fulsaasfan
Well-Known Member
The Clash tournament is this weekend in MN. This is always a good tournament with lots of great duals and matches. Let's hope that some of the Iowa teams can come home with some hardware. WSR is probably the most likely. Here is a little breakdown of the action:
Coming off a title at the Cheesehead Invitational this past weekend -- Apple Valley, MN is favored to repeat as champion at The ClashVIII National Wrestling Duals this coming weekend in Rochester, MN. The Eagles are the event's anchor squad with five nationally-ranked wrestlers -- Matt Kelliher (125/130), Brandon Kingsley (135/140), Destin McCauley (152), Steven Keogh (160), and Jake Waste (171). Other notable wrestlers are state champion Dakota Trom (112), as well as Cheesehead champions Jordan Kingsley (103) and Devin Scott (135/140).
Apple Valley is the strong favorite to emerge from Bracket A on Friday morning -- competition for Brackets A and B will be conducted at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., and 1 p.m. (CST) -- and advance to the Championship pool to be conducted on Saturday evening. They will open the competition with Independence, IA whose best wrestler is Ryan Fank (215). Presuming the win there, they would move on to the bracket semifinal against Blue Springs, MO -- which is favored to beat Carl Sandburg, IL in the first round. They are anchored by state champion Keenan Hagerty (135) and state runner-up Josh Howk (140), both ranked first in the big-school division; and they also have Derrick Sanders (171) and Lewis Foutz (189) ranked second statewide.
Sturgis, SD is the third seed in Bracket A led by a pair of nationally-ranked wrestlers in Josh Keszler (125) and Seth Lange (130). Their first round opponent is Scott West, MN whose best wrestler is Michael Kroells (189). However, it is very likely that Sturgis will advance to face Grand Island, NE -- the top ranked team in that state -- after they take care of Baylor, TN in the opening round. The Islanders return six of the seven wrestlers that made the state final last year, including all four state champions -- Andrew Riedy (119), Blake Fruchtl (125), Alec Chanthopatheth (135), and Nathan Westerby (215); while Baylor is anchored by two-time state champion Zach Watson (119) and Cole Hayes (135).
Dvorak champions Montini Catholic, IL are the strong favorites to emerge from Bracket B and advance into the championship bracket. The Broncos are a squad without superstars, but they are anchored by Kevon Powell -- ranked 15th at 103; Junior National freestyle All-American Colton Rasche (130); and state champion Stephen Robertson (140). Their first round bout is against Oak Grove, MO -- whose best wrestler is Mitchell Bradley (112). After the presumptive win in the first round, their semifinal match would be against the winner of a relatively tossup first round match between Skutt Catholic, NE and Hastings, MN. Skutt Catholic is anchored by nationally ranked Thomas Gilman (112) and Toshiba Midwest Classic champion Jake Hasz (285). Hastings is led by state placers Eric Bauer (119) and Zach Rohr (145).
Plainview-Elgin-Millville, MN is the third seed in Bracket B, and is anchored by state champion Blaine Miller (160). They'll have a relative tossup in the first round against Wausau West, WI -- a squad anchored by Joe Umlauf (103) and Evan Knutson (285). The winner and loser of that match will move on in bracket competition against the corresponding results in the dual meet placing Ponderosa, CO against Roseburg, OR -- a battle of top ranked teams in their respective states' big-school classification. Ponderosa finished third at the Reno ToC on the strength of champion Jake Snider (145), as well as high placement finishers from Steven Kelly (152) and Austin Gabel (171). Roseburg is led by a trio of state champions -- Dan Faas (119), Sam Meacham (140), and Dylan Fors (171); former state champion Seth Thomas (152) is the lone nationally-ranked wrestler.
Brackets C and D - scheduled for Friday afternoon at 4 p.m., 6 p.m., and 8 p.m. -- do not have the defined favorites like the morning brackets do. Despite having no nationally-ranked wrestlers, Simley, MN is still the top seed in Bracket C. This is a very balanced squad; however, their strength is in the lower portion of the lineup with Juan Torres (112), Dylan Wright (119), Jake Short (130), Tommy Glenn (135), and Dan Dick (140). Their first round opponent -- Punahou -- comes all the way from Hawaii; but their only notable wrestler is Sani-Jonathan Fuimaono, ranked 20th nationally at 285 pounds. With that first round win, Simley should matriculate to the second round against either Owatonna, MN or Glenbard North, IL. Owatonna is the second-ranked team in Minnesota's big-school division, and is anchored by Dalton Henderson (189). The opposing Panthers are not as strong as in the recent path, and their top wrestler is Dvorak champion Joe Gosinski (125).
Mt Carmel, IL faces Kaukauna, WI in the three-six dual meet in Bracket C. Though the Caravan from Illinois is favored against the Ghosts of Wisconsin, there is a crystal clear possible feature bout involving nationally-ranked wrestlers at 171 pounds. Walsh Ironman champion Charles Argue, ranked 13th nationally, is slated to wrestle Cheesehead champion Noah Budi, ranked 14th nationally. Waverly Shell-Rock, IA is the second seed in Bracket C, and very well positioned to poach the bracket away from Simley late Friday evening. The Go-Hawks feature a pair of ranked wrestlers -- Jacob Ballweg (135) and Cody Krumwiede (215) -- with Eric DeVos (119), Jordan Rinken (130), and Cody Caldwell (145) also being impact wrestlers. Their first round opponent is Minneota, MN -- anchored by two-time state champion Christian Skillings (125).
With five Fargo All-Americans, Park Hill, MO is the top seed in Bracket D. Three of these young men are ranked inside the top six at their weight class -- Bricker Dixon (112), Alan Waters (125), and Kaleb Friedley (145). The other two All-Americans are Skylar Wood (119) and John Eblen (189). Their first round opponent is La Quinta, CA - and presuming that victory, Park Hill moves on to face the winner of a match between Neuqua Valley, IL and Kasson-Montourville, MN. Featured wrestlers for Kasson-Montourville are Nate Thomas (103) and Garret Garness (135). Neuqua Valley features a pair of Junior National freestyle All-Americans in Matt Cavallaris (119) and Nick Proctor (160); Proctor is ranked 9th nationally.
STMA, MN is the third seed in Bracket D led by a pair of state finalists in state champion Jordan Crampa (160) and runner-up Kraig Schumm (189). Vacaville, CA is the sixth seed and a legitimate candidate to upset STMA. The squad from the Golden State has a pair of returning state placers in Adam Delagarza (189) and Ben Holmes (215); also of note is Tyler Johnson (145). Wisconsin Rapids, WI is the second seed in this bracket and presents itself as a challenger to Park Hill with five wrestlers either ranked first or second within their state. The lone nationally-ranked wrestler is Curt Fuller, listed 18th at 285 pounds; while the other high profile wrestlers are Jason Munoz (103), Ryan Lubeck (140), Zak Benitz (145), and Devin Peterson (171). Albert Lea, MN is the first round opponent for Wisconsin Rapids, and is led by two-time state runner-up Cory Hansen (130).
For those unfamiliar with The Clashformat, teams wrestle three matches in a bracket on Friday and move into a pool on Saturday based on bracket placement. Within the four brackets, teams that place in the same position will face each other for three more round-robin matches. Those finishing fifth through eighth will wrestle in the morning session (9 a.m./11 a.m./1 p.m.), and those in the top four wrestle in the afternoon/evening session (4 p.m./6 p.m./8 p.m.) on Saturday.
Coming off a title at the Cheesehead Invitational this past weekend -- Apple Valley, MN is favored to repeat as champion at The ClashVIII National Wrestling Duals this coming weekend in Rochester, MN. The Eagles are the event's anchor squad with five nationally-ranked wrestlers -- Matt Kelliher (125/130), Brandon Kingsley (135/140), Destin McCauley (152), Steven Keogh (160), and Jake Waste (171). Other notable wrestlers are state champion Dakota Trom (112), as well as Cheesehead champions Jordan Kingsley (103) and Devin Scott (135/140).
Apple Valley is the strong favorite to emerge from Bracket A on Friday morning -- competition for Brackets A and B will be conducted at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., and 1 p.m. (CST) -- and advance to the Championship pool to be conducted on Saturday evening. They will open the competition with Independence, IA whose best wrestler is Ryan Fank (215). Presuming the win there, they would move on to the bracket semifinal against Blue Springs, MO -- which is favored to beat Carl Sandburg, IL in the first round. They are anchored by state champion Keenan Hagerty (135) and state runner-up Josh Howk (140), both ranked first in the big-school division; and they also have Derrick Sanders (171) and Lewis Foutz (189) ranked second statewide.
Sturgis, SD is the third seed in Bracket A led by a pair of nationally-ranked wrestlers in Josh Keszler (125) and Seth Lange (130). Their first round opponent is Scott West, MN whose best wrestler is Michael Kroells (189). However, it is very likely that Sturgis will advance to face Grand Island, NE -- the top ranked team in that state -- after they take care of Baylor, TN in the opening round. The Islanders return six of the seven wrestlers that made the state final last year, including all four state champions -- Andrew Riedy (119), Blake Fruchtl (125), Alec Chanthopatheth (135), and Nathan Westerby (215); while Baylor is anchored by two-time state champion Zach Watson (119) and Cole Hayes (135).
Dvorak champions Montini Catholic, IL are the strong favorites to emerge from Bracket B and advance into the championship bracket. The Broncos are a squad without superstars, but they are anchored by Kevon Powell -- ranked 15th at 103; Junior National freestyle All-American Colton Rasche (130); and state champion Stephen Robertson (140). Their first round bout is against Oak Grove, MO -- whose best wrestler is Mitchell Bradley (112). After the presumptive win in the first round, their semifinal match would be against the winner of a relatively tossup first round match between Skutt Catholic, NE and Hastings, MN. Skutt Catholic is anchored by nationally ranked Thomas Gilman (112) and Toshiba Midwest Classic champion Jake Hasz (285). Hastings is led by state placers Eric Bauer (119) and Zach Rohr (145).
Plainview-Elgin-Millville, MN is the third seed in Bracket B, and is anchored by state champion Blaine Miller (160). They'll have a relative tossup in the first round against Wausau West, WI -- a squad anchored by Joe Umlauf (103) and Evan Knutson (285). The winner and loser of that match will move on in bracket competition against the corresponding results in the dual meet placing Ponderosa, CO against Roseburg, OR -- a battle of top ranked teams in their respective states' big-school classification. Ponderosa finished third at the Reno ToC on the strength of champion Jake Snider (145), as well as high placement finishers from Steven Kelly (152) and Austin Gabel (171). Roseburg is led by a trio of state champions -- Dan Faas (119), Sam Meacham (140), and Dylan Fors (171); former state champion Seth Thomas (152) is the lone nationally-ranked wrestler.
Brackets C and D - scheduled for Friday afternoon at 4 p.m., 6 p.m., and 8 p.m. -- do not have the defined favorites like the morning brackets do. Despite having no nationally-ranked wrestlers, Simley, MN is still the top seed in Bracket C. This is a very balanced squad; however, their strength is in the lower portion of the lineup with Juan Torres (112), Dylan Wright (119), Jake Short (130), Tommy Glenn (135), and Dan Dick (140). Their first round opponent -- Punahou -- comes all the way from Hawaii; but their only notable wrestler is Sani-Jonathan Fuimaono, ranked 20th nationally at 285 pounds. With that first round win, Simley should matriculate to the second round against either Owatonna, MN or Glenbard North, IL. Owatonna is the second-ranked team in Minnesota's big-school division, and is anchored by Dalton Henderson (189). The opposing Panthers are not as strong as in the recent path, and their top wrestler is Dvorak champion Joe Gosinski (125).
Mt Carmel, IL faces Kaukauna, WI in the three-six dual meet in Bracket C. Though the Caravan from Illinois is favored against the Ghosts of Wisconsin, there is a crystal clear possible feature bout involving nationally-ranked wrestlers at 171 pounds. Walsh Ironman champion Charles Argue, ranked 13th nationally, is slated to wrestle Cheesehead champion Noah Budi, ranked 14th nationally. Waverly Shell-Rock, IA is the second seed in Bracket C, and very well positioned to poach the bracket away from Simley late Friday evening. The Go-Hawks feature a pair of ranked wrestlers -- Jacob Ballweg (135) and Cody Krumwiede (215) -- with Eric DeVos (119), Jordan Rinken (130), and Cody Caldwell (145) also being impact wrestlers. Their first round opponent is Minneota, MN -- anchored by two-time state champion Christian Skillings (125).
With five Fargo All-Americans, Park Hill, MO is the top seed in Bracket D. Three of these young men are ranked inside the top six at their weight class -- Bricker Dixon (112), Alan Waters (125), and Kaleb Friedley (145). The other two All-Americans are Skylar Wood (119) and John Eblen (189). Their first round opponent is La Quinta, CA - and presuming that victory, Park Hill moves on to face the winner of a match between Neuqua Valley, IL and Kasson-Montourville, MN. Featured wrestlers for Kasson-Montourville are Nate Thomas (103) and Garret Garness (135). Neuqua Valley features a pair of Junior National freestyle All-Americans in Matt Cavallaris (119) and Nick Proctor (160); Proctor is ranked 9th nationally.
STMA, MN is the third seed in Bracket D led by a pair of state finalists in state champion Jordan Crampa (160) and runner-up Kraig Schumm (189). Vacaville, CA is the sixth seed and a legitimate candidate to upset STMA. The squad from the Golden State has a pair of returning state placers in Adam Delagarza (189) and Ben Holmes (215); also of note is Tyler Johnson (145). Wisconsin Rapids, WI is the second seed in this bracket and presents itself as a challenger to Park Hill with five wrestlers either ranked first or second within their state. The lone nationally-ranked wrestler is Curt Fuller, listed 18th at 285 pounds; while the other high profile wrestlers are Jason Munoz (103), Ryan Lubeck (140), Zak Benitz (145), and Devin Peterson (171). Albert Lea, MN is the first round opponent for Wisconsin Rapids, and is led by two-time state runner-up Cory Hansen (130).
For those unfamiliar with The Clashformat, teams wrestle three matches in a bracket on Friday and move into a pool on Saturday based on bracket placement. Within the four brackets, teams that place in the same position will face each other for three more round-robin matches. Those finishing fifth through eighth will wrestle in the morning session (9 a.m./11 a.m./1 p.m.), and those in the top four wrestle in the afternoon/evening session (4 p.m./6 p.m./8 p.m.) on Saturday.
