The Walsh Jesuit Ironman in mid-December is loaded with Fab 50 teams every year (Photo/Sam Janicki, SJanickiPhoto.com)To many people, the high school wrestling season can be split into thirds. The first third being December, the second third being January through the end of the regular season, with the final third being the postseason home stretch. While the December portion of the season is arguably the least important in terms of what happens during the all-important state series, it does serve a purpose.
The month of December can set a tone for what to expect during the rest of the season, and it also can provide an overview in terms of what is going to be the reality of the season. From a national rankings standpoint, there are some critical competitions for both the individual and team rankings, as there are multiple clashes of high-level talent. However, it should be noted that most of December's key events are of the individual bracket variety.
Below are nine key events plus some notable (relatively) single duals to eye during December for their influence on the national high school wrestling landscape.
Friday, Dec. 6: No. 39 Broken Arrow, Okla. at No. 40 Park Hill, Mo.
Saturday, Dec. 7: No. 7 Montini Catholic, Ill. at No. 21 Chicago Mt. Carmel, Ill. (part of a quad meet)
Wednesday, Dec. 11: No. 33 Lowell, Mich. at No. 5 Detroit Catholic Central, Mich. (in-school assembly dual meet)
Dec. 13-14: Reno Tournament of Champions: 7 ranked teams: No. 10 Gilroy, Calif.; No. 12 Allen, Texas; No. 13 Poway, Calif.; No. 18 St. John Bosco, Calif.; No. 36 Clovis North, Calif.; No. 48 Crescent Valley, Ore.; No. 49 Pomona, Colo.
Dec. 13-14: Walsh Jesuit Ironman: 17 ranked teams: No. 1 Blair Academy, N.J.; No. 2 Wyoming Seminary, Pa.; No. 4 St. Edward, Ohio; No. 7 Lake Highland Prep, Pa.; No. 8 Montini Catholic, Ill.; No. 11 Cincinnati LaSalle, Ohio; No. 15 Elyria, Ohio; No. 21 Chicago Mt. Carmel, Ill.; No. 22 Brecksville, Ohio; No. 26 Malvern Prep, Pa.; No. 28 Mt. St. Joseph, Md.; No. 31 Wadsworth, Ohio; No. 38 St. Paris Graham, Ohio; No. 39 Broken Arrow, Okla.; No. 40 Park Hill, Mo.; No. 44 Christian Brothers College, Mo.; No. 50 Bethlehem Catholic, Pa.
Saturday, Dec. 14: Grappler Gold Invitational (Legacy Center; Brighton, Mich.): 5 ranked teams: No. 14 Davison, Mich.; No. 17 Brighton, Mich.; No. 33 Lowell, Mich.; No. 34 Brownsburg, Ind.; No. 46 Dundee, Mich.
Wednesday, Dec. 18: No. 14 Davison, Mich. at No. 17 Brigthon, Mich. (part of a "double dual")
Thursday, Dec. 19: No. 19 Southeast Polk, Iowa at No. 47 Fort Dodge, Iowa
Dec. 20-21: Kansas City Stampede: 4 ranked teams: No. 9 Tuttle, Okla.; No. 25 Liberty, Mo.; No. 37 Mustang, Okla.; No. 40 Park Hill, Mo.
Dec. 20-21: Zinkin Classic: 7 ranked teams: No. 3 Buchanan, Calif.; No. 10 Gilroy, Calif.; No. 12 Allen, Texas; No. 18 St. John Bosco, Calif.; No. 27 Selma, Calif.; No. 32 Clovis, Calif.; No. 36 Clovis North, Calif.
Dec. 21-22: Beast of the East: 11 ranked teams: No. 1 Blair Academy, N.J.; No. 6 Bergen Catholic, N.J.; No. 7 Lake Highland Prep, Fla.; No. 15 Elyria, Ohio; No. 16 Delbarton, N.J.; No. 22 Brecksville, Ohio; No. 26 Malvern Prep, Pa.; No. 28 Mt. St. Joseph, Md.; No. 30 St. Joseph Montvale, N.J.; No. 42 Nazareth, Pa.; No. 50 Bethlehem Catholic, Pa.
Dec. 21-22: Dvorak Memorial Invitational: 4 ranked teams: No. 8 Montini Catholic, Ill; No. 11 Cincinnati LaSalle, Ohio; No. 21 Chicago Mt. Carmel, Ill.; No. 41 DeKalb, Ill.
Dec. 29-30: Brecksville Holiday Invitational Tournament: 6 ranked teams: No. 5 Detroit Catholic Central, Mich.; No. 14 Davison, Mich.; No. 15 Elyria, Ohio; No. 22 Brecksville, Ohio; No. 33 Lowell, Mich.; No. 46 Dundee, Mich.
Dec. 31: Garlic City Rumble (; Gilroy, Calif.): California teams - No. 3 Buchanan, No. 10 Gilroy, No. 32 Clovis. Out of state teams: No. 7 Lake Highland Prep, Fla.; No. 8 Montini Catholic, Ill.; No. 16 Delbarton, N.J. The California teams will dual against the out of state teams.
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