APD153

I currently live in Indiana but lived most of my life in Ohio.  I wrestled in Ohio and attended the state wrestling tournament there for 20 consecutive years.  This year, I attended the IHSAA post season Semi State at New Castle for the first time ever.  Was my first post season event ever attended for Indiana High School Wrestling.  My first experience was almost entirely positive.  I can tell you the perception in Ohio is that Indiana Wrestling is not as competitive.  I personally had this belief as well.  I do not anymore.  I don’t know if New Castle is that much more competitive from the other Semi-State’s but the quality of wrestling there was excellent.  I would go as far as saying there were kids who did not make it out that I could see being state qualifiers in Ohio.  My only grip, which most of you could probably guess, was the qualification process.  SMH.  Why?  I just can’t wrap my head around the thought process that went into decided that you need to make the semi finals and your in.  This does not ensure the best four getting out.  Having double elimination also does not ensure the “best” 4 getting out but it does allow tough quarter final draws to have a second chance.  The state’s response could be to not lose and your okay.  I get it, but for a lot of kids their goals are not to be a state champ.  Maybe it’s to make it state or place in state.  I am curious how many other states do it like this?  My favorite round in all of Ohio’s post season wrestling is District (their semi-state) Conso-Semi’s.  I wish Indiana would revisit this, but I also know that others have probably voiced their opinions over the years and here we are still the same.  Also, New Castle is an awesome venue!

This is Justice Cash and after losing 4 times at semi-state I am coming on here to share the story that I never was able to share after winning a state title... The dog tag in the picture has been in my shoe for every wrestling match since Amante Young's death... He was a brother to me and there was nothing I wanted to do more than win a state title for him and his memory. He died tragically in a car crash a few months after winning a state title in Michigan. For those who knew Amante you would know he was one of the sweetest, joyful, and kind hearted people you've ever met. He was always smiling and brought so much joy to others, he always had my back, and he always wanted to make himself better. His home life was never amazing but he still was always trying to make money to give gifts to his whole family during holidays and other occasions even knowing he wouldn't be getting any from his parents at times. He always wanted to help people and he never acted like he was bound to be unsuccessful because of his home life, he found ways to make himself better and others around him better. I could go on and on about how amazing Amante was as a person and a wrestler and about how much he meant to me and so many others, but here is the end and the end of my high school career. I would be so grateful if anyone who reads this would mention his name in my place after winning a state title this year because I have failed to make it there for him myself... Thank you...

If I remember right, he bumped up a weight to try to win one for his team. Because... that’s what true champs do. He put his career undefeated record on the line for his team. Came up just short. That’s why the kid is even more awesome! 

Silas Allred has been chosen to represent the Team USA All-Stars at the “Rose Bowl of Wrestling”.....The Pittsburgh Classic.  An all senior event for 50+ years, Silas will represent the 195lbs weight class. The event will take place March 14th, at Fitzgerald Fieldhouse on the University of Pittsburgh campus.  The dual meet will not have the 106-113-or heavyweight division.  Rather....it will be 120-220, and have 2 matches at 138 & 195.  Silas (#2 via Flo) will be squaring off against PA State Champ and Michigan commit Gage Garcia #3.
Tremendous honor for Silas to be selected and represent Shenandoah High School, CIA Wrestling, Indiana Wrestling, as well as his future Nebraska Cornhuskers at this prestigious event.
 
Other notable participants and match-ups.....
 
Serrano USA132 (Nebraska Commit)
138lbs.....1-4 in the country.
182lbs Poznanski NJ (Rutgers) vs Neijhous (Purdue).
195 Christensen (Iowa commit) vs Stout (Princeton)
220lbs Braxton Amos USA (Wisconsin)
 
I’ve been told complete lineups will be available online soon.  These are simply what I remember through phone conversation. Tickets are now available, and the event will be broadcasted on Flo. 

Tyler Wagner lost to Braden Welch.  Pack beat Jacob Huffman.  Cathedral looks good today.

Culver Academies RTC getting after it tonight at 6:00 PM!  They say training inside on a sunny nice day gives you twice the results.  Just saying!    
Let's fill the RTC rooms Indiana!
Enter George Steinbrenner Center.  Locate indoor blue track and go upstairs.  Wrestling room is located on west end of the building.  State Champs, State Runner-Ups and State Placers will be getting after it tonight!  
-Coach Behling

Rank/ Name/ Grade/ Projected High School/ Current Weight/ Projected HS Weight

1. Sergio Lemley--8th grade--Chesterton--110--(106)
(1st, 1st, and 5th at Middle School State, 4th at Super32, 4th at FloNationals MS, 4th at Preseason Nationals, 5-0 at GRR MS duals, ISWA triple crown winner, Winter Nationals Champ, 3-2 at Tulsa 2019)
2.  Cheaney Schoeff--8th grade--Plainfield--102–(106)—FLO Rank #90
(1st , 1st, and 2nd at Middle School State, FloNationals MS champ, 3rd at Preseason Nationals, 5th at Ohio TOC, 8-0 at the NHSCA Duals, 8-0 at heartland Duals, 7-0 at NUWAY Nat Duals, 8-2 VAC 2018 & 9-1 VAC 2017, 6-1 at West Pen Duals, NUWAY Nationals Champ, 6-1 at Middle School National duals in 2018 and 2017, multi time ISWA triple crown winner, 3rd and 5th at USA Nationals)
3.  John Purdy--8th grade--Castle--150–(145-160)
(1st, 4th and 6th at Middle School State, Runner Up at Tulsa, 6th at Super32, 8-2 at VAC 2018, USA National Champ, Greco Nationals Runner Up and 4th at Freestyle Nationals, Central Regional champ in both styles,  6-1 at Heartland Duals, Dixie National champ, Indy National Champ, 3X ISWA triple crown winner and 11X champ, 8-1 at AAU duals 2017, and 3rd at Preseason Nationals)
4. Logan Frazier--8th grade--Crown Point—105--(106)—FLO Rank #73
(1st and 5th at Middle School State, Tulsa Kickoff Champ, 6th place at Tulsa 2019, Runner Up at Preseason Nationals, 4-2 at IHPO, 3rd at Reno Worlds, 6th at USA Nationals, Dixie National Champ, Dominate the Dells Champ, Runner Up at GFC, 3X ISWA state champ)
5. Christian Carroll--8th grade--Crown Point/Penn--157--(160-220)—FLO Rank #52
(Super32 Champ, 6-0 at Lee Pamulak MS duals, 6-1 at NUWAY Nat Duals, 5-1 at Sparty Duals, 9-0 VAC 2018 & 8-2 at VAC 20-17, Preseason Nationals Runner-up, 6-0 at Christmas Duals, ISWA triple Crown Winner)
6. Lane Gilbert--8th grade--Sullivan--117–(106-120)
(2X Middle School State Champ, 3-2 at Tulsa, 6-1 at NUWAY Nat Duals, 4-1 NUWAY spring duals, 7-3 at VAC, ISWA triple crown winner, 8-0 Columbus Day Duals)
7.  Bryce Lowery--8th grade--Roncalli--95--(106)
(1st, 1st, 4th, and 5th at Middle School State, 5-3 at Heartland Duals, 5-2 at NUWAY Nat Duals, 4-1 at GRR MS duals, 12-2 between both styles at Schoolboy Duals 2017,  All American at USA Nationals, ISWA Freestyle and Greco state champ)
8. Sam Goin--8th grade--Crown Point—110--(106)
(1st, 3rd, 3rd, and 5th at Middle School State, Ohio TOC Champ, Runner up at GFC MS, 10-0 at VAC 2017, 6-2 at Nat MS duals, SB duals 8-1(FS), 7-1 at Heartland Duals, Midwest Classic Champ, 6-0 Jimtown Duals HS, 3rd, 3rd & 6th at USA Nationals, Indy Nationals Champ, multiple ISWA state champ, 3-2 at Tulsa 2019)
9.  Cody Goodwin--8th grade--Crown Point--145–(132-152)—FLO Rank #24
(1st and 6th at Middle School State, GFC champion, 5th at USA Nationals, 8-0 at Heartland Duals, 9-1 at VAC, Tulsa Champ, Reno Worlds Runner-Up, 6-2 at NHSCA Duals gold pool, 6-1 at Middle School Nat Duals, Winter Nationals Champ, multi time ISWA triple crown winner, Preseason Nationals 2X Runner up and 3rd place, 2X Indy Nationals champ, 2X NUWAY National champ)
10. Aaron Steenbeke--8th grade--Granger--157--(152-160)
(1st and 3rd at Middle School State, 3rd and 4th at USA Nationals, 8-2 at VAC 2018, 7-1 at Nat MS duals, SB duals 6-2(Greco) 7-2(FS), 7th at Super32, 1st and 4th at Freakshow, 4th at USA freestyle Nat and 3rd at Greco Nationals, ISWA triple crown winner, 1st and freestyle and greco central regional)
11. Leighton Jones--8th grade--Brownsburg--195–(220)
(1st and 2nd at Middle School State, Runner up in FS and GR USA Nationals 2017, Super32 Runner Up, Midwest Classic Champ, SB duals 6-2(Greco) 7-2(FS), GGR open 1st, 3rd at USA Nationals, Central Regional champ in FS & GR, multi time ISWA state champ)
12. Seth Willems--8th grade--Crown Point--160--(145-160)
(1st and 3rd at Middle School State, 3rd at Preseason Nationals, 6-2 at Nat MS duals, 5-2 at Heartland Duals, 10-3 at Schoolboy duals between both styles, 9-1 at VAC holiday duals, ISWA triple crown winner)

I thought Cottey was a lock at 106 this year, hadn’t seen or heard much about the Culver kid, Cernus. If Cottey stays at 106 and Cernus moves up to 113 or vice versa, I could see Cottey taking home a title in early 2020

I like the Bates pick a ton. Of course we can't forget about Donahue and Laplace. Bates is as tough and humble as they come. Warren would have to be my two. Cottey and Hall at the 3-4 and I am not sure If I would have Ellis up there just yet.

Hammers all around Boarman (Littel & Mendez) Aiden Warren might be around Lee weight again. Cottey at 113 ? 
My pick would be Evan Bates at 182 again, a Jr. at upper weight is a good combination. 
If I had a confidence poll Top 5 
1 being the best shot, 5 the least 
 
1. Bates 
2. Ellis
3. Warren 
4. Cottey 
5. Hall 
 

Placing matches are coming soon, here are the minimum placements

16U - 113
8th Place - Sergio Lemley of Region Wrestling Academy
16U - 120
8th Place - Kamariyon Nelson of Region Wrestling Academy
16U - 132
2nd Place - Jesse Mendez of Region Wrestling Academy
Junior - 220
6th Place - Andrew Irick of Central Indiana Academy Of Wre
Junior - 285
6th Place - YEHEZQUEL DEVAULT of MXW
 

Mendez smashes the field with his closest match a maj. Won by TF in finals. 
KT ff for an 8th place finish 

Sergio finishes 7th

Kameron Hazelett Champion, Madeline Hazelett 3rd, Gavin Lewis 6th!

Some Brownsburg results-
JJ Doty-2nd place
Parker Reynolds-2nd place 
KT Nelson-8th place

DJ Washington also places 3rd at 170. Wrestled under twisters.

Kyle Harden and Evan Stanley made the Championships. Kyle comes back with the National Title while Evan Stanley takes 3rd. Landon Hawkins also fought back from opening round loss to the runner up to finish 7th. 

Aiden Torres made the Championship to finish as runner up 

Hunter May brings a national championship title home. Congratulations to the May family!

Parker Reynolds made the Finals too as a 1st year schoolboy and was looking to be 1 of only 2 wrestlers (14U & below) in the finals to win back to back USAW Titles.  It would have been his 3rd in 4 years.  He fell just short losing in OT in the championship match to finish 2nd.

Tallinn Open FS update! Nate Rioux finished 6th, Ray Rioux finished 4th and Cheaney Schoeff won the tournament! Great showing by #WestsideWingmen in Estonia!
Avon boys getting that international experience! Proud of them dudes!