Most Anticipated Potential Matches Of FloNationals

Most Anticipated Potential Matches Of FloNationals

We could see some big time stars going head-to-head at FloNationals along with some up and comers looking to test themselves.

Mar 29, 2017 by Ryan Holmes
Most Anticipated Potential Matches Of FloNationals
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The potential of seeing some big-time stars clash along with watching up-and-coming talent test itself against the big dogs on the block is enough intrigue for me. Littered throughout the brackets at FloNationals are a number of possible ranked matchups, and lucky for you we've picked out a couple to get you jazzed up for what's to come this weekend at IUP's Kovalchick Complex in Indiana, Pennsylvania.

132: Quincy Monday, NC vs No. 9 Jacori Teemer, NY

Monday has been one of those guys who's been right there with a lot of tough competition but has been able to break through. Teemer is a heavily sought-after recruit who is as tough as they come. He's got stingy defense with his ability to scramble and some of the quickest attacks around. Monday will have to be ready to scrap if he meets Teemer, but I think their styles will make for an action-packed bout.

160: No. 19 (at 170) Dale Tiongson, MD vs No. 3 Trent Hidlay, PA

Hidlay is one of four returning finalists at this year's tournament, and after having a runner-up finish a season ago, you know that anything short of making it back onto the big stage isn't in the cards for the Pennsylvania state champ. Tiongson is a two-time National Prep runner-up with losses to Ryan Karoly and Khamari Whimper in really tough battles the past two years. Both Tiongson and Hidlay are going to be bringing the heat and have some strong attacks on their feet. They should match up well against one another for a pretty good battle.

182: No. 4 Jelani Embree, MI vs Jacob Raschka, WI

This one could be fun in so many ways. We've seen how recklessly Embree can throw opponents, so we know he's not afraid to go upper body with anyone. Raschka burst onto the scene in Fargo a few years back when he won the title and has proven to be a pretty tough dude. The kicker here is if Raschka can keep up with Embree on his feet.

285: No. 7 Brendan Furman, PA vs No. 2 Seth Nevills, CA

The Cornell-bound Pennsylvania state champ is going to have his hands full when it comes to taking on three-time undefeated California state champion Seth Nevills. Furman had a dominant senior season as he collected titles at both Super 32 and Powerade. But Nevills is the real deal. After a year at 220, where he dismantled everyone, he's been just a dominant up at 285. But Nevills doesn't see much competition from Pennsylvania, and Furman doesn't see much from Cali, so this should be a good battle between two tough heavies.

106: No. 14 Brandon Kaylor, WA vs No. 16 Ben Kamali, MI

Kamali is the returning runner-up at this weight (106), but Kaylor is a real threat to come between him and another belt. Kaylor teched returning FloNational champ Jaret Lane, who defeated Kamali in last year's finals, to place third in Fargo last year. Kamali came through with some big wins at Super 32 this year and could very well get the upset, but this is definitely going to be a great match if it goes down.

120: No. 7 Jakob Camacho, CT vs Josh Saunders, MO

This would be a Super 32 rematch. Saunders defeated Camacho 8-2 in the quarterfinals, so this could be a bout with big-time revenge possibilities for Camacho. Saunders, a Missouri state champion, just won a 126-pound freshman national title at NHSCAs a week ago and would love to get his first All-American finish at FloNationals after not being able to complete the task the past two years while competing in the high school division as a seventh- and eighth-grader. 

152: Josh Stillings, PA vs Edmond Ruth, PA

Nothing putting a Pennsylvania big school (AAA) runner-up against the small school (AA) champ. Yes, Stillings was at 160 during the year while Ruth was at 152, but that honestly has no merit in this match at all. I'm intrigued to see how they match up. I think that this will be a pretty good battle if these guys happen to cross paths.


126: No. 2 Julian Chlebove, PA vs Victor Voinovich, OH

Voinovich is a big-time up-and-comer. The eighth-grader will be stepping up to test himself against more high school competition this weekend, and it's very possible that he could be seeing two-time Pennsylvania state champion Julian Chlebove. Last year we saw Carson Manville step up to the plate against some of the best high school competition and finish as an All-American. Voinovich could be the next one to do it and taking on Chlebove will be a good test.

220

As I said in a previous article, this weight class is full of beasts and has gotten even stronger after Pennsylvania state and Super 32 champion Brian Kennerly has entered. Along with Kennerly, Josiah Jones, Mason Parris, Francis Duggan, Billy Korber, Ben Goldin, and Mansur Abdul-Malik will have this bracket rockin'.