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    Ross Halford •

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    Wrestling 49: Nebraska

    With the high school wrestling season's start fast approaching, InterMat will be taking fans across the United States of America on a tour of scholastic wrestling. From now until the middle of November, InterMat will introduce fans to the top high school senior wrestlers in the 49 states with scholastic wrestling. From Alaska to Florida, and Maine to California, fans will gain exposure to future college and senior level stars.

    While the state of Nebraska does not annually produce large numbers of wrestlers that move on to the Division I ranks, every year there are a handful of standouts that could compete with the best in the country. Recent Division I success by homegrown University of Nebraska standouts such as Brandon Browne and Craig Brester (both now coaching at UNL) validates that there are true diamonds in the rough to be found at all corners of the state on a yearly basis.

    Last year's top prospect from the Cornhusker State, Nebraska commit Austin Wilson of Hastings St. Cecilia, finished runner-up at the NSHCA Senior Nationals. Two true freshmen from small schools that graduated in 2010 -- Shawn Nagel of Kimball and Nate Morgan of McCook -- ended up being starters for Nebraska and Penn State respectively. 2010 graduate Wil Brown of Chadron wrestles for Army. 2011 State champion Nyle Bartling of Syracuse is now competing for Tom Ryan at Ohio State. Another 2011 graduate, Logan Molina, is wrestling for Kevin Jackson at Iowa State.

    The Class of 2012 is led by Skutt Catholic standout Thomas Gilman, the best collegiate prospect from Nebraska since former Skutt standout Todd Meneely graduated nearly 10 years ago.

    1. Thomas Gilman (Skutt Catholic)
    Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 126/132
    Projected College Weight Class: 125/133

    Thomas Gilman (Photo/Dave Jedlicka, jedicheetah.com)
    Analysis: The nation's No. 5 overall recruit according to InterMat is a two-time Fargo freestyle champion, winning a Cadet National title in 2010 and a Junior National title over the summer. Gilman also won a FILA Cadet National title last spring and went 1-1 at the FILA World Championships in Hungary. A total student of the game, he has the intensity, focus and drive to be a future NCAA champion for whatever school he attends. It appears Nebraska and Oklahoma State have jumped in the lead for Gilman's services, but don't count Iowa out just yet. Gilman has two Fargo victories over current Iowa verbal Cory Clark.

    2. Andy Janovich (Gretna)
    Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 195
    Projected College Weight Class: 197 or football

    Analysis: Returning state champion Janovich might be the best overall athlete in the state of Nebraska in 2011. He is a standout football player, but college wrestling coaches should be drooling over the possibility of a prospect that is a physical freak and has all the intangibles to be a star at the next level. He has not wrestled much nationally, but did beat graduated PIAA AAA runner-up and Harvard commit Josh Popple over the summer at the Disney Duals. He lost one very controversial match at the Disney Duals to St. Eds standout James Suvak. Nebraska is looking closely at Janovich, who is a complete physical specimen and has the potential to be the next Craig Brester. His work ethic and leadership skills might be better than his physical gifts.

    3. Mike Shoff (Cambridge)
    Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 285
    Projected College Weight Class: 285 or Football

    Mike Shoff
    Analysis: Although it is highly likely the two-time state champion Shoff ends up playing football at the next level, there is no doubt he could be a top flight national wrestling recruit if he chose that path. Only a narrow state finals defeat his freshman season has kept him from an unbeaten career. There's little doubt in my mind that Shoff could go toe to toe with any heavyweight wrestler in the country. The tenacious Shoff stands 6' 6" and is a full 285 pounds with great feet and agility and has a bench press of nearly 450 pounds. He already has a football scholarship offer from Iowa with Nebraska very close to offering. His father is principal at Cambridge.

    4. Connor Bolling (Central City)
    Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 121 or 126
    Projected College Weight Class: 125/133

    Analysis: Bolling is a two-time state champion from Central City, the team that knocked reigning king Omaha Skutt from the throne in last year's Nebraska state tournament. Bolling has great athleticism and tenacity with plenty of potential for improvement. His lone career loss in high school came in last year's state semifinals to Gilman, 12-5. He has had great success in the offseason at events like the Disney Duals, Fall Brawl and USA Wrestling tournaments. He has been receiving interest from Iowa State and Nebraska, among others.

    Honorable Mention

    Andrew Riedy Grand Island)
    Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 132
    Projected College Weight Class: 133/141

    Analysis: Riedy should be one of three wrestlers in this class to become an elite four-time state champion. He is drawing recruiting interest from Nebraska, among other schools.

    Tyler Nation (Scottsbluff)
    Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 138
    Projected College Weight Class: 141/149

    Analysis: Nation has been asked to walk on at Nebraska, but will likely look at other options as well. A strong showing at the Walsh Ironman in December could vault his stock in the eyes of college recruiters.

    Zack Denney (North Platte)
    Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 138/145
    Projected College Weight Class: 149

    Analysis: Denney had a great junior season that included a solid victory over Tyler Nation and a narrow state semifinal loss to Omaha North's JaVaughn Perkins. Originally from Iowa, his coach is Dale Hall, the brother of U.S. Greco-Roman great Dennis Hall.

    Eric Coufal (Howells)
    Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 121
    Projected College Weight Class: 125

    Analysis: Coufal comes from the same school that produced former Husker standouts Brad Vering and Craig Brester. He is a raw wrestler who could be a gem at the next level. He projects as a career 125-pounder in college.

    Carlos Rodriguez (Grand Island)
    Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 145
    Projected College Weight Class: 149

    Analysis: The two-time defending state champion Rodriguez could well be the best wrestler on a loaded Grand Island squad, projected to be the top team ever assembled in Nebraska. He is an excellent scrambler with a ton of upside and great tenacity.

    Aaron Studebaker (Raymond Central)
    Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 170/182
    Projected College Weight Class: 174/184

    Analysis: Studebaker is one of the top upperweights in Nebraska and is great from all positions. Brother Ethan was a former University of Nebraska wrestler.

    Jed Fenske (Sargent/Burwell)
    Projected 2011-12 High School Weight Class: 152/160
    Projected College Weight Class: 157

    Analysis: Fenske was the best 145-pounder in the state of Nebraska last year. He is powerfully built and a great athlete. He capped off an unbeaten season by tearing through the Class C state tournament. Fenske lost in the 2010 state semifinals, 4-2, to the now-graduated Austin Wilson.
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