This year's field is headlined by Mark Hall (Apple Valley, Minn.), the nation's No. 1 wrestling recruit. Hall, a five-time state champion and Cadet World champion in freestyle, will be in search of his fifth straight JJ Classic title.
Below is a weight-by-weight preview.
Note: Weight class entries are subject to change.
100: Seventh-grader Carson Manville (South County, Va.) has been on a tear this fall. He has won tournament titles at the Grappler Fall Classic, Preseason Nationals and most recently the Super 32 Challenge. Manville, who is among the nation's top junior high wrestlers, will look to stay on a roll this weekend at the JJ Classic. His older brother Mason (now a senior) placed third at the JJ Classic as an eighth-grader in 2011. Manville could be challenged by Keegan OToole (Merton, Wis.), a USA Wrestling Folkstyle Nationals champion and runner-up to Manville in freestyle. Corey Gamet (Western, Mich.), a three-time Liberty Nationals champion and two-time TOC champion, should contend. Gamet placed third at the Grappler Fall Classic this year. Max Crowe (Shakopee, Minn.) is a two-time national champion in freestyle, and this past summer earned All-American honors in the Cadet freestyle competition. Zachary Miller (Simley, Minn.) was a Cadet National folkstyle runner-up this year. Andrew Sanders (Minnetonka, Minn.) earned All-American honors in freestyle and Greco-Roman at the Schoolboy level. Cody Holmes (Two Rivers, Wis.) placed third at USA Wrestling's Greco-Roman Nationals, with one of his losses coming to Manville. There are several other young and talented wrestlers who should figure into the mix in this weight class.
106: Israel Navarro (Willmar, Minn.) was a JJ Classic runner-up last year at 100 pounds, and will look to win the title this year up a weight class at 106 pounds. Navarro placed sixth in the state tournament this past season. Reuben Cephas (Rosemount, Minn.) spent much of last season ranked in the top three in the state of Minnesota at 106 pounds. He won 33 matches and placed at the Rumble on the Red. With his experience and talent, Cephas will be one of the favorites in this weight class. Wisconsin's top entrant in this weight class is Joey Bianchi (Two-Rivers, Wis.), a Schoolboy All-American in freestyle and Greco-Roman, and also a sixth-place finisher at Liberty Nationals. Joseph Peterson (Albert Lea, Minn.) is coming off a season in which he went 16-2. Colby Njos (Anoka, Minn.), Caleb Clobes (LCWM, Minn.), Jackson Penk (Litchfield, Minn.) and Xavier Judge (Bloomington Kennedy, Minn.) all placed in the top four of their section tournaments. Eighth-grader Charlie Pickell (Mankato West, Minn.) is coming off a Preseason Nationals title. Drew Bennett (Fort Dodge, Iowa) is a five-time AAU state champion and has placed multiple times in national tournaments.
113: Justin Portillo (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows, Iowa) will be after his third straight JJ Classic title. His JJ Classic titles have come at 106 pounds (2014) and 100 pounds (2013). He is a two-time state finalist, and last season won a state championship at 106 pounds with a pin in the state championship match. Aaron Schulist (Mukwonago, Wis.), a state runner-up, should contend for the title in this weight class. Garrett Vos (Waconia, Minn.) and Hser Eh Pwae (Worthington, Minn.) are both state placewinners. Cade Lundeen (Thief River Falls, Minn.), Caleb Ziebell (Slinger, Wis.) and Zac Spohn (Sauk Rapids-Rice) were all state qualifiers. Eighth-grader Drew Woodley (Northfield, Minn.) and freshman Justin Kempf (Weyauwega-Fremont, Wis.) are two young wrestlers to watch. Woodley was an NYWA state champion and Ninth Grade League state runner-up. Kempf has been a FloNationals champion in the middle school division and Liberty Nationals runner-up.
120: A pair of two-time state champions, Joshua Portillo (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows, Iowa) and Paul Bianchi (Two Rivers, Wis.), headline the group of challengers in this weight class. Portillo's state titles have come at 126 pounds (2015) and 113 pounds (2014). This past spring he won a Junior National folkstyle title at 120 pounds. In that event he earned a 3-0 victory over Bianchi in the quarterfinals. In addition to being a two-time state champion, Bianchi has also been a Junior folkstyle All-American, three-time All-American in Fargo, UWW Cadet Greco-Roman All-American and Cheesehead champion. Brenden Baker (Cedar Rapids Area, Iowa) and Michael Suda (Pipestone Area, Minn.) are both multiple-time state placewinners who should be in the mix to make the finals. Others to watch in this weight class include Hser Moo Pwae (Worthington), James Whitaker (Eaton Rapids, Mich.), Wyatt Gillette (St. Peter, Minn.) and Brady Gross (Apple Valley, Minn.).
126: Tyler Eischens (Anoka, Minn.) a state runner-up and two-time Minnesota Christmas Tournament finalist, will look to win his first JJ Classic title after finishing runner-up last year at 113 pounds. Two-time state champion Brandon Carroll (Roosevelt, S.D.) and state champion Noah Bauer (Pine Island, Minn.) are both expected to be major factors in this weight class. Triston Lara (Fort Dodge, Iowa) was a state runner-up last year. Andrew Smith (Amery, Wis.), a two-time Cadet folkstyle All-American and three-time state qualifier, placed at the JJ Classic last year. Ryan Killeen (Spectrum, Minn.) has been a state placewinner. Drew VanVleet (Mora, Minn.) and Brant O'Shea (Keokuk, Wis.) are both state qualifiers who are expected to battle for spots in the medal matches.
132: Two-time state champion Dakota Galt (Beresford, S.D.) is one of the favorites to capture the title in this weight class. Galt pinned nationally ranked Mitchell McKee (St. Michael-Albertville, Minn.) at the Junior Duals in freestyle this year. Jaden Van Maanen (La Crosse Central, Minn.) brings a strong resume to the JJ Classic and will look to improve on his fourth-place finish at the JJ Classic last year. He has gone 97-3 in his high school wrestling career, with state finishes of second and third. Dylan Eldeen (Tri-Valley, S.D.) is a multiple-time state placewinner. Other wrestlers who could make noise in this weight class include A.J. Bethea (Hibbing, Minn.), Anthony Meister (Elk River, Minn.), Calvin Germinaro-Nahring (Anoka, Minn.), Derek Fruetel (Litchfield, Minn.), Danny Madonia (Conant, Ill.) and Kobe Kortan (Roosevelt, S.D.).
138: Two-time state champion Kanen Storr (Leslie, Mich.) is the wrestler to beat in this weight class. Storr went 54-1 last season en route to winning a state title at 135 pounds. He was an undefeated state champion as a freshman, and was a state runner-up as a sophomore. Thie past spring Storr was a runner-up at the UWW Cadet Nationals in freestyle. This fall he won titles Conflict at Carver and Preseason Nationals, and last weekend reached the semifinals of the Super 32 Challenge before losing a one-point match. Two of Minnesota's top wrestlers, Cadet National Greco-Roman champion Alex Lloyd (Shakopee, Minn.) and undefeated state champion Adam Hedin (Rosemount, Minn.) are also entered in this weight class.The two wrestlers met in January during the high school wrestling season, with Hedin winning 3-0 in overtime. Lloyd was a Cadet double All-American this past summer in Fargo, winning a Greco-Roman title and finishing sixth in the freestyle competition. He was a Junior National folkstyle runner-up in April. He has state finishes of third (2014) and fifth (2013). Last fall he won the JJ Classic title at 126 pounds. Lloyd is the nation's No. 22 sophomore. Hedin compiled a perfect 45-0 record this past season as a junior en route to winning a state championship at 132 pounds. He was a Rumble on the Red champion. Last fall Hedin placed third at the JJ Classic. He was a state fourth-place finisher as a sophomore. Jamin LeDuc (Farmington, Minn.) is a two-time state finalist. Army West Point commit Will Lucie (Warsaw, Ill.), a three-time state placewinner, was a JJ Classic finalist a year ago, losing to Lloyd in the finals. He will look to take the next step up the podium this year. Others who could contend include state third-place finisher Tom Stageberg (New London-Spicer, Minn.), state sixth-place finisher Brandon Ortman (Pierz, Minn.), two-time section champion Lee Schmalz (Mound-Westonka, Minn.), state qualifier Austin Gutknecht (Clarinda, Iowa) and Schoolboy Nationals double All-American Joshua Otto (Arrowhead, Wis.).
145: This is one of the more wide-open weight classes at this year's JJ Classic. While it does not include a national champion or state champion, it does include several state placewinners. Jackson Sweeney (Watertown-Mayer, Minn.) was a state finalist last year. Logan Axford (Tracy, Minn.) is a multiple-time state placewinner, with state finishes of fourth and fifth. Other state placewinners in this weight class include Cayd Lara (Fort Dodge, Iowa), Dylan Schuck (Sibley-Ocheyedan, Iowa), Jeremiah Colon (LCWM, Minn.), Ryan Reid (Mound-Westonka, Minn.) and Cody Lambert (Ashland-Greenwood, Neb.). Joshua Adams (Fond du Lac, Wis.) was a Junior National folkstyle All-American this year.
152: Devin Bahr (LAW, Wis.), one of the nation's top juniors, will look for his first JJ Classic title. Bahr has compiled a 73-1 career record heading into his junior year. He was a state champion as a freshman in 2014. Last season he suffered a torn ACL at the Bi-State Classic in late December that cut his season short. In 2014, Bahr was an All-American in all three styles. He was a Cadet National folkstyle champion, and finished runner-up in Greco-Roman and third in freestyle. Bahr was a Preseason Nationals champion in 2012, 2013 and 2014. He was a member of the Cadet World Team in Greco-Roman in 2013. Bahr finished fourth at the JJ Classic in 2013. Another top challenger in this weight class is Colton Clingenpeel (Thomas Jefferson, Iowa), a JJ Classic champion last year at 138 pounds. He earned All-American honors this past summer in Fargo in the Junior Greco-Roman competition, and has won three state medals. Matt Malcom (Glenwood, Iowa) won a Preseason Nationals title this fall, and has been a state placewinner and Northern Plains champion. Cruze Hurlburt (Spring Valley, Wis.) is a two-time state placewinner, with state finishes of second and third. He was a JJ Classic runner-up to Clingenpeel last year. Kenny O'Neil (Prior Lake, Minn.) placed third in the Cadet National folkstyle competition this year. He is a state placewinner and three-time Minnesota Christmas Tournament placewinner. Dietrich Balsbaugh (Trinity School at River Ridge, Minn.) was a state runner-up this past season. Nathan Trepanier (Oconto Falls, Wis.) and Hayden Krein (LAW, Wis.) are both state third-place finishers from Wisconsin looking to make an impact in this weight class. Michigan state placewinner Tanner Gonzalez (Manistique Emeralds, Mich.) could figure into the mix as well.
160: Devin FitzPatrick (Mahtomedi, Minn.), a state runner-up and two-time state placewinner, was a JJ Classic finalist a year ago. He is one of the favorites to win the title in this weight class. Jose Acosta (Manitowoc Lincoln, Wis.) was third at the JJ Classic last year, and has been a Cadet Greco All-American, as well as Wisconsin state champion in both freestyle and Greco-Roman. Damon Schmalzriedt (LCWM, Minn.) and Drew Anderson (Westwood, Iowa) are both state placewinners. State qualifiers to watch in this weight class include Justin Burg (Tartan, Minn.), Alex Lindstrom (Eastview, Minn.), Emmett Wagner (Shakopee, Minn.), Quinlan Riffenburg (Sibley East, Minn.) and Parker Hale (Grand Meadow, Minn.). Bryson Alsteen (Luxemburg-Casco, Wis.) was a Cadet Greco-Roman All-American in Fargo.
170: Mark Hall (Apple Valley, Minn.), the nation's No. 1 wrestling recruit and 2015 InterMat High School Wrestler of the Year, will be in search of his fifth straight JJ Classic title. Hall is a five-time state champion and will look to become Minnesota's first-ever six-time state champion. He was a UWW Cadet World champion in freestyle in 2014. Hall's wrestling resume is littered with titles at the nation's premier high school and college-age wrestling events. In May, Hall won the UWW Junior Nationals freestyle title by beating Penn State's Jason Nolf, and in June earned a spot on the Junior World Team when he dominated Oklahoma State's Chance Marsteller in the finals of the Junior World Team Trials in Madison, Wis. Billy Holtan (Carrington, N.D.), a state champion and three-time state palcewinner, will look for a spot in the finals. Holtan won the Bismark Rotary title. Freshman Greg Kerkvliet (Simley, Minn.) is a multiple-time national champion his age group. Florida has a solid entry in Nate Ferkovich (Lake Brantley, Fla.), an All-American in Fargo. Connor Williams (LaCrosse Central, Wis.), Nick Knutson (New Prague, Minn.) and Brady Goblirsch (Redwood Valley, Minn.) are state qualifiers who should be in the mix to place.
182: Lucas Jeske (St. Michael-Albertville, Minn.), who committed to the University of Minnesota earlier this week, is a strong favorite to win the JJ Classic title in this weight class. Jeske is the nation's No. 55 senior recruit. He was a Junior National freestyle runner-up in Fargo, and this past season won a Minnesota state championship in Class AAA at 152 pounds. He placed in both the UWW Cadet Nationals freestyle competition and Junior Nationals folkstyle competition in the spring. A strong challenger in this weight class is Brandon Moen (Owatonna, Minn.), who won a Preseason Nationals title this fall. He is a three-time state placewinner. This past season Moen fell to Jeske in the state semifinals at 152 pounds. Jonathan Zarnke (Chaska, Minn.) is a returning state fourth-place finisher looking to challenge for a spot in the finals. Forrest Yineman (Neenah, Wis.) placed fourth at the JJ Classic last year.
195: This is a balanced weight class with no strong favorite. Iowa wrestlers Zach Haggstrom (Glenwood, Iowa) and Cruz Vera (AGWSR, Iowa) should be in the hunt for a title. Vera placed eighth in the state tournament this past season. Minnesota state qualifier Louis Wiklund (Bloomington Kennedy, Minn.) should also contend for the top spot. Other wrestlers to keep an eye on in this weight class include Griffin Thorn (Owatonna, Minn.), Jacob Olson (Cambridge-Isanti, Minn.) and Nick Kelling (Mora, Minn.).
220: Blake Zalapi (Hononegah, Ill.) was a Cadet double All-American in Fargo and went undefeated at the Cadet Duals for team national champion Illinois. Alex Paulson (Forest City, Iowa) was a state fourth-place finisher this past season. Justin Mohlin (Centennial, Minn.) was a state qualifier. Trenten Rogich (Le Sueur-Henderson, Minn.) was a Minnesota/USA state champion in freestyle and Greco and third in sections. Joshua Bohnen (Mora, Minn.) and Jesse Heck (Watertown-Mayer, Minn.) both placed fourth in their section tournaments.
285: Andrew Piehl (Rogers, Minn.) had an impressive fourth-place finish in the Junior National freestyle competition this past summer in Fargo. Piehl is coming off a season in which he went 39-1 and placed third in the state tournament, with his lone blemish coming in the state semifinals. He enters as the favorite to win the JJ Classic title. Jameer Anderson (Benilde St. Margaret's, Minn.) is a three-time state qualifier who should challenge for the title on Sunday. Adam Lucast (Lakeville South, Minn.) was a state qualifier this past season at 220 pounds. He's also a freestyle state champion, Greco-Roman state runner-up and won six matches in Fargo this past summer. Trey Chatman (Hayfied, Minn.) was third in sections and had over 20 wins. Also entered in this weight class are Alex Aarsvold (Pine Island, Minn.) and Manny Alvarez (Columbia Heights, Minn.).
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