie Heights); 7th, Jessie Lawson (Fort Wayne Carroll); 8th, Scott Fuller (Zionsville)
MVP: Drew Hughes (Lowell), five pins in 6:50.