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    2019 Fort Wayne Semi-State Preview

    By Caleb Spires

    Every mid-February, 3/4ths of Indiana wrestling fans go to their semi-states and are forced to spend all day watching inferior wrestling, laughably under the impression that they are aren’t missing out on the REAL Indiana wrestling. The other fourth of us, however, know the truth. And we get the pleasure of traveling to Fort Wayne and witnessing the only semi-state worth watching! After years of Yorktown taking the team title, it is wide open this season with multiple teams that have a shot at taking home the gold.

    In case you are new to the semi-state scene and not positive on how the tournament works, here is a basic rundown. Each semi-state has four feeder regionals. Those four regionals take the top four wrestlers from each weight class and blindly pair them in to four quarter brackets with a regional champion vs. 4th placer and a runner-up vs. 3rd placer. Placement is simple; win your first two matches, you’re a state qualifier and will continue wrestling to determine your spot 1st-4th. Lose one of your first two matches, and you’re done for the day, as well as the season. 

    Without any more hesitation, let’s jump into the weight class breakdowns.

    Early #SlobberKnockers - First round matches you won’t want to miss.
    State Street Fights - Ticket round matches that should bring you to your feet.
    #WAYL2 - Who are your losses to?

    106:
    Not too surprisingly, our lightest weight class brings a slew of kids you’re going to continue watching in the coming years; not a single wrestler in this bracket is a senior. But while youthful, there is still a lot of talent here.

    Up top, Bellmont freshman Isaac Ruble has been one of the favorites at this weight all season, and so far in the postseason there isn’t much reason to disagree. He has been absolutely unchallenged at sectionals and regionals. Regardless, it would be unwise to overlook Blake Kinney of Maconaquah, who comes in with wonderful season under his belt. He is dangerous and could send Ruble packing early if he’s not careful.

    Moving on, Central Noble freshman Alex Ocampo comes in with a spotless record, albeit with only about a half-season. He is incredibly athletic, strong, and scrambles like his life is on the line. Harvey Barr of Kokomo and Colton Weimer battle in the first round with a potential match with Ocampo looming in the ticket round. Three of Weimer’s eight losses have come to Ocampo this season.

    Wabash freshman Jared Brooks has looked wonderful this season. After his first slip up of the season, a 10-1 loss to Kinney at sectionals, he responded tremendously with an 11-0 victory at regionals. His path to Banker’s Life won’t be easy. A first round match between Muncie Central’s Gage Cline and Northridge’s Jasper Graber features two tough wrestlers who will do everything in their power to push their seasons an extra week.

    Lastly, we are likely to see part 4 in the Brady Lewis vs. Aidan Sprague saga. Sprague(East Noble) has a 2-1 advantage over Lewis(Huntington North) this season with a combined 11-9 advantage. This is anybody’s match.

    Early #SlobberKnockers:
    Jasper Graber(Northridge) vs. Gage Cline(Muncie Central)

    State Street Fights:
    Isaac Ruble(Bellmont) vs. Blake Kinney(Maconaquah)
    Brady Lewis(Huntington North) vs. Aidan Sprague(East Noble)

    1. Alex Ocampo - 9
    2. Jared Brooks - 9
    3. Isaac Ruble - 9 
    4. 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)

    1. Preston Teusch - 10
    2. Jett Boots - 11
    3. Isaac Weimer - 12
    4. 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)

    1. Evan Beasley - 12
    2. Kade Zadylak - 12
    3. Beau Humphrey - 11
    4. 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)

    1. Hunter Watts - 12
    2. Brayden Curtis - 12
    3. Ian Heath - 10
    4. 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.

    1. Matt Gimson - 12
    2. Owen Krider - 12
    3. Hunter Cottingham - 11
    4. 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)

    1. Conner Gimson - 12
    2. Nick Buchanan - 11
    3. Tanner Schoeff - 12
    4. 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

    1. Logan Macklin - 12
    2. Jake Jenkins - 12
    3. Ryan Rasler - 12
    4. 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)

    1. Ethan Hicks - 12
    2. Eric Hiestand - 12
    3. Haydn Prater - 11
    4. 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)

    1. Jon Ruble
    2. Jackson Pettigrew
    3. Joe Parrish
    4. 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)

    1. Clayton Fielden - 11
    2. Zane Gilbreath - 12
    3. Parker Bates - 12
    4. 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)

    1. Mason Winner - 11
    2. Jake Lone - 11
    3. Bradley Rosman - 12
    4. 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.

    1. Charlie Agnew - 12
    2. Cale Gray - 11
    3. Chandler Chapman - 12
    4. 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)

    1. Levi Leffers - 12
    2. Jayden Elwood - 12
    3. Jashawn Berlanga - 12
    4. 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)

    1. Reeve Muncie - 10
    2. Adam Bowman - 12
    3. Holden Parsons - 11
    4. 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.

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    3 hours ago, FCFIGHTER170 said:

    looks awesome Caleb! only thing I seen wrong was you saying it's this was the only SS worth watching lol

    Well you could always get 3 laptops and watch the ones that are streamed and give us a report🤣

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