No. 1: Illinois 3A 152 final: No. 15 (at 145) Kyle Langendorfer (Lincoln-Way East) dec. No. 2 Brian Murphy (Glenbard North), 6-5
Both wrestlers in this match were competing in their third state final, having also earned their fourth state medal. Entering the tournament as a defending state champion, also with an undefeated record, Langendorfer pinned all three opponents prior to the final. Murphy, twice a runner-up in the state tournament prior to this year, made it to the final with two major decision victories after a first round pin. In a hotly contested match, it was Langendorfer earning his second state title, and relegating Murphy to a career track of 3-2-2-2 and arguably the best to never win state in the Land of Lincoln.
No. 2: Illinois 3A 195 final: No. 5 Ricky Robertson (Carl Sandburg) dec. No. 8 Jordan Ellingwood (Plainfield Central), 2-1 ultimate tiebreaker
It was a tight, intense match of seniors with undefeated records and seeking their first state title. Robertson, undefeated for two seasons running except for last year's state final loss, advanced to the final with three major decisions -- including a 9-1 result over No. 15 Blake Blair (Edwardsville), runner-up last year in this weight class. Ellingwood, third at state last year and with three victories over Blair on the season, advanced to the final with a pin and two decisive decision victories (6-0 and 5-2). The wrestlers traded escapes in regulation, Robertson in the second and Ellingwood in the third, before riding each other out in the tiebreaker periods. In the ultimate tiebreaker, Robertson chose top, and rode Ellingwood out to earn the victory.
No. 3: Virginia AAA 132 semifinal: No. 9 Dennis Gustafson (Forest Park) over No. 4 Brandon Jeske (Cox) by injury default in overtime
On the way to bookending his career with state titles, also finishing third as a sophomore and freshman, Gustafson had to wrestle two-time state champion Jeske (titles in 2010 and 2011, ineligible during last year's post-season) in the semifinal round. The match was an intense affair that went to overtime, during which Jeske had to default due to injury. The championship match ended in an anti-climactic 9-3 victory for Gustafson against Eric Merriam (Great Bridge), while earlier Gustafson victories came by pin and 16-6 major decision.
No. 4: Illinois 3A 126 final: No. 2 Jered Cortez (Glenbard North) maj. dec. Jordan Northrup (Machesney Park Harlem), 9-1
Cortez earned his third state title in as many seasons with this major decision victory over defending state champion Northrup, who was in his third consecutive state championship bout. This was his second major decision victory over Northrup on the season, and cemented a weekend of dominance in which Cortez had two pins sandwiched around a 17-0 technical fall leading up to the final. Prior to the final, Northrup had two technical fall victories before a 3-0 victory over No. 18 Isaiah White (Oak Park River Forest) in the semifinal.
No. 5: Missouri Class 4 152 final: Colston DiBlasi (Park Hill) dec. No. 11 Cain Salas (Blue Springs), 5-1
This was an upset of massive proportion, as Salas was undefeated on the season, seeking a second state title, and had two decisive victories over DiBlasi earlier in the season; a 7-3 decision in last weekend's district final, and a 12-0 major decision in the semifinals of the Kansas City Stampede. Additionally, Salas had reached the final with two first period pins and a 17-2 technical fall in the semifinal; while DiBlasi had an opening round pin but had to battle through 2-0 and 3-2 decisions in the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds.
No. 6: Missouri Class 4 138 final: No. 9 Daniel Lewis (Blue Springs) dec. Sam Crane (Rock Bridge), 5-4
Both juniors were in their third straight state final, one in which Lewis would earn his third straight state title, while Crane earned a second runner-up finish to sandwich around his state championship earned last year. Each had very similar tracks to the final, a pin, a technical fall, and a two-point victory in the semifinal round. This finals match was much more competitive than the 7-0 victory that Lewis had over Crane during a December 19th dual meet, which his only other loss of the season.
No. 7: Iowa Class 3A 132 final: Logan Ryan (Bettendorf) dec. Bryce Steiert (Waverly-Shell Rock), 7-6 tiebreaker
Already securing his third state placement in as many high school seasons, Ryan trailed 5-2 midway through the third period in this state finals match against the sophomore Steiert. He was then able to tie the match up at 6-all before the end of regulation to force overtime. A scoreless sudden victory period took the proceedings to the tiebreakers, in which Ryan scored an escape first and was able to ride Steiert out during the second 30-second segment to win the title. The other key match for Ryan came in a 3-0 decision over now four-time state placer Colby Knight (Urbandale), a 2011 state champion, in the quarterfinal round.
No. 8: Indiana 152 final: Josh Farrell (Greenfield Central) dec. Vinny Corsaro (Indianapolis Cathedral), 3-2
The match between returning state runners-up was a third such meeting on the season, Farrell also winning the previous two by one point. The state title for Farrell capped off a career in which he placed at state all four years. It was a second consecutive runner-up finish for Corsaro, and came after a 4-3 upset over defending state champion Isaiah Bradley (Muncie Southside), who is ranked No. 18 nationally, in the semifinal round.
No. 9: Illinois 3A 106 final: No. 10 Rudy Yates (Brother Rice) dec. No. 7 Miguel Silva, Jr. (Plainfield South), 5-1
Two wrestlers who were undefeated throughout their seasons prior to the championship bout on Saturday night met, and it was Yates dominating the proceedings with a pair of takedowns enabling the victory. In earlier state tournament matches, Yates had two technical falls and a 12-4 major decision; while Silva had two decisions sandwiched around an 8-0 major decision victory in the quarterfinals.
No. 10: Virginia AAA 152 final: Taylor Misuna (Grassfield) dec. No. 20 Jack Bass (Robinson), 3-1
Misuna, runner-up at state last year, ascended the state podium one step higher after this victory, which relegated Bass to a third consecutive state runner-up finish. Bass had demonstrated total dominance in earlier matches with a technical fall in the opening round then pins in the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds; while Misuna showed similar excellence with a technical fall, pin, and 9-2 decision victory to his credit.
This weekend's state tournaments
Individual bracket events this weekend include those in Colorado, Texas, West Virginia, and Wisconsin that start on Thursday; while those in Arkansas, Delaware, Idaho, Kansas, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, and Wyoming, along with the National Prep Championships start on Friday; and starting on Saturday is the tournament in South Dakota.
Dual meet state tournaments this weekend are in Michigan, Illinois, and Nebraska. The tournament in Battle Creek, Mich. starts on Friday, and is a two-day event, while those in Bloomington, Ill. and Kearney, Neb. are one-day events on Saturday only.
Individual Bracket State Tournament Results -- Last Weekend
Alabama
State titles were won by Thompson in Class 6A (big school), Arab in Class 5A, and Saint James in Class 1A-4A.
Florida
No. 7 Brandon dominated the proceedings in Class 3A with 251 points on the strength of six finalists, including four state champions -- Kyle Norstrem (113), Dylan Lucas (126), No. 10 Kevin Norstrem (138), and Travis Berridge (170). Osceola, with three state champions in No. 14 Ariel Dominguez (106), No. 8 (at 145) Fox Baldwin up at 152, and Chris Pagan (195), was approximately 90 points back in second place.
In Class 2A, three teams finished within five points of one another, but it was Springstead coming home with the title on 98 points led by state champion Jordan Rivera (138) and four other placers; while Lake Highland Prep won the small school Class 1A title with 149-1/2 points led by state championships from Jake Brindley (106), Anthony Petrone (132), Jake Spengler (152), and Carter Shipley (220).
Georgia
No. 46 Archer (Class 6A) and No. 43 Pope (Class 5A) were among the state championship teams this past weekend. Other titles were won by Gilmer (4A), Woodward Academy (3A), Jefferson (2A), and Gordon Lee (1A). Archer dominated in the big school division with nine top three placers, more than doubling second place Camden County, and were led by a quartet of titles coming from Daniel Bullard (138), Thomas Bullard (145), Ernest Alexander (195), and M.J. Couzan (285). Similarly Pope blitzed the Class 5A tournament, doubling the second place squad, and the Greyhounds were led by five state titles coming from Jake Henson (152), Billy Meek (160), No. 3 Brooks Climmons (182), Trevor Stevens (195), and Joey Tabachino (220).
Illinois
This is an un-scored tournament from the team standpoint of things. However, the "power programs" did dominate the happenings, as each of the five Fab 50 teams in Class 3A (big school) had four or more state placers and at least one champion. No. 13 Carl Sandburg had the best tournament with three champions -- C.J. Brucki (160), No. 11 Colin Holler (170), and No. 5 Ricky Robertson (195) -- and another three in the top four; No. 9 Oak Park River Forest had a state champion in No. 17 Joe Ariola (182) and three other state placers; joining the Eagles with six state placers was No. 22 Marist, which were led by the state title won by Tom Howell (220); No. 25 Marmion Academy had four state placers, including the pair of titles won by No. 8 Johnny Jimenez (120) and No. 15 George Fisher (132); while No. 49 Glenbard North had four placers, including the dominant state title won by No. 2 Jered Cortez (126).
Despite four state titles and six others placing in the top four, there was a slight degree of disappointment in the blitzkrieg No. 11 Montini Catholic ran over the Class 2A competition. Winning titles were Chris Garcia (138), Xavier Montalvo (160), Jake Turk (182), and Anthony Ferraro (195); while Tommy Pawleski (113), Vince Turk (120), Jordan Laster (126), and Michael Sepke (145) ended up with runner-up finishes. In the small school (Class 1A) tournament, Dakota had six placers, including three titles coming from No. 7 Josh Alber (120), Carver James (138), and Daniel Zimmerman (220).
Indiana
After multiple years of using a dual meet tournament to decide the state champion, the Hoosier State returned to the individual bracket event deciding team champion. However, it was more of the same, as Perry Meridian won their third consecutive state championship -- after the Falcons won it in the dual meet format the last two years. They were led by a trio of state champions: No. 19 Cody LeCount (132), Riley McClurg (160), and No. 10 Donte Winfield (285). A second place finish from Jake Masengale (182) was highest from their four other medalists.
Undefeated state champions included No. 6 Chad Red (New Palestine) at 106, No. 2 Stevan Micic (Hanover Central) at 113, Deondre Wilson (Warren Central) at 120, Nick Crume (Jimtown) at 126, LeCount at 132, No. 18 Tommy Forte (Mishawaka) at 138, No. 7 Neal Molloy (Danville) at 145, Josh Farrell (Greenfield Central) at 152, No. 19 Robert Steveson (Merrillville) at 170, Matt Hurford (Culver Community) at 182, No. 4 Mitch Sliga (Fishers) at 195, and Gelen Robinson (Lake Central) at 220.
Iowa
Even with four state champions -- No. 14 Fredy Stroker (126), Logan Ryan (132), Jacob Woodard (138), and Alex Hernandez -- plus a runner-up finish from Jacob Schwarm (106), No. 48 Bettendorf still finished second in the Class 3A (big school) tournament. It was No. 17 Southeast Polk finishing in first by 46 points with 180-12 points on the strength of eleven total placers, including the trio of titles won by Tim Miklus (160), Dylan Blackford (170), and Bryce Fisher (220). In something of a rarity, there were no undefeated wrestlers to win a state title in the big school division this year.
Class 2A was dominated by the individual journies of No. 13 Jake Marlin (Creston) and No. 6 Brandon Sorensen (Denver-Tripoli) to their fourth state titles at 138 and 145 pounds respectively. Marlin capped off a 53-1 season with three pins and a 23-9 major decision in the semifinal round, while Sorensen finished his 57-0 season with a 12-3 major decision, pin, and a pair of 7-3 decisions in which the outcome was never in doubt.
No. 35 West Delaware Manchester won the tournament with 151 points to bounce back from their 30-29 loss in the dual meet final to Davenport Assumption on Wednesday night. The Hawks were led by titles from Patrick Woods (106), No. 7 Adam Reth (220), and Dean Broghammer (285), while four others finished in the top four. After winning dual state, the Knights were in second place approximately 40 points back, led by three third place finishers among seven overall placers. Undefeated champions included Max Thomsen (Union) at 126 pounds, Colton McCrystal (Sgt. Bluff-Luton) at 132, Brandon Sorensen at 145, Adam Reth at 220, and Dean Broghammer at 285.
Alburnett was the absolute dominant force in small school Class 1A with 138 points, which was more than 60 points ahead of second place. Hunter Washburn (113) and Dylan Windfield (160) were the lone champions; however, six more wrestlers earned podium appearances on the weekend. Undefeated state champions included Andrew Foutch (Underwood) at 126, Kyle Blocker (West Marshall) at 138, Brendan Schott (North Linn) at 170, and Daniel Gaffney (Iowa City Regina) at 220.
Kentucky
Louisville St. Xavier won a relatively close team race with 203-1/2 points over Campbell County (193) and Union County (176). The St. Xavier squad was led by state titles from Justin Lampe (145) and Gabriel French (160), French pulling off a 4-3 upset victory over two-time state champion Stephen Myers (Campbell County). Four other second place finishes and three other placements were catalysts to their title. Campbell County did answer back with titles from Sean Fausz (132), Paul Hamilton (138), and Austin Myers (220); while Union County had a pair of champions in Trae Blackwell (120) and Brock Ervin (126).
Louisiana
State titles were won by Brother Martin in Division I, Holy Cross in Division II, and Brusly in Division III.
Missouri
No. 32 Park Hill won the Class 4 (big school) title over No. 37 Blue Springs by 32 points (156-1/2 to 124-1/2), and it was yet another thirty points back to third place Timberland. The Trojans were led by a trio of champions -- Sean Hosford (106), No. 4 Ke-Shawn Hayes (113), and Colston DiBlasi (152) -- as well as five other state place-winners. The runner-up Wildcats had a pair of champions, No. 9 Daniel Lewis (138) and No. 9 Michael Pixley (182) -- both of whom finished their seasons undefeated -- while three other wrestlers finished inside the top four.
Even with Junior National freestyle All-American Seth Brayfield (120) unable to compete in the state series due to injury, No. 43 Kearney was still able to muster a share of the Class 3 state title with Neosho on 152 points, even though Neosho had 13 state qualifiers to the Bulldogs' eight. State champions for the Bulldogs included No. 7 Jaret Singh (113), Kevin Kinney (138), and No. 18 Grant Leeth (145); while four other wrestlers finished in the top four. Joint champions Neosho were led by titles from Nate Rodriguez (132) and Christian Lopez (220), with six other wrestlers placing between third and sixth.
In Class 2, Oak Grove (173 points) dominated the tournament, with almost 60 points separating them from second place Fulton. Winning the Class 1 tournament was Whitfield with 126 points, while Brookfield was second with 109-1/2.
Nebraska
No. 50 Grand Island won their fifth consecutive Class A (big school) title with 180 points, which was ten better than second place Omaha Burke. The Islanders were led by their three state champions -- Dante Rodriguez (120), Trey Trujillo (132), and Chase Reis (195) -- along with five others earning a podium finish. Runners-up Omaha Burke countered with nine placers, which was one more than Grand Island, but were without a state champion, with three runners-up and five taking third place.
Skutt Catholic earned the Class B state title, which is seemingly their birthright, with 146-1/2 points; while Scottsbluff finished second with 119. Central City (135 points) won the Class C title by almost 20 points over O'Neill; while Amherst (185-1/2 points) won the Class D title by 13-1/2 over Pender, who was more than 80 points up on the third place squad.
North Dakota
West Fargo won the Class A title by almost 20 points over Bismarck, in a battle that is seemingly waged on a year-to-year basis. Leading the way for the state champions were Jordan Shearer (126), Weston Dobler (145), and No. 6 Preston Lehmann (182), who all won individual titles -- while the Packers had a state medalist in all fourteen weight classes. In Class B, it was South Border (195 points) winning the title by almost fifty points over Lisbon (148.5) and Carrington (143-1/2).
Tennessee
Cleveland won the Division I (public-school) title with 232 points, which was over 80 points more than runner-up Soddy Daisy. Leading the way for Cleveland was a trio of champions: Chris Debien (113), Austin Oliver (126), and Haden Hamilton (132). No. 45 Christian Brothers won the Division II (private-school) title with 272 points, which was just over 40 points more than runners-up Father Ryan could muster. Leading the way for CBHS were a trio of champions: Elijah Oliver (113), Nick Gray (126), and No. 15 Kaleb Baker (152); while another three wrestlers finished in second place.
Utah
No. 24 Maple Mountain dominated the happenings in the Class 4A tournament in winning the title with 360 points, with Box Elder almost sixty points back in second place, and Mountain Crest took third another 125 points back. Leading the way for Maple Mountain were state champions Taylor LaMont (113), Britain Carter (120), Landon Knutzen (138), Grant LaMont (152), Kimball Bastian (160), Josh Searle (182), and Jon Wixom (195). In the Class 5A (big school) tournament, Pleasant Grove (288-1/2 points) won the title by almost 100 points over runner-up Syracuse.
Delta earned a relatively narrow state championship in Class 3A, out-pointing Payson 217-1/2 to 210-1/2. In Class 2A, it was Millard (286 points) winning by almost 70 points over nearest challengers Beaver and North Sevier; while the Class 1A title went to Altamont by 19 points over Monticello, 181 to 162.
Virginia
Despite only one champion, Robinson won its second Class AAA (big school) title in three seasons, as the Rams scored 142-1/2 points on the strength of nine state medalists. The title came from Jake Pinkston (285), while the Rams did get runner-up finishes from No. 20 Jack Bass (152) and Cole DePasquale (170). Second in the standings was Westfield with 101 points and seven placers, but only Beau Donahue (145) was a state champion. Joint third were Forest Park and Colonial Forge with 96-1/2 points; Forest Park had a tournament-high three champions in Tommy Aloi (106), No. 9 Dennis Gustafson (132), and Brett Stein (170), while the Colonial Forge had the second most placers in the tournament with eight.
In Class AA, Christiansburg won their 12th straight title with 158 points, and dominated in such fashion that they clinched before the medal matches. Four Blue Demon wrestlers earned state titles -- it was fourth consecutive titles for J.R. Wert (132), No. 1 (at 126) Joey Dance winning up at 138, and No. 3 (at 170) Zach Epperly won at 182, while No. 10 Coy Ozias (120) made it a third consecutive title. In Class A, Grundy repeated as state champions, led by and individual title from Justin Street (138) as well as runner-up finishes from Trey Smith (132) and Elliott Pedigo (145).
Washington
The 25th anniversary edition of the Mat Classic in Tacoma saw champions awarded in a girls division and five boys divisions. Lake Stevens won the big school boys division (Class 4A) with 160 points, which was almost 40 points more than runner-up Tahoma, and were anchored by state titles from Michael Soler (106), Eric Soler (145), and Brandon Johnson (285). In Class 3A, three teams finished within 12 points of one another, though it was University (142.5) outlasting Decatur (138.5) and Sunnyside (130.5) for the title. Rounding out the champions were Othello in Class 2A, Granger in Class 1A, and Liberty Bell in Class 1B/2B.
Dual Meet State Tournament Results -- Last Weekend
Delaware
Smyrna won the Division I title, with victories over perennial powers St. Mark's (33-25) and Caesar Rodney (36-24) giving the Eagles their first title since 2005. In the semifinal, they only won six of the weight classes, and needed consecutive victories from Matt Sarkissian (106) and Alebbo Monsatto (113) to rally back from a 25-24 deficit and earn the win. Likewise, in the final, they had to rally back from a 24-21 deficit to earn the victory, with wins in the last four matches coming from Dakota Dalton (285), Alebbo Monsatto (106), No. 3 Brent Fleetwood (113), and Othniel Edmond (120). St. George's Tech won the Division II title with a 32-22 victory over Polytech in the final.
Iowa
No. 17 Southeast Polk dominated their way to the Class 3A (big school title), including a 46-20 finals victory over No. 48 Bettendorf on Wednesday evening. The Rams won nine of fourteen matches against Bettendorf, with both teams wrestling at full strength. That came after Southeast Polk wrestled a mix of starters and reserves in dominating their other two dual meets: 46-19 over Waverly-Shell Rock in the semifinal and 42-29 over Pleasant Valley in the first round.
Davenport Assumption scored a 30-29 upset over No. 35 West Delaware Manchester in the Class 2A final. The Knights trailed 23-0 after five matches (182 through 106), but countered with seven consecutive victories, including a pair of one point wins from Jacob Fenske (120) and Tionte Parks (145) before the Hawks won the last two matches by decision. Each squad earned decisive victories in earlier dual meets -- Davenport Assumption with wins over Mediapolis (41-21) and Boyden-Hull (60-18), while West Delaware Manchester defeated Charles City (40-21) and Ballard (52-17).
Alburnett pummeled all three of their opponents in the Class 1A tournament: 52-27 over West Marshall in the opening round, 56-24 over Clarion-Goldfield in the semifinal, and 60-21 over Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont in the final.
New Jersey
No. 27 South Plainfield cemented their case as the best team in the Garden State (of course that exludes No. 1 in the nation Blair Academy, which competes in National Preps) with a pair of victories on Sunday in the Group 3 final four. The Tigers won their semifinal 53-9 over Northern Highlands, and then earned a 40-22 victory over Toms River South in the championship (though it was 8-6 in terms of matches). The "fab four" for South Plainfield -- No. 13 Corey Stasenko (126), No. 8 Scott Delvecchio (132), No. 2 Anthony Ashnault (138), and No. 10 Troy Heilmann (145) -- earned 46 out of a possible 48 dual meet points on the day.
No. 34 Bergen Catholic won the Non-Public Group A title on Sunday with a 64-9 victory over Christian Brothers Academy. However, it was their 32-24 victory on Friday night over No. 41 Don Bosco Prep in the North section final, which acted as the de facto championship match. The teams split matches; however, it was bonus points making the difference, as the Crusaders got forfeit victories from No. 1 Nick Suriano (106) and No. 7 Johnny Sebastian (182) as well as a pin from Carmine Goldsack (285) compared to no Ironman victories by either technical fall or pin.
Rounding out the group champions were Brick Memorial in Group 4 (big school), 34-27 over Southern Regional in the final; High Point, 33-30 over Long Branch in the Group 2 final; No. 38 Bound Brook in Group 1; and Camden Catholic in Non-Public Group B.
North Dakota
West Fargo made it a sweep of titles in Class A, with their 31-26 victory over Bismarck in the championship dual meet. Each squad won seven matches, but pins from Jordan Shearer (120), No. 6 (182) Preston Lehmann up a weight at 195, and Zach Elder (220) made the difference for the Packers. Likewise, South Border swept titles in Class B with a dominant 50-15 victory over Linton in the final.
North Carolina
Parkland won the Class 4A state title to win team state for the seventh consecutive time with a 28-20 victory over Jack Britt. However, this one was not easy, as they needed wins in the last four matches of the dual meet to rally from a 20-12 deficit. Other champions were Fred T. Foard in Class 3A, Newton Conover in Class 2A, and West Wilkes in Class 1A.
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