Can New Jersey Take the Top Spot at 132, or Will Ohio Hold On?
The deepest state contingent challenges Ohio's lead, while a junior threatens a senior finish atop this national high school wrestling weight.
New Jersey has the most names, but Ohio holds the highest spot. At 132 pounds, those are different kinds of strength. Our prediction comes down to whether the deepest state contingent can supply the wrestler who finishes on top.
The lead and the closest challenger
Grey Burnett leads the national high school boys rankings at No. 1. The Perrysburg senior gives Ohio its strongest claim to the eventual top spot, and his current position sets the starting point for our pick.
Paul Kenny sits immediately behind him at No. 2. The Christian Brothers senior is New Jersey's highest-ranked wrestler here, making him our choice as the most immediate threat to Ohio's lead.
The senior pressure extends deeper
- Slater Hicks, the Valencia senior ranked No. 4, holds California's highest position.
- Jacob Kos gives Minnesota its lone representative in this group. The Simley senior stands at No. 5.
- Vincenzo Anello adds another senior to New Jersey's contingent. The Blair Academy wrestler ranks No. 9.
New Jersey accounts for three wrestlers in this top ten. Ohio, Pennsylvania and California each have two, while Minnesota has one. The class split is even: five seniors and five juniors.
The juniors and our verdict
Fred Bachmann offers the strongest ranked challenge from the younger class. The Faith Christian junior sits at No. 3, ahead of all but two seniors. We like him as the junior most likely to disrupt a senior finish on top.
- Jojo Burke ranks No. 6. The St. Joseph Regional junior gives New Jersey a younger challenger alongside its seniors.
- Paul Ruiz, the Buchanan junior at No. 7, supplies California's other place in the top ten.
- Tommy Wurster stands at No. 8. The Dublin Coffman junior adds to Ohio's presence behind the leader.
- Keegan Bassett completes the group at No. 10. The Bishop McCort junior makes both Pennsylvania representatives members of the younger class.
Our pick to finish on top is Burnett. With only these rankings to judge, we favor the wrestler already holding No. 1 rather than predict a reversal without supporting results.
Who gets your vote to finish atop the national rankings at 132 pounds? Vote for your choice and tell us whether a senior holds the lead or a junior takes over.