Senior National Brackets...

[SeekNDestroy]

They can be found here.

[MR TWISTER]

Well I took a quick peek at my all time favorite weight class...the 125's....Izzy Montemayer on the top of the 62 man bracket gets the tough draw...first match with Genetin (OH), then he draws Shield (LA) in the round of 32 and should he win that then there is Wisconsin 4x champ Wunnickle....ugh...strap up tight Izzy and go to work

On the bottom of the 125's Mark Augle got a first round bye and draws the state of Arizonza's Pelencia and the equally tough Kelliher also from Arizona...I like Augle's chances of All American better than Montemayer but that's why they wrestle the matches...go Illinois...

[agdfan]

Originally Posted by MR TWISTER

Well I took a quick peek at my all time favorite weight class...the 125's....Izzy Montemayer on the top of the 62 man bracket gets the tough draw...first match with Genetin (OH), then he draws Shield (LA) in the round of 32 and should he win that then there is Wisconsin 4x champ Wunnickle....ugh...strap up tight Izzy and go to work

On the bottom of the 125's Mark Augle got a first round bye and draws the state of Arizonza's Pelencia and the equally tough Kelliher also from Arizona...I like Augle's chances of All American better than Montemayer but that's why they wrestle the matches...go Illinois...

Tommy Kelliher is from Minnesota. He actually used to be an Illinois boy back in the IKWF days. I heard through the grapevine he is being looked at by Northwestern. Great wrestler, nice kid, nice family.

[grapplingfan]

IL has long been underrepresented at NHSCA nationals. The other Top 5 states (PA, OH, CA, NJ) have long had a considerably larger presence at the NHSCA tourneys. Whatever the reason, this has long been the case. For seniors that have signed with a program this is understandable, but many others are missing out on an opportunity to prove themselves on a national stage. As far as I'm concerned I can very easily understand why Conrad Polz, or Tony Ramos, for example, might not be too enthusiastic about NHSCA nationals. They have nothing to gain there -- all the D1 programs are well aware of such young men whether or not they attend the NHSCA nationals. For anyone below that (3x IL champ, and 3x finalist with a year to go) level, the NHSCA's may well be an excellent oppurtunity to showcase folkstyle skills. Granted, three of the other (besides CA and IL)top five high school wrestling states (PA, OH, and NJ) don't have far to travel, and thus it only makes sense that they are well represented there. Obviously California does not fit into the conviences category, but has, nonetheless traditionally been very well represented at NHSCA's. CA has even won this tourney, despite the great distance. Whether or not all our top wrestlers have an interest in the NHSCA's, there is always a group of wrestlers for which this tourney is ideal; If IL could get them interested in this tourney, we could take our rightful top 5 place in this tourney, as we often do at Fargo and Team Nationals.

NHSCA nationals are difficult, and at times brutal, but IL wrestlers should take heart, fi the past few years are any guide, this national tournament is often little more difficult, and even, at (admittedly unusual) times, less difficult than the IL AA state tourney. This must sound incredible, but it is true, though on average, at least based on the last few years, this national folkstyle tourney (the NHSCA's) is a bit more difficult than than the IL AA state tourney, other times it is less difficult, and usually it is equal or more difficult.

The natural prospects for this tourney are those that are to some extent folkstyle specialists, and/or participate in few other off-season national tournaments. This applies to any high-school aged individual, but particularly to sophs and juniors, ages at which scouts can take notice of you at this tourney, and them keep tabs on you over the coming seasons. With this tourney being several hundred miles away, and longer after our season ends than many other states, it is understandable why many upperclassmen, and in particular well-known top recruits, would stay away. Even if this judgement is correct, IL is one of a handful of states that could still put together very high-placing teams even without those who do not see this tourney as an oppurtunity.

[Hans]

Originally Posted by agdfan

Tommy Kelliher is from Minnesota. He actually used to be an Illinois boy back in the IKWF days. I heard through the grapevine he is being looked at by Northwestern. Great wrestler, nice kid, nice family.

A while back I had read he will be attending Wisconsin.

[titanz]

I usually run into the Kellihers at USA Nationals in Iowa. If I do, I will find out where he is going next weekend.

[Herecles]

What time does wrestling start today???

[Radical]

Originally Posted by grapplingfan

IL has long been underrepresented at NHSCA nationals. The other Top 5 states (PA, OH, CA, NJ) have long had a considerably larger presence at the NHSCA tourneys. Whatever the reason, this has long been the case. For seniors that have signed with a program this is understandable, but many others are missing out on an opportunity to prove themselves on a national stage. As far as I'm concerned I can very easily understand why Conrad Polz, or Tony Ramos, for example, might not be too enthusiastic about NHSCA nationals. They have nothing to gain there -- all the D1 programs are well aware of such young men whether or not they attend the NHSCA nationals. For anyone below that (3x IL champ, and 3x finalist with a year to go) level, the NHSCA's may well be an excellent oppurtunity to showcase folkstyle skills. Granted, three of the other (besides CA and IL)top five high school wrestling states (PA, OH, and NJ) don't have far to travel, and thus it only makes sense that they are well represented there. Obviously California does not fit into the conviences category, but has, nonetheless traditionally been very well represented at NHSCA's. CA has even won this tourney, despite the great distance. Whether or not all our top wrestlers have an interest in the NHSCA's, there is always a group of wrestlers for which this tourney is ideal; If IL could get them interested in this tourney, we could take our rightful top 5 place in this tourney, as we often do at Fargo and Team Nationals.

NHSCA nationals are difficult, and at times brutal, but IL wrestlers should take heart, fi the past few years are any guide, this national tournament is often little more difficult, and even, at (admittedly unusual) times, less difficult than the IL AA state tourney. This must sound incredible, but it is true, though on average, at least based on the last few years, this national folkstyle tourney (the NHSCA's) is a bit more difficult than than the IL AA state tourney, other times it is less difficult, and usually it is equal or more difficult.

The natural prospects for this tourney are those that are to some extent folkstyle specialists, and/or participate in few other off-season national tournaments. This applies to any high-school aged individual, but particularly to sophs and juniors, ages at which scouts can take notice of you at this tourney, and them keep tabs on you over the coming seasons. With this tourney being several hundred miles away, and longer after our season ends than many other states, it is understandable why many upperclassmen, and in particular well-known top recruits, would stay away. Even if this judgement is correct, IL is one of a handful of states that could still put together very high-placing teams even without those who do not see this tourney as an oppurtunity.

Illinois is definitely underrepresented at all levels. Most kids seem to have already started their fs/gr season. Look at the Overtime and Izzy Style kids, there are very few attending.

This tournament is too good to keep off the schedule. Any state qualifier/place winner or one who aspires to that level should consider this and see how you measure up against the best in the country. This is far tougher than the Illinois state tournament. The depth of talent at each weight, and number of matches over 3 days to place makes this so difficult. You may get one easy match, if you are lucky. Two is the sun is shining on you that day. But after that, all studs. Wrestle the best to be the best.

Many top seniors attend, even if they have committed. Illinois has BJ (I know he like Bernard now, but BJ in the wrestling world rings like Michael or Kobe in the basketball world), Josh Krativol and Vince Ramos are there. Mario Mason as well. Can Vince beat him again?

BJ to win at 112. The wrestlers there are tough, but he is that good. He would need to wrestle 119 to really find the competiton in VA. I like his chances against David Taylor this year in Fargo to win a double championship as well.

Look for Geno Capezio to make a good showing. I believe he is uncommitted for college at this point. This is a good place for him to showcase his talent.