2018 NHSCA High School Nationals

Who's Going To Make Some Money At NHSCA Juniors?

Who's Going To Make Some Money At NHSCA Juniors?

Which juniors could make themselves some money at NHSCA junior nationals?

Mar 23, 2018 by Wrestling Nomad
Who's Going To Make Some Money At NHSCA Juniors?

We have entered the short but very crucial part of the high school postseason when guys from all over the country can make their mark on college coaches. In particular, junior year heading into senior year is where a lot of scholarship money can be made.

We've identified a few juniors at every weight you're going to want to keep your eye on, because your favorite college team may be looking at them, too.


106 Pounds

Brenden Chaowanapibool, WA

Jacob Moran, IN

Obviously both of these guys need to put on a little weight. Moran was in the sophomore finals this year and went 34-2 for Portage this year en route to a state title in singe class Indiana. As for Chaowanapibool, he was the 113lb state champ in 3A Washington for Bonney Lake and is a multiple time Fargo All American.


113 Pounds

#11 Matt Ramos, IL

Nick Krug, GA

Part of what makes NHSCAs so great is being in Virginia Beach, it really allows the Southern states and guys like Nick Krug to test themselves.


120 Pounds

#8 Anthony Molton, IL

#16 Kai Orine, MO

Earl Blake, MD

Cam Enriquez, PA

Justin Pacheco, CO

The thought of an Orine/Molton final is tantalizing, and as the 1 and 2 seeds it could very well happen. That is, unless one of those landmines mentioned above decides to upset the apple cart. This might be the deepest weight in the junior division.


126 Pounds

#12 Malyke Hines, FL

Colton Camacho, PA

Gabriel Hixenbaugh, AL

Reece Witcraft, OK

Hixenbaugh might be one of the most underrated guys in the country, from a very solid Thompson program in Alabama and is also a defending sophomore champ. Camacho is a Young Guns kid who is starting to make some moves. Hines is your favorite to win.


132 Pounds

Kyle Gollhofer, GA

Pat Gould, PA

Garrett Kloeppel, MO

James McLain-Green, TX

Gollhofer was ranked earlier this year after a strong Super 32. Gould might have the best win resume of anyone not ranked. McLain-Green was a sophomore runner-up last year, and Kloeppel could be one of the best kids in Missouri next year.


138 Pounds

Nick Incontrera, NJ

Gabe Miller, PA

Mosha Schwartz, CO

Devin Schwartzkopf, MO

Colton Yapoujian, CO

Incontrera got BIG  from last year, so his is just a matter of reminding people he's still the same hammer he was on top as a 106/113 pounder. Gabe Miller did worse this year at PA States than he did last year, so a bit of redemption possible here. Last year, Miller pinned Connor McGonagle in the 132 sophomore finals. Schwartzkopf is less under-the-radar than Kloeppel, but still not a household name yet despite being in the sophomore finals a year ago.


145 Pounds

#9 Michael Weber, MT

Kiernan Shanahan, NY

Anthony Ulaszek, CO

Weber won 138 last year and has a nearly impeccable resume over the past 14 months or so. You might remember Ulaszek as the kid who battle axed his way though Junior Duals last june.


152 Pounds

#8 Brevin Balmeceda, FL

Ein Carlos, OR

Balmeceda went from an NHSCA sophomore champ on a few people's radars, to a Super 32 champ on everyone's radar. Ein Carlos had one of the most exciting RTOC finals in recent memory.


160 Pounds

Benny Baker, PA

Chris Foca and Mason Reiniche are also in this weight, but they are already committed. Baker fell short of a national prep title in February, but a month off from competition may have him ready for battle, along with the rest of the Wyoming Seminary crew in attendance.


170 Pounds

#14 Zane Coleman, OK

Edmond Ruth, PA

Jackson Turley, VA

Ruth and Turley met in the 160 sophomore finals last year, one of the best matches of the final day. But Coleman is a heavy favorite here, and considering how 170 clears out, could be in or just outside the Top-5 at the start of next high school season.


182 Pounds

Connor Bourne, NV

Jon Fagen, ID

Jack Parr, MD

Some west coast flavor here as Bourne and Fagen come from the hidden gems of Nevada and Idaho. Parr was third at National Preps and won this same weight at 182 last year.


195 Pounds

#6 Jacob Cardenas, NJ

Matthew Cover, OH

Christian Knop, AL

This 195 weight is underwhelming as a whole, but Cardenas is right on the cusp of looking like a blue chip recruit after winning a state title for Bergen Catholic this year. Knop could pull double duty and try to win both NHSCAs and FloNationals. Cardenas won sophomore nationals at 170 last spring.


220

Josh Heindselman, OK

Yaraslau Slavikouski, MA

Tarik Sutkovic, AZ

Slavikouski is a two-time National Prep finalist who got the top seed at 220lbs. At the upperweights, consistency is key. Heindselman and Sutkovic have had fewer opportunities in folkstyle, so this weekend is an opportunity to show they aren't just freestyle guys.


285 Pounds

Louden Haga, WV

Michael Kramer, TN

Haga has been a runner-up three times in big school West Virginia, as well as a Fargo runner-up last summer. Kramer has bounced in and out of the national rankings but can solidify himself as a Top-20 heavyweight this weekend. Kramer won sophomore nationals last March.