Thomas Subaru tournament finals preview and predictions

We'll be showing live streaming video of the finals at tribdem.com/tdlive so stop over and check it out.

Here's a quick preview of the finals:

106

Aaron Burkett, CR, 25-2, Sr. vs. Sammy Hepler, TV, 20-4, Fr.

Burkett just keeps winning matches, and he's been dominant doing it. The body count this weekend: Three matches, two falls and a tech. fall. I don't know much about Hepler, but he beat Nolan Link in the semis, so he has to be pretty decent. Even so, it's time for me to hope on the Burkett bandwagon. Prediction: Burkett.

113

Brock Biddle, CEN, 14-0, Fr. vs. Jonathan Gabriel, BD, 17-3, So.

I was hoping to get a look at Biddle for the first time this weekend. I just didn't expect it to be when he was pinning Jefferson-Morgan's Brendan Howard in a spladle. I also haven't really seen Gabriel much, but I have been surprised at how close some of his scores have been this year.
Prediction: Gabriel.

120

Caleb Bordner, TV, 24-2, Jr. vs. Joe Swank, BB, 21-2, So.

These two have been on a collision course all tournament, as they've breezed into the finals without really being tested. It's always hard for me to judge teams like Tri-Valley that are so far out of the area that I haven't seen much of them, so I'll go with the hot team.
Prediction: Swank.

126

John Demaske, JM, 24-0, Sr. vs. Adam George, RI, 19-2, Jr.

As I said in an earlier post, I keep doubting George and he keeps proving me wrong. You'd think I'd learn sooner or later, right? But Demaske is just too good, in my opinion.
Prediction: Demaske.

132

Ryan Easter, BD, 17-2, Sr. vs. Mike Carr, SF, 22-0, So.

This one could be pretty interesting. Carr is very good, but I can't go against Easter, especially in Bedford.
Prediction: Easter.

138

Derrick Claar, CR, 23-4, Jr. vs. Garrett Thomas, BD, 15-3, Sr.

Bedford vs. Chestnut Ridge finals are always fun, especially in this tournament. This one should be one of the most entertaining matches of the night. Claar has been dominant of late, although he really struggled with Northern Garrett's Kody Osselburn in the quarterfinals on Friday. Thomas knocked off second-seeded Chase Schaeffer of Tri-Valley in the semis and is no stranger to big matches.
Prediction: Claar.

145

Braden Fochtman, BB, 28-2, So. vs. Trent Crouse, CR, 20-6, Jr.

This was the deepest weight in the tournament and the seeds didn't come anywhere close to matching the results, so final should also be fun, although it could have been really something to watch if the team title hadn't already been decided. Fochtman is the more athletic of the two, but Crouse is such a hard worker and never seems to run out of gas. If it's tied or close in the third, it's hard to bet against him.
Prediction: Crouse.

152

Steve Edwards, BUR, 23-3 Sr. vs. Taylor Cahill, BB, 26-1, Jr.

Edwards has been lights out, with two falls - including one in 55 seconds in the semifinals - and a major decision this weekend. Cahill has had to gut out two of his three wins. I'll say Edwards is in the better form.
Prediction: Edwards.

160

JJ Walker, SF, 23-1, Jr. vs. Bryce Fochtman, BB, 24-3, Jr.

These two split a pair of matches last season, with Fochtman beating Walker in the Thomas final and Walker returning the favor in the Southwest Regional tournament. Fochtman has two falls and a decision this weekend; Walker has two falls and a major. Anyone have a coin?
Prediction: Fochtman.

170

Bill Bowlen, JM, 24-3, So. vs. Auston Hummel, NK, 23-1, Sr.

I don't know much about these two except who they beat to get here. Bowlen held off top-seeded Nico Pecora of Richland in the semis while Hummel pinned Somerset's Landon Lohr in 57 seconds to go along with his other two falls.
Prediction: Hummel

182

Gavin Berkley, MY, 25-1, Sr. vs. Conner Buttry, CR, 24-3, So.
Buttry has made great strides in his second season of varsity after going .500 as a freshman. Berkley has been doing it for a few seasons now. I'll go with the experience.
Prediction: Berkley

195

Jared Beckwith, TY, 19-1, Sr. vs. Phil Kyle, MU, 18-4, Sr.

Beckwith saw his season cut short by a car accident last year, or he likely would have been contending for a medal in Hershey. What I've seen from Kyle has been solid but not spectacular over the years.
Prediction: Beckwith.

220

Buzzy Maines, WB, 23-0, Jr. vs. Stew Trulick, BB, 21-2, Sr.

Both wrestlers come in on a roll, with Trulick pinning all three of his opponents this weekend while Maines has two falls and a major decision. I think Maines is just too good.
Prediction: Maines

285

Al Beattie, BUR, 22-4, Jr. vs. Nik Smith, MU, 20-2, Sr.

Even without the injured Austin Buttry, this was a very deep weight. Morgan Selepack, a state placewinner a year ago, finished fifth. Smith is good, but I'm not sure he's in the same class as Beattie.
Prediciton: Beattie.