Class C Ratings-12/6/19

Class C Tournament Team Rankings

This preseason projection is exactly that, a projection. We can speculate and guess all we want but the bottom line is what will happen at the district meets and ultimately in Omaha when the lights are bright. Over the years in this great sport we have seen 4 time finalists get pinned in their quest for their 4^th title and returning qualifiers/medalist not return to the meet the very next season. It is important to understand the value in the process and appreciating every opportunity to get better and compete. I expect the top 3 spots to be much closer than anticipated. As Valentine returns as champs and returns the most state points, they will have a much tougher task holding off Butler County’s 2 schools than what most will think at first glance. Individual rankings will be revealed in a few weeks.

1. Valentine (117 points)

– Defending State Champions, projected to have 4 State finalists. Returning Champ Chris Williams jumps to 126. Krolikowski (138) is going for his 4^th State Title, Morgan McGinley (145) and Chase Olson (160). They return medalists T.Olson (160), and Battershaw (170). Freshman Cayden Lamb looks to make some noise at the lower weights.

2. Aquinas Catholic (112 points)

– Aquinas returns a loaded roster, including 9 state qualifiers and a couple others that would have qualified but were bumped out of the lineup. They always seem to be very tough and bring a physical style of wrestling to the table that can overwhelm opponents. They have 2 spots for 3 guys that are state medal quality. Hunter Vandenberg, Noah Scott, and  Zach Zitek. There is a scenario where Scott could bump to 132, but that would require Nickolite and Schrad to move up a weight class. Regardless, they have the depth and fire power to be a very dominant team this season. I really like their roster to perform well at the state meet in February.

3. David City (102 points)

– Coach Thiem returns a very good roster as always. The Scouts always perform well and the same should be expected this season. They are projected to have 7 medalists. Jacson Valentine (138), Clayton Harris (145), Dylan Vodicka (170), Spencer Allen (182), James Escamillia (195), Wayne Moore (220), Jake Ingwersen (285).

4. Broken Bow (95 points)

– Returning State runner up and State Duals Champion return plenty of fire power and actually get to add 2018 qualifier Trey Garey back into the lineup after he was stuck on JV last season. I have them projected to have 5 medalists. Starting with Garey at 120. Casey Faulkenberry (126), Patrick Powers returns after being sidelined at districts due to injury. Lathen Duda at 182, and Keifer Anderson at 220.

5. Fremont Bergan (90 points)

– 2019 runner up in Class D makes the jump to class C in 2020. It will be interesting to see how this change affects them, but, they have firepower. Make no mistake about it. Lead by Caden Arps (113) who was a champion last season. Ethan Villwok (195), Peyton Cone (220), and Eli Simonsen (285). Can the rest of their roster help make a push that could help them contend for a top 3 finish in class C?

6. Logan View (86 points)

– The raiders will look very good as successive weights from 113-132. There is one hiccup as Martin Valencia is no where to be found on the roster. However if he does wrestle, they will have potential medalists at all 4 of those weights classes Luis Hernandez, Dru Mueller, Martin Valencia, Hunter McNulty and also at 152 (Roberto Valdivia), 160 (Ty Miller), 220 (Andrew Cone)  and in all honesty they could have another at 182 in Logan Booth who qualified last season in his freshman campaign. Their finish will depend on how high each one places. They could easily be higher.

7. Ord (85 points)

– The Chanticleers could be a bit of a head scratcher here at first glance. They did not have the greatest showing a year ago at the State tournament but that was also without former finalist in Ethan Gabriel (195) as he returns for his senior season coming off the ACL injury in the state finals in football last season. Colten Rowse (138) also returns to the line up from injury a year ago. He placed 4^th in 2018. They also return 2 time qualifier Garret Kluthe (160) and CJ Hoevet (285). Add into the mix Kellen Meyer (170/182) is also a 2 time qualifier but once in class D with Franklin. Look for freshman Ryan Gabriel and Hayden Kluthe to also be competitive as they have had good middle school careers.

8. Milford (65 points)- The Eagles return a bunch of fire power and will lean on some depth to make a jump into the team standings. Led by Konner Schluckebier (113), Eli Vondra (120), Ethan Zegers (126), and Jaeven Scdoris (145). They also have a returning qualifier in Jack Chapman that should compliment this roster. Milford has made big strides in just a few short years. This program is on the rise and should be one to watch for the entirety of the season.
9. Amherst (57 points)

– The Bronco’s enter class C for the first time since I’ve been alive (at least from what I can remember). They also have been given the task of being located in C4 territory and depending on what takes place at that loaded district will ultimately play into how high they finish in February. This was a tough one to project out considering the district but as always, Amherst should be given the benefit of the doubt as they project out to have 3 state medalist but could easily be more. Those are Quentin Frank (126), Isaiah Shields (132) and Jarin Potts (195). Dane Bogard and Cole Stokebrand add needed depth and wrestling fans know the last names of Klinglhoefer as Josh and Trevor along with Morgan Shields look to solidify and always tough lineup from the Broncos.

10. Raymond Central (45 points)

– Led by Mitch Albrecht at 120. Raymond Central finds themselves trying to fight off a handful of schools that could be in this 10^th position. Projected to have 3 medalists. The other two in Jon Karpov and Conner Kreikmeier. Finding yourself in the top 10 will always depend on your depth as most squads will have their best wrestlers scoring similar points to the others but can you squeak in a couple guys into 5^th/6^th or even just into Friday night heartbreaks. Bonus points are a must to sneak into the top 10. This very easily could have been Wood River but the injury to returning finalist Dylan Ancheta hurts their stock as he doesn’t return till maybe January.

Class C Dual Team Ratings

1. Aquinas
2. David City
3. Valentine
4. Logan View
5. Amherst
6. Broken Bow
7. Ord
8. Bergan
9. Milford
10. Raymond Central