Will Senior Control Hold at 138, or Can a Junior Break Through?
Seniors crowd the national top 10 at 138 pounds, but two juniors offer a different direction for the race to the top.
The seniors own the highest spots at 138 pounds. The intrigue is whether that grip holds or a junior can push through. With every wrestler in this national high school boys top 10 representing a different state, no state has strength in numbers.
The senior standard
Gavin Mangano stands at No. 1. The Shoreham-Wading River senior gives NY the highest-ranked wrestler in this group and gives every challenger a clear target.
Dean Anderson sits closest at No. 2. For our prediction, the Valiant Prep senior from AZ presents the most direct alternative to the current leader, based on his position.
- No. 3 Dawson Youngblut, Don Bosco, IA: the next senior in line behind the leading pair.
- No. 4 Israel Borge, Bixby, OK: another senior near the top.
- No. 5 Tanner Guenot, Bald Eagle Area, PA: holds a place in the upper half.
- No. 6 Matthew Orbeta, Poway, CA: completes the uninterrupted senior run at the top.
- No. 9 Austin Ellis, Davis, UT: adds to the senior-heavy field.
- No. 10 Shamus Regan, Lake Highland Prep, FL: rounds out the senior contingent.
The juniors with room to climb
Urijah Lopez leads the younger class represented here at No. 7. We like the Perrysburg junior from OH as the first name to consider for a junior challenge because he currently holds that class's highest position.
Gage Bjerga follows at No. 8. The Staples Motley junior from MN offers another route to a younger wrestler finishing on top, though his current placement leaves more ground to cover.
An even state split, a clear pick
Which states show up most? All are tied: NY, AZ, IA, OK, PA, CA, OH, MN, UT and FL each have one wrestler. The strongest concentration here is by class year, with eight seniors and two juniors.
Our pick to finish on top is Mangano. His No. 1 position gives us the clearest basis for that call, though it guarantees nothing about what comes next. Vote for your choice: who finishes atop the national group at 138 pounds?