2026 IHSAA Boys State Finals Preview

106

The Top 16 (14 Ranked Wrestlers):

#1 Connor Maddox-Westfield

#3 Alex Huddleston-Brownsburg

#4 Julian DeLuna-Hanover Central

#6 Joe Hamilton-Center Grove

#7 Cameron Schofield-Franklin Community

#8 Joseph Warner-Carroll (Fort Wayne)

#9 Lukas Scott-Southmont

#10 Karson Kahalekomo-Delta

#12 Mason Baylor-Milan

#14 Nolan Culp-Hamilton Southeastern

#15 Gavin Longoria-Lowell

#18 Nicholas Russell-Bloomington South

#19 Konnor Cleveland-East Noble

#20 Vince McCoy-South Bend Riley

NR Rashad Nelson-Merrillville

NR Ari Schrock-Maconaquah

Weight Preview:

After placing 4th at this weight a year ago, Westfield Connor Maddox has separated himself from the field this summer and is the heavy favorite to win the weight this weekend. I expect this tournament to resemble many of his previous ones, as he dominates his way to his first state title. Saturday morning, I have Maddox wrestling another returning state placer, Joseph Warner of Carroll (Fort Wayne), before seeing Brownsburg's Alex Huddleston in the semifinals. Huddleston is a big favorite in his first two matches. In contrast, the top side of the bracket has a lot more toss-up matches. Three are in the first round, with the first one being between Delta's Karson Kahalekomo and Franklin Community's Cameron Schofield. Schoefield did beat Kahalekomo earlier this season, 4-1 in sudden victory. The next one is right below them, between Southmont's Lukas Scott and Hanover Central's Julian DeLuna. DeLuna took a surprising loss last weekend, but put himself in a much better position to make a run this weekend. The winner of these will see each other to, and I think the winner there makes the finals on this side. The last match, on the top side that I wanted to mention, is between Lowell's Gavin Longoria and Baylor's Mason Baylor. While I do feel Baylor is better, he has not seen the type of guys Longoria has this season, and being battle-tested at this point of the year can be the difference. The last guy I want to highlight here is Hamilton Southeastern's Nolan Culp, who is my first 4 over 1 pick in the tournament.

Favorite: Connor Maddox-Westfield

Dark Horse: Alex Huddleston-Brownsburg

Best Friday Night Match: Cameron Schofield (Franklin Community) vs Karson Kahalekomo (Delta)

Hoosiermat Top 8:

1st-Connor Maddox-Westfield

2nd-Julian DeLuna-Hanover Central

3rd-Alex Huddleston-Brownsburg

4th-Joseph Hamilton-Center Grove

5th-Cameron Schofield-Franklin Community

6th-Joseph Warner-Carroll (Fort Wayne)

7th-Mason Baylor-Milan

8th-Nolan Culp-Hamilton Southeastern

113

The Top 16 (13 Ranked Wrestlers):

#1 Traevon Ducking-Brownsburg

#2 Kellen Schoeff-Plainfield

#3 Daniel Brown Jr.-Center Grove

#4 Tate St. Laurent-Cathedral

#5 Spenser McCammon-Evansville Mater Dei

#8 Caleb Morrow-Roncalli

#13 Kaid Jackson-Delta

#14 Sam Westfall-Crown Point

#15 Cruz Orueta-Lake Central

#16 Brody Blevins-Mishawaka

#17 Drew Heisler-Homestead

#18 Max Kleeberg-Prairie Heights

#19 Jackson Webb-Yorktown

NR Tyler Quarles-Lowell

NR Andrew Elmore-Zionsville

NR Blake Doss-New Palestine

Weight Preview:

Brownsburg's Traevon Ducking was a state champion at 106 last season and looks to continue his journey towards four this weekend. Ducking has already beaten all the true contenders here this weekend, and I see him walking away with his second state title in two years. We may have a rematch from last year's state finals if Center Grove's Daniel Brown Jr. can make a return trip under the lights. Brown is the best guy on his side ofthe bracket, as he has already beaten a lot of the better guys on his side. He will have a tough Tate St. Laurent, Cathedral, on Saturday morning, but Brown seems to have his number. Brown should then see Evansville Mater Dei's Spenser McCammon in the semifinals. The two met earlier this year, with Brown winning a close 4-3 decision. There are two first-round matches I want to highlight on the top side of this bracket. The first is between Delta's Kaid Jackson and Plainfield's Kellen Schoeff. These two met at Mooresville this year, with Jackson winning 4-1 in sudden victory. I feel that Jackson's length here is the difference in this matchup again, and he finds himself back on the podium. The second match I want to highlight is the one between New Palestine's Blake Doss and Lake Central's Cruz Orueta. Both have been battle-tested this season, but Cruz has been the more consistent of the two.

Favorite: Traevon Ducking-Brownsburg

Dark Horse: Tate St. Laurent-Cathedral

Best Friday Night Match: Kellen Schoeff (Plainfield) vs Kaid Jackson (Delta)

Hoosiermat Top 8:

1st-Traevon Ducking-Brownsburg

2nd-Daniel Brown Jr.-Center Grove

3rd-Spenser McCammon-Evansville Mater Dei

4th-Cruz Orueta-Lake Central

5th-Tate St. Laurent-Cathedral

6th-Kaid Jackson-Delta

7th-Sam Westfall-Crown Point

8th-Caleb Morrow-Roncalli

120

The Top 16 (13 Ranked Wrestlers):

#1 Case Bell-Brownsburg

#2 Jeremy Carver-Cathedral

#3 Peyton Schoettle-Roncalli

#4 Reed Wicker-Delta

#7 Ethan Alvarez-Merrillville

#8 Zavier Acuna-Portage

#9 Justus Thrasher-Center Grove

#10 Braylon McIntire -North Miami

#11 Cameron Senter-Wawasee

#12 Jacob Powers -Crown Point

#13 Case Bridge-Avon

#15 Alden Walker-Evansville Mate

#18 Seth Lamb-Fishers

NR Jackson Robbins-Rochester Community

NR Kaiden Braden-Concord

NR Aiden Driscoll-Westfield

Weight Preview:

This is another weight class headlined by a returning state champion from Brownsburg. Case Bell has run the table this season and is also looking to win his second title in two years. Bell has shown he is the best guy at this weight, but he will have to get past both of the other guys who could dethrone him to win it again. Bell and Cathedral's Jeremy Carver will meet in the semifinals, and after last weekend, Carver has shown that he is at least the second-best guy at this weight class. Unfortunately, a random draw will have one of these guys going for 3rd. The third guy in this big three is Roncalli's Peyton Schoettle. Schoettle has been in the finals the last two seasons and looks to end his career back on top of the podium. Schoettle took a loss at last weekend's semi-state, but now has a better route to make it back into the finals. In the semifinals, Schoettle will likely see Avon's Case Bridge. While Bridge has not shown anything that would indicate he could beat the Royal, he does have a win over a Carver, who has beaten Schoettle twice now. Side note, Schoettle beat Bridge 4-0 this season. There are a few first-round matches to be on the watch for at this weight, with the first being between Rochester's Jackson Robbins and Braylon McIntire. These two met earlier this season, with McIntire winning both times, one 11-6 and the other 10-7 in sudden victory. I like McIntire to win here, but like I said last week, Robbins has a style that is hard to wrestle against. The other is between Crown Point's Jacob Powers and Wawasee's Cameron Senter. Senter won this match at the beginning of the year, an 11-6 decision, but a lot has changed since then, and I look for this to be much more of a coin flip this time around.

Favorite: Case Bell-Brownsburg

Dark Horse: Jeremy Carver-Cathedral

Best Friday Night Match: Braylon McIntire (North Miami) vs Jackson Robbins (Rochester Community)

Hoosiermat Top 8:

1st-Case Bell-Brownsburg

2nd-Peyton Schoettle-Roncalli

3rd-Jeremy Carver-Cathedral

4th-Case Bridge-Avon

5th-Reed Wicker-Delta

6th-Braylon McIntire -North Miami

7th-Ethan Alvarez-Merrillville

8th-Cameron Senter-Wawasee

126

The Top 16 (13 Ranked Wrestlers):

#1 Dominic Brown-Center Grove

#2 Noel Verduzco-Lowell

#3 Blake Getz-Roncalli

#5 Max Quiroz-Chesterton

#6 Colin Strayer-Crown Point

#7 Braydn Volz-Eastern Hancock

#8 Abrum Swathwood-Garrett

#9 Wyatt Ulrey-Evansville Mater Dei

#12 Eli Ogle-Tri-West

#13 Rex Moore-North Miami

#14 Jett McGuire-Warren Central

#16 Nolan Mullins-Jasper

#18 Brody Weimer-Noblesville

NR Luke Nied-Lake Central

NR Dakota Sprunger-South Adams

NR Qwanell Gabriel-Lakeland

Weight Preview:

This is one of the three weight classes I am most excited to watch this weekend. There are six wrestlers ranked in the top 8  at the top of the bracket here. Starting from the top, Roncalli's Blake Getz was the top-ranked wrestler in the state for a decent amount of the season, and could walk away with a title this weekend. This weight will come down to matchups, and unfortunately for Getz, he got his worst matchup in the tournament on Saturday morning. Lowell's Noel Verduzco is another wrestler who comes in with a realistic shot to take home a title this weekend. Verduzco and Getz met earlier this season, with Verduzco dominating that match 12-2, and if you watched that match, based on how the two wrestle, I do not know how Getz reverses the results this weekend. Below these two, Center Grove's Dominic Brown and Eastern Hancock's Bradyn Volz will meet Friday night. These two met inlast year's consolation semifinals, wth Brown winning by fall in the second period. The last match I want to talk about on the top side is between Garrett's Abrum Swathwood and Crown Point's Colin Strayer. Strayer finished 4th last season and Swathwood was all but a lot to get a medal if he did not get hurt. It is hard to look at results to determine who you think will win here, due to the contrast in styles, but I lean Stayer here due to him showing a higher ceiling when he's "on". There are fewer crazy matchups on the bottom side, but there are two I want to mention. The first being between Warren Central's Jett McGuire and Tri-West's Eli Ogle. Ogle finished 4th last year at 113, while McGuire finished 7th  in 2024 at 120. Both seniors are looking to end their careers on the podium, and I am high on both, but McGuire just looks better this year than I have seen him, so he gets the nod. My second match is between Noblesville's Brody Weimer and Evansville Mater Dei's Wyatt Ulrey. Ulrey should be too much for the freshman, but Weimer is a "gamer" and could surprise people this weekend. The last wrestler I want to mention is also my pick to win it this weekend. Chesterton's Max Quiroz has not lost to anyone at 126 this season, while picking up two wins over Verduzco, who was most people's pick to win. Being on the bottom side, he has a less rigorous path to the finals, which could be the difference.

Favorite: Max Quiroz-Chesterton

Dark Horse: Blake Getz-Roncalli

Best Friday Night Match: Dominic Brown (Center Grove) vs Braydn Volz (Eastern Hancock)

Hoosiermat Top 8:

1st-Max Quiroz-Chesterton

2nd-Noel Verduzco-Lowell

3rd-Dominic Brown-Center Grove

4th-Jett McGuire-Warren Central

5th-Blake Getz-Roncalli

6th-Wyatt Ulrey-Evansville Mater Dei

7th-Colin Strayer-Crown Point

8th-Rex Moore-North Miami

132

The Top 16 (12 Ranked Wrestlers):

#1 Nate Rioux-Avon

#2 Jensen Boyd-Delta

#4 Royce Malone-Center Grove

#5 Gavin Lewis-Crown Point

#6 Layne Horn-Rochester Community

#8 Richard Rogers-Franklin Central

#9 Gavin Mason-Southmont

#11 Matthew Baylor-Milan

#10 Hickson love-Marion

#15 Tripp Haisley-Madison-Grant

#17 Sean Harris-New Haven

#19 Lucas Day-Brownsburg

NR Jack Richardson-Roncalli

NR Owen Blessinger-Southridge

NR Isaiah Buikema-Hanover Central

NR Hunter Mallory-Lowell

Weight Preview:

I am back on the boat of Nathan Rioux, Avon, being better than everyone by a wide margin. Rioux dominated through the semi-state last weekend, including a 10-0 win over the guy who beat him at the regional. If this is the Rioux that shows up this weekend, then good luck to the rest of the field. On that top side, Milan's Mason Baylor has made it back to state after placing 8th as a freshman. He will see another returning state qualifier in New Haven's Sean Harris, who qualified at 126 last season. I look for Baylor to win this one and finish his career on the podium. We will also see Marion's Hickson Love and Southmont's Gavin Mason meet in the first round. Mason has been having a stellar freshman season that I see ending on the podium this weekend. Rochester's Layne Horn has made it downtown every season and was able to pick up a medal last year, placing 7th at 132. Horn should have little trouble setting up a final between him and Rioux this weekend. As for the bottom of the bracket, Delta's Jensen Boyd should have little trouble making it back into the semifinals. Boyd only has one loss in Indiana, a 7-2 decision to Rioux. In the semifinals, he should see Center Grove's Royce Malone. Malone and Boyd wrestled for 3rd and 4th their freshman year at 106, with Malone dominating that match before picking up the fall in the second. Malone does have to get past Crown Point's Gavin Lewis in the opening round to get there. Lewis is a returning state placer as well, finishing 3rd at 120 a year ago. The two have met twice this season, with Malone winning the first matchup 2-1 before Lewis reversed that with a 5-1 decision later in the year.

Favorite: Nate Rioux-Avon

Dark Horse: Layne Horn-Rochester Community

Best Friday Night Match: Royce Malone (Center Grove) vs Gavin Lewis (Crown Point)

Hoosiermat Top 8:

1st-Nate Rioux-Avon

2nd-Royce Malone-Center Grove

3rd-Jensen Boyd-Delta

4th-Layne Horn-Rochester Community

5th-Richard Rogers-Franklin Central

6th-Gavin Mason-Southmont

7th-Matthew Baylor-Milan

8th-Lucas Day-Brownsburg

138

The Top 16 (12 Ranked Wrestlers):

#1 Evan Stanley-Lowell

#2 Mason Goelz-Avon

#3 Tylin Thrine-New Castle

#4 Peyton Richards-Switzerland County

#5 Hunter Douglas-Homestead

#6 Henry Faurote-Bellmont

#7 Donald Bowie-Warren Central

#8 Angelo Vargo-Penn

#9 Landen Haines-Brownsburg

#10 Sonny Sessa-Crown Point

#14 Colt Goodman-Franklin Central

#18 Erik Hunt-Western

NR Caden Morrissey-Illiana Christian

NR Dane Pippenger-East Noble

NR Elijah Hedges-Heritage Hills

NR Parker Culp-Hamilton Southeastern

Weight Preview:

I do not know if Lowell's Evan Stanley has any peers in this weight class this weekend. I felt the same way about him a season ago, and he ended up taking third. After watching him, though, and seeing how much bigger he is than pretty much anyone in the bracket, it is going to be hard to pick against him. On his side of the bracket, we have one of the best first round matchups in the tournament. Warren Central's Donald Bowie and Bellmont's Henry Faurote will meet in a rematch on Friday night. Faurote beat Bowie earlier this year, 2-1 on a late penalty point. This is the second year that Bowie has gotten probably the worst Friday night matchup at his weight. The winner of this will take on last year's state runner-up at 120, Avon's Mason Goelz. Goelz is one of the few guys in this weight class who may be able to give Stanley a match this weekend. I do not see Goelz having an issue with whoever wins between Bowie and Faurote. Up top, Brownsburg Landen Haines and Crown Point's Sonny Sessa will meet Friday night in a match between returning state placers, Haines finished 6th at 126 in 2023, while Sessa finished 6th at 132 in 2024. Haines beat Sessa 10-0 earlier this season, but I have seen Sessa slow people down and win matches like this his whole career. The two best wrestlers on this side of the bracket will likely meet Saturday morning. New Castle's Tylin Thrine has never lost a Saturday morning match, or his last match downtown in the past three seasons. Thrine is a state champion, winning 126 in 2023, and looks to bookend his career with state titles. He will likely see Switzerland County's Peyton Richards on Saturday morning. Richards finished 4th last year at 138, and has shown that he is right there to make a run, he just has not gotten over that hump yet. Richards and Thrine have wrestledtwice this year, with Thrine winning two close ones, 2-0 and 7-6.

Favorite: Evan Stanley-Lowell

Dark Horse: Mason Goelz-Avon

Best Friday Night Match: Henry Faurote (Bellmont) vs Donald Bowie (Warren Central)

Hoosiermat Top 8:

1st-Evan Stanley-Lowell

2nd-Tylin Thrine-New Castle

3rd-Mason Goelz-Avon

4th-Hunter Douglas-Homestead

5th-Peyton Richards-Switzerland County

6th-Donald Bowie-Warren Central

7th-Landen Haines-Brownsburg

8th-Colt Goodman-Franklin Central

144

The Top 16 (11 Ranked Wrestlers):

#1 Braylon Reynolds-Brownsburg

#2 Peyton Hornsby-Center Grove

#3 Luke Reid-Valparaiso

#4 Cash Mays-Zionsville

#6 Teigan Newell-Crown Point

#7 Aiden Fernandez-New Prairie

#8 Samuel Mosier-Delta

#16 Malachi Thullner-New Haven

#12 Asa Spencer-Evansville Mater Dei

#19 Kegan Jochim-Franklin Community

#18 Steven Hunter-Lawrence North

NR Adam Brewer-Batesville

NR Brian Thomas-Cathedral

NR Parker Barnes-Bluffton

NR Gabriel Myers-Bellmont

NR Carter Hall-Hanover Central

Weight Preview:

Brownsburg Braylon Reynolds and Center Grove's Peyton Hornsby are both looking to get their first state title, after finishing 2nd at 138 and 144, respectively. The two have met three times this season, Reynolds winning all three times, but Hornsby has been the only wrestler in the state who has been able to stay somewhat competitive with Reynolds this year. I do not see anyone preventing them from meeting a fourth time this weekend. California state qualifier and now New Prairie wrestler, Aiden Fernandez, showed up and made noise right away by beating Delta's Sam Mosier, another wrestler in the field this weekend. Fernandez was able to win the semi-state last weekend, but will end up seeing Hornsby Saturday morning. He should finish 5th weekend. Speaking of Mosier, last year's 4th placer won the Fort Wayne semi-state last weekend and has put himself in a spot to make another semifinals this weekend. Mosier should see Evansville Mater Dei's Asa Spencer on Saturday morning, who has been on a heater this postseason and could pull off the upset here. At the bottom, Zionsville's Cash Mays has found a new home this year and is making the most of it. He was able to dominate his way through the New Castle semi-state last weekend and will look to pick up his first medal this weekend. He will likely see someone who has already been on the podium Saturday morning. Eastside senior Luke Reid finished 4th at this weight a year ago and will look to make another semifinals this weekend. I do want to mention Crown Point's Teigan Newell who looks to take home his second medal this weekend, and while I do not see him finishing any higher than 5th, he has shown and will continue to show this weekend that he is right there with the best guys in this weight.

Favorite: Braylon Reynolds-Brownsburg

Dark Horse: Cash Mays-Zionsville

Best Friday Night Match: Teigan Newell (Crown Point) vs Malachi Thullner (New Haven)

Hoosiermat Top 8:

1st-Braylon Reynolds-Brownsburg

2nd-Peyton Hornsby-Center Grove

3rd-Luke Reid-Valparaiso

4th-Samuel Mosier-Delta

5th-Aiden Fernandez-New Prairie

6th-Cash Mays-Zionsville

7th-Teigan Newell-Crown Point

8th-Asa Spencer-Evansville Mater Dei

150

The Top 16 (12 Ranked Wrestlers):

#1 Clinton Shepherd-Crown Point

#2 Tommy Gibbs-Brownsburg

#3 Gunner Butt-New Palestine

#4 Cohen Long-Columbus North

#6 Dylan Ogg-Adams Central

#7 Joseph Paun-Hanover Central

#9 Marcus Malone-Center Grove

#10 Ashton Goney-Cowan

#11 Hank Phenicie-Zionsville

#12 Caleb Kirkpatrick-Columbus East

#16 Dallas Davidson-Angola

#19 RJ McCoy-Lafayette Jefferson

NR August Golliher-Hagerstown

NR Caden Rodgers-Cathedral

NR Sam Wolpert-Bellmont

NR Marquell Shelton-Merrillville

Weight Preview:

Crown Point's Clinton Shepherd may not wrestle more than ten minutes this weekend in four matches. He is that much ahead of the field here this weekend, and he will roll into a state championship this weekend. The crazy part is that the second-best wrestler in this weight, Brownsburg's Tommy Gibbs, is that much ahead of the next guy. The returning 150-pound state champion should kill everyone he wrestles up until the finals. Shepherd and Gibbs have met twice this season, with Shepherd winning both outscoring Gibbs 44-11, on the strength of 14 takedowns. As I said, there are levels, and no one is on Shepherds. Outside of those two, you have New Palestine's Gunner Butt, who is a three-time state placer, placing 6th at 106 in 2023, 4th at 126 in 2024, and 5th last season at 138. Butt is undefeated against in-state opponents this year and should be in the semifinals opposite Gibbs. Butt does have one of the toughest paths to get there, though. In the first round, he will see a returning placer in Columbus North's Cohen Long, and if he wins here, he will likely see Hanover Central freshman Joseph Paun on Saturday morning. Cathedral's Caden Rodgers did not wrestle this year until the sectional, and now finds himself a match away from finishing his career with a medal. He will have a tough Caleb Kirkpatrick, Columbus East, on Friday night. Kirkpatrick has been on a heater in the offseason and has to be a slight favorite here. Another first-round match to keep an eye on is between Zionsville's Hank Phenicie and Center Grove's Marcus Malone. Phenicie was a state qualifier a year ago at this weight, while Malone is making his first trip. These two met at the Al Smith earlier this year, with Malone winning 5-1, but this match was essentially decided by a penalty point in the third period. The winner of this should see Adam Central's Dylan Ogg on Saturday morning. Ogg was also a qualifier a year ago at 138

Favorite: Clinton Shepherd-Crown Point

Dark Horse: Tommy Gibbs-Brownsburg

Best Friday Night Match: Gunner Butt (New Palestine) vs Cohen Long (Columbus North)

Hoosiermat Top 8:

1st-Clinton Shepherd-Crown Point

2nd-Tommy Gibbs-Brownsburg

3rd-Gunner Butt-New Palestine

4th-Marcus Malone-Center Grove

5th-Joseph Paun-Hanover Central

6th-Caleb Kirkpatrick-Columbus East

7th-Dylan Ogg-Adams Central

8th-Dallas Davidson-Angola

157

The Top 16 (13 Ranked Wrestlers):

#1 Jackson Bradley-Cowan

#2 Jacob Weaver-Rossville

#3 William Vander Luitgaren-Center Grove

#5 Linkin Carter-Eastside

#6 Jeffrey Huyvaert-New Prairie

#7 Jack Davis-Indianapolis Bishop Chatard

#10 Deacon Dressler-Gibson Southern

#12 Tyler Lavin-Cathedral

#13 Zach Kenney-Griffith

#16 Caleb Cooper-Columbus East

#17 Anthony Bustamante-Merrillville

#18 Griffin Ablin-Crown Point

#19 Evan Oglesby-Maconaquah

#20 Joshua Ushman-Riverton Parke

NR Tyler Sandusky-Franklin Central

NR Charles Faurote-Bellmont

NR Micah Tonte-Franklin Community

Weight Preview:

This is the second weight I am excited to watch this weekend. There are no heavy favorites here, and there is a lot of parity at this weight. Cowan's Jackson Bradley has been my pick to win it this year from the beginning, and I am not jumping ship this weekend. Bradley is consistent, and you know what you are going to get every time out. Bradley has come home with a medal every year of his high school career and will look to finish on top of the podium as a senior. Now, while I think it is a long shot, Franklin Community's Micah Tonte is still a "Tonte", and that family never ceases to surprise me, and honestly, if he did not have Bradley on Friday night, I would probably pick him. Bradley should then have Cathedral's Tyler Lavin in the quarterfinals. Lavin is a returning state qualifier, qualifying at 150 last season, and will look to take a medal home in his senior campaign. He has Crown Point's Griffin Ablin on Friday night, but he has already wrestled the Bulldog this year, dominating and pinning him at the Al Smith. Above this group, Gibson Southern's Deacon Dressler had the tournament of his life last weekend, winning a tough Evansville semi-state. In the process of doing that, he knocked out the returning state champion in the ticket round, before handing Center Grove's  William Vander Luitgaren his first loss of the year. Dressler was a qualifier at this weight a season ago. Doing this has him likely seeing Bishop Chatard Jack Davis in the quarterfinals. Davis finished 6th last season at 138, but common opponents and the way they have been wrestling would tell you to pick Dressler here. Honestly, outside of Bradley, all the Saturday morning matches in this weight should be great. Up top, we should see a quarterfinal between New Prairie's Jeffrey Huyvaert and the aforementioned Luitagaren. Huyvaert is a three-time state placer, finishing 4th at 138 in 2023 before finishing 5th at 144 the last two years, but he has not won a Saturday morning match since his freshman year. He has also already lost to Luitgaren this season, 10-5. The other Saturday morning match I am excited about is between Rossville's Jacob Weaver and Eastside's Linkin Carter. Carter finished 3rd at 150 last season, while Weaver was a qualifier. Like Bradley, I have been high on Weaver, and I'm going to give him the nod not only here but in the semifinals as well, where he should see Luitgaren. The two met this offseason, and while it was a freesyle match, Weaver won 12-0 on the power of four takedowns. The only negative I have on Weaver is his inconsistency at times. If he shows up, locked in, he will make the finals this weekend.

Favorite: Jackson Bradley-Cowan

Dark Horse: Deacon Dressler-Gibson Southern

Best Friday Night Match: Jack Davis (Indianapolis Bishop Chatard) vs Zach Kenney (Griffith)

Hoosiermat Top 8:

1st-Jackson Bradley-Cowan

2nd-Jacob Weaver-Rossville

3rd-Deacon Dressler-Gibson Southern

4th-William Vander Luitgarden-Center Grove

5th-Linkin Carter-Eastside

6th-Jack Davis-Indianapolis Bishop Chatard

7th-Jeffrey Huyvaert-New Prairie

8th-Tyler Lavin-Cathedral

165

The Top 16 (12 Ranked Wrestlers):

#1 Matthew Staples-New Prairie

#2 Brant Beck-Rochester Community

#3 Aidan Kincaide-Noblesville

#4 Camden Baumann-Evansville Mater Dei

#5 Oliver Hallett-Indian Creek

#8 Brason Schortgen-Adams Central

#9 Hayden Mancilla-Hobart

#10 Rylee Biddle-East Noble

#15 Owen Porterfield-Center Grove

#16 Cameron Sommers-Franklin Community

#17 Cohen Davis-Hamilton Southeastern

#18 Nyden Euson-East Central

NR Charles Barnes-Michigan City

NR Nolan Winicker-Fort Wayne Concordia Lutheran

NR Jackson Endsley-Garrett

NR James Grimme-Cathedral

Weight Preview:

I do not know if Matthew Staples will lose another match in high school, but I do know he will not lose to an Indiana kid anytime in the future. As I mentioned with Shepherd, Staples has separated himself so much from the field this weekend that I would be surprised if he had a match that goes the distance. Rochester's Brant Beck is a two-time state placer, finishing 3rd at 165 in 2024 and 7th last season at 157, and is probably the second-best wrestler in the field. He was teched 19-4 by Staples last weekend at the semi-state. While Staples will not have any trouble getting into the finals, the same cannot be said for Beck, as he will have to go through a tough path to see his first final. Saturday morning, Beck will likely see Indian Creek's Oliver Hallett, who got hot and won the Evansville semi-state last weekend, avenging his only in-state loss. Hallett was a state qualifier at 165 in 2024, and while I do think he is wrestling well right now, I do not know if he has enough to beat Beck. Either way, the winner should see Noblesville Aidan Kincaide. Kincaide was a 4th placer at 157 in 2024, but was hurt last season. This year, while he has not seen many high-level guys, he has been rolling everyone who has stepped on the mat with him. If Beck and Kincaide meet in the semifinals here, I am going to lean toward Kincaide due to this being a coinflip match, and my biases are pulling toward the Miller. On the top side, Evansville Mater Dei's Camden Baumann was a fringe state qualifier last season, but this year, he looks like a guy who could make a deep run. Baumann will likely see Adam's Central Bransen Schortgen on Saturday morning, another wrestler who is a returning state qualifier. There are two Friday matches I want to mention at this weight. The first being between Cathedral's James Grimme and Franklin Community's Cameron Sommers. Sommers is my pick here due to the style that he wrestles because you are going to get the same out of him every time out, but that could also hurt him here, as he does wrestle a lot of close matches. The second match I want to talk about is between East Noble's Rylee Biddle and Hobart's Hayden Mancilla. These two come in with a combined  76-4 record and no common opponents on the year, so this match is a total coinflip on paper. Mancilla gets the nod here due to the difference in the level of competition the two have seen this year.

Favorite: Matthew Staples-New Prairie

Dark Horse: Aidan Kincaide-Noblesville

Best Friday Night Match: Hayden Mancilla (Hobart) vs Rylee Biddle (East Noble)

Hoosiermat Top 8:

1st-Matthew Staples-New Prairie

2nd-Aidan Kincaide-Noblesville

3rd-Brant Beck-Rochester Community

4th-Camden Baumann-Evansville Mater Dei

5th-Oliver Hallett-Indian Creek

6th-Brason Schortgen-Adams Central

7th-Hayden Mancilla-Hobart

8th-Cameron Sommers-Franklin Community

175

The Top 16 (12 Ranked Wrestlers):

#1 Sean Breedlove-Center Grove

#2 Lincoln Cooper-Columbus East

#3 Griffin Van Tichelt-Crown Point

#4 Carter Fielden-Garrett

#5 Israel Sinnott-Hanover Central

#6 Vincent Freeman-Penn

#8 Elijah Gahl-Northfield

#9 Jacob Cole-Rossville

#10 Tyson Barrow-North Posey

#13 Warren Pollard-North Vermillion

#18 MJ Morton-Roncalli

#20 Conner Hoar-Evansville Reitz Memorial

NR Carter Ogborn-Rensselaer Central

NR Paul Woods-Leo

NR August Adams-Carroll (Fort Wayne)

NR Gabe Flick-New Palestine

Weight Preview:

This is the third weight I mentioned above. While this weight does have a favorite, all the guys in title contention are within a few points of each other. Center Grove's Sean Breedlove has emerged as the best guy in the state at this weight. He has beaten many of the other title contenders in this weight class already this year and has to be the favorite this weekend. The only knock on Breedlove is that when he sees better competition, he tends to wrestle tighter matches where anyone could win. He has won all those types of matches this year, and until someone knocks him off, he is my pick this weekend. In the semifinals, he should see a familiar opponent in Crown Point's Griffin Van Tichelt. These two have met twice this year, with Breedlove winning both times 4-2 in tie-breakers and 4-1. On the bottom of the bracket, Penn's Vinny Freeman showed out at this tournament a year ago, placing 3rd, and if he can get hot this weekend, he can make a run to the finals. His path to do that will be a tougher one, though, as he will likely see Columbus East's Lincoln Cooper on Saturday morning and Garrett's Carter Fielden in the semifinals. Freeman avenged one of his earlier losses last weekend, in dominant fashion, and he seems to do his best wrestling at this time of the year. Speaking of Cooper, I have him as my other finalist opposite Breedlove, but he does have an interesting match in the first round against Roncalli's MJ Morton. Morton, an 8th placer at this weight last year, is a big mental wrestler, and when he is on, he is right there with anyone, but if he is not there mentally, then this could get bad. Cooper and Fielden should meet in the semifinals in a rematch from the Al Smith, where Cooper won 7-2. The most interesting Friday match at this weight is between Northfield's Elijah Gahl and Hanover Central's Israel Sinnott. Sinnott has wrestled the better schedule of the two by a large margin, but Gahl has beaten everyone he was suppose to the last two seasons.

Favorite: Sean Breedlove-Center Grove

Dark Horse: Vincent Freeman-Penn

Best Friday Night Match: Israel Sinnott (Hanover Central) vs Elijah Gahl (Northfield)

Hoosiermat Top 8:

1st-Sean Breedlove-Center Grove

2nd-Lincoln Cooper-Columbus East

3rd-Griffin Van Tichelt-Crown Point

4th-Carter Fielden-Garrett

5th-Vincent Freeman-Penn

6th-Elijah Gahl-Northfield

7th-Jacob Cole-Rossville

8th-Conner Hoar-Evansville Reitz Memorial

190

The Top 16 (12 Ranked Wrestlers):

#1 Michael White-Lawrence North

#2 Sam Howard-Boonville

#3 Colin McMahon-Columbus East

#4 Kyle Harden-Cathedral

#5 Cori Tonte-Franklin Community

#6 Brody Wingate-East Central

#8 Xavior Palacios-Bellmont

#12 Cayden Yuran-Lowell

#17 Lucas Anderson-Chesterton

#18 Calvin Stewart-Crown Point

#19 Camden Funk-Fishers

#20 Jaxton Litchfield-Heritage

NR Jordan Simon-North Miami

NR Brogan Parks-West Noble

NR Quintin McLeod-Logansport

NR Spencer Fain-Floyd Central

Weight Preview:

This weight might have one of, if not the most, anticipated finals matches of the tournament. Lawrence North's Michael White has shown us this season that there is not another 190 pound wrestler in the country who is better than him. Even with everything he has done, White continues to impress week in and week out. The returning runner-up at this weight, White is looking to finish off a remarkable undefeated season on top of the podium before heading to Stillwater. On the opposite side of the bracket, maybe the only wrestler who can get White to wrestle for six minutes this weekend. Boonsville's Sam Howard was a state qualifier at this weight a year ago, losing Friday night to White, 9-4. While White is not the same kid we saw a year ago, neither is Howard and we will get to see this weekend just how good he is. Outside of those two, you have Franklin Community's Cori Tonte, who will be joining his brother downtown, and Lowell's Cayden Yuran up top. Tonte dominated this matchup earlier this year, winning 16-8. Below them, Bellmont's Xavier Palacios and Columbus East's Colin McMahon should meet again this year in the quarterfinals. Both wrestlers were down here at this weight a year ago, with Palacios finishing 7th. These two met earlier, with Palacios winning 8-6. Cathedral's Kyle Harden was in the semifinals at this weight a year ago, and he should have little trouble making it back. The returning 4th placer will see Howard in the semifinals, which is a match that we have not seen yet. As far Friday night matches go, I want to first highlight the match between North Miami's Jordan Simon and East Central's Brody Wingate. Wingate was a state qualifier at 175 last season and gets my nod in this matchup due to the level of competition and the level ofthe wins each has this season. The second match I want to talk about is between Floyd Central's Spencer Fain and Chesterton's Lucas Anderson. Anderson wrestled out of his mind last weekend, winning the East Chicago semi-state, beating Yuran, who beat him earlier this year. As well as Anderson is wrestling, it is hard for me to pick him here just due to his up and down results.

Favorite: Michael White-Lawrence North

Dark Horse: Sam Howard-Boonville

Best Friday Night Match:  Lucas Anderson (Chesterton) vs Spencer Fain (Floyd Central)

Hoosiermat Top 8:

1st-Michael White-Lawrence North

2nd-Sam Howard-Boonville

3rd-Kyle Harden-Cathedral

4th-Xavior Palacios-Bellmont

5th-Colin McMahon-Columbus East

6th-Brody Wingate-East Central

7th-Cori Tonte-Franklin Community

8th-Spencer Fain-Floyd Central

215

The Top 16 (11 Ranked Wrestlers):

#1 Ceasar Salas-Crown Point

#2 Seer Godwise-Perry Meridian

#3 Julian Burgett-Fishers

#6 Colin Whetsel-New Palestine

#4 Kellen Fellure-Franklin Community

#5 Hartley Hoover-North Miami

#8 Aiden Hunt-Garrett

#9 Clayton Miller-Columbus East

#15 Caden Thacker-Evansville Mater Dei

#17 Jaran Kerney-Princeton Community

NR Tayden Getts-East Noble

NR Derek Morrison-Wawasee

NR Tearson Wolford-Winamac Community

NR Andrew Kooi-Munster

NR Robert McKinney-Lafayette Jefferson

Weight Preview:

No one in Indiana has been able to go six minutes with Crown Point's Ceasar Salas this season. Salas is a returning 5th placer at 190 and is now the heavy favorite to take the title at 215 this weekend. Unless he decides to try his hand at heavyweight in the future. I do not know if he will lose another match in the state. On his side of the bracket, he will likely see either Fisher's Julian Burgett or Princeton's Jaran Kerney in the semifinals. Burgett was a state qualifier last year at this weight and looks to take the next step and get on the podium. He does see another returning state qualifier Friday night, Wawasee's Derek Morrison. Kerney had an amazing tournament last weekend, winning the Evansville semi-state and setting himself up to get a medal this weekend. He is a big, rangy athlete who can give most of the guys in this bracket fits. I think that most of the Friday night matches at this weight have heavy favorites, but the Saturday morning matches should be good. The first being between Perry Meridian's Seer Godwise and Columbus East's Clayton Miller. Godwise placed 7th at this tournament last year, down at 190, and is looking to make a run in his senior season. Miller may be the only 215 smaller than Godwise in this bracket. The winner here will wrestle the winner of Franklin Community's Kellen Fellure and North Miami's Hartley Hoover. Fellure placed 6th at this weight last year, while Hoover was a qualifier. Hoover has not wrestledenough good guys this year for me to consider picking him here in this match. This sets up a semifinal with Fellure and Godwise. Godwise beat Fellure by a point last season in the dual meet, and Fellure beat Godwise in the offseason by a point in a freestyle match. Throw out the injury default, where the score was 5-5 in the third at the time of the injury, then this is their rubber match. This will be a close match yet again, with higher stakes than the previous ones. With a match this close, I am going to have to lean towards the kid I know best.

Favorite: Ceasar Salas-Crown Point

Dark Horse: Colin Whetsel-New Palestine

Best Friday Night Match: Jaran Kerney (Princeton Community) vs Tearson Wolford (Winamac Community)

Hoosiermat Top 8:

1st-Ceasar Salas-Crown Point

2nd-Seer Godwise-Perry Meridian

3rd-Julian Burgett-Fishers

4th-Kellen Fellure-Franklin Community

5th-Colin Whetsel-New Palestine

6th-Clayton Miller-Columbus East

7th-Jaran Kerney-Princeton Community

8th-Hartley Hoover-North Miami

285

The Top 16 (12 Ranked Wrestlers):

#1 Kameron Hazelett-Lowell

#3 Isaiah Coolman-Leo

#4 Hayden Smith-Heritage Hills

#5 James Hartleroad-New Prairie

#6 William Glesing-New Palestine

#8 Dace McNeil-Zionsville

#9 Hank Redman-Columbus East

#11 Keenan Mowery-Shields-South Putnam

#12 Declan Gard-Rochester Community

#13 Jacari Markey-Warren Central

#15 Mansford Osburn-Terre Haute North

#18 A.W. VanKirk-Hamilton Southeastern

NR Lucas Nelson-Michigan City

NR Grady Baker-Bellmont

NR Kyle Sommer-Elkhart

NR Logan Smith-North Miami

Weight Preview:

Lowell's Kameron Hazelett will not lose another in-state wrestling match. The sophomore has already shown that he is too much for most of the wrestlers in the country, let alone the ones here. The one guy wthought couldho I thoughcould keep the score respectable did not make it out of the semi-state. Hazelett will win his second title this weekend as he inches towards being another 4-timer. Outside of Hazelett, Heritage Hills's Hayden Smith has been a dominant force at his weight all season, with no real competitive matches this year. He is my pick to make the finals on the top side of the bracket. On Saturday morning, he will seethe winner of Warren Central's Jacari Markey and Rochester's Declan Gard. Gard and Markey wrestled in the quarterfinals last year, with Gard winning 3-2 in ultimate tie-breakers. Below them, Columbus East's Hank Redman and Leo's Isaiah Coolman meet Friday night. Coolman has been downtown three times now, qualifying in 2024 and placing 5th last season. I do think Redman is good, but he is a 190 or a 215 wrestling up, and Coolman is a legit-sized heavyweight, which I think will be too much for him. The winner there will wrestle the winner of New Prairie's James Hartleroad and Zionsville Dace McNeil. Hartleroad pulled off the big upset two years ago to get onto the podium, but he is the favorite this year. I have one more first-round match I want to mention and one more wrestler I want to highlight. The first is the match between Terre North's Mansford Osburn and Bellmont's Grady Baker. Osburn is a returning state placer here, and Baker is good; he is just too inconsistent, and at heavyweight, the thing you want to be is consistent. The last wrestler I want to mention is New Palestine's Will Glesing. Glesing had a productive offseason, and it shows this year as he has been running over most of the heavyweights he has seen this year. If you remove Hazelett from this field, this might be Glesing's weight to win.

Favorite: Kameron Hazelett-Lowell

Dark Horse: Isaiah Coolman-Leo

Best Friday Night Match: James Hartleroad (New Prairie) vs Dace McNeil (Zionsville)

Hoosiermat Top 8:

1st-Kameron Hazelett-Lowell

2nd-Hayden Smith-Heritage Hills

3rd-William Glesing-New Palestine

4th-Isaiah Coolman-Leo

5th-James Hartleroad-New Prairie

6th-Mansford Osburn-Terre Haute North

7th-Keenan Mowery-Shields-South Putnam

8th-Declan Gard-Rochester Community