The Guru

http://news.theopenmat.com/2011/10/fargo-champ-brunson-joins-illini/

Fargo Champ Brunson Joins Illini

Published on October 13, 2011 by Willie Saylor  ?  No Comments

Willie Saylor, Editor

Illinois Coaches Jim Heferrnan and Jeremy Hunter added Mark Perry and Cory Cooperman to bolster their staff, reinvigorate the program, and one more thing?

recruit!

Early indications are that the moves are paying off.

Already with a verbal confirmation from California State Champion Nikko Reyes (184), the Illini received more good news Thursday evening as two-time Fargo finalist Zac Brunson called in his commitment.

Brunson is a 3x State Champion wrestling for Churchill HS in Oregon. He?s fresh off a Junior Freestyle national title earned in Fargo this summer. He was also a finalist in Cadet Greco in 2009, and at the Reno Tournament of Champions last December, and at Fila?s this spring.

He sports a three-year high school record of 141-2, and will be featured as our #2-ranked recruit at 165lbs in our forthcoming Top Prospect Report.

We had a chance to talk with Brunson regarding his decision to head to Champaign. Here?s what he had to say?

WS: What made Illinois the best fit for you?

ZB:  It was the best all the way around: the coaches, the campus, the environment. All the wrestlers there seemed focused and serious about attaining their goals.

WS: There seems to be a lot of excitement at Illinois right now with the new coaches. Is that something that attracted you to the program?

ZB: Absolutely. They brought in Perry and Coop and everyone is really enthusiastic and optimistic. There was definitely a good energy there.

WS: What other schools were you considering?

ZB: I took my five visits to Illinois, Minnesota, Oregon State, Cornell, and Missouri.

WS: What are your goals for college?

ZB: Four NCAA titles, no doubt about it. And team-wise, to contribute not only by winning, but by doing whatever I can to help the other people in the program succeed.

WS: Now that you?ve made your decision, is it a relief?

ZB: Yeah. Definitely a lot of stress off my shoulders. Maybe I?ll finally get a good night sleep tonight.

Sweet.

106

Rank Year First Last City State

1 So. Tommy Thorn St. Michael-Albertville MN

2 Sr. Matt Garelli Elmhurst IL

3 Sr. Johnson Mai North Torrence CA

4 So. Nathan Boston Lawrence North IN

5 So. Zac Hall St. John?s MI

6 Jr. Ronnie Bresser Henley OR

7 Fr. Matt Kolodzik Miami Valley OH

8 So. Jordan Northrup Harlem IL

9 So. Mason Pengilly Porterville CA

10 So. Dalton Macri Canon-Mac PA

11 So. Noah Teaney Oak Park MO

12 So. Sean Russell Collins Hill GA

13 So. Ryan Millhof Collins Hill GA

14 Sr. Bobby Nachreiner Hartford WI

15 Sr. Jordan Bremer Woodberry Central IA

16 So. Steven Micic Cedar Lake IN

17 Sr. Jan Rosenberg Morris Nolls NJ

18 Sr. Javier Vieryra Salina South KS

19 Jr. Jarred Oftedahl Benilde-St. Margarets MN

20 Fr. Ke-Shawn Hayes Park Hill MO

113

Rank Year First Last City State

1 Jr. Dalton Brady Colorado Springs CO

2 Jr. Nathan Tomasello CVCA OH

3 Sr. Nicky Roberts North Star PA

4 Jr. Micah Perez Central Union CA

5 Jr. Jarred Brooks Warsaw IN

6 Jr. JR Wert Christiansburg VA

7 Sr. Phil Laux Iowa City West IA

8 Jr. Barlow McGhee Rock Island IL

9 So. Joey McKenna Blair Academy NJ

10 Jr. Darian Cruz Bethlehem Catholic PA

11 So. Johnny Jimenez Marmion Academy IL

12 Jr. Kyle Gliva Simley MN

13 Jr. Sebastian Pique Carl Sandberg IL

14 Sr. Billy Rappo Council Rock-South PA

15 So. Emilio Saavedra Pittman CA

16 Jr. Zac Gentzler Andover KS

17 So. Seth Gross Apple Valley MN

18 Jr. Andrew Crone Hartland Arrowhead WI

19 Jr. Ryan Diehl Berkeley Springs WV

20 So. Isaiah Locsin Live Oaks CA

120

Rank Year First Last City State College

1 Sr. Jimmy Gulibon Derry PA Penn State

2 Sr. Thomas Gilman Omaha Skutt NE

3 Sr. George DiCamillo St. Ignatius OH

4 Sr. Ryan Taylor St. Paris-Graham OH Wisconsin

5 Sr. Freddie Rodriquez Holt MI Michigan State

6 Sr. Tim Lambert Forest Hills East MI

7 So. Jared Cortez Glenbard North IL

8 Sr. Kyle Ayersman Lake Central IN

9 Sr. Max Hvolbeck Blair Academy NJ

10 Sr. Dylan Peters Denver-Tripoli IA Northern Iowa

11 So. Zeke Moisey Bethlehem Catholic PA

12 So. Gary Wayne Harding Collinsville OK

13 Jr. Cory Stainbrook Streetsboro OH

14 Sr. Mason Todd Pendelton Heights IN

15 Jr. Connor Schram Canon-Mac PA

16 Jr. Victor Lopez Calexico CA

17 Sr. Drew Ferguson-Mitchell Collins Hill GA

18 Sr. Eric Montoya Volcano Vista NM

19 Jr. Jaret Singh Kearney MO

20 So. Jason Nolf Kittaning PA

126

Rank Year First Last City State College

1 Jr. Joey Dance Christiansburg VA Virginia Tech (2013)

2 Sr. Rossi Bruno Brandon FL

3 Sr. Dom Malone Wyoming Seminary PA

4 Sr. Nathan Kraisser Ellicott City MD North Carolina

5 Sr. Corey Clark South Polk IA Iowa

6 Jr. Anthony Ashnault South Plainfield NJ

7 Jr. Zain Retherford Line Mountain PA

8 Sr. Hunter Weber Marshall WI North Dakota St.

9 Jr. Dean Heil St. Edwards OH

10 Sr. Corey Keener Blue Mountain PA

11 Sr. Daniel Gaytan Clovis CA

12 Sr. Randy Cruz Bethlehem Catholic PA

13 Sr. Drew Templeman Orting WA

14 Sr. Sam Brancale Eden Prairie MN

15 Sr. Nick Hermann Amarillo TX

16 Sr. Joey Munos S. St. Paul MN

17 Jr. Jacob Schmitt St. Johns MI

18 Jr. Renaldo Rodriquez-Spencer Buffalo NY

19 Jr. Tyson Dippery Central Dauphin PA

20 So. Tate Robinson Christian Brothers TN

132

Rank Year First Last City State College

1 Sr. Mark Grey Blair Academy NJ

2 Sr. Zane Richards Carbondale IL

3 Jr. Bradon Jeske Cox VA

4 Sr. Eddie Klimara Providence Catholic IL

5 Sr. Alex Cisneros Selma CA Cornell

6 Jr. Kevin Norstrem Brandon FL

7 Sr. Kagan Squire Wadsworth OH

8 So. Hayden Tuma Boise ID

9 Sr. Joey Palmer Orting WA

10 Sr. Dakota Trom Apple Valley MN

11 Jr. Edgar Bright St. Edwards OH

12 Sr. Brent Fickel Padua Franciscan OH

13 Jr. Mitch Bengston St. Cloud Apollo MN

14 Jr. Stephen Myers Grant County KY

15 Jr. Troy Heilman South Plainfield NJ

16 Sr. Chris Caton Northside CA NC

17 Sr. Kyle Garcia Choctaw OK Oklahoma

18 Sr. Jeff Ott Belmont Abbey MA

19 Sr. Jared McKinley Perry Meridian IN

20 Sr. Garrison White Concord NC

138

Rank Year First Last City State College

1 Sr. Jason Tsirtsis Crown Point IN

2 Jr. Ben Whitford St. Johns MI

3 Sr. Tyler Liberatore Wharton FL

4 Sr. Quinton Murphy Holley NY

5 Jr. Jake Short Simley MN

6 Sr. John Meeks DM Roosevelt IA Iowa State

7 Sr. Todd Preston Blair Academy NJ

8 Jr. Mikey Racciato Pen Argyl PA

9 Sr. Case Garrison St Paris Graham OH

10 Jr. Anthony Collica Solon OH

11 Sr. Chase Ferman Broken Arrow OK

12 So. Solomon Chisko Canon-Mac PA

13 Sr. Alec Mooradian Detroit CC MI

14 Sr. Steve Spearman Erie McDowell PA

15 Sr. John Fahy Trinity KY

16 Sr. Lenny Richardson St. Peters Prep NJ

17 Sr. Natrelle Deminson Bakersfield CA

18 Jr. Kyle Langenderfer Lincoln Way East IL

19 Jr. BJ Clagon Toms River South NJ

20 Jr. Shayne Tucker Bella Vista CA

145

Rank Year First Last City State College

1 Sr. Nate Skonieczny Walsh Jesuit OH

2 Sr. Brian Realbuto Somers NY

3 Sr. Brandon Kingsley Apple Valley MN Minnesota

4 Sr. Gabe Moreno Urbandale IA

5 Sr. Jacob Crawford Millbrook VA

6 Sr. Andrew Morse Lowell MI

7 Sr. Matt Cimato LaSalle PA

8 So. Bryce Brill Mt. Carmel IL Northwestern (2014)

9 So. Jack Clark McDonough MD

10 Sr. Rylan Lubeck Wisconsin Rapids WI

11 Jr. Austin Matthews Reynolds PA

12 Sr. Tony DeAngelo Southern Alamance NC

13 So. Dylan Milonas Blair Academy NJ

14 Jr. Collin Holler Carl Sandberg IL

15 Sr. Eleazar Deluca Phoenix OR

16 So. Nikko Villareal Gilroy CA

17 Jr. TJ Miller Camden Catholic NJ

18 Sr. Blake Kastl St. Paris Graham OH

19 Jr. Grant LaMont Maple Mountain UT

20 Sr. Angelo Silvestro Marmion Academy IL

152

Rank Year First Last City State College

1 Sr. Mitch Minotti Easton PA Lehigh

2 Jr. Isaiah Martinez Lemoore CA

3 Jr. Coleman Hammond Bakersfield CA

4 Jr. Oliver Pierce Allen TX

5 Sr. Max Schneider Lane Tech IL

6 Jr. Brian Murphy Glenbard North IL

7 Sr. Zach Witte Cedar Rapids IA

8 Sr. Zach Dailey Massillon-Perry OH

9 Sr. Travis Curley St. Johns MI

10 Sr. Brett Pfarr LeSeur-Henderson MN

11 Sr. Jared Reis Napolean ND

12 Sr. Jake Elliott Oakmont CA

13 Sr. TJ Fox Field OH

14 Jr. Nick Wanzek Simley MN

15 Jr. Keilan Torres Altus OK

16 Jr. Chandler Rogers Mead WA

17 Jr. Joey Lavalle Reno NV

18 Jr. Garrett Hammond Chambersburg PA

19 So. Josh Llopez La Plata MD

20 Sr. Kyle Ash Tulsa Union OK

160

Rank Year First Last City State College

1 So. Chance Marsteller Kennard Dale PA

2 Sr. Zac Brunson Churchill OR

3 Jr. Bo Jordan St. Paris-Graham OH

4 Sr. Brian Brill Central Mountain PA

5 Jr. Eric Morris Wyoming Seminary PA

6 Sr. Clark Glass Brandon FL

7 Sr. Mark Martin St. Edwards OH

8 Sr. Devon Gobbo Delbarton NJ

9 Sr. Justin Koethe Iowa City-West IA

10 Sr. Micah Barnes Simley MN

11 Sr. Felipe Martinez Genoa OH

12 Sr. Dylan Reel Washington IL

13 Sr. Jordan Wohlfert St. Johns MI

14 Sr. Jim Wilson McNair CA

15 Jr. Tyler Askey Northgate GA

16 Sr. Victor Periera Newark CA

17 Sr. Zak Benitz Wisconsin Rapids WI

18 Sr. Jimmy Kloc Iriquois NY

19 So. Burke Paddock Warsaw NY

20 So. Andrew Garcia Detroit CC MI

170

Rank Year First Last City State College

1 Sr. Taylor Massa St. Johns MI

2 Sr. Jordan Thomas Greenville MI Michigan

3 Jr. Cody Weircioch Canon-McMillan PA

4 Sr. Iceman Davis Sante Fe CA

5 Sr. Zach Nevills Clovis CA

6 Sr. Jason Luster Pittsburgh CC PA

7 Sr. Geordan Speiller Pine Castle FL

8 Sr. Cody Allala Hopewell VA

9 Sr. Steve Congenie Villa Park IL

10 Sr. Isaac Jordan St. Paris Graham OH Wisconsin

11 Sr. Alex Meyer Southeast Polk IA

12 Sr. Reece Wright-Conklin Lawrence KS

13 Jr. Ricky Robertson Carl Sandberg IL

14 Jr. Dominic Abounader St. Edwards OH

15 Sr. Ryan Harrington West Morris NJ

16 So. Zach Beard Tuttle OK

17 Sr. Silas Nacita Bakersfield CA

18 Sr. Kalvin Hill Minooka IL

19 Sr. McCoy Newburg Independence TN

20 Sr. Kegan Gennerich Hortonville WI

182

Rank Year First Last City State College

1 Sr. Nikko Reyes Clovis West CA Illinois

2 Sr. Jordan Rogers Mead WA

3 Sr. Kyle Crutchmer Tulsa Union OK Oklahoma St.

4 Sr. Brandon Griffin Sprague OR

5 Sr. Wes Phipps Grove City PA

6 Sr. Jack Dechow Richmond IL

7 Sr. Kevin Beazley Detroit CC MI

8 Sr. Willie Miklus SE Polk IA

9 Jr. Brooks Climmons Pope GA

10 Sr. Scott Gibbons Metarie LA

11 Sr. David Reck Colonial Forge VA

12 Sr. Tevin Shaw Piscataway NJ

13 Sr. Greg Wilson Keller TX

14 Jr. Dakota DesLauriers Burrell PA

15 Sr. Robert Marchese Oak Hills CA

16 Sr. JJ Jude Johnson Central KY

17 Sr. Anthony Pafumi St. Peters Prep NJ

18 Jr. Ray O?Donnell Saucon Valley PA

19 Sr. Connor King Poway CA

20 Jr. Jaeden Bernstein Vorhees NJ

195

Rank Year First Last City State College

1 Sr. Devin Peterson Wisconsin Rapids WI Wisconsin

2 Sr. Sam Brooks Oak Park IL

3 Sr. Gage Harrah Crystal Lake IL

4 Sr. Huston Evans St. Paris-Graham OH Virginia Tech

5 Jr. Mitch Sliga Fishers IN

6 Sr. Chaz Gresham Goshen OH

7 Sr. Ben Stroh Chinook MT

8 Sr. Roland Dunlap Muskego WI

9 Sr. Dwight Howes Arvada CO

10 Sr. Tim Dudley Irmo SC

11 Sr. Taylor McGiffen Alton IL

12 Sr. Jared Bartel Mason City IA

13 Sr. Perry Hills Pitt CC PA

14 Sr. Jesse Doyle Wheatmore NC

15 Jr. Broc Berg Kasson-Mantorville MN

16 Sr. Joe Jessen Millbrook VA

17 Jr. Preston Lehman West Fargo ND

18 Sr. James Suvak St. Edward OH

19 Jr. Jordan Ellingwood Plainfield Central IL

20 Jr. Alex Bambic Desert Vista AZ

220

Rank Year First Last City State College

1 Jr. Adam Coon Fowlerville MI

2 So. Kyle Snyder Good Counsel MD

3 Jr. J?Den Cox Hickman MO

4 Sr. Gabe Dean Lowell MI

5 Sr. Josh Marchok Schaumberg IL

6 Sr. Mike Kroells Scott West MN

7 So. Thomas Haines Solanco PA

8 Sr. Eric Laytos Lackawanna Trail PA

9 Sr. Jordan Gruettner Muskego WI

10 Sr. AJ Vizcarrando Wyoming Seminary PA

11 Sr. Ryan Solomon Milton PA

12 Sr. Ty Walz St. Edwards OH

13 Sr. Brad Johnson Lockport IL

14 Sr. Matt Meadows CVCA OH

15 Jr. Spencer Empey Reed NV

16 Sr. Austin Lobsinger West Valley CA

17 Jr. Nate Rotert Spearfish SD

18 Jr. Nick Cobb Allen TX

19 Sr. Nolan Boyd Deer Creek OK

20 Sr. Jimmy Trull Bellevue WA

Hwt

Rank Year First Last City State College

1 Jr. Brooks Black Blair Academy NJ

2 Sr. Doug Vollaro Pine Castle FL

3 So. Nick Nevills Clovis CA

4 Sr. Nick Tavanello Wadsworth OH Ohio St.

5 Sr. John Rizzo Richland PA

6 Sr. Austin Georgen Caledonia MN

7 So. Sam Stoll Kasson-Mantorville MN

8 Sr. John Dreggors Springstead FL

9 Sr. Greg Kuhar St. Edwards OH

10 Sr. Travis Morgan Stillwater OK

11 Fr. Michael Johnson, Jr. Wyoming Seminary PA

12 Jr. Joe Bexley Bremen GA

13 Sr. Averee Robinson Susquehanna PA Temple (FB)

14 Sr. Gaylen Edmo Fort Hall ID

15 Sr. Dawson Peck Chambersburg PA

16 Sr. Cody Klempay Canon-McMillan PA

17 Sr. Mimmo Lytle Swanton OH

18 Sr. Riley Shaw Washington OH

19 Sr. John Shupp Vacaville CA

20 Sr. Tanner Lowe Coon Rapids MN

http://news.theopenmat.com/2011/08/2011-12-clinch-gear-preseason-high-school-individual-rankings-update/

We're taking 11 kids. Brackets are sick this year. Can't wait! http://super32.com/

WOO WOOOOOO A train

So will Ruth be out this year or what? Haven't heard anything since his arrest last month.

http://www.centredaily.com/2011/08/25/2889638/psu-wrestler-ruth-charged-in-washington.html

Tsirtsis Lightner at Sunkist

Burroughs v Poeta

Ross Enemait is a badass

You don't have to qualify.

Justice  Cash is unbelievable its awsome to see him in some of these exp. I believe he is undefeated as a 4th grader, hes going to be a stud.

Justice is a little beast.

Blake Rypel is a savage. He just keeps getting better. I think Rypel could place at IHSAA state right now.

Alec White is another kid that has just gone to another level over the last year. Very crisp, sharp technique. Good quickness.

[NOVICE 75- 1st folkstyle, 1st freestyle, 2nd greco]

Another kid I think will have a very good year is Jayln Wallace. He's still a bit of a bruiser technically, but he has natural feel and a killer instinct.

[sB 105- 2nd folkstyle]

Nobody can pin Tom Brands except Chuck Norris.

Pretty sure you have to be a teacher at LN to be a head coach.

That's Badass!

IMO competition is never a bad thing. Locally, HYWAY will always struggle where other NUWAY affiliated organizations won't because the ISWA is a fantastic outfit. ISWA is responsive to the Indiana wrestling community and makes every attempt to give the people what they want. NUWAY programs are challenging USAW programs in other states because their state organizations suck. It's really that simple.

???

Crutchmer is BEAST

http://news.theopenmat.com/2011/08/cowboy-up/

The Oklahoma State Cowboys kicked off their 2012 recruiting class in a big way on Sunday when they received a verbal confirmation from the top in-state talent.

Kyle Crutchmer of perennial power Tulsa Union High School became the 34-time NCAA Champions? first commitment for next season.

Had you seen Kyle Crutchmer throughout Fargo Week, you?d know what he is made of.

Battered, bruised, and often with bags of ice shrink-wrapped around his gut-wrench-impaled ribs after each session (if not every bout), Crutchmer kept taking the mat like a warrior. And while, like most athletes in our sport, he wasn?t looking for a pay day, Head Coach John Smith was in attendance, and his performance obviously didn?t go unnoticed.

Crutchmer is coming off an absolutely stellar calendar year in which he competed at 160 and 171lbs.

In April of 2010, Crutchmer made the finals Fila Cadets in both styles at 167.5lbs. He backed that up with a double Fargo AA showing at 160, including another Greco finals appearance.

During his regular high school season, Crutchmer wrestled at 160lbs and won the Reno Tournament of Champions with a finals win over Zach Brunson, who would go on to win Fargo Junior Freestyle at 152lbs. Later in the year, he won the Class 6A State title with a finals win over Zach Skates, who signed with OSU for this season, and who made the finals in Fargo Junior FS at 160lbs.

Crutchmer then headed to Virginia Beach for the NHSCA High School Nationals where he wrestled his way to the 160lb National Championship.

In June, Crutchmer made the move to 171lbs and didn?t miss a beat. He posted a perfect 15-0 record competing in both styles at the Junior Duals.

Then, in Fargo, Crutchmer lost once in GR before defaulting (ribs) to 6th, before placing 4th in FS.

A week later, he parlayed his year-long success into an offer from Oklahoma State, which Kyle has confirmed to TOM that he has accepted.

We had a chance to catch up with Kyle about his college decision:

WS: What led to your decision to head to OK St.?

KC: Coach Smith wanted my brother as well. And we wanted to go to college together. It?s also close to home. And while being close wasn?t the only factor I was looking at, it will be beneficial to have such support throughout my college career. Of course the coaching and the workout partners at Oklahoma State are great, so that was another factor.

WS: What other schools were you looking at?

KC: Old Dominon called a lot. And Wyoming. Me and Brian both really like Wyoming. OU was actually my first choice for a long while. I grew up a Boomer Sooner. But I think with Coach Cody just getting in place and their coaching staff still getting rounded out, they didn?t have a lot of time to go out recruiting just yet.

WS: What is your relationship with the coaches and wrestlers at OK St. like?

KC: Jamal Parks actually went to my high school. He was like a hero to me when I was growing up. I remember when I was in 8th grade. Parks was a senior then, and I got to drill with him once. There are also several younger kids at Oklahoma State who I?ve wrestled with on Fargo teams and things like that.

WS: You?ve had a lot of success in the international styles. Was Coach Smith?s track record of developing top international wrestlers a factor in your decision?

KC: Definitely. Freestyle and Greco is a major factor for me. And Oklahoma State always has someone making Olympic Teams or World Teams. It?s certainly something I aspire to do.

WS: Your father is your high school coach. What influence did he have in your college decision?

KC: He didn?t push me in any direction. He was there for advice, and if I had questions. But this decision was all up to me. He?s certainly excited. He likes OSU?s tradition and the fact that I?ll be close to home. But he let me decide on my own.

WS: What weight do you think you?ll be in college? 165? 174? 184?

KC: The staff at Oklahoma State recruited me thinking that I?d probably wrestle 174. But they said if I didn?t grow anymore I could be a 65. I walk around at about 180 right now. And I?m not going to cut any weight at all this year. So we?ll see. I?m thinking 174 in college.

WS: What are your college goals?

KC: I?d like to win multiple national titles and then go on to make World Teams.

Robert Duncan

Especially if he can find some consistent offense in competition. That kid's a super stud waiting to happen.

Paul Sullivan could bench more than that when he competed at 112.

That's awesome!

You can make a donation through the Dragon Wrestling Club.

Dragon Wrestling Club, Inc., PO Box 300, New Palestine, Indiana 46163

Please come out and help us raise money for these two families!

Let's come together as a wrestling family and show our support for our own! These two warriors and their families deserve everything we can give them.

So come out tomorrow morning, donate some money, learn some new technique and get after it for a good cause. Our room can easily hold 80-100 wrestlers so let's fill it up! Or if you just want to swing by and make a donation that's cool too.

New Palestine High School is located ~10 minutes east of 465.

CHECK THE MAP:

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&safe=off&q=new+palestine+high+school&gs_sm=e&gs_upl=1415l5589l0l6697l26l17l0l14l14l0l512l2905l0.2.4.3.0.1l10l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&biw=1280&bih=552&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl

Saints eh? I hope he makes the team. The Saints are obviously looking to reload at DT. They have a handful of young guys already there.

http://www.neworleanssaints.com/team/roster.html