Registration is open through 8 p.m. CDT tonight. For more information or to register for tomorrow's event, visit www.intermatwrestle.com/jjclassic.
Below is a weight-by-weight preview of this year's JJ Classic based on wrestlers registered through Thursday night.
106:
Cameron Sykora (Border West, Minn.), a state champion last season as an eighth-grader, is expected to be the top seed. Sykora is coming off a dominating performance at the Grappler Fall Classic in Michigan last weekend, where he went 5-0 with two pins and three major decisions, including a 13-0 victory in the finals.
Two other wrestlers expected to challenge for the title in this weight class are Dante' Rodriguez (Grand Island, Neb.) and Tanner Johnshoy (Prior Lake, Minn.).
Rodriguez, a Nebraska state runner-up last season as an undersized 103-pounder, has a wrestling resume that is littered with national age group accomplishments. He won USAW national titles in all three styles in 2010. This past summer Rodriguez was a Junior National runner-up in Greco-Roman.
Johnshoy was a state runner-up last season, losing to 2011 Cadet National freestyle champion Tommy Thorn in the state finals. Johnshoy won the Mental Aerobics title in March.
Ty Pelot (Two Rivers, Wis.), a Junior National Greco-Roman All-American, is looking to bounce back from a disappointing 1-2 performance at the Grappler Fall Classic last weekend.
Ryan Weinmann (Irondale, Minn.), a state qualifier last season, is one of the top challengers in this weight class.
David Flynn (Scott West, Minn.), a Northern Plains Greco-Roman champion, has a lot of tools and should figure into the mix.
Jake Allar (Benilde-St. Margaret's, Minn.) is a talented seventh-grader who is looking to make his mark at the high school level. He won USAW national titles this year freestyle and Greco-Roman.
Other wrestlers to watch in this weight class include Hank Friederichs (Chatfield, Minn.), Louie Sanders (LCWM, Minn.), Levi Marsh (LCWM, Minn.), Kaz Onoo (Mason City, Iowa), Bailey VanHandel (Kaukauna, Wis.), Collin DeGrammont (Lakeville North, Minn.), Jesse Shearer (West Fargo, N.D.), and McCoy Tekautz (LARP, Minn.).
113:
This weight class is loaded with talent. Tristan Manderfeld (Foley, Minn.), a Cadet National Greco-Roman runner-up and state third-place finisher, leads this talented group. Manderfeld was the Outstanding Wrestler at the JJ Classic a year ago and will look to repeat as a JJ Classic champion.
The wrestler Manderfeld beat in the JJ Classic finals a year ago, Jarred Oftedahl (Benilde-St. Margaret's, Minn.), is expected to get the No. 2 seed in this weight class. Oftedahl competes virtually everywhere and has compiled an impressive wrestling resume. He was a Junior National folkstyle champion this year and earned All-American honors in all three styles. He was a state runner-up last season as a sophomore.
Jordan Shearer (West Fargo, N.D.), a two-time state champion and Cadet National Greco-Roman All-American, will be in the hunt for the title. Shearer had a win over 2011 Cadet National freestyle champion Tommy Thorn earlier this year. If the projected seeds stay the same and hold true, Shearer would see Oftedahl in the semifinals. Oftedahl pinned Shearer at the Rumble on the Red last season.
Fredy Stroker (Bettendorf, Iowa) is one of the nation's top freshmen (ranked 18th overall by InterMatWrestle.com) and has the skills to challenge for the title in this weight class. Stroker spent his early years wrestling in Virginia, and then Pennsylvania, before moving to Iowa this year to start high school. He was a Pennsylvania Junior Wrestling (PJW) state champion in 2010 and a Cadet National Greco-Roman All-American this past summer.
Another wrestler expected to be in the hunt in this weight class is Joey Majerus (Zumbrota-Mazeppa, Minn.), who won 42 matches last season as an eighth-grader and finished third in the state tournament.
A couple Apple Valley wrestlers, Brock Morgan and Maolu Woiwor, should figure into the mix. Morgan was a Ninth Grade League state champion last season as a seventh-grader and was undefeated at the Schoolboy Duals in freestyle. Woiwor was a Ninth Grade League state runner-up last season as an eighth-grader and placed sixth at last year's JJ Classic.
State qualifiers James Goman (Trinity, Minn.) and Ulises Diaz (Bloomington Kennedy) add depth to the weight class.
120:
Josh Alber, an undefeated state champion in Illinois last season as a freshman, will likely earn the top seed in this weight class. Alber was a Cadet National All-American this year in folkstyle and freestyle. He was a fourth-place finisher at the JJ Classic at 103 pounds a year ago.
Trey Blaha (Cedar Rapids Prairie, Iowa) is a tough sophomore who beat Alber for third place at last year's JJ Classic. Blaha had a strong 2010-11 season and appeared to be on his way to earning a state medal before an injury ended his freshman season.
Zack Kuhns (Maple River, Minn.) was a state placewinner in 2010 and has gone 69-14 over the past two seasons.
Another state placewinner to keep an eye on in this weight class is Andres Gonzalez (Mason City, Iowa). He won 39 matches last season en route to a fourth-place finish in the state tournament.
Aaron Anderson (Clarion-Goldfield, Iowa), a multiple-time state entrant who has been ranked in the top three in the state, should make some noise in this weight class.
A talented freshman to keep your eye on in this weight class is Robert Lee (Kaukauna, Wis.). Lee has been very successful in national age group events. He was USAW Schoolboy Nationals runner-up this year in folkstyle. Lee has won national events like Liberty Nationals and Border Wars Nationals, plus has five state titles on his wrestling resume.
A couple tough sophomores who should be in the mix to place are Tone Fuenffinger (Hibbing, Minn.) and Billy Underhill (Burnsville, Minn.).
Fuenffinger won 36 matches last season as a freshman.
Underhill went 24-6 last season.
A potential bracket buster in this weight class is freshman JJ Wolfe (Dakota, Iowa), a Northern Plains runner-up in freestyle at the Schoolboy level.
126:
Cadet National freestyle champion Seth Gross (Apple Valley, Minn.) is among the nation's Top 50 sophomores (ranked 44th overall by InterMatWrestle.com), and is the wrestler to beat in this weight class. Gross was fifth at this year's Cadet National folkstyle competition before his breakout performance in Fargo. He won 40 matches last season as a freshman en route to finishing third in the state tournament. His only loss at the state tournament came in overtime to fellow Cadet National freestyle champion Tommy Thorn.
Dustin Weinmann (Irondale, Minn.) was a state placewinner last season at 112 pounds and will be among the favorites to reach the finals.
Another wrestler expected to be in the title hunt in this weight class is Ben Brancale (Eden Prairie, Minn.), who went 36-8 last season as an eighth-grader. He was a Northern Plains champion in freestyle this past spring and has beaten Gross.
Andy Underhill (Burnsville, Minn.), a multiple-time state qualifier and 2010 JJ Classic runner-up, should be in contention for a high placement.
Kollin Kragnes (West Fargo, N.D.) was a state placewinner last season at 112 pounds.
Brandon Peters (Faribault, Minn.), Frank Wilczek (Little Falls, Minn.), and Zach Becicka (Cedar Rapids Prairie, Iowa) have all been 30-match winners, and should not be overlooked.
132:
This is not only the most top-heavy weight class, but also the deepest weight class at this year's JJ Classic. The weight class includes three state champions, several state placewinners, and an abundance of 30-match winners.
The favorite is Sam Brancale (Eden Prairie, Minn.), who is ranked as the No. 56 overall senior in the country. Brancale, who has committed to the University of Minnesota, is a state champion, three-time state placewinner, and a FILA Cadet double All-American the past two years.
The other two state champions in this weight class are Mitchel Lexvold (Kenyon Wanamingo, Minn.) and Brett Stolarzyk (Stewartville, Minn.).
Lexvold has reached the state finals in each of the past two seasons. He posted a record of 42-4 last season en route to winning his state championship at 119 pounds.
Stolarzyk, a JJ Classic runner-up last year, claimed his state championship at 112 pounds. He also earned All-American honors at Cadet Nationals in Greco-Roman.
Marcus Hamer (Kimball, Minn.), Taner Trembley (LCWM, Minn.), Mark Voss (St. Michael-Albertville, Minn.), and Cody Hickel (Wahpeton, N.D.) are state placewinners.
There are several other wrestlers in this weight class who are capable or wrestling with the state's best, which will make for thrilling matches throughout the day.
138:
Of all the weight classes at this year's JJ Classic, this is perhaps the most balanced and wide open weight class. There are five to seven wrestlers in this weight class who are capable of winning the title with a strong performance on Saturday.
Marcus Peterson (Clarion-Goldfield, Iowa) was ranked No. 1 in Nebraska for most of last season. He has since moved to Iowa.
Isaac Lundgren (Spirit Lake, Iowa), Kyle McKenzie (La Crosse Logan, Wis.), Tyler Pasvogel (Sibley East, Minn.), and Coltan Laganiere (Kasson-Mantorville, Minn.) have all earned state medals in the past, and have to be considered among the top contenders in this weight class.
Logan Peterson (ACGC, Minn.), Ben Rock (Prior Lake, Minn.), Henry Wolfbauer (Hopkins, Minn.), and Dylan Herman (United South Central, Minn.) are multiple-time state qualifiers, and all three should figure into the mix.
Wayne Voss (St. Michael-Albertville) won 35 matches last season and cannot be counted out.
145:
Mark Hall (Apple Valley, Minn.) is head and shoulders above the other competitors in this weight class. Hall, who is ranked as the nation's No. 1 junior high wrestler by InterMatWrestle.com, claimed a state title last season as seventh-grader. He has proven that he can compete not only with the best high school wrestlers in Minnesota, but also across the country. Last weekend Hall won the Grappler Fall Classic, beating nationally-ranked senior Zack Dailey (Massillon Perry, Ohio) in the finals.
Weston Drogemueller (Wayzata, Minn.) has won 30-plus matches in each of the last three seasons, and qualified for the state tournament four straight seasons.
Josh Halicke (Glencoe-Lester Prairie, Minn.) went 32-3 last season.
Mitchell Hartwig (GSLLP, Minn.), Christian Carnahan (Duncan, Okla.), and Kyle Kragnes (West Fargo, N.D.) have all been state qualifiers.
152:
Brandon Kingsley (Apple Valley, Minn.) is one of the nation's top seniors (ranked sixth overall by InterMatWrestle.com) and the overwhelming favorite to win this weight class. Kingsley will be gunning for his fourth state championship this season. He has compiled a gaudy career record of 169-6 with 126 pins.
Grant Nehring (Saint Cloud Apollo, Minn.), Brad Maas (Medford, Minn.), and Derek Weinmann (Irondale, Minn.) have all been state placewinners.
Jake Deutschlander was a Cadet National Greco-Roman All-American this year.
Mason Manville (South County, Va.) is among the truly elite age group wrestlers in the country. The 14-old Manville, who is ranked as the No. 3 junior high wrestler in the country, has a wrestling resume filled with titles at national events. He was a Super 32 Challenge champion in the middle school division last year. Manville is a USAW National Triple Crown winner this year, winning national titles in all three styles. He was named Outstanding Wrestler at the 2011 Reno World Championships. Manville has been absolutely crushing wrestlers in his age group, but now will get a chance to test himself against top high school wrestlers on Saturday.
160:
Justin Koethe (Iowa City West, Iowa), the nation's No. 31 overall senior, is the most accomplished wrestler in this weight class. Koethe, who committed to the University of Wisconsin, is a five-time Cadet and Junior National All-American in Fargo. He was a Cadet National freestyle champion in 2009. Koethe was also a FILA Junior National double All-American this year, winning a title in Greco-Roman.
Ben Sullivan (Apple Valley, Minn.) poses the biggest threat to Koethe. Sullivan was an NHSCA Junior National finalist this year and has been a state champion. Koethe and Sullivan met at Northern Plains this year in freestyle, with Koethe winning that battle 7-0, 6-1.
Ben Cousins (Bloomington Kennedy, Minn.), Darrin Allen (Kasson-Mantorville, Minn.), Tim Moore (Rochester John Marshall, Minn.), and Michael Lehmann (Wahpeton, N.D.) all won at least 20 matches last season.
Cory Flaata (Park, Minn.) posted a 10-0 record at the Schoolboy National Duals in Greco-Roman.
170:
Daniel Woiwor (Apple Valley, Minn.) is expected to be the favorite in this weight class. He is a state champion and four-time state placewinner. Woiwor is ranked as the No. 37 junior in the country by InterMatWrestle.com.
Cory Anderson (White Bear Lake, Minn.) is a two-time section champion and a JJ Classic runner-up last year.
Elijah Preisser (Bettendorf, Iowa) placed fourth at Cadet Nationals in folkstyle this year. He was a state champion this year in folkstyle and a state runner-up in folkstyle.
Alex Jackson (Kenyon-Wanamingo, Minn.) was a 20-match winner last year.
Sal Ayala (Libertyville, Ill.) placed third in the Illinois state freestyle tournament this year at 152 pounds.
182:
Richard Carlson (Mounds View, Minn.) was a state placewinner last season and will be among the favorites to win the title in this weight class.
Other top contenders in this weight class include Corbin Farrell (Apple Valley, Minn.) and Lance Benick (Totino Grace, Minn.).
Farrell was shuffled all over Apple Valley's lineup last season, but settled as the starter at 215 for the nation's No. 1 high school wrestling program. Farrell was a JJ Classic runner-up a year ago.
Another wrestler expected to contend for the title in this weight class is Lance Benick (Totino Grace, Minn.), who is ranked as the nation's No. 20 overall freshman by InterMatWrestle.com. Benick went undefeated at the Schoolboy National Duals, and followed that up by going 15-1 at the AAU Junior Olympics.
Miles Hammerlund (Delano, Minn.), Max Bullock (Waconia, Minn.), and Greg Johnson (LARP, Minn.) all won at least 20 matches last season.
195:
Schoen Kichler (Waconia, Minn.) and Alex Gray (Maple Grove, Min.) both won over 20 matches last season. Gray placed sixth at last year's JJ Classic.
220:
Coyte Kuefner (Owatonna, Minn.) will be looking to repeat as a JJ Classic champion. He is a two-time Junior National folkstyle All-American and state placewinner.
Cody Linssen (Park, Minn.) was a Minnesota Ninth Grade League state champion last year.
Jordan Stevens (Central, Minn.) was a Northern Plains champion in freestyle this year.
Matthew Wilson (Saint Charles, Minn.) won over 20 matches last season.
285:
This weight class features one of the most anticipated matches of this year's JJ Classic ... Michael Kroells (Scott West, Minn.) vs. Sam Stoll (Kasson-Mantorville, Minn.). Both are nationally-ranked wrestlers.
Kroells is the nation's No. 63 senior, while Stoll is the nation's No. 12 sophomore.
Kroells had a dominant junior season, going undefeated en route to winning a state championship at 215 pounds. He recently committed to the University of Minnesota.
Stoll, a state runner-up as a freshman, is coming off a sensational spring and summer. He was undefeated at the Cadet Nationals, and then followed up that performance by winning Cadet National double titles in Fargo. He capped off his summer by going undefeated at the AAU Junior Olympics. Kroells pinned Stoll last season at the state tournament in the team competition.
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