This past weekend's Masters/Section meets, the 40-man brackets for Friday and Saturday's single-class California state tournament are set. Despite having to navigate a three-week grind through the brutal Central Valley, No. 7 Clovis qualified all fourteen of its wrestlers to the state tournament -- truly an amazing accomplishment. Eleven of those finished top four in the Central Masters tournament, which sends nine to state (the others finishing sixth, seventh, and seventh).
Titles won by Daniel Gayton (119), Dakota Gordon (189), Taylor Ferguson (215), and No. 18 Nick Nevills (285) anchored the 241-1/2 point output from Clovis. Finishing in second place was No. 8 Bakersfield with 169 points and ten state qualifiers (9 in the top five, plus one taking 8th place). A trio of Drillers won championships -- No. 20 Natrelle Deminson (130), Adam Fierro (152), and No. 1 Bryce Hammond (160).
The battle for California's state title should come down to the two teams above, Clovis working with 11 core pieces and Bakersfield with 9. Though Clovis enters favored, the nature of the 40-man bracket in California is such that lots of twists and turns can (and do occur). Other champions from the Central Masters tournament were Mason Pengilly (103) and Shane Yacuta (135) of Porterville, Vincent Gomez (112) of Bakersfield Frontier, No. 4 Alex Cisneros (125) of Selma, No. 15 Isaiah Martinez (140) of Lemoore, Damien Arredondo (145) of Buchanan, and No. 11 Nikko Reyes (171) of Clovis West.
Link to state tournament pairings: http://www.tmi.150m.com/Results2010-2011/11-ST-Pairings2.pdf
Maiden team state titles in Indiana and Illinois
Four times a state runner-up, including three in the present dual meet format (2002, 2004, and 2009), the Perry Meridian Falcons finally earned an Indiana state title this past weekend. Their two matches prior to the final came down to the last match of the dual meet.
In the quarterfinal, it was a 35-27 over Roncalli High School in which the Falcons rallied back from a 27-21 deficit with three matches remaining with a pin from Kirk Johnson (152), technical fall over Derek Harz (160), and 7-4 decision from Jacob Masengale (171). Similarly in the semifinal, Perry Meridian faced a 19-17 deficit with four matches remaining. Again Kirk Johnson (152) and Derek Harz (160) came up huge with an 8-3 decision and 8-0 major decision. However, when David Stevens (171) from Mishawka Penn responded with a 4-2 victory, the last match would be for all the marbles. Sam Tasseff (189) came up with a 10-9 victory over Mike Ham to seal the Perry Meridian victory.
The championship final was relatively uneventful, as Perry Meridian upended Lawrence North 44-21. Of note, was No. 50 Crown Point losing to Evansville Mater Dei 30-25 in the opening round. Their cause not helped by losing a pair of one point matches, including the last match of the dual meet, and splitting overtime matches. In addition, goofy lineup strategy closed out two-time state champion (four-time state placer) No. 9 Eric Roach (145) from the lineup.
http://www.ihsaa.org/dnn/Sports/Boys/Wrestling/201011/TeamStateTournament/201011StateFinalsRecap/tabid/981/Default.aspx
Like in the neighboring Hoosier State, a longtime power program came through with its maiden state championship when No. 23 Glenbard North earned a title in Illinois Class AAA. The Panthers opened the festivities on Saturday with a 36-28 quarterfinal victory over Lyons Township, though the score was artificially made closer by forfeits in the last three matches after a 6-0 victory from No. 19 Brian Murphy (140) clinched the dual meet. The de facto state final came in the next match, where they would be facing No. 19 Carl Sandburg, a squad that they lost to in a late December dual meet. However, this time around, Glenbard North won six of the first eight matches (starting at 189) to take a 21-7 lead after No. 12 Joey Gosinski (130) earned a pin 2:30 into the match. Again, clinching the dual meet with one match to go, they surrendered the indifference forfeit to win 28-25.
The state final saw Glenbard North defeat defending state champions Minooka 31-24. A pair of pins from Zac Durkee (215) and Dan Boyle (285), along with a 7-2 decision from Jon Marmolejo (103) gave the Panthers a 15-0 lead and all the momentum they would need. Again, they clinched with one match to go on a 2-1 victory from Paul Freeman (171), and surrendered the indifference forfeit at 189 pounds.
Despite not being as strong a high profile individual event team as either Marmion Academy or Crystal Lake Central, it was No. 30 Montini Catholic scoring yet another dual meet championship. This time, it was the first for new head coach Israel Martinez, as they defeated No. 21 Crystal Lake Central 39-29 in Class AA. The Broncos precluded No. 14 Marmion from participating in dual meet state with a razor thin margin of victory in the individual regional tournament (first-level of the three prong individual series).
The Class A, small-school, title went to Newman Central Catholic with a 40-32 victory over Stillman Valley.
For full coverage, check out http://www.ihsa.org/activity/wr/index.htm
Thirty-one straight championships for Blair Academy
This past weekend marked the 31st consecutive National Prep championship for No. 2 Blair Academy, New Jersey. Even without the services of No. 2 Austin Ormsbee (135), who was unable to compete for a fourth National Prep championship, the Bucs still dominated the field with 300 points on the strength of 13 placers, seven finalists, and five champions. Winning titles were No. 7 Joey McKenna (103), No. 1 Evan Silver (112), No. 3 Mark Grey (125), No. 10 Todd Preston (130), and No. 5 Brooks Black (285). Finishing second were No. 11 Caleb Richardson (119) and Dylan Milonas (145).
For yet another year, No. 11 Wyoming Seminary, Pennsylvania came home with the second place trophy scoring 194 points with eight wrestlers placing, four of whom were finalists. No. 14 Eric Morris (152), AJ Vizcarrando (215), and No. 20 Terrance Jean-Jacques (285) were runners-up, while No. 10 Dominick Malone (119) was the Blue Knights' sole champion with a 6-3 decision over Richardson. Third in the standings went to No. 49 Archbishop Spalding, Maryland with 129-1/2 points. Five placers in the top five keyed their efforts, including a title from No. 15 Charlie Lynch (145) -- named Most Outstanding Wrestler -- and a second-place finish from Kvaunte Smith (189).
Rounding out the weight class champions were Chris Yankovich (135) of Germantown Academy, Pennsylvania; No. 8 Evan Henderson (140) of Kiski Prep, Pennsylvania; post-graduate Marcus Cain (152) and reclassified 12th grader Nick Kidd (189) of Northfield Mount Hermon, Massachusetts; Bobby Burg (160) of Mercersburg Academy, Pennsylvania; and Matt Miller (171) of John Carroll, Maryland.
http://gimp.escapesports.on-rev.com/LiveResults/PREPS/2011%20National%20Preps.pdf
Tops in Ohio to give it their best Schott
With four nationally-ranked teams and a multitude of wrestlers appearing in the weight class rankings, the three division state wrestling tournament starting on Thursday on the campus of The Ohio State University is always one of the pinnacle showcases nation-wide. The remaining three members of the “Monroeville Four” are the individual stars of the weekend festivities held at the Jerome Schottenstein Center (Value City Arena). No. 1 Hunter Stieber (135), No. 2 Cam Tessari (140), and No. 3 Chris Phillips (171) each is prohibitive favorites to earn a fourth state title one year after Logan Stieber -- now at Ohio State -- did the same.
The big-school Division I state tournament features three of the nationally-ranked teams in No. 5 St. Edward, No. 18 Massillon Perry, and No. 29 Wadsworth. Last year saw the end of a thirteen year streak for St. Edward winning the state title. However, look for the Eagles to reclaim that title with flying colors, as they qualified a tournament-high ten wrestlers. Seven wrestlers are favored to finish in the top three, with five having legitimate title aspirations -- No. 20 Edgar Bright (112), No. 18 Dean Heil (119), Mark Martin (152), Domenic Abounader (160), and No. 10 Greg Kuhar (285).
It is the Wadsworth Grizzlies that hold the state title at the moment. Though they will fight tooth and nail with St. Edward, they just don't have the overall depth to match. Nine state qualifiers is still an impressive haul, and they have two projected state champions in No. 7 Kagan Squire (125) and No. 7 Nick Tavanello (215). Four additional wrestlers could slide into a top three finish with a good tournament -- Alfredo Gray (130), Nate Ball (140), Clay Wenger (145), and Sheldon Brandenburg (160).
The third prong is Massillon Perry. Like Wadsworth, they lack the core strength to compete with St. Edward. However, the battle for second between these two teams should be contested tooth-and-nail. The Panthers qualified a somewhat disappointing eight to the state tournament. Though they do not have a nationally-ranked wrestler, all eight are projected to place, and most finishing inside the top five. Their lone state title favorite is Zach Dailey (140), while three others are projected to a top three finish -- David Bavery (103), Mitch Newhouse (119), and Anthony Wise (215). With a good weekend, one could see Joe Tayse (189) and Doug Mayes (285) join them in the top three.
Speaking of tooth-and-nail, the Division III state championship will be a supreme battle between St. Peter Chanel and Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy. Both teams took a hit to their title hopes in the district tournament this past weekend. Each lost a returning/former state placer, plus Chanel lost an additional projected state placer. The Firebirds have not won state since 1988, and have finished second or third seven times in the last ten years -- seemingly finding every imaginable way to not win. On the other hand, though a relevant program for 10-15 years, the Royals (Harry Lester's alma mater) are seeking their first state title.
Qualifying seven wrestlers, Chanel has a chance for anywhere from zero to five state finalists. On the other hand, CVCA's scoring strategy is a little more defined -- anchored by clear state title favorites No. 1 Nathan Tomasello (103) and No. 7 Alex Utley (189). They qualified four other wrestlers, all of whom are legitimate placement candidates.
Finally, Division II is the domain of No. 4 St. Paris Graham, as they seek an eleventh consecutive state title. The Falcons qualified ten to state like St. Edward. The only question is if they can equal or break two key tournament records -- state champions (seven set by Graham in 2009) and state finalists (eight, which has been done multiple times). The Falcons have nine legitimate finalist candidates -- No. 9 Ryan Taylor (112), freshman Micah Jordan (119), No. 19 Case Garrison (135), No. 7 Nick Brascetta (140), No. 5 Bo Jordan (145), No. 11 Matt Stephens (152), Isaac Jordan (160), Kyle Ryan (171), and No. 5 Huston Evans (189). Taylor, Bo Jordan, Isaac Jordan, and Evans are defending state champions; Brascetta and Ryan were runners-up last year but won state in 2009.
Link to video previews for the Ohio state wrestling tournament: http://www.intermatwrestle.com/articles/8181
Single class showdown -- part deux
Like California, New Jersey stages a single-class state championship this weekend. The happenings will be at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, a place where some dreams are realized while many are dashed. Four wrestlers enter the event as defending state champions -- No. 2 Anthony Ashnault (112) of South Plainfield, No. 14 Nick Francavilla (125) of High Point, Ethan Orr (171), and No. 1 Andrew Campolattano (215) of Bound Brook; while No. 2 Robert Deutsch (119) of Eastern Regional was a state champion in 2009. Campolattano, already the all-time wins leader in New Jersey history, seeks to join Mike Grey (Delbarton/Cornell) as the only wrestlers to win four titles in the Garden State; with the sophomore Ashnault still on pace.
Of the five returning champions, all but Francavilla enter the tournament undefeated this year -- as do 26 other young men; which makes it 30 undefeated wrestlers in total. Only 140 and 152 pounds do not feature an undefeated wrestler in the weight -- No. 9 Devon Gobbo (Delbarton) is the strong favorite at 140, while it is an absolute cluster at 152.
Looking at the five returning champions, Ashnault is the lone undefeated and a prohibitive favorite to repeat as champion. Beast of the East champion Deutsch is a clear favorite, even with the undefeated Jeff Rottingen (Ramsey) in the opposite half of the draw. Francavilla is favored to earn a third title, though there may be slight challenges from the undefeated Nick Gravina (Northern Highlands) in the semifinal and from Kyle Casaletto (Southern Regional) in what would be a rematch of last year's state final. At 171 pounds, Orr is in the same half of the draw as the undefeated Dane McDermott (St. Joseph), though it is more likely that three-time placer Colin Hewitt (Franklin Regional) will clear that quarter of the draw. From the other half, Ross Scheuerman (Allentown) enters the weekend with an undefeated mark. Finally at 215 pounds, two wrestlers other than Campolattano have an undefeated record -- they are in the opposite half and meet in the round of 16: Richie Torres (Bergenfield) and Michael Zeuli (Cherokee)
The weight featuring the most undefeated wrestlers is 285 pounds with five, three of whom were top four placers last year. In the top half of the draw is returning runner-up No. 13 Jack Delia (North Hunterdon), who is joined in the top half of the draw by Greg Webb (Paul VI). In the lower half is No. 17 William Smith (High Point) -- third last year at 215 -- who has a win over Brooks Black since the last ranking publication; along with Greg Velasco (Keyport) and fourth at state last year Emiliano Betancourt (West Orange).
Winning the award for most intriguing weight bracket in the Garden State is 135 pounds. Despite losing his regional, Beast of the East runner-up Jeff Canfora (Delbarton) occupies the bracket's top line. Third at state last year, Canfora is ranked No. 5 nationally. Making his third state appearance in as many years, junior Alex Richardson (St. Peter's Prep) could be a dangerous quarterfinal opponent. A pair of undefeated wrestlers resides in the second quarter of this draw -- Josh Garzio (Ewing) and TJ Miller (Camden Catholic); Miller placed third last year at 125, and is a Cadet National freestyle All-American. The lower half of the draw is topped by state runner-up Tyler Scotton (Willingboro). Ranked No. 17 nationally, Scotton lost to Miller in a regional final battle of undefeated wrestlers. 2009 state placer Lou Mascola (Seton Hall Prep) was the upset winner over Canfora last week, and draws into a quarter bracket featuring Connor Melde (Bergen Catholic) -- fourth in the state last year.
Three nationally-ranked wrestlers reside at 145 pounds -- No. 4 James Green (Willingboro), No. 10 CJ Cobb (Williamston), and No. 13 Sal Mastriani (Don Bosco Prep). Two-time state placer, runner-up last year, Green is the lone undefeated in that group; while Cobb has just one loss in finishing third at the Beast of the East. The remaining unmentioned nationally-ranked wrestler is James Fox (St. Peter's Prep) -- No. 9 at 189 pounds.
Results from (other) individual tournaments this past weekend
Arkansas
Delaware
http://www.doe.k12.de.us/infosuites/students_family/diaa/files/2011%20Individual%20WR%20DIAA%20Master.pdf
Idaho
Class 5A: http://idahowrestlingnews.com/state/2011/home5A.html
Class 4A: http://idahowrestlingnews.com/state/2011/home4A.html
Class 3A: http://idahowrestlingnews.com/state/2011/home3A.html
Class 2A/1A: http://idahowrestlingnews.com/state/2011/home2A.html
Kansas
Classes 6A and 5A: http://south.usd259.org/modules/cms/pages.phtml?pageid=218559&sessionid=9b2c2d127c7620e5187dfac5244830bf
Class 4A: http://sportsdataks.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/score_merged.pdf
Class 3-2-1A: http://www.321wrestling.org/
New York
Division I: http://nysphsaawrestling.com/DivisionI.pdf
Division II: http://nysphsaawrestling.com/DivisionII.pdf
North Carolina
http://nchsaa.org/page.php?mode=privateview&pageID=98 (4A, 3A, 2A, 1A)
Oklahoma
Class 6A: (Team Scoring) http://www.ossaaonline.com/playoffs/wrestling/2011WrestlingStateTeamResults6AFinal.pdf
(Brackets) http://www.ossaaonline.com/playoffs/wrestling/StateAllBrackets6AFinal.pdf
Class 5A: (Team Scoring) http://www.ossaaonline.com/playoffs/wrestling/2011WrestlingStateTeamResults5AFinal.pdf
(Brackets) http://www.ossaaonline.com/playoffs/wrestling/StateAllBrackets5AFinal.pdf
Class 4A -- (Team Scoring) http://www.ossaaonline.com/playoffs/wrestling/2011WrestlingStateTeamResults4AFinal.pdf
(Brackets) http://www.ossaaonline.com/playoffs/wrestling/StateAllBrackets4AFinal.pdf
Class 3A: (Team Scoring) http://www.ossaaonline.com/playoffs/wrestling/2011WrestlingStateTeamResults3AFinal.pdf
(Brackets) http://www.ossaaonline.com/playoffs/wrestling/StateAllBrackets3AFinal.pdf
Oregon
http://www.osaa.org/wrestling/ (6A, 5A, 4A, 3A, 2A/1A)
South Carolina
Class 4A: http://scmat.com/2011SCHSL4A.pdf
Class 3A: http://scmat.com/2011SCHSL3A.pdf
Class 2A/1A: http://scmat.com/2011SCHSL2A-1A.pdf
South Dakota
http://sports.sdpb.org/boys/wrestling/index.htm (Class A, B)
Texas
Brackets: http://www.uiltexas.org/files/athletics/state-wrestling/Boys_Final_Results.pdf
Team Scores: http://www.uiltexas.org/files/athletics/state-wrestling/2011_Boys_State_-_Final_Team_Totals.pdf
West Virginia
Class AAA: http://www.wvmat.com/statetou/11aaa.htm
Class AA/A: http://www.wvmat.com/statetou/11aa.htm
Wisconsin
http://www.trackwrestling.com/predefinedtournaments/VerifyPassword.jsp?tournamentId=1485009 (Divisions 1, 2, 3)
Wyoming
Class 4A: http://www.whsaa.org/stateevents/wrestling/4A/4Ahome.htm
Class 3A: http://www.whsaa.org/stateevents/wrestling/3A/3Ahome.htm
Class 2A: http://www.whsaa.org/stateevents/wrestling/2A/2Ahome.htm
Results from (other) dual meet state tournaments this past weekend
Iowa
Class 3A: https://www.iahsaa.org/wrestling/State_Dual_Team_Wrestling/113ADUALTM_Pairing.pdf
Class 2A: https://www.iahsaa.org/wrestling/State_Dual_Team_Wrestling/112ADUALTM_Pairing.pdf
Class 1A: https://www.iahsaa.org/wrestling/State_Dual_Team_Wrestling/111ADUALTM_Pairing.pdf
Michigan
http://www.mhsaa.com/Sports/Wrestling/2011TeamFinals.aspx (Divisions 1, 2, 3, 4)
Championships to be decided this coming weekend
Traditional/Individual: Ohio, California, Minnesota, Maryland, New Jersey, New England (regional), Michigan
Dual Meet: Minnesota, Wisconsin
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