High School

National high school wrestling: Who are the best of the best at 120 pounds?

If SBLive put on its own wrestling tournament, who would top the podium in each weight class?

Bob Lundeberg

As the high school wrestling season comes to a close, SBLive put together a fictitious tournament — let’s call it the SBLive Invitational — featuring eight of the top wrestlers from across the United States in each weight class.

Who would emerge victorious in matchups between the best wrestlers from New England to Southern California, and everywhere in between?

We started with 106 pounds, then moved to 113. Up next: 120-pound weight class.

SBLive's National Mock Invitational: Meet the 120-pounders

Marcus Blaze, Perrysburg (Ohio)

Blaze was named most outstanding wrestler in Fargo last summer at the 16U National Championships. He went 55-0 a season ago en route to the state title as a freshman and is looking to pick up another this year.

Isaiah Cortez, Gilroy (California)

Cortez placed third in the 106-pound bracket at the California state championships as a freshman and is the favorite to win the 120 title this winter. Two years ago, Cortez was named most outstanding wrestler at the U15 Pan American Championships.

Sebastian Degennaro, Jensen Beach (Florida)

One of Florida’s top pound-for-pound wrestlers, Degennaro took home a state championship as a freshman. He recently won a district title uncontested as he pursues a second consecutive state title.

Jax Forrest, Bishop McCort (Pennsylvania)

Earlier this month, Forrest won the 125-pound title while competing against college wrestlers at the Edinboro Open. The freshman sensation was a silver medalist at last year’s U17 World Championships.

Anthony Knox, St. John Vianney (New Jersey)

Knox has yet to lose a match during his sophomore season. He captured the 120-pound title at the Beast of the East and is looking to add a second state title to his illustrious resume.

Luke Lilledahl, Wyoming Seminary (Pennsylvania)

Lilledahl, a state champion in Missouri as a freshman, will be going for his second Pennsylvania title this year. He won gold at the U17 World Cadets Wrestling Championships last summer and was named most outstanding wrestler at this year’s Walsh Ironman.

Jayden Raney, Union County (Kentucky)

Raney captured freestyle (106 pounds) and Greco-Roman (113) titles at the U16 National Championships last summer. He has notched several strong finishes this season and recently pinned his way to a region title. His twin brother, Jordyn, also earned All-America status in Fargo last year.

Hunter Taylor, Liberty (Missouri)

Taylor is a two-time gold medalist at the U16 National Championships. The junior, who won the 113-pound state title last year, is committed to North Carolina. 

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