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North Montgomery Regional Preview (Dingo style)


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North Montgomery Regional Preview


106
#2 Klayton Anderson (#9 pre-season regional Indianamat ranking) is a very large, very long lightweight. He uses his frame to brutalize his opponents when he's on top. At the Zionsville sectional, he rode a game Alexander Strueder for what seemed like the entire match. Picture a praying mantis toying with its prey. There doesn't appear to be anyone in this regional quite on his level, and he won't be truly tested until New Castle. The true battle is for second place, which should come down to Grino vs. Strueder. While Strueder was impressive at sectionals, Grino has wrestled some of the very best in the weight class, is a returning semistate qualifier, and ranked opponents account for 4 of his 5 losses. I give the edge to Grino, with Strueder battling the lanky Mennen for 3rd.

See ya in New Castle:

1. #2 Klayton Anderson, HSE
2. Alex Grino, Southmont
3. Alexander Strueder, Fishers
4. Colton Mennen, Clinton Central

Grab yer popcorn:

Grino vs. Strueder should be very competitive. While Grino has the superior record against possibly tougher competition, Strueder impressed at Zionsville and appears to be peaking at the right time.

Upset alert:

Colton Mennen has the size to neutralize some of Anderson's natural advantage. He also sports a pretty impressive W/L record. Anderson is the heavy favorite, and rightfully so, but crazy things happen this time of year. That said, with Anderson's signficant high-level experience, not to mention his impressive skills, it's hard to picture him losing this weekend.
113

#7 Austin Holmes (#2 pre-season regional Indianamat ranking) leads the field at 113. Last year's 4th place state finisher at 113, Holmes has battled a 'who's who' of opponents this year, which accounts for his 3 losses. While this is a solid group, there's no one here who can truly push him. Two weight classes in, the Royals will almost certainly have two #1 seeds heading into New Castle. The battle for the other three spots is much more interesting. 4th seed Reid Hutson is a returning semistate qualifier, and he's faced Hubble a couple of times this year, winning both matchups. Carmel's Jerde impresssed at Zionsville, upending a very tough returning semistate qualifier in Ellis of Zionsville en route to a 2nd place finish. Look for a Jerde/Holmes rematch in the regional finals.

See ya in New Castle:

1. #7 Austin Holmes, HSE
2. Adam Jerde, Carmel
3. Azariah Ellis, Zionsville
4. Reid Hutson, Westfield

Grab yer popcorn:

Hutson vs. top-seed Evan Hubble of Southmont in a tough opening round match. Hutson has an edge with his semistate experience, in addition to the head-to-head advantage this season. Both have faced very formidable competition all season, and this could go either way.

Upset alert:

Holmes is safe, but look for 4 seed Hutson to battle tooth and nail with 1 seed Hubble.

120

Here's where things get interesting and pretty wide-open. #12 Zach McCoy and #13 Caleb Bocock (#6 pre-season regional Indianamat ranking) lead the parade at 120, but there are some very solid kids just below the top two. McCoy and Bocock have split two decision matchups, and this potential third one has some pretty significant implications. The winner has a big advantage at New Castle. Crum, Eiteljorge and Bobeyn would love to advance, but no one wants to be a 4 seed at New Castle.

See ya in New Castle:

1. #13 Caleb Bocock, Lebanon
2. #12 Zach McCoy, North Montgomery
3. Jack Eiteljorge, Carmel
4. Skylar Crum, Crawfordsville

Grab yer popcorn:

Bocock and McCoy should meet in what could be the match of the day. They know each other well, they're both talented and very well-coached, and they know how crucial a regional title is for State aspirations. Additionally, McCoy will be looking for atonement for last year's upset as a top seed to a 4 seed in his opening match.

Upset alert:

Eiteljorge had better not overlook his opening round opponent, Tanner Henry of Attica. While Attica clearly doesn't wrestle Carmel's schedule, a 29-3 record is impressive, no matter how you slice it. Similarly, #2 seed Skylar Crum might see a so-so record for Zionsville's Sam Gobeyn, but he's wrestled a very tough schedule and looked sharp this past Saturday. Lastly, McCoy's opening round match is with a 30+ win wrestler from the tough Fishers program, Caleb Wright.

126

This is definitely one of the strongest weight classes of the regional, led by #14 Boone Weliever (#10 pre-season regional Indianamat ranking) of Southmont and #17 Skyler Collins of Frankfort. Between them, they have 5 losses, and all are to top-10 ranked opponents. Not too far behind these two are the always tough Zachary Steele of Westfield and Morgan Pruitt of Carmel, who have split matches with each other during the season. Look for Weliever to edge Collins in a thriller. Steele and Pruitt are equally well-matched; on a hunch, I'm going with Steele.

See ya in New Castle:

1. #14 Boone Weliever, Southmont
2. #17 Skyler Collins, Frankfort
3. Zachary Steele, Westfield
4. Morgan Pruitt, Carmel

Grab yer popcorn:

Weliever and Collins could be dynamite if it pans out. If seeds hold, Steele and Pruitt will meet yet again, and they are evenly matched and extremely well 'coached up'--a Pendoski vs. O'Neill battle.

Upset alert:

Weliever has to get by Steele, and Collins has to beat Pruitt to make the seeds hold. It's very possible that either Steele or Pruitt, or both, could put a wrinkle in those plans. Additionally, Weliever's opening opponent is a very tough Kody Wagner of Zionsville (28-9).

132

On the heels of a loaded weight class, comes 'the' loaded weight class at North Montgomery. Hamilton Southeastern's #5 Jack Chastain (#1 pre-season regional Indianamat ranking) and Westfield's #6 Evan Eldred (#4 pre-season regional Indianamat ranking) lead the field by a significant amount. It would be a monumental upset if they don't meet in the finals. If they do, it will be their fourth matchup, with Chastain leading the season series 3-1. Look for Attica's Hayden Estes and either Fisher's Noah Scott or C-ville's Cameron Douglass to join the two big dogs in New Castle.

See ya in New Castle:

1. #5 Jack Chastain, HSE
2. #6 Evan Eldred, Westfield
3. Hayden Estes, Attica
4. Noah Scott, Fishers

Grab yer popcorn:

Without a doubt, the feature matchup is last year's 5th place finisher Chastain, who very nearly upset Zach Davis, versus Fargo All-American Eldred. Both won regional titles last season, and each excels at wrestling his type of match. For the freestyle standout Eldred, that means pushing the action on his feet and trying to minimize Chastain's advantage on the mat. For Chastain, that means using his long body to excellent effect defensively on his feet, and making life difficult for opponents on the mat. While Chastain will be the favorite, Eldred has shown he can beat anyone, including Chastain.

Upset alert:

Estes could be tested by the 15-20 Cole Wilson of Zionsville, who is peaking despite his record.

138

#6 Keegan Stansberry is undefeated and will be a strong favorite to end Saturday with a still-spotless record. He is, seed-wise, most likely to face Southmont's Connor Moore, but don't overlook returning semistate qualifier Sam Kern of Zionsville, despite a mediocre W/L record. Jerrod Smith of Carmel and Alex Haddock of Fountain Central should be an interesting match to determine the fourth member of the New Castle quartet.

See ya in New Castle:

1. #6 Keegan Stansberry, HSE
2. Sam Kern, Zionsville
3. Connor Moore, Southmont
4. Jerrod Smith, Carmel

Grab yer popcorn:

Moore vs. Kern should be a great match. Moore sports a lofty 32-5 record against some pretty formidable opponents, while Kern has a 12-10 mark, also against some very tough competition. Smith vs. Haddock should be very interesting as well.

Upset alert:

Kern beating Moore would be an upset, although not a major one. Kern must first get by 27-5 Cody Parker of Attica, a senior who has been here before.

145

While lacking some of the heavy hitters of the previous few weight classes, 145 is a very tough weight from top to bottom. Leading the way, rankings-wise, is #17 Mason Gaines of Fishers. Awaiting Gaines in the semis, is the very tough Wayne Highfield of Southmont (29-3!!), and, on the other side of the bracket, a tough senior in Fountain Central's Collin Strange, the sectional champ.

See ya in New Castle:

1. #17 Mason Gaines, Fishers
2. Collin Strange, Fountain Central
3. Wayne Highfield, Southmont
4. Matt Kern, Zionsville

Grab yer popcorn:

There are several intriguing matchups at this weight. Gaines/Highfield could easily be a worth regional finals matchup. This matchup is a legitimate toss-up. The winner of that slugfest gets Strange, who must get by the tough Eagle senior Kern in the semis.

Upset alert:

You can't call Highfield over Gaines a real upset, but Kern is plenty capable of stealing the show and upsetting the top seed Strange en route to a finals berth.

152

The competition is tough and deep at 152, led by state #6 Kellen VanCamp (#5 pre-season regional Indianamat ranking) of Lebanon and #20 Tanner Webster of North Montgomery. However, the foursome of Nic Blondeel of Attica (27-6), Corbin Gregg of HSE (31-10), Fountain Central's Laine Frazee (35-3) and Carmel's Sam Bublick (17-11) should provide some formidable competition for the two favorites and each other.

See ya in New Castle:

1. #6 Kellen VanCamp, Lebanon
2. #20 Tanner Webster, North Montgomery
3. Corbin Gregg, HSE
4. Laine Frazee, FC

Grab yer popcorn:

Despite meeting already a couple of times this year, with the returning state qualifier VanCamp coming out on top, the Tiger senior and Webster aren't light years apart. Webster actually finished ahead of VanCamp at last year's regional. HSE's Gregg is peaking, and shouldn't be overlooked by anyone, including Webster.

Upset alert:

Despite a so-so record, Carmel's Sam Bublick is a Pendoski product and is capable of beating Frazee and moving on to New Castle.

160

#14 Jesse Archer of North Montgomery somehow competed at 195 last season and was successful. This year, he's 35-0 and on a roll. He appears to have a leg up on returning semistate qualifier Evan Stambaugh, as evidenced by his win by fall earlier this year. Similarly, Stambaugh appears to be a very solid 2nd best here, as he really controlled his opposition at the Zionsville sectional.

See ya in New Castle:

1. #14 Jesse Archer, North Montgomery
2. Evan Stambaugh, Lebanon
3. Nick Fox, Carmel
4. Jack Banks, Zionsville

Grab yer popcorn:

Although Archer is the clear favorite, it will be interesting to see how he handles Stambaugh in a rematch, as Stambaugh has shown that he steps it up in the postseason.

Upset alert:

Banks kept it very close with Stambaugh last weekend, and it's within the realm of possibility that he could knock off the 1 seed.

170

Two ranked wrestlers, #18 Alex Ragains of Frankfort and #19 Spencer Irick of HSE, join the always tough Zach Worm of Southmont and Drew Williamson of Zville to form an extremely tough quartet at North Montgomery. Of these top 4 studs, only Worm made it to New Castle last year. This year, however, Ragains and Irick have traded wins with each other, and they each own wins over Worm. Even more confusing, Williamson owns a win over Irick this year. In short, take your local favorite and call it a day in what appears to be a 'whoever is on their game' type of weight class.

See ya in New Castle:

1. #19 Spencer Irick, HSE
2. #18 Alex Ragains, Frankfort
3. Drew Williamson, Zionsville
4. Zach Worm, Southmont

Grab yer popcorn:

Great matchups abound in this weight class, starting with opening round tilts between Ragains and 30-5 senior Matthew McMasters of Fountain Central, as well as Williamson and 33-6 Koby Wray of North Montgomery. From there, it only gets hairier--Worm vs. Ragains, Williamson vs. Irick, capped off with the winners meeting in the finals...whoever wins this weight class will be battle-tested heading into New Castle.

Upset alert:

Despite an average W/L record, Westfield's Liam Jagow was extremely competitive against tough competition at Zionsville. He very nearly took out Williamson, and Worm had better be on his toes against the ever-improving 'Rocks sophomore.

182

From top to bottom, this is probably the best weight class overall at North Montgomery. Leading the way are state #6 Jonathan Morales (#3 pre-season regional Indianamat ranking) of WeBo, #7 Robert Manns (#7 pre-season regional Indianamat ranking) of Crawfordsville, 30-1 senior and returning semistate qualifier Tanner Smith of South Vermillion and returning semistate qualifier Griffin Steffy (#8 pre-season regional Indianamat ranking) of Lebanon. That doesn't even include the very tough Freedom Mak-Dawson of Fishers and 31-3 senior Austin Hoover of Sheridan. While returning state placer Morales is the favorite, there are landmines aplenty in this field, most notably Manns, who dropped down from 195 last season and has split wins with Morales this season.

See ya in New Castle:

1. #6 Jonathan Morales, Western Boone
2. #7 Robert Manns, Crawfordsville
3. Griffin Steffey, Lebanon
4. Tanner Smith, South Vermillion

Grab yer popcorn:

Almost every match falls into this category, but Manns vs. Morales is a special matchup of state-caliber studs.

Upset alert:

Freedom Mak-Dawson is an awfully tough opening match for Tanner Smith. I would put Hoover in the 'very dangerous' class against anyone but Manns or Morales. Smith is capable of giving Morales a tough match, and the same is true of Steffey vs. Manns.

195

#10 Scott Fuller of Zville and #11 Sam Hipple of Carmel lead the way at 195. Look for Westfield's Nick Schaeffer to join either North Mont's Cole Slavens or HSE's Kolby Ferris in advancing to New Castle.

See ya in New Castle:

1. #11 Sam Hipple, Carmel
2. #10 Scott Fuller, Zionsville
3. Nick Schaeffer, Westfield
4. Kolby Ferris, HSE

Grab yer popcorn:

Hipple vs. Fuller yet again...these two are very evenly matched and know each other well. Fuller didn't look especially sharp last weekend, but he still managed a solid second. Ferris vs. Slavens should be an old-fashioned slobber-knocker, with the top-seed sophomore Slavens battling the 4th seeded junior. Showing just how small the margin is between victory and defeat, Ferris lost two 1 point matches to finish 4th at Zionsville.

Upset alert:

By seeding, Ferris over Slavens is an upset. However, Ferris is legit and can go with about anyone in the regional. Fuller had better not overlook returning regional qualifier Austin Eup of South Vermillion, as he sports a sterling 28-4 record.

220

#13 Erik Hart of Lebanon is a pretty strong favorite here, with #11 Matthew Penola of Zville unable to participate in the postseason. Hart dominated his sectional, and has a good shot at doing it again at the regional level. Penola's backup, Grant Grayson, impressively finished 3rd at sectionals and has a legit shot at advancing to New Castle. Look for Jimmy Ford of HSE and Caleb Martin of Southmont to join Hart and Grayson at semistate.

See ya in New Castle:
1. #13 Erik Hart, Lebanon
2. Jimmy Ford, HSE
3. Caleb Martin, Southmont
4. Grant Grayson, Zionsville

Grab yer popcorn:

Ford vs. Martin should be a rugged battle: both are seniors, both are extremely battle-tested and each wrestled well last weekend.

Upset alert:

Grayson, despite being mostly a seasonal backup and sporting a sub-.500 record, has a very solid shot vs. Garrett Reynolds of Covington. Ford has a very tough opening match vs. South Vermillion's Evan Piper. Jacob Eidson of Sheridan was competitive the entire day at Zionsville and could give Martin a tough match.

285

#14 Michael Smith of Lebanon is the lone ranked heavyweight in the regional. However, Zionsville's Drew Hobick outlasted the Tigers' big man in OT to take the sectional title. Look for sectional champ Nathan Bean of C-ville and the peaking Deshawn Williams of Carmel to join the Boone County duo in qualifying for semistate.

See ya in New Castle:
1. #14 Michael Smith, Lebanon
2. Drew Hobick, Zionsville
3. Nathan Bean, Crawfordsville
4. Deshawn Williams, Carmel

Grab yer popcorn:

Smith and Hobick have split matches this year, and while they are quite friendly with each other before and after the match, they go at each other tooth and nail. I think it's Smith's turn to return the favor to Hobick. Bean could give Smith some troubles in the semis.

Upset alert:

Westfield's Austin Dollens upset the favored Chakiry of Fishers to make it out of sectionals, and has the ability to pull an upset over Bean.

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