2015 Super 32 ChallengeOct 21, 2015 by Willie Saylor
Super 32 Preview and History
Super 32 Preview and History
Unlock this article, live events, and more with a subscription!
Already a subscriber? Log In
Last year, Sam Krivus became the first wrestler in the modern Super 32 era (since 2006 when there were eight places) to win 3 coveted belts, while Michael Kemerer became just the third wrestler ever to reach four finals. Who will begin the next march to history?
The Super 32 is firmly entrenched as one of America's premier events. Now a cornerstone of the wrestling landscape, hordes of talent travel to Greensboro, North Carolina, each fall.
What started off as a local preseason tune-up has turned in to a fire-breathing monster that serves as a referendum for ranking and status.
The action starts Saturday and continues with one of the great rounds in all of wrestling - quarterfinals on Sunday morning.
Catch All The Action LIVE on FLOPRO.
The hammers that have competed in the fourteen previous years of the Super 32 are now on to college where they are becoming the biggest names on the scene.
Last year, four champions and HALF of the twenty NCAA DI finalists were placers at the Super 32. And twenty-nine of the eighty All Americans were former S32 placers.
For the second straight year it was the middle-weight S32 alumni perfoming the best at NCAA's. Six of the eight AA's at 141 placed at S32, and half at 149 did. in 2014, five of the All Americans at 149 had placed at Super 32 while half of those at 141 did as well.
2015 NCAA Champions from past S32's:
1. Nathan Tomasello (125) - Ohio State
2. Drake Houdashelt (149) - Missouri
3. Isaiah Martinez (157) - Illinois
4. Nick Gwiazdowski (HWT) - NC State
Runners-Up:
5. Zeke Moisey (125) - West Virginia
6. Mitchell Port (141) - Edinboro
7.. David Habat (149) - Edinboro
8. Brian Realbuto (157) - Cornell
9. Taylor Walsh (165) - Indiana
10. Kyle Snyder (197) - Ohio State
Other All Americans:
11. Alan Waters (125) - Missouri
12. Conor Youtsey (125) - Michigan
13. AJ Schopp (133) - Edinboro
14. Chris Dardanes (133) - Minnesota
15. Rossi Bruno (133) - Michigan
16. Devin Carter (141) - Virginia Tech
17. Dean Heil (141) - Oklahoma State
18. Kevin Jack (141) - NC State
19. Chris Mecate (141) - Old Dominion
20. Anthony Ashnault (141) - Rutgers
21. Jason Tsirtsis (149) - Northwestern
22. Dan Neff (149) - Lock Haven
23. Lenny Richardson (149) - Old Dominion
24. James Green (157) - Nebraska
25. Nick Brascetta (157) - Virginia Tech
26. Mitch Minotti (157) - Lehigh
24. Jackson Morse (165) - Illinois
25. Zach Epperly (174) - Virginia Tech
26. Vic Avery (184) - Edinboro
27. Kenny Courts (184) - Ohio State
28. Tim Dudley (184) - Nebraska
29. Max Huntley (197) - Michigan
This years Super 32 field by the numbers:
Total Entries: 1545
Ranked Entries: 116
Percentage of Nationally Ranked Wrestlers: 41%
Returning Champs/Finalists: 6/11
Fargo/FILA Champs/Finalists: 17/25
FloNationals Champs/Finalist: 9/16
106: Entries (150) - Ranked (14)
2014 Final: Cade Olivas, CA md. Tommy Cox, NY, 16-2
2011 Final: Michael Kemerer, PA dec. Matt Kolodzik, OH, 3-2
The Contenders:
#1-Fr. Dylan D'Emilio, OH - Cadet World Team Member
#2-Fr. Travis Ford-Melton, IL - Fargo Runner-Up
#5-Fr. Adam Busiello, NY - State Champ, Fargo 3rd
#6-So. Nico Aguilar, CA - Double Fargo Champ, Akron 3rd
#8-Fr. Aden Reeves, IA - Double Fargo AA
#10-So. Aaron Cashman, MN - Akron 5th, Fargo 6th
#11-So. Patrick McKee, MN - Fargo 3rd
#12-So. Joey Heilman, NJ
#14-Fr. Patrick Gould, PA
#15-So. Jaret Lane, PA - Double Fargo Finalist
#17-So. Brandon Kaylor, WA
#18-Fr. Rhett Golowenski, OK - State Champ, Akron Runner-Up
#19-So. Kyle Biscoglia, IA - Fargo 6th
#20-So. So. Cody Phippen, KS - Double Fargo AA
HM-So. AJ Burkhart, NY - State Champ
HM-So. Ryan Chauvin, CO
HM-So. Job Chishko, PA
HM-Fr. Jordan Crace, OH - #24 Freshman
HM-Fr. Tyler Dilley, PA
HM-Jr. Jacob Dunlop, PA
HM-Fr. Colt Newton, OK
HM-So. Drew Schafer, NY - State 3rd
HM-So. Clayton Singh, MO - State Champ
HM-Fr. Jordan Ward, OH
HM-Fr. Colton Yapoujian, CO - #9 Freshman
Josh Saunders, MO - #1 Overall Junior High Wrestler
The Situation: Top 3 from the Fargo Cadet 100 bracket are here as is the 3rd place finisher at 106 in Busiello. Cashman was Busiello's only loss in Fargo. All three are Top 20 on the FR Big Board.
I Got a Feelin': Golowenski was the runner-up to D'Emilio at Cadet Trials in Akron. And he had a good JR Duals series. But he had a sub-par Fargo thatis largely responsible for his low ranking. I like him to rebound and have a solid placing here.
The Picks:
Willie: 1. D'Emilio 2. Busiello 3. Ford-Melton 4. Saunders
Ryan: 1. Busiello 2. D'Emilio 3. Ford-Melton 4. Lane
Brock: 1. D'Emilio 2. Ford-Melton 3. Aguilar 4. Saunders
Nick: 1. Saunders 2. D'Emilio 3. Ford-Melton 4. Aguilar
CP: 1. D'Emilio 2. Aguilar 3. Busiello 4. Ford-Melton
Bratke: 1. D'Emilio 2. Saunders 3. Ford-Melton 4. Busiello
113: Entries (161) - Ranked (9)
2014 Final: Spencer Lee, PA fall. Noah Baughman, OH. :26
2011 Final: Jarred Brooks, IN dec. Nathan Tomasell, OH, 3-2
The Contenders:
#4-Jr. Drew Mattin, OH - Returning 4th, Fargo Runner-Up
#5-(at 120)-Sr. Sebastian Rivera, NJ - Returning 6th
#8-So. Patrick Glory, NJ - State Runner-Up
#11-Sr. Louie Hayes, IL - Fargo Champ (UVA)
#15-(at 120)-Fr. Julian Chlebove, PA - FloNats 3rd
#16-So. Tommy Hoskins, OH - State Champ
#17-Jr. Jonathan Gomez, NY - State Champ
#19-Jr. Shane Metzler, NJ - Returning 6th
#20-So. Michael McAteer, MO - State Champ
HM-Fr. Ryan Anderson, PA - #19 Freshman
HM-So. Brock Bergelin, WI - State Champ
HM-Jr. Jakob Camnpbell, PA - State 3rd
HM-Sr. Tommy Cox, NY - Returning Runner-Up (NC State)
HM-Sr. Liam Cronin, CA - State Runner-Up, Fargo Runner-Up
HM-Jr. Colton Cummings, IN - State Champ
HM-Sr. Gage Curry, PA - State Runner-Up (American)
HM-Sr. Tomas Gutierrez, CO - State Champ, Reno TOC Champ (Grand Canyon)
HM-So. Josh Humphreys, WV - State Champ
HM-Sr. Tyson Klump, PA - State Champ
HM-Jr. Cole Manley, PA - State Runner-Up
HM-Sr. Mason Naifeh, OK - State Runner-Up
HM-Sr. Justin Portillo, IA- State Champ
HM-Sr. Todd Small, GA - State Champ
HM-So. Brian Stuart, MD
HM-Jr. Ian Timmins, NV
The Situation: I don't know that I've seen a 113lb. bracket with so many SR's outside of NHSCA's. There are a ton of quality seniors that are state/Fargo finalists here - nine ranked or Honorable Mention. Rivera is coming off a big Journeymen title at 120 where he beat Tyler Warner. I like his scrappiness and have him as the favorite. Mattin was runner-up to Brandon Courtney (AZ) at Fargo and to Teasdale (PA) in Akron.
I Got a Feelin': Despite the large (161 person) entry list, this weight is really open. There's not a prohibitive favorite nor a clear cut Top 8. In this case, none of the above placing would be a shocker. But I'll go with this - the word out of NJ/Eastern PA is that Ryan Anderson is "The Truth". Pay attention to him. One more - I haven't seen much of him, but his results are very strong - Michael McAteer.
The Picks:
Willie: 1. Rivera 2. Chlebove 3. Anderson 4. Mattin
Ryan: 1. Rivera 2. Mattin 3. Hayes 4. Glory
Brock: 1. Rivera 2. Hayes 3. Curry 4. Chlebove
Nick: 1. Rivera 2. Mattin 3. Hayes 4. Chlebove
CP: 1. Chlebove 2. Rivera 3. Mattin 4. Anderson
Bratke: 1. Mattin 2. Rivera 3. Glory 4. Chlebove
120: Entries (182) - Ranked (12)
2014 Final: Yianni Diakomiahlis, NY dec. Daton Fix, OK, 5-0
2011 Final: Ryan Diehl, WV dec. George DiCamillo, OH, 4-2
The Contenders:
#6-Sr. Tyler Warner, OH - Returning 5th, State Champ
#9-Sr. Brandon Cray, NJ - State Champ, Returning 8th (Maryland)
#9-(at 126)-Sr. Devin Schroder, MI - State Champ (Purdue)
#10-Jr. Paul Konrath, IN - FloNats Champ
#12-Fr. Nick Raimo, NJ - Fargo Double Champ
#12-(at 126)-So. Joey Silva, FL - Returning 5th
#13-So. Alex Thomsen, IA - Fargo Runner-Up
#14-Fr. Connor McGonagle, NH - #5 Freshman
#16-Sr. Tyshawn White, PA - State 3rd
#17-Sr. David Campbell, CA - State Runner-Up, NHSCA Champ
#18-(at 113)-Sr. Sidney Oliver, MO - FloNats Runner-Up
#20-(at 126)-Jr. Allan Hart, OH - State Champ
HM-Sr. Vinny Artigues, GA - State Runner-Up
HM-Sr. Paul Bianchi, WI- State Champ
HM-Sr. Tony DeCesare, OH - State Runner-Up
HM-Jr. Austin DeSanto, PA - State 5th
HM-Sr. Matteo DeVincenzo, NY - State 3rd (Princeton)
HM-Jr. Givanni Ghione, NJ - State Runner-Up (Princeton)
HM-So. Collin Gerardi, VA - State Champ
HM-Sr. Mario Guillen, OH - STate 3rd (Ohio)
HM-So. Jake Gliva, MN - State Runner-Up
HM-Jr. Dane Heberlein, NY - State Runner-Up, Returning 3rd
HM-So. Jackson Henson, WV - State Champ
HM-Jr. Rylee Molitor, MN - State Champ
HM-So. Roderick Mosely, OK - Returning 7th
HM-Sr. Josh Portillo, IA - State Champ
HM-Sr. Theo Powers, NY - State Champ (Brown)
HM-Jr. Dack Punke, IL - State Runner-Up
HM-So. Peyton Robb, MN - State Champ
HM-So. Malcom Robinson, MD - NHSCA Champ
HM-Sr. Garrett Rowe, OK - State Champ
HM-So. Jake Silverstein, NY - Returning 8th
HM-Sr. Justin Stickley, OH - Ironman 5th
HM-Jr. Jose Tapia, NM
HM-Jr. Drew West, IA
The Situation: This weight is incredibly difficult to pick. There are a number of top-end guys here, and it's not often that there's a weight where, if any of ten guys win, it wouldn't be surprising. If the wrestling gods smile on this bracket, we'll see a Raimo-Thomsen rematch from the Fargo finals that was among the best matches of the year. I've also been on record saying 1) Tyler Warner is on a mission this year and 2) I love Joey Silva's upside.
I Got a Feelin': Watch for Connor McGonagle. He has three or four career wins over Julian Chlebove. Also, I think Allan Hart will turn in a good performance and place.
The Picks:
Willie: 1. Thomsen 2. Warner 3. Raimo 4. Silva
Ryan: 1. Warner 2. Raimo 3. Silva 4. Thomsen
Brock: 1. Thomsen 2. DeSanto 3. Warner 4. Raimo
Nick: 1. Schoder 2. Warner 3. Raimo 4. Thomsen
CP: 1. Thomsen 2. Warner 3. Raimo 4. Silva
Bratke: 1. Raimo 2. Warner 3. Thomsen 4. Silva
126: Entries (169) - Ranked (11)
2014 Final: Chad Red, IN dec. Jose Rodriguez, OH, 7-0
2011 Final: Anthony Ashnault, NJ dec. Joey Dance, VA, 4-3
The Contenders:
#1-Jr. Daton Fix, OK - Cadet World Bronze
#2-Jr. Vitali Arajau, NY - Fargo Champ, Akron Runner-Up (Cornell)
#4-Sr. Nick Suriano, NJ - 2x S32 Finalist (Penn St.)
#5-Jr. Kaden Gfeller, OK - Fargo 3rd
#6-(at 132)-Sr. Luke Karam, PA - 2x State Champ (Lehigh)
#7-Sr. Kyle Norstrem, FL - Returning 3rd (Virginia Tech)
#8-Sr. Ian Parker, MI - Fargo 4th (Iowa St.)
#16-So. Mitch Moore, OH - Returning 5th
#19-Sr. Ethan McCoy, PA - State 3rd
#19-(at 120)-Sr. Brock Hudkins, IN - State Champ
#20-(at 120)-Sr. Alec Kelly, NJ - State 3rd
HM-Sr. John Arceri, NY - State Champ
HM-Fr. Conner Brady, OH - #13 Freshman
HM-Jr. Brian Courtney, PA - State Runner-Up
HM-Jr. Chris Deloza, CA - State 5th
HM-Jr. Robert Garcia, CA - State 6th
HM-Jr. Brent Jones, MN - State Champ
HM-Jr. Tim Kane, CT
HM-So. Jaden Mattox, OH - Returning 7th
HM-Sr. Josh Nail, VA - State Champ
HM-Jr. Peter Pappas, NY - State Runner-Up
HM-Jr. Jeremiah Reitz, IN - 2014 State Champ
HM-Sr. Gaige Torres, IN - State Runner-Up
HM-Sr. Tariq Wilson, OH - State Runner-Up
The Situation: Absolutely monster weight filled with elite-end talent. Last year produced a Fix-Yianni final. This year, Fix is a consensus pick for the finals with a host of other legitimate contenders...Arajau, who's been on fire beating Suriano at JMen and Gfeller in Akron.
There seems to be three 'tiers' here. One tier includes the first five from Fix to Karam. The second has Parker and Norstrem. And then the rest of the contenders.
So how do you handicap the first five? Most pundits, myself included, would have Fix as a sure shot finalists, though seeds will be interesting here. We know Arajau is clicking on all cylinders. What we don't know is how Suriano will respond to that loss. On one hand, he looked limited offensively. On the other, it still took a last second reversal to beat him.
I Got a Feelin': Picking a Top 10 guy isn't much of a 'feeling' pick. But Karam is a tricky out. The kid knows how to win and gives everyone fits. It wouldn't shock me to see him knock off any of the guys ahead of him and make the finals. Of the more traditional darkhorse variety: Pappas has been wrestling really well and Tim Kane is a boom-or-bust type that has wins over Norstrem.
The Picks:
Willie: 1. Fix 2. Suriano 3. Gfeller 4. Arajau
Ryan: 1. Fix 2. Arajau 3. Karam 4. Suriano
Brock: 1. Fix 2. Arajau 3. Suriano 4. Gfeller
Nick: 1. Fix 2. Arajau 3. Suriano 4. Gfeller
CP: 1. Suriano 2. Fix 3. Arujau 4. GFeller
Bratke: 1. Fix 2. Arajau 3. Suriano 4. Gfeller
132: Entries (163) - Ranked (11)
2014 Final: Luke Pletcher, PA dec. Mike D'Angelo, NY, 4-2
2011 Final: Alex Cisneros, CA dec. Devon Jacson, IN, 3-2 OT
The Contenders:
#1-Sr. Chad Red, IN - Returning Champ (Nebraska)
#3-Jr. Yianni Diakomihalis, NY - Cadet World Champion (Cornell)
#3-(at 138)-Sr. Hunter Marko, WI - Fargo 5th (Minnesota)
#5-Sr. Mitch McKee, MN - Fargo finalist, Returning 5th (Minnesota)
#6-(at 138)-Sr. Kanen Storr, MI - Returning 3rd (Iowa State)
#9-So. Sammy Sasso, PA - Fargo Champ
#14-Sr. Durbin Lloren, CA - State Champ
#14-(at 138)-So. Grant Aronoff, FL - NHSCA Champ
#15-Sr. Nick Farro, NJ - State 6th (Lehigh)
#15-(at 138)-Jr. Chris Sandoval, CO - State Champ, Fargo 7th
#19-Jr. Corey Shie, OH - State 5th
HM-Sr. Wade Cummings, PA - State 4th (NC State)
HM-Sr. Kellin Devlin, NY - State Champ (NC State)
HM-So. Alex Felix, CA - State 3rd
HM-Jr. Ben Freeman, MI - Akron 4th
HM-Jr. Dakota Galt, SD - State Champ
HM-Sr. Seth Hogue, OH - State Runner-Up
HM-Jr. Nate Keim, OK - State Champ
HM-Sr. Elliott Molloy, IN - State 3rd
HM-Sr. Jake Spiess, OH - State Champ (Eastern Michigan)
The Situation: Elite talent at the top and depth to push them. Red and Yianni lead the pack in terms of front runners with Mitch McKee looking to get back to the top. Storr and Marko are also Top 10 guys with a chance to make the finals. Storr edged Sasso at JMen a couple weeks back. Sasso and Aranoff have split bouts.
I Got a Feelin': One wrestler I'm dying to get a better look at is Alex Felix. Placing 3rd in single-class Cali as a frosh is difficult. But I haven't really had the opportunity to see him live. Another guy that could turn heads is Chris Sandoval, who I consider one of the hidden gems in the country. A third one to watch could be Galt, who beat McKee at JR Duals this summer.
The Picks:
Willie: 1. Yianni 2. Red 3. McKee 4. Sasso
Ryan: 1. Yianni 2. Red 3. Sasso 4. McKee
Brock: 1. Yianni 2. Red 3. Sasso 4. McKee
Nick: 1. Yianni 2. Red 3. Sasso 4. McKee
CP: 1. Yianni 2. Red 3. Sasso 4. McKee
Bratke: 1. Yianni 2. Red 3. McKee 4. Sasso
138: Entries (156) - Ranked (8)
2014 Final: Sam Krivus, PA dec. Davion Jeffries, OK, 5-2
2011 Final: Ben Whitford, MI md. Austin Matthews, PA, 13-3
The Contenders:
#5-Sr. Brent Moore, OH - FloNats Champ (Virginia Tech)
#8-Sr. Israel Saavedra, CA - NHSCA Champ (Old Dominion)
#11-So. Shane Griffith, NJ - State Champ, Fargo Runner-Up
#12-Sr. Chris Diaz, GA - Powerade Runner-Up (NC State)
#17-(at 132)-So. Brayton Lee, IN - Fargo 3rd
#18-(at 145)-Jr. Moises Guillen, OH - State 3rd
#18-(at 152)-Logan Lacure, OH - State Champ
#20-(at 132)-So. Alex Lloyd, MN - Fargo Runner-Up
HM-Jr. Jake Brindley, FL - Returning 8th
HM-So. Aaron Brooks, MD - NHSCA Champ
HM-Sr. Ryan Deakin, CO - State Runner-Up (Northwestern)
HM-Sr. Evan Fidelibus, PA - State 3rd, Reno TOC Champ
HM-Sr. Ryan Ford, OH - State 3rd (Cleveland St.)
HM-Sr. Collin Glorioso, PA - State 5th
HM-Sr. Josh Heil, OH
HM-Jr. Jake Hinkson, PA
HM-Sr. Charlie Kane, CT
HM-Jr. Ryan Leisure, IA - State Champ
HM-So. Justin McCoy, PA - State 6th
HM-Sr. Taylor Ortz, PA - State 3rd (Clarion)
HM-Jr. Brock Port, PA - State 6th
HM-So. Justin Ruffin, GA - #39 Sophomore
HM-Sr. Peter Tedesco, MA
HM-Sr. Mike Van Brill, NJ - State 5th
HM-Sr. Kollin Wade, NC
HM-Jr. Coltan Williams, TX
The Situation: Moore and Saavedra lead the contenders with a particularly strong group of sophomores. The story here is that Moore is now at his more natural weight of 138 after competing at 145 last year. I've been ultra impressed with Saavedra this year and he's up from 132. The Sophs - Griffith started off slowly as a freshman but won a state title and reached the Fargo final at 138 where he lost to Indiana's Joe Lee. Lloyd was the runner-up at 132 to Sammy Sasso.
I Got a Feelin': I really like the contingent from PA with Port, McCoy, and Hinkson. They could be future stars from the Keystone State. But continuing with the sophomore theme - watch for Ruffin and Brooks who are both ultra talented. But the soph I'll be looking to learn the most about is Brayton Lee. Chad Red's training partner, Lee was 3rd at Fargo (losing only to Sasso). Here's a crazy story - he was undefeated on the season when he was pinned in the second round match that he lead at Indiana's Semi-State. Because you can only wrestle back if you reach the semifinals, Lee didn't qualify for the state tournament, despite that being his only loss of the season.
The Picks:
Willie: 1. Saavedra 2. Griffith 3. Moore 4. Lee
Ryan: 1. Saavedra 2. Griffith 3. Moore 4. Moore
Brock: 1. Moore 2. Saavedra 3. Griffith 4. McCoy
Nick: 1. Griffith 2. Saavedra 3. Moore 4. Lloyd
CP: 1. Moore 2. Saavedra 3. Griffith 4. Lee
Bratke: 1. Saavedra 2. Griffith 3. Lee 4. Diaz
145: Entries (132) - Ranked (10)
2014 Final: Michael Kemerer, PA dec. Max Thomsen, IA, 9-4
2011 Final: Jake Crawford, VA dec. Lenny Richardson, NJ, 4-2
The Contenders:
#3-So. Anthony Artalona, FL - Fargo Champ
#6-So. David Carr, OH - State Champ, Akron Runner-Up
#7-Jr. Eric Hong, PA - Prep Runner-Up
#8-(at 138)-So. Joe Lee, IN - Fargo Champ (Penn St.)
#8-Jr. Austin O'Connor, IL - 2x State Champ
#9-Sr. Ethan Karsten, MO - 2014 Double Fargo Champ (Missouri)
#13-Jr. Quentin Hovis, AZ - Akron 3rd (Navy)
#17-Sr. Ryan Peters, NH (Buffalo)
#17-(at 152)-Sr. Jimmy Saylor, PA - 2x NHSCA Runner-Up (Army)
#18-Sr. Michael Murphy, TN (UVA)
#20-(at 152)-Jr. Mekhi Lewis, NJ - State 3rd
HM-Sr. Kevin Budock, MD - Prep Runner-Up, Returning 6th (Old Dominion)
HM-Jr. Eli King, TN
HM-Sr. TK Megonigal, MD
HM-Sr. Lenny Merkin, NY
HM-Fr. Julian Ramirez, FL - State Champ
HM-Sr. Kyler Rea, MO - State Champ (Army)
HM-So. Josiah Rider, CO - State Runner-Up
HM-Jr. Lane Stigall, OR - State Champ
HM-Sr. Jack Taddeo, NY - State 5th (Navy)
The Situation: Absolutely loaded weight class and to make ait all the more intriguing there isn't a very clear set of finalists. Any of the first seven guys listed above - from Artalona to Hovis - could be considered a legitimate title threat, and six of them are underclassmen.
Artalona was on fire at Fargo, prompting his high ranking and the #2 Sophomore declaration. Hovis DNP'd in Fargo (Juniors) but handed Artalona his only two losses in Akron.
Both Carr and O'Connor are prodigies that were in Fargo but didn't complete the FS tournament. Joe Lee did, and won the title.
I Got a Feelin': Rider was perennially at the top of the rankings in Junior High. Now a soph, I'm keeping an eye on him for his development. Also watch out for Ramirez, who was a state champ and one of just two 8th graders to place at FloNationals.
The Picks:
Willie: 1. O'Connor 2. Carr 3. Artalona 4. Lee
Ryan: 1. Carr 2. Lee 3. O'Connor 4. Artalona
Brock: 1. Carr 2. Artalona 3. O'Connor 4. Lee
Nick: 1. Artalona 2. Hong 3. Lee 4. Carr
CP: 1. Hong 2. Artalona 3. Carr 4. O'Connor
Bratke: 1. Carr 2. Lee 3. O'Connor 4. Artalona
152: Entries (116) - Ranked (8)
2014 Final: Thomas Bullard, GA dec. Dayton Racer, MO, 5-4 OT
2011 Final: Josh Llopez, MD dec. Nick Kee, NC, 5-4
The Contenders:
#1-Mason Manville, PA - Double Fargo AA (Penn St.)
#2-Sr. Hayden Hidlay, PA - Fargo 3rd, Returning 3rd (NC State)
#6-Sr. Griffin Parriott, MN - Fargo 5th (Purdue)
#11-Jr. Stephan Glasgow, NJ - State Runner-Up
#12-(at 145)-Jr. Jake Allar, MN - USAW Folk Champ
#14-Sr. Chris Mauriello, NY - 2x NHSCA Champ (Old Dominion)
#16-Sr. Foster Karmon, MI - State Champ (Cornell)
#19-Sr. Nick Monico, PA - State 4th (Kent St.)
HM-Sr. Shae Bloom, PA - State 5th (Clarion)
HM-Jr. Hunter Bolen, VA - State Champ
HM-Sr. John Errico, NY - State Champ
HM-Jr. Georgio Poullas, OH - State 6th
HM-Jr. Bryce Rogers, FL - State Champ
HM-Sr. Fernie Silva, IL - State Runner-Up
HM-Sr. Nick Vestal, OH - State Runner-Up
The Situation: A chance at another chapter in the Hidlay-Manville series. And they're the clear favorites with Parriott the only other guy in their 'tier'. But watch out for the ultra talened Glasgow. He had a rough go at Akron as a relatively inexperienced freestyler, but he gave #1 Verkleeren all he could handle in the finals of NHSCA's.
I Got a Feelin': This weight is pretty much spelled out for us in terms of known commidities and expectations. I'm keeping my eyes on JR's Jake Allar and Bryce Rogers.
The Picks:
Willie: 1. Manville 2. Hidlay 3. Glasgow 4. Parriott
Ryan: 1. Manville 2. Hidlay 3. Parriott 4. Glasgow
Brock: 1. Hidlay 2. Manville 3. Glasgow 4. Parriott
Nick: 1. Hidlay 2. Manville 3. Glasgow 4. Parriott
CP: 1. Hidlay 2. Manville 3. Parriott 4. Glasgow
Bratke: 1. Hidlay 4. Manville 3. Parriott 4. Glasgow
160: Entries (102) - Ranked (9)
2014 Final: Fox Baldwin, FL dec. Alex Marinelli, OH, 8-6
2011 Final: Chance Marsteller, PA dec. Cody Allala, VA, 5-2
The Contenders:
#1-Sr. Alex Marinelli, OH - Ironman Champ, Returning Runner-Up (Iowa)
#5-Sr. Drew Hughes, IN - Returning 4th
#6-Sr. Thomas Bullard, GA - Returning Champ (NC State)
#6-(at 170)-Sr. Daniel Bullard, GA - Returning 5th (NC State)
#7-Jr. Mikey Labriola, PA - State 3rd, NHSCA Runner-Up (Nebraska)
#9-Sr. Justin Thomas, CA - State Runner-Up
#10-Sr. Kaleb Young, PA - State 4th, Returning 7th (Iowa)
#15-Jr. AJ Pedro, MA
#16-Sr. Elijah Cleary, FL - State Champ
HM-Sr. AJ Alford, SC - NHSCA Runner-Up
HM-Sr. Trace Carello, IL - State 3rd (Air Force)
HM-Jr. Kyle Cochran, NJ - Fargo 7th
HM-Jr. Nick Kiussis, OH - State Runner-Up
The Situation: Several returning placers including finalists Marinelli and Bullard. Marinelli looked unstoppable at Night of Conflict (with a dominant win over Hughes) and is a heavy favorite. A spot in the finals opposite him is rather up in the air, with both Bullards in the mix, Labriola, and Thomas. Labriola might be one of the best in the country that goes untalked about. Great athleticism. He beat Young at the state tourney last year. I like his chances if he can solve the good top work from guys he's likely to hit in the semi's (Bullards or Hughes).
I Got a Feelin': I got two unranked JR's that I'm high on here. I really like Kyle Cochran's upside. He's a deep sleeper I think could shake things up. And Nick Kiussis; he's been wrestling really well of late going 2nd to Hughes at Indiana PS, and 1st at GFC.
The Picks:
Willie: 1. Marinelli 2. Labriola 3. Thomas 4. D. Bullard
Ryan: 1. Marinello 2. Labriola 3. Young 4. D. Bullard
Brock: 1. Marinelli 2. T. Bullard 3. Hughes 4. Labriola
Nick: 1. Marinelli 2. D. Bullard 3. T. Bullard 4. Labriola
CP: 1. Marinelli 2. D. Bullard 3. Labriola 4. Young
Bratke: 1. Marinelli 2. Labriola 3. Young 4. D. Bullard
170: Entries (96) - Ranked (9)
2014 Final: Taylor Lujan, GA dec. Brett Donner, NJ, 11-5
2011 Final: Taylor Massa, MI md. Elliott Riddick, PA, 16-6
The Contenders:
#3-Sr. Chris Weiler, PA - Prep Champ (Lehigh)
#8-(at 160)-Jr. Louie Deprez, NY - State Champ
#12-(at 152)-Jr. Anthony Mantanona, CA - State 4th
#12-(at 160)-Sr. Noah Stewart, PA - State 4th (Army)
#13-(at 182)-Jr. James Handwerk, OH - State Champ
#14-Sr. Andrew McNally, OH - State Champ (Eastern Michigan)
#14-(at 160)-Jr. Jacob Oliver, PA - State Runner-Up
#15-Sr. Jared Siegrist, PA - State 6th
#17-Sr. Tyler Wiederholt, OH - State Runner-Up
HM-Jr. Nino Bonnacorsi, PA
HM-Jr. Casey Cornett, KY - NHSCA Runner-Up
HM-Sr. Jalaa Darwish, NJ - NHSCA Runner-Up
HM-Sr. Brett Donner, NJ - Returning Runner-Up (Rutgers)
HM-Jr. Anthony Falbo, CT - NHSCA Champ
The Situation: Well, someone is going to make a name for themselves. It's a deep and talented group, but not exactly household names. Yet. As you can see, the next crop of studs in and around this weight could be here with top guys from PA, OH, and CA.
The group i'm looking at are JR's Mantanona, Oliver, and Deprez. And I think by the end of the weekend, perhaps all three will be unforgettable commodities. They've already got the nod as the best in their class; all three are Top 25 Juniors.
I Got a Feelin': He's not listed above, but pay attention to Daniel Kirkvliet (MN), a freshman who had an outstanding youth career.
The Picks:
Willie: 1. Weiler 2. Oliver 3. Deprez 4. Stewart
Ryan: 1. Weiler 2. Siegrist 3. Oliver 4. Handwerk
Brock: 1. Mantanona 2. Weiler 3. Stewart 4. Handwerk
Nick: 1. Weiler 2. Deprez 3. Oliver 4. Stewart
CP: 1. Weiler 2. Stewart 3. Oliver 4. Deprez
Bratke: 1. Weiler 2. Deprez 3. Stewart 4. Oliver
182: Entries (63) - Ranked (10)
2014 Final: Zahid Valencia, CA dec. Kollin Moore, OH, 9-4
2011 Final: Tim Dudley, SC dec. Brandon Griffin, OR, 7-1
The Contenders:
#1-(at 195)-Sr. Nick Reenan, TX - Double Fargo Champ (Northwestern)
#1-Sr. Dakota Geer, PA - FloNats Champ, Returning 7th (Edinboro)
#4-Sr. Ben Darmstadt, OH - State Champ, Returning 4th (Cornell)
#5-Sr. Nathan Traxler, IL - State Champ (Stanford)
#7-Jr. Jacob Warner, IL - Fargo Champ
#9-Sr. Greg Bulsak, PA - State Champ, Returning 8th (Clarion)
#11-Sr. Tyler Frankrone, KY - NHSCA Champ
#19-Sr. Antonio Agee, VA - NHSCA Placer (Old Dominion)
#20-Jr. Caleb Little, GA - State Champ
*Scratched - #6-Sr. Owen Webster, MN
HM-Sr. Dylan Barreiro, NH - NHSCA Champ (Kent St.)
HM-Jr. John Borst, VA - State Champ
HM-Sr. Andrew Buckely, MO - Akron 6th
HM-Sr. Ross Graham, VA - State Champ
HM-Sr. Jake Shaffer, PA - State 4th (UVA)
The Situation: An absolutely loaded bracket got even more ridiculous when Reenan moved down to 182 this weekend. Purportedly, he and Dietrich will flip-flop. That puts two #1's in a bracket that features five other Top 10 guys. Reenan will be the favorite with his explosiveness. But Geer, Darmstadt, and Traxler are all well-rounded folkstylers with their refined top game.
I Got a Feelin': Outside of Fargo, Warner hasn't been in the spotlight of the national stage. The kid's a beast and could vault his stock from 'one of the top juniors' to 'superstar' here. My only reservation is his size. I also really like Frankrone. He's not polished, but he's built, physical, and tough.
The Picks:
Willie: 1. Reenan 2. Traxler 3. Geer 4. Darmstadt
Ryan: 1. Reenan 2. Geer 3. Traxler 4. Darmstadt
Brock: 1. Reenan 2. Geer 3. Darmstadt 4. Traxler
Nick: 1. Reenan 2. Traxler 3. Geer 4. Darmstadt
CP: 1. Reenan 2. Geer 3. Darmstadt 4. Traxler
Bratke: 1. Reenan 2. Geer 3. Darmstadt 4. Traxler
195: Entries (56) - Ranked (6)
2014 Final: Hunter Ritter, MD dec. Kevin Mulligan, NJ, 8-2
2011 Final: Matt McCutcheon, PA dec. Brooks Climmons, GA, 2-1 OT
The Contenders:
#3-(at 182)-Sr. Sr. Christian Dietrich, NY - State Champ (Pitt)
#7-Sr. Blake Rypel, IN - FloNats and NHSCA Runner-Up (Indiana)
#13-Sr. Jack Harris, OH - Returning 6th (Kent St.)
#14-(at 220)-Sr. Christian Araneo, NY - State Champ (Princeton)
#17-Jr. Noah Adams, WV - NHSCA Champ
#18-Sr. Kevin Snyder, MD - Returning 8th (Navy)
HM-Jr. Jeff Allen, VA - 2x State Finalist
HM-Jr. Zane Black, PA - National Prep placer
HM-So. Ben Goldin, FL - NHSCA Champ
HM-So. Gavin Hoffman, PA - State 6th
HM-Sr. Nick McShea, NY - State Runner-Up
The Situation: In the end here, I think Dietrich (after switching weights from 182) will be well suited here. He's a bear and a brawler with a better pure upperweight style, in my opinion. I like him to make the finals, although he's likely to have Adams or a really big Araneo.
I Got a Feelin': I like the sophs. Ben Goldin made a name for hismelf at NHSCA's, and Hoffman will be a Top 5 guy in due time.
The Picks:
Willie: 1. Dietrich 2. Harris 3. Rypel 4. Araneo
Ryan: 1. Dietrich 2. Rypel 3. Araneo 4.Harris
Brock: 1. Dietrich 2. Harris 3. Araneo 4. Rypel
Nick: 1. Dietrich 2. Rypel 3. Harris 4. Araneo
CP: 1. Dietrich 2. Rypel 3. Harris 4. Araneo
Bratke: 1. Dietrich 2. Rypel 3. Adams 4. Araneo
220: Entries (32) - Ranked (3)
2014 Final: Patrick Grayson, VA dec. Youssif Hemida, NY, 8-6
2011 Final: Thomas Haines, PA md. Ray Stone, OH, 13-0
The Contenders:
#2-Sr. Jordan Wood, PA - 2013 S32 Champ (Lehigh)
#4-Sr. Matt Stencel, OH - Fargo 3rd (Central Michigan)
#12-Sr. Luke Ready, MI - FloNats Runner-Up
HM-Jr. Evan Ellis, IN - State 8th
HM-Jr. Cole Nye, PA - Fargo 8th
HM-Jr. Brian Barnes, OR - State Champ
Jr. Chase Beard, MI - State Runner-Up
Sr. Will Hilliard, NY - State 3rd
Sr. Sterling Roseberry, OH - State 4th
Fr. Johnny Shafer, OH
The Situation: Jordan Wood is that good. But before you go penciling him in as a 2x S32 Champ, realize that Matt Stencel is damn good. I think it will be one of the best matches of the finals.
I Got a Feelin': Brian Barnes won everything as a schoolboy. But he has gotten off to a rocky (no medals in five of six Fargo tournaments entered) start in high school. We can gauge his development here.
The Picks:
Willie: 1. Wood 2. Stencel 3. Ready 4. Ellis
Ryan: 1. Wood 2. Stencel 3. Nye 4. Ready
Brock: 1. Wood 2. Ready 3. Stencel 4. Nye
Nick: 1. Wood 2. Stencel 3. Ready 4. Ellis
CP: 1. Wood 2. Stencel 3. Nye 4. Ready
Bratke: 1. Wood 2. Stencel 3. Ready 4. Nye
285: Entries (31) - Ranked (2)
2014 Final: Andrew Dunn, Pa dec. Ian Butterbrodt, MA, 8-5
2011 Final: Doug Vollaro, FL dec. John Dreggors, FL, 3-1
The Contenders:
PG - Mike Rogers, PA - Prep Champ (NC State)
#17-Sr. Gabe Beyer, FL - State Runner-Up (Penn St.)
#20-Sr. Ali Wahab, MI - State Runner-Up (Old Dominion)
HM-Jr. Mansur Abdul-Malik, MD - Prep 4th
HM-Sr. Sam Bouis, VA - Returning 5th
HM-Sr. Andrew Gunning, PA - State 5th
HM-Sr. Jacob Lill, GA - State 4th
The Situation: It's a small field, but not without intrigue. We get a close up look at recent PSU commit, Beyer who had a good Disney, and Rogers, who we probably won't see again until National Preps. Also, Ali Wahab is rather underrated.
I Got a Feelin': There are two darkhorse candidates here. Gunning's brother Jake was a late bloomer, making significant gains as an upperclassman. Perhaps Andrew can do the same. Also, Lill, who just had a ranked win two weeks ago.
The Picks:
Willie: 1. Wahab 2. Rogers 3. Beyer 4. Gunning
Ryan: 1. Rogers 2. Beyer 3. Gunning 4. Wahab
Brock: 1. Rogers 2. Beyer 3. Gunning 4. Wahab
Nick: 1. Wahab 2. Rogers 3. Beyer 4. Gunning
CP: 1. Rogers 2. Wahab 3. Beyer 4. Gunning
Bratke: 1. Rogers 2. Wahab 3. Gunning 4. Bouis
Super 32 History:
Multiple Belts
1. Jordan Frishkorn, VA (3) 2001-2002, 2004
1. Chris Brown, VA (3) 2002-2004
1. Patrick Bond, VA (3) 2002-2004
1. Ashtin Primus, PA (3) 2002-2004
1. Sam Brownlee, PA (3) 2006-2008
1. Sam Krivus, PA (3) 2012-2014
2. Marcus Boyd, NC (2) 2001-2002
2. Dusty McKinney, NC (2) 2001, 2003
2. Vincent Ramirez, NC (2) 2001, 2003
2. Domenic Denunzio, FL (2) 2002, 2003
2. Bryan Lashomb, NC (2) 2003-2004
2. Kenny Lester, FL (2) 2003-2004
2. Cody Gardner, VA (2) 2004-2005
2. Nick Murray, NJ (2) 2004, 2006
2. Collin Dozier, VA (2) 2005-2006
2. Nick Nelson, PA (2) 2005-2006
2. Luke Silver, TX (2) 2005-2006
2. Eric Grajales, FL (2) 2005, 2007
2. Eric Cubberly, OH (2) 2006-2007
2. David Taylor, OH (2) 2006, 2008
2. Devin Carter, VA (2) 2008-2009
2. Josh Dziewa, PA (2) 2007, 2009
2. Jackson Morse, MI (2) 2008-2009
2. Marshall Peppelman, PA (2) 2008-2009
2. Antonio Giorgio, PA (2) 2008-2009
2. Anthony Ashnault, VA (2) 2010-2011
2. Alex Cisneros, CA (2) 2008, 2011
2. Joey Dance, VA (2) 2009, 2012
2. Cody Wiercioch, PA (2) 2010, 2012
2. Ryan Millhof, GA (2) 2012-2013
2. Chance Marsteller, PA (2) 2011, 2013
2. Luke Pletcher, PA (2) 2013-2014
2. Spencer Lee, PA (2) 2013-2014
2. Yianni Diakomihalis, NY (2) 2013-2014
2. Michael Kemerer, PA (2) 2011, 2014
Four-Time Finalist
Ashtin Primus, PA (1, 1, 1, 2) 2002-2005
Joey Dance, VA (1, 2, 2, 1) 2009-2012
Michael Kemerer, PA (1, 2, 2, 1) 2011-2014
Super 32 Placers that were NCAA DI Champions
- John Reader, Iowa State
- Jordan Oliver, Oklahoma State
- Bubba Jenkins, Arizona State
- Ed Ruth, Penn State
- Dustin Kilgore, Kent State
- Cam Simaz, Cornell
- David Taylor, Penn State
- Tony Ramos, Iowa
- Jason Tsirtsis, Northwestern
- Nick Gwiazdowski, NC State
- Nathan Tomasello, Ohio State
- Drake Houdasheld, Missouri
- Isaiah Martinez, Illinois
Super 32 Placers that were NCAA DI All Americans
- Chris Brown, Old Dominion
- Tyler Nauman, Pitt
- Scotti Sentes, Central Michigan
- Raymond Jordan, Missouri
- Nic Bedelyon, Kent State
- Walter Peppelman, Harvard
- Frank Perrelli, Cornell
- Jarrod Garnett, Virginia Tech
- Jordan Blanton, Illinois
- Chris Honeycutt, Edinboro
- AJ Schopp, Edinboro
- Devin Carter, Virginia Tech
- Tyler Cox, Wyoming
- Zach Neibert, Virginia Tech
- Steve Bonnano, Hofstra
- RJ Pena, Oregon State
- Ivan Loupochanski, Purdue
- Alan Waters, Missouri
- Mitchell Port, Edinboro
- Chris Dardanes, Minnesota
- Dylan Alton, Penn State
- Nick Brascetta, Virginia Tech
- Joey Dance, Virginia Tech
- Darian Cruz, Lehigh
- Earl Hall, Iowa State
- Zain Retherford, Penn State
- Joey Lazor, Northern Iowa
- Stephen Dutton, Michigan
- Josh Kindig, Oklahoma State
- James Green, Nebraska
- David Habat, Edinboro
- Mitch Minotti, Lehigh
- Anthony Perotti, Rutgers
- Chris Penny, Virginia Tech
- Zeke Moisey, West Virginia
- Mitchell Port, Edinboro
- David Habat, Edinboro
- Brian Realbuto, Cornell
- Taylor Walsh, Indiana
- Kyle Snyder, Ohio State
- Conor Youtsey, Michigan
- Rossi Bruno, Michigan
- Dean Heil, Oklahoma State
- Kevin Jack, NC State
- Chris Mecate, Old Dominion
- Anthony Ashnault, Rutgers
- Dan Neff, Lock Haven
- Lenny Richardson, Old Dominion
- Jackson Morse, Illinois
- Zach Epperly, Virginia Tech
- Vic Avery, Edinboro
- Kenny Courts, Ohio State
- Tim Dudley, Nebraska
- Max Huntley, Michigan
*Note: From 2000-2004 only Top 4 were awarded at Super 32. From 2005-2006, Top 6 were awarded. From to present, Top 8 place. For instance, Kyle Dake would have been in the 7th place match as a Sophomore in 2006.
Get ready for the season! Get ready for another historic year at the Super 32, where the action is awesome from the opening whistle and there's chaos everywhere. The quarterfinals on Saturday morning are one of the great rounds of wrestling. Undoubtedly, one of my favorite events of the year.