High School News

864 articles in this category

2410 2
2019 Fort Wayne Semi-State Preview
By Caleb Spires
Every mid-February, 3/4ths of Indiana wrestling fans go to their semi-states and are forced to spend all day watching inferior wrestling, laughably under the impression that they are aren’t missing out on the REAL Indiana wrestling. The other fourth of us, however, know the truth. And we get the pleasure of traveling to Fort Wayne and witnessing the only semi-state worth watching! After years of Yorktown taking the team title, it is wide open this season with multiple teams that have a shot at taking home the gold.
In case you are new to the semi-state scene and not positive on how the tournament works, here is a basic rundown. Each semi-state has four feeder regionals. Those four regionals take the top four wrestlers from each weight class and blindly pair them in to four quarter brackets with a regional champion vs. 4th placer and a runner-up vs. 3rd placer. Placement is simple; win your first two matches, you’re a state qualifier and will continue wrestling to determine your spot 1st-4th. Lose one of your first two matches, and you’re done for the day, as well as the season. 
Without any more hesitation, let’s jump into the weight class breakdowns.
Early #SlobberKnockers - First round matches you won’t want to miss.
State Street Fights - Ticket round matches that should bring you to your feet.
#WAYL2 - Who are your losses to?
106:
Not too surprisingly, our lightest weight class brings a slew of kids you’re going to continue watching in the coming years; not a single wrestler in this bracket is a senior. But while youthful, there is still a lot of talent here.
Up top, Bellmont freshman Isaac Ruble has been one of the favorites at this weight all season, and so far in the postseason there isn’t much reason to disagree. He has been absolutely unchallenged at sectionals and regionals. Regardless, it would be unwise to overlook Blake Kinney of Maconaquah, who comes in with wonderful season under his belt. He is dangerous and could send Ruble packing early if he’s not careful.
Moving on, Central Noble freshman Alex Ocampo comes in with a spotless record, albeit with only about a half-season. He is incredibly athletic, strong, and scrambles like his life is on the line. Harvey Barr of Kokomo and Colton Weimer battle in the first round with a potential match with Ocampo looming in the ticket round. Three of Weimer’s eight losses have come to Ocampo this season.
Wabash freshman Jared Brooks has looked wonderful this season. After his first slip up of the season, a 10-1 loss to Kinney at sectionals, he responded tremendously with an 11-0 victory at regionals. His path to Banker’s Life won’t be easy. A first round match between Muncie Central’s Gage Cline and Northridge’s Jasper Graber features two tough wrestlers who will do everything in their power to push their seasons an extra week.
Lastly, we are likely to see part 4 in the Brady Lewis vs. Aidan Sprague saga. Sprague(East Noble) has a 2-1 advantage over Lewis(Huntington North) this season with a combined 11-9 advantage. This is anybody’s match.
Early #SlobberKnockers:
Jasper Graber(Northridge) vs. Gage Cline(Muncie Central)
State Street Fights:
Isaac Ruble(Bellmont) vs. Blake Kinney(Maconaquah)
Brady Lewis(Huntington North) vs. Aidan Sprague(East Noble)
Alex Ocampo - 9 Jared Brooks - 9 Isaac Ruble - 9  Aidan Sprague - 9 #WAYL2
Jared Brooks(1): Blake Kinney
Blake Kinney(4): Jared Brooks(2)
Brady Lewis(4): Aidan Sprague(2), Isaac Ruble
Isaac Ruble(5): Carlton Perry, Brennen Cernus, Hudson Harreld, Shephan Roberson, Alex Cottey
Wyatt Corkwell(5): Eli Johnson(2), Gage Cline(2), Isaac Ruble
Nick Olson(6): Jasper Graber(2), Johnny Cortez, Dylan Tom, Luke Stento, Aidan Sprague
Aidan Sprague(7): Alex Ocampo(3), Brady Lewis, Isaac Ruble(2), Kody Glithero
Colton Weimer(7): Alex Ocampo(3), Ruben Padilla, Sean Johnson, Brady Lewis(2)
Gage Cline(7): Colin Reagan, PJ Pritchett, Will Castle, Harvey Barr, Isaac Ruble, Blake Kinney, Andrew Stachler(OH)
Jasper Graber(7): Alex Cottey, Logan Miller, Malik Hall, Ryan Purvis(2), Nick Olson, Alex Ocampo
Emmanuel Ellis(8): Stefen Vittello, Michael Denvit, Colton Weimer(2), Jose Martinez, Jasper Graber, Jake Necessary, Aidan Sprague, Gage Cline
Harvey Barr(8): Carlton Perry(2), Ethan Brawley, Elijah Anthony, Eli johnson, Romello Williams, Jared Brooks
113:
This should be one(of many) fun weight(s) to watch throughout the day. No wrestlers at 113 have made it to state before, but eight of them were here last year with six of them only one match away from being state qualifiers. We should be seeing some talented, accomplished wrestlers punch their first tickets to state this weekend.
Jett Boots of Angola was a very close loss last year from wrestling in the state finals. This season he has come back hungry and determined, and is coming off the momentum of a huge regional championship win. Jacob Veatch of Leo, a ticket-rounder in his own right, will be a tough roadblock for Boots to be state-bound.
What a tough quarter-bracket. You might as well close your eyes and draw names out of a hat for this. Harper Dedman of Oak Hill was a match away from state last year but gets a tough match right off the bat in Lakeland’s talented Ben Miller. It won’t be much easier in the ticket round for winner of that match, as they will face the winner of Snider’s Brady Ester(semi state qualifier last year) and Bellmont’s Dominic Litchfield. Don’t be fooled by Litchfield’s 11 losses. Bellmont’s schedule has him prepared for Saturday.
Next up, Preston Teusch of Huntington North is the favorite to continue his season past this weekend. He has two former semi-state qualifiers in Northridge’s Justin Puckett and Western’s Justin Brantley who will do battle with each other in the first round before getting a crack at him.
The final spot is favored to go to West Noble senior Isaac Weimer. He is making his third trip to Fort Wayne and is eager to make it out for the first time. Standing in his way is Landon Bertch, a slightly-under-the-radar freshman out of Bluffton who has amassed a 36-1 record en route to a regional championship.
Early #SlobberKnockers:
Eli Johnson(Norwell) vs. Jacob Veatch(Leo)
Brady Ester(Fort Wayne Snider) vs. Dominic Litchfield(Bellmont)
State Street Fights:
Harper Dedman(Oak Hill) vs. Ester/Litchfield
Preston Teusch(Huntington North) vs. Justin Puckett(Northridge)
Landon Bertch(Bluffton) vs. Isaac Weimer(West Noble)
Preston Teusch - 10 Jett Boots - 11 Isaac Weimer - 12 Brady Ester - 11 #WAYL2
Landon Bertch(1): Drayk Kallenberger(OH)
Preston Teusch(1): Jacob Simone
Isaac Weimer(2): Alex Ocampo, Jett Boots
Harper Dedman(4): Jett Boots, Justin Brantley, Drayk Kallenberger(OH), David Schulte
Jett Boots(5): Isaac Weimer(3), Justin Puckett, Anrico Cunningham(OH)
Brady Ester(6): Chandler Shearer, Preston Teusch(2), Matt Adamczyk, Christian White, Jacob Veatch
Justin Brantley(6): Jacob Veatch, Tyler Brubaker, Harper Dedman(2), Carson Johnson, Jake Lemieux 
Justin Puckett(6): Andrew Haggerty, Chris Merrill, Isaac Weimer, Martin Cruz, braden Haines, Jett Boots
Ben Miller(7): Jett Boots(3), Jake Armstrong, Isaac Weimer
Jacob Veatch(7): Dominic Litchfield, Jett Boots, Preston Teusch(2), Brady Ester
120:
Like you usually see with the 120 lb weight class, there are a lot of names here you’ll probably recognize, given this is a typical transition weight for a majority of the most accomplished sophomores and juniors who are starting to get bigger. If you want some evidence, we can start with the fact that 11-of-16 of these wrestlers were here last season, with eight of them being 10th or 11th graders. However, it is likely that the champion will be coming down to one of the few seniors.
Beau Humphrey of Snider was a heartbreaking loss to an exciting match away from a state qualification last season and has been even stronger this year, down a weight class. He is likely to break through this year but will be pushed early by the winner of Wabash’s Ethan Higgins and Goshen’s Rasheek Bonds. Despite Bonds’ record of 30-11, he has faced a lot of quality wrestlers and has been wrestling well so far in the state series. He and Higgins should have a great first round match.
Also on that side of the bracket, Kade Zadylak of Norwell looks to punch his second ticket to state in his last go-round. Zadylak has had a fantastic career that I’m sure he wants to culminate in a semi-state championship and standing atop the state podium next weekend. His sole loss is a bit of a head-scratcher, but he responded well in redeeming himself a week later. Two other former semi-state qualifiers should put on a great first round match in Elkhart Central’s Eric Garcia and Western’s Chandler Ciscell.
After capturing his first regional championship, Aidan Hardcastle of Oak Hill will have a great shot to make it to state, but his quarter-bracket is tough. His first round opponent, Christian Pfieffer-Laguerre of Concord, upset previously one-loss Sam Levitz at regionals to earn his spot in Fort Wayne. Should Hardcastle win that match, he will battle the winner of Dominic Heath(Churubusco) and John Robinson(Delta). Robinson has been superb this year and owns a 12-5 win over Heath earlier this year, but Heath is a talented wrestler with some good wins this year and should push him in this rematch.
The final quarter-bracket is Evan Beasley of Northridge’s to lose. He has come up one match shy at semi-state the last two seasons and has put together his best season yet in one last effort to not only make it out of semi-state, but to win it as well. His likely ticket round foe comes from Garrett, Chandler Shearer. Shearer has had somewhat of an up-and-down season, but he is capable of catching Beasley off guard of Beasley is overlooking him.
Early #SlobberKnockers:
Ethan Higgins(Wabash) vs. Rasheek Bonds(Goshen)
Eric Garcia(Elkhart Central) vs. Chandler Ciscell(Western)
State Street Fights:
Aidan Hardcastle(Oak Hill) vs. John Robinson(Delta)
Evan Beasley - 12 Kade Zadylak - 12 Beau Humphrey - 11 John Robinson - 11 #WAYL2
Beau Humphrey(1): Brayden Lowery
Kade Zadylak(1): Carter Thomas
Ethan Higgins(2): Dominic Heath, Chandler Ciscell
Evan Beasley(2): Brayden Littell, Kysen Montgomery
Aidan Hardcastle(3): Chandler Ciscell, John Robinson, Kade Zadylak
John Robinson(3): Camden Spears(2), Kade Zadylak
Chandler Shearer(5): Carter Thomas, Kade Zadylak, Rasheek Bonds, Sam Levitz, Beau Humphrey
Toby Abbott(5): John Robinson92), Carson johnson, Colin Reagan, Kade Zadylak
Eric Garcia(6): Evan Beasley(2), Giovanni Diaz, Dylan Stroud, Vince Sparrow, Rasheek Bonds
Darryn Kuhl(7): Kade Zadylak, Parker Moseley, Beau Humphrey, Chandler Shearer
126:
The potential championship match alone at this weight should be worth the price of admission, the gas money and time spent driving, and even the outrageous price of the concession stand food. Between just two wrestlers at this weight, there are already 6 state placements, 5 semi-state championships, 4 state championship appearances, and 3 state championships. One of these two competitors is riding the longest current IHSAA winning streak, winning his last 115(!!) IHSAA matches. The last time these two faced each other was for the semi-state championship at 106 pounds when they were both freshman. That match was 6-4. Strap in folks, we’re in for a show.
Atop the first quarter-bracket, we have a “who will be have the best day?” situation. Western freshman Hayden Shepherd won his regional and has beaten many tough 126 pounders this season. It will be an early test for him in former semi-state qualifier Tonner Johnson of Norwell, who had the misfortune of a tough regional and isn’t your ordinary 4. The winner of that will likely meet up with Carroll’s Evan Ulrick who seems to be peaking at the right time.
Moving on, remember that guy that I said is on a 115-match winning streak? His name is Brayden Curtis and he’s from Yorktown. You probably haven’t heard of him, but he has finished his high school seasons with placements of 7th, 1st, and 1st, and hasn’t tasted in-season defeat since the consolation semifinals at state his freshman year. He shouldn’t be remotely challenged on his way to a fourth state qualification. Later on in the bracket, however…
The bracket gods hocked a big loogie right in Payne Blackburn of Delta’s face. Blackburn qualified for the state finals last year but has his work cut out for him if he plans on doing so again. After losing to Curtis at regionals, Payne has drawn into Hunter Watts of Jimtown. Hunter’s career so far has gone as such; 6th, 2nd, and 1st while moving up one weight class each season. Not only is Watts coming off a state championship last season, but his offense has been kicked up multiple notches this year. Blackburn has had a wonderful season, wrestling Curtis tough multiple times, but he may need the best match of his life to make it back to Indy.
Rounding out the 126 weight class, Ian Heath of Leo is looking to make his second trip to state in as many years as he has been in high school. Two stout freshman will try to spoil that party. Alex Currie of Adams Central and Dylan Stroud of Manchester do battle to meet Heath in the ticket round.
Early #SlobberKnockers:
Hayden Shepherd(Western) vs. Tonner Johnson(Norwell)
Alex Currie(Adams Central) vs. Dylan Stroud(Manchester)
State Street Fights:
Shepherd/Johnson vs. Evan Ulrick(Carroll)
Hunter Watts(Jimtown) vs. Payne Blackburn(Delta)
Hunter Watts - 12 Brayden Curtis - 12 Ian Heath - 10 Evan Ulrick - 10 #WAYL2
Hunter Watts(1): Jesse Mendez
Ian Heath(1): Evan Burge
Alex Currie(5): Carter Thomas, Braden Brooks, Payne Blackburn(2), Blayne Daniels
Dylan Stroud(6): Justin Risten, Beau Humphrey, Braden Brooks, Hayden Shepherd
Hayden Shepherd(6): Ian Heath(3), Chase Wilkerson, Skyler Blackwell(2)
Issac Hawkins(6): Kyler Brown(3), Hunter Watts
Kyler Brown(6): KJ Williams, Brendon Mark, Brock Hogenson, Blaine Malott
Payne Blackburn(6): Evan Burge, Brayden Curtis(3), Chase Wilkerson, Jared Brown
Bhupesh Chauhan(7): Hayden Shepherd(2), Blayne Daniels, Troy Smith(2)
132:
Ooooooo-eeeeeee. Did somebody ask for a single bracket with; 6 state qualifiers, 2 others who have been one match away, and an undefeated regional champion? I’m sure the coaches of the 16 schools at this weight didn’t, but it should certainly be a treat for us fans! This is one of those weights you could wrestle 10 times and it may not turn out the exact same a single time.
We are started off by two-time state qualifier out of Western, Hunter Cottingham. Cottingham has not failed at making it to state yet, but it certainly won’t be a walk in the park to go 3/3. His first match is against former ticket-rounder from East Noble, Adam Ledesma. Ledesma didn’t have the best regional, but he is still a wonderful wrestler who cannot be overlooked. He was defeated in the ticket round last year by Ricky Haught of Huntington North who, surprise, is also in this quarter bracket. A former state qualifier is bound to go home here.
Next up, one of our two undefeated wrestlers at this weight. The middle child in the Jimtown lineup of death, Matt “slightly smaller” Gimson. A former 8th placer at state, Gimson will be looking for his third straight semi-state championship appearance, and second title in those three years. His ticket round shouldn’t be a piece of cake though. He’ll be facing the winner of Bellmont state qualifier Kyle Lawson, and New Haven’s Elijah Chacon. Chacon has been on fire this season and the Bellmont guys are always well-coached and prepared for tough matches. 
Another wrestler trying to go back to state is Logan Mosser of Adams Central. He has one only one loss, up at 138 to another potential state qualifier. Tallan Morrisett of Eastern was a match away from qualifying for state last year and should pose a tough threat to Mosser in the ticket round.
The final quarter-bracket includes a marquee match-up between an undefeated wrestler, and another wrestler who only just lost for the first time at regionals. Owen Krider of Carroll is a senior, has not lost, and is yearning for his first trip to Banker’s Life. His opponent out of Central Noble, Chris Schuller, is also a senior but has made a trip to state two years ago. Up until Gimson at regionals, he had not taken a loss on the season. This is a massive match for two hungry seniors, but also for their teams, as Carroll and Central Noble could both be very alive in the team race.
Early #SlobberKnockers:
Hunter Cottingham(Western) vs. Adam Ledesma(East Noble)
Elijah Chacon(New Haven) vs. Kyle Lawson(Bellmont)
State Street Fights:
All of them. All four should be good.
Matt Gimson - 12 Owen Krider - 12 Hunter Cottingham - 11 Logan Mosser - 12 #WAYL2
Chris Schuller(1): Matt Gimson
Logan Mosser(1): William Fiechter
Hunter Cottingham(2): Geremia Brooks, Matt Gimson
Adam Ledesma(5): Alec Viduya, Ricky Haught, Chris Schuller, Christian Santos, Matt Gimson
Gage Kelly(5): Hunter Cottingham(2), Tallan Morrisett, Dillon Tuttle
Tallan Morrisett(6): Ryan Rasler, Aundre Beatty, Dason Tichenor, Christian Santos, Hunter Cottingham(2)
Christian Santos(7): Cody Betourne, Andres Moreno, Joey Gordon, Zeke Rowdown, Matt Gimson, Chris Schuller, Geremia Brooks
Elijah Chacon(8): Adam Ledesma(2), Hunter Cottingham, Logan Mosser, Owen Krider, Ricky Haught
Ricky Haught(8): Logan Mosser, Adam Ledesma, Kyle Lawson, Owen Krider(2), Elijah Chacon
138:
Were you wanting the fun to stop? If so, that’s a shame, because 138 features many more talented and accomplished wrestlers. 10 of the 16 have been here before. 4 of those 10 have made it to state. And 2 of them have numbers behind their name(one in Michigan). Expect some good wrestling at this weight.
The champion at this weight from last year returns. His name is Conner “slightly bigger” Gimson from Jimtown, and he looks to come away with his second consecutive semi-state championship after a 5th place finish at state last year. His likely ticket round opponent is Macaiah White of Eastern who has been to semi state before and hopes to make it out in his final attempt.
Last year William Fiechter of Southern Wells had the upset of the state tournament by knocking off the first ranked 138 lb. wrestler at regionals, but he couldn’t capitalize the next week with a loss in the ticket round. This season should be different. He has a favorable quarter-bracket and is likely to extend his season an extra week. 
At the second consecutive weight class, Carroll and Central Noble have to prepare for a huge ticket round match against one another. In a battle of seniors, Reis Schrock(Carroll) would like to go out with a bang and head to Banker’s Life. In order to do so, he will have to get through Tanner Schoeff(Central Noble) who has qualified for the state tournament the last two years. This could go either way and, again, could be vital in the team race.
The only undefeated wrestler at this weight class, Dylan Goudy of Western, had a relatively quiet season last year and managed to navigate through to state. There’s nothing quiet about him anymore and he’ll make an attempt to duplicate his success. Nick Buchanan of Prairie Heights night have something to say about that, though. Buchanan placed 6th at state in Michigan and is a tough, athletic wrestler capable of giving Goudy his sole loss of the season at the worst possible time.
Early #SlobberKnockers:
Zach Bullock(Maconaquah) vs. Clayton Jackson(Leo)
State Street Fights:
Reis Schrock(Carroll) vs. Tanner Schoeff(Central Noble)
Dylan Goudy(Western) vs. Nick Buchanan(Prairie Heights)
Conner Gimson - 12 Nick Buchanan - 11 Tanner Schoeff - 12 William Fiechter - 11 #WAYL2
Conner Gimson(1): Cayden Rooks
Tanner Schoeff(4): Conner Gimson, Nick Buchannan(2), Gabe Phillips
Nick Buchanan(5): Braxton Alexander, Cayden Rooks, Tanner Schoeff, Matt Gimson
William Fiechter(5): AC Eberle, Macaiah White, Nick Buchanan, Tanner Schoeff, Tyce Freije
Reis Schrock(6): Nick Buchanan, Alec Viduya, Cayden Rooks, Anthony Rivera, Gabe Steyer(OH), Michael Tippmann 
Macaiah White(7): Luke Goodwin, Dylan Goudy(3), William Fiechter
Tori Forrest(7): Drew Mason, Dylan Goudy, Cristian Ponce, Drake Buchanan, Macaiah White, Zack Bullock, Fernando Rebullo
145:
While there is only one wrestler at 145 who has wrestled at Banker’s Life, there are plenty of others in this bracket who have come close. Many of the top names at this weight have already faced each other this year and it has been very tight. With the stakes at its highest, we’ll see a lot of talented wrestlers with a lot of heart.
Homestead’s Jake Jenkins has not made it to state yet, but has really proved himself this season. He hasn’t taken a loss to anybody in this bracket, while having beaten a majority of them. He is the favorite to make it to state, but has two other former semi-state qualifiers. Mississinewa’s Courtland Smith qualified two years ago and Josh Beeks was here last season. Either could make things difficult for Jake.
This next ticket match should be a tight one. Ryan Rasler of Prairie Heights has lost at semi state the last two seasons by just one point each time. His likely opponent, Aaron McKinley of Maconaquah, has also been here before and has been wrestling fantastic this season. Rasler defeated him 6-2 earlier this season but McKinley will be prepared for this rematch, assuming he manages to beat Jay County senior Jordan Schricker.
Logan Macklin of Adams Central is the only state qualifier out of this bunch. He punched his ticket two seasons ago but failed to do so last year in a very tough bracket. He looks to get back on track this year but could be challenged by a few seniors who are starving to make the most out of their last run. Northridge’s Adam Hooley is a very solid wrestler and Bishop Dwenger’s Michael Garrett has been on the cusp of breaking through for seemingly a couple years now.
In our last quarter-bracket, we can just draw names from a hat. Tytus Morrisett from Eastern had a huge regional win this last weekend and is hoping that will help him make it to state in his third attempt to get out of Ft. Wayne. Early on he starts off with Monroe Central’s Tyler Jones who is a fabulous wrestler in his own right. The winner of that will take on the winner of Scottie Saylor(Carroll) and Shayne Tierney(West Noble). All four kids are capable of beating one another and we’ll just have to see who is having the best day.
Early #SlobberKnockers:
All of the 2 vs. 3 matches. Each could go either way.
Tytus Morrisett(Eastern) vs. Tyler Jones(Monroe Central)
State Street Fights:
Ryan Rasler(Prairie Heights) vs. Shricker/McKinley
Morrisett/Jones vs. Saylor/Tierney
Logan Macklin - 12 Jake Jenkins - 12 Ryan Rasler - 12 Tytus Morrisett - 11 #WAYL2
Aaron McKinley(3): Jake Jenkins, Ryan Rasler, Tytus Morrisett
Logan Macklin(3): Ryan Rasler(2), Jake Jenkins
Ryan Rasler(3): Daniel Park, Jacob Burford, Jake Jenkins
Jake Jenkins(4): Bryer Hall, Ethan Hicks, Jacob Burford, Isaiah Bretz(OH)
Tyler Jones(4): Josh Beeks(2), Jordan Schricker, Jake Jenkins
Tytus Morrisett(4): Brice Coleman, Jorden Douglass, Josh Beeks, Gage Holder
Adam Hooley(5): Cayden Rooks, Drake Buchanan, Gabriel Smith, Shayne Tierney
Michael Garrett(5): Gage Schuckman, Logan Macklin, Scottie Saylor, Jake Jenkins, Isaiah Bretz(OH)
Shayne Tierney(6): Ryan Rasler(4)
Zane Hall(6): Tytus Morrisett(2), Tori Forrest, Courtland Smith(2)
Josh Beeks(7): Logan Macklin(4), Noah Wright, Ryan Rasler, Tytus Morrisett
Courtland Smith(8): William Fiechter, Josh Beeks, Tytus Morrisett, Aaron McKinley
Jordan Schricker(8): Jake Jenkins, Josh Beeks, Brayden Ploehs(OH), Eric Heistand, Paul Faurote, Ethan Hicks, Josh Beeks, Logan Macklin
152:
While this weight may not be the deepest at Fort Wayne, the top guys are all tough as nails. There is a 2x defending semi-State champion who arguably isn’t the favorite to defend his crown. Luckily, the bracket gods appeared to to be kind to 152 by allowing quite possibly the four best guys to all hail from separate regionals.
Up top we have a Prairie Heights wrestler as regional champion. His name is Isiah Levitz. I bet you’re shocked to see that last name, huh? Levitzs that come from Prairie Heights are always a hoot to watch and are always capable of finding ways to win. His ticket round opponent Gage Schuckman of Norwell is having a good season and will push him to his limits if he expects to finally qualify for state.
Moving forward, we have arguably the favorite at this weight. Ethan Hicks from Carroll qualified for state last year but that doesn’t appear to be enough for him. He has looked much improved this season from the talented wrestler he already was. It will be interesting to see how Eastern freshman Brodie Porter can hang with him. Porter hasn’t wrestled a schedule quite like Carroll’s, but a 35-2 record for a middle-weight freshman is impressive no matter how you slice it. Of course, he will have an accomplished senior from Jay County in Thomas Hemmelgarn before getting the opportunity.
Probably the closest call of all the ticket round matches, Haydn Prater of Rochester should likely be squaring off with Huntington North’s Cody McCune in a battle of juniors. Prater won his regional and is probably a very slight favorite, but McCune doesn’t give up many points and can wrestle with the best of them, as evidenced by his 2-1 match with Hicks at regionals.
Eric Hiestand of Yorktown is a two-time semi-state champion but has yet to place at state. I’m sure with this being his senior season, he intends on going out with a bang and would like to finish with three consecutive semi-state championships. His ticket round foe certainly will make him work for it though. Kamden Goering of Elkhart Memorial has turned the corner this season after a lackluster sophomore year and looks every bit of a state finals caliber wrestler.
Early #SlobberKnockers:
Thomas Hemmelgarn(Jay County) vs. Brodie Porter(Eastern)
State Street Fights:
Haydn Prater(Rochester) vs. Cody McCune(Huntington North)
Eric Hiestand(Yorktown) vs. Kamden Goering(Elkhart Memorial)
Ethan Hicks - 12 Eric Hiestand - 12 Haydn Prater - 11 Isiah Levitz - 11 #WAYL2
Ethan Hicks(1): Jake Schoenegge
Brodie Porter(2): Jackson Williams, Haydn Prater
Eric Hiestand(2): Cooper Noehre, Isiah Levitz
Haydn Prater(4): Austin Heckman, Brad Springer, Brice Coleman, Jake Lowe
Isiah Levitz(4): Brock Ellis, Coleman Beeks, Ellisston Ross, Ethan Hicks
Kamden Goering(4): Jake Schoenegge, Noah Baker, Isiah Levitz(2)
Gage Schuckman(5): Devin Jimenez, Cody McCune(2), Eric Hiestand, Jacob Mikesell(OH)
Cody McCune(6): Ethan Hicks(2), Brad Harrington, Jake Lowe, Brice Coleman, Jon Ruble
160:
Plenty of experience at this weight class. 7 of the wrestlers in this bracket were wrestling at semi state one year ago, though only 2 made it out. Those two are separated by the brackets and wouldn’t meet until the finals, leaving at least two spots open for a first time state finals qualifier.
Starting off is one of last year’s two state qualifiers, Jackson Pettigrew of Columbia City. His great state run last season must have lit a spark, as he is much improved from just one year ago. Looming in the ticket round is a match-up with talented senior Jadon Crisp of Central Noble. Both wrestlers have an identical record of 35-2.
Another one of Rochester’s talented upperweights is coming off a regional championship and only one loss on the season. It is likely that his ticket round match will be against Jed Perry of Southern Wells. Perry has had some good wins over accomplished wrestlers this season. Both were one match away from Banker’s Life and will keep their foot on the gas the whole match in an effort to get their first state qualification.
Stop me if you’ve heard this yet, but hey, look! Another good ticket round match between two former semi-state qualifiers looking for their first trip to Indy! Clayton Lundy of Elkhart Memorial is down a weight from his freshman year and looked very fundamentally sound at regionals. He is likely to face Joe Parrish of Homestead who has also looked much improved from last year and eager to punch his ticket.
Lastly, Jon Ruble of Bellmont qualified for state last year and should be able to do so again. He has already beaten Pettigrew this year, so he is capable of beating anybody in this bracket.
Early #SlobberKnockers:
Clayton Lundy(Elkhart Memorial) vs. Paul Faurote(Adams Central)
State Street Fights:
Drew Sailors(Rochester) vs. Jed Perry(Southern Wells)
Clayton Lundy(Elkhart Memorial) vs. Joe Parrish(Homestead)
Jon Ruble Jackson Pettigrew Joe Parrish Drew Sailors #WAYL2
Drew Sailors(1): Braden Welch
Jackson Pettigrew(2): Isiah Levitz, Jon Ruble
Jadon Crisp(2): Jed Perry, Clayton Lundy
Joe Parrish(3): Eric Hiestand, Parker Bates, Jackson Pettigrew
Jed Perry(4): Bryce Buckley, Grant Suding, Jon Ruble(2)
Clayton Lundy(5): Abel Verbeek, Brooks Davis, Parker Bates, Peyton Pruett, Brock Hueber
Jon Ruble(6): Brice Coleman, Trae Reynolds, Elliott Rodgers, Brooks Davis, Peyton Pruett, Ethan Hicks
Zian Constable(6): Drew Sailors(4), Abel Verbeek, Jordan Slivka
Jacob Duncan(7): Brayden Terrell, Tucker Coffman, Thomas Hemmelgarn, Grant Suding, Leo Calderon(2), Jed Perry
Paul Faurote(8): Jed Perry, Seth Sutton, Carter Siefring, Jackson Pettigrew, Dirk Herschberger, Jon Ruble(2), Jacob Duncan
Austin Garcia(9): Hunter Yoder, Jacob Atkins, Thomas Hemmelgarn, Justin Davis, Jacob Simpson, Abel Verbeek, Michael Garcia, Clayton Lundy, Jadon Crisp 
170:
While there is one clear favorite at this weight, it will be quite an enjoyable ride to seeing who occupies 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. Only one wrestler at this weight has qualified for state before so the other 3/4ths of the state are going to be seeing at least fresh faces at Banker’s Life next weekend.
We start off with that ‘clear favorite’ in the top quarter bracket. Clayton Fielden of Garrett has looked absolutely wonderful this year. He is tough to score on and isn’t scared of pressing the action. He may be a foreigner to the state finals so far, but he is a Fargo all-American. Luke Lechner of Western has undoubtedly looked good this year and hopes to pull off the upset.
Next up is a ticket-round match you won’t want to miss. Two very talented seniors do battle, one of them for the last time in his high school career. Regional champion Parker Bates of Adams Central has only one loss this season and waiting for him in the ticket round is Manchester’s Delton Moore, the sole state qualifier in this bracket. Moore has struggled with Rochester’s Zane Gilbreath this season, but otherwise is still a tough wrestler who isn’t going to go down for the last time without scratching tooth and nail.
Speaking of Zane Gilbreath, he has looked superb this season on his way to a regional championship, defeating Delton Moore 3 or 4 times. Like most of the wrestlers in Fort Wayne though, he can’t expect to press through without being challenged. Christian Summersett of South Adams may well be the biggest surprise in the semi state this year. Relatively unknown as a 132 lb freshman last year, Summersett has made the jump up to 170 fabulously, being a tough match for anybody who has faced him. This is another classic case of who is most feeling it on Saturday.
Eenie-meenie-miney-mo. There is no clear-cut favorite in the final quarter bracket. Jaden Miller of Northwood, Bryce Buckley of Eastern, and Jacob Fletcher of Leo all have similar records and if placed in a round robin every weekend, the results would likely vary.
Early #SlobberKnockers:
Jaden Miller(Northwood) vs. Bryce Buckley(Eastern)
State Street Fights:
Parker Bates(Adams Central) vs. Delton Moore(Manchester)
Zane Gilbreath(Rochester) vs. Christian Summersett(South Adams)
Miller/Buckley vs. Jacob Fletcher(Leo)
Clayton Fielden - 11 Zane Gilbreath - 12 Parker Bates - 12 Jacob Fletcher - 12 #WAYL2
Parker Bates(1): Laik Minnick
Clayton Fielden(3): Parker Bates, Nick South, Derek Blubaugh
Christian Summersett(4): Clayton Fielden, Parker Bates(3)
Delton Moore(5): James Snyder, Zane Gilbreath(4)
Orlando Clark(5): Gage Demarco, Peyton Anderson
Zane Gilbreath(5): Eli Pack, Graham Calhoun(2), Josh Lowe(2)
Bryce Buckley(6): Luke Lechner(3), Damon McClain, Mikey Smith, Delton Moore
Jaden Miller(6): Clayton Lundy, Laik Minnick, Nick South, Raymon Torres, Orlando Clark
Jacob Fletcher(7): Damon McClain(2), Luke Lechner, Zane Gilbreath, Clayton Fielden(2)
182:
“There is a lot of talent at this weight,” said the broken record. But that broken record isn’t lying. Luckily separated on the brackets, there are two juniors who are already state placers that could meet up in the finals. It doesn’t stop with just them, as there is a lot of depth here.
Mason Winner is just that; a winner. This is his third high school season and his chance at his third semi-State championship. He has placed 7th and 8th respectively at state. He should be able to navigate his way to Banker’s Life yet again, though another semi-state championship is a tall task.
Next up we have two seniors with a combined 66-3 record doing battle to determine who will get to finish off their career on a high note. Bradley Rosman of Oak Hill kicked it up a notch this year and has been majorly impressive, beating nearly everybody in his path. Brandon Bergman of Lakeland is quick and slick, and was only a match away from state last year. Expect a high energy battle here. 
Moving forward, Austin Leech of Garrett captured his first regional championship last week, putting him in good position to move forward. In order to do so, however, he’d have to get passed Garrett Hetzner who hopes this is his year after falling short last season.
A former state qualifier is guaranteed to go home here. Lone caught first last year during the tournament and rode that fire to an 8th place finish in the state finals. Kyler Funk of Mississinewa didn’t place at state, but he as well caught fire last year at semi-state and wrestled wonderfully. It’s a shame one of these two won’t get the chance to duplicate their success, but if Lone can move on he might be looking at his first semi state championship as he has already beaten Winner this year.
Early #SlobberKnockers:
Caid Lacey(Northridge) vs. Justin McDonald(Wayne)
State Street Fights:
Austin Leech(Garrett) vs. Garrett Hetzner(Eastern)
Jake Lone(Northwood) vs. Kyler Funk(Mississinewa)
Mason Winner - 11 Jake Lone - 11 Bradley Rosman - 12 Garrett Hetzner - 12 #WAYL2
Bradley Rosman(1): Mason Winner
Brandon Bergman(2): Garrett Hetzner, Jake Lone
Mason Winner(2): Jake Lone, Trey Sizemore(OH)
Jake Lone(3): Clayton Fielden, Evan Bates, Graham Calhoun
Justin McDonald(4): Manny Knight, Austin Leech(2)
Austin Leech(5): Mason Winner, Luke Davis, Jacob Huffman, Brandon Bergman(2)
Caid Lacey(7): Brock Hueber, Noah Perez, Julio Navarro, jared Clayton, Ben Kahl, Henry Gratzol, Jake Lone
Garrett Hetzner(7): JD Farrell, Bradley Rosman, Kyler Funk(2), Mitchell Wyrick, Nathan Willman
Kyler Funk(8): Bradley Rosman(3), Jake Combs, Noah Brown
195:
Any and all matside trainers better have some beta-blockers on hand when we get to the 195 matches, because there will be some coaches with skyrocketing blood pressure. This bracket is so ridiculous, I don’t know where to start. There are so many different conceivable ways that this weight class could end up going. Let’s take a shot at it…
Charlie Agnew of Huntington North has been competing with the best of them for the past two seasons now. A tough draw kept him from reaching the state finals last year. That should change this go-round. There certainly isn’t such thing as an easy draw right now, but he seemingly has the most favorable. No disrespect to Jon Messer of Prairie Heights, a very solid senior; Agnew has just been on fire this year.
In the next quarter-bracket we have our first undefeated guy since the 138 weight class. Granted it was only part of a season, Chandler Chapman sports a spotless 14-0. He is coming off his second straight regional championship, hoping to fare better than the first round upset he received last season. A loss in the ticket round certainly would be no upset though. He will have Victor Lee of Marion, the only previous state qualifier in this bracket who spent a lot of his season up a weight. Just one of many “who really knows?” matches here.
While slightly under my radar this year, Ibrahim Khaoucha has put on a show the last two weeks with a great start to the postseason. Can the fire keep burning? It better, if he wants a trip to state. Because he has some stiff competition to get that far. Waiting in round two for him is the winner of Carroll’s Allen Ives and Norwell’s Cale Gray. Cale can compete with anybody and may make a run for the semi state championship.
It’s almost over… Finally, Stewart Mossholer of Oak Hill has, like so many others here, put together a marvelous season. A trip to state in his last chance would require him beating one of two very talented wrestlers in New Haven’s Tristen Martz and Muncie Central’s Andrew Abbott. Abbott fell victim to Funk’s super run last year in overtime, and Martz has looked like a brand new wrestler this year. Tough, tough quarter-bracket.
Early #SlobberKnockers:
Allan Ives(Carroll) vs. Cale Gray(Norwell)
Andrew Abbott(Muncie Central) vs. Tristen Martz(New Haven)
State Street Fights:
All of them, again.
Charlie Agnew - 12 Cale Gray - 11 Chandler Chapman - 12 Stewart Mossholder - 12 #WAYL2
Charlie Agnew(1): Jacob Kowalski(OH)
Andrew Abbott(2): Dakota Cates, Cale Gray
Stewart Mossholder(2): Cale Gray, Jalen Morgan
Cale Gray(4): Charlie Agnew(2), Chandler Chapman(2)
Jon Messer(4): Damien Rodriguez, Nolan Wampler, Ibrahim Khaoucha
Victor Lee(4): Stewart Mossholder(2), Levi Leffers
Jasper Donaldson(6): Alex Kolkman, James Snyder, Zion Ryan, Victor Lee
Tristen Martz(7): Cale Gray(2), Charlie Agnew(3), Caden Friedt, Chase Lovell
Zion Ryan(7): Ashton Moore, Julio Navarro, James Goldsborough, Colin Fee, Jasper Donaldson92), Stewart Mossholder
220:
While not the deepest weight at Ft. Wayne, we should still see some competitive wrestling at the penultimate weight class, headlined by only one state finalist who placed 6th at this weight a year ago. Also, before breaking down the quarter-brackets, I’d like to wish a speedy recovery to Western’s Braydon Erb, a talented wrestler who had season-ending surgery after winning a sectional championship.
Levi Leffers of Central Noble would be that guy. After placing 6th a year ago, Leffers comes back his senior year with only one loss early on, and has all the tools to make a run at the 220 state championship. His likely ticket round opponent would be Keegan Miller of Eastside, who has had a very inconsistent season with some great wins, but also less-than-great losses. Dakota Cates of Madison-Grant could send him packing early if he isn’t careful.
One of the bigger surprises late in the season, for me at least, would be Jashawn Berlanga of Adams Central. A senior with a record of 36-3, Berlanga was not getting much buzz all season, but has been dominant in the postseason. Nobody has yet to keep from being pinned by him. He is peaking at the absolute best time. Reese Wicker of Churubusco has been a heavy hitter the last couple years at 220 and will pose a big threat to Berlanga’s mission of finishing out his career at the state finals.
Jayden Elwood of Leo has been one of the top wrestlers in the semi-state at 220 since last season, and started the season off strong giving Leffers his only loss. Elwood has yet to qualify for state, but this senior looks like he is ready to finally break through on that.
And rounding things out, a quarter-bracket that could be anybody’s for the taking after super sophomore Braydon Erb had to sit out regionals. Christin Graft has the most experience, but comes in as a fourth out of a tough regional. He’ll be wrestling Fred Durben of Oak Hill who is celebrating his first regional championship, in what could be a very tight match. The winner is likely to face Angola’s Kevin Hartman.
Early #SlobberKnockers:
Keegan Miller(Eastside) vs. Dakota Cates(Madison-Grant)
Fred Durben(Oak Hill) vs. Christian Graft(Huntington North)
State Street Fights:
Jashawn Berlanga(Adams Central) vs. Reese Wicker(Churubusco)
Durben/Graft vs. Kevin Hartman(Angola)
Levi Leffers - 12 Jayden Elwood - 12 Jashawn Berlanga - 12 Christin Graft - 12 #WAYL2
Levi Leffers(1): Jayden Elwood
Jayden Elwood(2): Braydon Erb, Levi Leffers
Jashawn Berlanga(3): Conner Ray, Evan Hill, Christian Graft
Thad Eiler(4): Cullen Browning, Kadin Johnson, Corbin Badger, Dawson Frasher
Dawson Frasher(5): Sam Evans, Blaine Pierce, Jashawn Berlanga(2), Cullen Browning
Reese Wicker(6): Levi Leffers, Tytan Grote (OH), Victor Lee, Keegan Miller, Jayden Elwood, ???
Fred Durben(9): Braydon Erb(2), Kevin Hartman, Zion Ryan, Brady Pease
285:
Make sure you stick around until the very end of semi-state, because if you don’t, you’re going to be missing out on some talented big boys. There is not a single easy quarter-bracket and likely top four, who are all separated from each other, are all so close in talent that 1st-4th place could likely differ from day-to-day. Only one state finalist at this weight, and he actually was the semi-state champion last year, but he is not the overwhelming favorite you’d expect.
Holden Parsons of Yorktown is that guy. He had a fantastic day at semi-state last season, taking the championship with him before being uppened on Friday night at state. His bracket seems tougher this season if he wants to repeat as semi-state champion, but he is fully capable of doing so. His ticket round date with Brian Bergman will be no walk in the park; Bergman was in the ticket round last year and as a senior will be wrestling his heart out to finish as a state finalist.
Carroll sophomore Reeve Muncie put on his “freshman 40,” and has made the transition from 220 to heavyweight very well. He is coming off a regional championship with back-to-back wins over one of his regular season losses. He will have a tough senior in  AJ Jones of Madison-Grant aiming to spoil Muncie’s first semi-state trip.
Atop the second half of the bracket is the only undefeated heavyweight in Fort Wayne, Adam Bowman of Maconaquah. Bowman was at semi-state last year but fell short. This season he already holds a 13-4 victory over the wrestler who ended his season last year, as well as a victory over last year’s semi-state champion. He is in wonderful position to win his bracket, though Logan Swallow of Monroe Central can put a damper on those plans. 
Vince Yoder of Fairfield has been in the ticket round the last two years and has been unsuccessful. After his first regional championship, things don’t look to be getting easier. He will have to go through Eastside’s Chase Leeper to do so. Leeper has been dominate all year, pinning Yoder in the first period on two separate occasions this year. That said, Yoder has been red hot in the state series to this point, and will be bringing his A-game in his last visit to the Coliseum. 
Early #SlobberKnockers:
Jose Rosales(Goshen) vs. AJ Jones(Madison-Grant)
State Street Fights:
Holden Parsons(Yorktown) vs. Brian Bergman(Lakeland)
Reeve Muncie - 10 Adam Bowman - 12 Holden Parsons - 11 Chase Leeper - 11 #WAYL2
AJ Jones(2): Adam Bowman, Andre Hughes
Holden Parsons(2): Adam Bowman, Muhammad Sidibe
Logan Swallow(3): Venice McCullough, Logan Shaffer, Holden Parsons
Reeve Muncie(4): John Harris, Hezzy Devault, Adam Bowman, Chase Leeper
Brian Bergman(5): Adam Bowman, Chase Leeper, Vince Yoder(2)
Chase Leeper(5): Jacob Petit(OH), Jeff Meyer(OH), Reeve Muncie(2)
Vince Yoder(5): Chase Leeper(2), Levi Leffers, Zach McQueen, Hezzy Devault
Bryce Kamphues(6): Adam Bowman(3), Billy Smith, Grant Warmuth
Logan Shaffer(6): Venice McCullough, Logan Swallow(3), Andre Hughes, Holden Parsons
Jose Rosales(8): Will Crider, Jason Foster, Rhent Addis, Cameron McDaniel, Keenan Perkins(2), Brian Bergman, Vince Yoder
Team Race:
Yorktown has owned the team race for so long that I can’t even find that last time they didn’t(at least 6 consecutive years, with what looks to be a very tight battle with Bellmont in 2012). But luckily for a bunch of other teams, they are not going to plow through so easily this year with only five wrestlers. 
Not all hope is lost as three of those five are absolutely capable of winning their weight classes, but now there are plenty of teams that can swoop in. Jimtown as well has three potential champions that could put up a lot of bonus points. Adams Central and Carroll both have the most amount of wrestlers competing at 9, and both are capable of sending at least four on through to the state finals. Central Noble, coming off a tight regional championship, could also get multiple wrestlers through with a couple champions. Teams like Western, Oak Hill, Norwell, and Huntington North even have the horses capable of getting multiple state qualifiers and making things interesting. 
The team race should be tight the whole way through and will be fun to monitor. Some major factors to look out for; 
-Championship at 126. Jimtown and Yorktown both have a legit chance at three champions, but a head-to-head will prevent them from both doing so.
-The ticket round at 132 and 138. There are two Carroll/Central Noble swing matches that could factor in massively if one of those teams could manage to send both their wrestlers through.
-Semifinals at 285. Carroll and Yorktown meet up before the finals, and a potential difference between 1st and 4th could be the deciding factor at the last weight class.
Everybody strap in and get ready for an awesome day of wrestling.

2513 23
2019 Evansville Semi-State Preview
By JD Greathouse

Team Race at a Glance
This is a four team race between #1 Mater Dei, #3 Columbus East, #4 Avon, and #12 Brownsburg. Brownsburg sent 14, Mater Dei sent 14, Columbus East sent 14, and Avon sent 13, respectively. Whoever can get the most through, and whoever wins the team title this weekend could be considered the favorite to hoist up the IHSAA team trophy on the floor of Banker’s Life. It looks like Mater Dei has too much firepower down low for any of the other teams to match, however, a few upsets and everything could change. If Mater Dei doesn’t win semi-state this weekend, my crystal ball tells me its Avon.
Ranked Wrestlers Galore
The Ford Center will have 87 state-ranked individuals competing on the floor this weekend. That averages out to 6+ ranked kids per weight class. Did someone say early morning fireworks?
Undefeated Wrestlers
113 Cole Ross (Mater Dei)
120 Noah Gardner (Edgewood)
120 Brayden Littell (Center Grove)
120 Blake Boarman (Mater Dei)
145 Matthew Lee (Mater Dei)
170 Nick South (Columbus East)
182 Carson Brewer (Avon)
182 Levon Bellemy (Edgewood)
195 Will Nunn (Castle)
220 Jacob Bolte (Columbus East)

106
This weight class is relatively wide open with the exception of #3 Alec Freeman of Mater Dei being the heavy favorite to win out at the Ford Center. Two freshman in Logan Miller of Brownsburg and Blaze Garcia of Avon look to challenge the Mater Dei Wildcat. Miller lost a close one to Freeman earlier in the year, and Garcia/Freeman have yet to meet.
The Front Runners
#3/#1 Alec Freeman (Mater Dei)
#8/#2 Logan Miller (Brownsburg)
#3/#12 Blaze Garcia (Avon)
Bank or Bust - Ticket Round Matches to Watch
#3/12 Blaze Garcia (Avon) vs. -#5 Ayden Amento (Evansville Central) OR -/#6 Cole Gentry (Tell City)
Dark Horse(s)
Being relatively unknown and winning regionals, could Milanes pull something out of his back pocket and punch his ticket to #TheBank?
-/- Jainier Milanes (Jasper)
#BankBound Top 4
Although anything can happen in the Ford Center, there shouldn’t be too many wrenches thrown into the 106 bracket this weekend.
#3 Alec Freeman (Mater Dei)
#8 Logan Miller (Brownsburg)
#12 Blaze Garcia (Avon)
Chris Newman (Mt. Vernon Posey)
113
There’s an immense amount of young talent at this weight highlighted by #5 Cole Ross of Mater Dei. Five other competitors are worthy of challenging Ross, but only four will punch their ticket to Banker’s Life on Saturday. There’s two ticket round matches especially intriguing, and after KT Nelson topped Hayden Watson last weekend, who knows what could happen this weekend.
The Front Runners
#5/#1 Cole Ross (Mater Dei)
#6/#3 Ben Dalton (Monrovia)
#8/#4 Hayden Watson (Center Grove)
#9/#2 Gavin Alstott (Floyd Central)
Bank or Bust - Ticket Round Matches to Watch
Here are four state qualifier worthy competitors, and only two will advance. Ross and Castelluccio competed previously this year - Ross the 6-4 winner. Alstott and Watson have yet to compete against each other, but Watson has had more quality competition and better wins. Don’t get too comfortable as the roof could come down early when these guys take the mat.
#5/#1 Cole Ross (Mater Dei) vs. #19/#5 Nicolas Castelluccio (Bloomington South)
#9/#2 Gavin Alstott (Floyd Central) vs. #8/#4 Hayden Watson (Center Grove)
Dark Horse(s)
KT Nelson beat Hayden Watson last weekend in the Mooresville regional final, 6-2. With a very nice draw and Brownsburg wrestling especially well in the postseason it wouldn’t be surprising to see KT Nelson make the finals on Saturday.
#17/#6 KT Nelson (Brownsburg)
#BankBound Top 4
#5 Cole Ross (Mater Dei)
#8 Hayden Watson (Center Grove)
#17 KT Nelson (Brownsburg)
#6 Ben Dalton (Monrovia)
120
What. A. Bracket. 8 of the Top 20 will be here this weekend and the fireworks will start before you can even get in your seat! Conley vs. Scott and Casebolt vs. Montgomery all in round one? Blasphemy. Unfortunately, both Blake Boarman and Brayden Littell were thrown on to the same side of the bracket, so we may see a state finals match in the semifinals at the Ford Center    .
The Front Runners
#1/#2 Brayden Littell (Center Grove)
#2/#1 Blake Boarman (Mater Dei)
Bank or Bust - Ticket Round Matches to Watch
With two wrestlers who have proven themselves worthy of being on the podium next weekend, how could you not want to watch Casebolt vs. Montgomery right away? The winner could make the finals, and better yet, set themselves up for a run to the semifinals in Banker’s Life next weekend. The quarter bracket consisting of Gardner, Conley, and Scott is eye-opening as well as only one will emerge through the smoke and punch their ticket. Will two younger men dethrone Noah Gardner’s last chance at making it on the podium, or will Gardner prevail?
#9/#6 Noah Gardner (Edgewood) vs. #11/#4 Tyler Conley (Avon) OR #20/#7 Sam Scott (Heritage Hills)
#7/#5 Devin Casebolt (Castle) vs. #6/#3 Kysen Montgomery (Brownsburg)
Dark Horse(s)
With so much firepower in one weight, is there truly one dark horse at this weight? Look for Sam Scott to try and break through the first time and qualify for the state tournament.
#20/#7 Sam Scott (Heritage Hills)
#BankBound Top 4
#2 Blake Boarman (Mater Dei)
#6 Kysen Montgomery (Brownsburg)
#1 Brayden Littell (Center Grove)
#11 Tyler Conley (Avon)
126
With the Mooresville regional being loaded with talent, that set up some distasteful draws for this weekend. 6 of the Top 20 are in this bracket with this being Ray Rioux’s bracket to lose. Close behind are Kane Egli, Evan Lawhead, Cade Meier, and J Conway. Egli qualified two seasons ago at 113, and is the favorite to challenge Rioux in the finals.
The Front Runners
#4/#1 Ray Rioux (Avon)
Bank or Bust - Ticket Round Matches to Watch
The quarter bracket with #17 Jeremy Clark, Landon Boe, and #14 Cade Meier is a meat-grinder. Meier and Clark have split on the year, and most likely will wrestle in the ticket round. #16 J Conway beat Meier last week and will have to get through #10 Evan Lawhead to make it to The Bank.
#17/#6 Jeremy Clark (Columbus East) vs. #14/#4 Cade Meier (Bloomington South)
#16/#5 J Conway (Floyd Central) vs. #10/#3 Evan Lawhead (Brownsburg)
Dark Horse(s)
Not a dark horse perse, but J Conway could make the finals this weekend and set himself up to make the podium at Bankers Life as a freshman in a very difficult 126 bracket.
#16/#5 J Conway (Floyd Central)
#BankBound Top 4
#4 Ray Rioux (Avon)
#12 Kane Egli (Mater Dei)
#16 J Conway (Floyd Central)
#14 Cade Meier (Bloomington South)
132
Future Hoosier, Asa Garcia, has ran through in-state competition with his only loss coming in Ohio. Rumor has it coming from #TheCounty is that Asa keeps it rolling this weekend. The battle for second is a 5th place rematch from last year between Logan Boe and Drake Campbell. With a couple of terrible draws in each half of the bracket, this weight could fall apart on Saturday.
The Front Runners
#1/#1 Asa Garcia (Avon)
Bank or Bust - Ticket Round Matches to Watch
Not in the ticket round, but Clay Egli has been cursed with terribly tough first round / ticket round matches throughout the course of his high school career. The senior has yet to qualify for the state tournament. Although Boe is the heavy favorite, Logan Boe vs. Joey Gordon is also a good ticket round match to watch.
#11/#3 Clay Egli (Mater Dei) vs. #18/#5 Tyler Fuqua (Franklin Community)
#7/#2 Logan Boe (Danville) vs. #19/#6 Joey Gordon (Columbus East)
Dark Horse(s)
Joey Gordon has been wrestling tough, and if he can upset Logan Boe, he could make the finals.
#19/#6 Joey Gordon (Columbus East)
#BankBound Top 4
#1 Asa Garcia (Avon)
#9 Drake Campbell (Brownsburg)
#7 Logan Boe (Danville)
#11 Clay Egli (Mater Dei)
138
The top half of this bracket is loaded with four state-ranked wrestlers, and two interesting ticket round matches. The bottom half is relatively wide open with there being only two state ranked wrestlers. An Indiana commit, Cayden Rooks is looking to run through the competition as he has done at 138 all year.
The Front Runners
#1/#1 Cayden Rooks (Columbus East)
Bank or Bust - Ticket Round Matches to Watch
The Mooresville regional is subject to another tough ticket round match between #10 Blaine Mayer and #15 Jayden Reynolds. With #14 Justice Cash getting upset in tiebreakers by #19 Owen Sego, it set up yet another year of Cash getting the short end of the stick with #1 Cayden Rooks. With Cash capable of pulling things out of a hat, if anyone will derail Rooks chances of making it to The Bank, it’s Cash.
#10/#5 Blaine Meyer (Mater Dei) vs. #15/#4 Jayden Reynolds (Avon)
#1/#1 Cayden Rooks (Columbus East) vs. #14/#3 Justice Cash (Bloomington North)
Dark Horse(s)
With the bottom half of this bracket being wide open, and with a win over Justice Cash last week, I feel like we see more from #19 Owen Sego this weekend. If he doesn’t pull an upset over Kreitzer in the semifinals, it should be closer than we expect.
#19/#6 Owen Sego (Indian Creek)
#BankBound Top 4
#1 Cayden Rooks (Columbus East)
#8 Drew Kreitzer (Brownsburg)
#10 Blaine Mayer (Mater Dei)
#19 Owen Sego (Indian Creek)
145
Undefeated on the year, Matt Lee is on a tear and has beat up competition in both Michigan and Indiana. He will be tested by #7 Jonathan Kervin in the semifinals. Down low is a deep half bracket, with three people able to emerge from the smoke in the first quarter bracket. A tussle between #12 Burdon and #15 Fulks also looks to be in store on Saturday morning.
The Front Runners
#1/#1 Matt Lee (Mater Dei)
Bank or Bust - Ticket Round Matches to Watch
The quarter bracket with Law, Hartz, and Koontz is a meat-grinder, but after Koontz fell 5-4 to #7 Kervin last weekend, I am impressed with the Edgewood freshman and look for him to make it through. #12 Burdon vs. #15 Fulks will also be a treat for the fans, but unfortunately not the wrestlers, as both deserve to punch their ticket.
-/#7 Kade Law (Columbus East) vs. -/#6 Brooks Hartz (Castle) OR #18/#8 Matthew Koontz (Edgewood)
#12/#4 LJ Burdon (Plainfield) vs. #15/#2 Jordan Fulks (Boonville)
Dark Horse(s)
On paper Matthew Koontz isn’t a favorite, but as a very talented freshman, I think Koontz will make the finals on Saturday and turn some heads. The freshman had a great Fargo this summer, and after some fall-out at Roncalli is up two weight classes and wrestling at a comfortable weight where I think he will surprise both wrestlers and fans.
#18/#8 Matthew Koontz (Edgewood)
#BankBound Top 4
#1/#1 Matt Lee (Mater Dei)
#18/#8 Matthew Koontz (Edgewood)
#7/#3 Jonathan Kervin (Floyd Central)
#12/#4 LJ Burdon (Plainfield)
152
Eli Dickens is up a few weights from last year, and after having a successful preseason he has continued to climb the ladder. As impressive as he has been, Jake Schoenegge and Nathan Conley look to challenge him in the finals, but he must not overlook South senior Elliston Ross. Ross is incredibly funky, can score a lot of points, and is difficult to score on. This bracket should be interesting, and with a couple tough ticket round matches, definitely a bracket to look forward to.
The Front Runners
#1/#1 Eli Dickens (Mater Dei)
#5/#3 Jake Schoenegge (Columbus East)
Bank or Bust - Ticket Round Matches to Watch
Nathan Conley has had a solid year, but #18 Brad Springer of Southridge has as well and looks to upset the UIndy commit. Springer upset #12 Heckman last weekend in the Bloomington South regional semifinal. #5 Schoenegge and #12 Heckman is also a tough ticket round match. Conley and Schoenegge are both favorites, but with so much talent in the Evansville semi-state anything can happen.
#7/#2 Nathan Conley (Avon) vs. #18/#6 Brad Springer (Southridge)
#5/#3 Jake Schoenegge (Columbus East) vs. #12/#4 Austin Heckman (Edgewood)
Dark Horse(s)
After #18 Springer’s win over #12 Heckman, it would be interesting to see him keep it going. Similarly, the quarter bracket with #15 Ross, Scott, and Hall is as wide open of a quarter bracket as we have seen, and one of those two could potentially derail Ross’s plans of punching his ticket as a senior.
#18/#6 Brad Springer (Southridge)
-/- Devin Scott (Mooresville)
-/- Isaac Hall (Jeffersonville)
#BankBound Top 4
#1 Eli Dickens (Mater Dei)
#5 Jake Schoenegge (Columbus East)
#7 Nathan Conley (Avon)
#15 Elliston Ross (Bloomington South)
160
Seven ranked wrestlers in the Top 20 highlight this bracket. Peyton Pruett is the favorite this weekend, but a rematch from the first weekend between him and Tristan Ruhlman is blooming in the semifinals. Pruett won 4-3 last time, and both have been on a roll since then. All four quarter brackets feature either difficult first round matches or terrible ticket round draws. A very fun bracket to watch, and even more interesting to see how it plays out.
The Front Runners
#4/#1 Peyton Pruett (Center Grove)
#5/#2 Tristan Ruhlman (Bloomington South)
#7/#5 Clay Singleton (Gibson Southern)
Bank or Bust - Ticket Round Matches to Watch
Every single match at this weight is a match to watch, and as previously stated, all four quarter brackets have great first round and ticket round matches to watch. Don’t mind me as I write down four matches here. Sollars had a close match with Ruhlman earlier in the year, #4 vs. #7 in the ticket round, #8 vs. #15 in the ticket round, and a first round match between #20 and #17. This bracket is bonkers!
#5/#2 Tristan Ruhlman (Bloomington South) vs. -/#8 Gabe Sollars (Mater Dei)
#4/#1 Peyton Pruett (Center Grove) vs. #7/#5 Clay Singleton (Gibson Southern)
#8/#3 Robert Deters (Castle) vs. #15/#6 Tucker Schank (Southridge)
#20/- Gavyn Doane (North Knox) vs. #17/#4 Peyton Asbury (Brownsburg)
Dark Horse(s)
The upstart freshman, Gabe Sollars, has had close matches all year, including Ruhlman whom he has in the ticket round. Sollars is capable of pulling a string of upsets this weekend, but would anyone be surprised?
-/#8 Gabe Sollars (Mater Dei)
#BankBound Top 4
#5 Tristan Ruhlman (Bloomington South)
#8 Robert Deters (Castle)
#4 Peyton Pruett (Center Grove)
#17 Peyton Asbury (Brownsburg)
170
This bracket isn’t as exciting as 160, but once the semifinals roll around things will start getting interesting. Blubaugh, South, Jean-Baptist, and Parkinson are all expected to make the finals with relative ease. In a battle of college commits, UIndy commit Blubaugh and IU commit South are expected to throw down in what is probably the fifth time in the last calendar year. Parkinson is the favorite to make the finals out of the bottom half of the bracket.
The Front Runners
#1/#1 Nick South (Columbus East)
Bank or Bust - Ticket Round Matches to Watch
Nothing too intriguing, but a battle of ranked wrestlers goes down in the ticket round with Parkinson and McPike.
#6/#2 Macartney Parkinson (Mater Dei) vs. #19/#6 Brendan McPike (Terre Haute South Vigo)
Dark Horse(s)
No one here too capable of pulling upsets in my opinion, but as always, anything can happen.
#BankBound Top 4
#1 Nick South (Columbus East)
#6 Macartney Parkinson (Mater Dei)
#7 Derek Blubaugh (Bloomington South)
#14 Thierry Jean-Baptist (Brownsburg)
182
This bracket has five state ranked individuals, and a predicted matchup between #1 Carson Brewer and upstart Mustang Levon Bellemy awaits in the finals. Bellemy and Brewer both come in undefeated on the year, and both are contenders to win a state title. A tough ticket round match between #10 Kemper and #9 Carson awaits on the bottom half of the bracket.
The Front Runners
#1/#2 Carson Brewer (Avon)
#3/#1 Levon Bellemy (Edgewood)
Bank or Bust - Ticket Round Matches to Watch
With a combined three losses between the two, #10 Kemper and #9 Carson is an unfortunate matchup in the ticket round. Carson is a senior and this is his last go at making it on the floor of Banker’s Life, and Kemper looks to derail those plans. #11 Rodgers will be tested in the first round against 2018 state qualifier Presson. The winner of that match will challenge Brewer to punch their ticket.
#10/#4 McKinley Kemper (Evansville Central) vs. #9/#3 Trizton Carson (Danville)
#1/#2 Carson Brewer (Avon) vs. #11/#5 Phoenix Rodgers (Heritage Hills) OR -/- Wade Presson (Bloomington South)
Dark Horse(s)
With not one state ranked individual in the top quarter bracket, senior Will Nix looks to slide his way on the Bankers Life floor next weekend.
-/#6 Will Nix (Martinsville)
#BankBound Top 4
#3 Levon Bellemy (Edgewood)
#1 Carson Brewer (Avon)
#9 Trizon Carson (Danville)
Will Nix (Martinsville)
195
There are five ranked wrestlers in this bracket, but no ticket round matches expected to be especially intriguing. #4 Nunn and #5 Willham are expected to meet in the semifinals, with the winner to face either #16 Wampler or #17 Kenny / NR Carrier. This weight should be pretty chalky, but getting into the upperweights, anything can happen.
The Front Runners
#4/#1 Will Nunn (Castle)
#5/#2 Nick Willhalm (Greenwood)
Bank or Bust - Ticket Round Matches to Watch
In a battle of seniors, Carrier and Kenny duke it out in round one with the winner expected to punch their ticket, and challenge Wampler in the semifinals. Similarly, in a battle of state ranked individuals, Nunn and Hardy square off, although Nunn is considered the heavy favorite.
-/#4 Dylan Carrier (Evansville Central) vs. #17/- Dakari Kenny (Pike)
#4/#1 Will Nunn (Castle) vs. #19/#8 Destin Hardy (North Knox)
Dark Horse(s)
Stine has wrestled close matches all year, and will most likely wrestle Bloomington South transfer Nolan Wampler. Wampler has been relatively dominant, but as two seniors, I can see Stine potentially pulling an upset.
-/#7 Griffin Stine (Martinsville)
#BankBound Top 4
#4 Will Nunn (Castle)
#16 Nolan Wampler (Bloomington South)
#5 Nick Willham (Greenwood)
#17 Dakari Kenny (Pike)
220
Six state ranked grapplers headline this weight class with #1 Jacob Bolte the favorite to run through the Ford Center on Saturday. His biggest test will come early in the ticket round against #7 Micah Dodson, who fell to #12 Lawson Aiken last weekend. Three tough ticket round matches highlight this weight, so when the big boys come around make sure you stay in your seat and don’t go running to the bathroom.
The Front Runners
#1/#1 Jacob Bolte (Columbus East)
Bank or Bust - Ticket Round Matches to Watch
Fireworks are on deck in the ticket round as two people who should be on the podium in Bolte and Dodson wrestle in the ticket round, and then four other state worthy individuals duke it out in order to punch their ticket to #TheBank.
#13/#5 Will Stewart (South Spencer) vs. #11/#3 Jayden Williams (Avon)
#1/#1 Jacob Bolte (Columbus East) vs. #7/#2 Micah Dodson (Martinsville)
#12/#4 Lawson Aiken (Brownsburg) vs. #19/#6 Macray Robinson (Gibson Southern)
Dark Horse(s)
Josh Howell won regionals last week and does not have another state or semi-state ranked opponent in the ticket round. He’s the favorite to advance, and could potentially keep it close with the Aiken / Robinson winner.
-/#7 Josh Howell (Terre Haute South Vigo)
#BankBound Top 4
#1 Jacob Bolte (Columbus East)
#12 Lawson Aiken (Brownsburg)
#11 Jayden Williams (Avon)
Josh Howell (Terre Haute South Vigo)
285
Similar to 220, 6 ranked guys highlight this weight class, with a regional rematch between #3 Dorian Keys and #4 Muhammad Sidibe planned to go down in the finals. The bottom quarter bracket features three semi-state ranked grapplers, two of which are ranked in the state. The winner will test Keys in the semifinals. Adversely, Sidibe will be tested in the ticket round by #14 Haire. This is a great way to finish out the day as the big boys have great matches to watch all weekend.
The Front Runners
#3/#2 Dorian Keys (Brownsburg)
#4/#1 Muhammad Sidibe (Ben Davis)
Bank or Bust - Ticket Round Matches to Watch
Two ticket round tussles feature state ranked wrestlers looking to punch their tickets. Gentry vs. Kramer is a #16 vs. #20, and Haire vs. Sidibe is #14 vs. #4. Another one to not overlook is Biddle vs. Breivogel on the top quarter bracket. Upsets are brewing southwest and all you have to do is make the trip to the Ford Center!
#15/#8 Jack Biddle (Plainfield) vs. -/#7 Aaron Breivogel (Gibson Southern)
#14/#4 Allen Haire (Terre Haute South Vigo) vs. #4/#1 Muhammad Sidibe (Ben Davis)
#16/#3 Robbie Gentry (Mooresville) vs. #20/#6 Wyatt Kramer (Southridge)
Dark Horse(s)
Brevogel has been quiet this year, but the match between him and Biddle should send him to state. Breivogel lost 1-0 to Biddle previously this year. Should Brevogel derail Biddle’s plans to make it on the floor of Banker’s Life as a senior?
-/#7 Aaron Breivogel (Gibson Southern)
#BankBound Top 4
#3 Dorian Keys (Brownsburg)
#4 Muhammad Sidibe (Ben Davis
#20 Wyatt Kramer (Southridge)
Aaron Breivogel (Gibson Southern)

2873 1 5
Allred is headed to the Big Red
The top ranked 195lber in the state an our top Junior wrestler, Silas Allred, has committed to wrestle for Nebraska. Allred, hailing from Shenandoah just north of Indianapolis, will join four-time state champion Chad Red on the Husker roster. 
Allred is ranked anywhere from 5th-7th by all the national ranking services and atop 30 prospect for the class of 2020. Currently he sports a spectacular 90-2 record over his three years that includes a 5th place finish at state in 2018. His long list of national accolades includes placing 3rd at the Super 32 this past fall, a Cadet Folkstyle National title, and a 4th place finish in Cadet Greco-Roman. 
Allred had plenty of offers from many of the top programs in the country. The programs on his final list included state schools Purdue and Indiana along with North Carolina State and Maryland. Currently he is undecided on a major, but is leaning towards a business degree at Nebraska.
Projecting at 197lbs for his collegiate career, Allred stated he was drawn to Lincoln for a plethora of reasons.
“I chose Nebraska because it felt like home. After visiting a few colleges, no place made me feel even close to the way Nebraska did,” Allred said in response to his commitment. “I knew in my spirit the search was over. Not to mention the coaching staff and RTC is absolutely incredible. It is the perfect fit for my athletic and academic goals.”
Good luck to Silas as he pursues not only his state goals, but national and international goals thi off-season.

1903
2019 Semi-State Pick'ems
Do you have what it takes to defeat Mike, Caleb, and the other geniuses on this website?
You don't, but at least try and participate in our super popular semi-state pick'em contests.
New Castle
https://goo.gl/forms/usSmtYmJt3y78Kh73
Fort Wayne
https://goo.gl/forms/AhFkMeMS0HeAvoVH3
East Chicago
https://goo.gl/forms/d85miPKNeQInWVnZ2
Evansville
https://goo.gl/forms/ul1RlW5kYMmJpHfj1
 

2891 1
Penn salutes World silver medalist Sarah Hildebrandt
By STEVE KRAH
stvkrh905@gmail.com
Sarah Hildebrandt has been traveling the planet.
The Team USA wrestler has already filled up her passport book. She’s been to more than 30 countries.
“It’s definitely a great perk,” says Hildebrandt. “I was in like 12 countries this past year. Rome. Thailand. Spain. Amazing places.”
Hildebrandt, 25, went to Budapest, Hungary in October and came back with a silver medal at the 2018 World Championships.
Competing at 53 kg (117 pounds), the graduate of Penn High School in Mishawaka, Ind., and King University in Bristol, Tenn., received a first-round bye and then bested Kazakhstan’s Zhuldyz Eshimova 5-1 in the second round, Azerbaijan’s Anzhela Dorogan 15-9 in the quarterfinals and Canada’s Diana Mary Weicker by 10-0 technical fall in the semifinals.
In the finals at Laszlo Papp Arena, Hildebrandt lost lost by 11-0 technical fall to returning world champion Haruna Okuno of Japan. A month later, Hildebrandt was back at Penn to be saluted by the wrestling community.
Hildebrandt was the guest of honor on a night where challenge matches for the current team were held  and the “Long Black Line” of mat alums
marched into Penn Arena.
She’s back in Granger, Ind., to see her family and rest up. She will leave in about two weeks for training China as she gets ready for the 2019 competition season. For her, it begins in January at the Dave Schultz Memorial International in Colorado Springs, Colo., where she recently purchased a house and moved out of the U.S. Olympic Training Center complex.
“I’ve really grown to love this process — the nitty gritty of it all and the grind of the season,” says Hildebrandt. “In a weird way, that monotony of training and keeping to a schedule (eating, working out and going to sleep at the same time everyday) and when I’m out of it, I’m miserable. I love the structure and I love the grind.”
This past year, she competed about once a month and plans to be in about seven meets in 2019, including the World Championships in Kazakhstan. Then comes the run-up to the U.S. Olympic Trials and, Hildebrandt graduated from Penn in 2011 and King in 2015 with a marketing degree. She uses that knowledge to market herself.
“It’s part of the job,” says Hildebrandt. “Especially as a female wrestler, you’ve got to be able to get people to care about the sport. “Marketing myself and the sport is how you do that. Social media is a big tool for us and pairing up with sponsors.”
Those sponsors have approached her about collaborating with her. “That will do a lot for exposure not just for myself but for women’s wrestling and USA Wrestling.” 
Kingsmen head coach Brad Harper, who coached Hildebrandt in high school and was in her corner providing support in Hungary, made sure she was recognized in the same place where she put in so much work at the beginning of her wrestling career.
“We’ve been together since her freshmen year,” says Harper of Hildebrandt. “We’ve developed an awesome bond. I know what gets her calmed and what gets her energized."
“I’ve been with her through the thick and the thin. We’ve been together through a lot. That’s why we have that good relationship.”
Being ranked No. 1 in her weight class going into the Worlds and being a three-year in-residence athlete at the OTC, Hildebrandt has the skill and the know-how.
“I’m just there as an extra support to bring the energy and give her a little bit of strategy on what the other wrestler is doing,” says Harper. “I want to keep her in the moment.
“Sometimes she gets so excited because she loves to compete. I try to slow her down and let it come natural and wrestle her match.”
Wrestling as the lone girl on a boys team, competing at a high level in college and then on the international stage has made Hildebrandt physically and mentally tough.
“She’s been through it all,” says Harper. “She’s going to wrestle and ‘Be Sarah.’” 
Hildebrandt and Harper form a game plan going into competition. “I like those check-in points and for him to say them real intensely,” says Hildebrandt. “It’s two or three things. It changes from match to match and tournament to tournament. One is ‘next position,’ which is telling me to focus on the very next position I’m going to be in.
Where are your hands? Where is your head? Where are your hips? I don’t like to get too far ahead of myself, even by 20 or 30 seconds. It’s each chunk of time. It calms me down a little. I can’t get too high and can’t get too low in terms of emotion.”
Harper helps make that happen.
“He’s the most encouraging man to be around which is one of the main reasons I love having him in my corner and around still,” says Hildebrandt. “But, on top of that, he’s so good at not just talking to a group of people. He’s good at speaking directly to one person and making them feel his compassion toward them.
“He makes them believe they can do this. He’s changing lives.”
It’s with that enthusiasm that Penn now has a girls wrestling program with more than 20 athletes and coached by Matt Selis, Amy Hildebrandt (Sarah’s younger sister), Kristin Hills and Mariah Eberhart.
“It’s really amazing to share a goal like that with my sister — to empower women and break down these barriers and the prejudice people might have toward this sport and even women,” says Sarah of Amy. “I love that she’s teaching and giving back to this sport. It’s really a gift for me. The more she opens doors for girls in wrestling, it’s opening up everything for women in wrestling. That comes back to be because I’m a woman wrestler.”
Sarah says she gains motivation from younger brother Drew Hildebrandt, a highly-ranked 125-pound wrestler at Central Michigan University.
“My whole family inspires me, but my little brother is very much involved in the sport and he’s like the baby of the family,” says Sarah, daughter of Chris and Nancy Hildebrandt. “It’s cool to see him chasing goals and reaching them and improving right alongside with me. He understands what it takes."
“We give each other advice on the mental game and staying positive.”

11187
2018 Dream Team Classic Information
Date: April 14th
Location: Brownsburg High School
1000 S Odell St.
Brownsburg, IN 46112
Time: 6pm
Tickets: Adults $10 
Students(K-12) $5
Under 5 Free
Click here to purchase tickets and gear
Indiana Lineup
113: Jose Diaz- Wheeler
120: Colin Poynter- Portage
126: Ty Mills- Brownsburg
132: Graham Rooks- Columbus East
138: Kris Rumph- Portage
145: Christian Hunt- Yorktown
152: Brayton Lee- Brownsbur
160: Jack Eiteljorge- Carmel
170: Noah Warren- Perry Meridian
182: Conner Graber- Northridge
195: Lucas Davison- Chesterton
220: Mason Parris- Lawrenceburg
285: Brandon Streck- Merrillville
Coaching Staff
Darrick Snyder- Brownsburg
Matt Schoettle- Perry Meridian
Mark Kirchgassner- Lawrenceburg

Honorary Head Coach
Dick Neal aka The Ancient Elder
USA Lineup
113: Cevion Severado- Christian Brothers, Missouri
120: Joey Melendez- Montini Catholic, Illinois
126: Malik Johnson- Christian Brothers, Missouri
132: Real Woods- Montini Catholic, Illinois
138: Cole Matthews- Reynolds, Pennsylvania
145: Alex Lloyd- Shakopee, Minnesota
152: Jacori Teemer- Long Beach, New York
160: Jared Franek- Fargo West, North Dakota
170: Travis Wittlake- Marshfield, Oregon
182: Jared Krattiger- Waterford, Wisconsin
195: Tanner Sloan- Alburnett, Iowa
220: Brandon Whitman- Dundee, Michigan
285: Jake Levengood- Vacaville, California
Team USA Coach
Israel Martinez- Montini Catholic, Illinois

Special thanks goes out to our sponsors
Indiana State Wrestling Association
KC Battlegear
Invicta Wrestling Academy


4165 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

2436 5
2018 State Finals By the Numbers
Overall
Rankings are always a heated debate amongst wrestling fans. Over the years we have always locked our rankings before sectional and let them ride throughout the state series. Every year we lose kids due to unforseen circumstances and even the death draws at semi-state. However, they always prove to be quite accurate. This year we had the most ranked wrestlers in 179 or just under 80% in our final rankings. Here is a breakdown by weight and highlight matches to watch on Friday night.
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: 15
Unranked qualifiers:
Trey Sturgill - Peru
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#1 Jacob Moran- Portage vs. #7 Wyatt Miller- South Adams
#10 Gavinn Alstott- Floyd Central vs. #5 Alex Cottey- Perry Meridian
#13 Zachary Todd- Yorktown vs. #11 Colin Reagan- Frontier
#17 David Pierson- Warren Central vs. #6 Cole Ross- Evansville Mater Dei
#3 Logan Bailey- Indianapolis Cathedral vs. #16 Noah Gardner- Edgewood
#4 Kysen Montgomery- Brownsburg vs. #18 Harrison Hadley- Lapel
#9 Fernando Flores- Goshen vs. #20 Jace Alexander- Wawasee
113lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 15
Unranked qualifiers:
Joe Just - Carroll (Fort Wayne)
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#1 Brayden Curtis- Yorktown vs. #13 Caleb Oliver- Indianapolis Cathedral
#11 Tyler Conley- Avon vs. #2 Jose Diaz- Wheeler
#15 Kade Zadylak- Norwell vs. #10 Carson Eldred- Westfield
#16 Danny Tolin- Chesterton vs. #5 Blake Boarman- Evansville Mater Dei
#4 Andrew Black- New Castle vs. #8 Brayden Shearer- Garrett
#6 Andres Moreno- Lowell vs. #12 Alex Petro- Center Grove
#9 Devon Casebolt- Castle vs. #14 Ricky Hegedus- Portage
120lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 11
Unranked qualifiers:
Alex Bautista - Hanover Central
Logan Mosser - Adams Central
Logan Wagner - Zionsville
Tyler Fuqua - Franklin Community
Vince Sparrow - Penn
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#12 Logan Boe- Danville vs. #13 Zane Standridge- Carroll (Fort Wayne)
#6 Brock Peele- Portage vs. #3 Brendan Mattingly- Carmel
#9 Raymond Rioux- Avon vs. #19 Ian Heath- Leo
126lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 12
Unranked qualifiers:
Andrew Wilson - Indianapolis Cathedral
Kyle Lawson - Bellmont
Payne Blackburn - Delta
Skyler Gomez - LaPorte
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#2 Cayden Rooks- Columbus East vs. #19 Kaellin Kelly- Crown Point
#3 Alec Viduya- Roncalli vs. #14 Tanner Schoeff- Central Noble
#4 Colin Poynter- Portage vs. #12 Brycen Denny- Monrovia
#6 Ty Mills- Brownsburg vs. #11 Tanner DeMien- Penn
132lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 12
Unranked qualifiers:
Chris Wilkerson - Mount Vernon (Fortville)
LJ Burdon - Plainfield
Logan Hill - Penn
Ricky Haught - Huntington North
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#1 Graham Rooks- Columbus East vs. #10 Cody Betourne- Harrison (wl)
#12 Hunter Cottingham- Western vs. #7 Carter Noehre- Greenfield-Central
#18 Alex Barr- Yorktown vs. #11 Jarred Rowlett- Warren Central
#2 Manzona Bryant- Culver Academies vs. #5 Eli Dickens- Evansville Mater Dei
138lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 15
Unranked qualifiers:
Dylan Goudy - Western
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#2 Blake Mulkey- Brownsburg vs. #11 Alexander Strueder- Fishers
#4 Zach Melloh- Indianapolis Cathedral vs. #18 Noah Hunt- Bloomington South
#6 Matt Lee- Evansville Mater Dei vs. #15 Brailen Harrington- North Central (Indianapolis)
#7 Bailey Moore- Beech Grove vs. #3 Dawson Combest- Columbus East
#8 Conner Gimson- Jimtown vs. #9 Ian Dembowski- Valparaiso
#10 Austin Moore- Central Noble vs. #13 Adam Davis- Culver Academies
#19 Preston Risner- Penn vs. #20 Bryton Goering- Elkhart Memorial
145lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 15
Unranked qualifiers:
Jorden Douglass - Attica
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#1 Kasper McIntosh- Portage vs. #18 Scott Fitts- Evansville Mater Dei
#10 Dakota Ball- Southmont vs. #15 Giran Kunkel- Central Noble
#17 Jon Ruble- Bellmont vs. #3 Jordan Slivka- Indianapolis Cathedral
#2 Christian Hunt- Yorktown vs. #8 Hayden Lohrey- Shenandoah
#4 Tristan Sellmer- Floyd Central vs. #20 Brock Ellis- Chesterton
#5 Antwaun Graves- Warren Central vs. #19 Eliseus Young- Muncie Central
#7 Jacob LaPlace- Mishawaka vs. #11 Nathan Conley- Avon
152lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 13
Unranked qualifiers:
Corban Pollitt - Columbus East
Jackson Pettigrew - Columbia City
Stevie Browning - Franklin County
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#12 Joel Arney- Carroll (Fort Wayne) vs. #4 Derek Blubaugh- Bloomington South
#16 Robert Deters- Castle vs. #6 Xander Stroud- Elkhart Central
#19 Aiden Warren- Perry Meridian vs. #3 Donnell Washington Jr.- Portage
#2 Graham Calhoun- Plymouth vs. #5 Kody Wagner- Zionsville
#7 Elliot Rodgers- Indianapolis Cathedral vs. #10 Joseph Walker- Mishawaka
160lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 13
Unranked qualifiers:
Anthony Mosconi - Indianapolis Cathedral
Ben Kensinger - Mishawaka
Wade Presson - Bloomington South
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#15 Tucker Schank- Southridge vs. #16 Chandler Woenker- F.w. Bishop Luers
#2 Jack Eiteljorge- Carmel vs. #20 Malik Hoover- Merrillville
#3 Diego Lemley- Chesterton vs. #12 Brooks Davis- Perry Meridian
#5 Nick South- Columbus East vs. #14 Ethan Hicks- Carroll (Fort Wayne)
#6 Hunter Reed- Columbia City vs. #1 Gleason Mappes- Center Grove
170lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 14
Unranked qualifiers:
Andy Davidson - Columbus East
Drake Guerrero - Portage
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#1 Noah Warren- Perry Meridian vs. #14 Brigham Kleinhenz- Columbus North
#15 Delton Moore- Manchester vs. #18 Cody Crary- Munster
#2 Zack Fattore- Hobart vs. #12 Brady Wyro- Homestead
#3 Carson Brewer- Avon vs. #11 Elijah Mahan- Roncalli
#4 Jordan Rader- Peru vs. #19 Mario Traficanti- Crown Point
#6 Cody Klettheimer- Frankton vs. #5 Kameron Fuller- Jeffersonville
182lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 13
Unranked qualifiers:
Brenden Moore - South Spencer
Jamari Washington - Hammond Gavit
Kyler Funk - Mississinewa
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#1 Nathan Walton- Brownsburg vs. #16 Daniel Below- Perry Meridian
#10 Sam Gobeyn- Zionsville vs. #5 Kiave Guerrier- Evansville Central
#4 Conner Graber- Northridge vs. #11 Max Chaffee- Penn
#6 Aaron Mosley- New Albany vs. #18 Jalen Morgan- Elwood
#7 Jonyvan Johnson- New Haven vs. #17 Jeremy Torres- Portage
195lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 12
Unranked qualifiers:
Dan Wickersham - Northridge
Michael Bohman - Franklin County
Shane Stits - Center Grove
Victor Lee - Marion
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#15 Rockne Hurley- Penn vs. #6 Sam Hansen- Roncalli
#19 Luke Smith- Jeffersonville vs. #4 Draven Rasler- West Noble
#3 Thomas Penola- Zionsville vs. #11 Arthur Fowler- Calumet
#9 Tremor Bynum- Pendleton Heights vs. #10 Bryson Ford- Benton Central
220lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 9
Unranked qualifiers:
Chandler Schumm - Adams Central
Isaiah Baumgartner - South Adams
Jacob Bolte - Columbus East
Jacob Sisk - Pike Central
Joey Kidwell - West Lafayette
Kyle Simpkins - LaPorte
Nate LaFree - Plymouth
Gabe Watkins - Marion
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#3 Jacob McClaine- Lebanon vs. #5 Michael Boots- Evansville Mater Dei
#6 Ryan Hammond- Whiteland vs. #7 Landan Burton- New Palestine
First round match-ups of unranked wrestlers:
Chandler Schumm- Adams Central vs. Nate LaFree- Plymouth
285lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 10
Unranked qualifiers:
Harley Hillenburg - Bloomington South
Jamichael Watts - North Central (Indianapolis)
Marcus Stone - Elwood
Nick Conner - Elkhart Central
Tyler Majors - Lawrence North
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#18 Holden Parsons- Yorktown vs. #16 Elisha Tipping- Wawasee
#2 Eli Pokorney- Chesterton vs. #3 Dakota Ault- F.w. North Side
#8 Jacob Obst- Indianapolis Cathedral vs. #6 Riley McCubbins- Monrovia
First round match-ups of unranked wrestlers:
Marcus Stone- Elwood vs. Harley Hillenburg- Bloomington South

9947 10
2018 State Finals Information Center
State Finals Hashtag: #INStateFinals18
Brackets
TrackWrestling.com
IndianaMat with rankings
Pick'em Contest
State Finals Pick'em Top 8
Mat Burns Pick the Champions
Featured Articles
State Finals by the Numbers
State #WAYL2
IHSAA State Preview with fast facts
IHSAA State Finals Records Book
Site: Bankers Life Fieldhouse, 125 S. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis | Website
Security: All people as well as their bags, purses, and coolers (athletes only) entering Bankers Life Fieldhouse will be subject to a security inspection. A full list of prohibited items can be found in the Fieldhouse Fan Guide at the following link: http://www.bankerslifefieldhouse.com/arena-information/fan-guide/ 
Additionally, misconduct, mistreatment of Fieldhouse staff, or other prohibited behavior will be addressed promptly and violators are subject to ejection from the premises or arrest. The code of conduct is found in the Fan Guide again at the following link:http://www.bankerslifefieldhouse.com/arena-information/fan-guide/ 
Admission: $8 per session or $20 both days. Children 24 months old and younger admitted free of charge. 
Tickets may be purchased at Bankers Life Fieldhouse or you may order a single session mobile ticket via Tik-A-Tap below:
Session 1 (Friday First Round)
Session 2 (Saturday Quarterfinals, Semifinals)
Session 3 (Saturday Championships, Consolations)
Television: Saturday's state championship bouts in each weight class will air live on Fox Sports Indiana. Hosted by Mark Jaynes (play-by-play), Mike Goebel (analyst), Blake Maurer (analyst) and Greg Rakestraw (mat interviews).
Link to TV providers covering the championship matches.
Webstream: Friday's first round and Saturday's quarterfinals, semifinals and consolation matches may be viewed via live stream for a subscription fee at TrackWrestling.com. For Saturday night's championship round, viewers outside of the Fox Sports Indiana coverage area, a live stream will be available at IHSAAtv.org. For those within the FSI coverage area, the stream will be available only on delayed basis following the conclusion of the telecast.
State Finals Pairings Show
The brackets in each weight class will be announced exclusively via IHSAAtv.org beginning at 4 pm ET / 3 pm CT on Sunday, February 11, 2018. Greg Rakestraw and Hall of Fame coach Mike Goebel will serve as hosts.
Friday, Feb. 16, 2018
Parade of champions | 5:45 pm ET
First Round | 6 pm ET (Gates open at 4:30 pm ET)
Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018
Quarterfinals | 9:30 am ET with semifinals to follow (Gates open at 8 am ET)
Consolations | 5 pm ET (Gates open at 4 pm ET)
Finals | 7:30 pm ET

4237 30
2017/18 IHSWCA Team State Draws
TrackWrestling link
Schedule
9:00 AM – Rounds 1 through 3 (4 mats)
Pool Play – 4 pools with 3 teams in each pool – seeded
Rd 1 Bye – Lower seeded team in each pool
Rd 2 Bye – Higher seeded team in each pool
Rd 3 Bye – Unseeded team in each pool
2:00 PM(approx) – Round 4
Bracketed event begins based on how teams finished in their pool (4 mats)
Consolation Matches (2 mats – 2nd  – 8th Place teams)
-Pool A 2nd Place vs Pool D 2nd Place
-Pool B 2nd Place vs Pool C 2nd Place
Consolation Matches (2 mats – 3rd Place teams)
-Pool A 3rd Place vs Pool D 3rd Place (winner ties for 9th place/loser ties for 11th place)
-Pool B 3rd Place vs Pool C 3rd Place (winner ties for 9th place/loser ties for 11th place)
4:00 PM(approx) – Round 5
Bracketed Consolation Matches (4 mats)
Championship Bracket Semi-Finals (2 mats – 1st Place teams)
-Pool A Winner vs Pool D Winner
-Pool B Winner vs Pool C Winner
5th/6th Place Dual and 7th/8th Place Dual (2 mats)
6:00 PM(approx)– Round 6
Finals for Places 1st – 4th (2 mats per class – 6 mats total for Event)
3A Teams
Pool 1
#1 Brownsburg
#8 Roncalli
Center Grove
Pool 2
#2 Perry Merdian
#7 Penn
Castle
Pool 3
#3 Evansville Mater Dei
#6 Columbus East
Carroll
Pool 4
#4 Portage
#5 Avon
Harrison (WL)
2A Teams
Pool 1
#1 Yorktown
#8 New Haven
New Prairie
Pool 2
#2 Wawasee
#7 Bellmont
Franklin County
Pool 3
#3 North Montgomery
#6 Edgewood
Lawrenceburg

Pool 4
#4 Garrett
#5 Jimtown
Indian Creek
1A Teams
Pool 1
#1 Prairie Heights
#8 Milan
Attica

Pool 2
#2 Central Noble
#7 Eastern (Greentown)
Shenandoah
Pool 3
#3 Frankton
#6 North Posey
South Adams
Pool 4
#4 Adams Central
#5 Knightstown
Cass

3052 5
2018 IHSWCA Team State Information
Date: December 23, 2017
Location: 
Allen County Memorial Coliseum
4000 Parnell Ave
Fort Wayne, IN 46805
TrackWrestling Link(Live Video included)
http://www.trackwrestling.com/tw/teamtournaments/VerifyPassword.jsp?tournamentId=262578009
Schedule
9:00 AM – Rounds 1 through 3 (4 mats)
Pool Play – 4 pools with 3 teams in each pool – seeded
Rd 1 Bye – Lower seeded team in each pool
Rd 2 Bye – Higher seeded team in each pool
Rd 3 Bye – Unseeded team in each pool
2:00 PM(approx) – Round 4 
Bracketed event begins based on how teams finished in their pool (4 mats)
Consolation Matches (2 mats – 2nd  – 8th Place teams)
-Pool A 2nd Place vs Pool D 2nd Place
-Pool B 2nd Place vs Pool C 2nd Place
Consolation Matches (2 mats – 3rd Place teams)
-Pool A 3rd Place vs Pool D 3rd Place (winner ties for 9th place/loser ties for 11th place)
-Pool B 3rd Place vs Pool C 3rd Place (winner ties for 9th place/loser ties for 11th place)
4:00 PM(approx) – Round 5 
Bracketed Consolation Matches (4 mats)
Championship Bracket Semi-Finals (2 mats – 1st Place teams)
-Pool A Winner vs Pool D Winner
-Pool B Winner vs Pool C Winner
5th/6th Place Dual and 7th/8th Place Dual (2 mats)
6:00 PM(approx)– Round 6 
Finals for Places 1st – 4th (2 mats per class – 6 mats total for Event)
Teams
3A Teams
Avon
Brownsburg
Carroll
Castle
Center Grove
Columbus East
Evansville Mater Dei
Harrison (WL)
Penn
Perry Merdian
Portage
Roncalli
2A Teams
Bellmont
Edgewood
Franklin County
Garrett
Indian Creek
Jimtown
Lawrenceburg
New Haven
New Prairie
North Montgomery
Wawasee
Yorktown
1A Teams
Adams Central
Attica
Cass
Central Noble
Eastern (Greentown)
Frankton
Knightstown
Milan
North Posey
Prairie Heights
Shenandoah
South Adams
Team State Documents
TeamStateInfo.pdf
Team State Agenda.pdf

1696
Blake Mulkey to Head South
The last of the big four seniors for Brownsburg has announced his college choice. Two-time state placer Blake Mulkey has decided to take his talents to Boiling Springs, North Carolina. He projects to be a 141lber for the Gardner-Webb Bulldogs. 
Mulkey chose Gardner-Webb for a variety of reasons. The connection with the coaching staff and the current freshman class made him feel at home. It didn't hurt that he would be in warm North Carolina during the winter. The coaching staff is excited to land a recruit like Mulkey who is likely to make an immediate impact. 
Congratulations to Blake on his decision.

1441 1
Brayton Lee Commits to Minnesota
For a kid that has a motor that is full throttle 24 hours a day, Brayton Lee slowed down when it came to the recruiting process. Starting the list with six schools that included traditional powers Oklahoma State and Iowa State, Lee narrowed down it down to Nebraska and Minnesota. Many people thought it was a foregone conclusion that he'd land in Nebraska, however he ended up going with the Gophers. With his committment the Gophers have added to an already stellar incoming class. Region natives Kasper McIntosh and Gable Steveson, now in Minnesota, are two familiar faces that Lee will have when he gets to campus. On top of that Lee has become very close to another incoming freshman in Patrick McKee from his visit to Minnesota and Flo's Who's #1 event.
Lee is slotted to fill in nicely at 157lbs and should be a force from the get go for the Gophers. He is the third Brownsburg wrestler to commit to wrestling in college following Ty Mills who is going to Duke and Nathan Walton who is headed to Cumberland University in Tennessee. 

1803
Miracle makes her debut at NWCA All-Star Classic
Familiar foes Jack and Meredith meet again at 141; Miracle, Piearcy ready to go at 136 at NWCA All-Star Classic
Manheim, Pennsylvania — As freshmen at North Carolina State University, Kevin Jack and Bryce Meredith were teammates. A year later and a Meredith transfer to Wyoming, the two were foes at the NCAA Championships. Meredith won the first bout and ever since, it’s been a fierce battle. The pair will meet once again at the 52nd annual NWCA All-Star Classic set for Princeton University’s Jadwin Gym on Sunday, November 5.
 
The NWCA All-Star Classic is hosted by Wrestlers in Business Network and sponsored by Princeton Brain and Spine and Northwestern Mutual Life.
 
Joining Jack and Meredith in the event will be Campbellsville’s Kayla Miracle and Menlo’s Solin Piearcy as those two women will meet at 136 pounds.
 
Meredith and Jack reacquainted themselves with one another in 2017 in the postseason as again Meredith prevented the higher-ranked Jack from reaching the NCAA semifinals. Jack rebounded to score a fall over Meredith in the third-place bout, but Meredith still leads the all-time series 2-1, at least in matches contested outside of the wrestling room.
 
Jack, a two-time All-American and Danbury, Connecticut native went 35-2 last season and returned to the podium after missing out in 2016, part of that due to Meredith.
 
Each of the last two seasons, Meredith, a Cheyenne, Wyoming native, has been a low seed entering the championships and twice he’s finished on the podium. Meredith became the first 14 seed to make the finals in 2016, while Jack finished fifth as an unseeded true freshman in 2015.
 
Meredith makes Wyoming’s eighth appearance in the All-Star Classic with Cowboy wrestlers 2-5 overall. The last win came from Joe LeBlanc in 2012 when he defeated Central Michigan’s Ben Bennett. Jack joins teammate Pete Renda (184) in the event marking the first time in school history two Wolfpack wrestlers have competed in the same year. Pack wrestlers are 5-6 all-time.
 
Campbellsville’s Miracle, the third Tiger wrestler slated to compete in the event, is looking to join an exclusive club of wrestlers who have claimed four WCWA national championships. The Indiana native has owned the 136-pound weight class the last three seasons and will look to join Victoria Anthony (Simon Fraser), Helen Maroulis (Missouri Baptist/Simon Fraser) and Emily Webster (Oklahoma City) as four-time WCWA champions.

Miracle is also fresh off a championship at the U23 World Team Trials in Rochester, Minnesota earlier this month. She'll compete at the U23 World Championships in Poland later in November. 
 
Piearcy’s participation will mark Menlo’s first appearance in the event on either the men’s or women’s side. The San Jose, California native comes into her sophomore year as a returning All-American, finishing fifth at 136 pounds.
 
The pair met during the semifinals of the WCWA championships last year, with Miracle earning a 10-0 technical superiority victory.
 
WHAT: 52nd NWCA All-Star Classic hosted by Wrestlers in Business Network
WHEN: Sunday, November 5, 3 p.m.
WHERE: Jadwin Gym, Princeton University, Princeton, N.J.
TICKETS: $20 (group discounts available)
SOCIAL MEDIA: #ComeBackToJadwin #allstarclassic2017 #wrestleback
WATCH: www.trackwrestling.com
INFO: www.goallstarclassic.com
 
ANNOUNCED MATCHUPS
Men
125: Darian Cruz, Sr. (Lehigh) vs. Nick Piccininni, So. (Oklahoma State)
133: Seth Gross, Jr. (South Dakota State) vs. Stevan Micic, So. (Michigan)
141: Kevin Jack, Sr. (NC State) vs. Bryce Meredith, Sr. (Wyoming)
149:
157:
165:
174: Mark Hall, So. (Penn State) vs. Zahid Valencia, So. (Arizona State)
184: Pete Renda, Sr. (NC State) vs. Drew Foster, Jr. (Northern Iowa)
197: Kollin Moore, So. (Ohio State) vs. Jared Haught, Sr. (Virginia Tech)
285:
 
Women
101:
109:
116: Fayth Woodward (Emmanuel) vs. Makayla Bourbon, Sr. (U. of the Cumberlands)
123: Dom Parrish, Jr. (Simon Fraser) vs. Andribeth Rivera, So. (Campbellsville)
130: Megan Black, Sr. (McKendree) vs. Shelby Hall, Sr. (Campbellsville)
136: Kayla Miracle, Sr. (Campbellsville) vs. Solin Piearcy, So. (Menlo)
143: Mallory Velte, Sr. (Simon Fraser) vs. Desiree Zavala, So. (Grays Harbor)
155:
170: Jessika Rottier, Jr. (U. of the Cumberlands) vs. Brandy Lowe, Sr. (McKendree)
191:
Note: Women’s college wrestling competes under international freestyle rules. 

1480
Micic to take on #1 Gross at NWCA All-Star Classic
Flash and fun expected as NWCA announces next two matchups for NWCA All-Star Classic
Manheim, Pennsylvania -- Flashy, dynamic, exciting and tenacious are four terms that can describe the athletes announced on Thursday to compete at the 52nd annual NWCA All-Star Classic set for Princeton University’s Jadwin Gym on Sunday, November 5.
 
The NWCA All-Star Classic is hosted by Wrestlers in Business Network and sponsored by Princeton Brain and Spine and Northwestern Mutual Life.
 
On the men’s side, South Dakota State’s Seth Gross will face Michigan’s Stevan Micic at 133 pounds, while Megan Black of McKendree will take on Shelby Hall of Campbellsville at 130 pounds on the women’s side.
 
Gross, a junior from Apple Valley, Minnesota, became South Dakota State’s first NCAA Division I finalist with his runner-up finish a year ago at 133 pounds. All-American Micic, a native of Cedar Lake, Indiana, finished fourth at 133 pounds in 2017.
 
The two didn’t meet last season and haven’t met previously as Gross dropped from 141 pounds to 133 last season and Micic moved up from 125 to 133 after he started his career at Northwestern. Micic finished 29-7 a year ago and Gross was an impressive 34-2.
 
Gross will be South Dakota State’s second wrestler to appear in the event all-time. Cody Pack competed at the 2015 All-Star Classic in Atlanta, losing to Lehigh’s Mitch Minotti in overtime. Micic will make Michigan’s 38th appearance in the All-Star Classic. Overall, Wolverine wrestlers are 15-19-3.
 
At 130, McKendree’s Megan Black, a native of Batavia, Iowa, will become the second McKendree wrestler to compete, joining teammate Brandy Lowe (170 pounds). A three-time WCWA All-American, Black has twice been a runner-up at the national championships. She finished seventh as a freshman competing for King University.
 
Black was the first girl in Iowa high school state wrestling history to place at the state wrestling tournament when she finished eighth in 2012 at 106 pounds. She recently won the UWW U23 World Team Trials in Rochester, Minnesota.
 
Hall, a native of Doylestown, Ohio, is also a three-time WCWA All-American, finishing eighth, third and fourth in her three trips to the tournament. A 2016 Olympic Trials participant, Hall is looking to exact a little revenge as Black eliminated Hall from championship contention at the 2017 WCWA nationals with a 31-second fall in the semifinals.
 
Hall’s presence for Campbellsville also represents the seventh different school thus far to be represented on the women’s side at the All-Star Classic. Eight different schools are represented thus far on the men’s side.
 
 
WHAT: 52nd NWCA All-Star Classic hosted by Wrestlers in Business Network
WHEN: Sunday, November 5, 3 p.m.
WHERE: Jadwin Gym, Princeton University, Princeton, N.J.
TICKETS: $20 (group discounts available)
SOCIAL MEDIA: #ComeBackToJadwin #allstarclassic2017 #wrestleback
INFO: www.goallstarclassic.com
 
ANNOUNCED MATCHUPS
Men
125: Darian Cruz, Sr. (Lehigh) vs. Nick Piccininni, So. (Oklahoma State)
133: Seth Gross, Jr. (South Dakota State) vs. Stevan Micic, So. (Michigan)
141:
149:
157:
165:
174: Mark Hall, So. (Penn State) vs. Zahid Valencia, So. (Arizona State)
184:
197: Kollin Moore, So. (Ohio State) vs. Jared Haught, Sr. (Virginia Tech)
285:
 
Women
101:
109:
116: Fayth Woodward (Emmanuel) vs. Makayla Bourbon, Sr. (U. of the Cumberlands)
123:
130: Megan Black, Sr. (McKendree) vs. Shelby Hall, Sr. (Campbellsville)
136:
143: Mallory Velte, Sr. (Simon Fraser) vs. Desiree Zavala, So. (Grays Harbor)
155:
170: Jessika Rottier, Jr. (U. of the Cumberlands) vs. Brandy Lowe, Sr. (McKendree)
191:
Note: Women’s college wrestling competes under international freestyle rules.

19418 1 2
2017 IndianaMat Hoosier Preseason Open Stud List
Check this page frequently for updates on the studs that are entered at this year's IndianaMat Hoosier Preseason Open. For more information on the tournament follow click the link below.
IndianaMat Hoosier Preseason Open Information


Weight Name(Grade) State Credentials 2016 IHPO 109 Jacob Moran(11th) Indiana State 8th '16 1st 109 Brayden Lowery(10th) Indiana State 3rd, Cadet Freestyle 8th   109 Thomas Deck(10th) Kentucky State 4th   109 Raymond Rioux(10th) Indiana State 6th   109 Colton Drousias(10th) Indiana State Qualifier   109 Chase Caprella(10th) Ohio State Qualifier   109 Caleb Hernandez(11th) Ohio State Qualifier   109 Dustin Norris(9th) Ohio Cadet Freestyle 7th   109 Jesse Mendez(8th) Indiana USAW Schoolboy Triple Crown   116 Brayden Curtis(11th) Indiana State 1st   116 Noah Horst(10th) Tennessee State 1st   116 Zac Cowan(9th) Kentucky State 2nd   116 Christian Isbell(10th) Tennessee State 3rd   116 Tom Dineen(12th) Wisconsin State 3rd   116 Brayden Littell(10th) Indiana   3rd 116 Jack Wrocklage(12th) Missouri State 4th   116 Samuel Fair(11th) Indiana State 5th   116 Migdoel Ocasio(11th) Kentucky State 7th   116 Raymond Adams(11th) Ohio State 7th   116 Edward Suber(11th) Ohio State 7th   116 Logan Boe(10th) Indiana State 8th   116 Jose Diaz(12th) Indiana State 8th   116 Alex Barbarise(10th) Illinois State Qualifier   116 Joe Just(12th) Indiana State Qualifier   116 Brendan Mattingly(9th) Indiana State Qualifier   116 Caleb Oliver(10th) Indiana State Qualifier   116 Brayden Shearer(12th) Indiana State Qualifier   116 Reece Goss(8th) Kentucky State Qualifier   116 Dylan Preston(9th) Kentucky State Qualifier   116 Ben Manly(11th) Michigan State Qualifier   116 Joey Dima(11th) Ohio State Qualifier   116 Gavin Ritter(11th) Ohio State Qualifier   116 Dominic Williams(11th) Tennessee State Qualifier   116 Anthony Talamonti(11th) Illinois Junior Freestyle 4th   123 Travis Ford-Melton(11th) Illinois State 1st 2nd '16, 1st '15 123 Asa Garcia(11th) Indiana State 1st, 3rd   123 Kai Orine(11th) Missouri State 1st, 3rd   123 Ty Mills(12th) Indiana State 2nd   123 Brayden Palmer(11th) Tennessee State 2nd   123 Tylan Tucker(12th) Kentucky State 3rd 2nd '15 123 Ethan Turner(10th) Ohio State 3rd 2nd 123 Cian Fischer(11th) Wisconsin State 3rd, 4th   123 Seth Johnson(11th) Indiana State 4th   123 Terrin Machart(12th) Michigan State 4th   123 Jack Lenox(11th) Missouri State 4th   123 Drake Campbell(10th) Indiana State 5th   123 Rickey Garcia(11th) Kentucky State 5th   123 Luke Dezember(11th) Tennessee State 5th   123 Gavin Rose(11th) Indiana State 7th   123 Anthony Federico(10th) Illinois State Qualifier   123 Christian Valadez(10th) Illinois State Qualifier   123 Alex Petro(11th) Indiana State Qualifier   123 Morgan Sallee(10th) Kentucky State Qualifier   123 Luke Hewitt(12th) Ohio State Qualifier   123 Hunter Olson(11th) Ohio State Qualifier   123 Jalen Spuhler(10th) Wisconsin State Qualifier   129 Alec Viduya(10th) Indiana State 1st   129 Hassan Johnson(12th) Illinois State 2nd 1st 129 Christian Mejia(12th) Indiana State 2nd   129 Zachary Pledger(9th) Kentucky State 3rd   129 Colin Poynter(12th) Indiana State 4th   129 Blake Saito(10th) Ohio State 7th   129 Jordan Ward(11th) Ohio State 7th   129 Jabari Thomas(11th) Ohio State 8th   129 Sammy Dietz(12th) Illinois State Qualifier   129 Shawn Sparacino(12th) Illinois State Qualifier   129 Matt Gimson(11th) Indiana State Qualifier   129 Trey McCartney(12th) Indiana State Qualifier   129 Zane Sullivan(12th) Indiana State Qualifier   129 Gentry Deck(11th) Kentucky State Qualifier   129 Sheridan Willoughby(10th) Kentucky State Qualifier   129 Caleb Conedera(11th) Missouri State Qualifier   129 Travis Waldner(10th) Missouri State Qualifier   129 Sam Glassco(11th) Ohio State Qualifier   129 Matt Zuckerman(11th) Ohio State Qualifier   129 Bristin Hulsey(10th) Tennessee State Qualifier   135 Skyler Crespo(10th) Michigan State 1st   135 Matt Fields(12th) Ohio State 1st   135 Corbyn Munson(12th) Michigan State 2nd   135 Garret Kloeppel(11th) Missouri State 2nd   135 Jacob Edwards(11th) Ohio State 2nd, 3rd   135 Nate Wheeler(11th) Kentucky State 3rd   135 Wade Monebrake(11th) Ohio State Qualifier 4th 135 Manzona Bryant(10th) Indiana State 5th   135 Cameron Henderson(11th) Tennessee State 5th   135 Matt Lee(10th) Indiana State 7th   135 Alex Mosconi(11th) Indiana State 7th   135 Ethan Harsted(12th) Illinois State Qualifier   135 Reece Heller(11th) Illinois State Qualifier   135 Jesus Mancera(12th) Indiana State Qualifier   135 Carter Noehre(12th) Indiana State Qualifier   135 Reese Rodriguez(11th) Indiana State Qualifier   135 Peter Deaton(12th) Michigan State Qualifier   135 Justin Kempf(11th) Wisconsin State Qualifier   141 We Rachal(12th) Illinois State 1st   141 Blake Mulkey(12th) Indiana State 2nd 1st 141 Kris Rumph(12th) Indiana State 2nd 1st 141 Trent Johnson(12th) Kentucky State 3rd   141 Carson Price(11th) Michigan State 3rd   141 Trevor Robinson(11th) Michigan State 3rd   141 Tony Williams(12th) Michigan State 3rd   141 Holden Heller(12th) Illinois State 4th 4th 141 Mason Miranda(12th) Indiana State Qualifier 2nd 141 Luke Wymer(12th) Ohio State 4th   141 Jared Ford(12th) Ohio State 5th   141 Jarrett Bischoff(10th) Ohio State 6th   141 Caden Blust(11th) Ohio State 8th   141 Johnathan Walker(11th) Colorado State Qualifier   141 Hunter Cottingham(10th) Indiana State Qualifier   141 Adam Davis(12th) Indiana State Qualifier   141 Ryan Lester(11th) Missouri State Qualifier   141 Jackson Hugentobler(11th) Ohio State Qualifier   141 Jacob Potok(11th) Ohio State Qualifier   141 Jeremiah Herron(11th) Tennessee State Qualifier   148 Kendall Coleman(12th) Illinois State 2nd   148 Kasper McIntosh(12th) Indiana State 2nd, 5th 2nd 148 Jacob Laplace(10th) Indiana State 4th   148 Kolbi Caffey(12th) Illinois State 5th   148 Jordan Slivka(11th) Indiana State 5th   148 Graham Calhoun(10th) Indiana State 7th   148 Patrick Ryan(12th) Illinois State Qualifier   148 Grant Pauli(10th) Missouri State Qualifier   148 Jack Tangen(12th) Illinois State Qualifier   148 Eric Hiestand(11th) Indiana State Qualifier   148 Griffin Dulak(12th) Kentucky State Qualifier   148 Kyle Yuhas(10th) Michigan State Qualifier   148 Michael Clark(12th) Ohio State Qualifier   148 Demetri Monroe(12th) Ohio State Qualifier   155 Brayton Lee(12th) Indiana State 1st 1st 155 Peter Enos(12th) Missouri State 1st(Nevada)   155 John Manning(12th) Ontario State 1st(Utah)   155 Donnell Washington(11th) Illinois State 2nd   155 Derrick Smallwood(12th) Kentucky State 3rd 2nd 155 Elliott Rodgers(10th) Indiana State 4th   155 Doug Ferrier(12th) Michigan State 5th   155 Baan Rachal(12th) Illinois State 6th   155 Noah Lamore(12th) Indiana State 6th   155 Jakob McClintic(11th) Kentucky State 6th   155 Farouq Muhammed(11th) Ohio State 6th   155 Jax Leonard(10th) Ohio State 8th   155 Mike Volkmar(11th) Illinois State Qualifier   155 Jake Roberts(11th) Michigan State Qualifier   155 Jared Musci(12th) Ohio State Qualifier   155 Ben Yost(12th) Ohio State Qualifier   155 Dajun Johnson(10th) Wisconsin State Qualifier   163 Zac Bellaire(12th) Michigan State 1st   163 Mason Sauseda(12th) Illinois State 3rd   163 Samuel York(12th) Michigan State 3rd   163 Brian Case(11th) Michigan State 3rd, 4th   163 David Johnson(12th) Ohio   4th 163 Luke Silva(12th) Illinois State 4th   163 Zach Lee(12th) Wisconsin State 4th   163 Oszkar Kasch(12th) Indiana State 5th   163 Hunter Reed(12th) Indiana State 8th   163 Dante Colza(12th) Indiana State Qualifier   173 River Shettler(11th) Michigan State 4th   173 Kyle Smith(12th) Tennessee State 6th   173 Brahm Ginter(12th) Ohio State 7th   173 Eliseo Zamora(12th) Illinois State Qualifier   173 Jed Levitz(12th) Indiana State Qualifier   173 Mario Traficanti(12th) Indiana State Qualifier   173 Garrett Barth(12th) Ohio State Qualifier   173 Noah Clary(12th) Ohio State Qualifier   173 Eric Vermillion(12th) Ohio State Qualifier   173 Lennox Wolak(11th) Ohio State Qualifier   185 Chase Stegall(10th) Missouri State 3rd   185 Ryan Yarnell(12th) Missouri State 3rd   185 Ashton Eyler(12th) Ohio State 3rd   185 David Heath(12th) Ohio State 3rd   185 Brad Lowe(12th) Indiana State Qualifier   185 Jackson Fuller(11th) Kentucky State Qualifier   185 Noah Cressell(12th) Indiana FloNationals 6th   198 Victor Marcelli(12th) Ohio State 3rd, 6th   198 Jaden Sonner(12th) Indiana   4th 198 Bradley Williams(11th) Tennessee State 6th   198 Thomas Penola(12th) Indiana NHSCA Juniors 5th   223 Jacob McClaine(12th) Indiana State Qualifier 3rd in '15 223 Cameron Sauerwein(12th) Ohio State Qualifier 4th 223 Cortez Woods(12th) Missouri State 4th   223 Kyle Cornwell(11th) Indiana State Qualifier   288 Anthony Cassioppi(12th) Illinois State 1st 1st 288 Keaton Kluever(12th) Wisconsin State 1st 3rd 288 Jack Williams(12th) Indiana   4th
1937
2016 IndianaMat Awards
2016 IndianaMat Awards
 

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

8664 1
Lefever reflects on what it took to become four-time NCAA D-III national champion
By STEVE KRAH
stvkrh905@gmail.com
Riley Lefever could win wrestling matches 1-0 or 2-0.
But what’s the fun it that?
On his way to a fourth national championship, the Wabash College senior was named NCAA Division III’s most dominant wrestler by averaging 5.79 points per match during the 2016-17.
To punctuate his fourth crown, he scored a pin in the 197-pound finals to help the Little Giants place third in the team standings. Lefever left the meet in LaCrosse, Wis., with the National Wrestling Coaches Association Most Outstanding Wrestler of the Meet Award.
“I like to push the pace,” Riley said. “Once you wear them down, it’s going to be easier to get to the legs.
“That’s the way I approach wrestling, wear them down, push the pace and score a lot of points.”
Riley often finishes in a decisive way.
“He’s got a lot of horsepower,” Wabash head coach Brian Anderson said. “He’s big with cradles, bundling them up.”
Lefever, who was an IHSAA state runner-up at 170 for Carroll High School (Fort Wayne) as a senior in 2013, became the first national championship in Wabash history as a freshman (Chris Healey placed second for the Little Giants in 2005) and went on to go 129-0 against D-III competition during his collegiate career while joining Augsburg's Marcus LeVesseur (2003, 2004, 2005, 2007) as the division’s only four-time champions.
Overall, Riley was 158-6 (38-0 as a freshman, 37-3 as a sophomore, 44-0 as a junior, 39-3 as a senior).
“His aggressive style and his approach to never stop scoring, it is exhausting to his opponents,” Anderson said. “He is a great example of wrestler who likes breaking people on the mat.”
In putting away Ithaca College senior Carlos Toribio in 4:52, Lefever took his foe from his feet to his back — something he’s done countless times in drills and matches.
After taking each of his first three titles — all at 184 — Lefever trained with a purpose during the summer and came back better for the intercollegiate season.
Competing against grapplers in higher divisions, Riley won the Iowa State University/Harold Nichols Open and placed second at the Eastern Michigan University Open at the beginning of his senior season.
For his last college go-round, Riley was bigger and was even tougher on his feet.
“I talked to Coach Anderson and wanted to do what is best for the team,” Riley said. “I knew I got a little bigger. I saw it as just another challenge, facing bigger guys and wearing them down.
“I want to move guys around, snap them to the mat and score.”
As it had been at 184, getting those big guys off their feet was the focus.
“Takedowns, that’s where most matches are won,” Riley said. So, he worked on singles, doubles, ankle picks and more. His lunch break was often coupled with watching video of the sport’s finest and how they execute moves.
“The best wrestlers are moving all the time and finding those angles,” Riley said. “It’s fun wrestling to watch.”
As a Little Giants assistant, Reece Lefever got to watch Riley make history from the corner of the mat.
“It was pretty awesome,” Reece said. “Riley likes to have fun and get after it. Winning 1-point matches isn’t as fun as scoring a ton of points. That’s what the fans like to see, too. He put on a show for people.”
Kent and Nancy Lefever’s sons earned eight All-American honors on the mat for Wabash — four for for Riley, three for Reece and one for Conner (twin to Reece). In 2015, all three brothers were in the D-III national finals with Riley (184) and Conner (174) winning and Reece (157) placing second.
Reece was the first Little Giant to achieve All-American status three straight seasons.
Conner, a volunteer assistant at Wabash, says it’s his little brother’s drive that takes him to the top of the podium.
“He wants to get better,’ Conner said. “He’s not satisfied with just winning. He wants to dominate.”
Reece and Conner sparred with Riley a couple times a week during his tournament run. A few years ago, there was a chance of taking little brother down once in awhile,
“I could hang with him,” Conner said. “Since he went up and weight class and gotten so much better, it’s tough to keep up with him.”
Conner has watched Riley consistently put it on opponents.
“Riley likes to lift the guys and slam them down hard,” Conner said. “As a fan, it’s fun to watch the guys who can take anybody down at will.
“He breaks them down mentally.”
Anderson has watched the twins show the younger brother the way and seen him take the program to new heights.
“(Conner and Reece) are perfect examples of how you need to live your life, stay on the tracks with your training and always do one more thing in pursuit of a national title,” Anderson said. “Conner attained it and Reece just missed it.
“The whole Lefever family and guys on those teams, these are the groups that took it up a notch and believe they were good enough to challenge for national trophies.”
The bar has been set higher in Crawfordsville and Conner knows where the credit lies.
“Riley changed the whole atmosphere of Wabash wrestling,” Conner said. “Nobody believed anyone could win a championship.
“That’s how we’ve been able to make that big improvement.”
And to think his mat career almost ended before it really got started.
“I played soccer and planned on playing soccer instead of wrestling, but I was practically dragged to practice by my brothers, teammates,” Riley said. “My parents made me go.”
Riley, who placed sixth at the Carroll Sectional as a 125-pound freshman with an 11-18 record, counts his brothers as his biggest influence.
“I get to train with them everyday,” Riley said. “They were studs when I was growing up. They pushed each other.
“I still work on technique with them and they are the main reason I came to Wabash.”
Riley wrestled with Conner and Reece for three years at Carroll.
“Those are memories I’ll never forget,” Riley said.
The brothers are also products of the Roadrunner Wrestling Club. Besides the Lefevers, college All-Americans from that Garrett-based organization are Travis Barroquillo (three times) and Matt Hurtford (twice).
After thriving in the competitive atmosphere at Wabash, Riley intends to continue his mat career and Anderson will still be there to guide him.
“My ultimate approach is that I will feed them as fast as they want to eat,” Anderson said. “You have different levels of committed athletes in your program. Riley is one of the most elite. He is hungry for opportunities. I’ve made sure he’s being challenged as much a humanly possible. That that will continue. I will work to help him.”
Anderson sees a possible World University Games or U.S. Open appearance for Riley this summer and he could wind up at a Regional Training Center or the U.S. Olympic Training Center.
“He definitely has the ability and the build where he can do it,” Reece said. “He can get pushed by guys his size and at his level.”
In May, Academic All-American Riley is scheduled to graduate from Wabash as an English major and History minor. He is scheduled to marry longtime girlfriend Madison in August.
When he hangs up his shoes, Riley said he plans to be a wrestling coach.

2162 2
State feature - Three juniors lead Brownsburg to first IHSAA state championship
By STEVE KRAH
stvkrh905@gmail.com
The Bulldogs have some “sweet rings” coming to them.
That’s what fourth-year Brownsburg High School head wrestling coach Darrick Snyder said as his squad was wrapping up an IHSAA team state championship.
Led by three juniors “under the lights,” the Bulldogs won it all on the IHSAA side for the first time Saturday, Feb. 18 — after taking a second straight Class 3A Indiana High School Wrestling Coaches Association State Duals crown Dec. 23.
Brownsburg racked up 100 points and outdistancing runner-up Chesterton (80). A two-day record crowd of 33,844 packed Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis.
Brayton Lee (50-0 at 145 pounds) rolled to the title in his weight class while Ty Mills (37-3 at 120) and Blake Mulkey (38-2 at 126) were runners-up for Brownsburg, which came into the meet ranked No. 1 as a team. Lee, Mills and Mulkey were all top-ranked as individuals.
“He’s at a different level,” Snyder said of Lee, who moved to 130-1 in his prep career with two state titles (he reigned at 138 in 2016). “I think he’s going to wrestle big time (NCAA) D-I and there’s a very good chance he’ll be wrestling for a career after that. He’s that special.
“He enjoys every second of being out there and the competition part of it. It’s an absolute joy to be his coach.”
In the finals, Lee bested Munster senior Jason Crary by a 14-6 major decision, taking him down seven times and cutting him six.
“I felt like that was my best opportunity to get the match rolling,” Lee said. “Scoring on my feet, that’s where I’m always comfortable.”
Lee expressed his gratitude for others who got him to where he is in the mat world.
“It’s a ton of coaches, my long-time club coach Chad Red, my high school coach, God, everybody,” Lee said. “There’s just so much support.”
Lee, who is also a three-time second and Hendricks County tournament champion and two-time regional and semistate winner as well as an All-American at the national level, describes what it’s like inside the Brownsburg practice room.
“We have fun, but it’s very competitive because we have so many good partners,” Lee said. “My teammates are crazy. They really stepped it up. Our guys wrestled amazing. It’s just a great family and we have a great time together.
“Snyder is the biggest part. When he came to Brownsburg, he made us great. He’s the best.”
A late takedown by Columbus East sophomore Cayden Rooks gave him a 5-4 finals win against Mills. The Brownsburg grappler took Rooks down midway through first period and led 2-0.
Mills blocked reversal attempt near end of the first period and took a 2-0 lead into the second.
Rooks escaped near the start of the second period to cut the lead to 2-1 and that was the score heading to the third period. Rooks yielded an escape to open the third period to make it 3-1.
A Rooks takedown 30 seconds into the period knotted the score a 3-all. Mills went up 4-3 with an escape.
“Hard work and determination, that’s how anybody gets here,” Mills said. “I’ve been staying focused, getting it done in the classroom and on the mat. I always have a thought about my last loss and it pushes me to go hard and be stronger.
“I just stayed focus and do whatever Snyder tells me to do and don’t have a smile on my face. We get it done at Brownsburg. Nobody practices as hard as us. It’s an exciting atmosphere in that room.”
Mills now has two state runners-up (106 in 2015 and 120 in 2017) and a third-place finish (106 in 2016) to his credit as well as three regional, two sectional, two conference and one county tournament title to his credit.
He said the Bulldogs are all focused on one goal.
“We always break at practice on ’State Champs!,” Mills said. “The team got it done in individual and Team State (in December in Fort Wayne) this year. Nothing can stop us. Nothing should decide that besides our selves.”
Mulkey, who also wrestled at 132 this season and tends to spar with bigger teammates, also talked about the workouts that again made Brownsburg top dogs in Indiana wrestling.
“We have fun sometimes,” Mulkey said. “We plays games at the end and before practice. From 3:20 to 5:20, it’s hard work. It’s all business.
“We definitely push each other in practice. It gets a little feisty sometimes. But we love each other as a team. We just battle each other and make each other better everyday.”
Mulkey quickly went up 2-0 in the finals against New Palestine senior Alec White before being pinned in 3:32.
A year ago, Mulkey placed third at 120. He is a three-time conference and county tournament champion and two-time winner and the sectional and regional level.
Five other Bulldogs — seniors Rickie Clark (fourth at 285), Isaac McCormick (seventh at 220) and Anthony Cicciciarelli (lost in the first round at 170), junior Nathan Walton (third at 182) and freshman Drake Campbell (fifth at 106) — were at the State Finals
There will be a celebration in Brownsburg. Then it’s back to work.
“It’s exciting,” Snyder said. “We return 10 starters and three guys who where under the lights. They get tomorrow and Monday off and we have open room on Tuesday to start our off-season.”

2067 1
Karl's Komments: Quarterfinal Clashes
As we move to the 2nd round on Saturday morning, the following commentary is based purely on my opinions. Please feel free to use anything said as motivation. In this article, I will feature what I believe will be outstanding quarterfinal matches. It could be based on rankings, rivalries or just a hunch.
 
Karl’s Quarterfinal Clashes
 
106
Don’t stay out too late on Friday night as the lightweights will be rocking and rolling early Saturday morning. My top potential match up at 106 is a doozy:
 
#7 Drake Campbell – Brownsburg vs. #4 AJ Black – Shenandoah
 
Coach Snyder will have his flyweight ready as he will be firing up his troops in order to make a run at the state title. Campbell getting to the semi finals would be a huge bonus for the Bulldogs. To reach the semis Campbell will have to be the sophomore Black. Black is from little school Shenandoah but don’t sell him short. He as wrestled and beaten some of the best.
 
113
The final quarterfinal clash in the 113 bracket is most definitely semi final or state final quality:
 
#4 Kory Cavanaugh – Penn vs. #1 Asa Garcia – Avon
 
Cavanaugh went into last weekends semi state as the prohibitive favorite. A little hiccup puts him in the same quarter bracket with the defending 106 champion Garcia. This match up has the makings of a classic. Penn kids are always able to execute a game plan and Garcia is wrestling with extreme confidence this post season.
 
120
If you only look at the ranking, my pick for the outstanding second round match in the 120 pound class might not make much sense because it pits the 5th ranked wrestler versus the 18th ranked. If you dive deeper you see details that make this a great Saturday morning scrap.
 
#18 Tyce Freije – Roncalli vs. #5 Colin Poynter – Portage
 
Freije navigated a wicked 120 bracket at New Castle to come out as champion. In the preseason, he was one of the most highly touted freshman in the state. After a few hiccups during the season, Freije has turned it on in the post season. Striving to be his kryptonite is the talented junior from Portage, Colin Poynter.
 
126
In the bottom half of the bracket looms a whale of a potential semifinal battle between #1 ranked Blake Mulkey of Brownsburg and #6 ranked, semi state champion from Cathedral, Jordan Slivka. Slivka avenged an earlier season loss to Alec White at New Castle and like several other Irish, appears to be peaking at the right time. Mulkey was on the same side of the semi state bracket as 2nd ranked Graham Rooks. He lost a narrow one point decision which put him in this quarter bracket. The entire bracket is awesome but this match up stands out.
 
132
The top quarterfinal match up at 132 might be dubbed the “2018 State Finals”. The potential tilt pits the two top ranked juniors in the state. Yorktown’s 4th ranked Christian Hunt is the semi state champ from Fort Wayne. He has just two losses on the season, one of which was to 2nd ranked Breyden Bailey of Cathedral. 5th ranked Ethan Smiley of Beech Grove suffered his first loss of the season last weekend to Bailey. This should be a beauty of a match in order get to the semi finals.
 
138
The unstoppable force versus the immovable object. Yes it is a cliché but it aptly describes the best potential quarterfinal match in the 138 pound class. From the region, it is the very offensive takedown artist, #3 ranked Kris Rumph of Portage. Rumph broke out last year with a fourth place medal at the state meet. His likely opponent from the deep south is Tristan Sellmer of Floyd Central. Sellmer sent notice to the state that he was a contender with an out standing effort at the Calumet Traicoff tournament where Rumph narrowly edged him 3-2. This should have the feel of a semi final.
 
145
The bracket gods were unkind to Portage’s 2nd ranked Kasper McIntosh this year. After being upset by Jason Crary of Munster at the semi state, McIntosh got placed in the one quarter bracket he would have liked to have avoided. Brownsburg’s returning state champ, # 1 ranked Brayton Lee is likely to be waiting for McIntosh on Saturday morning. A matchup of a state champ and a state runner up on Saturday morning is just awesome for the fans.
 
152
New Castle semi state winner Noah Warren of Perry Meridian is ranked 2nd in the state. He was a 7th place finisher at 160 last year and has come down a weight for the 2017 season. His likely Saturday morning foe should be Mount Vernon’s Austin Bethel. Bethel is a four time state finalist but has never wrestled on Saturday. A 4th ranked kid versus the second ranked kid is deserving of a semi final or even final match. Fans should be treated to an high energy, exciting tilt.
 
160
Gleason Mappes of Center Grove might be the most under appreciated wrestlers in the state. A 39-1 record, an Al Smith title, and a fourth place medal from last year have only resulted in a sixth place ranking for the Trojan senior. Another trip to the semifinals might be on the line Saturday morning and his adversary should be Oszkar Kasch of Crown Point or it could be the one wrestler that has beaten Mappes this year, Matt Wertz of Zionsville. Kasch is a junior with a fine 33-3 record and is ranked just behind Mappes in 7th.
 
170
Can you believe that we get to see another epic #1 vs. #2 showdown early Saturday morning. A narrow win by Eli Stock of Monrovia over the state’s top ranked Burk Van Horn, has put Van Horn in a quarter bracket with non other than the state’s second ranked wrestler, Tanner Webster of North Montgomery. Van Horn was a state runner up last year at 160 and Webster, a Purdue recruit, finished sixth at this weight class a year ago. Plan your potty breaks accordingly because this one is not to be missed.
 
182
As we move to the 182 class, the bracket shows that the top four ranked kids in the state are in four separate quarter brackets. Second ranked Thomas Dull of Terre Haute North, is in the same semi state as top ranked Nathan Walton of Brownsburg. Walton defeated Dull last week in the semi finals at Evansville. Dull probably got the best state draw he could have hoped for when he was put in the same quarter bracket with the champ from the New Castle semi-state, Alec Jessop of Hamilton Southeastern. Jessop is largely unknown to fans statewide so it should be an interesting battle versus last year’s 5th place finisher at 170.
 
195
A whale of a Saturday morning match should be on tap between Cathedral’s Ben Stewart and Elkhart Memorial’s David Eli. The second ranked Stewart has finished 3rd at this weight class last year. Strong and fast, the Irishman is tough to deal with as his 33-1 record indicates. The fourth ranked Eli will not take a backseat to any one in this weight class. He has an outstanding 42-1 record, two state medals to his name, and a ton of confidence after blitzing the field at Fort Wayne last week. He pinned all four opponents and spent about six total minutes on the mat. Eli’s lone loss was in the championship match at the Al Smith, where he was defeated by Chesterton’s Andrew Davison.
 
220
The light heavyweight class might have been the most difficult of the fourteen to select an outstanding quarterfinal bout. Sixth ranked Donnie Crider of Lafayette Harrison should tackle top dog, Mason Parris of Lawrenceburg. Interesting, but until someone proves me wrong, I think Parris will dominate anyone in his path. My choice then for the top second round match is between Daleville’s Corbin Maddox and Brownsburg’s Isaac McCormick. Maddox is currently ranked 4th in the state and has state hardware on his resume. However, the 8th ranked McCormick will be wrestling, not only for himself, but also for his team in their efforts to get a state crown. The match up also pits a wrestler from the smallest school with a qualifier against the prohibitive favorite for the team title. Interesting indeed.
 
285
The big fellas have always held a special place in my heart and this year is no different. All four 2nd round bouts have an appeal bu the first one stands out in my mind. A potential match up between third ranked Wade Ripple from Mount Vernon and defending state runner up, Robert Samuels of Lawrence North. Ripple has torn through everyone this year after coming up one match short of making the state finals last year. Mount Vernon has an outstanding tradition in the heavyweight class. Samuels, currently ranked 9th, has had a few hiccups this year but obviously has the talent and experience needed to make a deep run this weekend.

2233 3
Karl's Komments: First Round Fights
Bracketology 101 just got a whole lot more interesting.
 
A wild semi-state Saturday in all four locations, with plenty of upsets, made for some very interesting early matchups between top wrestlers. The most talked about is, of course, the battle between two time state champion, Colton Cummings of Lowell, and two time placer from New Palestine, Alec White. Cummings has signed to wrestle for Army this year and White will don the black and gold for the Purdue Boilers next year. Have two division one signees ever met up on a Friday night?
 
As you go through the brackets, it seems like nearly every weight class has some tougher than usual first round fights.
 
First Round Fights
106
You might want to “get sick” at work Friday afternoon so you can get to Banker’s Life on time for this match up on Mat 3. It will begin right at 6pm. Have your popcorn and soda pop read and buckle up for the battle between:
 
#1 Brayden Curtis of Yorktown vs. #3 Brendan Mattingly of Carmel
 
The New Castle semi-state was obviously brutal to put the freshman Mattingly in this spot on Friday night. That semi-state contained the second, third, fourth and fifth ranked flyweights in the state. Mattingly drew the short straw and got hooked up with the state’s top ranked wrestler in the sophomore Curtis. The Fieldhouse should be rocking early with this one.
 
113
The top Friday night tilt will pit seventh ranked Gavin Rose of Greenfield Central versus ninth ranked Seth Horty of Evansville Memorial. Horty is in his last go round as he is a senior, whereas Rose navigated a bracket with the #2 and #3 ranked kids in the state. This should make for a nice Friday night battle to see who gets to wrestle for hardware on Saturday morning.
 
120
This weight class is extremely deep and features several grapplers with loads of state level experience. Two veteran, highly ranked studs, facing off on Friday night attest to talent in this bracket.
 
#5 Colin Poynter of Portage vs. #6 Jabin Wright of Kokomo
Wright is a two time state streeter looking for his first state medal. He will be matched up with Poynter, who came on strong last year to qualify for state and made another big step this year to put himself among the state’s elite. Wright comes at you from angles with speed whereas Poynter has an in your face, grinding style. Should make for an interesting style contrast
 
126
Wow! Wow!! WOW!!! Three, count ‘em three, awesome Friday night fights will leave the fans with sore necks if they all happen to be simultaneously contested. Leading off this trio at the top of the bracket is Fort Wayne semi-state champ Matt Gimson of Jimtown versus Evansville Mater Dei’s super frosh Matt Lee. The sophomore Gimson is a bona fide stud who made huge gains between his first and second seasons. However, most would not be surprised if the 12th ranked Jimmie was toppled by the 4th place finisher from Evansville. The 7th ranked Lee finishing fourth behind Graham Rooks, Blake Mulkey, and Noah Hunt is nothing to be ashamed of.
 
The second nasty battle pits Indy Cathedral’s 6th ranked Jordan Slivka against Valparaiso’s underappreciated and 11th ranked Ian Dembowski. Slivka was a third place finisher last year at 113. Dembowski has been on the verge of breaking out statewide and a win over the established Slivka would do just that.
 
Finally, the match up that has been getting the most notice is the Friday night tussle between two time state champion and 3rd ranked Colton Cummings of Lowell versus two time medal winner and three time state finalist Alec White of New Palestine. Two seniors with stellar resumes and one will be without a state medal after this weekend. The downside of not having wrestle backs has never been so evident. The one positive is that both young men seem to have their future well planned.
 
132
Fifteen of sixteen wrestlers in the 132 pound bracket are state ranked so the probability of some nasty first round scuffles was going to be high. Amazingly, the same two schools involved in one of the 126 first round rumbles are also involved here.
 
#3 Kyle Luigs – Mater Dei vs. #6 Conner Gimson – Jimtown
 
Even though these two schools are over 300 miles apart, they do have a common opponent in Columbus East’s Dalton Combest. Gimson beat Combest at the Al Smith meet in late December and Luigs just suffered his first lost of the season to Combest in the semifinals at semi-state. Gimson has lost each of the last two weeks to Central Noble’s Austin Moore and Yorktown’s Christian Hunt. Both will be on point trying to scratch and claw to get to Saturday.
 
138
The best first rounder in this weight class matches up two blue blood programs and two wrestlers with something to prove.
 
#3 Kris Rumph – Portage vs. #11 Grant Gutierrez – Bellmont
 
Rumph has had a great junior season highlighted by an Al Smith championship and one of the state’s best rivalries with #1 Brendan Black of Hobart. The rivalry had a little hiccup in the semi state finals where Black put it on Rumph, 17-1. Most believe that Rumph wasn’t “right” but no one is making excuses. Whatever the case may be, Rumph can erase the bad memories with a Friday night win.
Gutierrez struggled somewhat early but has had a nice run late in the season where he avenged many of his earlier losses. The senior Brave will look to win on Friday night for himself and to become the first Bellmont state placer in a four years.
 
145
The middleweights always give us some of the best action overall and the 145 class should provide some great early round action this Friday. Three first round battles between highly ranked wrestlers should provide some fireworks.
 
Leading off is a match that looks like it should be in the semis between #2 ranked Kasper McIntosh of Portage and #5 Joel Arney of Fort Wayne Carroll. Both had minor stumbles last week and they will pay for that mistake by having to meet up in a sudden death situation on Friday night. Good for the fans but bad for the loser who will be a fan for the rest of the weekend.
 
Next up on the Friday night list is a match up between schools that are less then 15 miles from each other but as far as I know, they don’t face each other during the regular season and go in different directions once the season begins. Center Grove senior, #8 ranked Logan Coyle has only lost to #1 Brayton Lee at 145. He will do battle with #9 ranked senior Kain Rust of Perry Meridian. Rust has been around the block and is making his first trip to state. Both southsiders will be intense Friday night.
 
The final Friday flap will pit Crown Point junior #10 Mario Traficanti against Jay County’s #7 Mason Winner. Winner was having an outstanding freshman campaign that most thought would end last Saturday. He then shocked most of northeast Indiana by taking out the third and fifth ranked kids in the state on the way to an improbable semi-state title. Don’t be fooled by Traficanti’s fourth place finish. He can and has wrestled the state’s best very tough. These two have similar styles. The might not light up the scoreboard but it should still be an exciting show.
 
152
This bracket has some of the state’s most exciting wrestlers. The type of guys that will throw caution to the wind and let the fur fly. I see two Friday night fur flying possibilities. The first involves seniors Kassius Breathitt from South Bend Riley and Jacob Clark of Avon. The 6th ranked Clark has a state medal on his resume and a fine 29-5 record. Breathitt has been on the state radar but this is his first Indy trip. The 8th ranked Wildcat will be looking for a fowl meal on Friday night.
 
The second intriguing opening round tilt is at the bottom of the bracket where giant slayer Austin Bethel of Mount Vernon will put his #4 ranking on the line against Crown Point’s #12th ranked Noah Lamore. Bethel looks to finish matches early while Lamore likes to take his prey into the deep water.
 
160
The best candidate to provide excitement in the 160 class on Friday night is probably the tilt between Princeton’s 11th ranked junior, Chase Wilson and Bellmont’s 12th ranked senior, Tony Busse. Both of these proud programs have not had a state medalist in some time and Busse will be looking to avenge his loss to Wilson at the Al Smith.
 
170
At 170 the last match on the bracket looks to be the best match up for Friday night. Senior Jake Ruberg of Lawrenceburg qualified as a freshman and has yet to be back. The 9th ranked Tiger will be hungry for state hardware. Another Tiger, Jordan Rader will be his foe. Rader is from Peru, is a state qualifier from last season and is ranked 15th in the state. Should be some fireworks to see who will be on the podium.
 
182
As we enter the land of the big boys, the great first round matches continue. Don’t leave early, you might regret the decision. At 182, a battle between two grapplers ranked in the top 8 should peak your interest. Prairie Heights’ program has received some state wide attention the past couple of years. Most of us have heard of the Rasler and Levitz families. However, 8th ranked senior, Joey Blakely, is a important to their program as any kid. He already has state hardware and would be very disappointed if he were to go home empty handed. Trying to do just that is, Lebanon’s senior stud, Evan Stambaugh. Stambaugh is ranked 6th and is rolling this year. Both kids have confidence and are willing to brawl.
 
195
A Friday night fight that is seemingly under the radar is a clash between two football studs as well as top five ranked wrestlers. Cathedral’s Ben Stewart is a beast on the football field (Boston College recruit) as well as on the mat. He is ranked 2nd in the state and was third in this weight class a year ago. He will be match up against Evansville Mater Dei’s Kurtis Wilderman. Wilderman was the QB for the always tough Wildcat football team and that toughness carries over to the mat where he finished 6th a year ago and is ranked 5th this year. This has the making for an instant classic.
 
220
The featured matchup at 220 might not be that close on the scoreboard but it needs be talked about regardless. Third ranked Clayton Scroggs of Martinsville is a three time state finalist who placed fifth a year ago. By the luck of the draw, Scroggs got paired with Mason Parris, maybe the most dominant upper weight Indiana has produced since Mitch Sliga. Some will say he should have done better at semi-state to avoid the bad draw and they have a point but that will still not prevent me from feeling bad for kids who are clearly deserving of top 8 recognition but are denied by tournament system virtually no one else in the world uses.
 
285
Two BIG BIG men with a history will be the Friday night feature at heavyweight. Brownsburg will be looking to capture a team state title and they need a placer at 285 to bolster their score. Slick Rick Clark is a load and ranked 7th in the state. He will be paired with the massive Jessie Lawson of Fort Wayne Carroll. Lawson has taken a couple of losses from Clark but I’m pretty sure he has also slayed the Purple big man at least once. Clark is ranked #14th and put together a phenomenal run to get an Al Smith crown back in December. It’s the last match of Friday night, I will be watching…..will you??

4182
2017 State Finals By the Numbers
Overall
 
Once again we have shown how accurate our rankings are with another great year for the final rankings. Note that our rankings are locked before sectional and these do not take into account injuries or semi-state draws as the state series progresses. This year we had a record 169 ranked wrestlers that made it to state. The top weight class was 132 with 15 of the 16 state qualifiers being ranked. Also 126, 152, and 220 had 14 ranked wrestlers. Unfortunately bringing up the rear was 138, 145, and 195 with only 10 ranked wrestlers.
 
2017- 169
2016- 175
2015- 172
2014- 171
2013- 171
2012- 170
2011- 157
2010- 159
2009- 143
 
106lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 10
Unranked qualifiers:
Eli Hickman- Rensselaer Central
Danny Tolin- Chesterton
Colin Reagan- Frontier
Logan Boe- Danville
Jake Armstrong- Winamac
Logan Stephenson- Terre Haute South
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#1 Brayden Curtis- Yorktown vs. #3 Brendan Mattingly- Carmel
#14 Brayden Shearer- Garrett vs. #2 Seth Johnson- North Montgomery
#4 Andrew Black- Shenandoah vs. #19 Fernando Flores- Goshen
#5 Brayden Lowery- Perry Meridian vs. #13 JC Herring- Oak Hill
 
113lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 12
Unranked qualifiers:
Tanner Schoeff- Central Noble
Alex Petro- Center Grove
Chris Schuller- Woodlan
Caleb Oliver- Indianapolis Cathedral
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#18 Joe Just- Carroll (Fort Wayne) vs. #4 Kory Cavanaugh- Penn
#2 Alec Viduya- Roncalli vs. #17 Kane Egli- Evansville Mater Dei
#6 Hunter Watts- Jimtown vs. #20 Ryne Webb- Rensselaer Central
#7 Gavin Rose- Greenfield-Central vs. #9 Seth Horty- Evansville Memorial
 
120lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 12
Unranked qualifiers:
Braxton Alexander- Wawasee
Blaigh Rushing- Homestead
Zane Sullivan- Edgewood
Trevor Ragle- New Castle
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#1 Ty Mills- Brownsburg vs. #15 Carter Noehre- Greenfield-Central
#12 Sunny Nier- Perry Meridian vs. #8 Alex Mosconi- Indian Creek
#2 Tylor Triana- Hobart vs. #14 Josh Stephenson- Yorktown
#5 Colin Poynter- Portage vs. #6 Jabin Wright- Kokomo
#7 Christian Mejia- Elkhart Memorial vs. #10 Tanner DeMien- Penn
 
126lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 14
Unranked qualifiers:
Reese Rodriguez- Hammond Morton
Dylan Demarco- Garrett
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#1 Blake Mulkey- Brownsburg vs. #16 Hunter Cottingham- Western
#12 Matt Gimson- Jimtown vs. #7 Matt Lee- Evansville Mater Dei
#15 Joel Byman- Carroll (Fort Wayne) vs. #18 Noah Hunt- Bloomington South
#3 Colton Cummings- Lowell vs. #5 Alec White- New Palestine
#4 Michael DeLaPena- Merrillville vs. #13 Dallas Pugsley- Shenandoah
#6 Jordan Slivka- Indianapolis Cathedral vs. #11 Ian Dembowski- Valparaiso
 
132lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 15
Unranked qualifiers:
Austin Moore- Central Noble
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#1 Jeremiah Reitz- Griffith vs. #14 Jack Servies- Perry Meridian
#2 Breyden Bailey- Indianapolis Cathedral vs. #12 Miguel Prado- Portage
#3 Kyle Luigs- Evansville Mater Dei vs. #6 Conner Gimson- Jimtown
#4 Christian Hunt- Yorktown vs. #19 Noah Franklin- New Washington
#5 Ethan Smiley- Beech Grove vs. #13 Jack Tolin- Chesterton
#7 Dawson Combest- Columbus East vs. #18 Anthony Mosser- Adams Central
#8 Manzona Bryant- Culver Academies vs. #9 Cainan Schaefer- South Dearborn
 
138lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 10
Unranked qualifiers:
Logan Macklin- Adams Central
Ryan Surguy- Shenandoah
Jacob LaPlace- Mishawaka
Levi Miller- North Posey
Chaz Boyd- Elkhart Central
Jacob Redd- Connersville
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#11 Grant Gutierrez- Bellmont vs. #3 Kris Rumph- Portage
#5 Nathan Conley- Avon vs. #17 Jesus Mancera- Lawrence Central
 
145lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 10
Unranked qualifiers:
Xander Stroud- Elkhart Central
Elliot Rodgers- Indianapolis Cathedral
Corban Pollitt- Columbus East
Brooks Wathen- Jennings County
Carlos Aguirre- Garrett
Darian Padgett- North Central (Indianapolis)
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#5 Joel Arney- Carroll (Fort Wayne) vs. #2 Kasper McIntosh- Portage
#7 Mason Winner- Jay County vs. #10 Mario Traficanti- Crown Point
#9 Kain Rust- Perry Meridian vs. #8 Logan Coyle- Center Grove
 
152lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 14
Unranked qualifiers:
Tucker Schank- Southridge
David Kitko- Noblesville
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#1 Joe Lee- Evansville Mater Dei vs. #10 Clay Jones- Lafayette Jefferson
#12 Noah LaMore- Crown Point vs. #4 Austin Bethel- Mount Vernon
#18 Cody Klettheimer- Frankton vs. #15 Hunter Reed- Columbia City
#2 Noah Warren- Perry Meridian vs. #17 Colt Rutter- Yorktown
#6 Jacob Clark- Avon vs. #8 Kassius Breathitt- South Bend Riley
#9 Nathaniel Weimer- East Noble vs. #11 Andrew Negangard- East Central
 
160lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 12
Unranked qualifiers:
Josh Gee- Shenandoah
Matthew Wertz- Zionsville
Jacob Atkins- South Bend Riley
Justin Miller- Westfield
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#1 Brad Laughlin- Yorktown vs. #20 Jaylen Adkins- Decatur Central
#10 Jed Levitz- Prairie Heights vs. #14 Ethan Stock- Monrovia
#11 Chase Wilson- Princeton vs. #12 Tony Busse- Bellmont
#6 Gleason Mappes- Center Grove vs. #18 Nick Potter- New Haven
 
170lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 12
Unranked qualifiers:
Joe Mazero- Hamilton Southeastern
Bradley Groover- River Forest
Jonyvan Johnson- New Haven
Brad Lowe- Greenfield-Central
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#10 Ismael Cornejo- Portage vs. #1 Burk Vanhorn- Franklin Community
#15 Jordan Rader- Peru vs. #9 Jake Ruberg- Lawrenceburg
#16 Anthony Cicciarelli- Brownsburg vs. #7 Zack Fattore- Hobart
#6 Jarod Swank- Penn vs. #14 Jonah Hays- Center Grove
 
182lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 13
Unranked qualifiers:
Jonah Rolfes- Lawrenceburg
Tyjonn Lockett- Merrillville
Stephen Nix- F. W. Bishop Dwenger
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#17 Jeremy Torres- Portage vs. #14 Jake Moore- Franklin Community
#2 Thomas Dull- Terre Haute North vs. #16 Austin Faulkner- Mishawaka
#3 Lucas Davison- Chesterton vs. #12 Jacob Hendrich- Northview
#4 Jacob Gray- Delta vs. #10 Cameron Simmons- Lawrence Central
#8 Joey Blakeley- Prairie Heights vs. #6 Evan Stambaugh- Lebanon
 
195lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 10
Unranked qualifiers:
Nick Schoonveld- Kankakee Valley
Jack Michel- Southridge
Draven Rasler- West Noble
Anthony Maceo- Portage
Gavin Herrera- Kokomo
David Delph- Frankton
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#1 Tristen Tonte- Warren Central vs. #16 Bradley Philpot- Floyd Central
#13 Tyler Moser- Bremen vs. #9 Caleb Hankenson- Bellmont
#5 Kurtis Wilderman- Evansville Mater Dei vs. #2 Ben Stewart- Indianapolis Cathedral
 
220lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 14
Unranked qualifiers:
Austin Evans- Lakeland
Andy Guhl- Indianapolis Cathedral
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#1 Mason Parris- Lawrenceburg vs. #3 Clayton Scroggs- Martinsville
#17 Tyler McKeever- Carroll (Fort Wayne) vs. #6 Donnie Crider- Harrison (wl)
#2 Gunnar Larson- Avon vs. #10 Kyle Cornwell- Elwood
#4 Corbin Maddox- Daleville vs. #18 Will Vakalahi- Penn
#5 Eli Pokorney- Chesterton vs. #13 Gaven Hare- Jay County
#7 Jacob McClaine- Lebanon vs. #12 Garrison Lee- Monrovia
 
285lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 11
Unranked qualifiers:
Aron Ceglarek- Kankakee Valley
Dylan Cain- Greensburg
Tyler Selm- Franklin County
Dan Clark- Rochester
Clark Minges- East Central
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#14 Jessie Lawson- Carroll (Fort Wayne) vs. #7 Rickie Clark- Brownsburg
#2 Evan Ellis- Eastern (Greentown) vs. #12 Brendan Sutton- Jennings County
#3 Wade Ripple- Mount Vernon vs. #18 Dakota Ault- F.w. North Side

12235 3
2017 State Finals Information Center
State Finals Hashtag: #INStateFinals17
Site: Bankers Life Fieldhouse, 125 S. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis | Website
Admission: $8 per session or $20 both days. Order Tickets
Match Results: TrackWrestling.com
 
Schedule
Friday, Feb. 17, 2017
Wrestler Check-in Time | 3:00-4:30pm ET
Wrestler Weigh-in | 4:30pm ET
Doors Open for General Public | 5:00pm ET
Parade of Champions | 5:45 pm ET.
First Round | 6 pm ET.
 
Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017
Wrestler Weigh-in | 8:30am ET
Doors Open for General Public | 8:30am ET
Quarterfinals | 9:30 am ET with semifinals to follow. Fieldhouse will be cleared after this session
Doors Open for General Public | 4:00pm ET
Consolations | 5 pm ET.
Finals | 7:30 pm ET.
 
Brackets
TrackWrestling Link
IndianaMat brackets(with rankings)
 
Video via TrackWrestling's Trackcast
$10 fee to watch all weekend
TrackWrestling Link
 
Television: Saturday's state championship bouts in each weight class will air live on Fox Sports Indiana.
List of stations carrying the finals
http://www.ihsaa.org/Portals/0/boys%20sports/wrestling/2016-17/IHSAA%20Wrestling%202017%20on%20FOX%20Sports%20Indiana.pdf
 
Webstream: Friday's first round and Saturday's quarterfinals and consolations will be streamed at TrackWrestling.com. For Saturday night's championship round, viewers outside of the Fox Sports Indiana coverage area, a live stream will be available at IHSAAtv.org. For those within the FSI coverage area, the stream will be available only on delayed basis following the conclusion of the telecast.
 
Pick'em Contests
State Finals Pick’ems
Mat Burns Pick the Champions
 
Featured Articles
Rankings by the Numbers
 
Karl's Komments: First Round Fights
 
Karl's Komments: Quarterfinal Clashes
 
IHSAA Preview
 
Traffic Alert
 
Saturday, Feb. 18
South Street between Delaware and Alabama streets will be completely closed from 7:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. for the Polar Bear 5 Mile and 5K Run/Walk. Additional streets along the route will have single lane closures from 9 - 11:30 a.m.
 
Construction Closures
Pennsylvania Street between Michigan and New York streets will be closed through Feb. 16 for installation of utilities. Detour on Capitol Avenue via Michigan Street.
 
Davidson Street and the easternmost lane of College Avenue will be closed between Maryland and Georgia Streets through the June 1 for construction of the Vue Apartments. Maryland Street is also closed, because it has been vacated for the apartment project. Northbound should detour on College Avenue. Southbound should detour on I-65/70.
 
During 2017, Fall Creek bridge reconstruction projects will result in closures of Capitol, Central and College avenues at Fall Creek. More details on timing of the closures will be provided as they become available. Please see www.dfcindy.org for additional details.
 
For these events please plan your travel through Downtown, accordingly. There may be parking and sidewalk restrictions for the events. Log onto www.downtownindy.org for additional information about Downtown events.

2559 4
2017 New Castle Semi-State Preview
106
 
Six state-ranked competitors will do battle in the opening weight, including #2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. The other ranked wrestler is Al Smith champ, #12 Gabe Smith of Lawrence Central. Smith will have to find a way to get past #5 Brayden Lowery of PM to punch his ticket. Perhaps even nastier is the bottom portion of the bracket, where #6 Logan Bailey of Cathedral and #2 Seth Johnson of North Montgomery should meet in the ticket round. #3 Brendan Mattingly of Carmel and #4 Andrew Black of Shenandoah have slightly less brutal potential paths to the state finals. This is one of the most loaded weights at New Castle. Legitimately, 5 or 6 different wrestlers could stand atop the podium at the end of the day.
 
Last year's champ: Keyuan Murphy, Warren Central
 
Potential matchups:
#5 Lowery vs. #12 Smith (Ticket round) – A couple of stud freshmen should vie for state advancement. Lowery beat Smith comfortably earlier in the year.
#4 Black vs. Josh Vaughn, Franklin Central(Ticket round) – Black is clearly one of the favorites at this weight, but he still must get by a tough senior and returning semistate qualifier.
#2 Johnson vs. #6 Bailey (Ticket round) – This could be one of the early matches of the day, as Johnson was unbeaten until regionals and the baby-faced assassin Bailey is peaking and looking better and better each week.
#3 Mattingly/ #5 Lowery vs. #4 Black/ #2 Johnson/ #6 Bailey (Finals) – There are several combinations of these 5 who could wind up competing for the coveted #1 seed at state. Quite obviously, the semifinals and 3rd place match will be huge for the individuals and a handful of teams.
 
1st round picks:
Mattingly over Slivka
Hadley over Lonneman
Lowery over Luhmann
Smith over Lee
Black over Harshbarger
Vaughn over Eldred
Bailey over Vredeveld
Johnson over Stewart
 
Dingo's picks to advance, in order:
Mattingly, Bailey, Lowery, Black
 
The Alpha Dog:
Brendan Mattingly
 
113
 
Five more state-ranked athletes will lace 'em up at 113. Despite the big loss of #5 Sammy Fair, this is still a very tough and deep weight. #3 Skylour Turner of Warren Central--3X state placer, #2 Alec Viduya of Roncalli--0 losses to anyone he will face going forward, and #7 Gavin Rose of Greenfield-Central--returning state qualifier, are joined by tough seniors #13 Nick Brady of Noblesville and #16 Kody Conaway of Beech Grove. Viduya appears to be improving as the season progresses, and has to be considered the favorite.
 
Last year's champ: Alec White, New Palestine
 
Feature matchups:
 
#13 Brady vs. #3 Turner (Ticket round) – Assuming Turner gets by 3X semistate qualifier Reid Hutson of Westfield, he should face a big, strong 113 lber who has been nearly flawless in the postseason thus far. While it's hard to bet against the Millers senior, it's even harder to bet against Turner booking another weekend date at Banker's Life.
Kyle Holman, Carmel vs. #16 Conaway (Opening round) – Holman initially looked to face #7 Rose, and then Pike freshman KeShon Edmunds, and finally wound up with a ranked senior in Conaway. The winner of this match should be in the driver's seat in the ticket round.
#7 Rose vs. #3 Turner (Semifinal round) – These two faced off in the 3rd place match of regionals, with the senior Turner winning a squeaker 4-3.
 
1st round picks:
Owens over Williams
Rose over Surber
Brady over Condo
Turner over Hutson
Viduya over Moseley
Seymour over Sollars
Holman over Conaway
Oliver over Joya
 
Dingo's picks to advance, in order:
Viduya, Turner, Rose, Holman
 
The Alpha Dog:
Alec Viduya
 
120
 
One of the most wide open weights of the day features 4 ranked wrestlers. Only #13 Lukasz Walendzak has advanced beyond semistate among this group. #12 Sunny Nier of Perry Meridian is a hungry senior and returning ticket-rounder. Regional champ #15 Carter Noehre of Greenfield-Central has had an outstanding season and has a convincing win over likely ticket round opponent Reid Seymour of Chatard. #18 Tyce Freije is another nasty Roncalli freshman, and looks to join Viduya at BLF.
 
Last year's champ: Dylan Culp, Warren Central
 
Feature matchups:
 
#13 Walendzak vs. #12 Nier (Ticket round) – This is just one of those unfortunate matches that we see at each semistate every year. Nier majored Walendzak earlier this season. Walendzak's teammate Slivka edged Nier in the ticket round last year. Will Irish eyes be smiling at 120? Or will the Falcon reach the crest in the form of a state advancement? Tune in.
 
#15 Noehre / Dominic Pecoraro, Carmel vs. #18 Frieje / #13 Walendzak / #12 Nier (Semifinals, Finals)– There isn't a lot of consensus regarding a favorite at this weight, and any of these 5 could be competing in the finals.
 
1st round picks:
Noehre over Boggs
Seymour over Hall
Ragle over Wilkerson
Pecoraro over Pettiford
Greene over Vaughn
Freije over Walsh
Walendzak over Forbes
Nier over Taylor
 
Dingo's picks to advance, in order:
Noehre, Freije, Walendzak, Pecoraro
 
The Alpha Dog:
Carter Noehre
 
126
 
Five ranked athletes grace this weight class, including 2X state placer and 3X qualifier #5 Alec White of New Palestine, the defending semistate champion at 113. Right behind him is #6 Jordan Slivka of Cathedral, 3rd place state finisher last season and runner-up in OT to White at semistate last year. #9 Adam Jerde of Carmel has been close to breaking through, but this is his last and best shot. #17 Dylan Culp of Warren Central is a returning state placer and semistate champ, but will have to get by Slivka for a chance at returning to BLF. Lastly, #13 Dallas Pugsley of Shenandoah has had an outstanding season and comes into New Castle with a regional crown. Pugsley was a ticket-rounder last year and should have a date with former state qualifier Alexander Strueder of Fishers in the ticket round.
 
Last year's champ: Breyden Bailey, Cathedral
 
Feature matchups:
 
#6 Slivka vs. #17 Culp (Ticket round) – Two returning state placewinners should meet in the ticket round. Culp really put it all together at semistate last year, besting another state placer in Ethan Smiley in the championship match. He will need to do it again this year to get past the tough Irish sophomore, and he appears to be heating up, as he took White to OT at regionals. First things first for Culp--he has to get by returning ticket rounder Garrett Walton of South Dearborn.
 
#13 Pugsley vs. Alexander Strueder (Ticket round) – Strueder very nearly made a return trip to The Fieldhouse last year, losing in UTB to Gavin Rose in the ticket round. He'll have his work cut out for him again this year, as Pugsley has a number of big wins this season.
 
#6 Slivka vs. #5 White (Finals) – This could be a repeat of last year's 113 championship, won by the Purdue recruit White in OT. If they each navigate the minefield in front of them to meet again, look for a tight match that could go either way.
 
1st round picks:
Slivka over Garcia
Culp over Walton
Jerde over Miles
McMillan over Negangard
Pugsley over Evans
Strueder over Long
White over Deal
Harrington over Gobeyn
 
Dingo's picks to advance, in order:
White, Slivka, Jerde, Pugsley
 
The Alpha Dog:
Alec White
 
132
 
132 is a deep weight class, led by 6 ranked wrestlers including Cathedral's #2 Breyden Bailey (#12 nationally, 3X state 3rd place finisher). Returning state placer #5 Ethan Smiley of Beech Grove and former state qualifier and semistate champion #9 Cainan Schaefer of South Dearborn bring unbeaten records into this weekend. #10 Zak Bowling of Lebanon won a solid regional last week and seeks to finish his HS career with a bang. #14 Jack Servies of Perry Meridian is one of many Falcons with a great shot to advance to state. Servies was denied in the ticket round last year by Bailey, by a mere 3-0 decision. #15 Hayden Lohrey of Shenandoah is yet another returning state qualifier, but he has the misfortune of drawing Bailey in the ticket round. Last year's 132 competition featured All-World Chad Red, Jr. winning another semistate title, but perhaps more importantly, DJ Brookbank of Perry Meridian caught fire and upset Zach Melloh in the ticket round. Could that be an omen of upsets to come this year at 132?
 
Last year's champ: Chad Red, Jr., New Palestine
 
Feature matchups:
 
#5 Smiley vs. Azariah Ellis, Zionsville / Elijah Phillips, Centerville (Ticket round) – While Smiley is a strong favorite to advance, he gets an experienced, long and crafty Dheontae Unseld of LN in his opening match. Should he win that match, either a tough senior in Ellis or a returning semistate qualifier in Phillips awaits.
 
#10 Bowling/ Stevie Browning, Franklin County vs. Chris Loy, Hamilton Heights/ #14 Servies, Perry Meridian (Ticket round) – Bowling has had a very strong season and enters the fray as a regional champion. Bowling beat Loy in the opening round of semistate last year before dropping a ticket match to state place Joel McGhee of Warren Central by 8-4 decision. Browning was also a ticket rounder, pinning LC's Jesus Mancera before losing to Red. Loy and Servies could provide fireworks, with Servies coming in hot, losing to Smiley by a razor thin margin in OT at regionals. Bowling and Servies is likely a 50/50 match.
 
1st round picks:
Bailey over Hiatt
Lohrey over Douglass
Smiley over Unseld
Ellis over Phillips
Bowling over Browning
Servies over Loy
Schaefer over Tunstill
Wright over Avey
 
Dingo's picks to advance, in order:
Bailey, Schaefer, Smiley, Bowling
 
The Alpha Dog:
Breyden Bailey
 
138
 
Another 6 ranked athletes populate another tough bracket. Leading the charge is former 4th place state finisher #2 Zach Melloh of Cathedral. The tough Irish junior has wins this year over a relative who's who at 138. #6 Riley White also has some very impressive wins this season and has a very solid shot at advancing to state this year. #10 Brooks Davis of Perry Meridian also has some nice wins, and has been competitive with some of the best in the state at 138. #13 Kody Wagner of Zionsville was a semistate qualifier last year and is part of an impressive group of Eagles grapplers competing this weekend. #17 Jesus Mancera of Lawrence Central is as battle-tested as they come and is capable of surprising this weekend. Rounding out the ranked wrestlers is #18 Bailey Moore, Connersville champion this year and ticket rounder last year. While Melloh is a fairly prohibitive favorite, the battle for positions 2-4 should be ferocious and possibly unexpected.
 
Last year's champ: Evan Eldred, Westfield
 
Feature matchups:
 
#13 Wagner vs. #10 Davis (Ticket round) – Wagner's reward for winning his regional is a ticket round match with Davis. Zionsville wrestles a very tough schedule, but it's unlikely that any team in central Indiana has had a more difficult schedule than Perry. Davis is the slight favorite, but Wagners at Zionsville have had a lot of success in past postseasons.
#18 Moore vs. #17 Mancera (Ticket round) – Mancera owns a win over Moore this season, but this one is anyone's match. The winner has a solid shot at a 2 seed at state.
Ryan Surguy, Shenandoah vs. #6 White (Ticket round) – While White is a solid favorite on paper, Surguy is a strong sleeper pick at this weight and in this potential match. The Shenandoah senior is a returning semistate qualifier, and White is a returning ticket rounder.
 
1st round picks:
Wagner over Gardfrey
Davis over Redd
Melloh over Lowe
Humbert over Noehre
Moore over Otto
Mancera over Estes
Surguy over Keener
White over Ball
 
Dingo's picks to advance, in order:
Melloh, Surguy, Wagner, Mancera
 
The Alpha Dog:
Zach Melloh
 
145
 
This is another relatively wide open weight class, lacking a consensus favorite. #4 Clayton Cowan of Hamilton Heights, a returning state qualifier, faces a particularly nasty potential ticket match. Waiting for him is #9 Kain Rust of Perry Meridian, a semistate qualifier last year. Rust has had a particularly impressive senior campaign thus far, with numerous wins against 'name' opponents. #13 Antwaun Graves of Warren Central beat Rust in the regional finals, avenging an earlier loss to the Falcons' 145. He's a sly pick to win this weight. Rounding out the ranked competitors is returning state qualifier and undefeated regional champion #15 Boone Welliever of Southmont.
 
Last year's champ: Jordan Vaughn, Franklin Central
 
Feature matchups:
 
Mike Humbert, Franklin County vs. Darian Padgett, North Central / Beau Wilbrandt, Fishers (Ticket round) – Humbert, a returning semistate qualifier, could have his hands full with Chad Rothwell of Southport, a semistate qualifier last year at 160!, in his opening round match. If he gets by Rothwell, the winner of Wilbrandt and Padgett awaits. Both are seniors with 10 losses, but each is dangerous and capable of advancing. Wilbrandt is also a returning semistate qualifier.
 
#4 Cowan vs. #9 Rust (Ticket round) – Certainly one of the rougher ticket matches of the day, each senior will be ready to brawl when the whistle blows. This could be one of the best matches of the day and could greatly impact the team race.
 
#13 Graves vs. #4 Cowan / #9 Rust or #15 Welliever (Finals) – While Graves appears to have a slightly less treacherous path to the finals, the survivor of Cowan/Rust/Welliever may be pretty tired upon reaching the finals. This is a hard one to handicap.
 
1st round picks:
Humbert over Rothwell
Padgett over Wilbrandt
Graves over Wills
Rodgers over Sauder
Cowan over Williamson
Rust over Roth
Welliever over Lane
Gosnell over Fletcher
 
Dingo's picks to advance, in order:
Welliever, Graves, Rust, Padgett
 
The Alpha Dog:
Boone Welliever, Southmont
 
152
 
Returning 7th place state finisher #2 Noah Warren of Perry Meridian leads a solid group at 152. #7 Jack Eiteljorge of Carmel is a returning ticket rounder and has just one loss all season, to 160 lb Gleason Mappes of Center Grove. He can go with the big boys. #11 Andrew Negangard of East Central was a ticket rounder last year as well. This year, he's a one-loss senior with a favorable draw. #18 Cody Klettheimer of Frankton and #19 Tucker Coffman of Union County meet in one of the roughest opening round matches of the day. The winner likely faces Eiteljorge. There are no free lunches at semistate, unless you're allowed in the hospitality room. Last year, regional runner-up Trent Pruitt parlayed a hot day at semistate into a state title the following weekend.
 
Last year's champ: Trent Pruitt, Warren Central
 
Feature matchups:
 
#18 Klettheimer vs. #19 Coffman (Opening round) – Each is a returning semistate qualifier and precocious sophomore. As mentioned earlier, the winner must get through Eiteljorge to advance.
#11 Negangard vs. Walter Ballinger, Beech Grove (Ticket round) – Negangard comes in as a solid favorite, but Ballinger won't be a pushover. Negangard must also get by senior Alex Johnson of Pendleton Heights to advance to a potential match with the game senior Ballinger.
David Kitko, Noblesville vs. Sam Gobeyn, Zionsville (Ticket round) – While the win/loss record of each wrestler doesn't jump off the page, the reality is that one of the two will likely advance to BLF. Kitko, like many Noblesville wrestlers under Coach Knotts, is formidable with Greco throws. Gobeyn, like his fellow Eagles, has been through the gauntlet all season.
#7 Eiteljorge vs. #2 Warren (Semifinals round) – Both should punch a golden ticket, but each has designs on a top seed at state, which means this match takes on extreme importance individually, as well as for the team race. Warren is the favorite, but Coaches Pendowski and Geter will have a solid gameplan at the ready for Eye-tul-hor-hay.
#2 Warren / #7 Eiteljorge vs. #11 Negangard (Finals) – Each member of this trio is capable of a tough run at Banker's Life. Warren is the favorite, but Negangard could be a fly in the Perry ointment.
 
1st round picks:
Warren over Bischoff
Despain over Hines
Eiteljorge over Rebein
Coffman over Klettheimer
Negangard over Johnson
Ballinger over Wagner
Kitko over Webster
Gobeyn over Smith
 
Dingo's picks to advance, in order:
Warren, Negangard, Eiteljorge, Gobeyn
 
The Alpha Dog:
Noah Warren
 
160
 
This stacked weight is led by 2X state placer #2 Alston Bane of Richmond, an undefeated senior. However, he's far from alone at the top, as #3 Laine Frazee of Fountain Central, an 8th place finisher last year, #4 Christian Warren of Perry, another undefeated senior, and #9 Dru Berkebile of Frankton, a 2X state qualifier and former 5th place state finisher, lead the field. #19 Elijah Mahan of Roncalli is one of three sophomores in the bracket, and has been impressive all season long. Expect a tight match between Mahan and Bane if Mahan can get by the gritty Sam Hauke of North Central in his opening match. There are 4 grapplers here with a legit shot at the strap on Saturday.
 
Last year's champ: Noah Warren, Perry Meridian
 
Feature matchups:
 
#4 Warren vs. #3 Frazee (Ticket round) – Just brutal. Frazee was upset by Westfield's Justin Miller in UTB at regionals, which led to this draw of death. Warren has done nothing but win in this, his final season. Frazee's only loss at semistate last year was a one point decision to Bane. This is essentially a pick 'em, and the winner is fully capable of winning the weight.
 
#9 Berkebile vs. Justin Miller, Westfield (Ticket round) – Ignore Miller's record, as he has shown throughout his career that he has the ability to elevate his game when necessary. Berkebile is a proven commodity, but he could have his hands full with Miller, who is solid in all aspects and positions. Berkebile had better not overlook Southport's senior Brett Wright in his opening match.
 
#2 Bane vs. #19 Mahan (Ticket round) – It's tough to bet against the highly proven Bane, unless the opponent is Batman. Mahan will be a force the next two years, and he could give the senior all he wants.
 
Matthew Wertz, Zionsville / Ryan Mitts, East Central vs. JT Lazzara, Guerin / Drake Tackett, Mount Vernon (Ticket round) – No rankings to speak of among this group, but Wertz comes in with momentum as the regional champ. All 4 are seniors and will be fighting tooth and nail.
 
1st round picks:
Warren over Booker
Frazee over Gee
Berkebile over Wright
Miller over Massey
Bane over Davis
Mahan over Hauke
Wertz over Mitts
Lazzara over Tackett
 
Dingo's picks to advance, in order:
Bane, Warren, Berkebile, Wertz
 
The Alpha Dog:
Alston Bane
 
170
 
While just four ranked wrestlers will be competing at 170 on Saturday, among them are a returning state placer, a former state qualifier, an Al Smith champ and a freshman wunderkind. #2 Tanner Webster of North Montgomery was a 6th place finisher at state last season, but was defeated at regional by #3 Thomas Penola of Zionsville, an impressive Al Smith champ earlier this season. Snake-bitten #9 Jake Ruberg of Lawrenceburg impressed the state with a state qualification as a freshman, but has battled injuries and tough semistate draws since then. The freshman everyone is buzzing about is #4 Silas Allred, the undefeated stud from Shenandoah. Some folks think he's going to keep a clean sheet through semistate, but nothing will come easy for him or any of the other favorites.
 
Last year's champ: Ricky Samuels, Lawrence North
 
Feature matchups:
 
#4 Allred vs. Joe Mazero, HSE / Cameron Amos, Perry Meridian (Ticket round) – Allred's first real test at semistate should come in his ticket match. Mazero is perpetually underrated and was a ticket rounder last year. He's wrestled a high level of competition. The same is true of Amos.
#3 Penola vs. #9 Ruberg (Ticket round) – This is another of the ticket round matches that screams for wrestlebacks. Tough draw for both--the loser could easily place at state. Penola has been on the roll of all rolls this season. He has wins over #2, #5, #6 and #7 this year, among many more game opponents.
#2 Webster / #4 Allred vs. #3 Penola / #9 Ruberg (Finals) – There are a lot of different ways this could play out. Will Webster avenge his loss to Penola after besting the stout freshman in the semis? Will the stout freshman show the rest of the state that he is a legitimate state title threat by knocking off the #2 and #3 wrestlers in the state? Will Penola continue his unearthly momentum and head to BLF as a top seed? Or will the unlucky senior Ruberg spoil Penola's plans en route to a finals matchup with Webster or Allred?
 
1st round picks:
Murry over Simmons
Webster over Acevedo
Allred over Todd
Mazero over Amos
Penola over Willis
Ruberg over Najem
Lowe over Hart
Miller over Orschell
 
Dingo's picks to advance, in order:
Webster, Penola, Allred, Lowe
 
The Alpha Dog:
Tanner Webster
 
182
 
With just 3 ranked wrestlers, this is probably the most wide open weight class at New Castle. Leading the way is former state qualifier #6 Evan Stambaugh of Lebanon, who comes in with just one loss all year. #9 Alec Jessop of HSE brings an impressive 20-2 record into the mix. #10 Cameron Simmons of Lawrence Central was a semistate qualifier last year. There are plenty of sleepers in the group, including Josue Hill of Zionsville, Jalen Allen of Perry Meridian, Sam Hansen of Roncalli and Jonah Rolfes of Lawrenceburg.
 
Last year's champ: Blake Rypel, Cathedral
 
Feature matchups:
 
#10 Simmons vs. Josue Hill, Zionsville (Ticket round) – Both grapplers were semistate qualifiers last year and, despite the ranking difference, there probably isn't much of a separation between these two battle-tested seniors. If Zionsville is going to figure in the team race, they need to win matches like this one.
#9 Jessop vs. Jalen Allen, Perry Meridian (Ticket round) – Allen is unranked despite a 34-4 senior campaign, and Jessop is a big, strong 182 generating a lot of buzz from knowledgeable spectators. Consider this one of the big team scoring matches of the ticket round.
#6 Stambaugh vs. Sam Hansen, Roncalli (Ticket round) – Like Allen, Hansen has an oustanding record at 37-4. Stambaugh was upended last year in the ticket round and had better not overlook the tough Rebels' junior.
Jonah Rolfes, Lawrenceburg vs. Bryce Sharp, Carmel (Opening round) – Sharp's 21-7 record isn't as spectacular as Rolfes' 41-4 record, but Carmel's schedule is much, much tougher. This is a 50/50 match.
#9 Jessop / Allen vs. #10 Simmons / Hill (Semifinals) – On paper, this should be Jessop vs. Simmons, but it's far from a lead pipe lock. All 4 seniors are hungry and capable. The winner of this nasty pool should face Stambaugh for the semistate title.
 
1st round picks:
Simmons over Sterrett
Hill over Bohman
Allen over Mills
Jessop over Thorp
Stambaugh over Mitts
Hansen over Morgan
Rolfes over Sharp
Baker over Keesee
 
Dingo's picks to advance, in order:
Jessop, Stambaugh, Simmons, Rolfes
 
The Alpha Dog:
Alec Jessop
 
195
 
This weight has to qualify as New Castle's main event. Warren Central's #1 in the state and 2X state runner-up Tristen Tonte (#17 in the USA per Intermat) and #2 Ben Stewart of Cathedral will almost certainly do battle, yet again, this time in the finals. This could be a preview of the state finals the following weekend. Stewart and Tonte were both beaten by decision by eventual state champ Jake Kleimola. Tonte is a 3X qualifier, and had a hand in Stewart's status of 1X state qualifier, as they met in the ticket round as freshmen (Stewart got Mason Parris in the ticket round the following year). Tonte got him again in the finals of last year's semistate, winning 1-0. Stewart is absolutely gigantic this season. Tonte is long and as slick as the day is long. This should be an incredible finals matchup. Joining the elite two as ranked competitors are #10 Liam Jagow of Westfield, who has had an incredible season, #11 Cole Slavens of North Montgomery, who has the misfortune of drawing Stewart in the ticket round (for the 2nd year in a row!), #12 Drew Williamson of Zionsville, who has just 3 losses and a regional title under his belt, and #14 John Owensby, who finished 4th at regionals, setting up a dynamic first round match with Williamson. Additionally, unranked David Delph of Frankton is 37-2 on the season and has some excellent upper weight practice partners in the Eagles' room.
 
Last year's champ: Tristen Tonte, Warren Central
 
Feature matchups:
 
#12 Williamson vs. #14 Owensby (Opening round) – Williamson got a big win over Jagow at regionals, giving him great momentum heading into his first match of the day. The Franklin Central senior had a rough regional experience, but was a semistate qualifier last year at 220, so he will be plenty dangerous. The winner will face the winner of Delp and John Rorig of Milan, both of whom have impressive records.
 
#2 Stewart vs. #11 Slavens (Ticket round) – This is one of those strange phenomena that happens at New Castle. For the 2nd year in a row, Slavens must beat Stewart to advance, which is a tall order for anyone. Stewart, who will attend Boston College on a football scholarship, absolutely manhandled his regional opponents. This is man-strength on display.
 
#1 Tonte vs. #2 Stewart (Finals) – The loser will likely get another crack at the victor next weekend at BLF. To this point, Tonte has a significant edge in the head-to-head series, but Stewart looks primed to execute a crackback. They don't come much bigger and better than this matchup.
 
1st round picks:
Williamson over Owensby
Delph over Rohrig
Tonte over Pigg
Sturm over Bynum
Stewart over Snipes
Slavens over Kenney
Tibbetts over Snyder
Jagow over Ruhana
 
Dingo's picks to advance, in order:
Tonte, Stewart, Jagow, Williamson
 
The Alpha Dog:
Tristen Tonte
 
220
 
Four ranked athletes, none of whom are seniors, will compete at 220 on Saturday. Leading the way is returning state champ and #1 Mason Parris of Lawrenceburg, a 2X state semifinalist and #3 in the country per Intermat. Parris is the biggest lock of the semistate, and might be the biggest lock at state as well. He's a unique, rare talent, as evidenced by his tremendous accomplishments in multiple sports. Joining Parris in the rankings are: #7 Jacob McClaine of Lebanon, who hasn't been beaten this year after falling in the ticket round last year, #10 Kyle Cornwell of Elwood, who has just one loss on the season and was also a ticket rounder last year, and #19 Landon Burton of New Palestine, who was a semistate qualifier at 195 last year. Watch out for sleepers Rilee Miller of Perry, Ryan Leslie of Noblesville, Darrione Gregory of LC, Joe Myren of HSE, Andy Guhl of Cathedral and Blake Ripperger of Franklin County. Yes, that's nearly the entire bracket.
 
Last year's champ: Mason Parris, Lawrenceburg
 
Feature matchups:
 
#10 Cornwell vs. Joe Myren, HSE (Ticket round) – Cornwell was impressive at regionals and already has two wins over Myren this year. That said, semistate produces upsets and Myren is very dangerous.
 
#19 Burton vs. Andy Guhl, Cathedral (Opening round) – It was a different Guhl last year that stormed through the semistate to take 2nd, but the similarities are obvious. The elder and younger Guhl are both large, athletic 220s and are as battle-tested as they come. The winner likely gets regional runner-up Blake Ripperger of Franklin County, a semistate qualifier last season.
 
1st round picks:
McClaine over Thomas
Miller over Leslie
Parris over Boleman
Gregory over Greene
Cornwell over Laws
Myren over Dick
Burton over Guhl
Ripperger over Mata
 
Dingo's picks to advance, in order:
Parris, Cornwell, McClaine, Burton
 
The Alpha Dog:
Mason Parris
 
285
 
Three ranked wrestlers, as well as a former state qualifier, lead the field at heavyweight in New Castle. Defending state runner-up #9 Robert Samuels of Lawrence North was a semistate champion last year and a state qualifier the year before. He is one of the smallest, most physically vascular and ripped heavyweights you will ever see. Strangely, he has struggled somewhat this year, dropping 5 matches and losing at regionals. Still, he was a two seed last year as well, and it worked out pretty well for him. He is still a strong candidate to finish high at state. #10 Elijah Bailey of North Central has had a phenomenal season, which includes a couple of impressive wins over Samuels. Look for them to lock horns yet again, this time in the semistate finals. #17 Peyton Wuerch of Mount Vernon faces returning state qualifier Austin Dollens of Westfield in the opening round for the 2nd year in a row. Dollens got him 3-0 last year and rolled all the way to state. Wuerch will be looking for payback. Unfortunately for each, the winner gets Samuels in the ticket round. Clark Minges of East Central is a former three time ticket rounder for Union County.
 
Last year's champ: Robert Samuels, Lawrence North
 
Feature matchups:
 
#17 Wuerch vs. Austin Dollens, Westfield (Opening round) – Dollens used his large frame and nimble feet to win a lot of close matches last year. He'll be seeking to repeat his performance from last year against Wuerch, and it will be interesting to see if Dollens holds an advantage with the big win last year, or if Wuerch is hungry and looking for payback. Again, it's slightly moot, as the winner gets Samuels to advance to BLF.
 
Jaden Powell, Speedway vs. Juggernaut Williams, Carmel (Opening round) – Both were semistate qualifiers last season, with Powell making it to the ticket round. Powell has the superior record, while Williams has the superior schedule.
 
Clark Minges, East Central / Marcus Stone, Elwood vs. Connor Bettis, Rockville / Steve Woolbright, Perry Meridian (Ticket round) – Minges, Bettis and Woolbright are all seniors with strong records and Stone is a big, agile heavyweight who could surprise. Look for Minges or Woolbright to lock up for a ticket.
 
#9 Samuels vs. #10 Bailey (Finals) – They met at sectionals and regionals, as well as during the regular season. They are both on the smaller, more agile side, although neither seems to be overpowered during matches against larger opponents. Each is capable of a strong state run, but each is also capable of getting knocked off by a beefier opponent on Friday night as well.
 
1st round picks:
Dollens over Wuerch
Samuels over Robinson
Powell over Williams
Selm over Obst
Minges over Stone
Woolbright over Bettis
Bailey over Wisner
Kunkelman over Roland
 
Dingo's picks to advance, in order:
Samuels, Bailey, Powell, Woolbright
 
The Alpha Dog:
Robert Samuels

3451 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)