2021 IHSAA State Preview

106

While this weight is wide open, there has to be a slight edge given here to Cathedral’s Evan Dickey. Dickey has avenged his only loss at this weight twice now and looks to be the favorite here to win a state title. He could see a variety of different finals opponents due to the openness of this weight. Perry Meridian’s Toby Billerman is the only guy at this weight with a win over Dickey and I have a feeling we will see the 4th matchup between these two Saturday night. First, Billerman will have to get past the tough Evan Seng, Evansville Mater Dei, Saturday morning. Billerman and Seng met a year ago when both were too small to make their respective lineups, with Billerman winning that match. From there, Billerman should see a familiar opponent in Southport junior Nathan Smith. Smith comes in with five losses, four of which have come by Billerman, the other by Dickey. Smith will have Ashton Jackson, LaPorte, Saturday morning. Jackson picked up a win over Jeffrey Bailey, River Forest, last weekend at the semi-state and is now in the conversation to take home a title this weekend. Another name to look out for, and who could spoil my bracket predictions, is Weatern freshman Tanner Tishner. Tishner’s only negative this season is his level of competition compared to the rest of this field. I do see him making it into the semis before dropping a match in the semifinals to Billerman setting up that finals match. Dickey has figured it out the last two times out, but Billerman has figure it out once and he can do it again here. As for now I’m picking Dickey to win it here but he is far from a lock in this weight.

2020 Champ:

Logan Miller-Brownsburg

Ranked Wrestlers (13/16):

#1 Evan Dickey-Cathedral

#2 Toby Billerman-Perry Meridian

#3 Nathan Smith-Southport

#4 Evan Seng-Evansville Mater Dei

#5 Jeffrey Bailey-River Forest

#7 Liam Krueger-Columbus East

#8 Zach Dray-Warren Central

#9 Ashton Jackson-LaPorte

#11 Tanner Tishner-Western

#12 Blake Zirkelbach-North Posey

#14 Keegan Malott-East Noble

#16 Evan Cruz-Crown Point

#19 Donnie Feeler-Crawford County

Friday Night Matches:

Ashton Jackson, 31-2, LaPorte, 10 vs Liam Krueger, 25-8, Columbus East, 10

Cody Rowles, 37-2, Jay County, 9 vs Nathan Smith, 27-5, Southport, 11

Evan Seng, 24-1, Evansville Mater Dei, 10 vs Dylan Bennett, 24-7, Penn, 9

Toby Billerman, 32-3, Perry Meridian, 10 vs Vicente Eckman, 27-4, Goshen, 12

Evan Dickey, 26-2, Indpls. Cathedral, 11 vs Keegan Malott, 20-4, East Noble, 11

Donnie Feeler, 26-2, Crawford County, 11 vs Jeffrey Bailey, 30-2, River Forest, 11

Tanner Tishner, 31-1, Western, 9 vs Zac Dray, 25-8, Warren Central, 12

Evan Cruz, 20-10, Crown Point, 9 vs Blake Zirkelbach, 26-5, North Posey, 11

HOOSIERMAT TOP 8:

1. Evan Dickey-Cathedral

2. Toby Billerman-Perry Meridian

3. Tanner Tishner-Western

4. Nathan Smith-Southport

5. Evan Seng-Evansville Mater Dei

6. Jeffrey Bailey-River Forest

7. Ashton Jackson-LaPorte

8. Blake Zirkelbach-North Posey

113

I’m not understanding the lack of respect given to the returning stage champion at this weight, but Alex Cottey, Perry Meridian, is about as much of a lock in this tournament as anyone. Cottey has had some ups and down this season but regardless he has remained unbeaten, I’m not counting the injury defaults from a week ago, and looks to make his 4th trip to the finals. He will play a big part in the team race as he has Evansville Mater Dei’s Reed Egli in the opening round. Cottey has a chance to eliminate a point scorer for the Wildcats here. In the next round he could knock out another one of the Falcons team race competitions in Crown Point’s Anthony Bahl. This is assuming Bahl can get past Garrett’s Hayden Brady Friday night. In the semis, he could have a rematch with Warren Central freshman Kyrel Leavell. Leavell will have a tough one Friday night against another freshman, Center Grove’s Reese Courtney. Courtney lost to Leavell in OT the last time these two met. Center Grove could make some tweaks here and surprise a lot of people in this match. On the other side, Bellmont’s Isaac Ruble should navigate the field on his half of the bracket to meet with Cottey for the second time in his career. Cottey completes a great career with his state title this weekend.

2020 Champ:

Alex Cottey-Perry Meridian

Ranked Wrestlers(13/16):

#1 Alex Cottey-Perry Meridian

#3 Isaac Ruble-Bellmont

#4 Hayden Brady-Garrett

#5 Coy Hammack-Tell City

#6 Kyrel Leavell-Warren Central

#7 Reese Courtney-Center Grove

#9 Anthony Bahl-Crown Point

#12 Dylan Driver-Westfield

#14 Reed Egli-Evansville Mater Dei

#15 Isaac Ward-Carmel

#16 Joey Buttler-Whiteland Community

#18 Hayden DeMarco-Chesterton

#19 Jared Brooks-Wabash

Friday Night Matches:

Kyrel Leavell, 28-2, Warren Central, 9 vs Reese Courtney, 29-5, Center Grove, 9

Bryce Denton, 20-5, Penn, 9 vs Jared Brooks, 37-2, Wabash, 11

Reed Egli, 24-2, Evansville Mater Dei, 11 vs Alex Cottey, 32-2, Perry Meridian, 12

Hayden Brady, 27-3, Garrett, 10 vs Anthony Bahl, 24-3, Crown Point, 10

Isaac Ruble, 25-0, Bellmont, 11 vs Drake Fritz, 37-5, West Central, 9

Joey Buttler, 30-7, Whiteland Community, 10 vs Isaac Ward, 17-6, Carmel, 10

Hayden DeMarco, 35-3, Chesterton, 9 vs Beau Brabender, 29-5, Northridge, 9

Dylan Driver, 29-4, Westfield, 12 vs Coy Hammack, 31-1, Tell City., 10

HOOSIERMAT TOP 8:

1. Alex Cottey-Perry Meridian

2. Isaac Ruble-Bellmont

3. Hayden DeMarco-Chesterton

4. Kyrel Leavell-Warren Central

5. Anthony Bahl-Crown Point

6. Coy Hammack-Tell City

7. Jared Brooks-Wabash

8. Joey Buttler-Whiteland

120

This weight class is a two man race to the finals in my opinion. I won’t call Chesterton’s Sergio Lemley a move in but it looks like that year away from Indiana did wonders for the sophomore. Lemley has 2 wins this season over the guy many feel will make the finals on the other side. That is Crown Point’s Logan Frazier, who has looked great this year and has shown he can go with Lemley. It is hard to pick Frazier to get over the hump here but I wouldn’t be all that shocked if he did. A guy who could interrupt that third match is Sullivan’s Lane Gilbert. Gilbert made it to the semis at 113 a year ago before losing to the eventual champ and then dropping a tight one to Frazier for 3rd. That match can go either way here but I like the guys Frazier has wrestled this year and I think if it’s a tight on late Frazier figures it out. On the bottom side, Evansville Mater Dei gets another rough draw having Cole Ross drawing Lemley Saturday morning. Ross is probably the 4th best guy at this weight but will only be able to get 5th for the second year in a row. Cathedral freshman Dillon Graham wrestled lights out this past weekend winning his semi-state. Look for him to make a run here to the semi finals. Graham should have a tough one in whoever wins between Jay County freshman Tony Wood and Brownsburg junior Braden Haines. I’m going to lean Haines here due to his tougher strength of schedule(S.O.S.).

2020 Champ:

Zeke Seltzer-Cathedral

Ranked Wrestlers (12/16):

#1 Sergio Lemley-Chesterton

#2 Logan Frazier-Crown Point

#3 Lane Gilbert-Sullivan

#4 Cole Ross-Evansville Mater Dei

#6 Aidan Sprague-East Noble

#7 Keaton Morton-Perry Meridian

#8 Carleton Perry-Warren Central

#9 Braxton Vest-Westfield

#10 Braden Haines-Brownsburg

#11 Dillon Graham-Cathedral

#14 Anthony Wood-Jay County

#16 Justin Puckett-Northridge

Friday Night Matches:

Aidan Sprague, 29-1, East Noble, 11  vs Travis Haug, 22-6, Forest Park, 12

Carleton Perry, 24-4, Warren Central, 12 vs Logan Frazier, 31-3, Crown Point, 10

Lane Gilbert, 27-0, Sullivan, 10 vs Justin Puckett, 30-4, Northridge, 12

Nathaniel Hennessey, 23-2, Seeger, 12 vs Braxton Vest, 33-2, Westfield, 11

Dillon Graham, 26-4, Indpls. Cathedral, 9 vs Tristian Vaughn, 19-4, Harrison (WL), 12

Braden Haines, 17-8, Brownsburg, 11 vs Anthony Wood, 37-4, Jay County, 9

Sergio Lemley, 33-1, Chesterton, 10 vs Keaton Morton, 26-9, Perry Meridian, 10

Austin Lewis, 21-5, Bluffton, 10 vs Cole Ross, 23-2, Evansville Mater Dei, 12

HOOSIERMAT TOP 8:

1. Sergio Lemely-Chesterton

2. Logan Frazier-Crown Point

3. Lane Gilbert-Sullivan

4. Dillon Graham-Cathedral

5. Cole Ross-Evansville Mater Dei

6. Braden Haines-Brownsburg

7. Braxton Vest-Westfield

8. Aidan Sprague-East Noble

126

This weight has what many would consider a lock to win state in Cathedral’s Zeke Seltzer. Seltzer has only lost to one guy in his career and after Saturday that statement will remain true. He will have to go through both Cheaney Schoeff, Avon, and Brownsburg freshman Brady Ison. Ison has beaten Schoeff 3 of the 4 times they’ve met this year, but Schoeff got the better draw of the two. A big match that impacts the team race will be Saturday morning between Roncalli’s Bryce Lowery and Crown Point’s Sam Goin. Lowery is a tough matchup for anyone in this weight because he’s so tough on top. That, with Goin’s limited schedule, is the reason I lean towards Lowery taking this matchup. Landon Bertsch, Bluffton, comes into the tournament with a spotless record, but will draw into the winner for Schoeff and Blake Wolf, East Central. I do not see Bertsch beating either of these guys.

2020 Champ:

Brayden Lowery-Roncalli

Ranked Wrestlers:

#1 Zeke Seltzer-Cathedral

#2 Brady Ison-Brownsburg

#3 Cheaney Schoeff-Avon

#4 Samuel Goin-Crown Point

#5 Bryce Lowery-Roncalli

#6 Elijah Anthony-Frankfort

#7 Blake Wolf-East Central

#9 Matteo Vargo-Penn

#10 Landon Bertsch-Bluffton

#11 Logan Uhlman-Adams Central

#13 Nick Olson-Goshen

#16 Jacob Bechert-Franklin Community

#20 Michael Tharpe-Center Grove

Friday Night Matches:

Brady Ison, 23-1, Brownsburg, 9 vs Elijah Anthony, 20-2, Frankfort, 11

Devin Wible, 10-7, Hobart, 10 vs Nick Olson, 32-2, Goshen, 11

Zeke Seltzer, 29-0, Indpls. Cathedral, 11 vs Michael Tharpe, 18-6, Center Grove, 11

Logan Uhlman, 33-6, Adams Central, 10 vs Matteo Vargo, 13-2, Penn, 11

Samuel Goin, 14-1, Crown Point, 10 vs Harper Dedman, 27-4, Oak Hill, 12

Jacob Bechert, 23-5, Franklin Community, 12 vs Bryce Lowery, 36-2, Roncalli, 10

Landon Bertsch, 22-0, Bluffton, 11 vs Brenden Dilley, 16-11, Wawasee, 12

Blake Wolf, 28-2, East Central, 10 vs Cheaney Schoeff, 32-5, Avon, 10

HOOSIERMAT TOP 8:

1. Zeke Seltzer-Cathedral

2. Cheaney Schoeff-Avon

3. Brady Ison-Brownsburg

4. Bryce Lowery-Roncalli

5. Sam Goin-Crown Point

6. Matteo Vargo-Penn

7. Landon Bertsch-Bluffton

8. Nick Olson-Goshen

132

This weight is about as wide open as it gets. I know it sounds cliche but this weight will come down to whoever shows up this weekend. Aidan Torres, Chesterton, finally got over the hump and beat Crown Point’s Stephen Roberson this past weekend only to be rewarded with a Saturday morning match with Evansville Mater Dei’s Alec Freeman. This is another big match to determine the team race and while Freeman is the on paper favorite here, this is still a tough draw for the Wildcats. The winner of this will likely see Warren Central senior David Pierson in the semifinals. The bottom side of the bracket is wide open with three of the top five kids at this weight at the top of the bracket. Leo’s Ian Heath comes in with a spotless record but has been unable to make it past Saturday morning and unfortunately for him I see similar results this year. Heath draws into the winner of Lawrence North’s Anthony Hughes and Kankakee Valley’s Cole Solomey. Both wrestlers have wrestled much tougher competition this year and that will be the difference here. Another big match for not only the team race, but also for this weight is the Saturday morning match between Brownsburg senior Kysen Montgomery and Crown Point senior Stephen Roberson. This weight could be wrestled 10 different times with different results each time but our picks are what we see happening this weekend but this is the toughest weight to pick.

2020 Champ:

Jesse Mendez-Crown Point

Ranked Wrestlers (14/16):

#1 Alec Freeman-Evansville Mater Dei

#2 Ian Heath-Leo

#3 Aidan Torres-Chesterton

#5 Kysen Montgomery-Brownsburg

#6 Ben Dalton-Monrovia

#8 Stephen Roberson-Crown Point

#12 Anthony Hughes-Lawrence North

#13 David Pierson-Warren Central

#14 Brac Hooper-Carmel

#15 Cole Solomey-Kankakee Valley

#16 Dylan Stroud-Manchester

#18 Devin Frazier-Centerville

#19 Cade Meier-Bloomington South

#20 Lakin Webb-Rensselaer Central

First Round Matches:

Aidan Torres, 31-2, Chesterton, 10 vs Devin Frazier, 38-4, Centerville, 11

Dominic Litchfield, 20-5, Bellmont, 11 vs Alec Freeman, 25-1, Evansville Mater Dei, 12

David Pierson, 28-3, Warren Central, 12 vs Lakin Webb, 20-3, Rensselaer Central, 11

Ben Dalton, 37-1, Monrovia, 12 vs Dylan Stroud, 37-1, Manchester, 11

Ian Heath, 30-0, Leo, 12 vs Cade Meier, 24-5, Bloomington South, 12

Cole Solomey, 25-5, Kankakee Valley, 10 vs Anthony Hughes, 23-5, Lawrence North, 12

Kysen Montgomery, 27-3, Brownsburg, 12 vs Cameron Clark, 28-6, Jay County, 9

Brac Hooper, 30-4, Carmel, 11 vs Stephen Roberson Jr., 17-3, Crown Point, 12

HOOSIERMAT TOP 8:

1. Alec Freeman-Evansville Mater Dei

2. Stephen Roberson-Crown Point

3. David Pierson-Warren Central

4. Anthony Hughes-Lawrence North

5. Aidan Torres-Chesterton

6. Kysen Montgomery-Brownsburg

7. Ben Dalton-Monrovia

8. Ian Heath-Leo

138

The finals at this weight will likely happen in the semifinals between Evansville Mater Dei’s Blake Boarman and Crown Point junior Jesse Mendez. While this is Mendez’s weight to lose and I do not pick Boarman to pull off the upset here, he can definitely go with Mendez. It will be a more competitive match than people are thinking, in my opinion. Outside of the two state champs in this weight class you have Wawasee senior Jace Alexander, who looks to join his brother who wrestled under the lights two seasons ago. While the two best kids are on one side of the bracket, the draws on that top half are brutal. Gavin Alstott, Floyd Central, will wrestle Alexander Friday night with only one of these guys making the podium. You also have a few returning state qualifiers looking for their first state medals. Pendleton Heights Jared Brown has been down town two times before this and has come up empty handed. He also did himself no favors placing 4th at the semi-state. He has Oak Hill’s Brody Arthur Friday night and while I believe Brown may be better he doesn’t always wrestle like it. Arthur is consistent and should win here but Brown is super dangerous. The other match with two returning qualifiers is at the top quarter bracket with Bloomington South’s Delaney Ruhlman and Portage’s Bradley Conrad meeting Friday.

2020 Champ:

Blake Boarman-Evansville Mater Dei

Ranked Wrestlers:

#1 Jesse Mendez-Crown Point

#2 Delaney Ruhlman-Bloomington South

#3 Blake Boarman-Evansville Mater Dei

#4 Jace Alexander-Wawasee

#5 Gavinn Alstott-Floyd Central

#7 Luke Goodwin-Southport

#9 Bradley Conrad-Portage

#10 Hudson Harreld-Zionsville

#14 Seth Lawson-Frankton

#15 Brody Arthur-Oak Hill

#16 Gavin Garcia-Brownsburg

#19 Jared Brown-Pendleton Heights

#20 Logan Hooley-Northridge

Friday Night Matches:

Luke Goodwin, 25-4, Southport, 12 vs Jarrett Forrester, 26-4, Columbia City, 12

Delaney Ruhlman, 27-2, Bloomington South, 10 vs Bradley Conrad, 25-5, Portage, 12

Brody Arthur, 38-1, Oak Hill, 11 vs Jared Brown, 19-4, Pendleton Heights, 12

Jace Alexander, 24-1, Wawasee, 12 vs Gavinn Alstott, 25-3, Floyd Central, 12

Jesse Mendez, 30-0, Crown Point, 11 vs Gavin Garcia, 11-6, Brownsburg, 11

Logan Hooley, 31-4, Northridge, 12 vs Hudson Harreld, 30-3, Zionsville, 12

Blake Boarman, 28-1, Evansville Mater Dei, 12 vs Kyle Carter, 21-5, Rensselaer Central, 12

Seth Lawson, 31-4, Frankton, 12 vs Julius Gerencser, 32-2, Daleville, 11

HOOSIERMAT TOP 8:

1. Jesse Mendez-Crown Point

2. Gavinn Alstott-Floyd Central

3. Blake Boarman-Evansville Mater Dei

4. Delaney Ruhlman-Bloomington South

5. Luke Goodwin-Southport

6. Hudson Harreld-Zionsville

7. Brody Arthur-Oak Hill

8. Seth Lawson-Frankton

145

This weight play a big role in the team race. Perry Meridian’s Brady McKivitz has looked good after slipping up at the sectional only having lost to Zionsville’s Logan Wagner. McKivitz has two tough but winnable matches Friday night and Saturday morning. McKivitz will have the tough freshman from Floyd Central, Hunter May, in the opening round and then should have Ethan Kaiser, Chesterton, Saturday morning. Like the previous weight the two best kids are on the same side and will meet in the semis here.Jaden Reynolds, Avon, and the previously mentioned Wagner have wrestled twice this year, handing each other their only loss. The winner here wins this weight. New Haven senior Elijah Chacon comes in with the lone spotless record at this weight. Unfortunately for him though is he draws into Evansville, which was really tough at this weight, and will have a Saturday morning match with Center Grove’s Hayden Watson, effectively ending his run. Watson is the favorite to make the finals from the bottom side, but he has been pushed by both May and McKivitz this year.

2020 Champ:

Alec Viduya-Roncalli

Ranked Wrestlers:

#1 Jaden Reynolds-Avon

#2 Logan Wagner-Zionsville

#3 Hayden Watson-Center Grove

#5 Elijah Chacon-New Haven

#7 Hunter May-Floyd Central

#9 Elijah Otto-South Dearborn

#10 Brady McKivitz-Perry Meridian

#12 Ethan Kaiser-Chesterton

#13 Toby Abbott-Cowan

#14 Hayden Shepherd-Western

#15 Max Naselroad-Alexandria Monroe

#17 Sam Levitz-Prairie Heights

Friday Night Matches:

Jaden Reynolds, 37-1, Avon, 12 vs Max Naselroad, 30-2, Alexandria Monroe, 11

Cameron Powell, 28-8, Mishawaka High School, 11 vs Hayden Shepherd, 32-2, Western, 11

Logan Wagner, 34-1, Zionsville, 12 vs Connor Gilles, 31-6, Jeffersonville, 12

Toby Abbott, 32-2, Cowan, 11 vs Braden Nuest, 39-3, West Central, 12

Ethan Kaiser, 27-4, Chesterton, 12 vs Sam Levitz, 25-5, Prairie Heights, 11

Hunter May, 26-3, Floyd Central, 9 vs Brady McKivitz, 28-7, Perry Meridian, 12

Elijah Chacon, 32-0, New Haven, 12 vs James Smith, 14-16, Penn, 12

Elijah Otto, 35-3, South Dearborn, 12 vs Hayden Watson, 29-4, Center Grove, 11

HOOSIERMAT TOP 8:

1. Logan Wagner-Zionsville

2. Hayden Watson-Center Grove

3. Jaden Reynolds-Avon

4. Brady McKivitz-Perry Meridian

5. Elijah Chacon-New Haven

6. Hayden Shepherd-Western

7. Ethan Kaiser-Chesterton

8. Toby Abbott-Cowan

152

This weight isn’t quite the two man race but there are two guys who have to be the favorites to meet under the lights. Perry Meridian junior Matthew Koontz and Warren Central senior JaJauan Anderson have met twice this season with Anderson winning two close matches. Koontz will have a tough match Saturday morning with the undefeated Aidan Hardcastle, Oak Hill. Koontz will have a tough road possibly seeing 2 undefeated guys before the finals, the other being JJ Conway from Floyd Central, but I look for to navigate that too half to set up a third match with Anderson. Outside of those two, there’s a big Saturday morning match between Javen Estrada, Crown Point, and Conway. If Crown Point wants any chance of winning a title this weekend they have to win this match. Another big one for the team race will be between Chesterton’s Brock Ellis and Avon senior Tyler Conley. Conley usually wrestles well on the floor of Bankers while we saw Ellis, who many believed would be under the lights a year ago, has dropped matches here before. When it's all said and done I look for Koontz to make the proper adjustments and take home a title here.

2020 Champ:

Jonathan Kervin-Floyd Central

Ranked Wrestlers:

#1 Matthew Koontz-Perry Meridian

#2 Jajuan Anderson-Warren Central

#3 JJ Conway-Floyd Central

#4 Javen Estrada-Crown Point

#6 Brock Ellis-Chesterton

#7 Benjamin Phillips-Charlestown

#8 Tyler Conley-Avon

#9 Alex Currie-Adams Central

#10 Aidan Hardcastle-Oak Hill

#11 Evan Ulrick-Carroll (Fort Wayne)

#17 Ben Wolf-East Central

#19 Aidan Pollitt-Valparaiso

Friday Night Matches:

Aidan Hardcastle, 36-0, Oak Hill, 12 vs Aiden Farmer, 28-6, Evansville Reitz Memorial, 11

Aidan Pollitt, 21-5, Valparaiso, 12 vs Matthew Koontz, 31-2, Perry Meridian, 11

James Conway, 27-0, Floyd Central, 11 vs Chase Leech, 20-10, Garrett, 9

Ben Wolf, 26-4, East Central, 12 vs Javen Estrada, 28-2, Crown Point, 12

Brock Ellis, 30-4, Chesterton, 12 vs Avery Wills, 30-11, Eastern Hancock, 12

Alex Currie, 39-3, Adams Central, 11 vs Tyler Conley, 33-3, Avon, 12

Jajuan Anderson, 32-0, Warren Central, 12 vs Isaiah Ponce, 22-9, Lake Central, 11

Benjamin Phillips, 37-1, Charlestown, 11 vs Evan Ulrick, 32-1, Carroll (Fort Wayne), 12

HOOSIERMAT TOP 8:

1. Matthew Koontz-Perry Meridian

2. Jajuan Anderson-Warren Central

3. JJ Conway-Floyd Central

4. Tyler Conley-Avon

5. Brock Ellis-Chesterton

6. Javen Estrada-Crown Point

7. Ben Phillips-Charlestown

8. Aidan Hardcastle-Oak Hill

160

The top half of this bracket has a lot of interesting matchups that will have a huge impact on the team race. Cathedral senior Andrew Wilson will have a tough Friday night match with the sophomore from Penn, AJ Steenbeke. Wilson has to be the favorite here but Steenbeke should not be written off. If he wins this match he will have the tough Landon Buchanan, Jimtown, Saturday morning. Bunchan is pretty much undefeated at this weight but hasn’t seen the level of competition that Wilson has. Regardless of the winner here, neither wrestler beats Brody Baumann, Evansville Mater Dei. Baumann has looked unstoppable this year after dropping a close match last year on Friday night. He should be under the lights against another wrestler who has looked great all season, which is Robert Major from Carmel. I don’t see anyone on that bottom side having anything for the senior and he should meet Baumann in what should be a great finals match. A Friday night match to watch is between, and that I feel a lot of people are writing off, is between Orlando Cruz, Crown Point, and Jakob Sheets, Perry Meridian. Sheets is dangerous and had Cruz stuck in the dual earlier this year. I’m not sure Sheets can out wrestle the the sophomore from CP, but he can definitely catch him again and make the podium.

2020 Champ:

Eli Dickens-Evansville Mater Dei

Ranked Wrestlers (11/16):

#1 Robert Major-Carmel

#2 Brody Baumann-Evansville Mater Dei

#3 Andrew Wilson-Cathedral

#4 Kade Law-Columbus East

#6 Orlando Cruz-Crown Point

#7 Tyler Jones-Warren Central

#8 Landon Boe-Plainfield

#9 Landon Buchanan-Jimtown

#12 Aaron Steenbeke-Penn

#17 Jakob Sheets-Perry Meridian

#18 Elias Hilger-Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger

Friday Night Matches:

Broderick Baumann, 26-0, Evansville Mater Dei, 11 vs Elias Hilger, 33-3, FW Bishop Dwenger, 12

Tyler Jones, 26-6, Warren Central, 11 vs Bradey Pittman, 22-8, Plymouth, 11

Landon Buchanan, 36-2, Jimtown, 11 vs Bray Emerine, 20-10, Floyd Central, 9

Aaron `AJ` Steenbeke, 26-3, Penn, 10 vs Andrew Wilson, 26-3, Indpls. Cathedral, 12

Orlando Cruz, 28-2, Crown Point, 10 vs Jakob Sheets, 21-12, Perry Meridian, 12

Kade Law, 33-3, Columbus East, 11 vs Logan Farnell, 40-3, Maconaquah, 10

Robert Major, 37-0, Carmel, 12 vs Jamaal Salary, 27-6, LaPorte, 12

Eli Johnson, 34-2, Norwell, 11 vs Landon Boe, 32-2, Plainfield, 11

HOOSIERMAT TOP 8:

1. Robert Major-Carmel

2. Brody Baumann-Evansville Mater Dei

3. Andrew Wilson-Cathedral

4. Orlando Cruz-Crown Point

5. Landon Buchanan-Jimtown

6. Landon Boe-Plainfield

7. Kade Law-Columbus East

8. Tyler Jones-Warren Central

170

I see a 4-over-1 on the top side of this bracket. Perry Meridian’s JaJaun Dale took 4th at a tough weight at New Castle a week ago but was given a great draw. He will wrestle Fort Wayne Snider’s Jacob Kreager in the opening round. Kreager had a great tournament last weekend but it’s hard for me to pick him over Dale, who has wrestled nearly every good kid in this weight this season. Another big Friday night match is between two guys that come in with 1 loss each in the year. Hobart senior Jacob Simpson will wrestle sophomore from Castle, John Purdy, in the first round Friday. Purdy has to be the favorite here and I would be surprised to see any other result than him getting his hand raised here. Purdy then draws into everyone’s favorite to win this weight in East Central’s Bryer Hall. Hall should win this match and continue his run to the finals. On the bottom side of the bracket, Zionsville’s Shane Bates draws into Brodie Porter, Eastern(Greentown), who was caught and pinned a weekend ago. This is a bad draw for the senior Bates as I don’t think he beats Porter here. Regardless, the winner here meets Columbus East’s Sam Morrill who, outside of that weird loss Cathedral’s Ulrik Urasky, has looked the part this season. He should meet my pick to win this weight in the semis and that’s Penn move in Pate Eastin. Eastin is tough on top and hard to score on, which allows him to control a lots of his matches.

2020 Champ:

Robert Deters-Castle

Ranked Wrestlers (12/16):

#1 Bryer Hall-East Central

#2 Pate Eastin-Penn

#3 John Purdy-Castle

#4 Tyler Fuqua-Franklin Community

#5 Samuel Morrill-Columbus East

#8 Ulrik Urasky-Cathedral

#9 Brodie Porter-Eastern (Greentown)

#10 Jacob Simpson-Hobart

#11 JaJuan Dale-Perry Meridian

#12 Codel Khawaja-Floyd Central

#13 Shane Bates-Zionsville

#20 Jacob Kreager-Fort Wayne Snider

Friday Night Matches:

Jacob Kreager, 31-3, Fort Wayne Snider, 12 vs JaJuan Dale, 21-7, Perry Meridian, 12

Codei Khawaja, 25-2, Floyd Central, 11 vs Aiden Sneed, 26-4, Kankakee Valley, 12

Bryer Hall, 30-0, East Central, 12 vs Duke Myers, 8-2, Bellmont, 9

Jacob Simpson, 29-1, Hobart, 11 vs John Purdy, 30-1, Castle, 10

Samuel Morrill, 35-1, Columbus East, 12 vs Spencer Phillips, 14-2, McCutcheon, 12

Brodie Porter, 44-1, Eastern (Greentown), 11 vs Shane Bates, 26-6, Zionsville, 12

Pate Eastin, 30-0, Penn, 12 vs Tyler Fuqua, 27-2, Franklin Community, 12

Ulrik Urasky, 24-3, Indpls. Cathedral, 12 vs Jacob Graden, 23-8, East Noble, 12

HOOSIERMAT TOP 8:

1. Pate Eastin-Penn

2. Bryer Hall-East Central

3. Sam Morrill-Columbus East

4. Jajuan Dale-Perry Meridian

5. John Purdy-Castle

6. Ulrik Urasky-Cathedral

7. Codel Khawaja-Floyd Central

8. Brodie Porter-Eastern(Greentown)

182

There’s two undefeated guys in this weight and I don't have either making the finals here. Chesterton’s Gavin Layman comes in with a spotless record but will draw into Center Grove’s Drake Buchanan Saturday morning ending his run. After that Buchanan should cruise into the finals on that half of the bracket. If Layman can pull this one out though he should make the finals here strengthening Chesterton’s chances at a team title. The two guys on the bottom side who will meet in the semis are Evansville Mater Dei’s Gabe Sollars and Perry Meridian senior Aiden Warren. Warren took two early season losses, one being to Buchanan, but that looks like it was the best thing for him. He looks bigger, stronger and in better shape after taking those losses and ready to make a run. His potential semifinal’s opponent will be Sollars who comes in spotless after picking up a big win over Buchanan a week ago. This match, in my opinion, is the finals at this weight class. Warren has been in the semifinals the last two seasons and knows what it’s like, and I don’t see the senior ending his season with another 3rd place medal.

2020 Champ:

Joe Walker-Mishawaka

Ranked Wrestlers (8/16):

#1 Drake Buchanan-Center Grove

#2 Aiden Warren-Perry Meridian

#3 Gabriel Sollars-Evansville Mater Dei

#4 Gavin Layman-Chesterton

#5 Colin Kwiatkowski-Valparaiso

#9 Dominic Pugliese,m-Tri-West

#10 Riley Woodall-Southmont

#13 Jacob Saylor-New Haven

Friday Night Matches:

Gavin Layman, 37-0, Chesterton, 12 vs Je`Kwan Williams, 29-7, Marion, 12

Sam Peeples, 29-4, Roncalli, 11 vs Drake Buchanan, 32-1, Center Grove, 11

Jacob Saylor, 28-2, New Haven, 12 vs Brandon Estepp, 19-7, Warsaw Community, 12

Dominic Pugliese, 30-3, Tri-West Hendricks, 12 vs Riley Woodall, 24-2, Southmont, 12

Gabriel Sollars, 26-0, Evansville Mater Dei, 11 vs Johnny Weisheit, 22-12, Franklin Central, 11

Hunter Page, 34-5, Monroe Central, 10 vs Colin Kwiatkowski, 12-4, Valparaiso, 12

Aiden Warren, 34-2, Perry Meridian, 12 vs Reid Schroeder, 21-4, Southridge, 10

Jake Sues, 21-4, Lake Central, 11 vs Jett Thompson, 34-4, Oak Hill, 12

HOOSIERMAT TOP 8:

1. Aiden Warren-Perry Meridian

2. Drake Buchanan-Center Grove

3. Gabe Sollars-Evansville Mater Dei

4. Riley Woodall-Southmont

5. Gavin Layman-Chesterton

6. Colin Kwiatowski-Valparaiso

7. Jacob Saylor-New Haven

8. Jake Sues-Lake Central

195

Hayden Filipovich, Lutheran, has continued to impress me each weekend and he looks the part of a state champ. He hasn’t been pushed yet this season and I see that continuing until he hits the semis. This weight has the two best kids meeting in the semifinals, a trend this state series. Filipovich should meet up with top ranked Eli Pack, Culver Academies, for a spot under the lights. Heading into the tournament series I didn’t see anyone being able to beat Pack but he looked a bit more mortal at the semi-state. Regardless, the winner here gets their hand raised under the lights Saturday night. On the bottom half of the bracket, Greencastle senior Brach Carrington brings in the lone spotless record on that side. Careington is a kid I was high on last season and is showing what I’ve known already that he is in the conversation for a finalist. He will have a tough Saturday morning match with West Lafayette’s Connor Barket, who took his first loss of the season to Pack last weekend. The winner of this match makes the finals this weekend. The biggest match at this weight in regards to the team race is the Friday night match between Cathedral’s Johnny Parker and Chesterton’s Gage DeMarco. The loser here is going to have a big hill to climb in order to get a team trophy here.

2020 Champ:

Silas Allred-Shenandoah

Ranked Wrestlers (13/16):

#1 Eli Pack-Culver Academies

#2 Connor Barket-West Lafayette

#3 Hayden Filipovich-Lutheran

#4 Brach Carrington-Greencastle

#6 Gage DeMarco-Chesterton

#7 Johnny Parker-Cathedral

#8 Matt Lepper-Carroll (Fort Wayne)

#9 Harris Eason-Franklin Community

#10 Blake Heyerly-Adams Central

#11 Ke`Shawn Dickens-Avon

#12 Max Broom-Hamilton Southeastern

#13 Ibrahim Khaoucha-Northridge

#14 Wyatt Willman-North Posey

Friday Night Matches:

Hayden Filipovich, 40-0, Indianapolis Lutheran, 12 vs Bazle Owens, 28-10, Tippecanoe Valley, 10

Blake Heyerly, 41-1, Adams Central, 11 vs Ke`Shawn Dickens, 26-4, Avon, 12

Eli Pack, 18-0, Culver Academies, 12 vs Ryan Bovard, 24-6, East Central, 11

Wyatt Willman, 31-1, North Posey, 11 vs Matt Lepper, 23-4, Carroll (Fort Wayne), 12

Ibrahim Khaoucha, 29-1, Northridge, 12 vs Harris Eason, 26-5, Franklin Community, 12

Gage DeMarco, 36-2, Chesterton, 11 vs Johnny Parker, 25-4, Indpls. Cathedral, 12

Brach Carrington, 37-0, Greencastle, 12 vs Chad Washburn, 20-6, Kokomo, 9

Max Broom, 30-5, Hamilton Southeastern, 11 vs Connor Barket, 19-1, West Lafayette, 11

HOOSIERMAT TOP 8:

1. Hayden Filipovich-Lutheran

2. Brach Carrington-Greencastle

3. Eli Pack-Culver Academies

4. Johnny Parker-Cathedral

5. Connor Barket-West Lafayette

6. Wyatt Willman-North Posey

7. Ibrahim Khaoucha-Northridge

8. Ke’Shawn Dickens-Avon

220

Perry Meridian’s Jeff McClure put the state on notice last weekend with an impressive showing at the semi-state. McClure won a tough weight where I see all 4 guys making it through Friday. While I’m not picking him to win this weight he has several winnable matches and could see himself under the lights. He will likely wrestle Terre Haute’s Josh Howell Saturday morning. Howell is good and can really wrestle for a big guy so this match should be a fun one. Above them is East Central’s Koel Viel who took 4th at the semi-stage last weekend, but got the draw he needed to make the podium. For the third weight in a row the two best wrestlers find themselves meeting in the semis. Returning state champ Evan Bates, Chesterton, comes in with an undefeated record and a slight favorite to come away with his second title this weekend. In the semis however he will see Bloomington South’s Tristan Ruhlman who is up from 170 a year ago. He had a frame to fill out and get big and made the most of his off-season. Ruhlman and Bates should be a great semis match with the winner walking away with a title.

2020 Champ:

Evan Bates-Chesterton

Ranked Wrestlers (11/16):

#1 Evan Bates-Chesterton

#2 Tristan Ruhlman-Bloomington South

#3 Jason Streck-Merrillville

#5 Joshua Howell-Terre Haute South Vigo

#6 Aataeveon Jordan-Franklin Central

#7 Kole Viel-East Central

#8 Jack Taylor-New Castle

#10 Jeffrey McClure-Perry Meridian

#13 Jacob Raub-Lafayette Jefferson

#17 Julante Hinton-Fort Wayne Northrop

#19 Peyton Kendall-Penn

Friday Night Matches:

Tristan Ruhlman, 23-0, Bloomington South, 12 vs Peyton Kendall, 16-7, Penn, 10

Julante Hinton, 29-5, Fort Wayne Northrop, 9 vs Jamarion Taylor, 36-2, New Castle, 12

Evan Bates, 34-0, Chesterton, 12 vs Nolan Skaggs, 17-8, Franklin Community, 11

Aataeveon Jordan, 29-5, Franklin Central, 11 vs RJ Dilbone, 31-2, Fremont, 12

Ian Clifford, 28-2, Columbia City, 11 vs Kole Viel, 26-3, East Central, 12

Kelton Farmer, 29-6, Evansville Reitz Memorial, 10 vs Jason Streck, 29-1, Merrillville, 12

Jeffrey McClure, 29-6, Perry Meridian, 12 vs Coy Brames, 22-8, Angola, 12

Jacob Raub, 25-1, Lafayette Jefferson, 12 vs Joshua Howell, 24-7, Terre Haute South Vigo, 12

HOOSIERMAT TOP 8:

1. Evan Bates-Chesterton

2. Jason Streck-Merrillville

3. Tristan Ruhlman-Bloomington South

4. Jeff McClure-Perry Meridian

5. Josh Howell-Terre Haute South

6. Jack Taylor-New Castle

7. Aataveon Jordan-Franklin Central

8. Koel Viel-East Central

285

Coming into semi-state I would’ve said this was a 3 three man race for a title but Connersville’s Evan Shafer has to be in the discussion now for a title. Shafer has pinned everyone he has wrestled this year and dominated a tough field at New Castle. He will likely have another guy in the title discussion Saturday morning in Western’s Brayden Erb. Erb took his first loss of the season to Reeve Muncie, Carroll(Fort Wayne), at the semi-state. Erb is a big, skilled heavyweight and can definitely win this weight this weekend. On the bottom side of the bracket, the big sophomore from Brownsburg Leighton Jones, has looked great this year since moving up from 220. Jones is a special type of athlete that you don’t see everyday and toy pair that with his wrestling ability he has the chance to win this weight as only a sophomore, which really doesn’t happen. He will state the winner of Antone Alexander, Franklin Central, and Hunter Whitenack, New Prairie. This is the best, and toughest match to pick, in this weight on Friday. The guy who came into the season ranked first at the weight is Reeve Muncie. Muncie is a giant heavyweight with only 1 loss on the year, which he avenged last weekend.

2020 Champ:

Holden Parsons-Cathedral

Ranked Wrestlers (13/16):

#1 Braydon Erb-Western

#2 Reeve Muncie-Carroll (Fort Wayne)

#3 Jacob Johnson-Franklin Community

#4 Leighton Jones-Brownsburg

#5 Antone Alexander-Franklin Central

#6 Matthew Munoz-Jeffersonville

#7 Hunter Whitenack-New Prairie

#8 Brandon Villafuerte-Angola

#9 Mariere Omonode-West Lafayette

#11 Evan Shafer-Connersville

#16 Mihailis Platonov-Westfield

#18 Amara Kaba-Pike

#19 Makhi Watts-North Central (Indianapolis)

Friday Night Matches:

Mariere Omonode, 13-0, West Lafayette, 11 vs Makhi Watts, 24-5, North Central (Indianapolis), 11

Brandon Villafuerte, 25-1, Angola, 11 vs Matthew Munoz, 34-1, Jeffersonville, 12

Evan Shafer, 37-0, Connersville, 12 vs Brock Donati, 21-8, Penn, 12

Jacob Johnson, 26-3, Franklin Community, 11 vs Braydon Erb, 31-1, Western, 12

Leighton Jones, 29-0, Brownsburg, 10 vs Jacob Sommer, 25-10, Elkhart, 12

Hunter Whitenack, 39-1, New Prairie, 11 vs Antone Alexander, 33-3, Franklin Central, 12

Reeve Muncie, 31-1, Carroll (Fort Wayne), 12 vs Amara Kaba, 25-7, Pike, 12

Mihailis Platonov, 31-5, Westfield, 11 vs Edgar Decker, 32-3, Gavit, 10

HOOSIERMAT TOP 8:

1. Connor Shafer-Connersville

2. Reeve Muncie-Carroll(Fort Wayne)

3. Leighton Jones-Brownsburg

4. Mariere Omonode-West Lafayette

5. Brayden Erb-Western

6. Hunter Whitenack-New Prairie

7. Matthew Munoz-Jeffersonville

8. Mihails Platonov-Westfield