The Selma High wrestling team won the Five Counties Championships, which bills itself as the third toughest tournament in the nation.

Led by Alex Cisneros’ victory in the 112-pound class, the Bears finished with 132 points to edge Santa Ana-Calvary Chapel, which had 130.5 points. Bakersfield was third with 119.5 points.

Selma, which finished runner-up last season, ended Poway’s five-year run as team champion. Poway finished fifth. The tournament featured 122 returning state qualifiers — about one-third of last year’s participants.

Full Tournament Results: Click Here

Read the entire article by www.fresnobee.com here…

One of the nation’s toughest and deepest wrestling tournaments, Five Counties features many of the top teams and individuals in the state of California.

Nearly one-third of the placers from last year’s California state tournament are in the field for this year’s Five Counties, including a whopping 122 state qualifiers.

In the team race, Poway will look to defend its title. They have won this tournament five years running and are coming off a title at the Reno Tournament of Champions in December. However, they’re ranked just 6th in the state, so holding onto their crown will be a tough task.

Poway is likely to feel the pressure from several teams including Bakersfield, who was previously ranked 1st, and Clovis, who was 2nd before dominating at the Doc Buchanan Tournament, besting runners-up Bakersfield by 48 points.

#3 Selma, #4 Buchanan, #5 Gilroy, #7 Clovis West, and #8 Calvary Chapel also figure to be in the mix. In fact, of the Top 15 ranked schools in California, only one; #9 Vacaville, will not be at Five Counties this year.

A rare out-of-state team, Ovieda, FL, will travel to California this year. Oviedo has won 4 state team titles and routinely has All-Americans in Fargo. Recently they won the Lake Mary High School Tournament with a team score that doubled the second and third place finishers; teams which are ranked 3rd and 4th in the state of Florida.

On an individual level, five returning champions are back, including 2x winner, Jesse Delgado (Gilroy) at 125. Other returning champs are Alex Cisneros (Selma, 112), Morgan McIntosh (Calvary Chapel, 189), and Drew Meulman (St. Francis, HWT). Bryan Grubbs (La Costa Canyon) won this event in 2008.

Seventeen individuals in this tournament appear in TOM’s national rankings. While handicapping each weight class, we’ll list their state ranking as well as the TOM ranking.

103

Contenders:
#3 So. Arturo Carmona, Brawley
#4 (TOM #10) Fr. Victor Lopez, Poway
#5 Sr. Gavin McDonald, Calvery Chapel, SA
#8 Jr. Ian Nickell, Bakersfield
HM Fr. Dillon Rocha, Lemoore
HM Jr. Nashon Garrett, Chico

Mostly young new faces at the high school level. I’ll go with Lopez who already has a Reno title in his brief career.

TOM’s Pick: Victor Lopez, Poway, over Nashon Garrett, Chico

112

Contenders:
#1 (TOM #3) So. Alex Cisneros, Selma
#2 (TOM #4) Jr. Steven Knoblauch, Clovis West
#4 Sr. Vinny Moita, De La Salle
#6 So. Dean O’Burke, Calvary Chapel, SA
#7 Sliverio Esparza, Lemoore
#8 Fr. Shane Tucker, Bella Vista
HM Jr. Matt Welch, Sultana
HM Jr. Brandon Eagleston, Turlock
UR So. Justin Jauregui, Clovis East

Cisneros owns multiple head-to-head wins over Knoblauch including last year’s Five Counties and State Tournament Finals, and in last week’s Doc B finals.

Moita will likey be in the mix as he had success at Fargo last summer and throught this, his senior, season. He placed 3rd at states last year behind Cisneros and Knoblauch.

Eagleston was also a state placer last year.

Tucker is an up-and-comer, placing as a freshman at Reno.

TOM’s Pick: Alex Cisneros, Selma over Steven Knoblauch, Clovis West

119

Contenders:
#1 (TOM #8) Sr. Zach Zimmer, Clovis West
#2 (TOM #16) Sr. Chris Mecate, Redlands East Valley
#3 Jr. Fabian Garcia, Turlock
#4 Sr. Sean Silva, Barstow
#7 Sr. Gabe Brown, Poway
HM Jr. Patrick Phaysamone, Clovis East
#3 @ 125 Sr. Bryan Grubbs, La Costa Canyon
Jr. Joey Hefley, Oviedo

Zimmer owns head-to-head this season with nearly all the top guys here. He won Doc B last weekend as well.

Phaysamone was RU to Zimmer at Doc Buchanan.

Mecate doesn’t have the state success the others do, but he won Super32’s in a very solid field.

Silva and Garcia are state placers. Grubbs won this event two years ago while upsetting Jesse Delgado.

Gotta go with my guy Mecate to make the finals, although nothing after Zimmer appears a surety. This weight provides plenty of intrigue.

TOM’s Pick: Zach Zimmer, Clovis West over Chris Mecate, Redlands

125

Contenders:
#1 (TOM #12) Sr. Jesse Delgado, Gilroy
#2 Jr. Vince Rodriguez, Clovis North
#4 Fr. Isaiah Martinez, Lemoore
#5 Sr. Chris Martinez, Clovis West
#4 @ 130 Sr. Juan Jaime, Laguna Hills
HM Jr. Oscar Lizzaraga, Brawley
HM Jr. Tony Ramos, Imperial
HM So. Jesse Taylor, Poway

This weight should be interesting as the top four guys have all beaten each other this year.

Delgado, the reigning titlist and state champion, split matches with Chris Martinez, 2-1 and 1-0.

Vince Rodriguez owns a head-to-head win over Chris Martinez this year.

And Isaiah Martinez, a talented freshman, won Reno where Delgado was upset in an earlier round. His only loss in his young career is to Delgado last weekend in the finals of the Doc B.

Lizzaraga is a former state qualifier and undefeated this year.

TOM’s Pick: Jesse Delgado, Gilroy, over Vince Rodriguez, Clovis North

130

Contenders:
#1 (TOM # 10) Jr. Nick Pena, Selma
#2 Jr. Shane Tate, Oakdale
#5 So. Natrelle Demison, Bakersfield
#6 Sr. Shane Yacuta, Porterville
#7 So. Willie Fox, Gilroy
#8 So. Jorge Barajas, St. Francis-Mountain View
HM Sr. Aaron Ceballos, McNair
HM Jr. Miguel Gallegos, San Fernando

TOM’s #10 at 135, Nick Pena is entered at 130 setting up a possible showdown between two of last week’s Doc Buchanan champs with himself and Shane Tate.

In fact, most of the major players here were at Doc B. Demison was third. Yacuta’s only loss on the season came in the finals last, by one point, to Tate.

Ceballos is the reigning Greco state champ.

TOM’s Pick: Nick Pena, Selma, over Natrelle Demison, Bakersfield

135

Contenders:
#1 (TOM #12) Sr. Jake Briggs, Bella Vista
#2 Sr. Bobby Morales, Laguna Hills
#4 So. Joey Davis, Santa Fe
#5 So. Blake Kastl, Gilroy
#6 Jr. Nick Cano, St. Francis–Mountain View
#7 Sr. Will DeYoung, Poway
#4 @ 140 Sr. David Ferry, Central Catholic
Sr. Colbey Garrison, Cimarron, NV

Jake Briggs, who appears in TOM’s national rankings at 140, will make the cut to 135. A two-time state placewinner, Briggs should be considered the clear favorite here.

The pack behind him is bunched up. Cano was the Doc B RU to Pena last weekend.

Garrison is a state runner-up in Nevada.

TOM’s Pick: Jake Briggs, Bella Vista, over David Ferry, Central Catholic

140

Contenders:
#2 Jr. Shervin Iraniha, Monte Vista
#5 Jr. Timmy Box, Bakersfield
#6 Sr. Moses Quesada, Clovis East
#7 Sr. Charles Chavez, El Dorado
#2 @ 140, Sr. Frank Martinez, Northview
#2 @ 152 Sr. Kevin Maelfeyt, Trinity
#3 @ 152 Jr. Nathan Zarate, Selma
Sr. Napolean Anciete, Las Vegas

Briggs bumps down but several other highly ranked guys are making their season debuts at 140. This weight jut got very interesting.

Box was 8th in the state last year at 130.

Anciete won Doc B, beating Quezeda in the finals, 7-4.

Maelfeyt is a Fargo AA and was 8th in the state last year at 135.

Martinez moving down makes things interesting. Previously, he was ranked second in the state behind only returning state champion Rodebaugh at 145.

TOM’s Pick: Napolean Anciete, LV over Nathan Zarate, Selma

145

Contenders:
#1 (TOM HM) Sr. Cody Rodebaugh, San Lorenzo Valley
#4 Sr. Matt Hickman, Camarillo
#7 Sr. Rio Gallegos, Poway
#8 Jr. Trent Noon, Oakdale
#5 @ 152 Sr. Desi Rios, Pleasant Valley
#8 @ 152 Fr. Coleman Hammond, Bakersfield
This weight cleared out a bit with guys moving down.

Rios was 6th at 145. After being up at 152 this season, Rios will drop for 5 Counties.

Gallegos owns a win over Iraniha.

Expect Rodebaugh to cruise to the finals and get a real good test from one the winner of the other semi.

TOM’s Pick: Cody Rodebaugh, San Lorenzo, over Rio Gallegos, Poway

152

Contenders:
#1 Sr. Jesse Stafford, Del Oro
#5 Sr. Vincent Aboytes, Gilroy
HM Jr. Justin Irribarren, Santa Fe
HM So. Jim Wilson, McNair
#1 @ 160 Sr. Travis Gallegos, Foothill
#3 @ 145 Sr. Nick Sierra, Lemoore

Gallegos moving down gives 152 two #1’s. He has done well in national tournaments and obviously wants another crack at Stafford, who gave him his only in-state loss this season.

Wilson was a Fargo Cadet AA and an NHSCA freshman AA.

Sierra was 6th in Rodebaugh’s 140 bracket at states last year.

TOM’s Pick: Jesse Stafford, Del Oro, over Travis Gallegos, Foothill

160

Contenders:
#2 Jr. Adam Fierro, Bakersfield
#3 So. Nikko Reyes, Clovis West
#4 Sr. Ian Roy, Poway
#6 Jr. Justin Lozano, Selma
#8 Sr. C.J. Berry, Chico
HM Jr. Jacob Pendleton, Lemoore
#1 @ 171 (TOM’s #10 @160) Jr. Bryce Hammond, Bakersfield
#4 @ 171 Sr. Dominic Kastl, Gilroy
Oviedo Sr. Erin O’Dell

Bryce Hammond has been an absolute dynamo this season. He took fourth as a sophomore last season and if I could give an award for taking your game to the next level between this year and last, I’d give it to Hammond.

It just so happens that another one of my favorite California guys is in this weight as well: Justin Lozano. His chances to get to the final might depend on his seed and subsequent draw. Lozano lost in the Doc B finals to Hammond last week, 7-2.

Reyes and Roy split matches this year. O’Dell is a FL state 3rd placer.

TOM’s Pick: Bryce Hammond, Bakersfield over Dominic Kastl, Gilroy

171

Contenders:
#3 Sr. Luke Sheridan, De La Salle
#7 Sr. Zack Merrill, Palm Desert
HM Sr. John Beck, Rancho Bernardo
UR Jr. Austin Crider, Poway
UR Jr. Brian Engdahl, Granata
Oviedo Jr. Lee Wildes

This weight thinned out as guys dropped.

John Beck has been impressive this season winning two tournaments and placing in two others.

TOM’s Pick: Luke Sheridan, Concord over Lee Wildes, Oviedo

189

Contenders:
#1 (TOM #4) Jr. Morgan McIntosh, Calvary Chapel
#6 Sr. Chase Eskam, Carlsbad
HM Jr. A.C. Brown, Oakdale
#3 @ 215 Austin Moorehead, Sutter Union
Sr. David Prieto, Las Vegas
Sr. Aaron Garcia, Cimarron
Sr. Derrick Hawkins, Santiago
UR Jr. Jimmy Moreno, Poway
Oviedo Jr. Jay Taylor

Another thin weight. But a stud up top.

Morgan McIntosh, a state champ as a sophomore and a former Double Fargo National Champ will be the odds on favorite.
Garcia is a 2x state placer.

Eskam has three Top 3 performances this year.

Taylor is a Florida state runner-up. Currently undefeated this season.

TOM’s Pick: Morgan McIntosh, Calvary Chapel over Austin Moorehead, Sutter Union

215

Contenders:
#1 (TOM #7) Jr. Tank Knowles, Calvary Chapel
#2 (TOM #17) Sr. J.T. Felix, Centennial – Corona
#4 Sr. Andrew Hudson, Redlands East Valley
#5 Jr. Charlie Gilstrap, Oakdale
HM Sr. Josh Mei, Atascadero
HM Sr. Sultan Mohammad, San Fernando
UR Sr. Endhyr Meza, West Hills
#5 @ HWT Sr. Brian Schoene, Bakersfield

Back to the typical meat-grinder of a bracket, this one featuring two TOM-ranked kids and a whopping 5 returning state place-winners.

Knowles has won the Ironman and Reno this year.

Schoene was a runner-up in this event last year and beat Knowles en route to the finals. He also won Doc Buchanan last weekend.

Felix, Hudson, and Moorehead all placed at states last year.

TOM’s Pick: Tank Knowles, Calvary Chapel, over Brian Schoene, Bakersfield

HWT

Contenders:
#1 (TOM #9) Sr. Drew Meulman, St Francis
#4 Sr. Mathew Galas, Central Catholic
#7 Sr. Luis Barragan, Gilroy
HM Sr. John Castle, Poway
HM Jr. Wyatt Baker, Servite
HM Sr. Manny Mazariegos, Sultana
UR Sr. Andrew Ramos, Sierra Vista

A good crop of heavies here. State finalist, Meulman leads the way. He won Doc B over #2 (TOM #16) Papendorf last week. Meulman should be considered the favorite.

And while there’s not a lot of top flight guys chasing him, there is certainly some talent. Most of the guys will be the same one contending to get on the podium at states.

TOM’s Pick: Drew Meulman, St. Francis, over Luis Barragan, Gilroy

Top 5 Teams:
1. Selma
2. Bakersfield
3. Gilroy
4. Poway
5. Calvary Chapel

Outstanding Wrestler Nominees:
1. Bryce Hammond, Bakersfield
2. Morgan McIntosh, Calvary Chapel
3. Tank Knowles, Calvary Chapel

By Willie Saylor, Editor

From the Masters at TheOpenMat

Perhaps the deepest concentration of talent the high school wrestling world will see during the season, the Walsh Ironman Tournament annually kicks the action into high gear. Regardless of which rankings you use, an obscene amount of top teams are present here including at least six of the top eight in the country.

The field is also laden with some of the top individuals as tournament director, Bob Preusse, extends invitations to bring in guys like Brandon Rolnick, Travis Gallegos, Jesse Delgado, and other nationally ranked wrestlers.

Without further ado, we’ll breakdown the favorites, and storylines, by weight class, in anticipation of what should be another memorable kick-off.

We also turn back the clock a bit, and list the finals’ results from five years ago.

103
Last Year: Nick Brascetta (ST Eds) def. Mark Grey (Blair) 6-3
2004: Jayk Cobbs dec. Daniel Kolodzik 4-2

Handicapping the first weight class is particularly tough early in the season when several starters are new to the line-up. But 103 does have some standout names. Kevon Powell of Montini (IL) was a Fargo placer this summer and earned the top seed despite going 0-2 here last year. He may still be undersized as he wrestled 98lbs this summer. St. Ignatius Soph, George DiCamillo, is the only returning placer (8th) back at 103. He gets the 2nd seed with Blair Academy So. Max Hvolbeck, who won NHSCA’s Preseason Nationals, getting the 3 seed.

Other Contenders:
Billy Rappo (Council Rock-South)
Cory Stainbrook (Streetsboro)
Dean Heil (St Eds)
Kaleb Lemaire (Ceasar Rodney)
Ryan Taylor (SPG)
Evan Botwin (Wyoming Seminary)

TOM’s Pick: Max Hvolbeck (BA) over Billy Rappo (CRS)

112
Last Year: Devin Carter (CBurg) dec. Hunter Steiber (Monroeville) 8-4
2004: Aaron Hart (SPG) dec Rollie Peterkin (BA) 6-4

Along with 152, 112lbs might be the deepest weight of the tournament. The top seed here goes to National Prep Champ Evan Silver who lost just once here last year (to Hunter Stieber) at the same weight in taking 3rd. On his side of the bracket, Silver will face competition from 4th seeded Jimmy Gulibon, who dominated his way to a state title as a freshman.

In the bottom half, Alex Cisneros (Selma, CA) who won a state title and NHSCA
Freshman Nationals last year gets the 3 seed. The 2nd seed goes to Wyoming Seminary’s Dom Malone, a placer (5th) at 103 last year. Last weekend, Malone beat Joey Dance of Christiansburg. Dance won Super 32’s and Fargo Cadet FS this off-season. Dance is also in this side of the bracket as the 6th seed, setting up a potential quarterfinal match-up with Cisneros.

Corey Keener (7th) of Blue Mountain and Alfredo Gray (6th) of Wadsworth also both placed last year at the Ironman at 103lbs.

Other Contenders:
Ryan Brooks (Marlow)
Daniel Gaytan (Clovis)
Jordan Hancock (Troy)
Trey Balasco (CR-South)

TOM’s Pick: Jimmy Gulibon (Derry) over Dom Malone (Seminary)

119
Last Year: Jamie Clark (ST Eds) dec Sean Boyle (BA) 5-3
2004: Lance Palmer (ST Eds) dec Ross Gitomer (BA) 5-0

This weight features a good number of previous Ironman placers with head-to-head history. The top seed is Monroeville’s Hunter Steiber, last year’s runner-up at 112lbs. On his side of the bracket is 4th seeded Ty Mitch, Ironman participant who has collected a pair of Ohio state titles and this summers Junior FS National crown. Setting up an interesting quarterfinal match, Nick Brascetta (SPG), last year’s 103lb champ, is seeded 5th. Also on that side of the bracket is Broomfield’s (CO) Courtland Hacker who placed eighth here last year.

Down below, Jerome Robinson got the nod as the second seed. Robinson, of St. Ignatius, won last year’s Ohio state title and October’s Super 32 belt. He placed 4th at 112 here last year ahead of 3 seed Kegan Squire (Wadworth) who placed 6th and Reynold’s Mason Beckman, the 7th seed, who placed 5th.

Although he’s seeded just sixth, Mark Grey is set up quite well. Wrestling for Blair Academy, Grey won National Prep’s, was a runner-up to Brascetta here last year, and was a Cadet Fargo Finalist this summer. His potential match-ups include Squire in the quarters and Robinson/Beckman in the semi’s. I like his chances to get to the finals.

Other Contenders:
Christian Bailey (Davis, OK)
Geoff Alexander (Shady Side)
Kyle Johnson (Seminary)

TOM’s Pick: Ty Mitch (Aurora) over Mark Grey (BA)

125
Last Year: Sammie White (Perry) dec Zach Neibert (SPG) 7-5
2004: Jordan Frishkorn (Great Bridge) dec Cam Doggett (SPG) 7-2

Not because of depth issues, but because both wrestlers are that good, 125 appears to be a two-horse race putting top seeded Logan Steiber (Monroeville) and 2nd seeded Devin Carter (Christiansburg) on a collision course/ Both wrestlers have won just about everything under the wrestling sun: Ironman, Fargo, multiple state titles, etc.

Up top with Steiber will be Walsh’s Johnni DiJulius a State Champ and St. Ed’s Gus Sako a state runners-up and previous Ironman placers. Another tough competitor is Dylan D’Urso (Reynolds) who placed third at 103 here last year.

On the bottom side, Carter’s main competition is likely to come in the form of CA state champion, Jesse Delgado (Gilroy), who is the 3 seed. Other main challengers will be Jerry Huff of Broomfield, who was a Fargo AA this summer, and Burrell’s Dave Makara, who placed 6th here last year at the same weight.

Other Contenders:
Jake Corrill (Moeller)
Ryan Hunsberger (Faquier)
Drew Stone (Oak Harbor)
Chase Ferman (Broken Arrow)

TOM’s Pick: Logan Steiber (Monroeville) over Devin Carter (CBurg)

130
Last Year: Chris Villalonga (BA) dec Felipe Martinez (SPG) 6-1
2004: Adam Frey (BA) dec Matt Dunn (Reynolds) 6-5

This is the first weight (of a few) in which there is a notable scratch. St. Paris Graham’s Bo Jordan is out.

Defending Ironman Champ, Jamie Clark (St Eds) leads the way as the top seed and the consensus pick to win it. In his half, Frank Martellotti (SSA), who recently signed to wrestle at Penn State next year, sits as the 4 seed and Nick Babcock of Broomfield (CO), a placer at 103 last year, is seeded 5th. A good early round match-up will be Soph. Case Garrison (Bishop Lynch) and Walsh’s Nate Skonieczny, the 8th and 9th seeds, respectively.

Cody Pack (Quincy) a CA state finalist has flown in on a solo mission. As the 2 and 3 seeds, Pack and Westlake’s Nick Lawrence are the top dogs of the bottom bracket. Also figuring to be in the mix is Tyler Raunzahn (Blue Mtn), who was 5th here last year.

Todd Preston (BA) is unseeded. Depending upon where he falls in the bracket, he could throw a monkey wrench into things. Another unseeded kid is Seminary’s Eric Morris, a freshman buzzsaw that had a tremendous youth career. Maybe this year’s Felipe Martinez?

Other Contenders:
Colten Rasche (Montini)

TOM’s Pick: Jamie Clark (St Eds) over Eric Morris (Seminary)

135
Last Year: David Taylor (SPG) dec. Joe Waltko (N. Allegheny) 16-3
2004: Brandon Shelton (El Reno) dec Travis Blasco (BA) 8-5

The scratch at 135 is Council Rock-South’s Josh Dziewa, who is out with a shoulder injury.

Monroeville’s Cam Tessari is the third top seed from his school in a span of 4 weights. On his side of the bracket, he’ll have to deal with 4 seed Luke Goettl (Mingus AZ), a Fargo GR Champ and Iowa St. signee. Also up top is 5 seed Simon Kitzis of Seminary who, despite a DNP performance here last year, has fared well in several national tournaments, including a win vs. eventual FS National Champ Dziewa at Fargo, where Kitzis would eventually place 4th.

Nick Pena of Selma (CA) also looms in the top bracket. Pena placed 3rd at the CA state tournament last year and 5th in October’s Super 32’s. Another mouth-watering, Round of 16 match-up will likely pit Pena and Bishop Lynch 9 seed, Troy Silver against each other.

Last year at this event, Felipe Martinez (SPG) burst onto the scene by upsetting blue-chipper Tony Ramos and winning runner-up honors. A Martinez-Ormsbee semi would be wild, and likely, as they are the 2 and 3 seeds. Ormsbee, a National Prep Champ for Blair, took fourth here in 2008, losing to Joe Waltko and splitting matches with Josh Kindig.

Jordan Rich (Central Mtn), who placed 5th at 125 last year, is also in the bottom bracket. He, along with 7th seeded Shawn Fayette (Miamisburg) will have a lot to say about how the bottom half unfolds.

Other Contenders:
Scott Bosak (Kiski Prep)
Alec Dieter (Clovis)
Zach Epperly (Christiansburg)
Zack Dailey (Perry)

TOM’s Pick: Cam Tessari (Monroeville) over Austin Ormsbee (Blair)

140
Last Year: Andrew Alton (CM) dec Collin Palmer (St Eds) 5-3
2004: Mikey Benefiel (Montini) dec Sean Nemec (St Eds) 4-3

Another scratch here as Blue Mountain star and Oklahoma State Cowboy recruit, Josh Kindig injured a knee at the Lock Haven Open.

Defending Ironman Champ, Chris Villalonga is the overwhelming favorite to repeat. But the top half is deep with talent and he’ll face tough opponents almost every match. The quarters will see him get the winner of 8 and 9 seeds Ian Miller (Oak Harbor) and Brian Brill (Central Mtn), a Fargo Cadet runner-up. In the other quarters, a likely match-up between the 4 and 5 seeds will pit NHSCA Soph. National Champ Caleb Ervin of Kentucky against Cody Broomall of Smyrna (DE), who placed 3rd in the same tournament.

The top two seeds in the bottom bracket are Stephen Robertson of Montini, who placed 8th at 125 here last year and Travis Shaffer (Derry) a 4th place finisher at Super 32’s

Other Contenders:
Evan Henderson (Kiski)
Clinton McAlester (Clovis)
Isaac Jordan (SPG)
Brady Epperly (Christiansburg)
Matt Martoccio (CR-South)
Nate Ball (Wadsworth)

TOM’s Pick: Chris Villalonga (Blair) over Evan Henderson (Kiski)

145
Last Year: Dylan Alton (CM) dec Brian Stephens (SPG) 5-3
2004: Dustin Schlatter (Perry) tech-fall Eric Medina (BA)

Andrew Alton is in a good position to find himself back in the finals. The 2008 Ironman Champ, who has since won another PA state title, another Fargo title, and last month won the ESU College Open, should handle the top bracket.

His top opponents will likely be 4th seeded Arizona state champ Logan Addis (Mingus) or Matt Stephen (SPG), the 5 seed, in the semis.

In the bottom half, one of the more underappreciated wrestlers in the country, Brad Squire (Wadsworth) is the 2 seed. Squire is a 3x Ohio state placewinner. Opposite him in the 3 slot is CA State Champion Cody Rodebaugh of San Lorenzo Valley.

Another wrestler to watch out for is St. Ed’s Anthony Salupo seeded 6th. The Lehigh signee is certainly capable of winning this side of the bracket.

Other Contenders:
Robert Henderson (Kiski)
James Linkous (Christiansburg)
Cody Bye (Bishop Lynch)
Andy Candiello (North Allegheny)

TOM’s Pick: Andrew Alton (Central Mtn) over Cody Rodebaugh (San Lorenzo)

152
Last Year: Brandon Rolnick (Lawrenceville) dec Nick Sulzer (St Eds) 3-1
2004: Chris Brown (Great Bridge) dec Ian Henisch (Ponderosa) 22-8

The third consecutive weight that has a returning champ, this bracket does double duty as two defending Ironman Champs are present. Dylan Alton won last year’s title at 145 while Brandon Rolnick of Lawrenceville Prep won at this very weight. While they’re the two favorites, this weight is anything but a forgone conclusion. The deepest weight class in the tournament, there are seven wrestlers here who have signed on to wrestle for Division I schools. And that’s just the seniors. Every match-up in the Round of 16 will be worth watching at this weight.

Alton gets the nod as the top seed. Up top with him will be 8 and 9 Harrison Hightower (University School), an Ohio state champ, and Cody Allala (Hopewell), a Virginia state champ . The winner will likely meet Dylan in the quarters.

Another R16 match-up that should be a dandy is 5 seed, David Habat, St. Iggy’s State Champ and Edinboro signee, versus Ceasar Rodney’s Isaiah Meade, a Fargo Cadet AA. The winner will likely face Kiski Prep’s Jason Luster in the quarters. Last year at Ironman, Habat and Luster tangled for 3rd with Luster coming out on top, 3-1.

In the bottom half, Rolnick will await the winner of the 7/10 match-up between Smyrna’s Kenny Boyles and Blair’s Jesse Shanaman, who placed 6th last season.

The 3 seed is Steven Hernandez of Bishop Gorman (NV) who’s won multiple state titles, Fargo, and all three NHSCA class events. A potential quarterfinal match waits for him with Travis Gallegos (Foothill, CA) who placed third in his state tournament and 5th at Super 32’s at 160.

Other Contenders:
Travis McKillop (Burrell)
Bryce Caiazzo (Seminary)
Rich Eva (Christiansburg)

TOM’s Pick: Dylan Alton (Central Mtn) over Steven Hernandez (Bishop Gorman)

160
Last Year: Zach Toal (Troy) dec. Kyle Lang (Brecksville) 5-3
2004: Dave Irwin (SPG) dec Mack Lewnes (St Joes) 13-3

In the top half, we might be in for a semifinal that revisits last year’s Ohio state final. That match saw Westerville’s Josh Demas, the 4th seed here, score in the waning moments to capture the state title over Nick Sulzer (St. Eds), the top seed, and who lost in the Ironman finals last year to Rolnick at 152.

The second seed is Pierce Harger (Moeller), an Ohio state champ who placed 4th here at 145 last year. Opposite him in the 3 slot is Zach Skates (OK), also a state champion, who was one round from placing at 152 in last year’s Ironman.

Other Contenders:
Trey Adamson (Bishop Lynch)
Brad Wukie (University School)
Chris Moon (Seminary)
Konner Witt (Oak Harbor)

TOM’s Pick: Josh Demas (Westerville) over Pierce Harger (Moeller)

171
Last Year: Ed Ruth (BA) dec Ethan Lofthouse (Mt Crest) 10-3
2004: Phil Keddy (Unitah) dec Dave Thompson (SPG) 3-0

Chris Phillips, one of the country’s top juniors, is Monroeville’s 4th top seeded wrestler. He’s the overwhelming favorite here, but he should get some good tests from 8th seed Clint Allala (Hopewell) and the winner of Alex Utley, the 4th seed of CVCA and SPG’s Huston Evans, who, as just a freshman placed 7th at 160 last season.

In the other half of the bracket, Shady Side’s Matt Cunningham, a state champion and Cornell recruit, grabbed the 2 seed. Third seed is Tanner Eitel of Bishop Lynch.

One wrestler to keep an eye on is unseeded Justin Lozano of Selma (CA) who looked very impressive in taking 4th at Super 32’s, including a 10-3 victory over New Jersey’s Nick Visicaro.

Other Contenders:
Johnny Field (Bishop Gorman)
Zach Nevills (Clovis)
Todd Gaydosh (Padua)

TOM’s Pick: Chris Phillips (Monroeville) over Matt Cunningham (SSA)

189
Last Year: Max Huntley (BA) dec. Max Thomusseit (SPG) 4-3
2004: Patrick Bond (Great Bridge) dec Hudson Taylor (BA) 3-1

A scratch here as Morgan MacIntosh (Calvary Chapel, CA) will not be available.
The top few guys here are solid. Starting with Evans, who double AA’d in Fargo this summer, as the top seed. On his side of the bracket is CA placer, Tommy Burriel, the 4th seed, and Matt Chavez of Mingus.

The bottom half should feature an interesting semi between 2nd seeded Max Thomusseit of SPG, a runner-up at Ironman last season, and BL import, Steve McPeek, a Fargo AA and Super 32 runner-up. Both of these guys are horses, although McPeek is a rather small 89lber, and Thomusseit is on the really big end.

Other Contenders:
Cody Johnson (Broken Arrow)
Bobby Lavelle (CR-South)
Chris Smith (Parkersburg)
Anthony Ruggiero

TOM’s Pick: Mike Evans (BA) Steve McPeek (BL)

215
Last Year: Joe McMullen (WySem) dec Ben Krakower (BA) 5-0
2004: Jason Marshall (SPG) dec Cody Gardner (CBurg) 3-1

One last notable omission as Don McNeil (Wyoming Seminary) has not been cleared for eligibility.

The #1 seed, Tank Knowles (Calvary Chapel) is the prohibitive favorite here. As just a soph last year, Knowles placed 4th at the tough California state
tournament.

His main competition in getting to the finals will come from Brian Beattie (Burrell), the 4 seed, who was an NHSCA Soph National Runner-Up.

In the other side, it should be a showdown between two Ohio guys: Nick Tavenello (Wadsworth) and Beau Wenger (Fairless Hills). Watch for Brook Gosch (Blue Mountain) to throw his hat in the ring, too.

Other Contenders:
Joe Gatto (Padua)
Spencer Willett (Brecksville)
Mark Meyer (SPG)

TOM’s Pick: Tank Knowles (CC) over Beau Wenger (Fairless Hills)

HWT
Last Year: Jeremy Johnson (Brecksville) fall Zach Corl (Blue Mt)
2004: Steve Dumas (Brush) dec Mike Edwards (Reynolds) 6-4

There’s a good crop of experienced heavies here, at least 8 deep.

Terry Williamson (Broken Arrow), who finished 4th at 215 last year, gets top billing. He’ll have to contend with Brooks Black (Blair) early. Black, a freshman in his first year at Blair, won Fargo Cadets this summer.

The other quarter bracket features Wadsworth’s Ben Buzzelli, a 6th place finisher here last year, and 5th seed Ross Ferraro of Montini.

In the bottom half, the top two seeds are National Prep Champ, Mike McMullen (Seminary) and last year’s Ironman Runner-Up, Zach Corl of Central Mountain.

Other Contenders:
Max Gladstone (Findlay)

TOM’s Pick: Mike McMullen (Seminary) over Brooks Black (Blair)

By: Willie Saylor, Editor