So here it goes everyone. I wanted to put out a final rankings and also what my personal predictions are for Finals. This was tough. We have some great wrestlers in the state and some weight classes have potential winners that could pull off some big upsets.
First the rankings are based on results. A special shoutout to Keith Rump and several others that have been willing to give their time to do some additional research on the weight classes. Hope you find these rankings useful. There were some kids that were beat this weekend, but I tried to keep the same state qualifiers in the rankings so we can see a true expected result of the state tournament.
Good Luck this coming weekend and may the best wrestler win!!!
My predictions....
This was tough and I went through every weight class trying to figure out who I thought had the odds of winning it all. I might have shook things up a bit here, but wanted you to get a true opinion of what I see in the field. Can't wait to see the comments :-)
70 - Raney over Condi - I have Condi beating Evans in the semifinals for an upset, but it is a close match. I don't see anyone touching the Raney boy.
75 - Vega over Brown - Brown upsets Gardner in Semi but cant stand the quickness and ruthlessness of Vega.
80 - Harrod over Trumble - Full Disclosure .... Raney is a beast and if I picked anyone else I would have to listen to it at home. Harrod did have a dominating win and pin over Troy Gardner when he bumped up this past weekend at State Duals but that Raney match could be a nailbitter.
86 - Spaulding over Brown - This is a good matchup, but I thinking Spaulding closes this one early with a pin.
92 - Nichols over Ricketts - Two underdogs going into semi finals duke it out for a State Championship.
98 - Walton over Powell - From my understanding the Messerly Girls are wrestiling Girls state so won't be there to stir things up. Lauren Walton is first Girls State Champion at the middle school level.
105 - Oliveros over Dowdy - Dowdy has a tough road to go through Strayer but then upsets Bandfield to get to compete for a State Championship.
113 - Ross over Herron - This bracket I think ended up like I expected but I think Ross has the edge in the finals.
121 - Beane over Vlach - I think Vlach upsets roberts in the semi's. Should be interesting, but Beane is a beast.
130 - Botts over Mayes - Botts wins 7-4. Tough match. Worth sticking around and watching the finals.
140 - Conner over Watts - I haven't seen this Conner kid but if he is as good as I have heard then I expect him to win. Becareful though!! There are some real sleepers here!!
152 - Adams over Silva - I watched a few matches this weekend and I think there was a mixup in seeding. That being said this is my expectations. Who is gonna rise to the top?!!
168 - Valasquez over Richmond - Richmond over price is a big upset but there is one brewing in this class. I wouldn't expect anything less.
190 - Virzi over Long - I think this is the most straight forward weight there is. Everything as expected.
240 - Lambert over Brown - I have seen Lambert and I don't see anyone touching him. In fact I see a first period pin over Brown.
So there you go. That is my opinion and I hope you enjoy and comment as you see free.
It was a pleasure doing this for the last half of the year and I appreciate all that chipped in and gave me their input.
Looking forward to a great State Tournament!!
Mike Harrod