In this installment, Steve Elwood looks at the top senior wrestlers in Minnesota.
There's no argument nationally about the talent of Minnesota wrestling. Every year there are superstars coming from the land of 10,000 lakes and this year is no exception. This top 10 list overall is not quite on par with previous Minnesota lists, which mirrors the scene from a national perspective. It's led by two of the top recruits in the nation and has several that are under the radar. Are there potential national NCAA All-Americans here? I think there's a few. All told, there are 20 state titles won so far by these 10 wrestlers. I would be quite surprised if that number is not sitting at 30 by the first weekend of March.
Bobby Steveson (Photo/Mark Beshey, The Guillotine)Projected High School Weight Class: 182/195
Projected College Weight Class: 184/197
Analysis: No rational fan would have had Steveson at the top of the list a year ago. But this late-blooming senior has shot up the rankings with high-caliber wins over Sam Colbray, Johnny Sebastian and Lance Benick in the last 12 months. There may not be a tougher wrestler to score on and his style wears out most opponents by the third period. Steveson won a Junior National freestyle title in Fargo, Pan American titles in freestyle and Greco-Roman, and a Junior National folkstyle title. He is a two-time state champion with a 120-3 record during his prep career in Minnesota.
Lance Benick (Photo/Jeff Beshey, The Guillotine)Projected High School Weight Class: 195
Projected College Weight Class: 197
Analysis: A year ago Benick was the No. 1 overall wrestler in the Class of 2015. He slips a little here as a result of a few unexpected losses to Sam Colbray and Bobby Steveson. But it would be a mistake to overlook this high profile talent. Benick is a multiple-time national champion in Fargo as well as a FILA Cadet National champion and a member of the FILA Cadet World Team. Benick is a three-time state champion who has gone 125-4 over the past three seasons. He has committed to Zeke Jones at Arizona State.
Cameron Sykora (Photo/Mary Christen, The Guillotine)Projected High School Weight Class: 126
Projected College Weight Class: 125/133
Analysis: Sykora has a rare opportunity to be in the elusive five-time state championship club by year's end. If accomplished, he will be one of only five wrestlers in Minnesota to pull this off. Sykora is deserving of a national ranking and I am predicting a banner senior season. He has taken gold at the NHSCA Sophomore Nationals in Virginia Beach, as well as the Grappler Fall Classic in Michigan. He has compiled a record of 177-13. Sykora committed to North Dakota State.
Maolu Woiwor (Photo/Mark Beshey, The Guillotine)Projected High School Weight Class: 138
Projected College Weight Class: 141
Analysis: It's hard to imagine a potential four-time state champion from Apple Valley not getting much national attention, but that's the case with Woiwor. He is my pick for the most underrated wrestler in Minnesota. Woiwer is the defending Rumble on the Red champion, as well as a multiple-time Minnesota Christmas Tournament placewinner. His older brother Daniel is looking to start at Iowa State this season. He has a career record of 144-16. Woiwor has not yet committed to a college.
Andrew Fogarty (Photo/Mary Christen, The Guillotine)Projected High School Weight Class: 160/170
Projected College Weight Class: 174
Analysis: Fogarty surprised the wrestling world when it surely looked like he pinned one of the nation's top recruits, Ryan Blees, last season in the finals at the Minnesota Christmas Tournament. It wasn't meant to be and he took a close loss. He is no longer overlooked as this multiple-sport athlete proved as he walked through the field for his second Rumble on the Red championship. He then went on to win the state championship after a 48-1 season.
Louie Sanders (Photo/Jeff Beshey, The Guillotine)Projected High School Weight Class: 138/145
Projected College Weight Class: 141/149
Analysis: Sanders, a first cousin to four-time All-American Zach Sanders, enters his senior season with a shot at becoming the first three-time state champion in his school's history. Sanders is another underrated, but very explosive wrestler. His accolades include being a multiple-time freestyle state champion, as well as runner-up at the InterMat JJ Classic. He has amassed 135 career wins. Sanders gave a verbal commitment to North Dakota State.
Alex Hart (Photo/Mark Beshey, The Guillotine)Projected High School Weight Class: 220/285
Projected College Weight Class: N/A (Football)
Analysis: Hart was involved in three epic matches with Apple Valley's Paul Cheney last season, and the Prior Lake wrestler came out on top to win a state title. The two wrestlers also hooked up at the Minnesota Christmas tournament where Hart won that meeting as well. This highly sought after football recruit will be moving between 220 pounds and heavyweight this season. Hart plans on playing football in college, but has not yet committed to a college.
Paden Moore (Photo/Jeff Beshey, The Guillotine)Projected High School Weight Class: 160
Projected College Weight Class: 157/165
Analysis: Moore has been in the shadow of his two talented brothers throughout his career. His brother Cooper wrestles at Northern Iowa, while his younger brother Keegan is a teammate at JCC. But it would be a mistake to dismiss this hardworking wrestler. Moore is a multiple-time state champion in both summer styles and is a Northern Plains champion. He has an impressive 96 pins and 181 wins entering his senior season. He is undefeated at The Clash. Moore is undecided on his college plans.
Austin Anderly (Photo/Jeff Beshey, The Guillotine)Projected High School Weight Class: 126
Projected College Weight Class: 133
Analysis: This talented two-time state champion competes for the same high school as the well-known Pfarr family. (Brett Pfarr will be the 184-pound starter for the University of Minnesota.) Anderly has a way of showing up for big matches and is very explosive offensively. Anderly is a former Northern Plains champion as well as a multiple-time state freestyle champion. He remains uncommitted for college.
Quinten Berres (Photo/Jeff Beshey, The Guillotine)Projected High School Weight Class: 138
Projected College Weight Class: 141/149
Analysis: Berres has a chance to become the first three-time state champion from his high school. He is a four-time state placewinner. His state placements have been 6-3-1-1. His most impressive moment may have been his sophomore run when he wrestled the state tournament with only one healthy arm. Berres also excels on the baseball field, but plans on wrestling in college. He has not yet announced his college plans.
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