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    Joe Hatley, WyoWrestling.com •

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    Wrestling 49: Wyoming

    As the wrestling season's start is fast approaching, InterMat will be taking fans across the United States of America on a tour of scholastic wrestling. From early August until the middle of November, InterMat will introduce fans to the top senior wrestlers in the 49 states with scholastic wrestling. From Alaska to Florida, and from Maine to California, fans will gain exposure to the potential stars of future NCAA Championships. The rankings within this article do not necessarily reflect those done by InterMat. Did you a miss a Wrestling 49 feature? Visit Wrestling 49 archives.

    While Wyoming is the smallest state in the nation as far as population goes, there are over two million antelope and only a half million people, it is large on wrestling talent and several of Wyoming's top senior recruits will be great additions to college programs in 2011. Coming into the 2010-11 wrestling season and returning several All-Americans, Wyoming has a full cupboard of quality wrestlers. Many of Wyoming's wrestlers have taken up the challenge of becoming better by attending out of state competitions such as Fargo. Wyoming had 44 wrestlers attend. This number of athletes will make Wyoming's wrestling future bright. Absent from the mix of competitors are University of Wyoming recruits Andy McCulley, Leland Pfiefer, and Tommy Thoman. Alex Coolidge, J.R. Vezain, Max Vichi, Hayden Jones, Matt Osbon, Pierre Etchemendy and 4 time state champ Auston Carter all have graduated. Behind this group of wrestlers remains a strong contingent of solid wrestlers and the 2011 class could potentially yield a better crop.

    1. Austin Breckenridge
    High School: Cheyenne Central
    Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 152
    Projected College Weight Class: 149

    Austin Breckenridge
    Analysis: Breckenridge was a Cadet double All-American in 2009 at Fargo, (fifth in Greco and fourth in freestyle) also that same year he was third at NHSCA Sophomore Nationals. He was a Greco All-American as a junior this summer, earning eighth. Breckenridge is arguably the most dangerous of Wyoming's senior class wrestlers and has wins against such wrestlers as Blake Ruolo of Virginia, who Breckenridge pinned at Fargo in Greco. Ruolo was a three-time NHSCA Nationals champ. Breckenridge also has a win over Colby Kloetzer of Idaho. Ruolo and Kloetzer are both Top 50 recruits by InterMat. He has two state titles under his belt and he was fifth as a freshman. Well on his way to a third state title, Breckenridge will be on more college recruiting lists after this year.

    2. Brady Turnbull
    High School: Green River High School
    Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 140
    Projected College Weight Class: 141/149

    Brady Turnbull
    Analysis: Turnbull is coming off another Greco All-American performance at Fargo, earning a fifth-place finish at 135 pounds. He was eighth at Virginia Beach this March and was a Greco Cadet All-American (fifth) last year at Fargo. Turnbull has had a solid high school career, placing sixth as a freshman and third as a sophomore, and winning his first state title last year. He will lead a strong Green River team this year. Notable wins that Turnbull has, are wins over Casey Lanave of New York and Ethan Davis of Missouri. He has done well outside of Wyoming and is never out of a match with his ability to throw from a variety of positions. Turnbull has a very strong work ethic which will make him a steal for any college program.

    3. Leandro Arias
    High School: Cheyenne Central
    Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 135
    Projected College Weight Class: 133/141

    Leandro Arias
    Analysis: Arias is the best "funk" wrestler Wyoming has, finishing just one round from making All-American this year at Fargo and has had a winning record there the last two years. His overall match record last year was 54-1 with his lone loss a close 5-2 loss to Louis Trujillo of Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Arias has the natural tools to be something special not only in Wyoming but nationally. A three-time state placer (fourth, second, and champion in 2010), Arias will combine with Breckenridge to lead a tough Cheyenne Central team this year. He will need to get on the podium at a national tournament this year to garner the attention of more collegiate coaches. I believe he will.

    4. Brodey Serres
    High School: Lingle-Ft. Laramie
    Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class:135
    Projected College Weight Class: 133/141

    Brodey Serres
    Analysis: Serres has more than enough skill and talent to be a force in any state he just hasn't left Wyoming enough to prove himself. He is a two-timer going for his third state title, even toppling a state champion in the 2A finals last year. Serres is a great college prospect, but will need to see tougher competition this year when the opportunity to compete out of state presents itself.

    5. Jared Leithead
    High School: Worland
    Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 125
    Projected College Weight Class: 125

    Analysis: Leithead won Wyoming's best All-Class tournament this past year at Riverton's Ron Thon and he has proven to be scrappy and able to win when the chips are down. He was a state champion last year, placed third his freshman year and was unable to compete his sophomore year. Leithead wrestles for one of Wyoming's top coaches, Dean Barent, and he is a proven winner.

    6. Jacob Flores
    High School: Green River High School
    Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 135
    Projected College Weight Class: 133/141

    Analysis: Winning a state title was big for Flores last year as his career has had its up and downs. He started his career as a light weight and was in four-time state champion Tyler Cox's weight class as a freshman. Flores has been determined though and last year he won a state title. En route to last year's state title, he pinned the 2009 previous state champ in the semifinals. In addition to last year's title, Jacob has placed fifth both as a Junior and a Sophomore.

    7. Wes Ridgway
    High School: Greybull
    Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 215
    Projected College Weight Class: 197/285

    Analysis: Wes Ridgway has been third once and second twice in the 2A division ranks. Ridgway met University of Wyoming recruit, three-time state champ Leiland Pfeifer in the state finals in both 2009 and 2010. Greybull was the 2A team state champs and Ridgway will likely lead them back for another team title.

    8. Trent Boner
    High School: Douglas
    Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 189
    Projected College Weight Class: 184/197

    Analysis: Winning a state title at 215, up a weight class or two from what he should have wrestled in 2010, to help his Douglas Bearcats win a team title gives Boner the nod for the No. 8 position. He was second in 2009 and was injured in 2008. Boner wrestles for longtime Douglas coach Bob Bath, who was WyoWrestling.com's 2010 Coach of the Year.

    9. Chance Maddock
    High School: Cokeville
    Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 140
    Projected College Weight Class: 141

    Analysis: Maddock is certainly gifted and his overtime loss in his state finals match to Brodey Serres in a battle of prior state champions that had plenty of action illuminated the fact that Maddock is worthy of a chance to be taken seriously by college recruiters. Maddock holds a state title from his sophomore year and a third-place finish as a freshman. Aiming for his second title and more than likely will get it, Maddock earns the ninth spot.

    10. Lance Hladky
    High School: Lusk
    Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 152
    Projected College Weight Class: 158

    Analysis: Hladky has had a great career thus far and is looking to bat the cycle ... fourth in 2008, third in 2009, and runner-up last year. Hladky's record proves that he is quite capable of winning the big one ... now he just has to get it done.

    Honorable Mention:
    Savoy Bell (Rock Springs)
    Joe Lake (Douglas)
    Kaleb Hoyt (Rocky Mountain)
    Chase Cimburek (Natrona)
    Clay Cundall (Greybull)
    Juan Rodriguez (Wright)
    Ab Brown (Natrona)
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