2016 FloNationalsMar 22, 2016 by Willie Saylor
Most Intriguing Recruits at FloNationals
Most Intriguing Recruits at FloNationals
The best prospects remaining at FloNationals in 2016.
There's no doubt about it - the monster, national events (Fargo, Super 32, FloNationals, NHSCA's) aren't just about proving who is the best, but also about opening recruiting opportunities.
Now that the NCAA season is over, college coaches turn their attention towards identifying and attracting talent. They'll be logging miles over the next few weekends starting with FloNationals.
As a preface to this, I've compiled some interesting prospects to keep a look out for. But first, let's explain that the criteria for this list whittled it down a bit. I didn't include well-known guys. Everyone knows about Jarod Verkleeren and Layne Van Anrooy types. Secondly, I limited it to a couple unsigned Seniors and Juniors. The youngsters have plenty of time.
On to who to watch for:
Seniors
Luke Weber, MT - Multi-sport athletes often slip under the radar because instead of competing at big national tournaments, they're training for the 'next' sport. See Dean, Gabe for example. But Weber, entered at 145, beat known national commodity Jarrett Degen, a Virginia Tech commitment, this season and represents an athletic late addition to a team in need of a 49/57.
Logan Moriarity, MO - Moriarity had a good, not great ledger against national competition until he had a fantastic run at the state tournament in February where he knocked off Canten Marriott, a Mizzou Tiger pledge, to take state title honors. He was also undefeated at The Clash. Let's see if he keeps it rolling at 152lbs at FloNats.
Juniors
Paul Konrath, IN - A returning FloNationals Champion, Konrath went to a school that didn't have wrestling, didn't compete in the regular season this year. As such, he may have slipped off some recruiters' radar. Up at 120 (+5) now, keep an eye on him.
Travis Stefanik, PA - This kid had a lot of people buzzing in PA at the end of the year after beating Jarod Verkleeren and a ranked Jimmy Saylor (twice). Quarterback for his football team, Stefanak is now hitting his wrestling stride. He's a legit DI wrestling prospect enter at Flo at 157lbs.
Jelani Embree, MI - I fudged on this one a bit. Most people know of Embree, who made the Cadet World Team last year but didn't go to the World Championships because of sustaining an injury. He's been off the national map since. He's listed here as, 'hey, don't forget about this kid,' at 175lbs.
Trevor Nichelson, NE - A two-time state champ, Nichelson has flirted with Top 20 status. We'll see if the 182lber is ready to break through.
Anthony Mantanona, CA - When the seniors are removed, Mantanona will likely be a Top 5-ish guy. But he doesn't get much chatter as he hasn't won a state title yet, going 4th with losses to Jeremy Thomas and Zander Wick as a Soph., and runner-up to Jeremy Thomas last month. So you can get in on the ground floor by watching him this weekend before he shoots to star status.
Hunter Bolen, VA - Bolen came firing out of the gates as a promising freshmen before experiencing a sophomore slump. This season, he's been back on track. Word is he's a great kid - hardworking and humble. He could be a prize recruit in the 157/165lb. range.
Devin Bahr, WI - Breaking on to the scene by taking 3rd at Fargo Cadets in 2014, Bahr is now a three-time state champ. But he's wrestled a light national schedule recently. Wrestling at 145, he's the #1 kid I want to get a look at this week.
Haydn Maley, OR - Those looking for upperweights might want to keep an eye on this 2-time state champ from Oregon. He was a double Fargo AA in 2014 with a win over this year's PA state champ, John Jakobsen.
Now that the NCAA season is over, college coaches turn their attention towards identifying and attracting talent. They'll be logging miles over the next few weekends starting with FloNationals.
As a preface to this, I've compiled some interesting prospects to keep a look out for. But first, let's explain that the criteria for this list whittled it down a bit. I didn't include well-known guys. Everyone knows about Jarod Verkleeren and Layne Van Anrooy types. Secondly, I limited it to a couple unsigned Seniors and Juniors. The youngsters have plenty of time.
On to who to watch for:
Seniors
Luke Weber, MT - Multi-sport athletes often slip under the radar because instead of competing at big national tournaments, they're training for the 'next' sport. See Dean, Gabe for example. But Weber, entered at 145, beat known national commodity Jarrett Degen, a Virginia Tech commitment, this season and represents an athletic late addition to a team in need of a 49/57.Logan Moriarity, MO - Moriarity had a good, not great ledger against national competition until he had a fantastic run at the state tournament in February where he knocked off Canten Marriott, a Mizzou Tiger pledge, to take state title honors. He was also undefeated at The Clash. Let's see if he keeps it rolling at 152lbs at FloNats.
Juniors
Paul Konrath, IN - A returning FloNationals Champion, Konrath went to a school that didn't have wrestling, didn't compete in the regular season this year. As such, he may have slipped off some recruiters' radar. Up at 120 (+5) now, keep an eye on him.Travis Stefanik, PA - This kid had a lot of people buzzing in PA at the end of the year after beating Jarod Verkleeren and a ranked Jimmy Saylor (twice). Quarterback for his football team, Stefanak is now hitting his wrestling stride. He's a legit DI wrestling prospect enter at Flo at 157lbs.
Jelani Embree, MI - I fudged on this one a bit. Most people know of Embree, who made the Cadet World Team last year but didn't go to the World Championships because of sustaining an injury. He's been off the national map since. He's listed here as, 'hey, don't forget about this kid,' at 175lbs.
Trevor Nichelson, NE - A two-time state champ, Nichelson has flirted with Top 20 status. We'll see if the 182lber is ready to break through.
Anthony Mantanona, CA - When the seniors are removed, Mantanona will likely be a Top 5-ish guy. But he doesn't get much chatter as he hasn't won a state title yet, going 4th with losses to Jeremy Thomas and Zander Wick as a Soph., and runner-up to Jeremy Thomas last month. So you can get in on the ground floor by watching him this weekend before he shoots to star status.
Hunter Bolen, VA - Bolen came firing out of the gates as a promising freshmen before experiencing a sophomore slump. This season, he's been back on track. Word is he's a great kid - hardworking and humble. He could be a prize recruit in the 157/165lb. range.
Devin Bahr, WI - Breaking on to the scene by taking 3rd at Fargo Cadets in 2014, Bahr is now a three-time state champ. But he's wrestled a light national schedule recently. Wrestling at 145, he's the #1 kid I want to get a look at this week.
Haydn Maley, OR - Those looking for upperweights might want to keep an eye on this 2-time state champ from Oregon. He was a double Fargo AA in 2014 with a win over this year's PA state champ, John Jakobsen.