Weekend Preview: JAWS

JAWS IS REVAMPED WITH D2 #2 ST JOHNS & D3 #4 CHIP HILLS AMONG THIS YEAR'S ADDITIONS

29TH ANNUAL JACKSON AREA WRESTLING SHOWDOWN

*JAWS is a dual format, NOT individual like the preview implies. Please use it as a guide for the tournament's top wrestlers, just know that it doesn't align with tournament's format.

103
D1 #6 Cole Janes, Grand Ledge (10)
D1 #8 Dan Poupore, Saline (9)
D3 #4 Keaton Zuern, Chippewa Hills (10) – State Qualifier
Brandon Zelenka, St Johns (9)

This a pretty good quartet that could very well all end up on the podium this year within their respective divisions. Sophomores Janes and Zuern are the favorites to reach the finals, but Poupore is a very impressive freshman with the capability to knock off either. Zelenka is a top young talent but may be a little undersized here.

Prediction: Janes over Poupore


112
D1 #9 Kyle Boxeth, Saline (11) – State 8th
D2 #5 Emilio Sanchez, St Johns (10) – State Qualifier
D4 #1 Arthur Payne, Montrose (12) – State Runner-Up
D4 #3 Brendan Abrigo, Manchester (12) – State Runner-Up
Spencer Good, Jackson Lumen Christi (10) – Regional Qualifier
Kaden Ellis, Chippewa Hills (10)

Here we may get treated to a D4 state finals preview. Abrigo was a D3 runner-up last season while Abrigo was a D4 runner-up in 2013. Sanchez and Boxeth are the best of the rest on paper, but Ellis could be a potential sleeper.

Prediction: Payne over Abrigo


119
D1 #6 Kevin Fuller, Saline (12) – State Qualifier
D1 #8 Jack Snauko, Grand Ledge (10) – Regional Qualifier
D2 #1 Ian Parker, St Johns (11) – State Runner-Up
D4 #5 Ethan Woods, Manchester (10) – State 5th
Theron Singles, Leslie (12) – 2X Regional Qualifier
Michael Iler, Jonesville (11) – Regional Qualifier
Spencer Plate, Parma Western (11)
Ausitn Young, Chippewa Hills (9)

This is one of the tournament’s deepest and strongest weight classes, but that shouldn’t stop Parker from taking care of business. He’s one of the nation’s top lowerweights and I expect him to be a step ahead of the competition here. Looking at the rest of the field, Fuller is a veteran who logged a lot matches this summer and I like his odds to make the finals opposite Parker.

Prediction: Parker over Fuller


125
D2 #6 Luke Raczkowski, Parma Western (10) – State Qualifier
D2 #7 (119) Trent Lashuay, St Johns (10) – State 7th
D3 #10 Mike Felix, Chippewa Hills (12) – State Qualifier
Bradley Payne, Montrose (12) – Regional Qualifier
Kiefer Bartlett, Marshall (12)

With 3 pretty evenly matched contenders this should be a fun weight to watch unfold. Lashuay was a state placer at 112 last season, while Raczkowski and Felix were both qualifiers at 119. I could see any of the 3 winning, but I’m leaning towards Lashuay after his very active offseason.

Prediction: Lashuay over Raczkowski


130
D3 #1 Kanen Storr, Leslie (12) – State Champ
D3 #9 Austin Spedowski (10) – State Qualifier
Nick Dettling, Manchester (12) – 2X Regional Qualifier
David Fairbanks, Jonesville (11) – Regional Qualifier
Derek Droste, St Johns (11)
Jeremy Fratrick, Grass Lake (11)
Carter Moore, Jackson (12)

Regardless of whether he competes here or moves up to 135, there will be no stopping Storr this weekend. He’s ranked #9 in the country at 126lbs and is also one of the top 50 recruits in the junior class. The rest of the field is quite deep. Spedowski and Dettling will definitely be in the mix for a finals spot, and Droste is very capable of doing some damage as well.

Prediction: Storr over Spedowski


135
D2 #4 Chase Veydt, Parma Western (11) – 2X State Qualifier
D2 #7 Lucas McFarland, St Johns (10) – State Qualifier
D3 #9 Slade Todd, Chippewa Hills (11) – State Qualifier
D4 #3 Brock Vlceck, Manchester (12) – 2X State Qualifier
Hunter Hackworth, Grass Lake (11) – Regional Qualifer

It’s hard to know what weight everyone will wrestle early in the season, but as of know this is shaping up to be pretty awesome weight. Vlcek has seemingly been around forever and should content for a state title in D4 this season. Meanwhile, Veydt fell just shy of placing in D2 last season despite a pretty rough draw. They’re the favorites to make the finals, but McFarland had a great offseason and I think he’s in for a big season despite moving up several weights. Todd is tough as well and will definitely be in the mix.

Prediction: Vlcek over Veydt


140
D1 #2 Dylan Steward, Grand Ledge (11) – 2X State Qualifier
D2 #8 Bret Fedewa, St Johns (10) – State Qualifier
Noah Jakubas, Jackson Northwest (10)
David Spedowski, Chippewa Hills (9)

Assuming the weights hold this is probably a 2 horse race between Steward and Fedewa. Steward is a very tough veteran with a lot of matches under his belt, but Fedewa was extremely impressive as a freshman last season and is trending upward. Additionally, Spedowski had a very successful career at the MYWA level and I’m intrigued to see how he fares against the competition.

Prediction: Steward over Fedewa


145
D1 #8 Patrick Powers, Grand Ledge (12) – State Qualifier
Matt Cuevas, Manchester (12) – Regional Qualifier
John Wixson, Chippewa Hills (11)

The middleweights of 145 and 152 look pretty thin relative to the rest, but I imagine there will be some weight shifting as well as a few new faces who emerge. At this point, Powers look like the favorite here. He was an RQ last season and an SQ the year before. That should setup a pretty good semifinal between Cuevas and Wixson on the opposite end of the bracket.

Prediction: Powers over Wixson


152
D3 #1 Mason Dey, Chippewa Hills (12) – State 6th
Corey Johnson, Manchester (12) – Regional Qualifier

See above. I’m sure this weight ends up being much deeper than it looks on paper. Regardless of how it fills out, Dey and a pretty safe bet to get the gold. Johnson was solid for Manchester last season and is definitely a legit finalist.

Prediction: Dey over Johnson


160
D2 #1 Logan Massa, St Johns (12) – 2X State Champ
D2 #8 Tristan Elkins, Jackson Northwest (12) – State Qualifier
D3 #4 Kevin Briscoe, Chippewa Hills (12) – State 4th
Logan Root, Jackson Lumen Christi (12)
Chris Davis, Michigan Center (12)

This is a very solid group, but the competition matters little in regard to the title race. Massa is slotted #1 in the country at this weight and is arguably the best high school wrestler in the nation. I expect him to pin through without a ton of trouble despite the fact the Briscoe and Elkins are both very good.

Prediction: Massa over Briscoe


171
D1 #10 Stephen Slattery, Saline (12) – Regional Qualifier
D3 #9 Chris Cooper, Jackson Lumen Christi (12) – State Qualifier
D4 #4 Kevin Curby, Hillsdale (12) – 3X State Qualifier
D4 #6 Alex Elasivich, Montrose (12) – 2X Regional Qualifer
Eric Russell, Chippewa Hills (12) – Regional Qualifier
Dakota Waring, Homer (12) – Regional Qualifier
Ryan Eisley, Chelsea (12)
John Norton, Lansing Sexton (12)
Zach Dunn, Leslie (12)

Here we have the deepest weight of the tournament, but it’s without a true favorite. 3X state qualifier Curby probably has the best credentials, but the other ranked guys are equally capable. Cooper had a busy summer and looked good whenever I watched him compete. Elasivich had some big wins last year and fell just shy of advancing through a very tough region.

Prediction: Curby over Slattery


189
D2 #2 (189) Ty Wildmo, St Johns (12) – 2X State Placer
John Spedowski, Chippewa Hills (12) – Regional Qualifier
Noah Manly, Chelsea (12) – Regional Qualifer
Michael Morgan, Lansing Everett (12)

With Angus Arthur planning not to wrestle this season there’s a good chance Wildmo ends up at 189. Assuming that’s the case I expect him to run through this weight without a ton of competition. Returning RQ’s Spedowski and Manly should battle for the other finals spot.

Prediction: Wildmo over Manly


215
D2 #4 (215) Nic Sturgis, St Johns (12) – Regional Qualifier
D4 #4 Jon Rodriguez, Jonesville (12) – State 4th
D4 #5 Quintin Wilber, Montrose (12) – State 5th
Brendan Barry, Chippewa Hills (11) – Regional Qualifer
Scott Cooley, Parma Western (12)

With Wildmo down to 189, that opens the door for Sturgis to drop to 215. He was a district champ last year before scratching at regionals. Meanwhile, Wilber and Rodriguez will also be squarley in the mix for a title. I’m not sure if Barry is quite on their level yet, but he’s a talented underclassmen that I think will end up having a pretty big season.

Prediction: Rodriguez over Sturgis


285
D2 #6 Jacob Gnegy, St Johns (11) – State Qualifier
D2 #10 Austin Catt, Parma Western (12) – Regional Qualifier
D3 #6 Tristan Schrot, Jackson Lumen Christ (12) – Regional Qualifier
D4 #7 Bruce McClean, Montrose (11) – State Qualifier
Matt Lloyd, Grand Ledge (11) – Regional Qualifier
Andrew Whaley, Chippewa Hills (11)

As is often the case, some of these big guys may still be fresh off football season and not quite primed for competition. Even if a couple end up being scratches, this still figures to be a very competitive weight. There is a ton of balance present, and I wouldn’t be shocked to see any combination of the six guys listed end up squaring off in the finals.

Prediction: Gnegy over Lloyd

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