TOP Sophomore CLASSES: #1-5
#1 Lowell
103 – Kyle Washburn (X-RQ)
112 – #4 Jordan Hall (4th-1st)
119 – #19 Zeth Dean (2nd-5th)
140 – Dan Kruse (RQ-RQ)
171 – #3 Max Dean (5th-1st)
This group is as legit as it gets. The Red Arrows graduate a lot of talent from last year’s state championship lineup, but the cupboard is still plenty full for the next couple years (and beyond). Max Dean and Hall both are coming off breakout seasons, particularly on the national level, and will be among the NCAA’s most coveted D1 prospects in the near future. Zeth Dean doesn’t have quite the national accolades of Hall and Max, but is a stud in his own right, and gives Lowell a 3rd elite wrestler in the class of 2016. Washburn and Kruse were also big contributors this season, and will be even more valuable going forward.
#2 Allegan
112 – Eriq Eichinger (RQ-X)
119 – Joe Orr (X-RQ)
125 – #8 Foster Karmon (3rd-1st)
145 – Thor Huff (X-RQ)
152 – Trey Boerman (X-RQ)
171 – HM Levi Sabin (RQ-5th)
189 – HM Austin Farrell (RQ-SQ)
215 – Jacob Holmes (X-X)
285 – Isea Marichalar (X-X)
Karmon is the only name to really jump off the page, but this is a remarkably deep group that could end up covering 2/3 of the Tiger’s lineup as juniors next season. Sabin and Farrell are both among the top upperweights in this class, and they are accompanied by 4 additional regional qualifiers: Boerman, Huff, Orr, and Eichinger. Furthermore, Holmes and Marichalar were both serviceable starters this season who ensure that the top of Allegan’s lineup will be solid over the next couple of years.
#3 Grand Rapids CC
119 – #1 Devin Schroder (1st-1st)
125 – HM Kole Krauss (4th-SQ)
135 – HM Dom Forbes (SQ-5th)
It’s not an incredibly deep group, but Grand Rapids CC has the top sophomore in the state, not to mention a pair of hammers who each already have earned a top-5 finish at the state tournament. The Cougar’s 2016 firepower is truly elite, and if a few guys can emerge as juniors in 14-15 this class may have a shot to be ranked #1 next spring.
#4 Hesperia
103 – HM Davian Gowens (6th-1st)
125 – SM Logan Eaves (X-2nd)
160 – #23 Mark Workman (5th-2nd)
189 – Freddy Vanderstelt (X-RQ)
215 – Scott Rosencrans (SQ-X)
285 – Josh Ehrke (X-X)
Awesome depth for Hesperia here, and the fact that they have 4 sophomores between 160-285 is especially valuable. Workman and Gowens will both be among D4’s elite during the back half of their careers, and Eaves emerged as a star with his breakout performance at the state meet this year. Vanderstelt and Ehrke were both competent starters this season, but the X-factor is Rosencrans. He was excellent as an SQ in his freshman season, but did not compete in 13-14. If he returns next season it will be a huge difference for this class, and Hesperia’s lineup as a whole.
#5 Brighton
112 – Grant Morrison (X-X)
119 – SM Jackson Renicker (8th-SQ)
189 – #21 Luke Ready (X-4th)
215 – SM Eric Conquest (X-RQ)
A very strong group with nice dispersion, Brighton has their big guys of the future along with a pair of highly valuable lowerweights. Ready is coming off a monster season and will challenge for a state title next year. Top 100’s Renicker/Conquest both have a good shot to be on the D1 podium next March, and Morrison, a GFC AA, is not too far behind them.
HONORABLE MENTION (alphabetized)
HM Birch Run
125 – Adam Grim (X-SQ)
135 – SM Justin Elliott (X-SQ)
140 – Tyler Childs (X-RQ)
140 – Ean Taylor (SQ-RQ)
145 – SM Logan Bovee (X-SQ)
HM Dansville
103 – Chaz Kehres (SQ-SQ)
112 – HM Clay Ragon (4th-3rd)
119 – #11 Dresden Simon (3rd-2nd)
HM Davison
112 – #14 Max Johnson (X-1st)
112 – Deven Perez (X-SQ)
145 – Kurt Schlack (X-X)
189 – Tanner Thomas (X-X)
HM New Lothrop
119 – HM Cole Hersch (8th-SQ)
125 – Levi Krupp (X-X)
135 – Johnny Robinson (SQ-X)
140 – HM Steve Garza (4th-5th)
171 – Caleb Symons (RQ-X)
HM Ortonville Brandon
103 – HM Brendan Ladd (X-3rd)
112 – HM Bryan LaVearn (6th-2nd)
130 – Gordy Dwyer (X-SQ)
135 – SM Ethan Douglas (X-SQ)
HM Swan Valley
103 – Edwin Hernandez (X-SQ)
112 – #27 KJ Suitor (7th-2nd)
125 – #12 Matt Santos (2nd-4th)
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