2024 IHSAA State Preview

106

Ranked Wrestlers (12/16):

#1 Jensen Boyd-Delta

#2 Mason Jones-Lake Central

#5 Peyton Schoettle-Roncalli

#6 Royce Malone-Monrovia

#7 Talon Jessup-Columbus East

#8 Julianna O’Campo-New Haven

#9 Rex Moore-Manchester

#11 Mason Goelz-Avon

#12 Teigan Newell-Crown Point

#13 John Bissmeyer-Cathedral

#14 Alonzo Chantea-Plymouth

#15 Heather Crull-Northeastern

Weight Preview:

Delta’s Jensen Boyd was the top ranked wrestler coming into the year and is the favorite to take home a title to cap off an undefeated freshman season. Boyd is my pick to take this weight class due to the dominance he has been displaying all season, though he has not seen some of the rigor that others in this field have. What we are seeing with Roncalli’s Peyton Schoettle is very similar to what we saw in Nathan Smith (Southport ’23) and Evan Dickey (Cathedral 22’). Meaning we all knew how good the kid was a year ago, but he was not physically big enough yet to really compete against his peers. Now that he had another year to grow, he looks to be a threat to take home a title this weekend. Outside of those two you have Lake Central’s Mason Jones, who comes in with a spotless record. Jones will get a rematch with Boyd in the semi-finals, and while Boyd did pin Jones last time, do not forget that Jones got the first take down and was winning late before the fall. The last guy I feel can throw his hat in the ring as far as a title contender is Monrovia’s Royce Malone. While Malone has 2 losses to both the guys I have making the finals, he has looked amazing this post-season. If he can continue this heater, you cannot count him out because we have seen it before. The match to watch Friday is between Northeastern’s Heather Crull and Avon’s Mason Goelz. I feel like Goelz schedule will be the difference here as he has just wrestled too many top kids this season and has been in this type of match before, whereas Crull has not been pushed much.

Favorite: Jensen Boyd-Delta

Darkhorse: Peyton Schoettle-Roncalli

Best Friday Night Match: Heather Crull (Northeastern) vs Mason Goelz (Avon)

Hoosiermat Top 8:

1st-Jensen Boyd-Delta

2nd-Peyton Schoettle-Roncalli

3rd-Mason Jones-Lake Central

4th-Royce Malone-Monrovia

5th-Talon Jessup-Columbus East

6th-Alonzo Chantea-Plymouth

7th-Mason Goelz-Avon

8th-Teigan Newell-Crown Point

113

Ranked Wrestlers (12/16):

#1 Revin Dickman-Brownsburg

#2 Nate Rioux-Avon

#3 Ayden Bollinger-Delta

#4 Jalen Sawyer-May-Kokomo

#5 Gavin Lewis-Crown Point

#8 Caleb Schaefer-Evansville Mater Dei

#9 Blake Getz-Roncalli

#10 Brady Harper-Penn

#12 Nathan Reyes-Cathedral

#14 Kaleb Salazar-Wawasee

#18 Gavin Ash-Monrovia

#19 Mario Orueta-Lake Central

Weight Preview:

Since they have entered high school, Brownsburg’s Revin Dickman and Avon’s Nate Rioux have wrestled 10 times in just two seasons. Dickman is 10-0 with an average win margin of 2 points. This is conflicting because you think that eventually Rioux has to get one, but Dickman has been able to find a way every time so how do you pick against him? Regardless I have a pretty good feeling that we will see the 11th match between these two this weekend. Delta’s Ayden Bollinger comes in with the only spotless record in the weight class and should get a rematch against Dickman in the semis. Dickman dominated that match a year ago, 11-1, but this is not last year, and those results mean nothing this weekend. I think these three will beat who they are supposed to finish in the order they’re ranked. Looking at the rest of the field, Kokomo’s Jalen Sawyer-May looks to make a semi-final after doing so his sophomore season. His Saturday morning match with Roncalli’s Blake Getz could be the best Saturday morning match at this weight, as Getz has looked like a killer this off-season. Getz has been tested all postseason, coming through a brutal sectional and regional at this weight. I say all of this, and we may never get this match because of Evansville Mater Dei’s Caleb Schaefer. Schaefer has a tight win over Getz this season, and if you told me he won Friday night I would not be shocked. Looking at the rest of the field, Crown Point’s Gavin Lewis is one upset away from making a final. My only problem is that he likes to have tight matches and it is tough to navigate this tournament winning 1- or 2-point matches, but skill wise the kid is as good as anyone.

Favorite: Revin Dickman-Brownsburg

Darkhorse: Ayden Bollinger-Delta

Best Friday Night Match: Caleb Schaefer (Evansville Mater Dei) vs Jalen Sawyer-May (Kokomo)

Hoosiermat Top 8:

1st-Revin Dickman-Brownsburg

2nd-Nate Rioux-Avon

3rd-Ayden Bollinger-Delta

4th-Jalen Sawyer-May-Kokomo

5th-Gavin Lewis-Crown Point

6th-Bradyn Volz-Eastern Hancock

7th-Blake Getz-Roncalli

8th-Nathan Reyes-Cathedral

120

Ranked Wrestlers (12/16):

#1 Gavin Jendreas-Crown Point

#2 Ty Henderson-Evansville Mater Dei

#4 Seth Aubin-Hobart

#5 Charlie LaRocca-Center Grove

#6 Tanner Tishner-Western

#7 Isaac Ash-Monrovia

#11 Chayce Yant-Fishers

#13 Richard Rogers-Franklin Central

#14 Tommy Frazier-Zionsville

#16 Cameron Woods-Portage

#19 Jett McGuire-Greenfield-Central

#20 Tony Kessinger-Floyd Central

Weight Preview:

Before last weekend I thought someone would be able to push Crown Point’s Gavin Jendreas, but I no longer think that’s the case. Jendreas has been murdering people this year and I do not see his rampage stopping this weekend. I am interested in the match between him and last year’s 113-pound state champion, Center Grove’s Charlie LaRocca. Jendreas won the first match 9-4, but LaRocca went crazy at this tournament a year ago, so he can never be counted out. On the bottom half of this weight, we have Evansville Mater Dei’s Ty Henderson who has emerged as a title threat after having an incredible team state where he rolled up everyone and walked away with 3 falls over guys who were at state a year ago. Henderson took his first bump this weekend against Monrovia’s Isaac Ash, which is what made me kind of cool the jets on him a bit, but I have here making a final this weekend. Ash and Hobart’s Seth Aubin will be a rematch of last year’s quarterfinals, where Ash won 6-2. Aubin has looked like a different kid this year, with a win over LaRocca this year. Two kids that could shake up the placements are Western’s Tanner Tishner and Fishers’s Chayce Yant. Both guys are hammers on top and can score in bunches from top, especially Yant. Honestly, most of the bottom half of the bracket rides tough with a bit more neutral offense on the top half, which will make for interesting placement matches.

Favorite: Gavin Jendreas-Crown Point

Darkhorse: Isaac Ash-Monrovia

Best Friday Night Match: Seth Aubin (Hobart) vs Isaac Ash (Monrovia)

Hoosiermat Top 8:

1st- Gavin Jendreas-Crown Point

2nd-Ty Henderson-Evansville Mater Dei

3rd-Charlie LaRocca-Center Grove

4th-Isaac Ash-Monrovia

5th-Tanner Tishner-Western

6th-Jett McGuire-Greenfield-Central

7th-Chayce Yant-Fishers

8th-Tommy Frazier-Zionsville

126

Ranked Wrestlers (15/16):

#1 Isaiah Schaefer-Evansville Mater Dei

#2 LT Hawkins-Crown Point

#3 Luke Rioux-Avon

#4 Braylon Reynolds-Brownsburg

#5 Neal Mosier-Delta

#6 Layne Horn-Rochester

#8 Gavin Bragg-Cathedral

#9 Elijah Broady-Mt. Vernon (Fortville)

#10 Matthew Maldonado-Merrillville

#12 Gunnar Butt-New Palestine

#13 Peter Nguyen-Guerin Catholic

#14 Cody Rowles-Jay County

#16 Dylan Bennett-Penn

#17 Drew Waldon-DeKalb

#18 Fynn Douglass-Floyd Central

Weight Preview:

In January when asked who would win this weight, I kept saying that it will be whoever has to go through the least of those top 5 guys. With that being said, Crown Point’s LT Hawkins has to beat everyone if he wants to walk away with a title this weekend. Hawkins will most likely see Brownsburg Braylon Reynolds Saturday morning, whom he has beaten twice, but that second match came down to the wire with Reynolds having a chance to win at the end. I think this weight could come down to matchups up top. Reynolds has shown he can beat Hawkins, Avon’s Luke Rioux has owned Reynolds for the most part this year and could make a final if that is his semifinals opponent. The champion at this weight comes from the bottom of the bracket, in my opinion, with Evansville Mater Dei’s Isiaah Schaefer looking to join his father as a state champion. Schaefer is as consistent as they come, and we forget he was in an overtime match against Ashton Jackson (Laporte ’24) last year. I feel like this is his year to put it all together and walk away with a title. The last guy I want you to keep an eye on this weekend is Rochester’s Layne Horn. I thought Horn would have issues last year due to his weight, well now he is up 3 weight classes and looks to compete for a title this weekend and has a decent draw to make at least a semi.

Favorite: Isaiah Schaefer-Evansville Mater Dei

Darkhorse: Luke Rioux-Avon

Best Friday Night Match: LT Hawkins (Crown Point) vs Neal Mosier (Delta)

Hoosiermat Top 8:

1st-Isaiah Schaefer-Evansville Mater Dei

2nd-LT Hawkins-Crown Point

3rd-Luke Rioux-Avon

4th-Layne Horn-Rochester

5th-Braylon Reynolds-Brownsburg

6th-Gunnar Butt-New Palestine

7th-Matthew Maldonado-Merrillville

8th-Dylan Bennett-Penn

132

Ranked Wrestlers (14/16):

#1 Jake Hockaday-Brownsburg

#2 Tylin Thrine-New Castle

#3 Hayden DeMarco-Chesterton

#4 Eddie Goss-Center Grove

#6 Carter Fielden-Garrett

#7 Jackson Bradley-Cowan

#8 Sonny Sessa-Crown Point

#10 Tye Linser-Western

#11 Quinten Schoeff-Avon

#13 Jack Davis-Chatard

#16 Cole Vandygriff-New Palestine

#17 Isaac Kuhn-Hamilton Heights

#18 Keith Parker-Ben Davis

#20 Hayden Fritz-West Central

Weight Preview:

How tough is 132? There are three guys at this weight who come in undefeated, Chesterton’s Hayden Dearco, New Castle’s returning state champion Tylin Thrine and Cowan’s Jackson Bradley. All are heavy underdogs to Brownsburg’s Jake Hockaday. Hockaday is the best wrestler pound-for-pound in the state of Indiana. The match everyone has wanted to see this year will happen in the semis between Hockaday and Thrine, but Thrine has not looked like the same kid from a year ago unfortunately. On the top side, DeMarco has looked amazing this year and has been dominant from the start of the year. We will get the rematch between Center Grove’s Eddie Goss and DeMarco Saturday, and even though DeMarco dominated the first time, winning 10-2. Goss has shown the ability to slow guys down and keep things within the margins. Bradley is a guy not a lot of people are talking about, mainly due to the schedule he wrestles, which is no fault of his own. He has shown he can win matches at state, but I feel that his lack of big matches this year will hurt him come time. The match that I feel means the most on Friday is a rematch from Al Smith between Garrett’s Carter Fielden and Crown Point’s Sonny Sessa. Fielden won the first match 5-2, but Sessa has already avenged losses he had during the regular season, and I swear the kid somehow finds a way to win matches when it counts.

Favorite: Jake Hockaday-Brownsburg

Darkhorse: Hayden DeMarco-Chesterton

Best Friday Night Match: Carter Fielden (Garrett) vs Sonny Sessa (Crown Point)

Hoosiermat Top 8:

1st-Jake Hockaday-Brownsburg

2nd-Hayden DeMarco-Chesterton

3rd-Jackson Bradley-Cowan

4th-Tylin Thrine-New Castle

5th-Eddie Goss-Center Grove

6th-Carter Fielden-Garrett

7th-Ty Linser-Western

8th-Keith Parker-Ben Davis

138

Ranked Wrestlers (11/16):

#1 Clinton Shepherd-Crown Point

#2 Brady Ison-Brownsburg

#3 Kyrel Leavell-Warren Central

#4 Tony Wood-Jay County

#5 Gavyn Whitehead-New Castle

#6 Wesley Smith-Plymouth

#7 Justice Thornton-Columbus North

#10 Chase Stephens-Tell City

#11 Linkin Carter-Eastside

#12 Luke Reid-Valparaiso

#17 Cameron Dews-Elkhart

Weight Preview:

This weight is a rare one in which each semi-state had a juggernaut in it. This means that the four best kids in the weight should all make the finals, barring any upsets. Warren Central’s Kyrel Leavell got the best draw of the three guys who are title contenders. Leavell is the heavy favorite in every match he will wrestle leading up to the finals. He will have an undefeated Tony Wood from Jay County in his semifinal. The last time the two wrestled, Wood won 7-6, but it was freestyle. That would be Leavell’s 4th trip semifinals and I think that experience is the difference here. Wood will have the winner of Plymouth’s Wesley Smith and Columbus North’s Justice Thornton. Smith has only lost to 1 kid this year and is battle tested and should take this match. At the bottom of the bracket, we have another Crown Point hammer in Clinton Shepherd. Shepherd has beaten both Leavell and Brownsburg’s Brady Ison, who are looked at as the other two title contenders. Shepheard has a tough path to a title, having to beat the 5th, 2nd, and 3rd to get one. Brady Ison, outside of Leavell, is the only other guy to make a final in this weight class. If the lights get too bright, I could see the senior avenging his two losses to Shepherd just due to having been there before. Also, a long shot to make the finals, New Castle’s Gavyn Whitehead wrestles a crazy style that reminds me of Rider Searcy (East Central ’22), who big moved himself into the finals.

Favorite: Clinton Shepherd-Crown Point

Darkhorse: Tony Wood-Jay County

Best Friday Night Match: Wesley Smith (Plymouth) vs Justice Thornton (Columbus North)

Hoosiermat Top 8:

1st-Kyrel Leavell-Warren Central

2nd-Clinton Shepherd-Crown Point

3rd-Brady Ison-Brownsburg

4th-Tony Wood-Jay County

5th-Wesley Smith-Plymouth

6th-Gavyn Whitehead-New Castle

7th-Chase Stephens-Tell City

8th-Linkin Carter-Eastside

144

Ranked Wrestlers (13/16):

#1 Reese Courtney-Center Grove

#2 Jeffrey Huyvaert-New Prairie

#3 Easton Doster-New Haven

#4 Parker Reynolds-Brownsburg

#5 Christian Arberry-Warren Central

#6 Zar Walker-Mishawaka

#7 Dillon Graham-Cathedral

#9 Branson Weaver-Owen Valley

#10 Brody Hagewood-Prairie Heights

#12 Marlone Kirksy-Merrillville

#14 Avery Stanley-Rensselaer Central

#16 Colton Bollenbacher-South Adams

#17 Bryce Doss-New Palestine

Weight Preview:

This weight could be won by like 6 guys and has the most parity that I have seen in a long time. Center Grove’s Reese Courtney is the favorite here and is undefeated in the state this season, his two losses came at Ironman to out of state kids. The situation here though is that Courtney is an elite wrestler who does not score a lot. When you do hat you put yourself in a situation where you can have matches stolen from you. The next kid who could take it home this weekend is New Prairie’s Jeffrey Huyvaert, who is the opposite of Courtney. Huyvaert scores in bunches and is the current record holder for takedowns in a single season. Coming into last week this match was the one we wanted in the finals, but we will get if Saturday morning. Huyvaert has shown he can be slowed down by these types of guys though based on his loss last weekend to Mishawka’s Zar Walker, 2-1. Walker is the third guy at this weight who could win the whole thing. His path is not friendly as he will have a very good Parker Reynolds from Brownsburg as well as Warren Central’s Christian Arberry, who beat walked in overtime at the Al Smith. Arberry is a lot like Courtney, meaning he won’t do a whole lot and will drag guys into deep waters and take matches at the end. The last two guys to really keep an eye on at tis weight are New Haven’s Easton Doster and Brownsburg’s Parker Reynolds. It is hard to really gauge where Doster is at due to his schedule, but he took 5th a year ago and will look to get past Saturday morning this year. As for Reynolds, he is my pick here to make the finals opposite Courtney, who is the only Indiana wrestler to beat him this year. Both those matches were extremely close, 3-1 and 3-1 in overtime the second time.

Favorite: Reese Courtney-Center Grove

Darkhorse: Christian Arberry-Warren Central

Best Friday Night Match: Marlone Kirksy (Merrillville) vs Dillon Graham (Cathedral)

Hoosiermat Top 8:

1st-Reese Courtney-Center Grove

2nd-Parker Reynolds-Brownsburg

3rd-Christian Arberry-Warren Central

4th-Easton Doster-New Haven

5th-Zar Walker-Mishawaka

6th-Jeffrey Huyvaert-New Prairie

7th-Dillon Graham-Cathedral

8th-Branson Weaver-Owen Valley

150

Ranked Wrestlers (13/16):

#1 Hunter May-Floyd Central

#2 Wyatt Krejsa-Center Grove

#4 Wesley Harper-Penn

#6 Christopher Bohn-Munster

#7 Tyler Vanover-Evansville Mater Dei

#8 Blake Getz-Roncalli

#9 Alex Smith-Heritage Hills

#11 Brock Hagewood-Prairie Heights

#12 Chase Kasprzak-Lake Central

#14 Luke Teusch-Huntington North

#16 Carson Fettig-Hamilton Heights

#19 Kaptur Nowaczyk-Crown Point

#20 Moses Stevenson-Franklin Central

Weight Preview:

Center Grove’s Wyatt Krejsa has been so dominant this year that I would say the rest of the field is a Darkhorse this weekend. Krejsa just punned Floyd Central’s Hunter May at the semi-state and many feel he is the next best guy in the weight. Before we brush off May though remember he got killed last year by Bryce Lowery (Roncalli ’23) before keeping it much closer and having a shot to win it last year in the finals. Even though it has only been a week, I wouldn’t be surprised if this match looked much different this go. Roncalli senior Braden Getz is peaking at the right time and is coming off a big weekend where he won the semi0state after coming in as a four placer from the regional. While he is on Krejsa’s side of the bracket, I have him making a semi-final. At the bottom of the bracket, Penn senior Wesley Harper should make the semis opposite of May and with the way each of them wrestle, the match will be close with both wrestlers having a chance in the end. Evansville Mater Dei’s Tyler Vanover flashed some greatness least season with a win over last year’s runner-up, Reese Courtney, and nearly had him again in the ticket round. This season Vanover has been more consistent and has no bad losses on the year. If he took out Harper Saturday morning, I would not be all that shocked.

Favorite: Wyatt Krejsa-Center Grove

Darkhorse: Wesley Harper-Penn

Best Friday Night Match: Tyler Vanover (Evansville Mater Dei) vs Carson Fettig (Hamilton Heights)

Hoosiermat Top 8:

1st-Wyatt Krejsa-Center Grove

2nd-Hunter May-Floyd Central

3rd-Wesley Harper-Penn

4th-Braden Getz-Roncalli

5th-Christopher Bohn-Munster

6th-Tyler Vanover-Evansville Mater Dei

7th-Kaptur Nowaczyk-Crown Point

8th-Aidan Elkins-New Haven

157

Ranked Wrestlers (15/16):

#1 Beau Brabender-Mishawaka

#2 Silas Foster-Purdue Polytechnic

#3 Aidan Pellot-Merrillville

#4 Mitchell Betz-Western

#5 AJ Cashman-Warren Central

#6 Silas Stits-Center Grove

#7 Gavin Davis-Bellmont

#8 Mason Day-Brownsburg

#9 Griffin Van Tichelt-Crown Point

#10 Asher Ratliff-Columbus North

#11 Michael Cain-Hamilton Heights

#12 Aiden Kincaide-Noblesville

#14 KeVon Russell-Fort Wayne Snider

#16 Teegan Clouse-West Noble

#17 Javon Frost-Delphi

Weight Preview:

This weight, like 144, can be won by several guys. Up top, Western’s Mitchell Betz came into the season as the topped ranked wrestler at this weight, and outside of a close loss in December, he has looked good this year. Fortunate for him, the lone wrestler to beat him is on the opposite side of the bracket. Mishawaka senior Beau Brabender has as a chance to win this weight as he has a win over the one guy who beat Betz. Merrillville Adrian Pellot has one loss on the year to Brabender, which he just avenged this past weekend. Pellot will have Purdue Polytechnic’s Silas Foster Saturday morning, who entered the postseason ranked second. While Foster has dropped some matches this postseason, he is another one who, if he puts it together, can be the best guy at this weight. My Darkhorse at this weight is Warren Central’s AJ Cashman. Cashman has three losses, but he is 2-0 in rematches. He could have a chance to avenge that last loss in the semis against Brabender.

Favorite: Aidan Pellot-Merrillville

Darkhorse: AJ Cashman-Warren Central

Best Friday Night Match: Gavin Davis (Bellmont) vs Aidan Kincaide (Noblesville)

Hoosiermat Top 8:

1st-Mitchell Betz-Western

2nd-Adrian Pellott-Merrillville

3rd-AJ Cashman-Warren Central

4th-Asher Ratliff-Columbus North

5th-Beau Brabender-Mishawaka

6th-Silas Foster-Purdue Polytechnic

7th-Aidan Kincaide-Noblesville

8th-Silas Stits-Center Grove

165

Ranked Wrestlers (13/16):

#1 Anthony Rinehart-Crown Point

#2 Waylon Cressell-Warren Central

#3 Evan Roudebush-Bloomington South

#4 Brant Beck-Rochester

#5 Kaeb Stebbins-Delta

#6 Duke Myers-Bellmont

#7 Levi Abbott-Cowan

#8 Isaac Sinks-Harrison (WL)

#11 Xavier Smith-Fishers

#12 Jesse Derringer-Brownsburg

#13 Oliver Hallet-Indian Creek

#14 Zach Huckaby-Perry Meridian

#17 Coy Bender-Terre Haute South

Weight Preview:

There are two guys in this weight then there’s the field. Crown Point’s Anthony Rinehart has been ranked 1st since the beginning and has been able to prove it with his results this year. While he may get pushed this tournament, you are not beating him if you cannot get from under him and I do not know if there is anyone at this weight who can. Opposite Rinehart, Warren Central’s Waylon Cressell is the clear number two at the weight. Outside of his loss and one match at Al Smith, Cressell has rolled over pretty much everyone this season, and hasn’t had a match go the distance since December. The one guy who has been able to push him, but not beat him, is Bloomington South’s Evan Roudebush. Roudebush lost to Cressell 3-1 at Al Smit, and he will likely get another chance at him this weekend in the semis. Unfortunately for him, he will have the toughest path of the three to get to semis and finals. Rochester sophomore Brant Beck took his first loss this weekend to Rinehart, and he should have Roudebush Saturday morning. I’m taking Roudebush due to the rigor of his schedule, but don’t brush off Beck.

Favorite: Anthony Rinehart-Crown Point

Darkhorse: Waylon Cressell-Warren Central

Best Friday Night Match: Isaac Sinks (Harrison (WL)) vs Kaeb Stebbins (Delta)

Hoosiermat Top 8:

1st-Anthony Rinehart-Crown Point

2nd-Waylon Cressell-Warren Central

3rd-Evan Roudebush-Bloomington South

4th-Duke Myers-Bellmont

5th-Brant Beck-Rochester

6th-Xavier Smith-Fishers

7th-Kaeb Stebbins-Delta

8th-Zach Huckaby-Perry Meridian

175

Ranked Wrestlers (14/16):

#1 Aidan Costello-Hobart

#2 Bray Emerine-Floyd Central

#3 Noah Clouser-Center Grove

#4 Chase Leech-Garrett

#5 Brenton Russell-Warren Central

#6 Kyle Harden-Cathedral

#7 Ethan Popp-Harrison (WL)

#10 Michael White-Lawrence North

#11 Cooper McCloy-Terre Haute South

#12 Braxton Russell-Delta

#14 Zymarion Hollyfield-Penn

#15 Laish Detwiler-Goshen

#16 Noah Sumner-Martinsville

#18 Ethan Farnell-Maconaquah

Weight Preview:

175 is another weight with a lot of parity. Hobart’s Aidan Costello is the lone undefeated guy at this weight and is the slight favorite to come home with a title this weekend. As far as draws go, Costello should have little to no issue making the semis up top. The same cannot be said for whoever he meets there as he will likely have the winner of Floyd Central’s Cray Emerine and Cathedral’s Kyle Harden. Harden has not wrestled much this season while battling injuries, but he still looks great wrestling wise. His gas tank was not the best last weekend but luckily for him Bray gets tired as well so I do not think pace will be a big issue in this match. On the bottom of the bracket is my pick to win this weight, Warren Central’s Brenton Russell. Russell took a loss in December but has been untouchable since. Russell will have to beat Garrett senior Chase Leech to make the finals and Leech is the lone loss on his record. Leech will likely have Center Grove’s Noah Clouser first thing Saturday morning, and to me. Clouser, at least to me, is the best overall wrestler at this weight class, but I do not know how healthy he is right now. If he is good to roll, he is the best guy in this weight.

Favorite: Aidan Costello-Hobart

Darkhorse: Brenton Russell-Warren Central

Best Friday Night Match: Laish Detwiler (Goshen) vs Michael White (Lawrence North)

Hoosiermat Top 8:

1st-Brenton Russell-Warren Central

2nd-Aidan Costello-Hobart

3rd-Noah Clouser-Center Grove

4th-Kyle Harden-Cathedral

5th-Chase Leech-Garrett

6th-Bray Emerine-Floyd Central

7th-Michael White-Lawrence North

8th-Zymarion Hollyfield-Penn

190

Ranked Wrestlers (12/16):

#1 Gunner Henry-Brownsburg

#2 Luke Penola-Zionsville

#3 Kaden McConnell-Center Grove

#4 Noah Weaver-Rossville

#5 Vinny Freeman-Penn

#6 Noah Terry-Tell City

#10 Kenneth Bisping-Lowell

#13 Eli Coolman-Leo

#16 Colin Whetsel-New Palestine

#17 Aleks Tatum-Hobart

#18 Collin Casad-Terre Haute South

#20 Donovan Blair-Wawasee

Weight Preview:

The backet gods failed us here as the four best kids in the weight will meet before the semi-finals. Brownsburg’s Gunner Henry and Zionsville’s Luke Penola were the top ranked kids all year and looked like the no brainer final at this weight. Well, these two will meet Saturday mooring with the winner more than likely making the finals. The last time they wrestled, Penola won but it was in freestyle. Opposite them you have Rossville’s Noah Weaver and Center Grove’s Kaden McConnell. McConnell was a runner-up last year and should be the favorite on paper, but Weaver has emerged as a surprise title threat this postseason, beating Penola twice. Like the top of the bracket, the winner here should have an easier semi, and make the finals. Looking at the season results, all four of these guys could legitimately win it. Outside of them, the two guys with one loss should make a run to the semis. Lowell’s Kenneth Bisping and Wabash’s Elias Cressell have looked great all postseason and are both coming off semi-state titles. They each should have one tough match to make a semi, with Bisping having his Saturday morning while Cressell will have a tough match Friday night.

Favorite: Gunner Henry-Brownsburg

Darkhorse: Noah Weaver-Rossville

Best Friday Night Match: Vincent Freeman (Penn) vs Luke Penola (Zionsville)

Hoosiermat Top 8:

1st-Gunner Henry-Brownsburg

2nd-Noah Weaver-Rossville

3rd-Kenneth Bisping-Lowell

4th-Elias Cressell-Wabash

5th-Luke Penola-Zionsville

6th-Kaden McConnell-Center Grove

7th-Noah Terry-Tell City

8th-Colin Whetsel-New Palestine

215

Ranked Wrestlers (15/16):

#1 Will Clark-Crown Point

#2 Cole Chicoine-McCutcheon

#3 Brandon Johnson-Lawrence North

#4 Keagan Martin-Bellmont

#5 Devin Kendex-Mt. Vernon (Fortville)

#6 Alex Deming-Rochester

#7 Julante Hinton-Fort Wayne Northrop

#8 Jackson Weingart-Cathedral

#9 Wyatt Woodall-Southmont

#10 Caden Brewer-Brownsburg

#11 Jayden Bartoszek-Hanover Central

#15 Preston Duffy-Manchester

#17 Landon Terry-Tell City

#19 Travis Henke-Northridge

#20 Parker Hart-Heritage Hills

Weight Preview:

This weight, to me, has the best Friday night matches. There are 11 guys here with state experience, and 7 have medals already. Crown Point’s Will Clark is the defending champ and heavy favorite here. There have been matches that have made Clark a little more mortal than we thought he was, but he has found a way every time. Clark also has a win, or a mutual opponent win over nearly everyone in this field. An interesting match in this weight, maybe the most interesting match, will be the semis with Clark and Cathedral’s Jackson Weingart. Weingart was 30 seconds from upsetting Clark this year and gave up 6 points late to lose 8-7. McCutcheon senior Cole Chicoine finished second last year to Clark and looks to meet him in the finals again. Clark beat Chicoine 9-7 last weekend. Lawrence North’s Brandon Johnson emerged last year and has rolled much of this year as well. He is a big guy with a crazy pace which can cause guys issues if you have never wrestle him. I am interested in his potential Saturday morning match against Northridge’s Travis Henk, who has not seen the schedule most these other guys have, but just showed he’s in the pack by winning the semi-state this past weekend.

Favorite: Will Clark-Crown Point

Darkhorse: Travis Henke-Northridge

Best Friday Night Match: Jackson Weingart (Cathedral) vs Alex Deming (Rochester)

Hoosiermat Top 8:

1st-Will Clark-Crown Point

2nd-Cole Chicoine-McCutcheon

3rd-Jackson Weingart-Cathedral

4th-Brandon Johnson-Lawrence North

5th-Travis Henke-Northridge

6th-Keagan Martin-Bellmont

7th-Caden Brewer-Brownsburg

8th-Julante Hinton-Fort Wayne Northrop

285

Ranked Wrestlers (12/16):

#1 Paul Clark-Crown Point

#2 Aramis McNutt-Highland

#3 Brady Beck-Rochester

#4 Nate Johnson-Center Grove

#7 Anthony Popi-Plymouth

#8 Hosia Smith-Cathedral

#9 Justin Brown-Floyd Central

#12 Austin Hastings-Noblesville

#13 Isaiah Coolman-Leo

#14 James Hartleroad-DeKalb

#16 Juan Cruz-Bluffton

#19 Hayden Smith-Heritage Hills

Weight Preview:

There’s a chance we have twins win back-to-back weights as Crown Point’s Paul Clark is the heavy favorite at this weight. No Indiana heavyweight has been able to beat Clark this season, and he has only been pushed on time this year. Lucky for us the one guy who pushed him is on the opposite side of the bracket. Rochester’s Brady Beck took Clark into overtime this past weekend and has looked like the only guy who can really give him a go. Outside of the two guys, it’s really a free-for-all for the rest of the medals. Cathedral’s Hosia Smith and Highland’s Aramis McNutt both have 5th place medals and should meet Saturday morning. Smith has struggles with athletic, quicker heavyweights, which is what McNutt is. A guy on the bottom side to watch for who could also make a final is Center Grove’s Nate Johnson. Johnson has wrestled forever and outside of Clark is probably the best wrestler, skill wise, at the weight. Whoever wins between Johnson and Beck should make the finals from the bottom side. I also must mention the one undefeated guy in the weight, Bluffton’s Juan Cruz. Cruz has seen limited ranked guys this season, and does not have the best draw, but if he can make it out of Friday he could go on a run.

Favorite: Paul Clark-Crown Point

Darkhorse: Brady Beck-Rochester

Best Friday Night Match: Justin Brown (Floyd Central) vs Hosia Smith (Cathedral)

Hoosiermat Top 8:

1st-Paul Clark-Crown Point

2nd-Brady Beck-Rochester

3rd-Aramis McNutt-Highland

4th-Athony Popi-Plymouth

5th-Nate Johnson-Center Grove

6th-Hosia Smith-Cathedral

7th-Austin Hastings-Noblesville

8th-Oluwagbeng Orisadare-Avon

TEAM

Front-Runners:

Brownsburg

Crown Point

Longshots:

Warren Central

Center Grove

Darkhorse:

None

Preview:

The lack of parity between the the semi-states may have robbed us of an exciting team race this year as Brownsburg lost a few guns during the state series. Crown Point got the benefit of not having to go through the meat grinder that is the Evansville semi-state, which allowed them to get a few more guys through. If Brownsburg wants to make it a race they will have to win that Saturday morning match between Reynolds and Hawkins and make a final there. They will also need Ison to knock off Shepherd in the semifinals at 138. Also, Derringer beating Smith would go a long ay for them in this race. Two teams who could steal a title or at least a trophie this weekend are Warren Central and Center Grove. Center Grove is about 40 points behind Crown Point, but have spots where they can make up a lot of ground. The first is at 120, where they would need LaRocca to repeat. Next they need they need Clouser and McConnell to make a final at 175 and 190 repesctively. you get four finalists and two champs, on top of a few placers, and you have a chance. The real sleeper as far as team go is Warren Central. If you told me they won titles at 138, 144, 157, 165, and 175 I would be a little shocked because thats five champions but all those guys can win their weight classes. The would still need a little help from the field, and need to find a way to place at heavyweight. Crown Point does not need anyhting crazy and if they just beat who they are suppose to beat they will walk away wth another title.

Biggest team race matches on Friday Night:

106-Rex Moore (Manchester)  vs Teigan Newell (Crown Point)

132-Carter Fielden (Garrett) vs Sonny Sessa (Crown Point)

144-Christian Arberry (Warren Central) vs Avery Stanley (Rensselaer Central)

150-Kaptur Nowaczyk (Crown Point) vs Jayden Jett (Cowan)

157- Griffin Van Tichelt (Crown Point) vs Silas Stits (Center Grove)

165-Xavier Smith (Fishers) vs Jesse Derringer (Brownsburg)

175-Ethan Popp (Harrison (WL)) vs Noah Clouser (Center Grove)

215-Will Clark (Crown Point) vs Devin Kendrex (Mt. Vernon (Fortville))

Hoosiermat Top 10 (Based on placements):

1-Crown Point – 139 Projected points

2-Brownsburg – 109

3-Center Grove - 95

4-Warren Central - 88

5-Evansville Mater Dei - 46

6-Delta -39

7-Avon - 38

8-Cathedral - 37

9-Rochester - 37

10-Western - 34