The middle of November is upon us. With that, the offseason is done, and the major national caliber preseason tournaments have come and gone. Preseason practice has officially commenced in many areas of the country, and where it hasn't started yet, it will very soon. On that note, it is time for InterMat to officially unveil the preseason national rankings, both for the individual weight classes as well as the Fab 50 team rankings.
Blair Academy coach Brian Antonelli (Photo/Rob Preston)Right on their heels are National Prep rivals Wyoming Seminary, Pa. The Blue Knights are ranked second nationally, led by six nationally ranked wrestlers: Trent Olson (132), Mason Manville (152), Chris Weiler (170), Nick Reenan (182), Christian Dietrich (195), and Will Hilliard (220); Reenan is ranked first in the country at his weight classes. The teams are in one common regular season tournament, the Walsh Jesuit Ironman; have a head-to-head dual meet at the end of January; and will compete at the National Prep Championships in the end of February.
Rounding out the top five are a trio of teams with four nationally ranked wrestlers each: Bergen Catholic (N.J.), St. Paris Graham (Ohio), and Clovis (Calif.).
Teams from 19 states populate the Fab 50 national team rankings. Illinois leads the way with seven schools from the Land of Lincoln appearing in the rankings. Next in line with six each are Ohio and Pennsylvania, along with five schools from New Jersey and California. Other states with multiple teams in the nationally rankings are Minnesota and Michigan with three, while Iowa, Oklahoma, and Indiana have two each.
In terms of the individual rankings, 46 of the 280 ranked wrestlers compete for high schools located in Pennsylvania. Three states are next in line with 25 ranked wrestlers each, Illinois, New Jersey, and Ohio. California sits fifth on the ladder with 21 weight class ranked wrestlers. Additional states with more than ten ranked wrestlers include New York with 15, Minnesota and Michigan with 13, Iowa with 12, and Indiana with 11.
Below is an overview of the No. 1-ranked wrestlers.
106: Adam Busiello (Eastport-South Manor, N.Y.)
The freshman has appeared in the high school state final each of the previous two years in the 99 pound weight class, winning the title last year. In addition, Busiello won the Super 32 Challenge ten days ago in this weight class, having won the middle school division in this event the previous three years.
113: Gavin Teasdale (Jefferson Morgan, Pa.)
The sophomore was an undefeated state champion last season in high school, and is now a two-time UWW Cadet national champion in freestyle.
120: Austin Gomez (Glenbard North, Ill.)
The Iowa State commit won state last year as a sophomore, and has had many successes in freestyle and Greco-Roman competition. During the 2015 off-season, he was a Junior National freestyle All-American in Fargo, and also placed at both the UWW Cadet and Junior levels in freestyle. It should be noted that upon return from injury, most likely after the first of the year, Spencer Lee (Franklin Regional, Pa.) will take over the top position in this eight class; Lee was a UWW Junior world champion in freestyle this summer at 50 kilos, after winning a UWW Cadet world title the previous summer in the same weight class.
126: Nick Suriano (Bergen Catholic, N.J.)
The Penn State commit has yet to lose an in-season match on his way to being a three-time state champion. In addition, Suriano is a two-time Super 32 Challenge champion and three-time finalist.
132: Chad Red (New Palestine, Ind.)
This Nebraska commit is also a three-time state champion, and has yet to lose a match in his high school career. During the 2014-15 scholastic season, he won the Super 32 Challenge prior to the start of the season, and the Flo Nationals after the season was over.
138: Yianni Diakomihalis (Hilton, N.Y.)
The Cornell commit has already won three state titles entering his junior season of high school. Ten days ago, he just won a third consecutive Super 32 Challenge title, and was also a UWW Cadet world champion this summer at 58 kilos.
145: Jared Verkleeren (Belle Vernon, Pa.)
He has won the UWW Cadet national title in freestyle each of the last two years at 63 kilos, and this summer won a UWW Cadet world title in the weight class. Additional domestic accomplishments include a Cadet National freestyle title in the summer of 2014, and a Super 32 Challenge placement in the fall of 2014.
152: Isaiah White (Oak Park River Forest, Ill.)
Twice a state champion, White was undefeated during his junior season last year, which included a Walsh Ironman title. He also has two Fargo freestyle titles on the resume, one at the Junior level in 2014, while he was a Cadet champion in 2013.
160: Alex Marinelli (St. Paris Graham, Ohio)
The Iowa commit is a three-time state champion, and three-time Walsh Ironman finalist, which includes winning that tournament last season.
170: Mark Hall (Apple Valley, Minn.)
The nation's top Class of 2016 prospect is seeking a sixth state title this season. In addition, Hall made the UWW Junior World Team in freestyle at 74 kilos this summer, after winning a UWW Cadet World title in freestyle at 76 kilos in 2014.
182: Nick Reenan (Wyoming Seminary, Pa.)
Since winning a National Prep championship in February, he has shown dominant form in major competitions. Reenan was champion at the Flo Nationals, a Junior National double champion this summer in Fargo, and a Super 32 Challenge champion ten days ago.
195: Samuel Colbray (Hermiston, Ore.)
This three-time state champion was a NHSCA Junior Nationals champion during the spring, and a Junior National double runner-up at 195 pounds in Fargo. Also on the resume are three Greco-Roman titles in Fargo, one of which was at the Junior level.
220: Gable Steveson (Apple Valley, Minn.)
Earned a state title during his freshman season, which ended before his 15th birthday occurred. Then, he qualified for the UWW Cadet world championships in freestyle on the weekend of his 15th birthday with a win over the returning silver medalist in the semifinal round; Steveson would go on to win a UWW Cadet world title at 100 kilos.
285: Osawaru Odighizuwa (David Douglas, Ore.)
The two-time state champion has verbally committed to play football at UCLA along the defensive line. He is also a two-time Fargo champion in freestyle, winning a Junior title this summer after winning at the Cadet level last summer.
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