Mat_Rat_138

Ethan Smiley - Beech Grove

138 to 162

106: Red dec. Reitz 5-2

113: Micic maj. dec. Smith 14-1

120: Red dec. Wilson SV-1 5-3

126: Micic dec. Crume 8-3

132: LeCount dec. Wilson 5-1

138: Forte dec. Cash 3-2

145: LeCount dec. Molloy 4-3

152: Farrell dec. Kelley 7-5

160: McClurg dec. Hiestand UTB-1 2-1

170: Bobbie Stevenson dec. Jacob Stevenson 6-3

182: Hurford dec. Chambers 8-3

195: Sliga dec. Moss 9-4

220: Robinson '14 dec. Robinson '13 10-6

HWT: Bernard dec. Winfield UTB-1 4-3

2013 over 2014 25-15

Streck over Bernard in the big man semi's. I may be a little biased, coming out of the Merrillville semi, but I've seen both wrestlers plenty of times, and I wouldn't be shocked if Streck pulled out the win.

Dang it, they must have started this the year after my Middle School state champ enrolled there.  A new Camaro sure sounds nicer than my ride.  Maybe I better take this up with admissions.

Love hearing both sides of the argument! I don't think it has anything to do with the money, parents want their kids to succeed, and a strong wrestling program with good coaching is where they're going to send them.

Who will win the team title, and why? Will Perry Meridian earn themselves yet another team title? Which school has what it takes to start a "dynasty"?

How could LeCount vs. Forte not be the most anticipated match? 2 of the 6 returning State Champs and the only 2 that will see each other. James vs. Wilson deserves to be in the poll as well.

Covaciu looked really tough as well. I knew coming in that he was a really good wrestler, but having Fuqua in the ticket round had me doubting his trip back to Bankers Life this season. Instead, Covaciu beat Fuqua by 2, pinned into the finals, and only lost to Hughes by 1 in a very close match. I could easily see him upsetting Lykins & Krumlauf and wrestling Hughes in the finals, again.

Just wondering why Thacker who took third at semi state is on your list but Sandlin who dominated that semi state is not.  I get that Thacker was expected to win but he didn't. Sandlin showed up to win and recorded three falls on the day.  This weight is wide open and most of these guys are as likely to lose Friday night as they are to wrestle under the lights Saturday.

I made the poll off of rankings, but I understand that Sandlin could just as easily wrestle under the lights, and that's why I stated earlier that many 7-18 ranked wrestlers are possible contenders. If it makes you feel any better, I am a fan of Partee and Sandlin! My step dad Mike Galbreath actually wrestled for Madison and I know Madison boys always come ready to win.

  I might be a little biased but if Kral comes to wrestle instead

  of ***meow***footin around out there I think he has a chance, even

  though he ha Johnson in the 2nd round, presuming he wins the

first round.  He may have lost the last 3 weeks, but they were all

close matches.  I remember back in the 80's Dennis Watson from

Merrillville was lucky to qualify for the regionals, semi-state and

state, but ended up on the top step of the podium.

I'd have to agree.. Kral will definitely have to step it up this week and wrestle his best on Saturday because Johnson/Woods/Thacker/Wagner have other things in mind.

The Hanover Central kid looked as good as anyone on Saturday. He beat Woods in the finals.

I debated putting Tyler Scott in the poll because as you said, he looked unstoppable Saturday. We'll have to see how things unfold, definitely a title contender!

Who's your pick?

I personally feel like 195 is the most wide open weight class this weekend. Not only between the top 6 ranked wrestlers, but with several sleepers ranked 7-18 that could potentially win it.

I can't pick LeCount or Forte because 145 will be a toss-up match, and I think James will finally get the win over Wilson when it really matters. No one will touch Robinson or Micic after watching them at Semi-State, and I doubt anyone will contend with Red.

Rory Nolin (Warsaw) is an 11th grader and is down to 182.

Anthony Hendrickson (Warsaw) who was previously ranked 11th at 220 is down to 195.

Wilson isn't going 126, he'll be at 132 for this one.

Brooks over Micic 8-1