2010 Walsh Ironman Preview

By: Willie Saylor, Editor

It’s here folks! The Walsh Ironman. And with it, the kickoff of the high school wrestling season.

TOM will be there for all the action with Willie Saylor doing a live blog from the event. Check back Friday.

As always this tournament is loaded. Nearly one-third of all teams listed in our National Team Rankings appear here. And in total, there are 61 nationally ranked individuals and 30 more that we have listed as ‘honorable mention’, for an average of 6.5 nationally recognized wrestlers per weight.

With seedings already done, our capsules largely focus not only on the entrants and their credentials, but also on the match-ups which we will likely get. Keep in mind, however, that late scratches or weight changes might contradict these.

As for the team race, some interesting developments emerged yesterday as Blair bumped the bottom half of their line-up down. Most notably, former #1 ranked 119lber, Evan Silver, will not be in action. Blair will also be missing 189/215lber Willie Wilson.

St. Edwards will be without two football players, 160lber Dominick Abounader and #2 ranked HWT, Greg Kuhar, as they wrapped up their state playoff run last weekend.

Though not expected to vie for the team title, Selma will be without two of their studs as Justin Lozano (state placer) and Nathan Zarate (state runner-up) will not be competing.

Though certainly not a foregone conclusion, Saint Paris-Graham looks to be the favorite to power its way to the prestigious title.

But that’s why they wrestle the matches!

Without further ado, let’s break down the weight classes:

103

• Last Year’s Finals: So. George DiCamillo, St. Ignatius, OH, dec. Fr. Dean Heil, St. Edwards, OH, 7-5
• 2005 Finals: Fr. David Taylor, St. Paris-Graham, OH, dec. Jr. Boris Novachkov, Fremont, CA, 4-3

Contenders (seed):

• #1 So. Darian Cruz, BECA (1)
• #2 So. Nathan Tomasello, CVCA (2)
• #12 Fr. Joey McKenna, Blair (4)
• #19 Fr. Johnny Jimenez, Marmion (6)
• HM Fr. Micah Hight, Caeser Rodney (13)
• Fr. Tyler Ponte, Wyoming Seminary

Preview:
103. First competition of the year. There’s usually more surprises out of this weight than any others. But you’d be hard pressed to find two stronger ‘favorites’ to reach the finals than Cruz and Tomasello, who battled all off-season, at Fila’s, Fargo, and most recently, Super32 finals.

McKenna won Fargo Greco, and will be a household name for years. Jimenez is very talented, but little known outside of Illinois. That will change this weekend. He’s good.

There’s a good deal of optimism out of the Hight camp. The New Jersey transplant is a real threat to place.

TOM’s Picks: 1. Cruz 2. Tomasello 3. McKenna 4. Jimenez

Keep an Eye On: Tyler Ponte. The younger brother of Northfield Mount Herman’s (MA) Ryan Ponte, Tyler is a talented youngster who could make a mark here.

Young Gun/s: Micah Hight is very talented and had a great youth career. He’s a little raw yet, so I don’t see him pushing Cruz or Tomasello at this point. But he’s a good one, for sure.

112

• Last Year’s Finals: Jr. Evan Silver, Blair Academy, NJ, dec. So. Alex Cisneros, Selma, CA, 10-4
• 2005 Finals: Jr. Nikko Triggas, Campolindo, CA, md. Fr. Collin Palmer, St. Edwards, OH, 13-2

Contenders (seed):

• #2 Fr. Jared Cortez, Marmion (4)
• #5 Jr. George Di Camillo, St. Ignatius (1)
• #13 Jr. Ryan Taylor, SPG (3)
• #14 Fr. Zeke Moisey, BECA
• HM So. Max Hvolbeck, Blair (2)
• HM So. J.R. Wert, Christiansburg (5)
• HM So. Judson Preskitt, Bishop Lynch (6)
• HM Jr. Kaleb Lemaire, Caesar Rodney (8)
• Sr. Kurt Keebler, Oviedo (14)
• Jr. Cody Stageberg, Cox (12)
• Jr. Evan Botwin, Wyoming Seminary (7)
• Jr. Corey Stainbrook, Walsh Jesuit (11)
• Jr. John Archangelo, Smyrna (13)
• So. Edgar Bright, St. Edwards (15)

Preview:
A gang of talent here. New faces, Cortez (Fargo Champ), and Moisey (Super32 placer) make their high school debut. Wert, originally from Pennsylvania and now at C-Burg after his freshman year in Georgia, won NHSCA Fr. Nationals in May. Watch out for Preskitt, who was also a placer at 3 last year. I think he improved leaps and bounds over this off season. Kaleb LeMaire is tough and gritty. He’ll make anyone earn a win.

It will be interesting to see where unseeded Moisey falls into the brackets. Wherever he lands, he’ll shake things up.

TOM’s Picks: 1. Cortez 2. Preskitt 3. DiCamillo 4. Moisey

Keep an Eye On: Corey Stainbrook, a transfer from Streetsboro, OH, could be poised to reach the next level. Look for him to push the bigger names and possibly end up with a medal.

Young Gun/s: They don’t come as more hyped than Cortez, who was once in the SPG system, and already has a Fargo title. He’s already a household name. Also check out Moisey, who, entering his Fr. Year, already has 2 Super 32 medals.

119
Last Year’s Finals: Jr. Mason Beckman, Reynolds, PA, dec. Jr. Hunter Stieber, Monroville, OH, 3-0
2005 Finals: Sr. Aaron Hart, St. Paris-Graham, OH, dec. Sr. Filip Novachkov, Fremont, CA, 2-1

Contenders:

• #1 Jr. Jimmy Gulibon, Derry (1)
• #5 So. Joey Dance, Christiansburg (5)
• #7 Sr. Caleb Richardson, Blair (4)
• #12 So. Dom Malone, Wyoming Seminary (2)
• #17 So. Dean Heil, St. Edwards (6)
• #18 Jr. Cory Keener, Blue Mountain (3)
• #19 Jr. Randy Cruz, BECA (10)
• Jr. Mitch Newhouse, Perry (11)
• Jr. Jake Smith, Robinson (9)
• So. George Fisher, Marmion
• So. Xavi Ramos, McDonough (14)
• Fr. Michael Kostandaras, Walsh
• Fr. Micah Jordan, SPG

Preview:
A bear of a weight class with 7 of the top 20 kids in the nation.

An interesting development here as previous #1 Evan Silver was scratched after the line-up all moved down.

Richardson goes here for Blair.

Heil was runner-up at 103 last year, while Gulibon suffered a semi’s loss to Silver and took 3rd at 112. Malone, Dance, and Keener placed.

TOM’s Picks: 1. Gulibon 2. Heil 3. Dance 4. Richardson

Keep an Eye On: Randy Cruz. He lost a heartbreaker in state finals at the buzzer and won NHSCA Soph’s. He could do some work.

Young Gun/s: Heil is one of the best Soph’s in the country, but we all know him already. Try taking a peak at Walsh’s Kostandaras. He’s supposed to be special.

125

• Last Year’s Finals: Sr. Logan Steiber, Monroeville, OH, dec. Sr. Devin Carter, Christiansburg, VA, 10-4
• 2005 Finals: Sr. Keith Sulzer, St. Edwards, OH, dec. So. Ben Jordan, St. Paris-Graham, OH, 2-1

Contenders:

• #2 Sr. Mason Beckman, Reynolds (1)
• #3 Jr. Mark Grey, Blair (2)
• #5 Jr. Alex Cisneros, Selma (5)
• #9 Sr. Bricker Dixon, Park Hill (3)
• #12 Sr. Geoff Alexander, SSA (7)
• #15 Jr. Kagan Squire, Wadsworth (4)
• HM Sr. Josh Fisher, Roane County (6)
• HM Sr. Courtland Hacker, Broomfield (9)
• HM Sr. Chris Dinnien, Germantown Academy (8)
• Jr. Chris Caton, Northside Christian Academy, NC (10)
• Jr. Eddie Greco, Marmion (11)

Preview:
A great field featuring 4 of the top 9 wrestlers in the nation. There will be no easy outs after the prelim’s.

Quarterfinals could see real barnburners with Grey/Alexander, Fisher/Dixon, Beckman/Dinnien, an quite possibly the best one of the bunch: Cisneros/Squire.

I like Beckman to repeat He’s such a smart wrestler and so difficult to score on. But handicapping the rest of the field is a crapshoot, with all the talent here.

TOM’s Picks: 1. Beckman 2. Grey 3. Alexander 4. Cisneros

Keep an Eye On: This is an incredibly deep weight with a ton of established studs, so darkhorses will have their work cut out for them. But watch out for Caton, a state champ and placer at both NHSCA’s and Super32.

Young Gun/s: Not the fanfare underclassmen at other weights, but Jack Bass of Robinson, VA, is a talented kid.

130

• Last Year’s Finals: So. Nate Skonieczny, Walsh Jesuit, OH, dec. Sr. Colton Rasche, Montini Catholic, IL, 4-1
• 2005 Finals: Sr. Billy Murphy, Hughson, CA, dec. Sr. Jordan Frishkorn, Great Bridge, VA, 3-2

Contenders:

• #3 So. Brandon Jeske, Cox (4)
• #4 Sr. Johnni DiJulius, Walsh Jesuit (1)
• #5 So. Ben Whitford, Marmion (2)
• #14 Jr. Todd Preston, Blair (3)
• #15 Jr. Brent Fickel, Padua (8)
• #17 Fr. Jack Clark, McDonough (14)
• #20 Sr. Brandon Choate, Blue Mountain (10)
• HM Sr. Rusty Manness, SPG (6)
• HM So. Russell Coleman, Park Hill (12)
• HM Jr. Dylan D’Urso, Reynolds (7)
• Sr. Dave Makara, Burrell (5)
• Sr. Joey Hefley, Oviedo (11)
• Sr. Alfredo Gray, Wadsworth (9)

Preview:
For the third consecutive weight, we have 6 or more ranked wrestlers. And really, it’s anyone’s game.

The top bracket will be hotly contested from the start. We won’t even get to the quarters before we see match-ups like Fickel/Grey, Coleman/Makara, Manness/Hefley, Choate/D’Urso, and, if you can believe it, Clark/Preston.

It almost feels surreal to not include talents like DiJulius, Clark, and Choate in the top four. But I love what I’ve seen of Fickel, and Preston’s ability to ride, and his mat-returns, set him apart, in my opinion.

TOM’s Picks: 1. Jeske 2. Whitford 3. Fickel 4. Preston

Keep an Eye On: Brent Fickel. He wrestled unbelievably well at S32 up at 135.

Young Gun/s: Freshman phenom Jack Clark. After an outstanding youth career and winning Fila’s last April, is he ready for primetime? We already know Jeske and Whitford. They have out-of-this-world skills.

135

• Last Year’s Finals: Jr. Cam Tessari, Monroeville, OH, dec. Sr. Simon Kitzis, Wyoming Seminary, PA, 4-3
• 2005 Finals: Jr. Zach Kemmerer, Upper Perk, PA dec. Sr. Kevin Lipp, Beachwood, OH, 5-3

Contenders:

• #1 Sr. Austin Ormsbee, Blair (2)
• #2 Jr. Steve Spearman, Erie McDowell (5)
• #3 Sr. Hunter Stieber, Monroeville (1)
• #6 Jr. Nate Skonieczny, Walsh Jesuit (4)
• #8 Fr. Bryce Brill, Marmion (13)
• #14 Sr. Chris Mecate, Redlands Valley East (7)
• #15 Jr. Chase Ferman, Broken Arrow (3)
• HM Jr. Case Garrison, SPG (6)
• HM Jr. Willie Fox, Gilroy
• Sr. Adam Mathews, Reynolds (12)
• Jr. Tyler Zymroz, PCC

Preview:
This is the ‘Oh My God’ weight. The top 3 kids (and four of the top 6) in the country. Are you kidding me?

Spearman is your Super32 Champ.

Ormsbee won Fargo.

Steiber hasn’t lost a match in the last two years at Jr. Freestyle Duals.

Ormsbee will most likely have to go through CA placer and S32 Champ, Mecate, and then Chase Ferman.

Skonieczny and Brill received horrible draws. They wrestle each other in prelim’s before, if things go in their favor, Spearman and Steiber, just to get to the finals!

There ain’t much else to say. Sit back and enjoy the fireworks.

TOM’s Picks: 1. Ormsbee 2. Spearman 3. Steiber 4. Skonieczny

Keep an Eye On: Unseeded Willie Fox of Gilroy. He won NHSCA Sophomore Nationals in Virginia Beach this spring with a finals win over 7th ranked Rossi Bruno of Brandon, FL. Obviously, thisid can make some noise.

Young Gun/s: Bryce Brill making his first major appearance. The kid is a dynamo. Quite a first test, though.

140

• Last Year’s Finals: Sr. Chris Villalonga, Blair Academy, NJ, dec. Jr. Ian Miller, Oak Harbor, OH, 3-2
• 2005 Finals: Sr. Matt Dunn, Reynolds, PA, dec. Sr. Lance Palmer, St. Edwards, OH, 7-4

Contenders:

• #2 Sr. Cam Tessari, Monroeville (1)
• #4 Sr. Nik Pena, Selma (4)
• #7 Sr. Evan Henderson, Kiski Prep (3)
• #15 Sr. Nick Brascetta, SPG (2)
• #19 So. Austin Mathews, Reynolds (14)
• HM Jr. Angelo Silvestro, Marmion (16)
• HM Sr. Blake Kastl, Gilroy (11)
• Sr. Andrew Romanchik, Padua (8)
• Sr. Tyler Argue, Mt. Carmel (6)
• Jr. Tyler Manion, PCC
• Jr. Nick Babcock, Broomfield (5)
• So. Russ Parsons, Blair
• Fr. Toby Hague, McDonough

Preview:
The top four nationally ranked guys are heavy favorites to make the semi’s.

That’s not to say they won’t be tested. Henderson, for instance, will have to wrestle Austin Mathews, who gives everyone fits, in the prelim’s after somehow being seeded 14th .

There are also several tough wrestlers that are unseeded. Kids like Toby Hague and Tyler Manion, who could throw the bracket into disarray.

If seeds hold true to form, we’re looking at Henderson-Brascetta and Tessari-Pena match-ups.

Pena takes many shots, mostly low singles. But Tessari, like all the Monroeville boys, are great from front-head. So that bout would be particularly interesting.

My pick of Henderson is very tenuous. It wouldn’t be all that surprising to see Mathews pull the upset. If Henderson does get by Mathews, I like the way he matches up against Brascetta.

TOM’s Picks: 1. Henderson 2. Pena 3. Tessari 4. Mathews

Keep an Eye On: Blake Kastl and Andrew Romanchik. Kastl is a state and NHSCA placer. Romanchik, a state and Super32 placer.

Young Gun/s: Toby Hague was a Fargo AA repping Jersey. Austin Mathews may take the next step to stardom in his So. year. He was a high state placer, an NHSCA FR. Runner-Up, and a S32 placer already.

145

• Last Year’s Finals: Sr. Andrew Alton, Central Mountain, PA dec. Sr. Brad Squire, Wadsworth, OH, 5-4
• 2005 Finals: Jr. Sean Nemec, St. Edwards, OH, dec. Sr. Travis Blasco, Blair Academy, NJ, 6-2

Contenders:

• #10 Sr. Henry Carlson, Cox (1)
• #11 Sr. Travis Himmelman, Conifer, CO (2)
• #12 Sr. Travis Shaffer, Derry (3)
• #19 So. Bo Jordan, SPG (6)
• Sr. Robert Henderson, Kiski Prep (4)
• Sr. Frank Baer, Montini (5)
• Sr. Preston Crouse, Park Hill (8)
• Sr. DJ Beauch, Toledo CC (9)
• Sr. Eric Nutter, PCC
• Jr. Matt VanCuren, St. Ed’s
• So. Zach Epperly, Christiansburg (7)
• Fr. Dylan Milonas, Blair

Preview:
A very interesting match-up possibility here where Travis Shaffer, who won a FloNationals title in this very building, could meet with Bo Jordan in the quarters. The winner would likely get another nationally ranked wrestler in Travis Himmelman, a very fine wrestler who most fans don’t often get to see. He’s performed well at Fargo and at NHSCA’s for years.

In the top bracket, it looks like a three-horse race with the winner of the Henderson-Baer ¼ perhaps meeting 10th ranked Henry Carlson, an NHSCA Champ, Fargo AA, and S32 placer. Like Himmelman, he’s one of the better wrestlers in the country that the average fan might have little familiarity with. He’s an Alabama boy who recently transferred to Cox.

TOM’s Picks: 1. Carlson 2. Shaffer 3. Jordan 4. Himmelman

Keep an Eye On: I don’t need to tell you this, but…Bo Jordan. He’s phenomenal. But the SPG boys rarely compete in the off season. So it will be of particular interest to see how he’s developed and how he’s adjusted to a much larger weight over the last 6 months.

Young Gun/s: Dylan Milonas is another highly touted youngster who won a title in the Schoolboy division.

152

• Last Year’s Finals: Sr. Dylan Alton, Central Mountian, PA dec. Sr. Jesse Shanaman, Blair Academy, NJ, 7-2
• 2005 Finals: Jr. Eric Medina, Blair Academy, NJ, dec. Sr. Josh Rohler, St. Vincent-St. Mary’s, OH, 9-6

Contenders:

• #2 Sr. Ian Miller, Oak Harbor (1)
• HM Sr. Matt Stephens, SPG (2)
• HM Sr. Stephen Robertson, Montini (3)
• HM Sr. Lorenzo Thomas, PCC (9)
• HM Sr. Kyle DeHaut, BECA (10)
• HM Sr. Duke Pickett, Woodberry Forest (4)
• HM Jr. Mark Martin, St. Edwards (7)
• HM So. Eric Morris, Wyoming Seminary (5)
• Jr. Victor Pereira, Newark, CA (6)
• Jr. James Linkous, Christiansburg (8)
• Fr. Patrick Coover (11)

Preview:
Not the heavy hitters of previous weights, but a really solid bracket full of some of the country’s top-tier talent.

In both halves of the brackets, we could see quarterfinals that feature Ohio vs. PA state runners-up going head-to-head: Miller vs. Thomas and Martin vs. DeHaut.

Another ¼ could be a battle of National Prep Runners-Up with Morris and Pickett.

TOM’s Picks: 1. Miller 2. Martin 3. Roberstson 4. Stephens

Keep an Eye On: Mark Martin. It could be his breakout party. The kid is really talented.

Young Gun/s: Cadet National Champ Eric Morris had a fantastic youth career and was a National Prep Runner-Up last year. His anticipated debut didn’t happen here at Ironman last year as he was out with injury. Also watch for Blair’s Patrick Coover, a Fargo AA this summer. He’s a tough one and it will be interesting to see what kind of draw he gets.

160

• Last Year’s Finals: Sr. Nick Sulzer, St. Edwards, OH, Inj. Def. over Sr. Brad Wukie, University School, OH
• 2005 Finals: Sr. Mack Lewnes, St. Joseph’s, MD, dec. Sr. Dave Rella, Walsh Jesuit, OH, 8-7

Contenders (seeds):

• #4 Jr. Jason Luster, PCC (1)
• #15 Sr. Vince Waldhauser, Oak Ridge, CA (7)
• #17 Sr. Zach Skates, Broken Arrow (2)
• HM Jr. Issac Jordan, SPG (4)
• Jr. Geordan Speiller, Oviedo (3)
• Sr. Travis McKillop, Burrell (8)
• Sr. Kyle Roddy, Brecksville (11)
• Jr. Cody Allala, Hopewell, VA (6)
• Jr. Rich Eva, Christiansburg, VA (5)
• Jr. Elliot Riddick, BECA

Preview:
Luster’s only loss here last year came to Dylan Alton. The Ironman title should go through him this year. But a dandy of a semis could see him matched up with Ike Jordan, who should be able to get through 5 seed, Eva.

Oklahoma State Champion Zach Skates sits as the top seed in the bottom bracket. Florida state runner-up, Speiller is the 3 seed. But I like Waldhauser to meet Luster in the finals. He’s a CA state runner-up and the 2nd ranked wrestler in the Golden State, currently.

TOM’s Picks: 1. Luster 2. Waldhauser 3. Jordan 4. Skates

Keep an Eye On: Elliot Riddick. While his short on national credentials, he doesn’t lack skill. To put it in perspective, he beat Eric Morris for the PA State FS Cadet Title weeks before Morris went on to win the National Title in Fargo.

Young Gun/s: B.J. Toal of Troy Christian could turn into a pretty fine wrestler.

171

• Last Year’s Finals: Sr. Charles Argue, Montini Catholic, IL, dec. Sr. Michael Alexander, Findlay, OH, 5-2
• 2005 Finals: Sr. Eric Cameron, Moeller, OH, dec. So. Brian Roddy, St. Edwards, OH, 12-9

Contenders:

• #2 Sr. Chris Phillips, Monroeville (1)
• #16 Sr. Kyle Ryan, SPG (2)
• HM Sr. Konner Witt, Oak Harbor (3)
• Sr. Trey Adamson, Bishop Lynch (5)
• Sr. Dmitri Willis, Montini (6)
• Sr. Lee Wildes, Oviedo (9)
• So. Dakota DesLauriers, Burrell (8)

Preview:
It was at Ironman 4 years ago when Chris Phillips cemented himself as one of the best wrestlers in the country as just a freshman. He hasn’t won an Ironman title since after getting beat by Ed Ruth as a sophomore and defaulting out as a junior. It would be nice to see him put bookend IM titles on his career.

The bottom half features many intriguing options as both Kyle Ryan and Konner Witt are steady performers. But don’t count out Dmitri Willis who has some talent.

TOM’s Picks: 1. Phillips 2. Ryan 3. Witt 4. DesLauriers

Keep an Eye On: Trey Adamson. Let’s see if makes a jump his senior year. He’s always had good ability.

Young Gun/s: DesLauriers. A former Fargo finalist as a Cadet. He took some lumps last year, but overall had a good freshman campaign capped by a state medal. He could make the jump into the nation’s best with a good showing here.

189

• Last Year’s Finals: Sr. Mike Evans, Blair Academy, NJ, dec. Sr. Max Thomusseit, Saint Paris-Graham, OH, 6-2
• 2005 Finals: Jr. John Weakley, Cuyahoga Valley, OH, md. Sr. David Green, Oviedo, FL, 14-5

Contenders:

• #1 Sr. Morgan McIntosh, Calvary Chapel (1)
• #8 Jr. Huston Evans, SPG (3)
• #14 Sr. Jay Taylor, Burrell (4)
• #16 Sr. Sam Wheeler, Copley (6)
• #19 Sr. Alex Utley, CVCA (2)
• HM Jr. Chaz Gresham, Goshen (5)
• HM Sr. James Suvak, St. Eds (13)
• Sr. Preston Quam, San Clemente, CA (7)
• So. Jo Jo Tayse, Perry (12)

Preview:
The top half of the bracket is absolutely brutal. We’ll likely see Suvak vs. Taylor and Tayse vs. Gresham in prelim’s before the winners wrestle each other for the chance to wrestle…you got…#1 McIntosh.

The bottom half, though daunting, seems much more navigable with 1/4s Quam and Utley and a premier match-up featuring Evans and Wheeler.

TOM’s Picks: 1. McIntosh 2. Evans 3. Gresham 4. Wheeler

Keep an Eye On: Sam Wheeler is coming up a weight after a state finalist appearance last year. He’s an Oklahoma Sooner recruit. And Chaz Gresham; a very nice wrestler who is moving up two weights. Either guy could throw a monkey wrench into the 89lb script.

Young Gun/s: Jo Jo. Great youth career. But a disastrous 0-2 state tournament as a frosh. Let’s see how much he worked in the offseason. Tons of potential.

215

• Last Year’s Finals: Jr. Tank Knowles, Calvary Chapel, CA dec. Sr. Beau Wenger, Fairless Hills, OH, 9-4
• 2005 Finals: Jr. Cody Gardner, Christiansburg, VA, md. So. Garrett Goebel, Montini Catholic, 14-4

Contenders:

• #2 Sr. Tanner Hall, Meridian (1)
• #6 Sr. Tank Knowles, Calvary Chapel (2)
• #7 Jr. Nick Tavanello, Wadsworth (3)
• HM Sr. Anthony Wise, Perry (6)
• HM Jr. Ty Walz, St. Eds (9)
• HM Cody Johnson, Broken Arrow (5)
• Sr. Brian Beattie, Burrell (4)
• Jr. Matt Meadows, CVCA (8)

Preview:
This a phenomenal weight this year. Even the 1/4s will be entertaining. Potential match-ups in that round could feature Johnson vs. Beattie, and Tavanello vs. Wise; all four placed here last year.

Knowles won this event last year, and then came back to win FloNats. He’s looking to go 3-for-3 in the WJ Dome. He’ll have a monster of a match-up in the potential bottom half semi with either #7 Tavenello, who was 3rd here last year as a Soph, or Wise who was 5th.

In the top bracket, Fargo Jr. National Champ, Tanner Hall comes in from Idaho. He’s a beast. He’ll be looking at a quarters with Walz, pitting the Fargo Jr. National Freestyle Champion vs. the Cadet version.

TOM’s Picks: 1. Knowles 2. Hall 3. Tavenello 4. Wise

Keep an Eye On: Ty Walz. He’s a bit of an enigma. He had a fabulous off-season placing 2nd at NHSCA’s and reaching the podium in Fargo. But then went out and lost his first match (against Meadows) in a lopsided match.

Young Gun/s: Not an underclassmen, but Tavanello is a great junior. He very well may be the best 215lber in the junior class in the country.

HWT

• Last Year’s Finals: Sr. Mike McMullan, Wyoming Seminary, dec. Sr. Ben Buzzelli, Wadsworth, OH, 5-2
• 2005 Finals: Sr. Kenny Lester, Oviedo, FL, wbf. over Jr. Frank Becker, Moeller, OH, 1:35

Contenders:

• #1 So. Brooks Black, Blair (1)
• #7 Jr. Doug Vallaro, Oviedo (2)
• #17 Sr. Terrence Jean-Jacques, Wyoming Seminary (3)
• HM Sr. Ross Burbank, Cox (4)
• Sr. Ross Ferraro, Montini (5)
• Jr. Doug Mayes, Perry (6)
• So. Alex Fritz, Marmion (11)

Preview:
In last year’s preview, I picked then-Freshman Brooks Black to make the finals and take 2nd. Everyone, even his own mother, literally, told me I was nuts.

Brooks took 3rd. Still a heck of an achievement for and undersized Freshman heavyweight at the premier tournament in the country.

Brooks is back, but he’ll have his work cut out for him as he’s undefeated against Vollaro, but all matches were close. He’ll know what he has to do.

Vallaro, the Fargo, Fila, and NHSCA Runner-Up, will have to navigate a very tough side of the bracket. He’s looking at getting the winner of the Jean-Jacques/Mayes match-up which, for my money, will be the best quarter in this weight class.

TOM’s Picks: 1. Black 2. Vollaro 3. Jean-Jacques 4. Mayes

Keep an Eye On: Doug Mayes. He could surprise some.

Young Gun/s: Alex Fritz. A young, but an emerging talent.

Notable Scratches:

• 112 Kevon Powell, Montini
• 112/119 Evan Silver, Blair
• 125 Tyler Fraley, Wyoming Seminary
• 160 Issiah Meade, Caesar Rodney
• 140/145 Joey Davis, Sante Fe
• 145 Nathan Zarate, Selma
• 145/152 Felipe Martinez, Clay
• 160 Domenic Abounader, St. Eds (football)
• 160/171 Justin Lozano, Selma
• 189 Matt Bilodeau, Wyoming Seminary
• 215 Willie Wilson, Blair
• 215 AJ Vizcarrando, Wyoming Seminary
• HWT Greg Kuhar, St. Eds (football)

2009 at a Glance:
Returning Champs:

• Evan Silver (scratched)
• George DiCamillo
• Mason Beckman
• Nate Skonieczny
• Cam Tessari
• Tank Knowles

Returning Runners-Up:

• Dean Heil
• Hunter Steiber
• Alex Cisneros
• Ian Miller

2009 Final Team Standings:
1. Blair Academy, NJ: 196.5
2. Graham, OH: 157.5
3. St. Edward, OH: 137
4. Wyoming Seminary, PA: 130
5. Central Mountain, PA: 121.5
6. Wadsworth, OH: 110.5
7. Bishop Lynch, TX: 104.5
8. Broken Arrow, OK: 101.5
9. Monroeville, OH: 95
10. Montini Catholic, IL: 84
11. Clovis, CA: 76
12. Mt. Carmel, IL: 75.5
13. Reynolds, PA: 72
14. Oak Harbor, OH: 70
15. Archbishop Moeller, OH: 68.5
16. Walsh Jesuit, OH: 68
17. Christiansburg, VA: 67
18. St. Ignatius, OH: 64.5
19. Kiski Prep, PA: 62.5
20. Massillon Perry, OH: 59
21. Selma, CA: 57.5
T22. Burrell, PA: 56
T22. Shady Side Academy, PA: 56
24. Cuy. Valley Christian, OH: 55
25. Broomfield, CO: 52.5