Michigan Grappler's Super 32 Preview
2009 Super 32 Challenge
October 26th
Greensboro, NC
By Tony Greathouse
MichiganGrappler.com
Projected Champions:
103 - Freddie Rodriguez (Michigan)
112 - Jerome Robinson (Ohio)
119 - Rossi Bruno (Florida)
125 - Devin Carter (Virginia)
130 - Jason Tsirtis (Indiana)
135 - Josh Dziewa (Pennsyvlania)
140 - Josh Kindig (Pennsylvania)
145 - Colin Shober (Pennsylvania)
152 - Taylor Massa (Michigan)
160 - Marshall Peppelman (Pennsylvania)
171 - Kenny Courts (Pennsylvania)
189 - Angel Malvesuto (New York)
215 - Alex Polizzi (Wisconsin)
285 - Tyler Demmott (Pennsylvania)
Weight-by-Weight Breakdown:
103
Weight Class Preview:
The 103lb weight class features 114 total wrestlers and while a good number of these kids are middle schoolers moving up to the high school division, this weight class still packs a lot of punch with a handful of state placers, state champs, and nationally proven kids. Two guys in this weight are coming off Freestyle National Titles in Fargo last year with Cadet 105 champ Joey Dance of Virginia and 98lb champ Nick Roberts of PA. Dance is just a freshman while Roberts was a PA state champ last year. Returning FILA Cadet National Champ Freddie Rodriguez cannot be overlooked, if he wrestled in Fargo he would have been a favorite to win after finishing 2nd two years ago at 91lbs. Some other Fargo placers to keep an eye on include Jared Cortez (IL), Kevon Powell (IL), Jacob Schmitt (MI), and Jordan Wigger (SC). Cortez is ranked by InterMat as the #1 middle schooler in the country.
Michigan Outlook
Rodriguez has grown into a good sized 103lber and should be considered a favorite to contend in this weight class. He sat out of Fargo last year but has beaten most of the top guys in this weight in the past couple years. St Johns freshman Jacob Schmitt has proved that he can compete on the national stage as well after placing in both styles last summer at 91lbs in Fargo. Schmitt’s size may be a factor as he will be squaring off with some big 103lbers here due to the night before weigh-ins, but he definitely has the tools to hang with just about anyone here. Incoming freshman Travis Sproles is entered as well and he comes into this year with high expectations so it will be interesting to see how he fares. Other Michiganders entered here are Rockford sophomore Tyler Vanroonyen, who should have grow into a good sized 103lber by now, and freshman James Demember (DCC) and Nathan Henke (Richmond)
Finals Prediction: Freddie Rodriguez (MI) over Joey Dance (VA)
112
Weight Class Preview
The Super 32 lightweights are traditionally very deep and this year is no different. The 112lb weight class features at least 8 wrestlers who have placed here before, including returning 103lb champ Alex Cisneros of California. Last year Cisneros came onto the scene by winning and this year he will have a chance to further solidify himself as one of the top little guys in the country. Probably the biggest name for Cisneros to look out for will be returning Ohio State champ Jerome Robinson, who finished 3rd at 112 here a year ago. Virginia freshman Brandon Jeske comes in off a double all-american performance in Fargo and was 7th in this tournament last year as an 8th grader. Other Virginians who could contend is state champ Caleb Richardson, who was 3rd in Fargo at Junior 105, and Jake Smith who was a state runner-up and finished 5th at last year’s Super 32. Other returning state champs in this weight who have placed here before include John Fahy (KY) and Nathan Kraisser (MD). We will also have to keep an eye on 8th grade stud Bryce Brill of Illinois, who is ranked by InterMat as the #3 middle school wrestler in the country.
Michigan Outlook:
Returning Division 1 state placer Todd Melick of DCC is Michigan’s best bet to do well in this weight. Melick has not wrestled in many big national tournaments yet, so he could definitely prove himself if he can string some wins together and go deep in this very tough weight. Other Michiganders registered at 112 are Garrett Edwards (Richmond) and Dan Sorter (Ida).
Finals Prediction: Jerome Robinson (OH) over Alex Cisneros (CA)
119
Weight Class Preview:
The 119lb weight class may be the most loaded of them all this year with 140 wrestlers, including 23 state champs according to the Super 32’s registration list. In addition, there are at least 10 wrestlers who are currently ranked in InterMat’s Class Rankings, at least 8 wrestlers who have placed in Fargo, and 5 guys who placed in this tournament last year. Among the biggest names is Delaware 3x state champ Sean Dolan, who recently committed to North Carolina State, as well as the #1 ranked freshman in the country Ben Whitford of Illinois who broke out in Fargo this summer with a finals win over Mark Grey.
The list of contenders can go on forever, but some names to consider include Ohio state champ Nick Brascetta, who finished the 08-09 season as the top ranked 103lber in the country. In addition, Rossi Bruno (FL), Eric DeVos (IA), Eric Freidman (MD), Alec Mooradian (Detroit CC, MI), Kevin Norstrem (FL), Tanner Moon (AL), and Joe Orrechio (NJ) have all excelled on the national stage in Fargo the past couple summers. Conor Youtsey (Mason, MI) and Arty Walsh (PA) are two more state champs who are currently ranked in the Top 50 of their class by InterMat.
Michigan Outlook:
While this is arguably the deepest weight in the tournament, it is likely Michigan’s deepest weight as well with three state champs in Conor Youtsey (Mason), Alec Mooradian (DCC), and Nick Smith (Ida). Youtsey and Mooradian have both had national success recently as Mooradian was an all-american at the Fila Cadets and Cadet Nationals last summer while Youtsey was a runner-up at the Western Regional in Vegas. Smith is a 2x state champ with as many big in-state wins as anyone and he will be looking to prove himself nationally in this loaded weight class. Jake Byers (Rockford) and Chris Rau (Dundee) are both State Runners-Up who have wrestled all over the place including Disney the past two summers, so they should primed to compete here as well. Others registered are Camryn Jackson (Lansing Eastern), Casey Martin (Richmond), and Matt Thompson (DCC).
Finals Prediction – Rossi Bruno (FL) over Sean Dolan (DE)
125
Weight Class Preview
This weight class is highlighted by two past Super 32 Champions in Devin Carter of Virginia who won it at 112 last year and Sean Boylan of Delaware who won it at 103 two years ago. Carter had an amazing year last year and ended the season as the #1 ranked 112lber in the country by InterMat. This would be one of heck of a finals match if these two meet as Boylan and Carter are both Top 100 recruits this year according to InterMat (Carter is #13 and Boylan #83). In addition they are both ranked in the top 10 of WIN Magazine’s pre-season national rankings.
As is true with all of these light and middle weights, there are about a dozen other kids who could challenge in this weight. Some of the notables include past Super 32 placers Mitchell Port and AJ Schopp of Pennsyvania, as well as New York State Champ Nick Arujua and Virginia State Champ Jacob Crawford who was 2nd at 103 here last year. Arujua and Port are both currently ranked Top 10 at this weight by WIN.
Georgia state champ and former Super 32 placer TJ Mitchell, Cadet Freestyle All-American Lou Mascola (NJ), and are a couple other nationally proven guys to keep an eye on here as well.
Michigan Outlook:
There are 6 Michigan wrestlers currently entered in this weight, most notably Joe Rendina (Dundee) and Darius Wass (Swan Valley). While neither of them have won a state title they both have a lot of national success. Rendina won the Western Regional last spring in Vegas and was 4-2 in Fargo with a couple real big wins. Wass meanwhile has put together quality performances in Disney the past couple summers. They should both be very big 125lbers and they should both be candidates to place in this weight. D1 state runner up Ben Matthieson of Holt has wrestled in Disney and Fargo as well and should be ready to compete with the big dogs here also. Another Division 1 state finalist in this weight is Jacob Scholten of Rockford who, while he has not gotten out much nationally, is one of the best lightweights in Michigan. Also entered is Corey Alegria (Alma), Travis Fish (Ida), and Justin Russo (Richmond)
**10/20 - We have recieved word that due to injury Darius Wass will not be competing**
Finals Prediction – Devin Carter (VA) over Sean Boylan (DE)
130
Weight Class Preview:
With only two returning Super 32 placers in this weight, the 130lb bracket appears a little less daunting than some of the other lower weights. 2x New Jersey State Champ Frank Cagnina, who was 2nd at the Super 32s last year and is currently ranked as the #2 130lber in the country by WIN, is the likely favorite here, however, there are a couple guys with major national success who should challenge. Indiana super sophomore Jason Tsirtis, who was a Cadet Freestyle Runner-Up and FILA Cadet Champ last summer, should contend in this weight as should Terrell Wilbourn of Missouri who won the Cadet 125lb Freestyle title in Fargo this summer.
A couple other nationally recognized guys to watch out for include Tyler Buckman of Pennsyvania, who is ranked 19th by WIN Magazine, and Nik Pena of California, who was 3rd in the state last year and 6th at the Super 32s last year. Keith Surber (ranked 15th at 125 by WIN) of Illinois and Tyler Liberatore (#21 sophomore recruit according to InterMat) are two others to keep an eye on as well.
Michigan Outlook:
Nick Mason of Detroit Catholic Central is the long Michigander entered in this weight.
Finals Prediction – Jason Tsirtis (IN) over Frank Cagnina (NJ)
135
Weight Class Preview:
The 135lb bracket is not as deep as some others, however, it does include four wrestlers currently ranked in the Top 10 of their weight class by WIN Magazine. Reigning Junior National Champ Josh Dziewa of PA is the man to beat after storming through the 135lb weight class in Fargo. 2x Michigan state champ Ryan Nieman finished 3rd in Dziewa’s weight in Fargo with his only loss coming in a three period loss to the champ. They are currently ranked #4 and #5 at 135 by WIN. Then you throw in Ohio State Champ Shawn Fayette, ranked #10 at 135, and New Jersey State Runner-Up Jordan Beverly who is ranked #9th at 140lbs, and your looking at what could be a very solid Top 4 guys in this weight.
**10/20 - We received word that Ryan Nieman will not be competing**
Michigan Outlook:
Nieman came out of nowhere in Fargo, however, he won’t have the surprise factor this time around as he should be considered by most as a favorite to win this weight. He will be looking for a re-match with Dziewa and keep in mind that last time around was freestyle and it was Nieman’s first freestyle tournament in years, so a sequel in folkstyle should be better suited for Nieman. The other big name to watch here will be Roger Wildmo, who lost a thriller to Nieman in the state finals last year. Wildmo hasn’t wrestled a major national event since Super 32s his freshman year, so he could have a Nieman-esque performance and surprise some people, and this weight is well-suited for that as he could likely compete with just about anyone here. State finalist Jaylyn Bohl has been to Disney and should not be surprised by the talent-level here, so he could fare well also. Another All-Stater looking to gain some national exposure here will be Justin Melick of DCC. Also entered is state qualifier Charlie Joseph (DCC) and regional qualifiers Gabe Morse (Lowell), Michael Jones (Holt), Austin Scogg (Rockford).
Finals Prediction – Josh Dziewa (PA) over Jordan Beverly (NJ)
140
Weight Class Preview:
The man to beat in this weight is PA stud Josh Kindig who recently committed to Oklahoma State. Kindig lost in what was arguably the best finals match of last year’s Super 32s to David Taylor and this year there doesn’t appear to be a Taylor or Alton to knock him off. He is ranked #1 at 135lbs by WIN and the #6 senior recruit by InterMat.
Battling it out to challenge Kindig will be 6 guys currently ranked by WIN. A pair of New York State Champs Stephen Dutton (ranked 4th at 140) and Andrew Lenzi (ranked 13th at 140) should be in the hunt. Also watch out for FILA Cadet Runner up Kaleb Freidley of Missouri who is the #63 recruit according to InterMat. Kansas state champ and #15 ranked 135lber Ryne Cokely should be a guy to keep an eye on along with Georgia state champ Joel Smith (ranked 18th at 152).
Michigan Outlook:
5 Michigan wrestlers are entered in this weight including two state finalists. Returning Division 3 runner-up Brian Henke, a junior from Richmond, will look to prove himself on the national stage, as will former D4 state champ Derrick Marry of Hudson. Marry, who missed his junior season last year due to injury, could do a lot for his recruiting stock with a strong showing here. State Qualifier Terner Gott of Plainwell, along with regional qualifiers Brian Gibbs of Bedford and Doug Furness of Jenison are taking the mat at this weight as well.
Finals Prediction – Josh Kindig (PA) over Stephen Dutton (NY)
145
Weight Class Preview
This 145lb weight is one of the deepest in the tournament with at least 7 guys who are ranked by WIN Magazine in their preseason national rankings. State Champs Colin Shober of PA and Taylor Walsh of NJ are the two that standout the most. Shober is ranked 3rd at 145lbs, was 4th in the 145lb Junior division at Fargo, and took 3rd at the NHSCA Junior Nationals last year. Walsh has a similiarly impressive track record, finishing 4th at the NHSCA Junior Nationals last year and 6th at the Super 32s (he is ranked 5th at 140lbs by WIN).
The other nationally ranked guys to watch include 2x Missouri state champ Greg Amos, who was 3rd at the NHSCA Junior Nationals and is ranked 8th at 140lbs. In addition you have Sophomore National Champ Blake Roulo of Virginia (#18 at 140), Cadet National Champ Jordan Wohlfert of St.Johns, Michigan (#15 at 140), and returning Super 32 plaers Ryan Dunphy of New Jersey (#17 at 145) & Ben Dorsay of Virginia (#20 at 145).
In addition to these nationally ranked guys you also have to keep an eye on Cadet National Runner-Up Brian Brill of PA, Iowa state champ Cody Caldwell, Delware State Champ Cody Combs (took 6th here last year), Florida state champ Clark Glass, and Western Junior Regional runner-up Andrew Morse of Lowell, Michigan, to name a few.
Michigan Outlook:
This is without doubt one of Michigan’s strongest weights. Wohlfert and Morse are obvious contenders here. Coming off his National Title in Fargo, Wohlfert could be one of the top dogs to place high in this very, very deep weight and Morse is right there as well as he lost a war to Wohlfert in the state semifinals last year and showed himself at the Western Junior Regionals last spring. In addition to those two, Garrett Schaner of Big Rapids and Steve Sattler of Anchor Bay have done well at the national level in the past year also. Schaner was a match from placing in Fargo this summer and Sattler was undefeated in Disney as an alternate. Other Michiganders registered are state qualifier Ben Ralston of Oxford as well as Alex and Andrew Morang of Richmond.
Finals Prediction – Colin Shober (PA) over Taylor Walsh (NJ)
152
Weight Class Preview:
As the weights get higher the # of kids in each weight tends to decrease. The 152lb weight is down to only 86 kids (that’s all), however, the big name studs are just as present as any other weight. 5 of the Top 10 152lbers in WIN Magazine’s Preseason High School Rankings are registered to compete in this weight. #3 Joe Cozart of Florida, who was a Fargo Runner Up this year and just committed to Iowa State, #6 Taylor Massa, the sophomore stud from St. Johns, Michigan who has won the USAW Triple Crown the last two years, #7 Jackson Morse of Lowell, Michigan who won this tournament last year at 145lbs over guys like Alton and Napoli, #8 Brandon Wilbourn of Missouir, who was 4th in Fargo this year, and #10 Harrison Hightower of Ohio who placed 8th here last year. Then you throw in Ohio State Champ David Habat, who is ranked 10th at 160 and was 4th at last year’s Super 32, and your looking at about 6 kids who could all contend to win this weight class.
This weight class is really a who’s who in terms of the nation’s top middle weight prep wrestlers. Massa and Morse have both been to the Super 32 finals and Massa is about as nationally proven as anyone in this group, so there is a likelihood of an all-Michigan finals. Cozart has a ton of big-stage expierence as well in Fargo and wrestling for the notorious Brandon program. Same thing with David Habat, he has been to big time tournaments like the Ironman, Disney, and NHSCA Nationals so he is not new to this either. This weight class should make for some amazing matches from the quarterfinals on.
Michigan Outlook:
This weight is without doubt Michigan’s best chance at winning a belt as Massa and Morse are arguably the #1 and #2 seeds. There match last year at the state meet was somewhat controversial and these two train and compete against one another all the time, so a matchup between them would be exciting to see. In addition, with Lowell moving to D1 this year, this will probably be the last time we could see a Massa/Morse match (in high school at least). Other Michiganders entered are Bruce Carlstrom (Rockford) and Gerid Gee (DCC)
Finals Prediction: Taylor Massa (MI) over Jackson Morse (MI)
160
Weight Class Preview:
The man to beat at this weight is without doubt returning Super 32 Champ Marshall Peppelman of Pennsyvania. Peppelman is ranked by InterMat as the #4 senior grappler in the country and he is currently the #1 ranked 160lber in the land according to WIN. Peppellman’s most formidable opponent will likely be Nick Visicario of New Jersey, who has as much big stage expierence as anyone. He is ranked 6th at 160lbs right now and is a NJ state champ, NHSCA Junior National Champ, and Junior National Freestyle All-American.
After Peppelman and Visicario there is a cluster of about a half dozen guys who will look to score some big wins and place high in this weight class. The top three finishers from Fargo’s Cadet 160lb Freestyle weight class are entered in this weight: Cadet National Champ Jake Waste (MN), Runner-Up Sam Brooks (IL), and 3rd place finisher Jordan Thomas (Greenville, MI). Another wrestler coming off a Fargo All-American performance is John Guzzo of New Jersey who finished 8th last year in the Junior 152lb division. PA State Champ is a dangerous kid to keep an eye here as well. He finished 4th at the NHSCA Junior Nationals last year, is ranked 13th at 152 by WIN and is a Top 100 recruit according to InterMat. The only wrestler in this weight besides Peppelman who has placed at Super 32 before is VA state runner up Chris Moon, who was 7th last year.
Michigan Outlook:
Jordan Thomas is obviously a top contender in this weight. He has been Top 4 in Fargo the past two years and was a Western Junior Regional runner-up last spring. Thomas is capable of finishing top three in this loaded weight, however, there are also about 10 guys capable of knocking him off. A strong finish from him could solidify his status in national rankings. Rockford Senior Jake Johnson is coming off a busy summer in which he wrestled at Disney and a couple other big dual events, so he should be confident coming him. He got to wrestle Peppelman at Disney, so he shouldn’t be intimidated by anyone in this weight. St Johns State Qualifier Devin Scheick is also entered in this weight and brings some Fargo expierence to the table.
Finals Prediction: Marshall Peppelman (PA) over Jordan Thomas (MI)
171
Weight Class Preview:
As you get into these higher weights the overall depth of talent tends to decrease. There are a handful of nationally ranked guys who have excelled on the national stage in this weight, but for the most part this weight is up for grabs. PA State Runner-Up and former Beast Champ Kenny Courts stands out the most. He was a runner-up at this tournament last year and is ranked as the #7 Junior in the country by InterMat.
After Courts it becomes much less clear. There are two other wrestlers ranked by WIN: Andre Petroski of PA was 3rd at the NHSCA Junior Nationals and is ranked 16th at 189lbs while Michigan State Champ Jake Dorulla, who won the USAW Preseason Nationals last year, is ranked 12th at 171lbs by WIN. In addition, Levi Clemons of Florida and Ethan Blackstock of Georgia are both state champs who have had success on the Freestyle/Greco scene. Clemons was a double Fila Cadet All-American while Blackstock is a former double Cadet All-American. A couple other guys to keep in mind here are returning Super 32 placers Tristan Warner of PA and Jamie Westwood of NJ.
Michigan Outlook: Dorulla is Michigan’s only entry at this weight. He is the state’s top 171lber and has a lot of national expierence and success. He is a near lock to place in this weight and a good possibility of placing high. There really is nobody that I cannot see Dorulla being able to beat, althought Kenny Courts could be a stiff challenge for him. Courts is as athletic a 171lber you will find and if Dorulla could knock him off it would be tremendous for his recruiting and ranking status.
Finals Prediction: Kenny Courts (PA) over Jake Dorulla (MI)
189
Weight Class Preview:
This weight is headlined by two guys listed by InterMat as Top 100 recruits: PA state champ Antonio Giorgio and NHSCA Junior National Runner-Up Angelo Malvesuto of NY. Giorgio won this tournament last year and is ranked 6th at 215lbs by WIN while Malvesuto is ranked 10th at 171lbs.
This weight is not nearly as deep as the lower to middle weights and it is 1/3 the size of most as well with only 53 guys. The next tier of wrestlers looking to challenge Giorgio and Malvesuto include returning Super 32 placer and FILA Cadet All-American Ben Brooks of Illinois, Junior National Runner-Up Jamie Callender of Pennsylvania (who is ranked 11th at 189lbs), and Junior Greco All-American Stephen McPeek of Texas. NHSCA Junior National All-Americans Austin Fallon (VA) and Tim McCall (NC), along with Sophomore National Champ Michael Kennedy cannot be overlooked either.
Michigan Outlook: Anthony Abro of Canton is the only Michigander entered here. Abro, who is a Junior this year, broke out in Fargo, placing 6th in Cadet Greco-Roman at 189lbs. This should be a good test for Abro to see if he can compete on that high of a level in folkstyle, against a somewhat tougher field.
Finals Prediction: Angelo Malvesuto (NY) over Jamie Callender (PA)
215
Weight Class Preview:
While this is a very small chart, it does include 4 of the Top 15 215lbers in the country. #3 ranked Alex Polizzi of Wisconsin, #4 ranked Nate Gaffney of Pennsylvania, #14 Harrison Honeycutt of North Carolina, and #15 Nick McDiarmid of Michigan are all viable contenders to win this weight. Polizzi was a double Junior All-American this summer in Fargo, Gaffney is a PA State Champ and past Beast Place Winner, Honeycutt is a State Champ and was 6th at this tournament last year at 189lbs, and McDirarmid is a State Champ who finished 3rd here at 215 last year.
Michigan Outlook:
McDiarmid is widely considered the best upper weight in the state and he has a great shot at repeating his 3rd place finish last year and placing high again this year. With three guys in this weight ranked above him, McDiarmid will have a good opportunity to further solidify himself as one of the nation’s top big men.
Finals Prediction: Alex Polizzi (WI) over Nick McDiarmid (MI)
285
Weight Class Preview:
Only 22 heavyweights registered in what is always the smallest weight class. The only High School State Champion in this weight is Henry Chinro of Florida, however, 4 returning NHSCA Junior National All-Americans highlight this weight with National Champ Tyler Demmott of PA, who is ranked 9th by WIN, Runner-Up Chinro, 3rd place finisher Lance Moore of PA, and 6th place finisher Zeal McGrew of New York. Chinro is ranked 14th in the country by WIN Magazine. Another guy to watch is Donavon Green of Florida, who won a FILA Cadet Double Title last spring.
Michigan Outlook: No Michigan kids entered.
Finals Prediction: Tyler Demott (PA) over Henry Chinro (FL)
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