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FloInsider: KC Stampede Preview and Analysis

FloInsider: KC Stampede Preview and Analysis

Dec 13, 2012 by Willie Saylor
FloInsider: KC Stampede Preview and Analysis
Insider: Kansas City Stampede Breakdown

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Insider: Kansas City Stampede Breakdown
Willie Saylor, Editor
 
The Kansas City Stampede has evolved into a monster tournament. Led by the 9th ranked Allen Eagles, the field at KC has national implications. It features some of the top teams from Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma, Iowa, Georgia, Nebraska, Tennessee, and Kansas. Other standout squads in the 36-team field include Honorable Mention teams Collinsville, Tuttle, and Edmund North, all from Oklahoma; and Blue Springs and Kearney from Missouri. Add in perennially strong Collins Hill (GA), and Bettendorf (IA); and state powers Arkansas City (KS), Skutt Catholic (NE), Christian Brothers (TN), and Park Hill (MO), and you have an outstanding field.

Flowrestling will bring you unprecedented coverage of the Stampede with 13 mats streamed live. You can view the live feed through our Tech Wave feature all weekend.

On the individual side, competition will be fierce. 120 and 145lbs feature many nationally recognized wrestlers. Headlining the event is Fargo National Finalists Bo Nickal (Allen) and Zach Beard (Tuttle), and Super 32 Champs Ryan Millhof (Collins Hill) and Grant Leeth (Kearney).

In total, nine wrestlers in the field have won KC Classic titles in previous years including five defending champions: Beard (170), Sean Russell, Collins Hill (113), Daniel Lewis, Blue Springs (138), Kaleb Baker, Christian Brothers (152), and Fredy Stroker, Bettendorf (126).

Below I’ll list the major players at each weight, highlighting their career and making my picks.



106lbs:
Last Year’s Final: Sean Russell (Collins Hill) md. Davion Jeffries (Collinsville), 15-5
Contenders:
HM-So. Tanner Rowheder, Dowling Catholic, IA - Fargo FS Champ
HM-So. Logan Terrill, Ark City, KS - State Runner-Up
So. Jacob Schwarm, Bettendorf, IA - Cheesehead, PSN Placer
So. Christian Moody, Collinsville, OK - State Runner-Up, Mid Am Nats Champ
Fr. Codi Russell, Collins Hill, GA - Runner-Up at Clovis West Shootout
Fr. Jordan Prince, Edmond North, OK - Mid Am Nats 4th
Fr. Beau Guffey, Tuttle, OK - Runner-Up at Mid Am Nationals
Fr. Matthew Schmitt, Platte County, MO - Double Fargo AA

Notes: A good young field here, where there has been a couple recent head-to-heads. Moody, who was 6th here last year at 113, beat Guffey, 5-2, for the Mid America National title last week. Rowheder has the Fargo title. And I think the KC crown goes through them.

FLO Picks:  1. Moody, CV    2. Rowheder, DC    3. Schwarm, Bett    4. Guffey, Tuttle


113lbs:
Last Year’s Final: Fredy Stroker (Bettendorf) wbf. Andrew Wallace (Waynesville), 2:33
Contenders:
#4-Jr. Sean Russell, Collins Hill, GA - Returning Champ, S32 Runner-Up
#6-So. Ke-Shawn Hayes, Park Hill, MO - 2x Fargo 3rd, Ironman Runner-Up
#8-So. Davion Jeffries, Collinsville, OK - Fargo AA, Mid AM Champ, Returning RU
#14-Jaret Singh, Kearney, MO - 2010 2x Champ, State Champ, Ironman 4th
Jr. Gabe Torres, Allen - 4th at Mid Am
So. Elijah Oliver, Christian Brothers, TN - State Champ, 4th at PSN
So. Cy Trindle, Edmund North, 3rd at Mid Am
Fr. Colin Kraus, Stoughton, WI

Notes: One of the most loaded weight classes in KC this year, with four legitimate studs that are all on hot streaks. In last year’s tournament, Russell beat Hayes in semi’s and Jeffries in the finals. Singh was 8th. 
Trindle beat Torres for 3rd at Mid America Nationals

FLO Picks:  1. Russell, CH    2. Hayes, PH    3. Singh, Kearney    4. Jeffries, CV


120lbs:
Last Year’s Final: Drew Ferguson (Collins Hill) dec. Matt Manley (Perry), 5-1
Contenders:
#7-Jr. Ryan Millhof, Collins Hill, GA - Super 32 Champ, Returning 3rd placer
HM-Sr. Josh Breece, Edmund North, OK - Mid Am Champ, PSN 5th
HM-Jr. Seth Brayfield, Kearney, MO - Fila and Fargo AA
HM-John Erneste, Park Hill, MO - State Runner-Up
HM-So. Weston Basler, Seckman, MO - State Runner-Up, NHSCA Runner-Up
Sr. Zac Damico, Southmoore, OK - Mid Am Nats Runner-Up, NHSCA Placer
Jr. Andrew Wallace, Waynesville, State 2nd, 3rd
Jr. Reese Cokeley, St. James Academy, KS

Notes: Millhof was 3rd here last year, and has been on a tear ever since. He’s the guy to beat, but there’s a solid field behind him. 
Breece has been wrestling great. He won MAN at 126 and drops for KC. He also knocked off Super 32 Runner-Up, Josh Alber, at PSN.
Missouri offers three intriguing contenders that have the capability of knocking anyone off. They’ll be in the thick of things.

FLO Picks:   1. Millhof, CH    2. Breece, EN    3. Basler, SM    4. Erneste, PH


126lbs:
Last Year’s Final: Daniel Lewis (Blue Springs) dec. Jarrod Trotter (Allen), 4-1
Contenders:
#9-So. Fredy Stroker, Bettendorf, IA - Returning Champ, Fargo AA, State RU, PSN RU
HM-Jr. Joe Velliquette, Nixa, MO - State Champ, GR AA
HM-Jr. Noah Teaney, Oak Park, MO - 2x State Champ, 2010 KC Champ
Jr. Ryan Heiden, Collinsville, OK - Mid Am Runner-Up
Sr. Mason Smout, Allen, TX - 4th Cheesehead, 4th Mid Am Nats
Sr. Nick Gray, Christian Brothers, TN - State Runner-Up
Jr. Lawton Benna, Holt, MO - State Placer, USAW Folk Placer
Sr. Jordan Armstrong, Edmund North, OK - Mid Am 4th
So. Luke Weiland, Seckman, MO - State 4th, NHSCA Placer

Notes: Stroker is back to defend his title. Velliquette, who beat Ke-Shawn Hayes en route to his state title, and Teaney, who won KC two years ago, should be his main competition. 
Armstrong is up from 120 from last week at MAN.

FLO Picks:  1. Stroker, Bett    2. Velliquette, Nixa    3. Heiden, CV    4. Teaney, OP


132lbs:
Last Year’s Final: Thomas Gilman (Omaha Skutt) dec. Skyler Wood (Platte County), 4-3
Contenders:
#17-Sr. Nate Rodriguez, Neosho, MO - 3x State Finalist, 2x Champ
HM-Jr. Will Steltzen, Collinsville, OK - 2x State Champ, Mid AM RU
HM-Jr. Logan Ryan, Bettendorf, IA - Cheesehead 5th, PSN Runner-Up
HM-Sr. Gunnar Laffoon, Tuttle, OK - USA Folk Champ, Mid Am Champ
Jr. Blake Clevenger, Kearney, MO - State Runner-Up, Ironman 8th

Notes: One of my favorite weights here this year. Great depth, and little separation among them should make for an awesome, intriguing bracket.
While I really like Rodriguez, Ryan and Laffoon are the hot hands right now.

FLO Picks:  1. Laffoon, Tuttle    2. Rodriguez, Neosho    3. Ryan, Bett    4. Steltzen, CV


138lbs: 
Last Year’s Final: Jack Bass (Allen) dec. Darick Lapaglia (Blue Springs), 7-5
Contenders:
#20-Jr. Daniel Lewis, Blue Springs, MO - 2x State Champ, Returning Champ
HM-Sr. Jake Marlin, Creston, IA - 3x State Champ
HM-Jr. Gary Wayne Harding, Collinsville, OK - 2x State Champ, Fargo Runner-Up
HM-Sr. Kevin Kinney, Kearney, MO - State Champ, Fargo AA
Jr. Brock Wingbermuehle, Seckman, MO - State Champ, NHSCA Placer
Sr. James Krischke, Ft. Zumwalt West, MO - 3x State Placer
Sr. Anthony Barker, Oak Grove, MO - 3x State Placer
So. Daniel Cartagena, Allen, TX - Fila Placer, Mid Am Runner-Up
So. Jacob Woodward, Bettendorf, IA - State Placer, Fargo AA, Cheesehead Placer
Sr. AJ Hurtado, Garden City, KS - State Champ
Sr. Cody Eastman, Ark City, KS - 3x State Placer and RU

Notes: Marlin’s rank, or lack thereof, is a bit deceiving. A 3x SC and an Iowa recruit, his results were shaky this summer while up in weight. He should be a force here.
Harding is coming off a MAN title and is ultra talented. Kinney missed Ironman last week. We’ll see if he’s a go at KC.
But I’m going with Daniel Lewis to defend his title. He had some great wins at Super 32, including one over Fargo Champ Anthony Valencia of California.

FLO Picks:  1. Lewis, BS    2. Marlin, Creston    3. Kinney, Kearney


145lbs:
Last Year’s Final: Kaleb Baker (Christian Bros.) dec. Tanner Minder (Kearney), 4-3
Contenders:
#15-Jr. Grant Leeth, Kearney, MO - Fargo Champ, S32 Champ
#20-Sr. Clayton Ream, Wentzville, MO - USAW Folk Champ, Returning KC 3rd
HM-Sr. Darick Lapaglia, Blue Springs, MO - 2x State Champ, Fargo AA
Sr. Bubba Hernandez, Bettendorf, IA - 3x State Placer, Cheesehead and PSN Placer
Sr. Russell Coleman, Park Hill, MO - 3x State Runner-Up
Sr. AJ Hinkle, Allen - PSN 3rd, Mid Am Nats Runner-Up
Jr. Dylan Helm, Collinsville, OK - Mid Am Champ, 2x State Champ
Jr. Dakota Head, Tuttle, OK - 2x State Runner-Up, Mid Am 3rd

Notes: Here’s your money weight. A bloom of talent in Missouri in the middle weights recently makes 145 extremely deep.
Lapaglia was a Runner-Up while Leeth was 5th. 
To put in perspective how tough Ream is, he beat Bo Nickal, one of America’s best, here at KC last year.
Last week, Hinkle beat Head in MAN semi’s, then lost to Helm in the finals.

FLO Picks:  1. Lapaglia, BS   2. Leeth, Kearney   3. Ream, WV    4. Helm, CV



152lbs: 
Last Year’s Final: Sterling Hawkins (Tuttle) dec. Cougar Babin (Klein Oak), 3-2
Contenders: 
#19-Sr. Kaleb Baker, Christian Brothers, TN - 2x State Champ, Fargo AA, Returning KC Champ
HM-Sr. Cain Salas, Oak Park, MO - State Champ, 2010 KC Champ, NHSCA SO. Runner-Up
Sr. Brennan Johnson, Excelsior Springs, MO - State Champ
Sr. Austin Elam, Tuttle, State Runner-Up, Mid Am Runner-Up
So. Colston DiBlasi, Park Hill, MO - NHSCA Fr. Champ

Notes:
Baker wrestles hard for six minutes. He’s a tough out, and the favorite here in an otherwise thin weight. But watch for Salas to push him hard. I’d pay to watch those two go at it.

FLO Picks:  1. Baker, CB    2. Salas, OP    3. Johnson, EP    4. Elam, Tuttle



160lbs: 
Last Year’s Final: Oliver Pierce (Allen) dec. Travis Leiskau (Klein Oak), 4-3
Contenders:
#5-Jr. Bo Nickal, Allen, TX - Triple Crown Winner, Returning 4th 
So. Dustin Gray, Timberlane, MO - State Placer, Fargo AA
Sr. Tony Clinesmith, Excelsior Springs, MO - 2x State Placer
Sr. Taylor Brinegar, Oak Grove, MO - 3x State Placer
Jr. David Thomas, Perry, OK - State Runner-Up

Notes: Bo Nickal is a heavy favorite here. He’s coming of a title at MAN, and don’t think his not ready to redeem his finish from last year here when he dropped two bouts.

FLO Picks:  1. Nickal, Allen    2. Thomas, Perry    3. Gray, TL     4. Brinegar, OG


170lbs: 
Last Year’s Final: Zach Beard (Tuttle) md. Colby Vance (Bettendorf), 12-3
Contenders:
#3-Sr. Zach Beard, Tuttle, OK - Fargo Champ, Fila Runner-Up, 2x KC Champ, 3x SC
#20-Jr. Nathan Marek, Southmoore, OK - State Champ, Fargo AA, Mid Am RU, NHSCA SO CHamp
Jr. Tracey Eitel, Allen, TX - Mid Am 5th
Sr. Barrett Walthall, Christian Brothers, TN - State Runner-Up, 3rd
So. Chance Cooper, Timberland, MO - Fargo AA
Jr. Trent Salisbury, St. James Academy, KS - State Runner-Up
Sr. Blaine Drescher, Kearney, MO - State Runner-Up

Notes: Zach Beard might be the best kid in the country no one talks about. He’s phenomenal. 
Another kid that goes under the radar is Marek, who has a fantastic skill set. (I love him as a college prospect.) Beard beat Marek 8-3 in last week’s Mid American Nationals final, and I see a similar result this week.

FLO Picks:  1. Beard, Tuttle    2. Marek, SM    3. Walthall, CB    4. Drescher, Kearney



182lbs: 
Last Year’s Final: Shelby Trout (Ponca City) dec. Bryan Levsen (Bettendorf), 8-7
Contenders:
#11-Jr. Michael Pixley, Blue Springs, MO - Fargo Champ, State 3rd
#17-Jr. Lance Dixon, Edmond North, OK - State RU, 3rd, Mid Am Champ
HM-Sr. Matt Meyer, Allen, TX - State Champ, Cheesehead Placer
Jr. Jake Anderson, Creighton Prep, NE - State 3rd 
Sr. Ryan Wadlow, Farmington, MO - State Placer, USAW Folk Runner-Up
Jr. Jacob Brock, Neosho, MO - State Placer

Notes: FLO Picks: Potential final here between two of the nation’s best JR’s. Pixley had a great summer, while Dixon is coming off a MAN title where he beat two HM’s including Meyer, 3-0 in the finals. They were both 5th here last year.

FLO Picks:  1. Dixon, Tuttle    2. Pixley, BS    3. Meyer, Allen    4. Wadlow, FT



195lbs: 
Last Year’s Final: Hashem Omari (Oak Park) dec. Andrew Dixon (Edmond North), 5-3
Contenders:
#14-Jr. Joel Dixon, Edmund North, OK - State Champ, KC 5th, Mid Am Champ
Jr. Riley Fielder, Tuttle, OK - State 3rd, Mid Am 4th, Returning KC 10th 
Sr. Keaton Hulett, Creston, IA - State Runner-Up, Returning KC 3rd
Sr. Corbin McOlgan, Christia Brothers, TN - Returning KC 8th 

Notes: All of the above were here a year ago. Dixon should be considered the clear favorite, though he could be pushed by Hulett.

FLO Picks:   1. Hulett, Creston   2. Dixon, EN    3. Fielder, Tuttle    4. McOlgan, CB



220lbs: 
Last Year’s Final: Nate Shaw (Bettendorf) dec. Christian Lopez (Neosho), 5-2
Contenders:
#7-Jr. Andrew Dixon, Edmund North, OK - Returning KC RU, State RU, Fargo AA
Jr. Jeremy Brandon, Christian Brothers, TN - State Placer
Sr. Dylan Cox, Ark City, KS - State Placer
Sr. Christian Lopez, Neosho, MO - Returning KC Runner-Up
Sr. Kyle Varley, Perry, OK - State 3rd, Returning KC 8th
SR. Joel Gallardo, Randall, TX - State Placer, Returning KC 4th

Notes: Dixon is a returning finalist and is coming off a Mid America Nationals performance where he posted three falls. He’s your clear leader. 
Lopez (Runner-Up) and Gallardo (4th) were high placers at this weight last year.

FLO Picks:  1. Dixon, EN    2. Varley, Perry    3. Gallardo, Randall    4. Lopez, Neosho



HWT:
Last Year’s Final: Collin Blevins (Creston) dec. Jacob Semple (Waynesville), 7-3
Contenders:
HM-Sr. Nathan Jackson, Tuttle, OK - State Champ, USA Folk and PSN Placer
Sr. Jessie Nelson, Stoughton, WI - State 3rd, Reno 4th, Cheesehead 4th
Jr. Jacob Semple, Waynesville, MO - Fargo AA
Jr. Xyah Ra, Nixa, MO - Fargo AA
Sr. Cole Whitford, Granite City, IL - Fargo AA, Returning KC 4th
Sr. Austin Reyes, Blue Springs, MO - State Placer
Sr. Darin Feist, St. James Academy, KS - Mid Am 3rd

Notes: A really solid heavyweight field. We have the returning Runner-Up (Semple), 3rd (Jackson), and 4th (Whitford) all back this year.
Jackson lost in OT in MAN finals. But I like him here. 

FLO Picks:   1. Jackson, Tuttle    2. Semple, WV    3. Whitford, GC    4. Nelson, Stoughton


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