In a dual with national title implications (and perhaps the final hurdle) #4-Wyoming Seminary hosts #1-Blair Academy on Saturday evening.

Before we talk about what lies ahead, let’s first look to the past. In last year’s dual meet between the teams at the NHSCA Final Four Festival, Blair came out on top 27-24 despite the teams splitting the matches 7-7. Then later on in the season Wyoming Seminary took the 2014 Prep National title. (Please, hold all excuses for Blair’s second place finish).

Now, this season at Ironman the Bucs came away with a runner-up finish with 189.5 points behind St. Paris Graham, which they have since defeated in a dual, while Sem came in fourth with 134.

The obvious considerable factors include the second place performance of Mason Manville at 160 and the non-existent performance from the injured #6-Nick Reenan. Now with Manville out of the line-up and a potential return of Reenan looming, things could look a bit different at this season’s head-to-head match up.

Below we break down the dual meet with the potential match-ups.


106: Will Moss (Wy. Sem.) vs. Matt Vinci (Blair)

Both Moss and Vinci were not able to make the podium at Ironman nor did they cross paths. However, Moss had a slightly better showing collecting two wins against two losses while Vinci finished 1-2.

Holmes’ pick: Moss by decision
Willie’s pick: Moss by decision


113: Jack Davis (Wy. Sem) vs. #11-Zach Sherman (Blair)

Returning Prep National runner-up Sherman is a definite favorite here. Sherman also had an eighth place finish at Ironman while Davis had an ugly 0-2 showing.

Holmes’ pick: Sherman by major
Willie’s pick: Sherman by fall


120: #6-Jack Mueller (Wy. Sem.) vs. Requir Van Der Merwe (Blair)

Don’t let the rankings fool you here. Van Der Merwe is a worthy opponent that showed he can come through with an upset when he defeated previous #7-Eli Stickley. Mueller, the returning National Prep champ (at 113), is still the favorite here despite Van Der Merwe’s upsetting tendencies.

Holmes’ pick: Mueller by decision
Willie’s pick: Mueller by decision


126: Trent Olson (Wy. Sem.) vs. Andrew Monahan/Andrew Merola (Blair)

Olson did not have the best showing earlier this season at Ironman going 1-2. Monahan did not compete there, but made an appearance in the Bucs win over SPG. Merola was 2-2 at Ironman. No matter who Blair decides to throw out on the mat I still see Olson having an edge.

Holmes’ pick: Olson by decision
Willie’s pick: Olson by decision


132: Johnny Busiello (Wy. Sem.) vs. #9-Chaz Tucker (Blair)

Tucker is a clear favorite over Busiello. He was Ironman third where Busiello was just shy of placing.

Holmes’ pick: Tucker by tech
Willie’s pick: Tucker by decision


138: Will Verallis (Wy. Sem.) vs. #2-Matt Kolodik (Blair)

Once again the nod goes to Blair with Kolodzik getting bonus in a rematch from last season’s 126-pound National Prep final, which went to Kolodzik by fall in 4:44. I don’t see another fall, but Kolodzik will certainly be looking to put some big points on the board.

Holmes’ pick: Kolodzik by major
Willie’s pick: Kolodzik by decision


145: Danny Boychuck (Wy. Sem.) vs. Michael Monica (Blair)

This could be a close match with Boychuck being the slight favorite if he is back in the line up after not competing at Eastern States. If he is out then Andrew Munn will probably take his place with the match momentum shifting towards Monica. But I would expect to see Boychuck.

Holmes’ pick: Boychuck by decision
Willie’s pick: Monica by decision

152: Jake Hendricks (Wy. Sem.) vs. #3-Jordan Kutler (Blair)

Not much to ponder here either with Kutler being the favorite. Kutler’s performance at the Beast of the East tournament, where he captured the title with a close win over #4-Pat Duggan, clearly shows that he’s the guy to beat and has been on the rise all season.

Holmes’ pick: Kutler by major
Willie’s pick: Kutler by major


160: #10-Chris Weiler (Wy. Sem.) vs. #5-Brandon Dallavia (Blair)

This could quite possibly be the premier match up of the dual meet now that Dallavia has made the drop down to 160. The match will definitely be close with the deciding takedown coming late in the bout.

Holmes’ pick: Dallavia by decision
Willie’s pick: Weiler by decision


170: Greg Kleinsmith/#5-Nick Reenan (Wy. Sem.) vs. Peter Bearse (Blair)

Kleinsmith has been solid here posting a 2-2 record at Ironman and claiming a sixth place finish at the Hurricane Classic while Reenan has been sidelined with injury. But Reenan could be making his return for this dual. Given the magnitude of this dual meet, I think we could see Reenan take on Bearse. And he will definitely be looking to make a huge impact in his return.

Holmes’ pick: Reenan by major
Willie’s pick: Reenan by decision


182: #13-Christian Dietrich (Wy. Sem.) vs. #14-Chase Singletary (Blair)

Certainly will be a good one here as this will be a rematch of the seventh place match of Ironman, which was won by Dietrich, 5-2. Dietrich will be looking to widen that gap this time around as Singletary will hope to close it. But Dietrich will still have the slight edge and dodge the revenge-seeking Singletary.

Holmes’ pick: Dietrich by decision
Willie’s pick: Dietrich by decision



195: Zane Black (Wy. Sem) vs. Neil Putnam (Blair)

Black and Putnam placed sixth and seventh, respectively, at Ironman. Black has the very slight advantage here, but in my mind this bout is a toss up that I would not be surprised to see going to Putnam.

Holmes’ pick: Black by decision
Willie’s pick: Black by decision


220: Cole Nye (Wy. Sem.) vs. #6-David Showunmi (Blair)

These two met at Ironman with Showunmi, the eventual champ, winning 7-1. However, Showumni has been injured since placing third at the Beast. Surely the edge is Showunmi’s here, though.

Holmes’ pick: Showunmi by decision
Willie’s pick: Showunmi by decision


285: Michael Rogers (Wy. Sem.) vs. Ian Day (Blair)

Rogers is the definite favorite against Day. Not much in the way of Rogers taking bonus here. Day has wrestled in just a couple of events this year.

Holmes’ pick: Rogers by fall
Willie’s pick: Rogers by fall


Things could look a bit like last season with the one match advantage going to Sem. The deciding toss up match is at 195 with Putnam and Black. Naturally, this dual meet will have a heavy ephasis on bonus points and strategy. But it will have everything wrestling fans want, which hopefully includes the return of Reenan. 

Holmes’ final score: Wyoming Seminary 28-23
Willie’s final score: Wyoming Seminary 27-22