This field includes 23 of the nation's Top 100 seniors, 19 of the Top 50 juniors, 18 of the Top 50 sophomores, and 10 of the Top 25 freshmen. Among that group is the nation's best senior in Taylor Massa (St. Johns, Mich.), the nation's best sophomore in Chance Marsteller (Kennard Dale, Pa.), along with number two ranked wrestlers in the senior, junior, and freshman classes -- Jason Tsirtsis (Crown Point, Indiana), Ben Whitford (St. Johns, Mich.), and Matthew Kolodzik (Miami Valley, Ohio).
Fifteen wrestlers that have made a Super 32 Challenge final over the years are among the anchor wrestlers of the field. It includes an impressive five of such wrestlers in the 126 pound weight class, the premier weight class of the tournament: defending champions Anthony Ashnault (South Plainfield, N.J.) and Nathan Kraisser (Centennial, Md.); along with runners-up in Zain Retherford (Benton, Pa.), 2009 champion Joey Dance (Christiansburg, Va.), and Rossi Bruno (Brandon, Fla.).
Rounding out that cast of characters is 2008 runner-up Jacob Crawford (Millbrook, Va.) at 145 pounds along with 2008 and 2009 runner-up Taylor Massa.
The following is a breakdown of some of the (many) key wrestlers in each weight class, along with potential thoughts on what might happen over the two-day tournament.
106:
Even though this weight lacks a true "mega-star", there are still many highly credentialed wrestlers within this field -- seven are ranked in their respective graduating class, and eleven have earned All-American honors in Fargo (Junior and/or Cadet Nationals) at some point of their career. Leading this field is Nathan Boston (Indiana), who was undefeated during his freshman season of high school and a FloNationals runner-up in March 2011. A key feature of this opening weight class is impact freshmen, including Matthew Kolodzik (Miami Valley, Ohio), Dylan Lucas (Brandon, Fla.), Michael Kemerer (Franklin Regional, Pa.), A.C. Headlee (Waynesburg, Pa.), and Fredy Stroker (Bettendorf, Iowa). Other notables include state champions Sean Russell (Collins Hill, Ga.), Coy Ozias (Christiansburg, Va.), and Kyle Kelly (Chenango Forks, N.Y.); NHSCA Freshman Nationals champ Ryan Millhof (Collins Hill, Ga.); Junior National double All-American Jan Rosenberg (Morris Knolls, N.J.); and three-time Cadet National All-American Brent Fleetwood (Smyrna, Del.).
Finals Prediction: Nathan Boston over Matthew Kolodzik
113:
This is a very deep weight class that includes six returning Super 32 Challenge placers, along with ten additional wrestlers that have earned All-American honors in Fargo. Headline figures include last year's Super 32 finalists at 103 pounds -- Darian Cruz (Bethlehem Catholic, Pa.) and Nathan Tomasello (CVCA, Ohio) - each also won a title in Fargo this past summer. Other returning place-winners are two-time state champion Ryan Diehl (Trinity, Pa.), three-time Cadet All-Americans Dalton Macri (Canon-McMillan, Pa.) and Zac Hall (St. Johns, Mich.), along with state champion Billy Rappo (Council Rock South, Pa.). Also in this weight are FILA Cadet freestyle champion Dalton Brady (Colo.), Junior National freestyle runner-up Jarred Brooks (Warsaw, Indiana), and Junior National double All-American Jordan Wigger (Summerville, S.C.). Additional notable wrestlers include state champions JR Wert (Christiansburg, Va.), Cassidy Oshiro (Maryknoll, Hawaii), James Flint (Brandon, Fla.), Braun Marquez (Canyon Randall, Texas), and Brendan Calas (Seton Hall Prep, N.J.).
Finals Prediction: Dalton Brady over Nathan Tomasello
120:
The three featured wrestlers in this weight placed in the top five of last year's absolute meat-grinder of a weight class at 112 pounds in the Super 32. George DiCamillo (St. Ignatius, Ohio) followed that up with a second Ironman title, along with initial state and FloNationals championships; Jacob Schmitt (St. Johns, Mich.) and Conner Schram (Canon-McMillan, Pa.) made their second state finals appearances in as many high school seasons, while Schmitt also placed second in freestyle at the FILA Cadet Nationals and was a Junior Greco-Roman All-American. Others of note in this weight class include state champions Austin Hood (Louisburg, Kansas), Eric Montoya (Volcano Vista, N.M.), Cody Hummer (Savannah, Mo.), and Kaleb LeMaire (Caesar Rodney, Del.). Also meriting attention are 2010 state champions Emilio Martinez (Greeley West, Colo.), Will Mason (Cape Henry Collegiate, Va.), Alec Dierna (Wayne, N.Y.), and Drew Ferguson-Mitchell (Collins Hill, Ga.). In addition are National Prep placers Jacob Goodwin (Bishop Lynch, Texas) and Andrew Atkinson (Liberty Christian, Va.), FloNationals runner-up Cody Stainbrook (Walsh Jesuit, Ohio), and Junior National freestyle All-American Eli Hale (Miami, Okla.).
Finals Prediction: George DiCamillo over Jacob Schmitt
126:
As discussed in the lead portion of this article, the weight class is absolutely stacked with five returning Super 32 finalists. Those include three-time state champions Rossi Bruno (Brandon, Fla.) and Nathan Kraisser (Centennial, Md.), two-time state champions Anthony Ashnault (South Plainfield, N.J.) and Joey Dance (Christiansburg, Va.), along with 2010 state champion Zain Retherford (Benton, Pa.). Yet those five don't even scratch the surface of the quality present in this weight class. Three other wrestlers placed in last year's Super 32 Challenge -- 2010 Junior freestyle All-American Eric Devos (Waverly-Shell Rock, Iowa), Russell Coleman (Park Hill, Mo.), and Chris Caton (Northside Christian, N.C.). Other multiple-time state champions in this weight include Brandon Brunner (The Baylor School, Tennessee), FloNationals champion Dean Heil (St. Edward, Ohio), David Jeffrey (Parkersburg South, West Va.), Ryan O'Boyle (Central Catholic, Massachusetts), 2010 FloNationals runner-up Cody Phillips (Union County, Indiana), Zach Watson (The Baylor School, Tennessee), Skyler Wood (Platte County, Mo.), and Garrison White (Robinson, N.C.). Yet other notable wrestlers are Cadet freestyle runner-up finishers Jonce Blaylock (Berryhill, Okla.) and Gary Wayne Harding (Collinsville, Okla.), along with two-time state finalists in Alex Calandrino (Howell, Mich.), Corey Keener (Blue Mountain, Pa.) Randy Cruz (Bethlehem Catholic, Pa.), Dane Harlowe (Annandale, Va.), and Jake Smith (Newark Memorial, Calif.).
Finals Prediction: Rossi Bruno over Nathan Kraisser
132:
Three wrestlers in the top ten of their respective graduating classes stand out as the best in this weight class -- two-time Super 32 runner-up Brandon Jeske (Cox, Va.), 2008 Super 32 champion Alex Cisneros (Selma, Calif.), and Junior National Greco-Roman champion Kevin Norstrem (Brandon, Fla.). Three other former Super 32 placers feature in this weight class as well -- Shyheim Brown (Central Dauphin, Pa.), Tyson Dippery (Central Dauphin, Pa.), and John Fahy (Trinity, Kentucky). Also in this field are four additional Junior National Greco-Roman All-Americans in Laike Gardner (Biglerville, Pa.), Julian Purdy (Nevada Union, Calif.), Arty Walsh (Schuylkill Valley, Pa.), and Joey Ward (Moeller, Ohio); along with Junior National freestyle All-American Brant Schafer (St. Johns, Mich.). Additional state champions in this weight class include Davey Dolan (Berryhill, Okla.), Campbell Lewis (Soddy Daisy, Tennessee), and Neal Molloy (Danville, Indiana). Notable multi-time state placers include Colt Cotten (Benton, Pa.), Devon Jackson (Yorktown, Indiana), Brandon Keller (Timber Creek, N.J.), and Connor Melde (Bergen Catholic, N.J.).
Finals Prediction: Brandon Jeske over Alex Cisneros
138:
With the consolidation of middle-weight classes this year (last year's 125, 130, 135, 140, and 145 are shrunk into 126, 132, 138, and 145), there are going to be some weight classes in tournaments that are absolutely star-laden due to the lack of competitive options. This is one of those cases. The second-ranked senior and junior in the nation are both in this weight class -- two-time Super 32 runner-up Jason Tsirtsis (Crown Point, Indiana) and three-time Fargo double finalist Ben Whitford (St. Johns, Mich.). Additional stars in this weight class are FloNationals champion Nate Skonieczny (Walsh Jesuit, Ohio), a pair of FloNationals runners-up in Quentin Murphy (Holley Central, N.Y.) and Steve Spearman (Erie McDowell, Pa.), and two-time Super 32 placer Brent Fickel (Padua). Other state champions in this field are NHSCA Junior National runner-up Tony DeAngelo (Southern Alamance, N.C.), Nick Trimble (Sparta, Mich.), FloNationals placer Gabe Morse (Lowell, Mich.), and Brooks Martino (Robinson, Va.). Wrestlers that have finished second in the state include Josh Pennell (St. Johns, Mich.), Austin Matthews (Reynolds, Pa.), James Dekrone (John Glenn, N.Y.), and Mitch Newhouse (Massillon Perry, Ohio).
Finals Prediction: Jason Tsirtsis over Ben Whitford
145:
Leading the way in this weight class is three-time state champion, two-time state placer, and NHSCA Juniors champion Jacob Crawford (Millbrook, Va.). Three other InterMat Top 100 seniors anchor the weight class: two-time Junior National freestyle All-American Matt Cimato (LaSalle, Pa.), three-time state champion Alec Mooradian (Detroit Catholic Central, Mich.), along with state champion and FloNationals placer Andrew Morse (Lowell, Mich.). Other very formidable seniors in this weight include FloNationals placer Kevin Moylan (Stagg, Ill.), NHSCA Junior Nationals champion Alenick Richardson (St. Peter's Prep, N.J.), Junior National Greco-Roman All-American Cody Ross (Springstead, Fla.), three-time state placers Zach Beitz (Juniata, Pa.) and Connor Mullins (New Castle, Indiana), state champion Joey Moon (Southern Alamance, N.C.), two-time National Prep placer Will Switzer (Archbishop Spalding, Md.), and three-time state runner-up Tanner Minder (Kearney, Mo.). Sophomore superstars include two-time Super 32 placer Solomon Chisko (Canon-McMillan, Pa.), National Prep runner-up Jack Clark (McDonogh, Md.), and Cadet freestyle All-American Jack Bass (Allen, Texas). Top juniors include state champion Cain Salas (Granite City, Ill.), along with state runner-up and Cadet double All-American Garrett Hammond (Chambersburg, Pa.).
Finals Prediction: Jacob Crawford over Matt Cimato
152:
Two years ago as an eighth-grader this young man competed in the Nittany Lion Open. Not only that, but he won a match, and was rather competitive in his two losses. Since then, the reputation of Chance Marsteller (Kennard Dale, Pa.) has only continued to grow. A dominant Cadet freestyle title last summer, an undefeated state championship season as a freshman in the Pennsylvania big-school division, and an absolutely dominant sweep of Greco-Roman and freestyle at the Cadet Duals and Cadet Nationals has transpired in the interim. Marsteller is clearly the best Class of 2014 wrestler in America, and some might argue the best overall high school wrestler in America.
While there is no realistic challenger to Marsteller within this field, any number of wrestlers will be battling for "best of the rest" honors. Notable sophomores in this group include state champion and Cadet freestyle All-American Josh Llopez (La Plata, Md.), state placer Garrett Peppelman (Central Dauphin, Pa.), along with state placer and FloNationals placer Jordan Cooks (Davison, Mich.). Additional state champions in this weight include Kyle Burns (Milan Edison, Ohio), Eric O'Neill (Winter Springs, Fla.), Nick Kee (Scotland, N.C.), Austin Scogg (Rockford, Mich.), Patrick Davis (Woodbridge, Del.), and Aaron Walker (Judson, Texas). Also meriting attention is FILA Cadet freestyle All-American Travis Curley (St. Johns, Mich.).
Finals Prediction: Chance Marsteller over Travis Curley
160:
For the lack of star power present in the prior weight, this group provides more than sufficient compensation with four InterMat Top 100 Class of 2012 recruits as a starting point. This group includes Ironman and Beast of the East champion Jason Luster (Pittsburgh Central Catholic, Pa.) -- a three-time state/National Prep finalist; Beast of the East runner-up Cody Allala (Hopewell, Va.), a three-time state champion; FloNationals and Junior National Greco-Roman champion Geordan Speiller (Pine Castle Christian, Fla.), a two-time state champion; along with Beast of the East champion Devon Gobbo (Delbarton, N.J.), a two-time state placer and Super 32 placer. Additional wrestlers to watch include FloNationals placers Tyler Askey (Northgate, Ga.) and Geno Morelli (DuBois, Pa.); Junior National Greco-Roman All-American Burke Paddock (Warsaw, N.Y.); state champions Jordan Wohlfert (St. Johns, Mich.), John Crowley (Regis, Colo.), and Zach Epperly (Christiansburg, Va.); NHSCA Junior placers Vincent Favia (Christian Brothers, N.J.), Ben Sullivan (Apple Valley, Minn.), and Justin Spyres (Green Run, Va.); along with state runners-up Victor Pereira (Newark Memorial, Calif.) and Adam Jackson (Rosemount, Minn.).
Finals Prediction: Jason Luster over Cody Allala
170:
Like the 152 pound weight anchored by the nation's top sophomore, this weight is anchored by one of the true elite wrestlers in America -- Taylor Massa (St. Johns, Mich.). Massa is seeking an elusive Super 32 title having finished third, second, second, and third in his prior attempts. The University of Mich. bound wrestler is ranked as the top recruit in the Class of 2012, has won three state titles, and is a two-time FILA Junior National freestyle champion. An additional similarity, is the lack of a bona fide challenger, though the contender group has some pretty solid wrestlers.
Other state champions in this weight class include Junior Greco-Roman All-American Kyle Koziel (Brandon, Fla.), Forrest Przybysz (Jefferson, Ga.), Tanner Tinsley (Hanover, Va.), Jacob Haydock (Brandon, Fla.), Jared Haught (Parkersburg, West Va.), Cadet freestyle runner-up Parker Vonegidy (Piedmont, N.C.), and NHSCA freshman champion Chip Ness (Buford, Ga.). Additional wrestlers meriting attention are state placers Elliott Riddick (Bethlehem Catholic, Pa.), Connor Moran (Solanco, Pa.), and Austin Coniker (Pittsburgh Central Catholic, Pa.); along with National Prep placer Tyler Rill (Mt. St. Joseph, Md.), Super 32 placer Brian Dorsey (Bowie, Texas), and NHSCA Sophomore champion Nick Zak (Jackson Liberty, N.J.).
Finals Prediction: Taylor Massa over Kyle Koziel
182:
The other side of the consolidation of weight classes in the middle is the increase of classes in the upper weights. What used to be the three weight classes of 171, 189, and 215 is now a four weight stretch of 170, 182, 195, and 220. This weight class is similar to the 180 weight that had been contested in prior years in Texas, but is new for high school wrestling overall. Despite that, there is excellent quality present in this weight class with a pair of defending Super 32 champions in Brandon Griffin (Sprague, Ore.) and Cody Wiercioch (Canon-McMillan, Pa.). Other superstars in this weight include two-time Junior National freestyle All-American Jordan Thomas (Greenville, Mich.), state champions and returning Super 32 placers Chaz Gresham (Goshen, Ohio) and Jesse Doyle (Wheatmore, N.C.), NHSCA Junior Nationals champion Tim Dudley (Irmo, S.C.), as well as FloNationals and Junior Greco-Roman runner-up Kevin Beazley (Detroit Catholic Central, Mich.). Others meriting attention include state champions Greg Wilson (Keller Central, Texas), Taylor Jackson (Citrus, Fla.), and Gray Jones (Camden County, Ga.); NHSCA Junior Nationals placers David Reck (Colonial Forge, Va.) and Victor Pozsonyi (Roselle Park, N.J.); along with Super 32 placer Jared Lux (North Allegheny, Pa.).
Finals Prediction: Jordan Thomas over Brandon Griffin
195:
This weight class and the next weight class are where the after-effects of the weight class change really show, both in terms of quality depth and quantity of participants. A pair of star juniors headlines the field in this weight -- two-time Cadet National double (Greco-Roman and freestyle) champion Mitch Sliga (Fishers, Indiana) and two-time state finalist, 2010 Cadet freestyle champion, Brooks Climmons (Pope, Ga.). Additional wrestlers to note include a trio of NHSCA Junior Nationals placers in Joe Jessen (Millbrook, Va.), Cameron King (Trinity, N.C.), and James Suvak (St. Edward, Ohio). Also present in the field are state champion Cody Davis (Pigeon Forge, Tennessee) along with state placers Payne Hayden (St. Johns, Mich.) and Matt McCutcheon (Kiski Area, Pa.).
Finals Prediction: Mitch Sliga over Brooks Climmons
220:
Winning a state championship as a freshman is a genuine accomplishment. Winning it in the Keystone State makes it all the more impressive. But to do it at 215 pounds, against 18 and 19 year old men, is all the more impressive. That is what Thomas Haines (Solanco, Pa.) did this past year. This sophomore, ranked No. 11 nationally, regardless of weight is a strong favorite to emerge with the belt on Sunday afternoon. Others to watch include state champion Chuckie Kerkesner (Cypress Lake, Fla.) along with state placers Ray Stone (Akron SVSM, Ohio), Trevor Stevens (Pope, Ga.), and Garrett Linton (Rootstown, Ohio).
Finals Prediction: Thomas Haines over Chuckie Kerkesner
285:
Last, and least in terms of participants in this tournament, is the heavyweights. None the less, there are a couple of high profile names in this field. First and foremost is Junior National double All-American Doug Vollaro (Pine Castle Christian, Fla.), who also was a FloNationals champion and earned second consecutive double runner-up honors at the FILA Cadet Nationals this spring. Joining Vollaro as an InterMat Top 100 senior in this weight is John Dreggors (Springstead, Fla.), a state runner-up who won titles at the NHSCA Junior National and FILA Cadet Greco-Roman tournaments this spring. Additional wrestlers in this weight class include National Prep runner-up Terrance Jean-Jacques (Haverhill, Massachusetts), Junior National freestyle All-American DaQuante Timbers (Freedom, Va.), state champion Lucas Ryan (Stonewall Jackson, Va.), and NHSCA Freshman champion Jesse Webb (Mt. Anthony Union, Vt.).
Finals Prediction: Doug Vollaro over John Dreggors
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