Live On Flo This Week: 1/26 Clovis vs. Buchanan | 1/27 Lock Haven at Edinboro | 1/27-28 NCWA National Duals | 1/28 Bishop McCort vs. Wyoming Seminary

It is getting to the time of year where high school teams are beginning to prepare for their conference, league or divisional tournament. Which means that we are getting close to the end of another great season, but also that there is a ton of juice left.

With that in mind, and after pondering what we've already learned in college wrestling, let's check out what we've learned this season in high school wrestling.

Blair Is The Best Team In The Country

The most storied program in the nation had a transition period, having four head coaches in four years after Jeff Buxton moved on. Now, coach Brian Antonelli has been at the helm for a few years and the reloading process is complete.

Half the team looks different from the one we saw at National Preps a year ago, but what an impact the new guys have had. Sophomore 152-pounder Julian Ramirez told me their goal is to be the best Blair team of all time. Though that probably can't happen now with the loss to Wyoming Seminary, the Bucs have run through every tournament they've been in this year.

It is extremely difficult to question their No. 1 ranking when they won Ironman by 68.5, Beast by 115.5, Geary by 67.5, and then walked through Who's Number 1 Duals last weekend. Also of note, No. 2 Clovis has a loss to Park Hill this year. If Clovis can get another win over No. 9 Buchanan (LIVE on Flo Thursday Night 7:30pm Central), the top-two teams will be just about locked in for the rest of the year. But right now, no one can touch Blair in a tournament setting.

Mikey Labriola Is An Alpha Dog

Back in October, we were treated to a 1 vs 2 matchup in Lehigh's Snake Pit. Labriola won that one close, but since then has been totally dominant.

He is unquestionably the senior leader on the seventh ranked team in the country. The Nebraska commit bonused his way into the finals at Ironman, and then pinned or teched his way through Beast.

In fact, Labriola has been so dominant that a couple teams forfeited to him at WNO Duals, causing a local Pennsylvania journalist to pen a column about the perils of forfeits for fans and the growth of the sport. It would not be at all surprising if Labriola was starting for the Huskers within the next two years.

 

Location Matters

The same teams are forced to wrestle each other over and over again for five months. This is partially because only a few teams have the financial means to travel all over the country, but also partially because of rules in many states limiting how far and often teams can leave the state.

Clovis and Buchanan coud see each other four or five times in a year, several teams do both Ironman and Beast, New York and Pennsylvania boys tend to match up multiple times between Journeymen and Eastern States. Pennsylvania in particular can hit guys a bunch between Beast, Escape the Rock and Powerade.

Meanwhile, teams in the Pacific Northwest really only get a chance to make their name at Fargo, and public schools in many places can't leave the confines of their own state, so if they don't go to the most prestigious tournament in their own area, the hammers on a team like that have a cake schedule.

Christian Pyles mentioned on a recent FRL how impressed he is that John Borst of Sherando gets to be seen at high profile tournaments. Here's hoping more guys like him get an opportunity to be seen around the country.

145 Is The Best Weight In the Country

Even without Yianni in the current rankings due to his injury, this is still true. Sammy Sasso has settled in to his best weight and has been running through every tournament since Super 32. Jarod Verkleeren is ranked second and could very easily have the case be made that he should be on top, and also has a cadet world title. Josiah Rider made the finals of both Ironman and Super 32, losing to the two mentioned above. He has massive potential in the Nebraska room in a few years.

Fargo champ Frankie Gissendanner might be the most explosive wrestler in the country, and Austin O'Connor (who was top three at Junior team trials) is fifth. That's depth folks. Brayton Lee and Brock Hardy will both be highly coveted recruits next year for D1 teams. Rounding out the Top-10 are Doc B champ Navonte Demison, Fargo champ Will Lewan, and cadet world team member Dom Demas.

O'Connor over Verkleeren at Agony in Ames

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