Due to the way the fall and winter sports seasons align, when the football team makes a deep run in the state playoffs, it cuts into the winter sports season. In looking at things from a big picture perspective, come state tournament series time in February (or March), the impact will be virtually immaterial. Even with the deepest of playoff runs, winter sports participants will have had ample time to integrate and acclimate into the season, and prime themselves for state tournament glory.
However, in the micro world of the national high school wrestling landscape, every single event and week is scrutinized from a ranking perspective. Additionally, many of the major big field events, which help to provide national ranking perspective, are held during the first month of the season. Even though, I try to account for varying circumstances with respect to personnel in analyzing results, it is an imperfect process. Non-performance, or the failure to capitalize in key events, can impact the national team rankings.
Here is a look at how some of the top wrestling programs football success have impacted the present wrestling season, and/or could have thrown even a greater dent into things.
No. 2 St. Edward, Ohio saw its football team eliminated from the playoffs on Nov. 12 in the second round. Given a week off for transition, wrestlers on the football team will have two full weeks of practice before the season opening competitions, and three weeks for the Ironman. If the defending state champions on the gridiron had reached the state final again this year, they would have been playing that game this coming weekend. With two nationally ranked wrestlers -- No. 11 Domenic Abounader (182) and No. 7 Greg Kuhar (285) -- on the football team, one would not have seen them in the wrestling lineup for this coming weekend or Ironman.
No. 17 Allen, Texas, had its football team eliminated from the playoffs on Nov. 19 in the second round. Headed into the Class 5A Division 1 playoffs, the Eagles were a nationally ranked squad. If they had reached the state final, this game would have been played on Dec. 15. Those wrestlers on the football team would have been out of the picture for all December competition (Mid-America Nationals and Kansas City Wrestling Classic most notably); and only had two weeks of practice, after a presumed week off for transition, headed into the Cheesehead Invitational in early January. Key wrestlers that also play football include No. 9 Oliver Pierce (160), two-time state champion Nick Cobb (195), and state placer Shane Drulman (220).
No. 26 Pittsburgh Central Catholic, Pa., had its football team eliminated from the playoffs on Nov. 18 in the third round. A state championship game for the Vikings football squad, which was nationally ranked, would have been played on Dec. 17. That date also happens to be the first day of the Beast of the East; therefore, those wrestlers on the football team would have missed the Ironman, Beast of the East, and in all reality the POWERade at the end of December as well. Impacted wrestlers would have included No. 13 Perry Hills (195) and returning POWERade placer Zach DeLuca (285).
No. 30 Montini Catholic, Ill., saw its football team finish off a state championship campaign in Class 5A (there are 8 football classifications in Illinois) this past weekend. Even though the Broncos did not feature a nationally ranked wrestler among their football-wrestling dual sport participants, they are significantly impacted. The back four wrestlers in their lineup were all contributors to that state championship team -- Anthony Ferraro (182), David Sarkan (195), Edgar Ruano (220), and Jaleel Johnson (285). The Broncos have a potentially key dual meet scheduled for this coming weekend against Marist, Ill., and travel to Ohio for the Walsh Ironman next weekend; and will most likely do so without those four projected starters.
Brian Murphy (Photo/Dave Jedlicka, jedicheetah.com)Huskies with big weekend haul at Conant
The 32nd Annual Chris Hruska Wrestling Classic hosted by Conant High School just outside of Chicago, Ill., had its bevy of stars dominating the show. Foremost among the stars was the performance of No. 32 Oak Park River Forest, Ill., making a statement against a tough opening weekend tournament field. The Huskies were led by championship performances from Jake O'Mara (138) and No. 3 Sam Brooks (182) among 12 placing wrestlers on the way to scoring 270 team points.
Of the ten other Huskies place winners, seven lost just once on the weekend in finishing second or third. Runner-up finishes came from Larry Early (126), Emonte Logan (220), and Marq Brumant (285); while Colin Rogers (145), Devonte Mahomes (152), Michael Woulfe (160), and Joe Ariola (170) earned third place finishes.
Brooks was one of three high profile wrestlers to earn tournament titles with four falls on the weekend. For Brooks, those four falls came within the first two periods after earning a 21-4 technical fall in his first round match. At 195 pounds, No. 4 Gage Harrah of Crystal Lake Central, Ill., was on the mat for all of 1:17, earning four falls in blitzing his way to a Hruska Classic championship. Finally at 220 pounds, No. 1 Josh Marchok of Schaumburg, Ill., also had four first period falls on the way to a title; his falls came in a combined 3:44.
Finishing second place in the team standings was No. 34 Glenbard North, Ill., with 178-1/2 points. As described above, the Panthers were short-handed due to their football team's state semifinal appearance; but it still would not have been enough to upend the Huskies. The sole championship for Glenbard North came from No. 5 (at 120) Jered Cortez up at 126 pounds. Eight other Panthers placed, three of them either second or third, and another three earning fourth place. Chris Gonzales (120) took home a second place finish, while Richard Browne (113) and Jon Marmolejo (132) each earned third place.
Other weight class champions were Wayne Yuan (106) from Naperville North, Ill.; Aaron Kohlberg (113) and Joe Caprio (170) from Rolling Meadows, Ill.; No. 10 (at 113) Matt Garrelli from Oak Park Fenwick, Ill., winning at 120; No. 8 Eddie Klimara (132) from Providence Catholic, Ill.; Jake O'Mara (138) from Oak Park River Forest, Ill.; Eddie Gonzalez (145) from Meta Valley, Ill.; Tim Noverini (152) from St. Charles North, Ill.; Feral Sewara (160) from Lake Park, Ill.; and James Buss (285) from De La Salle, Ill..
View brackets and team standings.
Cougar Invitational
Dates: Friday, Dec. 2 and Saturday, Dec. 3
Location: Tampa Convention Center (Tampa, Fla.)
Top Teams: No. 4 Brandon, Fla.; No. 25 Collins Hill, Ga.; Camden County, Ga.; Osceola, Fla.; and Springstead, Fla.
Notable Wrestlers:
106: No. 6 Sean Russell (Collins Hill, Ga.); No. 10 Dylan Lucas (Brandon, Fla.); Ariel Dominguez (Osceola, Fla.)
113: James Flint (Brandon, Fla.); Ryan Millhof (Collins Hill, Ga.); Darshawn Sharpe (Valdosta, Ga.); Skylar Moody (Lake Gibson, Fla.)
120: Isaiah Varona (South Dade, Fla.); Drew Ferguson-Mitchell (Collins Hill, Ga.)
126: No. 4 Rossi Bruno (Brandon, Fla.); Marshawn Sharp (Valdosta, Ga.); Esteban Gomez-Rivera (Belen Jesuit, Fla.)
132: No. 6 Kevin Norstrem (Brandon, Fla.); Steve Bradtmuller (Collins Hill, Ga.); Jake Spengler (Lake Highland Prep, Fla.)
138: No. 3 Tyler Liberatore (Wharton, Fla.); Fox Baldwin (Osceola, Fla.); Brandon Jorge (Lake Gibson, Fla.); Spencer Rickman (Collins Hill, Ga.)
145: No. 18 Cody Ross (Springstead, Fla.); Aaron Hartman (Palm Harbor University, Fla.); Eric Bach (Tampa Prep, Fla.)
152: Austin Trott (Camden County, Ga.); Eric O'Neil (Winter Springs, Fla.); Travis Berridge (Brandon, Fla.)
160: No. 6 Clark Glass (Brandon, Fla.)
170: No. 4 Geordan Speiller (Pine Castle Christian, Fla.); Jacob Haydock (Brandon, Fla.)
182: Gray Jones (Camden County, Ga.); Kyle Koziel (Brandon, Fla.); Daniel Santil (South Dade, Fla.)
285: No. 2 Doug Vollaro (Pine Castle Christian, Fla.); No. 9 John Dreggors (Springstead, Fla.)
Ray Oliver Tournament
Dates: Friday, Dec. 2 and Saturday, Dec. 3
Location: The McDonogh School (Owings Mills, Md.)
Top Teams: No. 31 Caesar Rodney, Del.; Archbishop Spalding, Md.; McDonogh, Md.
Notable Wrestlers:
106: No. 13 Brent Fleetwood (Smyrna, Del.)
113: John Archangelo (Smryna, Del.); Zach Howell (Caesar Rodney, Del.); Michael Still (Archbishop Spalding, Md.)
120: Micah Hight (Caesar Rodney, Del.); Thomas Payne (Poquoson, Va.)
126: Kaleb Lemaire (Caesar Rodney, Del.); Xavi Ramos (McDonogh, Md.)
132: Alfred Bannister (Archbishop McNamara, Md.); Daniel Sanchez (Georgetown Prep, Md.); Matt Kibblehouse (Salesanium, Del.); Jeffrey Ogburn (Poquoson, Va.)
138: Cole Graves (Archbishop Spalding, Md.); Daniel Downes (St. Mark's, Del.); Max Wilt (Caesar Rodney, Del.)
145: No. 19 Jack Clark (McDonogh, Md.); Will Switzer (Archbishop Spalding, Md.); Stephen Jackson (Caesar Rodney, Del.)
152: Toby Hague (McDonogh, Md.)
160: Zach Boyles (Smyrna, Del.); Bryce Pappas (St. Mary's, Md.)
170: Jay Matheus (Caesar Rodney, Del.); Troy Murtha (Georgetown Prep, Md.)
182: Ryan Wolfe (Caravel Academy, Del.); Spencer Neff (Good Counsel, Md.); DeVaunje Smith (Archbishop Spalding, Md.); Pierce DeMarreau (Caesar Rodney, Del.)
195: Kevin Marvel (McDonogh, Md.); Shane Cockerlie (Gilman, Md.)
220: No. 2 Kyle Snyder (Good Counsel, Md.)
285: Roman Braglio (McDonogh, Md.); Ryan Schneider (Georgetown Prep, Md.)
Blazer Invitational Tournament
Dates: Saturday, Dec. 3
Location: Gardner-Edgerton High School (Gardner, Kan.)
Top Teams: No. 14 Iowa City West, Iowa; No. 22 Southeast Polk, Iowa; Skutt Catholic, Neb.; Pittsburg, Kan.
Notable Wrestlers:
106: Reese Cokeley (St. James Academy, Kan.)
113: No. 8 Phillip Laux (Iowa City West, Iowa); John Slobuth (Skutt Catholic, Neb.); Zak Hensley (St. James Academy, Kan.)
120 - Ernest Willis (Iowa City West, Iowa)
126: No. 2 Cory Clark (Southeast Polk, Iowa); No. 18 (at 132) Jack Hathaway (Iowa City West, Iowa); TJ Stokes (Gardner Edgerton, Kan.)
132: No. 3 Thomas Gilman (Skutt Catholic, Neb.); No. 15 (at 138) Dakota Bauer (Iowa City West, Iowa); Skyler Wood (Platte County, Mo.); Ben Randolph (Shawnee Mission East, Kan.); Dylan Buchheit (Southeast Polk, Iowa)
138: Kegan Wakefield (Iowa City West, Iowa)
145: Grady Gambrall (Iowa City West, Iowa); Aaron Seybold (Pittsburg, Kan.); Dustin Williams (Gardner Edgerton, Kan.)
152: Zane Sackett (Skutt Catholic, Neb.); Connor Middleton (Olathe Northwest, Kan.)
160: No. 7 Justin Koethe (Iowa City West, Iowa); Dylan Blackford (Southeast Polk, Iowa); Grant Randall (Skutt Catholic, Neb.); Rory Haug (Olathe North, Kan.)
170: No. 5 Alex Meyer (Southeast Polk, Iowa); Blaine Hill (Shawnee Mission East, Kan.); Brett Koehn (Pittsburg, Kan.)
182: Spencer Wilson (Lawrence Free State, Kan.); Casey Martin (Southeast Polk, Iowa)
195: No. 6 Willie Miklus (Southeast Polk, Iowa); Mickey Pelfrey (Iowa City West, Iowa); Alex Stockton (Gardner Edgerton, Kan.)
220: Bud Smith (Southeast Polk, Iowa)
285: Broc Bennett (Pittsburg, Kan.); Josh Jones (Southeast Polk, Iowa)
Show Me Showdown
Date: Friday, Dec. 2
Matchup: No. 29 Kearney, Mo. vs. No. 41 Blue Springs, Mo.
Potential Key Matches:
120: Seth Brayfield (Kearney) vs. Daniel Lewis (Blue Springs)
138: Grant Leeth (Kearney) vs. Darick Lapaglia (Blue Springs)
145: Tanner Minder (Kearney) vs. Greg Hegarty (Blue Springs)
Nationally Ranked Wrestler: No. 3 (at 113) Jaret Singh (Kearney)
Keith Young Invitational Wrestling Classic
Date: Saturday, Dec. 3
Location: Cedar Falls High School (Cedar Falls, Iowa)
Top Teams: No. 10 Bettendorf, Iowa; Mason City, Iowa; Waverly-Shell Rock, Iowa; West Des Moines Valley, Iowa; Denver-Tripoli, Iowa
Notable wrestlers (listed based on weight classes from rankings published by The Predicament, all wrestlers from Iowa):
106: No. 17 Jake Koethe (West Des Moines Valley); Kaz Onoo (Mason City); Dan Kelly (Cedar Falls); Quinn Tonne (Denver-Tripoli)
113: No. 15 (at 106) Fredy Stroker (Bettendorf)
120: No. 7 Dylan Peters (Denver-Tripoli); Tyler Willers (Pleasant Valley); Andres Gonzales (Mason City); Andrew Steiert (Waverly-Shell Rock); Drake Swarm (Bettendorf); Drew Mangrich (Don Bosco)
126: No. 6 (at 120) Eric Devos (Waverly-Shell Rock); Jacob Woodard (Bettendorf); Dylan Rhoads (Don Bosco)
132: No. 11 Brandon Sorensen (Denver-Tripoli); No. 20 Kyle Larson (West Des Moines Valley); Luke Kremer (Cedar Rapids Kennedy); Logan Ryan (Bettendorf); Austin Demuth (Don Bosco)
138: Connor Ryan (Bettendorf); Gunner Wolfensperger (Denver-Tripoli); Blake Spotts (Mason City); Mike Wallace (Cedar Rapids Jefferson); Spencer Derifield (Waverly-Shell Rock)
145: Kolton Rottink (Waverly-Shell Rock); Bubba Hernandez (Bettendorf); Cory Chapin (Denver-Tripoli)
152: Blake Letney (Pleasant Valley); Clint Underwood (West Des Moines Valley); Jordan Baskerville (Cedar Rapids Kennedy)
160: Trey Lewis (West Des Moines Valley); Colby Vance (Bettendorf); Mitch Bowman (North Scott); Max Krieger (Mason City); Shane Williams (Cedar Rapids Kennedy); Garrett Smith (Denver-Tripoli)
170: Terry Stover (Waverly-Shell Rock); Chase Shedenhelm (Denver-Tripoli)
182: No. 10 (at 195) Jared Bartel (Mason City); Bryan Levsen (Bettendorf); Tarin Phillips (West Des Moines Valley); Adam Walther (Waverly-Shell Rock)
195: Keaton Jurevitz (Bettendorf); Zach Rahnavardi (Cedar Falls); Cegan Long (North Scott)
220: Nate Shaw (Bettendorf); Louis Gutierres (West Des Moines Valley); Tim Schiffer (Mason City)
285: Kaleb Staack (Waverly-Shell Rock); Zach Henaman (West Des Moines Valley)
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