The tone was established right off the bat, as two wrestlers ranked first nationally in the midseason national rankings defeated their Keystone State opponents. Despite winning a third state championship, Jamie Clark (St. Edward) had a disappointing back end to his senior season at 130 pounds with late January losses to a pair of freshmen. However, in the opening match of the Wrestling Classic, Clark used a first period takedown and second period escape to earn a 3-1 victory over state champion Joe Spisak (Boiling Springs).
Team USA opened up a 6-0 dual meet lead after Ryak Finch (Safford, AZ) used superior mat wrestling to earn an 8-5 victory against Mike Rhone (Benton). The pair of nationally ranked wrestlers at 119 pounds wrestled down one weight at 112 pounds, as the Wrestling Classic is completed in a randomized weight class order.
State champion Spencer Myers (Selinsgrove) -- ranked third nationally -- finally put Pennsylvania on the board with a 3-1 victory over second-ranked Trevor Rupp (Pocatello, ID). A takedown at the edge of the mat late in the first period was enough to spark Myers to the victory in the 215-pound match.
However, that would be the end of Keystone State wrestlers getting their hands raised until the back end of the match, as the United States would win six consecutive matches to extend a 6-3 lead into a match-clinching 27-3 lead after the first nine matches. The run started with four-time state champion Logan Stieber (Monroeville, OH) defeating state champion Mitchell Port (Bellefonte) 11-5 at 125 pounds. The top-ranked Stieber dominated the first two periods against the sixth ranked wrestler in the nation with a takedowns and turn using his arm-bar series during each period.
With the score 9-3, Bobby Telford (St. Mark's DE) would win the Turning Point Award with a second period pin over Evan Craig (Abington Heights) in a matchup of wrestlers ranked in the top four nationally at 285 pounds. Not only was it a pin, but it was total dominance, as Telford had takedowns in each period and was tough on top heading towards the fall.
"I was confident heading into the match," said Telford. "Since the state tournament ended, I've been working with my coaches a couple times a week. They've been pushing me real hard, and I responded."
Heading into his collegiate career at the University of Iowa, Telford cites "the mental game" as an area for potential improvement. "The transition from middle school to high school was tough, but the transition from high school to college will be three times as hard; but I'm looking forward to it."
A third win for wrestlers from Ohio occurred at 119 pounds, as three-time state champion Ty Mitch (Aurora, OH) hung on for a 12-11 win against state runner-up Anthony Marino (Bethlehem Liberty). Six explosive takedowns in the first 3-1/2 minutes gave Mitch a 12-5 lead; however, Marino cut the deficit to 12-9 with a four point reversal at the end of the second period when he caught Mitch out of position. A late third period takedown cut the deficit to one, but Marino could not get the go ahead points.
The next match at 189 pounds had another comeback attempt by the Pennsylvania wrestler fall short, as state champion Jamie Callender (Council Rock North) scored two third period takedowns in a valiant effort to come back from 6-1 down after two periods. However, National Prep champion Michael Evans (Blair Academy, NJ) remained undefeated with an 8-5 victory. It was at least his tenth victory over a nationally ranked opponent this season.
Two-time state champion Nick Visicaro (Long Branch, NJ) moved up one weight class for the Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic, and competed in the 171 pound weight class. Despite the disadvantage in size, Visicaro would score a pair of takedowns in each the first and third period to secure the 10-5 victory over state champion Matthew Cunningham (Shady Side Academy). The takedowns in the third period, along with an initial escape, separated what was a 5-4 lead into a dominant victory.
The last victory of the six-match run for the United States involved wrestlers ranked first and second in the nation at 140 pounds. Four-time National Prep champion Chris Villalonga (Blair Academy, NJ) entered the Wrestling Classic without a regular season loss since late December of 2006, and entered the third period with a 3-2 lead against two-time state champion Josh Kindig (Blue Mountain, PA). He was faced with the task of possibly having to ride out Kindig, who chose the down position to start the period, in order to earn the victory.
In addition to securing the ride out, Villalonga was able to score a three-point near fall finishing a cross-body turk after getting a double leg takedown lift finish. In assessing the third period, Villalonga observed: "I felt confident in the top position, that I could get the turn. Once I secured the cross-body ride, I slowly focused on getting the turn to score."
"Kindig is a great competitor," Villalonga added. "It was an exciting match for both of us, and hopefully the fans got what they came to see. This is part of a great culmination to my career (with NHSCA Senior Nationals and the Wrestling USA Dream Team Classic still to come)." Villalonga was named the Outstanding Wrestler for Team USA.
Finally, the storm in favor of the USA would end, as Josh Dziewa (Council Rock South) was dominant in a 14-5 major decision victory over top-ranked Ryen Nieman (Bullock Creek, MI). Key to the match were two upper body toss situations, one in each of the first two periods; both of which Dziewa came out ahead.
"Timing is everything. I hit my toss at the right time," said Dziewa. "My dad taught me how to hit throws ever since early in my career, so it's part of my repertoire." Those scores helped give Dziewa a 9-1 lead after the first two periods.
Though Nieman would close the gap with two third period takedowns, Dziewa earned the major decision with a late takedown. "I think the debate about who is best in the weight class was (for now) settled," Dziewa stated.
The University of Iowa signee was named Outstanding Wrestler for the Pennsylvania squad. Dziewa had the following comments about wrestling for Iowa: "It's been a dream of mine for a long time. Everything about the program was perfect for me. They have four Olympians on the coaching staff, and there is a ton of talent to work with on a day-to-day basis. I'm pumped, and hope to fight for a lineup spot."
Marshall Peppelman (Central Dauphin), ranked first in the nation, grinded out a 1-0 victory against third-ranked Nick Sulzer (St. Edward, OH) at 160 pounds. Key to the victory was the fact he rode Sulzer out for the duration of the second period. Though Sulzer dominated the third period attack trying to rally from behind, Peppelman was able to fend off the attacks with effective positioning, counter execution, and a high level of desire.
Even though the dual meet was out of reach, Andrew Alton (Central Mountain) -- also ranked first in the nation -- dominated his way to a 9-4 victory over Joey Cozart (Brandon, FL) with a pair of takedowns in each the first and second period. "I felt good the whole match," said Alton. "All facets of my offense were locked in."
The Wrestling Classic victory capped off an undefeated season for the Penn State signee. "The Dapper Dan was everything I thought it would be, it was enjoyable," added Alton. "I'm looking forward to wrestling for the Nittany Lions, and becoming an even better wrestler."
With the randomized order of matches in the main event, the organizers hope to place a premier bout at the end of the evening. The bout between third-ranked Jackson Morse (Lowell, MI) and top-ranked Dylan Alton (Central Mountain) at 152 pounds did not disappoint. In an ending that was dramatic, though somewhat controversial, Morse emerged as the rightful winner with a 7-6 victory.
Morse opened the scoring, as he countered a Dylan Alton attack with a headlock toss to Alton's back -- though no near fall points were granted. After the Alton escape, he was able to score a takedown; Morse secured the late escape, as the first period ended in a 3-3 tie. Dylan Alton scored the only point of the second period on an escape, though Morse almost had a takedown late in the second period but was ruled to be out of bounds.
An escape by Morse to start the third period tied the match at 4-4. Alton secured the go-ahead takedown, but Morse was able to escape making the score 6-5 heading into the last thirty seconds. After a sequence in which Morse was close to scoring, but it was ruled out of bounds, very little time remained. Morse hit an inside trip, finishing right at the edge of the mat as time was about to expire.
Originally, it was scored as nothing -- time expiring and/or the finish being out of bounds. However, after some argument -- and much conversation between the calling and assisting official -- it was ruled a takedown for Morse and the final points in a 7-6 victory.
"I just stayed focused on what had to be done out there," said Morse. "No matter what happened during the match, I kept the faith and fought tough."
USA 30, Pennsylvania 13
130: Jamie Clark (St. Edward, OH) dec. Joe Spisak (Boiling Springs), 3-1
112: Ryak Finch (Safford, AZ) dec. Michael Rhone (Benton), 8-5
215: Spencer Myers (Selinsgrove) dec. Trevor Rupp (Pocatello, ID), 3-1
125: Logan Stieber (Monroeville, OH) dec. Mitchell Port (Bellefonte), 11-5
285: Bobby Telford (St. Mark’s, DE) pinned Evan Craig (Abington Heights), 3:38
119: Ty Mitch (Aurora, OH) dec. Anthony Marino (Bethlehem Liberty), 12-11
189: Michael Evans (Blair Academy, NJ) dec. Jamie Callender (Council Rock North), 8-5
171: Nick Visicaro (Long Branch, NJ) dec. Matthew Cunningham (Shady Side Academy), 10-5
140: Chris Villalonga (Blair Academy, NJ) dec. Josh Kindig (Blue Mountain), 6-2
135: Josh Dziewa (Council Rock South) major decision Ryen Nieman (Bullock Creek, MI), 14-5
160: Marshall Peppelman (Central Dauphin) dec. Nick Sulzer (St. Edward, OH), 1-0
145: Andrew Alton (Central Mountain) dec. Joey Cozart (Brandon, FL), 9-4
152: Jackson Morse (Lowell, MI) dec. Dylan Alton (Central Mountain), 7-6
Turning Point Award:
Bobby Telford (St. Mark’s DE), 285 pounds -- a pin over Evan Craig to make the score 15-3 in favor of the United States
Outstanding Wrestlers:
USA: Chris Villalonga (Blair Academy, NJ), 140 pounds
PA: Josh Dziewa (Council Rock South), 135 pounds
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