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36 articles in this category
1568 18Who do you want in your corner at state? 2021 Version
Last year this article produced many comments and since it was so popular, let's bring it back. Over the course of the state finals we have seen the placers grow from 4 to 6 to 8. With the addition of the 7th place match came the dreaded Friday night do or die match. Coaches make a living on Friday night getting kids on the stand. Year after year we notice a lot of the same teams with wrestlers on the podium. However, how good are these coaches at getting kids on the stand, to the semi-finals, or even finals? Well, you neighborhood gorilla has crunched the data and has it for everyone to see.
You can view all the data for both Friday and Saturday success
Click here to view
Current coaches with 10 or more qualifiers sorted by winning percentage.
Coach Total Qualifiers Total Placers Friday % Wade McClurg 15 13 86.67% Maurice Swain 13 10 76.92% Sean McGinley 108 83 76.85% Brian Weaver 12 9 75.00% Darrick Snyder 92 68 73.91% Chris Cooper 33 24 72.73% Matt Schoettle 25 17 68.00% David Maldonado 83 55 66.27% Jim Tonte 106 70 66.04% Joshua Holden 20 13 65.00% Kevin Blundell 11 7 63.64% Branden Lorek 22 14 63.64% Zach Errett 24 15 62.50% Frank Bumgardner 10 6 60.00% Greg Schaefer 77 46 59.74% Dan Briggs 19 11 57.89% Bill Flatt 23 13 56.52% Ed Pendoski 71 39 54.93% Tony Abbott 31 17 54.84% Eric Myers 23 12 52.17% Bob Harmon 58 29 50.00% Brandon Sisson 12 6 50.00% Randy Kearby 34 17 50.00% Chris Joll 55 26 47.27% Lou Silverman 36 17 47.22% Mike Runyon 17 8 47.06% Jim Pickard 41 19 46.34% Louie Kuzdas 25 11 44.00% Clint Gard 16 7 43.75% Brad Harper 64 27 42.19% Scott Ferguson 38 16 42.11% Rod Williams 12 5 41.67% Chad Shepherd 22 9 40.91% Steve Pugliese 22 9 40.91% Larry Mattingly 32 13 40.63% Brett Smith 10 4 40.00% Dan Mikesell 15 6 40.00% Brett Smith 10 4 40.00% Tony Currie 10 4 40.00% Tony Currie 10 4 40.00% Dave Cloud 28 11 39.29% Andy Hobbs 41 16 39.02% Danny Struck 18 7 38.89% Dean Branstetter 16 6 37.50% Paul Gunsett 17 6 35.29% Doug Smoker 20 7 35.00% Blane Culp 12 4 33.33% Jamie Welliever 12 4 33.33% Tim Alcorn 10 3 30.00% Jim Wadkins 22 6 27.27% Andrew King 23 6 26.09% Steven Sandefer 12 3 25.00% Steven Sandefer 12 3 25.00% Nick Kraus 14 3 21.43% Tom Miller 17 2 11.76%
Current coaches with more than 10 qualifiers getting wrestlers to the semi-finals by winning percentage
Coach Current School Qual Placer Semi-Finalists Qual to Semis Wade McClurg Roncalli 15 13 10 66.67% Zach Errett Avon 24 15 11 45.83% Dan Briggs Carroll (Fort Wayne) 19 11 9 47.37% Matt Schoettle Perry Meridian 25 17 12 48.00% Sean McGinley Indianapolis Cathedral 108 83 56 51.85% Darrick Snyder Brownsburg 92 68 46 50.00% Steve Pugliese Tri-West 22 9 6 27.27% Jim Tonte Franklin Community 106 70 40 37.74% David Maldonado Merrillville 83 55 30 36.14% Bob Harmon Castle 58 29 18 31.03% Chris Cooper Columbus East 33 24 15 45.45% Steven Sandefer Mishawaka 12 3 2 16.67% Maurice Swain Center Grove 13 10 5 38.46% Joshua Holden Greenfield-Central 20 13 3 15.00% Chris Joll Chesterton 55 26 11 20.00% Greg Schaefer Evansville Mater Dei 77 46 26 33.77% Dave Cloud Pendleton Heights 28 11 6 21.43% Nick Kraus Garrett 14 3 3 21.43% Ed Pendoski Carmel 71 39 20 28.17% Branden Lorek Crown Point 22 14 6 27.27% Brad Harper Penn 64 27 10 15.63% Frank Bumgardner Wawasee 10 6 2 20.00% Tim Alcorn Mount Vernon (Posey) 10 3 2 20.00% Kevin Blundell Monrovia 11 7 2 18.18% Jim Wadkins Calumet 22 6 3 13.64% Randy Kearby Evansville Central 34 17 7 20.59% Brandon Sisson Floyd Central 12 6 3 25.00% Brian Weaver Elkhart Memorial 12 9 2 16.67% Rod Williams Leo 12 5 1 8.33% Andy Hobbs Peru 41 16 7 17.07% Dan Mikesell Mooresville 15 6 3 20.00% Paul Gunsett Bellmont 17 6 2 11.76% Lou Silverman North Central 36 17 5 13.89% Danny Struck Jeffersonville 18 7 2 11.11% Chad Shepherd Western 22 9 3 13.64% Bill Flatt South Bend Riley 23 13 8 34.78% Eric Myers Jay County 23 12 4 17.39% Tony Abbott Cowan 31 17 5 16.13% Larry Mattingly Evansville Memorial 32 13 3 9.38% Jim Pickard Goshen 41 19 5 12.20% Mike Runyon Bloomington South 17 8 3 17.65% Brett Smith Prairie Heights 10 4 1 10.00% Doug Smoker Eastside 20 7 2 10.00% Tony Currie Adams Central 10 4 1 10.00% Scott Ferguson Evansville Reitz 38 16 3 7.89% Dean Branstetter Attica 16 6 1 6.25% Louie Kuzdas LaPorte 25 11 1 4.00% Andrew King Oak Hill 23 6 0 0.00% Blane Culp Columbia City 12 4 0 0.00% Clint Gard Rochester 16 7 0 0.00% Tom Miller Lafayette Jefferson 17 2 0 0.00% Jamie Welliever Southmont 12 4 0 0.00%
Current coaches with more than 10 qualifiers getting wrestlers to the finals by winning percentage
Coach Current School Qual Place Finalists Qual to Finals Wade McClurg Roncalli 15 13 5 33.33% Zach Errett Avon 24 15 8 33.33% Dan Briggs Carroll (Fort Wayne) 19 11 6 31.58% Matt Schoettle Perry Meridian 25 17 7 28.00% Sean McGinley Indianapolis Cathedral 108 83 29 26.85% Darrick Snyder Brownsburg 92 68 22 23.91% Steve Pugliese Tri-West 22 9 5 22.73% Jim Tonte Franklin Community 106 70 24 22.64% David Maldonado Merrillville 83 55 18 21.69% Bob Harmon Castle 58 29 11 18.97% Chris Cooper Columbus East 33 24 6 18.18% Steven Sandefer Mishawaka 12 3 2 16.67% Maurice Swain Center Grove 13 10 2 15.38% Joshua Holden Greenfield-Central 20 13 3 15.00% Chris Joll Chesterton 55 26 8 14.55% Greg Schaefer Evansville Mater Dei 77 46 11 14.29% Dave Cloud Pendleton Heights 28 11 4 14.29% Nick Kraus Garrett 14 3 2 14.29% Ed Pendoski Carmel 71 39 10 14.08% Branden Lorek Crown Point 22 14 3 13.64% Brad Harper Penn 64 27 7 10.94% Frank Bumgardner Wawasee 10 6 1 10.00% Tim Alcorn Mount Vernon (Posey) 10 3 1 10.00% Kevin Blundell Monrovia 11 7 1 9.09% Jim Wadkins Calumet 22 6 2 9.09% Randy Kearby Evansville Central 34 17 3 8.82% Brandon Sisson Floyd Central 12 6 1 8.33% Brian Weaver Elkhart Memorial 12 9 1 8.33% Rod Williams Leo 12 5 1 8.33% Andy Hobbs Peru 41 16 3 7.32% Dan Mikesell Mooresville 15 6 1 6.67% Paul Gunsett Bellmont 17 6 1 5.88% Lou Silverman North Central 36 17 2 5.56% Danny Struck Jeffersonville 18 7 1 5.56% Chad Shepherd Western 22 9 1 4.55% Bill Flatt South Bend Riley 23 13 1 4.35% Eric Myers Jay County 23 12 1 4.35% Tony Abbott Cowan 31 17 1 3.23% Larry Mattingly Evansville Memorial 32 13 1 3.13% Jim Pickard Goshen 41 19 1 2.44% Mike Runyon Bloomington South 17 8 0 0.00% Brett Smith Prairie Heights 10 4 0 0.00% Doug Smoker Eastside 20 7 0 0.00% Tony Currie Adams Central 10 4 0 0.00% Scott Ferguson Evansville Reitz 38 16 0 0.00% Dean Branstetter Attica 16 6 0 0.00% Louie Kuzdas LaPorte 25 11 0 0.00% Andrew King Oak Hill 23 6 0 0.00% Blane Culp Columbia City 12 4 0 0.00% Clint Gard Rochester 16 7 0 0.00% Tom Miller Lafayette Jefferson 17 2 0 0.00% Jamie Welliever Southmont 12 4 0 0.00%
Current Coaches winning percentage under the lights with over 10 state qualifiers
Coach Current School Finalists Champs Lights Jim Wadkins Calumet 2 2 100.00% Bill Flatt South Bend Riley 1 1 100.00% Brandon Sisson Floyd Central 1 1 100.00% Larry Mattingly Evansville Memorial 1 1 100.00% Tony Abbott Cowan 1 1 100.00% Kevin Blundell Monrovia 1 1 100.00% Chris Cooper Columbus East 6 5 83.33% Steve Pugliese Tri-West 5 4 80.00% Bob Harmon Castle 11 8 72.73% Branden Lorek Crown Point 3 2 66.67% Wade McClurg Roncalli 5 3 60.00% Darrick Snyder Brownsburg 22 13 59.09% Greg Schaefer Evansville Mater Dei 11 6 54.55% Jim Tonte Franklin Community 24 12 50.00% David Maldonado Merrillville 18 9 50.00% Ed Pendoski Carmel 10 5 50.00% Chris Joll Chesterton 8 4 50.00% Zach Errett Avon 8 4 50.00% Dan Briggs Carroll (Fort Wayne) 6 3 50.00% Dave Cloud Pendleton Heights 4 2 50.00% Maurice Swain Center Grove 2 1 50.00% Steven Sandefer Mishawaka 2 1 50.00% Brad Harper Penn 7 3 42.86% Sean McGinley Indianapolis Cathedral 29 12 41.38% Joshua Holden Greenfield-Central 3 1 33.33% Matt Schoettle Perry Meridian 7 2 28.57% Andy Hobbs Peru 3 0 0.00% Randy Kearby Evansville Central 3 0 0.00% Lou Silverman North Central 2 0 0.00% Nick Kraus Garrett 2 0 0.00% Chad Shepherd Western 1 0 0.00% Dan Mikesell Mooresville 1 0 0.00% Danny Struck Jeffersonville 1 0 0.00% Eric Myers Jay County 1 0 0.00% Frank Bumgardner Wawasee 1 0 0.00% Jim Pickard Goshen 1 0 0.00% Tim Alcorn Mount Vernon (Posey) 1 0 0.00% Brian Weaver Elkhart Memorial 1 0 0.00% Paul Gunsett Bellmont 1 0 0.00% Rod Williams Leo 1 0 0.00%734 3 1Team Race Breakdown
By Drew Hughes
With the 2021 state tournament approaching the team race looks to be as exciting as ever. The way that I see it there are 5 teams that will be neck and neck this year for the title: Evansville Mater Dei, Crown Point, Indianapolis Cathedral, Chesterton, and Perry Meridian. While all of these teams have a shot at the crown, they will all need certain things to go their way.
Mater Dei:
With 7 state qualifiers but 4 of those 7 receiving some unfavorable draws they will need some big wins to stay in the team race. With these bad draws being semi-state champ Reed Egli drawing into #1 Alex Cottey first round, Cole Ross potentially running into #1 Sergio Lemley in the quarters, Alec Freeman potentially having #3 Aidan Torres in the quarters, and returning state champ Blake Boarman on the same side as #1 Jesse Mendez. These draws possibly limiting the number of people they can put in the finals it might just kill their chances at a team title.
Potential team scores not including bonus points:
Worst case: 59 points
Best case: 136 points
My Prediction: 78 points
Crown Point:
With the loss of a potential title contender Cody Goodwin, they might be just short of what they need to win the title. With 8 state qualifiers and 6 of those qualifiers ranked higher than their Friday night opponents, the Bulldogs are going to need to pick up some big wins on Saturday morning to win the title. These key potential quarters match ups that they need to go their way are #5 Sam Goin over #4 Bryce Lowery, #7 Stephen Roberson over #4 Kysen Montgomery, #3 Javen Estrada over #5 J Conway, and #5 Orlando Cruz over #4 Kade Law. With a few of these wins and their other guys wrestling up to their rankings they do still have a shot at the title.
Potential team scores not including bonus points:
Worst case: 52 points
Best case: 146 points
My Prediction: 93 points
Indianapolis Cathedral:
The reigning team state champs for the last 3 years, Cathedral will be looking for its 4th in a row on Saturday. Bring 6 qualifiers with them they are going to need to be at their best to get it done. With everyone ranked above their Friday night opponents they will need some big wins Saturday morning to have a chance at the title. Some of these big potential quarterfinal matches include #2 Evan Dickey vs. #1 Jeffery Bailey, #12 Dillion Graham vs. #9 Tony Wood, #9 Ulrik Urasky vs. #2 Pate Eastin, and #4 Johnny Parker vs. #6 Harris Eason. Cathedral will need to win a few of these matches as well as #3 Andrew Wilson potentially upsetting #2 Brody Baumann in the semis to repeat as team state champions.
Potential team scores not including bonus points:
Worst case: 44 points
Best case: 98 points
My Prediction: 72 points
Chesterton:
Coming off a tight semi-state title over Crown Point and bringing 8 guys to Bankers Life Chesterton is in a good spot to steal this team title. With only one wrestler ranked under their Friday night opponent they will need some big wins on Saturday. With some key potential quarterfinal matches being #10 Hayden DeMarco vs. #6 Coy Hammack, #1 Sergio Lemley vs. #4 Cole Ross, #3 Aidan Torres vs. #1 Alec Freeman, #10 Ethan Kaiser vs. #6 Hunter May, #6 Brock Ellis vs. #7 Tyer Conley, #4 Gavin Layman vs. #1 Drake Buchanan, and #10 Gage Demarco vs. #6 Harris Eason. Chesterton will need to a few upsets in theses matches to stay in the title race.
Potential team score not including bonus points:
Worst case: 45 points
Best case: 121 points
My Prediction: 91 points
Perry Meridian:
Perry comes into this weekend with 9 state qualifiers and only 3 of those 9 being ranked under their Friday night opponents if things go their way, we could see Perry bring home their first title since 2013. With their key potential quarterfinal matches being #3 Toby Billerman vs. #4 Evan Seng, #2 Mathew Koontz vs. #11 Aidan Hardcastle, #13 Jajuan Dale vs. #11 Codei Khawaja, and #10 Jeffrey McClure vs. #5 Josh Howell. The real key for Perry’s path to a title will come from their returning champ and 3-time finalist Alex Cottey to be health after injury defaulting to 4th place last weekend.
Potential team score not including bonus points:
Worst case: 39 points
Best case: 107 points
My prediction: 74 points
Based off of my predictions before taking bonus points into account I have the team placement going:
#1 Crown Point with 93 points
#2 Chesterton with 91 points
#3 Mater Dei with 78 points
#4 Perry Meridian with 74 points
#5 Cathedral with 72 points
Bonus points are going to be the deciding factor in this team race with the potential for any of these 5 teams to come away with the title come Saturday.
1103 1State Finals #WAYL2
We have 24 wrestlers that enter Friday without a loss on their record. However, the other 200 wrestlers have a combined 795 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
Jakob Sheets- 9
Braden Haines and James Smith- 8
Evan Cruz, Liam Krueger, Zac Dray, Keaton Morton, Isaiah Ponce, Josh Howell- 7
Brenden Dilley, Cameron Clark, Tyler Jones, Jajuan Dale, Amara Kaba, Jacob Sommer- 6
Most wins over state qualifiers
Toby Billerman- 11
Robert Major- 9
Logan Wagner- 8
Evan Dickey, Hayden DeMarco, Sergio Lemley, Zeke Seltzer, Javen Estrada, Andrew Wilson, Kade Law, Aiden Warren, Brach Carrington, Tristan Ruhlman- 7
Non-State Qualifiers with the most wins over state qualifiers
Logan Miller- 5
Cody Goodwin and Noah Lykins- 4
Cody Timmerman, Conner Watts, David Guhl, Isaiah Street, Juan Grange, Kaden Lone, Lane Deckard, Logan Huggins, Matthew Morris, Sergio Bueno, Tyler Williams- 3
Undefeated Wrestlers
113: Isaac Ruble
120: Lane Gilbert
126: Landon Bertsch and Zeke Seltzer
132: Ian Heath
138: Jesse Mendez
145: Elijah Chacon
152: Jajuan Anderson, James Conway, and Aidan Hardcastle
160: Brody Baumann and Robert Major
170: Pate Eastin and Bryer Hall
182: Gavin Layman and Gabriel Sollars
195: Brach Carrington, Hayden Filipovich, and Eli Pack
220: Evan Bates and Tristan Ruhlman
285: Leighton Jones, Mariere Omonode, and Evan Shafer
#WAYL2
Who are your losses to?
Key
*- State Qualifier
(Losses/ State Qualifier Losses/ State Qualifier Wins)
106
Evan Seng(1/0/5): Preston Haines
Tanner Tishner(1/1/4): Ashton Jackson*
Ashton Jackson(2/1/5): Anthony Bahl*, Jalen May
Cody Rowles(2/2/1): Tanner Tishner*, Vicente Eckman*
Donnie Feeler(2/1/2): Evan Seng*, Zane Schreck
Evan Dickey(2/2/7): Hayden Demarco*, Toby Billerman*
Jeffrey Bailey(2/1/2): Ashton Jackson*, Dillon Campbell
Toby Billerman(3/2/11): Evan Dickey(2)*, Preston Haines
Keegan Malott(4/4/0): Cody Rowles*, Tanner Tishner(2)*, Vicente Eckman*
Vicente Eckman(4/2/4): Hayden DeMarco*, Hunter Miller, Tanner Tishner*, Trevor Schammert
Blake Zirkelbach(5/3/1): Dakota Herald, Evan Seng(3)*, Kelby Glenn
Nathan Smith(5/5/2): Evan Dickey*, Toby Billerman(4)*
Dylan Bennett(7/3/0): Ashton Jackson*, Colton Weimer, David Maldonado, Evan Cruz*, Evan Dickey*, Xavier Chavez(2)
Liam Krueger(8/7/1): Blake Zirkelbach*, Charlie Larocca, Donnie Feeler(2)*, Evan Dickey(2)*, Toby Billerman(2)*
Zac Dray(8/7/0): Charlie Larocca, Evan Dickey*, Evan Seng*, Nathan Smith(2)*, Toby Billerman(3)*
Evan Cruz(10/7/1): ???, Aden Reyes, Ashton Jackson(2)*, Hayden DeMarco*, Jeffrey Bailey(2)*, Johnny Cortez, Liam Krueger*, Toby Billerman*
113
Isaac Ruble(0/0/4)
Coy Hammack(1/1/1): Reed Egli*
Alex Cottey(2/2/6): Dylan Driver*, Isaac Ward*
Jared Brooks(2/1/2): Ethan Holloway, Isaac Ruble*
Kyrel Leavell(2/1/6): Alex Cottey*, Logan Miller
Reed Egli(2/1/2): Kyrel Leavell*, Logan Miller
Anthony Bahl(3/2/6): Hayden DeMarco*, Keaton Morton*, Noah Lykins
Hayden Brady(3/2/1): Isaac Ruble(2)*, Zar Walker
Hayden DeMarco(3/2/7): Anthony Bahl*, Logan Miller, Reese Courtney*
Dylan Driver(4/3/4): Isaac Ward*, Keaton Morton*, Kyrel Leavell*, Logan Miller
Beau Brabender(5/4/0): Hayden Brady*, Jared Brooks*, Vicente Eckman(2)*, Zander Hord
Bryce Denton(5/3/1): Hayden DeMarco(2)*, Isaac Ruble*, Trevor Schammert, Zar Walker
Drake Fritz(5/4/0): Anthony Bahl*, Bryce Denton*, Hayden DeMarco*, Jared Brooks*, Mikkel Cunningham
Reese Courtney(5/4/4): Anthony Bahl*, Joey Buttler*, Kyrel Leavell*, Logan Bickel, Reed Egli*
Isaac Ward(6/5/3): Dylan Driver(2)*, Keaton Morton*, Kyrel Leavell*, Noah Lykins, Reese Courtney*
Joey Buttler(7/5/1): ???, Coy Hammack*, Isaac Ward*, Keaton Morton(2)*, Noah Lykins, Reese Courtney*
120
Lane Gilbert(0/0/4)
Aidan Sprague(1/0/3): Preston Teusch
Sergio Lemley(1/1/7): Zeke Seltzer*
Braxton Vest(2/2/2): Alex Cottey*, Dillon Graham*
Cole Ross(2/2/3): Lane Gilbert(2)*
Nate Hennessey(2/2/2): Sergio Lemley*, Tristian Vaughn*
Logan Frazier(3/3/1): Sergio Lemley(2)*, Zeke Seltzer*
Carleton Perry(4/3/3): Aden Reyes, Alex Cottey*, Braxton Vest*, Cole Ross*
Dillon Graham(4/2/2): Alex Cottey*, Anthony Bahl*, Eitan Halevi, Hyatt Yeager
Justin Puckett(4/3/0): Aidan Sprague*, Austin Lewis*, Dylan Tom, Tony Wood*
Tony Wood(4/2/4): Aidan Sprague*, Brandon Kinnick, Landon Engle, Logan Uhlman*
Tristian Vaughn(4/3/1): ???, Logan Frazier*, Nate Hennessey(2)*
Austin Lewis(5/5/1): Aidan Sprague*, Logan Uhlman*, Tony Wood(3)*
Travis Haug(6/3/0): Braden Haines*, Kelby Glenn, Lane Gilbert(2)*, Lou Knable, Xavier Lopez
Braden Haines(8/8/1): Alex Cottey(2)*, Braxton Vest*, Carleton Perry*, Cole Ross(2)*, Dylan Driver*, Sergio Lemley*
Keaton Morton(9/7/6): Anthony Bahl*, Carleton Perry(2)*, Dillon Graham*, Kyrel Leavell(2)*, Logan Miller, Noah Lykins, Reese Courtney*
126
Landon Bertsch(0/0/4)
Zeke Seltzer(0/0/7)
Brady Ison(1/1/5): Cheaney Schoeff*
Sam Goin(1/1/2): Logan Wagner*
Blake Wolf(2/1/1): Bryce Lowery*, Cole Thomas
Bryce Lowery(2/2/1): Zeke Seltzer(2)*
Elijah Anthony(2/2/0): Blake Wolf*, Zeke Seltzer*
Matteo Vargo(2/2/2): Sam Goin*, Sergio Lemley*
Nick Olson(2/2/4): Landon Bertsch*, Sergio Lemley*
Harper Dedman(4/2/0): Ethan Higgins, Logan Uhlman*, Nick Olson*, Wyatt Krejsa
Cheaney Schoeff(5/5/4): Alec Freeman*, Brady Ison(3)*, Zeke Seltzer*
Jacob Bechert(5/3/3): Brady Ison*, Cheaney Schoeff*, Keaton Morton*, Luke Gonzalez, Noah Clouser
Logan Uhlman(6/4/3): Brandon Kinnick, Cheaney Schoeff*, Landon Bertsch(3)*, Wyatt Krejsa
Michael Tharpe(6/5/0): Brady Ison*, Cheaney Schoeff*, Jacob Bechert(3)*, Luke Farling
Devin Wible(7/4/1): Brayden McMillen, Cade Meier*, Dylan Heath, Malik Hall, Nick Olson*, Sam Goin*, Sergio Lemley*
Brenden Dilley(11/6/0): Brayden Baker, Brodie Fogarty(2), Cameron Clark*, Devin Wible*, Dominic Smith(2), Matteo Vargo(2)*, Nick Olson(2)*
132
Ian Heath(0/0/4)
Alec Freeman(1/1/5): Kysen Montgomery*
Ben Dalton(1/1/2): Alec Freeman*
Dylan Stroud(1/1/2): Ian Heath*
Aidan Torres(2/2/5): Stephen Roberson(2)*
David Pierson(3/3/4): Alec Freeman*, Anthony Hughes*, Matthew Koontz*
Kysen Montgomery(3/3/3): Aidan Torres*, Alec Freeman*, Ben Dalton*
Lakin Webb(3/3/0): Cole Solomey*, Dylan Stroud*, Stephen Roberson*
Stephen Roberson(3/2/4): Aidan Torres*, Jack Coyle, Kysen Montgomery*
Brac Hooper(4/4/1): Anthony Hughes*, David Pierson(2)*, Zeke Seltzer*
Devin Frazier(4/2/1): Anthony Hughes*, Brac Hooper*, Brevan Thrine(2)
Anthony Hughes(5/2/3): Carson Johnson, David Pierson(2)*, Lane Deckard, Noah Clouser
Cade Meier(5/3/1): Alec Freeman*, Ben Dalton*, Kysen Montgomery*, Lane Deckard(2)
Cole Solomey(5/4/1): Aidan Torres(3)*, Malik Hall, Stephen Roberson*
Dominic Litchfield(5/3/4): Brayden Baker, Ian Heath(3)*, Wesley Harper
Cameron Clark(6/6/1): Devin Frazier*, Dominic Litchfield(4)*, Dylan Stroud*
138
Jesse Mendez(0/0/3)
Blake Boarman(1/1/5): Delaney Ruhlman*
Brody Arthur(1/1/3): Seth Lawson*
Jace Alexander(1/1/3): Jesse Mendez*
Delaney Ruhlman(2/2/3): Blake Boarman*, Gavinn Alstott*
Julius Gerencser(2/1/1): Brody Arthur*, Dillon Tuttle
Gavinn Alstott(3/3/2): Blake Boarman(3)*
Hudson Harreld(3/1/1): Cody Goodwin, Colton Roberts, Luke Goodwin*
Jared Brown(4/4/2): Luke Goodwin*, Max Naselroad*, Seth Lawson(2)*
Jarrett Forrester(4/2/0): Brody Arthur*, Gavin Malone, Jadyn Gilbert, Logan Hooley*
Logan Hooley(4/3/1): Andrew Sinkovics, Jace Alexander(2)*, Julius Gerencser*
Luke Goodwin(4/2/2): Brady McKivitz*, Delaney Ruhlman*, Diesel Duncan, Jeremiah Hernandez
Seth Lawson(4/3/3): ???, Hudson Harreld*, Jared Brown(2)*
Bradley Conrad(5/2/1): Chris Newman, Cody Goodwin, Jesse Mendez(2)*, Kody Glithero
Kyle Carter(5/2/0): ???, Aiden Grimes, Bradley Conrad*, Elijah Burlingame, Jace Alexander*
Gavin Garcia(6/4/0): Blake Boarman*, Colton Roberts, Delaney Ruhlman*, Diesel Duncan, Gavinn Alstott*, Matthew Koontz*
145
Elijah Chacon(0/0/2)
Jaden Reynolds(1/1/5): Logan Wagner*
Logan Wagner(1/1/8): Jaden Reynolds*
Hayden Shepherd(2/1/3): Elijah Chacon*, Trae Anderson
Max Naselroad(2/2/1): Eli Otto*, Logan Wagner*
Toby Abbott(2/2/2): Brody Arthur*, Hayden Shepherd*
Braden Nuest(3/2/1): Ethan Kaiser(2)*, Jonathon Otte
Eli Otto(3/3/1): Brady McKivitz*, Evan Ulrick*, Hayden Shepherd*
Hunter May(3/2/4): Ashton Hayhurst, Ethan kaiser*, Hayden Watson*
Ethan Kaiser(4/2/5): Blaze Garcia, Cody Goodwin, Hayden Watson*, Jaden Reynolds*
Hayden Watson(4/4/3): Jaden Reynolds(2)*, Logan Wagner(2)*
Sam Levitz(5/3/0): Ben Miller, Corey Bockover, Elijah Chacon*, Toby Abbott(2)*
Connor Gilles(6/4/1): Hunter May(2)*, Jaden Reynolds*, Landon Boe*, Scott Fitts, Tyler Williams
Brady McKivitz(7/2/2): Cody Goodwin, Hayden Watson*, Jeivan Ross, JJ Braun, Logan Wagner*, Tyler Williams, Zach Wilson
Cameron Powell(8/4/5): Braden Nuest*, Brady Snyder, Conner Watts, Gavin Malone, Hunter May(2)*, Ian Watson, Logan Wagner*
James Smith(16/8/0): Aiden Reynolds, Cameron Powell(5)*, Cameron Williams, Conner Watts(2), Ethan Fitch, Ethan Kaiser(2)*, Ian Watson, JJ Braun, Logan Wagner*, Wayne Wells
152
Aidan Hardcastle(0/0/2)
J Conway(0/0/5)
Jajuan Anderson(0/0/6)
Ben Phillips(1/1/1): Tyler Conley*
Evan Ulrick(1/1/4): Aidan Hardcastle*
Javen Estrada(2/2/7): Brock Ellis*, Matthew Koontz*
Matthew Koontz(2/2/5): Jajuan Anderson(2)*
Alex Currie(3/2/2): Aidan Hardcastle*, Ryan Sheets, Tyler Conley*
Tyler Conley(3/3/3): Andrew Wilson*, Brody Baumann*, J Conway*
Ben Wolf(4/2/1): J Conway*, Jajuan Anderson*, Luke Marsh, Ryan Collins
Brock Ellis(4/3/6): J Conway*, Javen Estrada(2)*, Riley Rust
Aidan Pollitt(5/5/2): Brock Ellis(3)*, Javen Estrada(2)*
Aiden Farmer(6/4/0): Ben Phillips*, Connor Gilles*, J Conway(2)*, Jeb Prechtel, Tyler Williams
Isaiah Ponce(9/7/0): Aidan Pollitt(2)*, Brock Ellis(2)*, Caleb Carter, Javen Estrada(3)*, Trae Anderson
Chase Leech(10/4/0): Alex Currie(2)*, Evan Ulrick*, Hayden Shepherd*, Julian Fletcher(2), Keagen Mabie, Michael Tippman(2), Tyler Curtis
Avery Wills(11/5/0): ???(2), Ben Wolf*, Dominic Tribbie, Gabe Phillips, Jajuan Anderson*, Jonah Jones, Josh Mobley, Matthew Koontz(2)*, Tyler Jones*
160
Brody Baumann(0/0/5)
Robert Major(0/0/9)
Eli Johnson(2/2/2): Landon Buchanan(2)*
Landon Boe(2/2/3): Brody Baumann*, Robert Major*
Landon Buchanan(2/1/3): Kaden Lone, Pate Eastin*
Orlando Cruz(2/2/5): Andrew Wilson*, Kade Law*
Aaron Steenbeke(3/3/2): Andrew Wilson*, Orlando Cruz*, Shane Bates*
Andrew Wilson(3/3/7): Kade Law*, Robert Major(2)*
Eli Hilger(3/3/0): Eli Johnson*, Evan Ulrick*, Logan Farnell*
Kade Law(3/3/7): Andrew Wilson*, Brody Baumann*, Robert Major*
Logan Farnell(3/1/1): ???, Grant Caradante, Landon Buchanan*
Jamaal Salary(6/4/0): Aaron Steenbeke*, Bradey Pittman*, Nick Tattini, Orlando Cruz(2)*, Ryan Sheets
Tyler Jones(6/6/3): Andrew Wilson(2)*, Brody Baumann*, Robert Major(2)*, Tyler Conley*
Bradey Pittman(8/4/1): Aaron Steenbeke*, Christian Chavez, Eli Johnson*, Evan Ulrick*, Kaden Lone(2), Orlando Cruz*, Tyler Turley
Bray Emerine(10/4/0): ???(2), Brody Baumann*, Corey Braunecker, Jordan Fulks, Kade Law(2)*, Kailen Keith, Landon Boe*, Luke Hansen
Jakob Sheets(12/9/0): ???, Chase Gardner, Jajuan Anderson(2)*, Kade Law(2)*, Landon Boe*, Nick Cicciarelli, Robert Major(2)*, Tyler Jones(2)*
170
Bryer Hall(0/0/2)
Pate Eastin(0/0/3)
Brodie Porter(1/1/2): Jacob Kreager*
Jacob Simpson(1/1/2): Pate Eastin*
John Purdy(1/1/1): Sam Morrill*
Sam Morrill(1/1/5): Ulrik Urasky*
Codei Khawaja(2/2/1): Sam Morrill(2)*
Duke Myers(2/2/0): Brodie Porter*, Jacob Graden*
Spencer Phillips(2/2/0): Aiden Sneed*, Jacob Simpson*
Tyler Fuqua(2/2/2): Codei Khawaja*, John Purdy*
Jacob Kreager(3/0/3): Andrew Lockwood, Matthew Morris(2)
Ulrik Urasky(3/2/4): Bryer Hall*, Jake Shafer, Tyler Fuqua*
Aiden Sneed(4/2/2): Cade Johnson, Jacob Linky, Jacob Simpson*, Pate Eastin*
Shane Bates(6/5/2): Andrew Wilson*, Bryer Hall*, Kade Law*, Nick Cicciarelli, Orlando Cruz*, Robert Major*
Jajuan Dale(7/6/0): Jake Shafer, Sam Morrill*, Shane Bates*, Tyler Fuqua*, Ulrik Urasky(3)*
Jacob Graden(8/3/1): Alton Mullinax(2), Clayton Lundy, Isaiah Brege, Jacob Kreager(2)*, Jacob Saylor*, Matthew Morris
182
Gabe Sollars(0/0/3)
Gavin Layman(0/0/6)
Drake Buchanan(1/1/2): Gabe Sollars*
Aiden Warren(2/2/7): Drake Buchanan*, Sam Morrill*
Jacob Saylor(2/0/3): ???, Isaiah Brege
Riley Woodall(2/2/1): Aiden Warren*, Dominic Pugliese*
Dominic Pugliese(3/1/2): Clayton Lundy, Gabe Sollars*, Jalen Ward
Colin Kwiatkowski(4/4/2): Aiden Sneed*, Gavin Layman(3)*
Jake Sues(4/2/1): Colin Kwiatkowski(2)*, Jaden Browder(2)
Jett Thompson(4/3/1): Brodie Porter*, Jacob Saylor*, Je'Kwan Williams*, Kainen Malone-Johnson
Reid Schroeder(4/2/0): Dominic Pugliese*, Drake Buchanan*, Evan Reff, Jerry McBee
Sam Peeples(4/3/2): Aiden Warren*, Gabe Sollars*, Keon Sullivan, Riley Woodall*
Hunter Page(5/1/1): ???, Bryce Wenk, Christian Summersett, Jacob Saylor*, Keegan Bluhm
Brandon Estepp(7/3/0): Brandon Hammer, , Cody Timmerman(3), Gavin Layman(2)*, Jake Sues*
Je'kwan Williams(7/2/1): ???, Hunter Page*, Jaquan East(2), Jayden Goshert, Jett Thompson*, Kyle Cardwell
Johnny Weisheit(12/5/0): Aiden Warren(3)*, Elijah Ross, Evan Clayton, Keon Sullivan, Mason Hinkle, Ronin Hammond, Sam Peeples(2)*, Scott Stanley, Seth Stone
195
Brach Carrington(0/0/7)
Eli Pack(0/0/3)
Hayden Filipovich(0/0/2)
Blake Heyerly(1/1/1): Matt Lepper*
Connor Barket(1/1/1): Eli Pack*
Ibrahim Khaoucha(1/0/3): Isaac Benjamin
Wyatt Willman(1/1/1): Brach Carrington*
Gage DeMarco(2/1/1): Connor Barket*, Juan Grange
Johnny Parker(4/3/1): Aiden Warren*, Gavin Layman*, Hayden Filipovich*, Jalen Ward
Ke'Shawn Dickens(4/4/3): Brach Carrington(4)*
Matt Lepper(4/2/2): Brach Carrington*, Ibrahim Khaoucha*, Jonathan Tanner, Juan Grange
Harris Eason(5/3/1): Aiden Warren*, Ke'Shawn Dickens*, Ke`Shawn Dickens(2), Wyatt Willman*
Max Broom(5/5/1): Brach Carrington*, Hayden Filipovich*, Ke'Shawn Dickens(2)*, Matt Lepper*
Chad Washburn(6/2/0): ???, Blake Heyerly*, Cael Albaugh, Ibrahim Khaoucha*, Levi Lee, Travis Gregory
Ryan Bovard(6/4/0): Harris Eason*, Ibrahim Khaoucha*, Johnny Parker*, Max Broom*, Noah Rowlett, Parker Smith
Bazle Owens(10/3/0): ???(4), Ahmad Al-Khalil, Eli Pack(2)*, Gage DeMarco*, Juan Grange, Preston Duffy
220
Evan Bates(0/0/3)
Tristan Ruhlman(0/0/7)
Jacob Raub(1/1/1): Jason Streck*
Jason Streck(1/1/3): Evan Bates*
Ian Clifford(2/0/4): Carter Miller, Chance Harris
Jack Taylor(2/1/1): Jeffrey McClure, Kole Viel*
RJ Dilbone(2/1/4): Ian Clifford*, Seth VanWagner
Kole Viel(3/1/2): Aataeveon Jordan*, Jeffrey McClure, Myles Johnson
Aataeveon Jordan(5/3/4): Brandon Smith, Isaiah Street, Jack Taylor*, Matthew Munoz*, Mihail Platonov*
Julante Hinton(5/3/1): Chance Harris, Ian Clifford(2)*, Kyler Bills, RJ Dilbone*
Jeff McClure(6/3/1): Aataeveon Jordan(3)*, David Guhl, Isaiah Street(2)
Kelton Farmer(6/1/1): ???, Logan Huggins(3), Theo Sewell, Tristan Ruhlman*
Josh Howell(7/7/1): Jacob Johnson*, Tristan Ruhlman(6)*
Peyton Kendall(7/4/0): David Guhl, Evan Bates(2)*, Jacob Raub*, Jacob Sommer*, Kyler Bills, Richard Samuels
Coy Brames(8/5/0): Carter Miller, Hunter Allen, Ian Clifford*, Julante Hinton*, Keaton Grider, RJ Dilbone(3)*
Nolan Skaggs(8/4/0): David Guhl, Jakkarey Oliver(2), Jeff McClure*, Josh Howell*, Kelton Farmer*, Kole Viel*, Paul Clark
285
Evan Shafer(0/0/2)
Leighton Jones(0/0/6)
Mariere Omonode(0/0/2)
Brandon Villafuerte(1/1/2): Braydon Erb*
Braydon Erb(1/1/2): Reeve Muncie*
Hunter Whitenack(1/1/5): Mariere Omonode(2)*
Matthew Munoz(1/1/2): Leighton Jones*
Reeve Muncie(1/1/4): Braydon Erb*
Antone Alexander(3/3/3): Evan Shafer*, Leighton Jones(2)*
Edgar Decker(3/3/1): Hunter Whitenack(2)*
Jacob Johnson(3/2/2): Amara Kaba*, Leighton Jones*, Owen Green
Makhi Watts(5/3/1): ???, Amara Kaba*, Evan Shafer*, Mihail Platonov*, Owen Green
Mihail Platonov(5/4/2): Antone Alexander(2)*, Jason Streck*, Justice Binder, Reeve Muncie*
Amara Kaba(7/6/2): ???, Antone Alexander*, Jacob Johnson*, Leighton Jones(2)*, Makhi Watts*, Matthew Munoz*
Brock Donati(8/5/2): ???, Edgar Decker*, Hunter Whitenack(2)*, Jason Streck*, Justice Binder, Reeve Muncie*, Sergio Bueno
Jacob Sommer(10/6/1): Brandon Villafuerte(2)*, Brock Donati(2)*, Hunter Whitenack*, Marshall Fishback(2), Reeve Muncie*, Sergio Bueno(2)
2241 1 12021 State Finals by the Numbers
Overall
We are closing in on another state finals in what has been an extraordinary year all around. However, with all the uncertainly around us, there is one thing that remains the same. That is the IndianaMat rankings are always top notch. This year Mike Reiser has upped the ante by getting 186 out of 224 qualifiers in the last set of rankings. Just a quick reminder that we lock the rankings before the first whistle at sectional and let them ride. We saw top wrestlers missing weight or getting hit with COVID quarantines, yet the rankings still held serve. There is only one match in the whole first round that puts two wrestlers that were not in the rankings against each other. Mike is still working on a perfect bracket of all ranked wrestlers making the state finals. This year 106, 132, and 170 all had 15 of 16 qualifiers in the rankings.
As always we have created brackets with our rankings on them for you to download and use for all your pick’em purposes. This year we have two sets, one with just state rankings and one with both semi-state and state rankings. I would hold off printing any of these out as your official copies as there may be a couple more surprises added to the brackets this week.
IndianaMat with semi-state and state rankings
IndianaMat with state rankings ONLY
Season by season ranked wrestlers advancing to state
*Note Mike Reiser took over the rankings in 2012
2021- 186
2020- 180
2019- 175
2018- 179
2017- 169
2016- 175
2015- 172
2014- 171
2013- 171
2012- 170
2011- 157
2010- 159
2009- 143
106lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 15
Unranked qualifiers:
Vicente Eckman- Goshen
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#7 Ashton Jackson(LaPorte) vs. #9 Liam Krueger(Columbus East)
#5 Nathan Smith(Southport) vs. #25 Cody Rowles(Jay County)
#4 Evan Seng(Evansville Mater Dei) vs. #20 Dylan Bennett(Penn)
#2 Evan Dickey(Cathedral) vs. #16 Keegan Malott(East Noble)
#1 Jeffrey Bailey(River Forest) vs. #19 Donnie Feeler(Crawford County)
#8 Tanner Tishner(Western) vs. #10 Zac Dray(Warren Central)
#13 Blake Zirkelbach(North Posey) vs. #22 Evan Cruz(Crown Point)
113lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 14
Unranked qualifiers:
Drake Fritz- West Central
Beau Brabender- Northridge
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#4 Kyrel Leavell(Warren Central) vs. #7 Reese Courtney(Center Grove)
#15 Jared Brooks(Wabash) vs. #21 Bryce Denton(Penn)
#1 Alex Cottey(Perry Meridian) vs. #16 Reed Egli(Evansville Mater Dei)
#5 Hayden Brady(Garrett) vs. #9 Anthony Bahl(Crown Point)
#14 Isaac Ward(Carmel) vs. #20 Joey Buttler(Whiteland)
#6 Coy Hammack(Tell City) vs. #13 Dylan Driver(Westfield)
120lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 13
Unranked qualifiers:
Nathaniel Hennessey- Seeger
Tristian Vaughn- Harrison (WL)
Travis Haug- Forest Park
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#2 Logan Frazier(Crown Point) vs. #8 Carleton Perry(Warren Central)
#3 Lane Gilbert(Sullivan) vs. #14 Justin Puckett(Northridge)
#9 Tony Wood(Jay County) vs. #15 Braden Haines(Brownsburg)
#1 Sergio Lemley(Chesterton) vs. #13 Keaton Morton(Perry Meridian)
#4 Cole Ross(Evansville Mater Dei) vs. #21 Austin Lewis(Bluffton)
126lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 14
Unranked qualifiers:
Brenden Dilley- Wawasee
Devin Wible- Hobart
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#2 Brady Ison(Brownsburg) vs. #7 Elijah Anthony(Frankfort)
#1 Zeke Seltzer(Cathedral) vs. #17 Michael Tharpe(Center Grove)
#8 Matteo Vargo(Penn) vs. #11 Logan Uhlman(Adams Central)
#5 Sam Goin(Crown Point) vs. #23 Harper Dedman(Oak Hill)
#4 Bryce Lowery(Roncalli) vs. #13 Jacob Bechert(Franklin Community)
#3 Cheaney Schoeff(Avon) vs. #14 Blake Wolf(East Central).
132lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 15
Unranked qualifiers:
Dominic Litchfield- Bellmont
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#3 Aidan Torres(Chesterton) vs. #15 Devin Frazier(Centerville)
#9 David Pierson(Warren Central) vs. #24 Lakin Webb(Rensselaer Central)
#8 Ben Dalton(Monrovia) vs. #11 Dylan Stroud(Manchester)
#2 Ian Heath(Leo) vs. #17 Cade Meier(Bloomington South)
#10 Cole Solomey(Kankakee Valley) vs. #16 Anthony Hughes(Lawrence North)
#4 Kysen Montgomery(Brownsburg) vs. #22 Cameron Clark(Jay County)
#7 Stephen Roberson(Crown Point) vs. #12 Brac Hooper(Carmel)
138lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 14
Unranked qualifiers:
Jarrett Forrester- Columbia City
Kyle Carter- Rensselaer Central
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#2 Delaney Ruhlman(Bloomington South) vs. #9 Bradley Conrad(Portage)
#15 Brody Arthur(Oak Hill) vs. #19 Jared Brown(Pendleton Heights)
#4 Gavinn Alstott(Floyd Central) vs. #5 Jace Alexander(Wawasee)
#1 Jesse Mendez(Crown Point) vs. #18 Gavin Garcia(Brownsburg)
#10 Hudson Harreld(Zionsville) vs. #21 Logan Hooley(Northridge)
#14 Seth Lawson(Frankton) vs. #25 Julius Gerencser(Daleville)
145lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 13
Unranked qualifiers:
Cameron Powell- Mishawaka
Braden Nuest- West Central
James Smith- Penn
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#1 Jaden Reynolds(Avon) vs. #11 Max Naselroad(Alexandria Monroe)
#2 Logan Wagner(Zionsville) vs. #24 Connor Gilles(Jeffersonville)
#10 Ethan Kaiser(Chesterton) vs. #23 Sam Levitz(Prairie Heights)
#6 Hunter May(Floyd Central) vs. #25 Brady McKivitz(Perry Meridian)
#3 Hayden Watson(Center Grove) vs. #13 Eli Otto(South Dearborn)
152lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 14
Unranked qualifiers:
Avery Wills- Eastern Hancock
Chase Leech- Garrett
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#11 Aidan Hardcastle(Oak Hill) vs. #21 Aiden Farmer(Evansville Memorial)
#2 Matthew Koontz(Perry Meridian) vs. #18 Aidan Pollitt(Valparaiso)
#3 Javen Estrada(Crown Point) vs. #20 Ben Wolf(East Central)
#7 Tyler Conley(Avon) vs. #8 Alex Currie(Adams Central)
#1 Jajuan Anderson(Warren Central) vs. #23 Isaiah Ponce(Lake Central)
#9 Evan Ulrick(Carroll (Fort Wayne)) vs. #10 Ben Phillips(Charlestown)
160lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 12
Unranked qualifiers:
Jakob Sheets- Perry Meridian
Logan Farnell- Maconaquah
Bradey Pittman- Plymouth
Bray Emerine- Floyd Central
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#2 Brody Baumann(Evansville Mater Dei) vs. #16 Eli Hilger(Bishop Dwenger)
#3 Andrew Wilson(Cathedral) vs. #8 Aaron Steenbeke(Penn)
#1 Robert Major(Carmel) vs. #23 Jamaal Salary(LaPorte)
#11 Landon Boe(Plainfield) vs. #14 Eli Johnson(Norwell)
170lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 15
Unranked qualifiers:
Jacob Graden- East Noble
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#13 Jajuan Dale(Perry Meridian) vs. #16 Jacob Kreager(Snider)
#11 Codei Khawaja(Floyd Central) vs. #18 Aiden Sneed(Kankakee Valley)
#1 Bryer Hall(East Central) vs. #19 Duke Myers(Bellmont)
#5 John Purdy(Castle) vs. #8 Jacob Simpson(Hobart)
#6 Sam Morrill(Columbus East) vs. #23 Spencer Phillips(McCutcheon)
#4 Brodie Porter(Eastern (Greentown)) vs. #12 Shane Bates(Zionsville)
#2 Pate Eastin(Penn) vs. #3 Tyler Fuqua(Franklin Community)
182lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 9
Unranked qualifiers:
Jett Thompson- Oak Hill
Jake Sues- Lake Central
Brandon Estepp- Warsaw
Je'kwan Williams- Marion
Johnny Weisheit- Franklin Central
Hunter Page- Monroe Central
Reid Schroeder- Southridge
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#1 Drake Buchanan(Center Grove) vs. #16 Sam Peeples(Roncalli)
#9 Dominic Pugliese(Tri-West Hendricks) vs. #10 Riley Woodall(Southmont)
First round match-ups of unranked wrestlers:
Jake Sues(Lake Central) vs. Jett Thompson(Oak Hill)
195lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 13
Unranked qualifiers:
Ryan Bovard- East Central
Chad Washburn- Kokomo
Bazle Owens- Tippecanoe Valley
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#9 Ke'Shawn Dickens(Avon) vs. #12 Blake Heyerly(Adams Central)
#8 Matt Lepper(Carroll (Fort Wayne)) vs. #15 Wyatt Willman(North Posey)
#6 Harris Eason(Franklin Community) vs. #16 Ibrahim Khaoucha(Northridge)
#4 Johnny Parker(Cathedral) vs. #10 Gage DeMarco(Chesterton)
#3 Connor Barket(West Lafayette) vs. #11 Max Broom(Hamilton Southeastern)
220lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 11
Unranked qualifiers:
Peyton Kendall- Penn
RJ Dilbone- Fremont
Coy Brames- Angola
Nolan Skaggs- Franklin Community
Ian Clifford- Columbia City
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#7 Jack Taylor(New Castle) vs. #17 Julante Hinton(Northrop)
#3 Jason Streck(Merrillville) vs. #14 Kelton Farmer(Evansville Memorial)
#5 Josh Howell(Terre Haute South) vs. #12 Jacob Raub(Lafayette Jefferson)
285lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 14
Unranked qualifiers:
Jacob Sommer- Elkhart
Brock Donati- Penn
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#8 Mariere Omonode(West Lafayette) vs. #22 Makhi Watts(North Central)
#7 Matthew Munoz(Jeffersonville) vs. #9 Brandon Villafuerte(Angola)
#1 Braydon Erb(Western) vs. #5 Jacob Johnson(Franklin Community)
#4 Antone Alexander(Franklin Central) vs. #6 Hunter Whitenack(New Prairie)
#2 Reeve Muncie(Carroll (Fort Wayne)) vs. #17 Amara Kaba(Pike)
#13 Edgar Decker(Gavit) vs. #18 Mihail Platonov(Westfield)
13630 12021 State Finals Info Center
Schedule
Friday, Feb. 19, 2021
Session 1 | First Round Weight Classes 106 - 145 | 11 am ET | $10 Tickets On Sale, Wed, 2/17, 10 am ET
Session 2 | First Round Weight Classes 152 - 285 | 7 pm ET | $10 Tickets On Sale, Wed, 2/17, 10 am ET
Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021
Session 3 | Quarterfinals with Semifinals to follow | 9:30 am ET | $15 All Day Tickets on Sale, Fri, 2/19, 10 pm ET
Session 4 | Consolations at 5 pm ET with Championships to follow at 7:30 pm ET
Doors will open to the general public:
Friday, February 19, 2021 - 10:00 a.m. (Session I)
Friday, February 19, 2021 – 6:00 p.m. (Session II)
Saturday, February 20, 2021 - 8:30 a.m. (Session III)
Saturday, February 20, 2021 - 4:00 p.m. (Session IV)
State Finals Hashtag: #INWRState21
Social Media
IHSAA on Twiiter
IndianaMat on Twitter
Brackets
TrackWrestling.com
IndianaMat with semi-state and state rankings
IndianaMat with state rankings ONLY
State Finals Pairings Show
The brackets in each weight class will be announced exclusively via IHSAAtv.org on Sunday, February 14, 2021 at 4 pm ET / 3 pm CT (1 hour). The show will be hosted by Greg Rakestraw and Mike Goebel.
East Chicago Semi-State Results
Jasper Semi-State Results
New Castle Semi-State Results
New Haven(Fort Wayne) Semi-State Results
Pick'em Contests
Standings after semi-state
State Finals Pick'em Top 8
Gorilla Radio
Gorilla Radio 108 talking about weights 106, 285, 113, 170, 138, 145, and 182
Gorilla Radio 109 talking about weights 120, 195, 152, 160, 126, 220, and 132
High School Wrestling Weekly
Friday Night IndianaMat/WZBD Preview Show
*Coming soon*
Featured Articles
History of the State Tournament
State Finals by the Numbers
State Finals #WAYL2
Team Race Breakdown
State Finals Media Guide
Who do you want in your corner?
Other Information
Site: Bankers Life Fieldhouse, 125 S. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis
Attendance: Limited spectators in accordance with local health guidelines.
Tickets: A limited number of tickets will go on sale to the general public at Ticketmaster.com using the schedule below. All tickets are reserved seating (no general admission) and arranged to be socially distanced.
Television: Saturday's state championship bouts in each weight class will air live on Fox Sports Indiana.
Livestream: 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.
753 11 22021 Jasper Semi-State Preview
Welcome to TripleB’s annual Jasper Semi-State Preview!
Before we do anything else - Big Big Big thanks to Navy80, BigToe19, Hook & Half, and Donnie Baker for chipping in.
Also shout out to the Jasper Athletic Department for changing course and letting parents in, that’s a big deal and The Indiana Wrestling Community really appreciates it!
House keeping items -
Here is the link for the Indianamat Semi-State Hub -
https://indianamat.com/index.php?/articles.html/high-school-news/2021-semi-state-information-center-r1039/
Sunday will be a day of passion and love, but 224 grapplers hope they aren’t on a lover’s hangover after their hearts are broken on Saturday as only 56 can get hit by Cupid’s arrow and sent to Indianapolis and Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
How does this work - The exclusive Jasper Championship Selection Committee (JCSC) spent 2 days in hard deliberations over their picks. Each member selected their ballot, points were accumulated, and from there the picks started falling.
Article features:
The Charles Barkley “Turrible” Draws - ticket round matches that shouldn’t be happening in the ticket round!
The Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerkers - Best first round matches!
NEW NAME ALERT - What used to be The Built Ford Tough Locks will now be The Sperren - The Pickers of the Round Table has been assembled. There were very few, but any weight class where the pick for champion was unanimous, makes it a Sperren.
NEW NAME ALERT - The Ford Fab 4 will now be Brick’s Picks (Look up The Middle) - After picks were gathered, points distributed, and the dust settled, we’ll have Brick’s Picks.
Also special guest committee member The Donnie Baker (not that Donnie Baker) has offered some of his highlights throughout.
What if I didn’t agree with the ECSC or I thought they made a terrible error? Then have no fear - The TripleB Guarantee will help you sort out the madness.
Without further ado...UNLEASH THE PREVIEW!!
106: 7 state ranked wrestlers, A turrible draw, and a nasty quarter bracket kicks things off at 106, on our first SPERREN. Evan Seng of Evansville Mater Dei has been knocking off ranked wrestlers all year. The ECSC was unanimous - this is Seng’s weight class to lose. Evansville Mater Dei was able to finally return to the top of the Semi-State last year, if they hope to repeat the will need a strong showing from Seng. The bottom quarter bracket of Heaston, Callahan, Schreck, and Zirkelbach should be fun as all 4 received votes, including Donnie Baker's first “Swear to god, it’s a 4 over a 1”.
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - Just be sure you have Track turned on early, remember Jasper doesn’t run on that silly CST. #6 Jackson Heaston of Indian Creek vs. unranked and sleeper Kye Callahan of Brownsburg and #17 Zane Schreck from Corydon vs #13 Blake Zirkelbach from North Posey will be your wake up calls for the day.
Charles Barkley Turrible Draws - Semi State ranked #4 Charlie LaRocca vs Semi State ranked #5 Liam Krueger of Columbus East will be a rematch of an earlier 9-8 win by LaRocca.
Don’t sleep on… Jackson Heaston, Zane Schreck, or again anybody in that bottom quarter bracket. Seng was clearly the cream of 106 this year but after that it was a toss up. This will be a fun weight class Saturday.
The Sperren - Evan Seng Evansville Mater Dei
Bricks Picks -
1st -Evan Seng Evansville Mater Dei
2nd -Charlie LaRocca Center Grove
3rd - Donnie Feeler Crawford County (Donnie Baker Small Town Special
4th - Blake Zirkelbach North Posey
113: 3 Top ten state ranked wrestlers and 9 Semi State ranked wrestlers highlight 113. This weight was pretty stock and there wasn’t really a clear cut favorite. However it appears to be top heavy as there were no curtain jerkers, no turrible draws. I almost feel bad little fellas, let me see what I can dig up.
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - Only one first round match features semi-state ranked wrestlers - #2 Reed Egli of Evansville Mater Dei vs #9 Trevor Hott of Martinsville. I’d also have eyes on #6 SS ranked Joey Buttler of Whiteland vs Jared Dunn of Jasper both have phenomenal records and this could be a good first round match.
Charles Barkley Turrible Draw - Nothing to really see here, if you wanted to dig - #5 Noah Lykins vs the winner of Buttler/Dunn. Not a turrible draw but could be a fun blood round match.
Brick’s Picks - All 4 wrestlers earned first place votes. The action at 113 starts in the semis!
1st - Coy Hammer - ack (The Donnie Baker nickname) Tell City
2nd - Reece Courtney Center Grove
3rd - Noah Lykins Columbus East
4th - Reed Egli Evansville Mater Dei
TRIPLEB GUARANTEE - The wildly overlooked and wildly under ranked Reed Egli will bring the West Side of Evansville another Semi-State title at 113.
120: Lane Gilbert and Cole Ross stole the show last year at Semi-State, it was a straight up brawl. Lane Gilbert was also almost a lock but 3B’s affection for EMD wouldn’t let it happen. Some curtain jerkers, a Madison kid maybe making state!, and a rematch of Gilbert/Ross will all keep 120 ineresting1.
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker: #12 Semi-State ranked Logan Ellis vs #23 state ranked Maleec Stansbury proves that 3B and On The rise like to do our own things. This match could be a battle of rankers! The Mooresville Regional is tough, super tough, super duper tough and that creates some bad first round draws. This is one where we have #2 Cole Ross vs. #10 Caleb Wyss of Franklin. Wyss would be favored in some other quarter brackets but due to the depth of the Regional he gets Ross right out of the gates. Does coach Tonte have some magic?
Charles Barkley Turrible Draw - #1 Lane Gilbert vs #4 Ayden Amento, again Amento would be favored in some brackets and is a returning State Qualifier. #3 Braden Haines of Brownsburg is #PainTrain tough and #5 Lou Knable of Floyd Central has had a great year, both are state worthy but somebody is going home after this blood round match.
Don’t sleep on…. Madison Freshman Jace Walls and Pike Junior Maleec Stansbury will battle for a spot to state. The JCSC liked Walls but absolutely do not sleep on the aforementioned Ellis and Stansbury in that quarter bracket.
Brick’s Picks:
1st - Lane Gilbert Sullivan
2nd - Cole Ross Evansville Mater Dei
3rd - Braden Haines Brownsburg
4th - Jace Walls Madison
TRIPLEB GUARANTEE - Sunday is Valentine’s Day, let the love affair continue - Cole Ross locks up the Wildcats 3rd semi-state ‘ship and maybe the team race with a win over Gilbert. BOOK IT!
126: Cheaney Schoeff and Brady Ison have had 5 star matches all year and has kept the Brownsburg/Avon rivalry going. They have wrestled 3 times with 2 going into OT and 2 having 3-1 final scores. Schoeff was finally able to get over the hump last weekend. Can the Oriole and returning state runner-up keep it going? 126 is the first wide open weight class in terms of picks. 8 guys all got votes. 7 state ranked/10 semi state ranked bros.
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - Let’s hope FloTrack isn’t glitching at 126 because we got 3, I said 3 curtain jerkers! In what could be another #4 over #1 we have #6 SS ranked Center Grove Junior Michael Tharpe vs #11 SS ranked Madison Junior and regional champ Noah Burkhardt. Another potential #4 over #1 is SS ranked #3/State ranked #15 Paul King from New Albany vs SS #9/State ranked #24 Keegan Williams from Evansville Memorial. Finally another upset alert - SS ranked #8/State ranked #21 and returning state placer Cash Turner vs Jacob Pierre of Evansville Mater Dei. A preview of a potential Turrible draw, could Cash overlook Pierre?
Charles Barkley Turrible Draw - A turrible daw because the higher ranked wrestler isn’t favored but the voting was tight but the JCSC over all likes Williams over SS #4 Jacob Bechert of Franklin (3B stuck to his rankings though). Also #8 Cash Turner vs. #1 Brady Ison is a bad draw, Turner was on the podium last year and some like him to win this match, but regardless a TUURRRIIIBBBLLLEEE draw for Ca$h.
Don’t sleep on…. #4 Luke Bechert of Franklin, #3 Paul King of New Albany, #8 Ca$h Turner of Edgewood, #6 Michael Tharpe of Center Grove are all state level wrestlers. It speaks to volumes about the depth of the Semi-State. Don’t be surprised to see any of these 4 on the podium Saturday.
Brick’s Picks: The JCSC was almost unanimous in Cheaney Schoeff being a lock, crazy when you consider he’s 1-2 against Ison. This bracket, as mentioned, is insanely deep.
1st - Cheaney Schoeff Avon
2nd Brady Ison Brownsburg
3rd Keegan Williams Evansville Memorial
4th Noah Burkhardt Madison
132: A pretty top heavy weight class, but really top heavy as state ranked as 7 state ranked wrestlers are featured here but 3 are top 10 dudes and clear cut favorites. Alec Freeman and Kyson Montgomery are pretty consistent, methodical killers and Ben Dalton is all; his mullet, his style and his smile are all contagious. Any of these three dudes can get it.
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerkers - Charlestown has had a great year and Jacob Lewellen hopes to keep things going for the Pirates but in his way is SS #4 Lane Deckard. How loaded is 132? Lewellen is 30-4 and ranked #23 in the state but wasn’t in the final SS rankings, that’s pretty crazy. SS #6 Jacob Fox has ran into TripleB Trained Braden Spears the last 2 weeks and hasn’t been able to figure him out, as a result we now have Fox vs #1 Alec Freeman first round, it might look bad on paper but you have 2 state ranked guys going at it in the first round.
Charles Barkley Turrible Draws - Lane Deckard of Edgewood is a phenomenal 29 - 3 and is ranked #4 in the semi-state and #13 in the state…. but a loss last week to Cade Meier has put him behind the 8 ball and the tall task of Ben Dalton in the ticket round.
Don’t sleep on…. Braden Spears Plainfield, he’s had a great state tournament so far as he’s navigated through tough sectional and regional - taking 3rd both weeks to second and third ranked wrestlers in state. Can the Quaker punch his ticket vs Cade Meier?
Brick’s Picks - Freeman was almost a lock, but Donnie Baker showed up to the party!
1st - Alec Freeman Evansville Mater Dei
2nd - Kysen Montgomery Brownsburg
3rd - Ben Dalton Monrovia
4th - Cade Meier Bloomington South
Donnie Baker Bet the Boat pick - Fear the Mullet, BEN DALTON BABY!!!!!
138: The JCSC all like Blake Boarman, Gain Alstott, Delaney Ruhlman and Gavin Garcia. Boarman is a returning state champ with a loss to Ruhlman and win over Alstott. Ruhlman has the win over Boarman and a loss to Alstott. Ruhlman and Boarman face off in the semis and not one voter took Ruhlman. Can Delaney Dangerfield Ruhlman show that the win wasn’t a fluke?
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - make these first two matches TURRIBLE draws and Curtain Jerkers. Maybe the best first round match of the day will be SS #1/State #2 Ruhlman vs SS #4/State #6 Diesel Duncan of Ben Davis. This and the next match are more results of the Mooresville MeatGrinder Regional for sure. The other feature first round match is SS #5/ State #11 Conner Alcala of Decatur Central vs SS #3/State #4 Gavin Alstott. Asltott was a victim of the Turrible Draw last year, is returning state qualifier Alcala this year’s Alstott? The last curtain jerker features SS #9 and 3 loss senior Tanner Kane of Southridge vs SS #6/State #16 Colton Roberts of Avon.
Charles Barkley Turrible Draw - Delany Ruhlman has one loss this year, Charlestown Senior Colin Knox has 0 losses this year, both are top 4 ranked semi-state dudes. Somebody is done way to early Saturday. Definitely a Turrrrrrible draw.
Brick’s Picks - The committee was torn on Alstott/Boarman. 3B says EMD picks up it’s 5th Semi-State champ. Maybe I’m sad and bitter over SS being moved, maybe I’ve had one too many Brain sandwiches at Hillside, I don’t know but I’m Wildcat drunk this year.
1st - Blake Boarman Evansville Mater Dei
2nd - Gavin Alstott Floyd Central
3rd - Delaney Ruhlman Bloomington South
4th - Gavin Garcia Brownsburg
Donnie Baker Bet the Boat pick - 4th place gets Mendez next week, stone cold lock.
145: 2021’s first HOT MESS bracket - 7 wrestlers got votes, there was a tie for state qualifier, 11 SS ranked wrestlers, and an unbelievable 5 top ten state ranked wrestlers. Let’s unpack this…. Jaden Reynolds was almost the newest Sperren but Center Grove’s Hayden Watson got a 1st place vote and there is a crazy quarter bracket that resulted in a tie. This weight class was nuts, strap in!
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - 3 curtain jerkers featuring state ranked dudes going at it early. SS #4/State #8 Ashton Hayhurst of Evansville Mater Dei takes on SS #9/State #22 Aiden Reynolds of Bloomington South. EMD and BHSS have a great and long standing rivalry, check out We Are...MD! on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/We-Are-MD-History-Wrestling/dp/1938730364) for more info on that history. So anticipate this match to be good. Another potential #4 over #1 will feature SS #11/State #24 Connor Gilles of Danny Struck’s Jeffersonville Red Devils vs. Ben Davis Junior SS #7/State #17 Anfernee Oliver with the winner being the favorite to go onto Indy. Finally SS #6/State #16 Johnathon Otte of West Vigo vs Mt. Vernon’s SS #8/State #18 Chris Newman will lock horns with reward being a turrible ticket round match against #1 ranked Jaden Reynolds.
Charles Barkley Turrible Draws - Pick a quarter bracket and go….. Floyd Central freshman phenom (#3/#6) Hunter May has Brownsburg Hammer (#5/#9) Blaze Garcia, should Hayhurst get past Reynolds he will have Center Grove stud and returning state 3rd placer Hayden Watson, and already mentioned #6/#16 Otte vs #8/#18 Newman winner gets Reynolds. Wrestlebacks wouldn’t even fix this weight class, it’s gonna be AWESOME!!!
Don’t sleep on…. #12/#14 Tyce Dupont, #7/#17 Anfernee Oliver, #11/#24 Conner Gilles are all in that bracket, you know the bracket where anybody can win to advance to state?!?!?!
Brick’s Picks - Gilles and Oliver both received the same amount of votes, I don’t hate Dupont either, tough choices here.
1st - Jaden Reynolds Avon
2nd - Hayden Watson Center Grove
3rd - Hunter May Floyd Central
4th - Conner Gilles Jeffersonville
Donnie Baker’s Lock, Stock, and Pork Barrell pick - Oliver over Gilles as “The Jeff Regional Draw” aura continues to grow.
152: Remember how I said 145 was stacked, well 152 has 10 state ranked wrestlers and 11 ss ranked wrestlers. 8 wrestlers received votes to get out. A returning top 4 state medalist not favored to get out and a wrestler having the honor of possibly being on the wrong side of Charles Barkley turrrible draw two years in a row!
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - #5/#14 and returning state qualifier Connor Holt of Plainfield vs #6/#12 Tyler Williams of Columbus East. #4/#10 Ben Phillips of Charlestown vs. #8/#19 Logan Carrington of Greencastle, and #12 Chase Hostetler vs. #9/#22 Scott Fitts of Evansville Mater Dei all look to kick this weight class off. 4 of these 6 dudes received votes to get out. Carrington/Phillips is up there in terms of great first round matches. This weight class will not disappoint.
Charles Barkley Turrible Draw - Last year and I quote - “Fitts is a fireball, if he can channel his emotions in the right way, will it be enough to knock off Kervin?” Scott Fitts lost 8-5 to the eventual state champ. This year Fitts will have undefeated Charlestown Junior Ben Phillips. Will Fitts be able to climb that mountain? The other turrible draw isn’t that big of a deal, IT’S JUST TWO RETURNING STATE MEDALISTS AND TOP FIVE STATE RANKED WRESTLERS. This might be the worst/best blood round match in the whole state?
Don’t sleep on… Aiden Farmer is a regional champ in one of the toughest regionals in the state. The vote between him and Holt was actually a tie. It’s a toss up match! Scott Fitts, Riley Rust, and Tyler Williams are all capable of getting out.
Brick’s Picks - 8 wrestlers received votes, there was a tie, the top 2 stand out pretty loud but after that the final 6 were all within 2 votes of each other. Watch out!
1st - Tyler Conley Avon
2nd - J Conway Floyd Central
3rd - Ben Phillips Charlestown
4th - Connor Holt Plainfield
TRIPLEB GUARANTEE - Remember a year ago I picked Logan Boe and people thought I was nuts, Well J Conway is your 3B Guarantee, you can bet Sisson’s jump rope on it!
160: We’ve only had one Sperren so far, waaaay back at 106. Well scoot over Seng, teammate Brody Baumann is set to join you. Baumann is the leader of this weight class headlined by 9 state ranked wrestlers and 10 semi state ranked wrestlers.
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - #3/#11 Landon Boe vs #9/#21 Corey Braunecker has 3 losses between them but one isn’t getting out of the first round. The only other first round match up featuring two semi state ranked dudes is #11 Nate Lommock of Terre Haute south and #6/#17 Nick Cicciarelli of Brownsburg, the winner of this match will have to tussle with The Law!
Charles Barkley Turrible Draws - Last year Jordan Fulks had a tremendous run to the podium at Banker’s Life. He was a semi-state runner up to Logan Boe, this year he has his brother…. in the FRICKIN BLOOD ROUND! This is a turrible draw for sure, but wait there’s more! #15 Kailan Keith of Ben Davis has had a great year and would be a favorite for state in almost any other bracket at any other semi - state but he has drawn into Baumann’s bracket. Not a great draw for the Giant! Keep an eye on one more match, Columbus East Olympian Kade Law was upended last year in the ticket round for Jordy Fulks. This year he has Brownsburg Junior Nick Cicciarelli. Law owns an 8-6 win over Cicciarelli. Maybe not a turrible draw, it could be a fun match!
Don’t sleep on…. Floyd Central’s Bray Emerine is a very decorated wrestler and seemed to put it together last weekend at Regionals. Can the Highlander stay on track this week?
The Sperren - Brody Baumann Evansville Mater Dei
Brick’s Picks -
1st - Brody Baumann Evansville Mater Dei
2nd - Landon Boe Plainfield
3rd - Kade Law Columbus East
4th - Owen Bryant Gibson Southern
170: Franklin’s Tyler Fuqua was a state qualifier as a freshman, then spent two years dealing w Mater Dei Buzz saws Clay Elgi and Eli Dickens, can the Grizzly Cub get back to Indy? JCSC says yes! This weight class appears to be as close to stock as we might get. Interestingly there is always at least one weight where all the pickers pick the same 4 dudes in the same order. That didn’t happen this year at all. The JCSC all like Codei Khawaja, Sam Morrill, Tyler Fuqua, and John Purdy.
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerkers - #8/#14 Blake Weidner vs SS #9 Beau Hess and SS #7 Nigel Kaiser vs #5/#22 Van Skinner are the feature opening weight matches at 170
Charles Barkley Turrible Draw - Not any real turrible draws, if forced to dig - My man Van Skinner is a state level wrestler who’s only losses on the year are to Fulks, Khawaja and Morrill. Definitely a state level talent, the top 4 here are all hammers. Can my boy Tskin get baby Fro ready to take that next step?
Don’t sleep on…. Skinner and Evansville Mater Dei’s Blake Weidner are both capable wrestlers that could pull some big ticket round wins.
Brick’s Picks -
1st - Tyler Fuqua Franklin
2nd - Sam Morrill Columbus East
3rd - John Purdy Castle
4th - Codei Kwawaja Floyd Central
Donnie Baker’s promise - all 4 here are podium finishers next week.
182: The only weight class featuring all 12 semi-state ranked wrestlers! 8 state ranked wrestlers! Another almost lock! 7 vote getters! 2 wide open quarter brackets! 182 has it all!
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - #10 Deke Brown and #6 Luke Bullock has 6 combined losses, Brown is a 2 loss Regional champ. Some like another #4 over #1 here. In the same quarter bracket #12/#22 Mcithell Happe from Evansville North and Southridge Sophomore #11 Reid Schroeder also has a combined 6 losses. This quarter bracket up for grabs and starts in the first round! Also most feel the winner of #4/#9 Dominic Pugliese and #8/#25 Jaden Durnill will be a state qualifier.
Charles Barkley Turrible Draws - Two top ten dudes should not have to go at it in the ticket round, but here we are…. Two returning state qualifiers, #2/#3 Wildcat Gabe Sollars will take on #3/#6 Franklin Senior Jalen Ward. McBee/Schmidt vs Pugliese/Durnil isn’t a turrible draw but it’ll be a good match.
Don’t sleep on…. Anybody outside of Buchanan and Sollars. The other two quarter brackets can be won by ay of the 8 kids
Brick’s Picks
1st - Gabe Sollars Evansville Mater Dei
2nd - Drake Buchanan Center Grove
3rd - Jaden Durnil Columbus East
4th - Mitchell Happe Evansville North
TRIPLEB GUARANTEE - The voters are haters… Drake Buchanan is a lock, for the record I’m the ONLY one that voted for him. Also Dominic Pugliese is going to state. Call your bookies now.
195: A three way tight race for first is the highlight at 195 as 3 guys all garnered first place votes and none of them are the #1 ranked SS wrestler. That shows there’s parity here and parity means entertaining matches! Brach Carrington, Wyat Willman, and Ke’Shawn Dickens all garnered votes. Harris Eason lost in SV to Dickens last week and they should rematch in the semis. The winner gets undefeated Brach Carrington.
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - #1/#6 Eason will first have to take on #12/#21 Blake Ritzert of Mount Vernon. Ritzert did get some votes, maybe somebody knows something we don’t! #11 Clay Martin vs #4/#9 Dickens. I’ve yet to bring this up, but will the Mater Dei Magic of the Ford Center carry over to Jasper? There’s something about wrestling in confines you're familiar with, Mater Dei had luxuries at the Ford Center. There was a time teams weren’t allowed on the floor but there was Mater Dei warming up. Will the move create a more level playing ground? Will Covid restrictions limiting the Mater Dei crowd to 28 spectators make an impact? They would fill one side of the Ford Center. All of this is interesting and worth bringing up ahead of Saturday.
Charles Barkley Turrible Draws -It only took 12 weight classes, but there’s no turrible draws here to see.
Don’t sleep on…. Blake Ritzert caught some love, keep an eye out.
Brick’s Picks
1. Brach Carrington Greencastle
2. Ke’Shawn Dickens Avon
3. Wyatt Willman North Posey
4. Harris Eason Franklin
TRIPLEB GUARANTEE - Harris Eason is a finalist.
220: We have another SPERREN!! Tristan Ruhlman has been dominant and should not be touched this weekend. Logan Huggins is also undefeated and there is anticipation that we see 2 undefeateds lock up in the finals. Everybody likes Ruhlman here. After that there’s 4 favorites battling for two spots.
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - I’m a huge advocate for the big dudes, that being said….ummmm….. Not much to see here….maybe the scrappy #12 Dylan Fulton vs #7/#16 Nick Boots. Fulton always has super aggressive matches.
Charles Barkley Turrible Draws - Another round of no turrible draws either…. #4/#22 Jakkarey Oliver of Whiteland vs #9/#14 Kelton Farmer got the most interest as both received votes, Oliver is the early favorite.
Don’t sleep on…. Kelton Farmer and SS #8 Tommy Morrill. Sam’s little big bro is battle tested, can he knock off #2/#5 Josh Howell of Terre Haute South?
The Sperren - Tristan Ruhlman Bloomington South
Brick’s Picks -
1st - Tristan Ruhlman Bloomington South
2nd - Logan Huggins Evansville Reitz (Hey Ferguson!)
3rd - Josh Howell Terre Haute South
4th - Jakkarey Oliver Whiteland
285: The last weight and the last SPERREN. Leighton Jones of Brownsburg is a Hammer who has pinned his way through the state tournament. Dude is a lock. Matt Munoz was a state qualifier as a sophomore and was upset in the ticket round last year. We are on track for another battle of undefeated goliaths in the finals. From dominant to anybody’s game as the other two quarter brackets can be won by any of a number of competitors.
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerkers - #6/#16 Owen Green of Center Grove and SS #5 Cordell Heuring will be a good first round match up as will #8/#15 Evansville Mater Dei’s James Ralph and #2/#5 Jacob Johnson of Franklin. Johnson doesn’t dominate people, in fact last year he won his two matches at state in OT battles. He has close wins all the time. The voters were torn, but ultimately Johnson’s experience and ability to win close matches gives us a #4 over a #1.
Charles Barkley Turrible Draws - Columbus East and another #TripleBTrained wrestler Ashton Hartwell has only 4 losses on the year - 3 to Munoz and 1 to Jones. Turrible draw for the Olympian as he has to Jones in the ticket round. Had the Olympian landed literally in 2 of the other quarter brackets he punches his ticket. Can coaches Coop, Ousley, and Olds come up with a game plan to take out Jones?
Don’t sleep on…. Already mentioned James Ralph breaks the mold, Mater Dei has never had a good Heavyweight! Logan McGraw of Owen Valley is a rare sophomore regional champ. He will have the favorite Amara Kaba in the ticket round, who wins?!?!?!?
The Sperren - Leighton Jones Brownsburg
Brick’s Picks -
1st - Leighton Jones Brownsburg
2nd - Matthew Munoz Jeffersonville
3rd - Amara Kaba Pike
4th - Jacob Johnson Franklin
TRIPLEB GURANTEE - Leighton Jones is a state champ, I’m gonna clean out the other IndianaMat guys wallets at state over this pick. They are blinded by favoritism and Northern bias.
DONNIEBAKERS BET THE BOAT GUARANTEE - All first round pins then all 2 point matches the rest of the bracket!
856Who do you want in your corner in the semi-finals?
The third edition of this article dives into which coaches have the most success in the semi-finals. We have created three different categories with this as we can break this down in terms of the total number of qualifiers that a coach gets to the finals, the number of placers that a coach gets to the finals, and finally the record in the semi-finals.
Click here to view all of the data
Current coaches with 10+ state qualifiers and their percentage of wrestlers making the finals.
Coach Qualifiers Finalists Finalist % Current School Dan Briggs 16 6 37.50% Carroll(Fort Wayne) Mark Kirchgassner 10 3 30.00% East Central Zach Errett 20 6 30.00% Avon Wade McClurg 11 3 27.27% Roncalli Sean McGinley 100 26 26.00% Indianapolis Cathedral Darrick Snyder 85 21 24.71% Brownsburg Jim Tonte 102 24 23.53% Franklin Community David Maldonado 79 18 22.78% Merrillville Steve Pugliese 22 5 22.73% Tri-West Matt Schoettle 22 5 22.73% Perry Meridian Bob Read 24 5 20.83% Plymouth Maurice Swain 10 2 20.00% Center Grove Chris Cooper 31 6 19.35% Columbus East Matthew Behling 17 3 17.65% Culver Academies Bob Harmon 57 10 17.54% Castle Joshua Holden 18 3 16.67% Greenfield-Central Ed Pendoski 65 10 15.38% Carmel Chris Joll 47 7 14.89% Chesterton Dave Cloud 27 4 14.81% Pendleton Heights Greg Schaefer 69 9 13.04% Evansville Mater Dei Brad Harper 62 7 11.29% Penn Tim Alcorn 10 1 10.00% Mount Vernon (Posey) Kevin Blundell 10 1 10.00% Monrovia Nick Kraus 11 1 9.09% Garrett Jim Wadkins 22 2 9.09% Calumet Rod Williams 11 1 9.09% Leo Brian Weaver 11 1 9.09% Elkhart Memorial Dan Mikesell 13 1 7.69% Mooresville Andy Hobbs 39 3 7.69% Peru Branden Lorek 14 1 7.14% Crown Point Jim HIttler 17 1 5.88% Huntington North Lou Silverman 35 2 5.71% North Central Chad Shepherd 18 1 5.56% Western Danny Struck 18 1 5.56% Jeffersonville Eric Myers 21 1 4.76% Jay County Bill Flatt 23 1 4.35% South Bend Riley Larry Mattingly 31 1 3.23% Evansville Memorial Tony Abbott 31 1 3.23% Cowan Jim Pickard 40 1 2.50% Goshen Brandon Sisson 10 0 0.00% Floyd Central Mike Runyon 15 0 0.00% Bloomington South Doug Smoker 19 0 0.00% Angola T. Howard Jones Jr. 22 0 0.00% Jennings County Paul Gunsett 14 0 0.00% Bellmont Scott Ferguson 38 0 0.00% Evansville Reitz Dean Branstetter 15 0 0.00% Attica Louie Kuzdas 24 0 0.00% LaPorte Clint Gard 16 0 0.00% Rochester Andrew King 20 0 0.00% Oak Hill Jamie Welliever 12 0 0.00% Southmont Blane Culp 11 0 0.00% Columbia City Tom Miller 17 0 0.00% Lafayette Jefferson
Current coaches with 5 or more placers and their ability to make the finals
Coach Placers Finalists Finalists % Current School Dan Briggs 10 6 60.00% Carroll(Fort Wayne) Mark Kirchgassner 5 3 60.00% East Central Steve Pugliese 9 5 55.56% Tri-West Zach Errett 12 6 50.00% Avon Bob Read 13 5 38.46% Plymouth Dave Cloud 11 4 36.36% Pendleton Heights Matt Schoettle 14 5 35.71% Perry Meridian Bob Harmon 28 10 35.71% Castle Jim Tonte 70 24 34.29% Franklin Community David Maldonado 53 18 33.96% Merrillville Sean McGinley 78 26 33.33% Indianapolis Cathedral Jim Wadkins 6 2 33.33% Calumet Darrick Snyder 64 21 32.81% Brownsburg Chris Joll 23 7 30.43% Chesterton Wade McClurg 10 3 30.00% Roncalli Maurice Swain 7 2 28.57% Center Grove Chris Cooper 22 6 27.27% Columbus East Matthew Behling 11 3 27.27% Culver Academies Joshua Holden 11 3 27.27% Greenfield-Central Ed Pendoski 37 10 27.03% Carmel Brad Harper 27 7 25.93% Penn Greg Schaefer 40 9 22.50% Evansville Mater Dei Michael Lapadat 5 1 20.00% Evansville Central Dan Mikesell 5 1 20.00% Mooresville Andy Hobbs 15 3 20.00% Peru Jerimiah Maggart 6 1 16.67% Jimtown Kevin Blundell 6 1 16.67% Monrovia Jim HIttler 6 1 16.67% Huntington North Frank Bumgardner 6 1 16.67% Wawasee Chad Shepherd 7 1 14.29% Western Danny Struck 7 1 14.29% Jeffersonville Branden Lorek 8 1 12.50% Crown Point Lou Silverman 16 2 12.50% North Central Brian Weaver 9 1 11.11% Elkhart Memorial Eric Myers 11 1 9.09% Jay County Larry Mattingly 12 1 8.33% Evansville Memorial Bill Flatt 13 1 7.69% South Bend Riley Tony Abbott 17 1 5.88% Cowan Jim Pickard 19 1 5.26% Goshen Pat Dowty 5 0 0.00% Indian Creek Mike Runyon 7 0 0.00% Bloomington South Doug Smoker 7 0 0.00% Angola T. Howard Jones Jr. 11 0 0.00% Jennings County Scott Ferguson 16 0 0.00% Evansville Reitz Dean Branstetter 6 0 0.00% Attica Louie Kuzdas 11 0 0.00% LaPorte Clint Gard 7 0 0.00% Rochester Andrew King 6 0 0.00% Oak Hill Zach Whickcar 5 0 0.00% Elkhart Central
Current coaches with 5 or more semi-finalists and their ability to make the finals
Coach Semi-Finalists Finalists Semi % Current School Steve Pugliese 6 5 83.33% Tri-West Bob Read 6 5 83.33% Plymouth Zach Errett 8 6 75.00% Avon Chris Joll 10 7 70.00% Chesterton Brad Harper 10 7 70.00% Penn Dan Briggs 9 6 66.67% Carroll(Fort Wayne) Dave Cloud 6 4 66.67% Pendleton Heights David Maldonado 29 18 62.07% Merrillville Jim Tonte 40 24 60.00% Franklin Community Matthew Behling 5 3 60.00% Culver Academies Bob Harmon 17 10 58.82% Castle Matt Schoettle 9 5 55.56% Perry Meridian Ed Pendoski 19 10 52.63% Carmel Sean McGinley 51 26 50.98% Indianapolis Cathedral Darrick Snyder 43 21 48.84% Brownsburg Wade McClurg 7 3 42.86% Roncalli Andy Hobbs 7 3 42.86% Peru Chris Cooper 15 6 40.00% Columbus East Lou Silverman 5 2 40.00% North Central Greg Schaefer 23 9 39.13% Evansville Mater Dei Tony Abbott 5 1 20.00% Cowan Jim Pickard 5 1 20.00% Goshen Bill Flatt 8 1 12.50% South Bend Riley539Who do you want in your corner on Saturday?
After putting out the original article on Monday we got to talking on Gorilla Radio on which coach had the best winning percentage on Saturday morning. Well, since we have the data we decided to put it out there with some great results. Note that this data is from the 1992 state finals through the 2019 state finals. It includes how many state placers(1st-8th) and how many of them made the semi-finals and even the finals.
You can view all the data at this link under the Saturday tab.
Click here to view
Current Coaches with 5 or more placers, winning percentage in the quarter-finals.
Coach Placers Semi-Finalists Quarter % Current School Dan Briggs 10 9 90.00% Carroll(Fort Wayne) Michael Lapadat 5 4 80.00% Evansville Central Mark Kirchgassner 5 4 80.00% East Central Wade McClurg 10 7 70.00% Roncalli Chris Cooper 22 15 68.18% Columbus East Darrick Snyder 64 43 67.19% Brownsburg Zach Errett 12 8 66.67% Avon Steve Pugliese 9 6 66.67% Tri-West Jerimiah Maggart 6 4 66.67% Jimtown Sean McGinley 78 51 65.38% Indianapolis Cathedral Matt Schoettle 14 9 64.29% Perry Meridian Bill Flatt 13 8 61.54% South Bend Riley Bob Harmon 28 17 60.71% Castle Dan Mikesell 5 3 60.00% Mooresville Greg Schaefer 40 23 57.50% Evansville Mater Dei Jim Tonte 70 40 57.14% Franklin Community David Maldonado 53 29 54.72% Merrillville Dave Cloud 11 6 54.55% Pendleton Heights Ed Pendoski 37 19 51.35% Carmel Jim Wadkins 6 3 50.00% Calumet Andy Hobbs 15 7 46.67% Peru Bob Read 13 6 46.15% Plymouth Matthew Behling 11 5 45.45% Culver Academies Chris Joll 23 10 43.48% Chesterton Maurice Swain 7 3 42.86% Center Grove Mike Runyon 7 3 42.86% Bloomington South Chad Shepherd 7 3 42.86% Western Pat Dowty 5 2 40.00% Indian Creek Brad Harper 27 10 37.04% Penn Eric Myers 11 4 36.36% Jay County Frank Bumgardner 6 2 33.33% Wawasee Kevin Blundell 6 2 33.33% Monrovia Jim HIttler 6 2 33.33% Huntington North Lou Silverman 16 5 31.25% North Central Tony Abbott 17 5 29.41% Cowan Danny Struck 7 2 28.57% Jeffersonville Doug Smoker 7 2 28.57% Angola Joshua Holden 11 3 27.27% Greenfield-Central T. Howard Jones Jr. 11 3 27.27% Jennings County Jim Pickard 19 5 26.32% Goshen Larry Mattingly 12 3 25.00% Evansville Memorial Branden Lorek 8 2 25.00% Crown Point Brian Weaver 9 2 22.22% Elkhart Memorial Scott Ferguson 16 3 18.75% Evansville Reitz Dean Branstetter 6 1 16.67% Attica Louie Kuzdas 11 1 9.09% LaPorte Clint Gard 7 0 0.00% Rochester Andrew King 6 0 0.00% Oak Hill Zach Whickcar 5 0 0.00% Elkhart Central
All coaches since 1992 with 10 or more state placers
Coach Placers Semi-Finalists Quarter % Current School Past School Dan Briggs 10 9 90.00% Carroll(Fort Wayne) Union County David Walpole 10 8 80.00% Decatur Central Mike Ester 14 11 78.57% Fort Wayne Snider Robert Emerick 18 14 77.78% Lake Central Travis Walls 21 16 76.19% Griffith Nick Petrov 19 14 73.68% Hanover Central Jared Williams 21 15 71.43% Avon Bill Kelly 17 12 70.59% East Chicago Central Wade McClurg 10 7 70.00% Roncalli Roncalli Lance Beehler 10 7 70.00% Mishawaka Larry Tharp 13 9 69.23% Portage Keith Hoffar 16 11 68.75% East Noble Chris Cooper 22 15 68.18% Columbus East Columbus East Darrick Snyder 64 43 67.19% Brownsburg Brownsburg Zach Errett 12 8 66.67% Avon Avon Sean McGinley 78 51 65.38% Indianapolis Cathedral Indianapolis Bishop Chatard Mike Goebel 74 48 64.86% Evansville Mater Dei Scott Vlink 45 29 64.44% Crown Point Matt Schoettle 14 9 64.29% Perry Meridian Perry Meridian Rob Willman 11 7 63.64% Floyd Central Danny Williams 11 7 63.64% Warren Central Kevin Troy 19 12 63.16% Roncalli Bill Flatt 13 8 61.54% South Bend Riley South Bend Riley Bob Harmon 28 17 60.71% Castle Castle Bob Hasseman 38 23 60.53% Franklin Community Frank Svarczkopf, Jr. 10 6 60.00% Lawrence North Perry Summitt 10 6 60.00% Bloomington North Todd Sacksteder 10 6 60.00% Beech Grove Royce Deckard 37 22 59.46% Bloomington South Leroy Vega 22 13 59.09% Portage Cale Hoover 12 7 58.33% Center Grove Mark Kerrn 19 11 57.89% Jimtown Greg Schaefer 40 23 57.50% Evansville Mater Dei Evansville Mater Dei Jim Tonte 70 40 57.14% Franklin Community Connersville Brent Faurote 65 37 56.92% Bellmont Steve Balash 30 17 56.67% Hobart Kyle Poyer 16 9 56.25% Anderson Highland Chad Red 18 10 55.56% Lawrence Central Brett Crousore 31 17 54.84% Lawrence North David Maldonado 53 29 54.72% Merrillville Hammond Bishop Noll Wiley Craft 11 6 54.55% Lawrence Central Todd Kendrick 11 6 54.55% Franklin Central Lance Ellis 11 6 54.55% Roncalli Scott Schwarz 11 6 54.55% East Central Dave Cloud 11 6 54.55% Pendleton Heights Pendleton Heights Mike Atwood 13 7 53.85% Delphi Lance Rhodes 21 11 52.38% Indianapolis Cathedral Brian Seltzer 25 13 52.00% Elkhart Memorial Ed Pendoski 37 19 51.35% Carmel Carmel Trent McCormick 58 29 50.00% Yorktown Dan Gelarden 12 6 50.00% Munster Paul Voigt 10 5 50.00% Carroll(Fort Wayne) Andy Hobbs 15 7 46.67% Peru Peru Bob Read 13 6 46.15% Plymouth Plymouth Matthew Behling 11 5 45.45% Culver Academies Bremen Chris Joll 23 10 43.48% Chesterton Chesterton Henry Wilk 21 9 42.86% Penn Dave Thompson 14 6 42.86% Whiteland Jim Ledbetter 14 6 42.86% Warren Central Al Hartman 14 6 42.86% South Bend Clay Al Smith 19 8 42.11% Mishawaka Randy Kearby 17 7 41.18% Bluffton Paul Nicodemus 13 5 38.46% Plainfield Clarence Warthan 13 5 38.46% Frankfort Dennis Lewis 13 5 38.46% NorthWood Russel Feigert 24 9 37.50% Beech Grove Brad Harper 27 10 37.04% Penn Benton Central Rex Peckinpaugh 38 14 36.84% New Castle Eric Myers 11 4 36.36% Jay County Jay County Tony Boley 11 4 36.36% Elwood Lou Silverman 16 5 31.25% North Central Hamilton Southeastern Tony Abbott 17 5 29.41% Cowan Cowan Andy Simon 18 5 27.78% Carmel Joshua Holden 11 3 27.27% Greenfield-Central Greenfield-Central T. Howard Jones Jr. 11 3 27.27% Jennings County Jennings County Jim Pickard 19 5 26.32% Goshen Goshen Israel Blevins 20 5 25.00% Avon Larry Mattingly 12 3 25.00% Evansville Memorial Evansville Memorial Scott Ferguson 16 3 18.75% Evansville Reitz Evansville Reitz Louie Kuzdas 11 1 9.09% LaPorte LaPorte995Five Storylines to watch
1. Will Viduya get the golden bookend?
Alec Viduya won a state title as a freshman at 113lbs, but since then his nemesis Asa Garcia has tripped him up twice. Garcia is in Bloomington now and the path seems clear to end on top of the podium. The other likely contenders include Brock Ellis, Jaden Reynolds, and Reece Luhmann. Luhmann went to overtime with Viduya last week.
The "golden bookend" has been done three other times throughout Indiana history. The first was Ray Webb of Bloomington University who won titles at 120lbs as a freshman and 145lbs as a senior. The next to do it was current Evansville Mater Dei coach Greg Schaeffer. In 1995 he won a state title at 100lbs and again reached the top step of the podium in 1998 at 119lbs. The last person to accomplish this feat was Indian Creek's Ethan Raley. He won a title as a freshman at 103lbs, then again at 135lbs as a senior.
2. Team Race
The team race is going to be hotly contested from the getgo. Mater Dei looks to be the favorite on paper early on. Crown Point has some brutal Saturday morning matches that could determine the state title. Brownsburg is lurking with a couple state title contenders and other placers. Never count out two-time defending champions Cathedral.
Friday night could set the stage for one or more of the contenders to pull away from the field. However, a couple slipups could mean another team or two comes into contention.
Saturday morning will be filled with fireworks that will give us a great indication of who will come out on top of the team race.
3. Will the class of 2021 get a title?
As of this writing the current junior class has yet to win an individual state title. This can and possibly will change on Saturday night. Top contenders for a title include Alex Cottey(113), Blake Boarmann(138), Evan Bates(220), and Brock Ellis(145).
Cottey has one loss on the year, but his opponent did not qualify for state. Boarman has a wide open weight class where the top guys have all beaten each other. Bates and Ellis both have yet to be defeated by an Indiana opponent this year.
4. Famous firsts
Indianapolis Lutheran's Hayden Flipiovich is the school's first state qualfiier. Will he be able to crack the code and be their first placer as well? Attica, Monroe Central, and River Forest have never had a state placer in their history. Will Jeffrey Bailey be the first Ingot state placer? Logan Swallow won a semi-state title last week and could be the Golden Bear's first state placer. Jordan Douglass was the first state qualifier in Rambler history two years ago, but has yet to reach the podium.
There are 32 schools that have a state qualifier that has yet to have a state champion. The ones that might just break through this year include Garrett's Clayton Fielden, Hamilton Southeastern's Andrew Irick, North Montgomery's Drew Webster, Norwell's Cale Gray, Sullivan's Lane Gilbert, and Wheeler's Giovanni Diaz.
5. Best dressed
From shiny pants and shorts to Tonte's custom taylored suits, who will stand out in the fashion department? Will Cathedral be wearing their robes this weekend? Which coach will have the strongest beard game? All of these are valid questions that will get answered this weekend.
1291 8State Finals #WAYL2
We have 16 wrestlers that enter Friday without a loss on their record. However, the other 208 wrestlers have a combined 935 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
Braden Haines, Isaiah Ponce- 10
Stefan Vitello, Damon McClain, Jacob Johnson- 8
Johnny Cortez, Dylan Driver, AJ Dull, Dennis Hubbard- 7
Most wins over state qualifiers
Graham Calhoun- 11
Logan Frazier- 10
Aiden Warren, Sam Goin, Alex Cottey, Zeke Seltzer, Dorian Keys- 9
Elliott Rodgers, William Fiechter, Isaac Ruble, Brock Ellis- 8
Non-State Qualifiers with the most wins over state qualifiers
Tyler Conley, Yehezquel DeVault- 6
Aundre Beatty, Jajuan Dale, Josh Howell, Matt Neff, Ryan Sheets- 4
Brock Hueber, Chad McLean, Jack Hargan, Ryan Purvis- 3
Undefeated Wrestlers
106 Bryce Lowery
120 Zeke Seltzer
126 Dylan Stroud
145 Brock Ellis, Alec Viduya
152 Brice Coleman, Logan Boe, Garrett Stuckman
160 Isiah Levitz
170 Graham Calhoun
195 Jacob Laplace, Silas Allred
220 Drew Webster, Cale Gray
285 Dorian Keys, Logan Swallow
#WAYL2
Who are your losses to?
Key
*- State Qualifier
(Losses/ State Qualifier Losses/ State Qualifier Wins)
106
Bryce Lowery(0/0/6)
Isaac Ruble(1/1/8): Sam Goin*
Sam Goin(1/1/9): Logan Miller*
Logan Miller(2/0/4): Ben Aranda(IL), Caden Horwath(MI)
Jeff Bailey(2/2/5): Johnny Cortez*, Sam Goin*
Anthony Martin(3/2/1): ???, Hayden Brady*, Isaac Ruble*
Suhas Chundi(3/3/2): Bryce Lowery*, Logan Miller*, Sam Goin*
Cash Turner(4/3/1): Isaac Ruble*, Jason Heasten, Kyler West*, Suhas Chundi*
Josh Johnson(5/3/2): Bryce Lowery(3)*, Keaton Morton, Nathan Smith
Keegan Malott(5/5/0): Anthony Martin*, Hayden Brady(2)*, Isaac Ruble(2)*
Hayden Brady(5/4/4): Isaac Ruble(3)*, Logan Stuckman, Sam Goin*
Coy Hammack(5/3/0): Blake Zirkelbach, Cash Turner*, Kyler West*, Logan Miller*, Reed Egli
Kyler West(6/2/2): Bryce Lowery*, Logan Miller*, Logan Sutton(2), Reed Egli, Trayce Eckman(KY)
Evan Dickey(7/6/1): Bryce Lowery*, Cooper Shore(OH), Hayden Brady*, Josh Johnson(2)*, Sam Goin*, Suhas Chundi*
Trevor Triana(9/6/1): ???(2), Emmanuel Ellis, Isaac Ruble*, Jeff Bailey(4)*, Johnny Cortez*
Johnny Cortez(10/7/2): ???, Doug Waters*, Emmanuel Ellis, Evan Dickey*, Karter Guzman(IL), Sam Goin(4)*, Trevor Triana*
113
Alex Cottey(1/0/9): Kody Glithero
Lane Gilbert(1/1/2): Cole Ross*
Logan Frazier(2/2/10): Alex Cottey*, Brac Hooper*
Aidan Sprague(2/1/4): Preston Teusch, Trey Sturgill*
Cole Ross(2/2/5): Alex Cottey*, Lane Gilbert*
Elijah Anthony(3/3/2): Alex Cottey*, Brac Hooper(2)*
Trey Sturgill(3/1/2): Elijah Anthony*, Ryan Purvis, Trevor Schammert
Cheaney Schoeff(4/3/4): Cole Ross(2)*, Lane Gilbert*, Mason Yarbrough(OH)
Ethan Reiley(5/4/0): Aidan Sprague(2)*, Colton Weimer(2)*, Drayk Kallenberger(OH)
Brac Hooper(5/4/7): Alex Cottey(3)*, Dylan Driver*, Logan Carrender
Colton Weimer(7/3/2): Aidan Sprague*, Hyatt Yeager, Justin Brantley, Karson Everett, Nam Doan*, Nick Olson, Trey Sturgill*
Nam Doan(7/5/4): Alex Cottey*, Logan Frazier*, Logan Frazier(2)*, Ryan Purvis(2)
Doug Waters(9/5/5): Anthony Streib(IL), Chad Bellis(IL), Hyatt Yeager, Logan Frazier*, Nam Doan(3)*, Stefan Vitello*, Trevor Schammert
Stefan Vitello(10/8/1): ???, Aidan Sprague*, Anthony Bahl, Doug Waters(4)*, Logan Frazier(3)*
Dylan Driver(10/7/2): Alex Cottey*, Blake Wolf, Brac Hooper(3)*, Braden Haines*, Elijah Anthony*, Griffin Ingalls(2), Logan Frazier*
Braden Haines(16/10/1): Aiden Smith(MI), Alex Cottey*, Brac Hooper*, Cheaney Schoeff(4)*, Cody Goebel(WI), Cole Ross(2)*, Dylan Driver*, Kaden Chinavare(MI), Logan Frazier*, Marquarias Wilburn, Ramsy Mutschler(MI), Tommy Porter(IL)
120
Zeke Seltzer(0/0/9)
Dominic Heath(1/0/2): Ben Miller
Giovanni Diaz(1/1/5): Riley Bettich*
Alec Freeman(2/2/5): Zeke Seltzer(2)*
Carson Eldred(2/2/4): Zeke Seltzer(2)*
Delaney Ruhlman(3/2/3): Alec Freeman*, Brady Ester, Riley Bettich*
Sam Scott(3/2/2): Alec Freeman*, Delaney Ruhlman*, Jacob Simone
John Robinson(3/3/1): Carson Eldred*, Christian White*, Dominic Heath*
Ethan Higgins(3/2/0): Jett Boots*, John Robinson*, Preston Teusch
Riley Bettich(4/4/6): Giovanni Diaz(3)*, Zeke Seltzer*
Cole Solomy(4/4/1): Giovanni Diaz*, Jeff Bailey*, Riley Bettich(2)*
Christian White(4/2/2): Carlton Perry(2), Zeke Seltzer(2)*
Jett Boots(4/1/1): Ben Miller, Deandrea Darden(OH), Dominic Heath*, Harper Dedman
Malik Hall(5/4/0): Cole Solomy*, Giovanni Diaz*, Riley Bettich(2)*, Ty Haskins
Anthony Hughes(8/6/0): Antonio Jefferson, Carson Eldred*, Christian White*, Delaney Ruhlman(2)*, Kody Glithero, Zeke Seltzer(2)*
Aydan Amento(10/6/0): ???(3), Alec Freeman(3)*, Carson Eldred*, Chris Newman, Sam Scott(2)*
126
Dylan Stroud(0/0/2)
Raymond Rioux(1/0/9): Kyren Butler(OH)
Landon Bertsch(1/1/1): Dylan Stroud*
Stephen Roberson(2/0/7): Jake Rundell(IL), Zach Strueder
Ben Dalton(2/2/1): Kysen Montgomery(2)*
Brayden Lowery(2/1/6): Gavinn Alstott, Raymond Rioux*
Jace Alexander(2/2/3): Aidan Torres(2)*
Payne Blackburn(3/1/1): Cameron Allen, Dominic Litchfield, Dylan Stroud*
Camren Toole(3/2/0): ???, Brayden Lowery*, Willie Dennison*
Willie Dennison(3/3/1): Carson Eldred*, David Pierson*, Jace Alexander*
David Pierson(3/3/2): Brayden Lowery(3)*
Beau Humphrey(4/2/0): Alex Slates, Collin Ruemler, Landon Bertsch*, Payne Blackburn*
Aidan Torres(5/5/3): Stephen Roberson(5)*
Ashton Hayhurst(7/6/1): Ben Dalton*, Brayden Lowery(2)*, Josue Dawson(OH), Kysen Montgomery*, Raymond Rioux(2)*
Kysen Montgomery(8/6/3): David Pierson*, Jake Rundell(IL), Mason Shrader(MI), Raymond Rioux(4)*, Stephen Roberson*
Brendon Mark(9/6/0): Aidan Torres*, Ashton Hayhurst*, Conner Kleinberg(OH), Gavinn Alstott, Jace Alexander(2)*, Luke Gonzalez, Raymond Rioux*, Stephen Roberson*
132
Jesse Mendez(1/0/9): Nico bolivar
Hayden Watson(1/1/6): Jesse Mendez*
Ian Heath(1/1/5): Hunter Cottingham*
Hunter Cottingham(2/1/6): Aundre Beatty, Reakus Shelton*
Matt Koontz(3/2/6): Aundre Beatty, Logan Wagner*, Luke Goodwin*
Jared Brown(4/3/0): Andrew Wilson, Hunter Cottingham*, Luke Goodwin*, Sam Slivka*
Brody Arthur(5/4/0): Hunter Cottingham(3)*, Ian Heath*, Lane Deckard
Connor Holt(5/3/3): ???, Hayden Watson(2)*, Kane Egli*, Tyler Conley
Luke Goodwin(5/4/3): Aiden Bunce, Matt Koontz(2)*, Sam Slivka(2)*
Kane Egli(5/3/1): David Davis(OH), Hayden Watson*, Matt Koontz*, Max Boaz(OH), Raymond Rioux*
Reakus Shelton(7/5/4): Cameron Mason, Christian Pfeiffer-Laguerre, Ian Heath(4)*, Vince Sparrow*
Vince Sparrow(7/4/3): Jesse Mendez(2)*, Mason Kleinberg(OH), Reakus Shelton(2)*, Tyler Conley(2)
Bradley Conrad(7/4/4): ???(2), Gabe Adams(KY), Jesse Mendez(3)*, Sam Slivka*
Sam Slivka(7/3/4): Andrew Wilson, Aundre Beatty, Conner Alcala*, Gabe Adams(KY), Luke Goodwin*, Matt Koontz*, Tyler Conley
Conner Alcala(8/5/1): ???, Connor Holt(3)*, Hayden Watson(2)*, Thomas Deck(KY), Tyler Conley
Isaiah Ponce(12/10/0): Aidan Hansen(IL), Bradley Conrad(4)*, Dillon Carlson(IL), Jesse Mendez(3)*, Reakus Shelton*, Vince Sparrow(2)*
138
Drake Campbell(1/1/6): Logan Wagner*
J Conway(2/2/1): Blake Boarman*, Drake Campbell*
Logan Bailey(2/2/4): Blake Boarman*, Logan Wagner*
Eli Hickman(2/2/3): Ethan Kaiser*, Hunter Cottingham*
Kyle Lawson(3/3/4): Elijah Chacon*, Matt Koontz*, Tyson Nisley*
Blake Boarman(3/3/3): Drake Campbell(2)*, Logan Bailey*
Logan Wagner(3/3/6): Brendan Mattingly*, Gabe Sollars*, Logan Bailey*
Brendan Mattingly(5/5/3): Drake Campbell*, Hayden Watson*, Logan Bailey*, Logan Wagner*, Orlando Cruz*
Ethan Kaiser(5/2/2): Bryce Shelton(IL), Cody Goodwin, Jay Orman, Nick Tattini*, Tyson Nisley*
Elijah Chacon(5/1/3): ???(2), Kyle Lawson*, Ryan Sheets, Sebastien Bryant
Hayden Shepherd(5/2/1): ???, Eli Hickman*, Elijah Chacon*, Jevian Ross, Sebastien Bryant
Tyson Nisley(5/5/5): Eli Hickman*, Logan Wagner*, Matt Koontz*, Orlando Cruz(2)*
Dylan Dorman(6/3/0): Aundre Beatty, Brendan Mattingly*, Jeivan Ross, Logan Bailey*, Logan Wagner*, Sebastian Bryant
Landon Boe(7/5/0): ???, Blake Boarman*, Brendan Mattingly*, Drake Campbell(2)*, J Conway*, Tyler Conley
Lane Burns(8/4/0): Conner Douglass(OH), Elijah Chacon*, Hayden Shepherd*, Isaac Hawkins, Josue Sotero, Kyle Lawson(2)*, Sevaugh Carter(OH)
Nick Tattini(10/5/1): Anthony Rivera(2), Droshawn Lewis, Eli Hickman*, Ethan Kaiser*, Jack Krause, Jake Damron, Kyle Lawson*, Tyson Nisley(2)*
145
Brock Ellis(0/0/8)
Alec Viduya(0/0/6)
Jacob Maldonado(1/1/1): Brock Ellis*
Aj Poindexter(2/2/2): Jacob Maldonado*, Orlando Cruz*
William Fiechter(2/2/8): AJ Poindexter*, Evan Ulrick*
Jaden Reynolds(4/3/5): Alec Viduya*, Brody Baumann*, Dustin Morgillo(OH), Reece Luhmann*
Brody Baumann(4/3/2): ???, Alec Viduya*, Jaden Reynolds(2)*
Jajuan Anderson(4/3/6): Alec Viduya*, Chris Wilkerson, Jaden Reynolds*, Reece Luhmann*
Alex Currie(5/4/4): Tyler Vredeveld, William Fiechter(4)*
Orlando Cruz(6/5/5): Brock Ellis(5)*, Joshua Ogunsanya(IL)
Reece Luhmann(6/5/4): Alec Viduya*, Jajuan Anderson(3)*, Jake Shafer*, Nick Cicciarelli
Riley Rust(7/5/2): Brody Baumann*, Ethan Nash*, Jaden Reynolds*, Jake Shafer(2)*, Justice Cash, Kailan Keith
Aj Dull(8/7/0): Alex Currie(3)*, Gabe Steyer(OH), Jorden Douglass*, William Fiechter(3)*
Jake Shafer(9/6/3): AJ Poindexter*, Alec Viduya*, Jajuan Anderson(2)*, Justice Cash, Noah Baker, Reece Luhmann(2)*, Seth Willems
Evan Ulrick(11/4/1): Alec Viduya*, Alex Currie*, Brock Ellis*, Chris Wilkerson, Garrett Manley, Garrett Stewart, Jajuan Anderson*, Kailan Keith, Mark Everman, Ryan Sheets(2)
Ethan Nash(11/4/1): Conner Gilles, Garrett Stewart, Jaden Reynolds*, Nick Cicciarelli, Ralph Thompson(MI), Riley Rust(2)*, Shane Braunecker, Simeon Norton, Tristan Martin, Tyson Nisley*
152
Logan Boe(0/0/3)
Brice Coleman(0/0/4)
Garrett Stuckman(0/0/2)
Jordan Fulks(1/1/1): Logan Boe*
Bryer Hall(1/1/3): Brice Coleman*
Jonathan Kervin(2/1/1): Logan Boe*, Payne Carr(KY)
Aidan Hardcastle(2/1/2): Ethan Mason*, Ryan Sheets
Ethan Mason(2/1/2): ???, Aidan Hardcastle*
Cody Mccune(2/2/3): Brice Coleman*, Ethan Mason*
Shane Bates(2/1/1): Bryer Hall*, Kade Law
Jorden Douglass(4/2/1): David Davis(IL), Shane Braunecker, Shawn Hollis*, Tyler Turley*
Shawn Hollis(4/3/4): ???, Garrett Stuckman*, Tyler Turley(2)*
Eli Hilger(5/5/0): Aidan Hardcastle*, Cody McCune(3)*, Shawn Hollis*
Anthony Walker(7/3/0): ???, Jonathan Kervin*, Jordan Fulks*, Logan Boe*, Moses Hamm, Noah Baker, Scottie Saylor
Tyler Turley(7/5/3): ???, Brock Ellis*, Garrett Stuckman*, Kade Law, Orlando Cruz*, Shawn Hollis(2)*
Tyler Jones(7/5/0): ???, Brice Coleman(2)*, Bryer Hall*, Elliott Rodgers*, Shane Bates*, Zach Hoyt
160
Isiah Levitz(0/0/6)
Cooper Noehre(2/2/4): Elliott Rodgers(2)*
Jackson Pettigrew(2/2/2): Clayton Fielden*, Isiah Levitz*
Tytus Morrisett(2/2/1): Jackson Pettigrew*, Jed Perry*
Eli Dickens(2/0/4): Brett McIntosh(OH)(2)
Andrew Roth(2/2/1): Bryer Hall*, Elliott Rodgers*
Jed Perry(2/2/2): Cooper Noehre*, Isiah Levitz*
Elliott Rodgers(3/3/8): Eli Dickens(2)*, Isiah Levitz*
Noah Hollendonner(4/0/7): Bradley Gillum(IL), Jajuan Dale, Joe Chapman(IL), Luke Davis
Jacob Linky(4/2/2): Isiah Levitz*, Jacob Kreager, Jajuan Dale, Noah Hollendonner*
Sam Schroeder(5/5/0): Isiah Levitz*, Peyton Asbury*, Robert Deters(2)*, Sam Morrill*
Sam Morrill(5/3/2): Eli Dickens*, Elliott Rodgers(2)*, Jajuan Dale, Kamden Goering
Peyton Asbury(6/3/2): Bradley Gillum(IL), Eli Dickens*, Noah Hollendonner*, Sam Morrill*, Scott Fitts, Stoney Buell(MI)
Aj Steenbeke(7/4/1): Elliott Rodgers*, Jacob Linky*, Kamden Goering), Luke Davis, Noah Hollendonner(2)*, Stacey Terry(IL)
Nick Winland(8/6/0): AJ Steenbeke*, Isiah Levitz*, Jacob Linky*, Kaden Randazzo(IL), Kamare Dunlap, Noah Hollendonner(3)*
Damon Mcclain(8/8/0): Andrew Roth*, Braden Welch*, Cooper Noehre(3)*, Elliott Rodgers*, Peyton Asbury*, Tyler Wagner*
170
Graham Calhoun(0/0/11)
Robert Deters(1/1/7): Tristan Ruhlman*
Clayton Fielden(1/1/5): Tristan Ruhlman*
Brodie Porter(2/2/1): Clayton Lundy*, Jed Perry*
Bradley Harrington(3/3/3): Hayden Filipovich*, Tyler Wagner(2)*
Tristan Ruhlman(3/3/4): Gabe Sollars(2)*, Graham Calhoun*
Jacob Duncan(3/3/0): Brodie Porter*, Clayton Fielden*, Tytus Morrisett*
Gabe Davin(4/3/2): Bradley Harrington(2)*, Jajuan Dale, Robert Deters*
Braden Welch(4/3/4): Cody Timmerman*, Graham Calhoun(2)*, Hadyn Danals(OH)
Gabe Sollars(5/4/6): ???, Robert Deters(3)*, Tyler Wagner*
Tyler Wagner(5/5/7): Braden Welch*, Bradley Harrington*, Clayton Fielden*, Gabe Sollars*, Gavin Layman*
Gavin Layman(6/3/2): Clayton Fielden*, Graham Calhoun(2)*, Matt Neff(3)
Marcus Malson(6/2/0): Gabe Davin*, Seth Ortel, Tyler Wagner*, Tytus Ragle, Van Skinner(2)
Clayton Lundy(6/5/1): Clayton Fielden*, Graham Calhoun(3)*, Matt Neff, Tyler Wagner*
Jalen Ward(7/6/0): Braden Welch*, Gabe Sollars*, Robert Deters*, Tristan Ruhlman(2)*, Ty Welliever, Tyler Wagner*
Cody Timmerman(10/6/1): Abel Verbeek, Braden Welch*, Gabe Davin*, Gabe Sollars*, Gavin Layman*, Graham Calhoun(2)*, Jacob Simpson, Ronin Hammond, Will Coffield(OH)
182
Mason Winner(1/1/4): Jake Lone*
Macartney Parkinson(2/1/5): ???, Joseph Walker*
Jake Lone(2/2/5): Graham Calhoun*, Joseph Walker*
Colin Kwiatkowski(2/2/1): Khris Walton(2)*
Connor Barket(2/2/1): Khris Walton*, Zian Constable*
Joseph Walker(2/2/5): Colin Kwiatkowski*, Connor Barket*
Aiden Warren(3/2/9): Ahijah Sandifer, Joseph Walker*, MaCartney Parkinson*
Drake Buchanan(3/3/1): Caden Friedt*, Jake Lone*, MaCartney Parkinson*
Brendan Mcpike(3/3/0): MaCartney Parkinson*, Noah White(2)*
Kole Viel(4/2/0): Aiden Warren*, Colton Quantz(OH), Johnny Parker*, Noah Duke(KY)
Khris Walton(4/3/4): Jake Lone*, Johnny Parker*, Noah White*, Ray Arebalo(IL)
Hayden Filipovich(4/3/2): Aiden Warren(3)*, Brach Carrington
Zian Constable(5/5/2): Aiden Warren*, Caden Friedt*, Jacob LaPlace*, Khris Walton*, Mason Winner*
Noah White(6/6/5): Aiden Warren(2)*, Drake Buchanan*, Jake Lone*, Johnny Parker*, Joseph Walker*
Johnny Parker(6/6/4): Aiden Warren*, Hayden Filipovich*, Joseph Walker*, MaCartney Parkinson*, Noah White(2)*
Sam Walker(9/6/0): Blake Rowe, Caden Friedt*, Christian Summersett, Jackson Pettigrew*, Jake Lone*, Mason Winner(2)*, Tytan Grote(OH), Zian Constable*
195
Jacob Laplace(0/0/7)
Silas Allred(0/0/5)
Eli Pack(2/2/4): Jacob LaPlace(2)*
Mckinley Kemper(2/1/2): ???, Phoenix Rodgers*
Phoenix Rodgers(2/1/2): Luke Kemper, McKinley Kemper*
Jd Farrell(2/2/3): Silas Allred(2)*
Kyler Funk(2/2/4): Silas Allred(2)*
Matt Lepper(3/2/2): Ben Kahl, Caden Friedt*, Jacob LaPlace*
Caden Friedt(4/4/4): Aiden Warren*, Johnny Parker*, Kyler Funk*, Mason Winner*
Harris Eason(4/4/1): Eli Pack(2)*, Isaiah Street*, McKinley Kemper*
Ibrahim Khaoucha(6/3/0): Brock Hueber, Jacob LaPlace*, Jaden Miller(2), Kyler Funk*, Matt Lepper*
Richard Clevenger(7/5/0): Braden Rodriguez, Jacob Huffman(2)*, Jacob Platt, JD Farrell*, Kyler Funk*, Luke Bakeis*
Luke Bakeis(8/4/2): ???, Diego Garcia, Jack Hargan(2), Jacob LaPlace*, Jason Streck*, JD Farrell*, Kyler Funk*
Isaiah Street(9/3/1): Daemyen Middlebrooks(IL), Harris Eason*, Jack Hargan, Jacob Arengo(OH), Jacob Hough(MI), JD Farrell*, Phoenix Rodgers*, Ryan Krimpelbein(WI), Tucker Ikens(IL)
Gage Demarco(9/4/1): Brock Hueber, Chad Cowart(IL), Deshawn Young*, Eli Pack*, Jevonte Williams, Luke Bakeis*, Matt Lepper*, Nico Lopez(IL), Shea Jackson
Jacob Huffman(11/5/2): Brock Hueber, Commander Jenkins, Eli Pack*, Gage Demarco*, Jacob LaPlace*, Keon Sullivan(2), MaCartney Parkinson*, Owen Amburgy(OH)(2), Silas Allred*
220
Drew Webster(0/0/3)
Cale Gray(0/0/2)
Evan Bates(1/1/4): Andres Larios*
Nathan Willman(1/1/3): Will Stewart*
Fred Durben(1/1/3): Tristen Martz*
Deshawn Young(2/2/3): Drew Webster*, Micah Dodson*
Micah Dodson(2/1/5): Josh Howell, Nathan Willman*
Jason Streck(3/3/2): Evan Bates(2)*, William Crider*
Tristen Martz(4/2/1): Alex Hernandez, Cale Gray*, Drew Webster*, Parker Smitley
Blaine Pierce(4/2/1): Drew Webster*, Evan Shafer, Josh Howell, William Crider*
Will Stewart(4/2/2): ???, Macray Robinson, Micah Dodson*, Nathan Willman*
William Crider(4/3/4): Andrew Irick*, Braydon Erb*, Evan Bates*, Jonathan Williams
Jonathan Thomas(5/2/2): Chad McLean, Evan Bates*, Jason Streck*, Yehezquel DeVault(2)
Grant Warmuth(7/4/0): ???(3), Cale Gray*, Fred Durben(3)*
Haakon Van Beynen(10/4/1): Alexander Hernandez, Blaine Pierce*, Dakota Arvin, Deshawn Young*, Jeff McClure, Jonathan Thomas*, Josh Howell, Leighton Jones, Micah Dodson*, Scott Monteleone(KY)
Reese Condon(11/6/0): ???, Aataeveon Jordan, Deshawn Young*, Haakon Van Beynen*, Josh Howell, Leighton Jones, Macray Robinson, Micah Dodson(2)*, Nathan Willman*, Will Stewart*
285
Dorian Keys(0/0/9)
Logan Swallow(0/0/2)
Andrew Irick(1/1/6): Dorian Keys*
Damari Dancy(2/0/5): Dustin Olmstead(IL), Yehezquel DeVault
Reeve Muncie(3/2/2): Chad McLean, Holden Parsons*, Logan Swallow*
Braydon Erb(3/3/2): Andrew Irick*, Dennis Hubbard*, Reeve Muncie*
Holden Parsons(4/2/5): Andrew Irick*, Damari Dancy*, Ethan Alderson, Yehezquel DeVault
Sam Perez(5/2/5): Adam Warren, Damari Dancy(2)*, Daniel Thompson, Mason Toth
Robbie Gentry(5/3/5): Antone Alexander*, Dorian Keys(2)*, Matthew Munoz, Race Stewart
Ke`Tre Dickens(6/5/1): Dorian Keys(3)*, Jacob Johnson*, James Ralph, Robbie Gentry*
Antone Alexander(6/5/2): Andrew Irick(2)*, Dennis Hubbard(2)*, Dorian Keys*, Race Stewart
Andres Larios(6/5/2): Jorge Martinez, Sam Perez(5)*
Andrew Himes(7/5/0): Andres Larios*, Blake Herr, Damari Dancy*, Jonathan Thomas*, Jose Rosales*, William Crider*, Yehezquel DeVault
Jose Rosales(8/3/1): Blake Herr, Braydon Erb*, Chad McLean, Jacob Sommer, John Hinen, Logan Swallow*, William Crider*, Yehezquel DeVault
Jacob Johnson(9/8/1): Damari Dancy*, Dorian Keys*, Holden Parsons*, Ke`Tre Dickens*, Matt Munoz, Robbie Gentry(4)*
Dennis Hubbard(9/7/3): Andrew Irick*, Antone Alexander*, Cade Campbell(2), Dorian Keys*, Holden Parsons(3)*, Reeve Muncie*
2366 12020 State Finals by the Numbers
Overall
Rankings always provide a great insight to the best of the best in the state. Arguments always ensue on who is the best and who should be ranked. Over the years our rankings have proven to be the best out there. On top of that our rankings are locked before the first whistle at sectional and they do not take into account the semi-state draws. This year only 9 wrestlers that advanced to state were not in our state or semi-state rankings. We also set a new record for most state ranked wrestlers advancing to state with 180 or just over 80%! Thanks to our rankings gurus Mike Reiser, Caleb Spires, Howard Cottey, and Dustin Bentz for another great season.
Do not forget to download the IndianaMat brackets with rankings attached so it is easier to follow the state finals.
Click here for our special IndianaMat brackets
Season by season ranked wrestlers advancing to state
*Note Mike Reiser took over the rankings in 2012
2020- 180
2019- 175
2018- 179
2017- 169
2016- 175
2015- 172
2014- 171
2013- 171
2012- 170
2011- 157
2010- 159
2009- 143
106lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 13
Unranked qualifiers:
Trevor Triana- Hobart
Johnny Cortez- Lake Central
Keegan Malott- East Noble
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#4 Isaac Ruble- Bellmont vs. #9 Evan Dickey- Indianapolis Cathedral
#6 Jeffrey Bailey- River Forest vs. #15 Kyler West- Evansville Reitz Memorial
#7 Joshua Johnson- Indianapolis Cardinal Ritter vs. #8 Hayden Brady- Garrett
#2 Sam Goin- Crown Point vs. #12 Coy Hammack- Tell City
#11 Anthony Martin- Western vs. #3 Suhas Chundi- Carmel
113lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 10
Unranked qualifiers:
Dylan Driver- Westfield
Braden Haines- Brownsburg
Doug Waters- Chesterton
Colton Weimer- Garrett
Stefan Vitello- Valparaiso
Ethan Reiley- Jay County
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#5 Lane Gilbert- Sullivan vs. #12 Brac Hooper- Carmel
#3 Cheaney Schoeff- Avon vs. #4 Elijah Anthony- Frankfort
120lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 12
Unranked qualifiers:
Delaney Ruhlman- Bloomington South
Cole Solomey- Kankakee Valley
Aydan Amento- Evansville Central
Dominic Heath- Churubusco
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#5 Alec Freeman- Evansville Mater Dei vs. #10 Anthony Hughes- Lawrence North
#11 John Robinson- Delta vs. #2 Riley Bettich- Crown Point
#3 Giovanni Diaz- Wheeler vs. #18 Ethan Higgins- Wabash
#16 Sam Scott- Heritage Hills vs. #4 Carson Eldred- Westfield
126lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 15
Unranked qualifiers:
Willie Dennison- Anderson
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#18 Dylan Stroud- Manchester vs. #9 Ashton Hayhurst- Evansville Mater Dei
#10 Jace Alexander- Wawasee vs. #6 David Pierson- Warren Central
#1 Raymond Rioux- Avon vs. #15 Beau Humphrey- Fort Wayne Snider
#5 Brayden Lowery- Roncalli vs. #17 Brendon Mark- Mishawaka
#2 Ben Dalton- Monrovia vs. #12 Landon Bertsch- Bluffton
#4 Stephen Roberson- Crown Point vs. #19 Camren Toole- Lebanon
#14 Payne Blackburn- Delta vs. #7 Kysen Montgomery- Brownsburg
132lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 15
Unranked qualifiers:
Brody Arthur- Oak Hill
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#5 Ian Heath- Leo vs. #20 Isaiah Ponce- Lake Central
#17 Sam Slivka- Roncalli vs. #4 Kane Egli- Evansville Mater Dei
#13 Connor Holt- Plainfield vs. #10 Luke Goodwin- Southport
#2 Matthew Koontz- Perry Meridian vs. #15 Conner Alcala- Decatur Central
#18 Bradley Conrad- Portage vs. #11 Reakus Shelton- Fort Wayne Snider
#6 Hayden Watson- Center Grove vs. #16 Jared Brown- Pendleton Heights
#3 Hunter Cottingham- Western vs. #14 Vince Sparrow- Penn
138lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 14
Unranked qualifiers:
Lane Burns- Eastside
Nick Tattini- Crown Point
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#9 Tyson Nisley- LaPorte vs. #2 Logan Bailey- Indianapolis Cathedral
#20 Elijah Chacon- New Haven vs. #16 Landon Boe- Plainfield
#7 Brendan Mattingly- Carmel vs. #6 Eli Hickman- Rensselaer Central
#15 Ethan Kaiser- Chesterton vs. #14 Dylan Dorman- Greenfield-Central
#1 Blake Boarman- Evansville Mater Dei vs. #12 Hayden Shepherd- Western
#10 Kyle Lawson- Bellmont vs. #3 J Conway- Floyd Central
145lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 13
Unranked qualifiers:
Ethan Nash- Franklin Community
Aj Dull- South Adams
Riley Rust- Center Grove
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#8 Jaden Reynolds- Avon vs. #13 Jake Shafer- Carmel
#4 William Fiechter- Southern Wells vs. #5 Orlando Cruz- Crown Point
#12 Jacob Maldonado- Merrillville vs. #18 Evan Ulrick- Carroll (Fort Wayne)
#20 Alex Currie- Adams Central vs. #3 Aj Poindexter- Harrison (West Lafayette)
#7 Jajuan Anderson- Warren Central vs. #10 Brody Baumann- Evansville Mater Dei
152lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 12
Unranked qualifiers:
Aidan Hardcastle- Oak Hill
Tyler Jones- Lawrence Central
Anthony Walker- Greenwood Community
Garrett Stuckman- Wawasee
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#12 Cody Mccune- Huntington North vs. #5 Jordan Fulks- Boonville
#1 Brice Coleman- Warren Central vs. #9 Jorden Douglass- Attica
#2 Jonathan Kervin- Floyd Central vs. #20 Ethan Mason- Tri-Central
#4 Logan Boe- Danville Community vs. #16 Eli Hilger- Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger
#10 Shane Bates- Zionsville vs. #13 Tyler Turley- Hobart
#11 Shawn Hollis- Lowell vs. #3 Bryer Hall- East Central
First round match-ups of unranked wrestlers:
Garrett Stuckman- Wawasee vs. Tyler Jones- Lawrence Central
Aidan Hardcastle- Oak Hill vs. Anthony Walker- Greenwood Community
160lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 14
Unranked qualifiers:
Jacob Linky- Warsaw Community
Sam Schroeder- Southridge
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#7 Noah Hollendonner- Crown Point vs. #16 Tytus Morrisett- Eastern (Greentown)
#4 Cooper Noehre- Greenfield-Central vs. #8 Peyton Asbury- Brownsburg
#2 Isiah Levitz- Prairie Heights vs. #17 Nick Winland- Chesterton
#11 Sam Morrill- Columbus East vs. #15 Andrew Roth- Lawrenceburg
#1 Eli Dickens- Evansville Mater Dei vs. #14 Damon Mcclain- Warren Central
#10 Jed Perry- Southern Wells vs. #19 Aj Steenbeke- Penn
170lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 12
Unranked qualifiers:
Marcus Malson- Rushville Consolidated
Clayton Lundy- Elkhart Memorial
Brodie Porter- Eastern (Greentown)
Cody Timmerman- Mishawaka
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#1 Graham Calhoun- Plymouth vs. #14 Jalen Ward- Franklin Community
#3 Tristan Ruhlman- Bloomington South vs. #10 Braden Welch- Culver Academies
#7 Tyler Wagner- Indianapolis Cathedral vs. #19 Jacob Duncan- Southern Wells
#13 Gavin Layman- Chesterton vs. #6 Gabe Sollars- Evansville Mater Dei
182lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 15
Unranked qualifiers:
Sam Walker- Norwell
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#3 Macartney Parkinson- Evansville Mater Dei vs. #1 Joseph Walker- Mishawaka
#6 Johnny Parker- Indianapolis Cathedral vs. #2 Mason Winner- Jay County
#8 Khris Walton- Merrillville vs. #9 Brendan Mcpike- Terre Haute South Vigo
#19 Zian Constable- Peru vs. #12 Hayden Filipovich- Indianapolis Lutheran
#7 Noah White- Columbus East vs. #17 Connor Barket- West Lafayette
#5 Jake Lone- NorthWood vs. #16 Kole Viel- East Central
#10 Colin Kwiatkowski- Valparaiso vs. #11 Drake Buchanan- Center Grove
195lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 12
Unranked qualifiers:
Jacob Huffman- Indianapolis Cathedral
Luke Bakeis- Harrison (West Lafayette)
Gage Demarco- Chesterton
Richard Clevenger- New Palestine
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#8 Isaiah Street- Brownsburg vs. #6 Eli Pack- Culver Academies
#1 Silas Allred- Shenandoah vs. #20 Ibrahim Khaoucha- Northridge
#2 Jacob Laplace- Mishawaka vs. #10 Harris Eason- Franklin Community
#11 Matt Lepper- Carroll (Fort Wayne) vs. #3 Jd Farrell- Fishers
220lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 11
Unranked qualifiers:
Blaine Pierce- Richmond
Haakon Van Beynen- Carmel
Reese Condon- Mooresville
Fred Durben- Oak Hill
Grant Warmuth- Wabash
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#5 Jason Streck- Merrillville vs. #10 Deshawn Young- Franklin Central
#7 Will Stewart- South Spencer vs. #18 Tristen Martz- New Haven
#2 Drew Webster- North Montgomery vs. #9 Jonathan Thomas- Mishawaka
285lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 12
Unranked qualifiers:
Andres Larios- Hammond Clark
Andrew Himes- Plymouth
Ke`Tre Dickens- Avon
Jose Rosales- Goshen
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#12 Dennis Hubbard- Warren Central vs. #14 Robbie Gentry- Mooresville
#1 Dorian Keys- Brownsburg vs. #9 Antone Alexander- Franklin Central
#2 Andrew Irick- Hamilton Southeastern vs. #16 Jacob Johnson- Franklin Community
#8 Braydon Erb- Western vs. #13 Sam Perez Jr.- Highland
2443 26 1Who do you want in your corner?
Throughout the history of the state finals the number of state placers has grown from four to six and finally to eight in 1992. With the addition of the 7th and 8th place finishers came the Friday night win or go home match for all the competitors. Throughout the years we have seen amazing matches and crazy upsets on Friday night.
After some thought we wanted to know which coach had the best winning percentage on Friday night. We compiled all the data from 1992 until 2019 and came up with the following information. Please note that included in these statistics are qualifiers that did not end up participating at state due to injury. This mildly affects a coach’s percentage as it is a rare occurrence an athlete does not participate on Friday night.
Click here for all of the data
Current coaches with 10+ state qualifiers from 1992-2019
Rank Coach Qualifiers Placers Friday % Current School 1 Wade McClurg 11 10 90.91% Roncalli 2 Brian Weaver 11 9 81.82% Elkhart Memorial 3 Sean McGinley 100 78 78.00% Indianapolis Cathedral 4 Darrick Snyder 85 64 75.29% Brownsburg 5 Chris Cooper 31 22 70.97% Columbus East 6 Maurice Swain 10 7 70.00% Center Grove 7 Jim Tonte 102 70 68.63% Franklin Community 8 David Maldonado 79 53 67.09% Merrillville 9 Matthew Behling 17 11 64.71% Culver Academies 10 Matt Schoettle 22 14 63.64% Perry Meridian 11 Dan Briggs 16 10 62.50% Carroll(Fort Wayne) 12 Joshua Holden 18 11 61.11% Greenfield-Central 13 Zach Errett 20 12 60.00% Avon 14 Kevin Blundell 10 6 60.00% Monrovia 15 Greg Schaefer 69 40 57.97% Evansville Mater Dei 16 Branden Lorek 14 8 57.14% Crown Point 17 Ed Pendoski 65 37 56.92% Carmel 18 Bill Flatt 23 13 56.52% South Bend Riley 19 Tony Abbott 31 17 54.84% Cowan 20 Bob Read 24 13 54.17% Plymouth 21 Eric Myers 21 11 52.38% Jay County 22 T. Howard Jones Jr. 22 11 50.00% Jennings County 23 Mark Kirchgassner 10 5 50.00% East Central 24 Bob Harmon 57 28 49.12% Castle 25 Chris Joll 47 23 48.94% Chesterton 26 Jim Pickard 40 19 47.50% Goshen 27 Mike Runyon 15 7 46.67% Bloomington South 28 Louie Kuzdas 24 11 45.83% LaPorte 29 Lou Silverman 35 16 45.71% North Central 30 Clint Gard 16 7 43.75% Rochester 31 Brad Harper 62 27 43.55% Penn 32 Scott Ferguson 38 16 42.11% Evansville Reitz 33 Steve Pugliese 22 9 40.91% Tri-West 34 Dave Cloud 27 11 40.74% Pendleton Heights 35 Dean Branstetter 15 6 40.00% Attica 36 Brandon Sisson 10 4 40.00% Floyd Central 37 Chad Shepherd 18 7 38.89% Western 38 Danny Struck 18 7 38.89% Jeffersonville 39 Larry Mattingly 31 12 38.71% Evansville Memorial 40 Andy Hobbs 39 15 38.46% Peru 41 Dan Mikesell 13 5 38.46% Mooresville 42 Doug Smoker 19 7 36.84% Angola 43 Rod Williams 11 4 36.36% Leo 44 Jim HIttler 17 6 35.29% Huntington North 45 Jamie Welliever 12 4 33.33% Southmont 46 Andrew King 20 6 30.00% Oak Hill 47 Tim Alcorn 10 3 30.00% Mount Vernon (Posey) 48 Paul Gunsett 14 4 28.57% Bellmont 49 Jim Wadkins 22 6 27.27% Calumet 50 Blane Culp 11 3 27.27% Columbia City 51 Nick Kraus 11 2 18.18% Garrett 52 Tom Miller 17 2 11.76% Lafayette Jefferson
All coaches with 10+ state qualifiers from 1992-2019
Rank Coach Qualifiers Placers Friday % Current School Past School 1 Wiley Craft 12 11 91.67% Lawrence Central 2 Wade McClurg 11 10 90.91% Roncalli Roncalli 3 Todd Kendrick 13 11 84.62% Franklin Central 4 Frank Svarczkopf, Jr. 12 10 83.33% Lawrence North 5 Brian Weaver 11 9 81.82% Elkhart Memorial Elkhart Memorial 6 Travis Walls 26 21 80.77% Griffith 7 Dan Gelarden 15 12 80.00% Munster 8 Brett Crousore 39 31 79.49% Lawrence North 9 Nick Petrov 24 19 79.17% Hanover Central 10 Sean McGinley 100 78 78.00% Indianapolis Cathedral Indianapolis Cathedral 11 Perry Summitt 13 10 76.92% Bloomington North 12 Darrick Snyder 85 64 75.29% Brownsburg Brownsburg 13 Al Smith 26 19 73.08% Mishawaka 14 Justin Smith 11 8 72.73% Warsaw 15 Rod Wartman 11 8 72.73% Lake Central 16 Chris Cooper 31 22 70.97% Columbus East Columbus East 17 Keith Grant 10 7 70.00% Indian Creek 18 Maurice Swain 10 7 70.00% Center Grove Center Grove 19 Alan Goddard 10 7 70.00% Ben Davis 20 Dennis Miesle 10 7 70.00% Woodlan 21 Duboris Dickerson 13 9 69.23% Pike 22 Grodie Crick 13 9 69.23% Evansville Central 23 Jim Tonte 102 70 68.63% Franklin Community Warren Central 24 Mike Atwood 19 13 68.42% Delphi 25 Paul Nicodemus 19 13 68.42% Plainfield 26 Lance Rhodes 31 21 67.74% Indianapolis Cathedral 27 David Maldonado 79 53 67.09% Merrillville Merrillville 28 Mike Goebel 111 74 66.67% Evansville Mater Dei 29 Paul Voigt 15 10 66.67% Carroll(Fort Wayne) 30 Bill Kelly 26 17 65.38% East Chicago Central 31 Lance Ellis 17 11 64.71% Roncalli 32 Matthew Behling 17 11 64.71% Culver Academies Culver Academies 33 Chad Red 28 18 64.29% New Palestine 34 Matt Schoettle 22 14 63.64% Perry Meridian Perry Meridian 35 Brian Seltzer 40 25 62.50% Lawrence North 36 Dan Briggs 16 10 62.50% Carroll(Fort Wayne) Union County 37 David Walpole 16 10 62.50% Decatur Central 38 Robert Emerick 29 18 62.07% Lake Central 39 Bob Jarrett 13 8 61.54% Eastern (Greentown) 40 Jack Grimaldi 13 8 61.54% Alexandria 41 Joshua Holden 18 11 61.11% Greenfield-Central Greenfield-Central 42 Rob Willman 18 11 61.11% Floyd Central 43 Zach Errett 20 12 60.00% Avon Avon 44 Kevin Blundell 10 6 60.00% Monrovia Monrovia 45 John Kopnisky 10 6 60.00% Carmel 46 Brent Faurote 109 65 59.63% Bellmont 47 Kevin Troy 32 19 59.38% Roncalli 48 Larry Tharp 22 13 59.09% Portage 49 Russel Feigert 41 24 58.54% Beech Grove 50 Dave Thompson 24 14 58.33% Whiteland 51 Greg Schaefer 69 40 57.97% Evansville Mater Dei Evansville Mater Dei 52 Royce Deckard 64 37 57.81% Bloomington South 53 Steve Balash 52 30 57.69% Hobart 54 Keith Hoffar 28 16 57.14% East Noble 55 Kyle Poyer 28 16 57.14% Hamilton Southeastern 56 Mike Smorin 14 8 57.14% South Bend Riley 57 Jim Nicholson 14 8 57.14% Elkhart Central 58 Branden Lorek 14 8 57.14% Crown Point Crown Point 59 Ed Pendoski 65 37 56.92% Carmel Carmel 60 Bill Flatt 23 13 56.52% South Bend Riley South Bend Riley 61 Trent McCormick 103 58 56.31% Yorktown 62 Bobby Howard 16 9 56.25% Lowell 63 John Cook 16 9 56.25% Valparaiso 64 Bob Hasseman 68 38 55.88% Franklin Community 65 Lance Beehler 18 10 55.56% Mishawaka 66 Danny Williams 20 11 55.00% Warren Central 67 Tony Abbott 31 17 54.84% Cowan Cowan 68 Jamie Wingler 11 6 54.55% New Palestine 69 Jason Warthan 11 6 54.55% Columbus North 70 James Colias 11 6 54.55% Munster 71 Kenny Wallace 11 6 54.55% Princeton 72 Bob Read 24 13 54.17% Plymouth Plymouth 73 Clarence Warthan 24 13 54.17% Frankfort 74 Israel Blevins 37 20 54.05% Avon 75 Mike Ester 26 14 53.85% Fort Wayne Snider 76 Jake Harreld 13 7 53.85% Fishers 77 Bob Brennan 15 8 53.33% Zionsville 78 Jared Williams 40 21 52.50% Zionsville 79 Eric Myers 21 11 52.38% Jay County Jay County 80 Scott Vlink 86 45 52.33% Crown Point 81 Rex Peckinpaugh 73 38 52.05% New Castle 82 Andy Simon 35 18 51.43% Carmel 83 Leroy Vega 43 22 51.16% Portage 84 Mark Kerrn 38 19 50.00% Jimtown 85 Randy Kearby 34 17 50.00% Columbia City 86 Jim Ledbetter 28 14 50.00% Warren Central 87 T. Howard Jones Jr. 22 11 50.00% Jennings County Jennings County 88 Todd Sacksteder 20 10 50.00% Beech Grove 89 Kevin King 18 9 50.00% Indianapolis Bishop Chatard 90 Chris Campbell 14 7 50.00% Greenwood 91 Bill Yozipovich 14 7 50.00% Greenfield-Central 92 Mark Bruner 12 6 50.00% Brown County 93 Mark Kirchgassner 10 5 50.00% East Central East Central 94 Lee Fry 10 5 50.00% Prairie Heights 95 Chris Svarczkopf 10 5 50.00% Fort Wayne North Side 96 Larry Hazuga 10 5 50.00% Jeffersonville 97 Christopher Kern 10 5 50.00% Zionsville 98 Bob Harmon 57 28 49.12% Castle Castle 99 Chris Joll 47 23 48.94% Chesterton Chesterton 100 Henry Wilk 43 21 48.84% Penn 101 Dennis Lewis 27 13 48.15% NorthWood 102 Jim Pickard 40 19 47.50% Goshen Goshen 103 Terry O'Neill 19 9 47.37% Westfield 104 Scott Dehart 17 8 47.06% Wawasee 105 Mike Runyon 15 7 46.67% Bloomington South Bloomington South 106 Ryan Wells 15 7 46.67% Kokomo 107 Cale Hoover 26 12 46.15% Center Grove 108 Louie Kuzdas 24 11 45.83% LaPorte LaPorte 109 Tony Boley 24 11 45.83% Warsaw 110 Lou Silverman 35 16 45.71% North Central North Central 111 Bud Palmer 11 5 45.45% Delta 112 Steve Wewe 11 5 45.45% Franklin County 113 Bo Henry 11 5 45.45% Bloomington North 114 Clint Gard 16 7 43.75% Rochester Rochester 115 Brad Harper 62 27 43.55% Penn Penn 116 Rick Stenftenagel 14 6 42.86% Jasper 117 David Caple 14 6 42.86% Floyd Central 118 Scott Schwarz 26 11 42.31% East Central 119 Scott Ferguson 38 16 42.11% Evansville Reitz Evansville Reitz 120 Steve VanderAa 17 7 41.18% Winamac 121 Steve Pugliese 22 9 40.91% Tri-West Danville 122 Dave Cloud 27 11 40.74% Pendleton Heights Pendleton Heights 123 Scott Raypole 15 6 40.00% Carroll(Fort Wayne) 124 Dean Branstetter 15 6 40.00% Attica Attica 125 Brandon Sisson 10 4 40.00% Floyd Central Floyd Central 126 James Binkley 10 4 40.00% New Albany 127 Sam DiPrimio 10 4 40.00% Fort Wayne Northrop 128 Gene Backes 10 4 40.00% Evansville Reitz 129 Murray Miller 10 4 40.00% South Bend Washington 130 James Phillips 10 4 40.00% Indianapolis Emmerich Manual 131 Kevin Taylor 10 4 40.00% Wawasee 132 Al Hartman 36 14 38.89% South Bend Clay 133 Chad Shepherd 18 7 38.89% Western Western 134 Danny Struck 18 7 38.89% Jeffersonville Jeffersonville 135 Larry Mattingly 31 12 38.71% Evansville Memorial Evansville Memorial 136 Andy Hobbs 39 15 38.46% Peru Peru 137 Dan Mikesell 13 5 38.46% Mooresville Mooresville 138 Ed Fox 13 5 38.46% Carroll(Fort Wayne) 139 Greg Gastineau 13 5 38.46% Hamilton Southeastern 140 Mark Line 21 8 38.10% Kankakee Valley 141 Doug Smoker 19 7 36.84% Angola Angola 142 Gary Fox 11 4 36.36% Franklin Central 143 Rod Williams 11 4 36.36% Leo Leo 144 Tony Grater 11 4 36.36% McCutcheon 145 Tony Starks 11 4 36.36% Ben Davis 146 Todd Fakes 11 4 36.36% Monrovia 147 Derek Bocock 14 5 35.71% Lebanon 148 Matt Koontz 14 5 35.71% Whitko 149 Jim HIttler 17 6 35.29% Huntington North Huntington North 150 Mark Scott 20 7 35.00% Muncie Central 151 David Errett 20 7 35.00% Martinsville 152 Barry Humble 18 6 33.33% South Adams 153 Josh Dommer 15 5 33.33% Leo 154 Jamie Welliever 12 4 33.33% Southmont Southmont 155 Robert Freije 16 5 31.25% Brownsburg 156 Randy Pursley 13 4 30.77% Homestead 157 Andrew King 20 6 30.00% Oak Hill Oak Hill 158 Chuck Fleshman 10 3 30.00% Central Noble 159 Tim Alcorn 10 3 30.00% Mount Vernon (Posey) Mount Vernon (Posey) 160 John Bennett 10 3 30.00% Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger 161 Paul Gunsett 14 4 28.57% Bellmont Bellmont 162 Nicholas Eckert 14 4 28.57% North Posey 163 George Gardner 18 5 27.78% South Dearborn 164 Jim Wadkins 22 6 27.27% Calumet Calumet 165 Blane Culp 11 3 27.27% Columbia City Columbia City 166 Ron Anderson 11 3 27.27% Winchester 167 Eric Burres 12 3 25.00% New Albany 168 Doug Deters 13 3 23.08% Franklin County 169 Kevin Wilkinson 10 2 20.00% Southmont 170 Ken Houston 16 3 18.75% Twin Lakes 171 Denny Schwartz 16 3 18.75% Adams Central 172 Nick Kraus 11 2 18.18% Garrett Garrett 173 Scott VanDerAa 15 2 13.33% Harrison (WL) 174 Tom Miller 17 2 11.76% Lafayette Jefferson Lafayette Jefferson 175 Al Thomas 10 1 10.00% Logansport 176 Tim Sloffer 12 1 8.33% Carroll(Fort Wayne) 177 Doug Schultz 13 1 7.69% Adams Central
11098 12020 State Finals Information Center
Schedule
Friday, Feb. 21, 2020
Session 1 | First Round | 6 pm ET (Gates open at 4:30 pm ET)
Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020
Session 2 | Quarterfinals with Semifinals to follow | 9:30 am ET (Gates open at 8 am ET)
Session 3 | Consolations at 5 pm ET with Championships to follow at 7:30 pm ET (Gates open at 4 pm ET)
State Finals Hashtag: #INWRState20
Social Media
IHSAA on Twiiter
IndianaMat on Twitter
Finals Broadcast TV Listing
Click here for a list of providers
Brackets
TrackWrestling.com
IndianaMat with rankings
East Chicago Semi-State
Evansville Semi-State
New Castle Semi-State
New Haven(Fort Wayne) Semi-State
Pick'em Contests
Standings after semi-state
State Finals Pick'em Top 8
Mat Burns Pick the Champions
Gorilla Radio
Episode 86 talking about 106lbs-145lbs
Episode 87 talking about 152lbs-285lbsHIgh School Wrestling Weekly
Friday Night IndianaMat/WZBD Preview Show
Click here for information
Featured Articles
State Finals by the Numbers
State Finals #WAYL2
IHSAA State Finals Preview2020 State Finals Media Guide
Top 5 Storylines
Who do you want in your corner on Friday night?
Who do you want in your corner on Saturday morning?
Who do you want in your corner in the semi-finals?
History of the State Tournament
General Information
Dates: Feb. 21-22, 2020.
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. 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 Fieldhouse Fan Guide.
Admission: $10 per session or $20 both days. Children 24 months old and younger admitted free of charge. Order All Session Tickets
Television: Saturday's state championship bouts in each weight class will air live on Fox Sports Indiana.
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 on Sunday, February 16, 2020 at 4 pm ET / 3 pm CT (1 hour). The show will be hosted by Greg Rakestraw and Mike Goebel.
Approved Broadcasts
Order All Session Tickets
Friday, Feb. 21, 2020
Session 1 | First Round | 6 pm ET (Gates open at 4:30 pm ET) | Order Session 1 Tickets
Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020
Session 2 | Quarterfinals with Semifinals to follow | 9:30 am ET (Gates open at 8 am ET) | Order Session 2 Tickets
Session 3 | Consolations at 5 pm ET with Championships to follow at 7:30 pm ET (Gates open at 4 pm ET) | Order Session 3 Tickets
1347 10 2TripleB's Famous Evansville Semi-State Preview
Welcome to TripleB’s annual Evansville Semi-State Preview!
House keeping items -
From our inside man Markio - Ford Arena info:
● Parking and general information about the arena can be found at www.thefordcenter.com
● Wrestlers can enter the arena at 7:30am for weigh ins. Wrestlers and coaches will enter at the interior ticket office lobby (to the far right of the main lobby doors) to check in and head back. You will pick up your credentials here.
● The only coolers allowed are for wrestlers and must enter at the check in table through the interior ticket lobby. NO OUTSIDE FOOD OR DRINK for anyone else is allowed inside unfortunately. Not my rules, just standard building policy.
● Public doors open at 8:00am CST. Enter on Main Street through the main lobby. We will look to create a separate door/entrance for those that already have tickets. $12 dollars for all session ticket, $10 for finals only.
● There is NO onsite parking. Please do not have any team vehicles attempt to park in the loading dock or attached outer lot. These are reserved spots.
● There is no public Wi-Fi.
● Please do not jump over the dasher walls to access the floor. They try to control access to the floor, so you need to enter from the lower level hallway under section 103. You wouldn't jump the wall at Banker's Life would you? lol
● The hospitality room for officials, etc. will be in the Corner Club. Enter from the main lobby and hang a right at lower level hallway.
● If you are going to set up a camera please do not have the cord running across the aisle. You will be made to unplug any cords running across an aisle.
● We will have full concessions available throughout the day. Coffee and hot chocolate are also available all day as well. (get the bbq pork nachos, huge and awesome)
● There is no smoking on or in the Ford Center property, this includes e-cigarettes.
● Brackets will be updated throughout the day and posted on several of the 170 or so TVs located all over the arena. The brackets end up kind of small, but hey, they are everywhere and pretty cool.
● Lastly,if you are a wrestler that loses please don't kick,throw,or punch Ford Center property. We had a kid break off a door handle last year.Sent the bill to the school.
Friday will be a day of passion and love, but 224 grapplers hope their hearts aren’t broken like scorned lovers on Saturday as only 56 can get hit by Cupid’s arrow and sent to Indianapolis and Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
How does this work - The exclusive Evansville Championship Selection Committee (ECSC) spent 2 days in hard deliberations over their Ford Fab 4 picks. Each member selected their ballot, points were accumulated, and from there the picks started falling.
Article features:
The Charles Barkley “Turrible” Draws - ticket round matches that shouldn’t be happening in the ticket round!
The Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerkers - Best first round matches!
The Built Ford Tough Locks - The Pickers of the Round Table has been assembled. There were very few, but any weight class where the pick for champion was unanimous, makes it a Ford Tough Lock. Ford Tough Locks were hard to come by this year as only 4 were given out.
Ford Fab 4 - After picks were gathered, points distributed, and the dust settled, we’ll have the Ford Fab 4.
Also special guest committee member The Donnie Baker (not that Donnie Baker) has offered some of his highlights throughout.
What if I didn’t agree with the ECSC or I thought they made a terrible error (I mean really how many times will Oklahoma get free frickin pass already)? Then have no fear - The TripleB Guarantee will help you sort out the madness.
Without further ado...UNLEASH THE PREVIEW!!
106: 106 brings us our first of five LOCKS. Logan Miller of Brownsburg has been knocking off ranked wrestlers all year. The ECSC was unanimous - this is Miller’s weight class to lose. With team race looking tight, this weight class can get the Bulldogs off and running orrrrr ticket round magic by the latest Egli, Reed can get the Wildcats of Mater Dei rolling.
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - The Mater Dei classic in December gave us a preview of 106. Lou Knable and Reed Egli wrestled twice with Knable winning the first match 6-5 and Egli taking the second one 1-0. What happens in the third match?1?!? Don’t be late!!
Charles Barkley Turrible Draws - The #12 Coy Hammack vs #13 Blake Zirkelbach guarantees that a SS top 4 kid is going home, and they are also 1-1 with Hammack getting the latest win in their conference finals a few weeks back. Another rubber match in the 106 bracket!!
Don’t sleep on…. Jasper Junior Jainier Milanes looks to maybe break up the Hammack/Zirkelbach trilogy by sliding through the quarter bracket and onto Indy!
Ford Fab 4 - The ECSC was unanimous on 1-2, but a tie for 3/4th. Ties were handled by whoever had the total higher placement points (more 3rd place votes in this case).
1st - Logan Miller Brownsburg, 2nd - Kyler West Evansville Memorial, 3rd - Coy Hammack Tell City, 4th - Ca$h Turner Edgewood
113: All 10 semi-state ranked grapplers have navigated their way through sectionals and regionals and have set themselves for shots at BLF. Mater Dei’s Cole Ross is the early favorite, owning 2 razor thin wins over both Lane Gilbert and Cheaney Schoeff. But this weight class is star power heavy as Ross, Gilbert, and Schoeff lead a class that could all be podium placers in the next few years.
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - SS #4 Braiden Hanes vs SS #7 Ethan Roudebush are featured in a quarter bracket with no state ranked wrestlers and also features SS #6 Noah Lykins. Sophomore, Sophomore, Sophomore = Future Hammers, Hammers, Hammers but for one their time is now. Donnie Baker says you better watch this quarter bracket!
Charles Barkley Turrible Draw - Maybe not a tuuuurbbbillee draw but certainly a blood round match to watch - Freshman #5 ranked Gilbert vs Senior #19 ranked Logan Sutton of Castle. Winners goes to Indy, loser heads home too early.
Don’t sleep on…. The aforementioned quarterbracket of Super Sophomores and Noah Lykins. The Olympian is battle tested as East wrestles one of the toughest schedules in the state. Can he pull off wins over two legit competitors?
Ford Fab 4 - The ECSC was split but Ross gets the nod.
1st - Cole Ross Evansville Mater Dei, 2nd - Lane Gilbert, 3rd Cheaney Schoeff, 4th Braden Haines
TRIPLEB GUARANTEE - Cheaney Schoeff of Avon will cause some noise, he makes the finals, he pushes Ross, he beats Ross.
120: 120 features our second LOCK of the preview - Evansville Mater Dei Junior and returning state qualifier Alec Freeman. Heritage Hills’ Sam Scott has had a great year and is the only other clear cut state bound wrestler here as after that things get murky.
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker: 2 opening round matches could bring early fireworks - Greencastle Frosh phenom Chase Carrington and Evansville Centrals super Soph Ayden Amento will both battle for a chance to advance. Both received votes, this first round match could determine who advances to Indy. The other is Chris Newman and Jacob Bechert, Newman is a returning state qualifier but he gets two points of recognition here as he’s also featured in….
Charles Barkley Turrible Draw - Chris Newman and Delaney Ruhlman maybe isn’t a Turrible do to both being underclassmen and not a lot of state level credentials. But both have had great years, 6 combined losses, and this could possibly be the first of many matches.
Don’t sleep on…. Newman, Amento, and 2 homers I have - Charlestown junior Colin Knox is 35-1 but has gotten zero love from the ECSC, also Madison Sophmore Noah Burkhardt has only been wrestling for 2 years and won sectionals and was a regional runner up. Can either of these 2 TripleB Sleepers pull off the upsets?!?!?!
Ford Fab 4: After Freeman and Scott the rest of the field appears to be up for grabs - Ruhlman, Newman, Carrington, and Amento all got some love but after the dust settled -
1st - Alec Freeman Evansville Mater Dei, 2nd - Sam Scott Heritage Hills, 3rd - Delaney Ruhlman Bloomington South, 4th Chase Carrington Greencastle
126: 5 top 10 state ranked wrestlers, 8 top 10 semi-state ranked wrestlers. Maybe the mostest biggest, yuuugest CB Turrible Draw ever….. Alstott/Dalton 3. This was a bronze medal match last year at state and now it’s a ticket round match. Somebody better call my momma….this is a injustice!!! Oh and our 3rd Ford Tough LOCK!
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - Let’s skip the formalities and pleasantries, all 8 SS guys fall into different first round matches. First round should be chalk. Let’s get to it
Charles Barkley Turrible Draw - Are you kidding me?? Under absolutely no circumstances should this be a ticket round match. This should be a prime reason for wrestlebacks, but not so fast my friend!! This is the beauty of Indiana wrestling. We are getting a winner take all match in the blood round between two state medalists. This should be a fantastic, low scoring match up. Good luck to both guys!
Don’t sleep on…. After the Alstott/Dalton match this weight we almost Chalk picks. Maybe I should plug Raymond Rioux here. All the talk has been about Alstott and Dalton and we have a Ford Tough LOCK here. Raymond has put together a stellar career for Avon, he’s a 3 time state medalists. He’s been a leader for the #WestSideWingmen for 4 years and should put a bow on his career with a Semi-state Championship this weekend and a state championship next weekend. He’s also the first of the Rioux Dozen, that name isn’t going away anytime soon in the Indiana Wrestling scene. #ParrishTrained
Ford Fab 4: Gavin Alstott is 0-3 against Ben Dalton, the ECSC believes 4th time's the charm as The Highlander got the nod
1st - Raymond Rioux Avon, 2nd Gavin Alstott Floyd Central, 3rd Kysen Montgomery Brownsburg, 4th Ashton Hayhurst Mater Dei.
TripleBGuarantee - B-E-N-D-A-L-T-O-N, not only for ticket round but maybe as a LOCK buster!
132: 5 state ranked and 8 semi-state ranked wrestlers lead this weight class. 2 words can describe this HOT MESS. 9 potential qualifiers all received votes, yes I said 9! That means this weight class should be a doozy Saturday!
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerkers - SS #4 Beau Heeke from Heritage Hills and SS #7 ranked Seth Rohrbach both got votes to advance, but only one can advance out of the first round. Also a potential 1 over 4 upset as Conner Alcala from Decatur Central looks to take out regional champ Chase Aldridge from Providence.
Charles Barkley Turrible Draws - Sound the sirens, we have our first “Swear to God” pick by Donnie Baker - Gibson Southern Sophomore Christian Polen and Center Grove’s Hayden Watson. DB says to bet the boat on Polen! The other Turrible draw is a battle of two time state qualifiers and features a match that could definitely shift the team race. #4 state ranked Kane Egli takes on #8 ranked Tyler Conley from Avon. These two wrestled at state duals with Egli getting a 3-2 win. Can Conley switch that result and help his Hendricks Co rivals Brownsburg out here or even help put Avon in position to win?
Don’t sleep on…. Ha, evidently we shouldn’t sleep on the whole bracket. But in no order - Seth Rohrbach, Beau Heeke, Christian Polen, Lane Deckard, and Tyler Conley all got votes but not enough to break into the -
Ford Fab 4 -
1st - Hayden Watson Center Grove, 2nd - Kane Egli Evansville Mater Dei, 3rd - Connor Holt Plainfield, 4th - Conner Alcala Decatur Central
138: A weight going chalk means the ECSC has 4 unanimous selections in the same order. It has rarely if ever happened. This weight class was as close as it came this year as only one vote kept the weight class from being chalk and having Blake Boarman as a LOCK (*cough Donnie Baker cough*). Oh did I mention Drake Campbell beat Blake Boarman this year already? Maybe good old DB isn’t off his rocker! 5 state ranked wrestlers and 9 semi state ranked wrestlers are featured at 138, Let’s Go!!!
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - 2 matches stand out as curtain jerkers and I noticed some irregularities. First another Donnie Baker “Bet the Boat” upset alert - Terre Haute South junior Nathan Recknor over #13 Keandre Watson. The other match is SS #6 Colton Roberts and SS #9 Pat Mayes. Mayes is 40-2, Roberts has 13 losses. Does Avon’s strength of schedule carry Roberts over Mayes? Some voters say yes, some say no!
Charles Barkley Turrible Draw - None, there’s a reason this weight class was almost chalk. Semi finals and finals should be great though.
Don’t sleep on…. Campbell beat Boarman in a close match, Boarman beat J Conway in a close match. J Conway has been a takedown machine all season……. can the Highlander steal the booty and walk away like a Pirate with some gold Saturday?
Ford Fab 4 -
1st - Blake Boarman Brownsburg, 2nd J Conway Floyd Central, 3rd Drake Campbell Brownsburg, 4th Landon Boe Plainfield
145: 5 state ranked wrestlers and 7 ranked semi-state wrestlers are featured at 145. Also 145 features our only 1st place tie, it’s officially up for grabs. It’s another weight where the committee doesn’t feel that there will be any party crashers as all 5 had the same 4 qualifiers albeit in different order. Justice Cash, Brody Baumann, and Jaden Renyolds all got first place votes and Cash/Reynolds finished in a tie. We will take it The Speaker of the Committee TripleB to break the tie.
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - Both unranked, both having great years Central freshman Luke Kemper and Floyd Central sophomore Codei Khawaja both come from bloodlines of wrestlers (Look them both up, I’m not geneology.com over here). This will be a great curtain jerker. Franklin Community senior Ethan Nash draws regional champ and state final hopeful #19 David Tucker. Here’s 2 things I know from my years of being around - Franklin never has a dull semi state, they keep matches close and Tonte brings the magic. While Tucker is the favorite, don’t be surprised to see Nash pull out a grinder match and sneak through
Charles Barkley Turrible Draws - There’s nothing to see here, move along.
Don’t sleep on…. Voters were chalk with the qualifiers
Ford Fab 4 - Our first and only tie for first place, Justice Cash and Jaden Reynolds both racking up 16 out of a possible 20 votes. We went to the ballots and Cash received 3 first place votes while Reynolds received 1. Cash gets the nod.
1st - Justice Cash Bloomington North (Donnie Baker Lock, Stock, and Pork pick), 2nd - Jaden Reynolds, 3rd - Brody Baumann, 4th - David Tucker Brown Co
152: 5 top ten state ranked and all 10 semi-state wrestlers makes 152 no joke. There will be some Fitts thrown, some Hamms, will the Law be laid down, or can the Incredible Fulks smash the field? I could go all day with puns here but let’s put a BOE on it and move along. A top ten match up in the blood round gives us a Turrible draw and a Donnie Baker “Bet the Boat” guarantee are featured.
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - Moses Hamm and Jacob Cookerly are two SS ranked dudes looking to get after it, can the Hamm be COOKerlied? Oh man but seriously, the winner gets Fulks and this should be a great match!
Charles Barkley Turrible Draw - #7 Fitts vs #2 Kervin. Both are returning State Qualifiers. Fitts is a fireball, if he can channel his emotions in the right way, will it be enough to knock off Kervin?
Don’t sleep on…. Logan Boe, yes he’s predicted to finish in top 4 but this Warrior is a 3x state medalists and has always brought the heat when it counts. Kervin got the nod from the voters, but Don’t Sleep On Boe
Ford Fab 4 - Your top 4 seeds are a combined 142 and 2. Schwew-wee, this should be some fun semi-finals and finals. Boe and Kervin are the Donnie Baker “Shut Up Randy, I’m watching come rasslin” Highlight match.
1st Jonathan Kervin Floyd Central, 2nd - Kade Law Columbus East, 3rd Logan Boe Danville, 4th - Jordan Fulks Boonville
Donnie Baker Bet the Boat Guarantee - All 4 will be on the podium next week at BLF, STATE LAW!!!
160: 5 State ranked and 8 semi-state ranked wrestlers lead the field at 160 including the next LOCK, Evansville Mater Dei’s returning 3rd placer Eli Dickens. Some ticket round matches are featured here, not necessarily Turrible draws but matches that should be worth the watch.
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - The Donnie Baker “Too Close to call” first round curtain jerker goes to #11 Sam Morrill and Evansville Reitz’s Aiden Farmer. Can Farmer sneak the upset?
Charles Barkley Turrible Draws - Whenever 2 top 10 ranked guys are going at it for the golden ticket it’s just turrible. #1 Eli Dickens and #9 Tyler Fuqua have both made the trip to Indy and both certainly are worthy medalists, but this year only one will get to take that opportunity. Turrible, turrible, turrible.
Don’t sleep on….Wade Presson of Bloomington South has had some good wins this year and a win in the ticket round isn’t unthinkable. Keep an eye on Morrill/Farmer winner vs Presson.
Ford Fab 4 - The 2nd Wildcat making the LOCK list, Eli Dickens leads this talented field
1st - Eli Dickens Evansville Mater Dei, 2nd - Peyton Asbury Brownsburg, 3rd - John Purdy Castle, 4th Sam Morrill Columbus East
170: 5 State ranked and 8 semi-state ranked wrestlers are on tap to duke it out at 170. The ECSC had a unanimous Fab 4, though some disagreed with placements. This because we have the dreaded my guy beat your guy but lost to your guy. The sectional seeding nightmare. 2x state qualifier Robert Deters leads this field. Let’s see who gets left out of the musical chairs.
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerkers - Columbus North’s Nick Holt was a sectional champ that hit a roadblock last weekend by some freshman from Madison (btw how many freshman lead the varsity football team in tackles and win regionals?) Indian Creek’s Owen Sego’s season has been well documented, this is his 4th trip to Evansville, will he get through? This match should be special, don’t miss it!
Don’t sleep on…. Sego and Carrington
Charles Barkley Turrible Draw - Two turrible draws, the aforementioned Sego has a decorated career, here’s to hoping he can continue his season with a W, but Deters is no small obstacle. #3 2 loss Ruhlman and #11 2 loss Carrinton will be going at it to determine who goes to BLF. Ruhlman appears to be the favorite, but another Turrible Draw
Ford Fab 4 - Whenever you got #2,#3, and #6 in the same bracket, there will be no LOCK. The ECSC did really like Deters though to avenge his loss to Ruhlman and lock up a SS championship.
1st - Robert Deters Castle, 2nd - Tristan Ruhlman Bloomington South, 3rd - Gabe Sollars Evansville Mater Dei, 4th - Jalen Ward Franklin
182: 2 state qualifiers, one not favored to advance, a for LOCK that wasn’t. It’s 1-8-2! 6 state ranked (including #s 3,7, and 9) and 9 ranked SS wrestlers are on tabs at 182. Macartney Parkinson is a returning state medalist, who is undefeated in Indiana this year. This was a hands down LOCK….but then Donnie Baker crashed the party. Also Brenden Moore is a returning state qualifier who hasn’t had the easiest path to the Ford Center. How do Parkinson and Moores fate intertwine? Welll…..
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - Brendan McPike of Terre Haute South has had a fantastic season (trust me I got the emails and texts to prove it). Can this Outlaw survive returning State Qualifier Moore in the first round to lay way for rematch with Parkinson?
Charles Barkley Turrible Draws - Macartney Parkinson and Greg Glover will meet to determine a spot in Evansville. Another ticket round match that could affect the team race.
Don’t sleep on…. Brenden Moore, Greg Glover, how about a sleeper pic of Drake Buchanan? Do you know his dad was a school teacher at Madison Junior High School when TripleB was only DoubleB and ran the hallways?!?! Never doubt a 3B connection!!
Ford Fab 4 -
1st - Macartney Parkinson Evansville Mater Dei, 2nd - Noah White Columbus East, 3rd - Drake Buchanan Center Grove, 4th - Brendan Mcpike Terre Haute South
Donnie Baker Bet the Boat Guarantee - Brendan McPike will be on the revenge tour Saturday knocking of Parkinson and Noah White.
195: Only 4 state ranked and 8 SS ranked wrestlers leaves this bracket kind of feeling ehhh…. but no worries, the Donnie Baker “Fight of the Night” will deliver and according to DB break up another LOCK. McKinley Kemper was well on his way to locking up a LOCK, like the other Kempers before him. Donnie pulled a Corso and said “Not so fast my friend”
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - No first rd matches of SS ranked grapplers left me searching….just like I”ll be searching the concessions Saturday at about this time.
Charles Barkley Turrible Draws - Again natta, all 4 ranked guys are spread out in quarterbrackets, all seems well.
Don’t sleep on…. Cody Matherly of Jeffersonville, he will have to win one on the STREETs to get to Bankers but the streets of Jeff are no joke.
Donnie Baker’s FIGHT OF THE NIGHT - Ladies and Gentleman, boys and girls, children of all ages, Donnie Baker enterprises in accordance with STATE LAW proudly brings to you the Fight of the Night… it’s a semi final match up between a Junior, from Franklin Community, with a 35-2 record Harrrriiisss Eaassssooonnnn!!! And his opponent from Evansville Central, this senior comes to us with a record of 36 wins and only 1 defeat, ittttttttt’s McKinnnnnnnnnley Kemmmmmper!!!
Ford Fab 4 - Kemper, Eason, Street and Rogers all advance. Kemper so close to a lock, but Eason got a vote.
1st - McKinley Kemper Evansville Central, 2nd - Isaiah Street (I watched this kid almost bleed to death in Iowa as a 6th grader and still finished the match and the tournament helping Team Indiana finish 3rd in the nation, do not sleep on the STREET), 3rd - Harris Eason, 4th - Phoenix Rodgers Heritage Hills
220: 7 state ranked (wow) and all 10 SS ranked wrestlers bring the BOOM to 220. 8 wrestlers all recieved votes. Amongst the chaos the ECSC picks a non state ranked hammer to get through, Yowie Wowie what a weight class!!
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - This quarter bracket features 4 SS ranked dudes - #9 Ethan Rogers, #8 Cordell Huering, #10 Reese Condon, and #7 Kenton Williams all will have to sort it out it to make it out and the votes were not unanimous on who makes it out.
Charles Barkley Turrible Draws - When you have so many ranked guys does it negate Turrible draws? The Donnie Baker Barn Burner of the night and Turrible Draw - #13 Josh Howell of Terre Haute South vs #7 Will Stewart of South Spencer. Spencer is a returning state placer, Howell has one loss and Donnie says this match is going to extra periods - This should be a great match! Also #6 Nathan Willman vs #11 Leighton Jones both are top 4 in SS but one is going home! The last one is #8 (#1 in ss) Micah Dodson vs #15 (#6 in ss) Macray Robinson.
Don’t sleep on…. Stop what you are doing, look up the bracket (The Indianamat one with rankings), take a picture and seriously don’t sleep on any of them
Ford Fab 4 - This was chaos, the ECSC was up until the wee hours debating 220. Here’s what we got:
1st - Nathan Willman North Posey, 2nd - Micah Dodson Martinsville, 3rd - Joshua Howell Terre Haute South, 4th - Kenton Williams Sullivan
TripleBGuarantee - If Ethan Rogers can get on his offense early, he’s going to state. Leighton Jones will go big boy and the frosh will knock out a senior in the ticket round, Will Stewart will go to state… Heck just write this down - 1. Micah Dodson, 2. Leighton Jones, 3. Will Stewart, 4. Ethan Rogers. Take that to the Bank!
285: The last weight and the last LOCK. Last year Dorian Keys took the state by surprise on his run to a state title. There will be no surprises this year as Keys has been labeled a LOCK by the ECSC. 6 state ranked and 9 ss ranked wrestlers round out the semi-state qualifiers for 2020 (round, see what I did there, jeeze I’m losing my mind). 6 garnered votes and the most interesting matchup is a Turrrible draw
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerkers - I’ve been hearing about this one guy all year, “TripleB ya gotta give love to Ke’Tre Dickens, watch out for Dickens, Dickens, Dickens” Well here is his chance to shine and out of the gates he has undefeated Bloomington North wrestler Race Stewart. I’ve been told this could be shocker!
Charles Barkley Turrible Draws - #14 Robbie Gentry vs. #15 Matthew Munoz, both are worthy of state and Munoz has a win over Gentry this year albeit on home turf. There will be no home turf this weekend.
Don’t sleep on…. Hunter Wimpelberg is a senior for Coach Ferguson at Reitz, Regional champ, good program, great coach, do not sleep on Wimpelberg punching a ticket. Robbie Gentry could reverse his fortunes against Munoz and also punch his ticket
Ford Fab 4 - Our last LOCK and Munoz doing what Munoz does best, escaping with a win
1st - Dorian Keys Brownsburg, 2nd - Matthew Munoz Jeffersonville, 3rd - Race Stewart Bloomington North, 4th - Jacob Johnson Franklin
Man we made it…….let’s end w my favorite - food recomendations
Friday night I’m heading to Hilltop Inn for my first ever Brain sandwich. I'm pumped. Brains aren’t your thing? Turonis is a local pizza place that’s dynamite. Like German? Gerst Haus is phenomenal. Want to head out for some adult beverages? Go to Franklin Ave, Gerst Haus is there and a number of other watering holes and great restaurants. I’m never up early enough for Breakfast so I have no clue. I hear the nachos at the Ford are great and worth the $. And a tradition on the way home is Stoll’s Country Diner - lights out fried chicken and down home buffet.
Have a great time Saturday, I thoroughly enjoy the Evansville Semi-State experience. I’ll be there slumming around, feel free to say hey, you can’t miss me! Good luck to all my coaching buddies and all 224 grapplers. Use this to pump you up and get mad bc you were slighted and parents have fun with this as we at Indianamat are just trying to bring attention to our favorite sport, wrestling!
See everybody at the FORD and onto Bankers!
1749 5 22020 New Castle Semi-State Preview
This may be the toughest New Castle Semi State I have ever seen. There will be 20 or more ranked wrestlers staying home next week. As always, brutal ticket round match ups with two top 10 ranked wrestlers. 5 #1 Ranked Wrestlers in the tournament.
106
State Ranked Wrestlers
#3 Suhas Chundi- Carmel
#5 Bryce Lowery- Roncalli
#7 Josh Johnson- Cardinal Ritter
#9 Evan Dickey- Cathedral
#19 Romello Williams- Anderson
Semi-State Ranked Wrestlers
#6 Keaton Morton- Perry Meridian
#7 Nathan Smith- Southport
#8 Garrett Condo- Milan
Potential Match-ups
#5 Bryce Lowery vs #19 Romelo Williams ticket round
Lowery has been on fire in his freshman campaign and is looking to take his first trip to state with his older brother.
#9 Evan Dickey vs #6ss Keaton Morton
These two have not wrestled this year. Morton has an awkward style that could give Dickey issues, but Dickey has experience on the floor at New Castle.
#3 Suhas Chundi vs #7ss Nathan Smith
Chundi has been here before and the podium at state and it looks like he should have a return trip.
#7 Johnson vs #5 Lowery
Rematch from sectionals in the semi finals.
#9 Dickey vs #3 Chundi
Semi-finals
#3 Chundi vs #5 Lowery
Finals
1st Round Picks
Johnson over Condo (4 over 1)
Rodriguez over Vest
Lowery over Hale
Williams over Coffman
Dickey over Cornelius
Morton over Holcomb
Chundi over Fye
Smith over Lengerich
Tickets Punched
Lowery, Chundi, Dickey, Johnson
Alpha Dogs
Lowery and Chundi
113
State Ranked Wrestlers
#1 Alex Cottey- Perry Meridian
#4 Elijah Anthony- Frankfort
#8 Blake Wolf- East Central
#10 Marquarias Wilburn- Warren Central
#11 Logan Carrender LN
#12 Brac Hooper Carmel
#14 Kody Glithero
Semi-State Ranked Wrestlers
#8 Griffin Ingalls Fishers
Potential Match-ups
#11 Carrender vs #4 Anthony ticket round
Anthony has had two incredible seasons so far, but Senior Carrender will be a tough out. His style is awkward and he is extremely strong. Anthony knocked him off in ticket round last year.
#8 Wolf vs #8ss Ingalls first round
Haven’t seen much about this match-up. Ingalls has a win over Wilburn and has been competitive all year. Winner has the privilege of #1 Alex Cottey in the ticket round.
#10 Wilburn vs #12 Hooper ticket round.
These two have had 2 opportunities to wrestle but it hasn’t happened yet. Wilburn has beat Carrender twice which Hooper lost to in a major decision. Hooper pinned Ingalls who beat Wilburn early in the year.
#14 Glithero vs #4 Anthony Semis
Glithero is coming off a huge win over Alex Cottey and Anthony is coming off two straight losses to Hooper. Should be a good one.
1st Round Picks
Glithero over Ellingwood
Driver over Necessary
Carrender over Bullock
Anthony over Gardner
Wolf over Ingalls
Cottey over Reese
Hooper over Marker
Wilburn over Reyes
Tickets Punched
Cottey, Glithero, Anthony, Wilburn
Alpha Dog
Alex Cottey
120
State Ranked Wrestlers
#1 Zeke Seltzer- Cathedral
#4 Carson Eldred- Westfield
#7 Christian White- New Palestine
#10 Anthony Hughes- Lawrence North
#13 Carleton Perry- Warren Central
#14 Jacob Simone- Hamilton Southeastern
#19 Brevan Thrine- New Castle
Semi-State Ranked Wrestlers
#6 Antonio Jefferson LC
Potential Match-ups
#1 Seltzer vs #14 Simone.
Two state place winners do battle to see who gets a chance to go back to Bankers Life. Simone had Eldred on the ropes last week and doesn’t want to end his career at New Castle.
#6SS Jefferson vs Thrine first round
Thrine has had an amazing freshman campaign with his only loss coming by major to Christian White. Jefferson has been here before and lost the last two years. Senior versus freshman.
Winner gets #7 Christian White
White would be the favorite over Thrine. Jefferson may pull the second 4 over 1 here and make the ticket round even crazier.
#13 Perry vs #10 Hughes
These two have wrestled several times over the years with Hughes taking the last one at MIC. Perry is coming off back to back wins over White as well as wins over Glithero and Jefferson who have defeated Hughes. But Hughes tech falled AJ Gunn from Carmel who has a win over Perry.
#1 Seltzer vs #7 White semis.
#4 Eldred vs #10/#13 Hughes/White
1st Round Picks
Seltzer over Myers
Simone over Haggerty
Jefferson over Thrine
White over Pritchett
Eldred over Thang
Dietz over Schneider
Perry over Farling
Hughes over Bray
Tickets Punched
Seltzer, Eldred, Perry, White
Alpha Dog
Zeke Seltzer
126
State Ranked Wrestlers
#5 Brayden Lowery Roncalli
#6 David Pierson- Warren Central
#16 Luke Gonzalez- Cathedral
#19 Cameron Toole- Lebanon
#20 Joey Langeman- Carmel
Semi-State Ranked Wrestlers
#7 Jeremiah Henderson- Lawrence North
Potential Match-ups
#19 Toole vs Brandon first round
Brandon took Pierson down at regionals and is a very hard nosed wrestler. Wouldn’t be surprised to see an upset here. Followed with a ticket round with either super frosh Searcy from East Central or Jeremiah Henderson who has had an up and down year but is dangerous.
#5 Lowery vs #16 Gonzalez ticket round
Gonzalez has kept matches close with elite level guys all year and had a great Al Smith. Lowery shouldn’t overlook him.
#20 Langeman vs Dennison
Dennison has had a great year at 33-1, but I suspect Carmel will have Langeman ready.
#5 Lowery vs #6 Pierson Finals
Lowery won at Marion County 1-0. Should be another great battle.
1st Round Picks
Toole over Ashton
Searcy over Henderson
Lowery over Drilik
Gonzalez over Maitland
Otto over Johnson
Pierson over Lauy
Dennison over Bertram
Langeman over Vinson
Tickets Punched
Lowery, Pierson, Toole, Langeman
Alpha Dog
Brayden Lowery
132
State Ranked Wrestlers
#2 Matt Koontz- Perry Meridian
#7 Aundre Beatty- Warren Central
#9 Andrew Wilson- Cathedral
#10 Luke Goodwin- Southport
#12 Sebastian Bryant- North Central
#16 Jared Brown- Pendleton Heights
#17 Sam Slivka- Roncalli
Semi-State Ranked Wrestlers
#8 Hudson Harreld- Zionsville
Potential Match-ups
#7 Beatty vs #16 Brown ticket round.
Two state qualifiers battling it out to see who goes to the Bank. Beatty had a great regional beating both #2 Koontz 7-0 and #17 Slivka to take home the title.
#10 Goodwin vs Frazier. 4 over 1 potential here.
Goodwin had a brutal regional with Beatty, Koontz, Slivka and himself. He has a win over Frazier over the summer. Winner gets #9 Wilson to punch a ticket. Wilson only has 7 matches this season due to injury but has been to state before.
#8ss Harreld vs #17 Slivka ticket round.
Slivka was a regional champion year that didn’t make it to state. Look for him to punch a ticket.
#12 Bryant vs #2 Koontz ticket round.
This is the premier ticket round match as both of these kids should be placers. Bryant has dominated since dropping to 132 with his only loss being Beatty.
1st Round Picks
Beatty over Lonneman
Brown over Merkel
Goodwin over Frazier
Wilson over Lloyd
Harreld over Bustamante
Slivka over Sherwood
Bryant over Barrett
Koontz over Walston
Tickets Punched
Beatty, Koontz, Goodwin, Slivka
Alpha Dog
Aundre Beatty
138
State Ranked Wrestlers
#2 Logan Bailey- Cathedral
#4 Logan Wagner- Zionsville
#7 Brendan Mattingly- Carmel
#8 Jevian Ross- Warren Central
#14 Dylan Dorman- Greenfield-Central
Semi-State Ranked Wrestlers
#6 David Page- Roncalli
#8 Max Naselroad- Alexandria
Potential Match-ups
#2 Bailey vs #8 Ross.
Brutal matchup of two kids that both should place at state. Both wrestlers have lost in the ticket round twice in their careers. Bailey lost to Beatty from Warren Central last year and Seth Johnson as a freshman. Ross has lost to Wilkerson and Caleb Oliver. Should be some fireworks In this one.
#2Bailey/#8 Ross vs #7 Mattingly Semis
#4 Wagner waiting in finals
1st Round Picks
Walsh over Morgan
Mattingly over Johnson
Bailey over Miles
Ross over Lemieux
Dorman over Smith
Lawson over Crouch
Wagner over Page
Naselroad over Euson
Tickets Punched
Bailey, Wagner, Mattingly, Dorman
Alpha Dogs
Logan Bailey
145
State Ranked Wrestlers
#1 Alec Viduya- Roncalli
#6 Chris Wilkerson- Mount Vernon
#7 Jajuan Anderson- Warren Central
#9 Jeff Dunasky- Guerin Catholic
#13 Jake Shafer- Carmel
#14 Gabe Phillips- Centerville
#14 Reece Luhmann- Hamilton Southeastern
#17 Garrett Stewart- Cathedral
Semi-State Ranked Wrestlers
#8 Brady Mckivitz- Perry Meridian
Potential Match-ups
#9 Dunasky vs #7 Anderson ticket round.
This should be a great ticket round matchup. Dunasky is trying to be Guerins first ever state qualifier. He lost to Warren Centrals Antwaun Graves last year in the ticket round. Anderson has wins over Luhmann, Mckivitz, Stewart, Shafer, and Wilkerson.
#8ss Mckivitz vs #14 Phillips first round.
Mckivitz has had a solid season with some solid wins and some losses in Perrys brutal schedule. Luhmann is waiting in the wings for the winner for a ranked ticket round matchup.
#17 Stewart vs #13 Shafer first round.
Stewart is a huge 145 but has taken a lot of losses. Wolf had a great regional tournament overturning some losses from earlier in the year.
#1 Viduya vs #6 Wilkerson ticket round.
This is another brutal ticket round that leaves behind a projected state place winner. Viduya has been on a different level this year.
1st Round Picks
Dunasky over McDonald
Anderson over Bohan
Luhmann over Nixon
Phillips over McKivitz
Wolf over Taylor
Shafer over Stewart
Viduya over Linkel
Wilkerson over Lindamood
Tickets Punched
Viduya, Anderson, Luhmann, Shafer
Alpha Dog
Alec Viduya
152
State Ranked wrestlers
#1 Brice Coleman- Warren Central
#3 Bryer Hall- East Central
#6 Tyce Frejie- Roncalli
#10 Shane Bates- Zionsville
#18 Aidan Alford- Mount Vernon
Semi-State Ranked Wrestlers
#4 Noah Baker- Perry Meridian
#7 Tyler Jones- Lawrence Central
#8 Tyler Vredeveld- Centerville
Potential Match-ups
#4ss Baker vs #18 Alford first round.
Bake'rs match count is not indicative of his skill. Should be a great match followed with a ticket round date with #10 Bates.
#3 Hall vs #6 Frejie ticket round.
This is a huge matchup. Hall is trying to get back to state after losing to Leavell last year in the ticket round. Frejie has been to the show several times and doesn’t want to end his career at New Castle.
#1 Coleman vs #8ss Vredeveld.
Centerville's only loss this year is to Bryer Hall in the Regional finals. Coleman is looking to make his first trip to state after losing to Rodgers in the ticket round last year.
#3Hall/#6 Frejie vs #1 Coleman Finals
1st Round Picks
Bates over Foster
Baker over Alford
Hall over Ginella
Frejie over Urasky
Jones over Wills
Mobley over McLaren
Coleman over Lemaster
Vredeveld over Fox
Tickets Punched
Coleman, Hall, Bates, Jones
Alpha Dog
Brice Coleman
160
State Ranked Wrestlers
#3 Elliott Rodgers- Cathedral
#4 Cooper Noehre- Greenfield Central
#12 Dante Akins- Indianapolis Lutheran
#14 Damon Mcclain- Warren Central
#15 Andrew Roth- Lawrenceburg
#20 Luke Davis- Zionsville
Semi-State Ranked Wrestlers
#7 Josh Moore- Southport
#8 Max Hayes- Mount Vernon
Potential Match-ups
This weight is pretty spread out on the top ranked wrestlers.
#8SS Max Hayes vs #14 Damon McClain first round.
Hayes has been a tough wrestler for years. McClain has been wrestling well winning the Marion County and MIC tournaments.
#14 McClain vs #20 Davis ticket round.
Davis is coming off a great Regional tournament and is rewarded with the higher ranked McClain in ticket round.
#15 Roth vs #12 Akins.
Akins has to get through a very tough Goodner first from the Deaf school. He pinned Hayes last week. I could be wrong, but Akins might be the first state qualifier for Lutheran.
#3 Rodgers vs #4 Noehre in semis to rematch the state finals from last year.
Their matchup earlier this year ended with a crazy funk roll from Rodgers for the win late in the third.
1st Round Picks
Rodgers over Moore
Williamson over Carr
Noehre over Butterfield
Mitchell over Lowe
Davis over Payne
McClain over Hayes
Roth over Weakley
Akins over Goodner
Tickets Punched
Noehre, McClain, Rodgers, Akins
Alpha Dogs
Cooper Noehre and Elliott Rodgers
170
State Ranked Wrestlers
#7 Tyler Wagner- Cathedral
#8 Bradley Harrington- North Central
#9 Gabe Davin Carmel
#15 Tytus Ragle- New Castle
Semi-State Ranked Wrestlers
#3 Jajuan Dale- Perry Meridian
#6 Chase Poynter- Zionsville
#7 Ronan Hiner- Hamilton Southeastern
#8 Ty Welliever- Southmont
Potential Match-ups
#4SS Dale vs #8SS Welliever first round.
Winner gets #8 Harrington in the ticket round. Harrington is a huge 170 after making the drop from 182 earlier in the year.
#9 Davin vs #15 Ragle ticket round.
Really tough ticket round for Ragle who was winning in Regional finals before getting thrown and pinned.
#6SS Poynter vs Mpole.
Mpole is an unbelievable athlete with a great story of how he came to the United States. Winner has Malson/Bishop in ticket round.
#7 Wagner vs #7ss Hiner.
These two have wrestled each other their whole lives. Don’t expect Hiner to get blown out, he may even steal this ticket from Cathedral.
1st Round Picks
Dale over Welliever
Harrington over Calderon
Davin over Mosconi
Ragle over Rice
Bishop over Malson
Mpole over Poynter
Wagner over Rullman
Hiner over Ortel
Tickets Punched
Harrington, Wagner, Davin, Mpole
Alpha Dog
Bradley Harrington
182
State Ranked Wrestlers
#4 Aidan Warren- Perry Meridian
#6 Johnny Parker- Cathedral
#12 Hayden Filipovich- Indianapolis Lutheran
#13 Garret Sharp- Carmel
#16 Kole Viel- East Central
#18 Dawson McCloud- North Montgomery
#20 Gavin Keesee- Franklin Central
Semi-State Ranked Wrestlers
#7 Riley Woodall- Southmont
Potential Match-ups
#18 McCloud vs Myers.
McCloud has had a great season is looking to continue it against the Iron Bear’s son. Ticket round matchup vs Filipovich who is also trying to get Lutheran to Bankers Life.
#4 Warren vs #7SS Woodall.
Warren has two trips to state in two attempts. Woodall is trying to match his brothers Middle School State Title last weekend.
#16 Viel vs #20 Keesee first round
Followed by a matchup with #13 Sharp in the ticket round. This quarter bracket is brutal with 3 ranked wrestlers.
1st Round Picks
Mccloud over Myers
Filipovich over Lawler
Parker over Broom
Sullivan over Orcutt
Warren over Mcgill
Woodall over Gillespie
Viel over Keesee
Sharp over hanson
Tickets Punched
Warren, Parker, Filipovich, Sharp
Alpha Dog
Aidan Warren
195
State Ranked Wrestlers
#1 Silas Allred- Shenandoah
#3 JD Farrell-cFishers
#4 Kyle Krummen- East Central
#9 Zach White- Carmel
#12 Excell Brooks- Lawrence North
Semi-State Ranked Wrestlers
#5 Jacob Huffman- Cathedral
#6 Jeff McClure- Perry Meridian
#7 Isiah Martin- Brebuf Jesuit
#8 Richard Clevenger- New Palestine
Potential Match-ups
Other than Silas, this weight had 2 unranked regional champions and is wide open.
#3 Farrell vs #12 Brooks ticket round.
Farrell has had a great season including taking Silas down at Connersville. Brooks is incredibly athletic and is a tough matchup for anyone.
#8SS Clevenger vs #4 Krummen
Clevenger has had a great junior campaign including winning the brutal Perry Meridian regional. Krummen just took his first loss to Allred last weekend.
White vs McCloud
Rematch from earlier in the year where White took a 7-5 decision home. Followed by a matchup with Jacob Huffman from Cathedral. I predict the winner of the first round match will knock out the Pendleton regional champ.
#3 Farrell vs #1 Allred
Rematch from Spartan Classic in finals.
1st Round Picks
Farrell over Beard
Brooks over Orcutt
Clevenger over Arvin
Krummen over Martin
Huffman over Shaffer
White tossup McCloud
Allred over Lovell
McClure over Dreher
Tickets Punched
Allred, Farrell, Krummen, (White or McCloud)
Alpha Dog
Silas Allred
220
State Ranked Wrestlers
#2 Drew Webster- North Montgomery
#10 Deshawn Young- Franklin Central
#12 David Guhl- Cathedral
#16 Alex Hernandez- Warren Central
Semi-State Ranked Wrestlers
#6 Parker Smitley- Mount Vernon
#7 Cameron Brown- New Castle
#8 Justin Stephens- Pendleton Heights
Potential Match-ups
A lot of great matchups first and second round. Most of the top dogs are separated until semi finals though. Taylor and Van Beynen should be good. Young and Smitley.
#2 Webster vs #12 Guhl ticket round.
Webster has been on fire this year. Guhl got a very unfortunate draw for having such a great season.
#16 Hernandez vs #7SS Brown.
These two have wrestled 4 times this season. Brown won the first one with Hernandez winning the next 3. Should be a great first round matchup with winner getting Blaine Pierce from Richmond to go to the Bank.
1st Round Picks
Stephens over Lewis
Van Beynen over Taylor
Young over Smitley
Shafer over Arvin
Webster over Rowlett
Guhl over Goodall
Pierce over Schilling
Hernandez over Brown
Tickets Punched
Webster, Young, Hernandez, Van Beynen
Alpha Dog
Drew Webster
285
State Ranked Wrestlers
#2 Andrew Irick- Hamilton Southeastern
#5 Holder Parsons- Cathedral
#6 Cade Campbell- Pendleton Heights
#9 Antone Alexander- Franklin Central
#12 Dennis Hubbard- Warren Central
Semi-State Ranked Wrestlers
#6 Kolt Keller CC
#7 Josh Berger NE
Potential Match-ups
#6SS Keller vs #7SS Berger- First Round
Followed up with a match-up with #9 Antone Alexander.
#2 Irick vs #6 Campbell- Ticket Round
These two have wrestled a few times this year with Irick coming out ahead both times. Brutal draw for Campbell in his senior campaign.
#2 Irick vs #5 Parsons- Finals
1st Round picks
Keller over Berger
Alexander over Anderson
Irick over Pandoli
Campbell over Keevers
Hubbard over Snyder
McDaniel over Myers
Parsons over Jackson
Goodall over Platonov
Tickets Punched
Irick, Parsons, Hubbard, Alexander
Alpha Dogs
Andrew Irick and Holden Parsons
1109 1Top 5 Storylines for #INWRState19
1. Team Race
This will be a good one. We have many teams that could take home the gold here and every match from Friday to Saturday night will matter. Bonus points will matter, getting kids to the semi-finals will matter...oh and don't get team points deducted either. Brownsburg and Mater Dei will bring nine horses to the race, while defending champs Cathedral could have 3-5 finalists. Don't count out Cooper's crew in Columbus as they made a very good run last year. Roncalli surprised many at New Castle and have some very tough title contenders that could pose a threat. Merrillville could be a sleeper team with some guys in solid spots and even Perry Meridian is one to watch. There are so many matches that could win or lose the title and it starts with Friday night.
2. The freshmen
This is a very talented freshman class and for many of us it will be the first time seeing them against top level competition. The Culver three will be fun to watch and we have all heard rave reviews about them. Add to that guys like Jesse Mendez and Zeke Seltzer who are more than battle tested. Look for the freshmen to have great showings this weekend.
3. Will Silas get gold?
He is our top ranked junior and also very highly ranked nationally, but has yet to win gold in the state tournament. This should be his time, but if he looks past any of the competitors h
4. Big guys up for grabs
The 220lbs and 285lbs weights are going to be fun to watch with so many that could bring home a title. There are some team race implications also up here with Brownsburg, Columbus East, and Roncalli to add some spice to the mix.
5. Tonte's Suit
When I think of fashion I ask myself, would Jim Tonte wear this? If the answer is yes, then I know I'm hip and going to look good. Tonte pulls out all the stops with his suit collection. What will he wear this weekend? Who knows, but it will look good!
1961 9 1State Finals #WAYL2
We have 13 wrestlers that enter Friday without a loss on their record. However, the other 209 wrestlers have a combined 1030 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
Tyler Conley- 11
Terrell Leavel- 10
Blaze Garcia, Chris Stewart- 9
Peyton asburg, aundre Beatty- 8
Most wins over state qualifiers
Asa Garcia- 14
alex Mosconi- 13
Alexzander Cottey- 11
Jordan Slivka- 10
Ethan Hicks, Brayden Lowery- 9
Non-State Qualifiers with the most wins over state qualifiers
Brice Coleman- 6
Phoenix Rodgers- 5
Jevian Ross, Bryer Hall, Tyler Turley, Jayden Williams- 4
Undefeated Wrestlers
106 Alexzander Cottey
120 Brayden Lowery, Brayden Littell
126 Jesse Mendez
132 Matt Gimson
145 Matt Lee, Jorden Douglass
170 Nick South
182 Carson Brewer
195 Will Nunn, Silas Allred
285 Jamichael Watts, Alex Cartwright
#WAYL2
Who are your losses to?
Key
*- State Qualifier
(Losses/ State Qualifier Losses/ State Qualifier Wins)
106: Aidan Sprague(9/7/0):Alex Ocampo(4)*, Brady Lewis,Isaac Ruble(2)*, Jared Brooks*, Kody Glithero
106: Alec Freeman(2/1/7):Alexzander Cottey*, Cade Swiderski(Mi)
106: Alex Ocampo(1/1/4):Isaac Ruble*
106: Blaze Garcia(15/9/1):Alec Freeman*, Ashton Hayhurst, Cameron Allen, Cole Ross*, David Pierson*, Jacob Decatur(Oh), Jacob Simone*, Jayden Frazier(Ky), Kamariyon Nelson*, Logan Miller(3)*, Michael Petrella(Oh), Nicolas Castelluccio, Zeke Seltzer*
106: Brennen Cernus(2/0/4):Casey Swiderski(Mi), Matt Ellis(Oh)
106: Carlton Perry(6/6/4):Alec Freeman*,Alexzander Cottey(2)*, Brennen Cernus*, Jacob Simone*, Suhas Chundi*
106: Chris Newman(6/4/0):Alec Freeman(2)*, Blaze Garcia*, Brooks Mcafee(Ky), Logan Miller*, Trayce Eckman(Ky)
106: Dominic Skees(5/2/0):Dillon Barry, Gage Gerald, Malik Hall*, Spencer Gordon, Stephen Roberson*
106: Elijah Anthony(4/4/0):Alexzander Cottey*, Carlton Perry*,Suhas Chundi(2)*
106: Isaac Ruble(6/5/3):Alexzander Cottey*, Brennen Cernus*, Carlton Perry*, Hudson Harreld, Jared Brooks*, Stephen Roberson*
106: Jared Brooks(1/0/2):Blake Kinney
106: Logan Miller(9/5/4):Alec Freeman(2)*,Alexzander Cottey(2)*, Cael Saxton(Oh), Carlton Perry*, Cj Bell(Oh), Jacob Brya(Mi), Kyle Rowan(Oh)
106: Malik Hall(7/6/1):Alexzander Cottey*, Brennen Cernus*, Chris Merrill, Giovanni Diaz*, Jacob Moran*,Stephen Roberson(2)*
106: Stephen Roberson(3/3/4):Alexzander Cottey*, Brennen Cernus*, Suhas Chundi*
106: Suhas Chundi(13/4/4):Alec Freeman*,Alexzander Cottey(2)*, Ben Dalton*
113: Ben Dalton(2/1/3):Hayden Watson, Kamariyon Nelson*
113: Christian White(5/4/1):???,David Pierson(2)*,Zeke Seltzer(2)*
113: Cole Ross(2/2/1):Gavinn Alstott*, Kamariyon Nelson*
113: David Pierson(3/3/4):Logan Galbraith*,Zeke Seltzer(2)*
113: Gavinn Alstott(2/1/1):Ben Dalton*, Josh Koderhandt(Il)
113: Giovanni Diaz(2/2/2):Martin Cruz*, Riley Bettich*
113: Harper Dedman(5/2/1):David Schulte, Drayk Kallenberger(Oh), Jett Boots*, Justin Brantley, Preston Teusch*
113: Jacob Moran(1/0/6):Jacob Decatur(Oh)
113: Jacob Simone(6/4/3):???, Anthony Hughes, Carlton Perry*, Christian White*, David Pierson*, Kamariyon Nelson*
113: Jake Armstrong(5/2/0):Colin Reagan(2), Giovanni Diaz*, Jacob Moran*, Justin Brantley
113: Jett Boots(7/1/1):Anrico Cunningham(Oh), Harper Dedman*, Isaac Weimer(3), Justin Puckett, Landon Bertsch
113: Kamariyon Nelson(9/1/4):Ben Dalton*, Brody Baumann, Dominic Ditullio(Mi), Hayden Watson, Jack Stanley(Oh),Jacob Moon(Oh)(2), Luke Acuna(Oh), Noah Lippeatt(Oh)
113: Landon Bertch(2/1/0):Drayk Kallenberger(Oh), Preston Teusch*
113: Martin Cruz(4/4/2): Jacob Moran(3)*, Zeke Seltzer*
113: Preston Teusch(1/1/2):Jacob Simone*
113: Zeke Seltzer(1/1/6):Jacob Moran*
120: Beau Humphrey(2/2/1):Brayden Lowery*, Kade Zadylak*
120: Blake Boarman(1/1/3):Brayden Littell*
120: Carson Eldred(4/4/2):Brayden Lowery*, Kysen Montgomery*, Riley Bettich*, Ty Haskins*
120: Chris Stewart(9/9/3):Blake Boarman*, Brayden Littell*,Brayden Lowery(4)*, Ian Heath*, Kysen Montgomery*, Trey Finnearty*
120: Evan Beasley(2/2/3):Brayden Littell*, Kysen Montgomery*
120: Jace Alexander(10/4/1): Evan Beasley*, Danny Tolin,Noah Gardner(2), Rasheek Bonds, Riley Bettich*,Trey Finnearty(2)*,Vince Sparrow(2)
120: John Robinson(5/3/0):Beau Humphrey*,Camden Spears(2), Evan Beasley*, Kade Zadylak*
120: Kade Zadylak(2/1/2):Carter Thomas, Evan Beasley*
120: Kysen Montgomery(7/4/8): Brayden Littell(3)*, Carson Eldred*, Gavin Ritter(Oh), Jake Canitano(Oh), Moustapha Bal(Oh)
120: Logan Galbraith(5/4/1):Brayden Lowery*, Carson Eldred*,Chris Stewart(2)*, Traye Owens
120: Riley Bettich(1/1/5):Brayden Littell*
120: Trey Finnearty(2/1/5):Logan Agin(Oh), Riley Bettich*
120: Ty Haskins(7/4/1):Danny Tolin, Enzo Silva(Il), Jace Alexander*, Joey Cape(Il), Martin Cruz*, Riley Bettich*, Trey Finnearty*
120: Tyler Conley(14/11/0):Blake Boarman(2)*, Brayden Littell*, Brayden Lowery*, Chris Stewart*, Devon Casebolt, Garrett Lautzenheiser(Oh), Kysen Montgomery(5)*, Nate Burnett(Oh), Trey Finnearty*
126: Brayden Curtis(1/1/3):Hunter Watts*
126: Brendon Mark(6/4/1):Brock Peele*, Hunter Watts*, Jeremy Clark, Jesse Mendez*, Lukasz Walendzak*, Trevor Penrod
126: Brock Peele(4/3/5):Brady Norman,Jesse Mendez(2)*, Matthew Williams(Oh), Raymond Rioux*
126: Cade Meier(10/7/0):Dylan Phelps(Mi), Hunter Watts*, Jeremy Clark, Jj Conway*,Kane Egli(2)*, Lukasz Walendzak*,Raymond Rioux(2)*, Seth Rohrbach
126: Chase Wilkerson(4/2/5):Brayden Curtis*, Gavin Rose, Jevian Ross, Logan Wagner*
126: Evan Burge(5/4/2):Brendon Mark*,Brock Peele(2)*, Ian Heath*, Jevian Ross
126: Hayden Shepherd(8/5/0):???(2), Brayden Curtis*, Chase Wilkerson*, Ian Heath(3)*, Skyler Blackwell
126: Hunter Watts(1/1/4):Jesse Mendez*
126: Ian Heath(2/2/5):Evan Burge*, Hunter Watts*
126: Jared Brown(8/6/1): Brayden Curtis*,Chase Wilkerson(e)*, Dalton Huffman, Evan Burge*, Jevian Ross, Lukasz Walendzak*
126: JJ Conway(3/2/1):Jesse Mendez*, Matt Koontz, Raymond Rioux*
126: Kane Egli(9/3/2):Andrew Chambal(Mi), Brock Peele*, Cole Wiegers(Mi), J Conway, Jevian Ross, Lukasz Walendzak*, Raymond Rioux*, Reese Darrow(Mi), Sam Bacon(Ky)
126: Logan Wagner(5/5/2):Asa Garcia*, Jesse Mendez*,Lukasz Walendzak(2)*, Raymond Rioux*
126: Lukasz Walendzak(7/6/7):Brayden Lowery*, Brock Peele*, Chase Wilkerson*, Jared Brown*, Jeremy Clark, Logan Wagner*, Raymond Rioux*
126: Raymond Rioux(3/1/7):Davin Rhoads(Oh), Jimmy Carmany(Oh), Lukasz Walendzak*
132: Alec Viduya(1/1/7):Asa Garcia*
132: Asa Garcia(1/0/14):Mick Burnet(Oh)
132: Aundre Beatty(9/8/1):Alec Viduya(4)*,Asa Garcia(2)*, Clay Egli*, Drake Campbell*, Logan Bailey
132: Clay Egli(8/4/1):Asa Garcia(2)*, Chase Mayer(Mi), Eddie Homrock(Mi), Logan Bailey, Logan Boe*, Ricky Hegedus*, Tyler Swiderski(Mi
132: Drake Campbell(9/5/3): Asa Garcia(5)*, Joey Gordon, Kaleob Hitford(Mi, Mick Burnett(Oh), Sam Glassco(Mi)
132: Eli Hickman(4/4/0):Hunter Cottingham(2)*, Reese Rodriguez*, Ricky Hegedus*
132: Geremia Brooks(1/1/4):Matt Gimson*
132: Hunter Brown(5/2/0):???(2), Aundre Beatty*, Seth Johnson*, Tyler Vredeveld
132: Hunter Cottingham(3/3/4):Geremia Brooks*,Matt Gimson(2)*
132: Logan Boe(5/5/1): Asa Garcia(3)*, Drake Campbell*, Kyle Holman*
132: Logan Mosser(2/2/1):Matt Gimson*, William Fiechter*
132: Owen Krider(2/2/0):Hunter Cottingham*, Logan Mosser*
132: Reese Rodriguez(3/3/1):Geremia Brooks*,Ricky Hegedus(2)*
132: Ricky Hegedus(5/2/4):Drake Campbell*, Geremia Brooks*, James Bronstrup(Oh), Logan Bailey, Vincent Zerban(Il)
132: Seth Johnson(3/3/1):Alec Viduya*, Geremia Brooks*, Hunter Cottingham*
138: AJ Poindexter(7/3/2): Droshawn Lewis, Alex Epstein(Oh), Anthony Rivera, Braxton Alexander*, Cameron Worley*, Dylan Goudy*, Joey Orlando(Oh)
138: Braxton Alexander(1/1/4):Conner Gimson*
138: Cameron Worley(6/3/1):???(2), Aj Poindexter*, Braxton Alexander*, Brayden Wright, Gabe Weeks*
138: Cayden Rooks(1/1/4):Aiden Warren*
138: Chris Wilkerson(6/4/1):Alec Viduya*,Dylan Goudy(2)*, Jarred Rowlett, Jordan Vinson, Tyce Freije*
138: Conner Gimson(1/1/6):Cayden Rooks*
138: Drew Kreitzer(6/3/3):Blake Saito(Oh), Christian Killion(Mi),Jaden Reynolds(2)*, Joshua Edmond(Mi), Treyton Mucker*
138: Dylan Goudy(1/1/6):Conner Gimson*
138: Gabe Phillips(2/2/0):Chris Wilkerson*, Kyle Holman*
138: Gabe Weeks(11/5/1):Aj Poindexter*, Andrew Wilson,Braxton Alexander(2)*,Conner Gimson(2)*, Deacon Pettiford, Gabriel Smith, Mason Kleinberg(Oh), Shane Williams(Mi), Tyler Fuqua
138: Jaden Reynolds(10/7/2): Alex Mosconi(3)*, Alex Slates, Cadet Blust(Oh), Cayden Rooks*, Drew Kreitzer(3)*, Gabriel Smith
138: Kyle Holman(10/2/2):Alec Viduya*, Blaine Mayer, Tyce Freije*
138: Macaiah White(8/5/1):???(2), Conner Gimson*, Dylan Goudy(3)*, Luke Goodwin, William Fiechter*
138: Treyton Mucker(6/2/0): Carlos Santos, Carson Deckard(Ky), Cayden Rooks(2)*, Isaac York, Ty Lehman(Ky)
138: Tyce Freije(2/1/3):Cayden Rooks*, Jeff Dunasky
138: William Fiechter(7/3/2):Ac Eberle, Conner Gimson*, Macaiah White*, Nick Buchanan,Tanner Schoeff(2), Tyce Freije*
145: Aiden Warren(6/6/6): Alex Mosconi(3)*, Antwaun Graves*, Matt Lee*, Terrell Leavell*
145: Alex Mosconi(3/2/13):Antwaun Graves*, Derek Gilcher(Mi), Matt Lee*
145: Antwaun Graves(5/4/4):Aiden Warren*, Alex Mosconi*, Bryer Hall, Cooper Noehre*, Matt Lee*
145: Jacob Burford(3/3/7):Alex Mosconi*, Jacob Maldonado*, Jonathan Kervin*
145: Jacob Maldonado(4/4/1):Jacob Burford(2)*, Jorden Douglass*, Terrell Leavell*
145: Jake Jenkins(5/3/6):Bryer Hall, Ethan Hicks*, Isaiah Bretz(Oh), Jacob Burford*, Logan Macklin*
145: Jeffrey Harper(7/6/2):Aiden Warren*, Alex Mosconi*,Jacob Burford(2)*, Jorden Douglass*, Ryan Rasler*, Trae Reynolds
145: Jonathan Kervin(2/1/4):Matt Lee*, Matthew Lee
145: Kade Law(12/7/0):Aiden Warren*, Alex Mosconi*, Brice Coleman, Jajuan Anderson, Jake Jenkins*, Jonathan Kervin(3)*, Kenneth Thompson, L.J. Burdon, Terrell Leavell*, Trent Brown
145: LJ Burdon(5/1/0):???, Aiden Warren*, Camden Chatterton, Jeff Dunasky, Trae Reynolds
145: Logan Macklin(3/3/2):Jake Jenkins*,Ryan Rasler(2)*
145: Ryan Rasler(4/3/4):Daniel Park, Jacob Burford*,Jake Jenkins(2)*
145: Scottie Saylor(12/6/0):Aaron Mckinley, Bryer Hall, Hayden Homoky, Isaiah Bretz(Oh), Jake Jenkins*, Jeffrey Harper*, Joe Parrish*, Logan Macklin*, Michael Garrett, Noah Hollendonner*, Ryan Rasler*, Trent Smith
145: Terrell Leavell(11/10/3):Aiden Warren*, Alex Mosconi(3)*,Antwaun Graves(2)*, Cooper Noehre*, Daniel Park, Jacob Burford*, Jake Jenkins*, Jeffrey Harper*
152: Brock Ellis(2/2/7):Elliott Rodgers*, Ethan Hicks*
152: Cody McCune(8/6/0):Bradley Harrington, Brice Coleman, Eric Hiestand*,Ethan Hicks(2)*, Isiah Levitz*, Jake Lowe*, Jon Ruble*
152: Cole Cervantes(3/2/3):Brock Ellis(2)*, Tyler Turley
152: Cooper Noehre(3/1/8):Brice Coleman, Bryer Hall, Elliott Rodgers*
152: Eli Dickens(2/0/6):Caleb Fish(Mi), James Whitaker(Mi)
152: Elliott Rodgers(4/2/8):Austin Boone(Mi), Cooper Noehre*, Eli Dickens*, Kevon Davenport(Mi)
152: Ellisston Ross(7/6/1):Austin Heckman,Eli Dickens(2)*, Elliott Rodgers*, Ethan Hicks*, Nathan Conley*, Robert Deters*
152: Eric Hiestand(3/3/2):Cooper Noehre*, Ethan Hicks*, Isiah Levitz*
152: Ethan Hicks(1/1/9):Jake Schoenegge*
152: Isaiah Mohmed(8/4/2):Aiden Sarver,Brock Ellis(2)*,Cole Cervantes(2)*, Kamden Goering, Ryan Breedlove, Tyler Turley
152: Isiah Levitz(4/4/3):Brock Ellis*, Coleman Beeks, Ellisston Ross*,Ethan Hicks(2)*
152: Jake Schoenegge(5/5/2):Cooper Noehre*, Eli Dickens*,Elliott Rodgers(2)*, Sam Fair*
152: Mathew Mangus(11/2/0):Austin Heckman, Austin Mcclure, Camden Chatterton, Cooper Noehre*, Devin Scott, Easton Williamson, Gabe Davin, Kamden Goering, Noah Baker, Robert Buckland(Mi), Sam Fair*
152: Nathan Conley(6/3/6):Brice Coleman, Enrique Munguia(Oh), Jake Schoenegge*,Jordan Slivka(2)*, Tristan Ruhlman, Victor Volnovich(Oh)
152: Noah Hollendonner(12/6/1):Brock Ellis(2)*, Cole Cervantes*, Elisha Wright,Isaiah Mohmed(2)*, Jacob Beehn, James Smith, Joe Parrish*, Skyler Querry,Tyler Turley(2)
152: Sam Fair(6/5/3):Brice Coleman,Cooper Noehre(2)*, Eli Dickens*,Elliott Rodgers(2)*
160: Abel Verbeek(5/2/2):???, Donnell Washington*, Gavin Layman, Jon Ruble*, Matt Neff
160: Braden Welch(8/2/2):Aaron Taylor, Austin Boone(Mi), Cameron Amine(Mi, Donnell Washington*, Emmett Cain(Oh), Jordan Slivka*, Salvatore Perrine(Oh), Stoney Buell(Mi)
160: Brooks Davis(6/5/3):Elijah Mahan*,Jordan Slivka(2)*, Kamal Adewumi(Oh), Kyle Saez*, Macartney Parkinson*
160: Donnell Washington(1/1/8):Nick South*
160: Drew Sailors(2/2/1):Braden Welch*, Jon Ruble*
160: Gabe Sollars(12/7/0):Clay Singleton, Devin Trevino(Mi), Donnell Washington*, Jordan Slivka*, Nathan Conley*, Oman Embree(Mi), Peyton Asbury*, Peyton Pruett*,Robert Deters(2)*, Stephen Little(Ky), Tristan Ruhlman
160: Hayden Lohrey(2/1/1):Jed Perry, Jordan Slivka*
160: Jackson Pettigrew(3/3/2):Drew Sailors*, Isiah Levitz*, Jon Ruble*
160: Jake Lowe(4/3/1):Aaron Taylor, Brooks Davis*, Hayden Lohrey*, Jon Ruble*
160: Jaymiere Johnson(7/4/0):???(2),Abel Verbeek(2)*, Braden Welch*, Donnell Washington*, Ryan Breedlove
160: Joe Parrish(5/4/2):Eric Hiestand*,Jackson Pettigrew(2)*, Jon Ruble*, Parker Bates
160: Jon Ruble(6/4/6):Brice Coleman, Brooks Davis*, Elliott Rodgers*, Ethan Hicks*, Peyton Pruett*, Trae Reynolds
160: Jordan Slivka(3/2/10):Cameron Amine(Mi), Donnell Washington*, Nathan Conley*
160: Peyton Asbury(13/8/2):Brooks Davis*, Christopher Donathan(Oh),Dane Donabedian(Mi)(2), Jackson Weissinger(Oh), Jacob Lee(Mi), Jordan Slivka*,Nathan Conley(2)*, Peyton Pruett(3)*, Sam Fair*, Sam Morrill, Will Mcghee(Oh)
160: Peyton Pruett(1/1/6):Jordan Slivka*
160: Robert Deters(5/4/3):???, Eli Dickens*, Nathan Conley*, Peyton Asbury*, Peyton Pruett*
170: Bryce Buckley(8/3/0):Damon Mcclain,Delton Moore(2)*, Luke Lechner(3), Mikey Smith, Zane Gilbreath*
170: Clayton Fielden(3/2/3):Derek Blubaugh*, Nick South*, Parker Bates
170: Colin Kwiatkowski(8/1/2):Aidan Sneed(2), Colton Massey, Dalton Sizemore, Harold Jones, Joseph Walker*, Kevin Hooley, Tucker Coffman
170: Delton Moore(6/5/2):Clayton Fielden*, James Snyder,Zane Gilbreath(4)*
170: Derek Blubaugh(4/4/3):Joseph Walker*, Macartney Parkinson*,Nick South(2)*
170: Elijah Mahan(1/2/4):Jordan Slivka*, Logan Hart*
170: Graham Calhoun(1/1/7):Joseph Walker*
170: Jason Streck(10/6/0):Colin Kwiatkowski(2)*, David Sheley, Derek Blubaugh*, Donnell Washington*,Graham Calhoun(2)*,Josh Warmick(2), Kevin Hooley
170: Joseph Walker(3/3/3):Graham Calhoun(2)*, Nick South*
170: Josh Lowe(3/3/2):Kyle Saez(2)*, Logan Hart*
170: Kyle Saez(4/3/7):Brendan Mcpike, Donnell Washington*, Elijah Mahan*, Logan Hart*
170: Logan Hart(12/6/3):Donnell Washington*,Elijah Mahan(2)*,Kyle Saez(2)*, Macartney Parkinson*
170: Macartney Parkinson(3/1/4):Micah Ervin(Ky), Nick South*, River Shettler(Mi)
170: Thierry Jean-Baptiste(11/4/0):Beau Smith(Mi), Cole Foor(Oh), Derek Blubaugh*, Drew Wiechers(Oh), Jay Nivison(Mi), Kamal Adewumi(Oh),Kyle Saez(2)*, Macartney Parkinson*, River Shettler(Mi), Simon Shirley(Oh)
170: Zane Gilbreath(6/5/5):Clayton Fielden*, Eli Pack,Graham Calhoun(2)*,Josh Lowe(2)*
182: Andrew Donahue(2/1/1):Alex Castro, Evan Bates*
182: Austin Leech(7/3/0):Bradley Rosman*,Brandon Bergman(2), Jacob Huffman, Jake Lone*, Luke Davis,
182: Bradley Rosman(2/2/2):Mason Winner(3)*
182: Devontay Moore(12/3/0):Cameron Bacon, Clayton Todd,Jalen Morgan(2)*, Jd Farrell*, Phoenix Rodgers(3),Pj Sterrett(2), Ryan Mahoney, Zach Knoll
182: Evan Bates(2/1/6):Alex Cramer(Il), Jacob Laplace*
182: Jacob Combs(5/2/1): Hayden Filipovich, Excell Brooks, Jalen Morgan*, Pj Sterrett, Trizton Carson*
182: Jake Lone(4/4/5):Clayton Fielden*, Evan Bates*, Graham Calhoun*, Mason Winner*
182: Jalen Morgan(3/1/5):???, Bradley Rosman*, Phoenix Rodgers
182: JD Farrell(4/2/1):Cameron Bacon(2), Carson Brewer*, Jacob Combs*
182: Levon Bellemy(1/1/2):Carson Brewer*
182: Mason Winner(2/1/4):Jake Lone*, Trey Sizemore(Oh)
182: Noah Perez(7/7/1):Andrew Donahue*, Evan Bates(3)*, Jake Lone(3)*, Khris Walton
182: Trizton Carson(4/4/1):Carson Brewer(2)*, Levon Bellemy*, Zachary Flynn*
182: Zachary Flynn(6/2/1):Carson Brewer*, Ethan Tomerlin(Ky), Hunter Kunz, Levon Bellemy*, Phoenix Rodgers, Will Nix
182: Jacob LaPlace(2/2/1): Andrew Donahue*, Evan Bates*
195: Austin Lane(5/3/3):Deshawn Young, Jack Heldt, Lawson Aiken*, Nick Willham*, Silas Allred*
195: Cale Gray(5/5/2):Chandler Chapman(2)*,Charlie Agnew(2)*, Stewart Mossholder*
195: Chandler Chapman(2/2/2):Cale Gray*, Charlie Agnew*
195: Charlie Agnew(1/0/4):Jacob Kowalski(Oh)
195: Dakari Kenny(4/2/2):Deon Pettiford, Jack Heldt, Nick Willham*, Will Nunn*
195: Ethan Potosky(4/2/2):Damien Rodriguez, Ewan Donovan*, Nolan Wampler, Rockne Hurley*
195: Ewan Donovan(2/2/3):Ethan Potosky*, Rockne Hurley*
195: Grant Johnson(5/3/0):???, Ethan Potosky*, Ewan Donovan*, Jacob Trefarn, Rockne Hurley*
195: Griffin Stine(8/6/0):Austin Lane*,Dakari Kenny(2)*, Jack Heldt,Nick Willham(2)*, Sam Medlin, Will Nunn*
195: KJ Roudebush(3/2/1):Austin Lane*, Stewart Mossholder*, Tremor Bynum
195: Kyle Krummen(10/3/0):Andrew Abbott, Blaine Pierce, Braden Mulcahy(Oh), Dylan Thompson,Evan Shafer(2), Jalen Morgan*, Kj Roudebush*, Noah Rowlett, Silas Allred*
195: Nick Willham(2/2/4):Will Nunn(2)*
195: Rockne Hurley(2/1/3):Austin Lane*, James Snyder
195: Stewart Mossholder(3/3/2):Cale Gray*, Charlie Agnew*, Jalen Morgan*
220: AJ Fowler(2/2/4):Drew Bailey*, Jacob Bolte*
220: Andrew Irick(2/2/4):Drew Webster*, Kyle Cornwell*
220: Christian Graft(12/5/1):???, Cameron Brown, Drew Webster*, Jayden Elwood(3)*, Keegan Miller, Parker Smitley, Reese Wicker*, Tristan Martin,Tristen Martz(2)
220: Cullen Browning(4/2/0):???(2), Andrew Irick*, Drew Webster*
220: Damari Dancy(12/6/0):Aj Fowler(2)*, Alex Searfoxx, Breslin Walker(Oh), David Guhl,Drew Bailey(2)*, Eddie Alonso, Ethan Alderson, Gabe Robison(Il), Jacob Bolte*, Joey Kidwell*, John Wilcher, Jonathan Williams, Mark Mummy, Sam Perez, Tyler Stein(Oh), Wil Stone
220: Drew Bailey(2/2/4):Aj Fowler(2)*
220: Drew Webster(1/1/4):Andrew Irick*
220: Jacob Bolte(1/1/7):Lawson Aiken*
220: Jayden Elwood(3/2/5):Braydon Erb,Levi Leffers(2)*
220: Joey Kidwell(2/2/1):Drew Bailey*, Ewan Donovan*
220: Josh Howell(6/3/0):Deshawn Young, Haakon Vanbeynan, Jacob Bolte*, Lawson Aiken*, Micah Dodson, Will Stewart*
220: Kyle Cornwell(3/3/1):Andrew Irick(2)*, Drew Webster*
220: Lawson Aiken(4/1/3):Ethan Smegal(Oh), Jacob Bolte*,Jayden Williams(2), Owen Quillin(Oh)
220: Levi Leffers(1/1/5):Jayden Elwood*
220: Reese Wicker(8/4/1):???, Christian Graft*, Jayden Elwood*, Keegan Miller,Levi Leffers(2)*, Tytan Grote(Oh), Victor Lee
220: Will Stewart(2/1/1):Jacob Bolte*, Matthias Ervin(Ky)
285: Aidian Rea(10/4/0):Aaron Breivogel, Dorian Keys*, Jamichael Watts*, Lane Eubank, Luke Mcgennis,Matthew Munoz(2)*, Matthias Ervin(Ky), Nathaniel Duncan, Wyatt Kramer
285: AJ Jones(3/1/1):Adam Bowman, Andrew Hughes, Holden Parsons*
285: Anthony Atria(5/3/0):Alex Cartwright*, Jorge Martinez, Nick Garcia, Will Crider*, Yehezquel Devault*
285: Crae Kunkleman(8/3/2):???(2), Jamichael Watts(3)*, Jonathan Williams,Kolt Keller(2)
285: Dorian Keys(4/1/5):Crae Kunkleman*, Joel Radvansky(Mi), Steven Kolcheff(Mi), Tche Leroux(Oh)
285: Holden Parsons(2/1/3):Adam Bowman, Muhammad Sidibe*
285: John Harris(3/2/3):Dennis Hubbard,Jamichael Watts(2)*
285: Logan Swallow(5/3/0):Aj Jones*, Holden Parsons*, Logan Shaffer, Venice Mccullough, Vince Yoder*
285: Matthew Munoz(9/2/2):Cameron Elmore, Chance Bolin, Cody Melton(Ky), Dylan Thompson, Esmond Orris(Ky), Jacob Bolte*, Max Comado, Muhammad Sidibe*, Robbie Gentry
285: Muhammad Sidibe(4/4/2): Dorian Keys(3)*, Jamichael Watts*
285: Sam Jones(13/6/0):Antone Alexander, Crae Kunkleman*, David Guhl, Dennis Hubbard, Dorian Keys*, Isaac Lawrence, Jacob Bolte*,Jayden Williams(2), John Harris(3)*, Robbie Gentry
285: Vince Yoder(6/3/1):Chase Leeper(2), Holden Parsons*, Levi Leffers*, Yehezquel Devault, Zach Mcqueen
285: Will Crider(4/1/1):Alex Coleman(Oh), Nathanial Duncan, Nathaniel Duncan, Yehezquel Devault*
285: Yehezquel Devault(2/2/2):Alex Cartwright(2)*
2003 4 12019 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 unforeseen 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 175 or just under 78% in our final rankings. On top of that 206 of the wrestlers were in our state or semi-state rankings. Here is a breakdown by weight and highlight matches to watch on Friday night.
2019- 175
2018- 179
2017- 169
2016- 175
2015- 172
2014- 171
2013- 171
2012- 170
2011- 157
2010- 159
2009- 143
106lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 14
Unranked qualifiers:
Chris Newman- Mt. Vernon
Dominic Skees- Lafayette Central Catholic
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#5 Stephen Roberson- Crown Point vs. #11 Isaac Ruble- Bellmont
#3 Alec Freeman- Evansville Mater Dei vs. #9 Elijah Anthony- Frankfort
#16 Alex Ocampo- Central Noble vs. #6 Malik Hall- Merrillville
#2 Brennen Cernus- Culver Academies vs. #20 Aidan Sprague- East Noble
#7 Carlton Perry- Warren Central vs. #8 Logan Miller- Brownsburg
#12 Blaze Garcia- Avon vs. #4 Suhas Chundi- Carmel
113lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 13
Unranked qualifiers:
Harper Dedman- Oak Hill
Jake Armstrong- Winamac Community.
Landon Bertch- Bluffton
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#12 Preston Teusch- Huntington North vs. #14 Jacob Simone- Hamilton Southeastern
#9 Gavinn Alstott- Floyd Central vs. #7 Martin Cruz- Merrillville
#2 Zeke Seltzer- Indianapolis Cathedral vs. #16 Jett Boots- Angola
#4 Giovanni Diaz- Wheeler vs. #17 Kamariyon Nelson- Brownsburg
#1 Jacob Moran- Portage vs. #5 Cole Ross- Evansville Mater Dei
120lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 14
Unranked qualifiers:
John Robinson- Delta
Logan Galbraith- North Central
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#19 Beau Humphrey- FW Snider vs. #8 Trey Finnearty- Culver Academies
#4 Brayden Lowery- Roncalli vs. #11 Tyler Conley- Avon
#16 Jace Alexander- Wawasee vs. #17 Kade Zadylak- Norwell
#2 Blake Boarman- Evansville Mater Dei vs. #10 Chris Stewart- Warren Central
#12 Evan Beasley- Northridge vs. #14 Ty Haskins- Portage
#5 Carson Eldred- Westfield vs. #6 Kysen Montgomery- Brownsburg
126lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 13
Unranked qualifiers:
Brendon Mark- Mishawaka
Hayden Shepherd- Western
Jared Brown- Pendleton Heights
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#9 Chase Wilkerson- Mt. Vernon (Fortville) vs. #16 JJ Conway- Floyd Central
#3 Hunter Watts- Jimtown vs. #15 Evan Burge- McCutcheon
#12 Kane Egli- Evansville Mater Dei vs. #7 Logan Wagner- Zionsville
#6 Lukasz Walendzak- Indianapolis Cathedral vs. #14 Cade Meier- Bloomington South
#5 Brock Peele- Portage vs. #2 Brayden Curtis- Yorktown
132lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 13
Unranked qualifiers:
Aundre Beatty- Warren Central
Eli Hickman- Rensselaer Central
Hunter Brown- Cambridge City Lincoln
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#4 Geremia Brooks- Wawasee vs. #11 Clay Egli- Evansville Mater Dei
#13 Seth Johnson- North Montgomery vs. #17 Logan Mosser- Adams Central
#7 Logan Boe- Plainfield vs. #16 Reese Rodriguez- Hammond Morton
#2 Alec Viduya- Roncalli vs. #15 Owen Krider- Carroll (FW)
#10 Ricky Hegedus- Portage vs. #9 Drake Campbell- Brownsburg
138lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 12
Unranked qualifiers:
AJ Poindexter- Harrison (WL)
Cameron Worley- Lafayette Jefferson
Gabe Weeks- Mishawaka
Treyton Mucker- Tell City
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#1 Cayden Rooks- Columbus East vs. #20 William Fiechter- Southern Wells
#3 Conner Gimson- Jimtown vs. #8 Drew Kreitzer- Brownsburg
#4 Braxton Alexander- Wawasee vs. #5 Gabe Phillips- Centerville
#15 Jaden Reynolds- Avon vs. #11 Dylan Goudy- Western
145lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 14
Unranked qualifiers:
Kade Law- Columbus East
Scottie Saylor- Carroll (FW)
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#8 Jacob Burford- Crown Point vs. #5 Antwaun Graves- Warren Central
#20 Terrell Leavell- Lawrence Central vs. #10 Jacob Maldonado- Merrillville
#3 Alex Mosconi- Indianapolis Cathedral vs. #13 Jeffrey Harper- Penn
#7 Jonathan Kervin- Floyd Central vs. #11 Jake Jenkins- Homestead
#6 Jorden Douglass- Attica vs. #4 Aiden Warren- Perry Meridian
#14 Ryan Rasler- Prairie Heights vs. #12 LJ Burdon- Plainfield
152lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 12
Unranked qualifiers:
Cody McCune- Huntington North
Isaiah Mohmed- Wheeler
Mathew Mangus- Zionsville
Noah Hollendonner- Crown Point
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#3 Cooper Noehre- Greenfield-Central vs. #15 Ellisston Ross- Bloomington South
#10 Cole Cervantes- Griffith vs. #11 Eric Hiestand- Yorktown
#7 Nathan Conley- Avon vs. #2 Elliott Rodgers- Indianapolis Cathedral
#9 Sam Fair- Perry Meridian vs. #5 Jake Schoenegge- Columbus East
160lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 11
Unranked qualifiers:
Abel Verbeek- Lowell
Braden Welch- Culver Academies
Drew Sailors- Rochester Community
Gabe Sollars- Evansville Mater Dei
Jaymiere Johnson- Hammond Gavit
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#6 Jackson Pettigrew- Columbia City vs. #18 Hayden Lohrey- Shenandoah
#2 Jordan Slivka- Indianapolis Cathedral vs. #19 Joe Parrish- Homestead
#11 Jon Ruble- Bellmont vs. #12 Jake Lowe- North Montgomery
170lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 14
Unranked qualifiers:
Bryce Buckley- Eastern (Greentown)
Delton Moore- Manchester
Jason Streck- Merrillville
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#11 Kyle Saez- Westfield vs. #6 Macartney Parkinson- Evansville Mater Dei
#7 Derek Blubaugh- Bloomington South vs. #10 Logan Hart- Carmel
#5 Elijah Mahan- Roncalli vs. #14 Thierry Jean-Baptiste- Brownsburg
#16 Colin Kwiatkowski- Valparaiso vs. #18 Zane Gilbreath- Rochester Community
#1 Nick South- Columbus East vs. #13 Josh Lowe- North Montgomery
182lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 13
Unranked qualifiers:
Austin Leech- Garrett
Jacob Combs- Hagerstown
Zachary Flynn- Jasper
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#7 Mason Winner- Jay County vs. #19 Devontay Moore- North Central (Indpls.)
#17 Noah Perez- LaPorte vs. #3 Levon Bellemy- Edgewood
#1 Carson Brewer- Avon vs. #15 Noah Brown- Penn
#14 JD Farrell- Fishers vs. #6 Jake Lone- NorthWood
#5 Evan Bates- Chesterton vs. #9 Trizton Carson- Danville Community
195lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 13
Unranked qualifiers:
Chandler Chapman- Jay County
Griffin Stine- Martinsville
Kyle Krummen- East Central
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#9 KJ Roudebush- Tipton vs. #17 Dakari Kenny- Pike
#5 Nick Willham- Greenwood Community vs. #12 Austin Lane- Perry Meridian
#2 Ewan Donovan- Hebron vs. #8 Stewart Mossholder- Oak Hill
#7 Cale Gray- Norwell vs. #18 Ethan Potosky- Crown Point
220lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 10
Unranked qualifiers:
Christian Graft- Huntington North
Cullen Browning- Northeastern
Damari Dancy- Portage
Grant Johnson- New Prairie
Josh Howell- Terre Haute South Vigo
Reese Wicker- Churubusco
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#6 Joey Kidwell- West Lafayette vs. #4 Kyle Cornwell- Elwood Community
#3 Andrew Irick- Hamilton Southeastern vs. #10 Drew Bailey- Merrillville
#13 Will Stewart- South Spencer vs. #9 Jayden Elwood- Leo
285lbs
Number of Ranked Wrestlers Qualifying: 11
Unranked qualifiers:
Aidian Rea- Heritage Hills
AJ Jones- Madison-Grant
Logan Swallow- Monroe Central
Matthew Munoz- Jeffersonville
Sam Jones- Perry Meridian
Vince Yoder- Fairfield
First round match-ups of ranked wrestlers:
#1 Jamichael Watts- North Central vs. #19 Anthony Atria- Merrillville
#17 Crae Kunkleman- Hamilton Southeastern vs. #2 Yehezquel DeVault- Penn
#18 Will Crider- Harrison (WL) vs. #10 John Harris- Roncalli
First round match-ups of unranked wrestlers:
Matthew Munoz- Jeffersonville vs. Vince Yoder- Fairfield
11519 6 22019 State Finals Information Center
State Finals Hashtag: #INWRState19
Social Media
IHSAA on Twiiter
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Finals Broadcast TV Listing
Click here for a list of providers
Brackets
TrackWrestling.com
IndianaMat with rankings
Pick'em Contests
Standings after semi-state
State Finals Pick'em Top 8
Mat Burns Pick the Champions
Gorilla Radio
Episode 67 talking about 106-145
Episode 68 talking about 152-285
Featured Articles
State Finals by the Numbers
State Finals #WAYL2
IHSAA State Finals Preview
2019 State Finals Media Guide
Top 5 Storylines
History of the State Tournament
General Information
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. 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 Fieldhouse Fan Guide.
Admission: $8 per session or $20 both days. Children 24 months old and younger admitted free of charge.
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).
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 10, 2019. Greg Rakestraw and Hall of Fame coach Mike Goebel will serve as hosts.
Friday, Feb. 15, 2019
Parade of Champions 5:45 pm ET
First Round | 6 pm ET (Gates open at 4:30 pm ET)
Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019
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
986 62019 East Chicago Semi-State Preview
By Chad Hollenbaugh
The annual region rumble will again invade the mammoth East Chicago Central gymnasium this Saturday morning. And after an exclusive 12 month tour of Europe, Scandinavia and the Subcontinent, Karl Hungus has returned to both fix the cable and regale the region rats and rat wannabes with his potent predictions.
TEAM RACE
Three Duneland Conference powers look to battle it out for the Semi-State title. Merrillville has used their outstanding depth to win both the conference title as well as sectional and regional crowns. Rival Portage has been nipping at the heels of the Pirates and their frontline hammers could pull them through to a title this weekend. Crown Point is not far behind and will definitely be a player this weekend. Penn and upstart Culver Academies will be looking to break the region stranglehold over this semi state.
106
The bracket gods did not line up things right as the two prospective top lightweights are on the same side of the bracket in Culver Military’s 2nd ranked Brennen Cernus and Crown Point’s 5th ranked Stephan Roberson. One of these two studs will be sent to the 3rd/4th match this Saturday. On the other side of the bracket, Merrillville’s mighty mite Malik Hall appears to have an excellent shot at making it to the finals. The final spot should come down to Lafayette Central Catholic’s regional champ Alex Skees and Chesterton’s Luke Steno.
113
The region is usually particularly tough in the lighter weight classes, and the 113 class Is no exception as number 1 ranked Jacob Moran of Portage continues in his quest of a state title. Moran has not been seriously tested by anyone in state this year. Look for him to cruise to the title. 4th ranked Gio Diaz of Wheeler is on the other side of the bracket and will most like make a return trip to Banker’s Life. Mishawaka’s Brodie Fogerty appears to have gotten the sweetest draw in this bracket and Frontier’s Colin Reagan (ranked 10th) or Merrillville’s Martin Cruz (ranked 7th) have the death draw as both these potential podium placers will likely meet up in a ticket round tussle.
120
This weight class might produce the first real fireworks of the day and some legitimate dog fights for that coveted ticket to Indy. 3rd ranked Riley Battich of Crown Point and 8th ranked Trey Finnearty of Culver Military look to lock up a state birth in their quarter brackets. The other two groups of 4 should produce some awesome match ups. Wawasee’s sophomore stud, Jace Alexander was able to slide past rival Vince Sparrow at regional via an injury default. As a result, he should be able to punch a ticket to state. The final slot will likely come down to Duneland rivals Ty Haskins of Portage and Danny Tolin of Chesterton. Tolin has had the slight advantage recently but anything can happen at semi state.
126
Karl’s favorite guitarist from the 1970s Smokey and Bandit series, Jerry Reed, once sang a song titled When Your Hot Your Hot, When Your Not Your Not. No this was not a comparison of ontherise219 and Broken Towel Rack, but it does describe the Penn Regional and how those wrestlers will play out at semi state. Mishawaka’s Brendon Mark got hot at the right time and won a regional title. That put him in excellent position to make a semi state run to Indy. Seniors Trevor Penrod from South Bend Riley and Logan Hill of Penn did not have the hot streak and face longer odds. McCutheon’s 16th ranked Evan Burge appears to be lined up to power through his quarter bracket and punch his state ticket. The class of the bracket is in the bottom half where top ranked frosh Jesse Mendez of Crown Point and veteran stud Brock Peele of Portage will likely battle in the semi finals.
132
There looks to little drama in this weight class as the champs from the four regionals look to be the favorites to also qualify for state. Geremia Brooks of Wawasee is ranked fourth in the state and only has one blemish on his record. Undefeated Andres Moreno of Lowell looms on the other side of the bracket with a possible semi state title on the line. I like Rensselaer Central’s Elijah Hickman and Portage grinder Rickey Hegedus as the other two state streeters in this mix.
138
This bracket appears to be a little more topsy-turvy than 132 as several potential upsets appear to possible. This should make for a very interesting weight class. Two great ticket round possibilities might take place in the top half of the bracket as Merrillville’s Anthony Rivera and Mishawaka’s Gabe Weeks will likely square off with a state berth on the line. A similar prospect might emerge in the second quarter bracket with Chesterton’s Cade Johnson and Harrison’s AJ Poindexter likely to meet in the ticket round. The bottom half of the bracket seems a little more settled with LaPorte Slicer regional champ Tyler Nicely and longtime Wawasee Warrior Braxton Alexander likely to meet in the semis. Alexander is the class of this weight class.
145
A couple of relative upstarts look to control this bracket as 8th ranked Jacob Burford of Crown Point and small school stud Jorden Dougglas of Attica (6th ranked) appear on opposite sides of the bracket. These two are looking to make a name for themselves on the state level next week. The fight for the other two state berths will be hotly contested as Merrillville’s Jacob Maldonado should be tested by Wawasee’s Garrett Stuckman and Penn’s Jeffrey Harper will have his hands full with either Lake Central’s Daniel Park or Morton’s Isiah Watts.
152
Much like the 145 bracket, the 152 set of 16 will feature two state ranked grapplers and a host of others looking to break out onto the state scene. The big dog in this weight class is eighth ranked Chesterton Trojan Brock Ellis. He owns a big 17-5 victory over the other state ranked grappler in this class, Cole Cervantes of Griffith. Both of these region rumblers possess the talent to win on Friday night in Indy. Regional champs Drew Mason of Mishawaka and Spencer Phillips of McCutcheon appear to peaking at the right time and have the right draw to advance.
160
Only two state ranked wrestlers are in this bracket as the rest of this semi state seems to be trying to avoid Portage super stud, Donell Washington. The leader of the Indian squad is a runaway favorite to dominate at East Chicago. All others will be fighting for runner up status barring a huge upset. 13th ranked Brock Merkel of Harrison will likely have his hands full with Abel Verbeek of Lowell. LaPorte Slicer Matt Neff and Culver Academy’s freshman Braden Welch appear to be peaking at the right time and have good draws to make it to the Circle City.
170
A deep and talented field of middle weights will entertain wrestling fans in the region this Saturday. Most non-partisan fans will be hoping for the rubber match between junior class rivals Graham Calhoun of Plymouth (2nd ranked) and 4th ranked Joseph Walker of Mishawaka. They have split two previous matches this year. This could be a potential match for all the marbles next week. Portage wrestles a killer schedule and that should prepare grizzled vet Josh Warmick to make a state run in the bottom half of the bracket. The last spot will be hard fought with three super sophs battling for the final state slot. Culver Military’s Eli Pack, Merrillville’s Jason Streck, and Kankakee Valley’s regional champ Aiden Sneed will bet duking it out for that 4th ticket to Indy.
182
Karl Hungus loves watching the upper weights battle and the 182 weight class is a personal favorite. East Chicago’s Semi State will not disappoint this year as a host of studs populate bracket. In the top quarter bracket, regional champ Jack Hargan of Attica will be in a dogfight with the physical Noah Perez of LaPorte. Frosh phenom Andrew Donahue of Culver Military look to have the easiest path to Indy in this bracket. In the bottom half….Whoa Nelly! 5th ranked Jacob Bates of Chesterton will likely brawl with 2nd ranked Jake LaPlace of Mishawaka with a state berth on the line. This one will be worth the price of admission. The last spot in this tough, tough class will likely come down to Penn’s Noah Brown and Merrillville’s Khris Walton. A match that might play a role in the team race.
195
Wow! Another absolutely loaded class with athletic brawlers. Four state ranked studs will be in the fight of their lives with other lesser known studs trying to punch that elusive ticket to Banker’s Life. Each quarter bracket features matches that will be so tough to call. One loss Jacob Trefan of Culver Military will likely battle 2nd ranked Ewan Donavan for the golden ticket. Seniors Braden Oakley of Harrison and Rockne Hurley of Penn will duke it out for the second slot. The third quarter bracket is a best. Any of the four grapplers could take that ticket to state. Sophomore Bobby Babcock is Hungus’ pick to click. Triton’s James “Bo” Snyder avenged his sectional loss and will be in a slobber knocker with veteran Crown Point Bulldog Ethan Potosky. Wow!
220
These upper weight classes at East Chicago are absolute meat grinders and so difficult to predict. Merrillville’s Drew Bailey came up big at regional and defeated neighborhood rival Art Fowler. This put the 10th ranked Bailey in a great position to qualify for state this weekend. The 2nd ranked Fowler dropped to the last quarter bracket where he will have to contend with the sensational John Thomas of South Bend Adams. Two of the best big man athletes in the state will be on display in this ticket round tilt. Joey Kidwell of West Lafayette has a sparkling 40-1 record but must contend with Caveman Garrett Sandefur for that elusive state slot.
285
Wrapping up the East Chicago Semi state with the Big Boys. It appears that three of the four quarter brackets should go the way of chalk and the final slot will be a great ticket round match. Massive Alex Cartwright of LaVille is 5th ranked and coming off his best win of the year defeating 2nd ranked Yehezequal DeVault of Penn in the regional finals. Cartwright has been a stud for 3 years and has just had a some bad luck at semi state. He can contend for a state title. DeVault is on the other side of the bracket but will have no cakewalk in his ticket round as he will likely face regional champ Nick Garcia of Lake Central. Will Crider of Harrison and Anthony Atria of Merrillville will look to continue the tradition of fine heavyweight wrestlers at their respective schools.
1645 22019 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.
1957 232019 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)
2311 42017 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
3168 82017 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 ‘8â€.
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)
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