What: The 17th Walsh Ironman
Where: Walsh Jesuit High School -- Cuyahoga Falls, OH
When: Friday 12-10-10 and Saturday 12-11-10
Schedule: Preliminary rounds (up to the quarterfinals) start at 1:00 p.m. ET on Friday, Saturday wrestling starts at 10:00 a.m. with the quarterfinals, the semifinals will follow, as will all consolation matches including those for seventh place. Matches for first, third, and fifth will be wrestled Saturday evening starting at 6:30 p.m.
Tournament Website: http://www.walshironman.com
Special Honoree: Bill Barger will be honored as the Ironman Legacy Award winner this year. Barger, the long-time head coach at Walsh Jesuit High School is the primary founder and visionary of the Walsh Ironman tournament. His squads won nine out of ten state championships from 1991-2000. Seven Walsh Jesuit alumni have gone on to earn nineteen All-American medals at the NCAA Division I Championships.
InterMat Coverage: InterMat will be providing live blog coverage of all three sessions, available from the InterMat home page. In addition, a recap will be provided on Friday night, with a finals recap to be published on Sunday.
103:
Nationally-Ranked Wrestlers: No. 1 Darian Cruz (Bethlehem Catholic, PA), No. 2 Nathan Tomasello (CVCA, OH), No. 9 Joey McKenna (Blair Academy, NJ).
Commentary: The opening weight class features the top two ranked wrestlers in the country, who have met twice in the last five months. Cruz won the pair of meetings in the pool stage of the Cadet National freestyle tournament, and in an overtime championship final match at the Super 32 Challenge. The other legitimate contender for the championship is the freshman McKenna, who was Cadet National Greco-Roman champion this summer.
Outside of these three wrestlers, the high end quality is rather limited with Cadet National Greco-Roman medalist Micah Hight (Caesar Rodney, DE) representing the best of the rest. Other Cadet freestyle All-Americans include Brent Fleetwood (Smyrna, DE) -- champion at 84 pounds -- and Armando Torres (Elyria, OH) -- eighth at 91 pounds.
Roadblocks to the Cruz-Tomasello final are as follows based on the seeding. Cruz is likely to face Torres in the quarterfinal round and McKenna in the semifinal. Tomasello is looking at a relatively clear path to a semifinal date with either Fleetwood or Preseason Nationals runner-up Johnny Jimenez (Marmion Academy, IL).
Unseeded Wrestlers to Watch: A trio of freshmen -- Anthony Tutolo (Walsh Jesuit, OH), David Bavery (Massillon Perry, OH), and Tyler Ponte (Wyoming Seminary, PA).
Friday Match to Watch: McKenna v Hight.
Predicting a Finals Match: Cruz (Bethlehem Catholic) over Tomasello (CVCA)
112:
Nationally-Ranked Wrestlers: No. 2 Jered Cortez (Marmion Academy, IL), No. 8 George DiCamillo (St. Ignatius, OH), No. 11 Zeke Moisey (Bethlehem Catholic, PA), No. 14 Ryan Taylor (Graham, OH).
Commentary: Last year's champion from 103 -- DiCamillo -- received no favors with his draw. Prior to the quarterfinal round, he could see a returning state placer at 112 pounds in Artem Timchenko (Massillon Perry, OH). In addition, the pre-tournament favorite Jered Cortez (Marmion Academy, IL) -- twice a Cadet National freestyle finalist is the projected semifinal opponent.
The bottom half of this weight has a similar dynamic with second seed Max Hvolbek (Blair Academy, NJ) -- second at National Prep last year, third at the Ironman -- possibly facing a returning state placer at 112 pounds in Edgar Bright (St. Edward, OH) prior to the quarterfinal. The projected semifinal would be against state champion Ryan Taylor (Graham, OH) -- with whom Hvolbeck split matches last year.
However, there is a big-time poison pill in this weight class with two-time Super 32 Challenge placer Moisey being an unseeded wrestler. His placement within the bracket could play huge implications in the overall course of the tournament.
Unseeded Wrestlers to Watch: Moisey, Michael Olsen (Park Hill, MO), and Michael Screptock (Oregon Clay, OH).
Friday Match to Watch: The two previously mentioned matches -- DiCamillo vs. Timchenko, and Hvolbek vs. Bright. In addition, Ironman and National Prep placer Judson Preskitt (Bishop Lynch, TX) vs. Cody Stainbrook (Walsh Jesuit, OH).
Predicting a Finals Match: Cortez (Marmion Academy) is the pick to win the weight. Should Moisey draw into the bottom half, he is my pick to reach the final, if not, it's wide open, and the pick is Taylor (Graham) to set up a very intriguing matchup with a boatload of history behind it.
119:
Nationally-Ranked Wrestlers: No. 2 Jimmy Gulibon (Derry Area, PA), No. 9 Dominick Malone (Wyoming Seminary, PA), No. 11 Joey Dance (Christiansburg, VA), No. 12 Dean Heil (St. Edward, OH), No. 13 (at 125) Caleb Richardson (Blair Academy, NJ).
Commentary: The number one ranked wrestler in this weight class is Evan Silver (Blair Academy, NJ) -- and he can't even make it out of the practice room. That would be testament to the depth within the Blair program. Multi-time state champion Richardson was able to upend Silver, despite having finished behind him in a couple of tournaments last season. He is the fourth seed in this weight class, and is likely to face a very familiar foe in Dance at the quarterfinal stage of this tournament.
The winner of that match is looking at a semifinal date against Gulibon, a two-time state champion that has lost a grand total of two matches in his career -- one of them coming in last year's Ironman semifinal at 112 pounds to Silver.
The bottom half of this bracket possesses more overall depth despite having just the two nationally-ranked wrestlers in Malone and Heil. Malone, seeded second, is looking at a quarterfinal match against either two-time state champion David Jeffrey (Parkersburg South, WV) or Randy Cruz (Bethlehem Catholic, PA). Heil, seeded sixth, is looking at a matchup against state runner-up Mitch Newhouse (Massillon Perry, OH) prior to the quarterfinals with state runner-up Corey Keener (Blue Mountain, PA) waiting in the semifinal round.
Friday Match to Watch: Heil vs. Newhouse, in what could be a preview of the Division I state final in Ohio, Jeffrey vs. Cruz, and Nick Goebel (Elmwood, OH) vs. Jake Smith (Robinson, VA) in a matchup of third place-finishers at the state tournament.
Unseeded Wrestlers to Watch: Micah Jordan (Graham, OH) -- ranked 19th in the Class of 2014 -- along with George Fisher (Marmion Academy, IL) who went 4-2 in Cadet freestyle and gets to practice with Cortez on a daily basis.
Predicting a Finals Match: Gulibon (Derry Area) over Malone (Wyoming Seminary)
125:
Nationally-Ranked Wrestlers: No. 2 Mason Beckman (Reynolds, PA), No. 3 (at 130) Mark Grey (Blair Academy, NJ), No. 4 Bricker Dixon (Park Hill, MO), No. 7 Geoff Alexander (Shady Side Academy, PA), No. 8 (at 130) Alex Cisneros (Selma, CA), No. 9 Kagan Squire (Wadsworth, OH).
Commentary: Finally we hit upon a weight that has the traditional fireworks associated with an Ironman weight class. Six wrestlers that are top ten in the nation caliber, with multiple kids that are close to the top in the nation. The weight class also features some legit names behind the first six plus three solid freshmen. None of the four quarters provides a clean path to the semifinal round.
Defending Ironman champion Beckman, who beat a true gauntlet to win the 119 pound weight class last year, is looking at a quarterfinal against either two-time National Prep medalist Chris Dinnien (Germantown Academy, PA) or Preseason Nationals runner-up Courtland Hacker (Broomfield, CO). The other quarter up top could feature a battle of top 20 Class of 2012 wrestlers in Kagan Squire and two-time state champion Alex Cisneros.
Two-time National Prep champion Grey, second seed in this weight class, is looking at a quarterfinal date with returning Ironman placer and Super 32 Challenge champion Alexander or state champion and Super 32 placer Chris Caton (Northside Christian Academy, NC). The other quarter bracket of the bottom half is led by two-time Junior National freestyle All-American Bricker Dixon (Park Hill, MO) who will likely face three-time state champion and FloNationals runner-up Josh Fisher (Roane County, WV) in the quarterfinals.
Unseeded Wrestlers to Watch: A trio of freshmen -- Shawn Spearman (Erie McDowell, PA), Tony Dailey (Massillon Perry, OH), and Jack Bass (Robinson, VA).
Friday Match to Watch: Alexander vs. Caton and Squire vs. Joey Ward (Moeller). Squire beat the former state placer Ward in overtime this past weekend.
Predicting a Finals Match: Beckman (Reynolds) over Grey (Blair Academy)
130:
Nationally-Ranked Wrestlers: No. 4 Johnni DiJulius (Walsh Jesuit, OH), No. 7 Brandon Jeske (Cox, VA), No. 9 Ben Whitford (Blair Academy, NJ), No. 13 (at 135) Todd Preston (Blair Academy, NJ).
Commentary: One of the few shortcomings in the sensational high school career of DiJulius is his inability to earn an All-American honor in four Fargo appearances. However, each time he has left with a winning record. This sensational career includes two third place-finishes at the Ironman along with three state finals appearances (two titles). It would be a storybook start to his senior season if he could win an Ironman title in his home gymnasium. While his path as the top seed is not easy, it could be harder.
Take for instance the position of Preston, Junior National freestyle All-American and National Prep champion, who is the third seed in this weight. He is looking at a match prior to the quarterfinals against Jack Clark (McDonogh, MD), ranked third in the Class of 2014 and a FILA Cadet freestyle champion. Then, a quarterfinal match with multi-time state champion Rusty Maness (Graham, OH) would be next. Only after that could he even think about the semifinal round against most likely second seed Whitford.
The four-time Cadet National finalist (double champion this year), Whitford is looking at a quarterfinal match against one of two wrestlers that finished third at their state tournament -- Dylan Durso (Reynolds, PA) or Brandon Choate (Blue Mountain, PA).
In the top half, DiJulius is looking at a quarterfinal match against returning Ironman placer and Super 32 Challenge placer Brent Fickel (Padua, OH) prior to a likely semifinal with Jeske -- second at National Preps, champion at the FILA Cadet and Cadet National freestyle tournaments, and ranked third in the Class of 2013. Projected quarterfinal opponent for Jeske would be either two-time state placer David Makara (Burrell, PA) or state runner-up and Super 32 Challenge placer Russell Coleman (Park Hill, MO).
Unseeded Wrestlers to Watch: Tanner Bailey (Broken Arrow, OK) -- a freshman whose older brother Dallas is a redshirt freshman at Oklahoma State and currently ranked seventh at 165 pounds.
Friday Matches to Watch: Makara vs. Coleman, Durso vs. Choate, and Preston vs. Clark.
Predicting a Finals Match: DiJulius (Walsh Jesuit) over Whitford (Marmion Academy)
135:
Nationally-Ranked Wrestlers: No. 1 Hunter Stieber (Monroeville, OH), No. 1 (at 140) Austin Ormsbee (Blair Academy, NJ), No. 2 Steve Spearman (Erie McDowell, PA), No. 5 Nate Skonieczny (Walsh Jesuit, OH), No. 11 chris Mecate (Redlands East Valley, CA), No. 16 Chase Ferman (Broken Arrow, OK).
Commentary: Like the 125 pound weight class, it is weights such as these that make the Walsh Ironman arguably the nation's pre-eminent tournament. Stieber and Ormsbee are also ranked seventh and eighth overall in the Class of 2011 as college prospects. While the top half of this bracket -- where Stieber is the first seed - is stronger than the bottom half, it can be argued that the second seed Ormsbee has the harder journey to the anticipated finals match.
The other quarter of the top half is absolutely brutal with projected preliminary matches featuring defending Walsh Ironman champion Skonieczny against Cadet National freestyle runner-up Bryce Brill (Marmion Academy, IL) with Super 32 Challenge champion Spearman facing a local rival in the solid Adam Matthews (Reynolds, PA). Stieber is looking at what is by Ironman standards a manageable quarterfinal match against either state champion Gabe Lavey (Hanover, VA) or state runner-up Dan Mirman (Medina Highland, OH).
Three-time National Prep champion, and Junior National freestyle champion Ormsbee is looking at a quarterfinal date against two-time state placer and 2009 Super 32 Challenge champion Mecate prior to an open-ended semifinal match. Ferman has finished fifth and seventh at the Ironman the last two years and was fourth in Junior National freestyle this summer though yet to win a state title. He is projected to face either two-time Ironman placer Case Garrison (Graham, OH) or Zach Dailey (Massillon Perry, OH).
Unseeded Wrestlers to Watch: Willie Fox (Gilroy, CA), NHSCA Sophomore Nationals champion, RC Ramirez (Wyoming Seminary, PA), and state qualifier Tyler Zymroz (Pittsburgh Central Catholic, PA)
Friday Match to Watch: Lavey vs. Mirman, Skonieczny vs. Brill, Spearman vs. Adam Matthews, and Garrison vs. Dailey
Predicting a Finals Match: Stieber (Monroeville) over Ormsbee (Blair Academy)
140:
Nationally-Ranked Wrestlers: No. 2 Cam Tessari (Monroeville, OH), 3 (at 135) Nick Pena (Selma, CA), No. 6 Nick Brascetta (Graham, OH), No. 12 (at 145) Evan Henderson (Kiski Prep, PA).
Commentary: Tessari seeks to win a second consecutive Ironman championship, though this is a tournament in which he suffered his only career scholastic losses during his freshman and sophomore years. Should he get through the projected path of Cadet National freestyle All-American Angelo Silvestro (Marmion Academy, IL) and Super 32 Challenge placer Andrew Romanchik (Padua, OH) -- which is a very reasonable presumption -- Tessari is looking at a semifinal date with state champion Pena. Pena is a three-time state placer who placed fourth in Tessari's Ironman weight class last year.
Pena's path through the semifinal involves projected matches against National Prep medalist Russ Parsons (Blair Academy, NJ) and either two time state runner-up Nick Babcock (Broomfield, CO) or National Prep medalist Cohl Fulk (Wyoming Seminary, PA).
The bottom half of this drawis similar in terms of structure, there is solid balance and two big names. However, it can be said the peripheral names are slightly more credentialed than those in the top half. Two wrestlers that finished third in last year's Ironman are on a collision course for the semifinal round this year: three-time state placer (2009 state champion) Brascetta and National Prep champion (two-time finalist) Evan Henderson.
Brascetta is looking at a quarterfinal match against one of two state placers -- Nate Ball (Wadsworth, OH) or Jeremy Landowski (Burrell, PA) -- while Henderson has a tougher path to the quarterfinal with returning state placer and Super 32 Challenge placer Austin Matthews (Reynolds, PA) standing in his way. The quarterfinal would be against one of two state placers, Blake Kastl (Gilroy, CA) or returning Ironman placer Tyler Argue (Mount Carmel, IL).
Unseeded Wrestlers to Watch: State qualifier Tyler Manion (Pittsburgh Central Catholic, PA), former state qualifier Chase Boontjer (Foothill PC, CA), and Logan Bosley (Christiansburg, VA).
Friday Matches to Watch: Babcock vs. Fulk, Ball vs. Landowski, Evan Henderson vs. Austin Matthews, and Argue vs. Kastl.
Predicting a Finals Match: Tessari (Monroeville) over Brascetta (Graham)
145:
Nationally-Ranked Wrestlers: No. 6 Bo Jordan (Graham, OH), No. 8 (at 140) Travis Shaffer (Derry Area, PA), No. 11 Travis Himmelman (Conifer, CO), No. 14 Henry Carlson (Cox, VA).
Commentary: Beyond the top four wrestlers in this weight class, there is not much overall depth at the national level. Therefore, since the top seed Carlson is opposite of the other three nationally-ranked wrestlers, the bracket is rather lopsided. The only realistic hurdle to the final for the three-time state champion and Junior National freestyle All-American Carlson is two-time National prep medalist Robert Henderson (Kiski Prep, PA).
However, the bottom of the draw features NHSCA Junior National runner-up, two-time state champion, and Junior National Greco-Roman medalist Himmelman as the second seed. His path to the semifinal is manageable with only state champion Zach Epperly (Christiansburg, VA) really standing in his way at the quarterfinal level. The other quarterfinal in the bottom half is likely to feature FloNationals champion Shaffer facing state champion Bo Jordan, who is the second ranked wrestler in the Class of 2013.
Unseeded Wrestlers to Watch: Two-time state qualifier and FILA Cadet freestyle All-American Matt Van Curen (St. Edward, OH) and Dylan Milnoas (Blair Academy, NJ) who is ranked tenth in the Class of 2014.
Predicting a Finals Match: Bo Jordan (Graham) over Carlson (Cox)
152:
Nationally-Ranked Wrestlers: No. 2 Ian Miller (Oak Harbor, OH), No. 9 Matt Stephens (Graham, OH), No. 15 Duke Pickett (Woodberry Forest, VA).
Commentary: Despite the lack of truly heavy hitters on the national level, this is a rather deep weight overall in terms of national quality. The top seed in this weight, Miller, broke out as a star in last year's Ironman when he reached the final and took Chris Villalonga (Blair Academy/Cornell) to the absolute brink. Miller would go on to win a state title and go undefeated this summer at the Junior National Duals in freestyle. The path to a second consecutive Ironman final will not be easy, starting with state runner-up Lorenzo Thomas (Pittsburgh Central Catholic, PA) as the projected quarterfinal opponent. The other quarterfinal in the top half should feature a pair of National Prep runners-up in Junior National freestyle All-American Duke Pickett (Woodberry Forest, VA) facing Cadet National freestyle runner-up Eric Morris (Wyoming Seminary, PA).
Second seed Stephens, twice an Ironman placer and state runner-up in 2009, is looking at a very tough quarterfinal match against one of two state runners-up: Mark Martin (St. Edward, OH) or Kyle Dehaut (Bethlehem Catholic, PA). The likely semifinal opponent for the wrestler exiting this quarter is third seed Stephen Robertson (Montini Catholic, IL), twice an Ironman placer and state champion. Robertson would have to escape a quarterfinal match against either returing state placer and Cadet National freestyle All-American Victor Pereira (Newark Memorial, CA) or freshman Patrick Coover (Blair Academy, NJ) who was a Cadet National champion in Greco-Roman this past summer.
Unseeded Wrestlers to Watch: State qualifier Mike Petrime (Massillon Perry, OH) and Cadet National Greco-Roman medalist Tyler Metzler (Oviedo, FL).
Friday Matches to Watch: Martin vs. Dehaut and Pereira vs. Coover.
Predicting a Finals Match: Miller (Oak Harbor) over Stephens (Graham)
160:
Nationally-Ranked Wrestlers: No. 3 Jason Luster (Pittsburgh Central Catholic, PA), No. 12 (at 171) Vinny Waldhauser (Oak Ridge, CA), No. 14 Zach Skates (Broken Arrow, OK), and No. 15 (at 171) Geordan Speiller (Oviedo, FL).
Commentary: Four nationally-ranked wrestlers appear in this weight class, though one of them stands out ahead of the rest of the field. Despite a sub-standard Super 32 Challenge while competing up one weight class at 171 pounds in the midst of football season, Luster is a sensational talent as shown by twice being a National Prep finalist (champion this past year) and twice finishing third at the Ironman. His path to the final most likely involves a quarterfinal match against two-time state placer Travis McKillop (Burrell, PA) -- the only wrestler to defeat Cody Wiercioch during his freshman season in which he won titles at Powerade and the state tournament. The other quarterfinal in the top half of the draw is likely to feature a battle of state champions with Isaac Jordan (Graham, OH) facing Cody Allala (Hopewell, VA).
The other three nationally-ranked wrestlers then populate the bottom half of the draw with top 100 Class of 2011 prospects Waldhauser and Skates paired to meet in the quarterfinal round. Waldhauser was a state runner-up this past year and a two-time state placer, while Skates is a multi-time state champion and Ironman placer. Speiller -- a state champion and Junior National Greco-Roman medalist -- has a path to the semifinal round most likely involving a quarterfinal match against two-time state champion Rich Eva (Christiansburg, VA).
Unseeded Wrestlers to Watch: Adam Morris (Wyoming Seminary, PA) and Michael Mocco (Blair Academy, NJ)
Friday Match to Watch: Eva vs. state placer Kyle Roddy (Brecksville, OH).
Predicting a Finals Match: Luster (Pittsburgh Central Catholic) over Waldhauser (Oak Ridge)
171:
Nationally-Ranked Wrestlers: No. 3 Chris Phillips (Monroeville, OH), No. 17 Kyle Ryan (Graham OH).
Commentary: Like last year's 171 pound weight class, this weight class features limited high profile wrestlers at this point. However, last year, multiple wrestlers emerged to be higher profile by season's end. This weight class is arguably the tournament's weakest overall.
Three-time state champion, and Ironman champion as a freshman, Phillips should absolutely walk through this weight class starting with a quarterfinal against either Dakota DesLauriers (Burrell, PA) or Lee Wildes (Oviedo, FL). DesLauriers is placed at state as a freshman and is Cadet National freestyle All-American, while Wildes was a Junior National Greco-Roman medalist. The semifinal match for Phillips should be against either three-time National Prep medalist Trey Adamson (Bishop Lynch, TX) or state champion Chris Smith (Parkersburg South, WV).
The bottom half of the draw features a pair of state runners-up and Ironman placers in the former state champion Ryan and Konner Witt (Oak Harbor, OH). Those two are seeded to meet in the semifinal, and it is my guess that they will.
Friday Match to Watch: DesLauriers vs. Wildes
Predicting a Finals Match: Phillips (Monroeville) over Ryan (Graham)
189:
Nationally-Ranked Wrestlers: No. 1 Morgan McIntosh (Calvary Chapel, CA), No. 6 Alex Utley (CVCA, OH), No. 7 Huston Evans (Graham, OH), No. 7 (at 215) Jay Taylor (Burrell, PA), No. 12 Sam Wheeler (Copley, OH).
Commentary: There are very few wrestlers in the country that have the natural talent, ability, and tenacity to maintain contact with -- let alone match up against -- the sensational McIntosh, a Junior National freestyle champion who is ranked second in the Class of 2011. Bound for Penn State next year, he is a two-time state champion and three-time state placer. Even with four other nationally-ranked wrestlers present in this weight, and Ironman championship should notched to the resume of McIntosh on Saturday night.
Seeded first, McIntosh should breeze his way into a semifinal match against either Taylor or Chaz Gresham (Goshen, OH). Taylor won state last year in Florida before moving up to the Keystone State, and has earned All-American honors in many national tournaments. Twice a state placer, Gresham increased his visibility nationally when he placed fourth at 171 pounds in the Super 32 Challenge. Down in the bottom half of the draw is three nationally-ranked wrestlers.
Utley, the second seed, has twice placed in the Ironman and earned state runner-up honors to superstar wrestlers (Zach Toal in 2009 and Phillips this past year). As a key piece to a winning football program, Utley does have limited off-season competitive wrestling, though what he has done has been successful, and he already is signed with the University of North Carolina. His projected quarterfinal match is against Preston Quam (San Clemente, CA), fifth in the state last year and fourth at FloNationals. The other part of the bottom half features state champion Evans facing state runner-up Wheeler in a battle of absolute physical specimens.
Friday Matches to Watch: Gresham vs. Joe Tayse (Massillon Perry, OH) -Tayse qualified for state as a freshman as district champion, but went a disappointing 0-2 at state. Taylor vs. James Suvak (St. Edward, OH) -- despite failing to make the state tournament, Suvak was a NHSCA Sophomore Nationals champion
Predicting a Finals Match: McIntosh (Calvary Chapel) over Utley (CVCA)
215:
Nationally-Ranked Wrestlers: No. 2 Tanner Hall (Meridian, ID), No. 4 Tank Knowles (Calvary Chapel, CA), No. 9 Nick Tavanello (Wadsworth, OH).
Commentary: Compared to last year's bracket at this weight class, there is a lot of depth. Only Knowles was a nationally-ranked wrestler in last year's bracket. This year's grouping has two more nationally-ranked wrestlers and some others whom are credentialed. None the less, the pair of favorites is pretty clear -- and they are Hall and Knowles.
Twice a state champion, Hall came into the past off-season as by no means a superstar. However, he left it one of the elite wrestlers in the Class of 2011. That is what happens when you compete in almost everything and thrive all the time. Hall was a FILA Cadet double champion, FILA Junior double All-American, and Junior National double finalist (champ in freestyle). Knowles won a state title last year after earning titles at the Ironman and in Reno, during the postseason, he was runner-up at FloNationals and a Junior National Greco-Roman medalist.
Looking at the top half of the draw, in which Hall is the number one seed, his likely quarterfinal match would be against either Cadet National freestyle champion Ty Walz (St. Edward, OH) or state qualifier Matt Meadows (CVCA, OH). The other quarter bracket is intriguing with two-time state placer Brian Beattie (Burrell, PA), Carlos Martinez (Oviedo, FL), Ironman placer and state champion Cody Johnson (Broken Arrow, OK), as well as former state placer Mark Meyer (Graham, OH).
Knowles is the second seed and headlines the bottom half of the draw. His likely quarterfinal is against two-time Ironman placer, but zero-time state qualifier, Jason Gott (Elyria, OH). The other quarterfinal in the bottom half of the draw should place state champion Tavanello against Ironman and state placer Anthony Wise (Massillon Perry, OH). This matchup has played out many times -- virtually every time the score has either been 3-2 or the match has gone to overtime with Tavanello winning.
Predicting a Finals Match: Hall (Meridian) over Knowles (Calvary Chapel)
285:
Nationally-Ranked Wrestlers: No. 5 Brooks Black (Blair Academy, NJ), No. 9 Doug Vollaro (Oviedo, FL), No. 19 Terrance Jean-Jacques (Wyoming Seminary, PA).
Commentary: This is one of those weights where the absence of a specific wrestler can be truly felt, and that is the case with Junior National freestyle champion Greg Kuhar (St. Edward, OH) not entered in the tournament. Kuhar, ranked 11th in this weight class nationally, was a key contributor on the defensive line of a state title winning football team whose season ended last weekend.
As for those competing, Cadet National and FILA Cadet double champion Black is the favorite. Last year, Black placed at both the Ironman and Beast as a freshman, and was runner-up at the National Prep Championships, he is currently the top ranked Class of 2013 wrestler in the country. His most formidable challenger should be Vollaro, a state champion who was runner-up to Black in all four major tournaments this spring/summer, Greco-Roman and freestyle at both the FILA Cadet and Cadet Nationals. Vollaro was also runner-up at the Preseason Nationals, losing to top-ranked Cody Krumwiede in the final.
The two other contenders in this weight are Jean-Jacques, a New England Regional champion and NHSCA Junior National runner-up last year, and state champion Ross Burbank (Cox, VA).
Unseeded Wrestlers to Watch: Levi Pickerel (Toledo Central Catholic, OH), backup to a state finalist last year, and state alternate Carlos Lugo (Akron SVSM, OH)
Predicting a Finals Match: Black (Blair Academy) over Vollaro (Oviedo)
Team:
There are fifteen of the top fifty teams in the nation in this field, starting with four of the top eight: No. 2 Graham (OH), No. 3 Blair Academy (NJ), No. 5 St. Edward (OH), and No. 8 Wyoming Seminary (PA). However, of these teams only Graham comes into Ironman at perceived full strength.
As discussed in the 119 pound preview, Evan Silver has been closed out of the Blair Academy lineup, which effects overall squad depth. After winning a state title in football this past weekend, St. Edward is without two starters in nationally ranked Kuhar and Cadet National freestyle All-American Dominic Abounader (160). Wyoming Seminary has seen National Prep medalist Garrett Hammond return to his home school, lost former Cadet freestyle All-American Matt Bilodeau due to injury, and will be without the services of double Junior National All-American Tyler Fraley (125) and NHSCA Sophomore National champion AJ Vizcarrando (215).
Two of the few teams operating with all hands on deck are No. 17 Marmion Academy, IL and No. 23 Massillon Perry, OH. These two teams have quality depth across their lineups and could be legit threats for third place given the question marks across the field.
No. 19 Montini Catholic, IL has their lone nationally ranked Kevon Powell (112/119) not entered in the tournament. Though No. 22 Selma, CA was only slated to send a partial squad, they bring even less than expected with nationally ranked Joey Lozano (160/171) and two-time state placer Nathan Zarate (145) out of the lineup.
Other nationally-ranked teams in the tournament include No. 31 Cox (VA), No. 3 Christiansburg (VA), No. 34 Broken Arrow (OK), No. 36 Pittsburgh Central Catholic (PA), No. 43 Burrell (PA), No. 48 Wadsworth (OH), and No. 50 Oviedo (FL).
Look for the team race to be very close between Graham and Blair Academy with the superior depth of the Graham squad making it the favorites to come home with the Ironman trophy for the second time in three years. St. Edward is my pick to finish in third, while the race for fourth is wide open.
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