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4168
Wrestling Wednesday: Humphrey Ready for World Title
Photo by Tony Rotundo/Wrestlers are Warriors
 
By JEREMY HINES
jerhines@cinergymetro.net
 
When Reece Humphrey was in sixth grade he told his dad he wanted to try wrestling. He remembers his dad, Jim, having a big smile on his face when he learned the news.
 
Soon Jim started showing up to Reece’s practices. Then he started running the practices. Reece thought his dad running practice was a little odd, until he found out that his dad was a World silver medalist and a two time Olympic wrestling coach.
 
“I didn’t go out for wrestling because of my dad,” Reece said. “I didn’t even know about his career. I went out for wrestling because my friends talked me into it.”
 
Now, over a decade later, Reece wrestles for a living. He is the United States’ top 61kg freestyle grappler and will represent his country at the World Championships this week in Las Vegas.
 
Reece grew up in Indiana, where he was a three-time state champion representing Lawrence North High School. He then went to Ohio State where he earned All-American honors twice with the Buckeyes.
 
“I remember back in high school, a state championship meant everything to me,” Humphrey said. “Then in college I wanted to be an NCAA champion. I ended up finishing second. But now, the ultimate goal is to win the World Championships, and I really feel like this is my year to do it.”
 
Humphrey advanced to the Worlds by beating Daniel Dennis 12-1, 4-1 in the qualifying round.
 
Now, at 29, he’s the second oldest member on the US team. Humphrey is joined by Tony Ramos (57kg), Brent Metcalf (65kg), James Green (70kg), Jordan Burroughs (74kg), Jake Herbert (86kg), Kyle Snyder (97kg) and Tervel Diagnev (125kg).
 
“I’ve been practicing twice a day, 11 times a week all year long for this,” Humphrey said. “I love what I do. Wrestling is 24-7 for me.”
 
Humphrey has cut nearly 30 pounds to get down to his competition weight.
 
“That’s all I’m thinking about every second,” Humphrey said. “I’m on a strict diet. Making this weight is very tough for me. I’m pretty lean around 160 pounds.”
 
His class, 61kg, is 134 pounds.
 
This time at the World Championships Humphrey feels it is his time to take gold.
 
“The first time I competed at World I didn’t know what to expect,” he said. “The second time I lost a close one to a two-time medalist. Now I know how to train, how to prepare. The competition is on home soil and I’m so ready to go out and do this.”
Humphrey feels this is his last chance to win a World medal.
 
“I’m anxious, nervous and excited,” he said. “I feel the pressure, but I love it. You don’t get that many shots at winning a world title. You have to take each one seriously. This really could be my last chance. I want to go out on top.”
 
Reece is proud of the fact he grew up in Indiana.
 
“Indiana isn’t known as one of the best wrestling states,” he said. “But when I was wrestling we had about 10 really tough kids that did really well at nationals. Angel Escobedo is my training partner. He was a four-time champ from Indiana.”
 
Humphrey teaches at a lot of camps throughout the state as a way of giving back.
 
“I do a lot of camps,” he said. “I plan on opening a club (in Ohio, where he currently resides) when I’m done with the Olympics in Rio. I’m all around the country doing camps. I have no weekends, ever. But I love working with the kids and spreading my knowledge. It’s my way of giving back to the sport that has given me so many opportunities.”
 
Wrestling allows Reece to be able to spend a lot of time with his family. He and his wife Meredith have two children – Parker, 4 and Reace, 3.
 
“I am fortunate to be able to spend a lot of time at home with the kids,” Reace said. “And when they start school I’ll be retired. I get to be a huge part of their life.”
 
This has been one of Humphrey’s most successful wrestling years so far. He won the US Open, made the world team and is now competing for a title.
 
“Aleksander Bogomoev (Russia) is very tough,” Humphrey said of the top ranked 61kg grappler. “But I feel like I can go out and compete with anyone right now. I’m at the top of my game.”

4157 2
State #WAYL2
We have 15 wrestlers that enter Friday without a loss on their record. However, the other 209 wrestlers have a combined 1040 losses between them. Most of the losses are to state level competitors. Here is a listing of all the losses for each wrestler at state this weekend.
Note: If you know any of the missing or incorrect results please notify me.
Random Stats
Most losses to state qualifiers
Joe Just and Joseph Walker- 11
Ethan Hicks- 9
Andrew Wilson, Malik Hoover, Andy Davidson- 8
Most wins over state qualifiers
Andres Moreno- 12
Kysen Montgomery, Asa Garcia, Gleason Mappes- 9
Brayden Curtis, Brayden Lowery, Colin Poynter, Conner Gimson, Jordan Slivka, Donnell Washington, Brayton Lee, Noah Warren, Zack Fattore- 8
Undefeated Wrestlers
113- Andres Moreno, Brayden Curtis, Brayden Lowery
132- Graham Rooks, Manzona Bryant
145- Christian Hunt, Tristan Sellmer
152- Brayton Lee
170- Zack Fattore
182- Nathan Walton, Silas Allred
195- Lucas Davison
220- Mason Parris, Ryan Hammond
285- Eli Pokorney
*- State Qualifier
106: Alex Cottey- Kysen Montgomery*, Logan Bailey(2)*
106: Cole Ross- Alex Cottey*, Jacob Moran*, Kysen Montgomery*
106: Colin Reagan- Giovanni Diaz*
106: David Pierson- Alex Cottey(2)*, Ben Dalton, Jacob Simone(3), Logan Bailey(2)*
106: Fernando Flores- Alex Petro*, Brendon Mark, Caleb Oliver*
106: Gavinn Alstott- Cole Ross(2)*, Kysen Montgomery*
106: Giovanni Diaz- Martin Cruz
106: Harrison Hadley- Alex Cottey*, David Pierson*, Logan Bailey*
106: Jace Alexander- Colin Reagan*, Fernando Flores*, Jacob Moran*, Preston Teusch
106: Jacob Moran- Giovanni Diaz*, Jacob Decatur
106: Kysen Montgomery- Brayden Lowery*, Carson Eldred*, Steven Garty
106: Logan Bailey- Jacob Moran*, Martin Cruz
106: Noah Gardner- Ben Dalton(2), Cole Ross*, Gavinn Alstott(2)*
106: Trey Sturgill- Andrew Sinkovics, Antonio Jefferson, Brandon Mark, Devonte Henson, Fernando Flores*, Jett Boots, Wyatt Miller*, Zachary Todd*
106: Wyatt Miller- Fernando Flores*
106: Zachary Todd- Alex Cottey*, Devin Casebolt, Fernando Flores*, Logan Bailey*, Owen Chandler, Wyatt Miller*
113: Alex Petro- Andres Moreno*, Brayden Lowery*, Devon Casebolt*, Jevian Ross, Kysen Montgomery*, Tyler Conley*
113: Andrew Black- Brayden Curtis*, Brayden Lowery*, Grant Stapleton
113: Blake Boarman- Devon Casebolt*
113: Brayden Shearer- Andres Moreno*, Brayden Curtis*
113: Caleb Oliver- Andrew Black*, Brayden Lowery*, Brayden Shearer*, Carson Eldred*, Evan Light, Jevian Ross, Karsten Harshbarger, Tyler Conley*
113: Carson Eldred- Brayden Curtis*, Brayden Lowery*, Kysen Montgomery*
113: Danny Tolin- Alex Petro*, Andres Moreno(2)*, Brayden Shearer*, Dane Durlacher , Ian Nelson, Jacob Moran*, Jose Diaz*, Ricky Hegedus*
113: Devon Casebolt- Blake Boarman(3)*, Brayden Lowery*, Kysen Montgomery*
113: Joe Just- Alex Petro*, Antonio Jefferson, Blake Boarman*, Brayden Curtis*, Brayden Lowery*, Brayden Shearer(3)*, Caleb Oliver*, Carson Eldred*, Danny Tolin*, Josh Smith-Goheen, Kade Zadylak*
113: Jose Diaz- Andres Moreno(3)*
113: Kade Zadylak- Andres Moreno*, Brayden Curtis*, Brayden Shearer(2)*, Seth Anderson
113: Ricky Hegedus- Andres Moreno*, Andrew Perelka, Andrew Wilson*, Blake Boarman*, Caleb Oliver*, Danny Tolin*, Jacob Moon, Kysen Montgomery*, Raymond Rioux*
113: Tyler Conley- Alex Petro*, Blake Boarman*, Brayden Lowery*, Carson Eldred*, Gavin Ritter, Jacob Moran*, Jevian Ross, Jimmy Balazy, Kysen Montgomery(2)*
120: Alex Bautista- Andres Moreno*, Brock Peele*, Sam Fair*, Tylor Triana*
120: Brendan Mattingly- Logan Wagner*, Lukasz Walendzak*
120: Brock Peele- Andres Moreno*, Hassan Johnson, Jedidiah Marlow, Lukasz Walendzak*, Micah Desseau, Tylor Triana(2)*
120: Drake Campbell- Benyamin Kamali, Brock Peele*, Logan Boe(2)*, Raymond Rioux*, Sam Fair(2)*
120: Hunter Watts- Christian Mejia*
120: Ian Heath- Brayden Curtis*, Chase Wilkerson, Hunter Watts*, Logan Mosser*, Zane Standridge*
120: Logan Boe- Drake Campbell*, Evan Lawhead, Raymond Rioux*, Seth Johnson
120: Logan Mosser- Brayden Curtis(2)*, Chris Schuller, Ian Heath*, Kyle Lawson*
120: Logan Wagner- Asa Garcia*, Benyamin Kamali, Brendan Mattingly*, Lukasz Walendzak*, Nick Winland, Raymond Rioux*, Sam Fair*, Tylor Triana*
120: Lukasz Walendzak- Gavin Rose(2), Sam Fair*, Tylor Triana*
120: Raymond Rioux- Brock Peele*, Drake Campbell(2)*, Jedidiah Marlow, Logan Boe(3)*, Lukasz Walendzak*, Nolan Ray
120: Sam Fair- Carson Willis
120: Tyler Fuqua- Sam Fair*, Drake Campbell(2)*, Kane Egli, Raymond Rioux(2)*
120: Tylor Triana- Andres Moreno*, Brock Peele*, Hunter Watts*
120: Vince Sparrow- Alex Bautista(2)*, Andrew Wertman, Benyamin Kamali, Brock Peele*, Hunter Watts*, Hunter Whitman, Logan Hunt, Logan Wagner*, Malachi Walteres, Ryan Franco, Seth Anderson, Trevor Penrod, Zane Standridge*
120: Zane Standridge- Gabriel Smith, Hunter Watts*, Logan Mosser*, Trevor Ragle
126: Alec Viduya- Asa Garcia*, Bryer Hall*, Ethan Smiley*, Logan Wagner*
126: Andrew Wilson- Alec Viduya(2)*, Asa Garcia*, Aundre Beatty, Colin Poynter*, Ethan Smiley*, Kaellin Kelly*, Kaleb Nickels, Kobey Bronaugh, Reece Luhmann, Skyler Gomez*, Tanner DeMien*, Tommy Oskina, Xayvier Curtis
126: Asa Garcia- Cayden Rooks*, Jordan Decatur, Ty Mills(2)*
126: Brycen Denny- Asa Garcia(2)*, Carson Willis, Ethan Smiley*, Ty Mills*
126: Bryer Hall- Ethan Smiley*, Tylan Tucker
126: Cayden Rooks- Asa Garcia*
126: Christian Mejia- Cayden Rooks*
126: Colin Poynter- Asa Garcia*, Clay Egli, David Massey, Gio Disabato, Mick Burnett
126: Ethan Smiley- Alec Viduya(3)*
126: Kaellin Kelly- Colin Poynter(4)*, Ethan Smiley*, Joel Vamdevere, Skyler Gomez*, Tylor Triana*
126: Kyle Lawson- Adam Ledesma, Alex Mosconi*, Asa Garcia*, Braxton Alexander, Isaac Hegwood, Jarred Rowlett*, Josh Zahl, Ricky Haught*, Sam Richard, Scottie Saylor, Skyler Gomez*, Tanner Schoeff*
126: Payne Blackburn- ???, Brycen Denny*, Christian Mejia*, Juron Franklin, Kyle Lawson(2)*, Scottie Saylor, Trevor Ragle
126: Skyler Gomez- Braxton Alexander, Kaellin Kelly(3)*, Tanner DeMien(3)*
126: Tanner DeMien- Austin Franco, Carson Willis, Cayden Rooks*, Christian Mejia*, Colin Poynter(2)*, Dominick Lomazzo, Hunter Watts*
126: Tanner Schoeff- Blake Hoyer, Christian Mejia(2)*
126: Ty Mills- Alec Viduya*, Asa Garcia*, Cayden Rooks*, Colin Poynter*, Michael Mars
132: Alex Barr- Chris Wilkerson*
132: Alex Mosconi- Deuce Brown, Graham Rooks*
132: Carter Noehre- Alex Mosconi*
132: Chris Wilkerson- ???(4), Carter Noehre(2)*, Reis Schrock, Ricky Haught*
132: Cody Betourne- Geremia Brooks*, Logan Hill*
132: Drew Kreitzer- Graham Rooks(2)*, Issac Lefler, Sam Glassco
132: Eli Dickens- Drew Kreitzer*, Graham Rooks*, LJ Burdon*
132: Geremia Brooks- Gabe Weeks, Manzona Bryant(3)*
132: Hunter Cottingham- Jarred Rowlett*, Justin Sparks, Matt Gimson*
132: Jarred Rowlett- Alex Mosconi(2)*, Carter Noehre(2)*, Chris Wilkerson*, Dalton Craig, Jaden Reynolds(2)
132: LJ Burdon- Drew Kreitzer(2)*, Evan lawhead, Graham Rooks*, Jaden Reynolds(2), Nate West
132: Logan Hill- Gabe Weeks(3), Geremia Brooks*, Manzona Bryant(2)*, Matt Gimson(2)*, Raul Martinez(2), Ricky Haught*, Stone Moscovic
132: Matt Gimson- Alex Barr*, Alex Mosconi*
132: Ricky Haught- Alex Barr*, Braxton Alexander, Elijah Bauer(2), Gavyn Warren, Hunter Cottingham(2)*, Stone Moscovic
138: Adam Davis- Kris Rumph*, Preston Risner*
138: Alexander Strueder- ???, Bailey Moore*, Blake Mulkey*, Brian Keeney, Dallas Pugsley, Hunter Cottingham*, Jacob Burford, Mason Miranda, Noah Robinson, Zach Melloh*
138: Austin Moore- Bryton Goering*, Conner Gimson*, Joe Leazier
138: Bailey Moore- Brailen Harrington*, Jack Servies, Jesus Mancera
138: Blake Mulkey- Dawson Combest*, Kevon Davenport
138: Brailen Harrington- Gary Kitko, Jordan Slivka*, Mason Miranda, Zach Melloh(3)*
138: Bryton Goering- Austin Moore*, Conner Gimson(3)*, Jesus Mancera, Preton Risner
138: Conner Gimson- Bryton Goering*, Jesus Mancera, Zach Melloh*
138: Dawson Combest- Blake Mulkey*, Zach Melloh*
138: Dylan Goudy-  Austin Moore*, Brailen Harrington*, Brice Coleman, Conner Gimson*, Donald Campbell, Drew Linder, Gary Kitko(2), Torion'ja Forrest, Tytus Morrisett
138: Ian Dembowski- Bailey Moore*, Adam Davis*, Gary Kitko, Kris Rumph(2)*, Preston Risner*
138: Kris Rumph- Blake Mulkey*, Hunter Yackee, Lamonte Chapman, Zach Melloh*
138: Matt Lee- Blake Mulkey*, Dawson Combest*, Kris Rumph*, Saul ervin
138: Noah Hunt- Dawson Combest*, Jesus Mancera, Matt Lee(2)*, Preston Risner*
138: Preston Risner- Blaze Lowery(2), Bryton Goering*, Conner Gimson(3)*, Dawson Combest*, Kris Rumph*, Matt Kincaid
138: Zach Melloh- Alex Isbrandt, Colt Rutter
145: Antwaun Graves- Jordan Slivka*
145: Brock Ellis- Jacob LaPlace(3)*, Jon Ruble*, Jorden Douglass*, Kasper McIntosh(2)*, Peyton Pruett(2), Tristan Ruhlman
145: Dakota Ball- Antwaun Graves*
145: Eliseus Young- Christian Hunt(2)*, Hayden Lohrey*, Jon ruble(2)*, Zach Mounsey
145: Giran Kunkel- Christian Hunt*, Isaiah Levitz, Levi Miller, Logan Macklin
145: Hayden Lohrey- Dakota Ball*, Jordan Slivka*
145: Jacob LaPlace- Jake Schoenegge*, Jordan Slivka*, Kasper McIntosh(2)*
145: Jake Schoenegge- Christopher Donathan, Joel Arney*, Jordan Slivka*, Tristan Sellmer(2)*
145: Jon Ruble- Antwaun Graves*, Christian Hunt*, Cody Snook, Elliot Rodgers*, Giran Kunkel*, Jacob LaPlace*, Jordan Slivka*
145: Jordan Slivka- Antwaun Graves*, Christian Hunt*, Christopher Donathan
145: Jorden Douglass- Jarin Glass, Kasper McIntosh*
145: Kasper McIntosh- Victor Voinovich
145: Nathan Conley- Brayton Lee(3)*, Donnell Washington*, Nick South*, Sandro Ramirez, Tristan Sellmer*, William Schmidt
145: Scott Fitts- ???, Garret Bass, Jack Servies, Jake Schoenegge(2)*, Kasper McIntosh*, Nathan Conley*
152: Aiden Warren- Christian Hunt*, Brayton Lee(2)*, Dheontae Unseld, Donnell Washington*, Jake Schoenegge*, Jordan Slivka*, Kody Wagner*, Robert Deters*
152: Corban Pollitt- Brayton Lee*, Derek Blubaugh*, Jacob Schrader, Joseph Walker*, Josh Foster, Macartney Parkinson, Robert Deters*, Xander Stroud*
152: Derek Blubaugh- Brayton Lee*, Robert Deters*
152: Donnell Washington- Connor Brady, Jordan Slivka*, Noah Lamore*, Oszkar Kasch*
152: Elliot Rodgers- Dheontae Unseld, Jack Servies, Kody Wagner*, Nathan Conley*, Xander Stroud*
152: Eric Hiestand- Clayton Fielden, Elliot Rodgers*, Konner Bender
152: Graham Calhoun- Donnell Washington*
152: Jackson Pettigrew- ???(5), Boston Dubuocq, Carlos Lopez, Garrett Hetzner, JD McNett, Joel Arney(3)*, Kade wagley, Noah Perez, Xander Stroud*
152: Joel Arney- Derek Blubaugh*, Dheontae Unseld, Eric Hiestand*, Xander Stroud*
152: Joseph Walker- Derek Blubaugh(2)*, Donnell Washington(2)*, Elliot Rodgers*, Graham Calhoun(3)*, Logan Macklin, Noah Lamore(2)*, Xander Stroud*
152: Kody Wagner- Derek Blubaugh*, Elliot Rodgers*, Gleason Mappes*, Nathan Conley*
152: Noah Lamore- Aaron Griggs, Donnell Washington*
152: Robert Deters- Brayton Lee*, Christian Hunt(2)*, Corban Pollitt*
152: Stevie Browning- ???, Aiden Warren*, Andrew Roberts, Elliot Rodgers*, Noah Lamore*
152: Xander Stroud- Eric Hiestand*, Isiah Levitz, Joseph Walker*, Mason Winner*
160: Anthony Mosconi- Brooks Davis*, Elijah Mahan*, James Despain, Kama Adewumi, Sam Hauke, Traveon Booker, Tucker Coffman*, Zack Fattore*
160: Ben Kensinger- Colin Wilson, Dante Colza, David Sheley, Diego Lemley(2)*, Donya Harris, Johnny Parker, Kevin Hooley, Oszkar Kasch*, Zach Nugent
160: Brooks Davis- Anthony Mosconi*, Jack Eiteljorge*, Kamal Adewumi, Lucas Carrillo, Nick South*
160: Chandler Woenker- Brandon Kocks, Hunter Reed*, Mason Winner*
160: Diego Lemley- Donnell Washington*, Gleason Mappes(2)*, Oszkar Kasch*
160: Ethan Hicks- Bryton Goering*, Chandler Woenker(2)*, Dante Colza, Hunter Reed(2)*, Mason Winner*, Nick South(2)*, Xander Stroud*
160: Gleason Mappes- Nick South*
160: Hunter Reed- Mason Winner*
160: Jack Eiteljorge- Gleason Mappes(2)*
160: Malik Hoover- Ben Kensinger*, Brock Ellis*, Dante Colza(2), Diego Lemley*, Ethan Hicks*, Gleason Mappes*, Isaiah Watts, Joseph Houston, Kasper McIntosh*, Oszkar Kasch(2)*
160: Mason Winner- Drake Baker, Jack Eiteljorge*
160: Nick South- Gleason Mappes*
160: Oszkar Kasch- Diego Lemley*, Donnell Washington*, Jack Eiteljorge*
160: Tucker Coffman- Brad Lowe(2)*, Jack Eiteljorge*, Jalen Morgan*, Mason Winner*, Oszkar Kasch*
160: Tucker Schank- Nick South(2)*
160: Wade Presson- Ben Kensinger*, Brooks Davis*, Cameron Smith, Clay Singleton, David Sheley, Diego Lemely, Diego Lemley*, Gleason Mappes(2)*, Jacob Schrader, Josh Craig, Nolan Weidner, Tucker Schank(2)*
170: Andy Davidson- Brad Lowe*, Brady Wyro*, Brigham Kleinhenz(2)*, Devon Stikes, Eric Vermillion, Evan Bates(2), Kameron Fuller(3)*, Noah Warren*, Samuel Osho, Zane Beineke(3)
170: Brad Lowe- Eric Vermillion, Noah Warren(3)*
170: Brady Wyro- Delton Moore*, Jake Lone*, Jordan Rader*
170: Brigham Kleinhenz- Aaron Mosley*, Andy Davidson*, Caleb Owens, Carson Brewer*, Daniel Below*, Kameron Fuller*, Zane Beineke
170: Carson Brewer- Ashton Eyler(2)
170: Cody Crary- Jordan Rader, Zack Fattore(2)*
170: Cody Klettheimer- KJ Roudebush, Noah Warren*
170: Delton Moore- ???(2), Jake Lone*, Jordan Rader(3)*
170: Drake Guerrero- Anthony Mosconi*, Cody Crary(2)*, Domenic DiPietro, Evan Bates, Mario Traficanti(2)*, Noah Perez, Paul Gliva, Sean-Michael James, Zack Fattore*
170: Elijah Mahan- Brad Lowe*, Cody Klettheimer*, Nathan Walton*, Noah Warren(2)*, Silas Allred*
170: Jake Lone- Delton Moore(2)*, Jordan Rader*, Zack Fattore(1)*
170: Jordan Rader- Zack Fattore*
170: Kameron Fuller- Carson Brewer*, Daniel Below*, Noah Warren*
170: Mario Traficanti- Anthony Mosconi*, Brad Lowe*, Diego Lemley*, Drake Guerrero*, Evan Bates, Noah Perez, Trey Buehler(2), Zack Fattore(2)*
170: Noah Warren- Nathan Walton(1)*
182: Aaron Mosley- Nathan Walton*
182: Brenden Moore- ???(6), Aaron Mosley*, Chase Taylor, Cole Calvert, Deacon Parker, Kiave Guerrier(2)*, Kyle Hagedorn, Luke McGennis, Tyler Tasa, Will Nunn
182: Cade Girgenti- Alex Cramer
182: Conner Graber- Noah Cressell*
182: Daniel Below- Elijah Mahan*, Jalen Morgan(2)*, Nathan Walton*, Sam Gobeyn*, Will Nunn
182: Jalen Morgan- ???(2), Jonyvan Johnson(2)*, KJ Roudebush, Silas Allred*
182: Jamari Washington- ???(5), Jeremy Torres*, Tyjonn Lockett
182: Jeremy Torres- Cade Girgenti*, Carson Brewer*, Daniel Below*, David McCullough, Ethan Potosky(2), Jacob Meek, Nathan Walton*, Tyjonn Lockett(2)
182: Jonyvan Johnson- Conner Graber*, Noah Cressell*
182: Kiave Guerrier- Nathan Walton*
182: Kyler Funk- ???(3), Bryce Baker, Conner Graber*, Jaylen Moran, Jonyvan Johnson*, Noah Cressel, Sam Smith
182: Max Chaffee- Cade Girgenti*, Jamari Washington*, Sam Gobeyn*
182: Noah Cressell- Conner Graber*
182: Sam Gobeyn- Cade Girgenti*, Elijah Mahan*, Kevin Mochen, Nathan Walton*, Silas Allred*
195: Arthur Fowler- Bryson Ford*, Ewan Donovan, Jacob Bondon, Rockne Hurley*, Thomas Penola*
195: Bryson Ford- Lucas Davison*, Sam Hansen*
195: Dan Wickersham- ???(2), Alex Lucius, Brandon Powell, Damien Rodriguez(2), Draven Rasler(2)*, Isaac Walters, Jaxson Savieo*, Justin Samons, Victor Lee*
195: Draven Rasler- Jaxson Savieo*, Levi Leffers*
195: Grant Goforth- ???, Conner Graber*, Jaden Sonner*, Jonyvan Johnson*
195: Jaden Sonner- Grant Goforth*
195: Jaxson Savieo- Tremor Bynum*
195: Luke Smith- Aaron Moseley(2), Chris Spiller, Grant Goforth*, Jaden Sonner(2)*, Will Rolley
195: Michael Bohman- Grant Goforth*, Luke Utterback, Sam Hansen*, Thomas Penola*, Tremor Bynum*
195: Rockne Hurley- Brendin Yatooma, Charlie Agnew, Lucas Davison*, Shane Stits*, Thomas Penola(1)*
195: Sam Hansen- Thomas Penola(2)*
195: Shane Stits- Andrwe Glaze, Arthur Fowler(2)*, Cameron Bacon, Dakari Kenny, Deon Pettiford, Grant Goforth*, Griffin Stine, Jaden Sonner*, Luke Smith*, Sam Hansen*, Thomas Penola*
195: Thomas Penola- Lucas Davison(2)*
195: Tremor Bynum- Charlie Agnew, David Garcia(2), Noah Lawson, Sam Hansen*
195: Victor Lee- Aaron Sedwick, Blaine Pierce, Draven Rasler*, Noah Cressell*, Stewart Mossholder(2)
220: Brandon Streck- Lucas Davison*
220: Chandler Schumm- Isaiah Baumgartner*, Levi Leffers(2)*, Ty Stevenson
220: Gaven Hare- Cameron Smith, Hunster Lester, Isaiah Baumgartner(2)*, Jacob McClaine*, Keegan Miller, Thomas Coleman
220: Isaiah Baumgartner- Chandler Schumm(3)*, David Delph, Gaven Hare*, Levi Leffers*, Silas Allred*
220: Jacob Bolte- Adam Berta, Caleb Thomas, Daniel Kimbell(2), Frank Hammond, Hubmerto Pulido, Hunter Gulden, Michael Boots*
220: Jacob McClaine- Mason Parris*, Thomas Penola*
220: Jacob Sisk- Jacob Bolte*, Macray Robinson(2), Ryan Hammond*, Will Stewart
220: Joey Kidwell- Brandon Streck*, Braydon Erb, Dalton Clouse, Tristen Hoffman
220: Kyle Cornwell- Jaxson Savieo*, Mason Parris*
220: Kyle Simpkins- Caleb Thomas, Chester Swopes(2), Dennis Weston, Jacob Jeeninga, Jarron Gerwig, Joe Kuhl, Joey Kidwell*, Lucas Davison*, Michael Foster, Nate LaFree*, Tory Deetz, Will Crider
220: Landan Burton- Jacob McClaine*, Kyle Cornwell*, Michael Boots*
220: Levi Leffers- Cameron Smith, Gaven Hare*
220: Michael Boots- Alex Lichliter, Ryan Hammond*
220: Nate Lafree- Brandon Streck(2)*, Caleb Thomas, Draven Rasler*
285: Dakota Ault- Holden Parsons*, Nick Conner*
285: Donnie Crider- Eli Pokorney*, Nick Dlay, River Henry
285: Elisha Tipping- Alex Cartwright(2), Chase Leeper, Donnie Crider*, Isaiah McWilliams(2)*
285: Gabe Watkins- ???, Chase Leeper, Donnie Crider*, Elisha Tipping*, Holden Parsons*, Lane Eubank, Nate Dunn, Thomas Schwieterman
285: Garrett Curtis- Jack Williams, Jalen Comer*, Manny Cheam(2), Riley McCubbins(2)*
285: Harley Hillenburg- Aidian Rea, Alex Faulkner, Braiden Shaw, Garrett Curtis*, Wyatt Kramer
285: Holden Parsons- Darrione Gregory, Jacob Obst*, Marcus Stone(2)*, Riley McCubbins*
285: Isaiah McWilliams- Eli Pokorney*
285: Jacob Obst- Alex Faulkner, Braiden Shaw, Tyler Majors*
285: Jalen Comer- ???(2), Brian Fuller, Harley Hillenburg*, Holden Parsons*, Riley McCubbins(2)*
285: Jamichael Watts- ???, Jacob Obst(3)*, Marcus Stone*, Tyler Majors*
285: Marcus Stone- Manny Cheam, Bryce Adams, Jamichael Watts*, Logan Shaffer
285: Nick Conner- Alex Faulkner, Eli Pokorney*, Gabe Watkins*, Isaiah McWilliams, Michael Conery, Vince Yoder, Yehzquel DeVault
285: Riley McCubbins- Garrett Curtis*, Jalen Comer(3)*
285: Tyler Majors- Alex Roberts, Brian Fuller, Darrion Gregory, Darrione Gregory, Harley Hillenburg*, Holden Parsons*, Jack Williams, Jacob Obst(2)*, Jamichael Watts*, Manny Cheam, Marcus Stone(2)*, Wyatt Kramer

4118
Penn graduate Sarah Hildebrandt taking a shot at wrestling in 2016 Rio Olympics
By Steve Krah
 
FORT WAYNE — Olympic hopeful Sarah Hildebrandt has a big decision to make in the upcoming months.
 
The Penn High School graduate and King University senior has to choose whether she will pursue her goal of making the U.S. women's wrestling team for the 2016 Rio Games by training at home in Granger or at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.
 
"The two options are very even right now," Hildebrandt said Saturday, Jan. 10, while helping King to a second straight title at the National Wrestling Coaches Association Duals at Memorial Coliseum. "I kind of have to come to a decision within the next two months.
 
Read more at
http://www.elkharttruth.com/sports/high-school/wrestling/2015/01/12/Penn-graduate-Sarah-Hildebrandt-taking-a-shot-at-wrestling-in-2016-Rio-Olympics.html

4090
Top 10 Stories of 2014
By Chad Hollenbaugh
IndianaMat Senior Writer
Super 32 Kicks of 2014-15 Prep Season – New Palestine’s Chad Red led a strong contingent of Hoosier wrestlers with his championship performance at the premier pre-season tournament in the country. Red’s domination of the field at 126 has led to his current Flo ranking of #2 in the country. He is only the third Indiana product to win this event, joining Indian Creek’s Ethan Raley and Warsaw’s Jared Brooks. Red’s club teammate and fellow junior Blake Rypel finished a strong third at 182. The Cathedral product moved up to 195 for the high school season and is still dominant. He currently holds the # 8 ranking in the country at 195. East Noble’s Garrett Pepple and Lowell’s Drew Hughes also finished on the podium with fourth place finishes at 113 and 152 respectively.
Three Cadet champs, Team Finishes 5th at Fargo – Late July always brings exciting wrestling news from the always beautiful Fargo, North Dakota. The Fargodome, on the campus of North Dakota state annually hosts the Cadet and Junior level freestyle and Greco national championship. The Indiana Cadet team had one of the finest performances in the states history as three Hoosiers won national freestyle titles. Mt. Vernon’s Paul Konrath followed up his high school runner-up performance with a freestyle national crown. Konrath’s victory vaulted him onto the national map. Perhaps no Indiana wrestler had a better 2014 than Chad Red. Red added a national championship in freestyle to his long list of accolades by winning the 126 pound class. The third Hoosier champ was Evansville Mater Dei’s Nick Lee. Lee dominated the field in Fargo in route to his championship. Penn’s Kobe Woods was a national runner-up and Westfield’s Evan Eldred placed 7th to help Indiana to a 5th place team placement.
University of Indianapolis has Highest ever National Finish – Regional Coach of the Year Jason Warthen took seven Greyhound grapplers to Cleveland after winning their super regional for the first time in school history. After two days in Cleveland, UIndy returned to the Circle City with four All-Americans and the programs highest ever national finish.(8th) Scoring for the Greyhounds were Jeff Weiss who was 3rd at 165, Evan Wooding placed 5th at 285, Cameryn Brady garnered his third All-American honor with a 6th place finish and Evansville Reitz product Alex Johns placed 7th at the 125 pound class. Warthen has built the Greyhounds into a national power at the Division 2 level and while they will miss the fab four seniors, don’t expect the Greyhounds to be down for long.
Lefever becomes first National Champ in Wabash’s History – When Fort Wayne Carroll’s Riley Lefever made his choice to follow his brothers and wrestle for the Little Giants of Wabash, Head Coach Brian Anderson knew he was getting an outstanding student-athlete. He probably had no idea that Lefever would run the table, finish 41-0, and become Wabash’s first ever National Champion. With a takedown at the edge in the first overtime period, Lefever defeated two time national finalist Brian Broderick of The College of New Jersey to claim the championship, 3-1. The future is very bright for Lefever as he contines to develop and mature as a wrestler. The humble Lefever thanked his older twin brother in typically humorous way when he stated, after winning the title, “without them beating the crap out of me every single day I wouldn’t be here right now.”
Northwestern Jason Tsirtsis wins D1 Crown at 149 – Cardiac kid, Jason Tsirtsis, held his poise through three straight overtime victories in the 2014 NCAA national championships to become the first Northwestern freshman to ever claim the national crown. Tsirtsis used a nice trip on a single leg and worked to secure the ankle of Oklahoma State’s Josh Kindig in the first period of overtime to seal the victory. On his way to the top of the podium, the Crown Point product had to defeat a defending national champion in Kendrick Maple of Oklahoma as well as the number one seed, Drake Houdashelt of Missouri. The Houdashelt win avenged a defeat earlier in the season. Now a sophomore, Tsirtsis has picked up where he left off. He is ranked first in the country and is undefeated heading into the Midlands tournament.
Indianapolis Cathedral Claims First IHSAA Wrestling State Championship – One of the most storied wrestling programs in the state earned its first state championship in school history. Cathedral rode the broad shoulders of state champion heavyweight Wesley Bernard and runner-up performances from Vinny Corsaro and Blake Rypel to earn that elusive first title. The Irish overcame a disappointing first round loss by Ben Harvey but got a third place finish from Breyden Bailey and seventh from Skylour Turner to add points to Cathedral’s total. With Rypel, Harvey, Bailey and Turner returning, the Irish will be in the hunt again in 2015.
Yorktown Goes Back to Back, Franklin and Churubusco Win First Team Titles – Yorktown turned in a devastating performance to win its second straight team state dual title. The Tigers went 34-8 as individuals in route to defeating Lebanon, New Prairie and North Montgomery. Franklin Community Grizzly Cubs defeated Warren Central in round one and then edged defending team state champs Perry Meridian by one slim point before finishing the deal with a narrow three point victory over Evansville Mater Dei in the finals. The small school crown was claimed by the Sam Riesen led Churubusco Eagles. After defeating Bremen in round one, the Eagles built up a big lead on South Putnam and coasted to a victory. The state crown made the trip back to Turtletown when ‘Busco used a pin in the last match to break a tie against defending champ Adams Central.
Hanover Central Produces another 3 time State Champion – Ten years ago, Hanover Central legend Andrew Howe was on his way to becoming a three time state champion for the Wildcats. A decade later, Stevan Micic matched Howe’s accomplishment when he bested Penn’s Zach Davis, 10-5. The Northwestern recruit became just the 33rd grappler in state history to win three or more titles. Micic was a perfect 137-0 in his final three seasons for Hanover Central.
Robinson, LeCount, Wilson and Red Repeat as State Champs – Lake Central’s Gelen Robinson capped a 2nd straight undefeated season with his 2nd state championship. An impressive accomplishment that was just part of an amazing athletic career for this three sport stud. Perry Meridan’s Cody LeCount quietly put the cap on an amazing high school career with his second state title. LeCount won in his junior and senior seasons after finishing second during his sophomore year. Warren Central’s Deondre Wilson also won a second straight title when he bested Perry Meridian’s Brandon James. His junior year, Wilson bested Lowell’s Drew Hughes. The final two time champ was also the youngest. New Palestine’s Chad Red followed up his title at 106 in his freshmen year with a 6-2 win in his sophomore campaign at 120.
Indiana Legend Andrew Howe Completes Outstanding College Career – In a college career that spanned six years, former Hanover Central great Andrew Howe capped an outstanding run by finishing second in the 2014 national championship last March in Oklahoma City. The runner-up finish matched his 2nd place finish during his freshman year when he competed for Wisconsin. Howe won the national title in his sophomore campaign with the Badgers and added a third place his junior year before transferring to Oklahoma.


4081 28
2014 Al Smith Preview
By Chad Hollenbaugh
IndianaMat Senior Writer
 
The Al Smith Invite is considered the toughest regular season tournament in the state of Indiana and the 2014 edition should continue that tradition. Last year, the Penn Kingsmen were clicking on all cylinders and ran away with the crown by nearly 90 points. Penn placed in 13 of the 14 weight classes and were never seriously challenged. Five other programs in the IndianaMat Power Poll will be among those trying to topple the Kingsmen.
This year the Kingsmen are still considered the favorite but sickness and injuries have plagued Brad Harper’s squad and this fact might open the door to contenders like Merrillville, Warren Central, Lawrence North, and Bellmont.
Six champs from last years meet return this year and seven of the states top ranked wrestlers will be in action on the 30th and 31st. Number 1 headliners include Colton Cummings of Lowell at 106, Merrillville’s Jacob Covaciu at 145, hometown boy Tommy Forte at 152, Lowell’s Drew Hughes at 160, Penn’s Chase Osborn and Kobe Woods at 182 and 220 respectively, and finally Merrillville big man Shawn Streck at 285. This tournament is so nasty that a state champ is neither top ranked nor a defending champion. (Tommy Cash)
106
Top ranked Colton Cummings of Lowell appears to be on a collision course with #3 Tylor Triana of Hobart. Graham Rooks of Columbus East and Keyuan Murphy of Warren Central bring strength from the south. Tanner Demein of Northwood and Kyle Mockenstrum of Prairie Heights are potential dark horses.
113
Drew Hildebrandt of Penn is the likely number one see here. He has the resume to be considered the clear favorite. Keep an eye on Michael DeLaPena of Merrillville, he is possibly flying under the states radar but is no doubt improving daily in the Pirate room.
120
The states seventh ranked 120 pounder, Brenden Black of Hobart, returns to the same weight class after finishing fourth last year. He will be the likely number 1 seed. State placer, Kyle Hatch of Warsaw, will probably be on the other side of the bracket. Chesterton’s Jack Tolin, Penn’s Austin Slates, and Elkhart Memorial’s Marcus Meija add depth to this class. A possible spoiler might be junior Issac Castro of Lawrence North.
126
Munster’s third ranked Jason Crary is, in my mind, the clear favorite at 126. He was the champion last year at 113, appears to be healthy and has yet to be tested. A host of contenders will attempt to prove me wrong. #4 Elliot Malloy of Danville, #8 Branden Truver, and #10 Joel McGhee return as place winners in the same weight class. Bellmont mat men always seem to perform at Mishawaka and #11 Jon Becker is dangerous here.
132
A two-man race appears to be brewing at 132. Merrillville’s Clarence Johnson and Warren Central’s Matthew McKinney have nearly identical resumes and seeding them might come down to a flip of the coin. A second tier of contenders includes Daniel Gunsett of Bellmont and NIC rivals Daniel Olsen (SB Adams), Austen Laughlin (SB Riley) and Jarrett Selis (Penn). Those looking for a spoiler might keep an eye on Fernando Luevano of West Noble.
138
Defending state champion Tommy Cash of Lawrence North is the lead dog here. He should cruise to an Al Smith Title unless promising frosh Zach Fattore of Hobart shows he is ready for the big time. Jimtown senior Jay Franko wrestled in the finals last year at 126 and is the probable #2 seed.
145
Another top ranked wrestler, Merrillville’s Jacob Covaciu, headlines the 145 pound class. He is not, however, the clear favorite here. Fellow junior, Trent Pruitt of Warren Central defeated the purple Pirate at last year’s event. Pruitt enters with a state ranking of fifth. Elkhart Memorial’s dangerous Tony Vaughn adds depth to this class.
 
 
152 and 160
Both of these weight classes should be dominated by top ranked Tommy Forte at 152 and Drew Hughes at 160. Forte is a former state champ and Hughes has wrestled under the lights at Bankers Life. Both of these studs have an extensive national resume to back up their state credentials. At 152, Lake Central’s Kody Christenson and Penn’s Jarod Swank will try to find a chink in the Forte armor. Forte will be attempting to make history by becoming only the second wrestler to be a four time champ. (Bellmont’s Randy Baker) At 160, Bellmont’s Bryce Baumgartner appears to have the best shot a meeting Hughes in the finals.
170
If everything goes according to Hoyle, the 170 class might have the best finals match of the entire day. Scottie Sopko of Hobart and Joey Mammolenti of Penn have both been on the state’s radar for a number of years but neither has achieved their ultimate goals. These two warriors met three weeks ago and Sopko came away with a narrow 3-1 victory at the Harvest Classic. Whomever is the #2 seed had better not look too far ahead because Lawrence North junior Cameron Jones has the tools to knock of either of the two big dogs.
182
Penn’s top ranked Chase Osborn seems like he has been around for the past decade. That is a testament to the impact he has had on the Kingsmen program since his freshman year. He is a clear favorite here if he is healthy. Chesterton super sophomore Andrew Davison could make a huge splash with an upset here. He already has a convincing win over last year’s fifth place finisher at this weight, Jonathan Morales of Western Boone.
195
Five state ranked wrestlers will sprinkle the bracket at 195 but none of the five has separated themselves from the crowd. This might me the most wide open and unpredictable weight class in the meet. Sixth ranked Nick Fowler of Calumet is unbeaten on the season and eighth ranked Bo Davis of Garrett was a state qualifier last year. Three sport stud Tanner Bradley of Mishawaka will look to give the hometown fans something to cheer about.
220
Penn’s second top ranked wrestler, Kobe Woods, will likely earn the top seen at 220. He will be challenged by fourth ranked Courvoiser Morrow of Warren Central and Northern Lakes Conference rivals Kaleb Summers of Elkhart Memorial and Derek Paz of Goshen. Woods is the man to beat here.
285
Merrillville junior Shawn Streck has wrestled in the finals both years he has competed in the Al Smith. He was runner-up during his freshman campaign but dominated the field last year. Look for more of the same out of the big Pirate. Eighth ranked Cory Christman of Penn probably has the best chance of slowing down the Purple Hulk.

4041 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.

4024 8
Oberlin taking over Homestead program
By DANE FUELLING There will be a new coach in the chair for Homestead High School come November, as the Southwest Allen County school named Andy Oberlin the next head coach of the wrestling team.    “I am extremely excited to be running the program,” said Oberlin in an interview Monday with the DDD. “As with most wrestlers, I like to be in control and have opinions on how things should be done and now I will get a chance to see if they will work.”   Oberlin takes over the Spartan program from former Snider wrestler Nathan Devaux, and heads a program that he has been coaching in some capacity since 2014. Oberlin says that for the first time in his personal life, he finally has time to balance his family, work and a head coaching job.    Devaux will continue with the program as an assistant, as well as Brent Stockman, who wrestled at Toledo University. Other assistants for 2020-21 will be Josh Michaels (Columbia City), Rick Greenwood (Elmhurst) and Mason Gaines (Fishers).    The new coach is a graduate of DeKalb High School, where he graduated in 1994.    “I had the pleasure of wrestling TIm Myers six times my sophomore and junior year,” Oberlin chuckled. Of the six losses he had his sophomore and junior year, four of them came from Myers. He was eliminated from the state tournament both years by Myers in the ticket round.    Oberlin’s Bellmont connection continued his senior year, where he handed Jason Hayes his only two losses of the year prior to his appearance in the state championship bout in 1994. The Baron wrestler finished fourth that year at 119.    His wrestling career continued at North Central College, a D3 school. A decade after leaving North Central, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Purdue University.    Oberlin began his coaching career in 1997 as an assistant for the well-travelled Rod Williams at Norwell. He returned to Dekalb a few years after that and coached under Tom Blackburn and later Jason Hunter.    “I truly love coaching kids because of what this sport did for me and what I see it do for athletes. There is a bond between a wrestling coach and an athlete that I personally don’t see in other sports. You are truly going into battle with them and that solidifies that bond. Personally, there is nothing better than watching a child start wrestling as a youth and then see that athlete wrestle his senior year.”   A full program, not just at the high school level, but all the way through the youth program, is Oberlin’s ultimate goal at one of the largest high schools in northeast Indiana.    “Over the last six years, we have taken a club of about 10 to 20 kids to a little more than 100 last year. Our middle school programs are starting to develop and grow.”   Over 70 kids competed on the district’s two middle school programs this season and the success of the program was higher than in recent memory.    When asked for goals for his tenure, Oberlin looked at the bigger picture.   “We, as a community, have to work to raise the level of wrestling in our area. I want Homestead to be a part of lifting this semi-state back up.”   A berth at Team State and a few state medals were just some of the big goals he has for the program. Oberlin noted that he worked with other coaches on a ten year plan when he came to the program and feels that with three years left, Homestead is still on pace to accomplish many of the original standards he set in 2014.    Oberlin admitted that competing with Bellmont is a goal of his.    “We have a pretty strong Thanksgiving Duals and I will make sure that Bellmont has a standing invitation to that.”   An invitation to compete at the prestigious Al Smith tournament at Mishawaka over the holidays is something that Oberlin feels his program can earn in the coming years.    Oberlin and his wife and three children reside in the SACS district. 
3955 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!!!

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Reynolds Overcomes Surgeries, Long Road to Recovery Ahead of Comeback Campaign
By Anna Kayser
 
When Brownsburg opens its doors to kick off the 2023-24 wrestling season on Nov. 29 vs. Westfield, it will be the first time in 291 days that Parker Reynolds steps onto the mat in competition. Nine months and 18 days full of doctor’s visits, blood tests, surgeries, physical therapy and pushing himself to the limit, all for a young athlete to return to wrestling stronger than he left it.
 
Parker, the 138-pound freshman starter in last year’s Bulldog lineup, had his first high school campaign riddled with a then-mysterious condition causing numbness in his hands. A season which had incredible high points – on Dec. 10 at the Walsh Jesuit Ironman, he defeated the eventual 138-pound state champion from Ohio – was challenged by a mix of physical and mental hurdles.
 
“When I wrestled, I would lose all feeling. It was almost like there were knives in my forearms, it hurt really, really bad,” Parker said. “It started to almost become a mental thing because before a lot of matches, I wouldn’t know if it was going to come up or not and it almost freaked me out before every match. I was worried that my hands were going to go numb, and it really started messing with me when I wrestled.”
 
Following a semi-state loss to end his freshman season, Parker immediately began seeing a series of doctors to diagnose his condition. They tested his heart, musculoskeletal system and blood for autoimmune diseases before being referred to a group of specialists on thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) – one being Dr. George G. Sheng, a vascular surgeon with Ascension Medical Group.
 
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, TOS – a condition often found in pitchers due to their repetitive throwing motion – refers to a series of syndromes where compression of nerves, arteries and veins in the lower neck and upper chest causes pain or numbness in the surrounding areas.
 
Parker, after undergoing another series of tests with Dr. Sheng, was diagnosed with both neurogenic and venous TOS, two of the three syndromes related to TOS causing his hands to turn purple, numbness and the sensation of feeling knives in his forearms.
 
The constant movement of the shoulder forward – similar to a pitcher’s throwing motion – at a young age can affect the placement of ribs before they’re entirely developed, leading to a partial blockage of different nerves and veins making up the spinal system. Parker became the first wrestler Dr. Sheng had seen with TOS, and in turn became the first to undergo a procedure to remove the first rib on his right side in an effort to alleviate his symptoms. The recovery timeline for this surgery to treat TOS is one year.
 
“Nobody thought he was going to be able to wrestle this year – not even the surgeon, not even us,” Josh Reynolds, Parker’s dad, said. “He was going to have to put the work in, he was going to have to go to physical therapy and see how his body [healed].”
 
Parker has TOS on both sides of his body, but an early expectation of having two rib-removal surgeries faded as the April 3 surgery on his right side relieved most symptoms on both. However, the doubt of a possible second surgery and how his body would rebound expanded the unknown from one year to potentially never wrestling again.
 
“This is the longest I’ve ever gone without having a match, I felt like so much was getting taken away from me. There was a lot of doubt [if I would ever wrestle again],” Parker said.
 
The beginning stages of Parker’s recovery can be summed up in two words: Boring and grueling. Unable to do anything where he might feel pressure in his left side, the rising sophomore found himself unable to do all of his favorite things – wrestling, as well as enjoy fishing and a number of water activities at his family’s vacation home in Florida.
 
After months of being in a dark place mentally, from not knowing what was going on with his body to possibly being unable to wrestle for at least a year, Parker began seeing a mental coach.
“[Parker’s mental coach] has probably been one of the biggest influences in all of this,” Josh said. “He was a calming voice to Parker and saying ‘Listen, you’ve got to listen to your body. If you’re not right, you can’t come back prematurely.’”
 
Taking the next step in his rehab process by beginning light, lower body-focused workouts helped, too, and Parker’s parents saw a noticeable change mentally.
 
And then, a lump on his neck appeared and severe nosebleeds began, sparking a series of blood tests with the possibility of lymphoma or leukemia. The average size of a lymph node is under 1.5 centimeters in diameter, and Parker’s grew to near 3 centimeters.
 
“He’d make comments like, “I don’t know what I can do if I can’t wrestle. That’s all I’ve ever done, I’ve been wrestling since I was four.’” Josh said. “As a family, it was tough especially for my wife and I because we’re just saying we want [Parker] healthy and in his eyes, ‘Well if I’m healthy I can wrestle.’”
 
Parker had another surgery in July to remove the entire growth from his neck. The tests for leukemia came back negative, and instead he was diagnosed with Epstein Barr virus – another form of mononucleosis – likely caused by the hit his immune system took with the removal of his rib.
 
He was cleared to return to practice in August, with stipulations from his surgeon: He couldn’t be taken down and was only allowed to be in situations which he could control. But he could build his entire daily routine around wrestling and gaining strength for the season.
 
“Coach [Chad] Red said, “You tell me when and where and I’m with you every step of the way,’” Josh recalled. “That’s when we saw this mental transition. [Parker] was working with the mental coach, doing one-on-ones with Coach Red, practicing twice a day [plus lifting weights] and he was changing his mindset.”
 
Over the summer, Parker lost close to 10 pounds. After being cleared by his physicians, he began working out and practicing three times a day, before school and after school, to get himself back in wrestling shape for Brownsburg’s impending Oct. 30 practice.
 
“After a couple months, you can see he’s getting smoother and feeling better,” Brownsburg head wrestling coach Darrick Snyder said. “Now, we’re working through with him that he’s not going to be the same dude at our opening meet that he will be at the end of the year. He’s going to take some leaps this season.”
 
Now, Parker’s coming back with a vengeance – finally stepping onto the mat with more answers than questions. Along with a renewed sense of confidence in his health and wrestling ability, he’s entering this season with three things he didn’t have last year:
 
A tattoo on his lower ribs of a quote by Moliére, a French playwright, reading, “The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it.”
 
A list of all the wrestlers he beat last season who placed at the state championships in Indiana or surrounding states.
 
And a necklace with his first rib, removed when this all started, to wear around his neck before each of his matches during his improbable comeback campaign.  

3831 12 18
2023 Evansville Semi-State Preview
By Dustin Bentz
 
It’s that time of year!!! Triple B feels like WWE Hall of Famer Booker T, he’s walking down the streets of North Vernon and Madison Yelling, “CAN YOU DIG IT, SUCCCKKKAAAHHHHH”
 
It’s me, it’s me, it’s TripleB and I’m here to deliver the World Famous TRIPLEB EVANSVILLE SEMI-STATE SPECTACULAR PREVIEW!!!!!!
 
With good old 3B’s birthday being the Friday before, is there a better gift than the GREATEST SEMI-STATE IN THE STATE OF INDIANA??
 
Evansville will be popping off Saturday, I’m actually negotiating with the IHSAA to go ahead and send us the state medals b/c we all know that THE DIRTY SOUTH SEMI-STATE is the GOLD STANDARD!!!
 
House keeping items - 
 
Here is the link for the Indianamat Semi-State Hub - 
 
https://indianamat.com/index.php?/forums/topic/62910-article-2023-semi-state-information-center/
 
From our former inside man 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. $12 dollars for all session ticket, $10 for finals only.  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.  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 Gainbridge 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 the 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.   
Nestled between two days of absolute Love (3B’s birthday on Thursday and Valentine’s Day on Tuesday) 224 grapplers will be battling to GAIN 56 tickets to the Bridge in Indianapolis next weekend!!
 
Let’s not pull any punches, Evansville is the toughest Semi-State in the state. There were kids getting sent home at regionals that could have placed at state and the same will happen this weekend. It will be absolute Carnage, Chaos, and Heartbreak. 176 Semi-State ranked wrestlers, 107 of whom are also state ranked will take to the Ford Center Saturday  with more excitement than the pre-teens at the Jo-Jo concert the night before. We have the potential to feature, 4, yes 4 #1 vs. #2 state ranked wrestlers. We also have 7 of the 14 #1 ranked wrestlers in the state in our semi-state. 
 
How does this work - The exclusive Evansville Championship Selection Committee (ECSC) spent 2 days in hard deliberations over their Ford Fab 4 picks. Each member selected their ballot, points were accumulated, and from there the picks started falling into place.
 
Article features: 
 
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 - Any weight class where the pick for champion was unanimous, makes it a Ford Tough Lock. This year we have, what may be a record, 10 yes 10 FORD TOUGH LOCKS!
 
Ford Fab 4 - After the picks were gathered, points distributed, and the dust settled, we’ll have the Ford Fab 4.
 
A big shout out to Navy80, BigToe19, a mystery guest picker, and The DONNIE BAKER for their contributions. I will add some commentary throughout from our great pickers.
 
What if I didn’t agree with the ECSC or I thought they made a terrible error? Then have no fear - The TripleB Guarantee will help you sort out the madness. 
 
Before we get started….. Is this the year for siblings??? Or are some cousins??? Or maybe Uncle/Nephews??
 
BigToe did some digging and came up with the following families, good luck this weekend!
 
Ash Brothers - Monrovia
Bell Brothers - Ev North
Haines Brothers - BBurg
Heaston Brothers - Indian Creek
Henderson Brothers - Vincennes Lincoln
Rioux Brothers - Avon
Rose Brothers - Switz County  
Schoeff Brothers - Avon
Smith Siblings - Heritage Hills  ( Brother/Sister ???)
VanOver Brothers - EMD
*Clement Brothers- Merrillville/Edgewood
 
BigToe Regional Breakdown based off his predictions (will slightly differ from the selections ahead):
 
Bigtoe19 Regional Breakdown:
 
Mooresville - 25 to State, & 7 EVSS Champs
 
Bloomington- 11 to State, 3 EVSS Champs
 
Jeffersonville- 6 to State, 1 EVSS Champ
 
Evansville- 14 to State, 3 EVSS Champs
 
Without further ado—--------LET’S FREAKIN’ GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
 
106: State ranked/Semi State ranked = 7/9
All 10 SS ranked wrestlers have navigated the waters! Every year we talk about future hammers and blue bloods filling out 106. This year is no different as names like Bloomington High School South, Avon, Brownsburg, Columbus East, and Floyd Central all litter the bracket. But there are some schools hoping to be bracket busters!
 
106 also welcomes our first of record 10 Ford Tough LOCKS!!! 
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - Freshman from Columbus East Talon Jessup has had a great year, Brennan Leonard has been lurking in the shadows w/ an injury and brings 6-3 record to SS. This match will kick things off Saturday!! Another rising program, Indian Creek, will bring Jude Heaston to the Ford and a first round match w/ Brady Byrd from Washington should be the caffeine everyone needs Saturday morning!
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draws -  LET THE MOORESVILLE CHAOS BEGIN!!!  The Mooresville Regional, or the fifth semi-state as those #County folks have started referring to it, which always causes death draws. #4 SS ranked and returning State Participant Cameron Meier from Bloomington South will take on Monrovia’s Super Sophomore Gavin Ash. Could they both punch tickets if in a different bracket? Don’t know but this match will be great!
 
Don’t sleep on…. Gavin Ash, as mentioned above. Nate Rioux, he’s wrestled Dickman approximately 1000 times and both are Contender trained. But keep an eye on  The Castle Regional duo of Ty Henderson from Vincennes Lincoln and Brady Byrd from Washington. Both are battle tested and compete on the national level. Byrd and Dickman aren’t strangers and that match could be entertaining!
 
Ford Fab 4 - Our first Ford Tough Lock - Revin Dickman of Brownsburg hopes to get Bulldogs from Brownsburg going early!
1st - LOCK Revin Dickman  Brownsburg, 2nd - Nate Rioux  Avon, 3rd - Isaac Campbell Floyd Central 4th - Cameron Meier Bloomington High School South
 
113: State ranked/Semi State ranked = 6/8
A returning LOCK that is ranked #1 in the state and #1 in the semi-state…. And he’s not a lock, nor is he favored! 5 top ten state ranked wrestlers will look for top honors at 113 and up until a week ago returning SS champ Preston Haines of Brownsburg appeared to have it locked up again. Then the Trojans of Center Grove came a’callin, and Charlie LaRocca helped pull the weight class and regional upset! This weight class is loaded and 3 different wrestlers all got votes to win it; Haines, LaRocca and Avon’s Luke Rioux. 
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - #9SS ranked and regional champ Gavin Wheeler from North Posey got a Curtain Jerker and turrible draw as he gets #8 state ranked Isaac Ash from Monrovia. Wheeler is tough and North Posey wrestles a great schedule, don’t expect him to lay down for Ash!
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draw - Sound the FLIPPIN Sirens…. Call the EVPD, actually don’t, I follow a page called Evansville Watch and they need their own TV show, anway…. We got 2 returning state medalists going at it in the ticket round!!! #6 ranked Jackson Heaston has gone out and got challenges all season at whatever weight he wanted. #4 Luke Rioux comes from the battle hardened Contender Academy and Rioux family….. Someone really has to go home?!?!?!
 
Don’t sleep on…. Hold on, I’m still gathering myself…. Don’t sleep on the dream dashers known as the IHSAA!!!
 
Ford Fab 4 -  It’s the first Mooresville Sweep!!! LaRocca gets the nod and the rest play out like last weekend
 
1st - Charlie LaRocca  Center Grove, 2nd -  Preston Haines Brownsburg, 3rd - Luke Rioux Avon, Isaac Ash Monorovia
 
TRIPLEB_GUARANTEE - Preston Haines gets the W back and gets another SS crown. 
 
120: State ranked/Semi State ranked = 7/9
120 features a returning semi-state champ, state champ, who hasn’t lost in the state of Indiana in over a year, has to be a lock right? NOT SO FAST MY FRIEND!! Jake Hockaday is the presumptive favorite but some pickers think a Wildcat can take out a Bulldog. This weight class features 4 top ten ranked wrestlers not all are favorites to get out!
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker: Lane Gilbert has lots of state, national and even world medals. He definitely has his eyes set on finally climbing that podium next weekend, but will that cause him to overlook Cascade Cadet #23 ranked Logan Bickel? Another great first round match will feature SS #8 ranked Quinten Q Schoeff vs #10 ranked Cameron Fogle from Southridge. Fogle is a sectional champ who dropped a decision loss to Gilbert last weekend. 
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draw - See below….. 
Don’t sleep on…. Switzerland County wrestling has been quietly putting together the pieces for a run for a few years now. Freshman Peyton Richards comes into Semi-State undefeated and has collected a sectional and regional championship. Trips has been trying to tell people but no one will listen!!
 
Ford Fab 4: Hockaday gets enough to cover followed by Mater Dei’s Isaiah Schaefer (we didn’t even mention him, he did get a vote to knock off Hock), Gilbert, and Richards
 
1st - Jake Hockaday Brownsburg, 2nd - Isaiah Schaefer, Evansville Mater Dei, 3rd - Lane Gilbert Sullivan, 4th Eddie Goss Center Grove
 
DONNIE BAKER AND TRIPLEB’S BET THE BOAT - Peyton Richards becomes Switzerland County’s first ever state qualifier… and won’t be the only Pacer going. 
 
126: State ranked/Semi State ranked = 7/10
 
Our 2nd LOCK at 126 and is 2x state medalist, 2x semi state finalist and a champ 2 years ago, Evansville Mater Dei’s Evan Seng. Seng has been rolling through the state tourney w 4 falls, 1 tech and 1 major. He is the heavy favorite Saturday. Yearly 126 is one of the deepest weight classes and 2023 is no different as there are some absolute hammer matches in the both first rounds and the ticket round. 
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - Both #8 Josiah Dedeaux of Terre Haute South and #7 Keith Parker of Ben Davis didn’t like how their seasons ended a year ago and went to work. They’ve wrestled all over the country. They have grown leaps and bounds. Dedeaux was knocked out of regionals last year by Floyd’s Vince Kessinger and this year he knocked off Kessinger for third place. Parker has flip flopped matches w/ Landen Haines the last two weekends. This match has all the makings of a barn burner, unfortunately the winner gets the LOCK Seng. 
 
Another lights out curtain jerker features returning state qualifier Dominic McFeely from Cascade taking on super soph from 3 time 1A state champs Tell City Chase Stephens. Can the Marksmen keep rolling or will the Cadet triumph?
 
ANNNNDDD Hold on one more match!  Brownsburg’s Landen Haines will go at it w/ Vince Kessinger from Floyd. Throw the rankings away, these dudes wrestle w/ multiple siblings. I can’t even imagine what Thanksgiving looks like at either of their houses. The Kessinger Kids, the Haines Bros…. Battles and that will come into play Saturday. Kessinger has home run capabilities and Landen can’t wait to get his Haines on…wait, bad joke, nevermind…. Don’t miss this match!
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draw - The winner of McFeely/Stephens won’t have long to rest b/c CE’s returning state qualifier Liam Krueger waiting for them. Krueger has wins over both, though just a 2 pt decision over Stephens.
 
Corydon’s Zane Schreck has been on a mission all year, last weekend he beat Krueger convincingly, Krueger has Dub over Yeager. One of these two are going home!
 
Don’t sleep on…. Hell is there anybody I haven’t mentioned?? Yeah there is, Remember the headlocks heard around the world last year? I guarantee Seth Cowden does, he was winning 11-0 heading into the 3rd period when Jarred Dunn dropped the boom. Last weekend Cowden lost in OT to Chase Stephens. You think that dude is happy right now? He could send Yeager and Schreck packing Saturday!
 
Ford Fab 4: A grinder of a bracket after Seng, Krueger, Haines and Schreck all still standing at the end
1st - Evan Seng Evansville Mater Dei,  2nd Liam Krueger Columbus East, 3rd Landen Haines Brownsburg,  4th Zane Schreck, Corydon Central
 
132: State ranked/Semi State ranked = 8/8
 
Here’s what we know about 132 - It’s Joey’s world and we are just trying to keep up, and after that all bets are off. Joey Buttler from Whiteland is our next LOCK as the 2x state medalist and returning Semi-State champ looks to rule the bracket. The bottom half bracket is insane. Past turrible draw recipients from last year Coy Hammack from Tell City and Justice Thornton from Columbus North both hope to avoid being on the bad side of the draws. 
 
Hammack is a 2x qualifier, 1x medalist and was upended last year. 
Thornton is now a 2x regional champ for Columbus North. 
Both have Mooresville Regional draws in the form of Seth Syra and Brady Ison. 
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerkers -  Floyd Central Freshman Hunter Banet and Jennings County’s Lane Kirchner is a homer pick for old 3B, two HHC foes going at it! Kirchner won the HHC in January, Banet took third but they didn’t cross paths. 
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draws - Coy Hammack has a celebrated career, but the grinder of Evansville doesn’t care about celebrations. In what might be one of the worst (or best??) ticket round match ups ever he gets Brownsburg 2x State Qualifier Brady Ison. It’s a shame someone’s season and possibly career ends here Saturday. This is also what makes Evansville the absolute best SS in the state. 
 
Don’t sleep on…. Seth Syra, Avon. He was a ticket rounder last year and has a 1-0 win over Thornton this year. The pickers went w/ Thornton but can Seth Syra put a stamp on his earlier season win?  Also Odin Fortune from Reitz has never been able to punch his ticket, the pickers say he will do just that this year, but will his fortune reveal more than just a state finals birth?
 
Ford Fab 4 - Buttler, Hammack gets the nod, Thornton gets the nod and Fortune 
 
1st - Joey Buttler Whiteland, 2nd - Coy Hammack Tell City, 3rd - Odin Fortune Evansville Reitz, 4th - Justice Thornton Columbus North. 
 
138: State ranked/Semi State ranked = 8/10
 
Cheaney Schoeff is the star of this weight class. He’s a 3x state semi-finalist, defending semi-state champ is looking to finish off his career with a state ‘ship next weekend. He’s also LOCK #4! 
 
With all 10 ranked SS wrestlers in the bracket there are a number of bangers to open this weight class and some possibly good Ticket round matches. Another Pacer punching his ticket and WildCat helping out a Bulldog?!?! 138 is LOADED!!
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - Interesting 1 vs 4 to get things going Trevor Hott is ranked 18th in the state but not ranked in the semi-state. Gabe Rose is ranked 10th in the state, has beaten everyone he’s wrestled as he’s walked through the state tourney but isn’t ranked in the state! 
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draw - Not really turrible draws, but some great blood round matches here - Rose/Hott winner vs #8/#4 Branson Weaver. Weaver has had tough L’s in the state tourney, but not an impossible draw here. 
 
Skip down to #12/#5 Kelby Glenn, a tough 2 loss senior from Tell City and Freshman Phenom from Brownsburg #3/#2 Parker Reynolds. This match will be good, and a turrible draw!!!
 
Don’t sleep on…. Evansville Mater Dei’s Tyler Vanover has a “Dub” over Reece Courtney in a barn burner at Team State. This is another ticket round match. 
 
Ford Fab 4 - Schoeff is a LOCK, two upsets on paper as Rose edges out Weaver and Vanover gets one on Courtney, Parker Reynolds punches his first ticket
 
1st - Cheaney Schoeff Avon, 2nd - Parker Reynolds Brownsburg, 3rd - Tyler Vanover Evansville Mater Dei, 4th - Gabe Rose Switzerland County
 
145: State ranked/Semi State ranked = 6/9
 
Center Grove’s Wyatt Krejsa was one of the highlights last year when he won his ticket round match by fall in 30 seconds. There’s no surprises this year as Krejsa is our 5th LOCK. 
 
After that there are some great first round and ticket round matches as this weight features all 10 SS ranked wrestlers, w 9 being ranked in the state. Can my boy, TripleB Trained Braedon Spears come out of one of the toughest quarter brackets and finally punch his ticket?!?! 
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - State ranked wrestlers right out of the gates!!! #18 Alex Smith was winning his first round match a year ago when he got cradled with under a minute to go. Braedon Spears was up 3-2 w/ 14 seconds to go in his ticket round match when a shredded knee and reversal ended his season. With heartbreaks on their minds, these grapplers have each other in this highlight Curtain Jerker! The winner gets tough Jeffersonville Senior Bradley Owen. They both own wins over Owen but Owen is on fire right now. This will be a great ticket round match!
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draws - Cash Turner just became Edgewood’s first ever 4 time regional champion, a 2x state finalist and would be a three timer if not for Brownsburg…. Who he happens to have this year in Bulldog Sophomore Mason Day. They are both ranked top 4 in Semi State and top 12 in the state. 
 
Don’t sleep on…. Bradley Owen as mentioned above and Tell City Senior Brayden Lain. The pickers like Luke Robards from Evansville Central but Tell City’s season has been magic, don’t count Lain out!
 
Ford Fab 4 - Another weight, another LOCK - Kresja, Spears, Turner ekes out Day, and Robards
 
1st - Wyatt Kresja Center Grove, 2nd Braedon Spears Madi…err.. Plainfield, 3rd - Cash Turner Edgewood, 4th - Luke Robards Evansville Central
TRIPLEB_GUARANTEE - My man crush on Mater Dei is well documented, but what has stayed hidden is my affinity for my boy JMILL and Brownsburg - Give me Day over Turner. 
 
152: State ranked/Semi State ranked = 8/9
 
3 returning state qualifiers, another LOCK, and what could be a wide open quarter bracket highlight 152. 
 
2x state medalist and a semi-finalist last year, Mater Dei’s Hunter May is the next WildCat LOCK joining teammate Wyatt Seng. The WildCats aren’t being heavily talked about which is weird, but these two LOCKS hope to pull off some hometown magic!
 
The rest of the bracket will feature 3 great ticket round matches and another school hoping for their first ever state qualifier. 
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - Terre Haute South Senior and 24th state ranked Luke May is making his first trip to Semi-State, Jeff’s Senior Hayden Bartle is making this third trip to Ford, well Jasper/Ford, whatever. These seniors would both like to keep their seasons rolling into the quarters!
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draw - 2 turrible draws - Greencastle Senior Chase Carrington is probably underranked (17/7) as he won the always tough Mooresville Regional. Tyce DuPont is a returning state qualifier that ran into Evan Roudebush last weekend. That leaves these two dudes duking it out here w/ a trip to Gainbridge on the line. 
 
Speaking of Roudebush and that tough Mooresville Regional, Silas Stits of Center Grove hit a road bump last weekend named Gage Eckels from Ben Davis. Now we get the turrible draw of two top ten ranked wrestlers in the state as Stits will take on Roudebush for a chance to advance!!
 
Don’t sleep on…. And speaking of Gage Eckels, the Giant might be already making plans for state but West Washington Senior Wyatt Johnston along w/ teammate Mason Jones gave the Senators their first wrestling regional championships last weekend. Don’t sleep on Johnston punching that ticket!
 
Ford Fab 4 - LOCK Down May, Dupont in a nailbiter, Eckels, and Roudebush gets the nod
 
1st - Hunter May Evansville Mater Dei, 2nd - Evan Roudebush Bloomington South, 3rd - Tyce DuPont Tell City, 4th - Gage Eckels Ben Davis 
 
TripleB GUARANTEE: Center Grove shocked the state last weekend when they upended Brownsburg for a regional title. If the Trojans wanna add a SS title, they need Stits. Give me Stits!
 
160:  State ranked/Semi State ranked = 5/8
 
Jeb Prethcel has put himself together a season - 33-0, Bo Henry Champ, SIAC champ, Spartan Champ and has made it unscathed to Evansville. Will Evansville be his undoing? NOPE, ANOTHER LOCK FOR THE JASPER WILDCAT!! 
 
Outside of that there is what might be the most fun quarter bracket in the tourney and some great blood matches
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - Just highlight this quarter bracket as anything can happen - Charlestown’s Braden Moore, Mooresville’s Corbin Scott, Cale Hickok from Bloomington North, and Peyton Bell from Evansville North. The votes for the winner of the quarter bracket were split between Hickock and Bell, which means this first match could feature a state qualifier!
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draws - 2 years in a row Cascade’s Michael Hutchinson has shown he has all the tools to be a medalist and now 2 years in a row the bracket gods have not been kind. This year he gets Jeb Pretchel, the weight class LOCK. Great kid, Great family (his dad introduced me to Hey Dudes like 6 years ago!) Come On HUTCH!!!
 
Don’t sleep on…. Decatur Central  Junior David Oybode spent some of the year at 170 before coming down, Luke Kemper is a stud. But don’t count out Oybode!
 
Ford Fab 4 - LOCK Precthel, Center Grove’s Andre Merritt (The reason Hutch has the death draw), Kemper, and Hickok gets the nod
 
1st - Jeb Prechel Jasper, 2nd - Andre Merritt Center Grove, 3rd - Luke Kemper Evansville Central, 4th - Cael Hickok Bloomington North
 
TripleB GUARANTEE: Give me Peyton Bell, he has SS experience, tough Evansville area. 
 
170: State ranked/Semi State ranked = 5/8
 
Hey we finally don’t have a LOCK….. Just kidding, Delaney Ruhlman is as close to LOCK as one gets. He’s a 3 time state qualifier and returning two time runner up. He’s on a mission… Gold medal in his sight. 
 
There’s an interesting quarter bracket brewing as rumors swirl about Noah Clouser and his knee. How bad is it? Will he give it a go? Will he pull out? How does this affect the weight and quarter bracket?
 
A freshman looking to make a splash, Heritage Hills Jett Goldsberry has had some good wins and puzzling losses. Can the frosh put it together and become a State Qualifier? 
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerkers - SS #6 ranked Noah Sumner from Martinsville and #7 Spencer Turner from Mater Dei will be competitive, unfortunately the winner gets Ruhlman. 
 
And watch the quarter bracket featuring Regional Champ Teagan Trotter from Jennings Co, Maddox Vernon from Southridge, Austin Bell from Evansville North, and Noah Clouser from Center Grove. If Clouser pulls out, all bets are off and it’s a free for all. Man, maybe even if his knee is banged up bad enough it might be  free for all. 
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draw - SS ranked #3 Vincent Tinoco from Whiteland and SS ranked #4 Noah Terry from Tell City will hook up in the Quarters. Winner goes to state, the loser goes home. Turrible, Turrible, Turrible draw!!!
 
Don’t sleep on…. Noah Clouser, yeah he’s picked to get through but w all eyes on him and his coaches planning all week, the Trojan might just figure out how to get through and survive!
Also don’t count out Teagen Trotter from Jennings County. Trotter is a Regional Champ and w/ Clouser banged up, can an unranked Trotter be the beneficiary of the bad luck?
 
Ford Fab 4 - Lock Lock Lock Denlany Ruhlman from Bloomington South, Clouser figures it out, Tell City gets another and Goldsberry JETTS through!
 
1st - Delaney Ruhlman Bloomington South, 2nd - Jett Goldsberry Heritage Hills, 3rd - Noah Clouser Center Grove, 4th - Noah Terry Tell City
 
Donnie Bakers Bet the Boat Shocker of Saturday - Jasper’s Victor Peter gets to workout w/ Jeb  Precthel every day….. Victor will be the VICTOR over Goldsberry and advance. Take that Randy!
 
182: State ranked/Semi State ranked = 7/12
After a run of 7 straight LOCKS, Navy80 said naaahhhhh enough of that. The LOCK wasn’t top SS ranked Caden Brewer but rather Highlander Bray Emerine, Navy likes Brewer. 
 
This weight class does appear to be a 2 horse race w/ Emerine and Brewer, but there could be several spoilers littered throughout the bracket. Jackson Fox made his 182 debut at sectionals and promptly knocked off always game Van Skinner two weeks in a row. Speaking of Skinner, a two time ticket rounder who took John Purdy to the limit last year in the first round of SS. This is Skinner’s last chance, can he knock off Emerine in the ticket round?
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - This is the first weight class were nothing really jumps off the page. The only opening match between two ranked wrestlers is Emerine vs. #9 Alex Ramsey of Ben Davis. 
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draws - Call me a homer…. Van Skinner is a stud that has shown multiple times he could be on the podium. His SS draw has gone - Gabe Sollars, Gabe Sollars, John Purdy. This year he gets Bray Emerine. It’s a turrrrrrrrrilble draw….. for Emerine as the Madison Cub finally punches that ticket (*Warning those thoughts are those strictly of TripleB)
 
Don’t sleep on…. Richard Alexander, on paper, would be the favorite over Jackson Fox. It’s more of an issue that the Olympian dropped late and I just wasn’t sure where to place him. Fox is the favorite, Alexander has big moves and has had a great year. Don’t sleep on Alexander getting one over Fox here. 
 
Donnie Baker was either in a meat coma by this point of just sleeping but he stirred and started yelling “Johnson, JOHNSON I SAY!!” I asked him what he meant and like a bear he arose and bellowed “I SAID CALE JOHNSON OVER WEEMS!!”
 
Ford Fab 4 - Despite Navy 80’s Pleas, Donnie’s Demands, and TripleB Guarantees - Emerine is the favorite, followed by Weems, Brewer and Fox
 
1st - Bray Emerine Floyd Central, 2nd - Julian Weems Center Grove, 3rd - Caden Brewer Brownsburg, 4th - Jackson Fox Columbus East

 
195:  State ranked/Semi State ranked = 5/10
 
After taking a small detour of a weight class without a lock, we have resumed our normal activities with our 9th LOCK, Castle’s John Purdy. Purdy is pretty good and a 2x time state medalist. He’s currently ranked #1 in the state and SS. 
 
Purdy might be a lock, but weight class features the #1, #2, #3 and #7 state ranked wrestlers. 
 
Brownsburg’s Gunnar Henry is a returning state semi-finalist, Purdy is a 2x medalist,Southridge’s Reid Schroeder is a 2x qualifier and a medalist last year. Kaden McConnel from Center Grove knocked off Henry last weekend! The semis here should be lights out!
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - SS#5 Blake Driver from Whiteland vs SS#8 Parker Hart from Heritage Hills will be entertaining. The only other first round match of SS ranked wrestlers is #7 Stevie Drake vs #1 Purdy. 
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draws - Another homer selection - Scottsburg Sophomore Bryson TANK Mata is an alum of the Bentz DoJo. He’s 42-1 and won both Sectionals and Regionals in dominating fashion, pinning everyone. Imagine if Gunnar Henry had stayed at Pekin Eastern? These two would have battled multiple times!  Now these sophomores will go at it for a chance to go to state. Turrible draw for……. Henry!!!!
 
Don’t sleep on…. It only took 12 weights to get here, but this our first “chalk” weight where the pickers all picked the same 4 kids to advance. There were some disagreements on the order that’s about it
 
Ford Fab 4 - LOCK and Chalk - Purdy, Henry, McConnel, Schroeder
 
1st - John Purdy Castle, 2nd - Reid Schroeder Southridge, 3rd Gunnar Henry Brownsburg, 4th - Kaden McConnell Center Grove 
 
220:   State ranked/Semi State ranked = 6/10
 
STOP THE PRESSES… STOP THE PRESSES…. After having everything ready and my TRIPLEB_Guarantee of Clay Martin ready, he’s disappeared!!! Abracadabra!! Gone!! Good thing I was the odd man out and I blame it on my wildcat obsession. We also do not have a lock here, with 3 returning State Qualifiers and no medalists, it’s a 3 man between Tommy 220, Alex Kissed By A Rose, and Nate “Dog” Johnson! Also a dark horse looms at 220 as Tecumseh Senior Mason Hines brings in a 34-2 record along w/ a Old Capitol Classic, PAC, Sectional and Regional. Despite all that, he’s not ranked in the Semi-State…. Yeah I messed up…
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - Give me #9 Spencer Watson from Tri-West and #10 Malachi Rios from Charlestown. Both have 30 plus wins, the winner gets Mason HInes and they both have to feel like that was the best draw possible. 
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draws -Eli Henshaw is a2 time Semi-State Quarter finalists. He’s battled all year w/ Alex Rose - They both have 2 wins over each other. But Rose’s wins have came at Sectionals and Regionals. This leaves Hinshaw, ranked #8 in state and #3 in Semi State, taking on #8/#2 Nate Johnson from Center Grove in the ticket round. Two big boys going at it, this is Hinshaw's last shot… Trips says FIREWORKS BABY!!!!!
 
Don’t sleep on…. Jakarrey Oliver of Whiteland has been in the talks of being a state qualifier for a few years. This year he just hasn’t been able to solve Nate Johnson. Good news is, he doesn’t have Nate Johnson, he has Alex Rose. I wouldn’t look past Oliver, he’s tough and capable of grabbing the Dub.
 
Ford Fab 4 - Tommy 220 was almost a lock, but Alex Rose got some gold love. They are followed by Johnson and Hines
 
1st - Tommy 220 Morrill Columbus East, 2nd - Alex Rose Terre Haute South, 3rd - Nate Johnson Center Grove, 4th - Mason Hines Tecumseh
 
Joe, Joe, Joe don’t ya know - Secret guest picker says Hinshaw over Johnson!
 
285: State ranked/Semi State ranked = 6/10
Let’s just get this out of the way, Leighton Jones should be going for his third state championship. I refuse to acknowledge 2 years ago and I wasn’t around last year. So in Trips eyes, he IS a 2x state champ. He’s a 4x sectional, 3x regional, 2x SS and now a 3x LOCK! 
 
This is also a weird bracket where one wrestler got more people votes, but another got more points. That’s the only time this happened in 2023. HWT also had 7 unique individuals get votes, also the most of any weight class in 2023. 
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerkers - Don’t run to the bathroom yet… there’s some matches here worth sticking around for. #6 Hunter Kolley from Heritage Hills and #10 Ben Land from Jeffersonville will feature two big dudes looking for big moves. Land was an ISWA Cadet Triple Crowner a year ago. 
 
Here’s another interesting one - SS #7 Ben Craig has two losses, both to Patrick McMahon from Columbus East. He’ll take on State ranked #15 (but not ranked in SS) Austin Vanover from Mater Dei. Some like Vanover to move on!
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draws - Columbus East Heavyweight Senior Patrick McMahon is in his first year of being a varsity wrestler and he’s done okay, just kidding he’s done phenomenal. He’s won the Columbus East Invite, Hoosier Hills Conference, Sectionals, and Regionals. He’s currently ranked #19 in the state and #3 in the semi-state. He will go to battle w/ State ranked #16 and #4 semi-state ranked Tyler Schott from Center Grove. Both have good wins this year, this match should be fun. 
 
Don’t sleep on…. The already mentioned Austin Vanover and Kelton Farmer as a champ. Kelton is a 2x State Qualifier, Jones has shown he’s not invincible. I could totally see a Kelton Farmer win here and a Leighton Jones 3rd state championship next weekend. 
 
Ford Fab 4 - Our last LOCK, Leighton Jones of Brownsburg leading an absolute crew of studs behind him. Austin Vanover had 3 voters rank him 4th, but Bryce Mills had 2 rankers place him 3rd. So Mills gets the nod!
 
1st - Leighton Jones Brownsburg, 2nd - Kelton Farmer Evansville Memorial, 3rd - Tyler Schott Center Grove, 4th - Bryce Mills Owen Valley 
 
TripleB_Guarantee - Erick Ousley finally gets out of my shadow and gets him a state qualifier that he can claim all on his own, Patrick McMahon will punch his ticket!
 
Man we made it…….let’s end w my favorite - food recommendations
 
Hilltop Inn - Fried Brain sandwiches. Brains aren’t your thing? Turonis is a local pizza place that’s dynamite. Like German? Gerst Haus is phenomenal. Want to head out for some adult beverages? Go to Franklin St, Gerst Haus is there and a number of other watering holes and great restaurants. I’m never up early enough for Breakfast so I have no clue. I hear the nachos at the Ford are great and worth the $. And a tradition on the way home used to be Stoll’s Country Diner (RIP). 
 
It’s been a pretty dramatic year for TripleB. I’m just happy to be here, typing this letter. My life took a huge turn the Monday after semi-state last year. My health bottomed out and for about a week we weren’t sure I was going to see another Semi-State. That being said, I can’t freaking wait to be there Saturday. Have a great time Saturday, I love the Evansville Semi-State experience. I’ll be there slumming around, feel free to say hey, you can’t miss me! Good luck to all my coaching buddies and all 224 grapplers. Use this to pump you up and get mad bc you were slighted and parents have fun with this as we at Indianamat are just trying to bring attention to our favorite sport, wrestling!
 
See everybody at the FORD and onto The Bridge!
 

3709
2014 IndianaMat Preview Magazine On Sale Now
IndianaMat 2014 Preview Magazine
By Joe Caprino in IndianaMat.com Magazines
40 pages, published 10/22/2014
2014 IndianaMat wrestling preview magazine with rankings, regional profiles, and more!
3604
2015 IHSWCA Team State Information Center
Date: January 3, 2015
Location: Ball State University in Muncie, IN
- Wrestling Areas - “5 Court” Student Rec Center (4 mats) and the BSU Field Sports Building (8 mats) (1700 Neely Ave., Muncie, IN 47304)
- Team Drop Off/Registration on morning of Jan. 3 - 1700 Neely Avenue, Muncie, IN 47306 (south side of the complex)
- Fan parking - fans should enter parking area on north side of facilities off of Bethel Avenue
Draw: Selection show via Google Hangout approximately 7pm EST on Sunday December 28th. More details to follow.
Event Link: Click here for TrackWrestling link
Admission: $15
Other Notes: Fans are encouraged to bring lawn/camp chairs due to limited bleacher seating.
Teams will be permitted to bring “cold” food/drink items (coolers) into the facilities with them during registration. No “hot” food team tables will be permitted inside the facilities at this event (per Ball State University’s vending contracts)
Above mats 1-4 in the “5 court” rec center is an elevated (2nd story) open-air concourse where fans will be able to watch from above if desired
 
Participating Teams and Profile Links
3A(Large)
Penn
Evansville Mater Dei
Avon
Cathedral
Warren Central
Perry Meridian
Carmel
Carroll(Fort Wayne)
Bloomington South
Franklin
New Palestine
Westfield
 
2A(Medium)
Yorktown
Evansville Memorial
Mount Vernon (Posey)
Bellmont
Gibson Southern
Southmont
Lebanon
Leo
South Bend St. Joe
Franklin County
Columbia City
Rochester
 
1A(Small)
Churubusco
Eastside
Bremen
Tecumseh
West Central
Monrovia
Central Noble
Milan
Westview
Triton Central
Prairie Heights
Adams Central
 
Selection Shows and Links December 28th
1A Link approx. 7:00pm EST
https://plus.google.com/u/1/events/c080jsvkst505scnp8i4skv80ck
2A Link approx.7:30pm EST
https://plus.google.com/u/1/events/ct23a6rsgjtrimonhsieshovjtg
3A Link approx. 8:00pm EST
https://plus.google.com/u/1/events/c3luelfrnbhou4kjh0vn4hevvug
History:
The IHSWCA Classed Team State Duals is in its third year of existence.
It was held at Westfield High School during the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons
2012-13 Results
1A Champions Adams Central (2nd – Churubusco)
2A Champions Yorktown (2nd – Evansville Memorial)
3A Champions Perry Meridian (2nd – Franklin Community)
2013-14 Results
1A Champions Churubusco (2nd – Adams Central)
2A Champions Yorktown (2nd – North Montgomery)
3A Champions Franklin Community (2nd – Evansville Mater Dei)
 
View attachment: Event Format - Pools and Bracketing with times.pdf

3585
2014 IHSAA Regional Brackets
Date: Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014.
Admission: $7.
Advancement: The top four place winners in each weight class advance to the semi-state tournament.
Match Results: TrackWrestling.com

 
1.    Calumet | 9 am CT
Feeder Sectionals: Calumet, East Chicago Central.
 
2.    Crown Point | 9 am CT
IndianaMat Brackets
Feeder Sectionals: Crown Point, LaPorte.
 
3.    Rochester | 9 am ET
IndianaMat Brackets
Feeder Sectionals: Mishawaka, Plymouth.
 
4.    Logansport | 9:30 am ET
Feeder Sectionals: Lafayette Jefferson, Twin Lakes.
 
5.    Goshen | 9:30 am ET
Feeder Sectionals: Elkhart Memorial, Westview.
 
6.    Carroll (Fort Wayne) | 9 am ET
IndianaMat Brackets
Feeder Sectionals: Carroll (Fort Wayne), New Haven.
 
7.    Peru | 8:30 am ET
Feeder Sectionals: Oak Hill, Peru.
 
8.    Jay County | 8:30 am ET
IndianaMat Brackets
Feeder Sectionals: Delta, Jay County.
 
9.    North Montgomery | 9 am ET
Feeder Sectionals: Crawfordsville, Zionsville.
 
10.  Pendleton Heights | 9 am ET
Feeder Sectionals: Hamilton Heights, Lawrence Central.
 
11.  Perry Meridian | 9 am ET
IndianaMat Brackets
Feeder Sectionals: Indianapolis Arsenal Technical, Shelbyville.
 
12.  Richmond | 9 am ET
Feeder Sectionals: Tri, Franklin County.
 
13.  Mooresville | 7:30 am ET
IndianaMat Brackets
Feeder Sectionals: Avon, Mooresville.
 
14.  Bloomington South | 9 am ET
Feeder Sectionals: Northview, Southridge.
 
15.  Jeffersonville | 9:30 am ET
Feeder Sectionals: Jeffersonville, Jennings County.
 
16.  Castle | 9 am CT
Feeder Sectionals: Castle, Evansville Central.
 


3570 2 8
Indiana, It’s Time to Go Bigger
By Anna Kayser
 
I guess the best way to start this off is with a story – my favorite wrestling story to tell, actually, and one that tells you all you need to know about where I came from and why I’m here.
 
There’s no pretty table-setting for this story, except that I’m an Iowa Hawkeye through-and-through. I’ve been attending Iowa football games at Kinnick Stadium since I was a kid, attracted to the sports world from a young age. Wrestling, however, wasn’t on my radar. Not even as I moved up to one of the biggest wrestling high schools in the state of Iowa.
 
Fast forward to college, my junior year in Iowa City. I don’t remember what the weather was that day in October or how I felt as I walked into Carver-Hawkeye Arena for my second ever experience with Iowa wrestling. I was blissfully unaware of what the next year or two of my life would hold for me.
 
My introduction to the Hawkeye program had come just a few weeks earlier – yes, two and a half years into my college career, roughly 20 years into growing up in the middle of wrestling country – but that one’s not important. I was informally introduced to Hawkeye head coach Tom Brands, it was chill.
 
It was less chill on media day as I sat facing the press conference podium at CHA, watching in fear as Brands tore apart – for lack of a better term – a reporter sitting on the other side of the room. I don’t remember what question was asked, I don’t remember the exact response. All I remember was feeling VERY in over my head.
 
I wasn’t a fan of the sport. The opposite, in fact, bored and completely unaware of the rules in high school. So, when my editor approached me about covering Iowa wrestling a year prior, I wanted none of it.
 
Thankfully, I changed my mind. But as I sat in that room, I couldn’t help but wonder if I made the wrong decision.
 
Following the press conference in which I doubt I dared to even think about speaking, the cohort of Iowa media made its way downstairs to the “Room that Gable Built” for interviews with athletes.
 
As I attempted to get my bearings on the room, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned, and there was Tom Brands: The guy that just barked at a reporter not more than 10 minutes ago.
 
He asked me how I was doing and if everyone was treating me okay – a complete 180 in demeanor from what I had witnessed upstairs. I felt… at home.
 
The first Iowa dual I went to was the nail in the coffin. I have no idea who they wrestled (UT-Chattanooga, maybe?) or what the score was (I wouldn’t be surprised if they shut their opponent out completely). All I remember was feeling in complete awe of the spectacle, the lone mat in the middle of thunderous applause and the deep rumble of 15 thousand fans yelling “TWOOOO” in unison.
 
I covered Spencer Lee’s second NCAA championship, traveling out to Pittsburgh by myself with one photographer to survive only on midnight IHOP and press meals. I felt CHA rumble as Michael Kemerer defeated No. 1 Mark Hall to lead the Hawkeyes to a win over Penn State in early 2020.
 
So, why am I here now? Because there’s nothing I love more than being able to tell the stories of tremendous athletes and what it takes to stand atop a field of excellence – and I believe Indiana is full of these stories.
 
Wrestling is growing here, exponentially. The first dual meet I attended in Indiana blew me away, from the invested crowd to the spotlight highlighting all of the action. The State Finals, my first experience of finals action in Indiana, brought a number of separate communities together in a way that celebrated each athlete’s achievements.
 
I saw Jake Hockaday look unbeatable as an on-paper underdog in the 120-pound state finals. I witnessed future Hawkeye Leighton Jones finally tackle (nice use of a football pun here, don’t ya think?) the walls in his mind and stand atop the heavyweight podium in February. Spending my first year covering wrestling in Indiana immersed in the Brownsburg program opened my eyes to the tight-knit community this state never fails to disappoint.
 
The IHSAA State Finals showcase the best the state has to offer in the best way – center stage, on a single mat with a lone light on the middle circle. It’s a best-of-the-best battle. The fans are enthralled.
 
But there’s room for growth, as there always is from youth to professional sports, and Indiana’s wrestling community has the chance foster it. The more wrestlers that have their chance at a state title – hell, even just a chance to wrestle in that arena – the more will crave that experience. The more families that come out, the more siblings, cousins or friends will want to try their hand at wrestling.
 
As the sport grows, so do the number of powerhouses. No longer is there one powerhouse for the state of Indiana, but multiple at different levels of competition and school size, growing the sport exponentially and the exposure to smaller schools often overshadowed.
 
And as the years progress, as the word spreads about how Indiana puts on a show for its wrestlers, the more will pack that house year after year in anticipation for the greatest spectacle in amateur sports.
 
Those stories are here. Those kids are here. The opportunity is here. Trust me – I’ve grown in my wrestling career surrounded by the best fans, the best environment wrestling has to offer. It’s time to emulate that in the state of Indiana.

3569 26 1
Who do you want in your corner?
Throughout the history of the state finals the number of state placers has grown from four to six and finally to eight in 1992. With the addition of the 7th and 8th place finishers came the Friday night win or go home match for all the competitors. Throughout the years we have seen amazing matches and crazy upsets on Friday night.
 
After some thought we wanted to know which coach had the best winning percentage on Friday night. We compiled all the data from 1992 until 2019 and came up with the following information. Please note that included in these statistics are qualifiers that did not end up participating at state due to injury. This mildly affects a coach’s percentage as it is a rare occurrence an athlete does not participate on Friday night.
 
Click here for all of the data
 
Current coaches with 10+ state qualifiers from 1992-2019
 
Rank Coach Qualifiers Placers Friday % Current School 1 Wade McClurg 11 10 90.91% Roncalli 2 Brian Weaver 11 9 81.82% Elkhart Memorial 3 Sean McGinley 100 78 78.00% Indianapolis Cathedral 4 Darrick Snyder 85 64 75.29% Brownsburg 5 Chris Cooper 31 22 70.97% Columbus East 6 Maurice Swain 10 7 70.00% Center Grove 7 Jim Tonte 102 70 68.63% Franklin Community 8 David Maldonado 79 53 67.09% Merrillville 9 Matthew Behling 17 11 64.71% Culver Academies 10 Matt Schoettle 22 14 63.64% Perry Meridian 11 Dan Briggs 16 10 62.50% Carroll(Fort Wayne) 12 Joshua Holden 18 11 61.11% Greenfield-Central 13 Zach Errett 20 12 60.00% Avon 14 Kevin Blundell 10 6 60.00% Monrovia 15 Greg Schaefer 69 40 57.97% Evansville Mater Dei 16 Branden Lorek 14 8 57.14% Crown Point 17 Ed Pendoski 65 37 56.92% Carmel 18 Bill Flatt 23 13 56.52% South Bend Riley 19 Tony Abbott 31 17 54.84% Cowan 20 Bob Read 24 13 54.17% Plymouth 21 Eric Myers 21 11 52.38% Jay County 22 T. Howard Jones Jr. 22 11 50.00% Jennings County 23 Mark Kirchgassner 10 5 50.00% East Central 24 Bob Harmon 57 28 49.12% Castle 25 Chris Joll 47 23 48.94% Chesterton 26 Jim Pickard 40 19 47.50% Goshen 27 Mike Runyon 15 7 46.67% Bloomington South 28 Louie Kuzdas 24 11 45.83% LaPorte 29 Lou Silverman 35 16 45.71% North Central 30 Clint Gard 16 7 43.75% Rochester 31 Brad Harper 62 27 43.55% Penn 32 Scott Ferguson 38 16 42.11% Evansville Reitz 33 Steve Pugliese 22 9 40.91% Tri-West 34 Dave Cloud 27 11 40.74% Pendleton Heights 35 Dean Branstetter 15 6 40.00% Attica 36 Brandon Sisson 10 4 40.00% Floyd Central 37 Chad Shepherd 18 7 38.89% Western 38 Danny Struck 18 7 38.89% Jeffersonville 39 Larry Mattingly 31 12 38.71% Evansville Memorial 40 Andy Hobbs 39 15 38.46% Peru 41 Dan Mikesell 13 5 38.46% Mooresville 42 Doug Smoker 19 7 36.84% Angola 43 Rod Williams 11 4 36.36% Leo 44 Jim HIttler 17 6 35.29% Huntington North 45 Jamie Welliever 12 4 33.33% Southmont 46 Andrew King 20 6 30.00% Oak Hill 47 Tim Alcorn 10 3 30.00% Mount Vernon (Posey) 48 Paul Gunsett 14 4 28.57% Bellmont 49 Jim Wadkins 22 6 27.27% Calumet 50 Blane Culp 11 3 27.27% Columbia City 51 Nick Kraus 11 2 18.18% Garrett 52 Tom Miller 17 2 11.76% Lafayette Jefferson  
All coaches with 10+ state qualifiers from 1992-2019
Rank Coach Qualifiers Placers Friday % Current School Past School 1 Wiley Craft 12 11 91.67%   Lawrence Central 2 Wade McClurg 11 10 90.91% Roncalli Roncalli 3 Todd Kendrick 13 11 84.62%   Franklin Central 4 Frank Svarczkopf, Jr. 12 10 83.33%   Lawrence North 5 Brian Weaver 11 9 81.82% Elkhart Memorial Elkhart Memorial 6 Travis Walls 26 21 80.77%   Griffith 7 Dan Gelarden 15 12 80.00%   Munster 8 Brett Crousore 39 31 79.49%   Lawrence North 9 Nick Petrov 24 19 79.17%   Hanover Central 10 Sean McGinley 100 78 78.00% Indianapolis Cathedral Indianapolis Cathedral 11 Perry Summitt 13 10 76.92%   Bloomington North 12 Darrick Snyder 85 64 75.29% Brownsburg Brownsburg 13 Al Smith 26 19 73.08%   Mishawaka 14 Justin Smith 11 8 72.73%   Warsaw 15 Rod Wartman 11 8 72.73%   Lake Central 16 Chris Cooper 31 22 70.97% Columbus East Columbus East 17 Keith Grant 10 7 70.00%   Indian Creek 18 Maurice Swain 10 7 70.00% Center Grove Center Grove 19 Alan Goddard 10 7 70.00%   Ben Davis 20 Dennis Miesle 10 7 70.00%   Woodlan 21 Duboris Dickerson 13 9 69.23%   Pike 22 Grodie Crick 13 9 69.23%   Evansville Central 23 Jim Tonte 102 70 68.63% Franklin Community Warren Central 24 Mike Atwood 19 13 68.42%   Delphi 25 Paul Nicodemus 19 13 68.42%   Plainfield 26 Lance Rhodes 31 21 67.74%   Indianapolis Cathedral 27 David Maldonado 79 53 67.09% Merrillville Merrillville 28 Mike Goebel 111 74 66.67%   Evansville Mater Dei 29 Paul Voigt 15 10 66.67%   Carroll(Fort Wayne) 30 Bill Kelly 26 17 65.38%   East Chicago Central 31 Lance Ellis 17 11 64.71%   Roncalli 32 Matthew Behling 17 11 64.71% Culver Academies Culver Academies 33 Chad Red 28 18 64.29%   New Palestine 34 Matt Schoettle 22 14 63.64% Perry Meridian Perry Meridian 35 Brian Seltzer 40 25 62.50%   Lawrence North 36 Dan Briggs 16 10 62.50% Carroll(Fort Wayne) Union County 37 David Walpole 16 10 62.50%   Decatur Central 38 Robert Emerick 29 18 62.07%   Lake Central 39 Bob Jarrett 13 8 61.54%   Eastern (Greentown) 40 Jack Grimaldi 13 8 61.54%   Alexandria 41 Joshua Holden 18 11 61.11% Greenfield-Central Greenfield-Central 42 Rob Willman 18 11 61.11%   Floyd Central 43 Zach Errett 20 12 60.00% Avon Avon 44 Kevin Blundell 10 6 60.00% Monrovia Monrovia 45 John Kopnisky 10 6 60.00%   Carmel 46 Brent Faurote 109 65 59.63%   Bellmont 47 Kevin Troy 32 19 59.38%   Roncalli 48 Larry Tharp 22 13 59.09%   Portage 49 Russel Feigert 41 24 58.54%   Beech Grove 50 Dave Thompson 24 14 58.33%   Whiteland 51 Greg Schaefer 69 40 57.97% Evansville Mater Dei Evansville Mater Dei 52 Royce Deckard 64 37 57.81%   Bloomington South 53 Steve Balash 52 30 57.69%   Hobart 54 Keith Hoffar 28 16 57.14%   East Noble 55 Kyle Poyer 28 16 57.14%   Hamilton Southeastern 56 Mike Smorin 14 8 57.14%   South Bend Riley 57 Jim Nicholson 14 8 57.14%   Elkhart Central 58 Branden Lorek 14 8 57.14% Crown Point Crown Point 59 Ed Pendoski 65 37 56.92% Carmel Carmel 60 Bill Flatt 23 13 56.52% South Bend Riley South Bend Riley 61 Trent McCormick 103 58 56.31%   Yorktown 62 Bobby Howard 16 9 56.25%   Lowell 63 John Cook 16 9 56.25%   Valparaiso 64 Bob Hasseman 68 38 55.88%   Franklin Community 65 Lance Beehler 18 10 55.56%   Mishawaka 66 Danny Williams 20 11 55.00%   Warren Central 67 Tony Abbott 31 17 54.84% Cowan Cowan 68 Jamie Wingler 11 6 54.55%   New Palestine 69 Jason Warthan 11 6 54.55%   Columbus North 70 James Colias 11 6 54.55%   Munster 71 Kenny Wallace 11 6 54.55%   Princeton 72 Bob Read 24 13 54.17% Plymouth Plymouth 73 Clarence Warthan 24 13 54.17%   Frankfort 74 Israel Blevins 37 20 54.05%   Avon 75 Mike Ester 26 14 53.85%   Fort Wayne Snider 76 Jake Harreld 13 7 53.85%   Fishers 77 Bob Brennan 15 8 53.33%   Zionsville 78 Jared Williams 40 21 52.50%   Zionsville 79 Eric Myers 21 11 52.38% Jay County Jay County 80 Scott Vlink 86 45 52.33%   Crown Point 81 Rex Peckinpaugh 73 38 52.05%   New Castle 82 Andy Simon 35 18 51.43%   Carmel 83 Leroy Vega 43 22 51.16%   Portage 84 Mark Kerrn 38 19 50.00%   Jimtown 85 Randy Kearby 34 17 50.00%   Columbia City 86 Jim Ledbetter 28 14 50.00%   Warren Central 87 T. Howard Jones Jr. 22 11 50.00% Jennings County Jennings County 88 Todd Sacksteder 20 10 50.00%   Beech Grove 89 Kevin King 18 9 50.00%   Indianapolis Bishop Chatard 90 Chris Campbell 14 7 50.00%   Greenwood 91 Bill Yozipovich 14 7 50.00%   Greenfield-Central 92 Mark Bruner 12 6 50.00%   Brown County 93 Mark Kirchgassner 10 5 50.00% East Central East Central 94 Lee Fry 10 5 50.00%   Prairie Heights 95 Chris Svarczkopf 10 5 50.00%   Fort Wayne North Side 96 Larry Hazuga 10 5 50.00%   Jeffersonville 97 Christopher Kern 10 5 50.00%   Zionsville 98 Bob Harmon 57 28 49.12% Castle Castle 99 Chris Joll 47 23 48.94% Chesterton Chesterton 100 Henry Wilk 43 21 48.84%   Penn 101 Dennis Lewis 27 13 48.15%   NorthWood 102 Jim Pickard 40 19 47.50% Goshen Goshen 103 Terry O'Neill 19 9 47.37%   Westfield 104 Scott Dehart 17 8 47.06%   Wawasee 105 Mike Runyon 15 7 46.67% Bloomington South Bloomington South 106 Ryan Wells 15 7 46.67%   Kokomo 107 Cale Hoover 26 12 46.15%   Center Grove 108 Louie Kuzdas 24 11 45.83% LaPorte LaPorte 109 Tony Boley 24 11 45.83%   Warsaw 110 Lou Silverman 35 16 45.71% North Central North Central 111 Bud Palmer 11 5 45.45%   Delta 112 Steve Wewe 11 5 45.45%   Franklin County 113 Bo Henry 11 5 45.45%   Bloomington North 114 Clint Gard 16 7 43.75% Rochester Rochester 115 Brad Harper 62 27 43.55% Penn Penn 116 Rick Stenftenagel 14 6 42.86%   Jasper 117 David Caple 14 6 42.86%   Floyd Central 118 Scott Schwarz 26 11 42.31%   East Central 119 Scott Ferguson 38 16 42.11% Evansville Reitz Evansville Reitz 120 Steve VanderAa 17 7 41.18%   Winamac 121 Steve Pugliese 22 9 40.91% Tri-West Danville 122 Dave Cloud 27 11 40.74% Pendleton Heights Pendleton Heights 123 Scott Raypole 15 6 40.00%   Carroll(Fort Wayne) 124 Dean Branstetter 15 6 40.00% Attica Attica 125 Brandon Sisson 10 4 40.00% Floyd Central Floyd Central 126 James Binkley 10 4 40.00%   New Albany 127 Sam DiPrimio 10 4 40.00%   Fort Wayne Northrop 128 Gene Backes 10 4 40.00%   Evansville Reitz 129 Murray Miller 10 4 40.00%   South Bend Washington 130 James Phillips 10 4 40.00%   Indianapolis Emmerich Manual 131 Kevin Taylor 10 4 40.00%   Wawasee 132 Al Hartman 36 14 38.89%   South Bend Clay 133 Chad Shepherd 18 7 38.89% Western Western 134 Danny Struck 18 7 38.89% Jeffersonville Jeffersonville 135 Larry Mattingly 31 12 38.71% Evansville Memorial Evansville Memorial 136 Andy Hobbs 39 15 38.46% Peru Peru 137 Dan Mikesell 13 5 38.46% Mooresville Mooresville 138 Ed Fox 13 5 38.46%   Carroll(Fort Wayne) 139 Greg Gastineau 13 5 38.46%   Hamilton Southeastern 140 Mark Line 21 8 38.10%   Kankakee Valley 141 Doug Smoker 19 7 36.84% Angola Angola 142 Gary Fox 11 4 36.36%   Franklin Central 143 Rod Williams 11 4 36.36% Leo Leo 144 Tony Grater 11 4 36.36%   McCutcheon 145 Tony Starks 11 4 36.36%   Ben Davis 146 Todd Fakes 11 4 36.36%   Monrovia 147 Derek Bocock 14 5 35.71%   Lebanon 148 Matt Koontz 14 5 35.71%   Whitko 149 Jim HIttler 17 6 35.29% Huntington North Huntington North 150 Mark Scott 20 7 35.00%   Muncie Central 151 David Errett 20 7 35.00%   Martinsville 152 Barry Humble 18 6 33.33%   South Adams 153 Josh Dommer 15 5 33.33%   Leo 154 Jamie Welliever 12 4 33.33% Southmont Southmont 155 Robert Freije 16 5 31.25%   Brownsburg 156 Randy Pursley 13 4 30.77%   Homestead 157 Andrew King 20 6 30.00% Oak Hill Oak Hill 158 Chuck Fleshman 10 3 30.00%   Central Noble 159 Tim Alcorn 10 3 30.00% Mount Vernon (Posey) Mount Vernon (Posey) 160 John Bennett 10 3 30.00%   Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger 161 Paul Gunsett 14 4 28.57% Bellmont Bellmont 162 Nicholas Eckert 14 4 28.57%   North Posey 163 George Gardner 18 5 27.78%   South Dearborn 164 Jim Wadkins 22 6 27.27% Calumet Calumet 165 Blane Culp 11 3 27.27% Columbia City Columbia City 166 Ron Anderson 11 3 27.27%   Winchester 167 Eric Burres 12 3 25.00%   New Albany 168 Doug Deters 13 3 23.08%   Franklin County 169 Kevin Wilkinson 10 2 20.00%   Southmont 170 Ken Houston 16 3 18.75%   Twin Lakes 171 Denny Schwartz 16 3 18.75%   Adams Central 172 Nick Kraus 11 2 18.18% Garrett Garrett 173 Scott VanDerAa 15 2 13.33%   Harrison (WL) 174 Tom Miller 17 2 11.76% Lafayette Jefferson Lafayette Jefferson 175 Al Thomas 10 1 10.00%   Logansport 176 Tim Sloffer 12 1 8.33%   Carroll(Fort Wayne) 177 Doug Schultz 13 1 7.69%   Adams Central  

3556 8
#Wrestling Wednesday Feature: State Rivalries
Brought to you by EI Sports
 

By JEREMY HINES
jerhines@cinergymetro.net
 
Rivalries bring a new level of intensity to sports. It’s what drew thousands to watch Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier go toe-to-toe three times. It’s why baseball games between the Red Sox and the Yankees are always a little bit more heated, and the fans a little bit more passionate. It’s why college stadiums sell out anytime Ohio State and Michigan square off.
 
But rivalries do more than just keep sports interesting. In wrestling, having a rival can be one of the biggest determining factors in an individual’s internal drive to success.
 
Some of Indiana’s greatest wrestling rivals admit that without their counterpart, they would not have been as good as what they were.
 
Perhaps the top rivalry in Indiana wrestling history was that of Anderson Highland’s Camden Eppert and Warren Central’s Brandon Wright.
 
The two squared off a total of 12 times in high school. Three of those times came in the championship match of the state finals. Wright owned the overall better record between the two at 7-5, but Eppert won two of the three championship matches.
 
“There were other people I knew I had to wrestle,” Eppert said. “But in the back of my mind I always knew Brandon was going to be in my way. We were always on the opposite side of the bracket in regionals, semistate and state. Everyone wanted to see us collide.”
 
Eppert, who was one grade ahead of Wright, defeated Wright 6-3 as a sophomore in 2007 to win the 103 pound class. Wright came back the next season and beat Eppert 5-2 to claim the 112 pound title.
The final showdown between the two ended up being the closest of them all.
 
The two met under the lights for the 119 pound championship in 2009. After three grueling periods the match went into overtime. Eventually Eppert escaped with a 3-2 victory.
 
“I’m glad I faced him,” Eppert said. “We developed something special. Even though I only faced one opponent in all three of the finals matches, I wouldn’t take it back for anything.”
 
Wright went on to dominate the 125 pound class the next season, after Eppert had graduated. He easily won the state title with a 9-1 victory.
 
“That rivalry really grew me as a wrestler,” Wright said. “It took both of us to a whole different level. I think it has to be the best rivalry in Indiana history.”
 
The two were certainly not the best of friends in high school.
 
“It was pretty cut throat,” Eppert said. “I don’t think we hated each other, but when I shook his hand before a match we both knew we were going for blood.”
 
Looking back, both wrestlers know that without each other, they may have never gotten as far as they did with the sport.
“We had such intense matches,” Wright said. “He made me focus more. Because of him I learned to prepare for matches. All of the hours I put into wrestling, he caused me to become strategic on the mat. That’s where I really learned the most. I knew I couldn’t just muscle him, I had to learn to be a better wrestler, mentally, when I went up against Camden.”
 
Eppert went on to wrestle at Purdue. Wright is currently wrestling for Grand View where he is a returning NAIA national champion.
 
Wright knows Eppert was always the one who pushed him the most in wrestling. So when he was in Indianapolis a while back and needed a drill partner, Eppert was the one he called.
 
“I talk to him quite a bit now,” Eppert said. “He will win another national championship this year. We stay in touch now and when he needs a drill partner, I’m there.”
 
Another great Indiana rivalry was built in one season. In 2007 Munster’s Eric McGill and Hobart’s Brennan Cosgrove met seven times at 140 pounds. The two were 3-3 against each other leading up to the championship match. McGill beat Cosgrove 6-5 in the final to win the series 4-3.
 
“Our rivalry was pretty heated,” McGill said. “We both wanted the same thing, and we were both standing in each other’s way.”
 
McGill won the first meeting between the two, a dual meet at Hobart. He scored a late takedown to earn the victory.
 
The second time the two squared off was at their county championship.
 
“That was probably my favorite of all of them,” McGill said. “He threw me in the first 30 seconds. I was down 5-0 and came all the way back and won 10-9. I had to have a bunch of takedowns at the end. I remember my last takedown came with under 20 seconds to go.”
 
Cosgrove bounced back though. In their conference meet he defeated McGill 3-1. Cosgrove went on to beat McGill at the Hobart Invitational and regional. He was winning the matchup in semistate as well until an illegal slam gave McGill the disqualification victory.
 
“That was the most dominating match of them all,” McGill said. “He was beating me badly. It was definitely the most one-sided of all of our matches.”
 
After losing three in a row, and then winning on a DQ, McGill began to question whether he could beat Cosgrove.
 
“That year we were head and shoulders above everyone else in the state in our class,” McGill said. “I major, teched or pinned everyone but him. To have someone that good right here in my backyard that I had to compete against seven times, more than anything, made me a better wrestler.
 
“It tested my resolve. It was the first time I had experienced a setback where I had lost to someone three times in a row. It was wearing on my mind wondering if I could turn it around. By semistate I started to think he was widening the gap. But our last match, I just told myself that whatever happens, happens. I’m going to live with the outcome. I wasn’t too nervous or too fired up.”
 
Cosgrove remembers wrestling McGill even in elementary school.
 
“We were the same age group and we went to the same camps together,” Cosgrove said. “In high school our matches were intense. It was awesome. I loved every one of them.”
 
The two are now friends, although both admit they weren’t at all during high school.
 
Cosgrove went on to wrestle for Purdue and McGill wrestled at Cornell.
 
“It’s hard to explain what having that rival out there does for you,” Cosgrove said. “But my experience with Eric back then was awesome. I hate losing, but when I would lose I walked off the mat knowing I wasn’t going to lose the next one. We pushed each other to be better wrestlers.”
 
Rivalries will always develop in wrestling. One of the newest rivalries is that between Fort Wayne Wayne junior Geoffrey Davis and Fort Wayne Northside junior Ben Streeter.
 
Last season Streeter wrestled Davis one time, and dominated to the tune of a 9-0 win.
 
Streeter and Davis have wrestled three times this season. They met in the Summit Athletic Conference finals, in regional and then again in semistate.
 
Davis turned things around at the SAC championship, winning the title.
 
“Honestly I came out at the SAC thinking I could just do what I did last time,” Streeter said. “I knew he was good competition, but I didn’t realize how much he improved. I wasn’t expecting him to beat me.”
 
That defeat refocused Streeter. The next time the two wrestled came in the regional final where he won 12-11.
 
Davis bounced back to win semistate 9-4 after trailing 4-0.
 
“I honestly think wrestling him makes me better,” Davis said. “You have to work twice as hard when you know there is a guy out there that can beat you.”
 
Streeter echoes Davis’ sentiments.
 
“If I win or lose, I know he’s out there working,” Streeter said. “He isn’t going to stop. You have to keep going too, because you know he’s going to. He could be that roadblock that I have to learn to get around.”
 
Both Streeter and Davis would like to face each other one more time this season. If so, it might mean they are wrestling under the lights against one another.
 
Perhaps the state championships this year will spawn even more Indiana rivalries.

3555 9
Indiana Invited to 2016 Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic
IndianaMat is proud to announce the participation of an Indiana All-Star team at the 2016 Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic(formerly Dapper Dan) on March 26<sup class='bbc'>th</sup>, 2016! This is the most prestigious and tradition rich wrestling All-Star event in the country. The main event pits a team of USA All-Stars against the top wrestlers from Pennsylvania. This year Indiana will be featured in the preliminary meet against a team of wrestlers from the tradition rich WPIAL.
 
This event is for seniors and will showcase the best that Indiana has to offer on a national stage like never before. This year’s senior class will arguably be one of the best ever in terms of accomplishments and depth. Currently there are five seniors ranked in the top 7 in their respective weight classes. Look for this year’s class to continue to make an impact on the history books throughout the year. This will mark the first time Indiana has been invited to participate in the event.
 
Indiana will face a tough group of wrestlers from the WPIAL, which is short for the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League. The WPIAL is made up of nine counties: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Lawrence, Washington, and Westmoreland. This area is regarded as THE hotbed for wrestling in the whole country. Wrestlers that have wrestled in this league include Cary Kolat, Coleman Scott, Jake Herbert, Nico Megaludis, amongst many others.
 
The Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic is more than just an All-Star dual meet. The weekend will include a dinner social with guest speakers along with other activities. The wrestling portion will occur on Saturday at the University of Pittsburgh. The event will feature the top USA wrestlers against the Pennsylvania All-Stars. Along with the 13 wrestlers from 113lbs-285lbs, Indiana will also be represented by four coaches from around the state.
 
We will have more details as to who will be chosen for this team and the coaching staff as the season progresses.
 
The event website is http://wrestlingclassic.com/and it will have all the event information.
 
Past Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic participants and their results
2014 126 - Stevan Micic Hanover Central, Indiana MD Zeke Moisey, Bethlehem Catholic 13-4
*Micic was selected as the Outstanding Wrestler for Team USA
2012 113 Jarred Brooks Warsaw, Indiana DEC Billy Rappo, Council Rock South 8-5
145 Jason Tsirtsis Crown Point, Indiana MD Zach Beitz, Juniata 13-4
2004 140 Alex Tsirtsis Griffith, Indiana DEC Isaiah Britton, Loyalsock 6-4
171 Blake Maurer Mater Dei, Indiana DEC Kurt Brenner, Freedom 8-6
1998 130 Steven Bradley, Beech Grove, Indiana, DEC. Mark Conley, Dningtn, 5-3
 
Past Five Year WPIAL Results
Illinois 33 WPIAL 10
Oklahoma 37 WPIAL 10
WPIAL 28 Virginia 19
Maryland 34 WPIAL 10
WPIAL 42 Michigan 0

3527 3
State Finals streaks on the line Saturday
The state qualifier streaks are always fun to keep an eye on. This year we have a lot of teams with 10+ straight years of state experience that might have their streaks broken. While we expect most of these teams to continue their streaks they do have intriguing ticket round match-ups for their top wrestlers.
 
Perry Meridian
22 year streak, 5th longest active streak
Semi-State Qualifiers
106lbs NR/#5 Colin Clark
113lbs #19/#6 Hruai Lian
120lbs NR/NR RJ Taylor
165lbs #11/#3 Zach Huckaby
175lbs #13/#3 Seer Godwise
190lbs #13/#3 Jaylen Young
285lbs #17/#1 Jacob McClure

 
Best Chance to Advance
There are very few easy paths out of New Castle and it seems Perry Meridian received some tough draws. Hruai Lian comes in with a solid shot of continuing the streak. His biggest obstacle will be one loss freshman Bradyn Volz of Eastern Hancock. Two-time qualifier Zach Huckaby comes in at #11 in the state and will have to go through #22 Kade Rickard of Bishop Chatard.
 
Tough road to Evansville
The others in the field got about the worst possible draws. Collin Clark runs into undefeated Heather Crull at 106lbs. Returning state qualifier RJ Taylor could meet up with semi-state #1 Chace Yant. Seer Godwise runs into state placer Kyle Harden at 175lbs. Jaylen Young comes in at #3 in the semi-state, but has Noah Weaver in the ticket round. Lastly, the big guy Jacob McClure has a combination of Killian Miller and state placer Hosia Smith to punch his ticket.
 
Bloomington South
26 years, 5th longest active
Semi-State Qualifiers
106lbs NR/#10 Jaxsen Jean
132lbs NR/NR Amrin Pratt
144lbs #13/#4 Wyatt Cooksey
165lbs #3/#1 Evan Roudebush
175lbs NR/NR Tristian Hicks
 
Best Chance to Advance
Junior Evan Roudebush(pronounced ROWDY-bush) comes in as the 3rd ranked wrestler in the state, but will have to go through either #19 or #21 to make his way to Evansville for two straight weeks.
 
Tough road to Evansville
Little guy Jaxsen Jean will have to go through state ranked Eli Ogle and Talon Jessup to punch his ticket to Evansville. Amrin Pratt will have to go through #17 Kellan Carter in the first round. If he wins that he’ll likely see two-time state champ Jake Hockaday. Wyatt Cooksey has had a great sophomore year, but will likely see #1 Reese Courtney in the ticket round. Tristan Hicks will have to go through undefeated Sam Howard and #14 Noah Sumner if he is to punch his ticket to state.
 
Adams Central
25 years, 7th longest active
Semi-State Qualifiers
106lbs NR/#10 Myles Kaehr
113lbs NR/NR Kale Beer
132lbs NR/#5 Brason Schortgen
138lbs #16/#5 Maverick Dubach
150lbs NR/NR Max Byerly
190lbs #16/#3 Trevor Currie
215lbs NR/#6 Keegan Bluhm
285lbs #13/#4 Zac Wurm
 
Best Chance to Advance
Maverick Dubach has wrestled well his sophomore year and ranked #18 in the state. He will be a slight underdog against #12 Linkin Carter of Eastside in the ticket round. Keegan Bluhm at 215lbs comes in with the best ranking in his quarter bracket at #6 in the semi-state. He will have #10 Matt Poiry and #7 Preston Duffy to go through. Heavyweight Zac Wurm will also come in with the best ranking. However, he has #9 in the semi-state Vincent Parke first round and #22 in the state James Hartleroad in the ticket round.
 
Tough road to Evansville
To start out for the Flying Jets Myles Kaehr will have two state ranked wrestlers in his quarter bracket including state qualifier Rex Moore. Kale Beer is in the same boat with state ranked Abrum Swathwood and Kaleb Salazar in his way to Evansville. Freshman Brason Shortgen has had a great year, but runs into state placer Carter Fielden in the first round. Max Byerly will have to go through either Aidan Elkins or Porter Kleeberg who are both semi-state ranked to advance. Trevor Currie won a tough regional and got put into a quarter bracket with two other state ranked wrestlers. The #15th ranked wrestler will get the winner of #9 Chad Washburn and #14 Eli Coolman in the ticket round.
 
Carroll (Fort Wayne)
17 years, 10th longest active
Semi-State Qualifiers
106lbs NR/NR Boston Blake
165lbs NR/NR August Adams
 
Best Chance to Advance
With both wrestlers drawing state qualifiers in the first round the best chance to keep the streak alive is August Adams. Adams won a sectional title and was runner-up at regional. 
 
Tough road to Evansville
Little guy Boston Blake has undefeated and returning state qualifier Rex Moore first round. Adams will start his quest with Cowan state qualifier Levi Abbott. Neither is a good draw which is not good for the 17 year streak in Huntertown.
 
Westfield
13 years, 12th longest active
Semi-State Qualifiers
106lbs NR/NR Keegan Carson
120lbs #11/#3 Porter Temples
126lbs NR/NR Carter Niccum
132lbs NR/NR Chase Camire
138lbs NR/#10 Jake Saez
150lbs NR/NR Graydon Staley
157lbs NR/NR Eli Turner
165lbs NR/NR Hunter Lancaster
 
Best Chance to Advance
Sophomore little guy Keegan Carson won a regional title and landed in a spot with only one opponent with a ranking in #4 semi-state Kendall Moe. Returning state qualifier Porter Temples is a slight ranking underdog at 120lbs, however he has a solid shot to make his way back to state.
 
Tough road to Evansville
Carter Niccum was a regional runner-up and runs into a tough Gavin Bragg in the ticket round. Chase Camire will likely have to go through state ranked Donald Bowie and Jack Davis to wrestle in Evansville. Junior Jake Saez is another one with two state ranked wrestlers in his quarter bracket. He has state placer Gavyn Whitehead and tough freshman Peyton Hornsby. Graydon Staley will have #16 Carson Fettig in the first round. Junior Eli Turner will have tough freshman Aidan Kincaide in his opening match. Hunter Lancaster will have #25 James Dozier in the opening round and undefeated Damien Dance possibly in the ticket round.
 
Zionsville
11 years, 16th longest active
Semi-State Qualifiers
113lbs NR/#7 Sully Frazier
120lbs #20/#5 Tommy Frazier
126lbs NR/NR Quinn Stauffacher
132lbs NR/NR Jalin England
144lbs #16/#9 Hank Phenicie
157lbs #20/#7 Blake Wahl
175lbs NR/#6 Jon Mangus
190lbs #3/#1 Luke Penola
215lbs NR/NR Kian Maclauchlan
285lbs NR/NR Dace McNeil
 
Best Chance to Advance
Regional champ Sully Frazier opens with state ranked Keegan Dresllar of Southport. Tommy Frazier is in a good spot, but could meet semi-state ranked Cole Freese or Jack Richardson in the ticket round. Luke Penola brought back a state medal last year, but has a tough ticket round match with #10 Clay Guenin looming. It’s one of the bigger ticket round matches in the semi-state.
 
Tough road to Evansville
Quinn Stauffacher and Jalin England both come in with losing records and draw into tough quarter brackets with ranked wrestlers. Al Smith placer Hank Phenicie will have a tough match to start with #16 Bryce Doss. If he wins his reward will be #22 Oshea Phillips of Centerville. Senior Blake Wahl’s path to state is through state placer Anthony Cashman. Jon Mangus is ranked #6 in the semi-state, but has #16 in the state Michael White in the ticket round. Kain Maclauchlan will start the day with state placer Devin Kendrex. Heavyweight Dace McNeil will have Warren Central’s #7 in the semi-state Perris Green in his first match.
 
Carmel
11 years, 16th longest active
Semi-State Qualifiers
106lbs NR/#10 Carlo Federici
113lbs NR/#8 Tamir Halevi
132lbs NR/#8 Caleb Mattingly
150lbs NR/NR Jackson Schmidt
157lbs NR/#10 Jario Ojeda-Cortes
285lbs NR/#4 Killian Miller
 
Best Chance to Advance
Caleb Mattingly comes in as a regional champ and ranked #22. He will have #10 in the semi-state Alex Plahitko to open up and then possibly #19 Isaac Kuhn.
 
Tough road to Evansville
Carlo Federici has had a good freshman year, but will run into #1 in the semi-state Peyton Schoettle in the ticket round. Tamir Halevi was a state qualifier in 2022 and looking for another trip. He will however run into two state ranked wrestlers in Connor Bayliss and Nathan Reyes to make a return trip. Jackson Schmidt will have to go through tough sophomore #20 Moses Stevenson to punch a ticket. Another Greyhound with two state ranked wrestlers in his quarter-bracket is Jario Ojeda-Cortes. He will have to go though #11 Michael Cain and #25 Kaleb Wilburn. To keep the same theme, Killian Miller has #14 Jacob McClure to open up his day and if he wins that likely gets #8 Hosia Smith.
 
Columbia City 
10 years, 22nd longest active
Semi-State Qualifiers
106lbs NR/#5 Ian Berry
285lbs NR/#9 Vincent Parke
 
Best Chance to Advance
Vincent Parke comes in with a lot of experience battling the top big guys in the area. His draw however did him no favors.
 
Tough road to Evansville
Ian Berry has put together a fine freshman year, but after losing to NE8 rival Julianna Ocampo at regional he has to go through #1 Jensen Boyd to punch his ticket. After a regional runner-up finish Parke fell into a quarter bracket with state qualifier Zac Wurm and Fargo champ James Hartleroad who are both state ranked.
 

3506 95
Dingo in Vegas at the World Championships (Day 3)
Greetings from Las Vegas. While the first two days have had some really exciting moments, at the end of two days,the US has only 1 medal to show for their effort. I saw Harry Lester being interviewed after his repechage loss and he was extremely emotional about his day's work. Robby Smith was, conversely, ecstatic about his non-medal performance, and rightly so. He really energized the crowd in a way that only Bisek equaled or surpassed.
Day 3 brings the final Greco competition, and 3 women's freestyle weights. The US draws are as follows:
 
Greco
 
85kg/187 lbs Jordan Holm Vs. Javid Hamzatov (Belarus) --Three-time World team member Side Show Holm brings a high energy style, along with high energy hair, to the mat against Hamzatov. He won gold at the Dave Schultz and the Hungarian Grand Prix, and currently sports a #13 World ranking. Hamzatov sits one place higher at #12, but Holm, in my opinion, has the ability to surprise in this event. Of course, the kind draws for the US ended on day 1, so Holm will have to navigate a tough field that features former World champ #10 Melonin Noumonvi of France, #1 David Chekvetadze of Russia, #2 Zhan Belenyuk of Ukraine and #3 Habibollah Akhlaghi of Iran. If Cuba's heavyweight Lopez can be beat, anyone can be beat, so Holm might pull a surprise or two.
 
Women's Freestyle
 
48kg/105.5 lbs Alyssa Lampe Vs. Thi Hang Vu (Vietnam) -- World #13 Lampe gets a nice opening matchup vs. unranked Vu of Vietnam. Of course, Vu was still a Junior World silver medalist in 2012, so she's no slouch. Lampe is coming off a 5th place finish at World's and could be poised to make a big move in this year's home country tourney. Standing at the very top of the weight class are two dominant competitors: #1 and multi-X World and Olympic champ Eri Tosaka, possibly the second most dominant woman wrestler in the world (to teammate Saori Yoshida), and the very consistent #2 Mariya Stadnyk of Azerbaijan. Lampe will need to use her physical, American style to wear down her opponents. She should win her opening match and has a very solid shot at a bronze.
 
53kg/116.5 lbs Whitney Conder Vs. Isabelle Sambou (Senegal) -- #11 Conder also draws an unranked opponent, although Sambou was fifth at the 2012 Olympics. Conder is a former Junior World champ and won Pan Am gold this year, so she has some nice accomplishments already. This is her 3rd World team,and this could be the one where she medals. The aforementioned Saori Yoshida of Japan is the most successful wrestler of all-time, male or female. She recently broke Karelin's record of World titles, as she currently has 15 World titles, including 3 Olympic golds. #2 Sofia Mattsson of Sweden is a 5-time World medalist and is very consistently in the money at Worlds. Conder is a similar bet for bronze as Lampe.
 
69kg/152 lbs Elena Pirozhkova Vs. Vs. Alison Keju (Marshall Islands) -- #8 Pirozhkova is one of the three former World champs in this division. She, like Lampe and Conder, drew an unranked opponent. I had no idea where the Marshall Islands were, so I looked it up. It's a part of Micronesia in the South Pacific. Keju is considered to be Marshallese...so now you know. Pirozhkova is plenty capable of medaling, as she has done so 4 times at the World level. This is a more open weight class than the two previously listed, and Pirozhkova could win the whole shebang. Hopefully, the 'home' crowd (she was born in Russia) gets her pumped and she wrestles to her full ability. Standing in her way are #1 Natalia Vorobieva (Russia), former World champs #3 Alina Makhinya (Ukraine) and #9 Jenny Fransson (Sweden), as well as #2 Feng Zhou of China.
 
Here's to hoping for 4 US medals tomorrow. U-S-A!!

3445
13 Cadets Alive After One Day of Freestyle
Indiana had 13 Cadet Freestyle wrestlers alive after the first day of action at Fargo. Leading the way are an impressive seven quarter-finalists. Those wrestlers will have to only win one of their next to matches to secure a spot on the podium. The six wrestlers in the consolations will need to win two or three matches to earn a podium spot. The Mount Vernon Mighty Mouse Paul Konrath has been impressive with two tech falls and a decision at 106lbs. Incoming Mater Dei stud, Joe Lee has three tech falls on the day as does older brother Nick at 120lbs and 132lbs respectively. Sandwiched between the Lee's is Chad Red, who also has spent minimal time on the match with two tech falls and two pins. State runner-up Jacob Covaciu has three tech falls of his own. The Flying Eagle Jacob Gray has had a couple wild matches including a 22-20 win in the round of 16. Lastly, Kobe Woods has won both his matches handily while looking for the double this week.
 
Others alive in the consolation include: Alec White at 100lbs, Noah Warren and Evan Eldred at 132lbs, Brett Johnson at 138lbs, Brendan Sutton at 285lbs, and Cameron Wetli at 220lbs. Unfortunately both Warren and Eldred will wrestle first thing tomorrow and one of them will be eliminated.
 
 
 
2014 USAW Cadet Men`s FS Nationals Results for Indiana
Cadet 100 - Alec White's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Alec White (Indiana) won by decision over Sam Webster (Minnesota) (Dec 9-6)
Champ. Round 2 - Boo Dryden (Kansas) won by decision over Alec White (Indiana) (Dec 6-2)
Cons. Round 2 - Alec White (Indiana) won by tech fall over Trevor Fauver (Nebraska) (TF 10-0)
Cons. Round 3 - Alec White (Indiana) won by tech fall over Jonathan McMillan (Washington) (TF 10-0)
Cons. Round 4 - Alec White (Indiana) won by fall over Javier Ortiz (Arizona) (Fall 1:36)
 
Cadet 106 - Paul Konrath's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Paul Konrath (Indiana) won by tech fall over Jeremy Schoenherr (Wisconsin) (TF 11-0)
Champ. Round 2 - Paul Konrath (Indiana) won by tech fall over Braxton Balmforth (Idaho) (TF 10-0)
Champ. Round 3 - Paul Konrath (Indiana) won by decision over Jake Gliva (Minnesota) (Dec 5-2)
 
Cadet 106 - Trevor Lindsey's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Zach Reece (Colorado) won by decision over Trevor Lindsey (Indiana) (Dec 7-2)
Cons. Round 1 - Wes Arhberg (Oklahoma) won by tech fall over Trevor Lindsey (Indiana) (TF 14-1)
 
Cadet 113 - Tim Gensimore's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Tim Gensimore (Indiana) received a bye () (Bye)
Champ. Round 2 - JohnLuke DeStefano (New York) won by tech fall over Tim Gensimore (Indiana) (TF 10-0)
Cons. Round 2 - Tanner Pasvogal (Minnesota) won by tech fall over Tim Gensimore (Indiana) (TF 10-0)
 
Cadet 113 - Kadin Poe's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Kadin Poe (Indiana) received a bye () (Bye)
Champ. Round 2 - Edward Chalifoux (Tennessee) won by tech fall over Kadin Poe (Indiana) (TF 10-0)
Cons. Round 2 - Dustin Hatfield (Wisconsin) won by tech fall over Kadin Poe (Indiana) (TF 20-9)
 
Cadet 113 - Miguel Prado's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Jacob Anderson (Wisconsin) won by tech fall over Miguel Prado (Indiana) (TF 15-5)
Cons. Round 1 - Miguel Prado (Indiana) received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 2 - Miguel Prado (Indiana) won by decision over Jack Kelly (Colorado) (Dec 15-10)
Cons. Round 3 - Trae Vasquez (Montana) won by tech fall over Miguel Prado (Indiana) (TF 10-0)
 
Cadet 113 - Kyle Hatch's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Zachary Beckner (Virginia) won by decision over Kyle Hatch (Indiana) (Dec 11-6)
Cons. Round 1 - Kyle Hatch (Indiana) received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 2 - Kyle Hatch (Indiana) won by fall over Randy Cazales (New York) (Fall 1:58)
Cons. Round 3 - Kyle Hatch (Indiana) won by decision over Kyle Rathman (Minnesota) (Dec 10-8)
Cons. Round 4 - Keaton Shorr (Minnesota) won by tech fall over Kyle Hatch (Indiana) (TF 12-2)
 
Cadet 120 - Tyler Futrell's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Tyler Futrell (Indiana) won by decision over Aaron Goodrich (Oklahoma) (Dec 10-1)
Champ. Round 2 - Dakota Galt (South Dakota) won by tech fall over Tyler Futrell (Indiana) (TF 10-0)
Cons. Round 2 - Tyler Futrell (Indiana) won by decision over Tommy Stager (Colorado) (Dec 10-4)
Cons. Round 3 - Brandon Tenney (West Virginia) won by fall over Tyler Futrell (Indiana) (Fall 5:10)
 
Cadet 120 - Austen Laughlin's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Austen Laughlin (Indiana) won by tech fall over Jakob Discher (Utah) (TF 14-3)
Champ. Round 2 - Mason Kauffman (Wisconsin) won by tech fall over Austen Laughlin (Indiana) (TF 12-2)
Cons. Round 2 - Austen Laughlin (Indiana) won by tech fall over Bataa Douglas (Texas) (TF 14-3)
Cons. Round 3 - Josh Pokorny (Nebraska) won by tech fall over Austen Laughlin (Indiana) (TF 21-10)
 
Cadet 120 - Gaige Torres's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Anthony Argentieri (New York) won by decision over Gaige Torres (Indiana) (Dec 12-9)
Cons. Round 1 - Gaige Torres (Indiana) received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 2 - Gaige Torres (Indiana) won by tech fall over Hunter Wardell (Wisconsin) (TF 16-5)
Cons. Round 3 - Gaige Torres (Indiana) won by fall over Dillon Cravens (California) (Fall 1:07)
Cons. Round 4 - Gaige Torres (Indiana) won by tech fall over Caleb Call (Idaho) (TF 16-5)
Cons. Round 5 - Nathan Johnson (Oregon) won by decision over Gaige Torres (Indiana) (Dec 11-8)
 
Cadet 120 - Joe Lee's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Joe Lee (Indiana) received a bye () (Bye)
Champ. Round 2 - Joe Lee (Indiana) won by tech fall over Hector Candelavia (Puerto Rico) (TF 10-0)
Champ. Round 3 - Joe Lee (Indiana) won by tech fall over Calvin Germinaro (Minnesota) (TF 10-0)
Champ. Round 4 - Joe Lee (Indiana) won by tech fall over Wyatt Long (Pennsylvania) (TF 10-0)
 
Cadet 120 - Michael Polen's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Gerime Meier (Colorado) won by tech fall over Michael Polen (Indiana) (TF 10-0)
Cons. Round 1 - Michael Polen (Indiana) received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 2 - Parker Wahl (North Dakota) won by tech fall over Michael Polen (Indiana) (TF 10-0)
 
Cadet 126 - Tondrew Tyler's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Tondrew Tyler (Indiana) received a bye () (Bye)
Champ. Round 2 - Logan Wilson (Maryland) won by tech fall over Tondrew Tyler (Indiana) (TF 16-6)
Cons. Round 2 - Dalton Wagner (Minnesota) won by fall over Tondrew Tyler (Indiana) (Fall 2:54)
 
Cadet 126 - Chad Red's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Chad Red (Indiana) won by fall over Marco Ramirezlazos (California) (Fall 1:15)
Champ. Round 2 - Chad Red (Indiana) won by fall over Glenn Beardsley (Michigan) (Fall 1:10)
Champ. Round 3 - Chad Red (Indiana) won by tech fall over Trevor Elfvin (Pennsylvania) (TF 10-0)
Champ. Round 4 - Chad Red (Indiana) won by tech fall over Andrew Mehrholz (Illinois) (TF 12-0)
 
Cadet 132 - Noah Warren's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Noah Warren (Indiana) received a bye () (Bye)
Champ. Round 2 - Jaime Hernandez (Illinois) won by tech fall over Noah Warren (Indiana) (TF 12-2)
Cons. Round 2 - Noah Warren (Indiana) won by tech fall over Jonhanta Parrilla (Puerto Rico) (TF 10-0)
Cons. Round 3 - Noah Warren (Indiana) won by fall over Tanner Prochaska (Minnesota) (Fall 1:06)
Cons. Round 4 - Noah Warren (Indiana) won by tech fall over Jacob Franek (North Dakota) (TF 12-2)
Cons. Round 5 - Noah Warren (Indiana) won by decision over Dale Tiongson (Maryland) (Dec 14-10)
 
Cadet 132 - Nick Lee's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Nick Lee (Indiana) received a bye () (Bye)
Champ. Round 2 - Nick Lee (Indiana) won by tech fall over Victor Kenderdine (Pennsylvania) (TF 11-0)
Champ. Round 3 - Nick Lee (Indiana) won by tech fall over Jake Adler (California) (TF 13-3)
Champ. Round 4 - Nick Lee (Indiana) won by tech fall over Ryan Epps (Minnesota) (TF 13-2)
 
Cadet 132 - Evan Eldred's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Evan Eldred (Indiana) received a bye () (Bye)
Champ. Round 2 - Evan Eldred (Indiana) won by tech fall over Rhys Zigich (New Jersey) (TF 11-0)
Champ. Round 3 - Evan Eldred (Indiana) won by tech fall over Lucas Schaf (Pennsylvania) (TF 18-7)
Champ. Round 4 - Jaron Chavez (Idaho) won by tech fall over Evan Eldred (Indiana) (TF 13-3)
 
Cadet 132 - Blake Green's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Blake Green (Indiana) received a bye () (Bye)
Champ. Round 2 - Trysten Perales (Washington) won by tech fall over Blake Green (Indiana) (TF 15-4)
Cons. Round 2 - Blake Green (Indiana) received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 3 - Jake Allar (Minnesota) won by tech fall over Blake Green (Indiana) (TF 10-0)
 
Cadet 138 - Brett Johnson's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Brett Johnson (Indiana) won by decision over Jess Karber (South Dakota) (Dec 13-7)
Champ. Round 2 - Dominick Demas (Ohio) won by fall over Brett Johnson (Indiana) (Fall 0:20)
Cons. Round 2 - Brett Johnson (Indiana) won by tech fall over Ryan Clark (Minnesota) (TF 10-0)
Cons. Round 3 - Brett Johnson (Indiana) won by tech fall over Hayden Schrull (Montana) (TF 10-0)
Cons. Round 4 - Brett Johnson (Indiana) won by tech fall over Juan Rodriguez (Colorado) (TF 15-4)
Cons. Round 5 - Brett Johnson (Indiana) won by decision over Zack Lebarron (Pennsylvania) (Dec 20-13)
 
Cadet 138 - Johnny Loos's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Johnny Loos (Indiana) received a bye () (Bye)
Champ. Round 2 - Johnny Loos (Indiana) won by tech fall over Brett Fedewa (Michigan) (TF 14-4)
Champ. Round 3 - Hunter Bolen (Virginia) won by tech fall over Johnny Loos (Indiana) (TF 11-0)
Cons. Round 4 - Zack Lebarron (Pennsylvania) won by tech fall over Johnny Loos (Indiana) (TF 10-0)
 
Cadet 138 - Cody Widner's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Cody Widner (Indiana) received a bye () (Bye)
Champ. Round 2 - Andrew Mergen (Minnesota) won by tech fall over Cody Widner (Indiana) (TF 11-0)
Cons. Round 2 - Cody Widner (Indiana) received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 3 - Owen Pentz (Utah) won by tech fall over Cody Widner (Indiana) (TF 14-4)
 
Cadet 145 - Steven Lawrence's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Steven Lawrence (Indiana) received a bye () (Bye)
Champ. Round 2 - Clay Arellano (New Mexico) won by tech fall over Steven Lawrence (Indiana) (TF 18-7)
Cons. Round 2 - Steven Lawrence (Indiana) received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 3 - Steven Lawrence (Indiana) won by tech fall over Victor Marcelli (Ohio) (TF 13-2)
Cons. Round 4 - Steven Lawrence (Indiana) won by tech fall over Jace Brownlee (Oklahoma) (TF 19-9)
Cons. Round 5 - Braeden Redlin (Texas) won by fall over Steven Lawrence (Indiana) (Fall 3:43)
 
Cadet 145 - Cameron Amos's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Cameron Amos (Indiana) received a bye () (Bye)
Champ. Round 2 - Thomas Stevenson (Hawaii) won by tech fall over Cameron Amos (Indiana) (TF 10-0)
Cons. Round 2 - Brandon Kui (New Jersey) won by tech fall over Cameron Amos (Indiana) (TF 10-0)
 
Cadet 145 - Jacob Covaciu's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Jacob Covaciu (Indiana) received a bye () (Bye)
Champ. Round 2 - Jacob Covaciu (Indiana) won by tech fall over Mack Berkowitz (New York) (TF 11-0)
Champ. Round 3 - Jacob Covaciu (Indiana) won by tech fall over Christian Bahl (Minnesota) (TF 10-0)
Champ. Round 4 - Jacob Covaciu (Indiana) won by tech fall over Frank Garcia (Wisconsin) (TF 12-2)
 
Cadet 152 - Stosh Sitkowski's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Tanner Wall (Oklahoma) won by tech fall over Stosh Sitkowski (Indiana) (TF 10-0)
Cons. Round 1 - Brooks Schrimsher (Alabama) won by fall over Stosh Sitkowski (Indiana) (Fall 2:13)
 
Cadet 152 - Noah Cressell's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Nathaniel Morris (Illinois) won by tech fall over Noah Cressell (Indiana) (TF 12-1)
Cons. Round 1 - Nick Bushey (New York) won by fall over Noah Cressell (Indiana) (Fall 1:58)
 
Cadet 160 - Jacob Hendrich's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Jacob Hendrich (Indiana) won by tech fall over Huntor Ross (Maryland) (TF 12-2)
Champ. Round 2 - Drake McKee (California) won by fall over Jacob Hendrich (Indiana) (Fall 5:50)
Cons. Round 2 - Tyler Selemaea (Missouri) won by tech fall over Jacob Hendrich (Indiana) (TF 18-6)
 
Cadet 160 - Jacob Gray's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Jacob Gray (Indiana) won by tech fall over Josh Ramirez (Louisiana) (TF 12-2)
Champ. Round 2 - Jacob Gray (Indiana) won by decision over Mason McDaniel (Washington) (Dec 14-9)
Champ. Round 3 - Jacob Gray (Indiana) won by decision over Kevin Parker (New York) (Dec 22-20)
 
Cadet 170 - Ismael Cornejo's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Erick Schwark (California) won by tech fall over Ismael Cornejo (Indiana) (TF 13-3)
Cons. Round 1 - Ismael Cornejo (Indiana) received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 2 - Ismael Cornejo (Indiana) won by decision over Eric Hansen (New York) (Dec 11-2)
Cons. Round 3 - Tyler Stepic (Ohio) won by fall over Ismael Cornejo (Indiana) (Fall 2:03)
 
Cadet 170 - Peyton Halbig's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Frank Guida (Pennsylvania) won by tech fall over Peyton Halbig (Indiana) (TF 10-0)
Cons. Round 1 - Peyton Halbig (Indiana) received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 2 - Jacob Scherber (Minnesota) won by tech fall over Peyton Halbig (Indiana) (TF 10-0)
 
Cadet 182 - Alex Ragains's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Alex Ragains (Indiana) received a bye () (Bye)
Champ. Round 2 - John Jakobsen (Pennsylvania) won by tech fall over Alex Ragains (Indiana) (TF 10-0)
Cons. Round 2 - Alex Ragains (Indiana) received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 3 - Evan Foster (Minnesota) won by decision over Alex Ragains (Indiana) (Dec 9-4)
 
Cadet 195 - Kobe Woods's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Kobe Woods (Indiana) received a bye () (Bye)
Champ. Round 2 - Kobe Woods (Indiana) won by decision over A`lii Loyola (Missouri) (Dec 11-5)
Champ. Round 3 - Kobe Woods (Indiana) won by tech fall over Ahmad Doucet (Ohio) (TF 12-2)
 
Cadet 195 - Jacob Cavins's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Jacob Cavins (Indiana) received a bye () (Bye)
Champ. Round 2 - Bailey Kelly (Kansas) won by tech fall over Jacob Cavins (Indiana) (TF 10-0)
Cons. Round 2 - Jacob Cavins (Indiana) received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 3 - Samuel Rice (Pennsylvania) won by injury default over Jacob Cavins (Indiana) (Inj. 0:00)
 
Cadet 220 - Cameron Wetli's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Cameron Wetli (Indiana) received a bye () (Bye)
Champ. Round 2 - Cameron Wetli (Indiana) won by decision over Aaron (Parker) Adair (Oregon) (Dec 14-8)
Champ. Round 3 - Casey Jumps (Missouri) won by decision over Cameron Wetli (Indiana) (Dec 12-7)
 
Cadet 220 - Noah Lucas's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Noah Lucas (Indiana) received a bye () (Bye)
Champ. Round 2 - Adam Rizk (California) won by fall over Noah Lucas (Indiana) (Fall 0:28)
Cons. Round 2 - Noah Lucas (Indiana) received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 3 - Dillon Roske (New York) won by tech fall over Noah Lucas (Indiana) (TF 12-0)
 
Cadet 220 - Cory Heinrichs's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Cory Heinrichs (Indiana) received a bye () (Bye)
Champ. Round 2 - Ethan Hofacker (Wisconsin) won by fall over Cory Heinrichs (Indiana) (Fall 1:30)
Cons. Round 2 - Cory Heinrichs (Indiana) received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 3 - Hunter Mooring (Colorado) won by decision over Cory Heinrichs (Indiana) (Dec 13-12)
 
Cadet 285 - Brendan Sutton's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Dayne Thomason (Oklahoma) won by fall over Brendan Sutton (Indiana) (Fall 1:34)
Cons. Round 1 - Brendan Sutton (Indiana) received a bye () (Bye)

3439 8
2017 East Chicago Semi-State Preview
Chad Hollenbaugh
IndianaMat Senior Writer
 
Deep in the heart of Lake County lies East Chicago Central High School and their spectacular gymnasium. The second largest gym in the world will play host after debuting last year and doing an outstanding job. Sightlines and room to stretch for the fans, a warm up location in the same area code for the wrestlers, and a hospitality room for the refs and coaches all make the new location an excellent venue.
 
In honor or our new President, I will be taking a political tact for this year’s preview. For each of the weight classes, I will choose:
 
1. Trump’s Tremendous Top Dog
2. Pence’s Second Fiddle
3. Sean Spicer to Show
4. Kelly Conway’s Yellow Ribbon Rastler
 
Where appropriate, I will also highlight:
 
1. Tight Primary Challenges – First round fights
2. 270 to Win – Ticket round tilts.
3. Steve Bannon Death Draw – A likely state qualifier with wrestlebacks.
4. Alternative Facts – A possible sleeper state finalist.
 
Without further ado, let’s start picking the matches and make Da Region Da Greatest Again.
 
106
As stated in the Google Hangout on Tuesday, the flyweight division is probably not as deep as it usual. However, as usual, it looks like the Region Regionals will dominate the placers.
 
Primary Challenges
1. The bitty Bobcat Giovanni Diaz from Wheeler has put together a fine 33-5 record in his rookie campaign. He has a great practice partner in his state qualifier brother but he will be tested by South Bend Riley sophomore Trevor Penrod. Penrod is a high risk wrestler and always fun to watch.
2. My other early bird special pits Ty Haskins from one of the state’s best programs (Portage) versus Jake Armstrong who hails from one of the most remote schools in the semi-state, Winamac. Haskins has wrestled a brutal schedule and lapse last week at regional put him in a tough quarterbracket.
 
270 to Win – Blood Round Battles
1. Undefeated Frontier Falcon Colin Reagan might have the entire town of Chalmers in section AA rooting on their favorite son in his attempt to become Frontier’s first state qualifier. He will battle the winner of Penrod and Gio Diaz. I think the winner of that tilt will end young Reagan’s dream season.
2. The very best ticket round match up is at the bottom of the bracket where I see Portage’s Ty Haskins matching up with Lowell’s Shawn Hollis. Hollis is ranked 15th in the state and Haskins is ranked 16th . This should be a tightly contested and heated battle.
 
Steve Bannon Death Draw
Ty Haskins or Shawn Hollis – Both of these guys deserve a shot at the state finals.
 
Alternative Facts
It would not be surprising at all if either Danny Tolin of Chesterton or Eli Hickman from Rennselaer Central would sneak through their quarter bracket and earned a spot in Indy.
 
Trumps Top Dog – Hollis (Lowell)
Pence’s Second Fiddle – Martin Cruz (Merrillville)
Sean Spicer to Show – Evan Light (Penn)
Yellow Ribbon Rastler – Diaz (Wheeler)
 
113
This bracket features five state ranked grapplers and the grid appears to be evenly balanced. At least on top 12 wrestler will not be getting in free next week which means there should be some fireworks in the ticket round.
 
Primary Challenge
1. Brayden Ruiz of New Prairie and Garrett Stuckman of Wawasee have put up nearly 75 wins between them and both bring a great deal of athleticism to this round one war. The winner has to like their chances in the ticket round which will drive the intensity meter high early Saturday morning.
 
270 to Win – Ticket Round Tilts
1. Penn wrestles one of the toughest schedules in the state and their senior 113 pounder, 4th ranked Kory Cavanaugh, has lost to only one other grappler still in the state series (Hunter Watts). He has since avenged that loss. It would seem like he should cruise in the ticket round where he is matched with a freshman with double digit losses. Not so fast my friend. That frosh has the last name is of Maldonado and is the fast improving son of Merrillville head coach David. Expect the Maldonado brain trust to have a game plan ready for the Kingsman.
2. The second ticket round tussle pits the 11th and 12th ranked wrestlers in the state. Just like at 106, it will pit a Red Devil from Lowell, Andres Moreno (12th) against 11th ranked Portage Indian Brock Peele. Peele has had Moreno’s number this year but anything can happen when a trip to Indy is on the line.
 
Steve Bannon Death Draw
Jacob Maldonado and Andres “The Big Cat” Moreno both have big talent but might have to wait a year to be seen on the big stage.
 
Alternative Facts
Josh Wade of Harrison has found 47 wrestlers to beat this year so he knows how to get his hand raised. A long shot worth keeping an eye on.
 
Trumps Top Dog – Cavanaugh (Penn)
Pence’s Second Fiddle – Peele (Portage)
Sean Spicer to Show – Jose Diaz (Wheeler)
Yellow Ribbon Rastler – Garrett Stuckman (Wawasee)
 
120
This is hands down, the toughest weight class at East Chicago with multiple exciting first round and ticket round match ups. The top two kids, in terms of ranking, are on opposite sides and should make for a great match under the lights for the second week in a row.
 
Primary Challenges
1. The depth of this weight class has made for a couple of great first round matches. The first one that stands out is the battle between Logansport senior and returning state medalist, Donavon Johnson and Plymouth Rockie, Zane DeVault. Johnson is a veteran with a mean top game and DeVault will be physical and in your face for 6 minutes.
2. In another first round rumble, Penn’s Tanner DeMien will face off with Harrison’s Trey McCartney. DeMien already has two state final appearances as well as a state medal on his resume. McCartney, like most of his Raider teammates, has piled up a slew of wins.
 
270 to Win – Ticket Round Toughies
All four of the potential ticket round matches are nasty and several state worthy grapplers will be sent home unhappy.
 
 
 
 

1. Leading off in the top quarter bracket is Jeff’s Jon Anderson and his likely opponent Colin Poynter of Portage. Anderson is ranked 9 th and Poynter is 5 th in the state.
2. Wawasee’s Braxton Alexander is unranked but not unnoticed. He should give Crown Point’s 16 th ranked Kaelin Kelly everything he wants.
3. In the bottom half, Tylor Triana of Hobart is ranked 2 nd in the state but might have interesting style match up with Donavan “I Choose Top” Johnson.
4. Finally, in the last quarter bracket is the fourth great ticket round match up. Penn’s 10 th ranked DeMien has the more impressive resume but Hanover Cental’s Alex Bautista will not be intimidated as he has wrestled Triana as tough as anyone this year.  
Steve Bannon Death Draw
One could make a case for about five guys having a death draw but Jeff’s Jon Anderson is the winner based on his poor fortune at last year’s semi state.
Alternative Facts
There are no real strong sleeper candidates in this bracket. There are just too many studs for any sleepers to emerge.
 
Trumps Top Dog – Triana (Hobart)
Pence’s Second Fiddle – Poynter (Portage)
Sean Spicer to Show – Bautista (Hanover Central)
Yellow Ribbon Rastler – Braxton Alexander (Wawasee)
 
126
The 126 class is not quite as deep as the 120 class but it is close and there should be many tough matches and potential state champion in this bracket.
 
Primary Challenge
My top first rounder in the 126 class involves a pair of unheralded seniors who will be battling for a place in the ticket round. West Lafayette’s Aaron Casillas has put together a fine 25-4 record for the improving Red Devil program. He will match up with Triton’s Malachi Greene (30-6). Greene has been the cornerstone of the Trojan program that has appeared in two straight team state finals.
 
270 to Win
The most intriguing ticket round battle looks to be located in the bottom quarter bracket where Harrison’s regional champ ,Cody Betourne will try to punch his ticket versus the vicious Viking from Valpo, Ian Dembowski. Betourne has nearly 50 wins and is ranked 19th where Dembowski is ranked 11th and has given Michael Delapena some great matches this season.
 
Steve Bannon Death Draw
The dubious honor goes to Harrison’s Cody Betourne. Bringing a 49-2 record and a regional championship to semi-state would seem like a good road to Indy. However, when you draw into the same quarter bracket with Ian Dembowski your chances go down immediately. Many would argue that Dembowski is a top 8 guy at state.
 
Alternative Facts
Digging deep into this bracket, I see a potential sleeper in Wawasee’s Geremia Brooks. The transfer from Whiteland has would have to pull of a big upset over Merrillville’s Michael Delapena but crazier things have happened.
 
Trumps Top Dog – Colton Cummings (Lowell)
Pence’s Second Fiddle – Ian Dembowski (Valparaiso)
Sean Spicer to Show – Delapena (Merrillville)
Yellow Ribbon Rastler – Adam Davis (Culver Military)
 
132
Two division one wrestling recruits and a third that will likely join them at the D-1 level highlight the 132 class at East Chicago. A balanced bracket should set up for excellent semifinal matches.
 
Primary Challenge
The best first round battle might have some effect on the team race as two grapplers from powerhouse programs go at it. Penn’s Preston Risner will face off against Merrillville’s Ahzsur Ursery. This should be an evenly matched tilt where Risner will be looking to avenge a 4-2 loss at the Al Smith.
 
270 to Win
 

1. I like the potential in top half of the bracket as it could produce two outstanding ticket round slugfests. At the top, Jack Tolin, ranked 13 th and from Chesterton might meet up with the unranked Ursery of Merrillville. Tolin has the D-1 offer from Northwestern and an early season win over his Pirate rival but Ursery might just conjure up some Maldonado magic when a trip to Indy is on the line.
2. The second quarter bracket potentially pits 12 th ranked Portage Indian, Miguel Prado against Delphi junior and regional champ Ty Watson. Delphi is the one school from the Logansport regional that has consistently been able to qualify wrestlers to Indy over the past 10 year. Watson will be ready.  
Steve Bannon Death Draw
I have to go with Watson drawing the short straw. Prado is tough as nails and would be a regional champ in many regionals but he happens to be in the same regional with an absolute hammer in Jeremiah Reitz. If Watson doesn’t pull the upset, at least he has next year.
 
Alternative Facts
Merrillville’s Ahzsur Ursery has little statewide street cred but the boys in the region know he is right there with some of the best 132 pounders in the north.
 
Trumps Top Dog – Jeremiah Reitz (Griffith)
Pence’s Second Fiddle – Miguel Prado (Portage)
Sean Spicer to Show – Manzona Bryant (Culver Military)
Yellow Ribbon Rastler – Jack Tolin (Chesterton)
 
138
This bracket has excitement written all over with two of the best kids in the state renewing their rivalry as well as two of the best freshmen in the state. Several state worthy grapplers will be paying for their ticket at Banker’s Life next week.
Primary Challenges
 

1. A Duneland Conference rivalry match will take place in the first round between Merrillville’s Aaron Griggs and Crown Point’s Jacob Burford. Both are tough customers but Griggs got the best of Burford at the conference meet and I like him here on Saturday morning
2. A second opening round tilt that promises some fireworks is the match between South Bend St. Joseph’s Jared Kazmierczak and North White’s regional champ, Jake Quasebarth. Kaz placed forth in a loaded Rochester regional and should give the one loss Quasebarth a great match.  
270 to Win
1. Three tough as nails ticket round tilts highlight the 138 pound bracket. Starting right at the top, Kris Rumph of Portage will have to defeat a game senior from Penn, Trace Manspeaker. Rumph is ranked 3rd and Manspeaker is ranked 7th in the state.
2. The second quarter bracket will pit the winner of Griggs/Burford match against one of the toughest freshmen in the state, Jacob LaPlace of Mishawaka. Don’t expect the young Caveman to be intimidated as he has been around and has plenty of coaches that have been there and done that.
3. The best ticket round match might just be at the bottom of the bracket where Munster veteran, Cody Crary will try to topple Plymouth Rockie rookie, Graham Calhoun for a second time this season. This is a match up between the 15th and 16 ranked kids in the state. Indiana Mudflap gives this match up 4 Golden Eagles!!!
 
Steve Bannon Death Draw
7th ranked Trace Manspeaker most definitely got the toughest draw in bracket. Expect this Kingsman to battle his tail off in an effort to secure that elusive state berth. Kris Rumph is a tough draw. Honorable mention goes to the loser of Calhoun/Crary battle.
 
Alternative Facts
The winner of the Griggs/Burford match is probably the best candidate to be a sleeper that advances to Indy.
 
Trumps Top Dog – Brendan Black (Hobart)
Pence’s Second Fiddle – Kris Rumph (Portage)
Sean Spicer to Show – Graham Calhoun (Plymouth)
Yellow Ribbon Rastler – Aaron Griggs (Merrillville)
 
145
The studs in the 145 pound bracket at East Chicago looks to be evenly distributed across the quarter brackets. Four wrestler are ranked and one ranked kid is in each of the quarter brackets.
 
Primary Challenge
One match stands above all the rest in this weight class and that is the Mario Traficanti/Malik Hoover battle. This is another in the long line of rivalry matches between Crown Point and Merrillville. Traficanti looks to have a small edge at this point.
 
270 to Win
The best ticket round match looks like it might be a battle between Hobart’s 12th ranked Dante Colza and small school regional champ, Leevin Ball of North White. I would love to see a Devildog product at state but can’t bet against Colza.
 
Steve Bannon Death Draw
A balanced bracket does not set up for bad draws and this line up looks like it will hold chalk with the four ranked kids punching their ticket.
 
Alternative Facts
It’s tough to label a Penn kid as a sleeper, only because they are one of the most high profile programs in the state. However, Penn’s Haden Hensley is largely unknown but brings an outstanding 20-3 record into East Chicago. A ticket round match up versus Munster’s Jason Crary is not insurmountable.
 
Trumps Top Dog – Kasper McIntosh (Portage)
Pence’s Second Fiddle – Jason Crary (Munster)
Sean Spicer to Show – Mario Traficanti (Crown Point)
Yellow Ribbon Rastler – Dante Colza (Hobart)
 
152
The middleweights at 152 promise to put on a great show for the fans as 5 ranked kids will battle the rest of the field. A lot of high energy, explosive and just plain fun kids to watch dot this bracket.
 
Primary Challenge
The Crown Point regional was loaded this year so it’s third place finisher, Vince Liggin of Hanover Central is no slouch. He has a first round match with Kassius Breathitt of South Bend Riley that could be a good one. Riley wrestles a good schedule and Breathitt is 30-3 this year.
 
270 to Win
1. With 5 ranked wrestlers and a couple of other tough cookies from strong programs thrown in the mix there promises to be some great blood round battles. 10th ranked Clay Jones of Jeff is a returning state qualifier with only one blemish on his record. I love his funky style but his probable opponent in the round to go will probably want to brawl with Jones. Valparaiso’s 14th ranked Greg Lichtenberger has navigated the Duneland wars with an outstanding 35-5 record.
2. A second great match in the ticket round pits 8th ranked Kassius Breathitt against Portage’s unranked Zach Nugent. Portage will be gunning for a semi state title and a win here would be huge for the Indians.
3. At the bottom of the bracket, Crown Points 12th ranked Noah Lamore looks to be the strong favorite but Hobart senior Matt Burns will not go down without a fight.
 
Steve Bannon Death Draw
Valparaiso’s Greg Lichtenberger earns the death draw label at 152. He is certainly capable of beating Jones. It will probably come down to who imposes their will when it comes to the style of the match. I just feel Jones has too many tools in his bag of tricks.
 
Alternative Facts
Hanover Central’s Vince Liggin looks like an interesting sleeper pick. Beating Breathitt in the first round is a tall order but not impossible. He then would likely match up with an eleven loss Zach Nugent of Portage.
 
Trumps Top Dog – Kyle Hatch (Warsaw)
Pence’s Second Fiddle – Kassius Breathitt (South Bend Riley)
Sean Spicer to Show – Clay Jones (Lafayette Jeff)
Yellow Ribbon Rastler – Noah Lamore (Crown Point)
 
160
160 is another bracket where the four ranked wrestlers are spread across the four quarter brackets. Although it is certainly possible for upsets to happen, I feel the first two rounds will hold chalk.
 
Primary Challengers
1. Two first round matches stand out in the 160 pound bracket that need to be highlighted. The first involves two underclassmen with high ceilings. Brandon Lucero is a sophomore from Merrillville and he will take on the talented Jacob Adkins of South Bend Riley. Looks like a true toss up.
2. Two juniors will face off in another evenly matched first round tilt. Portage will send 27 match winner Drake Guerro out to face Culver Military’s Michael Boland. Guerro has plenty of experience but Boland is strong and tough to score on. Should be a good one.
 
270 to Win
 

1. The top ticket round bout looks like a Highway 30 battle between Plymouth’s once beaten senior Micah Calhoun and Valpo’s Mike Lichtenberger. Calhoun comes in with a #17 state ranking and has been able to cruise through the sectional and regional. Lichtenberger, on the other hand, has given top ten wrestlers in the region fits all year.  
Steve Bannon Death Draw
Hobart’s Angelo Guarnero earned the wrath of the bracket gods this week by drawing into the same quarter bracket as Penn’s grinder Rockne Hurley and Crown Point’s top ten stud Oszkar Kasch. No rewards for Angelo after winning the Calumet Regional.
 
Alternative Facts
A potential long shot sleeper pick is Freshman Jacob Adkins of South Bend Riley. After watching him frustrate veteran wrestlers last week with his take down defense, I have a hunch that he might just make a run this Saturday. If not, this youngster is one to keep an eye on in the future.
 
Trumps Top Dog – Diego Lemley (Chesterton)
Pence’s Second Fiddle – Micah Calhoun (Plymouth)
Sean Spicer to Show – Oszkar Kasch (Crown Point)
Yellow Ribbon Rastler – Myles Krintz (Harrison)
 
170
A Division One recruit, an Al Smith finalist and a wide open quarter bracket high light the 170 class at East Chicago. There might not be a state champ in this group but it still should be an exciting and competitive day.
 
Primary Challenges
1. At the top of the bracket one of the top first round matches of the day will take place between 30-5 Plymouth Rockie Colton Schuler and Cade Girgenti of Chesterton. Girgenti is a Duneland Conference runner-up and Schuler had a monster regional to get through.
2. The bottom quarter bracket has two interesting first round matches just because there is no clear favorite in the quartet. Lafayette Jeff’s Garrett Fair and River Forest Ingot Bradley Groover have similar records and both are juniors. This looks like a toss up. The other first rounder pits South Bend Clay’s Amere Dozier versus LaPorte’s young Noah Perez. Perez is improving fast but is a tier below his Duneland rivals while Dozier has only wrestled half a season. Another toss up?
 
270 to Win
1. Zach Fattore (Hobart) vs. Tavonte Malone (South Bend Adams) – Both of these studs are ranked top 10 in the state and one will be going home with out a ticket to Indy.
 
Steve Bannon Death Draw
See above. It’s a shame that there are no wrestle backs.
 
Alternative Facts
My sleeper pick for this weight class is none other than Hammond Gavit Gladiator Jamari Washington. Washington has put together a great regular and post season. Inside sources say he will have something ready for Saturday’s ticket round match.
 
Trumps Top Dog – Jarod Swank (Penn)
Pence’s Second Fiddle – Zach Fattore (Hobart)
Sean Spicer to Show – Ishmael Cornejo (Portage)
Yellow Ribbon Rastler – Amere Dozier (South Bend Clay)
 
182
The 182 bracket introduces us to the first of the two Davison brothers. I expect both brothers to make their presence felt with authority both this weekend and next.
 
Primary Challenge
Seth Jones of Lafayette Jeff has regional crown on his resume but the last time he ventured to the region he was beaten by his first round opponent, Jacob Bohling of LaPorte. Jones is riding a wave of momentum but will it be enough to avenge his early season loss.
 
270 to Win
 

1. The aforementioned Bohling from Laporte should be matched up with conference rival Tyjohn Lockett of Merrillville. Bohling got the Pirate by a point during their conference 3 rd place match a couple of weeks ago.
2. Another quality ticket round battle should be between Mishawaka’s Austin Faulkner and Kankakee Valley’s Logan Nowak. Two solidly built athletes with excellent records should make for an excellent match when a trip to Indy is on the line.  
Steve Bannon Death Draw
Logan Nowak only lost one match in the regular season but his loss to Lucas Davison of Chesterton at regional put him at risk of drawing into Austin Faulkner and that is exactly what happened. Faulkner is wrestling awesome right now and it will take a monster effort out of Nowak to topple the Caveman.
 
Alternative Facts
If you like playing the long odds when picking your state qualifiers, I give you Tyjohn Lockett of Merrillville. Sure he has double digit losses, but he made a run to the semi finals at the Al Smith, he is in the most winnable quarter bracket, and he has the Merrillville staff in his corner. Longshot Lockett might make some magic.
 
Trumps Top Dog – Lucas Davison (Chesterton)
Pence’s Second Fiddle – Austin Faulkner (Mishawaka)
Sean Spicer to Show – Jeremy Torres (Portage)
Yellow Ribbon Rastler – Tyjohn Lockett (Merrillville)
 
195
Michigan recruit Andrew Davison highlights this bracket. He should not be challenged and the race will be for second place. This bracket is loaded with four ranked wrestlers in the bottom half of the bracket which means some talented kids will not qualify for state.
Primary Challenges
1. Walker Brummett (Lake Central) vs. Bryson Ford (Benton Central) – This could be a four over a one. Brummett is battle tested and has some nice wins on the season
2. Nick Schoonveld (Kankakee Valley) vs. Nate LaFree – Two physical in your face wrestlers will face off here. Not for the faint of heart.
 
270 to Win
1. Tyler Moser (Bremen) vs. AJ Fowler (Calumet) – Two ranked studs should battle for a free trip to Indy. Moser beat Fowler earlier in the year but it was a closely contested battle.
 
Steve Bannon Death Draw
Aron Corralez of Merrillville definitely drew the short straw and will have the tall task of defeating Andrew Davison to punch his state ticket. Not likely.
 
Alternative Facts
The previously mentioned Walker Brummett of Lake Central has the talent, coaching and draw to make a run to the semi finals despite his double digit losses.
 
Trumps Top Dog – Andrew Davison (Chesterton)
Pence’s Second Fiddle – Anthony Maceo (Portage)
Sean Spicer to Show – Tyler Moser (Bremen)
Yellow Ribbon Rastler – Bryson Ford (Benton Central)
 
220
Another example of where the ranked wrestlers are split up and spread across the bracket. Three top ten grapplers highlight this group which should make for some nice semi finals and final matches.
Primary Challenges
 

1. The best looking first round match up is down at the bottom of the bracket where Merrillville’s 20 th ranked Andrew Vander Woude will face off against Plymouth fireplug Sam Stayton. Vander Woude is the favorite but Stayton brings a physical style that will be tough to deal with.  
270 to Win
1. The top ticket round bout will likely occur between Merrillville’s Vander Woude and big Donnie Crider of Harrison. Crider is ranked 6th in the state and is a match up nightmare as he stands about 6 ‘8”.
 
Steve Bannon Death Draw
Munster’s Caleb Thomas was the regional champ at Calumet and he got rewarded by drawing the 5th ranked wrestler in the state for a berth to the state finals. It will be a tall order to topple the Al Smith champion, Eli Pokorney.
 
Alternative Facts
Chester Swopes of Portage is my sleeper pick for this weight class based on his excellent practice partners and excellent coaching. He would have to upset 18th ranked Will Vakalahi in order to make that magical run to state.
 
Trumps Top Dog – Eli Pokorney (Chesterton)
Pence’s Second Fiddle – Donnie Crider (Harrison)
Sean Spicer to Show – Jeremy Akers (Crown Point)
Yellow Ribbon Rastler – Will Vakalahi (Penn)
 
285
Two wrestlers appear to have separated themselves from the field and seem like strong candidates to meet in the finals. The real story is who will be in the third and fourth place slots.
 
Primary Challenges
1. Alex Faulkner (Mishawaka) vs Alex Cartwright (LaVille) – The Alex War should will pit the Caveman’s savvy versus the Lancer’s brute strength.
2. Michael Foster (Crown Point) vs Dan “Truck” Clark (Rochester) – The Truck is tough to score on and frustrates his opponents. He has been outstanding this post season.
 
270 to Win
1. Clark vs. Keion Williams (Lafayette Jeff) – This bout would be a rematch from earlier in the season where Williams squeaked by the big Zebra.
2. Aron Ceglarek (Kankakee Valley) vs. Gio Murillo (Portage) – Murillo is a returning state qualifier who can keep it close with just about anyone. Geglarek is a big thick kid who moves well.
 
Steve Bannon Death Draw
Ceglarek, the regional champ, drew into the one ticket round foe he probably would least like to see in Gio Murillo. The Portage warpath will going strong and that momentum might be difficult to deal with.
 
Alternative Facts
The big man with the best chance of shocking the semi state is Michael Foster of Crown Point. Both his first round and potential ticket round matches are very winnable for this unheralded Bulldog.
 
Trumps Top Dog – Isiah “Bus” McWilliams (South Bend Washington)
Pence’s Second Fiddle – Brendan Streck (Merrillville)
Sean Spicer to Show – Gio Murillo (Portage)
Yellow Ribbon Rastler – Dan “Truck” Clark (Rochester)

3313 8
Tonte moving back to the south side
After four years at the helm of Warren Central Jim Tonte will head back south to take over the Franklin Grizzly Cubs this year. In his first year guiding the Warriors Tonte captured his fourth state title as a coach and became the first coach in Indiana history to coach two different schools to a state title.
Tonte spent 19 years at the helm of Perry Meridian where they captured state titles in 2011, 2012,and 2013. The first two titles were in the dual meet championship era and in 2013 was when the scoring at the state finals determined the team champions.
Longtime Franklin coach Bob Hasseman stepped down last month after leading the Grizzly Cubs for 33 years. The Grizzly Cub program is heavily involved with the ISWA and always has a strong youth presence. 
Tonte will leave open a prime position at Warren Central that returns two state placers and was runner-up at Team State last year. He will have to leave behind his trademark gold jacket, but don't be surprised to see him in a flashy new silver on at the state finals this year.

3289 1
2020 State Finals by the Numbers
Overall
Rankings always provide a great insight to the best of the best in the state. Arguments always ensue on who is the best and who should be ranked. Over the years our rankings have proven to be the best out there. On top of that our rankings are locked before the first whistle at sectional and they do not take into account the semi-state draws. This year only 9 wrestlers that advanced to state were not in our state or semi-state rankings. We also set a new record for most state ranked wrestlers advancing to state with 180 or just over 80%! Thanks to our rankings gurus Mike Reiser, Caleb Spires, Howard Cottey, and Dustin Bentz for another great season.
 
Do not forget to download the IndianaMat brackets with rankings attached so it is easier to follow the state finals.
Click here for our special IndianaMat brackets
 
Season by season ranked wrestlers advancing to state
*Note Mike Reiser took over the rankings in 2012
2020- 180
2019- 175
2018- 179
2017- 169
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:
Trevor Triana- Hobart
Johnny Cortez- Lake Central
Keegan Malott- East Noble
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#4 Isaac Ruble- Bellmont vs. #9 Evan Dickey- Indianapolis Cathedral
#6 Jeffrey Bailey- River Forest vs. #15 Kyler West- Evansville Reitz Memorial
#7 Joshua Johnson- Indianapolis Cardinal Ritter vs. #8 Hayden Brady- Garrett
#2 Sam Goin- Crown Point vs. #12 Coy Hammack- Tell City
#11 Anthony Martin- Western vs. #3 Suhas Chundi- Carmel
 
113lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 10
Unranked qualifiers:
Dylan Driver- Westfield
Braden Haines- Brownsburg
Doug Waters- Chesterton
Colton Weimer- Garrett
Stefan Vitello- Valparaiso
Ethan Reiley- Jay County
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#5 Lane Gilbert- Sullivan vs. #12 Brac Hooper- Carmel
#3 Cheaney Schoeff- Avon vs. #4 Elijah Anthony- Frankfort

120lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 12
Unranked qualifiers:
Delaney Ruhlman- Bloomington South
Cole Solomey- Kankakee Valley
Aydan Amento- Evansville Central
Dominic Heath- Churubusco
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#5 Alec Freeman- Evansville Mater Dei vs. #10 Anthony Hughes- Lawrence North
#11 John Robinson- Delta vs. #2 Riley Bettich- Crown Point
#3 Giovanni Diaz- Wheeler vs. #18 Ethan Higgins- Wabash
#16 Sam Scott- Heritage Hills vs. #4 Carson Eldred- Westfield
 
126lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 15
Unranked qualifiers:
Willie Dennison- Anderson
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#18 Dylan Stroud- Manchester vs. #9 Ashton Hayhurst- Evansville Mater Dei
#10 Jace Alexander- Wawasee vs. #6 David Pierson- Warren Central
#1 Raymond Rioux- Avon vs. #15 Beau Humphrey- Fort Wayne Snider
#5 Brayden Lowery- Roncalli vs. #17 Brendon Mark- Mishawaka
#2 Ben Dalton- Monrovia vs. #12 Landon Bertsch- Bluffton
#4 Stephen Roberson- Crown Point vs. #19 Camren Toole- Lebanon
#14 Payne Blackburn- Delta vs. #7 Kysen Montgomery- Brownsburg
 
132lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 15
Unranked qualifiers:
Brody Arthur- Oak Hill
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#5 Ian Heath- Leo vs. #20 Isaiah Ponce- Lake Central
#17 Sam Slivka- Roncalli vs. #4 Kane Egli- Evansville Mater Dei
#13 Connor Holt- Plainfield vs. #10 Luke Goodwin- Southport
#2 Matthew Koontz- Perry Meridian vs. #15 Conner Alcala- Decatur Central
#18 Bradley Conrad- Portage vs. #11 Reakus Shelton- Fort Wayne Snider
#6 Hayden Watson- Center Grove vs. #16 Jared Brown- Pendleton Heights
#3 Hunter Cottingham- Western vs. #14 Vince Sparrow- Penn
 
138lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 14
Unranked qualifiers:
Lane Burns- Eastside
Nick Tattini- Crown Point
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#9 Tyson Nisley- LaPorte vs. #2 Logan Bailey- Indianapolis Cathedral
#20 Elijah Chacon- New Haven vs. #16 Landon Boe- Plainfield
#7 Brendan Mattingly- Carmel vs. #6 Eli Hickman- Rensselaer Central
#15 Ethan Kaiser- Chesterton vs. #14 Dylan Dorman- Greenfield-Central
#1 Blake Boarman- Evansville Mater Dei vs. #12 Hayden Shepherd- Western
#10 Kyle Lawson- Bellmont vs. #3 J Conway- Floyd Central
 
145lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 13
Unranked qualifiers:
Ethan Nash- Franklin Community
Aj Dull- South Adams
Riley Rust- Center Grove
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#8 Jaden Reynolds- Avon vs. #13 Jake Shafer- Carmel
#4 William Fiechter- Southern Wells vs. #5 Orlando Cruz- Crown Point
#12 Jacob Maldonado- Merrillville vs. #18 Evan Ulrick- Carroll (Fort Wayne)
#20 Alex Currie- Adams Central vs. #3 Aj Poindexter- Harrison (West Lafayette)
#7 Jajuan Anderson- Warren Central vs. #10 Brody Baumann- Evansville Mater Dei
 
152lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 12
Unranked qualifiers:
Aidan Hardcastle- Oak Hill
Tyler Jones- Lawrence Central
Anthony Walker- Greenwood Community
Garrett Stuckman- Wawasee
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#12 Cody Mccune- Huntington North vs. #5 Jordan Fulks- Boonville
#1 Brice Coleman- Warren Central vs. #9 Jorden Douglass- Attica
#2 Jonathan Kervin- Floyd Central vs. #20 Ethan Mason- Tri-Central
#4 Logan Boe- Danville Community vs. #16 Eli Hilger- Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger
#10 Shane Bates- Zionsville vs. #13 Tyler Turley- Hobart
#11 Shawn Hollis- Lowell vs. #3 Bryer Hall- East Central
First round match-ups of unranked wrestlers:
Garrett Stuckman- Wawasee vs. Tyler Jones- Lawrence Central
Aidan Hardcastle- Oak Hill vs. Anthony Walker- Greenwood Community
 
160lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 14
Unranked qualifiers:
Jacob Linky- Warsaw Community
Sam Schroeder- Southridge
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#7 Noah Hollendonner- Crown Point vs. #16 Tytus Morrisett- Eastern (Greentown)
#4 Cooper Noehre- Greenfield-Central vs. #8 Peyton Asbury- Brownsburg
#2 Isiah Levitz- Prairie Heights vs. #17 Nick Winland- Chesterton
#11 Sam Morrill- Columbus East vs. #15 Andrew Roth- Lawrenceburg
#1 Eli Dickens- Evansville Mater Dei vs. #14 Damon Mcclain- Warren Central
#10 Jed Perry- Southern Wells vs. #19 Aj Steenbeke- Penn
 
170lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 12
Unranked qualifiers:
Marcus Malson- Rushville Consolidated
Clayton Lundy- Elkhart Memorial
Brodie Porter- Eastern (Greentown)
Cody Timmerman- Mishawaka
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#1 Graham Calhoun- Plymouth vs. #14 Jalen Ward- Franklin Community
#3 Tristan Ruhlman- Bloomington South vs. #10 Braden Welch- Culver Academies
#7 Tyler Wagner- Indianapolis Cathedral vs. #19 Jacob Duncan- Southern Wells
#13 Gavin Layman- Chesterton vs. #6 Gabe Sollars- Evansville Mater Dei
 
182lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 15
Unranked qualifiers:
Sam Walker- Norwell
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#3 Macartney Parkinson- Evansville Mater Dei vs. #1 Joseph Walker- Mishawaka
#6 Johnny Parker- Indianapolis Cathedral vs. #2 Mason Winner- Jay County
#8 Khris Walton- Merrillville vs. #9 Brendan Mcpike- Terre Haute South Vigo
#19 Zian Constable- Peru vs. #12 Hayden Filipovich- Indianapolis Lutheran
#7 Noah White- Columbus East vs. #17 Connor Barket- West Lafayette
#5 Jake Lone- NorthWood vs. #16 Kole Viel- East Central
#10 Colin Kwiatkowski- Valparaiso vs. #11 Drake Buchanan- Center Grove
 
195lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 12
Unranked qualifiers:
Jacob Huffman- Indianapolis Cathedral
Luke Bakeis- Harrison (West Lafayette)
Gage Demarco- Chesterton
Richard Clevenger- New Palestine
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#8 Isaiah Street- Brownsburg vs. #6 Eli Pack- Culver Academies
#1 Silas Allred- Shenandoah vs. #20 Ibrahim Khaoucha- Northridge
#2 Jacob Laplace- Mishawaka vs. #10 Harris Eason- Franklin Community
#11 Matt Lepper- Carroll (Fort Wayne) vs. #3 Jd Farrell- Fishers
 
220lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 11
Unranked qualifiers:
Blaine Pierce- Richmond
Haakon Van Beynen- Carmel
Reese Condon- Mooresville
Fred Durben- Oak Hill
Grant Warmuth- Wabash
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#5 Jason Streck- Merrillville vs. #10 Deshawn Young- Franklin Central
#7 Will Stewart- South Spencer vs. #18 Tristen Martz- New Haven
#2 Drew Webster- North Montgomery vs. #9 Jonathan Thomas- Mishawaka
 
285lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 12
Unranked qualifiers:
Andres Larios- Hammond Clark
Andrew Himes- Plymouth
Ke`Tre Dickens- Avon
Jose Rosales- Goshen
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#12 Dennis Hubbard- Warren Central vs. #14 Robbie Gentry- Mooresville
#1 Dorian Keys- Brownsburg vs. #9 Antone Alexander- Franklin Central
#2 Andrew Irick- Hamilton Southeastern vs. #16 Jacob Johnson- Franklin Community
#8 Braydon Erb- Western vs. #13 Sam Perez Jr.- Highland

3245
Fantastic Four Lead the Cadets on Day Six
The last time Indiana had more three or more wrestlers in the finals of any event at Fargo most of the current wrestlers were entering kindergarten or in pre-school. Back in 2003 Indiana had a terrific trio of Matt Coughlin, Angel Escobedo and Alex Tsirtsis in the finals of Junior Freestyle event. This year Indiana has four in the finals of Cadet Freestyle in Paul Konrath, Chad Red, Nick Lee and Kobe Woods. Also making the podium is Evan Eldred who will wrestle for 7th tomorrow afternoon.
 
Konrath got the ball rolling with a 1-0 match in the semi-finals. His only point was due to a passivity on his opponent. Even with the lack of scoring the match had quite a few scrambles and each wrestler was in position to score numerous times.
 
Chad Red had lost to Taylor Lamont three times in the past year. Last year at Fargo Lamont pinned Red in freestyle and as recent as last month Lamont defeated him in both freestyle and Greco. However, today was Red’s day as he used two takedowns in the first period to garner enough to hold off the reigning freestyle national champion.
 
Nick Lee has been a machine all tournament long and in the semi-finals he rose to the occasion against Eric Hong of Pennsylvania. Hong is a prep national champion and was considered by some to be the favorite in this weight class. Lee’s relentless pressure broke Hong midway through the second period when he got the tech fall.
 
Kobe Woods isn’t afraid of seeking the best competition as he has had a rigorous schedule since February. It has paid off with his second trip to the national finals. He took care of Michigan’s Wyatt Harden by tech fall late in the match.
 
Evan Eldred has gone the scenic route to the podium after losing his third match he battled back to win three matches to secure placement. He will have Ryan Epps of Minnesota in his placement match.
 
The finals match-ups for the Indiana wrestlers will be tough as always. Konrath will have Ian Timmins of Nevada. Timmins is a Nevada state champion and won the Cadet Greco-Roman title just a couple days ago. Red will have Jaden Enriquez of California in the finals. Enriquez is looking for the Triple Crown and placed in both style last year at Fargo. He placed 4th at 132lbs in the California state tournament. Nick Lee will have Jamie Hernandez of Illinois in the finals. There is little info on Hernandez, he did not qualify for state in Illinois and was 2-2 in Greco at the Cadet Duals. Kobe Woods will have a familiar foe in the finals in Ohio’s Matt Stencil. At the Cadet Duals they traded wins with Woods winning in Greco and Stencil in Freestyle. Stencil however won the rubber match earlier this week in Greco.
 
Years with three or more finalists.
Junior Freestyle
2004
1st Matt Coughlin
2nd Angel Escobedo
2nd Alex Tsirtsis
Cadet Freestyle
1988
1st Jeff Pease
2nd Devon Nelson
2nd Tim Clark
1993
1st Tim Myers
1st James Leavell
1st Chris Snyder
2nd William Hill
Cadet Greco-Roman
1987
1st Rusty Castetter
1st Jeff Pease
2nd Dan Wickliffe
1988
1st Dan Wickliffe
1st Jeff Pease
2nd Tony Abbott
2002
2nd Angel Escobedo
2nd Shane Perkey
2nd Chris Kasten
 
2014 USAW Cadet Men`s FS Nationals Results for Indiana
Cadet 100 - Alec White's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Cons. Round 5 - Alec White (Indiana) won by tech fall over Jackson Kohlberg (Illinois) (TF 10-0)
Cons. Round 6 - Joseph Thomas (Maryland) won by decision over Alec White (Indiana) (Dec 4-0)
 
Cadet 106 - Paul Konrath's place is 2nd and has scored 7.00 team points.
Quarterfinal - Paul Konrath (Indiana) won by disqualification over Drew Mattin (Ohio) (DQ)
Semifinal - Paul Konrath (Indiana) won by decision over Zachary Sherman (New Jersey) (Dec 1-0)
 
Cadet 120 - Joe Lee's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Quarterfinal - Dylan Duncan (Illinois) won by decision over Joe Lee (Indiana) (Dec 15-10)
Cons. Round 8 - Kanen Storr (Michigan) won by tech fall over Joe Lee (Indiana) (TF 11-0)
 
Cadet 126 - Chad Red's place is 2nd and has scored 7.00 team points.
Quarterfinal - Chad Red (Indiana) won by tech fall over Morgan Fuenffinger (Minnesota) (TF 11-0)
Semifinal - Chad Red (Indiana) won by decision over Taylor Lamont (Utah) (Dec 4-3)
 
Cadet 132 - Noah Warren's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Cons. Round 6 - Evan Eldred (Indiana) won by tech fall over Noah Warren (Indiana) (TF 13-2)
 
Cadet 132 - Nick Lee's place is 2nd and has scored 7.00 team points.
Quarterfinal - Nick Lee (Indiana) won by tech fall over Parker Filius (Montana) (TF 15-5)
Semifinal - Nick Lee (Indiana) won by tech fall over Eric Hong (Pennsylvania) (TF 10-0)
 
Cadet 132 - Evan Eldred's place is 8th and has scored 1.00 team points.
Cons. Round 6 - Evan Eldred (Indiana) won by tech fall over Noah Warren (Indiana) (TF 13-2)
Cons. Round 7 - Evan Eldred (Indiana) won by tech fall over Kristofer Lindemann (New Jersey) (TF 10-0)
Cons. Round 8 - Evan Eldred (Indiana) won by tech fall over Trysten Perales (Washington) (TF 12-1)
Cons. Round 9 - Hunter Shelton (Missouri) won by decision over Evan Eldred (Indiana) (Dec 21-15)
 
Cadet 138 - Brett Johnson's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Cons. Round 6 - Brett Johnson (Indiana) won by fall over Brock Jennings (Iowa) (Fall 1:20)
Cons. Round 7 - Demarius Smith-Terhune (Illinois) won by tech fall over Brett Johnson (Indiana) (TF 10-0)
 
Cadet 145 - Jacob Covaciu's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Quarterfinal - Anthony Mantanona (California) won by decision over Jacob Covaciu (Indiana) (Dec 14-14)
Cons. Round 8 - Brandon Kui (New Jersey) won by fall over Jacob Covaciu (Indiana) (Fall 1:00)
 
Cadet 160 - Jacob Gray's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Quarterfinal - Jacob Warner (Illinois) won by tech fall over Jacob Gray (Indiana) (TF 10-0)
Cons. Round 6 - Jacob Raschka (Wisconsin) won by tech fall over Jacob Gray (Indiana) (TF 16-6)
 
Cadet 195 - Kobe Woods's place is 2nd and has scored 7.00 team points.
Quarterfinal - Kobe Woods (Indiana) won by decision over Zane Black (Pennsylvania) (Dec 7-6)
Semifinal - Kobe Woods (Indiana) won by tech fall over Wyatt Harden (Michigan) (TF 12-2)
 
Cadet 220 - Cameron Wetli's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Cons. Round 5 - Dustin Dukleth (California) won by tech fall over Cameron Wetli (Indiana) (TF 14-2) Junior Freestyle
 
The Junior Freestyle team got off to a great start on the first day. Six wrestlers are still in the championship bracket. They are currently in the round of 16 and will have to win two more on the championship side to secure placement. Indiana has five still alive in the consolations and they are four matches from placement.
Leading the way are the mighty mites Drew Hildebrandt and Garrett Pepple. Fargo veterans Brandon James, Randy Scott, Fletcher Miller are also in the championship along with Jacob Aven. In the consolations are Anthony Williams, Ben Harvey, Scottie Sopko, Dylan Lydy, and Nick Joyner. Both Harvey and Lydy had tough first round matches and are battling back through the consolations.
 
2014 USAW Junior Men`s FS Nationals Results for Indiana
Junior 106 - Drew Hildebrandt's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Drew Hildebrandt (Indiana) received a bye () (Bye)
Champ. Round 2 - Drew Hildebrandt (Indiana) won by tech fall over Noah Mirabal (New Mexico) (TF 14-3)
 
Junior 113 - Garrett Pepple's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Garrett Pepple (Indiana) won by tech fall over Kevin Mejia (California) (TF 13-2)
Champ. Round 2 - Garrett Pepple (Indiana) won by fall over Adam Brown (Iowa) (Fall 2:21)
 
Junior 132 - William Bernard's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Tyler Tepe (New Jersey) won by tech fall over William Bernard (Indiana) (TF 10-0)
Cons. Round 1 - William Bernard (Indiana) received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 2 - William Bernard (Indiana) won by fall over Kyle Lee (Tennessee) (Fall 3:39)
Cons. Round 3 - Mike Hayes (Wisconsin) won by tech fall over William Bernard (Indiana) (TF 10-0)
 
Junior 132 - Clarence Johnson's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Clarence Johnson (Indiana) received a bye () (Bye)
Champ. Round 2 - Greg Hilliard (Georgia) won by tech fall over Clarence Johnson (Indiana) (TF 10-0)
Cons. Round 2 - Clarence Johnson (Indiana) won by tech fall over Garrett Clifford (Texas) (TF 12-2)
Cons. Round 3 - Clarence Johnson (Indiana) won by tech fall over Alejandro Rivera (Arizona) (TF 12-0)
Cons. Round 4 - Sam Kirvis (Pennsylvania) won by tech fall over Clarence Johnson (Indiana) (TF 18-7)
 
Junior 138 - Anthony Williams's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Anthony Williams (Indiana) won by tech fall over Austin Rasmussen (Florida) (TF 13-2)
Champ. Round 2 - Anthony Williams (Indiana) won by decision over Nate Cromyak (Pennsylvania) (Dec 20-17)
Champ. Round 3 - Wyatt Sheets (Oklahoma) won by tech fall over Anthony Williams (Indiana) (TF 10-0)
Cons. Round 4 - Anthony Williams (Indiana) won by tech fall over Dylan LaFountain (Massachusetts) (TF 11-1)
 
Junior 138 - Brandon James's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Brandon James (Indiana) won by decision over Jacoby Ward (Ohio) (Dec 8-4)
Champ. Round 2 - Brandon James (Indiana) won by tech fall over Reid Johnson (Minnesota) (TF 13-3)
Champ. Round 3 - Brandon James (Indiana) won by tech fall over Jeren Glosser (Iowa) (TF 11-0)
 
Junior 145 - Kyle Todrank's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Vincenzo Joseph (Pennsylvania) won by tech fall over Kyle Todrank (Indiana) (TF 10-0)
Cons. Round 1 - Kyle Todrank (Indiana) won by decision over Austin Waters (Wyoming) (Dec 11-7)
Cons. Round 2 - Ronaldo Rodriguez (New York) won by decision over Kyle Todrank (Indiana) (Dec 14-11)
 
Junior 145 - Andrew Herrin's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Caleb Crabtree (Missouri) won by tech fall over Andrew Herrin (Indiana) (TF 11-1)
Cons. Round 1 - Andrew Herrin (Indiana) received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 2 - Erik Loepp (North Dakota) won by tech fall over Andrew Herrin (Indiana) (TF 12-1)
 
Junior 145 - Dan Reed's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Dan Reed (Indiana) received a bye () (Bye)
Champ. Round 2 - Grant Leeth (Missouri) won by fall over Dan Reed (Indiana) (Fall 2:02)
Cons. Round 2 - Steven Midkiff (Virginia) won by tech fall over Dan Reed (Indiana) (TF 10-0)
 
Junior 152 - Christian Warren's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Logan Foster (Washington) won by fall over Christian Warren (Indiana) (Fall 0:48)
Cons. Round 1 - Christian Warren (Indiana) received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 2 - Jaxson Nolan (Arkansas) won by tech fall over Christian Warren (Indiana) (TF 17-6)
 
Junior 152 - Kellen Van Camp's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Luke Fortuna (Illinois) won by tech fall over Kellen Van Camp (Indiana) (TF 10-0)
Cons. Round 1 - Kellen Van Camp (Indiana) received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 2 - Kellen Van Camp (Indiana) won by fall over Adam Blees (North Dakota) (Fall 3:48)
Cons. Round 3 - Joe Crook (Wisconsin) won by decision over Kellen Van Camp (Indiana) (Dec 8-6)
 
Junior 152 - Bryant Haynes's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Bryant Haynes (Indiana) received a bye () (Bye)
Champ. Round 2 - Bryant Haynes (Indiana) won by tech fall over Will Griffin (Arkansas) (TF 10-0)
Champ. Round 3 - Colston DiBlasi (Missouri) won by tech fall over Bryant Haynes (Indiana) (TF 13-2)
Cons. Round 4 - Dalton Clark (North Carolina) won by fall over Bryant Haynes (Indiana) (Fall 1:15)
 
Junior 160 - Ben Harvey's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Bryce Steiert (Iowa) won by tech fall over Ben Harvey (Indiana) (TF 10-0)
Cons. Round 1 - Ben Harvey (Indiana) received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 2 - Ben Harvey (Indiana) won by tech fall over Danny Green (Utah) (TF 10-0)
Cons. Round 3 - Ben Harvey (Indiana) won by tech fall over Chandler Michael (Oregon) (TF 13-3)
Cons. Round 4 - Ben Harvey (Indiana) won by decision over Canten Marriott (Missouri) (Dec 12-3)
 
Junior 170 - Dylan Lydy's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Spencer Derifield (Iowa) won by fall over Dylan Lydy (Indiana) (Fall 4:16)
Cons. Round 1 - Dylan Lydy (Indiana) received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 2 - Dylan Lydy (Indiana) won by tech fall over Mason Mounce (Missouri) (TF 14-4)
Cons. Round 3 - Dylan Lydy (Indiana) won by tech fall over Casey Brown (Wyoming) (TF 10-0)
Cons. Round 4 - Dylan Lydy (Indiana) won by fall over Kenneth Long (New Jersey) (Fall 3:35)
 
Junior 170 - Scottie Sopko's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Scottie Sopko (Indiana) received a bye () (Bye)
Champ. Round 2 - Tristen Zienkiewicz (Michigan) won by decision over Scottie Sopko (Indiana) (Dec 7-4)
Cons. Round 2 - Scottie Sopko (Indiana) received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 3 - Scottie Sopko (Indiana) won by tech fall over Noah Kankoski (Pennsylvania) (TF 11-0)
Cons. Round 4 - Scottie Sopko (Indiana) won by decision over Andrew Price (Michigan) (Dec 7-1)
 
Junior 195 - Jacob Aven's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Jacob Aven (Indiana) won by decision over Christopher Carter (Virginia) (Dec 9-7)
Champ. Round 2 - Jacob Aven (Indiana) won by decision over Brian Capps (North Carolina) (Dec 9-3)
 
Junior 195 - Randy Scott's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Randy Scott (Indiana) won by tech fall over Andres Rodriguez (Idaho) (TF 12-1)
Champ. Round 2 - Randy Scott (Indiana) won by tech fall over Donovan Doyle (Iowa) (TF 14-4)
 
Junior 220 - Christian Redmond's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Christian Redmond (Indiana) received a bye () (Bye)
Champ. Round 2 - Christian Redmond (Indiana) won by decision over Ryan Ashley (North Carolina) (Dec 13-12)
Champ. Round 3 - Austin Myers (Kentucky) won by tech fall over Christian Redmond (Indiana) (TF 10-0)
Cons. Round 4 - Steve Allen (Oklahoma) won by tech fall over Christian Redmond (Indiana) (TF 12-1)
 
Junior 220 - Fletcher Miller's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Fletcher Miller (Indiana) received a bye () (Bye)
Champ. Round 2 - Fletcher Miller (Indiana) won by tech fall over Mark Hussey (New Mexico) (TF 11-0)
Champ. Round 3 - Fletcher Miller (Indiana) won by tech fall over Ben Button (Alaska) (TF 10-0)
 
Junior 285 - Nick Joyner's place is unknown and has scored 0.00 team points.
Champ. Round 1 - Nick Joyner (Indiana) received a bye () (Bye)
Champ. Round 2 - Conan Jennings (Ohio) won by tech fall over Nick Joyner (Indiana) (TF 11-0)
Cons. Round 2 - Nick Joyner (Indiana) won by fall over Jason Kidder (Arkansas) (Fall 1:11)

3239
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).