106
Ranked Wrestlers:
#1 Alex Cottey-Perry Meridian
#8 Stephen Roberson-Crown Point
#10 Malik Hall-Merrillville
#11 Isaiah Ponce-Lake Central
#12 Isaac Ruble-Bellmont
#14 Ruben Padilla-Hobart
Breakdown:
This weight features 6 ranked wrestlers including top ranked, returning state runner-up Alex Cottey of Perry Meridian. We will also get a chance to see stud sophomore Stephen Roberson of Crown Point. Although this weight features a lot of ranked wrestlers, I expect Cottey to win convincingly. Another wrestler to keep an eye on is Malik Hall of Merrillville, who has had a solid season thus far at 113 but has now made the drop to 106.
Hoosier Mat top dog: Alex Cottey
Hoosier Mat dark horse: Malik Hall
Picks: 1. Cottey 2. Roberson 3. Hall 4. Padilla
113
Ranked Wrestlers:
#2 Zeke Seltzer-Cathedral
#7 Martin Cruz-Merrillville
#10 Hayden Watson-Center Grove
#13 Trey Sturgill-Peru
Breakdown:
This will be many fans around the state’s first look at stud freshman Zeke Seltzer. Due to his great off-season, including placing a 6th at fargo and a solid early season win over David Pearson, he is ranked second as a freshman. Most likely to challenge him is returning Al Smith champion Martin Cruz of Merrillville, who is undefeated so far this season. This weight also features a very solid Hayden Watson of Center Grove and Trey Sturgill of Peru. Two unranked wrestlers to take a look at are Andrew Haggerty of Perry Meridian and Hudson Harreld of Zionsville. Haggerty has been looking very tough this season, despite it being his first season in the Perry lineup. Harreld was a semi state qualifier last year and is having a solid season thus far.
Hoosier Mat top dog: Zeke Seltzer
Hoosier Mat dark horse: Andrew Haggerty
Picks: 1. Seltzer 2. Cruz 3.Watson 4. Haggerty
120
Ranked Wrestlers:
#1 Brayden Littell-Center Grove
#4 Riley Bettich-Crown Point
#7 Vince Sparrow-Penn
#11 Danny Tolin-Chesterton
Breakdown:
The clear favorite at this weight is top ranked Brayden Littell of Center Grove. Despite the fact that he is yet to wrestle in the state tournament due to injury his first two seasons, he has amassed one of the most impressive resumes in the state with many elite wins and placements at fargo and super 32 within the past year. Also, at this weight is 4th ranked Riley Bettich of Crown Point, who was a state champion in Michigan last year. This weight also includes two returning state qualifiers in Vince Sparrow of Penn and Jack Tolin of Chesterton.
Hoosier Mat top dog: Brayden Littell
Hoosier Mat dark horse: Danny Tolin
Picks: 1. Littell 2. Bettich 3. Tolin 4. Sparrow
126
Ranked Wrestlers:
#1 Hunter Watts-Jimtown
#2 Jesse Mendez-Crown Point
#6 Logan Wagner-Zionsville
#12 Jeremy Clark-Columbus East
#13 Lukasz Walednzak -Cathedral
#14 Kyle Lawson-Bellmont
Breakdown:
In my opinion this is the deepest weight in the tournament, featuring 4 wrestlers ranked in the top 7. This weight is headlined by returning state champion and two-time Al Smith champion Hunter Watts of Jimtown. After an incredible junior season and a solid offseason, Watts is looking to start his senior season off right with a 3rd straight Al Smith title. Standing in his way is freshman phenom Jesse Mendez of Crown Point. Due to his national accolades and pre season victories, many people think he is the best freshman this state has seen since Jason Tsirtsis (who coincidentally was the same weight and also went to the same school). Although it is likely that these two will meet in the finals, both will have to navigate a minefield to get there. This weight features returning state semi-finalist Lukasz Walednzak of Cathedral. Also, at this weight is returning state placer Logan Wagner who is one of the most dangerous wrestlers in the state. An unranked wrestler to keep an eye on is Jeremy Clark of Columbus east who has a recent win over Waldenzak.
Hoosier Mat top dog: Jesse Mendez
Hoosier Mat dark horse: Logan Wagner
Picks: 1. Mendez 2. Watts 3. Wagner 4. Walednzak
132
Ranked Wrestlers
#4 Matt Gimson-Jimtown
#5 Germia Brooks-Wawasee
#7 Andres Moreno-Lowell
#8 Logan Bailey-Cathedral
Breakdown:
This is a very solid weight featuring 4 of the top 8 ranked wrestlers in the state. The highest ranked wrestler in this weight class is Matt Gimson of Jimtown, who after having a solid offseason, is looking to finally capture an elusive Al Smith title. Standing in his way is returning state placer, 5th ranked Germia Brooks of Wawasee who actually defeated Gimson in the 7th place match at state last year. This weight also features 7th ranked Andres Moreno, who is looking to repeat as Al Smith champion after having a breakout tournament at the event last year. Our final ranked wrestler at this weight is returning state 3rd placer at 106, Logan Bailey. This will be a good opportunity to see him face some very solid competition up four weights from last year. Two other wrestlers to keep an eye on are Riley Rust of Center Grove and Logan Hill of Penn. Rust is an Alaska state champion who recently moved to Indiana and Hill is a returning state qualifier.
Hoosier Mat top dog: Matt Gimson
Hoosier Mat dark horse: Riley Rust
Picks: 1. Gimson 2. Brooks 3. Bailey 4. Moreno
138
Ranked Wrestlers:
#1 Cayden Rooks-Columbus East
#2 Matt Gimson-Jimtown
#5 Braxton Alexander-Wawasee
#9 Gabe Smith-Perry Meridian
#11 Andrew Wilson-Cathedral
#12 Nick Buchanan-Prairie Heights
Breakdown:
This is one of the most stacked weights at the tournament, featuring 3 of the top 5 kids in the state. The favorite at this weight is state champion and two time Al Smith champion, Cayden Rooks. After a solid offseason, Rooks is looking to start off his senior campaign with a 3rd Al Smith title. One of the people standing in his way will be 2nd ranked Matt Gimson of Jimtown who is coming off of a very solid offseason, including a 5th place finish at Junior Nationals. Besides the top 2 kids in the state this tournament features many other ranked wrestlers including 5th ranked 2017 state placer Braxton Alexander. Another wrestler to keep an eye out for at this weight is 2016 Al Smith champion Gabe Smith of Perry Meridian who is appearing to be hitting his groove at this point in the season. This weight also features 11th ranked returning state qualifier Andrew Wilson of Cathedral and 12th ranked Nick Buchanan who was a state placer in Michigan last year. One unranked wrestler to keep an eye out for is Chase Poynter of Zionsville, who is expected to make his return at this tournament after missing the beginning of the season due to injury. Poynter is a returning Al Smith 4th placer and lost in the ticket round last year.
Hoosier Mat top dog: Cayden Rooks
Hoosier Mat dark horse: Gabe Smith
Picks: 1. Rooks 2. Gimson 3. Alexander 4. Smith
145
Ranked Wrestlers
#2 Aiden Warren-Perry Meridian
#5 Alex Mosconi-Cathedral
#10 Jake Burford-Crown Point
#12 Ryan Rasler-Prairie Heights
Breakdown:
This weight appears to be a two horse race between 2nd ranked Aiden Warren of Perry Meridian and 5th ranked Alex Mosconi of Cathedral. Warren is off to a hot start so far this season with wins over Rooks and Graves and is looking to continue his hot streak by capturing a prestigious Al Smith title. Standing in his way will most likely be 5th ranked, returning state finalist Alex Mosconi of Cathedral. If these two end up in the finals I expect it to be tightly contested. Standing in the way of these two is 10th Jake Burford of Crown Point and 12th Ryan Rassler of Prairie Heights. Both are very solid wrestlers and are looking to have a breakout tournament here. One unranked wrestler to keep an eye on here is returning semi state ticket rounder Terrell Leavell of Lawrence Central.
Hoosier Mat top dog: Aiden Warren
Hoosier Mat dark horse: Jake Burford
Picks: 1. Warren 2. Mosconi 3. Burford 4. Rasler
152
Ranked Wrestlers:
#1 Elliott Rodgers-Cathedral
#6 Jake Schoenegge-Columbus East
#8 Brock Ellis-Chesterton
#9 Isaiah Levitz-Prairie Heights
#11 Ethan Hicks-Carroll(Fort Wayne)
#12 John Ruble-Bellmont
#13 Hayden Prater-Rochester
#16 Tyler Turley-Hobart
Breakdown:
This is an absolutely stacked weight, featuring 9 of the 16 ranked wrestlers in the state. However, despite how stacked the field is, number 1 ranked Elliott Rodgers is an overwhelming favorite due to his great offseason and dominant results thus far. Seniors Sam Fair and Jake Schoenegge are both returning state placers and are both looking to get some momentum going this season with an Al Smith title. One wrestler to definitely keep an eye on is 9th ranked sophomore Brock Ellis of Chesterton who had a great offseason, placing at both Iowa folkstyle nationals and fargo. Another guy to definitely watch out for is Isaiah Levitz of Prairie Heights, as he is one of the most dangerous wrestlers in the state.
Hoosier Mat top dog: Elliot Rodgers
Hoosier Mat dark horse: Brock Ellis
Picks: 1. Rodgers 2. Ellis 3. Schoenegge 4. Hicks
160
Ranked Wrestlers:
#2 Jordan Slivka-Cathedral
#4 Brooks Davis-Perry Meridian
#7 Peyton Pruett-Center Grove
#8 Tristan Ruhlman-Bloomington South
#10 Jacob Atkins-South Bend Riley
#15 Drew Sailors-Rochester
Breakdown:
This weight is very similar to 152 in the fact that it features many ranked wrestlers, but the clear favorite is a returning state champion from Cathedral, this time being Jordan Slivka. The second highest ranked wrestler in this weight class is 4th ranked Brooks Davis who is moving down to 160 for the first time this year. 6th ranked Peyton Pruett is looking to keep the momentum of his, so far, undefeated season going. Tristan Ruhlman of Bloomington South, currently ranked 7th, is also a very capable wrestler at this weight, as he has a win this season over 2nd ranked 152 Nathan Conley. Another wrestler to keep an eye out for is 2017 state qualifier Jacob Atkins of South Bend Riley.
Hoosier Mat top dog: Jordan Slivka
Hoosier Mat dark horse: Jacob Atkins
Picks: 1. Slivka 2. Davis 3. Ruhlman 4. Atkins
170
Ranked Wrestlers:
#1 Nick South-Columbus East
#3 Joseph Walker-Mishawaka
#9 Derek Blubaugh-Bloomington South
#12 Clayton Fielden-Garrett
#14 Zane Gilbreath-Rochester
Breakdown:
From the outside looking in this weight appears to be a two horse race between 1st ranked Nick South and 3rd ranked Joseph Walker. Returning state champion Nick South is riding a gigantic wave of momentum right now as he is coming off of a second place finish at Super 32. On the other hand, Joseph Walker also has a lot of momentum right now after appearing in the flowrestling national rankings after a series of huge preseason wins. If these two are to meet in the finals, look for it to be an absolute brawl between two of the most physical wrestlers in the entire state. Also, do not count out senior Derek Blubaugh who is a returning state placer and Al Smith champion. Another wrestler to keep an eye out for is Clayton Fielden of Garrett, who is a returning semi state qualifier and also a 2017 fargo all american. Rochester’s Zane Gilbreath is coming off a week were he beat Manchester’s Delton Moore, so look for him to continue the momentum he’s built.
Hoosier Mat top dog: Nick South
Hoosier Mat dark horse: Brooks Davis
Picks: 1. South 2. Walker 3. Blubaugh 4. Fielden
182
Ranked Wrestlers:
#4 Jacob LaPlace-Mishawaka
#6 Jake Lone-Northwood
#8 Evan Bates-Chesterton
#10 Khris Walton-Merrillville
#11 Alex Castro-Wawasee
#13 Caden Friedt-Bellmont
#14 Noah Brown-Penn
Breakdown:
This is a very interesting weight with many different aspects to it. The highest ranked wrestler here is 4th ranked Jacob LaPlace. LaPlace definitely has the best credentials in the weight, but it will be interesting to see him face his first elite competition at 182. Returning state placer and 6th ranked Jake Lone also has a great shot here, as he as already gotten a couple top ten wins this season. Another wrestler to definitely keep an eye on is 8th ranked sophomore Evan Bates of Chesterton. After a stellar freshman season that ended in the ticket round, he had a great offseason, capturing the ISWA triple crown. Given Chesterton’s history at developing upper weights, it would not be a surprise to see him have a breakout tournament. This weight features four other top 16 wrestlers, which should make for a great quarterfinal round on Friday.
Hoosier Mat top dog: Jacob LaPlace
Hoosier Mat dark horse: Evan Bates
Picks: 1. LaPlace 2. Bates 3. Lone 4. Castro
195
Ranked Wrestlers:
#2 Rockne Hurley-Penn
#13 Austin Lane-Perry Meridian
#14 Garrett Sandefur-Mishawaka
Breakdown:
This weight lacks the depth that some the previous weights had but it still features 3 ranked wrestlers. Headlining this group is second ranked, returning state qualifier Rockne Hurley of Penn. I would consider Hurley to be a strong favorite in this field. Austin Lane of Perry Meridian and Garrett Sandefur of Mishawaka are both ranked and returning semi state qualifiers, and are both guys to keep an eye out for. One unranked wrestler to keep an eye out for is Ethan Potosky of Crown Point. He had a solid season last year, making it to semi state and only having 6 losses.
Hoosier Mat top dog: Rockne Hurley
Hoosier Mat dark horse: Ethan Potosky
Picks: 1. Hurley 2. Potosky 3. Lane 4. Sandefur
220
Ranked Wrestlers:
#4 AJ Fowler- Calumet
#5 Jacob Bolte-Columbus East
#14 Adam Berta-Penn
Breakdown:
This weight is most likely going to be a two horse race between 4th ranked Fowler of Calumet and 5th ranked Bolte of Columbus East. Fowler had a good season last year, finishing 3rd at Al Smith and qualifying for state. Bolte is also a state qualifier and has committed to wrestle for Purdue next year. Also at this weight is 14th ranked Adam Berta of Penn.
Hoosier Mat top dog: AJ Fowler
Hoosier Mat dark horse: Adam Berta
Picks: 1. Fowler 2. Bolte 3. Berta 4. Bailey
285
Ranked Wrestlers:
#2 Anthony Atria-Merrillville
#3 Yehezquel DeVault-Penn
#7 Darrione Gregory-Lawrence Central
#11 Sam Jones-Perry Meridian
Breakdown:
The highest ranked wrestler at this weight class is Anthony Atria of Merrillville. Atria finished 5th at Al Smith last year and was a semi state qualifier, but he has appeared to take his game up a notch. The same could also be said about 3rd ranked DeVault of Penn, who after a solid offseason seems poised to have a great season this year. Another wrestler to look out for her is 7th Darrione Gregory, who is a very dangerous wrestler with big move potential.
Hoosier Mat top dog: Anthony Atria
Hoosier Mat dark horse: Darrione Gregory
Picks: 1. Atria 2. Gregory 3. DeVault 4. Jones
