2022 Fort Wayne Semi-State Preview

106

There are not a lot of ranked match-ups in this weight until you get out of the ticket round. Jalen May(Peru) is my pick to win this weight class. May comes in with 3 losses but 2 of them are at 113. Levi Johns(Bluffton) brings in the lone undefeated record at this weight, and is probably the second best guy at the weight, but he and May should meet in the semi-finals, so one will have to settle for 3rd. On the bottom half of the bracket, you have a first round match-up between Benton Kanable(Western) and Ayden Bollinger(Delta). Bollinger is my favorite here, setting up a match-up with Kamaron Straw(Angola). I believe that Bollinger’s strength of schedule helps him get over the hump here and earns him a trip downtown. My last pick to punch their ticket is Julianna O’Campo(New Haven). O’Campo should have little trouble winning her first two matches and punching her ticket. In her semi-finals she should have Bollinger, who she beat earlier this year 10-5.

2021 Champ:

Tanner Tishner-Western

Ranked Wrestlers:

#9 Jalen May-Peru

#10 Levi Johns-Bluffton

#11 Julianna O’Campo-New Haven

#15 Ayden Bollinger-Delta

Best First Round Match(es):

Ayden Bollinger-Delta vs Benton Kanable-Western

Best (Possible) Ticket Round Match(es):

Jalen May-Peru vs Byron Olivia-F.W. North Side

Levi Johns-Bluffton vs Kaelen Fuller-East Noble

Kamaron Straw-Angola vs Bollinger/Kanable winner

HOOSIERMAT TOP 4:

1. Jalen May-Peru

2. Julianna O’Campo-New Haven

3. Levi Johns-Bluffton

4. Ayden Bollinger-Delta

113

This is another weight where the two best guys are probably on the same side of the bracket. Tanner Tishner(Western) comes in with an undefeated record and should not have much issue making another trip downtown. Tishner should see Cayden Smithley(Norwell) in the ticket round and while Smithley is tough, I do not see him beating Tishner. His opponent in the semi-finals should be Easton Doster(New Haven). Doster has one loss on the year, a 3-1 decision to Tishner. On the top side, we have a possible ranked match-up in the ticket round between Cody Rowles(Jay County) and Wyatt Davis(Rochester). Rowles has a better body of work, and made a trip downtown a year ago, which is why he is getting the nod here. Regardless of who he sees in the semi-finals, Rowles should cruise into the finals. A big match to watch for in the first round is between Braylon Meyer(DeKalb) and Bowen Keith(Cowan). Keith could be the first 4-over-1 in the tournament.

2021 Champ:

Isaac Ruble-Bellmont

Ranked Wrestlers:

#5 Tanner Tishner-Western

#6 Easton Doster-New Haven

#12 Cody Rowles-Jay County

#17 Wyatt Davis-Rochester

Best First Round Match(es):

Bowen Keith-Cowan vs Braylon Meyer-Dekalb

Best (Possible) Ticket Round Match(es):

Cayden Smithley-Norwell vs Tanner Tishner-Western

Cody Rowles-Jay County vs Wyatt Davis-Rochester

Kaine Fowler-Cass vs Keith/Meyer winner

HOOSIERMAT TOP 4:

1. Tanner Tishner-Western

2. Cody Rowles-Jay County

3. Easton Doster-New Haven

4. Braylon Meyer-DeKalb

120

Like the past 2 years at the semi-state, this is Isaac Ruble’s(Bellmont) weight to lose. There are several guys in this weight with state experience and medals, but Ruble is the best of the bunch here. Returning state placer Jared Brooks(Wabash) has the misfortune of having Ruble waiting for him. While Brooks has a puncher's chance, it is hard to pick against Ruble here. Hayden Brady(Garrett) should make another trip to state before dropping to Ruble in the semi-finals. Neal Mosier(Delta) has had a great year, but not as good as Ethan Holloway’s(Rochester), who he will see in the match to go. Holloway should make the finals at this weight. Carter Overby(Yorktown) and Elliott Cornewell(F.W. Bishop Dwenger) meet in the first round with the winner here likely punching their ticket in the net match.

2021 Champ:

Aidan Sprague-East Noble

Ranked Wrestlers:

#5 Isaac Ruble-Bellmont

#14 Ethan Holloway-Rochester

#15 Jared Brooks-Wabash

#16 Hayden Brady-Garrett

#20 Neal Mosier-Delta

Best First Round Match(es):

Carter Overby-Yorktown vs Elliott Cornwell-F.W. Bishop Dwenger

Peytonn Bowland-Oak Hill vs Aaron DeLaLuz-Jimtown

Hayden Brady-Garrett vs Taye Curtis(Jay County)

Best (Possible) Ticket Round Match(es):

Isaac Ruble-Bellmont vs Jared Brooks-Wabash

Tye Linser-Western vs Brady/Curtis winner

Ethan Holloway-Rochester vs Neal Mosier-Delta

Overby/Cornwell winner vs Bowland/DeLaLuz winner

HOOSIERMAT TOP 4:

1. Isaac Ruble-Bellmont

2. Ethan Holloway-Rochester

3. Hayden Brady-Garrett

4. Elliott Cornewell-F.W. Bishop Dwenger

126

Aidan Sprague(East Noble) is the heavy favorite to win this weight class and take home his second semi-state title. Sprague may have a tough one in the ticket round with Jayden Jett(Cowan), but I see him having little trouble getting through his side of the bracket. Isaiah McCue(Angola) and Aaron Swango(Rochester) should be a good match in the first round. I have Mccue pulling off the “upset” in this one and meeting Gavin Cook(Adams Central) in the ticket round. I do not see either of them beating Cook. Up top, you have Tony Wood(Jay County) looking to make his second trip downtown, but should have a tough Mikey Kallimani(Jimtown) in the ticket round. Kallimani is most likely the 4th best guy at this weight but will have Wood in the match to go, and I do not see him beating Wood. Zander Hord(Churubusco) and Keegan Schlabach(Lakeland) should meet in the ticket round at the top of the bracket, and going off wins this year, you have to favor Schlabach in this one.

2021 Champ:

Landon Bertsch-Bluffton

Ranked Wrestlers:

#3 Aiden Sprague-East Noble

#10 Tony Wood-Jay County

Best First Round Match(es):

Mikey Kallimani-Jimtown vs Aiden Raab-Western

Aaron Swango-Rochester vs Isaiah McCue-Angola

Best (Possible) Ticket Round Match(es):

Tony Wood-Jay County vs Raab/Kallimani winner

Gavin Cook-Adams Central vs Swango.McCue winner

Aidan Sprague-East Noble vs Jayden Jett-Cowan

Zander Hord-Churubusco vs Keegan Schlabach-Lakeland

HOOSIERMAT TOP 4:

1. Aidan Sprague-East Noble

2. Tony Wood-Jay County

3. Gavin Cook-Adams Central

4. Keegan Schlabach-Lakeland

132

Dylan Stroud(Manchester) comes in with a spotless record and looks to win the semi-state after coming up short the past few years. On his side he will have a tough one in the ticket round against Brock Hagewood(Prairie Heights). While Hagewood is good, I do not see him getting past Stroud. Above them, you have another good ticket round match between Landon Bertsch(Bluffton) and Aidan Hawkins(Fremont). Like Hagewood, Hawkins is tough but he is not beating Bertsch. With Bertsch and Stroud on the same side of the bracket, it leaves the top side wide open. Logan Uhlman(Adams Central) is a returning state qualifier and is my pick to make the finals on the top side. In the semi-finals, Uhlman will see the winner of Ethan Reiley(Jay County), who qualified for state in 2020, and Jasper Graber(Northridge). Graber has looked good this year, and I do not believe that 132 is the optimal weight for Reiley, which is why I am giving Graber the nod here.

2021 Champ:

Ian Heath-Leo

Ranked Wrestlers:

#7 Dylan Stroud-Manchester

#9 Landon Bertsch-Bluffton

#16 Brock Hagewood-Prairie Heights

#18 Logan Uhlman-Adams Central

Best First Round Match(es):

Ethan Reiley-Jay County vs Tyson Kendall-Oak Hill

Best (Possible) Ticket Round Match(es):

Nathan Houser-Homestead vs Logan Uhlman-Adams Central

Jasper Graber-Northridge vs Reiley/Kendall winner

Landon Bertsch-Bluffton vs Aidan Hawkins-Fremont

Dylan Stroud-Manchester vs Brock Hagewood-Prairie Heights

HOOSIERMAT TOP 4:

1. Dylan Stroud-Manchester

2. Logan Uhlman-Adams Central

3. Landon Bertsch-Bluffton

4. Jasper Graber-Northridge

138

Dominic Litchfield(Bellmont) is the best guy in this weight and comes in with a favorable draw that should see him in the semi-state finals. Litchfield should have no issues getting into the semi-finals where he could see any of the four guys from the top of the bracket. Dillon Tuttle(Delta) had a tough regional, resulting in him taking 4th, and will have Noah Eberhart(Jimtown) right away. Using common opponents from the year, I am going to give the nod to Tuttle with the 4-over-1 “upset”. Cooper Baldwin(Peru) and Jaydn Gilbert(Garrett) would have wrestled at the Al Smith, but an injury prevented that match from happening then. Baldwin is my pick to take this match. Either way, I see Tuttle beating whomever he has in the ticket round. Luke Teusch(Huntington North) won his regional but did not get a favorable draw having Cameron Clark(Jay County) possibly waiting for him in the ticket round.The bottom of the bracket is similar to the top where all 3 matches that will happen will send a really good guy home. Omar Clark-Stits(Kokomo) and Giovanni Arsini(Homestead) will meet in the first round. While his record is earned, Clark-Stits has a lot of close matches and wins some tight ones, which is not what you want to do when it is win or go home. Their ticket round match-up will be between Julius Gerencser(Daleville), who is a returning state placer, and Gabe Miller(Lakeland).

2021 Champ:

Brody Arthur-Oak Hill

Ranked Wrestlers:

#6 Julius Gerencser-Daleville

#10 Dominic Litchfield-Bellmont

#11 Dillon Tuttle-Delta

#12 Omar Clark-Stits-Kokomo

#16 Cameron Clark-Jay County

#20 Cooper Baldwin-Peru

Best First Round Match(es):

Julius Gerencser-Daleville vs Gabe Miller-Lakeland

Dillon Tuttle-Delta vs Noah Eberhart-Jimtown

Omar Clark-Stits-Kokomo vs Giovanni Arsini-Homestead

Cooper Baldwin-Peru vs Jaydn Gilbert-Garrett

Best (Possible) Ticket Round Match(es):

Cameron Clark-Jay County vs Luke Teusch-Huntington North

Clark-Stits winner vs Gerencser/Miller winner

Baldwin/Gilbert winner vs Tuttle/Eberhart winner

HOOSIERMAT TOP 4:

1. Dominic Litchfield-Bellmont

2. Cameron Clark-Jay County

3. Julius Gerencser-Daleville

4. Dillon Tuttle-Delta

145

While this weight is deep, Brody Arthur(Oak Hill) is the heavy favorite to win this weight. Arthur placed 5th at state a year ago and looks to climb to the top this year, but first he will look to win his semi-state. In his path is another wrestler who has a spotless record, Tony Abbott(Cowan). Abbott will first have to battle with returning state qualifier Sam Levitz(Prairie Heights) in the ticket round before he thinks about Arthur. Brayden Baker(Garrett) should see a familiar opponent in the ticket round in Cameron Baber(Peru). Baker pinned Baber earlier in the season. At the bottom of the bracket, Ben Miller(Lakeland) is in a good spot to qualify for state. He should see Reed Brandenburg(Winchester) in the ticket round, but I do not see Brandenburg giving Miller too much issue here.

2021 Champ:

Elijah Chacon-New Haven

Ranked Wrestlers:

#3 Brody Arthur-Oak Hill

#5 Toby Abbott-Cowan

#16 Connor Watts-Jimtown

#17 Sam Levitz-Prairie Heights

#19 Ben Miller-Lakeland

Best First Round Match(es):

Brody Arthur-Oak Hill vs Braxton Miller-DeKalb

Best (Possible) Ticket Round Match(es):

Brandon Kinnick-Daleville vs Arthur/Miller winner

Toby Abbott-Cowan vs Sam Levitz-Prairie Heights

Ben Miller-Lakeland vs Reed Brandenburg-Winchester

HOOSIERMAT TOP 4:

1. Brody Arthur-Oak Hill

2. Toby Abbott-Cowan

3. Ben Miller-Lakeland

4. Brayden Baker-Garrett

152

Alex Currie(Adams Central) and Mitchell Betz(Western) both bring in undefeated records into this weekend. Neither of them should have much issue qualifying to the state tournament, and while Greyson Gard(Rochester) is good, I have a hard time seeing him beating Currie. The toughest section of the bracket contains Kaleb Lounsbury(Prairie Heights), AJ Dull(South Adams), and Austin Brickey(Carroll (Fort Wayne)). Dull has looked great this year and I see him making it back to state after a year hiatus. At the bottom of the bracket, Chase Leech(Garrett) is a returning state qualifier, who I see making his second trip downtown.

2021 Champ:

Aidan Hardcastle-Oak Hill

Ranked Wrestlers:

#6 Alex Currie-Adams Central

#9 Mitchell Betz-Western

#12 AJ Dull-South Adams

#15 Chase Leech-Garrett

#17 Austin Brickey-Carroll (Fort Wayne)

Best First Round Match(es):

Austin Brickey-Carroll(Fort Wayne) vs AJ Dull-South Adams

Best (Possible) Ticket Round Match(es):

Kaleb Lounsbury-Prairie Heights vs Dull/Brickey winner

Alex Currie-Adams Central vs Greyson Gard-Rochester

Chase Leech-Garrett vs Bradie Porter-Eastern (Greentown)

HOOSIERMAT TOP 4:

1. Alex Currie-Adams Central

2. Mitchell Betz-Western

3. Chase Leech-Garrett

4. AJ Dull-South Adams

160

Two returning state qualifiers come in looking to take home their first semi-state titles. Duke Myers(Bellmont) and Logan Farnell(Maconaquah) come in as the heavy favorites at this weight. Farnell has a tough Caden Funk(Adams Central) in his path, while Myers should have Deaglan Peak(Western) in his match to go. Outside of those two, Kaden Lone(NorthWood) has a strong chance to make his first trip downtown. Lone will see Levi Abbott(Cowan) right away, which is not a match that can be overlooked in my opinion. The winner of those two should have Kymani Howarfd(Kokomo). The “best” ticket round match at this weight, in my opinion, will be the one between Jared Landez(Carroll (Fort Wayne)) and Jonah Jones(Monroe Central). Looking at common opponents, Jones is the pick here, but wrestling math does not always work.

2021 Champ:

Landon Buchanan-Jimtown

Ranked Wrestlers:

#8 Logan Farnell-Maconaquah

#10 Duke Myers-Bellmont

#14 Kaden Lone-NorthWood

Best First Round Match(es):

Kaden Lone-NorthWood vs Levi Abbott-Cowan

Best (Possible) Ticket Round Match(es):

Logan Farnell-Maconaquah vs Caden Funk-Adams Central

Jared Landez-Carroll (Fort Wayne) vs Jonah Jones-Monroe Central

Kymani Howard-Kokomo vs Abbott/Lone

Duke Myers-Bellmont vs Deaglan Peak-Western

HOOSIERMAT TOP 4:

1. Duke Myers-Bellmont

2. Logan Farnell-Maconaquah

3. Kaden Lone-NorthWood

4. Jonah Jones-Monroe Central

170

This weight is pretty cut and dry except for one ticket round match, but I will get to that later. On the topside, Eli Johnson(Norwell) and Brodie Porter(Eastern (Greentown)) both look to make return trips downtown. I do not see either of them running into any problems until they meet each other in the semi-finals. On the bottom side, it is really hard to know who will make it out due to the parity of the guys wrestling each other. For the top half of the bottom side, I have Braxton Russell(Delta) taking out Zach France(Manchester) in a match that is a coin flip. Whoever wins this one I see them getting downtown. The biggest match of the bracket will be on the bottom in the ticket round between two returning state place winners in Hayden Shepherd(Western) and Landon Buchanan(Jimtown). Buchanan comes in with two loses, but neither are to guys at this weight. Styles make fights, and Buchanan is tough to crack and stays in great position all the time and will take this match between the two state placers.

2021 Champ:

Jacob Kreager-Fort Wayne Snider

Ranked Wrestlers:

#3 Brodie Porter-Eastern (Greentown)

#5 Landon Buchanan-Jimtown

#6 Hayden Shepherd-Western

#9 Eli Johnson-Norwell

Best First Round Match(es):

Brodie Porter-Eastern (Greentown) vs Maverick Summersett-South Adams

Zach France-Manchester vs Braxton Russell-Delta

Best (Possible) Ticket Round Match(es):

Landon Buchanan-Jimtown vs Hayden Shepherd-Western

Camari Kirk-New Haven vs France/Russell winner

HOOSIERMAT TOP 4:

1. Brodie Porter-Eastern (Greentown)

2. Landon Buchanan-Jimtown

3. Eli Johnson-Norwell

4. Braxton Russell-Delta

182

This is not a particularly deep weight class and the two best kids in the weight class find themselves on the same side of the bracket again. De’Alcapon Vezy(F.W. Snider) has killed everyone in the field for the most part and I look for it to continue again this weekend. His “toughest’ match on the weekend should be against Hunter Page(Monroe Central), who Veazy has already pinned this year. On the bottom side, Bryce Wenk(Jay County) is my pick to make it out, but he does have a tough Kaleb Oliver(Churubusco) in the first round and ten Trey Tobias(NorthWood) should he make it that far. At the very bottom of the bracket, we have several matches that we have seen this year. Trevor Curris(Adams Central) and Austin Farris(F.W. Bishop Dwenger) met in the first round and the first match between the two went to Currie via tech fall. After that is another rematch between JaQuan East(Kokomo) and Currie. East won the first match 9-3 and I do not see Currie reversing the results here.

2021 Champ:

Jacob Saylor-New Haven

Ranked Wrestlers:

#3 De’Alcapon Veazy-F.W. Snider

#4 Hunter Page-Monroe Central

Best First Round Match(es):

Kaleb Oliver-Churubusco vs Bryce Wenk-Jay County

Trevor Currie-Adams Central vs Austin Farris-F.W. Bishop Dwenger

Best (Possible) Ticket Round Match(es):

JaQuan East-Kokomo vs Currie/Farris winner

HOOSIERMAT TOP 4:

1. De’Alcapon Veazy-F.W. Snider

2. JaQuan East-Kokomo

3. Hunter Page-Monroe Central

4. Bryce Wenk-Jay County

195

This weight only has two ranked wrestlers, but there are a lot of guys who are right outside of the rankings. Alex Deming(Rochester) is the favorite to win this weight on paper, but he has not been super dominant this year and wins a lot of close matches. He will likely have Henry Kukelhan(Bellmont) in the ticket round and that is far from a gimme match. His likely semi-finals opponent will be Jacob Behm(Fremont), who has flown under the radar for a lot of the year. On the opposite side of the bracket. You have a match-up of returning state qualifier Chad Washburn(Kokomo) and Jackson Ingenito(Daleville). Washburn was a surprise qualifier last year, but he is a favorite to win the weight this year. Probably the easiest section of the bracket to call is above them with Armen Koltookian(Concord) looking to be the heavy favorite to qualify.

2021 Champ:

Ibrahim Khaoucha-Northridge

Ranked Wrestlers:

#9 Jacob Behm-Fremont

#11 Alex Deming-Rochester

Best First Round Match(es):

Chad Washburn-Kokomo vs Nate Elliott-Huntington North

Isaac Clay-Central Noble vs Henry Kukelhan-Bellmont

Best (Possible) Ticket Round Match(es):

Jackson Ingenito-Daleville vs Washburn/Elliott winner

Isaac Clay-Central Noble vs Henry Kukelhan-Bellmont

HOOSIERMAT TOP 4:

1. Chad Washburn-Kokomo

2. Jacob Behm-Fremont

3. Alex Deming-Rochester

4. Armen Koltookian(Concord)

220

This weight will be absolutely fire this weekend. There are several ranked vs ranked match-ups in the first round and every ticket round match-up should be competitive, on paper. Right away we have Titus Waters(Monroe Central) and Julante Hinton(F.W. Northrop) wrestling each other. I am taking Waters in this match-up with the 4-over-1 upset. The next section of the bracket that will be interesting is the one with Brady Beck(Rochester), Hunter Allen(Prairie Heights), Dylan Bennett(Carroll (Fort Wayne)), and Keagan Martin(Bellmont). All these guys have had solid years, but Beck looks like a guy that can win this weight this weekend and place high the next weekend. At the bottom of the bracket, Joel Kennedy(Monroe Central) and Chance Harris(F.W. Concordia) will meet in the opening round. The winner will likely see Isaac Benjamin(NorthWood) in the match to go. Benjamin has one loss on the season to a top 8 guy and has seen much better competition than the other two. The guy i have not mentioned, yet, is the guy who I am picking to win this weight, and that is Blake Heyely(Adams Central).

2021 Champ:

Ian Clifford-Columbia City

Ranked Wrestlers:

#3 Blake Heyerly-Adams Central

#7 Brady Beck-Rochester

#8 Isaac Benjamin-NorthWood

#9 Chance Harris-F.W. Concordia

#10 Julante Hinton-F.W. Northrop

#11 Keegan Martin-Bellmont

#20 Titus Waters-Muncie Central

Best First Round Match(es):

Blake Heyerly-Adams Central vs Matt Mills-Homestead

Dylan Bennett-Carroll (Fort Wayne) vs Keagan Martin-Bellmont

Joel Kennedy-Monroe Central vs Chance Harris-F.W. Concordia

Brady Beck-Rochester vs Hunter Allen-Prairie Heights

Best (Possible) Ticket Round Match(es):

Martin/Bennett winner vs Beck/Allen winner

Isaac Benjamin-NorthWood vs Kennedy/Harris winner

HOOSIERMAT TOP 4:

1. Blake Heyerly-Adams Central

2. Brady Beck-Rochester

3. Isaac Benjamin-NorthWood

4. Titus Waters-Monroe Central

285

Like 220, this heavyweight field is talented and deep. One wrestler brings in an undefeated record, Brandon Villefuerte(Angola). He will have a tough Juan Cruz(Bluffton). Below them is returning state qualifier, and semi-state champion, Ian Clifford(Columbia City). Clifford will have his hands full with Brady Hiatt(Monroe Central), assuming Hiatt wins his first match. Marshall Fishback(Rochester) will have to get through to good guys to qualify. First he will have Dalton Robinson(Bellmont), and if he gets past him he will have Lane Norris(Central Noble) or Parker Hennessey(Heritage) in the ticket round. At the bottom of the bracket we have Jason Orr(Muncie Central) wrestling Wyatt Strange(Oak Hill) in the first round. If it were anyone else I may consider Strange in this match, but I feel Orr is going to be too much for him. In the ticket round one of them will have Brayden Jellison(Elkhart). Jellison placed top 4 at the Al Smith and nearly gave Villefurte his first loss a week ago.

2021 Champ:

Reeve Muncie- Carroll (Fort Wayne)

Ranked Wrestlers:

#4 Brandon Villafuerte-Angola

#9 Marshall Fishback-Rochester

#12 Brayden Jellison-Jimtown

#18 Jason Orr-Muncie Central

#19 Ian Clifford-Columbia City

Best First Round Match(es):

Marshall FIshback-Rochester vs Dalton Robinson-Bellmont

Jason Orr-Muncie Central vs Wyatt Strange-Oak Hill

Best (Possible) Ticket Round Match(es):

Brandon Villafuerte-Angola vs Juan Cruz-Bluffton

Ian Clifford-Columbia City vs Brady Hiatt-Monroe Central

Norris/Hennessey winner vs Robinson/Fishback winner

Brayden Jellison-Elkhart vs Orr/Strange winner

HOOSIERMAT TOP 4:

1. Brandon Villefuerte-Angola

2. Marshall FIshback-Rochester

3. Brayden Jellison-Elkhart

4. Ian Clifford-Columbia City