A record-tying nine individual state medalists propelled the No. 7 Cougars to a California state tournament championship in the single-class event held this past weekend. This came despite only three of those wrestlers finishing above fifth. Winning titles for Clovis was Daniel Gayton (119) and No. 18 Nick Nevills (285).Gayton earned his with a 6-3 finals victory over No. 17 Stevan Knoblach (Clovis West); while Nevills becoming only the seventh freshman to ever win a California state title, the first at heavyweight (also the first freshman heavyweight to place in state tournament history, which goes back to 1973).
Also with a top three finish was No. 9 Zach Nevills (171), who lost 3-1 to Silas Nacita (Bakersfield) in the quarterfinals but avenged that loss with a 6-5 victory in the consolation final. Rounding out the Clovis placing contingent were Jonas Gayton (112) and Blake Thompson (152) in fifth; Taylor Ferguson (215) in sixth; Brady Bersano (140), Adrian Salas (160), and Dakota Gordan (189) in seventh. All of that was enough for the Cougars to amass 186 points, and record ninth state championship.
Breathing right down their neck was No. 8 Bakersfield, which had eight placing wrestlers and 179 points in all. Even with six top four finishers, the failure of No. 18 Coleman Hammond (145) to reach the podium likely precluded the Drillers from earning the team title. Their lone champion was No. 1 Bryce Hammond (160), who earned a second consecutive state title, this time with a 7-3 victory over No. 7 Vince Waldhauser (Oak Ridge). Other place finishers were No. 20 Natrelle Deminson (130), Timmy Box (135), and Adam Fierro (152) finishing third; Micah Cruz (125) and Silas Nacita (171) in fourth; Maxx Ramirez (140) in sixth; and Ian Nickell (112) taking home seventh.
Third in the team standings was Selma, all the way back at 100 points, with only three placers -- but all three were finalists. Winning titles were No. 4 Alex Cisneros (125) and No. 8 (at 135) Nick Pena (130), while No. 18 Justin Lozano (171) took home the silver medal. Cisneros, only a junior, earned his third consecutive championship with a 6-3 win over No. 12 Vince Rodriguez (Clovis North) in the final; Rodriguez had upset No. 6 Fabian Garcia (Turlock) in the semifinal round with a 2-1 victory. This tournament title puts him in line to become only the second wrestler in Garden State history to win four championships, the other being Darrell Vasquez (Bakersfield/Cal Poly).
Earning second state titles were No. 4 Nashon Garrett (Chico) at 112, Pena at 130, Bryce Hammond at 160, No. 5 Tank Knowles (Calvary Chapel) at 215. Becoming the 16th three-time state champion was No. 1 Morgan McIntosh (Calvary Chapel) at 189. The Penn-State bound McIntosh has now gone two straight seasons without giving up an offensive point, and became the first wrestler ever to earn “Champion of Champions” recognition for a second time.
Other weight class champions were Johnson Mai (North Torrance) at 103 pounds, No. 17 Chris Mecate (Redlands East Valley) at 135, No. 15 Isaiah Martinez (Lemoore) at 140, Jake Elliott (Oakmont) at 145, No. 20 Joey Davis (Santa Fe) at 152, and No. 11 Nikko Reyes (Clovis West) at 171 - who earned his first state title with a 7-2 victory over No. 18 Lozano. One last note is that nine returning medalists failed to ascend onto the placement podium this year.
For full team standings, place winners, and brackets: http://www.tmi.150m.com/Results2010-2011/2011%20STATE%20BFinal.pdf
McCauley makes mark as Apple Valley dominates yet again
Winning his fifth title in six state finals appearances, the nation’s top overall senior Destin McCauley (152) anchored yet another dominating tournament performance by No. 1 Apple Valley at the Minnesota state tournament. Thirteen Apple Valley wrestlers made it to the state tournament, with eleven of the Eagle wrestlers placing -- all of them in the top three. As one of seven champions, McCauley won three matches by fall, with only an 18-2 technical fall in the semis precluding him from pinning out.
Watch more video of Destin McCauley on www.theguillotineflo.com
Also champions for Apple Valley were Jordan Kingsley (112), No. 13 Dakota Trom (125), No. 13 Mark Hall (130), No. 13 Matt Kelliher (135), No. 6 Brandon Kingsley (140), and No. 10 Jake Waste (171). Hall was challenged in a semifinal match against No. 15 (at 125) Ben Morgan (Forest Lake), who pushed him into the ultimate tiereaker, but Hall won the match 8-6. Finishing second were Daniel Woiwor (145) and No. 6 Steven Keogh (160), who was upset 8-5 by Kyle Begin (Anoka). Finishing third were Seth Gross (103) and Matt Hechsel (189).
Rounding out the weight class champions were Tommy Thorn (St. Michael-Albertville) at 103 pounds, No. 8 Mitch Bengtson (St. Cloud Apollo) at 119, Zach Rohr (Hastings) at 145, Kyle Begin (Anoka) at 160, Nathaniel Swoyer (Willmar) at 189, Zane Peterson (Lakeville South) at 215, and No. 2 Donnie Longendyke (White Bear Lake) at 285. Bengtson was pushed in a 1-0 quarterfinal victory over Sam Brancale (Eden Prairie), a battle of defending state champions. Longendyke had two close calls in winning a repeat state title. The first was a 3-1 semifinal victory over No. 15 Parker Betts (St. Michael-Albertville); and a 3-2 tiebreaker victory over Brock Horwath (Stillwater), which avenged a loss from the prior week.
Earlier in the weekend was the dual meet tournament for Class AAA, and in three dual meets, Apple Valley went 39-3 in the individual matches. The opening round was a 65-12 victory over White Bear Lake, the semifinal was a 70-0 victory over Prior Lake, and the final saw the Eagles prevailing by a 61-6 score against No. 48 Saint Michael-Albertville.
Individual Brackets: http://www.tstuff.com (Search for 2011)
Unofficial Team Standings: (Class AAA) http://www.tstuff.com/score11aaa.htm (Class AA) http://www.tstuff.com/score11aa.htm (Class A) http://www.tstuff.com/score11a.htm
Dual Meet Results: (Class AAA) http://www.tstuff.com/2011/team113a.htm (Class AA) http://www.tstuff.com/2011/team112a.htm (Class A) http://www.tstuff.com/2011/team111a.htm
Legacy programs rule day in Buckeye State
The 74th annual Ohio state wrestling championships came to an end with champions in all three divisions representing programs that are well known for excellence. In Division I, it was No. 5 St. Edward winning its 26th state title since 1978. This championship came one year after their 13 year stranglehold on the big-school division had come to an end. In Division II, No. 4 St. Paris Graham won its eleventh consecutive championship and 13th in all with a record-tying eight in the finals. In Division III, it was St. Peter Chanel winning a fifth state championship; however, it was their first since 1988 -- a period of time in which they have finished second six times. Additionally, the Firebirds overcame the demons of seven finishes of either second or third in the last ten years.
With 187 points, St. Edward distanced themselves significantly from No. 18 Massillon Perry and No. 29 Wadsworth in the Division I team standings. The Eagles brought down 10 wrestlers, and placed all of them inside the top five. Winning titles were No. 18 Dean Heil (119), Mark Martin (152), and Domenic Abounader (160). Finishing second were No. 20 Edgar Bright (112), Ty Walz (215), and No. 10 Greg Kuhar (285). Not only will all ten state qualifiers be back next season, all fourteen wrestlers that competed in the state tournament series will be back.
Defending state champion Wadsworth finished third with nine state qualifiers, five of whom earned placement honors. Despite four finalists, the Grizzlies only could muster one champion -- No. 7 Nick Tavanello (215), a junior who earned his second consecutive championship. Finishing second were No. 7 Kagan Squire (125), Nate Ball (140), and Sheldon Brandenburg (160). They scored 96 points as a team, which is the second most in program history -- behind last year’s title-winning team.
Also scoring the second most points in program history was second place finisher Massillon Perry, which earned 109 points (the only squad to score more was the 2004 state runner-up squad anchored by a pair of eventual NCAA champions in Steven Luke and Dustin Schlatter). The lone champion was Zack Dailey (140), with David Bavery (103) and Tanner Lemon (145) earning runner-up finishes. Working with eight wrestlers in all, four other earned placement finishes, while returning state runner-up Mitch Newhouse (119) fell short of the podium.
Like the sun rising in the east and setting in the west is the dominance of Graham, which scored 230-1/2 points on the strength of six champions. The Falcons ascended 200 points for the fifth consecutive year, and scored their second most points ever -- with only the 2009 squad (anchored by Penn State redshirt freshman sensation David Taylor) having scored more points. Those Graham champions were No. 9 Ryan Taylor (112), Micah Jordan (119), No. 7 Nick Brascetta (140), No. 5 Bo Jordan (145), No. 11 Matt Stephens (152), and Isaac Jordan (160). Finishing second were No. 19 Case Garrison (135) and No. 5 Huston Evans (189).
It was a magical Friday evening -- that semifinal round being one that has served as a roadblock for many Firebird squads in the recent past -- which catapulted Chanel to its first state title in 23 years. Working with four semifinalists, all emerged victorious in tossup matches. In the end, it was probable that they needed every last one of those victories to top CVCA in the standings. The lone champion was senior Cody Walters (160), for whom this championship was a full year in the waiting after being ruled out of last year’s tournament at check-in due to a skin condition. Finishing second were Aaron Assad (103), Dan Orrill (145), and Kennedy Smith (215). With additional wrestlers placing sixth and eighth, the Firebirds scored 99 points.
Close behind with a second runner-up finish in program history was CVCA with 92-1/2 points, as the Royals were anchored by state titles won by No. 1 Nathan Tomasello (103) and No. 7 Alex Utley (189). Matt Dobben (140) and Matt Meadows (215) finished in third place, while an additional wrestler placed sixth. Third place in the standings went to Monroeville with 80 points, as a surreal five-year stretch in wrestling history was consummated when No. 1 Hunter Stieber (135), No. 2 Cam Tessari (140), and No. 3 Chris Phillips (171) all won their fourth state championship on Saturday night. Those three wrestlers -- when combined with Logan Stieber, who was injured during this true freshman year at Ohio State -- won a combined 16 championships at a school that had only seen one state finalist in its history (Drew Schafer, second at 119 pounds in 2003).
Finishing as undefeated state champions in Ohio this year were Tomasello at 103 pounds, No. 7 George DiCamillo (St. Ignatius) at 112, No. 16 Stephen Myers (Reading) at 125, Stieber at 135, Bo Jordan at 145, Felipe Martinez (Genoa) at 152, Phillips at 171, Ethan Hayes (Dixie) at 215, along with Kyle Rose (Centerville) and Mimmo Lyttle (Swanton) at 285.
For full results and team scores: http://www.baumspage.com/ohsaa/wr/2011/results.htm
Garden State grappling absolute battle to the death
The single-class NJSIAA state championships contested in Atlantic City this weekend were an absolute bloodbath with many undefeated wrestlers seeing their first loss, though there were ten that eventually ascended that top step of the podium. In addition, very few wrestlers left the tournament without at least having one match in which the outcome was not in doubt until the brutal end.
The absolute star of stars at Boardwalk Hall was No. 1 Andrew Campolattano (Bound Brook), who became only the second wrestler ever to win four New Jersey state championships. He capped off an undefeated season in style with a 47 second pin in the 215 pound final against undefeated -- until then -- Michael Zeuli (Cherokee). Other match outcomes for Campolattano were 11-2 major decision, 15-0 technical fall, and first period pin.
Taking a step further to joining Campolattano and Mike Grey (Delbarton/Cornell) as a four-time state champion was No. 2 Anthony Ashnault (South Plainfield) who owned the field at 112 pounds with victories by scores of 7-1, 8-0, third period fall, and 9-2. Ashnault remains undefeated for his career; should he do that the next two seasons, he would be the first in New Jersey history to accomplish that feat.
All the debate over which team was best in New Jersey this year after the dual meet group state tournaments should now be considered patently absurd. No. 22 High Point asserted its superiority with four state champions, which was last accomplished in 1949 by Newton High School. Weight class champions for the Wildcats were No. 14 Nick Francavilla (125), Drew Wagenhoffer (140), Ethan Orr (171), and No. 17 William Smith (285).
Francavilla won his third title with a 3-0 victory over Kyle Casaletto (Southern Regional), the same matchup and result as last year’s 112 pound final. Wagenhoffer most certainly earned his title after a 4-1 semifinal victory over No. 9 Devon Gobbo (Delbarton), and a 6-2 victory over 2009 state runner-up Joe Orecchio (Don Bosco Prep). Orr became a repeat state champion capping off an undefeated season, though he faced a rigorous challenge from four-time state placer Colin Hewitt (Franklin Regional) in the semifinal round -- a match in which Orr escaped with a 4-2 victory in the tiebreaker. Finally, Smith joined Orr as an undefeated state champion with a 3-2 victory over No. 13 Jack Delia (Hunterdon Central) -- which relegated Delia to a runner-up finish for the second straight year. In addition, Smith secured a 5-0 semifinal victory over the previously undefeated Greg Velasco (Keyport), who had taken third previously. Other Wildcat placers were William Hagany, sixth at 119 pounds; and Joe Gaccione, third at 145.
The other six undefeated state champions were No. 2 Robert Deutsch (Eastern Regional) at 119 pounds, Anthony Perrotti (West Essex) at 130, TJ Miller (Camden Catholic) at 135, No. 4 James Green (Willingboro) at 145, Ryan Harrington (West Morris Medham) at 160, and No. 9 James Fox (St. Peter’s prep) at 189.
Deutsch upended Troy Heilmann (South Plainfield) in the final 7-4, after previous victories by scores of 8-3, 12-2, and 5-3. Perrotti beat the previously undefeated Bryant Clagon (Toms River South) 4-2 in the final after two pins and an 18-2 technical fall in earlier matches. Green was tested just once in the tournament, a 6-5 victory over Pelal Deeb (Passaic Tech) in the quarterfinal round, as No. 13 Sal Mastriani (Don Bosco Prep) and No. 10 CJ Cobb (Williamstown) had stumbled to upset defeats before a potential meeting with Green. Harrington, only a junior, upended sophomore Jadaen Bernstein (Voorhees) 3-2 in a championship match placing undefeated wrestlers against one another; each finalist having beaten another undefeated earlier in the tournament. Fox, an unexpected Beast of the East champion in December, capped off a breakthrough year in dominating fashion with victories by 7-0, 8-2, 5-0 scores after a second period pin in the opening round.
The sophomore Miller navigated the tournament’s most brutal weight class to earn a state title after finishing third as a freshman at 125 pounds. In the championship, Miller relegated No. 16 Tyler Scotton (Willingboro) to a second consecutive runner-up finish with a 4-1 victory in the tiebreaker. Earlier in the tournament, Miller also had two point victories over Alex Richardson (St. Peter’s Prep) and Scott Del Vecchio (South Plainfield). The 4-2 semifinal victory for Miller over Richardson came after Richardson had knocked off No. 5 Jeff Canfora (Delbarton), the tournament’s top seed, in the quarterfinals by a 9-6 score in the tiebreaker. In the lower half of the draw, Scotton had to battle to the final as well -- most notably in a 3-1 overtime victory over Lou Mascola (Seton Hall Prep) during the semifinal round, and a 3-2 ultimate tiebreaker victory over John Boyle in the pre-quarterfinal round.
Rounding out the weight class champions were Brenden Calas (Seton Hall Prep) at 103 pounds and Christian Barber (Westfield) at 152. For full results , check the following website: http://gimp.escapesports.on-rev.com/LiveResults/NJSIAA/2011%20NJSIAA%20States.pdf
Top programs pack punch at Michigan state tournament
In the biggest three of four classifications, it was a select few teams that dominated the top step of the championship podium at The Palace of Auburn Hills this past weekend. The two programs that met in the team state final the prior weekend in Battle Creek in Division 1 each had three state champions. Detroit Catholic Central earned its titles in succession from Ken Bade (125), Logan Marcicki (130), and Alec Mooradian (135); while Oxford got champions out of Matt Frisch (145), Ben Ralston (160), and Prescott Line (215). Additionally, the Shamrocks of DCC had three wrestlers finish as runners-up: Andrew Garcia (152), Kevin Beazley (171), and Miles Trealout (189). Also earning a title in Division 1 was the classification’s best wrestler, No. 4 Freddie Rodriguez (119) from Grand Ledge.
In Division 2, it was Michigan’s best overall team -- No. 15 St. John’s earning three champions, with another five wrestlers finishing second or third. Champions for the Red Wings were No. 18 Zac Hall (103), Jordan Wohlfert (152), and No. 2 Taylor Massa (160). No. 13 Jacob Schmitt (112) and Brant Schafer (125) finished in second place, while Josh Pennell (130), Payne Hayden (140), and Travis Curley (145) stood third on the podium. Rivals Lowell also had three champs in Division 2 -- titles coming from Gabe (140) and Andrew (145) Morse, along with Gabe Dean (189). Three other nationally ranked wrestlers earned titles in this classification: No. 3 Conor Youtsey (119) from Mason, No. 8 Jordan Thomas (171) from Greenville, and No. 10 Adam Coon (215) from Fowlerville.
Dundee had six Division 3 finalists, including four winning championships. Standing atop the podium were Joey White (125), No. 17 Joe Rendina (130), Chris Rau (140), and No. 13 Justin Heiserman (189). Finishing in second were Nathan Wade (112) and Travis Reinhart (145). Lake Fenton saw three of its wrestlers win titles -- Zach Corcoran (135), Justin Melick (145), and Connor Brancheau (160) -- while Buddy Poyner (125) finished in second place. Also with multiple titles was Chippewa Hills, which had Zack Cooper and Devane Rodgers winning the opening two weights. No. 3 Roger Wildmo (152) from Durand, clearly the best wrestler in this classification, won his third title in four finals appearances this weekend.
Of most significance in Division 4 was the absence of No. 3 Devin Pommerenke (285) - who wrestles for Rogers City - from the state tournament due to a torn ACL.
Links to results for all divisions:
Division 1: http://www.mhsaa.com/wrfiles/wrfiles/D1/11d1home.htm
Division 2: http://www.mhsaa.com/wrfiles/wrfiles/D2/11d2home.htm
Division 3: http://www.mhsaa.com/wrfiles/wrfiles/D3/11d3home.htm
Division 4: http://www.mhsaa.com/wrfiles/wrfiles/D4/11d4rtlap008.htm
Other tournaments this past weekend ...
Wisconsin (Team)
http://www.trackwrestling.com/teamtournaments/VerifyPassword.jsp?tournamentId=440009
Maryland (Individual)
http://www.mpssaa.org/wintersports/wrestling/release.asp?release_id=398
New England Regional (Individual)
http://www.newenglandsports.com/index.cfm?ChnID=39&SubID=-1&chncd=39,-1&itemid=6490&parid=-1&Org=cnesspa&CFID=15341530&CFTOKEN=61330469
This coming weekend ...
The last state championship is held as Pennsylvania hosts its tournaments in Class AAA and AA. A preview will be posted on InterMat tomorrow (Wednesday).
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