High School analyst Josh Lowe of InterMat continues to update his class rankings, with seniors (class of 2016) coming out earlier yesterday, and juniors (2017) being updated late last night*. Unlike seniors, Lowe only goes out to the top 50 for the junior class**, which is probably why only two Iowans show up on the top 2017 class list.
*Note to view the top 50 list, you must be an InterMat Platinum subscriber.
**Also note that the list will expand in June to the top 100.
https://twitter.com/JoshMLowe/status/720364371373764608
As far as Iowa natives go, both Creston’s Chase Shiltz and Ames’s Marcus Coleman remain in the top 50, with each wrestler moving down one spot in the rankings. Pennsylvania’s Brian Courtney went on a tear over the last few weeks to boost his stock among the junior rankings, which is the cause for both Iowans being lowered one spot.
Shiltz is ranked #36 and after winning his second state title he is expected to have the heat turn up on his recruitment as he enters his final season. Shiltz is also a standout on the gridiron, amassing 2,542 yards as a running back for Creston (which was good for third in the entire state).
Coleman also captured his second state title this past season, breezing through most of his matches by fall. Ranked #41 on this list, Coleman is also coming off a fourth place finish at USA Wrestling’s folkstyle Junior nationals. Fans will have a keen interest in Coleman’s recruiting prospects, with hometown college, Iowa State, expected to push heavy and both Northern Iowa and Iowa factoring in as well.
There are also a trio of future Hawkeyes making the top 50 list, with two of those being California natives Justin Mejia of Clovis and Luke Troy of Martin Luther King. Mejia is up one spot to #18 after becoming the 22nd wrestler in state history to win three state titles. Mejia also recently took second at FloNationals.
One of the reasons for Mejia’s jump to #18 comes at the cost of his future teammate Luke Troy plummeting from #18 to #44 on the list. Earlier last month Troy took a surprise loss in the round of 16 at his state tournament. Troy came all the way back to take third, with all but one of his consolation matches a bonus win.
After being defeated in the finals as a sophomore, Jason Renteria of Oak Park River Forest, Illinois returned to the top of the podium winning the 120-pound 3A state title. Renteria stayed put at #32.
The wrestler that dethroned Renteria at last year’s state tournament was Glenbard North and now Iowa State commit, Austin Gomez. Gomez was able to repeat as state champion, claiming the 126-pound 3A title. Gomez was #14 on the list.