As you can tell I have some extra time, breakdown of 4A. Predictions and top 5 Pound for pound wrestlers. P4P criteria was level of competition wrestled and how each wrestler performed in state tourney, example bonus points scored, is wrestler dangerous in all three positions? List favorite in each weight class and a dark horse if any.
106
Mark Samuel- Laney
Luke Kunath- Cardinal Gibbons
Jack Dillion- Ashley
Samuel may have the most challenges in order to repeat, if he stays at 106 a healthy Dillion is a big obstacle kid placed 3rd two years ago on a torn ACL, if Samuel is at 113 and Treanor stays that is a even bigger challenge.
Dark horse of 2020-21 season Jack Dillion is capable of winning at 106 or 113 if Treanor is at 120.
120- Would love to see Richard Treanor Hough vs James Joblin NW Gilford in the finals
Either way Treanor or Joblin will have 120 locked down.
126- Riley Edwards or James Joblin
132- Jun Figueredo Hough- solid wrestler who never stops attacking.
138- no clear favorite:
Jun Figueredo- capable of winning at 132 or 138
Connor Johnson Laney- big question mark, can he finish big matches has a tendency to fade late in matches.
Nick Smith- Ragsdale
Joseph Lock- Jack Britt
145
Jayden Doebeck Pinecrest
Toure Moore Grimsley
152- no clear favorite
Doebeck capable of winning at 145 or 152
2nd dark horse of 2020-2021 season Alex Bentley Hickory Ridge, kid could win it if wrestles up to his capabilities.
160- no clear cut favorite, wide open weight class.
Andrew Doss Leesville Road
Luke Goodin Mooresville Senior
Noah Willliams Apex
170
Clear Favorite Devon Bell Laney, if Bell continues to wrestle like he did at the state tourney he will have 170 on lock down. Bell can score quickly and in bunches.
182
Clear favorite Holden Cypher Millbrook, unfortunately for 4A 170 and 182 pounders both weight classes are on lock down, pick you poison, stay at 170 and deal with Bell’s physical aggressive athletic style or at 182 Cyphers brute strength that makes you pay for the smallest of mistakes by sticking you.
195
Shakarri Morrison Newton Conover, if Cypher stays at 182 which I doubt.
220
Two man race:
Jose George South View
Rylan Vann Cary
285
Emmanuel Bell Laney
Chase Goodwin Pinecrest
Bell and Goodwin finals would make for the best 285 finals we have seen in years. These two are just too far ahead of the field to be caught.
Author’s observation: our depth in NC is lacking, as a coach and fan I do not like to see weight classes on lock down. Our top guys are legit but we need to work on our depth.
Top 5 P4P wrestlers, criteria used is in above paragraph:
Richard Treanor Hough
James Joplin NW Guilford
Devon Bell Laney
Riley Edwards NW Guilford
Holden Cypher Millbrook