As soon as the dual meet between Blair and Wyoming Seminary came to a close, Bucs’ coach Brian Antonelli said he couldn’t wait for another chance to compete against the Blue Knights. It may not be a head-to-head battle, but the Bucs get their chance again at the National Prep tournament this weekend at Stabler Arena.

Sem has become a serious nuisance for Blair after ending its 33-year stint at the top of the National Prep tournament as well as the country. The Blue Knights claimed the prep title last season by outscoring Blair 299.5 to 256.5 and defeated them 39-20 in a dual meet this year leaving the Bucs pining for revenge.

Although Blair may be in the hunt to crack the armor of the Knights, I’m not too sure they will be able to do it. Sem is primed to repeat as the champs again this year. With the addition of Jack Mueller, who defeated now teammate Trent Olson in last year’s final at 113, and guys like Will Moss and Nick Reenan looking extremely polished, Sem should have no problem with repeating.

Like last year, Blair won’t make it easy and will take home its share of gold, but it won’t be enough to unseat Sem.

McDonogh’s Myles Martin will look to become a four-time finalist and three-time champ to end his career. The Ohio State-bound 170-pounder has won title the last two seasons at 160 and 170, respectively, with his only runner-up finish coming in his freshman year at 152 when Blair’s Russ Parsons, who now wrestles for Army, defeated him.

Below are the top 8 seeds of each weight class along with a breakdown and our projected top three finishers.

106
2014 final: Joey Prata, St. Christopher dec. Zach Sherman, Blair, 7-2.
2010 final: Will Mason, Cape Henry dec. Max Hvolbek, Blair, 5-2.

1. So. Will Moss, Wyoming Seminary, PA
2. Fr. Nathan Thacker, Gonzaga, WA
3. Fr. Mark Salvatore, Malvern Prep, PA
4. Fr. King Sandoval, St. Mary’s Ryken, MD
5. Fr. Matt Vinci, Blair, NJ
6. Fr. Ryan Garretson, Archbishop Spalding, MD
7. Fr. Cole Brown, Gilman, MD
8. So. Michael McClelland, Charlotte Latin, NC

Commentary: Moss has been wrestling so well that it’s going to be tough for anyone to stand in his way on his to the top of the podium. Thacker and Sandoval have met three times this season with each match going to Thacker, so I’m not seeing him have much trouble on his way to a meeting with Moss in the final. But it will be tough for Thacker to keep up with Moss’ pace.

Holmes’ picks: 1. Moss 2. Thacker  3. Sandoval
Willie’s picks:  1. Moss  2. Salvatore  3. Sandoval


113
2014 final: Jack Mueller, Triniy Christan dec. Trent Olson, Wyoming Sem., 4-0.
2010 final: Evan Silver, Blair dec. Dominick Malone, Wyoming Sem., 5-2.

1. Jr. Joey Prata, St. Christopher, VA
2. So. Zach Sherman, Blair, NJ
3. So. Dan Planta, St. Paul’s, MD
4. Jr. Cody Trybus, Mount St. Joe’s, MD
5. So. Luke Davis, St. Johns, DC
6. So. John Luke DeStefano, Poly Prep, NY
7. So. Dawson Parker, Liberty Christian, TX
8. Jr. Brian Jamison, Germantown Acad., PA

Commentary: Prata is the returning champ here with a 7-2 win over Sherman in last year’s final so he has the edge. Prata also outplaced Planta at Escape the Rock with a second place finish with Planta coming in third. The match to watch will be in the semis where Planta and Sherman are likely to meet. Sherman should be able to handle Planta , but it will be a frustrating win for him because Planta is certainly tough.

Holmes’ picks: 1. Prata 2. Sherman 3. Planta
Willie’s picks: 1. Sherman  2. Prata  3. Planta


120
2014 final: Eric Hong, Georgetown Prep dec. Chaz Tucker, Blair, 3-1.
2010 final: Mark Grey, Blair dec. Brandon Jeske, St. Christopher, 5-1.

1. Jr. Jack Mueller, Wyoming Sem., PA
2. Jr. Requir Van Der Merwe, Blair, NJ
3. Sr. Ryan Friedman, St. Paul’s, MD
4. Sr. Jacob Forsman, Phelps School, PA
5. Fr. Malcom Robinson, St. Johns, WA
6. Jr. Michael Doetsch, Severn School
7. Jr. Trey Chalifoux, Father Ryan, TN
8. Jr. Kyle Trybus, Moount St. Joes

Commentary: Returning champ Mueller has a huge advantage over the field. Mueller owns an 11-2 major decision win over Van Der Merwe. I see Friedman coming out on top of the semifinal with Van Der Merwe to make the final against Mueller.

Holmes’ picks: 1. Mueller 2. Friedman 3. Forsman
Willie’s picks: 1. Mueller  2. Van Der Werwe  3. Friedman


126
2014 final: Matt Kolodzik, Blair p. Will Verallis, Wyoming Sem., 4:44.
2010 final: Jeff Ott, Belmont dec. Pat Prada, Dematha Cath., 4-2 OT.

1. Sr. Steven Simpson, St. Mary’s Ryken, MD
2. Jr. Trent Olson, Wyoming Sem., PA
3. Jr. Nick Lattanze, Malvern Prep, PA
4. Sr. Logan Harvich, Cape Henry, VA
5. Sr. Andrew Monahan, Blair, NJ
6. Sr. Garrett Clifford, Trinity Christian, TX
7. So. Joseph Rossetti, Phillips Exeter, NE
8. Sr. Zach Dwyer, John Carroll, MD

Commentary: Olson will look to make another final after placing second last year to his now teammate Mueller. But this season Olson will have to get by Simpson, who he lost to 4-2 about two weeks ago, to win a title. The question is whether or not Olson has made the neccessary changes to win the title this season? Latanze, who returns after taking placing fourth at 106 last year, will be hoping to redeem himself after not living up to his top-seed a season ago.

Holmes’ picks: 1. Simpson 2. Olson 3. Latanze
Willie’s picks: 1. Simpson   2. Olson  3. Monahan


132
2014 final: Jack Mutchnik, St. Pauls dec. Kevin Budock, Good Counsel, 2-1.
2010 final: Todd Preston, Blair dec. Eric Morris, Wyoming Sem., 2-1.

1. So. Eric Hong, Georgetown Prep, MD
2. Sr. Chaz Tucker, Blair, NJ
3. So. Quinn Devaney, McDonogh, MD
4. Sr. Justin Patrick, Kiski School, PA
5. So. Coltan Williams, Trinity Christian, TX
6. Jr. Johnny Busiello, Wyoming Sem., PA
7. Jr. Mike Berkowitz, Long Island, NY
8. So. Josh Wyland, Benedictine, VA

Commentary: There is certainly a rematch of last year's final in the making between Hong and Tucker. Both guys have looked very good this season and there is no one really standing in their way of meeting again in this year's final. Hong was a serious hammer on top in his debut at Escape the Rock, but I'm not sure he will be able to turn Tucker so I am going to give Tucker the advantage here.

Holmes’ picks: 1. Tucker 2. Hong 3. Williams
Willie’s picks: 1. Tucker  2. Hong  3. Patrick


138
2014 final: Michael Sprague, Georgetown Prep dec. Peter Tedesco, Belmont Hill, 2-1 OT.
2010 final: Austin Ormsbee, Blair dec. Chris Dowdy, St. Benedicts, 7-1.

1. Sr. Matt Kolodzik, Blair, NJ
2. Jr. Peter Tedesco, Belmont Hill
3. Jr. Will Verallis, Wyoming Sem., PA
4. Jr. Michael Murphy, Baylor, TN
5. Sr. Colin Kowalski, Georgetown Prep, MD
6. Jr. John Errico, Brunswick, NE
7. Sr. Patrick McLaughlin, Lawrenceville
8. So. Bailey Thomas, Good Counsel, MD

Commentary: Kolodzik will repeat his run to the top of the podium again this season. Tedesco will take care of the bottom half of the bracket and meet Kolodzik in the final where Kolodzik will continue to dominate. Tedesco won't go easily, but Kolodzik will impose his will and come out with at least a major.

Holmes’ picks: 1. Kolodzik 2. Tedesco 3. Verallis
Willie’s picks: 1. Kolodzik  2.Tedesco  3. Murphy


145
2014 final: Alfred Bannister, Bishop McNamara dec. Cameron Harrell, McDonogh, 8-5.
2010 final (140): Evan Henderson, Kiski School dec. Duke Pickett, Woodberry Forrest, 10-5.

1. Sr. Tyshawn Williams, Arbishop Curley, MD
2. Jr. Kevin Budock, Good Counsel, MD
3. Jr. Matt Lattanze, Malvern Prep, PA
4. Sr. Danny Boychuck, Wyoming Sem., PA
5. Jr. Lenny Merkin, Poly Prep, NY
6. Sr. Michael Monica, Blair, NJ
7. Jr. Sam Martino, McDonogh, MD
8. Sr. Aidan Conroy, Northfield, NE

Commentary: Williams will be looking to impress upon his third place finish from a season ago where he was pinned in the semis. He certainly proved he is ready to step up after defeating Budock last week. Budock will be looking for revenge and will get his chance after a tough one in the semis with Lattanze. 

Holmes’ picks: 1. Williams 2. Budock 3. Boychuck
Willie’s picks: 1. Williams  2. Monica  3. Budock


152
2014 final: Mason Manville, Blair dec. Nick Reenan, Wyoming Sem., 6-2.
2010 final (145): Chris Villalonga, Blair p. Chris Mears, Bishop Lynch, 5:16.

1. Sr. Jordan Kutler, Blair, NJ
2. Sr. Cam Harrell, McDonogh, MD
3. So. AJ Pedro, Phillips Exeter, NE
4. Jr. Paul Hutton, Good Counsel, MD
5. Sr. Jonathan Carrera, Wyoming Sem., PA
6. Jr. Robert Dupont, Benedictine, VA
7. Sr. Dylan Faucett, Liberty Christian, TX
8. Jr. Ethan Beauman, Long Island, NY

Commentary: Kutler has come into his own after makine the move up from 138 a season ago where he finished 5th. Harrell will be looking for gold once again as he makes the finals for the second consecutive year, but Kutler will be too much for him.

Holmes’ picks: 1. Kutler 2. Harrell 3. Pedro
Willie’s picks: 1. Kutler  2.Harrell  3. Pedro


160
2014 final: Dylan Milonas, Blair dec. Chris Weiler, Wyoming Sem., 9-6.
2010 final (152): Jason Luster, Kiski School dec. Bobby Burg, Mercersburg, 9-3.

1. Jr. Chris Weiler, Wyoming Sem., PA
2. Jr. Brandon Dallavia, Blair, NJ
3. Sr. Sam Rowell, Mount St. Joes
4. Sr. Jake Deutschlander, Hyde School, NE
5. Sr. Marcus Cross, Northfield, NE
6. Sr. Blake Sutherland, Baylor, TN
7. Jr. Garrett Neff, Good Counsel, MD
8. Jr. Cole Williams, Trinity Christian, TX

Commentary: Weiler and Dallavia had a thrilling match when they met at the dual and it will once again be just as good when they meet in the final. Weiler will get the best of him again here. 

Holmes’ picks: 1. Weiler 2. Dallavia 3. Cross
Willie’s picks: 1. Wieler  2. Dallavia  3. Deutschlander


170
2014 final: Myles Martin, McDonogh dec. Josh Lopez, St. Mary’s Ryken, 4-0.
2010 final (160): Chris Moon, Wyoming Sem. dec. David Wesley, St. Christophers, 3-1.

1. Jr. Nick Reenan, Wyoming Sem., PA
2. Fr. Mike Beard, Malvern Prep, PA
3. Sr. Christian Almony, John Carroll, MD
4. Sr. Judah Bruce, Liberty Christian, VA
5. Sr. Cayman Seagraves, Baylor, TN
6. Sr. Peter Bearse, Blair, NJ
7. Sr. Sam Pruett, Wesleyan, NC
8. Sr. John Fergusson, St. Christopher, VA

Commentary: Reenan came back strong after being injured for part of the season. He is in a class of his own here. Beard will clear out the bottom half of the bracket to meet Reenan in the final. Beard and Almony will have a close match in the semis though so I wouldn't be surprised to see him toe the line against Reenan in the championship.

Holmes’ picks: 1. Reenan 2. Beard 3. Almony
Willie’s picks: 1. Reenan  2. Beard  3. Almony


182
2014 final: Nick Hall, Wyoming Sem. inj. def. Hunter Ritter, John Carroll.
2010 final (171): Tanner Eitel, Bishop Lynch dec. Bobby Bowman, Mount St. Joe’s, 5-4.

1. Sr. Myles Martin, McDonogh, MD
2. So. Chase Singletary, Blair, NJ
3. Jr. Rashone Lusane, Malvern Prep, PA
4. Sr. Anthony Cable, Wyoming Sem., PA
5. Sr. Jackson Law, Cape Henry, VA
6. Sr. Joseph Gottfried, Northfield, NE
7. Sr. Evan Lewis, Episcopal, TX
8. Sr. Timothy Boyce, Peddie, NJ

Commentary: Martin should have no problem making his fourth final and claiming another title this year. Singletary is primed to make the final with Christian Dietrich (Wyoming Sem.) sidelined. However, Cable will pick up the slack for the Blue Knights and place high.

Holmes’ picks: 1. Martin 2. Singletary 3. Cable
Willie’s picks: 1. Martin  2. Singletary  3. Law


195
2014 final: Dan Hawkins, Mount St. Joe’s dec. LJ Barlow, Haverford School, 6-4 OT.
2010 final (189): Mike Evans, Blair dec. Stephen McPeek, Bishop Lynch, 6-1.

1. Sr. Hunter Ritter, John Carroll, MD
2. Sr. LJ Barlow, Haverford, PA
3. So. Zane Black, Wyoming Sem., PA
4. Jr. Kevin Snyder, Good Counsel, MD
5. Sr. Desmond Johnson, Springdale, PA
6. Jr. Neil Putnam, Blair, NJ
7. Jr. Ryan Parker, Baylor, TN
8. Sr. Carrington Lanier, St. Christopher, VA

Commentary: Ritter is the favorite to take the title here. Black will pull the upset in the semis over Barlow to face Ritter in the final. But the sophomore won't have enough juice to take out the returning finalist. 

Holmes’ picks: 1. Ritter 2. Black 3. Barlow
Willie’s picks: 1. Ritter  2. Barlow  3. Snyder


220
2014 final: Jake Anderson, Malvern Prep dec. Matt Doggett, Wyoming Sem., 3-0.
2010 final (215): Don McNeil, Wyoming Sem. p. Jon Wright, Northfield Mount Hermon, 3:01.

1. Sr. David Showunmi, Blair, NJ
2. Sr. Jake Nordhausen, Loyola-Blakefield, MD
3. Sr. Mike Smith, McDonogh, MD
4. Sr. Paul Triandafilou, Georgetown Prep, MD
5. Sr. Nick Miller, Good Counsel, MD
6. So. Harrison Nye, Wyoming Sem., PA
7. So. Dymir Davis-Carruth, Hill School, PA
8. Sr. Jack Argast, Poly Prep, NY

Commentary: Ironman champ Showunmi will struggle a bit with the field if he is not fully healthy. He was plagued with a knee injury that he was fighting through so depending on his recovery it could make for a tougher run at the title. Darkhorse Harrison Nye could make some noise here too.

Holmes’ picks: 1. Showunmi  2. Smith  3. Nordhausen
Willie’s picks: 1. Showunmi  2. Smith  3. Nordhausen


285
2014 final: Jacob Scanlan, Wymoming Sem. dec. Stone Hart, Phillips Exeter, 3-2.
2010 final: Mike McMullan, Wyoming Sem. p. Brooks Black, Blair, 0:59.

1. Jr. Mike Rogers, Wyoming Sem., PA
2. Sr. Kostya Golobokov, Hill School, PA
3. Sr. Toby Okwara, Charlotte Latin, NC
4. So. Mansur Abdul-Malik, St. Vincent, MD
5. Sr. John Martisch, Hotchkiss School, NE
6. Sr. Miles Brown, Sidwell Friends, DC
7. Sr. Cody Frost-Eisenberg, Mercersburg, PA
8. Sr. Christian Scott, John Carroll, MD

Commentary: Golobokov will give Rogers all he can handle and then some in the final. Roger will have to push the pace against Golobokov. Rogers will definitely have to stay away from upperbody throws. As we saw at Ironman, bigger heavyweights give him fits.

Holmes’ picks: 1. Golobokov 2. Rogers 3. Okwara
Willie’s picks: 1. Rogers  2. Golobokov  3. Abdul-Malik