Once again it's time to take our trip to the beach for the 26th Annual NHSCA High School National tournament series.

Some of the biggest up and comers will be featured at the annual national tournament. Keep an eye out for #2-Kenny Brinson, #18-Sammy Sasso, HM-Quincy Monday, #3-Austin Myers and some of the nation’s most highly touted competitors across the four divisions competing at the Virginia Beach Convention Center.

Brinson will be looking for his fourth title, but Myers will be in the way of that along with Ian Butterbrodt. Myers, a West Virginia commit, is fresh off his fourth consecutive state title and would certainly like some revenge on Brinson, who came between him and his chances of being of four-time champ.

Nonetheless, Brinson will be looking to defend his crown and become an NHSCA four-timer.

Minnesota four-time state champ Cam Sykora will highlight the 120-pound bracket in the Senior Division as well. The competition will be at an all-time high on all 28 mats throughout the three days in all divisions. In the Freshman Division Texas state champ HM-Quincy Monday will be looking to claim a title at 106 as #8 (at 106)-Roderick Mosely goes after the 113-pound title.

Anyway, let’s get the conversation started with a breakdown of the Senior Division.


113:

Top Contenders
Jake Goldenstein, Augusta (KS)
Sam Sandoval, Pierre Vista (NM)
Toribio Navarro, Bradley Central (TN)
Jarrett Reisenbichler, Jackson (MO)
Arick Shankles, Muscle Shoals (AL)

Commentary: Missouri’s Jarrett Reisenbichler has an edge here after placing second a year ago to Jabari Moody in the 106-pound division. He will certainly be tested by a tremendous field of multiple time state champs from a number of different states. One wrestler in particular who will be eying up the title is Arick Shankle of Alabama, a four-time state champ. Tennessee’s Toribio Navarro, an eighth place finisher here last year in the Junior Division, and Sam Sandoval of New Mexico, who have a combine five state titles between the two of them with Navarro having three and Sandoval having two, will be in contention for the Senior Division crown, as well.


                                                                        120:
             

Top Contenders
Ryan Friedman, St. Pauls (MD)
Troy Gassaway, Mt. Anthony (VT)
Kyle Quinn, Wantagh (NY)
Anthony Rubinetti, Demarest (NJ)
Cam Sykora, Border West (MN)
Denzel Tovar, Wall (NJ)

Commentary: Highlighted by four-time Minnesota state champ Cam Sykora, this weight class could be plenty competitive. Outside of Sykora’s list of accolades, Maryland’s Ryan Friedman, a third place finisher at the National Prep tournament this season after a very controversial semi-final sent him to the backside, will be a challenger for the title too. Anthony Rubinetti of New Jersey and Troy Gassaway of Vermont, who is also a four-timer in his respective state, finished fifth and sixth last season at 120, respectively, and will be vying for the title here as well.


                                                                        126:
             
            
Top Contenders
#5- Markus Simmons, Broken Arrow (OK)
#15- Ben Lamantia, St. Anthony’s (NY)
Chris Debien, Cleveland (TN)
Jacob Fontanez, Stillwater (OK)
Cy Trindle, Edmond North (OK)
Trevor Zdebski, Detroit Catholic Central (MI)

Commentary: The match-up to watch will be between Lamantia and Simmons. Both guys are no stranger to the big stage and definitely bring it on the mat. The rest of the field certainly is nothing to bat an eye at either. Four-time Tennessee state champ Chris Debien will make things interesting along with Cy Trindle, who was a runner-up to top-ranked Kaid Brock of Stillwater in the 132-pound Class 6A state final. Fontanez may be a bit of a darkhorse here, but he’s no slouch and can compete.


132:

Top Contenders
Cole Van Anrooy, Roseburg (OR)
Jayden Pentz, Morgan (UT)
Nick McGhee, Francis Howell (MO)
Jesse Dellavecchia, East Idlip (NY)
Nick Casaella, Locust Valley (NY)
Cross Cannone, Trumbull (CT)
Weston Basler, Seckman (MO)

Commentary: Oregon’s Cole Van Anrooy is a favorite here. In the mix will be two-time New York state runner-up Jesse Dellavecchia. A match between these two will be pretty competitive with Van Anrooy having the slight edge. Another New Yorker that will cause some problems is Nick Casella who is fresh off his first state title.


138:

Top Contenders
Anthony Juckes, Piedra Vista (NM)
Riley Loveless, Payson (UT)
Marty Margolis III, LaPlata (MD)
Steven MidKiff, Hickory (VA)
Bryce Parson, Lewiston (ID)
Jeff Stone, Colonial Forge (VA)
Sam Ward, Locust Valley (NY)

Commentary: No strangers to the top of the podium in this weight class. Anthony Juckes, a four-timer out of New Mexico, and Marty Margolis III, a three time state champ from Maryland, will make things interesting along with Bryce Parson, who was a four-time Idaho state finalist and two-time champ. Jeff Stone, who won his first Virginia state title this season, can compete here too.


145:

Top Contenders
#11 (at 152)-Jake Adcock, Pope (GA)
HM-Joseph Dominguez, Northview (CA)
HM-Brian LaPrade, New Kent (VA)
HM-Luke Weiland, Seckman (MO)
Charlie Perella, Catoctin (MD)
Mike Raccioppi, Minisink Valley (NY)
David Rump, Chambersburg (PA)
Joseph Trovato, Paramus (NJ)
Andrew Webb, Parkview (GA)

Commentary: This weight class is pretty loaded with talent. Adcock may be the only guy ranked, but the competition is pretty stiff. Weiland, a state runner-up in Missouri this season, is certainly a tough competitor. He recently gave Fredy Stroker some trouble as the Missouri Border Brawl. Brian LaPrade is also a title contender. The Escape the Rock champ will be a high finisher as well. Dominguez, Rump and Trovato are three guys to watch here as they attempt to through their hats in the championship ring.


152:

Top Contenders
#5 (at 160)-Myles Amine, Detroit Catholic (MI)
#9-Neal Richards, Matoaca (VA)
Lorenzo De La Riva, Folsom (CA)
Ricky Padilla, Northview (CA)
Zack Velasquez, Ponderosa (CA)

Commentary: The California boys will be attempting to take out the Michigan Monster Myles Amine and become the Senior Division champ. De La Riva, a two-time state placer in California with 6th and 2nd place finishes is one of the many top contenders. Neal Richards, a four-time Virginia state champ, will be the top prospect to take down Amine.


                                                                        160:
            

Top Contenders
#9-Dayton Racer, Bettendorf (IA)
#18-Corbin Allen, Hanover (VA)
Cody Hughes, Marshwood (ME)
Blaise Benderoth, North Rockland (NY)
Lucas Eastman, Rochester (WA)
Seldon Wright, Oscar Smith (VA)
Jonathan Viruet, Springfield Central (MA)

Commentary: Look no further than Dayton Racer and Corbin Allen here. Racer is a serious grinder who is always down to compete. Allen is just as tough. The two-time state champ gave David McFadden all he could handle in the finals of the Beast of the East. If these two meet in the final here it will be super exciting and most likely come down to the wire.


170:

Top Contenders
Trevor Allard, Mexico (NY)
Jordan Bushey, Peru (NY)
Taylor Cahill, Berlin (PA)
Conner Cawthon, Westfield (GA)
Cody Cordes, Wyoming Valley West (PA)
Ricky Regas, Cinco Ranch (TX)
Shane Rodenburg, Kent City (MI)
Taylor Watkins, Columbus (KS)

Commentary: Pretty tough weight here. Competition all over the bracket and it’s anyone’s title to win. Cordes placed for the first time at PA states with a respectable runner-up finish. Conner Cawthon, a three-timer from Georgia, will still be the favorite here no matter how “up for grabs” the title may be. Taylor Cahill is also a game opponent that should finish high here as well.


                                                                        182:
         

Top Contenders
#10-Dylan Wisman, Millbrook (VA)
Willie Bivens, Arrchion (NC)
Andrew Colborn, Croatan (NC)
Hayden Cook, Darlington (GA)
Juan Garcia, Danbury (CT)
Ryan Marszal, Unatego (NY)

Commentary: Hard to bet against the future Mizzou Tiger here. Wisman, the returning champ here in the Junior Division, should repeat as champ once again. As a four-time Virginia state finalist with two championship finishes and a FloNationals title under his belt along with the junior title, it’s tough to see anyone knocking him off. However, Hayden Cook and Willie Bivens might have a different argument. Watch out for these guys as they contend to take down the champ, Wisman.


195:

Top Contenders
#19-Austin Caleb Flores, Clovis North (CA)
HM-Cody Vigoren, Lake Stevens (WA)
Thomas Alcaro, Emmaus (PA)
Tevis Bartlett, Cheyenne East (WY)
Hunter Brown, Centennial (NV)
Matt Rudy, Cane Bay (SC)
Jacob Seely, Fruita Monument (CO)

Commentary: Austin Caleb Flores has the edge here after claiming his first California state title this season. Cody Vigoren will give him a run along with Tevis Bartlett and Hunter Brown. Look for Thomas Alcaro to have a good finish as well.


                                                                        220:
               

Top Contenders
#2-Kenny Brinson, Marist (GA)
#3-Austin Myers, Campbell County (KY)
#11 (at 285)-Ian Butterbrodt, St. Johns Prep (MA)
Juan Hernandez, Putnam (OR)
Elliott Lee, Archer (GA)

Commentary: Can Brinson bring home another gold? The future Army football player is on the precipice of NHSCA history as he attempts to join the elite company of four-timers. But in his way of title number four is Austin Myers who is looking for his third. Brinson defeated Myers in the Junior Division final a season ago to quell the future Mountaineers’ chances of being a four-time champ while keeping his own alive. Not to be overlooked, Ian Butterbrodt, who won his third state title at 220-pounds this season. Elliott Lee will bring some more heat here to make this a four horse race for the top.


285:

Top Contenders
Nick Fortini, St Anthony’s (NY)
Caleb Gossett, Francis Howell (MO)
Jarrod Hinrichs, Fillmore Central (NE)
Andrew Pacheco, Warren Hills (NJ)

Commentary: Fortini and Gossett should be the guys meeting in the finals at the end of the tournament. Gossett just had a tough loss at the Missouri Border Brawl and will be hungry for the gold. Andrew Pacheco can contend here too. He has the ability to cause some problems for some guys here so don’t overlook the Jersey boy.


Junior Division


106:

Not a heavily competitive bracket. The two big guns here are a pair of boys from New York – Thomas Cox and Kelan McKenna – who should be meeting in the final. McKenna, a three-time state placer, has the edge over the field here. Escape the Rock placewinner Sean Redington can cause some problems and make things interesting as well.


113:

State champs Victor Echeverrio (VA), Theo Powers (NY) and Todd Small (GA) lead the pack here. But Garrett O’Shea (NJ) and Drew Hildebrandt (IN) are waiting in the wings to take one of them down a peg. Colorado state placer Josh Finesilver will also contend here too.


120:

Gage Curry, a three-time state placer who is fresh off a recent runner-up finish at the PA state tournament, has a great chance of winning the title here. Not to be overlooked is Missouri state placer Zack Durbin along with Georgia runner-up Vincent Artigues. Matteo Devincenzo (NY), Jacob Garrison, a two-time state finalist, and Gregory Shack, a two-time champ, should have strong showings as well. Keep an eye out for Georgia’s Codi Russell, who has finishes of fourth, third and most recently second at the state tournament.


126:

This bracket is loaded and has nearly 100 wrestlers. Alex Mackall, a three-time Ohio state place winner and one-time champ, along with two-time New York state champ Kellen Devlin have the edge over the field. Throw in Josh Nail, a three-time state finalist and two-time champion from Virginia, and you’ve got some high level competition. West Virginia’s Lucas Simpkins and Ryan Deakin of Colorado should finish high here as well.


132:

California’s Israel Saavedra is the man to beat here. The two-timer will have some competition from TK Megonigal, a two-time state champ and Beast of the East finalist this past season. Missouri’s Josh McClure and Johnny Busiello of PA (Wyoming Seminary) will have good finishes as well. Mario Kastl and Chris Diaz will compete for a spot on the podium as well here.


138:

Pretty deep weight class here with Jarrett Degen, Evan Fidelibus and Justin Demicco being part of the crowd to lead the way here. Mark McCormick, Michael Murphy and Ryan Peters are also in contention for a championship.


145:

The wrestlers to keep an eye on here are Isaac Lopez, Chris Mauriello, Jimmy Saylor Sam Martino and Tyler Moraski. Mauriello and Saylor are two favorites for the tite along with Martino.


152:

Virginia’s own Creed Lumpp, a three-time state placer who just won his first title this season, and three-timer Thomas Bullard, who is also a Super 32 champ, are the favorites here. Sam Goings, Nick Johnson and Hunter Jones add depth here as well. North Carolina’s Tyler Ceparno should finish well here too.


160:

Danny Bullard, a three-time state champ and Powerade champ, is the guy to beat here. Alex Herringshaw, who just won his second New York state title, and Elijah Cleary, who just won his first, will give Bullard some competition for the title.


170:

This will be a three-man race for the title between Rexx Hallyburton, Cameron Pack, and Koy Wilkinson. Each of them recently won their first state title in their respective states and could take the title here.


182:

Not the deepest of weights here. The top contender is Dean Drugac of New Jersey. Also in the mix will be recent state champs Troy Allen Jr. and Abraham Correa-Medina.


195:

Indiana state champ #6-Blake Rypel is a favorite to win it all here. Pennsylvania’s Drew Phipps, a third place state finisher, is a strong contender as well. Maryland’s Kevin Snyder and New York state champ Christian Araneo can cause some problems too.


220:

Mason McKenzie, who just won his second state title and Jake Robb, a runner-up this season, are the top guys of the weight class. Eddie Sternad can finish high here too.


285:

The big guys in title contention here at heavy weight are Edwin Rubio, a New York state runner-up, Dante Jiovenetta, a state champ from Florida and Nick Coe, North Carolina’s two-time state finalist and one-time champ. Look for great battles between them this weekend.


Sophomore Division

106:

A pair of New Yorker state champs – Jon Gomez, a two-time finalist, and Brooks Hennesy – come to the beach after winning state titles just weeks ago. Jody Sandoval has taken home two state medals in Colorado with one of them being gold this past season. Georgia’s Koby Milner is another state champion adding strength and depth to this weight. Lake Highland Prep state gold medalist Mason Wohltman is also entered here and will bring some heat.


113:

Oh man, this weight is loaded! At the front of the pack is #14-Ian Timmins, a Fargo AA and two-time Nevada State Champion. After failing to make weight at states, Ohio’s Zack Donathan is hungry for competition and looked good this season as he Dvorak title over a tough Kirk Johansen. Two-time finalist, and one-time champ, Dane Heberlein of New York has also finished third at Super 32 and will contend for the title. The two-time state champions Sawyer Degen (MT), Dan Planta (MD) and Zach Vanalst (AL) also look to get some big wins and finish high on the podium. Another pair of two-timers is Nebraska’s Christian Miller and Connecticut’s Shaun Williams. Watch out for them to make things interesting here as well.


120:

Another weight with some great competitors, 120 gets a lot of help from the Northeast. New York state champions Hunter Dusold and Ben Temperman hold it down for the Big Apple. Chase Archangelo has been in the Delaware state final twice, winning his first title this season. Pennsylvania boys KJ Fenstermacher and Jake Riegel, a 2014 Class AA state champ, have PA represented well. Can’t forget about Kyran Hagan a two-time Missouri finalist taking gold last month.


126:

A favorite here is the 13th-ranked sophomore in the nation and 10th at his weight, New York’s Vito Arujau. He has taken home two state golds and All-American honors in Fargo. He has looked dominant and has a finals appearance at FloNationals. Looking to challenge, and certainly will, is Cali’s Jaden Enriquez, who is ranked 13th in the nation on our Sophomore Big Board. Enriquez is a Fargo finalist and a Doc B champion and also won the title last year in the Freshman Division. Franco Valdes has been great in the state of Florida taking home a silver and gold medals at his two state tournament appearances.


132:

Alec Hagan from Missouri, a two time state finalist, is a true contender here and is coming in looking to add some gold into his collection. Evan Barczak from Monroe Woodbury had a great freshman season placing here last year and looked really tough this past season making his first appearance at the state tournament taking home a medal. Josh Wyland, a two-time Virginia state champion, could really disrupts some things in the bracket as well.


138:

State champions Quentin Hovis from Arizona and Parker Filius out of Montana lead the charge here. Fellow state champions Isaiah Bailey of Rhode Island and Trent Ferguson from Georgia can challenge for a podium spot here too.


145:

Looking to defend his title from last season, Stephan Glasgow has looked great this season finishing second at the always-competitive Jersey State Tournament. Lake Highland Prep stud, Bryce Rogers is coming off a first place finish at the state tournament. Keep an eye on two-time West Virginia state champion, Jacob Hart.


152:

After a freshman title here last year, #20-Mikey Labriola from PA is looking to repeat. He is a two-time state placer taking home bronze in 2015. Oregon’s two-time state champion and 21st ranked sophomore in the nation, Layne Van Anrooy is a hammer and can really do some damage. Don’t forget about the two-time Ohio state champion and the 27th best sophomore, Kaleb Romero. Here’s a bracket where we will definitely see some high level action.


160:

Brandon Kui from DePaul Catholic (NJ) was an 8th place finish at this years state tournament and should be a force here. Pennsylvania’s Cade Moisey will look to break into the national scene. Don’t take your eyes off Jase Stokes, a two time state champion form Montana, who has the potential to make a strong run.


170:

The level of competition here is high despite the low level of entries. Nevada’s two-time state finalist Andrew Berreyesa and New York state placer Mike Spallina both have the power to win the whole tournament. Don’t count out Drew Peck of Chambersburg, a Pennsylvania state qualifier and Escape the Rock runner-up. He can wrestle with the best of ‘em.


182:

Haydn Maley, a two-time Oregon state champion and Fargo All American, is a favorite to win it all. He can have some tough matches along the way with Caleb Little, a two-time gold medalist from Georgia, and Noah Bushman, a two-time Virginia state placer with finishes of fourth and first.


195:

We may see a Blair vs Sem final here as both #15-Chase Singletary and Zane Black, a fourth place finisher at National Preps this season, are both entered here. Ohio state finalist Jared Campbell can also pull off some big wins here too. Virginia’s Jeff Allen is another one to keep an eye on as he is the 22nd ranked sophomore in the nation and has been in the state finals twice, winning it this past season.


220:

Tennessee’s two-time state champion, Sammy Evans and Georgia state champ, Quinn Miller could easily finish first and second here. Who comes out on top is still uncertain. Looking to disrupt this weight is Pennsylvania state finalist, Seth Janney who really cut the corner and turned some heads this past season.


285:

With just over 20 entrants, this years heavyweight bracket may be the smallest of the division. Levi Seabolt just won a Georgia state title after not placing last season and Gavin Nye placed in an always tough single class California state tournament. Another Tennessee big guy looking to shake it up is Nick Boykin. Boykin has placed twice at the state tournament, winning it in 2015, and will add some strength as well.



Freshman Division

106:

Arguably the toughest weight in the freshman division, 106 features over 100 entrants and over 10 state finalists. Waverley High’s, AJ Burkhart is coming off a NY state title and has been looking impressive. Two other New York state finalists -- Sal Jones and Jake Silverstein -- have the Empire State represented well. Quincy Monday is taking the trip from Texas, where he just wrapped up a state championship season. Chase Zollmann has proven how tough he is by taking seventh at the California Class A state tournament, and could look to find himself getting some big wins on the beach. Others to look out for are New Jersey state placers Rich Koehler and Carmen Ferrante. And don’t forget about Missouri state champion, Michael Mcateer.


113:

There are nine state champions entered at 113-pounds. The host state of Virginia is represented well with Virginia State finalists Levi Englman and Xander Whitehorse along with State Champions Patrick McCormick and Collin Gerrardi. Lake Highland Prep’s Joey Silva is one of the toughest freshman in the nation and has the potential to win the tournament. Oklahoma’s Rodrick Mosley is the 22nd-ranked wrestler on our Freshman Big Board and the 8th-ranked 106-pounder in the country. He has shown his title winning potential with a Flo Tulsa Nationals Championship finish in 2014.


120:

Virginia State Champion Malcolm Robinson, who has also won titles at Dixie Nationals and East Coast Nationals, is one bad dude that leads the field at 120-pounds. Wyoming Seminary’s Jack Davis has showed promise in his freshman season with the Blue Knights and looks to be Robinson’s biggest challenge. A pair of state runner-ups in Wyoming’s Trevor Jefferies and Georgia’s Cole Luallen also can find spots on the podium in Virginia too.


126:

Maryland State champions Aaron Brooks, who is currently ranked 48th on our Freshman Big Board, and Imran Heard lead the weight class amongst some tough competition. Pennsylvania state placer Justin McCoy, a FloNational All-American, adds strength here. Fellow Pennsylvania native, Andrew Wert, who is coming off a 5th place finish at the state tournament will also be a contender to keep an eye on as well.


132:

Trio of top 100 Freshmen – #13-Sammy Sasso, also ranked 18th in the nation, #24-Justin Ruffin and #29 Grant Aranoff – will be featured here. Sasso jumped onto the scene with a breakout performance at FloNationals as an eight grader a season ago and made a statement with a runner-up finish at Pennsylvania States this season. Aranoff was a Florida State finalist and Ruffin won a Georgia state title this year as well. Another guy to look out for here is Kirksville’s Jarrett Jacques, who won a Missouri state title just weeks ago.


138:

John Manning, the 31st-ranked freshman in the Nation, just took home a Utah state title and was a 2014 Tulsa Nationals runner-up. Josh Stillings of Pennridge, PA has looked solid this year and finished seventh at the tough Escape the Rock tournament. When it all shakes out, these two should be shaking hands to kick off the gold medal match.


145:

Jake Hendricks has had a great freshman season at Wyoming Seminary and looks to continue at VA Beach. He has been in battles with a lot of tough competition and this could be his time to break through to the next level. A state champion from both Montana and Georgia, Brock Bushfield, and Cody Cochran, add some strength to a smaller entry list.


152:

After a freshman season at Blair Academy, Ryan Karoly looks for continued success after a second place finish at Reno Worlds and winning the Kickoff Classic and Tulsa Nationals. Robert Patrick had a great first year by placing second at an always-tough Pennsylvania state tournament, dropping a 5-0 match to Kent Lane.


160:

Over 10 state placers and 3 state champions entered at 160 pounds. State Champs Tommy Wrzesien (RI), Noah Reynolds (SC) and Josh Dailey (DE) lead the field. Adding to the field is Georgia state finalist Allen Knox and Alabama runner-up Ethan Pippin. With that much talent and depth, this will be an exciting weight to watch.


170:

As just a freshman at a tough weight, Zach Elam took home a silver medal at the Missouri state championships. Pennsylvania state placers Anthony Walters and Gavin Hoffman look to find their selves taking home some hardware. Hoffman might be one of the best-unranked freshman in the nation and looks to really make a big splash on the beach.


182:

Blake Barrick is a guy to look out for here. He collected a 5th place finish at Escape the Rock this season and can easily find himself taking home a top three finish. Looking to challenge him though is Delaware state champion, Tony Wuest. The clash between the young big men will make things interesting if we get to see it.


195:

Out of the approximately 20 wrestlers in this bracket, four of them are state placers with a tremendous amount of potential to compete with the best. Missouri 4th place finisher, Max Darrah and Georgia state finalist Cody Ridley look to be the two strongest competitors here. But also be on the lookout for Lake Highland Prep’s Ben Goldin.


220:

Don’t let the lack of depth fool you, 220 still has some tough competition. Cade Ridley finished fourth at the Georgia state tournament this past season and will have to compete with Pennsylvania standout Francis Duggan, who took home a sixth place state medal, for the title. Duggan is currently the 5th-ranked freshman in the nation with an Escape the Rock title and Fargo All-American finish on his resume.


285:

Here we go, the big guys! The 8th best freshman in the nation, Oklahoma state placer, Brey Walker is no stranger to success. Walker, who won a Kansas City Stampede title this season, can make a very strong run at this weight. Looking to push him is Virginia state finalist, Tanner Whitehall from Christiansburg High School.