The Dapper Dan is one of Flowrestling’s favorite events of the year. As such, we’ve run “Dapper Dan Reports” a few times a year. The January report might be the most telling. After the holiday events, when weights start falling into place and results from national events are taken into account, the picture becomes increasingly clear.

Of course, there’s still a ways to go. Namely, the state tournaments around the country.

Below we’ll go weight class-by-weight class and give you our view of the situation, followed up by the official Dapper Dan release in which it is revealed that Illinois will be the representative state opposite the WPIAL team.


113 USA’s Highest Ranked: #1-Jabari Moody, Rich Central, IL
Next in Line: #10-Garrett Pepple (IN)

113 PA’s Highest Ranked: #9-Devin Brown, Franklin Regional, PA

Willie’s Prediction: Moody vs. Brown

Notes: One of the most clear pictures, this match should be a virtual lock considering 1) Moody doesn't wrestle a hefty in-season schedule, and 2) although Brown will be tested, there isn't another SR 113 in PA currently on the radar.
Moody already has a state title to Pepple's two runner-up finishes. Moody was a JR World Team Member, Brown, a Cadet WTM.


120 USA’s Highest Ranked: #9-Doyle Trout, Centennial, NE
Next in Line:, #11-Elijah Oliver (IL), #12-Christian Moody (OK), #14-Eli Stickley (OH)

120 PA’s Highest Ranked: Derek Gulotta, Owen J. Roberts or Austin Griffiths, Southmoreland

Willie’s Prediction: Trout vs. Gulotta

Notes: In stark contrast to 113, there’s still not a lot of certainty here. Trout has been everywhere and placed everywhere. And he has two things going for him that the committee likes 1) 3 state titles and 2) is from a non-traditional state. The monkey wrench here could come if the committee decides to drop a 126 like Marcus Simmons (OK) or Kris Williams (IL). Both would be fine choices, and not ‘big’ 126’s, but with Trout as a legitimate option, I doubt they’ll go in that direction.
120 is in flux on the PA side, too. No ranked seniors, although they could have Gulotta who placed 4th in AAA.



126 USA’s Highest Ranked: #2-Nick Piccininni, Ward Melville, NY
Next in Line: #4-Markus Simmons (OK), #5-Kris Williams (IL), #4-Jose Rodriguez (OH), #9-Austin Assad (OH), #10-Anthony Cefolo (NJ), #12-Jose Rodriguez (OH)

126 PA’s Highest Ranked: #18 (@132) - Korbin Myers, Boiling Springs, PA

Willie’s Prediction: Piccininni vs. Myers

Notes: At one time, it was conveyed to me that Kaid Brock was being considered for the Dapper Dan nod at 126. However, that’s purportedly no longer the case. So Piccininni, despite a bevy of very credentialed candidates behind him, is the sure shot here.
Myers recently moved up to 132, but with PA’s top guys (Karam + Solomon) being underclassmen, I see him as the guy here. He’s a returning state champ, and has gone 2-3-1 in his three state tournaments, with losses only to Darian Cruz and Mickey Phillippi.


132 USA’s Highest Ranked: #2-Kaid Brock, Stillwater, OK,
Next in Line: #5-Jared Prince (FL), #6-Chaz Tucker (NJ)

132 PA’s Highest Ranked: #4-AC Headlee, Waynesburg, PA

Willie’s Prediction: Brock vs. Headlee

Notes: As stated above, Brock was at one time considered by the committee at 126. He’s certainly small enough for that weight. But he did win state last year at 132 and will wrestle that weight for the post season this year for the team.
Despite a recent (and uneventful) loss to Mickey Phillippi, Headlee has entrenched himself firmly in the race for the top spot in America. He'll have a chance to redeem himself with several dates against Pletcher and Phillippi still remaining.
Despite having a win over Brock, his loss to Rocky Jordan and absence at Geary pretty much sealed his fate. While either him or Prince would be fine selections, it appears Brock is pretty much locked. With Pletcher and Phillippi (who may drop) being underclassmen, Headlee appears a sure-fire selection, too. The only snag might be where Headlee doesn’t win states and Myers does. In that case, the committee would be looking at a situation where there is a non-state champ (Headlee) vs. 2xer (Myers). However, with the lack of a viable PA candidate at 126, Myers would likely be flexed to 126 anyway.



138 USA’s Highest Ranked: #2-Matt Kolodzik, Blair Academy, NJ
Next in Line: #3-Davion Jeffries (OK), #4-Ke-Shawn Hayes (MO)

138 PA’s Highest Ranked: #1-Sam Krivus, Hempfield, PA

Willie’s Prediction: Who Knows vs. Krivus

Notes: Since the last update, Jeffries and Kolodzik split matches, with the latest bout (a Kolodzik win), ending in controversy. I’m reluctant to even predict who the pick will be as I don’t want to even come close to it being misconstrued as an endorsement. Will the committee take the highest ranked? the latest result? Will they take the controversy into consideration at all? I have no idea.
Krivus is pretty much locked in. Of course PA AAA is tougher than nails, and another state title isn’t a guarantee, but the other PA contenders for a state title are either underclassmen (Coy) or have credentials that pale in comparison to Krivus (Elvin).
Kolodzik does own a win over Krivus, who, of course, beat Jeffries in Super 32 finals this fall for his third title.



145 USA’s Highest Ranked: #2-Max Thomsen, Union, IA
Next in Line: #3-Fredy Stroker (IA) #4-Larry Early (IL), #5-Ronnie Gentile (NJ)

145 USA’s Highest Ranked: #1-Michael Kemerer, Franklin Regional, PA

Willie’s Prediction: Kemerer vs. Stroker

Notes: Thomsen really shook things up with his OT win over Stroker. Though this is one case where I see a lower ranked (according to me) wrestler getting the nod. Based on the following - 1) Stroker has a much more robust national resume. 2) Stroker owns two wins over Kemerer. 3) Stroker has western PA ties and would draw well. 4) We already saw Thomsen-Kemerer in a decisive S32 final win by Kemerer.
Kemerer is a three-time PA AAA finalist and should be a shoe-in for the PA slot. While there are threats to his state title this year (#6-Hidlay, #11-Verkleeren), he’s the only senior candidate other than returning AA runner-up #14-Kent Lane.


152 USA’s Highest Ranked: #3-Jordan Kutler, Blair Academy, NJ
Next in Line: #5-Dayton Racer (IA)

152 PA’s Highest Ranked: #2-Vincenzo Joseph, Pitt CC, PA
Next in Line: #4-Patrick Duggan, Cumberland Valley and #9-Josh Maruca, Franklin Regional

Willie’s Prediction: Joseph vs. Kutler

Notes: This would be a rematch of Ironman semi’s won 5-1 by Joseph. As you can see, Joseph still has legitimate competition for the state title in two Top 10 guys. Kutler will have to contend with #6-Cameron Harrell, whom he beat twice this year. But if both win out, this should undoubtedly be your match-up.



160 USA’s Highest Ranked: #3-David McFadden, DePaul Catholic, NJ
Next in Line: #4-Joe Smith (OK), #3 (at 170) - Logan Massa (MI) #4 (at 170) Fox Baldwin (FL)

160 PA’s Highest Ranked: #5-Josh Shields, Franklin Regional, PA
Next in Line: #6-Cole Walter, Mifflinburg

Willie’s Prediction: Shields vs. Massa

Notes: An interesting situation for the committee here. For starters, Massa and Baldwin are both 160lbers that are wrestling up, because, well, they can. And they are absolute superstars. Compounding matters are that the Valencias (read below) are unavailable, which creates a void at 170. While McFadden has emerged as a legitimate Dapper Dan type pick, at the end of the day, I think they try to get both Massa and Baldwin in the line-up.
For PA, Shields has beaten Walter in the finals of the last two Powerades. They are different classes in PA, so they won’t hit again.



170 USA’s Highest Ranked: #2-Anthony Valencia, St. John Bosco, CA
Next in Line: #3-Logan Massa (MI) and #4-Fox Baldwin (FL)

170 PA’s Highest Ranked: #13-Jared Walker, South Fayette, PA

Willie’s Prediction: Walker vs. Baldwin

Notes: Anthony and Zahid Valencia are opting to train freestyle, namely, for JR World Team Trials, which puts some combination of Massa and Baldwin in play at 160 and 170. Which way the committee leans - I have no idea. This is just a guess. But I have a hunch they get both guys in, with the caveat that both Massa and Baldwin, also big freestylers, don’t go the same route.
Walker isn’t a household name or a shoe-in for a state title, but he’s by far the leading candidate for the nod as the top senior, a returning state runner-up, and a FloNationals placer.


182 USA’s Highest Ranked: #1-Zahid Valencia, St. John Bosco, CA
Next in Line: #2-Myles Martin (NJ)

182 PA’s Highest Ranked: #9-Kellan Stout, Mt. Lebanon, PA

Willie’s Prediction: Martin vs. Stout

Notes: Echoing the sentiments of 170. Zahid has been everywhere, at every weight, and has won everything. Still, one match looms. He edged Martin, who himself has won everywhere he's been, at WNO. The two will meet at Ironman (where Zahid will be going for his 4th title) and the DD roster spot will be decided. Oh, and #3-Xavier Montalvo, the FloNationals Champ who's also a senior, will be there too. Not much on the line, huh?
Stout was a runner-up to Zack Zavatsky at both Powerade and State last year. He looked absolutely solid in his Powerade title run this year. He'll have a tough road to state gold with several tough underclassmen. But he should be considered the clear leader for the position.


195 USA’s Highest Ranked: #1-Lance Benick, Totino Grace, MN
Next in Line: #2-Bobby Steveson (MN)

195 PA’s Highest Ranked: #8-Jan Johnson, Governor Mifflin, PA
Next in Line: #10-Dylan Reynolds, Saegertown, PA

Willie’s Prediction: Benick vs. Johnson

Notes: Benick resumes the top position after a win over Steveson at the Minnesota Christmas Tournament. He’s a consensus #1 with a vast resume, so the spot should be his if he wants in.
The committee might have a dilemma on their hands if both Johnson (AAA) and Reynolds (AA) both win state titles. Although Johnson has a slight edge in ranking, Reynolds holds a vastly more abundant ledger - one that includes Ironman and Powerade titles this year. It would be tough for the committee doesn’t pass up a senior season like that. That being said, Johnson would have two state titles to Reynolds one. There’s virtually zero chance the committee takes the guy with the lesser number of Hershey golds.



220 USA’s Highest Ranked: #1-Kenny Brinson, Marist, GA
Next in Line: #2-Austin Myers (KY), #4-Patrick Grayson (VA), #5-Youssif Hemida (NY)

220 PA’s Highest Ranked: #3-Andrew Dunn, Bethlehem Catholic, PA
Next in Line: #17-Buzzy Maines, West Branch, PA

Willie’s Prediction: Grayson vs. Dunn

Notes: Brinson, committed to Army for football and will focus on that sport in the spring. That brings us to Myers and Grayson. Although Myers is ranked hire, Grayson won S32 in a bracket that Myers was in. Tough call there.
Dunn will have to go through Maines to get his state title and Dapper Dan berth. In Hershey last year, Dunn’s only loss was to Jake Temple in semi’s. Maines reached the finals from the other half of the bracket before he also lost to Temple.
Dunn beat Grayson in Beast of the East finals. And you’re probably reading this about noon on Sunday, January 18th - or about 5 hours before Dunn and Grayson should meet again in Escape the Rock finals.


HWT USA’s Highest Ranked: #1-Zack Chakonis, Don Bosco, NJ
Next in Line: #2-Michael Johnson, Jr. (IL)

HWT PA’s Highest Ranked: #13-Alan Beattie, Burrell, PA
Next in Line: #14-Bo Spiller, Solanco, PA

Willie’s Prediction: Spiller vs. Chakonis

Notes: Probably the weight where the selection (for me) is the fuzziest for USA. Johnson has a more national resume, and just yesterday made his season debut and looked good doing it. Chakonis is a two-time state runner-up behind the same guy (Brian Dobzanski) and a two-time Beast runner-up at 220 behind the current #1, Jordan Wood, and then-#1 Kyle Snyder. 
It should be noted that neither Chakonis nor Johnson has a Prep/State title, so that’s a push in that category too.
Although there are no clear cut leaders for PA (largely because of relatively deep pool of state title threats), two wrestlers have emerged. Alan Beattie won Powerade and Bo Spiller won Beast of the East. Beattie was 3rd in AA last year while Spiller was 4th in AAA 220.
For PA, it’s a fluid situation - one that likely won’t be determined until the final whistle in Hershey blows.


Thanks for reading. Projecting the "Rose Bowl of Wrestling" is always fun.

*Photos by Rob Preston, Matt Shuck, and Tony Rotundo

DAPPER DAN - Sunday, March 15th on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh - Fitzgerald Fieldhouse. 

Visit their official website here.