2023 Super 32: Pablo’s CA Recap
By Pablo DiMaria Pablo’s Blue Ribbon Recaps: 2023 Super 32 CA Edition Sahakian Claims a Super 32 Championship Belt; Team California Finishes in Fourth Place Greensboro, North Carolina – The Super 32 tournament is not to be taken lightly by the average wrestler. Sometimes not even the elite of the elite from California survives the competition at the conclusion of the two-day event. Every match at the 32 tournament, which is held at the Greensboro Coliseum in North Carolina, could be compared to a state tournament match. And in most brackets, you’ll run into the toughest opponents you’ll see all season, including the state finals. Only Fargo compares with the sheer quality of depth on an annual basis. But that’s freestyle. This is folk. While the Keystone state stole the show, claiming titles in seven out of the first eight bouts, Team California had a good showing with Nicholas Sahakian (285; St. John Bosco) winning a belt. Eight wrestlers from CA finished in the top 8 in their respective weight classes and the state finished 4th as a “team”. As we expected, a battle between Nicholas Sahakian of St. John Bosco and former Palm Desert star Daniel Herrera was set up for the heavyweight finals. It happened and it did not disappoint. A stalling point earned by Sahakian in the second period was enough for him to win the belt as neither could secure a single takedown in the 2-1 contest. This is the second year Sahakian has placed in this event as he was seventh last year at 220 pounds. It wasn’t the deepest weight in the tournament this weekend (with only 5 ranked wrestlers entering the weekend) but Sahakian showed he’s a serious threat nationally at the new weight. State runner-up Antonio Rodriguez (Los Gatos) picked up some nice wins to reach the round of 16 at 120lbs. Unfortunately, his Cinderella run was put to a stop by the No. 1 ranked wrestler in the country Anthony Knox of New Jersey, 15-0. Rodriguez’s run in the tournament continued strong as he won a pair of matches, including pinning 2022 15U Freestyle National Champion Tyler Dekraker of Virginia in the third period to procure a spot on the podium. Rodriguez concluded the tournament with an eighth-place performance. 120 appears to be a tough weight in the state this season, as Team California had another wrestler place in the 120-pound weight class. That wrestler was Ronnie Ramirez of Walnut, the 2023 CIF state champion at 113 pounds. As the No. 6 seed, Ramirez advanced to the quarterfinals before dropping a match via fall to the eventual runner-up Nate Desmond of Pennsylvania. In the consolation bracket, Ramirez got past 2023 Pennsylvania AAA state champion Keanu Dillard, 3-2 in overtime, before pulling out a 5-4 match over the No. 1 ranked wrestler in the country at 113 pounds in Christian Castillo to finish 3rd. Seeded No. 3 at 138 pounds, Poway’s Paul Kelly worked his way to the quarterfinal round before Maddox Shaw of Pennsylvania upset Kelly via a fall in the third period; Shaw went on to win the tournament by defeating the No. 4 wrestler in the country Landon Robideau of Minnesota. Kelly won three additional matches before dropping his last match in the third-place bout to finish in fourth place. Kelly becomes Poway’s highest-place winner at this prestigious event. You might think a kid who finished outside the top 3 in his own state would be at a severe disadvantage here. But, wrestlers from California are a different breed. Ethan Parco joined Rodriguez as the second Los Gatos wrestler to earn a medal this weekend. Parco outscored his first three opponents 25-2 to qualify for the quarterfinals; in the quarterfinal round, Parco dropped a heartbreaking 5-3 match to Kody Routledge of Oklahoma, the eventual runner-up at 150 pounds. After winning in the bloodrounds, Parco dropped another match before defeating Nolan Liess of New York, 7-4 to claim the seventh-place medal. Not to be outdone by his teammates, Dylan Pile, also of Los Gatos, would walk away with an 8th place finish. Pile found himself hanging with the No. 1 seed and eventual champion Ladarion Lockett of Oklahoma. A reversal in the second period was the wrestling move that allowed Ladarion to defeat Pile. Pile went on to win five consecutive matches to finish in eighth place, thus helping Greg Varela and Los Gatos High to have three place winners in this tournament. You can’t write about a national tournament and not talk about Buchanan High and its grapplers. This past weekend, Leo Contino added to his already fantastic resume by placing fourth at 157 pounds. Blanking out his first four opponents, Contino was triumphant in advancing to the semifinal round. In the quarterfinal round, with seconds left in the third period, Contino escaped and earned the point to win his match over Matthew Henrich, the 2023 New Jersey state champion. His dark horse run in the tournament ended in the semifinal round after being defeated by 2022 Super 32 champion La Darion Lockett, 7-1. Contino downed three-time Michigan state champion Darius Marines 7-3 before being defeated 3-2 by Conner Harer in the third-place bout. Joseph Antonio of St. John Bosco was the talk of the tournament. Proceeding to the quarterfinal round, Antonio put on a takedown clinic when he disposed of the No. 3 seed and Michigan State recruit Cory Thomas 20-4 with six takedowns to none. His run in the championship bracket wasn’t over yet as he also knocked out the No.2 seed and two-time Pennsylvania state champion Conner Harer 8-3. A takedown in the second and third periods was enough for Antonio to get the win and advance to the finals. Antonio was ready to add one more upset to his Super 32 run. Nevertheless, he ran into a brick wall in LaDarion Lockett, a World Champion. The match was tied at one after regulation, with an escape for Lockett and a stalling point awarded to
2023 Super 32 Semifinals
2023 Super 32 Semifinals 106 #1 Joe Bachmann (PA) vs #7 Shamus Regan (SC) #2 Ignacio Villasenor (CO) vs #11 Rocco Hayes (IL); Hayes winner by forfeit 113 #3 Aaron Seidel (PA) vs #11 Ayden Smith (PA) #4 Dom Munaretto (IL) vs #5 Landon Sidun (PA) 120 #1 Anthony Knox (NJ) vs #14 Keanu Dillard (PA) #8 Nate Desmond (PA) vs #2 Chris Castillo (AZ) 126 #2 Jax Forrest (PA) vs #7 Nik O’Neill (PA) #9 JJ McComas (OK) vs #8 Seth Mendoza (IL) 132 #1 Ben Davino (IL) vs #4 Sergio Vega (AZ) #2 Bo Bassett (PA) vs #3 Kyler Larkin (AZ) 138 #4 Landon Robideau (MN) vs #8 Luke Simcox (PA) #9 Maddox Shaw (PA) vs #5 Alex Braun (MN) 144 #12 Melvin Miller (PA) vs #19 Brogan Tucker (OH) #8 Auggie Hibler (NJ) vs #4 Cam Catrabone (NY) 150 n/a Wil Denny (IL) vs #14 Kody Routledge (OK) #4 Kollin Rath (PA) vs #8 Claudio Torres (FL) 157 #2 LaDarion Lockett (OK) vs #7 Leo Contino (CA) #13 Joseph Antonio (CA) vs #3 Conner Harer (PA) 165 #12 LJ Araujo (ID) vs #7 Latrell Schafer (GA) #9 Dom Bambinelli (GA) vs #1 Alessio Perentin (NJ) 175 #7 Cole Han-Lindemeyer (MN) vs #15 Dom Federici (PA) #9 Ryan Burton (NJ) vs #21 Landon Jones (GA) 190 #1 Aeoden Sinclair (WI) vs #3 Tucker Hogan (PA) #9 Karson Tompkins (TX) vs #2 Rune Lawrence (PA) 215 #10 Mike Mocco (FL) vs #9 Oscar Williams (OK) #17 Rylan Kuhn (MO) vs #18 Anthony Harris (NJ) 285 #7 Nick Sahakian (CA) vs #16 Nick Pavlechko (PA) #14 Daniel Herrera (CA) vs #9 Spencer Lanosga (LA)
2023 Super 32 Day 1 Updates: 106-132
Super 32 Day 1 Update (106-132) 106 113 120 126 132 Notable Results: Round of 16 #12 Ezekiel Witt over #15 John McGinty (2-1) #7 Shamus Regan over #23 Cam Sontz (1-0) #17 Rylan Seacrist over #6 Dom Deputy (8-5) #11 Rocco Hayes over #8 Rocco Cassioppi (5-3) #3 Grey Burnett over #25 Ayden Dodd (6-1) Round of 32 #11 Rocco Hayes over Cooper Merli (4-2) #25 Ayden Dodd over #23 Gavin Landers (1-0) Wyatt Lees over Eric Casula (1-0) Round of 64 #12 Ezekiel Witt over Brandon Bickerton (1-0) Thunder Beard over Mason Haines (5-3) Consolations #15 John McGinty over #23 Gavin Landers (3-0) Upsets #17 Rylan Seacrist over #6 Dom Deputy Quarters Matches #1 Joe Bachmann vs #12 Ezekiel Witt #10 Caleb Noble (IL) vs #7 Shamus Regan (SC) #2 Ignacio Villasenor (CO) vs #16 Rylan Seacrist (OH) #11 Rocco Hayes (IL) vs #3 Grey Burnett (OH) Final Day 1 Thoughts Bachmann looks as good as you would imagine. Cooper Foster (NC) had himself a nice run to the round of 16. Ranked and eliminated: #22 Julian Rios (MA); #23 Gavin Landers (IA) Biggest surprise: Hayden Schwab (IA). Cooper Foster (NC). The three remaining matches on the bottom half will be classic IMO. Notable Results: Round of 16 #11 Ayden Smith over #22 Aydan Thomas (4-2) #8 Davis Motyka over Titan Friederichs (4-0) Matt O’Neill over #10 Dru Ayala (fall; 3:58) Round of 32 Raekwon Shabazz over Revin Dickman (9-1) #12 JJ Peace over Bruno Cassioppi (11-6) #13 Rocklin Zinkin over Mikey Bautista (5-4) #22 Aydan Thomas over #17 Alex Pierce (3-0) Nikos Filipos over #16 Nathan Rioux (6-3) Titan Friederichs over #18 Nick Garcia (7-4) Round of 64 Raekwon Shabazz over #25 Tyler Garvin (4-1) Matt O’Neill over Amari Vann (2-0) Consolations Braiden Weaver over Nikos Filipos (9-2) Braiden Weaver over #17 Alex Pierce (1-0) #22 Aydan Thomas over #16 Nathan Rioux (9-1) #18 Nick Garcia over #10 Dru Ayala (7-0) Mikey Bautista over Bruno Cassioppi (5-1) Upsets Matt O’Neill over #10 Dru Ayala Ayala entered as a consensus top 15, maybe top 10 kid in the country. O’Neill is elite but still at the junior high level. Might not have been a real upset but definitely deserves a mention. Titan Friederichs over #18 Nick Garcia. One of the ways to truly tell an “upset” is when the surprise winner goes on to lose their next match and possibly finish lower than the kid they beat. The fact Friedrichs is still alive (Garcia is too), could just mean he was overlooked. Niko Filipos over #16 Nathan Rioux. Another one that is less of an upset than it appears. Filipos was right on the rankings cusp, Rioux right outside the top 15. These things happen. Braiden Weaver over #17 Alex Pierce (1-0) Quarters Matches #3 Aaron Seidel vs #12 JJ Peace Seidel looking dominant. Every bit the part of #1. Has it been too easy? Peace is a nice step up. #11 Ayden Smith vs Matt O’Neill Upperclassman vs 8th grader. Would think Smith has the advantage but O’Neill came to play today. #4 Dom Munaretto vs #8 Davis Motyka Last time they met in a folkstyle match I believe Munaretto got the 13-2 major decision. #5 Landon Sidun vs #7 JoJo Uhorchuk This is a crazy clash of body types. Final Day 1 Thoughts Seidel looking dominant. Matt O’Neill showing Malvern has some elite talent on deck. Ranked and eliminated: #10 Dru Ayala. #16 Nathan Rioux. #17 Alex Pierce. #18 Nathan Rioux. #25 Tyler Garvin (MD). (not a strong showing for my 16-18). Biggest surprise: Ayala & Garvin eliminated. Braiden Weaver and Titan Friederichs. Could O’Neill win this whole thing? Notable Results: Round of 16 #19 Tyler Dekraker over #16 CJ Huerta (2-1) #20 Antonio Mills over #23 Cam Stinson (4-0) #14 Keanu Dillard over Blake Beissel (6-1) #11 Ethan Rivera over Israel Borge (5-4) Round of 32 #19 Tyler Dekraker over Mason Rohr (4-3) Upsets None that stand out Quarters Matches #1 Anthony Knox vs #20 Antonio Mills Knox should dominate. Mills is still quality. #14 Keanu Dillard vs #11 Ethan Rivera I think this should be the best of the bunch. #8 Nate Desmond vs #15 Ronnie Ramirez PA state champ vs CA state champ. Favor Desmond but should be good. #19 Tyler Dekraker vs #2 Chris Castillo Feels like Dekraker has slipped from folks minds nationally. Might not get the win but should be closer than the rankings indicate. Final Day 1 Thoughts These one seeds all look unbeatable. Knox no different. Castillo looks ready for the anticipated showdown with Knox. Ranked already eliminated: None. This weight is really living up to all the seeding and expectations. All the top 8 seeds are in the quarterfinals. Notable Results: Round of 16 #7 Nik O’Neill over #18 TJ Verrette (3-0) #9 JJ McComas over #15 Jackson Blum (4-1) #14 Jake Crapps over #20 Mason Ziegler (4-2) Dawson Youngblut over #22 Nikade Zinkin (9-4) Round of 32 #17 Noah Nininger over Billy Townson (4-1) Dawson Youngblut over #13 Jake Hockaday (fall; 3:03) #25 Caio Aron over Leo Maestas (7-0) #22 Nikade Zinknin over Geronimo Rivera (9-7) #18 TJ Verrette over Justyce Zuniga (5-0) Consolations #25 Caio Aron over Charlie Desena (8-4) #20 Mason Ziegler over #13 Jake Hockaday (13-2) Colin Martin over Ethan Uhorchuk (4-3) Isaiah Schaefer over Leo Maestas (8-5) Upsets Ivan Arias over Tim Koester (4-1) LT Hawkins over Colin Martin (4-2) LT Hawkins over Patrick O’Keefe (fall; 6:30) #20 Mason Ziegler over #13 Jake Hockaday (13-2) Dawson Youngblut over #13 Jake Hockaday (fall; 3:03) Quarters Matches #1 Jax Forrest vs #17 Noah Nininger Forrest should win with bonus points. #7 Nik O’Neill vs Dawson Youngblut This could be the best of the 4. #9 JJ McComas vs #14 Jake Crapps Another very very solid quarter match. #11 Eren Sement vs #8 Seth Mendoza This is the match for Sement to really show he’s grown coming into the season. Final Day 1 Thoughts
2023 Super 32 Preview
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2023 Super 32: Minnesota Preview
When Minnesota Grapples, the Nation Watches! Minnesota’s Mighty Mat Warriors Set to Conquer 2023 SUPER 32! By Jenny Smith Photo Credit: White Bear Lake Wrestling Hey there, fellow grappler! Pull up a mat, because boy, does TKDWN have some juicy wrestling intel for you. The 2023 SUPER 32 is just around the corner, and if you’re not buzzing with excitement, trust me, you will be in a moment. This isn’t just any tournament. It’s the Super Bowl of high school wrestling, the clash of the titans, the ultimate battleground for those with the grit and passion for the sport. And this year, it promises to be even grander with 161 ranked wrestlers, including those 9 who are sitting pretty at #1 in their respective weight classes. Impressive, right? Now, let’s talk Minnesota. You know as well as I do that when our state sends its wrestlers, they’re not just any wrestlers; they’re top-tier athletes ready to claim their stake. We’ve got 32 warriors representing us this year, but let me spotlight a few that you absolutely, positively, can’t miss. Brett Swenson (106 lb) from Mounds View – Lightning fast and as slippery as they come. Blake Beissel (120 lb) from Hastings – Ranked #13 and with a fire that burns bright. That kid’s got some moves! Landon Robideau (138 lb) from STMA – At #4, he’s not just another face in the crowd. Landon’s here to make a statement. Marco Christiansen (190 lb) from Minnetonka – Ranked #10 and with power to boot, he’s on Nebraska’s radar for a reason. … and the list goes on. From the determined Bianca Eide (100 lb) of Stillwater to the unstoppable Cy Kruse (215 lb) of Totino Grace, Minnesota’s lineup is a force to be reckoned with. So, to my wrestling brethren out there, whether you’re competing, coaching, or cheering from the stands, gear up for a showdown. It’s Minnesota’s time to shine at the 2023 SUPER 32. And remember, in the wrestling world, it’s not just about the moves; it’s about the heart. Let’s bring that Minnesota heart to Greensboro. Spotlight Wrestler: Brett Swenson – Mounds View High School’s Mat Phenom Photo Credit: White Bear Press What’s that rumble on the mat, you ask? It’s none other than Brett Swenson, the 106 lb sensation out of Mounds View High School. Let’s roll out the mat for this Junior class dynamo and dive deep into what makes him one of the most talked-about wrestlers in Minnesota and across the nation. First off, a glimpse at his recent accolades: MSHSL State Championships (106AAA) – 2nd place finish, boasting a stellar record of 47 wins to just 3 losses in his sophomore year. And hey, did I mention he was named the Mustang MVP during the state finals. Nationally ranked 17th by Flowrestling. That’s right, 17th in the entire country! Oh, and when he’s not wrestling, Brett’s holding down the gridiron playing football. An impressive resume from the 2023 MN/USA Wrestling State Freestyle wrestling (16U – 113) – 1st place Greco Roman wrestling (16U – 113) – 2nd place. Further shining on the national stage, Brett finished 4th in Folkstyle wrestling at the2023 USA Wrestling Nationals(16U – 106 category). And the numbers? They don’t lie: An overall record of 71 wins to 16 losses since October 2022. A breakdown of those wins: 32 pins, 22 techs, and 5 majors. With a rank value of 1.122639 as of Brett’s been turning heads, and it’s not hard to see why. According to Flowrestling’s latest article, Complete Super 32 Boys High School Preview & Predictions, Brett is in a competitive bracket, brushing shoulders with the likes of Rocco Cassioppi and Shamus Regan. And while predictions place Brett finishing 8th, we all know the heart and fight of this young warrior. Brett’s more than just statistics and rankings; he embodies the spirit of wrestling. With determination, grit, and undeniable talent, he’s not just one to watch, he’s one to remember. So, to all my wrestling enthusiasts, keep your eyes peeled. Because when Brett Swensonteps onto the mat, you’re guaranteed a show worth every second. Catch him if you can! Spotlight Wrestler: Blake Beissel – The Pride of Hastings High School Gather around the mat, folks, because we’re diving into the wrestling journey of a young legend: Blake Beissel. Representing the roaring Raiders of Hastings High School, this 12th-grade dynamo has been creating waves in the 120 lb category. Here’s a snapshot of Blake’s journey: Fresh from Northern Plains Regional, Blake bagged a 3rd place finish in both Greco-Roman (113 category) and Freestyle wrestling (120 category). Talk about versatility! A stellar showcase at the 2023 MN/USA Wrestling State saw Blake clinching the 1st place in Freestyle wrestling (Junior – 120) and a respectable 2nd in Greco-Roman (Junior – 120). But what undoubtedly stands out is his incredible performance at the 2023 MSHSL State Tournament. Competing in the AAA, Blake dominated the 113 lb division, finishing with an astonishing record of 55 wins and just 1 loss. And speaking of numbers: A cumulative record that speaks volumes: 68 wins to a mere 7 losses. Out of those victories, Blake has nailed 32 pins, 17 techs, and 5 majors. With a rank value standing at 1.135556 as of recent data, it’s evident why colleges have set their sights on him. Speaking of colleges, here’s some exciting news: Blake has committed to the University of Minnesota for 2024. The Golden Gophers have definitely landed a golden boy! According to a recent Flowrestling article titled Complete Super 32 Boys High School Preview & Predictions, the competition is fierce in Blake’s weight class. While he’s predicted to secure the 8th spot, we all know rankings can be deceiving. With threats after the top three seeds like Nate Desmond and Louie Gill, the weight category promises chaos, but if there’s one thing certain, it’s that Blake Beissel is up for the challenge. Blake’s not just a wrestler; he’s a testament to dedication, hard work, and
2023 Super 32: Pennsylvania Preview
2023 PA Super 32 Preview Of course we had to preview the best state in the country. That’s it. That’s the intro. 106 1 1 Joe Bachmann PA 6 6 Dominic Deputy PA 24 HM Max Tancini PA What if I told you Joe Bachmann was one of the best incoming freshmen in the country. And I told you that he wins a lot. And then I told you that the last time he wrestled Deputy, he lost. So, I definitely agree with the seed here, as I have Bachmann #1 in the country. But if you’re sleeping on Deputy, the sheriff might have to wake you up. And then arrest you. Bachmann just beat Tancini at PA Power’s Surge Main Event. It should be noted this is one of the tougher weights this weekend. It’s like all the ranked kids said they’re going and they’re in the mix. For Bachmann, he’s expected to get the 16, 8, 4, and 2 from the round of 16 to the finals. That’s Ayden Dodd, Ezekiel Witt, Shamus Regan, and Grey Burnett. He’ll be challenged in a way that he maybe hasn’t been yet, but in the end he’s the favorite for a reason. Deputy is an interesting one. The 6 seed goes 11, 3, 2, 1. The 11 is Rylan Seacrist and I’d give Deputy a solid advantage there but if he’s not careful, could get tripped up. The 3 seed is a world team medalist from Colorado, Ignacio Villasenor. I’ll be watching this one. Then the 2 seed is Grey Burnett. Again, one to watch. Could we get a Bachmann Deputy finals? Yes. It’s not even a long shot. 113 1 3 Aaron Seidel PA 3 5 Landon Sidun PA 6 11 Ayden Smith PA 7 7 Davis Motyka PA 14 #1 JH Matthew O’Neill PA There’s a lot to like about this PA field. State champions (Seidel and Smith). Freshman star in the making (Sidun). Prep school studs (Motyka and O’Neill). Looking at the seeds, Seidel gets placed on the top half all by himself. The other 4 all drop to the bottom half where Sidun and O’Neill get after it in the round of 16. The winner of that gets Smith. O’Neill is following in older brother Nik’s footsteps, holding things down for Malvern Prep. Still only in JHS, he’s a threat here for sure, but we’ll how the physical nature of it all plays out for him. Meanwhile, Motyka has a potential match up with world champ Paul Kenny in the quarters. Don’t let the lack of PA competition in Seidel’s way fool you. He gets the JoJo Uhorchuk JJ Peace winner and they’re both some top quality wrestlers from SEC country. Then it’s a former world champ in Dom Munaretto. And ultimately, the showdown with Kenny. I think we kinda all want the Seidel Kenny finals. I think every other kid here wants otherwise. Kenny’s got the advantage in the most recent freestyle matches between them. We’ll see what that means here. 120 4 9 Nathan Desmond PA 7 15 Keanu Dillard PA 13 11 Louie Gill PA 21 HM Weston Pisarchick PA 22 HM Nico Fanella PA I’m not breaking any news here when I say the two at the top of this list were once teammates. In fact, they went back to back state champs for BECA last season. With Desmond at Sem now, both moving up some weights, we’ll keep an eye on this bracket and if they run into each other. They’re on opposite sides so it would have to be the finals or somewhere in the consolations. The crazy thing is that neither is favored to win this thing. But that doesn’t mean they couldn’t make it interesting. The top 2 in this weight are as good as it gets at this level. Knox from NJ. Castillo from AZ. Louie Gill’s seed and ranking are wild to me. But it is what it is. He should make it to Desmond in the round 16 at the very least. And that one should be close. Desmond won a head to head at Ironman a year ago, slight favor to him again. I think whoever wins that gets past Ethan Rivera in the quarters. Then it’s Anthony Knox. And that’s probably the end of the road for the state of PA. While it’s difficult to envision a world where any of the PA kids win the whole thing, it’s easy for me to see all 3 somewhere in the top 8. Fanella and Pisarchick are the sort of low seeds who can trip someone up. 126 1 2 Jax Forrest PA 4 7 Nik O’Neill PA 6 10 Eren Sement PA 7 9 Anthony Mutarelli PA 8 19 Mason Ziegler PA Stop me if you’ve heard this before. A PA kid is at the top of the bracket. We’re 4 weights in, already got 2 top seeds. This time it’s Jax Forrest. Now, a year ago there was a kid from Kentucky of all places, a Raney. Touch as nails, loves the cradle. Trailing big to Jax it looked like it would be business as usual for Mr. Forrest. Until Raney got the cradle locked up and set the bracket on fire. Well, a year later and I’m sure Forrest has been thinking of that for awhile. Well, the belt is there for him this year and I can’t really see him getting tripped up again. Setting him aside, the state is sending some heavy hitters throughout this weight and for those from elsewhere, you might want to look away should 5 out of 8 on the podium be from the state. There’s a clear pecking order, though you can never know for sure how they show up to compete. Being the 4 seed, we’re looking at a Nik O’Neill v Jax semi. This will be like the longest or tallest pair of 126s you’ll ever see. 132 3 2 Bo Bassett PA
2023 Super 32: California Preview
2023 California Super 32 Preview So, it has to be noted that there are a few absolute killers from the state that just aren’t making the trip this year. A lot of them from Gilroy. Daniel Zepeda and Cody Merrill who are both top in the country at their weights. The Cortez twins who captured big wins through the freestyle season after ending last year as state champions. Brock Mantanona. The last Mantanona at the HS level for a few years, CA wrestlers can breathe easy for awhile. But he was a runner up last year to Sergio Lemley. Lemley’s gone to Michigan, where Brock will be next year. Aden Valencia who has had quite an interesting career to say the least. Winning a collegiate open, not making weight for the state tournament. An event like this would have definitely brought him right back to the forefront of everyone’s mind. His rivalry with Zepeda might be the best in the country – certainly up there with Forrest Lilledahl, Sinclair Mirasola, etc. Anyway, let’s get into the group of kids who will be here this weekend. Of course some could still scratch, I believe Angelo Posada is out but that’s not been confirmed for me yet so I’m including him. And when we talk about the kids in this mix, we see a lot of opportunity for big moves nationally. We like to look for the party crashers and it ain’t no party like a West Coast party. Didn’t Pac and Dre teach you anything? {seed; *rank; name; school; state; grade} *Ranking = mine 106 Top Contenders: n/a n/a Anthony Garza Clovis CA 9 California as a whole usually has some absolute studs at this weight. Sometimes you’ll see a group of sophomores or juniors who are still down here, but it’s almost always the frosh dominating the field. Unfortunately for Super 32, there aren’t many making the trip. But there is one, Anthony Garza. Because he’s unseeded, I can’t give a good prediction of where he’ll end up or what the battle through the bracket will look like for him. I can say that we have Gavin Landers (IA) ranked 23rd in the country and Garza lost to him 4-2 not too long ago. That could indicate that he has a chance against some of the top guys. This bracket is crazy good though, so I’ll say anything like a quarterfinals run would be impressive even if he falls short of placing. Jack Baker is another CA kid making the trip east. Garza has a head to head over him but things could change, who knows. 113 Top Contenders: n/a 13 Rocklin Zinkin Buchanan CA 10 n/a n/a Thunder Lewis Clovis CA 10 n/a n/a Paulo Valdez Hesperia CA 11 15 n/a Sean Willcox St John Bosco CA 10 I have to think this is an oversight or something, but there’s zero explanation for Rocklin to not be ranked in anyone’s top 20 and then not seeded. Weird. I understand the other two who, likewise, aren’t seeded or ranked. Lewis and Valdez are the exact sort of CA kid that skates by under the radar that absolutely can give anyone up to top seed Aaron Seidel all he wants, and it could happen in the first two rounds. Unfortunately, as I think Rocklin is the most likely medalist, I have no idea what his quarterfinals, semifinals, or finals draws would be. We do, however, know what Willcox will be up against. As a freshman last season, he took 7th in a weight that saw Zinkin finish 2nd, Lewis finish 4th, and Valdez finish 6th. Here, as the 15 seed, he’ll get world champ Paul Kenny in the round of 16. In the quarterfinals, it’s top 10 Davis Motyka of Wyoming Seminary. That kid is a terror. Get past him and it’s Landon Sidun in the semis and then Seidel in the finals. That’s a brutal run through a brutal weight. My guess is that he falls to Kenny and then it’s a consolation free-for-all. Projected order of finish: Zinkin, Willcox, Lewis, Valdez 120 Top Contenders: 8 16 Ronnie Ramirez Walnut CA 11 15 17 CJ Huerta Buchanan CA 10 14 20 Michael Romero St John Bosco CA 9 11 25 Edwin Sierra Poway CA 11 I remember last season thinking Ramirez was one of the most underrated kids in the country. Then he proceeded to beat Dru Ayala who was in the top 10 at the time and made a nice run though ultimately didn’t place. This season, he’s got more national recognition heading into the weekend and is seeded (top 8) to place. After Ramirez, I disagree with the order of the seeding, in fact I have it exactly reversed. But, this isn’t egregious on anyone’s part. They’re all very close. And including Ramirez, any combo of this group could be the one to reach the podium. Now, the very top of this weight is absolutely ridiculous. Anthony Knox, Chris Castillo, and Seth Mendoza. But maybe one of them pulls the unthinkable? Quarterfinals: I like that we get a few seeded wrestlers to discuss so we can flesh out some quarterfinals and beyond. As the 8 seed, this is the round where Ronnie will run into Anthony Knox. Now, the smart money says this is where he drops to the consolations and fights for 3 through 8. And I’m not going to be the one to call for the upset win here. I will say that if there were someone to do it, it’d be him. The other kids are seeded higher than 8 which means the prediction from jump is they don’t reach the quarterfinals (which is presumably the top 8 seeds). So that means they’ll meet one of these top 8 prior to the quarters and will need to pull out the surprise. Sierra would get 6 seed #19 Porter Matecki in the round of 16. Matecki is a Missouri state champ. He’s really solid but
Jason Greatness: Todd’s Talks With Jason Nolf
Do not be complacent about your achievements and not to strive for continual improvement when you get to the top. As soon as you let success go to your head, you sink into following familiar patterns and play it safe. In other words, you risk losing your edge. -Roy T. Bennett Jason Nolf. Nolf. Widely known as a “winner”. And you know why? He despises nothing more than losing. Training to keep it from happening. And for those who have followed his career, it hasn’t happened a lot. No stranger to the top of the mountain, the wrestling mountain, he doesn’t rest. He’s training. Working. Even the best can get better. One of the beautiful things about this sport. And that’s his mindset, who he has been from a young age. And Jason doesn’t just take this approach to the mat, but off it as well. He graduated with a 4.5 GPA in high school. Won Kittanning’s Physics award, the Principal’s Award, and I’m sure more awards they had to invent just to meet his excellence. And so his time at Penn State was about wrestling, and the glory from winning competitions, national championships, sure. But he also earned a Kinesiology degree. Like a lot of kids in PA, Jason got into wrestling at the ripe young age of 6. It’s a way of life here. And like many of those young wrestlers, he took some early losses. But these losses motivated him. “After getting beat, all I could think about was getting to practice and improving.” And the work that he put in started paying dividends over the next few years. Jason won his first Pennsylvania Junior Wrestling title at age 10. And that success snowballed into more and we know where he ended up and the Nittany Lion legacy he left behind. That drive. Just get better and better. He’s quick to credit the club scene in Western Pa for helping get him to where is is today. He spent his time betweenThe Mat Factory, Young Guns, and All American Wrestling clubs. “I stayed almost every summer with Coach Waller at All American, I learned so much and had great partners. We all pushed each other.” A few of those partners were Luke Pletcher (Ohio State), Sammy Krivus (Virginia), and Freddy Stroker (Minnesota). That diligent work definitely paid off. Haha, oh yeah, I’d say so. In high school, he finished with a record of 176-1. Won three Pennsylvania State Championships, and four WPIAL titles. During this same time, Nolf snatched himself one of those prestigious Super 32 championship belts in 2013. The same tournament about to pop off this weekend. His finals match was a 17-7 major decision over a fellow PA kid, showing just how much separation he had created between himself and the closest competition. A lot of times Nolf just makes it look easy, it isn’t. Anyone who has ever competed in this sport knows that. After high school, it would only get harder. Penn State. The Penn State. The one. You’ve heard of it. Your 3rd cousin twice removed who has watched a wrestling match before has heard of it by now. And it was there where he would cement a legacy as dominant as any before him – and that’s saying something. He finished his college career with a record of 117-3, winning 3 individual NCAA titles. But all good things come to end, and Jason’s collegiate career is no different. So, what’s he been up to now. Training. At the NLWC. Or you might find him working on his new business venture, AthletesOcean, with former teammate Geno Morelli. AthletesOcean is a series of online training modules, that include a variety of wrestlers. It offers video tutorials that can be used by coaches, teams, parents, and athletes themselves. When asked about the idea for it he said, “We realized there was an opportunity when Covid began because most athletes had to shut down group practices. We were trying to offer a solution to that problem.” The platform offers instructional videos with athletes teaching their best techniques, subscription groups where you can join and receive exclusive content from your favorite athletes, and a social network where you can follow your favorite competitors – as well as your friends who are on there. Obviously, learning from a variety of past and present Penn State wrestlers, other beasts like Keegan O’Toole, Nathan Tomasello, and Amit Elor is a fantastic opportunity. But if you wanna be like Nolf, if his level of dominance is something you aspire to, you’re gonna need that drive. And there’s no app for that. Rapid Fire Questions: Ice Cream Favorite Guilty Pleasure Food? Golf & Pickleball How Do You Like To Spend Your Down Time? Hawaii What’s your favorite vacation destination? Do the best you can with what you’ve been given and believe in your training What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Sipes Set On Gold: Todd’s Talks With Luke Sipes
Happy is the man who knows how to distinguish the real from the unreal, the eternal, the eternal from the transient and the good from the pleasant by his discrimination and wisdom- B.K.S. Lyengar. Luke Sipes has been a man on a mission for the last several years at Altoona High School. A mission that he would say is still unfinished. Over his first two seasons, he’s placed 5th and 7th in the AAA PIAA state tournament. He has a career record of 77-8 entering his junior season. And he just committed to wrestle at Princeton. You may have heard of it. Needless to say, this is a young man who knows what he wants, and will work tirelessly to achieve it. Luke began wrestling at the age of 6. Like many in PA, he followed in his father’s footsteps. As he says, “I didn’t love the sport at the beginning. It actually took about a year, but there was one practice at Young Guns, I just came out and told my dad – I love it. That’s when it all clicked for me and I was all in after that.” And then the success came. Success that included placing 6 times at the Pennsylvania Junior Wrestling tournament. He also found himself a spot on Team PA – traveling across the country, competing against the best out there. Now training at Dave Taylor’s M2, he’s continued to grow and “level up”. Something for which he gives credit to his coaches there. Coaches like Mark McKnight and Brad Pataky. It should also be mentioned there’s some killer workout partners who can’t help but have an impact on a young wrestler’s growth. We’re talking a who’s who in the Keystone State, Pierson Manville (State College), Luke Simcox (Central Mountain), Dalton Perry (Central Mountain), and Tyler Kasak, now at Penn State. Sipes is quick to acknowledge that the Western and Eastern sides of the state have had more success in the past, the venerable “hotbeds” as it were, but vows that Central PA is making a move, a move he’s proud to be a part of. “The opportunities that kids have now in the middle of the state are greater than ever before. There’s just way more opportunities to seek out great practice partners at various high level clubs than in times past.” Clubs like the aforementioned M2, attracting the best because let’s face it, it’s run by the best, who cut his teeth right over there in State College. Coming off the heels of his recent Princeton commitment, Sipes will look to build on his first two seasons and step up as a real state title contender in the best state in the country. First, he’ll get his share of quality competition this weekend in North Carolina. He joins a deep PA contingent making the trip down to Super 32. An experience he’s looking forward to, “I look forward to facing great competition. I love to compete against the very best. It’s like a measuring stick for my progress and the work that I still have to do.” One thing you learn as you talk to these young wrestlers, they are almost never satisfied. It’s impressive. And it’s why I enjoy learning more about them and sharing their journey and mindset. You might think once a kid commits to Princeton, once he’s achieved a particular goal, it’s time to celebrate. Time to bask in the glory of that success. But not these kids, and not Luke Sipes. He wants more. And if I were a gambling man, I’d say his work ethic, attitude, and drive will absolutely get him there. And this week that more will include some of the very best the country has to offer. Oh you know, #2 LaDarion Lockett of Oklahoma. He’s just a world champion. #4 Conner Harer, a fellow PA stud from Montgomery. #6 Cory Thomas of Pontiac, MI and #9 Leo Contino from Buchanan, CA. This field is stacked. And Sipes is set to show it’s also stacked because he’s in the mix with them. He’ll surely be a tough out for any, he’s out to show he has championship mettle. The kind that could result in championship metal, you know like a championship medal. Hold on, where else will you get “medal” wordplay like that? Nowhere. That’s what we do. And who else but Luke Sipes is ready to crash the 157 party this weekend? No one. That’s what he does. Rapid Fire Questions: Oreos Favorite Guilty Pleasure Food? Big Marvel Fan Favorite Way To Spend Alone Time? Top Sail, NC Favorite Vacation Destination? “Be Where Your Feet Are” – Joe Dubuque Best Advice You’ve Received? 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Louie is not only a great wrestler, he’s a… Read More More From Super 32 2023 Super 32 News & Info 2023 Super 32 Interviews 2023 Super 32 States Sipes Set On Gold: Todd’s Talks With Luke Sipes October 18, 2023/No Comments Happy is the man who knows how to distinguish the real from the unreal, the eternal, the eternal from the… Read More Pablo’s Previews: CA Kids With Best Chance At Super 32 Belt October 18, 2023/No Comments By Pablo DiMaria Pablo’s Previews Some Of The Top Wrestlers from California that will contend for a Super 32 championship… Read More 2023 Super 32: Illinois Preview October 18, 2023/No Comments 2023 Illinois Super 32 Preview I feel like Illinois
Pablo’s Previews: CA Kids With Best Chance At Super 32 Belt
By Pablo DiMaria Pablo’s Previews Some Of The Top Wrestlers from California that will contend for a Super 32 championship belt Los Angeles, CA. – The 23rd annual Super 32 tournament is scheduled to take place October 21-22 in Greensboro, North Carolina. Sixteen years have passed since the first batch of California wrestlers entered the event. David Klingsheim (Liberty High) was the first CA medalist, placing fourth at 119 lbs. The following year, Alex Cisneros (Selma High) and Klingsheim became the first and second wrestlers from the Golden State to win the prestigious Super 32 belt. This year, around 60 wrestlers from California will make the cross-country trip to try to get their hands on their own belt. Let’s look at some of the wrestlers from CA who I believe can return back to California with some hardware, maybe even that belt. 106 – Anthony Garza (Clovis); 2022 Super32: DNC Garza is an incoming freshman who has had a lot of success recently. In the last few months, Garza won the Super 32 qualifier, defeating Jack Baker (Granada High School) 5-2. Baker was a North Coast place winner and was a match shy of advancing to the CIF state tournament last season. Garza placed second at the Grappler Fall Classic, losing a 4-2 match to Gavin Landers (Iowa). Landers himself is a Fargo Double All-American and a top freshman in the country. Garza’s relative “unknown” status in the tournament will make him a dangerous threat to the competition. 113 – Rocklin Zinkin (Buchanan); 2022 Super32: DNC Rocklin picked up a lot of quality wins through his freshman campaign last season. He walked away with Zinkin Classic, Sonora TOC, Doc B titles. He got the CIF post-season party started right with a Section championship. Although he’d ultimately take 2nd in the state, he spent the majority of the season ranked in the top 15 nationally. Now competing up a weight class, Rocklin is a strong top 8 contender and possible champion if it’s all clicking for him this weekend. His weight is especially frisky with 2 world champions, and more. 120 – Ronnie Ramirez (Walnut); 2022 Super32: 4-2 (113) Ramirez became the second Ramirez’s brother to claim a state title for the family after winning it all over a tough Antonio Rodriguez (Los Gatos) 9-2. His elder brother (Alex) was a state champion in 2020. Last season, Ramirez won a CIF Southern Section Divisional and master’s title at 113 pounds. Ronnie enters Super 32 with high expectations coming off a Freakshow performance where he pinned five of six opponents en route to the title. Q: Can you introduce yourself? A: name is Ronnie Ramirez 17yrs old California state champ Q: How did you get into wrestling in the first place? A: My dad. He wrestled. Q: Which three words would you use to describe yourself as an athlete? A: Calm, technical and funny. Q: Who is your biggest sports idol? A: Steph Curry Q: How do you feel you have grown since you were a freshman walking into your first practice? A: A lot getting better and more mature Q: What is your favorite wrestling memory ever? A: The wrestling trips to Tulsa nationals with my dad and my brothers and taking 1st place. Q: What does it mean for you to come from the Ramirez clan, where your father was a state medal winner and your older brother a state champion? A: Means a lot to represent our family name and thankful for this gift my dad has pass on, but we’re not done. There’s another lil Ramirez following right behind us lol. Q: What are your expectations this weekend at the Super 32 tournament? A: Always to win, but mainly to learn and grow from this tough tournament whatever the results are Q: What’s your favorite dish that your mom makes? A: Steak and tater tots Q: Something interesting that people don’t know about you? A: I love basketball and play a lot in the summer. That’s why I don’t do much freestyle or Fargo. 120 – Chris Huerta (Buchanan); 2022 Super32: DNC Sophomore sensation Chris “C.J.” Huerta is another wrestler for Buchanan who had a phenomenal freshman season. C.J. entered the state tournament as the No. 2 seed after having won the Tim Brown, Morro Bay, and the always-tough Central Section. Nevertheless, a shocking upset sent him to the consolation rounds, but he rebounded by eventually defeating the wrestler who beat him in the quarterfinal round and placing third at 113 pounds. A former Folkstyle National Champion, C.J. has the potential to win big matches on the national stage. 120 – Antonio Rodriguez (Los Gatos); 2022 Super32: 2-2 (113) Rodriguez AKA Ant-Man, as his teammates refer to him, had a tremendous freshman season that saw him place second at the CIF state tournament behind Ramirez. Ant-Man picked up a Central Coast title along the way, becoming the first Los Gatos High freshman to do so. His unorthodox style of wrestling will make him a dangerous individual to face during the early rounds. 120 – Michael Romero (St. John Bosco); 2022 Super32: 5th (106) Everyone in California should be excited to see Romero compete in high school. A highly touted middle schooler, Romero recently won the New York Journeymen tournament and placed second at Fargo. Last year at Super 32, he competed in the high school division as an 8th grader, and placed fifth. Between him, Ronnie, CJ, and Ant, this is one of the best weights for CA this weekend, and should be a fun one to watch this season. Q&A with Michael Q: Do you have a lot of pressure to perform at a high level like those affiliated with St. John Bosco? A: I don’t really feel pressure because I feel like I am on the same track with the help of coach Valencia. Q: What was the ultimate decision to choose Bosco? A: I chose Bosco because I knew I’d have good partners and