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    Steve Elwood •

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    Wrestling 49: Minnesota

    With the high school wrestling season's start nearing, InterMat is taking readers across the United States of America on a tour of scholastic wrestling. From mid-August until mid-November, InterMat is introducing readers to the top high school senior wrestlers in the 49 states with scholastic wrestling.

    In this installment, Steve Elwood looks at the top senior wrestlers in Minnesota.

    Minnesota's top ten this year is rather top-heavy. I think there is a pretty solid argument to interchange any of the top four. But from my view, I like to put emphasis on national results and I think a multiple-time state champion in AAA means a little more than A.

    1. Tommy Thorn (St. Michael-Albertville)
    Projected High School Weight Class: 126/132
    Projected College Weight Class: 133

    Tommy Thorn (Photo/Jeff Beshey, The Guillotine)
    Analysis: Thorn is the only possible wrestler that can win a fourth state title. Minnesota had one last year as well, Jake Short. Tommy is the last of the trio of Thorns to wrestle for STMA. His two older brothers Mike and David had seven state titles between them. David is the current starter for the Minnesota Gophers at 133, and a returning All-American. Tommy is a two-time Fargo freestyle champion and a Cadet National champion in folkstyle. He has also been a FILA Cadet National freestyle champion twice. When I ask what weight wrestlers plan on for the season, I have often heard this: "It depends on where Thorn goes." His record is 150-6. One more state title and the Thorns will have the record for one set of brothers with 11. Thorn has committed to Minnesota.

    2. Seth Gross (Apple Valley)
    Projected High School Weight Class: 132/138
    Projected College Weight Class: 141

    Seth Gross (Photo/Mark Beshey, The Guillotine)
    Analysis: It's hard to not pick Seth Gross No. 1 as he sits alone and on top at 132 nationally. He owns one less state title than Thorn, losing to him in the finals when they were both freshmen. That was my tipping point. Otherwise these two lightweights are likely to face off many times in their college careers. Gross has a crazy record in Fargo, winning three stop signs and one runner-up. He has an uncanny ability to win on the big stage against insurmountable odds. This past summer he had an exciting win over Kyle Gliva in the freestyle finals at 132 pounds. He enters his last season with a record of 150-13. He has committed to Iowa.

    3. Sam Stoll (Kasson-Mantorville)
    Projected High School Weight Class: 285
    Projected College Weight Class: 285

    Sam Stoll (Photo/Jeff Beshey, The Guillotine)
    Analysis: "Slamming Sammy" Stoll is my pick as the top heavyweight in the nation. It's too bad he won't have a chance to face Nick Nevills (Clovis, Calif.) anytime this season. Stoll turned everyone's head by winning a bronze at the Junior Worlds in Greco-Roman. Stoll also cruised through an undefeated season (49-0) anchoring the Komet team and winning its very first team title in wrestling. Of those 49 wins, 37 were pins (21 came in the first minute) and only one match went six minutes (9-1 major decision). Stoll also is a two-time Cadet National champion in Fargo. Like Gross, Stoll has committed to Iowa.

    4. Nathan Rose (Sibley East)
    Projected High School Weight Class: 195/220
    Projected College Weight Class: 197

    Nathan Rose (Photo/Jeff Beshey, The Guillotine)
    Analysis: Nathan Rose shot up on the radar nationally after an upset win at the JJ Classic over Lance Benick in October of 2012. He followed that performance by rolling through the regular season for the second straight year without a loss. Rose comes from a non-traditional wrestling high school and already owns the school record for wins (176) and pins (98). Rose enters his senior campaign as a six-year starter and will be the overwhelming favorite to win his third state title in class A. Nathan has had national success as well, winning two NHSCA Nationals titles. He has committed to Minnesota.

    5. Larry Bomstad (ACGC)
    Projected High School Weight Class: 152/160
    Projected College Weight Class: 157

    Larry Bomstad (Photo/Jeff Beshey, The Guillotine)
    Analysis: Larry "The Bomber" Bomstad might be the sleeper among this top ten. He finished last season as a state champion with a perfect 48-0 season, and only had one loss during his sophomore season. Larry has had four trips to the podium during the state tournament, finishing first, second, third, and fifth. He will be a heavy favorite to win it again. Bomstad has been an All-American at the NHSCA Nationals three times. His overall record is 182-16. He has committed to St. Cloud State.

    6. Mark Voss (St. Michael-Albertville)
    Projected High School Weight Class: 138
    Projected College Weight Class: 141/149

    Mark Voss (Photo/Mark Beshey, The Guillotine)
    Analysis: STMA's second entrant is the team leader and close friend of Tommy Thorn. Voss has a record of 111-27. His most impressive wins nationally include Logan Massa and Zahid Valencia. He has many All-American finishes including Junior folkstyle, and twice in Cadet folkstyle. He was also a runner-up at the JJ Classic in 2012. Voss pulled off one of the giant wins of the state tournament by defeating Seth Gross and allowing STMA to share the team title with Apple Valley.

    7. Skyler Petry (WEM)
    Projected High School Weight Class: 120
    Projected College Weight Class: 125

    Skyler Petry (Photo/Jeff Beshey, The Guillotine)
    Analysis: Skyler Petry has spent most of his career getting his arm raised. He has a nice record of 153-17, yet lacks an elusive state or national title as a high school wrestler. He has finishes of second, third, and fifth in Minnesota's state tournament. He has plenty of runner-up finishes nationally. They include second-place finishes at Fargo in Junior Greco-Roman, Preseason Nationals, FILA Cadet Greco-Roman, and Cadet Nationals in folkstyle. He was also a JJ Classic runner-up in 2012. Petry should be a favorite to get that elusive top spot this season.

    8. T.J. Ohara (Tartan)
    Projected High School Weight Class: 170/182
    Projected College Weight Class: 174/184

    T.J. Ohara (Photo/Mark Beshey, The Guillotine)
    Analysis: T.J. Ohara shocked the Minnesota wrestling world two seasons ago when he upset Mason Manville (Apple Valley) in the state semifinals and went on to take the state title as a sophomore. He followed this with a runner up finish as a junior. His overall record is an impressive 160-22. This season he could be a rare six-time state qualifier. Ohara has been a Cadet freestyle All-American twice. He was also a runner-up at the 2012 JJ Classic. He is a star at one of Minnesota's lesser-known wrestling schools.

    9. Gannon Volk (Apple Valley)
    Projected High School Weight Class: 120
    Projected College Weight Class: 125/133

    Gannon Volk (Photo/Mark Beshey, The Guillotine)
    Analysis: Gannon Volk has spent most of his wrestling career trying to get bigger to make the lineup for perennial power Apple Valley. It helps explain his record of 74-14. Last season he had an impressive run coming up short in the state championship finals to Tommy Thorn. Volk is one of the very few Cadet National Triple Crown winners, claiming titles in all three styles in 2011. Gannon is expected to be one of the leaders as Valley should contend for a Clash championship.

    10. Luke Rowh (Hastings)
    Projected High School Weight Class: 145
    Projected College Weight Class: 141/149

    Luke Rowh (Photo/Mark Beshey, The Guillotine)
    Analysis: Luke Rowh has been to the state tournament three times and has managed to make the podium every year. He has finished third, fifth, and fifth. His record during those three seasons is 114-30. Rowh has had some nice success during the offseason. He was a FILA Cadet freestyle All-American. He also can boast an All-American finish in the Cadet Greco-Roman competition. Luke looks to lead Hastings back to the state tournament as a team and will be a favorite to win an individual state title.
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