By Jim & Tony Nordland
The 17th annual NHSCA Senior Wrestling Championships scheduled for March 24-26, at the Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh, PA, will feature the top high school seniors in the country. NHSCA executive director, Bob Ferraro, has created a tremendous showcase for the nation's top high school grapplers, as the inaugural event in 1990 had 262 wrestlers and this year could set a record turnout. Last year's event attracted 802 entries from 46 states. Team New York won their first national team title and were led by national champion, Troy Nickerson (Chenango Forks HS), who captured the 125-pound title. Nickerson is now at Cornell University and finished as NCAA runner-up in his freshman season. The Empire State amassed 222 points last year and had 15 HS All-Americans, which helped to defeat perennial power, Ohio (210.5) and California (186) in the team standings. The New York team wll send a strong contingent that boasts 14 individual state champions, including a pair of three-time winners, Lou Ruggirello (45-1, 171-9) at 119 and Eric Decker (41-2, 231-16) at 160. Also at 160, is two-time state champion, Ryan Patrovich (40-0, 205-12), who handed Decker both his setbacks this season, with two overtime decisions, those two could possible meet in the finals. Other state kings that will challenge for coveted national crowns are; Mike McInally (43-0, 157-18), at 119, David Marble (33-1, 176-15) and Trevor Franklin (27-2), both at 125, Mike Aris (38-4, 164-34), tough Kyle Borshoff (44-0, 224-15), both at 130, Dave Ingram (41-0, 157-17) at 135, Josh Denesha (36-2, 193-41) at 145, Josh Patterson (48-0, 213-21), at 171, Nick Clark (33-0, 156-49) at 189, Bryant Deinhardt (32-0, 91-8), along with two-time champion Jim Almy (37-3, 125-20), both at 275 pounds.
The tournament is modeled after the NCAA Championships and has been called "The Crown Jewel" of high school wrestling and this year's event has attracted the elite prepped wrestlers in the nation. At 125 pounds is Mike Grey (44-1, 143-2), the all-time winningest wrestler in New Jersey, he recently won his fourth state title. Grey eclipsed the mark set by Andrew Flanagan, who is a freshman at Harvard, and recently earned All-American status. The favorite at 140 pounds is four-time Ohio state champion, St. Ed's product Lance Palmer (43-1, 150-6), he could face Travis Elg (42-0, 193-11) a three-time champ from Minnesota in the finals. At 145 pounds is highly-touted Bubba Jenkins (38-0, 189-6) of Virginia, two-time Oklahoma champion, Kevin Frazier (43-0, 121-16) and Travis Blasco (32-3, 105-10) of New Jersey. At 152 pounds, is one of the nation's blue chippers, Jon Reader (60-0, 231-6), who recently won his third state title in Michigan, also entered at 152, is three-time Utah champ, Paul Sanders (52-2, 166-11), three-time state winner from North Carolina, Byron Sigmon (67-0, 210-5) and four-time champion Brian Sheehan (54-0, 187-6) of Massachusetts. In perhaps the toughest weight of the tournament, the 160 pound class, is two-time Ohio champ, David Rella (40-2, 158-29), along with two four-time winners; Justin Kerber (47-0, 182-9) of Iowa and Scott Glasser (47-0, 204-23) of South Dakota, along with three-time Kansas titlist Frank Jonas (43-1,156-17), and the aforementioned Decker and Patrovich. A top prospect at 171 pounds is four-time state finalist and winner of two state titles, Jeff James (43- 0, 139-22) of Oklahoma. He could face Josh Patterson in the championship bout. Also to watch are Minnesota champ, Joe Nord (43-0, 124-19) at 215 and three-time Oklahoma champion Nathan Fernandez (39-2, 186-14) at 275. New York has state finalists, Eric Burnett (31-2, 116-15) at 215 and tough Joe Goetz (32-2, 74-10) at 275 pounds, both will vie for All-American honors.
MAT NOTES...
New York State finished third in the inaugural Junior Nationals last year, behind Ohio and New Jersey, as 33 states were entered in the competition, and emerged with one champion, Josh Patterson (Wayne HS).The Empire State added six other All-Americans, including runner-up Lou Ruggirello (Valley Central). Long Island had three Junior HS All-Americans, the aforementioned Ingram, along with Jared Rueda and Dillon Yanson, all finished fifth in their respective weight classes. At the 2006 state meet, Rueda (33-1, 110-17) finished as runner-up at 125 and Yanson (33-3, 89-17) placed fourth at 275 pounds. Four-time state champion, J.P. O'Connor (39-0, 236-12) of Oxford, has been selected for the USA All-Star team vs PA state champs, he will compete at 145 pounds. Long Island's last HS National Champion was Mike Patrovich (Islip HS) in 2001. Patrovich, now at Hofstra, finished fourth in the 174-pound class at the NCAA Championships last weekend. Best of Luck to all the wrestlers... |
