Arizona keeps trying to gain more respect nationally and did a good job of it this offseason with quality results in nearly every event. Whether it was the Arizona Cadet National Dual team going 6-2 with in Daytona Beach, Fla., in June, getting five All-Americans in Fargo, or having a FILA Cadet double champion in Garrett Ryan, progress was certainly made. Although Ryan has since left for Wyoming Seminary (Pa.), the state has some quality talent preparing for their final high school season Here is a look at the top seniors in 2012-13 ...
Honorable Mention: Eric Jeong (Rio Rico), Dajour Reese (Caesar Chavez), Efren Hernadez (Carl Hayden), Marshall Varner (Horizon), Raul Moraga (Sunnyside), Mike Kaledgian (Red Mountain).
1. Dalton Brady (Chandler)
Projected 2012-2013 High School Weight Class: 126/132
Projected College Weight Class: 125 (Committed to Arizona State)
Dalton Brady (Photo/Jason Skoda)Words From the Corner: "Dalton is an awesome young man. Dalton trains year-round to perfect his skills. He is always looking at ways to improve his skills, never satisfied or complacent. His work ethic and attitude influence his teammates to step-up their performance. Pound for pound, I believe Dalton is the most technical and best wrestler in the state of Arizona and one of the best in the country. Dalton has a bright college future ahead of him." -- Vidal Mejia
2. Alex Bambic (Desert Vista)
Projected 2012-2013 High School Weight Class: Class 182
Projected College Weight Class: 184/197
Alex Bambic (Photo/Darryl Webb)Bambic has fared well at the national and international level, finishing eighth in the 2012 Junior Freestyle Nationals, third at the 2012 FILA Junior World Team Trials at 96 kilos, fifth at the 2012 FILA Junior Nationals in Greco-Roman, first at the 2011 USA Wrestling Preseason Nationals at 220 pounds, and a gold medalist at the 2011 FILA Cadet Pan Ams in Greco-Roman.
Words From the Corner: "Alex is always working to get better and there is no letdown. He is willing to do whatever it takes to improve." -- David Gonzalez
3. Seth Monty (Mountain View)
Projected 2012-2013 High School Weight Class: 145/152
Projected College Weight Class: 141-149
Analysis: This is not your typical Arizona wrestler as he comes from Michigan and his physical, constant movement style shows it. He has a 106-18 record at the high school level and is a three-time state placer, two-time finalist who is looking for his second state title after winning in 2010. He did really well at the national level, finishing as a FILA Junior All-American after beating a couple of college competitors. He has spent time in the Michigan wrestling room and has benefited from it.
Words From the Corner: "He is a fierce competitor and he is always finding new ways to motivate himself." -- Bob Callison
4. Ben Andrew (Mesa)
Projected 2012-2013 High School Weight Class: 220
Projected College Weight Class: 220
Analysis: Had a junior year, including the preseason leading up to it, in state when he beat four state champions (and lost to some of them as well) on the way to becoming a Division I state champion. It was a big leap for someone who didn't place as a sophomore. The progression should continue this year as the athletic and powerful Andrew builds off last year's success, which included representing the state at 220 pounds in the Boarder Wars at Arizona State.
Words From the Corner: "He was pretty hungry after not placing at state as a sophomore. He felt like he hadn't done enough and worked really hard to make sure he didn't feel like that again." -- Bobby Williams
5. Marky Lopez (Rio Rico)
Projected 2012-2013 High School Weight Class: 145
Projected College Weight Class: 141
Analysis: Some wondered where Lopez stood in the state's rankings coming from a smaller, but very respected program. The two-time state champion performed well in Virginia Beach, finishing in third place at the NHSCA tournament as a sophomore and missed All-American status by one match as a junior. He is a great student with a 4.167 GPA.
Words From the Corner: "Hard worker. He trains year-round to stay on top." -- Brad Beach
6. Sergio Miranda (Sunnyside)
Projected 2012-2013 High School Weight Class: 120/26
Projected College Weight Class: 125
Analysis: Miranda is the epitome of a wrestler from Sunnyside, the state's top program. He competes for six minutes, is tougher than a overcooked steak at the Waffle House. He is a two-time state placer (third as a freshman, fifth as a junior) with a 91-22 career record and was a NHSCA All-American after finishing seventh.
7. Curt Done (Highland)
Projected 2012-2013 High School Weight Class: 138/145
Projected College Weight Class: 141
Analysis: Done is a three-time state placer, two-time finalist who won state as a sophomore. He got caught in the finals as a junior and was pinned, but it wasn't indicative of his season. He is a methodical wrestler who keeps coming after his opponent.
Words From the Corner: "He likes the hard matches instead of the chump matches because he wants to be pushed." -- Abel Figueroa
8. Matt Filbert (Ironwood Ridge)
Projected 2012-2013 High School Weight Class: 152/160
Projected College Weight Class: 149-157
Analysis: Filbert will be the top wrestler for Division II power Ironwood Ridge after being a nationally ranked junior in 2011. He failed to place at state as a sophomore while wrestling with mono but came back to win it all at 152 in Division II in 2011. He is a powerful wrestler who has great hips and is fundamentally sound. He went 4-2 at The Clash in Minnesota. Filbert hasn't wrestled much at the national level as he wants to attend one of the academies on his own merits so he has been to West Point and Annapolis for leadership programs.
Words From the Corner: "He used to have horrible nerves to the point where he wasn't going to wrestle. Once he got control of that, he reached the next level and he should only get better." -- Tim Berrier
9. Jesse Morales (Marcos de Niza)
Projected 2012-2013 High School Weight Class: 138/145
Projected College Weight Class: 141
Analysis: Morales is a two-time state champion in Division II that can also put a Flowing Wells championship on his resume after winning Arizona's top regular season tournament. He wrestles with a toughness that can't be taught and has good mat awareness. Squeaked out a state quarterfinal win, 6-5, and then cruised to second state title.
10. Isaac Camarillo (Cibola)
Projected 2012-2013 High School Weight Class: 126/132
Projected College Weight Class: 133
Analysis: Camarillo is a two-time state placer after finishing fifth as a sophomore (112) and third as a junior (126). He went 84-11 the last two seasons. Camarillo also has had some success nationally as a three-time Pocatello placer, second at the America's Cup at Clovis (Calif.).
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