January 31, 2009
 
Sectionals have their share of favorites
Star Correspondent  

By Steve Brooks
Star correspondent

The challenge for area high school wrestling teams has gotten even more difficult this year. Only one team -- instead of two -- will advance from the Lawrence Central and Decatur Central sectionals that include IndianaMat .com's No. 4 Cathedral, No. 5 Perry Meridian and No. 11 Lawrence North. The top four individuals in each weight class will make it to a regional.

Here's a look at the top wrestlers to keep an eye on today:

Anthony Bill,

Bishop Chatard

Weight class: 160.

Record: 31-0.

Why watch: Bill has quietly put together one of the top seasons in the area. He's ranked ninth in the state and was a semistate qualifier a year ago.

Toughest sectional competition: Cathedral's Tyler Willis (29-4).

Brandon Nelsen,

Lawrence North

Weight class: 112.

Record: 28-1.

Why watch: Nelsen finished third in the state in each of the past two state tournaments. His only loss came by a point to Anthony Hawkins, the state's top-ranked 112-pounder.

Toughest sectional competition: Cathedral's Blake Roytek (31-8).

Cashe Quiroga

Lawrence North

Weight class: 125.

Record: 32-0.

Why watch: Ranked No. 1 in the state, Quiroga has beaten three wrestlers who have combined for six state titles during their careers. "He beat three state champs in the same month," said Lawrence North coach Jared Williams. "It didn't faze him one bit. He'll bump up to wrestle anybody."

Toughest sectional competition: Cathedral's John Grey (33-1).

Calvin Sullivan,

Cathedral

Weight class: 152.

Record: 31-0.

Why watch: Sullivan twice finished fifth in the state and owns two wins against state-ranked wrestlers. "He's strong in all phases: on his feet, on top, on the bottom," said Cathedral coach Sean McGinley. "He's probably one of our best all-around wrestlers."

Toughest sectional competition: Lawrence Central's Mike Taylor (20-7).

Brandon Wright,

Cathedral

Weight class: 119.

Record: 34-2.

Why watch: Wright is the reigning 112-pound state champ and ranked first at 119 pounds. His two losses came when he wrestled at 125 pounds.

Toughest sectional competition: Tech's Storm Cosby (33-0).

10 more to follow

Arlington: Donovan Thomas (130).

Cathedral: Tony McGinley (140), Gavin McGinley (145).

Lawrence North: Matt Goodwin (145), Ethan Wilson (152), Bryce Grimes (171).

North Central: Ibragim Komilov (160), Ethan Cuevas (285).

Pike: D'Marcus Spencer (130), Tre Spencer (135).

Additional Facts