Biggest Storylines of the 2022-23 Season

[blueandgold]

Here are the biggest storylines of the 2022-23 season as we head into the final stretch and approach the postseason.

 

Individual

• Hockaday and Jackson on a Collision Course for State History: The Slicer senior looks to cap his career with a third consecutive state championship while the Bulldog sophomore is determined to keep his dream of being a four-time state champion alive.
• The Heavyweight Arena Battle: Heavyweight has been very competitive this year and there are several contenders to take the championship, but the favorite on paper is nationally-ranked senior Leighton Jones of Brownsburg. The four-star Iowa football recruit has finished third in the last two seasons and he once again finds himself ranked first among the pack. Despite a loss Saturday to returning state medalist Hosia Smith of Cathedral, Jones finished the day with a statement victory over fellow nationally-ranked and State #2 heavyweight Paul Clark of Crown Point. However, with the field being so tough, this isn't a clear enough indicator of who shall reign supreme at Gainbridge; the title is surely up for grabs.
• One More Obstacle for Schoeff: The Oriole senior has finished as a runner-up twice in his last three seasons. With a 9-3 record at Gainbridge and two of those losses coming to the same person, Schoeff looks to go 4-0 downtown as a senior. In his way, however, is returning top-ranked 138-pound state runner-up Cole Solomey of Kankakee Valley, whom he has never lost to. Will Schoeff finally realize his dream or will Solomey earn his first victory over his rival and deny him in the finals for a third time?
• The 132 Arena Battle: Just like Heavyweight, 132 is absolute insanity to say the least. Headlined by returning state champion Kyrel Leavell of Warren Central, this weight features 12 returning state qualifiers, three of whom are undefeated against in-state competition. While Leavell is the favorite, he isn't quite a lock as the battle-tested and returning state medalist Brady Ison and the always improving returning state runner-up Joey Buttler look to make a run for the title.
• Welcome to the Party, Ladies: Julianna O'Campo of Fort Wayne Snider became the first girl to win the prestigious Al Smith Invitational in the tournament's history, and along with Heather Crull and Crown Point's Rianne Murphy, they look to become the first ever female state medalists in Indiana wrestling history.

 

Team

• Crown Point Looks to Make History... Again!: Coming off of a season where the Bulldogs in red crowned three champions from six finalists and broke the IHSAA State Finals record for most points scored, the Region's premier wrestling team looks to improve and potentially put nine in the finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse with the rival Bulldogs in purple from Brownsburg looking to potentially spoil the party in Crown Point.
• Rochester Trying to Keep the Dream Alive: After a surprise semi-state championship win last season and the crowning of a heavyweight champion, the Zebras have been looking to break out, and with potential strong performances from Layne Horn, Alex Deming, and the Beck brothers, they may just prove they belong with the big dogs.
• New Castle Resurgence: The spirit is alive and the feeling is back in Henry County. The famed Trojans of New Castle High School are experiencing a bit of a renaissance and once again producing the stories that made them great to begin with. This season is headlined by the Thrine brothers, with the younger sibling, Tylin, having a phenomenal freshman run as he is currently undefeated and ranked sixth at 126 pounds. He has compiled several bonus point victories including a statement victory over returning state medalist Blake Wolf by fall.

Edited January 9, 2023 by blueandgold

[FCFIGHTER170]

Great stuff stud!! appreciate the NC love, the community and all the coaches are trying to get the Program back to it's old form.. Between HS Coaches, Wonderful club committee etc. we're going to be alright! 

[TeamGarcia]

On 1/9/2023 at 1:46 PM, blueandgold said:

Here are the biggest storylines of the 2022-23 season as we head into the final stretch and approach the postseason.

 

Individual

• Hockaday and Jackson on a Collision Course for State History: The Slicer senior looks to cap his career with a third consecutive state championship while the Bulldog sophomore is determined to keep his dream of being a four-time state champion alive.
• The Heavyweight Arena Battle: Heavyweight has been very competitive this year and there are several contenders to take the championship, but the favorite on paper is nationally-ranked senior Leighton Jones of Brownsburg. The four-star Iowa football recruit has finished third in the last two seasons and he once again finds himself ranked first among the pack. Despite a loss Saturday to returning state medalist Hosia Smith of Cathedral, Jones finished the day with a statement victory over fellow nationally-ranked and State #2 heavyweight Paul Clark of Crown Point. However, with the field being so tough, this isn't a clear enough indicator of who shall reign supreme at Gainbridge; the title is surely up for grabs.
• One More Obstacle for Schoeff: The Oriole senior has finished as a runner-up twice in his last three seasons. With a 9-3 record at Gainbridge and two of those losses coming to the same person, Schoeff looks to go 4-0 downtown as a senior. In his way, however, is returning top-ranked 138-pound state runner-up Cole Solomey of Kankakee Valley, whom he has never lost to. Will Schoeff finally realize his dream or will Solomey earn his first victory over his rival and deny him in the finals for a third time?
• The 132 Arena Battle: Just like Heavyweight, 132 is absolute insanity to say the least. Headlined by returning state champion Kyrel Leavell of Warren Central, this weight features 12 returning state qualifiers, three of whom are undefeated against in-state competition. While Leavell is the favorite, he isn't quite a lock as the battle-tested and returning state medalist Brady Ison and the always improving returning state runner-up Joey Buttler look to make a run for the title.
• Welcome to the Party, Ladies: Julianna O'Campo of Fort Wayne Snider became the first girl to win the prestigious Al Smith Invitational in the tournament's history, and along with Heather Crull and Crown Point's Rianne Murphy, they look to become the first ever female state medalists in Indiana wrestling history.

 

Team

• Crown Point Looks to Make History... Again!: Coming off of a season where the Bulldogs in red crowned three champions from six finalists and broke the IHSAA State Finals record for most points scored, the Region's premier wrestling team looks to improve and potentially put nine in the finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse with the rival Bulldogs in purple from Brownsburg looking to potentially spoil the party in Crown Point.
• Rochester Trying to Keep the Dream Alive: After a surprise semi-state championship win last season and the crowning of a heavyweight champion, the Zebras have been looking to break out, and with potential strong performances from Layne Horn, Alex Deming, and the Beck brothers, they may just prove they belong with the big dogs.
• New Castle Resurgence: The spirit is alive and the feeling is back in Henry County. The famed Trojans of New Castle High School are experiencing a bit of a renaissance and once again producing the stories that made them great to begin with. This season is headlined by the Thrine brothers, with the younger sibling, Tylin, having a phenomenal freshman run as he is currently undefeated and ranked sixth at 126 pounds. He has compiled several bonus point victories including a statement victory over returning state medalist Blake Wolf by fall.

Wrestling Goosebumps …. Can’t wait to watch it unfold ! So many good story lines . Well said … Ken Jennings of Indianamat bring that hype . 
 

[Websterk149]

Good stuff blueandgold !! Hopefully all of Henry county is on rise soon!!