Some new features for this year's events are the compressed schedule, with all four divisions of high school -- along with the middle school -- competing on Friday through Sunday. Wrestling will start at 9 a.m. Eastern Time on each day, with the medal matches on Sunday evening. The freshman and sophomore matches start at 5 p.m. The junior and senior events will start at 7 p.m.
In addition, matches will be of fuller length this year. All championship bracket and medal round matches will be three two-minute periods, while consolation bouts have a one minute period followed by two 1.5-minute periods. In addition, the collegiate out of bounds rules will be in effect at the Senior Nationals event. Weight classes are scratch-plus three pounds.
The following represents a breakdown of key wrestlers in the Senior Nationals competition by weight class.
106: Always a small participant weight class. However, there are a few notable wrestlers, led by state placer Isaac Blackburn (Del Oro, Calif.), who was runner-up at the Southwest Kickoff Classic. Others to watch include a pair of state champions in Brandon Cunningham (Pratville, Ala.), a Junior Greco-Roman All-American, and Larry Hankins (Princess Anne, Va.)
113: A trio of multiple-time state champions lead the field in this weight class -- Drew Turner (Parkland, N.C.), Alonzo Allen (Rockdale County, Ga.), and Casey Coulter (Grants Pass, Ore.). Others to watch include FILA Junior freestyle All-American Michael Beck (River Hill, Md.), New York state placers Joe Calderone (Walt Whitman) and John Twomey (St. Anthony's), as well as New England runner-up Cameron Kelly (Franklin, Mass.)
120: Leading the way in this weight class is 2013 state champion Mason Pengilly (Porterville, Calif.), who is also a two-time FloNationals placer and 2012 Junior freestyle All-American. Pengilly is ranked No. 15 up at 126 pounds nationally. Notable challengers include two-time state third placer Tyrone Klump (Nazareth, Pa.) as well as a trio of state runners-up in Michael Russo (St. Peter's Prep, N.J.), Brendan Gould (Davenport Assumption, Iowa), and Forrest Gloguski (Fairfield, Ind.)
126: A pair of top 75 overall seniors leads the field in this weight class, Ryan Millhoff (Collins Hill, Ga.) and Isaiah Locsin (Gilroy, Calif.). Millhof won the NHSCA Junior Nationals last year, is a three-time state champion, and a two-time Super 32 champion; while Locsin was a state finalist in each of his first three high school seasons, state champion as a sophomore, but was ruled ineligible this season due to transfer. Others meriting attention include Kevin Jack (Danbury, Ct.), a two-time Super 32 placer and two-time New England champion, who is ranked No. 17 nationally in this weight class; two-time state champions William Olivas (Sunnyside, Ariz.), Jacob Grigg (East Gaston, N.C.), Mitch Finesilver (Cherry Creek, Colo.), and Troy Gregor (Hickory, N.C.); along with 2013 state champion Luis Gonzalez (Don Bosco Prep, N.J.)
132: Two nationally ranked wrestlers anchor the field in this weight class, No. 12 Chase Zemenak (Nazareth, Pa.) and No. 19 Dusty Hone (Cedar City, Utah). Other notable wrestlers include state champion Ian Brown (Hanover, Pa.); Bryce Meredith (Cheyenne Central, Wyo.), a two-time Junior freestyle All-American; Sean Fausz (Campbell County, Ky.), a FILA Cadet freestyle champion; Christian Monserrat (Methuen, Mass.), a two-time New England champion; Josh Reyes (Parkrose, Ore.), a Junior Greco-Roman All-American; two-time state finalist John Kenyon (Lewiston, Idaho); and state champion Eric Clarke (Davenport Assumption, Iowa).
138: Four-time state placer Ryan Skonieczny (Akron SVSM, Ohio) and NHSCA Junior champion Clay Walker (Eastside, S.C.) lead the way in this weight class. Others to watch include a pair of New England runners-up in Jonathan Carrera (Milton, Mass.) and Quinn Merrigan (Canton, Mass.); New York state runners-up Laken Cook (Central Valley Academy) and Said Kakharmanov (New Utrecht); Jalen Palmer (Delaware Valley, Pa.), a two-time state placer and NHSCA Junior All-American; along with two-time National Prep placer Brandon Walker (Woodberry Forest, Va.)
145: A pair of top 70 overall senior recruits leads the way in this field. Three-time state champion Nikko Villarreal (Gilroy, Calif.) is ranked No. 8 in this weight class and No. 44 in the Class of 2014; while 2013 state champion, and NHSCA Junior Nationals champion, Renaldo Rodriguez-Spencer (Cheektowaga, N.Y.) is ranked No. 67 in the Class of 2014. Rodriguez-Spencer missed his state tournament series this year due to injury. Others to watch include Junior Greco-Roman All-American and three-time state champion Brandon Ashworth (Spanish Fork, Utah); another three-time state champion in Jake Spengler (Lake Highland Prep, Fla.); a trio of state runners-up in Beau Minnick (Clyde, Ohio), Robert Penichet (Christopher Columbus, Fla.), and Brendan Colbert (North Hagerstown, Md.); as well as returning NHSCA Junior All-Americans in Willie Davis (Woodbridge, Del.) and Nolan Viens (Bellows Falls, Vt.)
Paul Fox (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)160: Two nationally ranked wrestlers lead the way in this weight class -- Burke Paddock (Warsaw, N.Y.), who is ranked No. 17 at 170 pounds, as well as No. 12 Brandon Womack (Scottsboro, Ala.). Two other highly notable contenders include two-time state champion Levi Berry (Norman North, Okla.), who placed fourth at NHSCA Juniors last year; along with state runner-up Dakota Juarez (Grand Haven, Mich.), who placed fourth at the FloNationals last year.
170: A pair of high quality wrestlers, both of whom are two-time state finalists, leads the way in this weight class. Nathan Marek (Southmoore, Okla.) was a state champion in 2012 and finished runner-up at the NHSCA Junior Nationals, while Steve Schneider (Macarthur, N.Y.) was a state champion this past year. Two additional in this weight class were state champions and placed at the Super 32 Challenge, Seth Williams (Tiffin Columbian, Ohio) and Dylan Peters-Logue (Orange, N.C.). Additional notables in a pretty deep weight class include two-time state champion Austin Repp (Pacific, Mo.) and Cale Wilson (Sallisaw, Okla.); New England champion Brad Drover (North Andover, Mass.); along with state runners-up Antavian Leary (Ocean Lakes, Va.) and Jimmy Sandlin (Carlisle, Ohio), who both were NHSCA Junior All-Americans last year.
182: No. 4 Nick Fiegener (Folsom, Calif.) is the clear favorite in this weight class. The battle for second and third place should be interesting to follow in this weight class, and is led by two-time state champion Aaron Adkins (Akron SVSM, Ohio). Additional notables include two-time state placer Johnny Beltran (Servite, Calif.); NHSCA Junior runner-up Malik McDonald (South View, N.C.); state champions Mark Tracy (Sachem East, N.Y.), Cody Delk (Sheridan, Wyo.), and Dalton Kuenzel (Union, Mo.); NHSCA Junior All-Americans Matthew Lybarger (Mt. Vernon, Ohio), Austin Price (Mt. Anthony, Vt.), and Nick Weldon (Clay-Chalkville, Ala.); state runners-up Daniel Smith (South Jefferson, N.Y.) and Luis Peguero (Robinson, Fla.); along with state placers in Skyler Gonzalez (Rocklin, Calif.) and Nicolino Sevi (Nazareth, Pa.)
195: Three nationally ranked wrestlers headline the field in this weight class, No. 6 Marcus Harrington (Waterloo West, Iowa), No. 15 Reggie Williams (Johnson City, N.Y.), and No. 20 Tristan Sponseller (Bermudian Springs, Pa.). The other primary contender is state champion Ian Baker (La Costa Canyon, Calif.), who was champion at NHSCA Juniors last year. Additional names to watch include two-time state champions Josh Latham (Chickasaw, Okla.), Matthew Olauson (Queen Anne's, Md.); as well as Super 32 placers Cory Damiana (Lower Cape May, N.J.) and Wood Mancuso (West Carteret, N.C.)
220: A pair of nationally ranked wrestlers from the Peach State leads the way in this field, No. 3 Chance McClure (Commerce) and No. 19 Matthew Moore (Apalachee). McClure is the strong favorite, as he was also a Junior National double All-American, including Greco-Roman champion at 195 pounds. Also meriting attention are state champion Ryan Wolcott (Waverly, N.Y.), who placed fourth at NHSCA Juniors last year; two-time state champion Cory Daniel (River Hill, Md.), a Junior Greco-Roman All-American; state placer Jake Gunning (Bethlehem Liberty, Pa.), who was fifth at the Super 32; three-time Super 32 placer Trent Allen (South Brunswick, N.C.), who was runner-up at NHSCA Juniors last year; as well as additional two-time state champions in Lucas Damm (ACGC, Minn.) and Terrance Fanning (Preston, W. Va.)
285: A pair of nationally ranked wrestlers that met in last year's NHSCA Junior final lead the way in this weight class, No. 13 Jesse Webb (Mt. Anthony, Vt.) and James O'Hagan (Seaford, N.Y.). Others to watch include two-time state champions M.J. Couzan (Archer, Ga.) and Patton Gossett (White Knoll, S.C.), along with Super 32 placers Daniel Leon (North Miami, Fla.) and Dakota Bell (North Wilkes, N.C.)
Below is a listing of the top three wrestlers in my opinion for the NHSCA Junior, Sophomore, and Freshman Nationals based on weight class registrations.
Junior Nationals
106: Jabari Moody (Rich Central, Ill.), Jarrett Reisenbechler (Jackson, Mo.), Logan Grass (Huntington, W.Va.)
113: No. 17 L.J. Bentley (St. Edward, Ohio), Jake Newhouse (Massillon Perry, Ohio), Kyle Quinn (Wantagh, N.Y.)
120: Jordan Allen (Huntington, W.Va.), Michael Russo (Jackson Liberty, N.J.), Steve Simpson (St. Mary's Ryken, Md.)
126: Richard Montoya (Robertson, N.M.), Mike D'Angelo (Commack, N.Y.), Fred Green (Orting, Wash.)
132: No. 13 Dylan Lucas (Brandon, Fla.), Andrew Shomers (Lewiston Porter, N.Y.), Grant Aycox (Archer, Ga.)
138: No. 18 Max Thomsen (Union, Iowa), Bryce Parson (Lewiston, Idaho), Patricio Lugo (South Dade, Fla.)
145: No. 20 Ralphy Tovar (Poway, Calif.), Neal Richards (Matoaca, Va.), Tristan Rifanburg (Norwich, N.Y.)
152: No. 18 Corbin Allen (Hanover, Va.), Isaiah Crosby (South Dade, Fla.), Cody Hughes (Marshwood, Me.)
160: Josh Ugalde (Bound Brook, N.J.), Colt Doyle (Gilroy, Calif.), Kollin Moore (Norwayne, Ohio)
170: Ben Schram (Bellbrook, Ohio), Austin Flores (Clovis North, Calif.), Johnny Garcia (Danbury, Conn.)
182: No. 15 Dylan Wisman (Millbrook, Va.), Cash Wilcke (OA-BCIG, Iowa), Chance Cooper (Timberland, Mo.)
195: Tevis Barlett (Cheyenne East, Wyo.), Nathaniel Rose (Eagle Academy, N.Y.), Christopher Favoroso (Jensen Beach, Fla.)
220: No. 7 Austin Myers (Campbell County, Ky.), No. 17 Kenneth Brinson (Marist, Ga.), Ian Butterbrodt (St. John's Prep, Mass.)
285: Ryan Monk (Dallas, Pa.), Andrew Pacheco (Warren Hills, N.J.), Adam Olsen (Highpoint Central, N.C.)
Sophomore Nationals
106: Danny Vega (Ironwood Ridge, Ariz.), Joey Prata (St. Christopher's, Va.), Matteo DeVincenzo (Port Jefferson, N.Y.)
113: Derek Spann (Adirondack, N.Y.), Josh McClure (Fulton, Mo.), Frankie Bruno (Brandon, Fla.)
120: No. 4/113 Kyle Norstrem (Brandon, Fla.), Jake Spiess (Delta, Ohio), Durbin Lloren (Buchanan, Calif.)
126: Chris Diaz (Archer, Ga.), Kellen Devlin (Amherst, N.Y.), Kris Lindemann (Howell, N.J.)
132: Chris Mauriello (Haupage, N.Y.), Jarrett Degen (Belgrade, Mt.), Will Verallis (Wyoming Seminary, Pa.)
138: Kevin Budock (Good Counsel, Md.), Peter Tedesco (Belmont Hill, Mass.), Dakota Gardner (Fredonia, N.Y.)
145: Thomas Bullard (Archer, Ga.), Abner Romero (Buchanan, Calif.), Jared Hill (Clovis, Calif.)
152: Daniel Bullard (Archer, Ga.), Elliott Pedigo (Grundy, Va.), Colten Carlson (Willmar, Minn.)
160: No. 15 Chris Weiler (Wyoming Seminary, Pa.), Austin Bell (Belle Vernon, Pa.), Jackson Drum (Northern Calvert, Md.)
170: Bridger Barker (Corona del Sol, Ariz.), Alan Clothier (Lawrence, Kan.), Garrett Hoffman (Montoursville, Pa.)
182: Blake Rypel (Indianapolis Cathedral, Ind.), Antonio Agee (Hayfield, Va.), Christian Araneo (Ward Mellville, N.Y.)
195: Matt Correnti (Holy Spirit, N.J.), Drew Phipps (Norwin, Pa.), Jakobe Walker (Southmoore, Okla.)
220: Oswaru Odighizuwa (David Douglas, Ore.), Jacob Lill (Archer, Ga.),Devon Richards (Delta, Ohio)
285: Jake Beistel (Southmoreland, Pa.), Dante Jiovenetta (Coral Shores, Fla.), Josh Burger (Aurora, Ohio)
Freshman Nationals
106: Drew Mattin (Delta, Ohio), Brian Courtney (Athens, Pa.), Breyden Bailey (Indianapolis Cathedral, Ind.)
113: Jake Brindley (Lake Highland Prep, Fla.), Hunter Dusold (Locust Valley, N.Y.), Christian Miller (Plainview, Neb.)
120: Francisco Valdes (Miami Southwest, Fla.), Quentin Hovis (Seton Catholic, Ariz.), Josh Wyland (Benedictine College, Va.)
126: Jaden Enriquez (Mission Oak, Calif.), Quinn Devaney (McDonogh, Md.), Hunter Richard (Holland Patent, N.Y.)
132: Ty Lucas (Brandon, Fla.), Jacob Hart (Independence, W.Va.), Sam Colvin (Southside, Ala.)
138: Max Wohlabaugh (Bishop Moore, Fla.), Dominick Demas (Dublin Coffman, Ohio), Mike Labriola (Bethlehem Catholic, Pa.)
145: Jarod Verkleeren (Belle Vernon, Pa.), Britt Wilson (Mexico, Mo.), Nick Bushey (Peru, N.Y.)
152: Jesse Beverly (Delta, Ohio), Anthony Falbo (Newtown, Conn.), Noah Adams (Independence, W.Va.)
160: Caleb Little (Jefferson, Ga.), Bunmi Smith (Camden County, Ga.), Ryan Forero (Don Bosco Prep, N.J.)
170: Chase Singletary (Palmetto Ridge, Fla.), Zane Black (Bishop McDevitt, Pa.), Casey Cornett (Simon Kenton, Ky.)
182: Justin Allman (Parkersburg South, W.Va.), Tristen Tonte (Perry Meridian, Ind.), Joe Marcano (Brandon, Fla.)
195: Quinn Miller (Archer, Ga.), Jeffrey Allen (Amherst County, Va.), Cole Nye (Bishop McDevitt, Pa.)
220: Sammy Evans (Alcoa, Tenn.), Nick Mosco (Jesuit, Fla.), Joshua Lonca (Bunker Hill, N.C.)
285: Nick Boykin (Riverdale, Tenn.), Brody Gregory (Hixson, Tenn.), Evan Childs (Central Dauphin, Pa.)
Recommended Comments
There are no comments to display.
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now