2018-19 ALL-USA Boys Wrestling: Second Team

USA TODAY High School Sports is proud to announce the ALL-USA Boys Wrestling Teams for the 2018-19 season, selected in coordination with Earl Smith of TheOpenMat.com based on past performance, level of competition and strength of schedule.

WRESTLER OF THE YEAR: Carson Kharchla, Olentangy Liberty

COACH OF THE YEAR: Troy Tirapelle, Buchanan

TEAMS: FIRST TEAM | SECOND TEAM | THIRD TEAM

<p><strong>Weight:</strong> 106 lbs<br /> <strong>School: </strong>Shenendehowa (Clifton Park, N.Y.)<br /> <strong>Year:</strong> Sophomore<br /> <strong>College:</strong> Undecided<br /> <strong>Noteworthy:</strong> After two years of high school, Stevo Poulin has a pair of New York state titles. This time around he was able to rack up a perfect 44-0 record. He won titles at both the Super 32 and the Reno Tournament of Champions.</p> <p><em>Photo: Peter Barber/Daily Gazette</em></p>

<p><strong>Weight:</strong> 113 lbs<br /> <strong>School:</strong> Hilton (N.Y.)<br /> <strong>Year: </strong>Junior<br /> <strong>College:</strong> Cornell<br /> <strong>Noteworthy: </strong>The junior Diakomihalis is already a four-time New York state champion. His current record is 194-2, with the two losses coming as an eighth-grader against high school competition. In 2019-20 he will attempt to become only the fourth NY high schooler to win five state titles.</p> <p><em>Photo: Bonnie Woods Prince</em></p>

<p><strong>Weight:</strong> 120 lbs<br /> <strong>School: </strong>Lake Highland Prep (Orlando, Fla.)<br /> <strong>Year:</strong> Freshman<br /> <strong>College:</strong> Undecided<br /> <strong>Noteworthy:</strong> Even though Bouzakis is a freshman, he has already won three Florida state championships. This season he was third at the Super 32 and sixth at the Walsh Ironman. He followed up those performances with championships at both the Beast of the East and the Doc Buchanan Invitational.</p> <p><em>Photo: Lake Highland Prep</em></p>

<p><strong>Weight: </strong>126 lbs<br /> <strong>School:</strong> St. Joseph’s Regional (Montvale, N.J.)<br /> <strong>Year:</strong> Senior<br /> <strong>College:</strong> NC State<br /> <strong>Noteworthy:</strong> Sammy Alvarez broke through and captured his first state title after coming close and losing in the finals as a sophomore and junior. His road to the gold medal was one of the toughest in the nation defeating a defending state champion in the semifinals and the then-number one ranked wrestler in the country in the finals.</p> <p>Photo: Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com</p>

<p><strong>Weight:</strong> 132 lbs<br /> <strong>School:</strong> Wyoming Seminary (Luzerne County, Pa.)<br /> <strong>Year: </strong>Junior<br /> <strong>College:</strong> Undecided<br /> <strong>Noteworthy:</strong> Bartlett typically saves his best for last and did so again in 2019 by winning his third National Prep title by defeating the then-number two ranked wrestler in the country, Shayne Van Ness 20-13. It was payback from a loss to Van Ness earlier in the season. In the preseason Beau was a runner-up at the prestigious Super 32.</p> <p><em>Photo: Tony C. Rotundo</em></p>

<p><strong>Weight:</strong> 138 lbs<br /> <strong>School:</strong> Excelsior Charter (Victorville, Calif.)<br /> <strong>Year:</strong> Junior<br /> <strong>College:</strong> Undecided<br /> <strong>Noteworthy:</strong> After three years of high school competition, Jesse Vasquez has found himself among elite company as a three-time California state champion. Only three wrestlers have ever been able to win all four years of high school. Vasquez has been able to make the finals of the Super 32 before each of the last two seasons.</p> <p><em>Photo: Bryson Moody</em></p>

<p><strong>Weight:</strong> 145 lbs<br /> <strong>School:</strong> Bethlehem (Pa.) Catholic<br /> <strong>Year: </strong>Senior<br /> <strong>College:</strong> Iowa State<br /> <strong>Noteworthy:</strong> Anderson has become known for his willingness to wrestle at almost every tournament all year, at any weight class. His results have been excellent, as well, winning his second Pennsylvania state title in 2019. He put together a 35-1 season season that included wins at the Walsh Ironman and the Beast of the East.</p> <p><em>Photo: Sam Janicki</em></p>

<p><strong>Weight:</strong> 152 lbs<br /> <strong>School:</strong> Detroit (Mich.) Central Catholic<br /> <strong>Year: </strong>Senior<br /> <strong>College:</strong> Michigan<br /> <strong>Noteworthy:</strong> Amine led a talented Detroit Central Catholic squad that was able to capture their seventh state team title in ten years, a feat that had never been accomplished in Michigan. Cameron was a three-time state champion and a representative of team USA at the Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic. He won one of the most highly anticipated matches of the year when he defeated #1 at 160 lbs Alex Facundo, also of Michigan.</p> <p><em>Photo: Scott Confer</em></p>

<p><strong>Weight:</strong> 160 lbs<br/><strong>School:</strong> Buchanan (Clovis, Calif.)<br/><strong>Year:</strong> Senior<br/><strong>College:</strong> Fresno State<br/><strong>Noteworthy:</strong> Olguin bookended his high school career with a pair of state titles. His first came in 2016 as a freshman at 106 lbs, while his latest was at 160 lbs. Matt was able to hold both his semifinal and state finals opponents scoreless this season. He was also able to win his second championship at the Doc Buchanan Invitational.</p><p><em>Photo: Yogi Leake</em></p>

<p><strong>Weight:</strong> 170 lbs<br/><strong>School:</strong> Blair Academy (Blairstown, N.J.)<br/><strong>Year: </strong>Senior<br/><strong>College:</strong> Cornell<br/><strong>Noteworthy:</strong> Ramirez capped off his high school career with his second consecutive National Prep title for Blair Academy. He was also able to come away with his third straight title at the Beast of the East. In each of his four years of high school competition he placed in the top-five at the Walsh Ironman.</p><p><em>Photo: Tyson Trish</em></p>

<p><strong>Weight:</strong> 182 lbs<br/><strong>School: </strong>Nicolet (Glendale, Wis.)<br/><strong>Year:</strong> Senior<br/><strong>College:</strong> Northern Iowa<br/><strong>Noteworthy:</strong> Keckeisen burst onto the scene last summer with a surprising third-place finish in Fargo at the Junior National freestyle championship. That was after winning the first state championship in his high school since the 1962 season. Parker went undefeated over his last two years of high school competition.</p><p><em>Photo: Andy Manis/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel</em></p>

<p><strong>Weight:</strong> 195 lbs<br/><strong>School:</strong> Montini Catholic (Lombard Ill.)<br/><strong>Year: </strong>Senior<br/><strong>College:</strong> Wisconsin<br/><strong>Noteworthy:</strong> Christensen finished his high school career as a two-time Illinois state champ. He made the finals of both the Walsh Ironman and the Doc Buchanan Invitational in 2018-19. Pete was also a Fargo finalist last July in Junior freestyle.</p><p><em>Photo: Montini Wrestling</em></p>

<p><strong>Weight:</strong> 220 lbs<br/><strong>School:</strong> Newton (Kan.)<br/><strong>Year: </strong>Senior<br/><strong>College:</strong> Air Force<br/><strong>Noteworthy: </strong>Hendrickson needed only 1:28 to earn a pin in the state finals and win his second Kansas state title. He’ll finish 121-25 for his high school career. Wyatt was a runner-up at the preseason Super 32 and third in Junior National freestyle in 2018.</p><p><em>Photo: NHS Journalism Department</em></p>

<p><strong>Weight:</strong> 285 lbs<br/><strong>School:</strong> Simley (Inver Grove Heights, Minn.)<br/><strong>Year:</strong> Senior<br/><strong>College:</strong> Ohio State<br/><strong>Noteworthy:</strong> Even though Daniel Kerkvliet missed the bulk of his senior season due to injury, he was still healthy enough to return and capture his fourth Minnesota state title with a pin in the final, in under a minute. Daniel has two world medals to his credit a Cadet World goldnfrom 2017 and a Cadet World silver from 2018.</p><p><em>Photo: Susan Wanzek </em></p>

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LOOKBACK: 2018-19 ALL-USA Preseason Team