The Grappler Fall Classic gets most of its' attention and hype surrounding the star-studded High School division that attracts nationally ranked grapplers to the Wolverine State, however, the Middle School and Elementary Divisions are rapidly becoming almost, if not, as loaded as the High School division.
This year's MS and ELEM divisions have about a dozen weight classes that are straight up stacked with studs from all over the Midwest - and beyond. There are a lot of reasons to watch closely this year, but here are 10 that we can think of off the top of our heads....
1. 11 STATES REPRESENTED
That is right - 11 states are represented in the Middle School and Elementary divisions alone. The state of Michigan is obviously the most represented, but this year's field is just a Michigan show - studs are coming from all over. Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Florida are all bringing over double digits with more than 20 from the Buckeye State. Throw in a handful of hammers from Kentucky, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin, and Georgia, and you have a pretty well-rounded field in terms of geography.
2. AWP ULTIMATE 50
The Associated Wrestling Press recently announced the first year of the ULTIMATE 50 - a youth tournament series that awards the top youth grapplers across the country for placing in major events from coast-to-coast. The GFC is the first major event in the series and the first of a string of platinum scoring events with Freak Show, Monster Match Nationals, and Border Wars Nationals on deck in the next month as well. Click here for more on the Ultimate 50.
3. BRAEDEN DAVIS vs SAMMY HAYES
Braeden Davis of Michigan and Samuel Hayes of Illinois may just be grade-schoolers, but these two have developed a rivalry that could continue for years to come (if they stay the same age). These two youth hammers have collectively won just about every major youth tournament in the country and they have met the last two years at the GFC, with each meeting a complete throwdown brawl. Last year Davis won 10-7 for the title and in 2012 Hayes came out on top 4-3. The third time around is sure to be INSANE! We will make sure cameras are rolling....
4. WHOS GONNA TAKE OUT THE CHAMP?
Over 10 returning MS/ELEM champs are back to defend their titles, and a few are not even top seeds, which shows the competetion in this years field. Donavon Farley (OH), Braeden Davis (MI), Sammy Hayes (IL), Austin Fietz (MI), Dominick Lomazzo (MI), Jordan Crace (OH), Graham Calhoun (IN), Donnell Washington (IL), Zane Brown (KY), Brian Case (MI), and Easton Turner (MI) have won this thing before. Lomazzo was the OW of last year's Elementary Division and 2013 MI Youth Wrestler of The Year
5. MS STATE CHAMPS FROM 4 STATES AT 95lbs!
The Middle School 95lb division features 4 returning State Champs from 4 different states. Top seed and returning champ Jordan Crace of Ohio, an up and comer for Graham High School, will be tested by Michigan champ Kyle Kantola, Indiana champ Cayden Rooks, and Illinois champ Domenic Zaccone, not to mention NUWAY national runner up Rhett Newton of Michigan....wow! Semis and finals should be awesome at this weight!
6. ELEMENTARY 70lb BRACKET
The three F's headline this weight - Fietz, Flanagan, and Fernau. Austin Fietz of Michigan is the returning GFC Champ who has placed in Tulsa and won a MI State Title. Bailey Flanagan has won 5 Florida State Titles, and Joseph Fernau is the Illinois State Champ. Throw in Texas State Champ Noah Gochberg, Florida State Champ Nic Bouzakis, and MI placers Quaylon Newton and Jacob Brya and this bracket will be insane from the first round on. With 15 kids pre-registered, this bracket should be one of the largest and deepest of all youth weight classes.
7. PLATFORM TO HIGH SCHOOL GREATNESS
The GFC Middle School Division has proven to be a stepping stone en route to high school greatness. In just 3 years of holding a MS division, at least 16 former GFC wrestlers from the Middle School division have gone on to become nationally ranked at the high school level, just take a look at the list below. With that being said, it is fair to say that a handful of guys wrestling in the Middle School division this weekend are going to be tearing it up on the high school scene in the next couple years!
Austin Franco-MI
Anthony Madrigal-IL
Zack Sherman-FL
Jason Renteria-IL
Jarrett Trombley-MI
Brandon Whitman-MI
Gable Stevenson-MN
Joey Silva-FL
Ian Parker-MI
Ben Freeman-MI
Kanen Storr-MI
Devin Schroder-MI
Alex Mackall-OH
Devon Pingel-MI
Jelani Embree-MI
Landon Pelham-MI
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