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With the graduation of 10 former state champions in 2009, it opens up a new class of seniors itching for a spot on top of the podium. This year features five returning champions, including two-time champion Sean McMurray of Portage and one-time champion and three-time finalist Brandon Wright of Warren Central. Frankie Porras, Michael Duckworth and Anthony Hawkins round out the other returning champions. Two wrestlers in the top ten have already committed to wrestling at the next level after graduation. Braden Atwood has committed to Purdue and Sean McMurray has committed to wrestle for Michigan State.
1a. Sean McMurray
School: Portage
09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 160
Projected College Weight Class: 165
Scouting Report: McMurray heads into the 2009-10 season looking to finish off one of the greatest careers in Indiana history. After finishing seventh at 112 in 2007, McMurray captured state titles at 135 in 2008 and at 152 in 2009. In 2009-10 he looks to join the likes of recent Indiana products Andrew Howe and Reece Humphrey as a three-time IHSAA state champion. McMurray has just verbally committed to wrestle for Michigan State next year.
1b. Brandon Wright
Brandon Wright09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 125
Projected College Weight Class: 125
Scouting Report: Wright will begin the 2009-10 season in a new environment this year after his transfer from Indianapolis Cathedral to Warren Central. The former Cadet National freestyle champion will look to finish off his career with a second state title. He has been runner-up at 103 in 2007, champion at 112 in 2008, and runner-up at 119 in 2009. Ironically, all three of his previous state championship match appearances came against Purdue recruit Camden Eppert. He is also the son of four-time Division II national champion Tim Wright.
3. Frankie Porras
School: Hobart
09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 140
Projected College Weight Class: 141
Scouting Report: Porras has been a consistent performer starting early on. He qualified for state as a freshman and then finished second as a sophomore to three-time champion Josh Harper before capturing his first title last year at 130 pounds. Last summer saw Porras finish eighth at Cadet Nationals in freestyle while, this spring he finished fifth at the NHSCA Junior Nationals and also went 7-1 at the Brute Scholastic Duals.
4. Michael Duckworth
School: Union County
09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 189
Projected College Weight Class: 184
Scouting Report: As a sophomore, Duckworth had a monumental challenge in the state finals. That challenge was now NCAA runner-up Andrew Howe. While Duckworth did not win that match, he was the only wrestler that day that Howe did not tech fall or pin. This year at state Duckworth had to fend off landmines everywhere from Braden Atwood in the quarterfinals to avenging a loss to Bryce Grimes in the finals. This spring Duckworth also placed fifth at the NHSCA Junior Nationals.
5. Ryan Stahl
School: Mishawaka
09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 152
Projected College Weight Class: 157
Scouting Report: Stahl had a great spring and summer of wrestling after his runner-up finish this year. He first finished eighth at the NHSCA Junior Nationals. Then he came one match from placing in Junior Greco and proceeded to place eighth in an absolutely loaded weight class in freestyle. Among his wins was a pin of highly touted Destin McCauley of Minnesota.
6. Anthony Hawkins
School: Crown Point
09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 125
Projected College Weight Class: 125
Scouting Report: Hawkins has steadily improved each year at state, from being a qualifier as a freshman, to fourth place as a sophomore, to state champion as a junior.
7. Sammy Bennett
School: Anderson Highland
09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 152
Projected College Weight Class: 157
Scouting Report: Bennett will be looking for the ever-elusive state title this year. His freshman year he was a state qualifier at 140 pounds and as a sophomore he lost in the state finals at 145 pounds. This past season he lost to eventual state champion, Daniel Young, in the semifinals and finished third. This spring he placed fifth at the NHSCA Junior Nationals.
8. Christian Lentz
School: Mishawaka
09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 215
Projected College Weight Class: 285
Scouting Report: Lentz took full advantage of his first full year of varsity action by placing second in the state this past season. He went 4-2 at the Junior Duals wrestling heavyweight, but will be back down to 215 pounds this season.
9. Brandon Nelsen
School: Lawrence North
09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 119
Projected College Weight Class: 125
Scouting Report: Nelsen has finished in the top four of the state all three years so far, but never reached the finals. As a freshman he finished fourth and as a sophomore and junior brought home third-place medals. He has also placed fourth in Junior Nationals in freestyle at 105 pounds in 2008 and sixth at the NHSCA Junior Nationals.
10. Braden Atwood
School: Delphi
09-10 Projected High School Weight Class: 189
Projected College Weight Class: 184
Scouting Report: Atwood finished fourth and fifth in the state the past two years. He also finished fifth in Cadet Freestyle in 2008 at 171 pounds. He went 6-1 at the Brute Scholastic Duals, including avenging his quarterfinal loss to Michael Duckworth. His only loss was to Jahwon Akui of Illinois. Atwood has verbally committed to wrestle for Purdue next season.
Honorable Mention:
Brock Norton (Fort Wayne Carroll)
Nathan Cleveland (Lowell)
Derek Bevans (Yorktown)
Zach Stevens (Merrillville)
Mason Berryman (Anderson Highland)
Tony Lovejoy (Fort Wayne Bishop Luers)
Zach Corpe (Elkhart Memorial)
James Travis (Merrillville)
Alex Surma (Munster)
Michael Johnson-Jones (Warren Central)
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