2021 New Castle Semi-State Preview

106

I’m predicting an early state finals match this weekend at this weight between Cathedral’s Evan Dickey and Perry Meridian sophomore Toby Billerman. These two have met twice this season with each winning one match, but Dickey won the last time out. No one should prevent these two from meeting in the semis. The next best guy in this weight is Nathan Smith, Southport, who is on the opposite side of these two and should roll into the finals. Smith won’t beat either of the guys he could see in the finals and will settle for 2nd. The last guy making it out is the senior from Warren Central, Zach Dray.

2019 Champ:

Bryce Lowery-Roncalli

Ranked Wrestlers:

#1 Evan Dickey-Cathedral

#2 Toby Billerman-Perry Meridian

#3 Nathan Smith-Southport

#8 Zach Dray-Warren Central

Best First Round Match(es):

Zach Dray, Warren Central vs Oliver Wilson, North Central

Best (Possible) Ticket Round Match(es):

Gavin Thompson, Carmel vs Zach Dray, Warren Central

HOOSIERMAT TOP 4:

1. Toby Billerman-Perry Meridian

2. Nathan Smith-Southport

3. Evan Dickey-Cathedral

4. Zach Dray-Warren Central

113

Perry Meridian’s Alex Cottey will continue his quest for a second state title and he should pick up his 3rd semi-state title this weekend. Cottey will likely have a rematch of last weekend’s regional finals against Warren Central freshman Kyrel Keavell. In the semis, Cottey should face Carmel’s Isaac Ward, while Leavell will have the winner of Aden Reyes, Cathedral, and Dylan Driver, Westfield. Driver pulled off an upset last year to qualify for state and I could see him winning this match here as well to make a return trip to the bank.

2019 Champ:

Alex Cottey-Perry Meridian

Ranked Wrestlers:

#1 Alex Cottey-Perry Meridian

#6 Kyrell Leavell-Warren Central

#10 Aden Reyes-Cathedral

#12 Dylan Driver-Westfield

#15 Isaac Ward-Carmel

Best First Round Match(es):

Maddox Cade, Southmont vs Kyrel Leavell, Warren Central

Best (Possible) Ticket Round Match(es):

Aden Reyes, Cathedral vs Dylan Driver, Westfield

Alex Cottey, Perry Meridian vs Romello Williams, Anderson

HOOSIERMAT TOP 4:

1. Alex Cottey-Perry Meridian

2. Kyrel Leavell-Warren Central

3. Dylan Driver-Westfield

4. Isaac Ward-Carmel

120

This is a wide open weight class that can be won by several guys on Saturday. Warren Central senior Carlton Perry lost in the ticket round a year ago after making it to the show his sophomore season. I don't see that happening again as he walks away with the title here. In his path he has a tough Braxton Vest, Westfield, who has looked great since moving up from 106 a year ago. On the other side there are a lot of interesting potential ticket round matches. Perry Meridian’s Keaton Morton can go with just about anyone when he shows up to wrestle and he will have to Saturday as he has Fisher’s Griffin Ingalls in the opening round for a chance to wrestle New Castle’s Gavyn Whitehead. I think Morton’s tough schedule and resume carry him to the Bank. Another ticket round match to watch for is between Carmel’s Eitan Halevi and Cathdral’s Dillon Graham. Graham won when they met earlier this year but a change in strategy gets Halevi over the hump and downtown.

2019 Champ:

Zeke Seltzer-Cathedral

Ranked Wrestlers:

#7 Keaton Morton-Perry Meridian

#8 Carlton Perry-Warren Central

#9 Braxton Vest-Westfield

#11 Dillon Graham-Cathedral

#12 Eitan Halevi-Carmel

Best First Round Match(es):

Gavyn Whitehead, New Castle vs Isaiah Rodriguez, Hamilton Heights

Griffin Ingalls, Fishers vs Keaton Morton, Perry Meridian

Best (Possible) Ticket Round Match(es):

Gavyn Whitehead, New Castle vs Ingalls/Morton winner

Dillon Graham, Cathedral vs Eitan Halevi, Carmel

HOOSIERMAT TOP 4:

1. Carleton Perry-Warren Central

2. Keaton Morton-Perry Meridian

3. Braxton Vest-Westfield

4. Eitan Halevi-Carmel

126

Zeke Seltzer, Cathedral, won’t be touched this weekend as he cruises to another semi-state crown. He will most likely meet another undefeated wrestler in Frankfort’s Elijah Anthony, who has made it to state every year. Up top, Roncalli sophomore Bryce Lowery will have no trouble making it to the semis where he should meet East Central’s Blake Wolf. Both have 1 loss coming in to a nationally ranked kid, but Lowery’s schedule has been much tougher and he is ready to win a tough match here in the semis setting up a rematch with Seltzer.

2019 Champ:

Brayden Lowery-Roncalli

Ranked Wrestlers:

#1 Zeke Seltzer-Cathedral

#5 Bryce Lowery-Roncalli

#6 Elijah Anthony-Frankfort

#7 Blake Wolf-East Central

Best First Round Match(es):

Isaiah Otto, South Dearborn vs Dason Tichenor, Warren Central

Kyan Sparks, Franklin Central vs Jake Necessary, Richmond

Best (Possible) Ticket Round Match(es):

Blake Wolf, East Central vs Andrew Dietz

Elijah Anthony, Frankfort vs Sparks/Necessary winner

HOOSIERMAT TOP 4:

1. Zeke Seltzer-Cathedral

2. Bryce Lowery-Roncalli

3. Blake Wolf-East Central

4. Elijah Anthony-Frankfort

132

This weight has 3 brutal ticket round matches where a deserving wrestler will be at home when they are good enough to make the podium. The first of which is between Lawrence North senior Anthony Hughes and New Palestine senior Christian White. Hughes can beat anyone when he shows up, look at his MIC tournament run, but he can also drop matches he shouldn’t as well. White was a placer last year while Hughes dropped a tough match Friday night. Hughes is wrestling well right now and the Lawrence in me is going to pick the Wildcat to make a return trip to the bank. The second ticket round match to watch is between Warren Central’s David Pierson and New Castle’s Brendan Thrine. While I have a hard time seeing Thrine pulling this one off, he is a good athlete and strong for this weight and crazier things have happened at New Castle. The last match to keep an eye on is between Carmel junior Brad Hooper and Carson Johnson, Mt. Vernon(Fortville). Hooper made it downtown a year ago and is now up a few weight classes but has looked good regardless. Similar to the previously mentioned ticket round, I don’t see Johnson beating Hooper but he is a good athlete and has a style that can put away a match in a hurry. Centerville’s Devin Frazier got a great draw and should make it out as well.

2019 Champ:

Matthew Koontz-Perry Meridian

Ranked Wrestlers:

#4 Christian White-New Palestine

#9 Brevan Thrine-New Castle

#10 Carson Johnson-Mt. Vernon(Fortville)

#12 Anthony Hughes-Lawrence North

#13 David Pierson-Warren Central

#14 Brac Hooper-Carmel

#18 Devin Frazier-Centerville

Best First Round Match(es):

Brac Hooper, Carmel vs Bryce Pardue, Southport

Best (Possible) Ticket Round Match(es):

Brac Hooper, Carmel vs Carson Johnson, Mt. Vernon(Fortville)

Christian White, New Palestine vs Anthony Hughes, Lawrence North

David Pierson, Warren Central vs Brevan Thrine, New Castle

HOOSIERMAT TOP 4:

1. David Pierson-Warren Central

2. Anthony Hughes-Lawrence North

3. Brad Hooper-Carmel

4. Devin Frazier-Centerville

138

Nearly every match as this weight should be absolutely fire to watch. Some big first round matches to watch are between Pendleton Height’s Jared Brown and Warren Central’s Jeremiah Hernandez. Brown has a crazy style that could put his opponent, or himself, on their back so it’s kind of a coin flip in what happens here. In that same quarter bracket, Rider Searcy, East Central, will meet Carmel’s AJ Gunn for a chance at Hernandez or Brown. Another big one is between Cathedral’s Luke Gonzalez and Kody Glithero, Roncalli. Glithero is my pick to take this one but Gonzalez is a tough out for anyone. The winner of this match has Hudson Harreld, Zionsville, in the ticket round. With Glithero’s issues at semi-state in previous years paired with how well Harreld has been wrestling this year, this could have “upset” written all over it. Frankton’s Seth Lawson and Lawrenceburg’s Corbin Walston look to meet in the ticket round here and this was the best draw Lawson could’ve gotten without winning his regional. He should punch his ticket here.

2019 Champ:

Logan Wagner-Zionsville

Ranked Wrestlers:

#7 Luke Goodwin-Southport

#8 Kody Glithero-Roncalli

#10 Hudson Harreld-Zionsville

#11 Luke Gonzalez-Cathedral

#12 AJ Gunn-Carmel

#14 Seth Lawson-Frankton

#18 Jeremiah Herndanez-Warren Central

#19 Jared Brown-Pendleton Heights

Best First Round Match(es):

Jeremiah Hernandez, Warren Central vs Jared Brown, Pendleton Heights

AJ Gunn, Carmel vs Rider Searcy, East Central

Kody Glithero, Roncalli vs Luke Gonzalez, Cathedral

Best (Possible) Ticket Round Match(es):

Corbin Walston, Lawrenceburg vs Seth Lawson, Frankton

Hudson Harreld, Zionsville vs Gonzalez/Glithero

Luke Goodwin, Southport vs Alec McLaren, Westfield

HOOSIERMAT TOP 4:

1. Luke Goodwin-Southport

2. Kody Glithero-Roncalli

3. Jared Brown-Pendleton Heights

4. Seth Lawson-Frankton

145

Logan Wagner, Zionsville, is in the short list of guys to win a state title at this weight and on the very short list of guys to win this weight this weekend. He won’t have any trouble making his 4th trip downtown. In the semis he will have the winner of  currently undefeated Max Naselroad, Alexandria Monroe, and Warren Central senior Jeivan Ross. Ross is dangerous for 6 minutes and can put guys away in a hurry. I look for the senior to, finally, punch his ticket in his last season. On the bottom side, Perry Meridian senior Brady McKivitz pulled off a big win last weekend setting himself up to make his first trip to the Bank. McKivitz is super talented but does not always wrestle like it, so he could kill his first two guys, win two tight matches, or drop one. I expect him to continue his run though and qualify for the state tournament. In the semis he will wrestle the winner of South Dearborn’s Elio Otto or Cathedral's JJ Braun. Otto should be the favorite on paper but Cathedral kids find ways to win matches like this.

2019 Champ:

Alec Viduya-Roncalli

Ranked Wrestlers:

#2 Logan Wagner-Zionsville

#6 Jeivan Ross-Warren Central

#9 Eli Otto-South Dearborn

#10 Brady McKivitz-Perry Meridian

#15 Max Naselroad-Alexandria Monroe

Best First Round Match(es):

Jeivan Ross, Warren Central vs Charlie Euson, East Central

Eli Otto, South Dearborn vs Cayden Shelton, Franklin Central

Best (Possible) Ticket Round Match(es):

Eli Otto, South Dearborn vs JJ Braun,m Cathedral

Brady McKivitz, Pery Meridian vs Tyler Lindamood, FIshers

Max Naselroad, Alexandria Monroe vs Jeivan Ross, Warren Central

HOOSIERMAT TOP 4:

1. Logan Wagner-Zionsville

2. Brady McKivitz-Perry Meridian

3. Jeivan Ross-Warren Central

4. Eli Otto-South Dearborn

152

This is a two man race for first. Perry Meridian’s Matthew Koontz and Warren Central’s JaJuan Anderson will cruise into a rematch in the finals. In a match that I believe is really close you have to go with the guy who won last but either guy could take this weight. The other two qualifiers at this weight are from the same regional with East Central senior Ben Wolf punching his ticket along with the guy he beat last weekend, Centerville’s Gabe Phillips. While Wolf should join his brother downtown, he has dropped some questionable matches at New Castle in years past.

2019 Champ:

Bryce Coleman-Warren Central

Ranked Wrestlers:

#1 Matthew Koontz-Perry Meridian

#2 JaJuan Anderson-Warren Central

#16 Gabe Phillps-Centerville

Best First Round Match(es):

Josh Mobley, Batesville vs Matthew Koontz, Perry Meridian

Avery Wills, Eastern Hancock vs Gabe Phillips, Centerville

Best (Possible) Ticket Round Match(es):

Nathan Powell, Carmel vs Gabe Phillips, Centerville

HOOSIERMAT TOP 4:

1. JaJuan Anderson-Warren Central

2. Matthew Koontz-Perry Meridian

3. Ben Wolf-East Central

4. Gabe Phillips-Centerville

160

The state's top ranked wrestler headlines this weight. Carmel’s Robert Majored moved to Indiana after placing in Illinois a year ago and has been dominant all season. I look for him to win this weight class and continue his undefeated senior season. This weight class should be pretty straight forward with Andrew Wilson, Cathedral, and Tyler Jones, Warren Central, making their second trips to the Bank. Perry Meridian senior Jakob Sheets had 1 good draw to make it downtown and fortunate for him, he got it. Look for him to take advantage of his draw and make a trip to the state tournament.

2019 Champ:

Elliott Rodgers-Cathedral

Ranked Wrestlers:

#1 Robert Major-Carmel

#3 Andrew Wilson-Cathedral

#7 Tyler Jones-Warren Central

#17 Jakob Sheets-Perry Meridian

#20 Leo Calderon-Centerville

Best First Round Match(es):

Andrew Wilson, Cathedral vs Chase Coleman, Franklin Central

Javin Payne, Hagerstown vs Luke Penola, Zionsville

Best (Possible) Ticket Round Match(es):

Robert Major, Carmel vs Luke Hansen, Roncalli

David Nash, East Central vs Jakob Sheets, Perry Meridian

Leo Calderon, Centerville vs Tyler Jones, Warren Central

HOOSIERMAT TOP 4:

1. Robert Major-Carmel

2. Andrew Wilson-Cathedral

3. Tyler Jones-Warren Central

4. Jakob Sheets-Perry Meridian

170

This is another weight with the top ranked wrestler in the state in it. East Central’s Bryer Hall was about 60 seconds away from winning a state title last year and since moving up in weight is having another great year. He should take his first semi-state title in his already accomplished career. Cathedral’s Ulrik Urasky has had a good season with only two losses on the year, but one of those losses came from Jake Shafer, Carmel, which is who he has in the match to go. Shafer got caught last weekend at the regional by Shane Bates, Zionsville, setting up this matchup. Shafer won the match only about a month ago and I see him winning it again here. The 4th guy in this bunch is Perry Meridian’s Jajuan Dal. Dale started this season off with a bad ankle injury but looks to be healthy now and firing on all cylinders. I look for him to reverse the 8-7 loss to Shafer in the semis. I then see Shafer reversing his fortune from last weekend and beating Bates for 3rd.

2019 Champ:

Tyler Wagner-Cathedral

Ranked Wrestlers:

#1 Bryer Hall-East Central

#7 Jake Shafer-Carmel

#8 Ulrik Urasky-Cathedral

#11 Jajuan Dale-Perry Meridian

#13 Shane Bates-Zionsville

#19 Gino Mosconi-Franklin Central

Best First Round Match(es):

Seth Ortel, Triton Central vs Shane Bates, Zionsville

Ernest Mosconi, Freanklin Central vs Jake Sahfer, Carmel

Ryan Cast, Hamilton Southeastern vs Jaylin Summers, Warren Central

Best (Possible) Ticket Round Match(es):

Ulrik Urasky, Cathedral vs Jake Shafer, Carmel

HOOSIERMAT TOP 4:

1. Bryer Hall-East Central

2. JaJuan Dale-Perry Meridian

3. Jake Shafer-Carmel

4. Shane Bates-Zionsville

182

Aiden Warren won this weight last year and he should win it again this year. Warren took some early season losses and it looks to have fueled him to get into better shape and a bit more offensive. Warren has been looking good regardless of what the scores say. He should be met in the finals again by Warren Central senior Keon Sullivan. Sullivan is a great athlete with a big frame, making him a tough matchup for most guys in this weight. This weight could be a clean sweep for the Southport regional. Roncalli’s Sam Peeples and Franklin Central Johnny Weisheit got great draws and could realistically make it out. Southmont’s Riley Woodall has had tough draws the last two seasons, but is capable of punching his ticket here.

2019 Champ:

Aiden Warren-Perry Meridian

Ranked Wrestlers:

#2 Aiden Warren-Perry Meridian

#8 Keon Sullivan-Warren Central

#10 Riley Woodall-Southmont

#19 Vincent McDonald-Zionsville

Best First Round Match(es):

Alex Dance, Greensburg vs Johnny Weisheit, Franklin Central

Sam Peeples, Roncalli vs Kenneth McGill, South Deaborn

Best (Possible) Ticket Round Match(es):

Keon Sullivan, Warren Central vs Riley Woodall, Southmont

Aiden Warren, Perry Meridian vs Vince McDonald, Zionsville

HOOSIERMAT TOP 4:

1. Aiden Warren-Perry Meridian

2. Keon Sullivan-Warren Central

3. Sam Peeples-Roncalli

4. Johnny Weisheit-Franklin Central

195

Hayden Filipovich, Lutheran, is a returning state placer who has looked good since moving up from 182. He will get his first semi-state title this weekend. Southmont freshman Wyatt Woodall is set up to make a trip to Bankers Life in his first season. Johnny Parker, Cathedral, is the favorite to his second trip downtown but it won’t be an easy task. He will have the winner of Perry Meridian’s Ronin Hammond and Carmel’s Zach White. White is really big even for this weight and tough to score on while Hammond is dangerous from every position and knows how to put guys in their back and end matches. The biggest tossup at this weight is the ticket round match between Hamilton Southeastern’s Max Broom and Pendleton Heights’s Collin Gillespie. Gillespie is a thrower so he is dangerous so he cannot be overlooked in this match, but I’m taking Broom in this one.

2019 Champ:

Silas Allred-Shenandoah

Ranked Wrestlers:

#3 Hayden Filipovich-Lutheran

#7 Johnny Parker-Cathedral

#12 Max Broom-Hamilton Southeastern

#15 Zachary White-Carmel

#19 Ronin Hammond-Perry Meridian

#20 Colin Gillespie-Pendleton Heights

Best First Round Match(es):

Max Broom, Hamilton Southeastern vs Braden Rodriguez, Franklin Central

Ronin Hammond, Perry Meridian vs Zach White, Carmel

Richard Clevenger, New Palestine vs Wyatt Woodall, Southmont

Best (Possible) Ticket Round Match(es):

Ryan Bovard, East Central vs Woodall/Clevenger winner

Johnny Parker, Cathedral vs Hammond/White winner

Colin Gillespie, Pendleton Heights vs Broom/Rodriguez

HOOSIERMAT TOP 4:

1. Hayden Filipovich-Lutheran

2. Johnny Parker-Cathedral

3. Max Broom-Hamilton Southeastern

4. Wyatt Woodall-Southmont

220

This weight will come down to who wrestles who, meaning that the matchups here will determine the champion at this weight. Cathedral’s David Guhl might be the best wrestler in this weight, but he will have a tough matchup with Franklin Central’s Aataveon Jordan in the semis. Jordan has been more impressive this year so I’m going to give him the nod in this match. That is assuming Guhl gets past Jack Taylor, New Castle, who is a good athlete as well. Perry Meridian’s Jeff McClure looks to be having not a great year from the outside looking in but he has only lost to 3 guys this year, one of which is no longer in the tournament. I look for him to punch his ticket after falling short the last 2 seasons. At the bottom of the bracket you have a returning state qualifier in East Central’s Kole Viel who is up 2 weights from a year ago. Viel will most likely wrestle Elwood’s Chase Lovell for a chance to return to Indy. I have Lovell pulling off the “upset” here.

2019 Champ:

Drew Webster-North Montgomery

Ranked Wrestlers:

#4 David Guhl-Cathedral

#6 Aataveon Jordan-Franklin Central

#7 Koel Viel-East Central

#8 Jack Taylor-New Castle

#9 Jeff McClure-Perry Meridian

#10 Billy Kepler-Carmel

Best First Round Match(es):

Dakota Arvin, Westfield vs Jack Taylor, New Castle

Parker Smitley, Mt. Vernon(Fortville) vs Jeff McClure, Perry Meridian

Best (Possible) Ticket Round Match(es):

Koel Viel, East Central vs Chase Lovell, Elwood

Joey Shew, South Vermillion vs Jeff McClure, Perry Meridian

David Guhl, Cathedral vs Arvin/Taylor winner

Aataveon Jordan, Franklin Central vs Billy Kepler, Carmel

HOOSIERMAT TOP 4:

1. Aataveon Jordan-Franklin Central

2. Jeff McClure-Perry Meridian

3. David Guhl-Cathedral

4. Chase Lovell-Elwood

285

Franklin Central should have their second semi-state champion here with Antone Alexander navigating this field fairly easily. The top side doesn’t offer much in the terms of interesting matchups but on the bottom side you have Evan Shafer, Connersville, and Tucker Keevers, New Palestine, meeting in the ticket round. Shafer is the better wrestler of the two but Keevers is a big strong heavyweight who could find himself advancing here. Under them is the closest ticket round match to call between Beech Grove’s Max Comado and North Central’s Makhi Watts. I think Comoado will be a bit too big for Watts to handle and will win this matchup but Watts is a gamer who can’t be counted out.

2019 Champ:

Andrew Irick-Hamilton Southeastern

Ranked Wrestlers:

#5 Antone Alexander-Franklin Central

#11 Evan Shafer-Connersville

#16 Mihail Platonov-Westfield

#19 Makhi Watts-North Central

#20 Max Comado-Beech Grove

Best First Round Match(es):

Antone Alexander Franklin Central vs Nate Sly, Covington

Nick Morgan, Noblesville vs Tucker Keevers, New Palestine

Best (Possible) Ticket Round Match(es):

Evan Shafer, Connersville vs Keevers/Morgan winner

Makhi Watts, North Central vs Max Comado, Beech Grove

HOOSIERMAT TOP 4:

1. Antone Alexander-Franklin Central

2. Evan Shafer-Connersville

3. Mihail Platonov-Westfield

4. Max Comado-Beech Grove

Qualifers by Team:

Perry Meridian(9)

Warren Central(8)

Cathedral(5)

Carmel(5)

Franklin Central(3)

Westfield(3)

Roncalli(3)

East Central(3)

Southport(2)

Centerville(2)

Zionsville(2)

Frankfort(1)

Lawrence North(1)

Pendleton Heights(1)

Frankton(1)

South Dearborn(1)

Lutheran(1)

Hamilton Southeastern(1)

Southmont(1)

Elwood(1)

Connorsville(1)

Beech Grove(1)