In this installment, Joe Caprino looks at the top senior wrestlers in Indiana.
Indiana will once again be producing another solid class of wrestlers in 2014. Of the top ten wrestlers, seven have already made their college choices. The Hoosier State is continuing to be on the rise and these seniors will be having a solid impact for their chosen programs in the coming years.
1. Stevan Micic (Hanover Central)
Projected 2013-2014 High School Weight Class: 126
Projected College Weight Class: 125/133
Stevan Micic (Paul Tincher, IndianaMat.com)Career Record: 138-5
Career Highlights:
2. Cody LeCount (Perry Meridian)
Projected 2013-2014 High School Weight Class: 138
Projected College Weight Class: 141
Analysis: When talking about Cody LeCount some people fail to realize he has only two losses on his career. As a freshman he lost in the ticket round and was eliminated from the state series. As a sophomore he made his way to the state finals before dropping a one-point match to three-time state champion Kyle Ayersman. Last year was his year as he brought back his first state title. After his sophomore year he went on to place second in Fargo to Cadet World champion Aaron Pico. This spring he announced his decision to continue his wrestling career at Central Michigan University for Tom Borelli. Borelli and staff will be elated to add such a great wrestler and great kid to his lineup.
Career Record: 130-2
Career Highlights:
3. Gelen Robinson (Lake Central)
Projected 2013-2014 High School Weight Class: 220
Projected College Weight Class: N/A
Analysis: When it is all said and done Gelen Robinson is going to go down as one of the best athletes in the history of the state. As a sophomore he was All-State in football, wrestling, and track. He duplicated that feat last year after capturing his first state title in wrestling and finishing runner-up in shot put and discus in track. The son of former NBA superstar Glenn Robinson and brother of Michigan's Glenn Robinson III, Gelen has taken the path less traveled in his family and carved his niche in other sports. The sky is the limit for him on the wrestling mat and that was evident by his unblemished record last year in a weight class that featured two Fargo All-Americans. Next fall don't be surprised to see him tearing up the gridiron for the Purdue Boilermakers as they expect him to make an immediate impact for them.
Career Record: 129-19
Career Highlights:
4. Vinny Corsaro (Indianapolis Cathedral)
Projected 2013-2014 High School Weight Class: 152
Projected College Weight Class: 157
Analysis: Vinny Corsaro has been a top wrestler since his freshman year and steadily continued to improve every season. This past summer he made it known that he was also one of the best in the nation when he placed sixth in Fargo in an absolutely loaded 152-pound bracket. Add to that his fifth-place finish at FloNationals and his stock has risen considerably since the high school season ended. He recently announced he will be taking his talents to the Jersey Shore to wrestle for Rutgers. Before that, however, he is looking to capture his first state title.
Career Record: 121-15
Career Highlights:
5. Deondre Wilson (Warren Central)
Projected 2013-2014 High School Weight Class: 126
Projected College Weight Class: 125
Analysis: Deondre Wilson is a rare talent that will be a diamond in the rough for any college. He won a state title last year in only his third year of wrestling … Yes, his third year in the sport! He went to Fargo and Junior Duals and while he did not place he had solid showings at those tournaments. He is a scrappy wrestler with his low center of gravity and freaky strength can provide fits for the best wrestlers. The sky is the limit for him and whichever college he chooses will be getting a kid with a boatload of potential.
Career Record: 72-16
Career Highlights:
6. Wesley Bernard (Indianapolis Cathedral)
Projected 2013-2014 High School Weight Class: 285
Projected College Weight Class: 285
Analysis: Big Wes Bernard has been a mainstay as a top wrestler in the state and even nationally for what seems to be ages. He already has two state medals and even owned a couple wins over last year's state champion Donte Winfield. On the national scene he placed fourth in Fargo and third at FloNationals this past spring and summer. He has also been a top contributor to the Cathedral state champion football teams throughout his high school career. Like his teammate Corsaro, Bernard is headed to Rutgers next year to wrestle for coach Scott Goodale.
Career Record: 127-14
Career Highlights:
7. Austin McCloskey (Western Boone)
Projected 2013-2014 High School Weight Class: 170
Projected College Weight Class: 174
Analysis: Austin McCloskey is looking to become his school's first state champion with two near misses the past two years. He is a talented wrestler that has put in numerous hours in the offseason. The last two years he has dropped narrow one point matches to the eventual state champions, but is looking for this year to be his year. This spring he announced he will continue his career for Scott Hinkel and the Purdue Boilermakers.
Career Record: 109-11
Career Highlights:
8. Chandler Carroll (Yorktown)
Projected 2013-2014 High School Weight Class: 152
Projected College Weight Class: 149/152
Analysis: Chandler Carroll is another in a long line of top wrestlers from small school powerhouse Yorktown. He has three state medals so far with two appearances in the semifinals. He has had an outstanding career so far with very limited offseason wrestling throughout his high school career. He is also a stud on the football field where he rushed for over 500 yards and had eight touchdowns in one game this year (yes, one game!). If he focuses on wrestling only in college he could have a very good career for whichever school he chooses.
Career Record: 137-11
Career Highlights:
9. Zach Davis (Penn)
Projected 2013-2014 High School Weight Class: 120
Projected College Weight Class: 125
Analysis: Zach Davis is a scrappy wrestler for Brad Harper and the Penn Kingsmen. He is a goer and isn't afraid to mix it up with the best. That even includes taking it to Stevan Micic last year in the state finals, losing by only two points and even holding a couple leads in that match. He is probably a career 125-pounder, but could grow into 133 pounds during his college career.
Career Record: 121-35
Career Highlights:
10. Fletcher Miller (Kokomo)
Projected 2013-2014 High School Weight Class: 220
Projected College Weight Class: 285
Analysis: Fletcher Miller had a great 2013 and will look to continue on his recent hot streak. After moving from 182 pounds to 220 pounds this past year he went on to win over 40 matches with his only defeat coming in the state finals. After that he went out to place second at the USAW Folkstyle Nationals in Iowa. Not to be outdone he put more work in and finished third in Fargo to cap a great wrestling season. This year he will not be under the radar as much and will have to battle it out in one of the deepest weight classes in the state. He has recently announced his intentions on wrestling at Indiana University for Duane Goldman next year.
Career Record: 133-13
Career Highlights:
Honorable Mention:
Kenny Hughes (Lowell)
Tristan Macri (Mishawaka)
Brendon Kelley (Evansville Central)
Eric Hemmelgarn (Jay County)
Skyler Lykins (Franklin)
DJ Smith (Franklin)
Maximilliano Hernandez (Warren Central)
Rhett Hiestand (Yorktown)
Brian Wagner (New Palestine)
Connor Tolley (Franklin)
Jacob Cottey (Perry Meridian)
Dakota Thacker (Bloomington South)
Josh Fuqua (Crown Point)
Ryan Jankowski (South Bend St. Joe)
Devin Broukal (Bloomington South)
Evan Loe (Peru)
Zach Krumlauf (Dekalb)
Kyle Jolas (Huntington North)
Blake Denton (Twin Lakes)
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