We are only a few weeks away from this tournament with very little discussion as to top teams. I think the top 3 will be West, Mifflin and South. Maybe not in that order, anybody else have any thoughts.

PopKat;1374344 wrote:We are only a few weeks away from this tournament with very little discussion as to top teams. I think the top 3 will be West, Mifflin and South. Maybe not in that order, anybody else have any thoughts.

Top teams are IMO West, Mifflin, Whetstone, South, Marion Franklin. Do not count out some of the other teams though pulling some upsets. Almost every team this year seems to have 1 or 2 studs. The team with the most depth and peaks at the right time will take it. I am interested to see what happens with the Alexander, Parkham, Mills face off. All three kids have a legit shot at going to or placing at State. Behind those three, the best shots in getting to Columbus is probably Hannibal Tate and David Stockton, followed behind outside shots from Monroe and Quinnoz. After that it would take a real "Vision Quest" worthy effort to get thru districts.

Don't think MF has the depth this year. West and South have depth and some good wrestlers. Haven't seen Whetstone, but heard they have depth and a few wrestlers. Mifflin lost a stud at 170, which hurts, but they still have a full lineup with 4-5 wrestlers that will/can/may win their weight class. Should be very interesting!!

It is what it is;1374423 wrote:Don't think MF has the depth this year. West and South have depth and some good wrestlers. Haven't seen Whetstone, but heard they have depth and a few wrestlers. Mifflin lost a stud at 170, which hurts, but they still have a full lineup with 4-5 wrestlers that will/can/may win their weight class. Should be very interesting!!

It is probably going to come down to which teams can win in the Finals, and which teams can slide kids into the 4th thru 6th places.

West is tough at 106, 120, 132, 170, 220, and 285
Mifflin is tough at 120, 126, 145, 152, and 220
Whetstone is tough at 120, 132, 152, 160, 170
South is tough at 126, 132, 145, 170, 182
Marion Franklin is tough at 126, 138, 182, 195, and 285 (Don't count them out)
Walnut Ridge is tough at 113 and 195
East is tough at 106 and 170
Northland has a monster at 138
Beechcroft has a solid 138 and 170?
Centennial is young, but has promise throughout their line up
Brookhaven is struggling, had some tough kids that didn't finish
Linden McKinley has a solid 170 and 182
Briggs has a tough 220
Africentric not sure, I know they had a mid season coaching transition
Independence not sure
Eastmor does not have a team this year

This year I think it is the 4-6 places that will win it for their team. I think Mifflin has an advantage as of now, but will need to be 100%. They also has a pretty good 106 and 113 as well.

With their 170 I thought Mifflin would win no doubt, but losing a "projected" champ hurts. Their 106 and 113 are freshman and somewhat unpredicatble. I think West is the early favorite with Mifflin, South and Whetstone right there in contention. Either way, it's good to see multiple teams vying for the top spot instead of one team dominating the landscape!!

Is it possible we see another Alexander vs. Mills match? What a crazy final that would be!

Westie101;1374464 wrote:This year I think it is the 4-6 places that will win it for their team. I think Mifflin has an advantage as of now, but will need to be 100%. They also has a pretty good 106 and 113 as well.

You're absolutely right. the 3-6 will win this tourney this year! To be honest I think this one is between South and West! I think South can pull it out.

Think Alexander will stay at 138, so they both get a title! Without seeing Whetstone, I'd say West, Mifflin and South are the three to beat.

It is what it is;1374804 wrote:Think Alexander will stay at 138, so they both get a title! Without seeing Whetstone, I'd say West, Mifflin and South are the three to beat.

Maybe, but i believe Alexander has only made 138 once this year. one can dream :thumbup:

Would be a "dream" final for sure!

I believe Whetstone meets Centennial this wednesday for their annual golden grappler dual. Should be an interesting preview for cities, including the possible city final of Emmerson vs. Lehnen.

On a side note, Alexander just beat the tough Bast from Massillon Perry in the finals of the Hayes tournament...at 145. We might just be in for a treat lots of good match ups this year.

120 Gasca W vs.Tate M
145 alexander NL vs. Mills M(Maybe)
182 Quinonez W vs. Monroe MF
HWT B. Gray W vs. D. Gray MF

Heard Monroe got in trouble? 145 will be explosive...athlete vs. technician! Can't wait for Feb. 9th!!

Monroe wrestled at Grandview like a week ago, so I think he is fine?

220 will be good also...Stockton, Juty and Robinson!

I don't know a heck of info regarding city league wrestling, but i can give it my best shot.

106 lbs - Ali of East has been in the finals of a few tournaments like UA and Madison Plains. Couple time dq, hes the favorite. Bonner from Bhaven won both Licking Heights and the Robin Drumm. Abdi from west is tough, I believe he took second at heights. He can challenge for a finals spot. Mifflin i believe has a good 106 who placed at circleville.

113- Lehnen is district qualifier and pretty tough. 2x champ right? Also heard good things about Flores from ridge? Mifflin 113 is tough, and also Centennial.

120- Gasca from West is a district qualifier, likely favorite. Little Tate is dangerous though.

126- not sure about this weight.

132- Smother from whetstone was 5th or 6th at sectionals. my guess is he is the favorite. maybe some others?

138- Parkham the heavy favorite, followed by Powell from bhaven.

145- Assuming Alexander and Mills are here, it will be a great final.

152- If mills/tate is here they are the favorite. I think whetstone has a solid kid here.

160 - tate could be favorite. if not maybe whetstone or a mf guy.

170- Valentin from south has had good results, saw he lost to ferguson like 13-9. what happened to that lucy guy?

182- monroe a big favorite, looked good at grandview. west 182 is tough as well, i believe monroe beat him at ready.

195- ???? welborn from mf won at grandview.

220- stockton from w a heavy favorite imo. robinson and juty battle it out in semi.

HWT- gray w vs. gray mf. two heavys with state aspirations.

far as a team race west has some solid guys, as do mf south and whetstone. Mifflin however may have too many bonus points to overcome. Whether or not Mills meets alexander and wins could be a huge factor.

Lucy removed from team for violating team rules. Big loss for Mifflin since he probably wins 170 at city.

Westie101;1375530 wrote:I believe Whetstone meets Centennial this wednesday for their annual golden grappler dual. Should be an interesting preview for cities, including the possible city final of Emmerson vs. Lehnen.

On a side note, Alexander just beat the tough Bast from Massillon Perry in the finals of the Hayes tournament...at 145. We might just be in for a treat lots of good match ups this year.

120 Gasca W vs.Tate M
145 alexander NL vs. Mills M(Maybe)
182 Quinonez W vs. Monroe MF
HWT B. Gray W vs. D. Gray MF

And everyone says he is not a chance for a State Title! To them I say NAY!!! The kid is good and has gotten even 10times better since last year and is in great shape this year! Last year he would get about a period and half full go out of him and then coast. Not now. He is whooping kids up til the last whistle. I watched him litteraly destroy and breakdown a tough 3x state qualifier (Branham from Miamsburg) winning 12-1.

USMCdevil2005;1376856 wrote:And everyone says he is not a chance for a State Title! To them I say NAY!!! The kid is good and has gotten even 10times better since last year and is in great shape this year! Last year he would get about a period and half full go out of him and then coast. Not now. He is whooping kids up til the last whistle. I watched him litteraly destroy and breakdown a tough 3x state qualifier (Branham from Miamsburg) winning 12-1.

HE IS ON A VISIONQUEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Funny you say that! I am a grown man and haven't competed in 4 years now, since wrestling in the marine corps, and I still watch that movie atleast 3 times a week! The wife loves it.... NOT! lol My son is 3 and will sit and watch it with me for hours though! He loves it.

Just can't find me a log to carry up and down the bleachers though!! LOL

I got some old telephone poles I can cut up and let ya have!

The picture will be much more clear next wednesday when rosters are due and we will see what everyone is bringing to the table! Me thinks the Red Devils will have some aces in the hole.

Monroe mf wins 182

Agreed mf could possibly have 4 champs