High School News

865 articles in this category

358
IndianaMat.com Team Rankings 12/13/2009
1. Mishawaka (11-0)
2. Perry Meridian (9-0)
3. Evansville Mater Dei (10-0)
4. Merrillville (12-0)
5. Castle (5-1)
6. Crown Point (5-1)
7. Bloomington South (10-2)
8. Portage (7-3)
9. Franklin Community (9-3)
10. Evansville Reitz (2-0)
11. New Palestine (13-2)
12. Roncalli (3-3)
13. SB Clay (8-1)
14. Yorktown (17-1)
15. Carmel (2-0)
16. Lawrence North (7-3)
17. Cathedral (5-2)
18. Pike (7-3)
19. Warren Central (2-2)
20. Jeffersonville (7-3)
 
Also under consideration: Bellmont,  Munster, New Castle, Penn

357
Team Rankings 12/7/09
1. Mishawaka (5-0)
2. Crown Point (1-0)
3. Perry Meridian (6-0)
4. Yorktown (13-0)
5. Castle
6. Evansville Mater Dei (4-0)
7. Cathedral (1-0)
8. Merrillville (1-0)
9. Bloomington South (6-0)
10. Franklin Community (5-0)
11. Roncalli (2-1)
12. Evansville Reitz (2-0)
13. Portage (4-0)
14. Lawrence North (4-1)
15. Warren Central (0-2)
16. Penn (1-0)
17. Pike (7-3)
18. New Palestine (11-1)
19. Bellmont (9-2)
20. New Castle (8-2)

1392
Little State Tournament Final Matches
125lbs 3RD PLACE: (#3) Brandon Harvey of Trine U. over (#4) Josh Boyer from Wabash College Dec. 10-4
 

133lbs (#1) Eric Ellington of Rend Lake coll. over(#2) D'Marcus Spencer from Lincoln College Dec. 5-4
 

141lbs (#3) Jake Strausbaugh of Wabash over (#1) Austin Bautista from UW Whitewater Dec 7-6 Part 1 of 3
 

141lbs (#3) Jake Strausbaugh of Wabash over (#1) Austin Bautista from UW Whitewater Dec 7-6 Part 2 of 3
 

141lbs (#3) Jake Strausbaugh of Wabash over (#1) Austin Bautista from UW Whitewater Dec 7-6 Part 3 of 3
 

149lbs (#1) Nick Walpole Indianapolis over (#2) Elias Larson From Trine University Dec. 5-3

157lbs (#2) Bryce Lumzy of Lincoln College over (#1) Kyle Long from Trine U. Dec. 4-3
 

165lbs (#1) George Markou of Trine U. over (#3) Jake Holler Indianapolis 4-2

174lbs (#2) Greg Rhoads of Wabash over (#5) Ryan Pieper from Trine U. Dec. 3-1: SV1

184lbs (#1) Nick Kraus of Trine U. over (#2) Sean Pietrzyk UW Whitewater Fall 4:09

197lbs (#1) Michael Burke of Wabash over (#2) Alex Fleet Trine U. Dec. 6-2

936
Little State Tournament Hosted by Trine University
Trine University hosted the Little States wrestling tournament on Saturday featuring competition from around the state and the Midwest.  Teams that were represented from Indiana included Trine, Indianapolis, Manchester, Wabash, Calumet College and the IPFW club team.  Other teams that joined the meet was University of the Cumberlands out of Kentucky, Lincoln Junior College and Rend Lake College from Illinois, Mount Saint Joseph and Muskingum out of Ohio, and Wisconsin-Whitewater out of Wisconsin.  Mount Saint Joseph is coached by former Indiana standout Casey Stouffer and Lincoln Junior College assistant coach is former three-time state champion Steven Bradley.
 
While no team scores were kept, Trine led the way with 16 placers and two champs.  Indianapolis had 13 placers and three champs on the day.  Wabash College also had a good showing with nine placers and three champs.  First year programs, Calumet College of St. Joseph and IPFW had four placers and one placer respectively.  Finally, Manchester checked in with two placers.
 
Out of the 80 placers in the tournament, there were 32 former Indiana high school wrestlers that placed.  Perry Meridian, Peru and Yorktown both had two placers each.  Former Indiana high school wrestlers that finished as champions included Lynn Panko(Avon), Alex Johns(Evansville Reitz), Nick Kraus(New Prairie), Nick Walpole(Perry Meridian), George Markou(Peru) and Michael Burke(Yorktown).  D’Marcus Spencer of Pike and Kyle Long of South Bend Washington both finished in second place.
 
Trine University will be travelling to Waverly, Iowa next weekend for the Dick Walker Invitational at DIII powerhouse Wartburg College. Wabash College is next in action at the North Central Invitational next weekend in Chicago, Illinois.  The University of Indianapolis next has a dual with Trine in Indianapolis on December 17th.  Manchester College will be hosting Ohio Northern in a dual on Friday.  Calumet College will wrestle at Harper College in Palatine, Illinois on December 19th.  All five of the teams will be seeing eachother for a New Year celebration in Indianapolis for the Midwest Classic on January 2nd and 3rd.  The Midwest Classic includes many teams from across the Midwest many top ranked DII and DIII teams.
 
Click here for brackets
 
Top 4 Placing Matches
125# (#1 seed) Alex Johns of Indianapolis over (#2) Larone Madison from University of Cumberlands Dec. 7-2
3RD PLACE:  (#3) Brandon Harvey of Trine U. over (#4) Josh Boyer from Wabash College Dec. 10-4
 
133# (#1) Eric Ellington of Rend Lake coll. over(#2) D'Marcus Spencer from Lincoln College Dec. 5-4
3RD PLACE: (#3) Ethan Harris of Indy over (#4) Kyle Wachholder From U. Wisconsin Whitewater fall 5:14
 
141# (#3) Jake Strausbaugh of Wabash over (#1) Austin Bautista from UW Whitewater Dec 7-6
3RD PLACE: (#2) Thomas Pompei of Trine U. over (#4) Maercus Saylor from U of Cumberlands Fall 2:13
 
149# (#1) Nick Walpole Indianapolis over (#2) Elias Larson From Trine University Dec. 5-3
3RD PLACE: (#5) Tommy Fehring of Mt. Saint Joe over (#3) Andre Berry University of Cumberlands Dec 8-7
 
157# (#2) Bryce Lumzy of Lincoln College over (#1) Kyle Long from Trine U. Dec. 4-3
3RD PLACE: (#3) Bryce Givens Indianapolis over (#4) Chandler Pogue from Manchester College Dec. 10-1
 
165# (#1) George Markou of Trine U. over (#3) Jake Holler Indianapolis 4-2
3RD PLACE: (#4) Adam Harris of Muskegom College over (unseeded) James Haywood from Lincoln College Fall 3:36
 
174# (#2) Greg Rhoads of Wabash over (#5) Ryan Pieper from Trine U. Dec. 3-1: SV1
3RD PLACE (#6) Shelby Mappes Indianapolis over (#7) Jason Alber from Trine U. Dec. 6-4
 
184# (#1) Nick Kraus of Trine U. over (#2) Sean Pietrzyk UW Whitewater Fall 4:09
3RD PLACE (#3) Cody Wittkamp Indianapolis over (#4) Dustin Boyd Calumet College Dec. 12-3
 
197# (#1) Michael Burke of Wabash over (#2) Alex Fleet Trine U. Dec. 6-2
3RD PLACE (Unseeded) Fred Moses of Lincoln over (#3) Danny Dunn Muskegon Dec 3-1
 
285# (#1) Lynn Panko of Indianapolis over (#2) James Zarate UW Whitewater Dec 5-3: SV1
3RD PLACE (#4) Corey Anderson of Lincoln over (#5) John Clark Rend Lake Coll. Dec. 14-2
 






125


Name
School
High School



1


Alex Johns
Indianapolis
Evansville Rietz



2


Larone Madison
University of the Cumberlands




3


Brandon Harvey
Trine University
Elkhart Memorial



4


Josh Boyer
Wabash College




5


Chance Davidson
Lincoln College




6


Jacob Green
Lincoln College




7


Jurane Culbreath
Lincoln College




8


Neeko Paris
Manchester College
Carroll(Ft Wayne)









133








1


Eric Ellington
Rend Lake College




2


D'Marcus Spencer
Lincoln College
Pike



3


Ethan Harris
Indianapolis
Beech Grove



4


Kyle Wacholder
Wisconsin-Whitewater




5


Casey Kenney
Indianapolis
Jay County



6


Mike Halko
McKendree




7


Mark Johnson
Lincoln College




8


Oscar Trujillo
Wabash College
Lafayette Jeff









141








1


Jake Strausbaugh
Wabash College




2


Austin Bautista
Wisconsin-Whitewater




3


Thomas Pompei
Trine University
Hamilton Southeastern



4


Marcus Saylor
University of the Cumberlands




5


Jared Ernst
Rend Lake College




6


Josh Patterson
Trine University
Penn



7


Trey Weliver
Indianapolis




8


Zach Barkett
University of the Cumberlands










149








1


Nick Walpole
Indianapolis
Perry Meridian



2


Elias Larson
Trine University




3


Tommy Fehring
Mount St. Joseph




4


Andre Berry
University of the Cumberlands




5


Derek Allen
Calumet College of St. Joseph
Knox



6


Eric Celletti
Lincoln College




7


Sterling White
Indianapolis
Decatur Central



8


Blake Wood
Calumet College of St. Joseph
Perry Meridian









157








1


Bryce Lumzy
Lincoln College




2


Kyle Long
Trine University
South Bend Washington



3


Bryce Givens
Indianapolis




4


Chandler Pogue
Manchester
Mississinewa



5


Jordan Dulaney
Wabash College
Yorktown



6


Elliot Corner
Trine University
Peru



7


Tony Conway
Wabash College
Crown Point



8


Tony Williams
Rend Lake College










165








1


George Markou
Trine University
Peru



2


Jake Holler
Indianapolis




3


Adam Harris
McKendree




4


James Haywood
Lincoln College




5


Corey Schmidt
Wisconsin-Whitewater




6


Andrew Petit
Wisconsin-Whitewater




7


Adam Zeh
Wisconsin-Whitewater




8


Austin Hyland
IPFW
Northrop









174








1


Greg Rhoads
Wabash College




2


Ryan Pieper
Trine University




3


Shelby Mappes
Indianapolis
Center Grove



4


Jason Alber
Trine University




5


Gabe Watson
Wabash College
Columbus North



6


Ried Dickerson
Wisconsin-Whitewater
North Central



7


J.T. Jenkins
Indianapolis
New Albany



8


Garrett Harrison
University of the Cumberlands










184








1


Nick Kraus
Trine University
New Prairie



2


Sean Pietrzyk
Wisconsin-Whitewater




3


Cody Wittkamp
Indianapolis




4


Dustin Boyd
Calumet College of St. Joseph
Mishawaka



5


Mitch Alberstett
Rend Lake College




6


Kyle Ullery
Trine University
South Bend Riley



7


William Walls
Indianapolis




8


Ben Wines
Trine University










197








1


Michael Burke
Wabash College
Yorktown



2


Alex Fleet
Trine University




3


Fred Moses
Lincoln College




4


Danny Dunn
McKendree




5


John Jones
Rend Lake College




6


Rob Blake
Trine University




7


Jaron Singley
University of the Cumberlands




8


Bye











285








1


Lynn Panko
Indianapolis
Avon



2


James Zarate
Wisconsin-Whitewater




3


Corey Anderson
Lincoln College




4


Jacob Clark
Rend Lake College
Jeffersonville



5


Dylan Forbes
Trine University
Prairie Heights



6


Rob Arnett
Wabash College
Greenwood



7


Mike Tees
Trine University




8


Artie Grubba
Calumet College of St. Joseph



440
Wrestler of the Week for December 2nd
IndianaMat

Wrestler of the Week 11/20 – 11/28/2009




Photo by Paul Tincher

Yorktown Junior

Andrew Hiestand


Hiestand was undefeated at the Yorktown Super 8 while wresting up in weight.  Hiestand, currently ranked #2 at 135 by IndianaMat, defeated #16 at 140 Brooks Faurote of Bellmont and #4 at 145 Bryce Schendel of Garrett.
Honorable Mention:


New Castle SS – 189 pound senior Michael Johnson-Jones of Warren Central.  Johnson-Jones won the Capitol City Classic With a victory over #11 Andre Richards of Perry Meridian.

Evansville SS –  171 pound senior Caleb Browner of Jeffersonville.  Browner won the Capitol City Classic and defeated #16 Garrett Goldman of Bloomington North.

Merrillville SS – 152 pound senior Alex Surma of Munster.  Surma was the 160 weight class champion at the Chesterton Super Duals and defeated #6 Zach Corpe of Elkhart Memorial.
357
Happy First Birthday IndianaMat.com!
It is hard to believe that IndianaMat is one year old today.  It is amazing how the website has grown over the last year and continues to grow each and every day.  Even to this day I am shocked at how fast the site has grown.  The start of the website and its subsequent growth has been tremendous and could not have been done without the help of numerous people.  First and foremost I want to thank a couple people who egged me on to start the website.  Eric McGill and Diana Szymborski both were instrumental in getting the site started. As I was anxious to post my wrestling wisdom(or lack of it) it was apparent that it would have to be done on another website.  They both encouraged me to start a new website, especially after I told them it wouldn’t take too long to start up.  After debating it for about an hour I pulled the trigger and the site was born.
 
Obviously this board would not have gone far without others that have helped too.  Chad Hollenbaugh has helped as a moderator, writer, idea maker, and voice of reason.  Most of the time when a new idea is presented it was his idea first.  While Chad and I have been friends for quite a while, I even reached to a former arch nemesis for help with the website.  Dingo Brigade aka Cameron Drury and I have had many heated debates before, but I knew that he was a great writer and someone that was also very passionate about the sport.  He has helped write numerous articles that are well thought-out and very interesting.
 
Reaching out to an online nemesis is one thing, but a coaching nemesis is another.  Corey Sparks has helped from day one with the logos for the website.  He has helped tremendously in making the website look extremely professional with his hand crafted logos.  He always very fast with something and has designed the great logos you see all over the site.
 
One of the things that really set the site apart was the rankings.  This summer W.I.N. magazine’s Rob Sherril told me how great the rankings where on the website at Fargo.  It was very surreal to have a national rankings guru tell me that they visit the website and specifically the rankings.  So a big hearty thanks definitely goes to the rankings guy.  It is amazing that he can put together such accurate rankings when he is living out of state most of the season.  I also want to thank the coaches, fans and parents that send him the pertinent information about who beat who and all that good stuff.  The rankings are only as good as the information provided and it was top notch last year and will continue that way.
 
Along with the individual rankings come a very good set of team rankings.  Team rankings are even tougher since many of the top teams do not see each other during the season and with weight shifts it’s hard to truly tell who is a better team.  Decbell aka Dane Fueling has done a wonderful job with them and they will only continue to get better.
 
I would also like to thank the moderators for doing their jobs.  Wrestling fans are some of the most hard headed people I know and with many differences in opinions, the moderators have kept the conversations mostly civil.  Thanks to them for doing their jobs and letting me work on things on the backend of the site.
 
Two weekly awards we do are the wrestlers of the week for both high school and youth.  This was one of the first articles we started and it is great to see that it has taken off like it has.  This is a great way to give recognition to the wrestlers every week.  I want to thank Wendell Chitwood for doing the work on the high school portion and Keith Wilson for doing his work on the youth portion.
 
This site was started with money out of my own pocket.  It has grown to where now it is pretty much self sufficient.  Without help from the sponsors this would not have happened.  If you see one of the many people that have advertised on this site, please say thank you and patronize their businesses and camps.  Without great people like them, this state would not be near where it is today in the sport of wrestling.
 
Lastly, I want to thank all of the wrestling fans in Indiana that patronize this website.  Without you, this site would not exist.  This site was made for you and will continue to be something that promotes all portions of wrestling in Indiana.  Indiana wrestling fans are great people and very passionate about the sport.  Please keep the ideas coming on what you would like to see on this website as we will try to give the fans the best and most extensive coverage of wrestling in Indiana all year long.  I would also like to thank everyone that bought a t-shirt or donated money.  Your generosity is greatly appreciated and with those funds this website will keep running for years to come.
 
Sorry, I have one last person to thank. That is my wife.  She has been there from the beginning and been very supportive of this endeavor.  She put up with many late nights, trips to wrestling meets and even me kind of ignoring here when I was working on the site.  She has been on numerous trips, such as going to interview the wrestlers at Calumet College and to state. Believe it or not I have never heard a complaint from her.  Thanks from not only myself, but the Indiana wrestling community.  If you see her at a meet, be sure to thank her for all she has done behind the scenes.

406
2009 Team Schedules
Choose a team to view their schedule.
[matches league_id=1 mode=]

354
2009 Indiana Wrestling Standings
If you have results that are not posted, please email them to results@indianamat.com.
 
[teams league_id=1]

1053
Indiana Wrestlers at the Loras Open
By Mindy Mascaro
 
[caption id=attachment_1404" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Brandon Ward of Calumet College][/caption]
 
Several Indiana wrestlers opened up the 2009-2010 season by competing in the 2009 Loras Open on Saturday.  Loras College is a Catholic Liberal Arts university with an enrollment of approximately 1600 students located on a scenic campus overlooking the Mississippi River in Dubuque, Iowa.  Loras is a Division III wrestling school, but the Open drew competitors from all three NCAA Divisions and the NAIA.
 
Gold Division (upperclassmen) results:
 
Redshirt sophomore Jamal Lawrence (Merrillville H.S., University of Northern Iowa, Div I) turned in the best results on the day of the wrestlers from Indiana, garnering a Championship at 149 lbs. Jamal started the day off with a first round bye, and in the second round wrestled Zach Wilson (Cornell, unattached), winning by 14-6 Major Decision.  He then faced two UNI teammates one after another—defeating Aaron Senzee (UNI unattached) by a 7-3 Decision, and then Cole Zemple (UNI) in a close 7-6 Decision. His fifth and final match of the day for the Championship was against yet another UNI teammate:  Trevor Kittleson, whom he defeated by 12-3 Major Decision. He had a 5-0 record on the day. As a team, UNI had the most champions at 4, with 3 other Panthers placing in the top 6.
 
Chris Mascaro (Carmel H.S., Coe College, Div III) has moved up to the 165 lb weight class for his sophomore season. Mascaro won his first match with a 10-7 Decision against Daniel Yuraitis (Hannibal LaGrange College), and in his second match defeated Michael Sandy (Wartburg College) in a 9-4 Decision. In the third round he lost a 12-4 Major Decision to two-time Division III All-American Josh Terrell (University of
 
[caption id=attachment_1406" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Jamal Lawrence of Northern Iowa][/caption]
 
Dubuque). In the wrestle-backs he then blanked Jason Nelson (Wartburg College) in an 8-0 Major Decision, and defeated Joe Hambleton (Cornell, unattached) by 3-5 Decision. With the tournament running late, the organizers decided to eliminate one wrestleback round, and so in his final match of the day, Mascaro dropped a 14-2 Major Decision to David Bonin to end up in 6th Place with a 4-2 overall record. Coe College had 2 Champions and 5 placers.
 
Andy St. Germain (Chesterton H.S., Calumet College, NAIA) wrestled at 141 lbs in the Gold Division in his first outing as a member of the Calumet Crimson Wave wrestling team. After a first round Bye, St. Germain faced Chad Garber (Coe College), winning by 14-5 Major Decision. He then lost by Fall (3:07) to Josh Kratovil (Harper College, unattached), and by Fall (2:08) to Alec Hoffman (UNI).
 
Brandon Ward (Hanover Central H.S., Calumet College) wrestled for the Crimson Wave in the Gold division at 149 lbs.  After a first round Bye, he lost by a 16-1 Technical Fall (5:15) to Jason Taylor-Ohmes (Coe College), then dropped a 14-7 Decision to Johnny Siegel (Coe College).
 
Lance Surma (Munster H.S., Calumet College) wrestled at 157 lbs in the Gold division.  He had a first round Bye, then faced Tiegen Podliska (Loras College), dropping the match in a close 3-2 Decision.  After a third round Bye, Surma lost by Fall (4:11) to Chris Tims (Wartburg College).
 
Silver Division (Freshmen) results:
 

 
[caption id=attachment_1405" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Chris Mascaro of Coe College][/caption]
 
Anthony Nuzzo, (Portage H.S., Calumet College) wrestling at 141 lbs, lost his first round match to Mike Pulido (Loras College) by a 12-5 Dec.  He then beat Alex Rostvet (Concordia Univ. NE) by 8-3 Decision, and defeated Chris Reed (Loras College) winning by 5-3 Decision.  He lost his fourth round match to Matt Holmes (Loras College) by Fall (1:40).
 
In the 141 lb bracket, Nick Fouts (Crown Point H.S., Calumet College) won by Fall (6:49) over Abdul Adele (TCC), and in the second round won by 12-9 Decision over Chris Reed (Loras College). Fouts then lost by Fall (1:06) to Colton Schmitz (Truman State). In his fourth round match, he won over Cameron Wagner (Wartburg College) by forfeit, and lost to George Gulesian (Concordia Univ. NE) in a 15-1 Major Decision. Fouts finished in fourth place with a 3-2 record.
 
Nick Samaro, (Bloomington South H.S., Calumet College) wrestling unattached at 149 lbs, had a first round Bye, and then lost by Fall (4:50) to Brandon Starkev (Concordia Univ. NE). After a third round Bye, Samaro lost to Quinn McCullough (Loras College) by Fall (6:32).
 
David Balentine, 197 lbs, (Mishawaka H.S., Calumet College) had a first round Bye then dropped an 8-4 Decision to Alex Schwerdtfeger (Wartburg College). He then defeated Matt Regnier (Augustana College) by Fall (1:01) and lost to Joe Particelli (HCC) by Fall (4:57).
 
Wrestling unattached at 184 lbs, Cody Gregory (Perry Meridian H.S., Calumet College) dropped his first round match to Espen Fredriksen (Coe College) losing by Fall (1:24). He had a Bye in the second round, and then forfeited his third round match to Zach Haves (Truman State).

442
Chat with the Rankings Guy!
On November 11th at 8pm we will have a chat with the Rankings Guy, please join us for the first of many chats during the season.
 
Chat with the Rankings Guy

841
Women's Wrestling in Indiana
The sport of wrestling has been a male dominated sport for a long time, but women are increasingly making their mark. From USA National Team member Katie Downing to current High School and Nationally Ranked Juniors Sarah Hildebrandt and Demi Strub, Indiana has its share of Women who are striving in the sport of wrestling. There are many opportunities in wrestling for women, but they require research and dedication. This page will provide some brief information to help you succeed.
 
Women’s wrestling has two styles, Folkstyle and Freestyle. Folkstyle is the form that you wrestle in school. Freestyle is the only women’s style for International, College, and most National competitions. Freestyle is very fast-paced and makes for great women’s tournaments. The USGWA is a woman’s only wrestling organization that has great state and regional tournaments for only women and an exceptional National Championship. USA Wrestling has added a Folkstyle Nationals, with Freestyle at the Junior Nationals & Body Bar Nationals.
 
The ISWA provides numerous state and local competitions for women in both styles, they also provide the only avenue for a women’s team in Indiana, competing at the Junior Nationals in late July. Wrestling with your local school or club will teach you much about wrestling. But to be able to measure your ability and skill, you need to wrestle other women. This is the best way to judge your success and how far you can go in wrestling.
 
The three websites listed are the major sites for women’s wrestling. There you will find tournaments, clubs, schedules, blogs, forums, and everything you will needed to start your journey in women’s wrestling.
 

 
Remember, YOU need to take the next step to further your wrestling career. The help is there and the competition is great. If you want more out of wrestling, don’t hesitate to ask for help! For information and assistance about Women’s Wrestling contact:
 
ISWA Women’s Director Darren Strub - darrenstru@aol.com - 513-375-4903
 

 
2009 Junior National All-Americans Sarah Hildebrandt and Demi Strub
Demi is a two time All-American and both are Juniors in High School this season.

352
Pound for Pound Best Wrestlers for November 4, 2009
IndianaMat.com is proud to announce the preseason pound for pound best wrestlers in Indiana. This distinction is voted on by 15 members of the wrestling community throughout the state. Each person votes their particular way, weighing both in state and national competition. The voting is very subjective and always up for debate. Leading the way for the preseason is Jason Tsirtsis of Crown Point. Tsirtsis had a great summer and fall, placing second at Fargo in freestyle and second at the most competitive preseason tournament, the Super 32. The next in line is two-time state champion Sean McMurray of Portage. McMurray's summer and fall has been spent training and he also committed to wrestle for the Michigan State Spartans next year. The number three spot belongs to Warren Central's Brandon Wright. Wright is fresh off a runner-up finish at the Super 32 and has reached the state finals all three years in high school. The fourth spot belongs to state champion Frankie Porras of Hobart. Porras had a good spring finishing 7-1 at the Brute Duals.
 
Michael Duckworth of Union County was picked number five on the list. Duckworth captured his first state title last year after a runner-up finish as a sophomore. Two Crown Point wrestlers are at six and seven on the list. Eric Roach comes in at number six after winning his second straight Preseason Nationals title last week. State champion Anthony Hawkins is at number seven. The eighth best pound for pound wrestler is Union County's Cody Phillips. Phillips is going into his sophomore year without a loss after an undefeated season last year. Two-time state placer Sammy Bennett of Anderson Highland is next on the list. Bennett has been to state three times during his career, finishing third and second the past two years. Rounding out the top ten is Brenden Campbell of New Castle. Campbell finished 8th at Fargo after bowing out of the high school season due to an injury. Campell is also undefeated on his career so far.
 
1. Jason Tsirtsis- Crown Point
2. Sean McMurray- Portage
3. Brandon Wright- Warren Central
4. Frankie Porras- Hobart
5. Michael Duckworth- Union County
6. Eric Roach- Crown Point
7. Anthony Hawkins- Crown Point
8. Cody Phillips- Union County
9. Sammy Bennett- Anderson Highland
10. Brenden Campbell- New Castle

357
'09-'10 Preseason Team Rankings
Top 20:
1. Mishawaka
2. Crown Point
3. Perry Meridian
4. Castle
5. Evansville Mater Dei
6. Merrillville
7. Yorktown
8. Indianapolis Cathedral
9. Bellmont
10. Lawrence North
11. Roncalli
12. Bloomington South
13. New Castle
14. Evansville Reitz
15. Portage
16. Elkhart Memorial
17. Warren Central
18. Penn
19. Columbus North
20. Avon
 
#1-Mishawaka
State Titles (2)-1991, 2008
Sectional Titles (23) Recent/Streak: 2000-Present
Semi-State Titles (12) Recent/Streak: 2000-Present
Last Year: Lost to Cathedral 31-30 in State Quarterfinals
Top Returning Wrestlers (Last year's weight):
103-Lymon Stoneburner
112-#4 Paul Beck
119-#14 Matt Guerra
125-#10 Nick Schroeder
140-#1 Ryan Stahl
145-#4 Alex White
160-#4 Richard Morin
215-#1 Christian Lentz
285-#2 Travis Thomas
 
#2-Crown Point
State Titles (1)-2009
Sectional Titles (21) Recent/Streak: 2003-Present
Semi-State Titles (2) Recent/Streak: 2009
Last Year: Defeated Perry Meridian 33-25 in State Championship Match
Top Returning Wrestlers (Last year's weight):
103-#7 Cameron Halsted
112-#1 Anthony Hawkins
119-#8 Dallas Schurg
125-#1 Jason Tsirtsis
135-#1 Eric Roach
140-#10 Josh Flamme
145-#12 Tom Renn
 
#3-Perry Meridian
State Titles (0)
Sectional Titles (14) Recent/Streak: 2000-Present
Semi-State Titles (8) Recent/Streak: 2006-Present
Last Year: Lost to Crown Point  33-25 in State Finals
Top Returning Wrestlers (Last year's weight):
103- #10 Jared McKinley
112-Michael Clem
125-#16 Kirk Johnson
140-#4 Jacob Tonte
171-#10 Jordan Robinson
189- #6 Andre Richards
 
#4-Castle
State Titles (0)
Sectional Titles (28) Recent/Streak: 2003-Present
Semi-State Titles (2) Recent/Streak: 2009
Last Year: Lost to Perry Meridian 24-23 in State Semifinals
Top Returning Wrestlers (Last year's weight):
112-Michael Brown
135-#2 Doug Welch
140-#5 Chad Welch
160-#5 Cory Weikel
189-#16 Alex Rosebrock
285-#12 Tyler Dougherty
 
#5-Evansville Mater Dei
State Titles (12)-1986, 1995-2003, 2006, 2007
Sectional Titles (39) Recent/Streak: 1977-Present
Semi-State Titles (23) Recent/Streak: 2008
Last Year: Lost to Castle 29-16 in Regional Semifinals
Top Returning Wrestlers (Last year's weight):
103-Trevor Appell
119-Quinn Schroeder
125-#12 Zach Henderson
130-#16 Evan Weinzapfel
135-#9 Adam Weinzapfel
140-#2 John Sims
171-Josh Boots
 
#6-Merrillville
State Titles (0)
Sectional Titles (19) Recent/Streak: 2005-Present
Semi-State Titles (6) Recent/Streak: 2008
Last Year: Lost to Crown Point 34-20 in Regional Semifinals
Top Returning Wrestlers (Last year's weight):
103-#5 Zach Stevens
112-Al Padilla
125-#3 Anthony Napules
130-Frankie Valdivia
135-Eddie Deluna
152-Victor Nzeata
171-#7 Kortney Berry
189-#10 Jeremy Wengel
285-#1 James Travis
 
#7-Yorktown
State Titles (0)
Sectional Titles (21) Recent/Streak: 2006-Present
Semi-State Titles (2) Recent/Streak: 2001
Last Year: Lost to Bellmont 31-27 in Regional Semifinals
Top Returning Wrestlers (Last year's weight):
112-#9 Devon Jackson
119-#2 Derek Bevans
125-#5 Andrew Hiestand
130-Caleb Smith
135-Josh Rench
160-#10 Trent Castner
189-Grant Brown
285-#3 Ross Janney
 
#8-Inidianapolis Cathedral
State Titles (0)
Sectional Titles (29) Recent/Streak: 2006-Present
Semi-State Titles (7) Recent/Streak: 2009
Last Year: Lost to Crown Point 28-23 in state semifinals
Top Returning Wrestlers (Last year's weight):
103-#8 Brian Harvey
130-John Stinfield
160-#1 Tyler Willis
215-#6 Jake Buchanan
 
#9-Bellmont
State Titles (3) 1987.1988, 1994
Sectional Titles (35) Recent/Streak: 1991-Present
Semi-State Titles (19) Recent/Streak: 1998-Present
Last Year: Lost to Perry Meridian 31-27 in State Quarterfinals
Top Returning Wrestlers (Last year's weight):
119-Brooks Faurote
145-#10 Ryley Hankenson
189-#15 Travis Thatcher
285-#7 Daniel Meyer
 
#10-Lawrence North
State Titles (4) 1992, 1993, 2004, 2005
Sectional Titles (23) Recent/Streak: 2005
Semi-State Titles (10) Recent/Streak: 2008
Last Year: Lost sectional to Cathedral (324-255.5)
Top Returning Wrestlers (Last year's weight):
103-Robert Boston
112-#2 Brandon Nelsen
119-Jordan Johnson
130-Greg Bell
135-Matt Rattay
160-Quinten Brooks
215-Jeremy Haskett
 
#11-Roncalli
State Titles (0)
Sectional Titles (6) Recent/Streak: 2009
Semi-State Titles (1) Recent/Streak: 2009
Last Year: Lost to Crown Point 48-9 State Quarterfinals
Top Returning Wrestlers (Last year's weight):
103-Aaron Davis
112-#3 Josh Kieffer
119-#3 Justin Kieffer
125-#15 Joe Kieffer
145-Jake Bartley
 
#12-Bloomington South
State Titles (24)- Most Recent: 1978
Sectional Titles (32) Recent/Streak: 2009
Semi-State Titles (4) Recent/Streak: 2006
Last Year: Lost to Perry Meridian 45-6 in Regional Finals
Top Returning Wrestlers (Last year's weight):
103-#14 Jacob Boomsma
119-Ethan Farmer
125-#2 Brannigan Barlow
140-Ben Farmer
145-Spencer Boyd
160-#6 Terry Terrell
171-Joey Todd
189-#5 Darren Eads
215-Tito Valentin
 
#13-New Castle
State Titles (0)
Sectional Titles (35) Recent/Streak: 2006-Present
Semi-State Titles (6) Recent/Streak: 2002
Last Year: Lost to Roncalli 36-29 in Regional Semifinals
Top Returning Wrestlers (Last year's weight):
103-#2 Brendan Campbell
112-#6 Conner Mullins
119-#15 Alex Catron
125-RJ Fellers
130-#9 Cody Fellers
145-Dusty Bennett
160-#11 Van Wasson
 
#14-Evansville Reitz
State Titles (0)
Sectional Titles (3) Recent/Streak: 1975
Semi-State Titles (1) Recent/Streak: 1982
Last Year: Finished 3rd at Ev. Sectional (MD-286, Mt. Vernon-220.5, Reitz-216.5)
Top Returning Wrestlers (Last year's weight):
103-#6 Bryan Kuhn
112-#13 Trevor Moody
125-#9 Blake Rueger
145-Tyler Boyle
189-#13 Jeff Fentress
215-#16 Zach Wimpelbert
285-Tyler Daugherty
 
#15-Portage
State Titles (0)
Sectional Titles (22) Recent/Streak: 2009
Semi-State Titles (10) Recent/Streak: 2005
Last Year: Lost to Crown Point 42-13 in Regional Finals
Top Returning Wrestlers (Last year's weight):
112-Brandon Coppinger
119-Damien Torres
125-#13 Luis Acuna
152-#1 Sean McMurray
160-Justin Rhein
171-#15 Aaron King
 
#16-Elkhart Memorial
State Titles (0)
Sectional Titles (19) Recent/Streak: 2002-Present
Semi-State Titles (2) Recent/Streak: 2008
Last Year: Lost to Mishawaka 36-22 in Regional Finals
Top Returning Wrestlers (Last year's weight):
112-Dantrell Goodman
145-#2 Zach Corpe
152-Carmel Salinas
215-Shane Hendrickson\
 
#17-Warren Central
State Titles (1) 1980
Sectional Titles (27) Recent/Streak: 2007
Semi-State Titles (6) Recent/Streak: 2005
Last Year: Finished 2nd at Sectional (Roncalli 239.5, WC 222.5)
Top Returning Wrestlers (Last year's weight):
119-#1 Brandon Wright
140-#16 Jonathon Decker
189-#2 Michael Johnson-Jones
 
#18-Penn
State Titles (0)
Sectional Titles (13) Recent/Streak: 1999
Semi-State Titles (4) Recent/Streak: 1998
Last Year: Finished 2nd at Sectional (Mishawaka-327.5, Penn-252)
Top Returning Wrestlers (Last year's weight):
112-#5 Alex Gregory
130-Grant Anglemeyer
135-#5 Ben Sokol
145-#11 Pat Davenport
152-Austin Kunze
 
#19-Columbus North
State Titles (0)
Sectional Titles (22) Recent/Streak: 2005-Present
Semi-State Titles (1) Recent/Streak: 2008
Last Year: Lost toRoncalli 35-31 in Regional Finals
Top Returning Wrestlers (Last year's weight):
103-Devon Orben
119-Caleb Albertson
145-#7 Marcus Waddell
189-#14 Jarrett Brownfield
 
#20-Avon
State Titles (0)
Sectional Titles (24) Recent/Streak: 2008-Present
Semi-State Titles (2) Recent/Streak: 2007
Last Year: Lost to Perry Meridian 44-13 in Regional Semifinals
Top Returning Wrestlers (Last year's weight):
112-Blaine Hall
135-#10 Matt Rassbach
171-#5 Cole Brandt
 
Teams to Watch:
Carmel, Center Grove, Delphi, East Central, Elkhart Central, Franklin, Hamilton Heights, Martinsville, New Palestine, Peru, South Bend Riley

480
Toe to Joe with Trine University
I took the short drive to Angola on Thursday to see how the Trine Thunder's preseason was going and had the opportunity to talk with head coach Dan Callahan along with five of his student athletes.  Last year in only their forth year of having a program they garnered a top 25 ranking.  This year, they look to build upon that success and take some wrestlers to nationals.  Coach Callahan beefed up the schedule this year as the Thunder will wrestle 21 of the top 30 teams in the nation in dual or tournaments.  Look for the Trine team and wrestlers to make their mark at the DIII level not only this year, but in the coming years.
 
Here are the interviews
 
George Markou
Sophomore 165lbs
 
Nick Kraus
Senior 184lbs
 
Alex Fleet
Junior 197lbs
 
Thomas Pompei
Senior 141lbs
 
Eli Larson
Freshman 149lbs

 
Head Coach Dan Callahan

525
2010 IndianaMat.com Individual Rankings Preview
The 2010 wrestling season is almost upon us and the crispness of the fall air will soon be turning into a cold and dreary Indiana winter. While it may be cold outside, wrestling rooms and gyms across the state will be heating up full of hard working athletes beating each other up for the same goal…to wrestle under the lights at Conseco Fieldhouse. This year 118 wrestlers return that have wrestled at Conseco with 14 of them having experienced wrestling under the spotlight. The champions from last year face the formidable task of parading around with a bulls-eye on their back all season long. One by one, wrestlers across the state will try to knock off the returning champion, with very few, if any, succeeding. The wrestler with the biggest bulls-eye is probably Portage’s Sean McMurray. He recently committed to wrestle for the Michigan State Spartans next year and is looking to bring home state title number three this year to put him in some very elite company. Another returning champion to look out for is Union County’s Cody Phillips. He was undefeated en route to his 103lbs championship last year and looks to continue that streak this season.
 
Senior Brandon Wright, formerly of Cathedral, but now wrestling for Warren Central will be fun to watch. He has wrestled under the lights all three years, but has only won once under them. He will look to close out his spectacular career with one last victory under the lights. Last year’s freshmen sensation Jason Tsirtsis will look to continue to follow in the enormous shadow his older brother left for him. Last year he upended the hands on favorite in the semi-finals. This year however, he will be the hands on favorite.
 
Frankie Porras of Hobart is returning this year looking to defend his title from last year. He faced stiff competition all year long and came away with a title. Another Crown Point wrestler, Anthony Hawkins is looking to capture his second straight title after coming away with the 112lbs title in a loaded weight class last year. He will most likely have to beat some of the same faces this year that he did last year on his way to a championship. Last, but not least is another Union County wrestler in Michael Duckworth. Duckworth is extremely talented and looks to close out his career with yet another title.
 
Here is a breakdown of the returners from each weight class.
*Note this is based on last year’s weight classes
 
103lbs
Fourteen state qualifiers return including all of last year’s state placers. You can also add in Brenden Campbell of New Castle who was undefeated before bowing out of the state tournament due to appendicitis. Returning champion Cody Phillips will look to not only defend his title, but keep his unbeaten streak alive.
 
112lbs
Sixteen wrestlers return here that have previous experience at Conseco Fieldhouse. Included in the returners are the 1st through 7th place finishers from last year. Anthony Hawkins of Crown Point leads the way, but with the talent in this weight class, nothing is a given.
 
119lbs
Eleven wrestlers with previous experience return to 119lbs. Only four wrestlers return that placed at this weight last year however. Brandon Wright is the consensus #1 after his arch nemesis Camden Eppert graduated.
 
125lbs
Eleven wrestlers also return to 125lbs with experience at state with five of them returning with medals from last year. Jason Tsirtsis of Crown Point is the returning champ, looking for his second title.
 
130lbs
An amazing fourteen wrestlers return to 130lbs with state experience this season. However, only three have wrestled on Saturday. Defending champion Frankie Porras of Hobart will look to continue the strong Brickie wrestling tradition with his second title this season.
 
135lbs
Only three previous state qualifiers return to this weight class. Gone is defending champion Taylor March of East Noble. The highest returning placer and preseason #1 is Eric Roach of Crown Point.
 
140lbs
Ten wrestlers return with previous state experience at 140lbs with four of them returning state placers. Gone however, is two-time champion Steven Sandefer of Mishawaka. Leading the way this year is Ryan Stahl who now attends Mishawaka.
 
145lbs
Five wrestlers return to 145lbs with previous experience at state. Three of them brought home medals last year. Culver Academy’s first state champion Daniel Young has graduated opening the door for preseason #1 Sammy Bennett of Anderson Highland.
 
152lbs
Five returning wrestlers are at 152lbs, including four returning placers. Leading the way is two-time champion Sean McMurray of Portage.
 
160lbs
Nine wrestlers come back to 160lbs with experience at Conseco Fieldhouse. Of those wrestlers, only one has some hardware to show for their experience. Gone are seven of the eight placers from last year including state champion Briar Runyan of Martinsville. Tyler Willis of Cathedral is the preseason #1 after a 7th place finish last year.
 
171lbs
Six wrestlers return to 171lbs with previous state experience, but only two of them have placed previously. Defending champion Michael Duckworth of Union County returns in hopes of capturing his second straight title.
 
189lbs
Four wrestlers return to 189lbs this year with state experience. Last year’s champion Marcus Shrewsbury of Crown Point has graduated and moved on to wrestling in the Big 10. Two of the returning placers have come home with medals including preseason #1 Aaron Stevenson of Indian Creek.
 
215lbs
Only three wrestlers return to 215lbs with previous experience, but all three are returning placers. Gone is last year’s champion Billy Baker of Bellmont, but his opponent in the finals last year is back. Christian Lentz of Mishawaka is the preseason #1 after a second place finish last year.
 
285lbs
Seven wrestlers return to the heavyweight division with experience at Conseco. However, only one of those wrestlers came away with a medal from last year’s experience. Gone is champion Adam Chalfant of Winamac. The highest returning placer and preseason #1 is James Travis of Merrillville.
 
Click here for the full rankings

426
2010 Merrillville Semi-State Preview
Well we are saving arguably the best semi-state for last. The Merrillville semi-state is once again loaded and returns 20 previous state placers including four state champions. The returning state champions include Frankie Porras of Hobart, Anthony Hawkins and Jason Tsirtsis of Crown Point and two-time state champion Sean McMurray of Portage. On top of that, there are four returning wrestlers that have finished as high as second place in Eric Roach of Crown Point, Ryan Stahl and Christian Lentz of Mishawaka, and Anthony Quiroz of Chesterton. This year looks to be just as good as the past years for this semi-state. Four state placers return at 103lbs with Kyler Ayersman of Lake Central the highest returner. He finished 3rd last year beating Merrillville’s Zach Stevens. Also 7th and 8th place finishers Cameron Halstead of Crown Point and Aurileo Medina of Munster return. Paul Beck is yet another returning placer coming back for Mishawaka, he finished 7th in 2008. Also returning from 112lbs last year is Alex Gregory of Penn, who finished 4th. Another Merrillville Pirate state placer coming back is Anthony Napules who place 4th in 2008. Alex Surma of Munster returns after placing 6th at 140lbs last year. Purdue recruit Braden Atwood of Delphi is looking for an elusive state title after placing 5th last year. Getting to the big guys, Nathan Cleveland comes back at 215lbs for Lowell after finishing 3rd last year. One last Merrillville wrestler rounds out the list of returning placers in James Travis. He finished 5th last year as an undersized heavyweight, but will come back this year a little bigger and meaner.
 
Along with great individuals come great teams out of this semi-state. Defending champions Crown Point will be pushed by arch rival Merrillville in their regional. TMishawaka will have another strong team this year and will look to avenge their first round exit from team state last year. Delphi and Lafayette Jeff will also battle it out for a spot at team state.
 
Click here for the rankings

415
2010 New Castle Semi-State Preview
In 2009 wrestlers from the New Castle semi-state brought home three state championships. Senior Camden Eppert led the way with his second title, while Cody Phillips and Michael Duckworth from Union County both brought home their first titles. Eppert has since moved on to Purdue, while Phillips and Duckworth both will look for another title this season. Another former state champion that will look to finish his career with another title is Brandon Wright of Warren Central. The Kieffer twins, Josh and Justin of Roncalli will both look to improve on their placements from last year. Josh finished second, while Justin was 7th at 112lbs and 119lbs respectively. Also coming back and looking to make an impact is three-time state place winner Brandon Nelson of Lawrence North. Nelson has finished in the top four all three years, but never made it to the finals. Josh Jullian of Lebanon rounds out the quartet of returning placers at 112lbs. Mason Berryman and Sammy Bennett from Anderson Highland will both look to improve on their performances from last year. Berryman finished 4th last year, while Bennett finished 3rd after a 2nd place finish as a sophomore. Jacob Tonte, powerhouse Perry Meridian’s only returning placer, finished 8th last year at 140lbs. Warren Central’s Michael Johnson Jones is the last returning state placer in the New Castle semi-state. He finished 7th last year at 189lbs. Last, but not least there needs to be a mention of Brenden Campbell of New Castle. He was undefeated last year, until he was sidelined the week of regional with appendicitis. He will be back this year and look to continue his winning streak all the way to Conseco Fieldhouse.
 
As far as the team race goes this year, it will be a dogfight. Last year’s runner-up Perry Meridian returns a great group of wrestlers and coaches that are itching for the blue ring. Other top teams include two Catholic rivals, Roncalli and Cathedral. Lawrence North is a team that definitely cannot be overlooked as they return many good wrestlers.
 
Click here to view the rankings

366
2010 Evansville Semi-State Preview
Last year was a down year for the Evansville semi-state as only Briar Runyan of Martinsville brought a state championship home. They did have three state runner-ups in Dustin Kief of Franklin, Mitchell Richey of Brown County and Alex White of Mount Vernon. Of those four individuals, only Kief will be returning this year. The crop of state placers though is not empty as many young guns are ready to step up to the challenge. The 103lbs weight class returns all four state qualifiers, including Kief and 5th place finisher Brian Kuhn of Evansville Reitz. The 112lbs weight class also returns a state placer in Derek Fisher of Martinsville. Freshman sensation Quincey Richey returns at 130lbs after finishing 7th as a freshman in a very tough weight class. Look for this youngster to improve on his freshman campaign. At 135lbs, Castle’s Doug Welch looks to improve on his 5th place finish from last year. Perennial power Evansville Mater Dei was shut out of having a state champion last year, but returns John Sims who will look to finish on the highest rung this season. At 152lbs, two state placers return in Drake Stein of Princeton and Jeff Weiss of Heritage Hills. Stein was injured in the morning session of state last year and had to default out of the tournament. He had a great summer of wrestling and will look to improve on his tremendous sophomore season. The last returning state placer is Aaron Stevenson of Indian Creek. The super soph finished 3rd last year, only losing to state champion Marcus Shrewsbury in the semi-finals.
 
When you mention the best teams in the Evansville semi-state, you will always mention Mater Dei. Their tradition is like no other, but last year they failed to make the team state finals losing to Castle at regional. This year Castle will be back, returning many of the wrestlers that propelled them to that monumental victory, however Mater Dei will be wrestling with a chip on their shoulder. Danny Struck’s Jeffersonville Red Devils are another team that is going to make some noise this year. All three of those teams are in the same regional. Bloomington South will look to return to team state this year coming out of the Greencastle regional, but will have to go through defending runner-up Perry Meridian to get to team state. Another team to from this semi-state to keep an eye on is Columbus North.
 
Click here to view the rankings.

421
2010 Fort Wayne Semi-State Preview
The Woodlan(Fort Wayne) semi-state had a great year last year with Taylor March, Billy Baker and Adam Chalfant all bringing home state titles and Drew Graber and Ryan Stahl came away with runner-up finishes. That is the good, the bad is that none of those wrestlers are returning this year. All of them graduated, except Ryan Stahl who is now attending Mishawaka. There are plenty of good wrestlers returning out of the area and many are looking to make their mark on Indiana wrestling history. Derek Bevans of Yorktown will be coming back and looking to finish on the top rung on the ladder after being a state contestant the past three years. Three state placers from 125lbs return this year, including two-time placer Tony Lovejoy of Bishop Luers, Andrew Heistand of Yorktown and Dan Rothgeb of Whitko. The semi-state’s highest placer, Brock Norton returns after only losing one match last year. Two other state placers return from the 145lbs weight class in Dalton Sparks of Peru and Zach Corpe of Elkhart Memorial. Corpe is attempting to follow in his big brother’s footsteps and become a state champion his senior year. The only other returning state placer from 2009 is Dylan Green of Kokomo at 215lbs.
 
The best teams in this area are pretty much the same from year to year. Bellmont and Yorktown will battle it out for the Adams Central Team Regional title, while Elkhart Memorial returns a strong line-up that will have to go through the Jimtown Team Regional and the Mishawaka Cavemen.
 
Click here for the full rankings

439
JR Freestylers leave their marks in Fargo
Much like the rest of the Indiana squads that particpated at this year's events at Fargo, the Jr FS team had some serious highs and lows. Despite only finishing with 3 AAs, there were some very impressive individual performances, including an elusive national title for the red-hot Cashe Quiroga. The Lawrence North product Quiroga beat some of Illinois' best wrestlers and used his superior conidtioning to outlast and out-tough the entire field. The other AAs for Indiana, Camden Eppert and Ryan Stahl, each had some of the biggest wins of the entire tournament. In a quirk of the scoring system, Anderson Highland's Eppert had to wrestle for 5th place despite finishing with just one loss and beating the weight class champ, Ty Mitch of OH. Newly minted Mishawaka Caveman Ryan Stahl turned in a monster tournament, highlighted by a huge pin of top national wrestler Destin McCauley. Among those who didn't place, there were some seriously impressive results as well. Carmel's Patrick Parham had a great tourney, one that saw him beat multiple-time national AA and Minnesota state champ Jacoby Bergeron, WUSA's 13th ranked senior nationally at 103. Anderson Highland's Sam Bennett won 4 matches and missed placing by an eyelash. Chatard's Anthony Bill and Lafayette Harrison's Cameron Vlahos each won 3 matches and likewise just missed capping remarkable tourneys with AA finishes.
 
 
Junior-105 - Patrick Parham, Carmel, 2-2 with a bye. Beat Northern Plains regional FS and GR champ, Western Plains FS champ, Fargo JR 8th place finisher '09, Double Fargo JR AA '08, '08 Asics Folkstyle Nationals champ, 2X Fargo Cadet double AA and '09 AA state champ Jacoby Bergeron of MN. Lost to 8th place finisher Kevin Malarick of IL (ranked 12th best senior by WUSA at 103) in a 3 period match.
 
Junior-112 - Josh Yates, Fairfield, 0-2.
 
Junior-112 - Jacob Boomsma, Bloomington South, 1-2. Lost to 3rd place finisher Carson Kuhn of UT. Kuhn is a true nationally elite wrestler.  Lost a close match to CA upcoming stud Josh Chua.
 
Junior-112 - Paul Beck, Mishawaka, 2-2 with a bye. Lost to 7th place finisher Matt Cavallaris of IL (ranked 18th best senior nationally by WUSA at 112).
 
Junior-119 - Alex Gregory, Penn, 2-2. Lost to 6th place finisher Joe Roth of IL.
 
Junior-119 - Camden Eppert's place is 5th, Anderson Highland, 8-1. Beat weight class champ Ty Mitch of OH. Beat 6th place finisher Joe Roth of IL. Beat FL state champ Rossi Bruno. Lost to 4th place finisher Ryan Mango of MO.
 
Junior-119 - Brandon Nelsen, Lawrence North, 1-2.
 
Junior-125 - Chris Head, Bloomington South, 2-2. Lost to 8th place finisher James Ingraham of OH.
 
Junior-125 - Travis Barroquillo, Prairie Heights, 2-2. Lost to weight class runner-up Devin Carter of VI.
 
Junior-125 - Justin Eshelman, Pendleton Heights, 0-2. Lost to 6th place finisher and Fargo JR double-AA Frank Goodwin of MD.
 
Junior-125 - Jake McCarthy, Mount Vernon (Hancock), 0-2. Lost to 5th place finisher Shane McGough of AZ.
 
Junior-130 - Preston Wilson, Whiteland, 0-2. Lost to 5th place finisher David Klingsheim of CA.
 
Junior-130 - Cashe` Quiroga's place is 1st, Lawrence North, 10-0. Beat 7th place finisher Justin LaValle of MN. Beat 6th place finisher Colton Rasche of IL. Beat 4th place finisher Chris Dardanes and his brother, 2nd place finisher Nick.
 
Junior-135 - Tim Martin, New Albany, 0-2.
 
Junior-135 - Matt Milton, Center Grove, 1-2. Lost to 5th place finisher Daniel Osterman of MI.
 
Junior-140 - John Walker, Sullivan, 0-2.
 
Junior-140 - Josh Williams, Mt. Vernon (Hancock), 1-2. Lost to 6th place finisher Bart Reiter of IA.
 
Junior-145 - Jacob Tonte, Perry Meridian, 1-2 with a bye. Lost to 5th place finisher and double Fargo JR AA Steven Hernandez of NV.
 
Junior-145 - Ryan Stahl's place is 8th, Mishawaka, 6-3. Beat 3rd place finisher Destin McCauley of MN. Lost to 6th place finisher Justin DeAngelis of OK. Lost to Matt White of OK in the 7th place match.
 
Junior-145 - Michael Hummer, Penn, 0-2.
 
Junior-152 - Reece Lefever, Carroll, 0-2. Lost to 2nd place finisher and FL state champ Joe Cozart of Brandon.
 
Junior-152 - Sam Bennett, Anderson Highland, 4-2. Lost to 3rd place finisher Brandon Rolnick of NJ. Lost to 7th place finisher Michael Kelly of IA.
 
Junior-152 - Caleb Smith, Princeton, 0-2.
 
Junior-160 - Cameron Vlahos, Lafayette Harrison, 3-2. Lost to 8th place finisher Nick Proctor of IL.
 
Junior-160 - Conner Lefever, Carroll, 0-2. Lost to 6th place finisher Nick Visicaro of NJ.
 
Junior-160 - Mitchell Judkins, Speedway, 0-2.
 
Junior-160 - Anthony Bill, Bishop Chatard, 3-2 with a bye. Lost to 5th place finisher Nick Sulzer of OH.
 
Junior-171 - Drake Stein, Princeton, 0-2.
 
Junior-171 - Kyle Masengale, Perry Meridian, 0-2.
 
Junior-171 - Braden Atwood, Delphi, 1-2. Lost to 5th place finisher Kevin Steinhaus of MN.
 
Junior-189 - Aaron Stevenson, Indian Creek, 2-2. Lost to 3rd place finisher Tyler Lehman of MN.
 
Junior-189 - Alex McAllister, 0-2. Lost to weight class champ Jake Swartz of WA.
 
Junior-189 - Michael Johnson-Jones, Warren Central, 1-2.
 
Junior-215 - Devin Reagan, Penn, 0-2.
 
Junior-215 - Darren Eads, Bloomington South, 2-2. Lost to 7th place finisher Joshua Davis of NJ.
 
Junior-215 - Mark Collett, Jennings County, 0-2.

359
IHSWCA Update for October 14, 2009
IHSWCA members and the wrestling community:
 
I hope everyone is ready for another exciting season. The annual clinic convenes this week, so the first day of practice is just a few short weeks away. We are excited to have Bill Zadick as our clinician. Mr. Zadick is currently coaching at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. We expect the clinic to be an outstanding event.
 
I am excited about the possibility of the coaches’ roundtable. Rarely do we have the opportunity to come together in a group and share ideas and strategies we employ. I look forward to hearing what others are doing to build programs. I encourage you to attend if you have the opportunity.
 
I am sure everyone has noticed the change in the schedule. We decided to give it a try in an attempt to boost attendance. There have been a few complaints, and we have listened to those concerns and will take them into consideration. I do hope that everyone understands that no perfect date exists. We have people who were unable to attend on the traditional dates as well. We will examine the outcome of this clinic and make a decision for next year. We would appreciate your feedback on the matter.
 
After several meetings, the executive board has set the following goals for the year: increase membership and set up a system of regional representatives. The first priority must be to boost membership. Our goal is to have at least one coach from every high school to be a member. In addition, an eye must be focused on our middle school coaches. By 2011 we want one member coach from each middle school. Wrestling officials are also welcome members. We need your help as members for the association to reach these goals.
 
We will address the position of Regional Representatives. We would like to add this position officially to the by-laws. Regional Reps were created to encourage participation. This position needs to be made official and volunteers given a list of expectations. We will be looking for one person to handle each of our sixteen IHSAA individual regionals. The primary responsibilities will be creating a communication link, conducting IHSWCA polls, conducting coach of the year voting for your regional, and attending two meetings with the executive board per year. The executive board will be working to fill these positions by the start of the season. Please contact Trent, JD, or myself if you are interested.
 
Best of luck as you start your season.
 
Cale A. Hoover
Center Grove HS, Social Studies Teacher, Head Wrestling Coach
IHSWCA President
ISWA Junior Director
Hooverc1@centergrove.k12.in.us
317-881-0581 ext. 1287
317-502-8796

392
Toe to Joe with Calumet College
While on an excursion to da Region, I had a chance to stop by the newest wrestling program in Indiana. Coach Vega and his boys were moving mats into their wrestling room and I had an opportunity to talk to a few of them. It sounds like the team is ready to go and excited about the upcoming season. Coach Vega brought in a great first class with many wrestlers that have some experience at the college level. Look for the team to make a big splash at the NAIA immediately. You can follow the Crimson Wave season on their website here.
 
Here are the interviews from my visit with the first year program.
 
Dan Bedoy
 
Dave Ballentine
 
Chad Allen
 
Head Coach Leroy Vega

343
2009 IHSWCA Fall Coaches Clinic
[caption id=attachment_1291" align="alignleft" width="209" caption="Mark Shultz][/caption]

I.H.S.W.C.A. STATE CLINIC


LAWRENCE NORTH HIGH SCHOOL

Enter Door 11 on the SOUTHWEST side of the School - the gym will be located just past the Commons Area

Parking is a student lot located on the southwest corner of the building.

WED/THUR - OCTOBER 14/15, 2009

FEATURING: MARK SCHULTZ - 1984 OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST

IHSWCA CLINIC - SPONSORED BY -

Jim's Wrestling Supplies, Brute Wrestling Gear, & E.I. Sports Apparel
 


 

 
Accomplishments:
 
-1984 Olympic Champion
-1985,87 World Champion
-1981,82,83 NCAA Champion
-1984,85,86,87 Nat. Open FS Champion
-1987 Pan American Games Champion
-1982 World Cup Champion
-1983,85,87 National Sports Festival Champion
-1978 California High School State Champion
-1976 No.California Age 14-15 Gymnastic Champ
-100th Distinguished member inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame
-1982 Unanimous "OW" NCAA Championships
-1987 USA Wrestling Athlete of the Year
-1987 Sullivan Award Nominee
-1987 Olympic Magazine Sportsman of the Year
-1985 Wrestling Masters Magazine "International Wrestler of the Year"
-1983 Captain Univ. of Oklahoma wrestling team
-1983 Set the University of Oklahoma record for most victories in a single season without a loss


 
Hotel accommodations:
 
We are off the National FFA Convention weekend, therefore we are establishing a home hotel. There are rooms blocked at the Drury Inn 8180 N. Shadeland Ave.at the rate of $ 84.00 very close to Lawrence North HS. You need to call 1-800-325-0720 use reference # 2072497  Reservations need to be made by September 30.
 
Special Features:
 
IHSWCA Clinic Package
*** Computer USB Drives - thumb drives
*** Pens/Pencils/Paper
*** THE EVER POPULAR     50/50
 
CLINIC INFORMATION:
 
Price - $100.00 individual
$95.00 per coach for staff of 2 to 5
$90.00 per coach over 5
Ex. 6 coaches = $540.00 / 7 = $630.00
** Cost includes: Clinic & materials
2009-10 IHSWCA Membership - $25.00 value
2009-10 NWCA Membership - $ 30.00 value

CLINIC SCHEDULE
** Wednesday  - Oct. 14, 2009 **
6:00 - 7:00 pm    Registration - Lawrence North
7:00 -  8:00          Session 1 - Coaches Round Table - Q's & A's of successful programs.
8:00 - 9:30 IHSAA Rules Interpretation
Lawrence North HS
9:30 - 11:00         IHSWCA Social - Alibi's B & G
sponsored by Pro Industries Fitness& Strength  Equipment
 
** Thursday - Oct. 15, 2009 **
8:00 - 9:00 am   Registration
9:30 - 11:00 MARK SCHULTZ
11:00 - 12:00    IHSWCA BUSINESS MEETING
12:00 - 12:30    Lunch - provided by IHSWCA
12:30 - 2:30      MARK SCHULTZ
 
Once again there will be vendors at the clinic with many cash and carry specials and door prizes.

Click here to view the brochure
Click here for a clinic registration form
 
Click here for an IHSWCA Membership form

443
Team Indiana Juniors Greco-Roman summary
Close, but no cigar.....
 
That sort of sums up the team's results at this year's Junior Greco Nationals. A quick glance at some statistics paints a pretty compelling picture--Team Indiana was 0-9 combined versus traditional Greco powers Minnesota and Wisconsin; conversely, Indiana was 5-0 versus non-traditional states Virginia and North Dakota. What does that tell us? Not much that we didn't already know. Although this was a disappointing trip for our Junior Greco wrestlers, we already knew Indiana didn't emphasize Greco greatly. Also, in a more positive light, although we had zero All-Americans, we had pockets of individual success, and three very near misses with Ryan Stahl, Caleb Smith and Cameron Vlahos, all of who were one win away from attaining the coveted status. Matt Milton had a successful trip, too.
 
Aside from the three horses who carried the team, a couple of wrestlers pulled off some pretty impressive 'upset' wins:  Jordan Jensen beat an Ohio state placer, Kyle Mays beat an Idaho state 3rd place finisher and Reece Lefever beat a South Dakota state placer.
 
So, while zero AAs is never what the team's goal is, it wasn't a disaster in Fargo. With Vlahos, Smith and some of the other first-timer possible returnees to next year's squad, it's possible that next year will bear some fruit as a result of this year's frustrating results.
 
Junior-119 - Zach Rieker (Columbus East), 1-2. Opponents' W/L 4-6.
Notes: 2009 ISWA JR state Greco champ @ 119. Lost to South Carolina state champ Derek Geiges.
 
Junior-119 - Steve Rieker (Columbus East), 0-2. Opponents' W/L 6-4.
Notes: 2009 ISWA JR state Greco runner-up @ 119. Lost to IL 3A 3rd place finisher and 2X Illinois state Greco champ Matt Bystol. Bystol also finished 6th at 2009 ASICS Jr. Folkstyle Nationals and 5th at 2008 ASICS Cadet Folkstyle Nationals, in addition to going undefeated at 2009 JR Greco Duals. Also lost to highly regarded Shelton Mack of PA.
 
Junior-125 - Dakota Case (Terre Haute South), 0-2. Opponents' W/L 8-4.
Notes: SS Qualifier. Lost to 5th place finisher and NY D2 State champ Nick Wilcox. Wilcox also finished 8th at '08 JR Greco.
 
Junior-125 - Baron Rieker (Columbus East), 0-2. Opponents' W/L 9-4.
Notes: 2009 ISWA JR state Greco runner-up @ 125. Lost to Hawaii state runner-up Andrew Hirai. Also lost to weight class 3rd place finisher Frank Goodwin of MD.
 
Junior-125 - Jake McCarthy (Mt. Vernon-Hancock), 0-2. Opponents' W/L 5-4.
Notes: SS Qualifier '09, State Qualifier '08.
 
Junior-135 - John Walker (Sullivan), 2-2. Opponents' W/L 11-8.
Notes: 2009 ISWA JR state Greco runner-up @ 135. Lost to MN's uber-stud Robby Fisher (4th JR GR '09, 3rd JR GR '08, 3rd ASICS Folkstyle Nationals '08, MN HS state champ with multiple wins over Destin McCauley). Lost to WA's 1A 5th place finisher Christopher Mayolo.
 
Junior-135 - Matt Milton (Center Grove), 3-2. Opponents' W/L 10-11.
Notes: 2007 IHSAA 6th place @ 103. 2009 ISWA JR state Greco 5th place @ 145. Beat VA state qualfier Josh Pike. Also beat WA 2A 7th place finisher Joe Hutchinson. Lost to UT's Koleton Hardy, a 4th place Cadet GR finisher in '08 as well as state 4A 2nd place finisher '09 and 4th place finisher in '08. Also lost to weight class 8th place finisher AJ Zemke of WI. Zemke was also a state 3A runner-up in '09 and 3A 4th place finisher in '08.
 
Junior-135 - Jordan Jensen (Terre Haute South), 2-2. Opponents' W/L 13-6.
Notes: 2009 ISWA JR state Greco runner-up @ 130. Beat OH D1 6th place finisher and 2X state qualifier Nick McSorley in a 3 period showdown. A HUGE and impressive win for Jensen. Lost to weight class champion Ellis Coleman of IL. Jensen was one of only two opponents to even score a point against the IL wrestler. Coleman finished 2nd at JR GR Nationals in '08 (lost a very tight 3 period match to Eric Grajales), 1st at Cadet GR Nationals '07, 4th at Cadet GR Nationals '06, 3rd at FILA Cadet Greco Nationals '08 and 2nd at FILA Cadet Greco Nationals '07. Coleman also went undefeated at Junior GR Duals '09. Coleman was a 3rd place finisher in IL's big school division in '09. Jensen also lost to MN's Paul Norgren. Norgren was an '08 ASICS Folkstyle JR Nationals 3rd place finisher and a MN Class A state qualifier.
 
Junior-145 - Kyle Mays (Northridge), 2-2. Opponents' W/L 11-9.
Notes: 2009 ISWA JR state Greco 3rd place @ 145. Beat ID 5A 3rd place finisher Christian Putman. Lost to 2X Alaska Big school state champ (3rd as a freshman) and 2X GR state champ Grant Sullivan of AK. Lost to weight class 8th place finisher Jason Gray of WA. Gray was a 3A HS state champ in '09.
 
Junior-145 - Michael Hummer (Penn), 0-2. Opponents' W/L 5-4.
Notes: 2009 ISWA JR state Greco 8th place @ 145. Lost to Derrick Walraven, South Dakota-A HS 4th @ 130 and 3rd at Brute Adidas Soph. Nationals in 09.
 
Junior-145 - Ryan Stahl (Elkhart Memorial) 5-2. Opponents' W/L 25-12.
Notes: 2009 ISWA JR state Greco champ @ 145. AA Fargo FS Cadets (7th) '07, AA Fargo FS JR. '09. IHSAA runner-up '09. Beat CA's Conrad Snell, a CA state HS runner-up in '09, who finished 8th in JR FS. Beat multi-X state placer and SD state champ Garrett Hieberger. Beat Colorado 4A runner-up Nathaniel Garcia. Beat '08 JR FS 3rd place finisher Gabriel Bird of FL. Bird finished 3rd in the FL 3a state tourney in '09 and 5th in '08. Beat 3X MD class A state champ Brutus Scheffel. Scheffel is looking to become only the 4th wrestler in MD's history to win 4 state titles next season. Lost to MN's Nick Tourville, 7th place finisher at the weight and Class AA state qualifier, in a very closely decided match. Lost to weight class champion Josh Castellano of IL. Castellano is very decorated in GR, beating both of PA's Alton brothers en route to a 2008 FILA Cadet Nationals GR title. Finished 4th in '09 FILA JR Nationals GR tourney. Participated in the SR GR tourney in '09 and actually won a match. Finished 7th at GR Cadet Nationals '07 and 6th at FILA GR Cadet Nationals in '07. Castellano was also the IL 2A runner-up in '09 and a state qualifier in '08.
 
Junior-145 - Caleb Smith (Princeton), 4-2 with a bye. Opponents' W/L 21-12.
Notes: 2009 ISWA JR state Greco 7th place @ 152. Gave up just one point in his four wins and 8 points total in 6 matches. Beat Alaska 4A state qualifier Kenneth Banning. Beat NC 2A 2X state qualifier Nicholas Moore. Beat MD big school 2X state qualifier (finished 6th in '08) BJ Frederick. Lost by a combined score of 0-2 to weight class 6th place finisher Patrick Smith of MN. Smith won the 2009 FILA JR GR World Team Trials Challenge Tournament, ultimately falling just short of making the team by losing the Final Trial to WTT champion Donnie Vinson. Smith finished 3rd at '09 FILA JR GR tourney, again losing to only Vinson. Finished 4th at '08 JR Nationals GR tourney. Smith is a 3X MN 3A state qualifer, with finishes of 2nd in '09 and 3rd in '08 to his credit. Lost to weight class 3rd place finisher Steven Hernandez of NV. Hernandez is a 3-X large school state champ and a Soph Nationals champ and Jr Nationals Champ. He is a consensus top-5 wrestler at 145 in the country.
 
Junior-152 - Reece Lefever (Carroll), 2-2. Opponents' W/L 8-8.
Notes: SS Qualifier '09. Scored a big upset over Luke Paper of ND. Paper is a highly regarded multiple-X Class A state qualifier, with a 6th place finish in '09. Lost to OH's Taylor Smith, a 6th place finisher at '08 JR GR Nationals
 
Junior-160 - Cameron Vlahos (Lafayette Harrison), 5-2. Opponents' W/L 20-12.
Notes: 2009 ISWA JR state Greco champ @ 160, Cadet GR AA in '08. Beat UT 3A '09 state runner-up Cole Evans. Beat CA '09 state qualifier Sergio Cortez. Cortez beat weight class finisher Kyle Crain. Beat '09 WA 3A state champ Steven Harvey. Harvey finished 3rd in the state series in '08. Beat ND-A '09 state champ Joe Latham. Cumulatively outscored both opponents that beat him. Lost a 3 period, tight match to weight class 5th place finisher Kyle Crain of WI. Lost another close, 3 period match to weight class 7th place finisher Frank Cousins of FL. Cousins finished 6th at 2008 Cadet FS Nationals. Cousins was a FL-2A '09 state champion, finished 5th in '08 and was a state qualifer in '07.
 
Junior-160 - Conner Lefever (Carroll), 1-2. Opponents' W/L 4-6.
Notes: SS Qualifier '09. Lost to '09 IA-2A state runner-up Mike England. Lost to WI state qualifier Andy Rutke.
 
Junior-171 - Kyle Masengale (Perry Meridian), 0-2. Opponents' W/L 12-2.
Notes: Lost to UT 2X 4A state champ Monte Schmalhaus. Lost to weight class champion Mark Stenberg of IL. Stenberg went 7-1 at 2009 JR GR Duals, losing only to JR World team member Ben Provisor of WI. He went 7-0 at 2008 Cadet GR Duals. Finished 2nd at 2009 FILA JR GR World Team Trials Challenge Tourney. Stenberg finished 3rd at 2008 JR GR Nationals, 2nd at 2007 Cadet GR Nationals, 7th at 2007 Cadet FS Nationals and 1st at 2008 FILA Cadet GR Nationals. Stenberg was an IL 3A state runner-up in '09 and a 6th place finisher in '08.
 
Junior-189 - Alex McAllister, 1-2. Opponents' W/L 7-6.
Notes: Lost to weight class 5th place finisher Jacob Dempsey of WV. Dempsey finished 8th at Cadet GR Nationals in '07. Dempsey beat his PA counterpart in the WV vs. WPIAL dual in '09. Dempsey was a WV-AAA state champ in '09 and finished 5th in '08.
 
Junior-215 - Devin Reagan (Penn), 0-2. Opponents' W/L 10-4.
Notes: Lost to weight class 7th place finisher Alex Polizzi of WI. Polizzis was a WI-AA state runner-up in '09 and also finished 4th in the JR FS tourney in '09. The WI wrestler was undefeated at both the JR FS DUals and the JR GR Duals in '09. Polizzi also finished 5th at '09 FILA JR GR and 7th at ASICS JR Folkstyle Nationals (Impressively, IN's very own Nathan Cleveland was one of the wrestlers to knock Polizzi off). Polizzi was also a Cadet GR champ and FS runner-up and finished 3rd at the WI-AA state finals in '08. He also finished 2nd at Cadet GR Nationals in '07. In short, Polizzi is a massive stud.
 
Junior-215 - Tony Mendoza (Evansville North), 1-2. Opponents' W/L 9-6.
Notes: 2009 ISWA JR state Greco runner-up @ 215. Lost to weight class 4th place finisher Aaron Pavlenko of AZ.
 
Junior-215 - Mark Collett (Jennings County), 0-2. Opponents' W/L 3-4.
Notes: Notes: 2009 ISWA JR state Greco runner-up @ HWT. Cadet Greco 6th '08, SS Qualifier, Silver Medalist at Disney Duals, 5th place Asics Folkstyle Nationals 2008. Lost to '08 Cadet GR champ and IL Class A 3rd place finisher (ranked #1 entering the tourney by Illinois Matmen) Mike Sojka of IL. Sojka was also an '08 FILA GR 6th place finisher and an '08 ASICS Folkstyle Nationals 2nd place finisher.

481
Indiana's Top 10 Seniors
With the graduation of 10 former state champions in 2009, it opens up a new class of seniors itching for a spot on top of the podium.  This year features five returning champions including two-time champion Sean McMurray of Portage and one-time champion and three-time finalist Brandon Wright of Warren Central.  Frankie Porras, Michael Duckworth and Anthony Hawkins round out the other returning champions.  Two wrestlers in the top ten have already committed to wrestling at the next level after graduation.  Braden Atwood has committed to Purdue and Sean McMurray has committed to wrestle for Michigan State.
 
1a) Sean McMurray- Portage
Projected 2009-10 Weight: 160
Projected College Weight: 165
 
McMurray heads into the 2009-10 season looking to finish off one of the greatest careers in Indiana history. After finishing 7th at 112 in 2007, McMurray captured state titles at 135 in 2008 and at 152 in 2009. In 2009-10 he looks to join the likes of recent Indiana products Andrew Howe and Reece Humphrey as a 3x IHSAA State Champion. McMurray has just verbally committed to wrestle for Michigan State next year.
 
1b) Brandon Wright- Warren Central
Projected 2009-10 Weight: 125
Projected College Weight: 125
 
Wright will begin the 2009-10 season in a new environment this year after his transfer from Indianapolis Cathedral to Warren Central. The former Cadet Freestyle National Champion will look to finish off his career with a second state title. He has been 2nd at 103 in 2007, 1st at 112 in 2008, and 2nd at 119 in 2009. Ironically, all three of his previous state championship match appearances came against Purdue recruit Camden Eppert. He is also the son of four-time DII champion Tim Wright.
 
3) Frankie Porras- Hobart
Projected 2009-10 Weight: 140
Projected College Weight: 141
 
Frankie Porras has been a consistent performer starting early on. He qualified for state as a freshman and then finished second as a sophomore to three-time champion Josh Harper before capturing his first title last year at 130lbs. Last summer saw Porras finish 8th in Cadet freestyle while, this spring he finished 5th at the NHSCA Junior Nationals and also went 7-1 at the Brute Scholastic Duals.
 
4) Michael Duckworth- Union County
Projected 2009-10 Weight: 189
Projected College Weight: 184
 
As a sophomore Michael Duckworth had a monumental challenge in the state finals. That challenge was now NCAA runner-up Andrew Howe. While Duckworth did not win that match, he was the only wrestler that day that Howe did not tech fall or pin. This year at state Duckworth had to fend off landmines everywhere from Braden Atwood in the quarterfinals to avenging a loss to Bryce Grimes in the finals. This spring Duckworth also placed 5th at the NHSCA Junior Nationals.
 
5) Ryan Stahl- Mishawaka
Projected 2009-10 Weight: 152
Projected College Weight: 157
 
Ryan Stahl had a great spring and summer of wrestling after his runner-up finish this year. He first finished 8th at the NHSCA Junior Nationals. Then he came one match from placing in Junior Greco and proceeded to place 8th in an absolutely loaded weight class in freestyle. Among his wins was a pin of highly touted Destin McCauley of Minnesota.
 
6) Anthony Hawkins- Crown Point
Projected 2009-10 Weight: 125
Projected College Weight: 125
 
Anthony Hawkins has steadily improved each year at state, from being a qualifier as a freshman, to 4th place as a sophomore to state champion as a junior.
 
7) Sammy Bennett- Anderson Highland
Projected 2009-10 Weight: 152
Projected College Weight: 157
 
Sammy Bennett will be looking for the ever-elusive state title this year. His freshman year he was a state qualifier at 140lbs and as a sophomore he lost in the state finals at 145lbs. This past season he lost to eventual state champion, Daniel Young, in the semi-finals and finished 3rd. This spring he placed 5th at the NHSCA Junior Nationals.
 
8) Christian Lentz- Mishawaka
Projected 2009-10 Weight: 215
Projected College Weight: 285
 
Christian Lentz took full advantage of his first full year of varsity action by placing second in the state this past season. He went 4-2 at the Junior Duals wrestling heavyweight, but will be back down to 215lbs this season.
 
9) Brandon Nelsen- Lawrence North
Projected 2009-10 Weight: 119
Projected College Weight: 125
 
Brandon Nelsen has finished in the top four of the state all three years so far, but never reached the finals. As a freshman he finished 4th and as a sophomore and junior brought home 3rd place medals. He has also placed 4th in Junior Freestyle nationals at 105lbs in 2008 and 6th at the NHSCA Junior Nationals.
 
10) Braden Atwood- Delphi
Projected 2009-10 Weight: 189
Projected College Weight: 184
 
Atwood has finished 4th and 5th in the state the past two years. He also finished 5th in Cadet Freestyle in 2008 at 171lbs. He went 6-1 at the Brute Scholastic Duals including avenging his quarterfinal loss to Michael Duckworth. His only loss was to Jahwon Akui of Illinois.  Atwood has verbally committed to wrestle for Purdue next season.

Honorable Mention
 
Brock Norton- Fort Wayne Carroll
 
Projected 2009-10 Weight: 135
 
Nathan Cleveland- Lowell
 
Projected 2009-10 Weight: 215
 
Derek Bevans- Yorktown
 
Projected 2009-10 Weight: 125
 
Zach Stevens- Merrillville
 
Projected 2009-10 Weight: 112
 
Mason Berryman- Anderson Highland
 
Projected 2009-10 Weight: 130
 
Tony Lovejoy- Fort Wayne Bishop Luers
 
Projected 2009-10 Weight: 130
 
Zach Corpe- Elkhart Memorial
 
Projected 2009-10 Weight: 152
 
James Travis- Merrillville
 
Projected 2009-10 Weight: 285
 
Alex Surma- Munster
 
Projected 2009-10 Weight: 145
 
Michael Johnson-Jones- Warren Central
 
Projected 2009-10 Weight: 189