bluechipper

My vote goes to... Nick Lee. 84-2 record. Both losses to #1 in the country. 2x Fargo champ, early collegiate competitor.

I'm stuck between 2009 103 and 2014 120.

I think you're on to something. It would be kind of cool for people to look at IndianaMat and say, "Oh, that's pretty unique. They recognize two full squads." You would definitely get kids names out there. For example, in 2012-14 Ngun Uk from Perry Meridian was on their B team as I believe he sat behind Jacob Cottey for three seasons, but cracked the A-team lineup and made it to state as a senior placing sixth. Same scenario with DJ Brookbank placing seventh.

I have a four-way tie on this "award": Brayton Lee, Joe Lee, Andrew Davison, and Mason Parris. B. Lee and Davison's neutral game is near flawless. Neither seem to get tired and both have some of the smoothest transitions I've seen. Joe and Mason also are incredibly aggressive from their feet, but it seems to me (and this is my observation) they like to work just as much on top, where as the B. Lee and Davison can seemingly go all six minutes on their feet. Nevertheless, I can't give an edge to a single wrestler, but I enjoy B. Lee's neutral wrestling the most. The guy is lightning fast. Who would you consider as the best neutral wrestler?

I put "vs." for a reason. They're the same person and the dominance is all too similar.

106: 2017 Curtis over 2016 Garcia 113: 2016 Cummings over 2017 Viduya 120: 2016 Hildebrandt over 2017 Rooks 126: 2016 Hudkins over 2017 White 132: 2016 Red over 2017 Bailey 138: 2016 B. Lee over 2017 Black 145: 2016 J. Lee vs. 2017 B. Lee (IDK!!!!!) 152: 2017 J. Lee over 2016 Pruitt 160: 2016 Covaciu over 2017 Laughlin 170: 2016 Hughes over 2017 Stock 182: 2016 Rypel over 2017 Gray 195: 2017 Davison over 2016 Kleimola 220: 2016 Mason Parris vs. 2017 Mason Parris (Hmm...) 285: 2016 Shawn Streck over 2017 Evan Ellis 2017 for sure wins 3 weights with 145 up in the air.

I've seen an earlier thread talking about this but these kinds of questions entertain me. What if... Gable Steveson stayed at Merrillville? A former 220 lb. State Champion in MN. How would he match-up versus Mason Parris had he remained at 220 or now versus Evan Ellis at 285? Domination from either party or an even affair?

Love it.

I literally JUST finished watching the match on Track, and boy, do I have chills! That was amazing and the atmosphere was electric! That last takedown and the hug at the end brought me to my feet in applause. That's what makes this sport awesome.

I seen a lot of tears in the stands last night mainly during award presentations from a lot of wrestlers who either didn't place or didn't get a chance to wrestle (either due to injury or elimination at Semi-State, Regions, etc.), and I completely understand. For the underclassmen who didn't place, understand that you will hopefully have another opportunity to wrestle it out and either become one of the 224 at Bankers Life or 112 to earn medals. Wrestle each match like it is your last and constantly train like your life depends on it. Do not get caught up in the rankings because while they are fun to look at and see yourself on, they don't matter as much as you would think. You don't get a much better example than Eli Stock. He was ranked #16 and won a state championship over the second-ranked wrestler in the state (whom I picked to win) by fall. You can tell he was determined and worked his butt off. For those who are caught up in their record, don't be. Caleb Oliver, a freshman at Cathedral, entered the state finals with a 20-18 record, but I can guarantee you he has gained a boatload of experience and amassed much-deserved confidence wrestling on the highest level in a tough weight class. For the seniors, who either didn't make it out of Semi-State, Regions, Sectionals, fell unable to compete due to injury, were JV, or other circumstances, understand what you were able to do and take it for what it is worth. You were able to compete in a sport which allowed you to push yourself to the absolute limits physically and mentally. You are not a normal person. A normal person couldn't and wouldn't last in their body and endure what you've endured in your mind, spirit, and soul. You have nothing to hang your head about. Whether you're one of those kids coming from powerhouse programs like EMD, Brownsburg, Perry Meridian, Penn, Avon, or even smaller programs like Adams Central, Churubusco, Shenandoah, etc., YOU ARE A WRESTLER. You know what it takes to earn and gain superior position. Use that mindset for the rest of your life. For the seniors who wrestled their final match on Friday night and sat through the tournament Saturday, you may feel empty and may be beating yourself up over what you could've done differently, cried, or don't know what to feel, I can understand your emotions firsthand. It's a hard pill to swallow as a competitor to see other wrestlers you've either beaten, held close matches with, or have the same common opponents as you did, excel and place on the podium or even win. It's hard for me just coming into Bankers and not immediately getting emotional, but as a person, you have to let it go and recognize what you have done. It's still taking me time to adjust and think about what I could've done, but as my family and friends told me, I made it where many people couldn't and had the opportunity to wrestle in front of 10,000+. For that, I am forever grateful. So, to my seniors without hardware, don't think about what could've been. Think about what was and what is to come. For all of you wrestlers who didn't quite get the endings you wanted, don't hang your head. Think about your life in the long run, because one day, you'll be able to tell your kids and future generations all of your favorite memories and how much you've learned from this sport. As a wrestler, you learn so much and you become a better person. Congratulations to all Indiana high school wrestlers for another great season, and to all seniors for great careers.

Andrew Davison. He's a senior who capped off his career with a 42-0 season and state championship. He pinned his way through the tournament (with an injury default in the semis). He's had a pretty high level of competition over the course of this year. He has an impressive national resumé as a Fargo champion and double All-American. His character and class is tremendous along with his grades as I believe he also made Senior Academic All-State. He'd be one I would vote for.

I'll tell you one thing, Asa Garcia is a special kid, and he is very humble! I wish him the best these next two seasons.

He qualified as a 2 seed as he finished second to LeCount the previous weekend. That was his lone loss and he did not participate the next weekend.

Brayton Lee 10-6 at the dual.

Jim Tonte did it last year... Warren and PM. Only to do so.

Jim Tonte did it last year... Warren and PM. Only to do so.

Cathedral's gold singlets never fail to excite me.

So, if we classed it, would it be three classes like Team State or group 1A/2A together. If the single class system allowed more qualifiers and wrestlebacks, I'd be up for it, but if they're talking more representation and want more participation with a lighter schedule, I think that's the wrong way to go. Kids like winning. With winning comes championships. There's a lot of kids who could potentially win championships. I'm sure in Illinois, a 3A Champion doesn't consider himself more/less of a champion than a 1A wrestler. Throughout the entire season, much like in Illinois and any other state, I'm sure they would wrestle teams in different classes 24/7 to test their strengths. I think it would do wonders for the sport. If we want to grow, let's grow. I'm all for it. I'm sure schools who'd want to compete with the 3A teams like MD would do so. I don't see a reason not to.

It actually didn't happen in 2014, as Fletcher had a single loss to Wes Bernard. I believe the final score was 4-3.

Are there any schools making an appearance this weekend with their first state qualifier ever?

I didn't see it in the information center article, but I was wondering what are the numbers for small schools this year? How many of those schools are coming to the state finals and how many wrestlers did they have qualify? I would typically consider 2A/1A small, but you could make a case for 2A, I guess, but if someone has the stats, please post them.

As we roll into our final week of the 2016-17, what wrestlers or teams have impressed you the most? Individuals Brayden Lowery, 106 of Perry Meridian - I was unsure about Lowery in the beginning of the season. He started off with a hot 16-0 start then received his only two losses at Team State, from there, he's caught fire avenging a loss to Drake Campbell and defeating old middle school foe Logan Bailey en route to a phenomenal semi-state run. I hope to see him do well this weekend. Alec Viduya, 113 of Roncalli - I had no idea about who this kid was but found it interesting he gave now inactive Brayden Littell his closest matches all year. Viduya has proven his skills time and again by going up against one of the best Indiana has in Skylour Turner, a three-time place winner, and beating him each time. I wish Littell was still in the mix to see these two square off once more, but I'm looking forward to his showdown with Asa Garcia. Tyce Freije, 120 of Roncalli - A freshman with seven losses took second in the region tournament only to win the semi-state the following weekend. Not only did he just win, but he pinned the entire field. That alone is impressive. Isaiah McWilliams, 285 of South Bend Washington - He went from holding seven losses to being #1 and undefeated at his weight not to mention, he's a foot shorter than the competition and dominant.

If we were to choose a weight to go last, we'd have to look at each scenario and storyline in play. 126 - Can Colton Cummings survive the war-zone that is this weight class and win a third state championship or will one of his worthy peers emerge victorious? There are six potential state champions in this weight, and it is nerve-wracking. 138 - Brendan Black will most likely lie in wait to face off against the best of the #2, #3, or #4 trio for what would be an epic match no matter who's involved. 145 - Jason Crary knocked off Kasper McIntosh at the Semi-State finals last weekend, and McIntosh has given returning champ, Brayton Lee, his closest match all year. While Brayton Lee looks to turn up the intensity, his foes are looking to give him all he can handle. Stranger things have happened at Bankers Life... 152 - In what could be Joe Lee's final appearance at Bankers Life Fieldhouse (assuming he follows in his brother's footsteps), he looks to ascend to the top of the mountain with a more than capable group of challengers: #2 Noah Warren, #3 Kyle Hatch, and #5 Kenny Kerrn. Scoring a win over this Lee would be a monumental upset, but don't think it cannot happen. I understand there are true locks, but I'm hesitant to call Joe a definite lock. It's not taking away from his abilities or his accomplishments what so ever, but he has been beat before; twice last season to Jared Timberman and Austin Bethel, and twice in 2015 to Brandon James and Tommy Cash. Hatch, Warren, and Kerrn are all returning placers with Kerrn's lone loss coming from Hatch by a slim 6-4 decision, while Warren only carries a 10-6 loss to Brayton Lee. This weight class seems to have the highest stakes and the biggest star in Indiana to lead it. Can the Penn State commit keep his dominance in tact or will his reign come to an end? Some of you reading this may think it sounds silly, but I remember a forum said no one would come within four points Vinny Corsaro in 2014, he lost; 2015 for sure saw Brandon James claiming a brass ring, well, he was unable to; 2016, Kobe Woods was going to lock up with Mason Parris for the 220 lb. championship, but he didn't make it back... You see the trend? No one is 100% safe. Mason Parris would be as close as they come, but even then, I would like to think Larson poses as a worthy challenge. Back to the point, however, 152 has a lot of interesting stories alone and potential. 195 - Can Tristen Tonte finally capture the proverbial brass ring or will Davison, Stewart, or Wilderman make the braided-haired warrior a three-time runner-up?

Jim Tonte and Matt Schoettle would be my only picks. Two of the best ever.

106: B. Lowery 113: A. Garcia 120: C. Rooks 126: G. Rooks 132: B. Bailey 138: B. Black/Z. Melloh 145: B. Lee 152: J. Lee (I'm most excited for this weight. The "Can Joe Lee Be Conquered?" storyline is VERY intriguing with the three capable guys posing as worthy challengers in what could be Joe's final time in Bankers.) 160: B. Laughlin 170: T. Webster 182: N. Walton 195: T. Tonte (This weight class also excites me. Tristen Tonte looks to strike gold in his third shot to the finals, while Wilderman, Davison, and Stewart all vie for a chance to be the man opposite of him in the finals. Should it be Stewart, this puts the exclamation point on many things for Tonte.) 220: M. Parris 285: E. Ellis/W. Ripple (This weight intrigues me due to the abundance of quality wrestlers in it. The style has evolved in a major way with the big guys actually working to score points. Ellis has the most creds and is more than capable, but Ripple seems to have been lights out lately.)