JensenS

Just interested to see what you guys think. I thought this year was kind of a lean year, at least in comparison with the two years previous. There were no clearly defined top of the heap guys, but instead just a dozen or so, very, very good guys.

I can't really put these in order, as I've only seen one guy more than once or twice.

- Alex Meade DE
- Mario Mason NJ
- Jason Welch CA
- Jordan Oliver PA
- Scott Winston NJ

RYou

Scott Winston may be the best to come out of New Jersey yet. Undefeated for 3 years, but only a 2x state champ because he broke a bone just before the tornament his freshman year.

All I can say is he is a wicked, wicked, wicked wrestler.

eazee

I think those are probably the top five guys. My order is:

1. Jason Welch
2. Scott Winston
3. Mario Mason
4. Alex Meade
5. Jordan Oliver (I know there have been questions about his size)

eazee

Another five to watch would be:

Tyler Graff, Brian Roddy, Jordan Blanton, Quentin Wright, and Trevor Melde.

JensenS

I don't know about Oliver being small, I watched his matches on Flo and he seemed like a nice sized 119, if he can step up and go say 130 next year, or even just 125 he'll be a nice size for a college 125, and plus career 125's aren't always easy to find. Welch is apparently definitely going 171, and then I could see Mason, Meade, and Winston all stepping up a weight to 145, 152, and 160 respectively.

eazee

Yeah I wouldn't say he will be too small, just one of the knocks I've heard before.

UGLY

Tyler Graff I believe will set himself apart from the rest of the class this year. I have never seen a kid that was as strong as he is and as technicly sound at that weight. I cant wait to see how he does at the US open and fargo this year.

eazee

Personally, I'd say Mike Mangrum would probably be in the top ten, I didn't list him just because he's already verbaled with Oregon State.

eazee

Ok how about this (committed or not)

1. Jason Welch
2. Scott Winston
3. Mario Mason
4. Alex Meade
5. Jordan Oliver
6. Michael Mangrum
7. Jake Deitchler
8. Tyler Graff
9. Quentin Wright
10. Trevor Melde
11. Johnny Koepp
12. Hunter Collins
13. Jordan Blanton
14. Walt Peppleman
15. Dan White

Edit: I need to put Brian Roddy in there somewhere too...

JensenS

Thats a solid top fifteen Eazee.

Scott, I'm aware of how good Graff is, and if Mangrum beat him then I'm sure he's very good too.

But you can only put five people, on a top five list. Mangrum is a great get for Z at OSU, and Graff will be a great grab for whoever gets him. Both are top ten guys.

You mention freestyle results should make Graff and Mangrum top five. Mason, Meade, and Oliver to the best of my knowledge have all won Fargo at least once, and then Winston is an undefeated folkstyler in one of the toughest states in the country. I'm assuming you have no quarrel with Welch on the list so I'll leave him alone.