Archer also has won 79 consecutive dual meets headed into the 2015-16 season, and return six state place-winners from last year squad. That includes a quartet of state champions in Chris Diaz (132), Thomas Bullard (160), Daniel Bullard (170), and Quinn Miller (220); Diaz and the Bullard twins are ranked among the top 100 Class of 2016 wrestlers nationally, while Miller is among the top 50 in the Class of 2017. Gavin Smith (106) placed third, Vinny Artigues (120) placed second, while Jacob Lill (285) placed at state in 2014.
The lone team with previous Clash experience is Simley, Minn. The Trojans have won back-to-back state titles in Class AA, along with seven of the last eight overall. In the January 2015 edition of The Clash, they finished third in Bracket "A" on day one and third place in the round-robin of third place teams on day two.
Two state placers return for Simley, state runner-up Jake Gliva (113) and two-time state fourth placer Anthony Jackson (126); Jackson is ranked No. 12 overall among Class of 2019 wrestlers. Six other wrestlers return from state tournament appearances during the 2014-15 season, including Greg Kerkvleit (152) whom is now a two-time state qualifier.
Other debutants announced today are Jefferson City, Mo., Sand Springs, Okla., and Victor Valley, Minn.
Jefferson City placed seventh in the big-school, Class 4, state tournament. They return eight state qualifiers from last year's team, including a quartet of state medalists. Leading that group is returning state runner-up Jalen Martin (195), who is joined by third place finisher Logan Moriarty (160), fourth place finisher Christian Mayberry (126), and sixth placer Rashaun Woods (182).
Sand Springs placed third in the big-school, Class 6A, state tournament; directly ahead of them in the standings were a pair of nationally ranked teams. The Sandites return two state placers from this past year's team in state champion Daton Fix (120) and third place medalist Trace Fleischman (2016). Also returning is 2014 state runner-up John Jimanez (126).
Of note here is that Fix is presently ranked No. 1 overall in the Class of 2017. Sand Springs also returns five additional wrestlers with state tournament appearances.
Rounding out the newcomers to the field is Victor Valley, which returns just one wrestler with state tournament experience in Austin Fifer (195).
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