Each of the top four teams in the country competed in the tournament, and none finished in the position that their previous ranking would have suggested: fourth-ranked St. Paris Graham, Ohio won the title; top-ranked Blair Academy, N.J. was runner-up; second-ranked Oak Park River Forest, Ill. was third; while third-ranked Wyoming Seminary, Pa. took home fourth place.
Due to personnel situations with each team, it would be too simplistic to solely look at the tournament standings, and say that’s your ranking. However, when considering for personnel situations, the adjusted standings do reflect the present ranking of the top four teams within the Fab 50.
St. Paris Graham were champions with 211 points. The Falcons placed nine wrestlers, and had all core pieces present. However, one starter was missing due to injury. Returning state placer Josh Couchman will be back in the lineup at 220 pounds, where he might be a little light, at some point in mid-January.
Oak Park River Forest finished third with 173 points. The Huskies placed eight wrestlers, but were without No. 4 Larry Early at 145 pounds, who is almost assuredly a finalist in this event. Early’s replacement did win a couple of matches; however, adding Early to the lineup is a 20-plus point injection. They were also without returning state qualifier Allen Stallings at 220 pounds, for whom Ironman placement was plausible (slightly more than for Couchman).
Blair Academy was runner-up with 189.5 points, including nine place-finishers. The Buccaneers had all wrestlers in their projected lineup present. The lack of a 285 pound wrestler is going to be an issue all season, and will almost assuredly have to be addressed by a lineup flex during key dual meets.
Wyoming Seminary was fourth in the standings with 134 points, including seven medalists. The Blue Knights suffered from the absence of No. 3 Nick Reenan at 170 pounds, a likely finialist in this event. The replacement for Reenan did win multiple matches during the tournament, but the addition of Reenan in the lineup is a 20-plus point addition.
Given the above commentary, the top four is as follows: No. 1 St. Paris Graham, No. 2 Oak Park River Forest, No. 3 Blair Academy, and No. 4 Wyoming Seminary.
Beast of the East
The third full weekend of scholastic wrestling for the 2014-15 season is the opening weekend of wrestling for schools that compete in New Jersey’s state high school athletic association. Four of the five Garden State schools -- that aren’t Blair -- within the nation’s Fab 50 will be competing at the Beast of the East this Saturday and Sunday: No. 12 St. Peter’s Prep, No. 15 Bergen Catholic, No. 18 Don Bosco Prep, and No. 39 Phillipsburg.
Those four schools are joined by seven other Fab 50 teams to form a star studded field for the tournament, which will be held at the Bob Carpenter Center on the campus of the University of Delaware. The other ranked teams include No. 3 Blair Academy (N.J.), No. 19 Cumberland Valley (Pa.), No. 22 Bethlehem Catholic (Pa.), No. 23 Massillon Perry (Ohio), No. 31 McDonogh (Md.), No. 38 Brecksville (Ohio), and No. 46 Colonial Forge (Va.)
A full event-specific preview for the tournament will be posted on Friday.
Reno Tournament of Champions
All the way across the country is the yet another major tournament, as the Reno TOC celebrates its 20th anniversity. The high school division event will be held on Friday and Saturday. Among the close to 100 team field are four members of the Fab 50 : No. 20 Poway, Calif., the defending tournament champions; No. 33 Crook County, Ore.; No. 40 Mesa Mountain View, Ariz.; and No. 49 Pleasant Grove, Utah. Other notable teams in the field include Centennial, Idaho; Lewiston, Idaho; Maple Mountain, Utah; and Roseburg, Ore.
Nationally ranked wrestlers in the field:
106: No. 3 Tomas Gutierrez (Pomona, Colo.)
113: No. 15 Ian Timmins (Wooster, Nev.)
132: No. 4 Boo Lewallen (Yukon, Okla.), No. 12 Richard Montoya (Robertson, N.M.), No. 14 Sean Cannon (Green Valley, Nev.), No. 15 Taylor LaMont (Maple Mountain, Utah)
138: No. 15 Alex Rich (Crescent Valley, Ore.)
145: No. 6 Ralphy Tovar (Poway, Calif.), No. 12 Bryce Parson (Lewiston, Idaho), No. 16 Matthew Park (Centennial, Idaho)
170: No. 19 Colt Doyle (Poway, Calif.)
182: No. 7 Jacob Armstrong (Salem Hills, Utah)
King of the Mountain
While the Walsh Jesuit Ironman dominated the wrestling headlines this past weekend, there was other stuff going on, and among the more notable events was the King of the Mountain Tournament held in the Keystone State. No. 22 Bethlehem Catholic won the tournament for a second straight year scoring 198 points, and placing eight wrestlers (six in the top three), despite the absence of returning state placer Joey Gould at 132 pounds.
The sole champion for the Hawks was No. 11 Andrew Dunn at 220 pounds. A pair of Bethlehem Catholic wrestlers finished runner-up in their respective weight classes, Mike Labriola (152) and Adam Soldridge (170); while three others -- Jake Riegel (120), Luke Karam (126), and Cole Karam (145) -- placed third. Rounding out the placers were Luke Carty (113) in seventh and Stephen Maloney (138) in sixth.
A narrow runner-up was Greater Latrobe with 189 points, despite placing nine wrestlers (six in the top six), which was one more than the title-winning Hawks. This performance moves the Wildcats up six positions in the Fab 50 to No. 37 overall. Two wrestlers won titles for Greater Latrobe, No. 2 Luke Pletcher (132) and Jake Shaffer (170); three others finished as runner-up -- Ethan McCoy (126), Jake Willochell (145), and Tyler Mears (285); while Ethan Smith (152) placed third. Additonal medalists for the Wildcats were Brady Sherback (106) placing eighth, Joel Cawoski (138) in seventh, and Travis Schmeling (195) placing eighth.
Pletcher was one of two champions to win their finals match in a head-on showdown of nationally ranked wrestlers, his victory coming by 3-1 decision over No. 16 Korbin Myers (Boiling Springs, Pa.). Also winning a key finals showdown was Sam Krivus (Hempfield Area, Pa.) by 5-1 decision over No. 8 Cameron Coy (Penn Trafford, Pa.); Krivus happens to move up to No. 1 nationally at 138 pounds based on that win, along with peripheral happenings nationally.
Rounding out the weight class champions were Riley Palmer (113) and Zach Trample (126) for Council Rock South, Pa.; Matt Parker (Pennridge, Pa.) at 106; John Pipa (Bishop McDevitt, Pa.) at 120; No. 7 Hayden Hidlay (Mifflin County, Pa.) at 145; Devin Austin (Penn Trafford, Pa.) at 160; John Jakobsen (Stroudsburg, Pa.) at 182; Zach Smith (North Allegheny, Pa.) at 195; and Alan Beattie (Burrell, Pa.) at 285.
Kaukauna upset, Bettendorf wins Five Seasons Duals
The Five Seasons Duals were held this past weekend in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Even though No. 24 Bettendorf, Iowa won the tournament bracket, it was Cedar Rapids Prairie that was the story. In the semifinal round they took on nationally ranked Kaukauna, Wis. The Hawks took home victories in eight of fourteen weight classes to earn a 30-27 victory.
Cedar Rapids Prairie won eight matches despite seeing their best wrestler Josh Wenger, three times finishing fourth at state, lose 9-3 to No. 17 Robert Lee at 145 pounds; Wenger bumped up one weight class to wrestle Lee, while Lee is ranked at 138 but weighed in on the day at 145. That matchup was part of the opening six bouts (132-170) from which Kaukauna amassed a 22-3 lead, with the only Hawks win coming in overtime at 138, where Chase St. John beat Zach Lee 9-7.
After the 170 pound match, the Hawks would respond with six straight wins to take a 27-22 lead with two bouts remaining. In that penultimate bout, state runner-up Ty Lee would tie the dual meet for Kaukauna with a 16-1 technical fall. Then in the last bout at 126 pounds two-time state placer Sam Uthoff beat Trent Leon 9-3 to seal the victory for the Hawks.
That outcome would advance Cedar Rapids Prairie to the championship match against Bettendorf. The squads would split matches seven apiece, but the Bulldogs earned the 38-33 victory. Josh Wenger opened the dual meet well enough for the Hawks with a fall at 138 pounds, before the three best wrestlers on the Bulldogs’ team would respond with falls -- No. 2 Fredy Stroker (145), No. 18 Jacob Woodard (152), and No. 10 Dayton Racer (160). Trailing 18-6, Cedar Rapids Prairie answered with six straight victories to take a 33-18 lead heading into the dual meet’s last four matches.
The defending state champion Bulldogs swept those matches, including two pins and a technical fall to seal the dual meet. Those bonus point outcomes came from the other three highly credentialed wrestlers on the Bettendorf roster: state champion Jack Wagner (113), state champion Jacob Schwarm (120), and state runner-up Paul Glynn (132). The other victory came from Jackson Gallagher, who beat two-time state placer Sam Uthoff by 7-3 decision at 126.
Cedar Rapids Prairie jumps into the Fab 50 team rankings at No. 43, while Kaukauna dropped twelve spots to No. 44 overall.
Kansas City Stampede
The forty team field for the Kansas City Stampede features five members of the Fab 50 : No. 6 Archer (Ga.), No. 7 Stillwater (Okla.), No. 24 Bettendorf (Iowa), No. 27 Tuttle (Okla.), and No. 29 Neosho (Mo.). Additional teams to watch in the field include Collinsville (Okla.), Garden City (Kans.), and Sand Springs (Okla.). The tournament format starts with eight preliminary pools, where the top two wrestlers will advance to an upper-bracket, and the next two to a lower-bracket. Each bracket will place out to all 16 positions, with semifinalists guaranteed a top four finish.
Nationally ranked wrestlers in the field:
113: No. 7 Andrew Nieman (Stillwater, Okla.), No. 13 Paxton Rosen (Edmond North, Okla.)
120: No. 3 Daton Fix (Sand Springs, Okla.), No. 10 Christian Moody (Collinsville, Okla.)
126: No. 1 Kaid Brock (Stillwater, Okla.)
138: No. 4 Ke-Shawn Hayes (Park Hill, Mo.), No. 20 Ethan Karsten (Platte County, Mo.)
145: No. 2 Fredy Stroker (Bettendorf, Iowa), No. 10 Tristan Moran (Stillwater, Okla.)
152: No. 18 Jacob Woodard (Bettendorf, Iowa)
160: No. 6 Joe Smith (Stillwater, Okla.), No. 10 Dayton Racer (Bettendorf, Iowa), No. 13 Thomas Bullard (Archer, Ga.)
170: No. 10 Isaiah Patton (Dowling Catholic, Iowa), No. 11 Daniel Bullard (Archer, Ga.)
195: No. 13 Chance Cooper (Timberland, Mo.)
220: No. 7 Dustin Mason (Tuttle, Okla.), No. 20 Garrett Beier (Perry, Okla.)
Minnesota Christmas Tournament
Also on the docket this weekend is an event that is in many ways a combined class state tournament for the Gopher State. Seven of the top eight, along with nine of the top eleven from Class AAA (big-school) are in the field. They are joined by the top five from Class AA (medium-school) per The Guillotine rankings. The 34-team field also includes teams from Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Colorado.
There are three Fab 50 teams in the field -- No. 16 Apple Valley (Minn.), No. 26 St. Michael-Albertville (Minn.), and No. 44 Kaukauna (Wis.). Additional teams to watch in the field are Simley (Minn.), Hastings (Minn.), and West Fargo (N.D.)
Nationally ranked wrestlers in the field:
120: No. 12 Hunter Marko (Amery, Wis.)
126: No. 3 Mitch McKee (St. Michael-Albertville, Minn.)
138: No. 16 Jordan Shearer (West Fargo, N.D.), No. 17 Robert Lee (Kaukauna, Wis.)
145: No. 8 Griffin Parriott (New Prague, Minn.), No. 15 James Pleski (St. Francis, Minn.)
152: No. 9 Brady Berge (Kasson-Mantorville, Minn.)
160: No. 14 Andrew Fogarty (Scott West, Minn.)
170: No. 1 Mark Hall (Apple Valley, Minn.), No. 14 Weston Dobler (West Fargo, N.D.), No. 18 Luke Norland (Jackson County Central, Minn.)
182: No. 4 Keegan Moore (Jackson County Central, Minn.)
195: No. 1 Bobby Steveson (Apple Valley, Minn.), No. 3 Lance Benick (Totino Grace, Minn.)
285: No. 16 Alex Hart (Prior Lake, Minn.)
Dvorak Memorial
This is a strange week on the wrestling calendar with major tournaments not only on Friday and Saturday, but the Beast of the East is a Saturday/Sunday event, and the Dvorak Memorial will be conducted on Monday and Tuesday. Even though the top two teams in Illinois -- Oak Park River Forest and Montini Catholic -- are not in attendance, the field is still loaded.
The 31 teams assembled at Machesney Park Harlem feature five of the top ten ranked teams in Illinois Class AAA (big-school): No. 17 Marmion Academy, No. 42 Marist, Hononegah, Mt. Carmel, and Glenbard North. Other teams in the field include Dakota (tops in Illinois Class A), Iowa City West (ranked No. 5 in Iowa Class AAA), and Lake Highland Prep (ranked tops in Florida Class A)
Nationally ranked wrestlers in the field:
106: No. 10 Joseph Silva (Lake Highland Prep, Fla.), No. 14 Kirk Johansen (Glenbard North, Ill.)
113: No. 5 Austin Gomez (Glenbard North, Ill.)
126: No. 15 Austin O’Connor (St. Rita, Ill.)
182: No. 9 Nathan Traxler (Marmion Academy, Ill.), No. 14 Alex Benoit (Marist, Ill.), No. 16 Tyler DeMoss (Hononegah, Ill.)
195: No. 8 Tyler Johnson (Lockport, Ill.), No. 9 Andrew Marsden (Crystal Lake Central, Ill.)
220: No. 17 Lucas Warren (Marmion Academy, Ill.)
Quick hitters
South Dade, Fla. made a big statement in winning the Jim Graves Invitational at Brandon, Fla. this past weekend. They scored 584 points on the way to a tournament title by almost 100 points, as the Bucs had eleven wrestlers finish in the top three. It included four championship winners: Justin Ramirez (145), No. 16 Patricio Lugo (152), Chei Hill (195), and Michael Rodriguez (220). The Bucs move up 14 spots in the Fab 50 to No. 36 overall; while Brandon moves down 13 spots to No. 50, as the Eagles finished third in the standings with 410 points, but they were missing two starters in state champion Frankie Bruno (126) and state placer Noah Ridley (132).
The Ironman yielded some significant Fab 50 shakeup. Moving up eight spots to No. 31 nationally is McDonogh, Md.; up eleven spots to No. 34 is Delta, Ohio; while Elyria, Ohio makes a debut in the rankings at No. 45 overall. The major downward mover due to the Ironman was Pleasant Grove, Utah, dropping eight spots to No. 49.
With Cedar Rapids Prairie, Iowa and Elyria, Ohio joining the rankings, two teams had to exit the rankings. Those were West Fargo, N.D. and Washington, Ill. West Fargo dropped all the way from No. 31 after a 36-28 dual meet loss against Perham, Minn. -- in which the Packers lost eight weight classes. Washington drops out from No. 48 in the rankings.
In addition to those events featured in the column, there are five others where multiple Fab 50 teams will be present:
No. 2 Oak Park River Forest, Ill. and No. 10 Montini Catholic, Ill. are at the Rex Whitlach Invitational hosted by Hinsdale Central, Ill.
No. 4 Wyoming Seminary, Pa. hosts the Flo-Excalibur Classic at Wilkes College, where one of the other teams is No. 25 Bound Brook, N.J.
No. 5 Clovis, Calif. will be at the Zinkin Classic, which is hosted by No. 11 Buchanan, Calif.
No. 8 Franklin Regional, Pa. hosts a multiple team dual meet event, where one of the other teams is No. 35 Belle Vernon, Pa.
No. 41 Union, Iowa and No. 43 Cedar Rapids Prairie, Iowa are two of the four top-seeded teams at the Battle of Waterloo.
What's on tap this week for Fab 50 teams
See link.
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