Central Mountain, PA seeks to defend its championship from last year in its home tournament, the King of the Mountain. However, they will have to withstand a challenge from arguably the best team in New Jersey -- High Point. Other notable teams in the field include Council Rock South, PA; Kiski Prep, PA; defending Reno ToC champions Phillipsburg, NJ; Massillon Perry, OH; and Reynolds, PA.
Nine wrestlers that appear in the national rankings anchor this field. Most notably is the group of either three or four nationally ranked competitors at 152 pounds -- including the top wrestler in this weight nationally in Dylan Alton (Central Mountain, PA). Also projected to compete here is a pair of wrestlers ranked sixth and seventh respectively at 152 pounds -- John Guzzo (High Point, NJ) and Jason Luster (Kiski Prep, PA). It is also possible that Eric Hess (Benton, PA) -- ranked 12th in this weight -- competes in this weight class, though he could end up at 160 pounds.
A pair of nationally-ranked wrestlers are also slated to compete at 285 pounds, where No. 3 Evan Craig (Abington Heights, PA) and No. 9 Tyler Demott (Benton, PA) project to meet in a battle of the preseason favorites in each Pennsylvania classification at the weight. Mike Rhone (Benton, PA) is ranked in the nation at 119 pounds; however, his weight class will be an absolute battle with the presence of state champion Nick Francavilla (High Point, NJ) and Mason Beckman (Reynolds, PA), who won the toughest weight class of the Walsh Ironman last week.
Two other wrestlers ranked first in the nation are slated to compete in this event -- Josh Dziewa (Council Rock South, PA) is ranked at 135, though he may also end up at 140; and Andrew Alton (Central Mountain, PA) at 145. The fields at both 135 and 140 are formidable. A trio of state placers is projected for the 135 pound weight class -- Jordan Rich (Central Mountain, PA); Drew Wagenhoffer (High Point, NJ); and Zach Dailey (Massillon Perry, OH). At 140 pounds, a pair of Ironman placers anchors the challenge group in Evan Henderson (Kiski Prep, PA) and Shane Foster (Massillon Perry, OH); Oliver Burkhardt (Phillipsburg, NJ) was a state placer last year; Brian Brill (Central Mountain, PA) was a Cadet freestyle runner-up; and Lorenzo Thomas (Pittsburgh Central Catholic, PA) is a returning state qualifier.
The tournament's other nationally-ranked wrestler is Mitchell Port (Bellefonte, PA), who is eighth nationally at 125 pounds. Last year in this event, he ended the 100-match winning streak of Shane Young with a 6-2 victory in the championship match at 119 pounds. Among the wrestlers seeking to block Port's title defense are state qualifiers Matt Rappo (Council Rock South, PA); Dylan Durso (Reynolds, PA); and Cameron Throckmorton (South-Western, PA).
Clovis depth crystal clear
Even with Clovis, CA having seven wrestlers competing at the Ironman -- where they were able to muster an 11th place finish -- the rest of the squad dominated all comers at the Clovis West Shootout on the way to an overall championship. The six victories were 38-25 over Laguna Hills, 51-9 over Bella Vista, 66-6 over Ventura, 39-18 over Vacaville, 76-3 over Gilroy, and 67-10 over El Dorado. Second place among "home" teams was Bakersfield. Vacaville and Laguna Hills were the top two on the "away" side.
Outstanding wrestler honors went to Moses Quesada (Clovis East, CA) at 140 pounds -- home team light weights; Brian Schoene (Bakersfield, CA) at 285 -- home team upper weights; Bobby Morales (Laguna Hills, CA) at 135 -- away team light weights; and Jake Briggs (Bella Vista, CA) at 140/145 -- away team upper weights.
CW Shootout All-Tournament Team (Photo/Ian Shaw)Dvorak Memorial to feature premier talent from Illinois, nation
The premier regular season event for wrestling in the Land of Lincoln will be contested on the Monday and Tuesday before Christmas at Machesney Park Harlem High School outside of Rockford, IL. The field has a pair of state champions and runners-up from last year -- Oak Park River Forest, IL and Montini Catholic, IL won titles; while Yorkville, IL and Iowa City West, IA took home second place. The field also includes perennial powers such as Mt Carmel, IL; Providence Catholic, IL; Neuqua Valley, IL; and Bishop Lynch, TX. While the Friars of Bishop Lynch are favored, Montini Catholic is the defending champion.
Fourteen wrestlers currently ranked by InterMat anchor the field, with three slated to compete at 160 pounds; which, like last year, will be the featured weight bracket of the event. Nick Moore (Iowa City West, IA) -- ranked second in the country - seeks to repeat as Dvorak champion in a weight that his teammate Derek St.. John, now at Iowa, won last year. The two prime challengers will be Nick Proctor (Neuqua Valley, IL) and Jahwon Akui (St.. Rita, IL); Proctor is ranked eighth at 171, and Akui ranked ninth in this weight. Three other wrestlers will lead the charge seeking to derail the big three -- Trey Adamson (Bishop Lynch, TX); Sam Brooks (Oak Park River Forest, IL); and Jeff Koepke (Hersey, IL).
While there is only one ranked wrestler at 189 pounds -- 16th ranked Stephen McPeek (Bishop Lynch, TX) -- the competition will be very rigorous. Challengers of note include Cadet freestyle champion Austin Mardsen (Crystal Lake Central, IL); two-time Super 32 placer Ben Brooks (Oak Park River Forest, IL); and a pair of state placers in Sterling Hecox (Machesney Park Harlem, IL) and Matthew Dwyer (Hononegah, IL).
A pair of ranked wrestlers appears in weight classes 130 through 140. At 130 pounds, it is Edwin Cooper (Providence Catholic, IL) and Colton Rasche (Montini Catholic, IL); Cooper ranked 10th at 125, while Rasche is ranked 13th in this weight. Another wrestler to watch in this weight is Case Garrison (Bishop Lynch, TX), who placed fifth at the Walsh Ironman. At 135 pounds, Chris Dardanes (Oak Park River Forest, IL) and Jed Lightfoot (Yorkville, IL) are ranked; Dardanes 13th at this weight, and Lightfoot 17th at 130 pounds. Two others to watch are Tyler Argue (Mount Carmel, IL) and Troy Silver (Bishop Lynch, TX), who placed fifth and sixth at the Walsh Ironman. Finally at 140 pounds, Nick Dardanes (Oak Park River Forest, IL) is ranked second in the country while Stephen Robertson (Montini Catholic, IL) is ranked 17th at 135 pounds.
Rounding out the list of nationally-ranked wrestlers in this field are Kevon Powell (Montini Catholic, IL) at 103 pounds; Derek Elmore (Machesney Park Harlem, IL) at 112 pounds; Eddie Klimara (Providence Catholic, IL) at 119 pounds; and Tanner Eitel (Bishop Lynch, TX) at 171 pounds. However, in the 171 pound weight class, Walsh Ironman champion Charles Argue (Mount Carmel, IL) pinned Eitel in preliminary competition on Friday evening.
Diverse field to converge at KCI Center
The Toshiba Midwest Classic in Kansas City, MO will play host to teams from ten different states. Park Hill, MO seeks to defend its title and enters the event as a strong favorite with four nationally-ranked wrestlers -- Skylar Wood (119), though ranked at 112; Alan Waters (125); Kaleb Friedley (145), though ranked at 140; and John Eblen (189). In addition, both Bricker Dixon (112) and Hayden Bock (215) were state runners-up last year; and Dixon was a double Junior National All-American this past summer.
Top challengers to Park Hill include Skutt Catholic, NE; Collins Hill, GA; and Blue Springs, MO -- the three teams that were within 15 points of the championship last year.
Two weight classes have a pair of ranked wrestlers present. First, Waters is ranked sixth at 125 pounds, with TJ Mitchell (Collins Hill, GA) ranked 17th. Then at 145 pounds, Friedley and Greg Amos (Holt, MO) project to meet in a match that could preview the state championship bout; Friedley ranked eighth at 140, while Amos is ranked 11th in this weight class. However, in the 125 pound weight class Cody Brewer (Oak Park, MO) is a very tough challenger, already with two state titles in this his junior campaign.
Other nationally-ranked wrestlers in this field are Brad Perkins (Oak Park, MO) at 103 pounds; Thomas Gilman (Skutt Catholic, NE) at 112 pounds; Daniel Baucke (Christian Brothers, TN) at 130 pounds; Joel Smith (Collins Hill, GA) at 140 pounds; and Drake Houdashelt (Fort Zumwalt West, MO) at 150 pounds.
Gilman is looking at a key projected final with Dixon, while state champion Bazell Partridge (Collins Hill, GA) hopes to spoil this at 112 pounds. Baucke's prime competition includes a pair of state champions in Ian Fisher (Perry, OK) and Michael Roberts (Canyon Randall, TX) -- as well as freshman sensation Jake Marlin (Creston, IA). State champion Devin Aguirre (Ponca City, OK) is the prime challenger to Smith at 140 pounds, though Jake Gregerson (Granite City, IL) and Josh Howk (Blue Springs, MO) do have state finals experience.
Merry Christmas, Minnesota style
Rochester, MN will be home to the vast majority of the top scholastic wrestling teams from the Gopher State this Friday and Saturday for the Minnesota Christmas Tournament. Five of the six teams inside the top three in Class 3A and 2A, the two bigger classifications, are in this tournament; Apple Valley, Hastings, STMA, Simley, and Plainview-Elgin-Millville. In total nine of the top 12 in Class 3A and five of the top seven in 2A appear in the field, as do two of the top teams in North Dakota -- Bismarck and West Fargo.
Ten nationally-ranked wrestlers by InterMat, and a total of 17 wrestlers ranked first in their state division anchor the field. The tournament's premier weight class should be the one at 160 pounds, where Joe Latham (Bismarck, ND) -- ranked 15th in the nation -- is the favorite. Also ranked first in their state division in this weight class are Blaine Miller (Plainview-Elgin-Millville, MN) and Jordan Campa (STMA, MN); Steven Keogh (Apple Valley, MN) is ranked second to Campa and in the field as well.
Four other weight brackets have a pair of top ranked wrestlers in their state division. At 119 pounds, it is Dakota Trom (Apple Valley, MN) and Drew Fleming (Watertown-Mayer, MN). In the 130 pound weight class, it is Ben Morgan (Forest Lake, MN) and/or Matt Kelliher (Apple Valley, MN), as well as Garrett Garness (Kasson-Mantorville, MN). Kevin Nelson (Forest Lake, MN) and Joe Schumacher (Bismarck, ND) appear at 135 pounds. Finally at 189 pounds, it is Tyler Lehmann (West Fargo, ND) and Kraig Schumm (STMA, MN).
Other than Latham, nationally-ranked wrestlers by InterMat include Morgan (ranked at 130); Kelliher (ranked at 135); Brandon Kingsley (Apple Valley, MN) at 140 pounds; Dylan Ness (Bloomington Kennedy, MN) at 145 pounds; Destin McCauley (Apple Valley, MN) at 152 pounds; Jake Waste (Apple Valley, MN) at 171 pounds, but ranked nationally at 160; and Scott Schiller (West Fargo, ND) at 215 pounds.
No anchor team, but many strong individuals at Reno ToC
In the past Reno was an absolute buzzsaw of a tournament with power teams and dominant individuals at every single turn. However, at present the tournament is on a slight down-turn. The field this year has no team that is the definitive favorite; in fact, last year's top three teams in the standings are all not in the field this year. Should Tulsa Union, OK be back in order from their football tournament run, the Hurricanes may be pre-tournament favorites.
However, there are 13 individuals ranked by InterMat in the tournament field with a pair of weight classes having three each. At 135 pounds, Louis Trujillo (Rio Rancho, NM) is ranked fourth in the country; with Kade Moss (Bingham, UT) ranked eighth; and Luke Goettl (Mingus, AZ) ranked 14th. Former Reno ToC runner-up Joey Rizzolino (Easton, PA) is also projected to be in this weight class. At 152 pounds, Steven Hernandez (Bishop Gorman, NV); Justin DeAngelis (Jenks, OK); and Travis Gallegos (Foothill PC, CA) are also all top 100 members of the Class of 2010 as well.
A pair of ranked wrestlers is present at 189 pounds with Austin Morehead (Sutter Union, CA) ranked 17th in this weight, and Adam Delagarza (Vacaville, CA) ranked 14th at 171 pounds. Other challengers include state placer JT Felix (Centennial, CA) and Tanner Hall (Meridian, ID); Hall is a state champion and Cadet National Greco-Roman champion.
Rounding out the nationally-ranked wrestlers are Jesse Delgado (Gilroy, CA) -- ranked fifth at 119 pounds -- but projected to compete at 125; Mark Hartenstine (Easton, PA) ranked 12th at 140 pounds; Jake Snider (Ponderosa, CO) ranked ninth at 145; Dominic Kastl (Gilroy, CA) ranked 16th at 160; and Ronnie Balfour (Tulsa Union, OK) ranked 12th at 160 but projected to compete at 171 pounds.
Notable challengers to Delgado in a deep 125 pound weight class are Shane Thomas (Catoosa, OK); Chris Martinez (Clovis West, CA); Bryan Grubbs (La Costa Canyon, CA); Tommy Siciliano (Newburg, OR); and Fabian Garcia (Turlock, CA). Hartenstine is looking at a likely battle with the much ballyhooed Ben Morgan (Catoosa, OK) -- a senior who has not materialized in high school as expected. Snider is looking at a challenger group mostnotably led by Nick Wooden (Spring Creek, NV).
Tulsa Union dominant but not champs at home tournament
Despite four champions -- Josh Walker (112), Kyle Ash (145), Kyle Crutchmer (152), and Ronnie Balfour (171) -- Tulsa Union, OK was not able to muster the team title at their home event. Winning the Mid-American Nationals was Claremore with 201 points, who were led by their lone champion Jordan Basks (135). Key to the 201-188 point margin victory was the fact Claremore had ten total placers, while Tulsa Union only had three wrestlers place in the top eight other than their champions.
The distance between second and fourth was similar to that between first and second, while fourth to fifth had a more than 50 point chasm. Finishing third was Allen, TX with 185 points and five top three finishers anchored by a title from freshman Oliver Pierce (140). Finishing fourth was Tuttle, OK led by their lone champion Shane Woods (215). Both Allen and Tuttle had eight total placers.
MVP honors went to Balfour with three technical falls heading into the final and then a pin over Cole Gracey of Tuttle, OK in a battle of returning state runners-up. Other wrestlers earning Mid-American Nationals titles were Jett Shell (103) and Rhett Leach (119) from Sallisaw, OK; Cory (160) and Cody (285) Dauphin from El Reno, OK; Zach Housley (125) from Grove, OK; Taylor Moeder (130) from St. James Academy, KS; and Max Adair (189) from Lawton MacArthur, OK.
Dueling Paths
The top two teams in the state of Indiana competed at the Traicoff Invitational this past weekend. In the final round of Saturday's event at Calument High School, Mishawaka dominated the defending state champions Crown Point to the tune of a 43-17 victory. The two returning state runners-up for the Cavemen -- Ryan Stahl (152) and Christian Lentz (215) -- each secured pins; while the two anchor wrestlers for Crown Point, Jason Tsirtsis (130) and Eric Roach (145) were only able to secure a 3-1 decision and technical fall victory respectively.
Replay allows for re-examined perspective
For those that followed the Cover-it-Live blog of the Walsh Ironman this past weekend on InterMat, the 119-pound semifinal between Hunter Stieber (Monroeville, OH) and Ty Mitch (Aurora, OH) had an ending that was incredibly controversial and confusing. The video replay is shot from opposite of where the media was positioned. In my opinion, instead of the call being absolutely awful; we just have a controversial match ending. Through the wonders of Flowrestling, you can decide for yourself.
The circle of life
This past weekend was the Alaska State Wrestling Tournaments. In Division 4A, Colony used five state finalists to score 220.5 points on the way to a state title. Winning championships were Kenny Boykin (171) and Eric Fan (215) while Charles Coisman (119), Sam Loggions (130), and Renn Wright (285) finished in second place. Other teams with multiple champions were Anchorage East with a quartet of champions in Nathan Marquez (103), Matthew Malnoske (125), Skyler Moore (130), and Nathan Hoffer (140); Lathrup had a pair -- Dillon Achman (112) and Joe Hughes (119); while the host squad - Chugiak -- got titles from Ben (135) and Grant (145) Sullivan.
Dillingham earned the title in 1/2/3A with six wrestlers making the finals to score 192 points. Champions were Jared Miller (112), Jesse Rogers (119), Reed Tennyson (145), and Quentin Blackford (215); finishing as runners-up were Dennis Wilson (119) and Jerry Hulshing (171). Bethel, Cordova, and Kotzeblue each also had a pair of champions.
While Alaska ended its scholastic wrestling season last weekend, New Jersey is just starting its season this weekend. It happens that the top two teams in the state will open their seasons in bordering states -- High Point at King of the Mountain in Pennsylvania, and Long Branch at Beast of the East in Delaware.
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