Managing Editor
The 12th Annual IHSAA Team Wrestling State Finals are set for
Feb. 24 atCenter
Grove High
School
is a rundown of what to expect during each of the three rounds of competition.
Feb. 24 at
School
is a rundown of what to expect during each of the three rounds of competition.
(Hint: It says here we�re gonna have a new team champion!)
Quarterfinals
Match 1:
No. 4Indianapolis Cathedral (27-2) vs. No. 11 Elkhart
No. 4
Cathedral
opened a lot of eyes at the individual semistate by tying Perry Meridian with
six individual state finals qualifiers, but the Fighting Irish ââ?¬â?? flush with
nine state-ranked wrestlers ââ?¬â?? crowned four champions atNew Castle
those half dozen state finals participants, five managed top-six finishes.
opened a lot of eyes at the individual semistate by tying Perry Meridian with
six individual state finals qualifiers, but the Fighting Irish ââ?¬â?? flush with
nine state-ranked wrestlers ââ?¬â?? crowned four champions at
those half dozen state finals participants, five managed top-six finishes.
Elkhart
Memorial, which boasts five ranked wrestlers, advanced three to the state
finals. But two of them lost in the opening round, with 14th-ranked junior
Steve Stahl the only second-day participant (he finished fifth at 145 pounds).
Stahl figures to win Saturday, along with second-ranked 215-pound senior J.J.
Miller.
Memorial, which boasts five ranked wrestlers, advanced three to the state
finals. But two of them lost in the opening round, with 14th-ranked junior
Steve Stahl the only second-day participant (he finished fifth at 145 pounds).
Stahl figures to win Saturday, along with second-ranked 215-pound senior J.J.
Miller.
After
that, however, the matchups are either neutral or favor Cathedral, whose only
losses came early in the season to then-No. 9 Warren Central (36-25) and No. 2Mishawaka
on that later). The two
teams do have one early season common foe,Munster
ââ?¬â?? Cathedral won 52-27, whileElkhart
won 61-9.
that, however, the matchups are either neutral or favor Cathedral, whose only
losses came early in the season to then-No. 9 Warren Central (36-25) and No. 2
on that later). The two
teams do have one early season common foe,
ââ?¬â?? Cathedral won 52-27, while
won 61-9.
Despite
that apparent discrepancy, look for a comfortable Irish win here.
that apparent discrepancy, look for a comfortable Irish win here.
Match 2:
No. 1Evansville Mater Dei (22-0) vs. Avon (15-9)
No. 1
This thing
has rout written all over it. The 11-time state champion Wildcats advanced 11
wrestlers to last weekend�s individual finals (six of whom garnered top-eight
finishes) and boast nine ranked wrestlers, while unranked Avon counters with, um,
zero and zero.
has rout written all over it. The 11-time state champion Wildcats advanced 11
wrestlers to last weekend�s individual finals (six of whom garnered top-eight
finishes) and boast nine ranked wrestlers, while unranked Avon counters with, um,
zero and zero.
You can�t
fault the Orioles for fighting their way through to their second team finals
appearance in three years (they were runners-up to Lawrence North in 2005), but
there is every reason to think they might get blanked here. No Avon wrestler
posted a top-four finish at the individual semistate at Roberts Stadium inEvansville
the aforementioned 11 for the hometown Wildcats.
fault the Orioles for fighting their way through to their second team finals
appearance in three years (they were runners-up to Lawrence North in 2005), but
there is every reason to think they might get blanked here. No Avon wrestler
posted a top-four finish at the individual semistate at Roberts Stadium in
the aforementioned 11 for the hometown Wildcats.
Just like
Mater Dei,Avon feasted on a postseason slate
that included no ranked foes en route to Center Grove. But while the Orioles
slipped past Center Grove (30-28),Franklin
(31-24), and Bloomington South (28-21), Mater Dei was rolling over Gibson
Southern (80-0), Evansville Reitz (55-6), and Floyd Central (59-9).
Mater Dei,
that included no ranked foes en route to Center Grove. But while the Orioles
slipped past Center Grove (30-28),
(31-24), and Bloomington South (28-21), Mater Dei was rolling over Gibson
Southern (80-0), Evansville Reitz (55-6), and Floyd Central (59-9).
In fact, the
Wildcats� closest match all year came in an out-of-state tournament inMissouri against Mt.
Carmel of Chicago
(42-19). Mater Dei thumped the schools� only shared opponent, Bloomington South,
54-14.
Wildcats� closest match all year came in an out-of-state tournament in
(42-19). Mater Dei thumped the schools� only shared opponent, Bloomington South,
54-14.
Yikes.
Match 3:
No. 3 PerryMeridian
(29-0) vs. No. 8 Bellmont (20-2)
No. 3 Perry
(29-0) vs. No. 8 Bellmont (20-2)
Perry
Meridian leads the state with 11 ranked wrestlers, four of whom brought home
top-seven finishes at last week�s individual finals (including undefeated
heavyweight state champ No. 2-ranked junior Chico Adams). The Falcons have a
nice blend of youth and experience, and they certainly can lean on last year�s
experience at the team finals (see Championship below) as motivation this time
around.
Meridian leads the state with 11 ranked wrestlers, four of whom brought home
top-seven finishes at last week�s individual finals (including undefeated
heavyweight state champ No. 2-ranked junior Chico Adams). The Falcons have a
nice blend of youth and experience, and they certainly can lean on last year�s
experience at the team finals (see Championship below) as motivation this time
around.
The
Braves, meanwhile, are YOUNG. Of Bellmont�s seven ranked wrestlers, six are
underclassmen ââ?¬â?? and all six of its individual state finals qualifiers a week
ago were either sophomores or juniors. We very possibly could be talking about
a Bellmont team title in 2008.
Braves, meanwhile, are YOUNG. Of Bellmont�s seven ranked wrestlers, six are
underclassmen ââ?¬â?? and all six of its individual state finals qualifiers a week
ago were either sophomores or juniors. We very possibly could be talking about
a Bellmont team title in 2008.
But this
is still 2007, and Perry Meridian will be out for blood following a relatively
disappointing last two weekends as well as last year�s heartbreaking early
elimination by Mater Dei. The two schools do have a pair of common opponents.
Bellmont downedYorktown 50-16 in November and
Bloomington South 46-27 in January, while the Falcons posted 52-9 and 57-9
victories, respectively, right around Christmastime.
is still 2007, and Perry Meridian will be out for blood following a relatively
disappointing last two weekends as well as last year�s heartbreaking early
elimination by Mater Dei. The two schools do have a pair of common opponents.
Bellmont downed
Bloomington South 46-27 in January, while the Falcons posted 52-9 and 57-9
victories, respectively, right around Christmastime.
Perry
Meridian will be salivating at a possible semifinals/finals slate of No. 2 Mishawaka
and No. 1 Mater Dei, but the Falcons will NOT be looking past No. 8 here.
Meridian will be salivating at a possible semifinals/finals slate of No. 2 Mishawaka
and No. 1 Mater Dei, but the Falcons will NOT be looking past No. 8 here.
Match 4:
No. 2Mishawaka
(27-0) vs. No. 6Merrillville
(22-1)
No. 2
(27-0) vs. No. 6
(22-1)
The sexiest showdown of the first-round quarterfinals, this bad boy
features a total of 15 ranked wrestlers: eight forMishawaka and
seven forMerrillville
It also boasts THREE undefeated state champions in the Cavemen�s second-ranked
sophomore Josh Harper (112) and No. 1 senior Ian Hinton (189) ââ?¬â?? both two-time
winners ââ?¬â?? as well asMerrillville
top-ranked senior Jamal Lawrence (145).
features a total of 15 ranked wrestlers: eight for
seven for
It also boasts THREE undefeated state champions in the Cavemen�s second-ranked
sophomore Josh Harper (112) and No. 1 senior Ian Hinton (189) ââ?¬â?? both two-time
winners ââ?¬â?? as well as
top-ranked senior Jamal Lawrence (145).
But Mishawaka
the better depth (barely), witnessed by seven individual state finalists (six
of whom earned top-five finishes) compared with five and four for the Pirates.
And of their six common opponents, the two schools� outcome in a four-day span
against powerfulCrown Point
also signals an imbalance of power.Mishawaka
rolled to a 44-15 victory, whileMerrillville
suffered its only loss of the season, 31-27.
the better depth (barely), witnessed by seven individual state finalists (six
of whom earned top-five finishes) compared with five and four for the Pirates.
And of their six common opponents, the two schools� outcome in a four-day span
against powerful
also signals an imbalance of power.
rolled to a 44-15 victory, while
suffered its only loss of the season, 31-27.
Adding
fuel to that argument is the fact that three ofMerrillville �s
seven ranked wrestlers failed to make it past theMerrillville Semistate
while all but one of the Cavemen�s eight made it through.
fuel to that argument is the fact that three of
seven ranked wrestlers failed to make it past the
while all but one of the Cavemen�s eight made it through.
Advantage,
Mishawaka
Semifinals
Prediction:
No. 4 Cathedral vs. No. 1 Mater Dei
No. 4 Cathedral vs. No. 1 Mater Dei
The Fighting Irish faced a best-of-the best regular-season schedule
against about 10 ranked teams, while Mater Dei had to go outsideIndiana
relative sweat. Apples and oranges? Perhaps.
against about 10 ranked teams, while Mater Dei had to go outside
relative sweat. Apples and oranges? Perhaps.
The Wildcats feature a lineup with eight seniors, five juniors, and just
one sophomore, while Cathedral counters with six seniors but only two juniors ââ?¬â?? the rest are either sophomores
(four) or freshmen (two). More apples, more oranges? Definitely.
one sophomore, while Cathedral counters with six seniors but only two juniors ââ?¬â?? the rest are either sophomores
(four) or freshmen (two). More apples, more oranges? Definitely.
But the
Irish youngââ?¬â?¢uns are good youngââ?¬â?¢uns. And with a seemingly even lineup of stars ââ?¬â??
six top-eight individual state finals finishers for Mater Dei, five top-six
finishers for Cathedral ââ?¬â?? it appears that the Irish could possibly take up to
eight of 14 semifinal head-to-head bouts. It all depends on how much
juice Cathedral has after battling Elkhart Memorial, because that factor should
not apply in the least to Mater Dei�s fray withAvon .
Irish youngââ?¬â?¢uns are good youngââ?¬â?¢uns. And with a seemingly even lineup of stars ââ?¬â??
six top-eight individual state finals finishers for Mater Dei, five top-six
finishers for Cathedral ââ?¬â?? it appears that the Irish could possibly take up to
eight of 14 semifinal head-to-head bouts. It all depends on how much
juice Cathedral has after battling Elkhart Memorial, because that factor should
not apply in the least to Mater Dei�s fray with
If the Irish can get over the psychological juggernaut attached to
ELEVEN � STATE � TITLES � then they have the talent to pull the upset. For some
unexplainable reason (could it be those five first-round losses at Conseco?),
there appears to be an ever-so-slight ***** in Mater Dei�s armor.
ELEVEN � STATE � TITLES � then they have the talent to pull the upset. For some
unexplainable reason (could it be those five first-round losses at Conseco?),
there appears to be an ever-so-slight ***** in Mater Dei�s armor.
Cathedral will find that weak spot and pull the upset, by perhaps the
very slimmest of margins.
very slimmest of margins.
Prediction:
No. 3 PerryMeridian vs. No. 2 Mishawaka
No. 3 Perry
Zowie. Can you ask for a better pair of semifinal showdowns? (ââ?¬Å?NO!ââ?¬Â
would be the answer, thank you.)
would be the answer, thank you.)
These two schools spent the entire season tucked in behind Mater Dei at
Nos. 2 and 3, with Mishawaka leapfrogging Perry Meridian in the second coaches�
poll and staying there ever since. Now the Cavemen get the chance to prove that
slight superiority.
Nos. 2 and 3, with Mishawaka leapfrogging Perry Meridian in the second coaches�
poll and staying there ever since. Now the Cavemen get the chance to prove that
slight superiority.
As mentioned earlier, the Falcons led everyone with 11 ranked wrestlers
at season’s end. But only two of them managed to finish among the top six in the
state last weekend, while Mishawaka had a half dozen in the top five.
at season’s end. But only two of them managed to finish among the top six in the
state last weekend, while Mishawaka had a half dozen in the top five.
Sure, only three of Mishawaka
starting 14 are seniors, but this is a program that knows how to come up big (a
state title in 1991, a runner-up finish in 2000, eight straight team finals
appearances). And Perry Meridian, which has been the bridesmaid twice (2002,
2004) in addition to six team finals appearances in the last eight years, also
starts only three seniors. So that�s a wash.
starting 14 are seniors, but this is a program that knows how to come up big (a
state title in 1991, a runner-up finish in 2000, eight straight team finals
appearances). And Perry Meridian, which has been the bridesmaid twice (2002,
2004) in addition to six team finals appearances in the last eight years, also
starts only three seniors. So that�s a wash.
The two powerhouses shared three common opponents this year: Bloomington
South,Portage , and Crown Point
scores of 57-9, 44-18, and 33-20, whileMishawaka
posted victories of 51-9, 50-12, and 44-15.
South,
scores of 57-9, 44-18, and 33-20, while
posted victories of 51-9, 50-12, and 44-15.
Advantage, Mishawaka.
There�s something to be said for momentum, and Mishawaka
Meridian ââ?¬â?? relatively
speaking, at least ââ?¬â?? has not.
Look for coachDarrick Snyder �s
Cavemen to carry their collective club triumphantly.
Meridian ââ?¬â?? relatively
speaking, at least ââ?¬â?? has not.
Look for coach
Cavemen to carry their collective club triumphantly.
Championship
Prediction:
No. 4 Cathedral vs. No. 2Mishawaka
No. 4 Cathedral vs. No. 2
Now this is some seriously
successful seeding! Unlike last year, when top-ranked Mater Dei faced its two
toughest opponents (sliding past No. 2 Perry Meridian, 25-23, in the opener
before disposing of fourth-rankedMishawaka
31-25, in the semifinals) before rolling over Bellmont 39-15 in the
finals, the 2007 team finals could see No. 1 vs. No. 2 in the
championship.
successful seeding! Unlike last year, when top-ranked Mater Dei faced its two
toughest opponents (sliding past No. 2 Perry Meridian, 25-23, in the opener
before disposing of fourth-ranked
31-25, in the semifinals) before rolling over Bellmont 39-15 in the
finals, the 2007 team finals could see No. 1 vs. No. 2 in the
championship.
But it won�t. Instead we get No. 1 upsetter vs. No. 2, and a dandy it
should be. Both teams should be completely pooped after two go-rounds against
tough competition, so it may come down to the intangibles. Like, say, success
in previous team state finals competitions versus just the experience of
getting there.
should be. Both teams should be completely pooped after two go-rounds against
tough competition, so it may come down to the intangibles. Like, say, success
in previous team state finals competitions versus just the experience of
getting there.
And never mind the common-opponent theory. This is a rematch of a Dec. 9
battle at the Chris Traicoff Invitational at
won 32-25 by the Cavemen.
Final advantage, Mishawaka.
Mishawaka, behind its pair of two-time individual state champions
leading the way with a combined two-year record of 136-0, celebrates its
second-ever team state championship with a tight victory … film at 11.
leading the way with a combined two-year record of 136-0, celebrates its
second-ever team state championship with a tight victory … film at 11.
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