Articles

Congratulations to all the young men who have earned this honor.
 
Ben Branson   Alexandria
Jon Blanton   Alexandria
Josh Blanton   Alexandria
Jon Blanton   Alexandria
Brooks Faurote   Bellmont
Dewey Melcher   Bellmont
Alex MacDonald   Bishop Dwenger
Michael Zehr   Bishop Dwenger
Michael Nix   Bishop Dwenger
Carter Delaney   Bishop Dwenger
Ethan Farmer     Bloomington South
Connor Ennis   Boonville
Abraham Hall   Bremen High School
Luke Huston   Brownsburg High School
Kalia Clark   Calumet High School
Graham Redweik   Caston
Graham Redweik   caston
kyle Harvey   caston
Brian Harvey   Cathedral
Levi Kinney   Cathedral
Michael Venezia   Cathedral
Brock Warner   Center Grove
Adam Boggess   Churubusco
Bryce Forrester   Columbia City
Eric Shepherd   Columbia City HS
Ryan Bean   Crawfordsville HS
Hudson Miller   Crawfordsville HS
Cameron Halsted   Crown Point High School
Tyler Kral   Crown Point High School
Josh Swope   Crown Point High School
Jason Tsirtsis   Crown Point High School
Pascal Brun   Culver Academies
Carlos Salinas   Culver Academies
Jake Hammel   DeKalb High School
Aaron Mason   DeKalb High School
Jeff Mason    DeKalb High School
Alex Mix   DeKalb High School
Tanner Lynde   Delphi
Kevin Offutt   Delphi
Blake Rodenbeck   East Noble
Clint Hoffar   East Noble
Clint Hoffar   East Noble
Kristopher Roberts   Elkhart Memorial
Jarrod Clouser   Elwood
Hunter Oakley   Evansville Central
Jake Lannert   Evansville Mater Dei
Alex Bassemier   Evansville Mater Dei
Logan Folz   Evansville Mater Dei
Dane Maurer   Evansville Mater Dei
Ben Johnson   Evansville Memorial
Jackson Colavecchia   Evansville Memorial
Brian Hayhurst   Evansville Memorial
Louis Funke   Evansville Memorial
Louis Funke   Evansville Memorial
Gideon Vanhook   Evansville Reitz
Trevor Moody   Evansville Reitz
Blake Rueger   Evansville Reitz
Aaron King   Evansville Reitz
Daltyn Backes   Evansville Reitz
Trevor Moody   Evansville Reitz
Gideon Vanhook   Evansville Reitz
Dillon Hinen   Fairfield HS
Jeff Gasper   Fishers High School
Eli Moore   Fountain Central
Colton Bane   Fountain Central
Luke Vaughn   Fountain Central
Andrew Mitchell   Fountain Central
CJ gerald   Frankfort
Brian Murr   Franklin Community High School
Spencer Hessman   Franklin Communty High School
Nolan Feller   Franklin County High School
Ryan Ntende   Goshen High School
Nathan Epler   Greenwood Community High School
Matt Rivas   Guerin Catholic
Matt Rivas   Guerin Catholic
Paul Petrov   Hanover Central
Charlie Mavros   Hanover Central
Lucas Lager   Hanover Central
Peter Konieczny   Harrison (WL)
Caleb Bettag   Heritage Hills
Kody George   Homestead High School
Derek Sanders   HSE
Hayden Janney   HSE
Matt Irick   HSE
Charles Snodgrass   Indian Creek High School
Elijah Curtley   Jeffersonville
Alonzo Shepherd   Jeffersonville
Brandon Weinkauf   Jimtown
Brandon Weinkauf   Jimtown
Alex Skipper   John Adams High School
Logan Short   Knox Community High School
Blake Brutus   Kokomo
Brandon Minton   Kokomo
Cameron Colby   Kokomo
Jesse Goodnight   Kokomom
Adrian Brown   Lafayette Jefferson
Sam Ensign   Lafayette Jefferson
Jordan Maxey   Lapel
Clay LaBarr   Lawrence Central
Jacob Henry   Lawrence North High School
Trent Eliason   Lawrenceburg High School
Clayton Campbell   Lebanon High School
Isaac Greeson   Maconaquah
Brian Dick   Macquancah
Payton Sorg   Manchester High School
Gabriel Flores   Marion High
Seth Lloyd   Marion High
Tanner Williams   Marion High
Ethan Dale   McCutcheon High School
Gregory Kosel   Mishawaka Marian High School
Thomas Stachowiak   Mishawaka Marian High School
Stephan Blanford   Mt. Vernon (Posey) High School
Scott Kohler   Muncie Central
Brenden Campbell   New Castle
William Clinkscales   North Central
Melvin Graham   North Central
Hunter Wells   Northfield HS
Drew Miller   Northwestern
Raymond Monroe   Northwestern
Drew Miller   Northwestern
Mitchell Wilson   Norwell High School
Thomas Linna   Oak Hill
Joe Tuell   Paoli
Jake Stilwell   Pendleton Heights
Kyle Babb   Pendleton Heights
Andrew Foley   Pendleton Heights
Jordan McCool   Pendleton Heights
Jacob Davis   Penn High School
Ben Varner   Penn High School
Reed Holcomb   Prairie Heights High School
Jeff Koberstein   Princeton
Leven Tomey   Princeton
Brennan Gregory   Providence
Bryce Roberts   Rochester High School
Joe Ardizzone   Roncalli High School
Brennan Ellis   Roncalli High School
Parker Leisure   Rushville Cons. H. S.
Caleb Cole   Scottsburg High School
Cody Clark   Shelbyville
John Slivka   Shenandoah High School
Dean Fites   Shenandoah High School
Nathan Miller   Sheridan
Alex Padgett   Sheridan
Jared Wilson   Snider
Austin Whisler   Snider
James Starks   Snider
Mason Meling   Snider
Aaron Bender   Snider
Charlie Hirschy   South Adams
Jordan Landers   South Adams
Isaac Werst   South Adams
Dkhari James Turner-Smith   South Bend Riley
Andrew Waters   South Putnam High School
Hunter Wetzel   South Spencer High School
Alexander Zachariah Thomas   South Vermillion High School
Nolan Fenwick   Southport High School
Matt Miller   Southport High School
Brian Boucher   Southport High School
Joseph Gilham   Sullivan
Erik Brown   TC Howe Communtiy HS
Blake Alvey   Tell City Junior/Senior High
Trent Bauters   Tippecanoe Valley High School
Cole Warner   Tipton High School
Christian Winkle   Twin Lakes
Anders Douglass   Twin Lakes
Dyrek Chowning   Warren Central High School
Brad Penning   Western High School
Cody Cyr   Western High School
Max Juarez   Westfield
Lucas Rooney   Westfield
Lukas Schaeffer   Westfield
Cody Zink   Woodlan High School
Logan Buuck   Woodlan High School
Dylan Smith   Yorktown HS
Cody Smith   Yorktown HS
Michael Conner   Zionsville
Karl Anliker   Zionsville
Spenser Simpson   Zionsville
Donovan McCloskey   Zionsville
Adam Kern   Zionsville

Congratulations to all the young men who earned this honor.
 
126   Lincoln Kyle   Alexandria
132   Luke Blanton   Alexandria
195   Dylan Jones   Avon High School
160   Jacob Bergman   Bellmont
182   Brad Busse   Bellmont
138   Willie Mahlan   Bellmont
132   Levi Moss   Ben Davis High School
160   Gage Norris   Ben Davis High School
195   Jacob Ricks   Benton Central
285   Shawn Ryan   Bishop Dwenger
120   Logan Parrish   Bishop Dwenger
182   Ben Evans   Bishop Dwenger
195 Boyd Haley Bloomington South
182   Conner Ludwig   Brownsburg High School
126   Anand Tsogtbaatar   Brownsburg High School
138   Ben Rodimel    Carmel
220   Bailey Inman    Carmel High School
145   Gino Gillum   Cathedral
182   John White   Cathedral
195   Bryce Campbell   Cathedral
132   Saul Fisher   Center Grove
285   Eric Kuznar   Churubusco
170   Jason Nicodemus   Churubusco
132   Austin Boggess   Churubusco
195   Tyler Casey   Clinton Prairie
182   Russell Hazelet   Columbia City HS
170   Macaully Vessels   Connersville High School
220   John Marvel   Connersville High School
138   Robby Marschand   Connersville High School
138   Tyler Burlison   Crown Point High School
170   Jacob Hazi   Crown Point High School
113   Allen Betts   Culver Community High School
182   Brendan Gill   Delta High School
113   Codey Flickinger   Elkhart Memorial
182   Kain Jenkins   Elkhart Memorial
132   Stephon Wilkins   Emmerich Manual High School
285   Jesse Hohl   Evansville Central
160   Wesley Mandel   Evansville Central
145   Alex Palstring   Evansville Harrison
113   Mathew Mastison   Evansville Harrison
170   Zachary Peak   Evansville Harrison
170   Alex Schneider   Evansville Mater Dei
285   Nathan Wright   Evansville Mater Dei
132   Branson Schroeder   Evansville Mater Dei
126   Logan Wedding   Evansville Memorial
106   Damon Kuhn   Evansville Reitz
120   Blake Johns   Evansville Reitz
220   Mason Schnarr   Evansville Reitz
195   Mitch Sliga   Fishers High School
220   Nick Ottersbach   Floyd Central
145   Garett Dalton Fentz   Franklin Community High School
152   Lucas Joseph Kriech   Franklin Community High School
145   Travis Pickard   Goshen High School
126   Jonah Thompson   Greenwood Community High School
285   Patrick Vondersaar   Guerin Catholic
138   Romario Velazquez   Harrison (WL)
152   Dulus Owen   Harrison (WL)
170   Dakota Jacobsen   Homestead High School
182   Zach Carlstrom   Homestead High School
152   Jacvkson Bennett   HSE
160   Austin Neibarger   HSE
132   Mitch Snyder   HSE
120   Chad Heer   HSE
182   Levi Pearson   HSE
132   Edgar Chevez   Jasper
170   Dillon Wagner   Jasper
145   David Fridley   Jeffersonville
160   Daniel Thompson   Jeffersonville
220   Ross Corcoran   Lafayette Central Catholic Jr/Sr High School
160   Sam Kochert   Lafayette Central Catholic Jr/Sr High School
152   Patrick Krane   Lafayette Central Catholic Jr/Sr High School
138   Scott Swingle   Lawrence Central H.S.
160   K.C. Hedger   Lawrenceburg High School
138   Collin Campbell   Lebanon High School
220   Grant Maxwell   Lewis Cass
195   Luke Knutson   Lewis Cass
126   Andrew Roadruck   Lowell
195   Ryan Patterson   Lowell
160   Tate Turner   Madison
145   Michael Culley   Marion High
170   Joseph Walter   Mishawaka Marian High School
160   Michael Rynkiewich   Mt. Vernon (Posey) HS
132   Adam Bogs   Munster
182   Morgan Kabrich   North Central
126   Paul Mikesell   North Miami High School
106   Alan Mock   North Miami High School
195   Tyler Hoover   North Miami High School
138   Jared Kirtlan   Northfield HS
182   Kyle Houlihan   Northfield HS
145   Timothy Deters   Northridge
182   Zach Telschow   NorthWood
138   Tyler Apple   Paoli
195   Ian Bostock   Paoli
160   Joey Stasiak   Penn High School
145   Trevor Manspeaker   Penn High School
138 Nick Bova  Perry Meridian High School
145 Riley McClurg Perry Meridian High Schol
145   Colin Quin   Peru High School
182   Andrew Robinson   Peru High School
160   Kane Rockenbaugh   Peru High School
152   Kaleb Hammersley   Peru High School
126   Braxton Simpson   Peru High School
138   Christian Pearson   Plainfield
195   Daylon Weddle   Plainfield
126   Ben Macri   Plainfield
106   John Mills II   Plymouth High School
126   Joe Boots   Prarie Heights High School
132   Kevin Meyer   Princeton
170   Daniel Fernandez   Providence
113   Barry McGinley   Roncalli High School
120   Josh King   Roncalli High School
126   Trent Fadness   Rossville
220   Robert Hadley II   Rushville Cons. H. S.
285   Joseph Garland   Rushville Cons. H. S.
285   Adam J. Wolka   Seymour
285   Tyler Uhls   Shelbyville
132   Patrick Boucher   Sheridan
220   Nathan Wynn   South Adams
170   Mike Anderson   South Bend Riley
182   Tanner Thompson   South Putnam High School
126   Benjamin Fiechter   Southern Wells
145   Derek Long   Tipton High School
120   Adam Boles   Tri-West Hendricks
113   Mason Tribbett   Twin Lakes
132   Austin Fuller   Union County
160   Wyatt Krom   Union County
285   A. J. Gilchrist   Westfield
170   Greg Warren   Westview
120   Travis Normand   Woodlan High School
113   Schuyler Phillips   Yorktown HS
138   Tyler Glenn   Zionsville
285   Austin Brewer   Zionsville
113   Mitch Weber   Zionsville

Saturday Placing Round
2012 State Finals Placing Round
 
Saturday
2012 IHSAA State Finals Day 2
 
Friday Night
2012 IHSAA State Finals

IndianaMat State Finals Preview 2012



By Joe Caprino in IndianaMat.com Magazines

34 pages, published 13 FEB 2012



IndianaMat.com's Wrestling State Finals Preview Magazine

[table id=57 /]

New Castle Semi-State 2011-2012
 
The largest high school gymnasium in the entire country is the setting this Saturday for an entire day (and a good deal of the night) of fierce competition. New Castle has been steady in terms of strength and depth for the past decade, and this year’s talent level appears to be stronger than in many recent years (although perhaps not as deep as last year’s group). There are roughly a half-dozen strong state championship contenders (not to mention an equal number of nationally ranked studs) and not a lot of weak weights. The strongest classes are 113 (eight ranked wrestlers, 7 of the state’s top 14), 120 (seven ranked wrestlers, all in the top 15, including two nationally ranked wrestlers) and 160 (three top-5 wrestlers, including #1 and #2). The deepest weight classes are 138 (seven ranked wrestlers and a stacked bracket all around), 145 (eight ranked wrestlers and a handful of other really tough kids) and 152 (eight ranked wrestlers, including #1 Connor Mullins, plus four other 30+ win competitors). The least regarded weight class is 182, which features only two ranked wrestlers.
 
Without further adieu.....
 
106
 
Nathan Boston, barring injury, weight issues or disqualification, will almost certainly be the day’s first champion. Five ranked wrestlers (#13 Jack Chastain was upset in sectional competition) and one non-ranked, one-loss senior are included in this top-heavy bracket. Like last year, Boston has toyed with most opponents and I don't expect anyone here to push him too strongly. He’s highly ranked nationally by virtually every ranking entity because he has fared well against other states’ best wrestlers and dominated most of his in-state competition. He has still yet to taste defeat in his high school career, and is a strong favorite to earn another state title. Although there are only five ranked competitors at this weight, each is ranked in the top 11 and at least two of these top-11 kids won’t advance. Brutal.
 
Last year's champ: Nathan Boston, Lawrence North
Last year's Dingo Pack picks: 3/4, 75%
 
Ranked wrestlers:
 
#1 Nathan Boston, Lawrence North (nationally, #4 The Open Mat, #6 InterMat, #& WIN Magazine, #4 AWN)
#3 Tommy Cash, New Palestine
#5 Preston Mantel, Zionsville
#9 C.J. Whitten, Ben Davis
#11 Jacob Cottey, Perry Meridian
 
Epic matchups:
 
Kevin Condo, Franklin County vs. Kellen Van Camp, Lebanon (ticket round) - Provided each wrestler can win his opening match (Condo should have his hands full with Roncalli’s Vance Ellis), this ticket puncher should be a doozy. The senior Condo has lost only once all year and Van Camp comes from a strong Lebanon lineage. Condo very nearly took out state qualifier Antonio Perez last year at New Castle, losing 3-2.
 
#9 Whitten vs. #1 Boston, (ticket round) – This match is a little bit unfortunate. Whitten is a senior returning state qualifier and an excellent competitor. However, his way back to state is barred by one of Indiana’s finest wrestlers at any weight. A Whitten win would likely be considered the upset of the entire year.
 
#5 Mantel vs. #11 Cottey (ticket round) – These two faced off last year in the first round, with Cottey winning the battle by fall in a slight upset. Unfortunately for him, Cottey drew Boston in the ticket round, so there was no state berth for the Falcon wrestler last year. This year’s match should be one of the highlights of the ticket round and it’s tough to say who will advance. Will Mantel get revenge or will Cottey win another huge match with the Eagle standout?
 
Dingo's Pack picks to advance:
Condo, Cash, Mantel and Boston
 
The Alpha Dog:
Nathan Boston
 
113
 
As with 106, there is a very strong favorite in this weight class, although freshman Brandon James isn’t quite the mortal lock that Boston is. Unlike 106, there are eight ranked wrestlers here, or half the entire field. While James should win his first semistate title, the other three spots in the state finals should be hotly contested. There are no easy spots here, and there is a high likelihood of some upsets. The way the draws came out, at least a few ranked kids will be done for the season before 10 am.
 
Last year's champ: Mason Todd, Pendleton Heights
Last year's Dingo Pack picks: 4/4, 100%
 
Ranked wrestlers:
 
#2 Brandon James, Perry Meridian
#6 Riley Newkirk, Lawrence Central
#8 Ben Harvey, Cathedral
#9 Deondre Wilson, Arsenal Tech
#12 AJ Belden, Westfield
#13 Barry McGinley, Roncalli
#14 Taylor Fee, New Palestine
#18 Ryan Bean, Crawfordsville
Epic matchups:
 
#12 Belden vs. #9 Wilson (1st round) - The winner likely gets the always tough Ben Harvey, but, first things first, this is a dynamite 1st round matchup. Wilson, the IPS standout, was a somewhat surprising 4th place finisher at the Perry Meridian regional last week, although the field he faced was pretty outstanding. Belden has always been in the mix his entire high school career, but he lacks a defining victory to this point. Both kids got a tough draw, but that’s the norm at semistate. The winner is capable of beating Harvey, but beating James is probably a little bit out of reach.
 
#12 Belden/ #9 Wilson vs. #8 Harvey (ticket round) – Harvey already owns wins over Belden (3-0) and Wilson (6-5 in 3OT). Both Belden and Wilson compete hard in every match and are seldom beaten badly by anyone. In short, any of these three could be the ticket-taker in this section of the bracket. Expect close, exciting matches. Will the standout freshman defeat one of these more experienced opponents yet again?
 
#13 McGinley vs. #18 Bean (1st round) – Two ranked, very tough kids face off in an early morning tilt. McGinley has had some ups (big win over Fee) and downs (10 losses wrestling a tough schedule) this year, but his size is tough for many of his opponents. Bean is a senior with just two losses on the season and is a kid who has improved substantially each year of his career.
 
#13 McGinley/#18 Bean vs. #6 Newkirk (ticket round) – Newkirk will be a solid favorite, as he already owns a win this season over McGinley and a handful of other ranked opponents. The winner of McGinley/Bean will have his hands full with the standout junior from Lawrence Central.
 
Dingo's Pack picks to advance:
Harvey, Fee, Newkirk and Boston
 
The Alpha Dog:
Brandon James
 
120
 
Another New Castle weight class, another seven ranked wrestlers. Two nationally renowned studs lead the way in a pretty stacked weight class. Defending state champ and Brute Scholastic Duals Most Outstanding Wrestler Mason Todd is a slight favorite here, on the strength of a razor thin 2-1 win over Campbell. Todd had his hands full with Sparks last week at Pendleton, so that bears watching. Past the big two, the weight is wide open for two other wrestlers to punch their tickets. At least 3 top-15 ranked wrestlers will not advance to the state finals.
 
Last year's champ: Brenden Campbell, New Castle
Last year's Dingo Pack picks: 2/4, 50%
 
Ranked wrestlers:
 
#1 Mason Todd, Pendleton Heights (nationally, #11 The Open Mat, #8 InterMat, #14 WIN Magazine, #5 AWN)
#3 Brenden Campbell, New Castle (nationally, #15 InterMat)
#6 Andrice Martin, Franklin Central
#7 Alex Sparks, Lawrence North
#10 Aidan Kenny, Perry Meridian
#14 Evan Smiley, Cathedral
#15 Jordan Lile, Fishers
 
Epic matchups:
 
#14 Smiley vs. #10 Kenney (1st round) – These two have already battled once this year, with Kenney winning a tight decision. Both of these kids have wrestled some of the cream of Indiana’s crop and aren’t intimidated by anyone. Although Kenney has had a little more success over the course of the season, this one is a pick ‘em. Unfortunately for both wrestlers, Campbell will be waiting for them in a ticket match.
 
David Ramirez, Warren Central vs. #7 Sparks (1st round) – Don’t let Ramirez’ record and lack of a state ranking fool you—he’s wrestled a brutal schedule and is capable of winning his first two matches. These two split their two matches this season and both were close. Sparks is coming off a huge performance vs. defending state champion Mason Todd, a contest that saw him put the Arabian wrestler on his back and nearly get a fall. Sparks is a bit more consistent, but Ramirez is a senior and is dangerous.
 
Ramirez/#7 Sparks vs. #15 Lile (ticket round) – Lile and Sparks were each one match away from qualifying from state last year. Lile beat a tough Chandler Moore of Southmont to win his regional. Ramirez was controlled by Kenney en route to a third place finish and Sparks went toe to toe with Todd for a runner-up finish. These three should be pretty evenly matched and any of them could come out on top of their portion of the bracket.
 
#3 Campbell vs. #1 Todd (championship round) – This match alone is worth the price of admission if it takes place as anticipated. Last year’s New Castle semistate saw Mason Todd beat Phillips in a slight upset, Curtis Anderson beat Willis and Montrail Johnson beat Mullins. Will this year’s version bring more top seeds falling to defeat? Campbell certainly has the ammo to beat Todd or anyone in the state, for that matter, but Todd has been unreal the past two seasons and doesn’t take any matches off.
Dingo's Pack picks to advance:
Martin, Lile, Campbell and Todd
 
The Alpha Dog:
Mason Todd
 
126
 
Cody Phillips, aka Pocket Hercules, moves up in weight and will be looking to come out on top of a field featuring 5 ranked wrestlers, including 4 in the top 10. The Union County standout is attempting to become a three time state champion and another semistate title could greatly help him at Bankers Life the following weekend. Undefeated Cody LeCount could be his stiffest competition, as the Perry Meridian sophomore has been dominant this season and seeks to remove the bad taste in his mouth from last year’s ticket round loss to Dominique Price of Tech. Boston and Gettinger are each former state qualifiers looking to get back to the promised land.
 
Last year's champ: Jared McKinley
Last year's Dingo Pack picks: 4/4, 100%
 
Ranked wrestlers:
#2 Cody Phillips, Union County (nationally #6 @120 AWN)
#4 Cody LeCount, Perry Meridian
#8 Robert Boston, Lawrence North
#10 Tom Gettinger, Connersville
#19 Corbin O’Neal, Tri-Central
 
Epic matchups:
 
#8 Boston vs. #10 Gettinger (ticket round) – Two upperclassmen with state experience square up for a huge ticket round match. Gettinger has a tough opening round match with Caldwell-Velez, but he will be favored to advance to face the Lawrence North senior Boston. Gettinger beat Taylor Fee in his opening round match and then lost a heartbreaker to Hamilton Southeastern’s Mitch Snyder in last year’s ticket round. The winner of this match has a nice path to the finals, which could go a long way towards a state placement the following weekend.
 
Lincoln Kyle, Alexandria vs. Clayton Campbell, Lebanon (1st round) – Kyle dropped his opening match at last year’s semistate to Brenden Campbell, while the Lebanon Tiger wrestler Campbell won his first round match and lost his ticket round match to Alexandria’s Luke Blanton by decision 6-0. These are both tough kids and either kid could win this one. Unfortunately, LeCount lurks for the winner in the ticket round.
 
#4 LeCount vs. #2 Phillips (semifinals) – While Philllips is the undefeated, two-time state champion senior and will be the favorite if these two lock up, don’t count out LeCount (no pun intended). The talented sophomore has been a notch above all of his opposition this season and is hungry for a state title, which will almost certainly require a win over Phillips. The winner of this match will almost certainly win the weight class and lock up a one seed at Bankers Life.
 
Dingo's Pack picks to advance:
Watson, LeCount, Boston and Phillips
 
The Alpha Dog:
Cody Phillips
 
132
 
Another state #1, defending state champ and nationally ranked gladiator heads the field at 132. While this is a deep and talented field, it would be a monumental upset if anyone beat McKinley. The Southside Butcher should put his stamp on this field and lock up a 1-seed at state. However, the battles for second through 4th should be very interesting and wide open. While there are only four ranked kids at this weight, make no mistake—guys like Hugo Perez (lost ticket round match 12-7 to Boston last year), Garrett Port (lost 9-2 to Dan Barrett at New Castle last year), Mitch Snyder (state qualifier last year), Austin Fuller (lost to C. McGinley at New Castle last year), Brant Larson (lost to McKinley at New Castle last year) and Michael Steele are all state caliber kids.
 
Last year's champ: Brian Harvey, Cathedral
Last year's Dingo Pack picks: 2/4, 50%
 
Ranked wrestlers:
 
#1 Jared McKinley, Perry Meridian (nationally, #9 The Open Mat, #11 InterMat, #11 WIN Magazine, #11 AWN)
#3 Luke Blanton, Alexandria
#7 Levi Moss, Ben Davis
#16 Nick Borta, North Montgomery
 
Epic matchups:
 
Mitch Snyder, Hamilton Southeastern vs. #7 Moss (1st round) – This is a really tough first round match for each kid. Moss is a two time state qualifier and a fourth place finisher last season. Snyder qualified for state last year and has been a vital cog in the excellent Hamilton Southeastern lineup all year. Moss pinned Snyder when they met earlier this year, and is coming off a regional runner-up finish that saw him compete with defending state champion McKinley to the tune of a 3-1 loss. Snyder pinned #16 Borta last week, so he’s wrestling at a high level right now, too.
 
Snyder/#7 Moss vs. #3 Blanton (semifinal round) – Blanton followed up a fourth place finish at last year’s semistate with a remarkable run at the state finals, which included a huge upset of Mishawaka’s Layton Binion. He’s backed it up this season with an undefeated campaign to this point. This should be a great semis match, regardless of who advances to face Blanton (assuming he can get by the very tough Michael Steele of Westfield).
 
 
Dingo's Pack picks to advance:
Blanton, Perez, Moss and McKinley
 
The Alpha Dog:
Jared McKinley
 
138
 
Seven ranked wrestlers and no clear-cut favorite mark the 138 weight class. Literally, a half-dozen wrestlers could be crowned champion. Bova and Farrell are former state placers, so they are the slight favorites of the weight class. That said, these two split their two matches this season, so it’s difficult to say who would win if they manage to make the finals and face off again. In addition to the minimum of three ranked wrestlers who will not advance, non-ranked kids like Drake Gunning of Westfield (33-5), Jake McCoy of Franklin County (38-3, beat Jackson Bennett of HSE at last year’s semistate), Shenandoah’s Chandler Hale (31-7, lost a 3-0 decision to state qualifier Nick Ader at last year’s semistate) and Southmont’s Dan Barrett (27-6, lost a ticket round match vs. McKinley last year) supply evidence that this is one of the deepest weight classes at New Castle.
 
Last year's champ: Justin Kieffer, Roncalli
Last year's Dingo Pack picks: 2/4, 50%
 
Ranked wrestlers:
 
#4 Nick Bova, Perry Meridian
#6 Josh Farrell, Greenfield Central
#8 Robbie Elsea, New Palestine
#13 Michael Venezia, Cathedral
#18 Collin Campbell, Lebanon
#19 Cody Handley, Northeastern
#20 Josh Blanton, Alexandria
 
Epic matchups:
 
Chandler Hale, Shenandoah vs. Dan Barrett, Southmont (1st round) – Each kid was pretty close to punching a ticket last year to the big show. Barrett has wrestled a little tougher schedule and will be a slight favorite. The winner will likely face Farrell in a tough ticket round match.
 
#18 Campbell vs. #4 Bova (ticket round) – Bova is a returning state placer and has been pretty impressive all year. He has a remarkable knack of winning tight matches against tough competition. Speaking of tough competition, Campbell was a 2-1 loser to Ader in 2OT in his ticket round match last season. He is tough to score on, has pinned Venezia and won decisions vs. McCoy and Handley this year. Lebanon wrestles a surprisingly tough schedule, too, so he won’t be overwhelmed by facing a stud from the top-ranked team in the state. This should be a phenomenal match.
 
#8 Elsea vs. #20 Blanton (1st round) – This battle of ranked wrestlers will face off for the right to battle Cody Handley for a state finals berth. Blanton is a senior who was upset at regionals last year and will be looking for redemption. Elsea was beaten in his opening round match by Handley last year.
 
#8 Elsea/#20 Blanton vs. #19 Handley (ticket round) – Handley owns a win over Blanton this season and beat Elsea at New Castle last year, ultimately falling in his ticket round match with Brian Harvey in a very, very close contest. Any of these three could advance to Bankers Life.
 
#13 Venezia vs. #6 Farrell (semifinal round) – Farrell beat Venezia in OT already this year, but Venezia is a tough senior who has always competed at the highest levels, falling just short of the state finals his first three years. Although Farrell is a two-time state placer and a pinner, Venezia is a grinder and is definitely capable of pulling the mild upset.
 
Dingo's Pack picks to advance:
Venezia, Bova, Handley and Farrell
 
The Alpha Dog:
Josh Farrell
 
145
 
This weight is absolutely stacked with depth. Although there isn’t a clear favorite, there are 8 ranked wrestlers (not including defending state qualifier Cody House) vying for the strap. Basically, the winner of this weight class will be whoever is hot throughout the day, and it’s quite possible that if you held the semistate on five different days, you might get five different winners. That said, the unpredictability of this weight class makes it exciting. I picked Davenport because he was hot last weekend and he has to beat a tough ranked wrestler in Lough just to punch his ticket. It’s not a stretch to say that Corsaro, House, Lough, Tatom, McClurg or Blanton could just as easily win the weight as Davenport.
 
Last year's champ: Matt Rattay, Lawrence North
Last year's Dingo Pack picks: 2/4, 50%
 
Ranked wrestlers:
 
#4 John Tatom, Hamilton Southeastern
#5 Vincent Corsaro, Cathedral
#8 Jon Blanton, Alexandria
#10 Clayton Davenport, Ben Davis
#11 Riley McClurg, Perry Meridian
#12 Graham Lough, North Montgomery
#14 Nick Ulrey, New Palestine
#18 Kyle Nardi, Lapel
 
Epic matchups:
 
Cody House, Connersville vs. #5 Corsaro (ticket round) – Both kids qualified for state last year, with Corsaro finishing a strong 6th. House is a tough senior who beat the always tough Jordan Johnson of LN last year at New Castle. Corsaro missed a bit of time this season and appears to be working his way back into top form. Even with Corsaro’s earlier 7-1 win over House earlier this season, this one could go either way. Both young men have tough first round matchups—Corsaro faces Southport’s Brian Boucher (38-9) and House battles Westfield’s Lucas Rooney (36-12).
 
#10 Davenport vs. #12 Lough (ticket round) – Davenport was riding high last season coming into semistate competition and fell to Alexandria’s Eli Walker in the opening round. Davenport comes into this year’s semistate as a regional champion (won a 5-1 decision over McClurg in OT) looking to make it to the state finals. Lough was injured in last week’s championship match vs. Tatom.
 
#4 Tatom vs. #11 McClurg/#18 Nardi (ticket round) – Tatom is wrestling very well right now and is as likely as anyone to win the weight class. However, either Lapel’s tough Nardi or PM’s McClurg could put a stop to those plans in this high powered ticket round match. McClurg beat Nardi last year 8-1, so he’s the likely opponent for Tatom.
 
#14 Ulrey vs. #8 Blanton (1st round) – Another terrific opening round match in this wide-open, stacked weight class, this is a battle of the Dragon vs. the Tiger. Both have brothers who are or were highly successful and both lost first round matchups at New Castle last season, Ulrey falling 11-3 to Matt Rattay and Blanton dropping a heartbreaker to Riedling in a last second flurry. The winner of this tough tussle gets either regional champ Nolan Feller of Franklin County (lost last season’s ticket round match to New Castle champ Kameron James) or Alex Thomas of South Vermillion (beat last season’s state qualifier Jared Lawson of Frankfort).
 
Dingo's Pack picks to advance:
Corsaro, Tatom, Blanton and Davenport
 
The Alpha Dog:
John Tatom
 
152
 
Connor Mullins is yet another nationally regarded beast in this semistate. Mullins has done it all in Indiana….except for capturing that elusive state title. He’s a strong favorite at New Castle to win another semistate title (although he was upset by Montrail Johnson last year) and lock up an important #1 seed at Bankers Life. Seven other ranked wrestlers will do their best to slow him down, but Mullins is as close to a lock as it gets. Like many other weights here, slots 2-4 are wide open and difficult to predict.
 
Last year's champ: Kameron James, Pike
Last year's Dingo Pack picks: 3/4, 75%
 
Ranked wrestlers:
 
#1 Connor Mullins, New Castle (nationally, #18 InterMat)
#5 Austin McCloskey, Western Boone
#10 Kyle Riedling, Warren Central
#11 Tre Spencer, Pike
#16 Adam Kern, Zionsville
#17 Logan Zielinski, Roncalli
#18 Gino Gillum, Cathedral
#19 Jackson Bennett, Hamilton Southeastern
 
Epic matchups:
 
#18 Gillum vs. #19 Bennett (ticket round) – They have faced off twice this year, with each kid winning once. They are very evenly matched, but Gillum faces a four seed in his first match, so it’s possible that he might be slightly fresher for the ticket match. Bennett has to first beat a very tough Austin Rose (28-7) of Greenfield Central.
 
#5 McCloskey vs. #17 Zielinski (1st round) – McCloskey has been on fire this season (just one loss all year, a close decision to 2X state placer Blake Rueger) and will be looking to erase the memory of his scary match last season with Justin Kieffer. Kieffer accidentally slammed the Western Boone standout on his head and he was unable to continue. Zielinski lost by fall to Noblesville’s Wayne Specht in his opening round match at New Castle last season, but he has beaten Gillum this year. He will test McCloskey at the very least. The winner will likely face the very tough Johnny Slivka of Shenandoah, who gave Carmel’s Grant Scurria a tough match at semistate last year.
 
#10 Riedling vs. #16 Kern (1st round match) – Two former state qualifiers square up in this opening round match. Riedling is coming off an impressive regional championship and will seek to move past last year’s unfortunate match vs. Scurria. It appeared that Riedling might have had the fall vs. Scurria and the referee simply didn’t have the angle to see it. Whatever the case, Riedling had to settle for a clutch win vs. Blanton in his opening round match. Riedling is a pinner, too, so Kern will have to be cautious vs. the Warrior wrestler. Kern caught fire last year and will have to do it again this year if he wants to return to Bankers Life. Kern finished a surprising fourth at regionals, losing by fall to Clinton Central’s Jeffery Scott in the third place match. Kern beat Connersville’s Jordan Maple and Noblesville’s Wayne Specht to advance to state.
 
Dingo's Pack picks to advance:
Bennett, McCloskey, Riedling and Mullins
 
The Alpha Dog:
Connor Mullins
 
160
 
Three top-five wrestlers occupy this very deep, very tough weight class. The clear class of this weight are #1 Harvey, #2 Johnson and #5 Neibarger. Three time state placer Harvey edged Johnson in OT during their dual earlier this year and Harvey also edged Neibarger in a very intense match at team regionals. I think Neibarger can beat Harvey, but it’s hard to see him beating South Dearborn’s Jimmy Shaw, Harvey and Johnson in one day. Therefore, I think it will come down to Harvey and Johnson, and whoever wins will likely have to eke out a very close match. While there are only five ranked grapplers in this weight class, there are some tough unranked kids as well: regional champ Shaw (32-8), the always tough Danny Rojas (35-9) of Roncalli and Westfield’s Logan Floor (38-10), also a regional champ.
 
Last year's champ: Kirk Johnson, Perry Meridian
Last year's Dingo Pack picks: 4/4, 100%
 
Ranked wrestlers:
 
#1 Brian Harvey, Cathedral
#2 Kirk Johnson, Perry Meridian
#5 Austin Neibarger, Hamilton Southeastern
#16 Clint Nicholson, Pendleton Heights
#17 Connor Robinson, New Palestine
 
Epic matchups:
 
#17 Robinson vs. #5 Neibarger (1st round) – Neibarger is a former state placer and can roll with the best in the weight class. Robinson racked up a 43-7 record this season wrestling a tough schedule. Robinson gave Kirk Johnson all he wanted last week, losing a tight 5-3 decision.
 
#17 Robinson/#5 Neibarger vs. #1 Harvey (semifinal round) – Neibarger was upset by Floor last week and will need to be sharper to finally get past Harvey. The Royal wrestler very nearly did the deed at team regionals but Harvey held him off. Harvey had better not look past Rojas.
 
Logan Floor, Westfield vs. #16 Nicholson (ticket match) – This is just too close to call. Both are excellent, upperclassmen wrestlers who are well coached and have been close to the big show in the past. Nicholson has some pretty phenomenal balance and can impress when fighting off single legs. Floor knocked off the very tough Neibarger last week.
 
Dingo's Pack picks to advance:
Neibarger, Harvey, Nicholson and Johnson
 
The Alpha Dog:
Kirk Johnson
 
170
 
Tyler Willis is one of the better part-time wrestlers in recent Indiana history. His quickness is impressive and he’s become a very intuitive wrestler over the course of his high school career. However, the target on his back is large this season, as evidenced by a number of close matches against his toughest competition. The most recent nail-biter was against Irick at team regionals. Although Willis is a solid favorite to win his weight, there are at three to four kids here who are capable of pulling the upset, as Curtis Anderson did last year. Five former state qualifiers and six wrestlers currently ranked reside at this weight.
 
Last year's champ: Curtis Anderson, Carmel
Last year's Dingo Pack picks: 3/4, 75%
 
Ranked wrestlers:
 
#1 Tyler Willis, Cathedral (nationally, #17 The Open Mat, #14 InterMat)
#6 Jake Masengale, Perry Meridian
#8 Jon Decker, New Castle
#9 Dezmen McGinley, Greenfield Central
#10 Matt Irick, Hamilton Southeastern
#18 Joe Ardizzone, Roncalli
 
Epic matchups:
 
#1 Willis vs. #9 McGinley (ticket round) – I doubt either kid is too excited to possibly see the other in the ticket round. McGinley has been a tough foe for Willis this year and is a former state qualifier and certainly benefitted from competing for Team Indiana at the Scholastic Duals. However, it’s tough to bet against Willis—he’s a three time state placer and an elite athlete.
 
#8 Decker vs. #18 Ardizzone (ticket round) – Decker is a former state qualifier and has also given Willis a tough match this year. Ardizzone has a knack for keeping his matches close and I would expect this to come down to the wire, provided the Rebel wrestler can get past the underrated Phillip Centofante (23-9) of Zionsville.
 
#10 Irick vs. #6 Masengale (semifinal round) – Masengale has wrestled just about every elite wrestler at 170 and won them all, except for one sub-standard (for him, anyway) match against top-ranked Willis. Irick gave Willis fits at team regional and, like Masengale, is a former state qualifier. This should be a fantastic match, if both wrestlers advance to this point.
 
Dingo's Pack picks to advance:
Irick, Masengale, Decker and Willis
 
The Alpha Dog:
Tyler Willis
 
182
 
This weight class is easily the lowest rated weight class at New Castle—only two ranked wrestlers are present in the bracket, as a few highly regarded kids didn’t advance through regionals. One of those two ranked competitors is former state qualifier Lukas Schaeffer. Schaeffer, who has committed to the Naval Academy like New Castle’s Brenden Campbell, is a legitimate state title contender and should win the weight. This weight is very wide open after Schaeffer and it will be very interesting to see how things shake out.
 
Last year's champ: Nick Manning, South Dearborn
Last year's Dingo Pack picks: 4/4, 100%
 
Ranked wrestlers:
 
#2 Lukas Schaeffer, Westfield
#10 C.J. Martin, Perry Meridian
 
Epic matchups:
 
Zach Hutchison, East Central vs. #10 Martin (semifinal round) – It’s by no means a lock that this match will take place, as Hutchison will have to get by a 30+ win opponent (Southport’s Matt Miller, 31-9) and then the winner of Tipton’s Nate Hein (37-6) and Southmont’s stout senior Dennie Brown (22-7). Martin will have to beat the winner of Hamilton Southeastern’s Levi Pearson (13-4) and Anderson’s Zachary Chism (31-8). Hutchison is a returning semistate qualifier.
 
Hutchison/#10 Martin vs. #2 Schaeffer (championship round) – If either Hutchison or Martin advances to face Schaeffer, it will be interesting to see how the Shamrock wrestler responds to being firmly challenged. Westfield always wrestles a tough schedule and Schaeffer is undefeated for a reason, but this is a very murky weight class, so surprises are almost a certainty.
 
Dingo's Pack picks to advance:
Jehn, Hutchison, Martin and Schaeffer
 
The Alpha Dog:
Lukas Schaeffer
 
195
 
This weight is all Mitch Sliga's. Sliga is hungry for a state title to accompany his four Fargo titles. He is unlikely to be challenged too severely until his appearance the following weekend at Bankers Life. Past Sliga, the field is wide open and features just three other ranked wrestlers. The rankings issue is a little misleading, though; there are seven non-ranked wrestlers with 30+ wins and ten non-ranked wrestlers with 25+ wins.
 
Last year's champ: Mitch Sliga, Fishers
Last year's Dingo Pack picks: 4/4, 100%
 
Ranked wrestlers:
 
#1 Mitch Sliga, Fishers (#10 nationally, The Open Mat, #9 InterMat, #20 WIN Magazine, #6 AWN)
#6 Ian Early, Greenfield Central
#17 Dyrek Chowning, Warren Central
#19 Devante Ash, Perry Meridian
 
Epic matchup:
 
Taylor DeLong, Westfield vs. #19 Ash (ticket round) –.DeLong is an absolute brawler—a tough, strong kid who pounds, pummels and frustrates his opponents. He’s parlayed those traits into a 41-8 record against tough competition, and several of those losses are to Sliga. In short, he’s very underrated and his record is misleading. Ash has also wrestled a brutal schedule and his long frame can be problematic for his foes as well.
 
Dingo's Pack picks to advance:
Chowning, DeLong, Early and Sliga
 
The Alpha Dog:
Mitch Sliga
 
220
 
Five ranked wrestlers will battle it out with the rest of their opponents at this weight class. None of them are strong favorites and this is among the most wide-open weight classes at New Castle. The winner will be the wrestler who catches fire. Last week, the hottest wrestler was Pike’s Justin Sanders, who knocked off higher rated opponents in Naughton and Gearlds. This hasn’t been a deep or strong weight class at New Castle in recent years.
 
Last year's champ: Logan Cooper, Perry Meridian
Last year's Dingo Pack picks: 1/4, 25%
 
Ranked wrestlers:
 
#11 Austin Gearlds, Greenfield Central
#13 Jaylan Douglass, North Central
#15 Levi Kinney, Cathedral
#17 Jordan Naughton, Perry Meridian
#20 Justin Sanders, Pike
 
Epic matchups:
 
Alex Lindemann, Milan vs. #13 Douglass (ticket round) – For this match to take place, Douglass will have to get by the very game Jordan Phillips (27-5) of Southmont. Lindemann won his regional over returning semistate qualifier Blake Babcock (30-4) of Centerville.
 
Jacob Aven, Zionsville vs. #11 Gearlds (ticket round) – The sophomore Aven had a very impressive regional performance, giving up just two points in three matches en route to the title. Gearlds has had a number of big wins this year, but was majored by Sanders in the regional title match, after winning in OT against Franklin Central’s Tyler Wilson. It’s very possible he will regain his form from the regular season and win the semistate crown.
 
#15 Kinney vs. #17 Naughton (ticket round) – Assuming each wrestler can win tough opening round matches, they will meet up again in the ticket round. Kinney won their first battle in OT. Like Gearlds, both of these young men are capable of winning the weight.
 
 
Dingo's Pack picks to advance:
Douglass, Gearlds, Kinney and Sanders
 
The Alpha Dog:
Justin Sanders
 
285
 
There are six ranked wrestlers in the field, and two more returning semistate qualifiers. This is a pretty solid bracket, led by #4 Bernard and #5 Winfield. In addition to the six ranked competitors, there are seven additional wrestlers with 25 or more wins. There could be some surprises here, as this is often an unpredictable weight class. Fargo All-American Bernard and the tank Winfield are likely among the very best heavies in the state; their first match was a war of attrition won by the savvy Bernard.
 
 
Last year's champ: Willie Henson, North Central
Last year's Dingo Pack picks: 3/4, 75%
 
Ranked wrestlers:
#4 Wesley Bernard, Cathedral
#5 Donte Winfield, Perry Meridian
#9 Hayden Janney, Hamilton Southeastern
#14 Larry Carter, Warren Central
#16 Richard Brown, East Central
#17 Joe Garland, Rushville
 
Epic matchups:
 
#9 Janney vs. Jake Beasley, Frankton (ticket round) – Janney is a very solid wrestler and can hang with just about anyone. Janney lost a squeaker in OT to eventual state placer Willie Henson last year. Beasley is an active, athletic heavy who is capable of pulling a big upset or two. He’ll have his work cut out for him to get by returning semistate qualifier Dillen Swango (33-12) of Greensburg.
 
#5 Winfield vs. #16 Brown (ticket round) – Brown is a quality heavyweight, and was one match away from making it to state last year. Winfield is just about impossible to score on. By the same token, his offense is limited, but that recipe brought Jeremiah Harvey a state title last year.
 
#17 Garland vs. #14 Carter (ticket round) – Two ranked, big guys get after it here. Carter needs to be careful in his opening match vs. Southmont’s Chandler Burkhart (27-5).
 
#4 Bernard vs. #5 Winfield (championship round) – This will be a great match if it takes place. Neither kid gives an inch and each wrestler waits for his opponent to make a mistake. Bernard is pretty equally difficult to score on as Winfield and hasn’t lost in a while. This will be a tough field for both kids to navigate through, but they are the best of the bunch.
 
Dingo's Pack picks to advance:
Beasley, Winfield, Carter and Bernard
 
The Alpha Dog:
Wesley Bernard

Evansville Semi-State Preview
 
While fans from the Merrillville Semi-State surely will reign in the complaints early next week, this Saturday wrestlers from the Evansville Semi-State will come to compete at a premier venue in Ford Arena. Each wrestler looks to punch their ticket and create their own history, being the first ever State Qualifiers out of this new location, leaving Roberts Stadium as a distant memory.
 
106
106 looks to be a competitive weight class with returning State Qualifiers in Terrence Kennedy of Floyd Central and Damon Kuhn of Evansville Reitz with Kennedy having a tough way to go in the ticket round. With only one upperclassman you should expect to see these names in the upcoming years as well.
 
Best Ticket Round Match:
Terrence Kennedy (35-1 Floyd Central) vs. Jacob Brown (39-1 Castle)
 
Ticket Punchers:
1. Damon Kuhn (40-2 Reitz)
2. Terrence Kennedy (35-1 Floyd Central)
3. Hunter Fox (37-2 Cascade)
4. DJ Smith (29-4 Franklin)
 
113
At 113 it is a two horse race between Bailey Lahue (37-2 Corydon Central) and Anthony Schoettle (37-1 Center Grove) after that it’s a crapshoot for the remaining two spots at Bankers Life Field house, with many tough and battle tested wrestlers gunning for a state finals appearance.
 
Best Ticket Round Match:
Alex Johnson (30-8 Evansville Mater Dei) vs. Cory O’neal (36-4 Southwestern)
 
Ticket Punchers:
1. Bailey Lahue (37-2 Corydon Central)
2. Anthony Schoettle (37-1 Center Grove)
3. Josh Davis (34-9 Reitz)
4. Cory O’neal (36-4 Southwestern)
 
120
Possibly the toughest weight class in the Semi-State, 120 returns four State Qualifiers from a year ago in Luke Welch (40-0 Castle), IU Commit Alonzo Shepherd(44-3 Jeffersonville), Skyler Lykins(25-9 Franklin) and Blake Johns (34-8 Reitz). This weight class should hold a lot of matches that will be remembered for years to come.
 
Best Ticket Round Match:
Alonzo Shepherd (44-3 Jefffersonville) vs. Austin Spray (38-3 Southwestern)
 
Ticket Punchers:
1. Luke Welch (40-0 Castle)
2. Blake Johns (34-8 Reitz).
3. Alonzo Shepherd (44-3 Jeffersonville)
4. Sam Goebel (12-6 Mater Dei)
 
126
126 seems to be another weight that will likely be dominated by a few wrestlers. Returning SQ’s Gideon Vanhook (25-3 Reitz) and Logan Wedding ( 39-3 Ev. Memorial) look to be the front-runners of the weight, with Josh Pierre(27-7 Mater Dei) also in the thick of things, but with a very tough way to go.
 
Best Ticket Round Match:
Zach Batts(23-2 Cascade) vs. Josh Pierre(27-7 Mater Dei)
 
Ticket Punchers:
1. Gideon Vanhook (25-3 Reitz)
2. Logan Wedding ( 39-3 Ev. Memorial)
3. Zach Batts(23-2 Cascade)
4. Devin Broukal (35-6 Bloomington South)
 
132
With the second, fourth, twelfth, and fifteenth ranked wrestlers in the state at 132, fireworks are bound to happen. This weight to me is probably one of the most exciting to watch at Ford Arena this weekend. Look forward to the semi-finals match (assuming it takes place) between Danville’s 38-0 Junior Neal Molloy and 40-1 Senior from Evansville Reitz, Trevor Moody.
 
Best Ticket Round Match:
Conner Montgomery (18-1 Jennings County) vs. Tyler Hupp (27-4 Indian Creek)
 
Ticket Punchers:
1. Neal Molloy (38-0 Danville)
2. Tre Marler (29-1 Floyd Central)
3. Trevor Moody (40-1 Reitz)
4. Tyler Hupp (27-4 Indian Creek)
 
138
138 is possibly the most wide open weight with wrestlers that have losses to each other throughout the year. Jake Lannert is coming off of a 4th place finish from a year ago, yet has a tough way to go to get close to repeating that accomplishment, with a couple of very tough wrestlers standing in his way including Jennings County’s Jordan Gast and Danvilles Jordan Judy.
 
Best Ticket Round Match:
Jordan Gast (38-3 Jennings County) vs. Jake Lannert (36-2 Mater Dei)
 
Ticket Punchers:
1. Jordan Judy (36-4 Danville)
2. Brenden Kelley (38-4 Ev. Central)
3. Jordan Gast (38-3 Jennings County)
4. Gage Kelly (41-5 Scottsburg)
 
145
Maybe I put the cart before the horse when saying 138 was the most wide open weight. 145 is BY FAR the most unpredictable weight in the Evansville Semi State. With none of these wrestlers being household names in Indiana wrestling, look to see some fresh faces at Bankers Life Field house next weekend.
 
Best Ticket Round Match:
Brian Hayhurst (35-6 Ev. Memorial) vs. Tim Schuler (39-7 Columbus East)
 
Ticket Punchers:
1. Brian Hayhurst (35-6 Ev. Memorial)
2. Brayden Montgomery (13-2 Danville)
3. Alex Bassemier (32-6 Mater Dei)
4. Chase Singleton (27-7 Gibson Southern)
 
152
152 is a weight jam-packed with wrestlers that are well-deserving of a State Finals appearance. Many of these wrestlers are not only accomplished in high school wrestling but also recognizable from the Freestyle and Greco ranks. This weight also has one of the best (or worst depending how you look at it) ticket round matches in the state with the potential to see second ranked and once beaten Senior, Blake Rueger of Reitz High School wrestling eighth ranked Senior hailing from Bloomington High School South, Ethan Farmer.
 
Best Ticket Round Match:
Blake Rueger(40-1 Reitz) vs. Ethan Farmer (39-2 Bloomington South)
 
Ticket Punchers:
1. Blake Rueger(40-1 Reitz)
2. Quincy Richey (36-0 Brown County)
3. Colt Burnette (39-1 Mitchell)
4. Zach Adams (33-6 Madison)
 
160
At 160 you’ll see the studs pull away with the top 3 places. Jacob Underwood (37-1 Martinsville), Swade Oser (51-0 Heritage Hills) and Tsali Lough are a class above everyone else at this weight. The Oser and Underwood semi finals match looks to be one that could potentially be a placement match next weekend.
 
Best Ticket Round Match:
Casey Abell (34-6 Forest Park) vs. Brock Warner (35-6 Center Grove)
 
Ticket Punchers:
1. Swade Oser (51-0 Heritage Hills)
2. Tsali Lough (40-2 Terre Haute South)
3. Jacob Underwood (37-1 Martinsville)
4. Brock Warner (35-6 Center Grove)
 
170
170 is a relatively even field with a ton of talented wrestlers such as Clayton Fiddler of Bloomington South, Austin Warren of Castle, Brandon Marlin of Jeffersonville and Austin Bowman of Franklin, just to name a few; vying for a spot to wrestle Friday night. There is one stand-out however, in Sean Mappes (38-0 Center Grove). From watching him in past off seasons and looking at this years results the kid seems to have all the tools to be wrestling under the lights next weekend with hopes of capturing the State Title at 170.
 
Best Ticket Round Match:
Clayton Fiddler (36-5 Bloomington South) vs. Aaron King (38-4 Reitz)
 
Ticket Punchers:
1. Sean Mappes (38-0 Center Grove).
2. Clayton Fiddler (36-5 Bloomington South)
3. Austin Warren (37-3 Castle)
4. Brandon Marlin (40-5 Jeffersonville)
 
182
182 is also one of those weights that all wrestlers seem to have a shot at taking. The only undefeated wrestler, Dalton Brandenstein of Mater Dei, has had close matches with some of the wrestlers in this bracket.
 
Best Ticket Round Match:
Jackson Randall (31-5 Floyd Central) vs. Gabe Konerding (47-5 Heritage Hills)
 
Ticket Punchers:
1. Dalton Brandenstein (39-0 Mater Dei)
2. Dakota Thacker (36-5 Bloomington South)
3. Brock Wathen (36-2 Jennings County)
4. Gabe Konerding (47-5 Heritage Hills)
 
195
At 195 it is a one man show with Dane Maurer running through Ford Arena like a Mustang.(had to drop a car reference somewhere) I expect to see Dalton Halbig in the finals with the younger Maurer ,but not really having any say in what is going to happen. We’ll see though as that is why they wrestle it out.
 
Best Ticket Round Match:
Elijah Curtley (32-3 Jeffersonville) vs. Benjamin Bird (28-3 West Vigo)
 
Ticket Punchers:
1. Dane Maurer (38-0 Mater Dei)
2. Dalton Halbig (36-4 Princeton)
3. Elijah Curtley (32-3 Jeffersonville)
4. Dylan Jones (26-4 Avon)
 
220
About this time is where everyone begins to stand up, stretch and head for the concession stands, but for this weight, I would advise against it. 220 has the second, fifth, eighth, ninth and fourteenth ranked wrestlers in the state. This is one of those weights that true wrestling fans are losing sleep over the anticipation of seeing.
 
Best Ticket Round Match: (actually it’s a first round match)
5th ranked Iyan Bass(41-0 Jennings County) vs 9th ranked Mason Schnarr (28-5 Reitz)
 
Ticket Punchers:
1. Keith Knura (31-0 Indian Creek)
2. Iyan Bass(41-0 Jennings County)
3. Jared Boehm (50-1 Heritage Hills)
4. Aaron See (38-4 Northview)
 
285
The same idea applies for 285 as it did for 220. You get to watch possibly the most exciting heavyweight in the state go to work. Kaden Suter is as strong as any heavy weight in the state and as quick and agile as a 126 pounder. He will have his work cut out for him however, as he should meet 13th ranked Nathan Wright of Mater Dei in the semi finals..
 
Best Ticket Round Match:
Trevor Phillips (37-0 Mitchell) vs. Winner of Breen/Snyder
 
Ticket Punchers:
1. Kaden Suter (39-0 Martinsville)
2. Trevor Phillips (37-0 Mitchell)
3. Nathan Wright (36-1 Mater Dei)
4. Jesse Hohl (35-7 Ev. Central)
 
There is the Evansville Semi-State preview; sorry if there are any errors as I did it on short notice. I hope everyone makes it to Ford Arena to watch some very exciting wrestling and to see which wrestlers make history as the first State Qualifiers in our new venue.
 
Best of luck this weekend,
 
Grenadier2012

MERRILLVILLE SEMI-STATE PREVIEW
 
Saturday's Merrillville semi-state always guarantees fans two things. First, you will see some of best, most physical wrestling in the state and second, you will see this wrestling in one of the most uncomfortable, stifling venues imaginable.
 
The wrestling action is what draws the fans to the Pirates' Cove and this year is no different. Crown Point, Merrillville and Penn are the top teams at this years semi state. All three teams can qualify a half dozen or so state streeters.
 
Crown Point's Jason Tsirtsis is the semi-state's top individual story as he continues his march to become a four time state champion like his older brother. A classy kid and brutal technician on the mat. Slightly overshadowed by Tsirtsis has been the brilliant career of Lake Central's Kyle Ayersman. He will be gunning for a fourth semi-state crown and chance to when his third state title next week.
 
106
 
Hanover Central's Steven Micic is the clear favorite of the lightweights. He has been nothing short of dominant. Merrillville mighty mite, Michael Garza is on the same side of the bracket but is probably second best in this field. Penn's solid and steady Zach Davis looks to make a return trip to Indy and Culver Academy's Kayla Miracle got the golden ticket with her draw and stands a great chance of qualifying even after her fourth place finish at regional.
 
Best ticket round matches: Eric Peek (Portage) vs. Davis (Penn)
Garza (Merrillville) vs. Jake Sincovics (Mishawaka)
 
Cashing Their Check to Banker's Life
1.Micic – Hanover Central
2.Davis – Penn
3.Garza – Merrillville
4.Miracle – Culver Academy
 
ontherise219's Picks to Click
1.Micic – Hanover Central
2.Peek - Portage
3.Garza – Merrillville
4.Miracle – Culver Academy
 
113
 
Another case where the semi-state's top two grapplers appear to be on the same side of the bracket. Warsaw's Jared Brooks has yet to be tested this year and is the state and country's top ranked 113 pounder. Crown Point restocks their supply of Shurg's every year it seems and young Darden Shurg has had an outstanding season thus far, racking of a 34-1 record.
 
Best ticket round match – Sheldon Corcoran (Logansport) vs. Greg Newman (Wawasee)
 
Cashing Their Check to Banker's Life
1.Brooks – Warsaw
2.Adam Brodie – Merrillville
3.Shurg – Crown Point
4.Newman - Wawasee
 
ontherise219's Picks to Click
1.Brooks – Warsaw
2.Adam Brodie – Merrillville
3.Shurg – Crown Point
4.Newman - Wawasee
 
120
 
The 120 weight class is headlined by another wrestler from Hanover Central, senior Paul Petrov. He seems to wrestling his best right now and will likely meet Twin Lakes super soph, Blake Denton in the semi finals. I expect the other side of the bracket to hold chalk with Penn's Jacob Davis and Merrillville's Adam Garcia earning a free trip to Indy next week.
 
Best ticket round Match: Alec Weise (Benton Central) vs. Davis (Penn)
 
Cashing Their Check to Banker's Life
1.Petrov – Hanover Central
2.Garcia – Merrillville
3.Davis – Penn
4.Denton – Twin Lakes
 
ontherise219's Picks to Click
1.Petrov – Hanover Central
2.Garcia – Merrillville
3.Denton – Twin Lakes
4.Davis – Penn
 
126
 
Lake Central's stud Kyle Ayersman should cruise through this bracket. He makes it look easy against even the this semi-state has to offer. In the quest for the other three tickets to Indy, I detect a strong region smell.
 
Best ticket round match: Grant Martsoff (Mishawaka) vs. Trevor Burlison (Crown Point)
Dalton Overmyer (Winamac) vs. Aaron Ayala (Hobart)
 
Cashing Their Check to Banker's Life
1.Ayersman – Lake Central
2.Ayala – Hobart
3.Julian Torres – Portage
4.Burlison – Crown Point
 
ontherise219's Picks to Click
1.Ayersman – Lake Central
2.Ayala – Hobart
3.Torres – Portage
4.Martsoff - Mishawaka
 
132
 
Finally a weight class without a clear cut favorite. Rochester regional rivals, Anthony McHugh and Tommy Forte head line this bracket and are odds on favorites to have a repeat under the spotlight at Merrillville. A boatload of interesting early round matches will keep wrestling fans on the edges of their seats.
 
Best ticket round matches: Alex Mavros (Lowell) vs. Patrick Manning (Hobart)
Spence/Johnson winner (Portage/Clay) vs. Cody Alderman (Delphi)
 
Cashing Their Check at Banker's Life
1.Forte – Mishawaka
2.McHugh – Culver Academy
3.Alderman - Delphi
4.Mavros - Lowell
 
ontherise219's Picks to Click
1.Forte – Mishawaka
2.McHugh – Culver Academy
3.Alderman – Delphi
4.Mavros - Lowell
 
138
 
Two closely matched Northern Indiana Conference rivals along with an interloper from south of Lafayette will bring fireworks to the 138 pound weight class. At the top of the bracket, returning state placer Mitch Hartman appears poised to make another trip to Indy. Undefeated Alex Griffin of McCutcheon is the class of the second group of four. On the bottom half of the bracket, I look for Mishawaka sophomore Tristin Macri and a suprise state qualifier in Rensselaer's Jeffrey Martin.
 
Best ticket round match: Jeffrey Martin (Renssalaer) vs. Tony Vasquez (Hobart)
 
Cashing Their Check at Banker's Life
1.Hartman – SB Clay
2.Macri - Mishawaka
3.Griffin - McCutcheion
4.Martin - Rensselaer
 
ontherise219's Picks to Click
1.Macri – Mishawaka
2.Hartman – SB Clay
3.Griffin – McCutcheon
4.Roach - Portage
 
145
 
Jason Tsirtsis is the runaway favorite in the class for the second year in a row. Unfortunately, the second and third best wrestlers in this semistate are in the same quarter bracket. The winner of the Charlie Mavros/Trevor Manspeaker match will likely have the honor of meeting Tsirtsis in the finals. The other two slots for Indy are wide open.
 
Best ticket round match: Mavros (Lowell) vs. Manspeaker (Penn)
 
Cashing Their Check at Banker's Life
1.Jason Tsirtsis – Crown Point
2.Mavros – Lowell
3.Zach Thorn – Portage
4.Lane Smous - Mishawaka
 
ontherise219's Picks to Click
1.Tsirtsis – Crown Point
2.Mavros – Hanover Central
3.Katsaforas – Chesterton
4.Thorn – Portage
 
152
 
A rare semi-state title might be headed south to Lafayette. Lafayette Jeff's battle hardened Adrian Brown appears to have the strongest resume at the 152 class. Look for him to meet the streaking Chris Katsaforos from Chesterton in the finals. The class wrestling another week should be rounded out by Danny Ginter of Penn and Kenny Hughes of Lowell.
 
Best ticket round match: Hughes (Lowell) vs Zach Sandefer (Merrillville)
Espinoza (Logansport) vs Ginter (Penn)
 
Cashing Their Check at Banker's Life
1.Adrian Brown – Lafayette Jeff
2.Chris Katsafaros – Chesterton
3.Kenny Hughes – Lowell
4.Danny Ginter – Penn
 
ontherise219's Picks to Click
1.Brown – Lafayette Jeff
2.Katsaforas – Chesterton
3.Hughes – Lowell
4.Maldanado – Highland
 
160
 
Look for outstanding frosh Scotty Sopko to crash the regional championship party at the 160 pound class. It could be an all freshmen finals if Sopko can get by Crown Point's tough as nails, Dusty Schurg for a chance to meet perhaps the state's most impressive freshman, Bobby Stevenson of Merrillville.
 
Best ticket round matches: Kelly Kolat (South Bend Washington) vs Graham Redweik (Caston)
 
Cashing Their Check at Banker's Life
1.Stevenson – Merrillville
2.Schurg – Crown Point
3.Sopko - Hobart
4.Redweik - Caston
 
ontherise219's Picks to Click
1.Stevenson – Merrillville
2.Schurg – Crown Point
3.Sopko – Hobart
4.Kolat – South Bend Washington
 
170
 
Who has a shot at wrestling on the floor in Indy? Your guess is as good as mine at 170. About ten grapplers look like that have a shot in this wide open bracket. Lowell's Jeremy Crocker is probably the favorite but he has been beaten by Merrillville's Darryl Peppers. Picking this weight class is a true crap shoot.
 
Best ticket round matches: Ethan Dale (McCutcheon) vs. Mike Anderson (South Bend Riley)
Dwight Hunter (South Bend Clay) vs. Tony Rodriguez (Hobart)
 
Cashing Their Check to Banker's Life
1.Crocker (Lowell)
2.Peppers (Merrillville)
3.Rodriguez (Hobart)
4.Anderson (South Bend Riley)
 
ontherise219's Picks to Click
1.Dale – McCutcheon
2.Crocker – Lowell
3.Peppers – Merrillville
4.Rodriguez - Hobart
 
182
 
Purdue recruit and returning 3rd place finisher at 171, Tanner Lynde of Delphi will enter the semi state as a clear favorite. His biggest test to date might come in the semi finals where he will likely face Culver Community's Matt Hurford. Munster's much improved Dominic Fimbianti and Crown Point's freshman Morgan Kral look to round out the state qualifiers.
 
Best ticket round matches: Christian Winkle (Twin Lakes) vs. Morgan Kral(Crown Point)
 
Cashing Their Check to Banker's Life
1.Lynde - Delphi
2.Fimbianti - Munster
3.Hurford – Culver Community
4.Kral – Crown Point
 
ontherise219's Picks to Click
1.Lynde – Delphi
2.Fimbianti – Munster
3.Hurford – Culver
4.Winkle – Twin Lakes
 
195
 
One man stands about the crowd at 195 and that man is Merrillville's Kourtney Berry. Berry had a coming out party last year and placed 5th in the state at 189. He has battled a knee injury this season and hasn't wrestled a full schedule but veteran coach David Maldanado knows how to have his wrestlers peak and conditioning is rarely an issue with a Pirate grappler. South Bend Adams Alex Skipper has state experience in this field and will likely meet Berry in the finals.
 
Best ticket round match: Skipper (Mishawaka) vs. Jacob Ricks (Benton Central)
 
Cashing Their Check at Banker's Life
1.Berry – Merrillville
2.Skipper – South Bend Adams
3.Jaylin Allen – South Bend Clay
4.Matt Langbehn – Crown Point
 
ontherise219's Picks to Click
1.Berry – Merrillville
2.Skipper – South Bend Adams
3.Allen – South Bend Clay
4.Langbehn – Crown Point
 
220
 
This just might be the deepest and most entertaining weight class of the day. Studs are all over this sixteen man bracket. Veteran stars along with a very promising sophomore will make this class must see wrestling. South Bend Clay's 'Hard Workin' Joe Gallegos looks to have the easiest road to Indy but must beat the winner of a probable match-up of Dustin Kult (McCutcheon) and Michael Nickson of Merrillville. On the other side of the bracket, super-soph Gelen Robinson, must navigate by once-beaten Brandon Schultheiss of Twin Lakes to reach Indy. The final ticket will go the winner of a likely match up of Penn's Devin Reagan and Crown Point's returning state placer, Tyler Kral.
 
Best ticket round match: Kult(McCutcheon) vs. Nickson(Merrillville)
Robinson (Lake Central) vs Schultheiss (Twin Lakes)
Reagan (Penn) vs Kral (Crown Point)
 
Cashing Their Check at Banker's Life
1.Gallegos – SB Clay
2.Robinson – Lake Central
3.Kral – Crown Point
4.Kult – McCutcheon
 
ontherise219's Picks to Click
1.Robinson – Lake Central
2.Gallegos – South Bend Clay
3.Kral – Crown Point
4.Nickson – Merrillville
 
285
 
The Rochester regional has been a hotbed of heavyweights the past couple of years and this year looks to be no different. The top four at Rochester all have excellent shots at making the trip to Indy. Bremen's Abe Hall looks to be the surest bet in this field. Rochester runner-up, Kade Maggert has probably the toughest draw and must beat McCutcheon senior Blake Ford in the ticket round. Wawasee's seasoned Dmitri Kaplanis must topple once-beaten Fabian Durant of Hammond Morton and South Bend Riley's Marcus “Bull†Dozier will have to defeat Crown Point's Josh Swope.
 
Best ticket round match: Blake Ford(McCutcheon) vs. Kade Maggert (Penn)
Swope (Crown Point) vs. Dozier (South Bend Riley)
Fabian Durant (Hammond Morton) vs. Kaplanis (Wawasee)
 
Cashing Their Check at Banker's Life
1.Hall - Bremen
2.Maggert – Penn
3.Kaplanis - Wawasee
4.Dozier – Riley
 
ontherise219's Picks to Click
1.Hall – Bremen
2.Maggert – Penn
3.Kaplanis – Wawasee
4.Dozier - Riley

106lbs

Head of the Class: Hayden Lee- Garrett
State Streeters: Sawyer Miller- South Adams, Connor Knapp- East Noble, Alan Mock- North Miami

 
The Skinny:
The little Railroader that could, Hayden Lee, leads the field in this weight class. He has defeated Miller twice this season by identical 4-0 scores and also defeated Knapp 4-2. Knapp and Miller are definitely capable of pulling of the mild upset if Lee does not come ready to wrestle.
 
Early Round Key Matches:
Tyler Rigney- Muncie South vs. Seth Lloyd- Marion
Ben Cauffman- Carroll vs. Delawence Gayfield- Concord
Knapp vs. Rigney/Lloyd winner
 
113lbs

Head of the Class: Schuyler Phillips- Yorktown
State Streeters: Forrest Glogouski- Fairfield, Matt Frane- Dekalb, LJ Moser- South Adams
 
The Skinny:
Returning state qualifier Schuyler Phillips has quietly put together an impressive season. He comes in with only one loss to a super stud out of Michigan. He could be tested early on in the ticket round by Cody Flickinger of Elkhart Memorial and in the semi-finals and finals.
 
Early Round Key Matches:
Matt Frane- Dekalb vs. Sam Lovejoy- Bishop Luers
Cody Flickinger- Elkhart Memorial vs. Schuyler Phillips- Yorktown
 
120lbs

Head of the Class: Zach Krumlauf- Dekalb
State Streeters: Cody Walburn- Adams Central, Brock Bevans- Yorktown, Bobby Keuneke- Bellmont
 
The Skinny:
This is a wide open weight class that will could shape up a multitude of ways after the dust has settled. Zach Krumlauf of Dekalb leads the way, but he will have to get by Brock Bevans of Yorktown in the semi-finals. Bevans and Krumlauf wrestled last year at semi-state and state at 103lbs, but Krumlauf will have the size advantage this time. In the other half of the bracket there could be the third Adams County throwdown between Keuneke and Walburn where Keuneke has won both matches so far this year.
 
Early Round Key Matches:
Bobby Keuneke- Bellmont vs. Kegan Kern- Peru
Cody Walburn- Adams Central vs. Erique Early- Snider
 
126lbs

Head of the Class: Nick Crume- Jimtown
State Streeters: Chandler Carroll- Yorktown, Kalib Jackson- East Noble, Mason Meling- Snider
 
The Skinny:
The bracket gods separated Crume and Carroll which will make for a great finals matchup between the two former state 3rd place finishers. Both Crume and Carroll have been battle tested this year, so look for a great match in the finals.
 
Early Round Key Matches:
Mason Meling- Snider vs. Benjamin Fiechter- Southern Wells
Kalib Jackson- East Noble vs. Gabe Flores- Marion
 
132lbs

Head of the Class: Todd Batt- South Adams
State Streeters: Derek Roe- Adams Central, Kody George- Homestead, Jared Wilson- Snider
 
The Skinny:
This weight will be one of the most exciting weights to watch all day long with four returning state qualifiers along with Al Smith 2nd and 3rd place finishers and a Connersville 2nd place finisher in the field. We could also see round three of another Adams County throwdown in the finals between Batt and Roe, but that is only if they make it that far. There are many sleepers in the field here and no wrestler should be overlooked.
 
Early Round Key Matches:
Todd Batt- South Adams vs. Tylor Willms- Fremont
Jared Wilson- Snider vs. Alex Mix- Dekalb
Evan Loe- Peru vs. AJ Grim- West Noble
Loe/Grim winner vs. Derek Roe- Adams Central
Trevor Echartea- Elkhart Central vs. Kody George- Homestead
 
138lbs

Head of the Class: Devon Jackson- Yorktown
State Streeters: Michael Nix- Bishop Dwenger, Kyle Jolas- Huntington North, Lucas Riecke- East Noble
 
The Skinny:
This is another great weight class, the only difference is there is a clear cut favorite and the other three positions are up for grabs. Two-time state runner-up and Purdue signee, Devon Jackson, leads the field here with an unblemished record. He has taken an undefeated record into the finals the past two years, only to come up short. There are three other state qualifiers in the field, but none are going to have an easy road to getting back to state street.
 
Early Round Key Matches:
Kyle Jolas- Huntington North vs. Ronnie Bogle- Elkhart Memorial
Lucas Riecke- East Noble vs. Brayden Moreau- Garrett
 
145lbs

Head of the Class: Brooks Faurote- Bellmont
State Streeters: Cody Zink- Woodlan, Sebastian Eckert- Huntington North, Levi McKee- North Miami
 
The Skinny:
This is another weight class where the bracket gods separated arguably the top two wrestlers. Faurote has been lights out all season long and will look to continue a deep Brave tradition with a semi-state championship. He will be challenged by Cody Zink of Woodlan has had as many semi-state heartbreaks as any wrestler ever.
 
Early Round Key Matches:
Levi McKee- North Miami vs. Conner Brummett- Dekalb
Rhett Hiestand- Yorktown vs. Sebastian Eckert- Huntington North
 
152lbs

Head of the Class: Isaiah Bradley- Muncie South
State Streeters: Dewey Melcher- Bellmont, Zeke Schultz- Adams Central, Frank Martin- Homestead
 
The Skinny:
The top quarter bracket of this weight is absolutely stacked with two former state qualifiers facing off in the first round in Zeke Schultz of Adams Central and Carter Delaney of Bishop Dwenger. The winner gets to wrestle Zach Beebe of Angola who has quietly had a great season. Isaiah Bradley of Muncie South looks to be the head of the class here, but he will be challenged all day long including in the ticket round against Al Smith champion Ryan Ntende.
 
Early Round Key Matches:
Carter Delaney- Bishop Dwenger vs. Zeke Schultz- Adams Central
Delaney/Schultz winner vs. Zach Beebe- Angola
Isaiah Bradley- Muncie South vs. Ryan Ntende- Goshen
 
160lbs

Head of the Class: Jesse Goodnight- Kokomo
State Streeters: Isaac Stuery- Leo, Casey Adams- Jimtown, Brian Dick- Maconaquah
 
The Skinny:
This weight class will have four great ticket round match-ups with no wrestler a lock to punch their ticket to state. Goodnight is the favorite here, but will be challenged by Riley Lefever of Carroll. Steury will be pushed by Aaron Mason of Dekalb, Dick will have a tough foe in Chantz Luginbill of Adams Central and finally Adams will be challenged by Kyle Walters of Union City.
 
Early Round Key Matches:
Jesse Goodnight- Kokomo vs. Riley Lefever- Carroll
Isaac Steury- Leo vs. Aaron Mason- Dekalb
Brian Dick- Maconaquah vs. Chantz Luginbill- Adams Central
Casey Adams- Jimtown vs. Kyle Walters- Union City
 
170lbs

Head of the Class: Tanner Adams- Jimtown
State Streeters: Anthony Linnear- North Side, Garrett Weber- Leo, Blake Rodenbeck- East Noble
 
The Skinny:
If you wrestle this weight class 10 times, you are bound to get 10 different results. Tanner Adams looks to be the head of the class here, but do not count out Linnear or Weber to pull out a minor upset. Linnear is big, strong and athletic and finished 3rd at Connersville, while Adams won an equally tough weight at the Al Smith. The darkhorse is Weber who is the only wrestler in this weight with state experience.
 
Early Round Key Matches:
Blake Rodenbeck- East Noble vs. Jake Reed- Muncie South
Tanner Adams- Jimtown vs. Kody Jones- Concordia
 
182lbs

Head of the Class: Brad Busse- Bellmont
State Streeters: Cody Conrad- Heritage, Ben Pfister- Adams Central, Jake Wiechmann- Western
 
The Skinny:
This weight class could easily be dominated by the ACAC conference with a potential of three state qualifier from this tough small school conference. Busse has had three barn burners with Pfister, but he may get to avoid seeing him for the third straight week if Conrad defeats Pfister again. All four ticket round matches will be good ones with some great wrestlers in each quarter bracket.
 
Early Round Key Matches:
Carson Volheim- Elkhart Central vs. Ben Pfister- Adams Central
Cody Conrad- Heritage vs. Corey Crabtree- Muncie South
Jake Wiechmann- Western vs. Trevon Carr- Leo
Brad Busse- Bellmont vs. Ben Evans- Bishop Dwenger
 
195lbs

Head of the Class: Spencer Raypole- Carroll
State Streeters: Ben Baker- Bellmont, Austin Gibson- Garrett, Bo Butler- Kokomo
 
The Skinny:
This weight will also be a fun one with four wrestlers leading the way that are extremely close to each other. Raypole and Baker have split matches this year, while Gibson has five of his six losses to both Raypole and Baker by a combined total of eight points. You cannot count out Bo Butler of Kokomo who comes into the coliseum undefeated.
 
Early Round Key Matches:
Bo Butler- Kokomo vs. Kyle Garringer- Jay County
Austin Gibson- Garrett vs. Tieshawn Johnson- Elkhart Memorial
 
220lbs

Head of the Class: Seth Biberstine- Southern Wells
State Streeters: Chase Spears- Elkhart Memorial, Cameron Colby- Kokomo, Nolan Wilson- Leo
 
The Skinny:
Two undefeated wrestlers highlight this weight class in returning state placer Colby and Biberstine. Biberstine did not wrestle last year due to injury, but has absolutely dominated everyone in his path this year. The bottom half of the bracket lacks any undefeated wrestlers, but will consist of some great matches.
 
Early Round Key Matches:
Cameron Colby- Kokomo vs. Travis Carunchia- Garrett
Isaac Birch- Bellmont vs. Chase Spears- Elkhart Memorial
 
285lbs

Head of the Class: Dominique Stauffer- Elkhart Central
State Streeters: Ta-Quan Walker- North Side, Eric Hemmelgarn- Jay County, Jimmy Ulerick- Maconaquah
 
The Skinny:
Do not leave until this weight is finishes as from top to bottom this could be the most competitive weight in Fort Wayne. This weight class features nine wrestlers with less than five losses on the year, with most of them to each other. Two returning state qualifiers also highlight this weight class, but neither have an easy path to return to state. Dominique Stauffer looks to be the favorite with a hungry pack of wolves nipping at his heals.
 
Early Round Key Matches:
Ta’Quan Walker- North Side vs. Brandon Daniels- Goshen
Andrew Amos- Angola vs. Jimmy Ulerick- Maconaquah
Amos/Ulerick winner vs. Kyle Short- Norwell
Andrew Mason- Huntington North vs. Eric Hemmelgarn- Jay County
Dominique Stauffer- Elkhart Central vs. Matt Beard- Eastside

Date: Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012.
Admission: $6 (Final session only); $10 (Season ticket).
Advancement: The top four place winners in each weight class advance to the state finals.

1.    Merrillville, 9 am CT
Feeder Regionals: Calumet, Crown Point, Logansport, Rochester.

2.    Fort Wayne Snider (at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum), 9 am ET
Feeder Regionals: Carroll (Fort Wayne), Goshen, Jay County, Peru.

3.    New Castle, 9 am ET
Feeder Regionals: North Montgomery, Pendleton Heights, Perry Meridian, Richmond.

4.    Evansville Reitz (at Ford Arena), 9 am CT
Feeder Regionals: Bloomington South, Castle, Jeffersonville, Mooresville.

106
 
This weight class has 4 very good wrestlers in the field with all four capable of winning the regional. CJ Whitten beat Vance Ellis once and also beat Jacob Cottey 3 times. However, each match against Cottey gets tighter. Tommy Cash beat both Ellis and Cottey handily. However, Cottey has beaten Ellis by a very slim 1-point margin. Needless to say, this will be a very competitive Semifinal round.
 
3 Ranked wrestlers: #3, #9, #11
 
Best first round match:
Charlie Baker 10 Crispus Attucks 33-4 vs. Vance Ellis 10 Roncalli 24-7
 
Predictions:
1 Tommy Cash New Palestine 9
2 CJ Whitten Ben Davis 12
3 Jacob Cottey 10
4 Vance Ellis 10
 
113
 
This weight class is also competitive and has 4 very good wrestlers with Brandon James from Perry Meridian being the favorite. James beat Deondre Wilson 10-0 last weekend at Sectionals. Taylor Fee beat Barry McGinley 12-6 at sectionals.  With very few match ups between the four ranked wrestlers in this weight class, things could get interesting. Keep a close eye on Barry McGinley as his length can cause problems for some wrestlers.
 
4 Ranked wrestlers: #2, #9, #13, #14
 
Best first round match:
Deondre Wilson 10 Arsenal Tech 20-3 vs Travis McMillan 10 Franklin Central 24-9
 
Predictions:
1 Brandon James Perry Meridian 9
2 Taylor Fee New Palestine 11
3 Barry McGinley Roncalli 11
4 Deondre Wilson Arsenal Tech 10
 
120
All of the top wrestlers in this weight class are capable of beating each other, evidenced by their match ups this season. Andrice Martin hasn’t lost since the first week of the season, which was dealt by Perry Meridian’s Aidan Kenny. Martin has since beat Kenny twice with the last match up being a pretty convincing score of 11-2. When you throw in Roncalli’s Josh King, who beat Kenny last year a couple of times, and Ramirez, whom had 3 close matches with Kenny, is easy to see why this weight class will be one to watch.
 
2 Ranked wrestlers: #6, #10
 
Best first round match:
David Ramirez 12 Warren Central 30-11 vs Jose Garay 10 Indpls Northwest 18-6
 
Predictions:
1 Andrice Martin Franklin Central 11
2 Aidan Kenny Perry Meridian 10
3 Josh King Roncalli 11
4 David Ramirez Warren Central 12
 
126
The clear-cut favorite in this weight class in Perry Meridian’s Sophomore Cody LeCount. But the battle for 2-4 will be a hard fought as the other participants in the regional seem to be evenly matched. Mikhail Randall from Ben Davis has been wrestling well as of late and might surprise some people and sneak into the finals. He will have the hard task of beating the tough sophomore from Greenfield Central, Sam Locke, to make it to the finals.
 
1 Ranked wrestler: #4
 
Best first round match:
Devon Caldwell-Valdez 12 Indpls Northwest 30-4 vs. Cody Clark 12 Shelbyville 25-6
 
Predictions:
1 Cody LeCount Perry Meridian 10
2 Sam Locke Greenfield Central 10
3 Mikhail Randall Ben Davis 11
4 Devon Caldwell-Valdez Indpls Northwest 12
 
132
This is a pretty deep weight class with a talent pool that includes Jared McKinley from Perry Meridian, Levi Moss from Ben Davis, and Robert Duncan from Arsenal Tech. Throw freshman Garrett Wilson from Franklin Central and Senior Brennan Ellis from Roncalli into the mix and this you’re looking at a very competitive weight class. Look for McKinley and Moss to meet up in the final match for their fourth battle of the season.
 
2 Ranked wrestlers: #1, #7
 
Best first round match:
Brennan Ellis 12 Roncalli 25-10 vs. Robert Duncan 11 Arsenal Tech 25-3
 
Predictions:
1 Jared McKinley Perry Meridian 12
2 Levi Moss Ben Davis 11
3 Robert Duncan Arsenal Tech 11
4 Garrett Wilson Franklin Central 9
 
138
A lot of wrestlers looking will be looking for revenge against Perry Meridian’s Nick Bova in this class. During the last match up between Bova and Greenfield Central’s Josh Farrell, Bova won by fall. Expect Robbie Elsea of New Palestine to put up a strong fight in an effort to settle the scores after Bova’s 6-1 victory after 2OT’s during their last matchup. This weight class could be won any of these 3 wrestlers.
 
3 Ranked wrestlers: #4, #6, #8
 
Best first round match:
Dylan Lydy 9 Ben Davis 15-9 vs. David Mappes 12 Roncalli 7-1
 
Prediction:
1 Josh Farrell Greenfield Central 11
2 Nick Bova Perry Meridian 11
3 Robbie Elsea New Palestine 11
4 Dylan Lydy Ben Davis 9
 
145
This is the deepest class in this regional as several kids have been ranked at one point in the season.  Nick Ulrey, Clayton Davenport, Riley McClurg, Nick Ader, Shabaka Johns, and Brian Boucher all are tough kids but only 4 of them will get the nod to move on.
 
3 Ranked wrestlers: #10. #11, #14
 
Best first round match:
Nick Ader 12 Roncalli 29-9 vs. Brian Boucher 12 Southport 38-7
 
Prediction:
1 Riley McClurg Perry Meridian 11
2 Clayton Davenport Ben Davis 12
3 Nick Ulrey New Palestine 11
4 Nick Ader Roncalli 12
 
152
With a weight class loaded with seniors, you can bet these wrestlers will be putting it all on the line. Although Kyle Riedling of Warren Central has been battling injuries all year, he can make a run at the podium if he is able to wrestle at 100%. Tre Spencer of Pike might have something to say about that; they could meet in the finals in a rematch from the Marion County semi finals. Paul Matthews of Perry Meridian turned it on as of late and beat some tough opponents last week at sectionals. Paul’s first round match is against Austin Rose of Greenfield Central who beat Paul  5-2 early in the season. Logan Zielinski of Roncalli also faces a tough opponent in Drake Duncan of Ben Davis. One guarantee is that all 8 wrestlers in this class will leave it all on the mat.
 
3 Ranked wrestlers: #10, #11, #17
 
Best first round match:
Paul Matthews 11 Perry Meridian 17-11 vs. Austin Rose 11 Greenfield Central 26-6
 
Predictions:
1 Kyle Riedling Warren Central 12
2 Tre Spencer Pike 12
3 Paul Matthews Perry Meridian 11
4 Drake Duncan Ben Davis 12
 
160
This is Kirk Johnson’s tournament to lose as he has beat almost everyone in the field (some multiple times). Although he’s had close matches with New Palestine’s Conner Robinson and Roncalli’s Danny Rojas, Johnson consistently comes out on top. However, this field is full of athletes and anything could happen making this an exciting weight class to watch.
 
2 Ranked wrestlers: #2, #17
 
Best first round match:
King Hubbard 10 Arsenal Tech 16-11 vs. Katrell Moss 10 Warren Central 31-10
 
Predictions:
1 Kirk Johnson Perry Meridian 12
2 Danny Rojas Roncalli 12
3 Conner Robinson New Palestine 12
4 Katrell Moss Warren Central 10
 
170
The weight class is filled with exciting wrestlers with the likes of Jake Masengale, Dezmen McGinley, Joe Ardizzone, and Noah Perdue. Masengale has wrestled Ardizzone in two single-point matches this year and should meet in an exciting semi final match up. The winner will likely wrestle McGinley of Greenfield Central who had a very high scoring match with Masengale early this season and dominated Ardizzone at Sectionals.
 
4 Ranked wrestlers: #6, #9, #17,#18
 
Best first round match:
Noah Perdue 10 Arsenal Tech 26-5 vs. Brian Wagner 10 New Palestine 27-7
 
Predictions:
1 Jake Masengale Perry Meridian 11
2 Dezmen McGinley Greenfield Central 12
3 Joe Ardizzone Roncalli 12
4 Noah Perdue Arsenal Tech 10
 
182
This weight class is filled with talent and will certainly be a hard fought battle for whomever comes out on top. CJ Martin of Perry Meridian and Tony Jehn of Beech Grove each have 4 losses and look to be on a crash-course for the finals. But they definitely can’t look past any opponent in this field or they’ll be cutting their season shorter. Desean Mills of Arsenal Tech had a disappointing sectional tournament and is looking to avenge it with a good regional showing. The regional title is up for grabs; let’s see who steps up and takes what they want.
 
2 Ranked wrestlers
 
Best first round match:
Aaron Murray 12 Pike 20-9 vs. Max Hernandez 10 Warren Central 14-5
 
Predictions:
1 CJ Martin Perry Meridian 12
2 Tony Jehn Beech Grove 12
3 Max Hernandez Warren Central 10
4 Matt Miller Southport 12
 
195
Ian Early is the a clear-cut favorite in this weight class. He already handily beat Devante Ash of Perry Meridian and Dyrek Chowning of Warren Central. Ash and Chowning are likely to meet up in the semi’s for their third battle this season. Chowning won both previous match ups.   Seniors Nolan Fenwick of Southport and Cameron Denney of New Palestine will face each other in the first round, which should be a great match. With a lot of seniors in the field expect a lot of hard-nosed wrestling.
 
4 Ranked wrestlers: #6, #17, #18, #19
 
Best first round match:
Jordan Brown 12 Cardinal Ritter 27-5 vs. Dyrek Chowning 12 Warren Central 26-7
 
Predictions:
1 Ian Early Greenfield Central 12
2 Dyrek Chowning Warren Central 12
3 Devante Ash Perry Meridian 12
4 Nolan Fenwick Southport 12
 
220
With several rematches and a talented bunch of big guys, this weight class has the possibility of some great match ups.  Jordan Naughton Perry Meridian and Georgio Blades Warren Central split 2 matches earlier this year. There is also a chance that Naughton will face Justin Sanders of Pike for the fifth time this season. They split previous match ups this season with 2 wins a piece. Who will come out on top? We will have to wait and see.
 
4 Ranker wrestlers: #11, #16, #17, #20
 
Best first round match:
Jordan Naughton 12 Perry Meridian 32-6 vs. Georgio Blades 11 Warren Central 25-8
 
Predictions:
1 Austin Geralds Greenfield Central 12
2 Jordan Naughton Perry Meridian 12
3 Justin Sanders Pike 12
4 Dylan Faulkenberg Cardinal Ritter 10
 
285
Donte Winfield of Perry Meridian is the favorite at this weight class. He beat his probably finals opponent, Larry Carter of Warren Central, on two occasions this season. Tyler Uhls of Shelbyville could be the road block to this rematch in an generally unpredictable weight class.
 
2 Ranked wrestlers: #5, #14
 
Best first round match:
Norman Oglesby 9 Ben Davis 19-7 vs. Tyler Beeson 10 Greenfield Central 20-10
 
Predictions:
1 Donte Winfield Perry Meridian 11
2 Larry Carter Warren Central 12
3 Tyler Uhls Shellbyville 11
4 Tyler Beeson Greenfield Central 10
 
Overall we are looking at 39 ranked wrestlers battling for 56 spots at semi-state. This should be a very competitive regional and have a lot of exciting matches.

[embed width=640" height="770]http://indianamat.com/stuff/teambracket12.pdf[/embed]

ROCHESTER REGIONAL PREVIEW
 
The weather appears like it will cooperate this year at regionals unlike last year where snow caused all kinds of problems with practices. What hasn't changed is that the Penn Kingsmen are the big story as they qualified 13 wrestlers to regional. Seven sectional champions from the tough as nails Mishawaka sectional will lead Coach Harper's grapplers on their march to Indy.
 
While the Plymouth sectional can not match the team firepower of their neighbors to the north, this sectional does boast some very highly rated individuals in top ranked Jarred Brooks of Warsaw, 2nd ranked Abe Hall of Bremen and third ranked Matt Hurford of Culver Community.
 
Another reason to focus on the Rochester regional will be to see if Culver Military's Kayla Miracle can avenge her only loss of the season.(Zach Davis of Penn). A good showing at the regional level always helps those that want to qualify for the the Big Show.
 
106
 
Penn's 19th ranked Zach Davis has fashioned a solid 31-8 record, wrestling one of the toughest schedules in the state. He appears to wrestling his best at tournament time by avenging an earlier loss to Mishawaka's Jake Sinkovics in dominating fashion, 7-0. Culver Military's 20th ranked Kayla Miracle comes in as the Plymouth sectional champ but will likely have to slay a murderer's row of tough lightweights in order to be a regional champ. Her only loss on the season is to Davis.
 
Best 1st round Matches: Jacob Hartman (South Bend Clay) vs. Tyler Felton (Bremen)
Kayla Miracle (Culver Military) vs. Daniel Olsen (South Bend Adams)
 
Not Packing a Cooler
1.Davis – Penn
2.Sinkovics – Mishawaka
3.Hartman – South Bend Clay
4.Miracle – Culver Military
 
113
 
The nations top ranked 113 pound wrestler, Jarred Brooks of Warsaw headlines this weight class and honestly should not be tested. Penn's senior Taylor Hart will likely meet Brooks in the finals. Others looking for trips to Merrillville include Wawasee's Greg Newman and Riley's Antwan Wordlaw.
 
Best 1st round match – Wordlaw (Riley) vs. Betts (Culver Community)
 
Not Packing a Cooler
1.Brooks – Warsaw
2.Hart - Penn
3.Wordlaw - Riley
4.Newman - Wawasee
 
120
 
The second Davis brother looks to add the 2nd regional crown for the Kingsman. Davis has an outstanding 30-5 record. He will likely face the scrappy Jose Rodriguez of Bremen in the finals. Rodriguez got a late start to the season but has gone 21-2 this year. Mishawaka's Mitch Emmons and St. Joe's Mark Rymsza will likely round out the semi state qualifiers.
 
Best first round Match: Mark Rymsza (SB St. Joe) vs. Devin Childers (Tippy Valley)
 
Not Packing a Cooler
1.Davis – Penn
2.Rodriguez – Bremen
3.Emmons – Mishawaka
4.Rymsza – SB St. Joe
 
126
 
The Mishawaka sectional flexes it's muscle at 126 and should garner all four berths to Merrillville. South Bend Riley's Josh Juarez seems to be peaking at tournament time with his upset victory over 9th ranked Grant Martsolf. These two should meet again in the regional finals unless Penn's Tommy Varner can knock off Martsoff.
 
Best first round match: Tommy Varner (Penn) vs. Dylan Shumaker (Bremen)
 
Not Packing a Cooler
1.Martsoff – Mishawaka
2.Juarez – Riley
3.Varner – Penn
4.Glueckart – Clay
 
132
 
One of the best finals matches of the day could be at this weight class where Mishawaka's 5th ranked freshman, Tommy Forte will likely battle Culver Military's 8th ranked Anthony McHugh. Both were dominant in earning sectional crowns. Look for the other two tickets to Merrillville to be punched by Clay's Chris Johnson, Culver Community's Ian Randolph or Washington's Derek Fowler.
 
Best first round match: Chris Johnson (SB Clay) vs. Ian Randolph (Culver Community)
 
Not Packing a Cooler
1.McHugh – Culver Military
2.Forte – Mishawaka
3.Fowler – SB Washington
4.Johnson – SB Clay
 
138
 
Another rematch of the Mishawaka sectional finals is highly likely at 138. In a fairly shocking upset, Mishawaka's 10th ranked Tristin Macri upended 3rd ranked Mitch Hartman of South Bend Clay. Hartman has a history of being able to make the proper adjustments week to week. Wawasee's Kyle Clevenger and Washington's William Howell-Bey should round out the quartet moving on to Merrillville.
 
Best first round match: Tommy Varner (Penn) vs. Kyle Clevenger (Wawasee)
 
Not Packing a Cooler
1.Hartman – Clay
2.Macri – Mishawaka
3.Clevenger – Wawasee
4.Howell-Bey – Washington
 
145
 
The power in this weight class definitely comes from the Mishawaka sectional. Only two winning records were in the Plymouth bracket. Trevor Manspeaker has separated himself from the field in route to an outstanding 29-4 record. The junior from Penn is not flashy but is rarely out of position and knows how to pick his moments in a match.
 
Best first round match: Lane Smous (Mishawaka) vs. Pascal Brun (Culver Military)
 
Not Packing a Cooler
1.Manspeaker – Penn
2.Ullrey – SB Riley
3.Smous – Mishawaka
4.White – SB Washington
 
152
 
Danny Ginter of Penn will look to earn his second consecutive regional title. He will likely meet rival Kyle Jones of Mishawaka or Edmund Hogan of Culver Military.
 
Best first round match: Ryan Lindsey (Wawasee) vs. Victor Navarro (Riley)
 
Not Packing a Cooler
1.Ginter – Penn
2.Hogan – Culver Military
3.Jones – Mishawaka
4.Navarro - Riley
 
160
 
Mishawaka's Clint Proctor was not even in the starting lineup at the start of the season and now he is a sectional champ. Proctor has a motor that keeps him in most matches. The power again is from the Mishawaka sectional, look for them to lock up all four semi state qualifying slots.
 
Best first round matches: Chase Hack (Riley) vs. Trent Bauters (Tippy Valley)
 
Not Packing a Cooler
1.Stasiak – Penn
2.Kolat – Washington
3.Proctor – Mishawaka
4.Hack – Riley
 
170
 
Mishawaka sectional power continues to flex its muscle at the 170 class. Mike Anderson of South Bend Riley has come off the injured reserve list to top the field at Mishawaka. The field at Plymouth is not particularly strong and all four berths to Merrillville will likely come from the north.
 
Best first round match: Dwight Hunter (SB Clay) vs. Keaton Bell (Tippy Valley)
 
Not Packing a Cooler
1.Anderson – SB Riley
2.Hunter – SB Clay
3.David Stevens – Penn
4.Ryan Jankowski – SB St. Joe
 
182
 
Culver Community's Matt Hurford is favorite at 182. The junior already has two regional crowns to his name. He will likely face South Bend Riley's Tyler Crain in the finals. Crain has been wrestling very sharp of late. Brian Clark of Wawasee and Thomas Demel of Penn will likely round out the 182s traveling to the region next week.
 
Best first round matches: Tyler Schmidt (Clay) vs. Brian Clark(Wawasee)
 
Not Packing a Cooler
1.Hurford – Culver Community
2.Tyler Crain - Riley
3.Brian Clark - Wawasee
4.Demel - Penn
 
195
 
South Bend Adams' Alex Skipper has forged an outstanding 36-1 record this season. A state qualifier last year, Skipper looks to return this year. He will likely run into rival Jaylin Allen of Clay in the finals again this week. Dominique Avila and Plymouth's Jacob Seagraves will likely meet in the battle for third place.
 
Best first round match: Jacob Seagraves (Plymouth) vs. Robert Deering (Mishawaka Marian)
 
Not Packing a Cooler
1.Skipper (Adams)
2.Allen (Clay)
3.Seagraves (Plymouth)
4.Avila (Riley)
 
220
 
Penn's Devin Reagan and Clay's “Hard Workin†Joe Gallegos are the class of the 220 field. They should meet in the finals at Rochester to contine their rivalry. Plymouth's DeAndre Pickford and Adams' Kenan Boyd will likely meet in the 3rd /4th place match.
 
Best first round match: Chad Eppley (Wawasee) vs. Kenan Boyd (SB Adams)
 
Not Packing a Cooler
1.Reagan (Penn)
2.Gallegos (Clay)
3.Pickford (Plymouth)
4.Boyd (Adams)
 
285
 
The big boys will keep the fans in their seats again this year as 4 of the top heavyweights in the state headline. Second ranked Abe Hall of Bremen was severly tested in his sectional finals victory over Dmitri Kaplanis of Wawasee. Sixth ranked Kade Maggart of Penn owns two narrow victorys over rival Marcus Dozier of Riley. I look for the rankings to hold chalk.
 
Best first round match: Kali Boyd (SB Adams) vs. Dmitri Kaplanis (Wawasee)
 
Not Packing a Cooler
1.Hall – Bremen
2.Maggart – Penn
3.Dozier – Riley
4.Kaplanis - Wawasee