The high school rankings feature the top twenty wrestlers in each weight class for the 2008-09 season, based on the weight that wrestlers competed in their respective 2009 state-level championship. The rankings reflect results and outcomes through the first weekend of April (NHSCA grade-level Nationals, USAW Cadet/Junior Folkstyle Nationals). There are many common trends between this year and those of the past.
Leading the way with the most nationally ranked wrestlers is the Keystone State; Pennsylvania has 35 wrestlers in the top twenty of their given weight class. Not too far behind are New Jersey (28) and Ohio (27). These three states also dominate the top spot in each weight class -- as native sons occupy the top spot in ten of the fourteen weight classes (Ohio with 4, Pennsylvania with 3, and New Jersey with 3).
While InterMat does not provide national high school team rankings, the team thought to be best in the nation this year -- Blair Academy NJ -- has eight of its starting wrestlers nationally ranked. In fact seven of these wrestlers, half of the lineup, are ranked inside the top five at their respective weight class. A pair of wrestlers -- Chris Villalonga (130) and Ed Ruth (171) -- occupied the top ranking at their weight class. The Bucs won their 29th consecutive National Prep Wrestling Championships title, along with dominant titles at the Walsh Ironman and Beast of the East.
Nick Brascetta of Graham (Ohio) was the No. 1 103-pounder in the country this past season (Photo/BuckeyeWrestling.com)With a dominant title at The Clash Duals, and yet another sweep in Minnesota's big-school state tournament (dual meet and individual), Apple Valley made a compelling case for being the third-best wrestling squad in the United States this year. They also had five wrestlers appear in the individual rankings.
Two teams from the Keystone State had four wrestlers in the individual rankings: Central Dauphin and Wyoming Seminary. For a second straight year, Central Dauphin swept the dual meet and individual big-school state tournament titles. The Rams were champions at Powerade and third at Beast of the East. Wyoming Seminary finished as runners-up at National Preps and Beast of the East to Blair, were champions at Mount Mat Madness, and finished second at Escape the Rock.
Another pair of teams -- both happening to be from Ohio -- had four wrestlers in the individual national rankings. However, neither St Edward nor Monroeville was particularly strong behind their respective big four grouping. St Edward lost seven dual meets during this past season, which included a pair to in-state rival Wadsworth. However, the Eagles still won their thirteenth straight big-school state title with all four of these young men making the final (three champions). All four of Monroeville's ranked wrestlers ascended to the top of the podium this year, and remain on pace to be four-time state champions. However, the team finished second in the small-school state tournament. By early March 2011, this program will have 16 state champions; one that prior to 2007 had only a lone state finalist in its history.
These two teams represent part of why InterMat does not compile national high school team rankings.
Logan Stieber (middle), who is the No. 1 wrestler from the Class of 2010, recently competed on the senior level and finished third at the 2009 U.S. Nationals at 121 pounds (Photo/BuckeyeWrestling.com)More similar to the 2008 class is this year's class of juniors, next year's seniors (Class of 2010). Six of these wrestlers earned top spots in the national rankings -- Villalonga, Devin Carter (112), Christiansburg VA; Jamie Clark (119), St. Edward, OH; Logan Stieber (125), Monroeville, OH; as well as Andrew (140) and Dylan (145) Alton, Central Mountain, PA. Clark, Stieber, Villalonga, and the Alton twins are part of a group of nine potential star prospects. The group also includes Marshall Peppelman (152), Central Dauphin, PA; Anthony Baldosaro (140), Eastern Regional, NJ; Lee Munster (171), Fox Lake Grant, IL; and Josh Kindig (135), Blue Mountain, PA. In the midst of this great group, Stieber is clearly at the top. Three times a state champion, and three times a Fargo freestyle champion, he finished third at 121 pounds at the senior level of the recently-contested U.S. Nationals in Las Vegas.
A sophomore group (Class of 2011) that has the potential to be similarly impressive is topped by a quartet of upper-weight stars in Chris Phillips (171), Monroeville, OH; Andrew Campolattano (189), Bound Brook, NJ; Morgan McIntosh (171), Calvary Chapel, CA; and Kenny Courts (160), Central Dauphin, PA. Phillips leads this pack with two Cadet National freestyle championships, as well as two state titles; and has a two-year record of 100-1, only losing 3-2 to Ed Ruth at the December 2008 Walsh Ironman.
Topping the freshman class is Taylor Massa (145), St John's MI, a double Cadet National champion this past summer; Massa was also an undefeated state champion this past season, and finished runner-up in the preseason Super32 tournament. Among junior high wrestlers, Pennsylvania native Eric Morris is the top wrestler.
In the coming months and years, InterMat looks forward to providing thorough and comprehensive coverage of high school wrestling across the nation.
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