The highly anticipated Who's Number One all-star event, hosted by FloWrestling, is set to kick off the high school wrestling season for 2023-24 this Saturday. Taking place at the UW-Parkside De Simone Arena in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on September 2, this annual event brings together the top male and female wrestlers in the nation to compete for bragging rights and the coveted No. 1 rankings. The girls' matches will begin at 4:00 p.m. CT, followed by the boys' matches at approximately 6:20 p.m. CT.
For more detailed information about the event, including the broadcast link, make sure to visit FloWrestling's Who's Number One Coverage page.
Now, let's dive into the boys' matches, which promise to be nothing short of thrilling, showcasing the incredible talent of these young wrestlers.
Matchup preview in order.
First up, at 170 lbs, we have the top-ranked Angelo Ferrari from Texas going head-to-head with the second-ranked Ty Eise from Colorado. Ferrari, who emerged victorious in last year's Who's Number One four-man bracket, remains undefeated and has already secured a Texas state title. His commitment to wrestle at Iowa in college speaks volumes about his potential.
Moving on to the 145 lbs weight class, we have the top-ranked Kollin Rath from Pennsylvania taking on the second-ranked Pierson Manville, also from Pennsylvania. Rath has narrowly defeated Manville in two out of their three previous matchups, making this a highly anticipated rematch. Both wrestlers have an impressive track record, with Rath being a 2023 US Open runner-up and a 2022 Fargo All-American, while Manville has dominated the field in various tournaments, including the Elite 8 Duals and the Journeymen World Classic.
At 160 lbs, we have the top-ranked William Henckel from New Jersey facing off against the second-ranked Joe Sealey from Pennsylvania. This matchup between Wyoming Seminary's Sealey and Blair Academy's Henckel is sure to be intense, given their long-standing rivalry. Henckel, a Fargo champion, has consistently performed well in top-tier tournaments, while Sealey, a U17 World champion, has secured titles at Powerade and National Preps. Both wrestlers have bright futures ahead, with Sealey planning to wrestle at Penn State after completing his senior year.
In the 113 lbs weight class, we have the top-ranked Christian Castillo from Arizona going up against the top-ranked (106) Paul Kenny from New Jersey. Both wrestlers have already represented Team USA at the U17 World Championships, showcasing their international experience. Kenny, a high school freshman, clinched a World title at 48 kg, defeating tough opponents along the way. Castillo, a U17 World team member, won a silver medal at the U17 World Championships last year. Their matchup is bound to be a clash of titans.
Next, at 132 lbs, we have the top-ranked Ben Davino from Illinois taking on the second-ranked Kyler Larkin from Arizona. Davino returns to Who's Number One after defending his ranking with victories at Super 32 and Ironman. He also secured a U17 World Team Spot earlier this year. Larkin, on the other hand, aims to claim the No. 1 ranking for the first time. His dominant performance at the Fargo title in freestyle, where he outscored his opponents 70-4, proves that he is a force to be reckoned with.
Moving on to the 126 lbs weight class, we have the top-ranked Jax Forrest from Pennsylvania facing off against the fourth-ranked Jordyn Raney from Kentucky. Forrest, a Fargo champion, had an impressive year in 2022-23, securing a U17 World silver medal and top-3 finishes in various tournaments. Raney, a gold medalist in Greco-Roman at the U17 World Championships, also clinched a Fargo title and All-American status. This matchup promises to be a showcase of their exceptional skills.
At 220 lbs, we have the top-ranked Cody Merrill from California going head-to-head with the second-ranked Sawyer Bartelt from Florida. These two wrestlers have faced each other multiple times in recent years, with victories on both sides. Merrill, a two-time Junior National champion, has consistently performed well in freestyle and Greco-Roman. Bartelt, a 2023 Fargo National champion in Greco-Roman, has achieved top-three finishes in various tournaments. Their matchup is sure to be a battle of wills.
In the 138 lbs weight class, we have Daniel Zepeda from California, the top-ranked wrestler, going up against Bo Bassett from Pennsylvania, who holds the second rank. Zepeda, a California state champion, secured the runner-up position in freestyle at the Junior National Championships earlier this year. Bassett, previously competing at 57 kg, has moved up to 138 pounds after participating in the U20 World Team Trials. With impressive titles at Super 32, Ironman, Powerade, and the U17 World Championships, Bassett is undeniably one of the most accomplished wrestlers in the competition. The selection of Bassett by Flo wrestling for this event faced criticism due to his failure to make a world team, absence from wrestling in Fargo this year, and lack of experience at 138 lbs. Nevertheless, Bassett's achievements speak for themselves.
At 120 lbs, we have the top-ranked Anthony Knox from New Jersey facing off against the second-ranked Leo DeLuca, also from New Jersey. DeLuca, a National Prep champion, earned his spot in Who's Number One by dominating his opponents at the Junior National Championships. Knox, a two-time New Jersey state champion, secured titles at Fargo and Super 32. Their matchup is bound to be a clash of champions.
Finally, at 195 lbs, we have the top-ranked Connor Mirasola from Wisconsin going up against the second-ranked Aeoden Sinclair, also from Wisconsin. Both wrestlers hail from Askren Wrestling Academy and have frequently wrestled together. Sinclair made it to the finals of the UWW Cadet World Team Trials, while Mirasola, a two-time Wisconsin state champion, has consistently performed well in national tournaments. This all-Wisconsin matchup is sure to be a thrilling display of skill and determination.
Overall, the Who's Number One all-star event promises to be an exhilarating start to the high school wrestling season. With top-ranked wrestlers from across the country competing for the No. 1 rankings, fans can expect to witness some incredible matches and displays of skill. Whether you're attending the event in person or tuning in to the live coverage provided by FloWrestling, get ready to witness the future stars of wrestling in action.
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