The Connell Eagles have a very strong team at the low to middle weights. Starting at 152 , with the exception of Chad Tuck at 160, there will be some questions to answer. Ki-Be also has some holes to fill this year. This should be another close match just like last years 35-30 Bears win.

103 - Connell will use either Dago Velasquez or Jose Mendez. Not sure who the Bears will counter with.

112 - This could be a very good matchup. Most likely Ortiz vs. Avila, although Mike Nielson is slated to wrestle at this weight also. Good chance to see how much Sergio has improved over a 7th place state finish last year. Ortiz took 3rd at state and Nielson was the regular season champ at 101 last season.

119 - Julien Mendez was 22-11 last year and should be even better this year. The Bears will send out either senior Matt Walsh or sophomore Daniel Bishop. Matt could be a surprise wrestler for the Bears this year and Bishop showed some promise last season.

125 - Ale DeLaPena begins his quest for a 3rd straight state title and carries a 71 match winning streak into this dual. The Eagles should counter with Brad Prather although Camilo Mendez is certainly a possibility. Either way the Connell wrestler better be ready to wrestle some takedowns.

130 - Camilo Mendez is slated to wrestle here and will be an instant favorite to be the #1 seed from the CWAC if he does. Josh Corke of Ki-Be has shown some real promise however. This will be a great test for him. Nothing like wrestling the best in your first highschool dual.

135 - Ramon DelAngel had a good freshman year finishing 10-13 before and injury forced him out of action at districts. Guadalupe Montez had a 15-8 record and placed 7th at regionals last year. Could be a key match to determine which team will win the dual.

140 - At least Jesse DeLaPena won't have to wrestle state champ Garrett Jenks anymore. Jesse capped a good sophomore season with a trip to state and could make his way to the top of the CWAC at 140 this year. Don't know much about Juventino Orozco of Connell, but I should after this match.

145 - Orozco was 13-6 last year and showed much improvement late in the season. This is one of the holes that the Bears need to fill. Brian Flores, Kyle Nickerson and Paul Schlotman are the possible starters here for the Bears.

152 - Ki-Be's Chris Dehmer has great potential and could make noise at 152. Brian Freeman is basically an unknown but could also make some noise of his own.

160 - Chad Tuck will only be better this year for Connell. He should challenge to be #1 in the CWAC and a strong challenge could come from Josh Corriel. Josh had a good freestyle season and should be ready to take on good highschool wrestlers. This will be a good test for him.

171 - Angel Mejia is poised for a run at a state appearance. Mejia will be a good challenge for Jason Goodrich of Connell.

189 - Another unknown for Connell in Josh Tamsen. Joey Isley had a superb season last year for the Bears with 21 wins and 17 pins.

215 - Bobby Canales narrowly missed a trip to state last year and should be a top contender again this year. Doug Dearborn will need to pick up the slack here for Connell.

Prediction - Too early in the season for predictions, but here it is
anyway:   Ki-Be 32, Connell 30 (I have to pick Ki-Be to win).