Mark Hall, the nation's No. 1 sophomore wrestler, claimed the title at 76 kilos (Photo/David Peterson)AKRON, Ohio -- After coming in as the perceived pre-tournament favorite the previous two years, but falling short of the championship, Mark Hall (Apple Valley, Minn.) sought to break through with a FILA Cadet freestyle national title this weekend. The nation's top sophomore wrestler of dominated through five opponents on the way to the championship final, two pins and three technical falls, and only giving up two points along the way.
Things were slightly tighter in the championship final at 76 kilos (167.5 pounds) against Beau Breske (Hartford Union, Wis.), the nation's sixth-ranked sophomore. Hall scored a takedown in the first minute of each period to assure a 4-1 victory, and his first appearance on the United States world team at the FILA Cadet level.
"It feels good to finally get the title, and beating a lot of quality wrestlers along the way," said Hall, who was named Outstanding Wrestler of the event. "Now I'm best in the United States at 76 kilos, I want to be best in the world."
Joining Hall as a wrestler to earn a championship in 2014 after finishing as runner-up in 2013 was Daton Fix (Sand Springs, Okla.) at 54 kilos (119 pounds), as he scored the last point to win a 1-1 bout against Nick Suriano (Bergen Catholic, N.J.). Both wrestlers are elite talents who dominated all other opponents in the tournament. Fix, a Cadet Triple Crown winner in 2013, ended the 2013-14 high school season ranked third at 113 pounds and is currently No. 5 overall in the freshman class; while Suriano ranks No. 4 in the sophomore class and ended the high school season ranked second at 113.
Suriano scored the match's first point at the 90 second mark, as Fix was called for a passivity violation. Halfway through the second period, Suriano would be guilty of a passivity infraction for the equalizing -- and de facto go-ahead -- point. Despite a relatively deep leg attack late in the match by Suriano, Fix was able to fend the attacks off and score the victory.
"I didn't want to win that way, but I'll take it, and it feels great to finally make the World team" said Fix. "We both showed great defenses."
The lone wrestler to return to the FILA Cadet freestyle World Team is Spencer Lee (Franklin Regional, Pa.), as the nation's top freshman steamrolled through the field at 50 kilos (110 pounds). During the high school season, Lee was the nation's top 113 pound wrestler, and has wins over both Suriano (Super 32 final) and Fix (2013 FILA Cadet freestyle final) in the last 13 months.
All six bouts prior to the championship final were 10-0 technical fall victories with none lasting more than a minute in length. The finals bout was no more difficult, though it last 1:36 in length and Lee gave up a point in an 11-1 technical fall victory over Joey Prata (St. Christopher's Va.)
After Lee scored the opening takedown, Prata scored a reversal and then Lee would counter with a reversal for a 3-1 lead after just over 20 seconds of wrestling. Lee would then score a takedown at the 40 second mark on a go-behind, and then would score a two-point exposure with an arm bar in which he almost got the fall. Two trap-arm gut-wrenches later, the match was done.
"My goal is to be a world champ, no doubt," said Lee after the match. "I know it can happen. It's a dream of mine, and I'm going to make it a reality."
Two other wrestlers from Western Pennsylvania who train out of the Young Guns Wrestling Club joined Lee as FILA Cadet freestyle champions. Incoming ninth grader Gavin Teasdale, who is ranked No. 3 overall among Junior High wrestlers, dominated his way to the title at 42 kilos (92.5 pounds). His five matches prior to the championship bout were all technical fall victories, and he gave up three points in total along the way.
The championship final was the toughest match of the tournament for Teasdale, as he only led 2-1 after one period against Illinois native Peter Ogunsanya. However, four consecutive takedowns in the second period off of low level single-leg attacks would yield the 2013 Cadet National freestyle champion with a 10-1 match victory.
"I was able to get into more of my offense," said Teasdale about his second period performance. "Just kept working to wear down the opponent, and find openings."
Jared Verkleeren (Belle Vernon) won the title at 63 kilos (138.75 pounds) despite failing to place at the state tournament this past season, as he went 1-2 at 145 pounds after being out of the lineup until early January due to an injury. The first match of this tournament for Verkleeren was also a struggle, as he trailed 3-0 late in the first period against Ohio state champ Nate Hagan (Toledo Central Catholic) before rallying back to win 4-3.
The hot streak would last the rest of the tournament, as it was a second match pin followed by five straight technical fall victories to put himself in good position to win the title. A 4-2 victory over returning a returning Cadet freestyle All-American placed him into the championship final. It was a clear and decisive victory for Verkleeren in this bout, 5-3 over 2013 Cadet National freestyle runner-up Austin Kraisser (Centennial, Md.).
"I'm always in hard practices (at Young Guns)," said Verkleeren. "John, Jody, and Joe (Strittmatter) have helped me get to where I am."
There will be a fourth Pennsylvania native competing for Team USA in the FILA Cadet world freestyle championships in Slovakia in eight week's time. Jordan Wood (Boyertown), who is the No. 5 overall ranked sophomore nationally, took home the title at 100 kilos (220.5 pounds). Prior to the final it was two pins and three shutout techs in six matches. The final against Lucas Warren (Marmion Academy, Ill.), the nation's No. 44 sophomore, was pretty similar.
Wood jumped out to a 6-0 lead after one period, and added three more points off a single leg takedown and gut-wrench. A pair of very late takedowns for Warren closed the gap, but it was too little and too late, as Wood won 9-4.
"It's going to be fun to start my international career," said Wood after his match. "It will be good to go across the pond, and see the opposition from other countries."
A third top five ranked wrestler in the sophomore class joined Hall and Wood as FILA Cadet champions on Sunday, as No. 2 ranked Mason Manville (Blair Academy, N.J.) ran through the field at 69 kilos (152 pounds) to augment his Greco-Roman title on Friday with one in freestyle. From nine matches on Saturday and Sunday, Manville gave up one point while scoring 77 of his own.
"I wrestle best when controlling the area and ties, and staying in good position," said Manville. "I try to be in control and dominate each match."
The championship final for Manville was a 7-0 victory over returning Cadet freestyle runner-up Trace Carello (Marmion Academy, Ill.). Manville scored a pushout and takedown in the first period before getting two takedowns in the second period. He'll head to Slovakia, and do so with international experience, having won multiple events overseas this calendar year.
"The (international) opponents wrestle so differently than they do here (in the United States)," said Manville. "It will be a battle, and I know I have to make sure to maintain control in each match."
Rounding out the champions were Cade Olivas (California), the nation's No. 1 Junior High wrestler who won the title at 46 kilos (101.25 pounds); Carter Happel (Lisbon, Iowa), the nation's No. 25 sophomore who won the title at 58 kilos (127.75 pounds); Hunter Ritter (John Carroll, Md.) at 85 kilos (187.5 pounds); and Jake Marnin (Southeast Polk, Iowa) at 125 kilos (275 pounds).
Finals Results:
42 kilos: Gavin Teasdale (Pennsylvania) dec. Peter Ogunsanya (Illinois) by 10-1 decision
46 kilos: Cade Olivas (California) tech. fall Louie Hayes (Carl Sandburg, Ill.), 10-0 at 3:05
50 kilos: Spencer Lee (Franklin Regional, Pa.) tech. fall Joey Prata (St. Christopher's, Va.), 11-1
54 kilos: Daton Fix (Sand Springs, Okla.) dec. Nick Suriano (Bergen Catholic, N.J.), 1-1
58 kilos: Carter Happel (Lisbon, Iowa) dec. Nick Lee (Evansville Mater Dei, Ind.), 12-7
63 kilos: Jared Verkleeren (Belle Vernon, Pa.) dec. Austin Kraisser (Centennial, Md.), 5-3
69 kilos: Mason Manville (Blair Academy, N.J.) dec. Trace Carello (Marmion Academy, Ill.), 7-0
76 kilos: Mark Hall (Apple Valley, Minn.) dec. Beau Breske (Hartford Union, Wis.), 4-1
85 kilos: Hunter Ritter (John Carroll, Md.) dec. Samuel Colbray (Hermiston, Ore.), 10-7
100 kilos: Jordan Wood (Boyertown, Pa.) dec. Lucas Warren (Marmion Academy, Ill.), 9-4 decision
125 kilos: Jake Marnin (Southeast Polk, Iowa) dec. Kevin Vough (Elyria, Ohio), 9-4
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