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Dingo Brigade

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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 James

 

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, Perry Meridian

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 Phillips 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

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Dingo Brigade State Placer

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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. It?s not a stretch to say that Davenport, Corsaro, House, Lough, Tatom, McClurg or Blanton could easily win the weight.

 

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

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Dingo Brigade State Placer

Dingo Brigade

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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 (nationally, #10 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

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Dingo Brigade State Placer

Dingo Brigade

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Agreed! Awesome preview...I just have one little question that keeps coming to mind when I read this...how can you have place Johnson as top dog over Harvey at 160the when Harvey has already beaten him this year?

Harvey has two chances to lose, likely facing Neibarger and Johnson. Harvey did beat Johnson, but it was in OT and there's no doubt in my mind that they are very evenly matched and it could go either way. It will be very impressive if Harvey beats the field.

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rdrodd1 NCAA Qualifier

rdrodd1

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Posted

This has been one of the best semi state previews that I have read.  Great job.  However, you called Tyler Willis a part time wrestler though you did say one of the better one's in the last few years.  I know for a fact that he never took a day off between two state championships from football and wrestling.  He told his parents that he needs to condition for wrestling.  Tyler has been wrestling since his Mom and Dad could get him to take off his diaper and put on a singlet and has wrestled in a lot of national events.  I remember him at National Duals losing to Taylor Massa like 7-4 (Massa pinned everyone else) and his dad told me that it was as bad as he had ever been beat.  Then came High School and his parents decided to enroll him into Cathedral and they didn't even know that he could play football.  Tyler ended up being the only sophmore to start for Cathedral that year and played defense.  Heck, they didn't even know that he could run the ball.  Just think of him and Gillium as a running back tandem.  I don't blame Tyler for working out for the football team in the off season but what the heck, he has two State Championship Football Rings.  Yes, I often wonder how good he could have been wrestling full time as a high school kid and at the next level but........He did get a full ride to the next level in football (the second greatest sport) and will get a great education to boot.  

 

Like I said Dingo, you have done an awesome job with this topic and I don't think that you missed anything.  I am just a big Tyler Willis fan.  I wish them all a very good day of  wrestling.  

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Coach Brown Varsity

Coach Brown

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Posted

This has been one of the best semi state previews that I have read.  Great job.  However, you called Tyler Willis a part time wrestler though you did say one of the better one's in the last few years.  I know for a fact that he never took a day off between two state championships from football and wrestling.  He told his parents that he needs to condition for wrestling.  Tyler has been wrestling since his Mom and Dad could get him to take off his diaper and put on a singlet and has wrestled in a lot of national events.  I remember him at National Duals losing to Taylor Massa like 7-4 (Massa pinned everyone else) and his dad told me that it was as bad as he had ever been beat.  Then came High School and his parents decided to enroll him into Cathedral and they didn't even know that he could play football.  Tyler ended up being the only sophmore to start for Cathedral that year and played defense.  Heck, they didn't even know that he could run the ball.  Just think of him and Gillium as a running back tandem.  I don't blame Tyler for working out for the football team in the off season but what the heck, he has two State Championship Football Rings.  Yes, I often wonder how good he could have been wrestling full time as a high school kid and at the next level but........He did get a full ride to the next level in football (the second greatest sport) and will get a great education to boot.  

 

Like I said Dingo, you have done an awesome job with this topic and I don't think that you missed anything.  I am just a big Tyler Willis fan.  I wish them all a very good day of  wrestling.  

 

Where is the palying football at next year??

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lawbag125 Infant Gorilla

lawbag125

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If you knew what u were talkin about Id give it to ya but ya dont so bail. Even yer 25 yearold seems to have his hands full...Bahahahahaha!

 

Interesting strategy to claim someone doesn't know what they are talking about and then put down a false fact.

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