Posts in South Carolina
A Fan's Guide to the Super 32 - High School Girls

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). Any mention of rankings are referring to the USA Wrestling, NWHOF, FloWrestling rankings from September. If you are interested in the breakdown overall - visit the Super 32 overview.


97 lbs.

# registered: 18

# Previous Super 32 Placers: 3

# Previous Fargo Placers: 7

Favorite: Alex Szkotnicki (MD)

Contenders:

  • Kealonie Vega (FL)

  • Madison Avila (CA)

  • Valarie Solorio (PA/FL)

  • Gabriella Gomez (IL)

  • Katey Valdez (CO)

SE Wrestlers to Watch:

  • Mary Manis (FL)

  • Annalise Maralit (SC)

  • Jordan Epstein (GA)

  • Brianne Graves (NC)

  • Jeulenea Khang (NC)

Darkhorse: Mary Manis (FL)

Maryland’s Alex Szkotnicki is ranked #4 at 100 lbs., won Super 32 previously and was 4th in Fargo. She is the favorite, but the pack chasing her could make things interesting. The pack includes two from the SE (well kind of) as well as a bunch of previous Super 32 and Fargo placers. Florida’s Kealonie Vega was 5th at Super 32, 6th in Fargo and most recently won the Grappler Fall Classic … she is ranked #7 at 100 pounds and should be in the hunt for the top step. California’s Madison Avila is ranked #6 at 100 lbs. - was 6th at Super 32 and 5th in Fargo and will also be in the hunt. Our only other ranked wrestler in the weight is 94 lb. Fargo Champ Valarie Solorio of Wyoming Seminary (PA) .. but is a former Florida hammer now competing up north. Solorio is ranked #17 at 100. Gabriella Gomez, Katey Valdez, and Gigi Bragg of Minnesota are all Fargo placers that will look to claim a Super 32 title this weekend. Keep an eye on Mary Manis of Florida - 2nd to Vega at GFC and still developing, but she could surprise a few and make a run for a spot on the podium as well.


103 lbs.

# registered: 26

# Previous Super 32 Placers: 3

# Previous Fargo Placers: 4

Favorite: Ava Ward (MO)

Contenders:

  • Chloe Dearwester (OH)

  • Virginia Foard (PA)

  • Juliana Alejandro (NV)

  • Aspen Blasko (MN)

  • Ana Malovich (PA)

SE Wrestlers to Watch:

  • Evelyn Holmes-Smith (AL)

  • Megan Rowland (NC)

  • Lillian Prendergast (NC)

  • Anna Ockerman (NC)

  • Senna Grassman (TN)

  • Izzy West (GA)

Darkhorse: Zoey Salmons (WV)

Exceptionally good weight headlined by 100 lb. #1 Ava Ward of Missouri. Ward was 2nd at Super 32 a year ago and has to be the favorite entering the tournament this season. But the path will be far from easy with a handful of returning Super 32 as well as Fargo placers and other ranked wrestlers that stand in her way. Chloe Dearwester palced at both Super 32 and Fargo and is probably Ward’s biggest threat to a title. Virginia Foard (#10 at 106), Juliana Alejandro (#12 at 100), Aspen Blasko (#13 at 100), and Ana Malovich (#14 at 106) are all ranked and each has placed at either Super 32 or Fargo previously. West Virginia’s Zoey Salmons is our darkhorse .. she comes in ranked #21 at 106 and has the ability to make some noise in the bracket. The SE is led by Alabama freshman Evelyn Holmes-Smith. Holmes-Smith will have to wrestle lights out to make the podium, but don’t be surprised if this is the beginning of hearing her name often in the big national tournaments. Keep an eye on a pair of NC hammers as well in Megan Rowland and Lillian Predenrgast.


108 lbs.

# registered: 29

# Previous Super 32 Placers: 6

# Previous Fargo Placers: 9

Favorite: Cecilia Williams (MI)

Contenders:

  • Faith Cole (MO)

  • Paige Morales (CA)

  • Sterling Dias (NV)

  • Nyla Valencia (CA)

  • Kiely Tabalado (CA)

SE Wrestlers to Watch:

  • Clare Booe (FL)

  • Chloe Carver (GA)

  • Bella Hoffman (SC)

  • Aynsley Fink (NC)

  • Gracie Elliott (NC)

  • Jenna Baines (TN)

Darkhorse: Clare Booe (FL)

Nearly half of the field is ranked including previous Super 32 Champ Serling Dias (ranked #5 at 106) as well as Fargo Champs Cecilia Williams (ranked #1 at 112), Faith Cole (ranked #4 at 106), and Paige Morales (ranked #2 at 106). Other ranked hammers in the field include Super 32 and Fargo placer Nyla Valencia (ranked 6th at 112), Karlee Brooks, Anaya Falcon, Kiely Tabaldo, Persaeus Gomez, Joy Cantu as well as former SE hammer Avery Kibelbeck (TN - now at Wyoming Sem) and current Florida hammer Clare Booe. This weight is absolutely stacked and should produce some outstanding matches early on. Booe and Kibelbeck are the SE’s best chances, but keep an eye on Jenna Baines (TN), Chloe Carver of Georgia, Aynsley Fink of North Carolina, and Bella Hoffman of South Carolina. Getting through this field and making the podium will be a significant accomplishment.


115 lbs.

# registered: 33

# Previous Super 32 Placers: 3

# Previous Fargo Placers: 9

Favorite: Jacyln Dehney (NH)

Contenders:

  • Zao Estrada (SC)

  • Ava Bayless (PA)

  • Shea Reisel (IL)

  • Jenavi Alejandro (NV)

  • Calli Gilchrist (CT)

  • Raegan Briggs (OH)

SE Wrestlers to Watch:

  • Juliana Diaz (FL)

  • Reagan Riddick (NC)

  • Liliana Lizarde (NC)

  • Ella-Lina Gonzalez (TN)

  • Sophia Forquer (NC)

  • Maeve Case (FL)

Darkhorse: Presley Anderson (CA)

Deepest weight class of the weekend with 30 girls registered. There are 9 ranked wrestlers at the weight including #2 at 117 Jaclyn Dehney of New Hampshire (who is a returning Super 32 Champ and Fargo Runner-up). South Carolina’s Zao Estrada was 2nd in Fargo and 6th at Super 32 and will be in the hunt … she is ranked #2 at 112. There are actually quite a few ranked 112 wrestlers in the weight - so watching it all play out should be interesting. PA’s Ava Bayless is ranked 4th at 112 and NV’s Jenavi Alejandro is ranked 3rd at 112. The action from the quarters in should be outstanding at 115. Keep an eye on Shea Reisel, Calli Gilchrist, Raegan Briggs and Presely Anderson - all are ranked and will look to make an impact this weekend. Florida’s Juliana Diaz is also ranked - #5 at 117 and is a returning Fargo All American … she has all the tools to claim the belt herself this weekend. The SE also has NC’s Reagan Riddick, Liliana Lizarde, and Sophia Forquer as well as TN’s Ella-Lina Gonzalez, and Florida’s Maeve Case. Riddick and Gonzalez have both been on the mats in Fargo - so both are used to this type of tournament - expect each of them do well.


123 lbs.

# registered: 30

# Previous Super 32 Placers: 5

# Previous Fargo Placers: 9

Favorite: Alexis Janiak (IL)

Contenders:

  • Katie Gomez (CA)

  • Jennifer Soto (CA)

  • Julianna Morris (CT)

  • Janida Garcia (CA)

  • Savannah Witt (PA)

SE Wrestlers to Watch:

  • Brooke Zak (NC)

  • Katelynn Hernandez (TN)

  • Lillie Costilla (SC)

Darkhorse: Lauren Walton (KY)

Janiak or Gomez? Janiak is a Fargo Champ and Super 32 Runner-up. Gomez is a Super 32 Champ and a Fargo Runner-up. They really are co-favorites and everyone else is chasing them. Jennifer Soto, Juliana Morris, Janida Garcia, and Savannah Witt are all ranked in the top 6 at their weight - so this should be some very good wrestling from the quarters on in. Keep an eye on Kentucky’s Lauren Walton who looked superb at the GFC on her way to a title in Myrtle Beach. The Southeast has just 3 registered - NC’s Brooke Zak, TN’s Katelynn Hernandez, and SC’s Lillie Costilla.


130 lbs.

# registered: 23

# Previous Super 32 Placers: 1

# Previous Fargo Placers: 9

Favorite: Savannah Cosme (CO)

Contenders:

  • Skylar Little Soldier (MN)

  • Cassia Zammit (OH)

  • Marissa Jimenez (ID)

  • Sarah Savidge (CO)

  • Camryn Brown (CT)

SE Wrestlers to Watch:

  • Kailey Rees (FL)

  • April Kelly (SC)

  • Hailie Misplay (NC)

  • May Prado (GA)

  • Teigan Slauson (FL)

  • Caila Weatherspoon (TN)

Darkhorse: Abigail Ervasti (MN)

Another outstanding weight with Super 32 Champ (and Fargo All American) Savannah Cosme of Colorado as well as Fargo Champs Skylar Little Soldier (MN) and Cassia Zammit (OH). Cosme is ranked #1 at 127, but she will have to deal with a number of top-10 foes this weekend. The pack includes Little Soldier (5th at 127), Zammit (4th at 132), as well as Fargo All Americans Marissa Jimenez of Idaho (6th at 132) and Sarah Savidge of Colorado (8th at 127). The SE has a few hammers of their own that will be in the mix including Florida’s Kailey Rees (#11 at 122), South Carolina’s April Kelly (#23 at 127), and Fargo All American Hallie Misplay of North Carolina. Minnesota’s Abigail Ervasti is one to keep an eye on as are Camryn Brown, and Julia Fongaro. Georgia’s May Prado won the GFC a few weeks ago and should make some noise in Greensboro. Keep an eye on Teigan Slauson and Caila Weatherspoon as well.


139 lbs.

# registered: 22

# Previous Super 32 Placers: 3

# Previous Fargo Placers: 6

Favorite: Grace Stem (PA)

Contenders:

  • Skylar Hattendorf (NH)

  • Kendall Bostelman (PA)

  • Lilly Luft (IA)

  • Paige Wehrmeister (MO)

  • Clarissa Agostini (Canada)

SE Wrestlers to Watch:

  • Caitlyn Davis (SC)

  • Jada Llamido (FL)

  • Caroline Gilstrap (SC)

  • Yasmine Oliveira (AL)

  • Gabriella Perez (FL)

  • Tessa Lopardo (GA)

Darkhorse: Mishell Rebisch (MI)

10 ranked wrestlers in a bracket that has 22 - meaning that round of 16 will feature some really good matches and the quarters should be outstanding. Grace Stem is ranked #1 at 144 and was 6th at Super 32 previously. She is the favorite, but this is a weight that could go to any number of wrestlers. Skylar Hattendorf of New Hampshire was 2nd at Super 32 and comes in ranked #3 at 138. Kendall Bostelman and and Paige Wehrmeister are alos ranked in the top 10 (Bostelman is 4th at 144 and Wehrmeister is 6th at 138) … they are both Fargo All Americans as well. Keep an eye on Clarissa Agostini of Ontario Canada, Lilly Luft of Iowa, and Piper Standiford of Pennsylvania as well. The SE has two that are ranked, are previous place winners and should be in the hunt for the belt this weekend. Florida’s Jada Llamido was 4th at Super and is currently ranked 11th at 138. South Carolina’s Caitlyn Davis was 4th in Fargo and is currently ranked 4th at 138. The SE also has Caroline Gilstrap, Yasmine Oliveira, Gabriella Perez, and Tessa Lopardo … Gilstrap and Oliveira have a lot of experience and will look to make a statement by taking out a few of the ranked wrestlers in the bracket.


148 lbs.

# registered: 19

# Previous Super 32 Placers: 2

# Previous Fargo Placers: 10

Favorite: Reese Larramendy (PA)

Contenders:

  • Maddie Kubicki (MO)

  • Nebi Tsarni (MD)

  • Aspen Barber (CO)

  • Amarisa Manuel (MI)

  • Stella Steigler (VA)

SE Wrestlers to Watch:

  • Maggie Graham (TN)

  • Genevieve An (GA)

  • Arieana Bacon (GA)

  • Samantha Hauff (GA)

  • Greta Garbuzovas (GA)

Darkhorse: Piper Fowler (TN)

Another weight with a ton of returning Fargo Placers. 19 girls are registered at 148 - 10 have previously placed in Fargo including National Champ Reese Larramendy (who has a Fargo stopsign as well as a Super 32 belt). Nebi Tsarni has also claimed a Fargo stopsign and she is ranked 6th at 144. Maddie Kubicki has finished on the podium at both events and is ranked 5th at 144. Michigan’s Marisa Manuel is ranked #7 at 144 and Stella Steigler is ranked #13 at 144. The SE has Maggie Graham and Genevieve An - both of whom are ranked (and have placed in Fargo). An beat Manuel at GFC and will likely see her rank rise when the next rankings come out (she is currently #21 at 138). Graham is ranked 8th at 144 and should be in the hunt for a spot high on the podium as well. Keep an eye on Piper Fowler - the Cleveland (TN) freshman is ranked #25 at 144 and could be one to shock some of those ranked higher than her. Georgia’s Arieana Bacon and Sam Hauff as well as Greta Garbuzovas will look to make some noise this weekend as well.


160 lbs.

# registered: 10

# Previous Super 32 Placers: 2

# Previous Fargo Placers: 2

Favorite: Ella Nichols (CT)

Contenders:

  • Lillian Freitas (PA)

  • Bella Porcelli (IA)

SE Wrestlers to Watch:

  • Jayde Massa (GA)

  • Kalee Holder (AL)

  • Hannah Laws (SC)

Darkhorse: Kaylie Hall (WV)

Just 10 in the bracket at 160. Ella Nichols is both a Super 32 and Fargo Placer and is ranked #4 at 152 - as a result she is the favorite. Lillian Freitas of Wyoming Sem comes from a great room and is ranked #3 at 164 … she has to be considered a legit threat to take home the belt in 2021. Iowa’s Bella Porcelli is ranked 15th at 164 and was 5th in Fargo … she will also have something to say about who ends up winning it all. Keep an eye on West Virginia’s Kaylie Hall - the freshman comes in ranked #25 at 164. The SE has three to watch - Jayde Massa of Georgia, Kalee Holder of Alabama, and Hannah Laws of South Carolina. Massa and Holder both competed in Fargo - so they know the big stage - will they be able to make the podium in Greensboro?


172 lbs.

# registered: 8

# Previous Super 32 Placers: 3

# Previous Fargo Placers: 2

Favorite: Lily El-Masri (PA)

Contenders:

  • Katelyn Lewis (WI)

  • Sophie Pollack (NY)

  • Amanda Pace (NJ)

  • Kaitlyn Pegarella (PA)

SE Wrestlers to Watch:

  • Henlee Haynes (FL)

  • Samantha Simonette (GA)

Darkhorse: Ella Pagel (MN)

Lily El-Masri doesn’t have a previous Super 32 or Fargo place next to her name, but she enters as the highest ranked in the latest USA Wrestling rankings - coming in at #7 at 164. She is being chased by a group that has made the podium either in Greensboro or Fargo … Katelyn Lewis and Ella Pagel both finished 3rd previously at Super 32 and Kaitlyn Pegarella was 4th previously. Sophie Pollack was 5th in Fargo and Amanda Pace was 8th. The one name everyone in the bracket should keep an eye on is Henlee Haynes of Florida who comes in ranked 18th at 180. The SE also features Samantha Simonette of Georgia.


195 lbs.

# registered: 9

# Previous Super 32 Placers: 3

# Previous Fargo Placers: 6

Favorite: Alivia White (WA)

Contenders:

  • Andrea Smith (FL)

  • Dasia Yearby (SC)

  • Kiara Ganey (IL)

  • Trinity Monaghan (PA)

SE Wrestlers to Watch:

  • Amariah Marenco (GA)

  • Alyssa Favara (FL)

  • Shayra Calderon (TN)

Darkhorse: Ella Murphey (TN)

Just 9 in the bracket, but 7 of the 9 are ranked including #2 Alivia White. White was 3rd in Fargo and is probably the favorite entering the weekend. But this weight has some tough competition and we will see who emerges with the belt. Tons of SE wrestlers here (6 of the 9 are the SE) including Super 32 Runners-up and Fargo All Americans Andrea Smith of Florida and Dasia Yearby of South Carolina. Both have been to the finals at Super 32 previously - will this be the year they take home the belt? Keep an eye on Kiara Ganey of Illinois - she has also been on both podiums previously (2nd in Fargo and 3rd at Super 32) and will certainly be in the mix. Amariah Marenco of Georgia, Ella Murphey of Tennessee, and Trinity Monaghan of Pennsylvania round out those that are ranked. The SE has two others to watch in Fargo All American Alyssa Favara of Florida and Tennessee’s Shayra Calderon.

State of the Program ... Hammond (SC)

Hammond (SC)

Head Coach: Austin Hood (entering 11th season)

Staff: Blake Tillman, Aaron Pettry, Riley Pharr

I don’t usually cover the independent schools around the Southeast (it is already a challenge to try to cover those sanctioned by the high school activities associations in each state), but I never turn down an opportunity to share about a program (although I cannot offer much depth because I don’t know the programs as well). That said - Coach Hood shared information on Hammond - who is one of the top SCISA programs. They are led by hammers Leo Addeo and Sam Dubose, but have a full group that will look to push Hammond back to the top in 2021-22. The upperclassmen - Garrett Watson, PJ Davis, Aiden Palisin, and Aiden Canzater will look to push the newer faces to contribute in 2022.

Keep an eye on Luke Martin, Nolan Addeo, James Meacham, Rad Dobson, and James Lay … each are young and will be asked to contribute if Hammond are going to regain the crown. Keep an eye on Garrett Watson - the senior 285 was a backup a year ago and will be counted on to make some noise in 2022.

Hammond looks to get back in top of SCISA. 33-2 in SCISA for the past 3 years Hammond plans to regain its crown with a batch of young freshman contributing. Our culture has always been about building championships and this season will be no different with a foundation of experienced upperclassmen balanced by 2x State Champ Leo Addeo and 3x State Champ Sam Dubose.
— Coach Hood
The Breakdown - Episode 35 - GFC Elite

Georgia Crowns 5; Florida 3 and South Carolina their first – GFC Elite

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The Woodward Academy crew had quite a weekend as their three hammers – Kilic, Filipowicz, and Singleton – each claimed a GFC Elite title.  Georgia also had two champs from Roundtree with Antonio Mills taking the title at 98 and Jake Crapps at 119.  Mills started the ball rolling for Georgia as he took out the #2 seed Colyn Limbert of Ohio in a tight one at 98.  Jake Crapps won outstanding wrestler with an absolutely outstanding weekend – downing nationally-ranked Kyle Montaperto of North Carolina in the semis and the nationally-ranked Evan Tallmadge of New Jersey in a crazy finish in the finals.

Florida crowned 3 champs but could have had at least two more if they hadn’t drawn Kilic and Filipowicz in the finals.   Kilic downed Joe Gonzalez 4-2 in SV1 to claim the 145 lb. title and Filipowicz won a wild (and controversial) one over Jonathan Ley in the 160 lb. final.  There were also two all-Florida matchups in the finals with Tom Crook downing Ethan Mojena at 140 lbs. and Andrew Austin taking out Cooper Haase in a wild one at 125.

South Carolina put two in the finals – Dylan Layton and Yannis Charles.  Layton lost to nationally-ranked Nasir Bailey of Illinois at 135 and it looked like South Carolina would finish without a champ until Yannis Charles turned it on in the 3rd period.  Charles looked challenged heading into the 3rd period … trailing Virginia’s Patrick Jordon 6-1.  An escape by Charles in the 3rd made it 6-2 with about a minute remaining and then lightning struck.  Charles had 3 takedowns in a row plus two point nearfall to tie it 9-9 with about 15 seconds remaining.  Charles then let Jordon up and got the final takedown to win it with just seconds remaining.

The Southeast had one other champ – Gunnar Garriques … but he was listed as Illinois in the bracket.  The reason … Gunnar goes to Baylor and as a result we claim him, but his family lives in Illinois (which what was listed).  Garriques, the #2 seed, downed top seed Caden Ferris of Michigan 3-0 to claim the 215 lb. title.  Overall it was a good weekend for the SE. 

 

Close but not quite

Eight SE wrestlers made the finals, but came up just a bit short.  Mojena, Ley, Haase and Gonzalez weren’t the only Floridians to drop their finals match.  Braden Basile lost a 5-4 match to nationally-ranked Vincent Robinson of Illinois at 130.  Tennessee’s Justin Bradford looked to have the 113 lb. title take care of and then lost a close one in overtime to Michigan’s Jackson Blum.  Bradford gave up a penalty point (finger pull) late in the 3rd which had an impact on the match and pushing it to overtime.  Dylan Galloway dropped a close 285 lb. final to Jimenez – 2-1.


More Info

I’m working on a more detailed breakdown of what I saw - who stood out, best matches, and so on for the SEWrestle+ part of the website. That will be posted soon (probably tomorrow).


41 other SE hammers made the podium (top 8)

High School Elite - 98

  • 3rd Place - Liam Davis of Florida

  • 6th Place - Cooper Foster of North Carolina

  • 8th Place - Adaias Ortiz of Florida

High School Elite - 105

  • 4th Place - Roman Lermer of Florida

  • 7th Place - Gabriel Tellez of Florida

  • 8th Place - Allen Calderon of Georgia

High School Elite - 112

  • 3rd Place - Zeno Moore of Florida

  • 4th Place - Christian Guzman of Florida

  • 5th Place - Cameron Stinson of North Carolina

  • 8th Place - Tyler Washburn of Florida

High School Elite - 119

  • 4th Place - Kyle Montaperto of North Carolina

  • 5th Place - Matthew Rowland of North Carolina

  • 7th Place - Colin Kacena of Florida

  • 8th Place - Colton Bishop of Georgia

High School Elite - 125

  • 4th Place - Danny Martinez of Florida

  • 6th Place - Mark Samuel of North Carolina

  • 7th Place - Jacob Silka of Georgia

High School Elite - 130

  • 3rd Place - Keyveon Roller of Tennessee

  • 5th Place - Marcus Jackson of North Carolina

  • 8th Place - Brandt Fajerman of North Carolina

High School Elite - 140

  • 3rd Place - Emil Necula of Georgia

High School Elite - 145

  • 3rd Place - Jeremiah Price of North Carolina

  • 8th Place - Rafael Diniz of Florida

High School Elite - 152

  • 4th Place - Dominic Bambinelli of Georgia

  • 5th Place - Brendon Abdon of Florida

  • 7th Place - Alexander Couto of Florida

  • 8th Place - Creed Thomas of Georgia

High School Elite - 160

  • 5th Place - Cole Cochran of Georgia

  • 7th Place - Mason Alley of Tennessee

  • 8th Place - Tyler Secoy of Georgia

High School Elite - 171

  • 4th Place - Kodiak Cannedy of Tennessee

  • 6th Place - Riley Orr of Florida

  • 7th Place - Aiden McCafferty of North Carolina

High School Elite - 189

  • 3rd Place - Brian Burburija of Florida

  • 4th Place - Devon Bell of North Carolina

  • 6th Place - Nolan Pozzobon of Georgia

  • 7th Place - Dominic Joyce of Florida

  • 8th Place - Dylan Deal of Florida

High School Elite - 215

  • 4th Place - Ralph Sanchez of Florida

  • 5th Place - Nelson Toro of Florida

  • 6th Place - Carson Floyd of North Carolina

  • 7th Place - Logan Webster of Georgia

  • 8th Place - Deonte Dozier of Georgia

High School Elite - 285

  • 3rd Place - Anthony Yancey of Georgia