Winning a fourth state title this weekend in Montana's Class B/C Tournament was Townsend High School's Jade Rauser. The senior is ranked No. 5 in the nation at 125 pounds, but competed one weight class lower in the state tournament. With three first period pins, and a 15-3 major decision victory, the Utah Valley State signee ends his career 175-0, including a 46-0 senior campaign. Twin brother Val was also a state champion with three first period pins and a 17-7 major decision at 130 pounds. Over his career, he made the state final all four years and won three of them. He ended his senior year 43-1, with 155 career wins against 5 losses.
Class AA: http://www.mhsa.org/!WR_Results/MT_AAhome.htm
Class A: http://www.mhsa.org/!WR_Results/MT_Ahome.htm
Class B/C: http://www.mhsa.org/!WR_Results/MT_BChome.htm
Garden State Champions overcome adverse circumstances
Sunday's New Jersey Group Wrestling Championships were not without drama, as both No. 22 High Point and No. 39 Jackson Memorial won championships despite not being at full strength. In Group 4, the Jaguars of Jackson Memorial were without Brian (119/125) and Doug (152/160) Hamann -- arguably the best two wrestlers on the their roster. In Group 3, High Point remained without No. 13 John Guzzo (160), who continued to rest the aggravation of a shoulder injury from the NHSCA Final Four of Wrestling three weekends ago. Additionally, two key Wildcat wrestlers -- Billy Hagany and No. 14 Nick Francavilla -- were stuck up one weight class, as they failed to make 119 and 125 pounds respectively.
Both semifinals in Group 3 were split at seven matches apiece. High Point's dual meet against Roxbury ended up in a 32-25 final score, as Francavilla and Ethan Orr (171) scored pins with No. 17 William Smith (285) receiving a forfeit. Like last year's semifinal between No. 33 South Plainfield and Timber Creek, this year's match was super tight throughout -- even moreso than last year, as Sunday morning's match was decided on tiebreaker criteria. A 25-25 regular dual meet score in which each team had five decisions, one pin, and one major decision came down to which team scored the most first match points. That went in favor of South Plaifield -- the Tigers advanced to a rematch final against High point, while Timber Creek was left to "winning by losing" yet again.
Jackson Memorial started its day on Sunday with a semifinal match against Southern Regional. The Jaguars had upended Southern Regional in a mid-January dual meet, but lost a very close call in the rematch two weekends ago for the Shore Conference title. This time around, starting at 140 pounds, Jackson Memorial would jump out to a 24-6 lead with victories in seven of the first nine matches. In fact, the Jaguars clinched the dual meet with two matches remaining, when Southern Regional's Kyle Caseletto could do no more than score a 6-3 decision victory at 125 pounds. The score was 27-12 in favor of Jackson Memorial at that point; the Jaguars forfeited the last two matches to shrink the final margin to 27-24.
Like the Group 3 semifinals, the final between No. 22 High Point and No. 33 South Plainfield was a 7-7 split in matches. Key to the High Point victory were a technical fall from Drew Wagenhoffer (145), pin from Ethan Orr (171), and a forfeit handed to No. 17 William Smith (285). South Plainfield responded with key bonus point victories coming from pins by Corey Stasenko (152) and No. 2 Anthony Ashnault (112). After a 9-1 major decision victory by South Plainfield's Troy Heilman (119) extended the Tigers lead to 28-23, both Hagany and Francavilla came up big with victories that allowed High Point to avenge last year's loss in the Group 3 final. Hagany earned a 9-0 major decision, while Francavilla upended Tyler Hunt 6-3 at130 pounds.
The Group 4 final saw Jackson Memorial take home eight of the matches in a 34-24 victory over Phillipsburg. Rounding out the championship matches were a 42-27 victory for David Brearley against West Essex in Group 2; Paulsboro's 37-25 victory over Kittatinny in Group 1; Delbarton winning Non-Public Group A with a 55-12 victory over Bishop Ahr; and Camden Catholic dominating DePaul 67-3 in the Non-Public Group B final.
With number two (per The Star-Ledger) defeating number one in the Group 3 final, one would think that the number one crown would be clearly worn by High Point. However, fans of number three Jackson Memorial will gripe because the Jaguars defeated High Point 31-28 two weeks prior. That debate will be left to Bob Bahre and The Star-Ledger staff to decide, as it's all about individuals now in the Garden State.
http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/6134053922439603555/live-from-toms-river-group-wrestling-championships/
A grand slam for the Rams in Hershey
Even having to navigate what was "on paper" the tougher half of the draw at the Pennsylvania Class AAA Team Wrestling Championship, No. 15 Central Dauphin won all of its matches by at least double digits. The Rams won ten matches in the opening round against Norristown (48-12 dual meet) and in the championship match against No. 17 Easton (36-18), while winning nine in the quarterfinal against No. 44 LaSalle (43-24) and in the semifinal against No. 26 Canon-McMillan (36-20). Four wrestlers won all four matches on the weekend -- Tyson Dippery (119/125), Nick Varndell (135), No. 4 Kenny Courts (189), and Zak Koller (215). The relatively unheralded Koller came through with overtime wins relatively early in each of the last three dual meets against ranked teams, which helped to create momentum for Central Dauphin.
Easton advanced to the final with a 48-10 opening round victory over Big Spring, beating Greater Latrobe 39-12 in the quarterfinal, and then a 40-23 defeat of Council Rock South in the semifinals. After losing a 26-25 nailbiter against No. 26 Canon-McMillan in the opening round on Thursday night, No. 25 Nazareth cleared through five consolation duals to take home third place: 52-6 over Clearfield, 41-10 over Cumberland Valley, 36-15 over Greater Latrobe, 33-19 over Canon-McMillan (a rubber match for the year as the Blue Eagles had a win over the Big Macs at the Virginia Duals), and then beating Council Rock South 33-24 in the final.
http://piaa.org/assets/web/documents/2011_AAA_TW_Brax.pdf
http://gimp.escapesports.on-rev.com/TeamDuals/PIAAStateDuals2011_204.htm
First of probably many for the Eagles in Hershey
When seven wrestlers sweep their four matches in the Class AA Team Wrestling Championships, it is kind of hard to imagine not winning and dominating the dual meet tournament. That was life for No. 20 Bethlehem Catholic as they continued to announce their presence on the state and national wrestling scene this weekend. Going undefeated for the Eagles were No. 3 Darian Cruz (103), No. 15 Zeke Moisey (112), Randy Cruz (119), Ryan Todora (140/145), Kyle Dehaut (152), Elliott Riddick (160/171), and Josh Alpha (189/215). Like Central Dauphin, they also did not win less than nine matches in any dual meet, and all matches were decided by at least double digits.
The opening round was a 52-9 victory over Biglerville (12 weight class victories), then it was a 38-19 quarterfinal victory over Reynolds in which nine matches were won, the semifinal round was a 45-18 defeat of Towanda (10 wins), and then it was a 38-21 victory over defending team champions Fort LeBeouf (9 wins). Fort LeBeouf advanced to the finals with a 30-28 upset victory over No. 41 Burrell, a match in which the Bison scored two overtime victories and an additional 2-0 victory. Burrell came back to finish third with a 36-29 consolation semifinal victory over Pen Argyl and upending Towanda 37-18 in the consolation final.
http://piaa.org/assets/web/documents/2011_AA_TW_Brax.pdf
http://gimp.escapesports.on-rev.com/TeamDuals/PIAAStateDuals2011_204.htm
An Ultimate District XI Champion
The dual meet was supposed to happen on February 2nd; however, adverse weather postponed the match between No. 17 Easton and No. 20 Bethlehem Catholic to this Wednesday at Bethlehem Catholic. In the interim period, both squads won their respective classification (Class AAA for Easton, and Class AA for Bethlehem Catholic) at the District XI Duals the weekend prior to last. Additionally, Bethlehem Catholic won the Class AA team championship in Pennsylvania this past weekend, and Easton was runner-up in Class AAA.
Two repeat, two do not at Oklahoma Dual State Meet
No. 27 Broken Arrow was one of four teams to win a state dual meet championship in the Sooner State on Saturday evening. In order to do so, they had to avenge last year's 35-23 semifinal loss to Muskogee in the Class 6A championship match. That was what they did, with a 30-22 victory over the defending state champions. In what may be the first of a string of titles, a rather young Collinsville team took home the Class 5A championship with a 27-25 victory over Claremore, who had won the last two state dual meet titles. Tuttle was the most dominant team this weekend, as they steamrolled all three opponents at state duals to win the Class 4A title for the second consecutive year. While in Class 3A, Perry won the state dual meet crown for the third consecutive year, and eleventh in a string of thirteen years; however, it was a little dicier than normal with a 30-26 escape against Vian in the championship match.
http://www.ossaa.com/Sports/Wrestling.aspx
Land of Lincoln Individual Showdowns
One of the states that have gotten much attention for its performance in major national events the last few seasons is the state of Illinois. Its individual state championships are this coming Friday and Saturday at Assembly Hall on the campus of the University of Illinois. Though the state tournament is un-scored, team champions are determined through next weekend's dual meet state tournament, many individual battles are present.
Four undefeated wrestlers anchor the bracket at 125 pounds in Class AAA. The top half of the draw features No. 17 Danny Sabatello (Stevenson) and Steve Galliardo (St. Patrick), while No. 11 Eddie Klimara (Providence Catholic) and Nicholas Drendel (West Aurora) on in the bottom half. Sabatello is a defending state champion after the big-time upset over Klimara in last year's 119 pound state final. Galliardo qualified for state at 112, but lost in the first round and was not carried into consolation wrestling. State champ as a freshman at 103, Klimara fell short last year at 119, but earned a Junior National freestyle title over the summer. Finally, Drendel was runner-up last year at 112 pounds.
Three state champions are in the Class 3A bracket at 171 pounds -- No. 2 Jahwon Akui (St. Rita), No. 15 Sam Brooks (Oak Park River Forest), and Steve Congenie (Villa Park). Akui is opposite the other two in the draw, after wins over Brooks in two consecutive weeks. Congenie and Brooks would meet in the semifinal round, should each advance to that point.
Another weight with multiple state champions is 152 pounds in Class 2A where both No. 7 Stephen Robertson (Montini Catholic) and No. 8 Joey Kielbasa (Crystal Lake Central) are after a third state title.
Individual State Tournaments
Arizona:
Division I: http://www.aiaonline.org/story/uploads/Wrestling___Division_I_Brackets_2011_1297522448.pdf
Division II: http://www.aiaonline.org/story/uploads/Wrestling___Division_II_Brackets_2011_1297540429.pdf
Division III: http://www.aiaonline.org/story/uploads/Wrestling___Division_III_Brackets_2011_1297521900.pdf
Division IV: http://www.aiaonline.org/story/uploads/Wrestling___Division_IV_Brackets_2011_1297521686.pdf
Hawaii:
http://www.sportshigh.com/files/content/sports/wrestling/schedule_results/2010-2011/HHSAA_boys/state_wrestling_boys_2011_final.pdf
Louisiana:
Division I -- (bracket) http://www.lhsaa.org/images/db_sports/561.PDF (standings) http://www.lhsaa.org/images/db_sports/568.pdf
Division II -- (bracket) http://www.lhsaa.org/images/db_sports/562.pdf (standings) http://www.lhsaa.org/images/db_sports/569.pdf
Division III -- (bracket) http://www.lhsaa.org/images/db_sports/563.pdf (standings) http://www.lhsaa.org/images/db_sports/570.PDF
Utah:
Class 5A: http://www.trackwrestling.com/predefinedtournaments/VerifyPassword.jsp?tournamentId=1501009
Class 4A: http://www.trackwrestling.com/predefinedtournaments/VerifyPassword.jsp?tournamentId=1502009
Class 3A: http://www.trackwrestling.com/predefinedtournaments/VerifyPassword.jsp?tournamentId=1503009
Class 2A: http://www.trackwrestling.com/predefinedtournaments/VerifyPassword.jsp?tournamentId=1504009
Class 1A: http://www.trackwrestling.com/predefinedtournaments/VerifyPassword.jsp?tournamentId=1505009
Dual Meet State Tournaments
Maryland:
http://www.mpssaa.org/wintersports/wrestling/release.asp?release_id=383
North Carolina:
Class 4A: http://www.nchsaa.org/championships.php?mode=viewchampPDF&champID=579
Class 3A: http://www.nchsaa.org/championships.php?mode=viewchampPDF&champID=578
Class 2A: http://www.nchsaa.org/championships.php?mode=viewchampPDF&champID=577
Class 1A: http://www.nchsaa.org/championships.php?mode=viewchampPDF&champID=576
South Carolina:
Class 4A: http://www.schsl.org/2010%20Brackets/wr4.pdf
Class 3A: http://www.schsl.org/2010%20Brackets/wr3.pdf
Class 2A: http://www.schsl.org/2010%20Brackets/wr2.pdf
Class 1A: http://www.schsl.org/2010%20Brackets/wr1.pdf
The coming week's state championship tournaments
Individual Bracket: Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington
Dual Meet: Delaware (2/15) and North Dakota
Coming Wednesday …
Updated national team rankings and a preview of the Iowa Class 3A State Tournament.
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