A Fan's Guide to the Super 32 - High School Boys
Standard disclaimer at the top of each post … 1. not everyone registered will compete, 2. athletes can change weights so just because they registered at one weight doesn’t mean that is the weight they will compete at, 3. these are my best guess without seeing a bracket or anything (just trying to give everyone a decent idea of what they might see). Despite the #’s you might have seen from Flo or others - the total # of participants on the boys side is 1438 (for some reason there are multiple entries for some wrestlers). If you are interested in the breakdown overall - visit the Super 32 overview.
Note: This was written this past weekend and shared in SEWrestle+. I have updated a few things, but for the most part it is exactly as it was written previously.
106 lbs.
# registered: 100
# State Champs: 12
# State Placers: 23
Favorite: Beric Jordan (OH)
Contenders:
Nathan Desmond (PA)
Cooper Hilton (PA)
Seth Mendoza (IL)
Christian Castillo (AZ)
Canon Acklin (OK)
SE Wrestlers to Watch:
Lucas Chittum (TN)
Brodie Christmas (AL)
Chaz McDonald (GA)
Allen Calderon (GA)
Roman Lermer (FL)
Bryson Terrell (TN)
Darkhorse:
Bo Bassett (PA)
Bassett is a Cadet World Champ and has to be amongst the favorites … he isn’t ranked by Flo and Isn’t a returning medalist and as a result is the darkhorse in the group, but he has proven that he can beat anyone. Beric Jordan is the only returning Super 32 Placer in the group and is an Ohio State Champ - as a result he is the favorite and is also the highest ranked of the 106’s in the field. Cooper Hilton has a PA next to his name, but is really a #dirtysouth hammer from Tennessee now wrestling at Wyoming Seminary … he has a legit shot to claim a belt this coming weekend. The other 106 from outside the SE that I think finishes high on the podium is Seth Mendoza of Illinois … he was dominant at the GFC and is a Fargo Champ.
SE Take: Everyone is sleeping on the SE crew and that’s a mistake. There are several that could make a legit run at a spot on the podium. Christmas and Terrell are rankedup at 113, but either makes the weight - they will be a force in this bracket. Roman Lermer is our #1 in the SE at 106. He should make a run deep into the bracket, but making the top 8 in a field of 100 is going to be a challenge. Keep an eye on the little Chittum as well … you know those Boom Ranch kids will be ready for anything.
113 lbs.
# registered: 119
# State Champs: 36
# State Placers: 46
Favorite: Anthony Knox (NJ)
Contenders:
Luke Lilledahl (OH)
Vinny Kilkeary (PA)
Alan Koehler (MN)
Drew Heethuis (MI)
Gauge Botero (PA)
SE Wrestlers to Watch:
Cole Hunt (GA)
Ethan Rivera (FL)
Christian Guzman (FL)
Tyler Washburn (FL)
JJ Peace (SC)
Darkhorse:
Logan Swenson (MN)
Knox is simply outstanding … another reason to get to the Georgia Super 32 Qualifier is the future - this kid came down 2 years ago to compete. PA’s Vincent Kilkeary is a returning Champ and beat Knox a year ago at 106 in the quarters. As a returning Champ he could be the favorite, but Knox looked superb in Fargo and I would consider him the favorite based on their most recent accomplishments. Lilledahl, Koehler, and others are all nationally-ranked (if fact there are so many nationally-ranked wrestlers that it is borderline ridiculous). Two names that aren’t ranked are Sam Herring and Jax Forrest … both are former #dirtysouth hammers that have taken their talents to Bishop McCort in PA. Both are 8th-graders that should make some noise at the weight. I watched Logan Swenson at the GFC and came away super impressed - he is way down the list for many people, but I’d keep an eye on him.
SE Take: Cole Hunt and Ethan Rivera are our #1 and #2 and both could be listed under the contender section and not just the SE Wrestler to Watch. Both are that good and have the ability to beat anyone in the field. Hunt is a real legit threat to claim the belt before heading off the UNC next year. Two Florida hammers - Christian Guzman and Tyler Washburn - as well as South Carolina State Champ JJ Peace are also on the short-list of ones to watch. Each has the ability to really make a name for themselves this weekend. The SE has a ton of wrestlers registered at 113 … a few names that are “off the national radar” but have the ability to make a run include Will Anderson of Alabama (if he is at 113), Cam Stinson of North Carolina who had a good run at GFC, and Daishun Powe of Alabama. Jayden Morris is legit and as a freshman will not likely make the podium here, but watch him compete - he will be on the Super 32 podium in the near future.
Update: Looks like Jake Crapps will be down at the weight as well. The Cass 1-2 punch is tough and both could finish high the podium at 113.
120 lbs.
# registered: 143
# State Champs: 43
# State Placers: 57
Favorite: Nate Jesuroga (IA)
Contenders:
Caden Horwath (MI)
Zan Fugitt (MO)
Caleb Thoennes (MN)
Brock Mantanona (CA)
Kael Lauridsen (NE)
SE Wrestlers to Watch:
Jake Crapps (GA)
Kyle Montaperto (NC)
Drew Gorman (GA)
Jackson Baglio (NC)
Yanni Vines (AL)
Matt Rowland (NC)
Amantee Mills (GA)
Isaiah Powe (AL)
Darkhorse:
Aden Valencia (CA)
Michigan’s Horwath won it a year ago and is back to take home a 2nd belt this year, but I believe Iowa’s Nate Jesuoriga is the favorite after beating Joey Cruz at Who’s Number 1. Fugitt, Mantanona, Lauridsen will all be in the hunt, but you can’t sleep on a slew of SE hammers that each have the ability to beat anyone in the field. Trust me. California’s Aden Valencia is outstanding and is the darkhorse (although the idea of someone with Valencia’s credentials and talents being the darkhorse is almost laughable … he is outstanding).
SE Take: The SE is brining the heat at 120. Crapps beat Tallmadge and Montaperto at GFC and he is being completely overlooked by Flo and the other “experts”. Not mention of those wins at the GFC in the write-up. It doesn’t mean Crapps will do it again - but it does mean he is in the hunt. Just as Montaperto is. Montaperto had one helluva run at the 2020 Super 32 and finished 5th (his only losses were to Jore Volk of Minnesota). He has all of the tools to claim the belt, but will need to beat some national, as well as, SE hammers to get there. The SE is super deep at 120 with Crapps and Montaperto, but also with Gorman, Baglio, Vines, Rowland, Mills, and Powe. Each can make a run deep into the tournament … in reality, each has the ability to climb all the way to the top, but it will take 5 or more close matches over some of the best competition to make that happen. The matchups here will get “stupid” early - like Corday vs. Jesuorga in the Round of 32 a year ago. That level of competition will come early - who will be ready for it? Keep an eye on 2 more Alabama kids that are a bit off the radar, but have a chance to increase their stock in a significant way with a good run … keep an eye on Hudson Waldrop and Chad Strickland as well as North Carolina’s Noah Luna.
Update: Joey Cruz was added after I dowloaded the info from Super 32 - Cruz is definitely a threat here … but Jesuorga is still my favorite entering the weight. Looks like Crapps is at 113.
126 lbs.
# registered: 161
# State Champs: 48
# State Placers: 56
Favorite: Cory Land (AL)
Contenders:
Sergio Lemley (IN)
PJ Duke (NY)
Evan Frost (IA/LA)
Kannon Webster (IL)
Kyler Larkin (AZ)
SE Wrestlers to Watch:
Keyveon Roller (TN)
Andrew Austin (FL)
Cooper Haase (FL)
Jacob Silka (GA)
Jackson Bond (GA/TN)
Mark Samuel (NC)
Darkhorse: Vincent Bouzakis (PA)
Another extremely deep weight class and we believe that Alabama’s Cory Land is the favorite … Land has been in the finals and has also finished elsewhere in the podium at Super 32. It is his year to take home the belt and put it next to that World Silver he claimed this summer. PJ Duke was finalist last year andSergio Lemley is ranked #1 by several different rankers. Keep an eye on Evan Frost (who is not in Iowa?) as well as Kannon Webster and Kyler Larkin (Webster beat Cooper Flynn in Fargo this past summer - I believe and Larkin downed Mason Gibson). As I said before, this weight is super deep with GFC Champ Vincent Robinson (IL), Gabe Whisenhunt (OR), and PA’s Vincent Bouzakis has really come on as of late and has some outstanding wins … he isn’t likely to be seeded in the top 8 and that makes him our darkhorse.
SE Take: Great group from the SE. Austin and Haase had a great GFC final and each can compete with anyone in the county. Roller is ranked #3 by us up at 132 and if he makes 126 he will be a force and has all the tools to claim the belt himself. Georgia’s Jacob Silka and Jackson Bond as well as NC’s Marks Samuel should make deep runs as well. Flo gave a little love to south Georgia hammers in Dom Ditomasso and Ethan Sellers … look for them to be in the mix also. One other to keep eyes on is Joseph Morris. The SE has 14 State Champs in the field along with countless State Placers - it is the biggest weight of the tournament so we are certain to see some outstanding Round of 32 matches and from there on in to the finals. Making the top 8 out of the 161 registered would be an outstanding accomplishment.
132 lbs.
# registered: 147
# State Champs: 37
# State Placers: 72
Favorite: Nic Bouzakis (PA)
Contenders:
Emilio Ysaguirre (AZ)
Zeke Seltzer (IN)
Mac Church (PA)
Ryder Block (IA)
Chase Deblaere (MN)
SE Wrestlers to Watch:
Danny Nini (FL)
Braden Basile (FL)
Eligh Rivera (FL)
Dylan Layton (SC)
Jacob Cox (NC)
Darkhorse: Jacob Frost (IA/LA)
Bouzakis was “upset” this summer in Fargo by Ysaguirre - I’d expect that Bouzakis is looking forward to getting that one back. Add in Indiana hammer Zeke Seltzer as well as new Hokie commit Mac Church, Ryder Block, and Chase Deblaere and we’ve got quite a spectacular core group of contenders. Each of the wrestlers to watch could also be listed in that group, but we will talk more about them below. Former Louisiana hammer Jacob Frost is the darkhorse … the Columbia commit can beat anyone in the field and may not be seeded in the top 8 (depends on how much weight they put on his Super 32 place from a year ago).
SE Take: Layton is our #1 at 132 with Basile #2. Nini is #1 at 138 and all three are registered for Super 32 at 132. It seems crazy to think Nini will be down to 132, but we will go with it. Layton and Basile both lost in the GFC finals and both have a style that fits this type of tournament … grinding through people and enjoying the next tough match that comes up. There will be no gimmes here and these two are built for this. Keep an eye on Eligh Rivera … with Nini, Basile, and Layton getting much of the SE focus - Rivera has the ability (along with Cox) to make a deep run. I’m really interested to see how North Carolina 1A State Champ Jayden Nowell does … the competition is up from NC 1A and matching that intensity will say a ton about where Nowell falls in NC as well as the SE. Keep an eye out for Brock Carey and Reese Jones - interested to see how they do as well.
138 lbs.
# registered: 144
# State Champs: 27
# State Placers: 69
Favorite: Jesse Mendez (IN)
Contenders:
Tyler Kasak (PA)
Danny Sheen (IL)
Joseph Cangro (NJ)
Kody Ketchum (MO)
SE Wrestlers to Watch:
Tom Crook (FL)
Brayden Ivy (TN)
Luke Belcher (TN)
Jacob Woodburn (NC)
David Panone (GA)
Devin Stone (AL)
Darkhorse: Yannis Charles (SC)
World Team member Jesse Mendez is the easy favorite at 138. He is motivated and ready to go … which could be tough on the rest of the field. Kasak, Sheen, Cangro, and Ketchum are each distinguished and could make a run to the top step as well - but Mendez would figure to be a significant favorite here. The SE has a number of wrestlers that have the ability to make a run as well … Tom Crook won the GFC at 140 and will be in the hunt. Brayden Ivy didn’t compete at GFC after registering and I’m not sure if that is because he was injured or if something came up. If Ivy is healthy he will be in the mix for a spot on the podium as well.
SE Take: Tennessee’s Luke Belcher, Georgia’s Panone, and Alabama’s Stone have a great opportunity to make a lasting impression with a good run in the bracket … each has the ability to make the podium, but will need to grind through some tough matches to put themselves in position. South Carolina Runner-up and GFC Champ Yannis Charles has been trending up since making the podium in Fargo and he is someone that could really make a good run this weekend in Greensboro … for everyone thinking that the South Carolina kids are going to be an easy out are going to be shocked running into the likes of Peace, Snipes, and especially Charles who has been wrestling great. Two other names that people outside the SE might overlook, but shouldn’t are Jacob Woodburn … who can beat anyone in the bracket and Florida’s Jewell Williams - who as I’m writing this is in the Freakshow semis at 138. I expect to see as many as 4 SE hammers on the podium when all is said and done at 138.
Update: No Mendez in the pre-seeds - which almost certainly means he is out. Fedalen, Adams, and Mantanona weren’t listed when I downloaded the data and each could make a case for being the favorite without Mendez here. It seems this weight is significantly different than when I downloaded the names last Friday. The SE group is still intact (no Hunter Mason), but everyone else is here. The top contenders are different though.
145 lbs.
# registered: 134
# State Champs: 32
# State Placers: 65
Favorite: Cody Chittum (TN)
Contenders:
Jackson Arrington (PA)
KJ Evans (OK)
Ty Whalen (NJ)
Kal Miller (MO)
Kelvin Griffin (ME)
SE Wrestlers to Watch:
Jeremiah Price (NC)
Thomas Snipes (SC)
Ethan Mojena (FL)
James Latona (AL)
Melton Powe III (AL)
Jaden New (AL)
Darkhorse: Pierson Manville (PA)
Very good weight that is headlined by former #1 overall Cody Chittum. Chittum has been on the shelf for a bit and is finally recovered from some injuries and ready to get back into the mix. The 145 lb. bracket is deep, but we will take Chittum as the favorite. Expect Jackson Arrington, KJ Evans, and Kal Miller to all be in the mix. Arrington is a PA State Champ and was 5th at Super 32 at 126 a year ago. KJ Evans and Kal Miller was both midwest State Champs (Evans in Oklahoma and Miller in Missouri) and neither made the trip for last year’s Super 32. New Jersey Champ Ty Whalen was 6th at the Super 32 a year ago and Maine’s (or PA) Kelvin Griffin was 8th at 138. One wrestler to keep an eye on is Pierson Manville - 3-2 at last year’s Super 32 with close losses to both Brenner and Menke.
SE Take: This is another weight where I expect several SE wrestlers to be on the podium. NC’s Jeremiah Price is at the top of the list - he was 3-2 at last year’s Super 32, but has really turned it on this fall with outstanding performances at Journeymen and GFC and looks locked in and ready to make a run this year. The same could be said for Florida’s Ethan Mojena - who was 3-2 here a year ago and finished off the podium. Mojena, like Price, has had a really good summer and fall and should be on the podium this year. New Citadel commit Thomas Snipes had a great Journeymen about a month ago … he wasn’t at Super 32 last year or at the GFC this year - but I’d expect him to make a run here as well. Three Alabama wrestlers - Melton Powe III, James Latona, and Jaden New have all the tools to knock off anyone in the bracket - they key will be putting together several tough wins in a row. New Tennessee hammer (and former Virginia hammer) Colin Dupill is another to keep an eye on.
152 lbs.
# registered: 116
# State Champs: 32
# State Placers: 54
Favorite: Michael Kilic (GA)
Contenders:
Mitchell Mesenbrink (WI)
Daniel Cardenas (CO)
Erik Gibson (PA)
Fin Nadeau (MT)
Nicholas Vafiadis (VA)
Nick Fea (NY)
SE Wrestlers to Watch:
Brendon Abdon (FL)
Andrew Cory (GA)
Jeremy Paradice (GA)
Seth Larson (GA)
Aaron Sheffield (GA)
Dominic Bambinelli (GA)
Darkhorse: Joe Sealey (PA/NC)
Kilic is the favorite - he is a multiple time Georgia Champ and was 3rd at Super 32 a year ago (his only loss coming in the quarters to the eventual champ Alek Martin of Ohio). We could see a future all-PAC12 final if both Kilic and Colorado’s Daniel Cardenas make their way to the finals. Cardenas was 7th at this weight a year ago - losing to Florida’s Jonathan Ley in the quarters. Wisconsin’s Mitchell Mesenbrink and PA’s Erik Gibson are two others to watch as both made the podium in 2020. Montana’s Fin Nadeau, Virginia’s Nic Vafiadis, and New York’s Nick Fea each have a ton of titles and other accolades and will certainly be in the hunt. Freshmen Joe Sealey - new PA hammer (former NC hammer) - is a legit threat here and could knock off any of the top hammers here at 152.
SE Take: Kilic is the favorite, but he isn’t the only Georgia hammer in the field that could make a run at the podium. Andrew Cory, Jeremy Paradice, and Aaron Sheffield join the next wave of Georgia hammers in Seth Larson (Sophomore) and Dominic Bambinelli (freshman) as real threats to make the podium. Florida State Champ Brendon Abdon was 5th at GFC with losses to Joe Gonzalez and Bambinelli - Abdon is also a threat to make a run for a spot on the podium. A few other SE names that will look to make a splash with a good run this weekend include South Carolina’s Weston Eadie and Robert Wattenbarger, Georgia’s Creed Thomas and Tyler Secoy, and NC’s Maxwell Kiel.
Update: No Cardenas in the pre-seeds - meaning it is likely he won’t make the trip east. Fin Nadaeu is pre-seeded at 145 and Nick Fea is pre-seeded at 160 (meaning Willie has probably been alerted to some weight changes). California’s Nicco Ruiz and Mark Takara as well as Delaware’s Alex Poore would take their spots as contenders. The SE wrestlers look the same as what is listed above.
160 lbs.
# registered: 107
# State Champs: 32
# State Placers: 48
Favorite: Levi Haines (PA)
Contenders:
Jonathan Ley (FL)
Grant Mackay (PA)
Gunner Filipowicz (GA)
Drake Acklin (OK)
Dominic Baker (VA)
SE Wrestlers to Watch:
David Hunsberger (SC)
Sergio Desiante (FL)
Cole Cochran (GA)
Kodiak Cannedy (TN)
Dominic Rodriguez (FL)
Mason Alley (TN)
Darkhorse: Daschle Lamer (OR)
Pennsylvania State Champ Levi Haines was 2nd here a year ago - losing to Georgia’s Caden McCrary in the 138 lb. final. Haines is one of a number of returning Super 32 Placers and has to be amongst the favorites to claim the belt this year. PA State Champ Grant Mackay and Florida hammer Jonathan Ley each claimed a spot on the podium a year ago at 152 - Mackay in 8th and Ley in 3rd. Georgia’s Filipowicz downed Ley in the GFC finals at this weight and is also in the mix for a run at the top of the podium. Oklahoma State Champ Drake Acklin went 3-2 at 145 a year ago and should also be one to keep an eye on. Lamer and Baker headline a solid group that are also ready to make a run at the podium.
SE Take: The SE group at 160 is super deep and is headlined by Filipowicz and Ley. But there are a number of SE wrestlers that could push for a spot on top of the podium. In fact, there are 27 wrestlers from SE states - meaning more than a quarter of the bracket is filled with a #dirtysouth wrestler. Florida’s Sergio Desiante comes in as a runner-up, but had a great summer in Fargo … and is #4 in our latest rankings - right behind Georgia’s Cole Cochran and in front of South Carolina’s David Hunsberger. We didn’t get the Cochran vs. Filipowicz match at GFC, but don’t be surprised if we them battle it out in the quarters, semis, or bloodround in Greensboro - it is a potential Georgia 5A State Championship match. Tennessee’s Kodiak Cannedy is ranked up at 171 and it will be interesting to see if he makes the cut to 160. Tennessee’s Mason Alley, Florida’s Dominic Rodriguez as well as Roman Garcia and Keenan Wyatt are ranked and should be in the hunt for a spot on the podium. Don’t sleep on North Carolina’s Aiden Curry - DQ’d at the GFC - it will be interesting to see him in the bracket as well. One last note - 2021 Alabama State Champ Rafael Hipolito is now in Virginia at Independence High School and he is in the bracket (definitely one to watch).
170 lbs.
# registered: 89
# State Champs: 17
# State Placers: 47
Favorite: Matthew Singleton (GA)
Contenders:
Rocco Welsh (PA)
Hunter Lyden (MN)
Ceasar Garza (CA)
Rune Lawrence (PA)
Cody Merrill (CA)
SE Wrestlers to Watch:
Jonathan Conrad (FL)
Aiden McCafferty (NC)
AJ Dickerson (SC)
Anthony Pyron (TN)
Seth Blackledge (NC)
Darkhorse: Jaxon Randall (OK)
Another outstanding weight … fewer total # as compared to some of the lower and middle weights, but the top-end talent is outstanding. Georgia’s Matt Singleton came up just short of a belt a year ago (after losing to IL’s Dean Hamiti, Jr. in the 160 final) and is back to take home the belt this year. The same can be said for Pennsylvania State Runner-up Rocco Welsh who lost to Ohio’s Alek Martin in the 145 lb. final a year ago. Add in Super 32 Placer Hunter Lyden of Minnesota (who fell to Singleton in last year’s semis) as well as California State Champs Caesar Garza and Cody Merrill, Pennsylvania State Champ Rune Lawrence, and many others and you could have one of the best finals happen in this weight. Don’t sleep on Oklahoma State Champ Jaxon Randall.
SE Take: 4x Florida State Champ Jonathan Conrad and 3x South Carolina State Champ AJ Dickerson headline (besides Singleton) a quality group from the SE. Both will look to make a run at a spot on the podium this coming weekend. Keep an eye on North Carolina State Runners-up Seth Blackledge and Aiden McCafferty as well as Tennessee State Placer Anthony Pyron … each should be battling all the way through the weekend. Jackson Harms, Zachary McKnight Danil Korochensky, and Danny Williams are just a few of the others to keep an eye on. Florida’s Riley Orr has had a very good fall by winning the Florida Super 32 Qualifier and taking 6th at the GFC - the 2021 6th place Florida finish isn’t likely to make thisbracket pause, but he has wrestled extremely well and could shake things up this weekend.
Minnesota’s Hunter Lyden isn’t in the top 32 pre-seeds - meaning he is likely out. I think Garza will be at 170 - but is pre-seeded at both 160 and 170. IL’s Brayden Thompson would step in and take Lyden’s spot as a contender. SE looks fairly similar … NC’s Tre Wilfong is pre-seeded above McCafferty, Dickerson, etc.
182 lbs.
# registered: 71
# State Champs: 18
# State Placers: 29
Favorite: Clayton Whiting (WI)
Contenders:
Hayden Walters (OR)
Andrew Donahue (OH)
AJ Heeg (OK)
Damion Schunke (SD)
SE Wrestlers to Watch:
Hunter Adams (GA)
Kyle Fink (NC)
Nolan Pozzobon (GA)
Brady Ross (NC)
Dominic Joyce (FL)
Darkhorse: Remy Cotton (MI)
Fairly open weight as compared to the others in Greensboro. Both Whiting and Walters have placed at Super 32 and both are ranked in the top 10 - so either could be the “favorite” heading into the tournament. Whiting is a Wisconsin State Champ and was 3rd here a year ago at 170 losing to Oregon’s James Rowley. Hayden Walters is an Oregon State Champ and was 5th at this weight a year ago. Ohio State Champ Andrew Donahue and Oklahoma State Champ AJ Heeg are both in the field in 2021 (neither made the trip back East last year). South Dakota’s Damion Schunke was also absent a year ago, but was most recently on the east coast a few weeks ago at the GFC. The weight - for the most part - is fairly open and whoever can put together a good run will have the belt by Sunday evening. We didn’t get to see Remy Cotton at GFC - and he could make some noise in Greensboro.
SE Take: SE ranked wrestlers Hunter Adams (GA), Nolan Pozzobon (GA), Kyle Fink (NC), and Dominic Joyce (FL) are in the field, but several of the top 10 are missing for one reason or another. NC’s Devon Bell is out with an injury (was registered, but had to pull out), FL’s Lance Schyck (I would assume) is still recovering from knee surgery, and Brian Burburija and Cory Cannan aren’t registered. This opens the door for NC State Champ Brady Ross, TN’s Gervacio Gonzalez, FL’s Joseph Nicolosi, etc. to put together a good weekend and either vault into the rankings or move up in a significant way. Keep an eye on Ranson Coons and Will Conlon.
Update: Probably the one weight with the biggest changes … didn’t see Brian Soldano, Joseph Martim, and Ryder Rogotzke in the original download. In fact with that info - Soldano would be the favorite with Whiting and Walters both being contenders. Big change for SE as well because Florida’s Brian Burburija wasn’t on the original list we downloaded but is now included. Interested to see how one of our top SE 182’s match up with the group.
195 lbs.
# registered: 44
# State Champs: 13
# State Placers: 16
Favorite: Martin Cosgrove (NJ)
Contenders:
Seth Shumate (OH)
Kolby Franklin (PA)
Max Ramberg (WI)
Wyatt Voelker (IA)
SE Wrestlers to Watch:
Mikey Tal-Shahar (FL)
Caleb Beaty (NC)
Luke Cochran (GA)
Thomas D’Avanzo (FL)
Darkhorse: Remy Brancato (NJ)
Both Cosgrove and Shumate are returning State Champs in very tough states (New Jersey and Ohio) and are also returning Super 32 placers at this weight. In fact, Cosgrove beat Shumate in the consi semis a year ago to make the consi finals. Kolby Franklin has long been a standout in Pennsylvania … first making the podium as a freshman at St. Joseph’s Academy before transferring to Wyoming Seminary. He will certainly be in the hunt for the top spot on the podium this weekend. Ramberg is a Wisconsin State Runner-up and just missed the podium here a year ago. Iowa’s Wyatt Voelker is another name to keep an eye on … he has been on fire since grabbing a Junior Greco National Title in Fargo this summer - he is also an Iowa State Champ and made the podium at this weight in freestyle as well. Bergen Catholic’s Remy Broncato is a Jersey Runner-up and a current Lehigh commit … he isn’t really a darkhorse, but given the depth of the field he might not be seeded in the top 8.
SE Take: Florida State Champ Mikey Tal-Shahar - #3 in the latest SE Rankings - grabbed a Journeymen hammer earlier this fall and has to be one of the contenders heading into the weekend. North Carolina’s Caleb Beaty, Georgia’s Luke Cochran, and Florida’s Thomas D’Avanzo are also SE hammers to keep an eye on. Beaty and D’Avanzo both wrestled up at Journeymen with Tal-Shahar and Cochran most recently competed at the Grappler Fall Classic. NC’s Owen Clark and Louden Peters, SC’s Patrick Brophy, and FL’s Cayden Bevis are a few others to watch … making a good run against this field can only boost their stock as we get ready to start the season. We are missing our top 2 195’s in David Harper and Sawyer Bartelt. Bartelt will be on the shelf for a bit with an injury - not sure why we won’t see Harper this weekend.
220 lbs.
# registered: 39
# State Champs: 7
# State Placers: 12
Favorite: Christian Carroll (IN)
Contenders:
Jack Darrah (MO)
Caden Ferris (MI)
Dylan Russo (OH)
Ben Kueter (IA)
SE Wrestlers to Watch:
Gunnar Garriques (TN)
Carson Floyd (NC)
Dylan Galloway (GA)
Chase Thompson (FL)
Darkhorse: Evan Anderson (OH)
Indiana’a Christian Carroll has been absolute monster over the last 12 months - not sure anyone is taking a Super 32 belt away from him. Carroll is the only 2020 Super 32 Champ to return and defend his belt. Missouri’s Jack Darrah, Michigan’s Caden Ferris, Ohio’s Dylan Russo, and Iowa’ Ben Kueter are just a few of the names that stand in the way of Carroll taking home another belt in 2021. Keep an eye on Ohio’s Evan Anderson - he is certainly under the national radar, but is tough and will look to create some chaos in the bracket.
SE Take: With no Noah Pettigrew or Ashton Davis - the SE will be led by Tennessee State Champ Gunnar Garriques. Gunnar took home the Grappler Fall Classic a few weeks ago and has looked great over the last year … he is currently ranked #3 in the SE. Garriques should make the podium - how high he climbs will be something to watch. North Carolina’s Carson Floyd is another name the keep an eye on - was DQ’d to Garriques at GFC and then unable to wrestle - he finished 6th. He is anxious to get back out there are make a run to the podium as well. Georgia Dylan Galloway most recently took 2nd to Matthew Jimenez at 285 at the Grappler Fall Classic - the Georgia State Runner-up is now back to his “fighting” weight and should be in the mix as well. Keep an eye on Florida’s Chase Thompson, like his American Heritage teammate Tal-Shahar, has missed several months of wrestling (don’t know if that was simply a break or recovering from injury), but he is a wrestler that could make some waves.
285 lbs.
# registered: 24
# State Champs: 5
# State Placers: 9
Favorite: Chase Horne (Georgia)
Contenders:
Miguel Perez (ID)
Matthew Moore (CO)
Gage Cook (WA)
Aiden Lacoma (VA)
KJ Miley (MO)
SE Wrestlers to Watch:
Jamier Ferere (NC)
Ethan Vergara (FL)
Matthew Jimenez (FL)
Adrian Sans (FL)
Darkhorse: Ben Kohler (OH)
Two time Super 32 runner-up Chase Horne headlines the 285 lb. weight. Horne lost 2 years ago to Braxton Amos at 220 and then fell to Hayden Copass in the 285 lb. final last year. Is this the year that big mama final takes home a Super 32 belt? Horne is joined by returning Super 32 placers Miguel Perez, KJ Miley and Matthew Moore as well as some very good wrestlers in Gage Cook, Aiden Lacoma, Ben Kohler, and others. The path will not be easy, but Horne has shown he has the ability to get to the final match … getting over that last hurdle is his next challenge.
SE Take: North Carolina’s Jamier Ferere wasn’t listed in the original registration, but has popped up on the registration in Flo. So I’m assuming he will be here. The Naval Academy commit should be in the mix to make the podium this year - but with 4 Super 32 placers returning he will need to bring his “A” game from the start. Florida has quite a few heavy’s making their way to Greensboro this weekend and each should feel confident … Vergara, Jimenez, and Sans have each made the podium in Florida (Vergara is the only returning Champ). Sans and Ferere each went 1-2 a year ago and we expect that to be different this year. Jimenez lost in the bloodround and most certainly has his sights set on making the podium this time around. Keep an eye on NC’s John Domencic and Karek Stewart-Karolewics, Georgia’s Aaron Garcia, and Florida’s Cane Fernandez as they look to measure themselves against some of the best 285’s in the country.
