By Don Ketchum

The 2010-11 high school wrestling season is in full swing with a number of holiday tournaments, and the action will continue to be fast and furious in the new year until state champions are decided as part of the Arizona Interscholastic Association’s February Frenzy.

Here are some overviews obtained from coaches from the northeast, north, northwest and southwest Valley, the city of Phoenix and northern Arizona who responded to an AIA request of information on their teams . . .

Scottsdale Desert Mountain returns a solid group, led by junior Dante Patrick, who finished third in Class 5A Division II last season. He will wrestle at 125 or 130 pounds. Senior John Couvaras finished second at 189 pounds.

Other key athletes are senior Nick Rana (152 pounds), senior Josh Weschler (171), sophomore Tanner Michels (140) and junior Alex Chamberlin (215). The program also got a boost with the transfer of Vladimir Dewys (145) from Queen Creek. He was fourth in Class 4A Division I last season.

St. Johns was second at the Class 1A-2A state meet, and figures to be a challenger in the new Division IV format. Brandon Crosby is in his fifth year as head coach of the Redskins.

Leading the way are junior Ryder Nielsen, a two-time state champ at 112 pounds. He likely will remain at that weight or perhaps move up to 119. Sophomore Tyler Crosby should be a force at 103, and senior Austin Davis will battle at 171. Eli Frazier (119) should fit in well after winning two junior-high state titles.

Phoenix Horizon should be improved under coach Ben Wick. The Huskies are young and strong with junior Willie Maxson (114), junior Jake Warshaw (127), junior Josh Warshaw (132), junior Charlie Bolton (137), sophomore Garrett Ryan (142), junior Brett Poh (173) and junior Clark Peters (217). Two seniors also should figure prominently – Jeff Bales (137) and Kal Salem (142).

Glendale Cactus also should be improved as it competes in the new Division III alignment. The Cobras have 11 returnees under coach Nathan Stevenson.

The coach said his wrestlers have improved due to extensive work in wrestling camps and with conditioning.

Among the key returnees are senior Tanner Stenquist (152), senior Dustin Cote (135), junior Gabe Gomez (130), junior J.T. Hinson (160), junior Kyle Peay (145), junior Aron Valdez (140) and junior Mike Ledesma (189).

Joseph City was the 1A-2A champ a year ago, with St. Johns finishing second.

Some of the top returning wrestlers from schools at that level are Joseph City’s Bryce Crosby, Camp Verde’s Roman Bux, Heber Mogollon’s Dan Gaylor, Joseph City’s Remington Baldwin and Mogollon’s Kurt Crandell.

Safford won the 3A crown and usually is loaded. The next four finishers were from the East Region – Payson, Snowflake, Show Low and Lakeside Blue Ridge.

Snowflake could be Safford’s biggest challenger this year, sparked by two returning state champions – seniors Wyatt Hatch and Brandt Perkins. Show Low sophomore Albert Ryan and Parker sophomore Ryan Shatto are looking to improve on their state runner-up finishes.

Phoenix Moon Valley, which defeated Queen Creek for the Class 4A Division I title, is led by senior Vi Teofilo, a state-champion heavyweight.

State champion Cottonwood Mingus and runner-up Phoenix Thunderbird should be back in the thick of things in Class 4A Division II.

Returning state champions are Goodyear Desert Edge senior Sebastian Barrientos (103), Flagstaff sophomore Brad Lindsay (125), Flagstaff Coconino junior Taylor Martin (130), Mingus senior Logan Addis (145), Thunderbird senior Jacob Graham (160) and Thunderbird senior Jason Birchfield (215).

The Class 5A Division I race was overloaded with southeast Valley powers – Tempe Corona del Sol defeated Mesa for the title. From the northwest Valley, Glendale Mountain Ridge senior Nick Suwyn returns at 125.

The Tucson area produced the top finishers in Class 5A Division II – Ironwood Ridge and always-tough Sunnyside.

Have a story idea about wrestling or another winter sport? Contact Don Ketchum at dketchum@AIA365.com.