Dan Ransick looks at the top senior wrestlers in Ohio.
The Class of 2015 for Ohio is anchored by a strong group of state champions and a Junior National freestyle champion. There is some debate within the Ohio wrestling community as to who is the best wrestler, but after this summer one wrestler cleared his way to the top.
Austin Assad defeated Sean Russell to win a Junior National freestyle title in Fargo (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)Projected High School Weight Class: 126
Projected College Weight Class: 125
College: Michigan
Analysis: Assad has yet to stand on top of the podium at the state tournament. He has been second, second and third in some of the toughest weight classes in Division I. However, Assad broke out this summer in Fargo, winning a Junior National freestyle title at 120 pounds. This year he will look to capture that elusive state title in his senior year before heading to Ann Arbor to wrestle for Michigan.
2. Jose Rodriguez (Massillon Perry)
Projected High School Weight Class: 126
Projected College Weight Class: 133
College: Ohio State
Analysis: Rodriguez comes into his senior year as a state champion and two-time state finalist. Last year Rodriguez fell in the finals to Hayden Lee of Marysville, 5-2. He owns a victory over Assad in the 2013 state finals. Rodriguez, who has a quick shot, will be staying in state for college and attending Ohio State to wrestle for the Buckeyes.
3. Cameron Kelly (Bellbrook)
Projected High School Weight Class: 132
Projected College Weight Class: 133/141
College: Ohio
Analysis: Kelly is a three-time state finalist and 2012 state champion. He won the state title as a freshman, but has come up short the past two years. This year he looks to add another state title to make bookends for his great high school career before enrolling at Ohio University and wrestling for the Bobcats.
4. Eli Seipel (St. Paris Graham)
Projected High School Weight Class: 126
Projected College Weight Class: 133
College: Pittsburgh
Analysis: Seipel is a three-time state placer and 2013 state champion. He had an excellent junior season, finishing runner-up at the Walsh Ironman, losing to Matthew Kolodzik in the finals. He had a hiccup at state as he was upset in the quarterfinal match but rebounded to take third. This year he looks to add another state title to his resume before wrestling for the Pitt Panthers.
5. Eli Stickley (St. Paris Graham)
Projected High School Weight Class: 120
Projected College Weight Class: 125
College: Wisconsin
Analysis: Stickley finally broke through last season winning his first state title with a dominant major decision victory in the finals. Earlier in the season he placed third at the Walsh Ironman. This year Stickley will move up a weight class for St. Paris Graham. He continues the line of Graham wrestlers going on to wrestler for Wisconsin that started with Jim Jordan and Jeff Jordan in the 80s.
6. Ben Schram (Bellbrook)
Projected High School Weight Class: 160
Projected College Weight Class: 165
College: Old Dominion
Analysis: Schram is a two-time state third-place finisher in Division II. This year he looks to win his first state title. Schram will wrestle for the Monarchs of Old Dominion next year and projects as a 165-pounder in college.
7. Jared Ganger (Covington)
Projected High School Weight Class: 126
Projected College Weight Class: 125/133
College: Kent State
Analysis: Ganger, already a two-time state champ and three-time state finalist, will be after his third consecutive state title. Last year he came back from Tommy John surgery to win his second state title. This year a healthy Ganger should be a heavy favorite to win a third state title before he heads to Kent State.
8. Nate Hagan ( Toledo Central Catholic)
Projected High School Weight Class: 138
Projected College Weight Class: 141
College: Undecided
Analysis: Last year Hagan pulled off a huge upset in the state finals when he defeated FloNationals champion Brent Moore of St. Paris Graham. He scored an overtime takedown to win. He will face stiff competition this season as he looks to win another state championship.
9. Kade Kowalski (Dresden Tri-Valley)
Projected High School Weight Class: 152
Projected College Weight Class: 157
College: Open
Analysis: Kowalski came through last year, winning his first state title after finishing third as a sophomore. He became his school's first state champion in wrestling. Kowalski is currently undecided on his college choice.
10. L.J. Bentley (St. Edward)
Projected High School Weight Class: 120
Projected College Weight Class: 125
College: Pittsburgh
Analysis: Bentley is a state placer who has had big wins in the past, including a win over Stickley. He pushed Rodriguez to the brink in the state semifinals last year before falling 8-6. I would not be surprised to see him on top of the podium this year.
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