WIN’S Preseason Prep Preview: A look back – and ahead – at 145 pounds
Between Aug. 8 and the start of the high school wrestling season, WIN’s high school columnist Rob Sherrill is taking a closer look at the top wrestlers in the country, weight by weight. The weight class a wrestler competes in is based on where he wrestled last season and is subject to change once this season officially begins.
By Rob Sherrill
Here’s how they finished in the WIN rankings last year, minus those who graduated:
2. Bryce Brill Sr Chicago, IL Mount Carmel
6. Solomon Chishko Sr Canonsburg, PA C.-McMillan
11. Jacob Danishek Sr Miamisburg, OH Dayton Christian
13. Anthony Valencia Jr Bellflower, CA St. John Bosco
15. Jack Clark Sr Owings Mills, MD McDonogh School
16. Mason Manville So Blairstown Tp, NJ Blair Acad.
18. Grant Leeth Sr Kearney, MO
20. Josh Shields Jr Murrysville, PA Franklin Regional
Idaho’s Jon Jay Chavez (right) defeated his former California rival Anthony Valencia during the 2013 Junior Nationals this past summer in Fargo.
Like 138 pounds, we saw plenty of Class of 2013 graduates depart the 145-pound class. Only eight of the 20 wrestlers who ended last season ranked return this season. But, as is the case with any middle-weight class, there were plenty of other underclassmen who were considered, and they’ll get in this year.
OW – Jon Jay Chavez, senior, Boise (Idaho) Centennial
The daily battles Chavez has with his Centennial teammate, Hayden Tuma, undoubtedly make both better as both were World Championships place-winners this year. Chavez returned from his competition with real hardware, earning a bronze medal in the FILA Cadet Worlds in Greco-Roman at 152. Chavez posted a 4-1 record there with victories over Croatia, Azerbaijan, Poland and Armenia, losing only to a Turkish opponent. At Fargo, Chavez breezed to the Junior Greco-Roman title, going 9-0 with a pin and seven technical falls, with an 11-7 victory over Valencia in the seventh round his only match that went the distance. He also recorded victories over Manville and Millsap during the off-season. Chavez was a Cadet National Greco-Roman champion while still a California resident.
Honorable Mention:
Valencia – The only double All-American at Fargo at 152, Valencia also beat Manville, along with Daniel Lewis of Missouri and Logan Massa of Michigan, prominently mentioned in last week’s 138-pound preview. He also was the only 152-pounder to go unbeaten at the Junior National Duals, going 11-0 in the two styles with three pins and seven technical falls.
Manville – Yes, he lost to Chavez and Valencia, but he completely dominated the Cadet level for the second straight year. He went 19-0 at Fargo in the two styles, piling up two pins and 16 technical falls, while allowing just five points.
Andrew Millsap, senior, Junction City (Kan.) — The two-time big-class state champion wrestled everywhere this off-season and grabbed wins over Cadet National double champion Nick Reenan of Texas and Leeth en route to All-America status.
Brill – he helped Illinois win the Junior Freestyle Duals with a 7-0 record that included five technical falls and a win by injury default. His 8-2 victory over Oklahoman Joe Smith included the only points he allowed.
Also in the running: Jacob Armstrong, junior, Salem Hills (Utah); Weston Dobler, junior, West Fargo (N.D.); Phil Downing, senior, Broomfield (Colo.); Trey Grine, senior, Fremont (Ohio) Ross; Dayton Racer, junior, Apple Valley (Minn.); Josh Reyes, senior, Portland (Ore.) Parkrose; Jared Scharenbrock, senior, Sun Prairie (Wis.); Jacob Trujillo, junior, Grand Junction (Colo.); Tyrel White, senior, Kingston (Pa.) Wyoming Seminary.
Next week: 152 pounds.
