Rob Sherrill
02-07-2008, 11:01 PM
As I promised last week, here is my Class A individual forecast…just in time for this weekend’s sectionals.
For most of you, Christmas Day comes on Dec. 25. My Christmas Day is Sectional Saturday. That’s when I discover how many of the wrestlers I’ve been charting, tracking and ranking over the course of the entire season actually get to the Big Dance…the individual state tournament at the Assembly Hall in Champaign.
Just to recap, last year, Dakota would have held off Lena-Winslow, 78-69, for the individual state team title, with Murphysboro edging Wilmington, 54-50.5, for third place.
For more background on the origins of this series, check out in my Class AA state preview, which was posted last week…here goes.
1. Wilmington: It would have been hard to bet against the Wildcats last year given their numbers, but then we watched one Wildcat after another fall on Friday at Champaign. This year, Wilmington heads into the state meet with two No. 1 wrestlers, Heino and Fritz, a state finalist in Van Duyne and a state placewinner in Murphy. If they do what they’re projected to do, the team race is over. There are other possibilities in Jones, Cartwright, Goodwin and Bailey. If two or more of them place as well, it could become a runaway.
2. Stillman Valley: The heart of their lineup is from 112 through 152. Whaley has been a state finalist and the Cardinals appear to have two other placewinners in Harrison and Brewington. Tom Hawley and Glaudel could push that total to five and perhaps even Bunk could contribute, which could solidify their place in the top three.
3. Vandalia: As usual, the Vandals will bring numbers to Champaign – and with a rejuvenated South this year, they’ll get some respect. Eller, Bowling and Shroyer all have finals potential, Stone is one of the leaders of a tough southern heavyweight group and Pyle is a state tournament veteran. If they’re all on and Foster, Paulding and Hemminghaus contribute, that will be enough points for Wilmington to be staring at their headlights through the rear-view mirror.
4. Bishop McNamara: Mark Letton down for the heavyweight title and Zinanni for a trip to the finals – assuming he’s bracketed opposite Myers. Young must turn his tough Chicago Catholic League schedule into a state place. If High can contribute, too, we’re talking top five at worst.
5. Macomb: Myers and Kline could make it back-to-back finals against Bishop McNamara opponents to close out the tournament. They do have some other possibilities, with Miller, Elliot, Hall and Jordine all having had successful seasons.
6. Coal City: Only three wrestlers appear to be scorers, but they should be big scorers. Evans, Roseland and Odeen all have finalist potential and that lays the foundation for more than 50 points, which is state trophy territory.
7. Murphysboro: Two of the leaders of last year’s charge, Miller and Baker, return hoping for more state glory. If they do that again and folks like Brashear, Rodriguez and Tyrone help out, they’re within a sniff of another top five finish.
8. Petersburg Porta: Always a team with wonderful balance with individuals who seem to come up just short at the state level. No finalists in this group, but a lot of possibilities, led by Devine, who we thought would place last year (he didn’t) and we think will place this year (he might). Beyond that are a host of wrestlers who have benefited from the Blue Jays’ tough schedule, including Standley, Bultmann, Hild, Langloss and Talla, but who will probably need to score an upset or two to be in the medal mix.
9. Illini Bluffs: Ferman is a state tournament veteran and so is Walker, who has had a magical season. Wolfe must regain his early-season form. If folks like Naylor, Tatro and Depperman get hot, they’ll erase the sting of a tough regional loss.
10. Herrin: The Tigers could make it three solid years in a row at the Assembly Hall. Holliday and Kesler have combined for three state place finishes. If Borders, Anderson, Sargent or the Fortner brothers help out, it will cap another successful season.
11. Byron: This appears to be a two-man team, but Fish is a solid title favorite and Smith also should contribute. If not for Celletti’s unfortunate season-ending injury, we’d be talking up the Tigers as a top-five possibility.
12. Gibson City/Melvin-Sibley: The Greyhounds will depend on wrestlers who are talented, but who have yet to perform at the state level. Kirkpatrick and Unzicker will need to cash in on the experience of previous trips to the Assembly Hall and youngsters like Kirby and Birt will need to turn their potential into results. A lot of ifs, but a lot of potential, too.
For most of you, Christmas Day comes on Dec. 25. My Christmas Day is Sectional Saturday. That’s when I discover how many of the wrestlers I’ve been charting, tracking and ranking over the course of the entire season actually get to the Big Dance…the individual state tournament at the Assembly Hall in Champaign.
Just to recap, last year, Dakota would have held off Lena-Winslow, 78-69, for the individual state team title, with Murphysboro edging Wilmington, 54-50.5, for third place.
For more background on the origins of this series, check out in my Class AA state preview, which was posted last week…here goes.
1. Wilmington: It would have been hard to bet against the Wildcats last year given their numbers, but then we watched one Wildcat after another fall on Friday at Champaign. This year, Wilmington heads into the state meet with two No. 1 wrestlers, Heino and Fritz, a state finalist in Van Duyne and a state placewinner in Murphy. If they do what they’re projected to do, the team race is over. There are other possibilities in Jones, Cartwright, Goodwin and Bailey. If two or more of them place as well, it could become a runaway.
2. Stillman Valley: The heart of their lineup is from 112 through 152. Whaley has been a state finalist and the Cardinals appear to have two other placewinners in Harrison and Brewington. Tom Hawley and Glaudel could push that total to five and perhaps even Bunk could contribute, which could solidify their place in the top three.
3. Vandalia: As usual, the Vandals will bring numbers to Champaign – and with a rejuvenated South this year, they’ll get some respect. Eller, Bowling and Shroyer all have finals potential, Stone is one of the leaders of a tough southern heavyweight group and Pyle is a state tournament veteran. If they’re all on and Foster, Paulding and Hemminghaus contribute, that will be enough points for Wilmington to be staring at their headlights through the rear-view mirror.
4. Bishop McNamara: Mark Letton down for the heavyweight title and Zinanni for a trip to the finals – assuming he’s bracketed opposite Myers. Young must turn his tough Chicago Catholic League schedule into a state place. If High can contribute, too, we’re talking top five at worst.
5. Macomb: Myers and Kline could make it back-to-back finals against Bishop McNamara opponents to close out the tournament. They do have some other possibilities, with Miller, Elliot, Hall and Jordine all having had successful seasons.
6. Coal City: Only three wrestlers appear to be scorers, but they should be big scorers. Evans, Roseland and Odeen all have finalist potential and that lays the foundation for more than 50 points, which is state trophy territory.
7. Murphysboro: Two of the leaders of last year’s charge, Miller and Baker, return hoping for more state glory. If they do that again and folks like Brashear, Rodriguez and Tyrone help out, they’re within a sniff of another top five finish.
8. Petersburg Porta: Always a team with wonderful balance with individuals who seem to come up just short at the state level. No finalists in this group, but a lot of possibilities, led by Devine, who we thought would place last year (he didn’t) and we think will place this year (he might). Beyond that are a host of wrestlers who have benefited from the Blue Jays’ tough schedule, including Standley, Bultmann, Hild, Langloss and Talla, but who will probably need to score an upset or two to be in the medal mix.
9. Illini Bluffs: Ferman is a state tournament veteran and so is Walker, who has had a magical season. Wolfe must regain his early-season form. If folks like Naylor, Tatro and Depperman get hot, they’ll erase the sting of a tough regional loss.
10. Herrin: The Tigers could make it three solid years in a row at the Assembly Hall. Holliday and Kesler have combined for three state place finishes. If Borders, Anderson, Sargent or the Fortner brothers help out, it will cap another successful season.
11. Byron: This appears to be a two-man team, but Fish is a solid title favorite and Smith also should contribute. If not for Celletti’s unfortunate season-ending injury, we’d be talking up the Tigers as a top-five possibility.
12. Gibson City/Melvin-Sibley: The Greyhounds will depend on wrestlers who are talented, but who have yet to perform at the state level. Kirkpatrick and Unzicker will need to cash in on the experience of previous trips to the Assembly Hall and youngsters like Kirby and Birt will need to turn their potential into results. A lot of ifs, but a lot of potential, too.