2019 NHSCA Recap
2019 NHSCA Recap
The top performers from NHSCA nationals are highlighted.
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With monster brackets for each grade, NHSCA's are a recruiting buffet under one roof. The Senior Big Board and weight class rankings have been updated based on its results and they will heavily influence the forthcoming JR/SO/FR and Junior High Big Boards.
But until then, let's take a look at the kids that upped their stock last weekend.
Seniors
Logan Ashton, GA - 113
With just one regular decision, Ashton makes us look forward to seeing how he develops as a potential career 125'er at Stanford.
Chris Cannon, NJ - 126
Cannon was a nationally-ranked, multi-time National Prep finalist before entering his senior year for powerhouse Blair Academy where he was relegated to back up duty behind their stud middleweights. He returned to the big stage and punctuated his high school career before going to Northwestern next year.
Breyden Palmer, TN - 132
A 5th place finisher last year, the Clarion recruit won the whole thing in a bracket that featured Connor McGonagle and Cole Mattin, who he beat in the finals.
Chris Donathan, 152 - OH
Donathan completed an awesome post season. First he won the Ohio state big school bracket that featured a Top 5 Bryce Andonian and FloNats finalist Micheal North. Then he moved up to 152 and beat Bergen's Wade Unger, returning finalist Micheal Weber, and Cadet Greco World Teamer James Burks.
Trey Munoz, 170 - CA
Munoz won the deepest Senior bracket by beating OK State recruit Cade Lindsey, 3x PA finalist Edmond Ruth, and National Prep finalist Mason Reiniche. Also worthy of mention in the bracket was...
Isaiah Alford, 170 - NE
Alford, a Husker commit, finished 3rd in this deep bracket. His only loss was 4-3 to Mason Reiniche and he beat two Top 20 guys in Kohlton Clark and Edmond Ruth.
Christian Knop, 195 - AL
Knop is back. He spent a long time in the rankings but then fell out after down showings at Fargo and Super 32. But he capped his career off in style with a SR title while getting back into the rankings.
Juniors
Kysen Terukina, 120 - HI
There are moments when the Flyin' Hawaiian 'hangs out' and lacks motion. But when he goes, man, he goes. Defining him as 'slick' doesn't do Kysen justice. Take a look.
Ryan Jack, 126 - CT
It's tough to up your stock when you're already ranked 5th in the country as a Junior. But in case there were any questions...
Phil Smith, 138 - MD
Rarely wrestling outside of his native Maryland, Smith, who won a state title at 138 this year, moved down to 132 and was a mild surprise in winning the Junior title over MN's 2x finalist Charlie Pickell. Smith is worth monitoring as he enters his final campaign.
Ethan Basile, 138 - FL
I came into the tournament intrigued by Basile. (And to be quite honest, I was more interested in watching his younger brother.) But Ethan was the best Basile in the building. He beat two ranked wrestlers - Maxx Mayfield and Justin Rivera - to win the title.
Elan Heard, 152 - OH
Elan Heard continues to take us on a roller coaster ride. Always regarded as a top talent, he's slayed some big names while also often falling below expectation. He placed (4th) for the first time in the state tournament this year. But at NHSCA's he beat nationally ranked John Martin Best, Cali State Champ Chase Saldate, and then AJ Kovacs (who beat PA State Champ Andrew Cerniglia) in the finals.
Colton Hawks, 182 - MO
Primed for a breakout tournament, Hawks made a name for himself in VA Beach. He was 8th in Fargo lat year and just finished runner-up at states in Missouri to Rocky Elam (who is criminally underrated), in OT. Along the way, Hawks beat NJ State Champ Brandon Green.
Sophomores
Caden McCrary, 132 - GA
Part of the initial wave of the Georgia youth movement, McCrary was in a bracket with the top three finishers from last year's 120 Freshmen bracket. He beat Casey Wiles, Henry Porter, and then Ethen Miller, who beat him in the finals last year. All of them are Sophomore Big Board members.
Vinny Zerban, 138 - MO
Zerban won OW. In his seven matches he had 3 falls, a tech, two majors and a decision. In the finals he beat Ohio Champ Alek Martin, 9-1.
Max Wilner, 160 - CA
In a bracket chocked full of Big Boarders, it was Wilner taking the title. Ohio 3rd placer Justin Mayes beat returning champ (and PA champ) Trey Kibe in semi's. Wilner beat NY Runner-Up Jake Null and then majored Mayes in the finals.
Lenny Pinto, PA - 170
Losing only to Edmond Ruth (6-5) at the PA state tournament, Pinto took 3rd in Hershey. At NHSCA's, where he took 3rd last year, he beat St. Ed's Hudson Hightower in the finals. Returning Champ Landon Foor took 3rd.
Freshmen
Cory Land, 106 - AL
Land showed signs earlier, competing well at national duals, winning NHSCA's Middle School and a state title as an undersized 8th grader last year. But this was his true breakout moment as he beat Wask and Giampetro (who beat Van Hoecke).
Nick Fea, 113 - NY
After struggling to hold 106 this year for Wyoming Seminary, Fea looked reborn at 113. He beat Lake Highland's Danny Nini, State Champ Evan Holloway, and Kaleb Larkin.
Matt Singleton, 138 - GA
In a bracket with tons of FR talent, Singleton destroyed everyone. He was the OW with three techs, two pins, and a major over Big Boarder Travis Ragland. After giving up the first takedown in the finals, he pinned Antwaun Burns.
TJ Stewart, 160 - VA
Another fantastic tournament for Stewart, who finished 3rd at National Preps this year. He beat two Freshmen Big Boarders in Welch and Soldano.
Seth Shumate, 195 - OH
This wasn't the best bracket in the world, but here's the thing: Seth Shumate is a giant, giant problem. He was utterly dominant. Four falls and a tech. That not good enough for you? He won a state title. As a frosh. At 195. In Ohio. In Division I. With a major in the finals. Over a senior.