There really isn't much Mitch Sliga hasn't done during his three years in high school (Photo/Paul Tincher, IndianaMat.com)Projected 2012-2013 High School Weight Class: 195
Projected College Weight Class: 197
Analysis: There really isn't much Sliga hasn't done during his three years in high school, he has won Fargo twice, won FILA Cadets, won a state title, placed at FILA Juniors, placed at FILA Cadet Worlds and the list goes on. Along with his stellar wrestling accolades, this Northwestern commit, has a done serious damage in the classroom. He will be a great fit for the Wildcats in the top of their lineup and after beating some college wrestlers at FILA Juniors he could step in as a true freshman.
2. Neal Molloy (Danville)
Projected 2012-2013 High School Weight Class: 138
Projected College Weight Class: 141
Analysis: Molloy has had quite an offseason after finishing a disappointing fifth at state as a junior. First he placed third at FloNationals, then he placed fifth at Fargo and he wrapped up the offseason with a runner-up finish at the Super 32 Challenge. He has verbally committed to Indiana University and will look to wrestle 141 pounds in college. He has the build to move up to 149 pounds if that is where the Hoosiers need to be.
3. Isaiah Bradley (Muncie South)
Projected 2012-2013 High School Weight Class: 160
Projected College Weight Class: 165
Analysis: Bradley has kept getting better and better while making multiple jumps in weight throughout his career. He captured a state title last year at 152 pounds after making the jump from 135 pounds as a sophomore. Last spring he placed sixth at FloNationals and outside that tournament has had limited exposure outside of the state.
4. Nick Crume (Jimtown)
Projected 2012-2013 High School Weight Class: 132
Projected College Weight Class: 133
Analysis: Crume comes from a school that is better known for their football teams than their wrestling teams. Don't let that fool you as he is a tough, gritty competitor much like their football team. He is a great technician that rarely gets out of position and is tough to score on.
5. Josh Farrell (Greenfield-Central)
Projected 2012-2013 High School Weight Class: 152
Projected College Weight Class: 157
Analysis: Farrell is just one of two incoming seniors that has three state medals. He is sneaky good and one that is not flashy or look to be exceptionally talented. He is a hard worker and while jumping from 103 pounds as a freshman to 138 pounds as a junior he continued to get better. Look for him to be at 152 pounds this year and challenge for that elusive blue ring.
6. Schuyler Phillips (Yorktown)
Projected 2012-2013 High School Weight Class: 120
Projected College Weight Class: 125
Analysis: Phillips has steadily improved each year of his high school career. After qualifying for semi-state as a freshman, he extended his season by a week his sophomore year by qualifying for state. As a junior he finished second behind No. 1-ranked Jarred Brooks. This year this tough Tiger wrestler will be in the hunt once again for a state championship.
7. Luke Blanton (Alexandria)
Projected 2012-2013 High School Weight Class: 138
Projected College Weight Class: 141
Analysis: Blanton comes from a wrestling family with many brothers to wrestle with inside the wrestling room and outside of it. The past two years he has pulled two of the biggest upsets in the state. As a sophomore he defeated semi-state champion and returning placer Layton Binion in the opening round. Last year he defeated returning state champion Neal Molloy in the quarterfinals. He is a tough wrestler that has a knack for rising to the occasion for big matches.
8. Donte Winfield (Perry Meridian)
Projected 2012-2013 High School Weight Class: 285
Projected College Weight Class: 285
Analysis: Winfield was having a fine junior campaign until he was upset on Friday night at state. He was a favorite to challenge for the title and due to the lack of wrestlebacks was put out of the state tournament. His spring included a runner-up finish at Fargo that got him on the national radar very quickly. He is a hard-nosed wrestler that is extremely hard to score on.
9. Matt Hurford (Culver Community)
Projected 2012-2013 High School Weight Class: 182
Projected College Weight Class: 184/197
Analysis: Most wrestlers are at a disadvantage when they start their career as an upperweight, but much like Mitch Sliga, Hurford has made the most of it. He qualified for state as a freshman and followed that up with a fifth-place finish as a junior. This spring he also placed Seventh at FloNationals against many of the nation's top wrestlers.
10. Jake Masengale (Perry Meridian)
Projected 2012-2013 High School Weight Class: 182
Projected College Weight Class: 174/184
Analysis: Masengale has recently committed to wrestle for Duane Goldman and the Indiana Hoosiers upon graduation. After qualifying for state as a sophomore, he placed second last year to longtime rival Sean Mappes. Masengale has had limited national exposure, but did go 6-1 at Cadet Duals in 2011.
Honorable Mention:
Luke Kriech (Franklin Community)
Blake Giffin (South Dearborn)
Anthony Linnear (Fort Wayne North Side)
Adam Garcia: Merrillville
Luke Welch (Castle)
*Committed to Purdue
Mitchell Hartman (South Bend Clay)
Jullian Torres (Portage)
John Tatom (Hamilton Southeastern)
*Committed to Indiana
Dylan Jones (Avon)
Nick Bova (Perry Meridian)
Brad Busse (Bellmont)
Levi Moss (Ben Davis)
Jared Boehm (Heritage Hills)
Nathan Wright (Evansville Mater Dei)
Anthony McHugh (Culver Academies)
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