Evans sparks Blair Academy to title at Bethlehem Holiday Classic
In probably the most anticipated match of the first month of the scholastic wrestling season, the 189 pound championship match of the Bethlehem Holiday Wrestling Classic placed career undefeated Andrew Campolattano (Bound Brook, NJ) against Ironman and Beast of the East champion Mike Evans (Blair Academy, NJ). Ranked first in the nation, the junior Campolattano got the match's first takedown. However, the University of Iowa bound Evans responded with a reversal as the first period would end tied at 2-2. Over the course of the next two periods, Evans would be the dominant wrestler and emerge with a 7-2 victory.
Still without the services of Austin Ormsbee (135), Evans was one of the six Blair Academy wrestlers -- out of eight in the finals -- to earn a tournament championship. Other Buccaneers on the top step of the podium were Max Hvolbeck (103), Evan Silver (112), Mark Grey (119), Chris Villalonga (145), and Jesse Shanaman (152). Finishing in second place were Todd Preston (130) and Brooks Black (285). That was enough to amass 238-1/2 points.
Finishing back in second place was St. Mark's, DE with 172-1/2 points on the strength of four finalists, two of which were champions. Nick Schenk (130) and Bobby Telford (285) won their finals match, Sean Boylan (125) and Matt Buckworth (135) finished second. Sean Dolan (119) finished in third for St. Mark's, losing to Grey in a semifinal match placing nationally ranked wrestlers against one another. Nazareth, PA was the leading local team, finishing in third with 172 points. Zach Horan (125) was the lone Blue Eagle champion, while Franco Ferraina (119) and Ryan Krecker (152) finished as runners-up.
Rounding out the weight class champions were Steve Spearman (Erie McDowell, PA) at 135 pounds; Josh Dziewa (Council Rock South, PA) at 140; Patrick LaBuz (Hazleton, PA) at 160; Colin Hedash (Northern Lehigh, PA) at 171; and Spencer Myers (Selinsgrove, PA) at 215.
Two other nationally ranked wrestlers suffered upset losses during the course of competition -- Tyler Pendergast (St. Mark's, DE) at 112 pounds and Ben Dorsay (Cox, VA) at 145. Pendergast, ranked ninth in the country, lost a 6-2 decision to 13th ranked Caleb Richardson (Cox, VA) in the semifinals before falling on the short end of a 6-0 result against Devon Lotito (Bethlehem Liberty, PA) in the consolation semifinal. Coming off a championship at Beast of the East, Dorsay -- ranked third nationally -- was upended by Taylor Walsh (Camden Catholic, NJ); Walsh was ranked in the preseason, but after a disappointing Beast of the East fell out of the rankings.
Apple Valley tries to establish normalcy at Cheesehead
In a tournament with five prominent teams and gobs of ranked wrestlers, there was bound to be fireworks -- and that there were. Apple Valley, MN won its third Cheesehead title in a relatively close team race over defending champion Brandon, FL. Twelve Apple Valley wrestlers made the upper eight-man bracket with seven wrestlers advancing to the championship final as part of a 710-1/2 point effort. Brandon countered with eleven in the top bracket, six in the final, to score 671-1/2 points.
Wyoming Seminary, PA had ten in the top bracket, with three finalists, on the way to 585 points. Despite each only having a lone finalist, and no champions; Montini Catholic, IL and Simley, MN finished fourth and fifth respectively with 512-1/2 and 481-1/2 points. Montini had ten in the upper bracket, while Simley had all seven of its upper bracket wrestlers placing inside the top five.
Two of the Apple Valley championships came from lower profile wrestlers -- Jordan Kingsley (103) and Devin Scott (140), though Kingsley did defeat No. 15 Kevon Powell (Montini, IL) 3-1 in the semifinal round. On the other hand, Destin McCauley -- ranked second nationally - won the evening's feature final bout at 152 pounds; a 6-5 victory over defending tournament champion Joey Cozart (Brandon, FL), who entered the match ranked fourth in the nation. Steven Keogh (160) also was a weight class champion for the Eagles.
On the other side of the ledger, Dakota Trom (119) lost a 3-2 decision to No. 20 Rossi Bruno (Brandon, FL); while Jake Waste (171) lost 6-2 to Noah Budi (Kaukauna, WI) in a battle of nationally ranked wrestlers. Matt Kelliher (125) defeated Jameson Oster (Lockport, IL) 11-6 in a semifinal battle of nationally ranked wrestlers before falling short against the unranked Johnni DiJulius (Walsh Jesuit, OH) 2-1 in the championship match.
Joining Bruno as a weight class champion for Brandon, FL was Zach Baldwin (215). Along with Cozart falling short in the final - Clark Glass (145), Mike Ettore (189), and Henry Chirino (285) suffered the same fate. In the 285 pound final, the eighth ranked Chirino lost by fall to top-ranked Mike McMullan (Wyoming Seminary, PA).
Clearly the tournament's most chaotic bracket was the one at 135 pounds. Coming off of a Beast of the East championship, and ranked fifth nationally, Simon Kitzis (Wyoming Seminary, PA) lost a 5-4 decision against state runner-up Jake Sueflohn (Arrowhead, WI) in the tournament semifinal. The other semifinal match had the unranked Alex Dieringer (Port Washington, WI) upending state champion Brandon Kingsley (Apple Valley, MN) 4-2; Dieringer was a double Cadet National champion in Fargo, while Kingsley was ranked 17th nationally up at 140 pounds. This year's Cheesehead final was a rematch of last year's third place bout at 125 pounds that Dieringer won by a 20-9 score; however, the story this year was much different, as Sueflohn rose to the top of the podium with a 10-6 victory. In the third place bout, it was Kingsley defeating Kitzis 4-0.
Other weight class champions included Dominick Malone (112) of Wyoming Seminary, PA; Nate Skonieczny (130) of Walsh Jesuit, OH; Joey Uccardi (145) of Plainfield Central, IL; and Eric Nelson (189) of Stoughton, WI.
Rams anchor way to POWERade title
Central Dauphin, PA mustered a three-peat at the POWERade Christmas Wrestling Tournament anchored by a trio of champions in Tyson Dippery (103), Marshall Peppelman (160), and Kenny Courts (171); Kyle Wolfe (215) also helped the cause with a fourth place finish. Peppelman -- the nation's top ranked wrestler at 160 pounds - became only the second four-time champion in event history with a 4-2 victory over No. 10 Eric Hess (Benton, PA). All four of his matches prior to the finals ended in the first period, three pins and a 15-0 technical fall; the combined length of those matches was four minutes and 18 seconds.
Despite a disappointing tournament for their two anchor wrestlers, finishing second was Collins Hill, GA with 147 points. Ranked 14th in the country at 125 pounds, TJ Mitchell lost a pair of 3-2 decisions to unranked wrestlers -- Brandon Choate (Blue Mountain, PA) in the quarterfinals and Tanner Hough (Westmont Hilltop, PA) in the consolation quarterfinals -- as part of a seventh place finish. Joel Smith, ranked 10th nationally at 140 pounds, lost by fall in the semifinals to No. 20 Pete Baldwin (Osceola, FL) and a 5-1 decision to unranked Lorenzo Thomas (Pittsburgh Central Catholic, PA) in dropping to fourth place. Other placers for the Eagles were Mac Bennett, fifth at 189 pounds, and CJ Collins, third at 215.
Four other teams were within nine points of Collins Hill, led by Christiansburg, VA with 144-1/2 points. The Blue Demons had six place-winners led by Devin Carter, who finished third at 125 pounds. Ranked second in his weight class nationally, Carter was upset by No. 7 Mitchell Port (Bellefonte, PA) 11-4 in the semifinal round. Joey Dance, ranked 18th nationally at 112 finished fourth - losing 5-4 to No. 19 Corey Keener (Blue Mountain, PA) in the quarterfinals, and 6-1 to No. 20 Stephen Myers (Moeller, OH) for third place. A pair of Blue Demon wrestlers also finished seventh and eighth.
Connelsville, PA was fourth with 143-1/2 points led by a championship from Nate Gaffney (215), a runner-up finish from Jesse Swink (145), and three other placement finishes (third, fifth, and seventh). Blue Mountain, PA was fifth with 140-1/2 points led by a trio of finalists -- Josh Kindig (140) was the lone champion, while Keener and Tyler Rauenzahn (130) earned second place. The team also had two wrestlers take home sixth place. Finally, Shady Side Academy, PA scored 138-1/2 anchored by a pair of finalists -- Frank Martelotti (130) took home the title with Matt Cunningham (171) in second place -- along with three other placers (third, fourth, and eighth).
Most Outstanding Wrestler honors went to freshman Cody Wiercioch (Charleroi, PA), the champion of the 152 pound weight class. Prior to the final, Wiercioch had victories over the fifth, seventh, and third place wrestlers. Of interest was that all three victories came by two points or less; 6-5 over Aaron McKinney (West Allegheny, PA); 3-2 over Rich Eva (Christiansburg, VA); and 2-0 over Travis McKillop (Burrell, PA). In the final, he defeated Pierce Harger (Moeller, OH) -- ranked 18th nationally at 160 -- by a 2-1 score on a late third period reversal.
There was a duo of finals matches involving a pair of nationally ranked wrestlers that went to overtime. Nico Megaludis (Franklin Regional, PA) -- ranked second at 119 pounds -- defeated No. 18 Mike Rhone (Benton, PA) 2-1 on an ultimate tiebreaker rideout. At 285 pounds, it was No. 9 Tyler Demott (Benton, PA) defeating No. 5 Karl Green (Mt St. Joseph, MD) 4-2 in the sudden victory period.
Other weight class champions included Jimmy Gulibon (112) and Travis Shaffer (135) of Derry Area, PA; Mitchell Port (125) of Bellefonte, PA; Gabriel Bird (145) of Osceola, FL; and Jamie Callender (189) of Council Rock North, PA. Megaludis is on course to become the third 4x tournament champion next year, while Gulibon is halfway home to four titles at the POWERade.
Dardanes twins headline "Red" Schmidt Holiday Tournament
Chris (135) and Nick (140) Dardanes of Oak Park River Forest, IL were among the 14 weight class champions crowned at the "Red" Schmidt Holiday Tournament hosted by Granite City, IL during this past week. Over seven matches, Chris Dardanes had three pins and three major decisions heading into championship final -- which was a battle of undefeated and nationally-ranked wrestlers. Dardanes -- ranked 13th at 135 -- upended Keith Surber (O'Fallon, IL), who was ranked 14th at 130, by a 5-4 score. His twin brother Nick was dominant during his seven matches of the tournament with four pins and three major decisions. The twins -- along with Sam (171) and Ben (215) Brooks, who finished third and second respectively -- catapulted the Huskies to a second place finish with 499-1/2 points.
Winning the tournament title was Neosho, MO with 600 points on the back of four finalists and two other wrestlers that took home third place. Blake Stauffer (171) was the lone champion while Joe Barnes (112), Carter Boatright (125), and Ryne Hatter (140) took home runner-up honors. Three other teams had multiple champions -- Oak Park, MO; Francis Howell Central, MO; and Fort Zumwalt West, MO. Winning titles for Oak Park were Brad Perkins (103) and Cody Brewer (125); Terrel (130) and Brandon (152) Wilbourn were champions for Francis Howell Central; while Fort Zumwalt West had Drake Houdashelt (160) and Isaac LeBlanc (215) winning tiltes.
Grizzlies dominate, scratches rule nation's oldest holiday wrestling tournament
At the 49th annual Brecksville Holiday Invitational Tournament, it was Wadsworth, OH running rampant over a field that is considered Ohio's toughest in-season tournament other than the Walsh Ironman. Using six finalists -- and a trio of champions in Alfredo Gray (112), Brad Squire (145), and Ben Buzzelli (285) -- the Grizzlies scored 275-1/2 points with eleven total placers. This was despite state placer Caleb Busson (189) not yet able to compete due to injury from football, and Kagan Squire (119) having to scratch out of second day competition due to injury and dropping back to sixth place; Busson is the projected favorite in the big-school division at his weight, while Squire is ranked 19th nationally at his weight.
Speaking of injuries, two members of the "Monroeville Four" were unable to compete; fourth-ranked Hunter Stieber (119) sustained an injury prior to the tournament, while top ranked Chris Phillips (171) was still not fully recovered from the injury he sustained in the first round of the Walsh Ironman. Two of the three nationally-ranked wrestlers for St. Ignatius, OH were also impacted by varying ailments. Jerome Robinson (119) -- ranked seventh nationally -- was not cleared to compete; while it was clear that David Habat (152) was not in top condition recovering from the skin condition that forced him to scratch the second day of the Walsh Ironman, as he lost a pair of overtime matches in taking fifth place.
Despite no finalists -- and only one finalist -- Chanel, OH took home second place honors with 168-1/2 points. Five Firebird wrestlers competed in the consolation finals, seven placing in all; with three earning third place finishes. Chanel is one of the three major contenders for a small-school title this year in Ohio.
George DiCamillo (103) of St. Ignatius; Jake McCombs (125) of Marysville, OH; and Harrison Hightower (152) of University School, OH each won their second tournament title. Logan Stieber (130) and Cam Tessari (140) of Monroeville each won their third title at the event, which means that Tessari remains on pace to become only the third four-time tournament champion next year. DiCamillo is also on schedule for four titles should he replicate his performance over the next two years.
Outstanding Wrestler honors went to Ty Mitch of Aurora, OH -- champion of the 119 pound weight class. Ranked fifth nationally, Mitch was absolutely dominant during the course of the tournament with three pins, a major decision, and a technical fall in the championship match.
St. Edward fired first with domination at Medina
Probably the biggest question in Ohio high school wrestling this year is if St. Edward, OH can win a 14th straight big-school state title. While Wadsworth was dominating at Brecksville, the Eagles did the same at the Medina Invitational Tournament. St. Edward made up for failing to win Medina last year, as they took home their fifth title in six years with 285-1/2 points.
Even without top-ranked Jamie Clark (130), seven St. Edward wrestlers made the finals with five taking home championships. Dean Heil (103), Gus Sako (125), Anthony Salupo (145), Nick Sulzer (160), and Greg Kuhar (285) stood atop the podium. Heil defeated Nathan Tomasello (CVCA, OH) by a 3-0 score in the evening's opening final, which was a battle of nationally ranked freshmen.
The two other teams with multiple champions finished second and third respectively. Oak Harbor, OH was second with a trio of finalists; Ian Miller (140) and Keith Witt (152) stood on top of the podium for the Rockets, who scored 168-1/2 points. For defending tournament champions Massillon Perry, OH -- Zach Dailey (135) and Anthony Wise (215) were weight class champions to anchor a 150-1/2 team point effort for the Panthers.
A pair of wrestlers ranked fourth nationally in their weight class earned the Outstanding Wrestler awards for the tournament. Earning top honors was Josh Demas (Westerville North, OH) -- champion of the 171 pound weight class with two major decisions and three technical falls. One of those major decisions was over returning state placer, and Ironman runner-up, Michael Alexander (Findlay, OH) in the championship final. The second outstanding wrestler award went to Nick Sulzer (St. Edward, OH) -- champion of the 160 pound weight class with two technical falls and three pins during the tournament.
Some order at the GMVWA but not totally
The feature weight class at the Greater Miami Valley Wrestling Association (GMVWA) Holiday Tournament hosted by Vandalia Butler High School outside of Dayton, OH was 140 pounds, where three defending or former state champions were in the bracket. Felipe Martinez (Graham, OH) was ranked sixth nationally, 2008 state champion Tucker Armstrong (Kenton Ridge, OH) was ranked 12th, while Shawn Fayette (Miamisburg, OH) was just outside the national rankings.
The first salvo was in the semifinal round when Armstrong defeated Fayette by a 3-2 score. However, the final round match would also be a 3-2 score -- this time not in Armstrong's favor as Martinez emerged victorious in the match between present and former Graham wrestlers. Graham wrestlers would also be part of the disorder during the course of competition. Ranked 13th nationally at 103 pounds, Ryan Taylor would lose on a defensive fall during the second period of his semifinal bout against eventual champion Nick Garcia (Oregon Clay, OH). In the final at 160 pounds, state champion Kyle Ryan was on the wrong end of a 5-4 decision against state qualifier Charles Mason (Cincinnati Princeton, OH).
When all was done, Graham did win the tournament with 376-1/2 points, almost doubling the next best team -- which was Princeton with 187-1/2 points. Along with Martinez, six other Falcon wrestlers won championships -- Nick Brascetta (119), Bo (130) and Isaac (135) Jordan, Matt Stephens (145), Huston Evans (171), and Max Thomusseit (189).
Buchanan leads California invasion at Sierra Nevada Classic
Buchanan, CA dominated a formidable field of approximately 95 teams at the Sierra Nevada Classic held in the Reno Livestock Event Center scoring 185 points. The squad had three finalists, two others take third place, and one finish seventh in the tournament. The lone champion was Martin Fabbian (171) -- ranked 17th nationally -- and he had to survive an 8-7 battle against sophomore sensation Brandon Griffin (Sprague, OR). Finishing as runners-up were Adrian Rodriguez (112) and Kyle Papendorf (285).
Five other wrestlers from the Golden State came home with individual crowns; Aaron Ceballos (130) of McNair, David Ferry (140) of Central Catholic, Kevin Maelfeyt (145) of Trinity, Derrick Hawkins (189) of Santiago, and Peter Aguiano (285) of Franklin. In fact, Maelfeyt had the biggest upset of the finals, mustering a 4-2 decision against 13th ranked Nick Wooden (Spanish Springs, NV).
Two schools had multiple champions -- Caldwell, ID and the host school Reno, NV. Winning titles for Caldwell were Martin Meza (119) and Colby Kloetzer (152), while Bo Bettinson (112) and Joey Lavallee (125) were champions for the host squad. Rounding out the weight class champions were Curtis Lampert (103) of Spanish Springs, NV; Nick Schlager (135) of Carson City, NV; Charlie McMartin (160) of Capital, ID; and Brian Chamberlain (215) of Moses Lake, WA.
Schlager and Kloetzer earned the Most Oustanding Wrestler awards with wins by fall in the championship final. Schleger had three falls from six matches during the tournament, while Kloetzer had five out of his six victories coming by fall.
Teike/Bernabi unkind to Peru wrestlers
The two nationally-ranked wrestlers from Peru, NY fell in the finals of the Teike/Bernabi Invitational hosted by Spencerport, NY. Alec Dierna (Wayne, NY) knocked off No. 7 Jacob Goddeau 7-2 in the final at 103 pounds; while Sean McCormick (Johnson City, NY) defeated No. 6 Arik Robinson 3-2 in the final at 112 pounds.
Nick Kelley (119) and John Belanger (135) anchored the team title efforts of Shenendehowa, NY with weight class championships, as the squad scored 204 points for the tournament. Finishing as weight class runners-up were Mike Almavia (189) and Cole Lampman (285), while two other wrestlers took home third place honors. The host squad -- Spencerport -- came in second place with 186-1/2 points. Winning their lone title was Joe Inzana (160), while Paul Morabito (145) and Enzo Zargari (215) earned runner-up honors; the host squad also had three wrestlers earn runner-up honors.
Despite having sharing the tournament lead with three champions, Wantagh, NY finished in third place as a team with 156 points. Joe Kavanagh (171), Matthew Loew (189), and Tom Hall (215) were weight class champions; however, they only had two other wrestlers in the top four -- one in third and one in fourth. Johnson City, NY also had three champions -- which included McCormick, the tournament's Most Oustanding Wrestler; Lance Moore (285), ranked 15th nationally; and Kyle Halladay (125). However, this team did not have another wrestler finish among the top four.
Recommended Comments
There are no comments to display.
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now