The steady growth of this tournament came to a nadir last year when the approximately 1,200 wrestler high school division field reached its capacity less than 45 minutes after the start of open registration. As a result, the tournament expanded from a one-day event into a two-day event.
With eight Division I college wrestling programs within the Tar Heel State -- second most among any state in the country -- Greensboro, North Carolina serves as an ideal host for a national showcase event. Additionally, another eight programs are located in the bordering states of South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Over 50 college programs -- including schools from all three NCAA divisions and the NAIA -- attended last year's tournament, with close to that amount possibly to come this year (32 programs have registered for attendance as of October 26th on the Super 32 website).
When these college coaches arrive, they will get to witness a showcase field featuring some of the nation's best scholastic wrestling talent. This group of wrestlers is anchored by those in the Class of 2012. The top four wrestlers in that class are registered to be competing in the tournament -- Taylor Massa (St. John's, MI) at 160 pounds, Jason Luster (Pittsburgh Central Catholic, PA) at 171 pounds, Jason Tsirtsis (Crown Point, IN) at 140 pounds, and Felipe Martinez (Oregon Clay, OH) at 152 pounds. Six other members of the top 20 ranked, and a total of 15 in the top 50 are in the tournament field.
Among the Top 100 seniors, 19 of them are registered for the tournament; 15 of the top 50 sophomores are in the field; as are 7 of the top 25 freshman; and the top ranked junior high wrestler in the country Mark Hall -- he is registered in the 135 pound weight class. In addition, four other members of the top 15 junior high wrestlers are registered for Sunday's middle school competition.
Nuts & Bolts
What: Super 32 Challenge
Where: Greensboro Coliseum Special Events Center; Greensboro, NC
When: Saturday, October 30 and Sunday, October 31; both days starting at 8:00 a.m. ET
Format: The high school tournament will start on Saturday, and continue until the quarterfinals and consolation round of 16 are set. Competition will resume at that point on Sunday morning for the high school tournament and continue to the tournament's completion, along with the commencement and completion of the middle school tournament.
Website: http://www.super32.com
InterMat Coverage:
High School Analyst Josh Lowe will be in Greensboro, NC covering the tournament. Periodic updates will be posted on Lowe's twitter account (@JLowe_intermat). In addition, InterMat will provide a recap of each day of the competition.
Social Media:
The tournament can be followed on Twitter (@thesuper32) and on Facebook
Bracket information will also be available through the Super 32 website.
Weight-by-Weight Breakdown
103:
Already in the tournament's opening weight class, the nature of the Super 32 field comes to a head. Along with Nathan Tomasello and Darian Cruz, six additional wrestlers in this field earned All-American honors at the Cadet and Junior Nationals in Fargo, ND this past summer: Brenden Calas (Seton Hall Prep, NJ); Zac Hall (St. John's, MI); Micah Hight (Caesar Rodney, DE); Colton Howell (Brandon, FL); Zach Howell (Caesar Rodney, DE); and Dalton Macri (Canon-McMillan, PA).
Another four incoming freshmen were either champions or runner-up in their weight class at the middle school Super 32 last fall: Ryan Millhof (Archer, GA) and Michael Olsen (Park Hill, MO) were champions while Sean Russell (Collins Hill, GA) and Christian Clary (Dayton Chrsitian, OH) finished as runners-up.
In addition to the 14 wrestlers described above, another pair of wrestlers won scholastic state titles in 2010, Richie Bliss (Springstead, FL) and Ryan Diehl (Berkeley Springs, WV). While another pair -- Billy Rappo (Council Rock South, PA) and Javier Vieyra (Salina South, KS) -- were Fargo All-Americans in 2009.
In his freshman year of high school, Nathan Tomasello was a state champion and followed that up with a FILA Cadet National freestyle title at 101 pounds and was third in Cadet freestyle at 98 pounds. Fellow sophomore Darian Cruz sustained an injury midway through his high school season and was unable to compete at the state tournament, but placed at the Beast of the East, and had a terrific offseason that included a runner-up finish at 98 pounds in Cadet freestyle.
Projected Final: Nathan Tomasello (CVCA, OH) vs. Darian Cruz (Bethlehem Catholic, PA)
112:
Should the Freddie Rodriguez-Nick Roberts matchup materialize, it would amazingly be the first time I can recall these two superstars competing against one another in a competitively relevant platform in calendar years 2008-2010. Rodriguez swept his way to freestyle and Greco-Roman titles at the FILA Cadet Nationals in April and the Junior Nationals in July, while Roberts was twice a Cadet National double champion before representing the United States at the FILA Junior World Championships this summer in Budapest.
However, there are a whole litany of wrestlers in this field that are studs in their own right and stand in the way of this showcase matchup. Nine additional wrestlers in this weight class were ranked in the top 20 of their high school weight class at the end of the 2009-10 season and/or are currently ranked in their graduating class: Anthony Ashnault (South Plainfield, NJ); George DiCamillo (St. Ignatius, OH); Drew Ferguson-Mitchell (Collins Hill, GA); Gary Wayne Harding (Collinsville, OK); Cody LeCount (Perry Meridian, IN); Zeke Moisey (Bethlehem Catholic, PA); Zain Retherford (Line Mountain, PA); Jacob Schmitt (St. John's, MI); and Connor Schram (Canon-McMillan, PA).
Additional credentialed wrestlers in this field include Beast of the East champion Zach Bridson (Timberlane, NH), National Prep champion Will Mason (Cape Henry Collegiate, VA), Junior National freestyle third place finisher Jordan Wigger (Summerville, NC), returning Super 32 placers Austin Miller (Hempfield, PA) and Jake Smith (Robinson, VA), as well as NHSCA freshman champion JR Wert (Morgan County, GA).
Projected Final: Freddie Rodriguez (Grand Ledge, MI) vs. Nick Roberts (North Star, PA)
119:
Sophomore Joey Dance, champion at 103 pounds last year, is the lone returning champion in the field this year; 12 of the 14 champions from 2009 were seniors, while Old Dominion verbal commit Chris Mecate (Redland East Valley, CA) is not returning. During the season, Dance competed at 112 pounds where he placed at the Walsh Ironman, Beast of the East, and Powerade before winning a state championship and finishing runner-up at the FloNationals. This summer, Dance finished fourth in Greco-Roman. Multiple-time state champion Earl Hall was top four in both styles at the Junior Nationals this summer after finishing third at 112 pounds at the NHSCA Junior Nationals in April.
In addition to Dance and Hall, five other wrestlers earned Junior National All-American honors this past summer: Greco-Roman runner-up Nathan Kraisser (Centennial, MD); four-time state finalist Eric Devos (Waverly Shell-Rock, IA); Eric Friedman (St. Paul's, MD); state champion Nick Harrison (Stillman Valley, IL); and Alex Calandrino (Howell, MI). Another trio of wrestlers in this weight was gold medalists at the AAU Scholastic Duals this past June -- state champions Dean Heil (St. Edward, OH), Brandon Fifield (Leslie, MI); and Michael Waters (Davie County, NC).
Projected Final: Joey Dance (Christiansburg, VA) vs. Earl Hall (South Dade, FL)
125:
Brandon teammates Rossi Bruno and Kevin Norstrem help anchor a team that will contend to be No. 1 in the country this coming season. Three-time state champion Bruno was a Junior National Greco-Roman champion this past summer and placed sixth in last year's Super 32 at 119 pounds. Two-time state champion Norstrem placed seventh in last year's tournament - also at 119 pounds, and was a double All-American at both the FILA Cadet Nationals in April and the Junior Nationals in July.
Among the other notables in this weight are returning Super 32 placers Joe Rendina (Dundee, MI) and Kyle Casaletto (Southern Regional, NJ); former Super 32 placers John Fahy (Trinity, KY) and Narcisco Incharregui (Lorain, OH); as well as Cadet National All-Americans Josh Bennett (Francis Howell Central, MO) and Josh Pennell (St. John's, MI).
Projected Final: Rossi Bruno (Brandon, FL) vs. Kevin Norstrem (Brandon, FL)
130:
Should the finals matchup between Tyler Liberatore and Brandon Jeske materialize, it would match up the Junior and Cadet National freestyle champions at 130 pounds from this past Fargo. Liberatore was absolutely dominant in sweeping through the Greco-Roman and freestyle tournaments after a season in which he earned a state championship. Returning Super 32 runner-up Jeske was runner-up at the Beast of the East and National Prep Championships as a freshman. In addition to the national title in Fargo, his off-season also included a FILA Cadet freestyle championship and a runner-up finish in Greco-Roman at Cadet Nationals.
Five proven veteran competitors serve as the prime challengers to this duo, and all are seniors. Three-time state champion Kyle Bauer (Wheeling Park, WV) was one match away from placing at the Super 32 last year, and finished fourth at the FloNationals; Bobby Dierna (Wayne, NY) was champion of the NHSCA Junior Nationals at 130 pounds; state runner-up Steven Rodrigues (Fox Lane, NY) was a FloNationals runner-up; state champion Nick Soto (Springstead, FL) was fifth at the NHSCA JuniorNationals; while Joey Mazzi (LaSalle, PA) is a three-time state qualifier and twice a state placer.
Four additional wrestlers in this field have previous place finishes at the Super 32 Challenge: freshman sensation Solomon Chisko (Canon-McMillan, PA) placed eight at 112 pounds as an eighth-grader; Greg Flournoy (Fauquier, VA) was eighth at 119 pounds; Cameron Throckmorton (South-Western, PA) placed as a freshman in 2007; while sophomore Shayne Tucker (Bella Vista, CA) placed fifth at 103 pounds last year.
Other notable wrestlers in this field include two-time state champion and FILA Cadet National All-American Alec Mooradian (Detroit Catholic Central, MI); former state champion Arty Walsh (Schuylkill Valley, PA); and Junior National freestyle All-American Camryn Jackson (Lansing Eastern, MI).
Projected Final: Tyler Liberatore (Brandon, FL) vs. Brandon Jeske (Cox, VA)
135:
In keeping with the lead of this preview, my predicted finals matchup features a pair of sensational juniors that ended last season ranked nationally at 130 pounds, and are among the top 20 regardless of weight class in the Class of 2012. Steve Spearman earned a state title in 2010 after being an All-American at both the FILA Cadet and Cadet Nationals in freestyle during the off-season of 2009. Nate Skonieczny was champion at the Walsh Ironman and Cheesehead in 2009-10, runner-up at the FloNationals, and earned a gold medal at the AAU Scholastic Duals.
The group of primary challengers to this dual features five returning state champions: Junior National freestyle runner-up Terrel Wilbourn (Francis Howell Central, MO); returning Super 32 placer Cody Ross (Springstead, FL); and a trio of two-time champions in Bronson Steuber (Jackson County Central, MN), Zach Tanenbaum (Blue Valley North, KS), and Cody Broomall (Sussex Central, DE).
Other notables in this weight include junior high sensation Mark Hall; state placer Dan Neff (Solanco, PA); returning Super 32 placer Brent Fickel (Padua, OH); state placer Brandon Choate (Blue Mountain, PA); FloNationals placer Ty Lydic (Greater Latrobe, PA); state placer Matt Rappo (Council Rock South, PA); NHSCA Sophomore Nationals champion Will Switzer (Archbishop Spaulding, MD); as well as state champions Jake Ekster (Cy-Fair, TX), Taylor Simaz (Allegan, MI), and Scotty Hardiman (Hibriten, NC).
Projected Final: Steve Spearman (Erie McDowell, PA) vs. Nate Skonieczny (Walsh Jesuit, OH)
140:
This is yet another weight class that features a pair of juniors as the projected finalists. Jason Tsirtsis finished second at the Super 32 last year before winning a second consecutive state championship; which was followed up by a FloNationals championship, a FILA Cadet championship, and finishing third in Junior National freestyle. Jacob Crawford placed at the Super 32 in 2008 and earned a second consecutive state title during 2009-10 after placing third at the Beast of the East and Mount Mat Madness.
Another quintet of wrestlers is breathing down their backs seeking to spoil that matchup. Both Elijah Sullivan (Iowa City West, IA) and Taylor Moeder (St. James Academy, KS) were Junior National Greco-Roman champions this past summer; Sullivan was a state runner-up during the scholastic year, while Moeder was fourth at the NHSCA Junior Nationals and in Junior National freestyle. Returning Super 32 placer Quinton Murphy (Holley Central, NY) earned a second state title this past season in his third finals appearance. National Prep placer Charlie Lynch (Archbishop Spaulding, MD) was runner-up at the NHSCA Junior Nationals. Finally, Super 32 placer Matt Cimato (LaSalle, PA) made a tremendous leap in the off-season after failing to place at state during the regular season; when he placed at the FloNationals, was a FILA Cadet National and Junior National freestyle All-American, and earned a silver medal at the AAU Scholastic Duals.
A trio of wrestlers that have made the Garden State podium will seek to rise to the Super 32 podium -- for Devon Gobbo (Delbarton, NJ) it would be a repeat appearance, while it would be a debut appearance for Lou Mascola (Seton Hall Prep, NJ) and Michael Bakuckas (Hammonton, NJ).
Projected Final: Jason Tsirtsis (Crown Point, IN) vs. Jacob Crawford (Millbrook, VA)
145:
College coaches pay attention. Senior studs abound in this weight class, though some have already verbally committed to colleges. Six members of the InterMat Top 100 wrestlers for the Class of 2010 anchor this weight class, including four of the top 34 and five of the top 48. Anchoring the field are FloNationals champion James Green and NHSCA Junior Nationals champion Nick Hodgkins. Green was runner-up in the Garden State last year, and undefeated at the Junior Duals in freestyle; while Hodgkins earned a third consecutive top three finish in the state tournament.
The four other anchor seniors are FloNationals runner-up Pete Baldwin (Osceola, FL), runner-up at state the last two years after winning it as a freshman; FloNationals third place finisher Roger Wildmo (Durand, MI) placed at the Super 32 last year and earned a second state title in three finals appearances; Junior National double All-American Lex Ozias (Southern Garrett, MD) was third at the NHSCA Junior Nationals and is twice a state champion; while FloNationals champion Eric Roach (Crown Point, IN) won his first state title in 2009-10.
Other notable seniors include two-time state placer CJ Cobb (Williamstown, NJ); state runner-up Josh Clark (Matoaca, VA); two-time state placer Matt Martoccio (Council Rock South, PA); two-time third place finisher at state Brody Grothus (Davenport Assumption, IA), one match away from placement last year; two-time National Prep placer Brady Massaro (Mt. St. Joseph, MD); two-time state champion Ron Vaughters (Old Mill, MD); returning Super 32 placer, and three-time state placer, Jayshon Wilson (Carlisle, PA);and multi-time state champion Damen Capper (Berkeley Springs, WV), who was also one match away from placement last year.
Underclassmen to watch in this weight class include a pair of two-time state placers in junior Michael Minotti (Easton, PA) and Andrew Morse (Lowell MI), as well as sophomore state champion Zach Epperly (Christiansburg, VA).
Projected Final: James Green (Willingboro, NJ) vs. Nick Hodgkins (Wyomissing, PA)
152:
Like clockwork at the Super 32, this is yet another weight class with tremendous depth. The anchor figure in this weight class is one of the finest talents in the whole nation -- two-time state champion Felipe Martinez, who is ranked fourth nationally in the Class of 2012. Formerly at Graham High School, Martinez came to the fore with a runner-up finish at the Walsh Ironman as a freshman. This past year, he sealed his state title with six wins over former Super 32 champion Tucker Armstrong over the course of ten weeks. Codey Combs is a returning Super 32 placer, three-time Delaware state champion, and Beast of the East runner-up.
However, the gap between the projected finalists and not even being in a placement position is very minute in this weight class. Seven other wrestlers in this field are ranked in their respective graduating classes: Ryne Cokeley (St. James Academy, KS) is a returning Super 32 placer, three-time state champion, and NHSCA Junior Nationals runner-up; Max Schneider (Lane Tech, IL) is a two-time state champion and Youth Olympic Games Judo champion; two-time state champion Clark Glass (Brandon, FL) placed third in Junior National Greco-Roman; senior Lorenzo Thomas (Pittsburgh Central Catholic, PA) was a state runner-up; Henry Carlson (Cox, VA) and Duke Pickett (Woodberry Forest, VA) were Junior National freestyle All-Americans at 145 pounds; and NHSCA Freshman Nationals champion Tyler Askey (Northgate, GA) was a Cadet National double All-American.
Other wrestlers meriting significant attention in this weight class are FloNationals runner-up Jordan Wohlfert (St. John's, MI); state placer Brian Brill (Central Mountain, PA), who was one match away from placing last year); state champion and NHSCA Junior National All-American Austin Wilson (Hastings St. Cecelia, NE); two-time state champion Cody Allala (Hopewell, VA), also one match away from placement last year; as well as state champion Brian Henke (Richmond, MI).
Projected Final: Felipe Martinez (Oregon Clay, OH) vs. Codey Combs (Sussex Central, DE)
160:
Taylor Massa made his debut on the high school national scene with a semifinal appearance in this tournament three years ago as an eighth grader. Since then, his stock has continued to sizzle with two Cadet National double championships, double All-American honors at the Junior Nationals this past summer, a FILA Junior National freestyle title this past April, a FloNationals title, and two undefeated state championships in high school. However, the one thing to escape his grip has been a Super 32 championship belt -- as he was runner-up each of the last two years; in 2008 to Andrew Alton, and in 2009 to Jackson Morse.
Though the perception of this weight class would be Massa in one corner and the field in another, the proverbial “field†is a very deep group of wrestlers with limited differentiation. The designated leader of the field is NHSCA Sophomore Nationals champion Nikko Reyes, who was third in his state tournament after ending up one match away from placement in this tournament last year.
Among the other names to watch is NHSCA Junior National champion, and National Prep runner-up David Wesley (St. Christopher's VA); state champion and Beast of the East placer Jay Matheus (Sussex Central, DE), who was third at the NHSCA Sophomore Nationals; sophomore Cody Wiercioch (Charleroi, PA), who burst onto the scene with MVP honors at the Powerade and a state title during his freshman year; state runner-up Adam Bonner (Greenville, MI), the only wrestler to knock off Jackson Morse in 2009-10; AAU Scholastic Duals silver medalist Travis McKillop (Burrell, PA), a state placer; two-time state champion Issah Meade (Caesar Rodney, DE); and a pair of NHSCA Junior National All-Americans in Patrick Jennings (Longwood, NY) and Doug Hamann (Jackson Memorial, NJ).
Another group of notables are state champions Rich Eva (Christiansburg, VA); John Lampe (St. Xavier, KY); TJ Duncan (McCallie, TN); and Forrest Przybysz (Jefferson, GA).
Projected Final: Taylor Massa (St. John's, MI) vs. Nikko Reyes (Clovis West, CA)
171:
Three years ago while Massa was making his run to the semifinals of the Super 32, another junior high wrestler was making an impression in the tournament as well. Jason Luster -- also an eighth grader at the time -- was also in the field and involved in a match against Joey Cozart (Brandon, FL/Iowa State) that went right down to the wire. The physical tools that Luster has are undeniable and have led him to two National Prep championship finals, including a title last year; as well as a FloNationals runner-up finish to Massa this past spring. On the other hand, until this summer, Wally Figaro was a known commodity in the national context but in need of a perception breakthrough. That came with a terrific Junior Duals tournament followed up by a Junior Nationals double All-American finish at 160 pounds in Fargo.
Other wrestlers to watch in this weight include state placer Colin Hedash (Northern Lehigh, PA); two-time state champion and NHSCA Junior National All-American Patrick Downey (North County, MD); two-time state champion and FILA Cadet Greco-Roman champion Brandon Griffin (Sprague, OR); state placer and FloNationals placer Jackson Bratcher (Eastbrook, IN); three-time state placer Colin Hewitt (Franklin, NJ); National Prep placer Stout Watson (Forsyth County, NC); and two-time state placer, three-time state qualifier Tylan Coleman (Mayfield, OH).
Projected Final: Jason Luster (Pittsburgh Central Catholic, PA) vs. Wally Figaro (Brandon, FL)
189:
About the only thing in common the two projected finalists in this weight class have are they both were undefeated state champions in the Keystone state. While Stephen Ceremuga was a relative unknown in his state title run, and probably still is; Courts has been on the forefront of the national landscape since the Super 32 three years ago when he finished runner-up as a freshman to Collin Palmer (St. Edward, OH/Ohio State). After that Super 32 runner-up finish, Kenny Courts would defeat Dylan Alton (Central Mountain, PA/Penn State) in the finals of the Top Hat and earn Outstanding Wrestler honors at the Beast of the East prior to sustaining an injury that ended his freshman season of high school.
In the last two years, Courts was runner-up and champ at the state tournament, and this past year earned titles at the Beast of the East and Powerade during the regular season. This weekend, he is the clear favorite to earn his first Super 32 belt.
Along with Ceremuga, other notable challengers include state runner-up, and NHSCA Junior Nationals champion, Josh DaSilveira (Cardinal Gibbons, FL); NHSCA Junior Nationals All-American, and Junior National Greco-Roman All-American, Cody Johnston (Warrensburg, MO); state runner-up Michael Mauk (St. Mark's, DE); Super 32 and National Prep placer Nick Kidd (Northfield Mt. Hermon, MA); along with state champions Tory Bennett (Berkeley Springs, WV) and Mac Bennett (Collins Hill, GA).
Projected Final: Kenny Courts (Central Dauphin, PA) vs. Stephen Ceremuga (Commodore Perry, PA)
215:
To the general wrestling consumer, these last two weight classes are going to be pretty limited in terms of high profile names that create sizzle and cache in the mind. However, there are a group of credible wrestlers in each of these weight classes seeking to increase their place on the radar of wrestling fans.
Michael Kennedy is ranked 100th among the Top 100 wrestlers in the Class of 2011 nationally. The returning Super 32 placer was a NHSCA Sophomore Nationals champion in 2009 and won his first state title this past year. Ian Kirkman was runner-up at the state tournament this past year, but made his slight dent on the national scene with a Gold medal at the AAU Scholastic Duals.
Other notables in this weight are a pair of state runner-ups Zachary Nye (East Pennsboro, PA) and Matt Mongera (Seneca, PA); New England Regional champion, and NHSCA Junior National All-American, Patrick Gillen (Shelton, CT); state placer Andrew Marra (Wall, NJ); 2009 state placer Scott Syrek (Owen J. Roberts, PA); Beast of the East champion Matt Idelson (Garnet Valley, PA); and NHSCA Sophomore Nationals champion James Suvak (St. Edward, OH).
Projected Final: Michael Kennedy (Blackman, TN) vs. Ian Kirkman (Morehead, NC)
285:
On the surface, this weight class is a golden opportunity for three of the finest upper-weight wrestlers in the southeast to showcase on the national landscape, and provide some clarity on which is best. Colin Campbell, a state champion and returning Super 32 placer, made his significant dent on the national scene with a 5th place finish in Junior National freestyle this past summer. Jacob Aiken-Phillips, a fellow state champion, was third at the NHSCA Junior Nationals this past spring. The third member of this trio is state champion Ross Burbank (Cox, VA).
Others to watch in this weight class include state champions Chandler Ford (James Martin, TX) and Wayne Purnell (Salesanium, DE); Cadet National double All-American James Dreggors (Springstead, FL); state placer and returning Super 32 placer Caleb Baker (General McLane, PA); and New England Regional third place finisher Ben Tammany (Timberlane, NH).
Projected Final: Colin Campbell (Person, NC) vs. Jacob Aiken-Phillips (Central Gwinnet, GA)
Middle School Nuggets
Frankie Bruno (Brandon, FL), the younger brother of Rossi Bruno, is among those in the field at 85 pounds.
Vincenzo Joseph (St. Phillip, PA) and Cameron Kelly (Bellbrook, OH) are proven commodities at the junior high level from power states, both are in the field at 90 pounds
Matthew Kolodzik (Miami Valley, OH) is ranked third nationally among junior high wrestlers, and heads the field at 95 pounds. However, AC Headlee (Margaret Bell Miller, PA) is a proven commodity in PJW competition and Kyle Norstrem (Brandon, FL) is the younger sibling of Kevin Norstrem -- both also in that weight class.
The 100-pound weight class features two nationally-ranked wrestlers -- Dylan Lucas (Brandon, FL) ranked fourth, and Sam Krivus (Hempfield, PA) ranked 13th.
Isaac Dulgarian (Horizon Academy, KS) is a proven national commodity in USA Wrestling events, and is a wrestler to watch at 112 pounds.
Twelfth-ranked Mason Manville (Hayfield, VA) is among those in the field at 136 pounds.
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