Did you miss a Wrestling 49 article? Check out the archives.
The 2009-2010 seniors in Vermont bring different levels of experience to the table. The wrestling depth of this class is not as strong as the last two years ... although there is some tremendous upside and potential for all of these kids to perform at the college level. Many of these kids did a lot of offseason wrestling with clubs and at local and regional tournaments. A few have branched out and wrestled on the national level.
1. Mike Bradley
School: Mt. Anthony
09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 112/119
Projected College Weight Class: 125
Scouting Report: Bradley is a two-time state finalist, winning a championship in 2008 at 103 and finishing second in 2009 at 112. He placed fourth in the New England Championships at 112 pounds. He finished the season with a 52-9 record and has recorded 140 career wins in high school. He is the only senior from Vermont who placed in the New England Championships. Bradley is a devoted wrestler who puts in his time in the offseason, wrestling about 80 matches. He competed in the Brute Scholastic Showcase and many regional tournaments.
2. Steven Rich
School: Spaulding
09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 160/171
Projected College Weight Class: 165
Scouting Report: Rich has been in the state finals three straight years. He is a two-time state runner-up (2007 and 2008). Rich broke through for his first state championship in 2009 at 160 pounds, where he turned in an outstanding season that saw him win numerous outstanding wrestler awards at tournaments. A season record of 46-5 saw him just come up short of placing at the New England Championships. Rich is a standout football player on his high school football team. He also has over 100 career victories ... and is on pace to be one of Spaulding's top wrestlers in school history.
3. Zach Weinfurt
School: Mt. Anthony
09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 145/152
Projected College Weight Class: 149/157
Scouting Report: Weinfurt came on late last season to place third in the State Championships at 145 pounds -- a key reason his team was able to win its 21st straight state championship. A scholar athlete, Weinfurt has tremendous upside. He did not begin wrestling until high school and has worked very hard at improving his game. A solid offseason which saw him compete at the Brute Scholastic Showcase for underclassmen and many wrestling camps should provide him with the edge to move up the ranks on the New England level. Weinfurt finished 47-15 last season.
4. Damian Mason
School: Spaulding
09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 130
Projected College Weight Class: 133
Scouting Report: Mason came out on nowhere last season to help Spaulding seriously challenge for a state championship. A short, powerful wrestler, Mason finished second in the state while compiling a 36-17 season record. Tremendous upside for Smith, who is poised to have an outstanding senior season.
5. Mike Smith
School: Rutland
09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 140
Projected College Weight Class: 141
Scouting Report: Smith has placed third in the last two State Wrestling Championships. An injury slowed him down this offseason. Smith is a tough, hardnosed wrestler who does not get rattled when competing. He has his eyes set on standing at the top of the podium this season in a very competitive weight class. Smith tallied a 33-11 record last season.
6. Matt Simpson
School: Randolph
09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 130
Projected College Weight Class: 133
Scouting Report: Simpson is a standout on a very small Randolph squad hurt by the lack of practice partners. He is a three-time state place finisher, coming in third last season at 125 pounds. Simpson compiled a 30-11 season record in 2009.
7. Paschal Perrotte
School: Mt. Mansfield
09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 160
Projected College Weight Class: 165
Scouting Report: Parrott gave Steve Rich all he could handle in the semifinals of the State Championship last season. A powerful catch wrestler, he put together a strong run late last season. He finished the year with a 25-12 record.
8. Brad Sawyer
School: Mt. Anthony
09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 189
Projected College Weight Class: 184
Scouting Report: Sawyer placed fifth in the State Championships. A season of offseason wrestling and weight room work will put him in the running for a state title. One highlight for Sawyer last season was finishing third in the tough Heart of Dixie Wrestling Classic held at Vestavia High School in Alabama. Competing in many regional tournaments and the Brute Scholastic Underclassmen Duals should also add to his resume of experience. Sawyer will have over 100 career wins and finished last season with 44 wins.
9. Justin Felion
School: Fair Haven
09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 160
Projected College Weight Class: 157
Scouting Report: Felion had and up and down junior season. At times he was dominant. He hopes to improve upon his fifth-place showing at 152 pounds. Felion finished last season with a 38-10 record.
10. Sam Webster
School: Mt. Anthony
09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 285
Projected College Weight Class: 285
Scouting Report: Webster becomes an interesting Top 10 pick. He has wrestled JV for three years behind two-time state champion Ethan Furlon, who graduated. Webster is a three-time JV state champion and has waited for his turn. If he was not behind Furlon last season, he would have been one of the state's top heavyweights. Webster has put in a lot of offseason work on the mat, and in the weight room. He is a starting offensive lineman on his football team. Webster is a hard worker with tremendous upside.
Honorable Mention:
Ricky Sawyer (Mt. Mansfield)
Charlie Kline (Essex)
Devon Sandon (Essex)
Patrick Infurna (Fair Haven)
Evan Bilodeau (Spaulding)
Simon Flynn (Vergennes)
Evan Bathalon (Otter Valley)
Recommended Comments
There are no comments to display.
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now