2010 National Prep Wrestling Championships Preview and Coverage

by Willie Saylor

When the 2010 National Prep Tournament kicks off this Friday at Lehigh University’s Stabler Arena, TheOpenMat will be there to give updates, answer questions, collect results, and conduct interviews from the coaches and athletes. (Live Blog at Bottom of the page)

Before that, though, we offer here a preview of the championships. We’ll handicap the weight classes, highlight the contenders, and take a glimpse at the how the team race might unfold.

Click Here for quick link to the Live Blog

Brackets

History Lesson:
Given their performance over the course of the season, three main players have emerged to challenge for the team title at this year’s Preps. We’ll highlight them and their history at the National Tournament.

#3 Blair Academy has dominated this tournament in recent years. They won their first Prep title in 1974. Seven years later, they won their second, and haven’t missed a beat since. Starting in 1981, Blair has won every National Prep tournament held; their current streak sits at a mind-boggling 28 years. Although, it should be noted that until 2002, Blair used post-graduates at the National tournament. However, in most of those years, that fact may have been academic, as the team point race was secured by a wide margin. Coach Buxton’s well-oiled machine is the favorite here again.

#6 Wyoming Seminary won their first Prep Championship back in 1937. They would go back-to-back in ’47 and ’48 before tying for the team title, their last, in 1952. After going on a prolonged drought, Seminary has returned to the podium in recent years under Coach John Gordon, taking runners-up honors at this event the last two seasons.
#16 Bishop Lynch is a relatively new face on the national scene. Started by Olympian Kenny Monday and his compatriots just a few short years ago, Bishop Lynch has been competitive in many national-level events and were Prep Runners-Up in ’05 and ’06.

By the Numbers:
443—registered wrestlers
142—schools represented by at least 1 wrestler
18—TOM-ranked wrestlers
3—TOM Top 20 Teams

Weight Class Capsules:

103
Number of Wrestlers: 29
TOM-Ranked Wrestlers: 1

Top 4 Seeds:
1. So. Max Hvolbeck, BA
2. So. Will Mason, Cape Henry
3. Fr. Judson Preskitt, BL
4. So. Evan Botwin, WS

TOM’s #16Max Hvolbeck is the top seed and the odd-on favorite here. But land mines lurk. Hvolbeck, Preskitt, and Botwin were all Ironman placers this season. In dual action, Hvolbeck has head-to-head wins over both Preskitt (9-7) and Botwin. Preskitt also beat Botwin in the consi-finals at the Ironman (7-3). Three of these competitors were in the Beast of the East Tournament with the following results: Hvolbeck 2nd, Mason 6th, Botwin 8th .

TOM’s Pick: Hvolbeck, BA over Preskitt, BL

112
Number of Wrestlers: 33
TOM-Ranked Wrestlers: 2

Top 4 Seeds:
1. Jr. Evan Silver, BA
2. So. Dom Malone, WS
3. So. Jacob Goodwin, BL
4. Fr. Scott Strappelli, John Carroll

Silver is the national consensus #1 at 112. He’s won the Ironman where #10Malone was 3rd. Goodwin went 2-2 in that tournament. At the Beast, Silver won another title while Malone placed 5th. Silver beat Goodwin 9-1 at the NHSCA Final Four.

TOM’s Pick: Silver, BA over Malone, WS

119
Number of Wrestlers: 31
TOM-Ranked Wrestlers: 2

Top 4 Seeds:
1. So. Mark Grey, BA
2. Fr. Brandon Jeske, St. Christopher’s
3. So. Eric Friedman, St. Paul’s
4. Jr. Paul O’Neill, Gonzaga

The top two seeds here, #10Grey and #13Jeske, are dynamite. Grey is a Fargo Cadet Runner-Up, Jeske a Super32 Runner-Up. Despite the talent around them, they should cruise to the finals where a rematch of the Beast finals will most likely be reprised. In the first edition, Grey beat Jeske in OT ride-out.

Notably absent is Kyle Johnson of Wyoming Seminary. If he competes, he could certainly vie for a medal. Others to watch out for include Germantown’s Chris Dinnien and Malvern Prep’s Rick Durso.

TOM’s Pick: Grey, BA over Jeske, St. Christopher’s

125
Number of Wrestlers: 30
TOM-Ranked Wrestlers: 1

Top 4 Seeds:
1. Sr. Pat Prada, DeMatha
2. Sr. Joey Vogelsburg, BL
3. So. Jeff Ott, Belmont Hill
4. Jr. Ryan Ponte, Northfield

#13Prada, a Fargo AA, is the lone ranked wrestler at 125. But he has some talent on his side of the bracket to negotiate. Garrett Hammond (WS) received a bad draw with the 8th seed. Had he been on the other side of the bracket, the Ironman placer may have been a strong finalist contender.

As it lies, a quarterfinal match-up between Vogelsburg and 7seed, Jenkins Monzey (Georgetown) will likely determine Prada’s finals opponent.

TOM’s Pick: Prada (DM) over Monzey (GT)

130
Number of Wrestlers: 33
TOM-Ranked Wrestlers: 0

Top 4 Seeds:
1. Fr. Eric Morris, WS
2. So. Todd Preston, BA
3. So. Pete Galli, St. Paul’s
4. Jr. Shawn Armato, Germantown Academy

In late December, at the Bethlehem Holiday Tournament, Preston was severely injured when Pen Argyl’s Mikey Racciato hit a cutback on him. Preston hasn’t been fully healthy since. If he is now, he has a shot at a National Prep title. It should be a two horse race with him and Sem’s Eric Morris. At the Beast, Morris placed 5th while Preston was one round from placing.

Another notable absence, is Bishop Lynch’s Case Garrison. If he were to compete you could add him to the mix.

TOM’s Pick: Preston, BA over Morris, WS

135
Number of Wrestlers: 32
TOM-Ranked Wrestlers: 2

Top 4 Seeds:
1. Jr. Austin Ormsbee, BA
2. Sr. Simon Kitzis, WS
3. Sr. Troy Silver, BL
4. Sr. Mike Tully, Peddie

#13Kitzis and #9Ormsbee have missed each other several times this year. Early in the season, when Kitzis made the finals of both the Beast and Ironman, Ormsbee was out with an injury. In their dual at the SuperQuad, Ormsbee wrestled up at 140.

Ormsbee owns a win (11-1) over Silver in their dual at the Final Four. Ormsbee beat Silver (6-3) in semi’s of the Ironman.

This will be one of the best finals of the night.

TOM’s Pick: Ormsbee, BA over Kitzis, WS

140
Number of Wrestlers: 32
TOM-Ranked Wrestlers: 1

Top 4 Seeds:
1. Jr. Evan Henderson, Kiski Prep
2. Sr. Cody Bye, BL
3. Jr. Duke Pickett, Woodberry
4. So. Cole Fulk, WS

With Blair’s Chris Villalonga moved up to 145, #13Evan Henderson is the favorite here. Henderson’s only loss on the season was to Villalonga (6-4) in semi’s of the Ironman.

For comparison’s sake, Cody Bye, who was 7th at 145 at the Ironman, lost by TF to Villalonga at the Final Four.
Fulk was 2-2 at Ironman and a round away from placing at the Beast, losing in the wrestlebacks to Taylor Walsh.

Pickett placed 5th at the Beast with losses to Hank Stinson and Cody Combs, and wins over #3Taylor Walsh and Prep 5th seed Brady Massaro.

TOM’s Pick: Henderson, KP over Pickett, Woodberry

145
Number of Wrestlers: 32
TOM-Ranked Wrestlers: 1

Top 4 Seeds:
1. Sr. Chris Villalonga, BA
2. Sr. Chris Mears, BL
3. Jr. Robert Henderson, KP
4. Jr. Adam Morris, WS

There should be a good fight for who sits in the finals opposite #2Villalonga, who is a shoe-in for a title, and who earned a fall over his potential semi opponent, Morris.

A darkhorse contender here is 7 seed, Cody Barrick of Mercersburg Academy, who is also, obviously, on the opposite side of Villalonga.

TOM’s Pick: Villalonga, BA over Henderson, KP

152
Number of Wrestlers: 33
TOM-Ranked Wrestlers: 2

Top 4 Seeds:
1. So. Jason Luster, KP
2. Sr. Jesse Shanaman, BA
3. Jr. Bobby Burg, Mercersburg
4. Jr. Matt Miller, John Carroll

One big absentee is Lawrenceville Prep’s Brandon Rolnick who was rated among the best across all national rankings to start the season. After losing to #7Shanaman (7-4) in the quarters of Ironman, Rolnick settled for 6th place finish. A few weeks later, Rolnick and Shanaman would meet in the semi’s of the Beast where Rolnick defaulted out, again settling for 6th. Since that time, he’s essentially been MIA and out with an injury.

But there’s still fireworks to be had at this weight featuring TOM’s #6Luster and #7Shanaman. Luster lost in Ironman finals in a tight one to Dylan Alton (5-2) and came back for 3rd. Shanaman met Alton in the finals of that tournament and lost 7-2.

Keep an eye on Sem’s Bryce Caiazzo, the 8 seed, who was a match from placing at Ironman, and an Escape the Rock finalist, for high medal contention.

TOM’s Pick: Shanaman, BA over Luster, KP

160
Number of Wrestlers: 34
TOM-Ranked Wrestlers: 0

Top 4 Seeds:
1. Sr. Chris Moon, WS
2. Sr. Ethan Keiser, Mercersburg
3. Jr. David Wesley, St. Christopher’s
4. Sr. Brad Bishop, BA

If there’s one wide-open weight it’s 160. Seminary will have to hope for Moon, who was 7th at Ironman, 5th at the Beast and an Escape the Rock Champ, to take the title to stay within distance of Blair. In the semi’s, Moon’s likely to face 5 seed, Adamson, whom he beat to get to the medal round at Ironman.

But behind him, most anything can happen. I like someone to come out of the woodwork here; a lower seed. Trey Adamson (BL), Dan Grabfelder (Germantown) and Sam Law (Cape Henry) are neck-and-neck with those seeded above them.

TOM’s Pick: Chris Moon, WS over Sam Law, Cape Henry

171
Number of Wrestlers:
TOM-Ranked Wrestlers:

Top 4 Seeds:
1. Sr. Tanner Eitel, BL
2. Sr. James Weiller, WS
3. Sr. Scott Patrick, McDonough
4. Jr. Kvaunte Smith, Spalding

Eitel bounced back from a disappointing DNP at the Ironman to win the Dvorak in a bracket featuring two Illinois state finalists. A wide-open and entertaining wrestler to watch, he is a favorite here.

For his finals opponent, I’m going with a darkhorse. The bottom half should feature some good match-ups, and I’m anticipating Scott Patrick (who beat Weiller (5-1) at the Beast) meeting Mt. St. Joe’s Bobby Bowman, a 6 seed, in the semis.

TOM’s Pick: Tanner Eitel, BL over Bobby Bowman, MSJ

189
Number of Wrestlers: 31
TOM-Ranked Wrestlers: 2

Top 4 Seeds:
1. Sr. Mike Evans, BA
2. Sr. Stephen McPeek, BL
3. Jr. Nick Kidd, Northfield
4. Sr. Tony Gardner, Calvert Hall

TOM’s #1Evans is the top guy here. He’s undefeated including the Bethlehem Holiday Tournament title, and wins at Ironman, where #18McPeek placed 4th , and The Beast, where Kidd finished 8th and Gardner, Evans’ likely semi’s opponent, was 6th.

The semi’s in the bottom half should be a good one featuring Fargo AA McPeek and Kidd. To compare a common opponent, Evans beat McPeek at the Final Four, 7-2, and Kidd in quarters of the Beast 4-1.

TOM’s Pick: Evans, BA over McPeek, BL

215
Number of Wrestlers: 32
TOM-Ranked Wrestlers: 0

Top 4 Seeds:
1. Sr./PG Don McNeil, WS
2. Sr. Petros Hologitas, Tabor Academy
3. Sr. John Wright, Northfield
4. Sr. Chris Gill, St. Christopher’s

I don’t know what to call McNeil…a post grad? a senior? The Seminary staff was hoping he could compete this year, but he was apparently not cleared by the powers-that-be. He is a strong leading candidate for a title and tightens the margins in the team race.

The opposite side of the bracket should stay true to form, as Hologitas and Wright could meet in semi’s. A monkey wrench in that design could come in the form of Mt. St. Joe’s Tyler Tippett.

TOM’s Pick: McNeil, WS over Hologitas, Tabor

Hwt
Number of Wrestlers: 32
TOM-Ranked Wrestlers: 4

Top 4 Seeds:
1. Sr. Mike McMullen, WS
2. Fr. Brooks Black, BA
3. Sr. Karl Green, MSJ
4. Sr. Derek Papagianopoulis, B&B

By far the deepest weight in this year’s tournament. Four faints loom large as all the top seeds are TOM-ranked guys.
In the top half #1McMullen has won the Ironman and Beast. He figures to meet #16Papagianopoulis, who, being from New England, we don’t get to see much of. But he has a fine resume of past Prep and NHSCA awards.

On the bottom side, it will be veteran #14Karl Green, taking on freshman sensation Brooks Black, who has already made it to #13 in TOM’s national rankings. Green has made the finals of some of the nation’s toughest tournaments and is a Fargo Junior AA. Black, in is first career high school action, placed 3rd at the Ironman. A few weeks later, he took another 3rd at the Beast. Green and Black would have wrestled for that 3rd place medal there, but Green medical forfeited.

I like Black and McMullen in the finals. Their match at Blair’s SuperQuad was a barnburner, with Brooks scoring the first takedown off a Russian tie. Expect similar fireworks this go-round.

TOM’s Pick: Black, BA over McMullen, WS

Team Race:
Without any consideration for the team title, I picked the individual champs. The result is a whopping nine picks for the Buccaneers. But titles aren’t won by a journalist’s predictions, and Seminary certainly has the numbers to place highly at many weights. Sem’s inclusion of McNeil certainly makes the team chase more interesting. And it would get even tighter should 119lber Kyle Johnson wrestle.

However, even if my predictions are markedly different from the actual results, the only thing that could keep Blair’s studs off high podium finishes would be the impending snowstorm. They’re just too good in too many places.

Blair wins comfortably. Seminary Runners-Up. Bishop Lynch, 3rd.

Outstanding Wrestler Prediction
I’m giving myself the latitude of three scenarios:
1. Evan Henderson, Kiski (140)
2. The Winner of 152 (Shanaman/Luster)
3. Whoever runs the gauntlet at HWT.

Thanks for reading. We hope you follow the action along with us this weekend with our live blog.