The Saltiest Weight At The Journeymen Fall Classic
The Saltiest Weight At The Journeymen Fall Classic
We break down the weight class that has the most high school hammers registered at the 2018 Journeymen Fall Classic.
The 2018 Journeymen Fall Classic | Watch LIVE on FloWrestling | 9:00 AM ET | Sunday, October 7
Ahh, the preseason is upon us. The Journeymen Fall Classic is the first big test for many of the nation’s best wrestlers. It's a sign that winter is coming and the season is near. Journeymen events are always packed with talent, and this year’s Fall Classic is no different. There are a number of stacked weight classes in the field, but one weight class that is particularly salty is 152. Let’s take a look at some of the top guys in the country that will be scrapping it out next weekend.
#3 Connor Brady, Oletangy Liberty
The senior coming out of Olentangy Liberty High School in Ohio had a very impressive Freestyle season, taking third in Akron and Fargo. Brady, a Virginia Tech commit, is a beast with his under hooks and will be looking to start his senior year off right and show the Hokie fans what they have coming.
Check out Brady in action in this war against Peyton Robb, and peep his strong under hook game that you’ll be seeing plenty of at the Journeymen Fall Classic.
#4 (160) Thayne Lawrence, Quest
PA state champion Thayne Lawrence is going into his junior season ranked #4 and uncommitted. Lawrence, coming out of Frazier High School and Quest School of Wrestling, will have plenty of eyes on him at the Journeymen Fall Classic, where he’s sure to gain some Division I suitors.
Watch Lawrence avenge a loss to grab his third-place spot on the podium at FloNats, and notice former Quest coach and new addition to George Mason’s coaching staff, Mason Beckman, in the corner. I wonder if he may have an eye on Lawrence as one of George Mason’s big recruits.
#10 Nathan Haubert, Palisades
Lehigh is putting together quite the recruiting class: They have verbals from Jake Logan, Connor McGonagle, Edmund Ruth, Malyke Hynes, Louden Haga, and last but not least Nathan Haubert. Haubert is No. 9 in the 165 prospect rankings and is a PA state champion coming out of the always tough District 11.
#13 Aaron Gandara, Wrestling Prep/Poway High School
Aaron Gandara has quite the resume: Fargo finalist in 2017, Fargo Greco All-American, UWW placer, and Arizona state champion. Formerly at Cibola High School, Gandara will be looking to add California state champion to his list now that he has moved and transferred to Poway High School. But first, Gandara will try to nab a Journeymen Fall Classic title and potentially get revenge about the next wrestler on our list.
#16 Sonny Santiago, Sunkist Kids Monster Garage
Santiago is a tough, scrappy wrestler out of the Sunkist Kids Monster Garage in California who can be very stingy with points and tough to score on. Sonny has some experience with some wrestlers in the field here at the Journeymen Fall Classic. He’s going to want to keep his winning ways against the aforementioned Aaron Gandara and change his losing ways against the highest-ranked wrestler in the weight class, Connor Brady.
Watch here as Santiago was able to get the best of Gandara on his way to taking fifth in Akron.
#19 John Martin Best, Parkersburg
Hailing from Parkersburg, West Virginia (shout out to Parkersburg's and FloWrestling's own Kyle Bratke, co-host of The Bootleg), Best is double Fargo All-American. Best also took third in greco and second in freestyle, using his left hand under hook that he works so well from most of the way.
Kyle Mosher, South Side High School
Already a four-time state place winner, Kyle Mosher out of South Side, Long Island, is chasing that elusive New York State title. He can start his season off on the right foot and bust into the national rankings in this deep weight class.
Bennett Berge, Pinnacle
One of the only two freshmen in this weight may sound familiar, that’s because Bennett Berge is the younger brother of World Bronze medalist, Brady Berge, who is now at Penn State. Oh yeah, and he’s also already a Minnesota State champ. Definitely keep your eyes on this youngster at the Journeymen Fall Classic.
Drew Eller, Evans High School
Although he’s not from your typical wrestling state, don’t sleep on multiple time Georgia State champion, Drew Eller. Georgia is on the come up and Eller is one of the guys leading the charge.