7 Can't Miss NHSCA Nationals Finals
7 Can't Miss NHSCA Nationals Finals
These seven finals will feature fireworks and high school superstars.
It’s been two full days of good wrestling inside the new Virginia Beach Sports Center and all that’s left is the finals and medal matches. The final session begins bright and early tomorrow morning at 7:45 am EST. Here are the matches you don’t want to miss.
Watch NHSCA High School Nationals LIVE on FloWestling
Freshman 106: #1 Beric Jordan, OH vs #12 Isaiah Quintero, CA
Beric Jordan is one of two #1 ranked wrestlers in the field here in Virginia Beach. That alone makes him can’t miss. He won his first division II Ohio state title as a freshman this year for St. Paris Graham. After beating NC State’s Kai Orine’s younger brother, Draegen, Jordan survived a late upset scare to Ethan Rivera.
Watch #1 Beric Jordan get a late defensive fall to avoid getting upset in the semifinals below.
Isaiah Quintero is no slouch, however. He beat Brock Mantanona back in February and is currently ranked #12 in the country. Quintero’s key to victory is stopping Jordan’s outside carry.
Junior 220: #1 Nick Feldman, PA vs Eli Fortuner, VA
Nick Feldman isn’t just the other top-ranked wrestler at this tournament, but he’s #11 pound-for-pound in the country right now. He beat Cadet World Teamer Kyle Haas at Who’s #1 2020 and hasn’t lost since. His opponent, Eli Fortuner doesn’t have a number by his name, but he’s just outside of the top-20. He’s actually picked up more bonus points so far than Feldman. Can he keep it rolling and use a little home state action to pull off a massive upset?
Junior 182: #6 Kole Mulhauser, NY vs #20 Dylan Fishback, OH
Kole Mulhauser is the higher-ranked wrestler, but Dylan Fishback might be the favorite as I’ve deducted points from Mulhauser for cutting his mullet since the Journeymen NYS Championships. All jokes aside, this should be a great match. Fishback is currently ranked #20 up at 195, but #26 on the junior big board and committed to NC State. Mulhauser, a Princeton commit, won the aforementioned Journeymen NYS Championships and is trained by former Ohio State wrestler Kenny Courts.
Freshman 170: Rune Lawrence, PA vs Landen Shurtleff, UT
Rune Lawrence is going to be a name you’re going to want to remember. He won PIAAs as a freshman at 170. It’s really not fair when he only has to wrestle other freshmen. He’s pinned his way to the finals and only gotten out of the first period once. Lawrence will be a big favorite over Landen Shurtleff, who took 3rd at Utah state this year.
Watch Rune Lawrence pick up a quick fall in the semifinals below.
Senior 126: #14 Nico Provo, CT vs #15 Carter Bailey, CA
An obvious ranking spot on the line here as it’s #14 vs #15. This is also a potential future EIWA battle as Provo is committed to Cornell and Bailey will be going to Lehigh next year. Provo, who is a top 100 recruit in the class of 2021, made the Super 32 finals in 2019. At Super 32 in 2020, Bailey finished in 7th place.
Junior 152: #16 Nick Vafiadis, VA vs #17 Nick Fea, PA
Not only is an obvious ranking spot on the line in the junior 152 lbs final, but name supremacy as well. Vafiadis, a Navy commit, will be trying to maintain his higher ranking in his home state while Fea will be looking for redemption. These two wrestled an intense one-point match three weeks ago at the Journeymen NYS Championships. That was freestyle, however. Now we get to find out how it goes in folkstyle.
Watch Nick Vafiadis and Nick Fea’s buzzer-beater match from three weeks ago below.
Freshman 113: #15 Ryan Bennett, OH vs Colby Crouch, IL
Ryan Bennett won an Ohio state title last month at 106 lbs, getting him into the national rankings. With the Illinois high school season just starting, Colby Crouch hasn’t had the opportunity to win a state title yet but was a Tulsa Preseason Nationals 15U national champion and outstanding wrestler in middle school.