Another year comes to a close and we round it out with a special Awards series accompanied by a special Episode of Who’s #1.
Below you’ll find my selections in a number of categories, but first allow me the liberty to say farewell to a few of the seniors I had the privilege to watch and speak with often over the years.
Markus "Pupp" (and father, Markus) Simmons, Broken Arrow, OK
Kaid Brock, Stillwater, OK
Sam (and father, Dave) Krivus, Hempfield, PA
Davion (and father, Rodney) Jeffries, Broken Arrow, OK
Fredy (and father, Fred) Stroker, Bettendorf, IA
Larry (and father, Larry) Early, Oak Park, IL
Jordan (and father, Kevin) Kutler, Blair Academy, NJ
Fox Baldwin, Osceola, FL
Corbin (and father, Larry) Allen, Hanover, VA
Anthony & Zahid (and father, Ruben) Valencia, St. John Bosco, CA
Myles (and father, Greg) Martin, McDonogh, MD
Andrew Dunn, Bethlehem Catholic, PA
Sometimes this job, despite being rooted in the greatest avocation in the world, often becomes ‘a job’. The lifelong friendships that develop with athletes and parents become as rewarding as covering wrestling itself. To the athletes, thank you for your hard work which led to successful high school campaigns. And to your fathers, thank you for your friendship and I look forward to seeing you well into your son’s college careers.
Now, on to the awards.
Wrestler of the Year
Apple Valley's Mark Hall ended the year ranked #1 in the Asics FloRankings pound-for-pound list, but also had one of the most successful high school seasons in recent memory. He began in May with winning FILA Cadets in Akron, a feat that put him on the Cadet World Team. In August, he won the Cadet World title in Zagreb, Croatia. Then October brought him to Who’s #1 where he beat Anthony Valencia, the then-#1 pound-for-pound wrestler and Junior World Team member for the U.S. Hall capped a perfect season this February by winning his 5th Minnesota state title.
Wrestler of the Year Runner-Up: Spencer Lee, Franklin Regional, PA
National Team Champions
Check out the details of the Huskies' rise to the throne.
Favorite Team Duo
Others Considered:
#1-Spencer Lee (113) & #1-Michael Kemerer (145), Franklin Regional, PA
#4-Larry Early (145) & #1-Isaiah White (152), Oak Park - River Forest, IL
#1-Mark Hall (170) & #2-Bobby Steveson (195), Apple Valley, MN
#2-Anthony Valencia (170) & #1-Zahid Valencia (182), St. John Bosco, CA
Best 1-2 Punch
Others Considered:
#4-Larry Early (145) & #1-Isaiah White (152), Oak Park - River Forest, IL
#3-Devin Brown (113) & #1-Spencer Lee (120), Franklin Regional, PA
#7-Chris Weiler (160) & #6-Nick Reenan (170), Wyoming Seminary, PA
#2-Bobby Steveson (195) & #12-Gable Steveson (220), Apple Valley, MN
#8-Chaz Tucker (132) & #1-Matt Kolodzik (138), Blair Academy, NJ
Most Offensive
Others Considered:
#1-Kaid Brock, Stillwater, OK
#2-Vincenzo Joseph, Pitt CC, PA
#5-Jo Jo Smith, Stillwater, OK
Most Technical
Others Considered:
#4-Yianni Diakomihalis, Hilton, NY
Slickest Wrestler(s)
Best Low Single
Others Considered:
#3-Fredy Stroker, Bettendorf, IA
#5-Jo Jo Smith, Stillwater, OK
Best Hi-Crotch
Others Considered:
#1-Jordan Wood, Boyertown, PA
Best Double
Best Upper Body
Others Considered:
#6-Nick Reenan, Wyoming Seminary, PA
#7-Kamal Bey, Oak Park - River Forest, IL
#4-Sammy Colbray, Hermiston, OR
Best Duck Under
Best Leg Rider
Best Turner
Best Scrambler(s)
Best Gas Tank
Others Considered:
#2-Vincenzo Joseph, Pitt CC, PA
#3-Daton Fix, Sand Springs, OK
Deepest State Bracket: PA Class AAA 145
Others Considered:
NJ 106; PA AAA 152; PA AAA 170; CA 138; CA 145; IL 3A 126; OH DI 113; OH DI 126; IN 138; IN 113; OK 6A 113; OK 6A HWT.
Most Clutch Performance
#11-Connor Flynn, MO over Mason Manville, VA in FloNationals Semifinals
Others Considered:
#4-Mitchell McKee, St. Michael, MN over #1-Kaid Brock, Stillwater, OK at Fargo
#12-Gable Steveson, MN in State Dual finals.
#1-Alex Marinelli, Graham, OH over Mason Manville, Blair Academy, NJ at Ironman
Breakthrough Wrestlers by Grade
Junior High - Julian Chlebove, PA (106), Cohlton Schultz, CO (220)
FR - #11-Sammy Sasso (120), #15-Frankie Gissendanner, NY (138)
SO - #13-Gus Solomon PA (126), #12-Jared Verkleeren, PA (145), #14-Chase Singletary, NJ (182),
#6-Kevin Vough, OH (285)
JR - #5-Jake Wentzel, PA (152), #10-Matt Stencel, OH (195), #5-Osi Odighizuwa, OR (285)
SR - #3-Kollin Moore, OH (182), #5-Tyree Sutton, NJ (195), #12-TeShan Campbell, PA (170)
2014-2015 Performance of the Year
Nick Suriano, Bergen Catholic, NJ over Daton Fix, Sand Springs, OK at WNO
Others Considered:
#1-Mark Hall, Apple Valley, MN over #2-Anthony Valencia, St. John Bosco, CA at Who’s #1
#3-Daton Fix, Sand Springs, OK over #4-Yianni Diakomihalis, Hilton, NY at FloNationals
#10-Austin Assad, Brecksville, OH over Sean Russell, Collins Hill, GA at Fargo
#9-Mitch Moore, Graham, OH over #3-Devin Brown, Franklin Regional, PA at Ironman
#4-Yianni Diakomihalis, Hilton, NY over #3-Daton Fix, Sand Springs, OK at Super 32