High School Wrestling Rankings, Wrestling Videos, National News » Up Close Look

Chance Marsteller Downs McCauley at OTC, Sets Sights On NCAAs & Olympic Titles

HS Wrestling — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 14:50:05 +0000

Far away from his farm, from his high school, from even that state title-winning weekend in Hershey, Chance Marsteller has found a place that truly fits.

The 15-year-old phenom wrestler from Kennard-Dale just spent a week at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.

He didn’t want to leave.

“It pretty much was home out there. It feels like somewhere I should always be,” he said. “You pretty much eat, live, sleep wrestling. Everyone wants to be the best out there.

“I want to be the best.”

Of course, he has a pretty good start.

He was 42-0 and, at least temporarily, became the heaviest freshman (152 pounds) to win a state title in Class AAA in the top wrestling state in the country — ever.

But his goals always have been beyond even high school.

He wants national titles in college some day.

He wants the Olympics some day.

And this is the way to get there: He spent a week practicing, drilling and wrestling freestyle matches at the OTC, highlighted by a decisive victory against the top-ranked 152-pound wrestler in the nation, Minnesota senior Destin McCauley.

Marsteller didn’t give up a point in the match.

“Destin’s a really good kid,” Marsteller said. “I beat him and we shook hands and 20 minutes later we were down in the café eating lunch side-by-side.”

Marsteller also knows that wrestling experts rank him as low as fifth nationally in his weight class. He knows they consider him the top freshman in the country, regardless of weight.

Continue reading Frank Bodani’s article on Chance at GameTimePA.com

No. 4 St. Edward Ready for a 2012 National Title Run

HSW Reporter — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 22:04:08 +0000

Two days after a state tournament usually is time to reflect upon yet another dominant performance by area wrestlers. Not this time.

Wrestling is a year-round venture for those who stood on podiums and received medals at last week’s state tournament. For them, next season begins Monday, and 2011-12 promises to be extraordinary.

The conversation begins with (No. 4) St. Edward. For the first time in memory, a state champion returns all 10 of its state placewinners. The Eagles took 10 wrestlers to the state tournament, all 10 placed, and that alone is almost unheard of. But to do it without a senior? In fact, no St. Edward starter was a senior.

This is a group that could leave a real legacy.

“We can improve and get all 14 to place next year, in the hope of getting not just a state championship, but a national championship,” said sophomore Dean Heil, who already is a two-time state champion.

For Complete Article by Tim Warsinskey, Plain Dealer Reporter

Patrick Downey’s Wrestling Career Denied… Again

HSW Reporter — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 03:21:49 +0000

James Patrick Downey III of Florida’s Oviedo High School, has been ruled ineligible for the remainder of the 2011 wrestling season after a Florida panel ruled that he will NOT be able to compete with the Orlando-Area High School.

Patrick Downey, was recently ranked as an Honorable Mention @ 189 lbs in the January 2011 H.S. Wrestling National Individual Rankings and was also #1 in Florida’s class 2A state rankings at 189 lbs (Scout.com).

The two-time Individual Maryland State Champion has now been barred from attending classes or competing for a high school after being arrested three times in Baltimore, MD. Downey lost his eligibility at the Glen Burnie High School (Maryland) in September after he was charged with second-degree assault, theft and robbery of a classmate. He also faces first-degree assault charges in Baltimore in two separate incidents from November 2009 and June 2010.

Downey, 18, is scheduled to stand trial in Baltimore on Feb. 18 — the same day the Florida state high school wrestling championships begin — on charges from two incidents.

Pat Downey was being recruited by several of the country’s top wrestling programs, according to his father, including Penn State. Pat Downey Jr. said that his son’s college plans are now “on hold” as the result of the upcoming trials.

Click Here To Continue Reading Article : Don Markus of the BaltimoreSun.com (Feb. 1, 2011)

#5 St. Paris Graham visits #2 Blair Academy (Jan. 29)

HSW — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 07:35:07 +0000

St. Paris Graham has a chance for redemption this weekend after losing a heart-breaker last Saturday against in-state rival St. Edward. The loss dropped S.P.G. from #2 to #5 in The National Team Rankings as they get ready to go to Blair Academy this weekend, the new #2 team in the country.

How will St. Paris Graham respond to their seasons first blemish? We can speculate how big of an impact not having Isaac Jordan (defending state champion) was in deciding the outcome of the St. Edward match. Graham’s Isaac Jordan (#2 in Ohio) was hoping to be back in the lineup to face St. Ed’s after being inactive for 6 weeks with an injury. But he wasn’t fully-healthy or match-ready to come back for a showdown against Domenic Abounader, Ohio’s D-I #1 ranked 160-pounder, who pinned Jordan’s replacement in the first period, helping St. Ed’s win the dual meet by 2 points. Head coach Jeff Jordan needs to rally the team and show they can bounce back after a tough defeat if they want to climb back near the top of the polls and add to their successful 2010-2011 season.

Meanwhile, Blair Academy is on a roll after winning the NHSCA Final Four Duals in Pennsylvania last week, where they beat the #1 ranked teams in New Jersey (54-10) and Washington (70-0). They seemed to have peaked just in time for Graham coming to town and for next weekend, as they head to Ohio to face St. Edward. For the season, Blair is undefeated in dual meets, Beast of the East Team Champions and 2nd-place finishers at the Ironman, where St. Paris Graham narrowly won the title. You can count on head coach Jeff Buxton having Blair Academy ready for Graham this Saturday.

[polldaddy poll=4447468]

Projected Lineups:

St. Paris Graham

103 – Chase Crabtree
112 – Ryan Taylor
119 – Micah Jordan
125 - Nate Henkle
130 - Lane Thomas
135 - Case Garrison
140 - Nick Brascetta
145 - Bo Jordan
152 - Matt Stephens
160 - Isaac Jordan or Robert Mannier
171 - Kyle Ryan
189 - Huston Evans
215 - Mark Meyer
285 - Darrin Bovey

Blair Academy

103 – Joseph McKenna
112 – Evan Silver or Max Hvolbek
119 – Caleb Richardson or Evan Silver
125 – Mark Grey or Caleb Richardson
130 – Todd Preston or Mark Grey
135 – Austin Ormsbee or Todd Preston
140 – Russ Parsons or Austin Ormsbee
145 – Dylan Milonas or Russ Parsons
152 – Patrick Coover or Dylan Milonas
160 – Mike Mocco
171 – Addison Knepshield
189 – Frank Mattiace
215 – Willie Wilson
285 – Brooks Black

Andrew Campolattano (#1, 215 lbs.) Withdraws Football Scholarship

HSW — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 01:11:23 +0000

Three-time NJSIAA Individual Tournament wrestling champion Andrew Campolattano of Bound Brook High School, one of the best wrestlers in state history, has reneged on his nonbinding commitment to play football at Rutgers University and appears to be leaning toward wrestling in college.

Campolattano, owner of a 150-1 career record who has a chance to join 2006 Delbarton graduate Mike Grey as New Jersey’s only other four-time state wrestling champion, said Tuesday afternoon that he is re-opening the recruiting process. He has won three state championships at 189 pounds, but has moved up to 215 this year.

“”I have to find a place that’s best for me,” said Campolattano, who had drawn serious attention from the wrestling programs at Ohio State and Penn State before making the non-binding decision to play at Rutgers last spring.

The 215-pound senior, who was a Courier News first-team All-Area football selection last fall at linebacker, said he is leaning toward wrestling in college.

“I’m really opening it up to any of the colleges who are interested,” Campolattano said of the recruiting process. “”It’s both sports, but right now football is a very slim possibility. I’m looking for whatever school is right for me.”

Continue Reading Article (By Harry Frezza, www.mycentraljersey.com)

Here’s a comment by “Tadziu,” a reader of www.mycentraljersey.com :

Andrew – Here’s wishing you the best, wherever you go. Stay healthy. Use your own head and your own inner guidance to resist the temptations that have derailed so many top athletes. Think about where you will be in 15 years, and look back from there to help you decide what you should be doing now. Never stop working, because in wrestling or football, there are always better guys out there, somewhere. Then when you’re done, you will have no regrets, and everyone will look up to you for the rest of your life. Godspeed. – Rutgers fan

Megaludis defeats Gulibon in Showdown

HSW — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 01:30:51 +0000

Franklin Regional senior Nico Megaludis and Derry junior Jimmy Gulibon put on quite a show at the 58th annual Westmoreland County Coaches Association wrestling tournament Saturday at the Franklin Regional High School gymnasium.

The two close friends and practice partners battled for supremacy in the county.

The match, which was dubbed “The Match of the Century” by a couple of Internet sites, lived up to its billing.

In the end, Megaludis was able to squeeze out an exciting 4-3 victory.

To continue reading article By Paul Schofield, TRIBUNE-REVIEW

For photos of the Westmoreland Wrestling Tournament

Jade Rauser Sets Montana Record

HSW — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 19:27:51 +0000

Townsend’s Jade Rauser (125 lbs) broke the Montana high school wrestling record last Friday after winning his 145th consecutive match. Rauser is a three-time Class B-C State Champion and is unbeaten in his high school career. He is currently 147-0 and going for his 4th Individual State Title.

Beau Malia of Billings Skyview was previously the state record for consecutive wins. Malia was a four-time Class AA champion (2001-04) and won the final 144 matches of his career.

Jade’s twin brother Val Rauser is a 2x State Champion and has a career record of 132-4. The Rauser twins have signed letters of intent to wrestle at Utah Valley University, a NCAA Division I program in the Western Wrestling Conference. Both wrestlers are ranked in the Top 60 Senior Recruits in HSWrestling.net’s Rankings.

Utah Valley’s head wrestling coach had this to say about the Rauser Twins, “Both Val and Jade are a great addition to our program, their resumes are very impressive, but we were even more impressed with them as individuals.”

“They are very grounded. They have a super work ethic and they bring a great deal of experience into our room. We are excited to have the opportunity to work with them as student-athletes and help them reach their goals.”

Wrestling Divisions By State

HS Wrestling — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 00:12:23 +0000

You’ve heard about the difficulty to win a state title in California. It’s because they’re a huge state and they only have one division of high school wrestling! How does your state compare?

Boys
Alabama – 3
Alaska – 2
Arizona – 4
California – 1
Colorado – 4
Connecticut – 4
Delaware – 1
Florida – 3
Georgia – 5
Hawaii – 1
Idaho – 4
Illinois – 2
Indiana – 1
Iowa – 3
Kansas – 4
Kentucky – 1
Louisiana – 3
Maine – 3
Maryland – 2
Massachusetts – 3
Michigan – 4
Minnesota – 3
Missouri – 4
Montana – 3

Nebraska – 4
Nevada – 3
New Hampshire – 2
New Jersey – 1
New Mexico – 3
New York – 2
North Carolina – 3
North Dakota – 2
Ohio – 3
Oklahoma – 4
Oregon – 3
Pennsylvania – 2
Rhode Island – 1
South Carolina – 3
South Dakota – 2
Tennessee – 2
Texas – 1
Utah – 5
Vermont – 1
Virginia – 3
Washington – 5
West Virginia – 2
Wisconsin – 3
Wyoming – 3

Girls

Hawaii – 1
Texas – 1
Washington – 1

New York’s Andrew Lenzi Commits to Penn

HS Wrestling — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 04:16:59 +0000

This is a past article by Matt Diano, LighthouseWrestling.com about one of HSWrestling’s favorite “dark horses” from the 2010 Senior class. Lenzi passed on several other elite colleges before picking Penn and is excited to continue his career at the next level.

Wednesday evening, right around the time that the New York Yankees were surging to a 2-0 Game 6 lead by virtue of a Hideki Matsui home run, Lighthouse Wrestling was in the process of getting it confirmed that two-time defending CHSAA Catholic State/2008 NYS DI champion Andrew Lenzi had indeed officially come off of the market.

Responding to a Facebook message left for him, the two-time NYS finalist confirmed that earlier in the evening, he had contacted the University of Pennsylvania’s head wrestling coach, Rob Eiter, to inform him that he had decided to make the Philadelphia-based campus his home away from home for the next four years (commencing in the fall of 2010).

Lenzi becomes the first recruit from the current senior class to formally announce his intentions to join the Quakers.

A household name in New York since 2006 when he won the schoolboy state title in impressive fashion, teching nearly all of his opponents, the future student-athlete at the famed Wharton School of Business, has found himself on everybody’s radar ever since.

Electing to concentrate on the academic adjustment that accompanies matriculation at a top-flight college preparatory school in 2007, Lenzi and his family made the decision to forego the rigors of weight cutting. However, despite being pitted against physically more mature upperclassmen, the Ram wrestler compiled a more than respectable freshmen campaign, culminating with a third-place finish at the Catholic state tournament (CHSAA qualifier for the NYS tournament).

As a sophomore, Lenzi would distinguish himself as a true contender for the federation hardware at the Eastern States Tournament (considered by some to be a tougher tournament to win than the NYS title because it includes wrestlers from both divisions). Seeded 12th, Lenzi would go on to win his first four matches, including a 10-4 decision over top-seeded Brian Benton (currently at George Mason University), before bowing out in the finals to Dom Oddo. This would be a loss that Lenzi would study and learn from, avenging the defeat several weeks later in the quarterfinals of the state tournament�.a 14-5 major decision over Brandan McKeown in the semifinals would set the stage for a rematch with Benton, with the victor not only going the spoils, but claiming the 130-pound state crown as well. And, again, it would be the representative from the Catholic League that got his arm raised, emerging with the 5-3 decision. The win made Lenzi the first wrestler from the CHSAA to earn the top step on the podium since 2000 When St. Anthony’s Lucas Magnani (wrestled for Brown University and the University of Iowa) won the title as a sophomore. Lenzi would be an emphatic exclamation point on 2008, earning All-American honors at the NHSCA Sophomore National tournament, finishing sixth at 135-pounds.

Lenzi, rated as the No. 8 senior in the Empire State’s 2010 class, would wrestle his way back onto center state last season, winning his first three matches in Albany (including a thrilling 6-5 decision over former 2x NYS champion/Current Harvard freshman Paul Liguori). However, unlike his magical sophomore season, the future Quaker would have to watch as his opponent, Rocky Point’s Stephen Dutton (No. 3 senior in NYS; Verbal commitment to Lehigh University) would go on to get his first taste of glory, knocking the defending champion from his throne via a 10-1 major decision.

Now, just a month or so away from the beginning of his swan song, those of us who have chatted with Lenzi know how hungry he is to return to the top of the mountain. Should the FP captain succeed in his mission to recapture the gold, he will have made history, becoming the first wrestler from the Catholic League to win multiple state crowns. In doing so, he will immediately join the likes of the aforementioned Magnani in the discussion of the greatest wrestler in CHSAA history.

Projected as a 141-pounder on the next level, Lenzi chose the University of Pennsylvania over Ivy League rivals Columbia University, Harvard University, and Princeton University. When asked about the deciding factors, the two-time CHSAA State Most Outstanding Wrestler cited the quality of the coaching staff, saying “Coach Eiter and Coach Valenti are really good guys and really good coaches. I believe I will be able to achieve all of my goals under them. They are the type of people that would do anything for me or any other member on the team to help them achieve their goals.” Lenzi also spoke very highly of the camaraderie that he experienced during his visit to the campus, talking in detail about how he was impressed with the fact that all of the team members are friends off of the mat as well. To conclude, Lenzi commented about life after wrestling and how he felt the strength of the academics (especially the Business program) were ideal for him, saying “Wharton is the No. 1 business school in the nation. It will provide me with the opportunity to be most successful after my career on the mat is finished.”

With the addition of former two-time NCAA champion Matt Valenti to the UPenn coaching staff, coupled with the return of incumbent starter Bryan Ortenzio (133) and former blue-chip recruits Dan White and Zack Kemmerer, there should be no shortage of quality workout partners to reach the fullest extent of his potential.

On behalf of everyone at LHW, we offer our sincerest congratulations to Andrew and his family on this big moment. Coach Eiter is getting a great young man!!!

NY’s Andrew Lenzi named Bronx Sports Person of the Year

HS Wrestling — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 20:28:03 +0000

Andrew Lenzi hasn’t exactly mellowed with age.

Since winning a state wrestling championship in March as a sophomore, Lenzi hasn’t taken much time to reflect on his accomplishment.

Although he was the first wrestler from Fordham Prep – or any other New York City school – to win a state championship, the aggressive 16-year-old remains hawkish, almost to a fault.

During a match on Saturday, Lenzi built up a 4-1 lead over his opponent in the King of the Mountain tournament at Central Mountain HS in Mill Hall, Pa.

Rather than protect the lead by adopting a more defensive posture, Lenzi went for the kill and attempted an attack that backfired and cost him five points. Lenzi, the top seed at 135 pounds, lost the semifinal, 7-6, and spent a moment after the match contemplating whether he should have been more careful.

“Being aggressive in that moment kind of hurt me,” he said a day after the loss. “I took a shot at getting more points even though I didn’t need to, but I’m not going to change my approach. I’m an aggressive wrestler, and having that mindset is what’s gotten me to this point. I’m always looking to dominate.”

Lenzi may be learning to measure his combativeness, but his success so far has been anything but intermittent. For his achievement on the mats in 2008, the Daily News has named Lenzi the Bronx Sports Person of the Year.

His quarterfinal win on Friday, the opening day of the King of the Mountain tournament, was the 100th victory of his high school varsity career. It’s a milestone that is all the more impressive because of the speed with which he reached it.

“It’s a defining moment in my career,” he said. “I’m proud of the accomplishment. I know it’s a cliché, but matches are won and lost in training, and I’ve worked hard to get to this point.”

Oak Park senior Bailey an unofficial coach for wrestling team

HS Wrestling — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 20:49:10 +0000

Mac Bailey has never been the kind of person to sit still for long periods.

So when Bailey, a three-time Missouri wrestling state champion, was injured recently at the beginning of his senior season, he had a hard time just killing time at Oak Park High School wrestling practices.

Surely, he thought, there had to be something for one of the top wrestlers in the state to do while his teammates worked on their takedowns and escapes.

“I said ‘heck, help us coach,’ ” Oak Park wrestling coach Tim Rupp said. “He started helping coach when he was injured and it has just gone from there.”

Now, Bailey is healthy, back on the mat and dominating opponents again. But he’s still keeping up with his duties as an unofficial coach for the Northmen.

During a recent Saturday at the Midwest Wrestling Classic at the KCI Expo Center, Bailey was stationed next to Oak Park assistant coaches, shouting instructions at some of the younger Northmen wrestlers. He did this prior to his championship match.

“It almost motivates me more,” Bailey said of his leadership role. “I have more to do. Not only do I have to worry about myself, but I have to make sure all the other guys are working hard, too.”

Bailey says he has always had the type of personality to offer advice to other wrestlers — when they asked for it.

This season though, with Bailey being a team captain and the Oak Park wrestling team being as young as it is, the timing of his increased leadership role seems to be perfect.

Oak Park has been one of the elite wrestling programs in the nation the last few years. But with the departure of coach Gary Mayabb to take the job at Staley High School and graduation of a laundry list of state champions, Rupp knew it would be vital to have people around who knew exactly the meaning of the Northmen’s tradition.

Two former state champions are part of Rupp’s coaching staff, and Bailey is the core link among the wrestlers.

“As far as coaches, I wanted people around me that the Oak Park tradition was important to as well,” Rupp said.

As for how the other wrestlers handle taking coaching from Bailey, who is just a year or two older than them, it seems to be all positive.

“In a lot of ways, they will listen more to him than they will to any of the coaches. He’s out on the mat just like they are,” Rupp said. “That’s just the nature of team sports. There are a lot of instances where the younger guys will listen more to them than they will Coach.

“For the younger guys, when someone like Mac takes an interest in them, that’s a huge motivator for them.”

Bailey, to some extent, had some of the same mentors when he was starting out in the high school ranks. Wrestlers such as Scott O’Donnell and older brother Zack Bailey — both Missouri four-time state champions — provided tips to Mac when he was wrestling and in practice.

But they never were seated at the corner of the mat in a coaching role, as Mac often is.

“My brother, all of those guys, they were at every match,” Bailey said. “They were always telling me what I needed to do to get better.”

So now, in a way, it’s Bailey’s turn to pay it forward.

“I like to see my team win and also a lot of the guys look up to me,” he said. “The guys seem to wrestle better when I’m there.”

To reach Cole Young, sports reporter for The Star, call 816-234-5912 or send e-mail to ceyoung@kcstar.com

Mt. Vernon, Indiana’s Jake McCarthy is all about taking the next step

HS Wrestling — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 19:33:44 +0000

Last year he made it to the state finals, this year he wants on the podium

By Zak Keefer

zkeefer@greenfieldreporter.com

FORTVILLE – When you reach one of the major goals you’ve set out for your high school career as a sophomore, a little reshuffling is in order.

Now, when you ask Mt. Vernon’s Jake McCarthy what he wants to accomplish come this February in the state wrestling tournament, his answer comes a little bit differently than how it would have a year ago at this time.

“This year, I don’t want to just make it to state, I want to make it on the podium,” he says. “That’s my goal and that’s what I’ve been working hard for.”

As he enters his junior campaign, the challenges will undoubtedly be there.

McCarthy, the lone MV qualifier for last year’s state finals, has moved up two weight classes for this year’s season, from 103 to 119 lbs. He said he’s ready for the jump.

Now, as a junior, he’s looked at as one of the leaders of this year’s Marauder team.

But most important, no matter how good of a season he has, if he fails to make it to state, the year will likely go down as a disappointment. Such is the trade-off of having such high pre-season expectations.

“We have a bunch of different leaders out here on this team,” he said before practice began Wednesday. “I try to lead by example—my work ethic, the time I put in during the summer trying to get better.”

His coach, Jason Smith, has seen a distinct change from the sophomore he knew last season.

“He’s really matured from last season and into this one,” Smith said. “He’s a lot stronger. He worked all summer long and his goal this year is to make it on that podium at state. That’s what his motivation is this year.”

McCarthy finished his sophomore campaign with a 29-13 record. He finished as runner-up in both the Shelbyville sectional and Perry Meridian regional, then placed fourth at the New Castle semi-state, earning a ticket to his first state finals.

He fell 4-0 in the state quarterfinals at Conseco Fieldhouse to Jay County’s Casey Kenney, the eventual state runner-up.

Smith cites McCarthy, whose father Mike is an assistant for the Marauders, as one of the team’s silent leaders.

“He leads by example through his actions,” Smith said. “Whenever you become an upperclassmen you seem to wrestle with more confidence.

“Jake’s already had a good amount of success so we hope he can build on that.”

Smith added that he didn’t think the weight class jump would deter McCarthy in the slightest.

He does, after all, face bigger teammates every day in practice.

“I think 119 is going to be good for him,” Smith said. “His body has matured and he’s getting stronger. It’s really only a couple of weights up and he wrestled guys at that weight all summer long.”

The MV coach said that McCarthy was just one of a handful of key returners this season for the Marauders. Add senior Logan Howard (125), junior Joal Mogollon (130) and junior Josh Williams (135) all to that list.

“These guys have wrestled together for a lot of years and I’m looking forward to coaching them all the way this year,” Smith said.

He added that there are a few that may surprise some people this season— wrestlers entering the year off the radar that have a very good chance at turning some heads.

“Two guys I foresee making a huge impact are Cody Morgan and Sam Balbach,” he said.

Morgan, a sophomore filling McCarthy’s shoes at the 103 spot, and Balbach, a sophomore at the 215 position, are on opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of weight but will be key components if the Marauders are to attain their goal of a sectional title.

“Everyone wants to win,” Smith said, who added that he’s got the Jan. 6 meeting with Bloomington South circled on his calendar.

Smith, a South alumna, has yet to beat his high school coach Royce Deckard head-to-head.

“They always have an extremely good team,” Smith said. “And I haven’t been able to beat my mentor yet. I wouldn’t mind doing that this year.”

MV’s success will likely start with how McCarthy does as he transitions to the bigger weight class. He urged that despite however difficult it may be, he’s going to stick at 119.

Smith has faith in his leader.

“Everyone got better this summer,” Smith added. “Jake got extremely better.”

David Taylor Interview at Super 32

HS Wrestling — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 21:33:07 +0000

An interview with Super 32 Champion David Taylor of St. Paris Graham High School in Ohio.

Andrew Alton Interview from Super 32

HS Wrestling — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 21:31:45 +0000

An interview with 140 pound Super 32 Champion, Andrew Alton.

Lee Munster, IL Commits to Northwestern

HS Wrestling — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 18:02:34 +0000

Grant Community High School’s Lee Munster has verbally committed to wrestle at Northwestern University. Munster has had a competitive background his entire life being involved with Judo since the age of 3 and wrestling since he was 8. He is a 7 time National Judo Champ and has taken International titles 5 times as well. He has wrestled competitively in all three styles: folkstyle, greco roman, and freestyle. He favors freestyle in the offseason because the pace is so much faster than the two other styles and the opportunity to score within a match is greater for him due to his aggressive offensive style. Wresting for Grant Lee achieved championships at the conference, regional, and sectional tournaments both freshman and sophomore years. He therefore qualified for IHSA State Wrestling Tournament Class AA both years and won the State Championship title at 119lbs as a freshman. Lee’s overall record at the high school level is 73-6.

This past July he wrestled at 152 pounds with Team Illinois during the USAWrestling Freestyle Junior Nationals in Okalhoma City, Ok. This was his second time wrestling with the Illinois Junior Dual Team; in July of last year as a Cadet he wrestled up in age at 135 pounds going 6-0 in a very competitive weight class and was named to the all-tournament team. This year Team Illinois achieved a remarkable third consecutive Freestyle National Championship, making them the first team to ever accomplish this three-peat in the history of the tournament.

Individually, this spring Munster participated in the FILA Cadet National Championships in Arkron, Ohio at 152 lbs. where he brought home a bronze metal with a 3rd Place finish. In freestyle wrestling a competitor must qualify to compete, so Munster participated in the Illinois Freestyle State Tournament held in Danville, Illinois. Munster dominated a very competitive 152 lbs. weight class in winning the State Championship, qualifying for the National tournament held in July. At the USA Wrestling Freestyle Junior Nationals held in Fargo, ND Munster was one of the younger competitors competing in this tournament at the 152 lbs weight division. This weight division was one of the largest of the tournament with 96 competitors representing 32 different states. During the tournament, Munster wrestled 11 matches, reeling off 9 straight victories, and placing 4th overall. This finish earned Munster All-American status.

Munster is in his junior year of high school and currently ranked number 2 in the nation at 152lbs by W.I.N. magazine. Ryan Geist of Grant High School coaches Munster. At a club level, Munster trains in the off-season at the Overtime School of Wrestling, and is coached by Sean Bormet. Munster is projected to wrestle 165/174 in college.

In addition to his athletic accomplishments Lee maintains above a 4.0/A=4 GPA. He keeps himself busy hanging out with his friends and family; he enjoys water sports, fishing, snowboarding, and learning guitar. His family has supported him throughout his competitions and is looking forward to being able to watch him wrestle for Northwestern. Grandpa Munster is his most loyal fan and has logged many miles to attend tournaments and routinely drives him to and from Naperville for practices. His greatest hope is for Lee to win an NCAA wrestling championship for Northwestern.

Lee states: “I have been thinking about the future for quite a while. It has been my goal to wrestle at the collegiate level and to attend a university with challenging academics as well as a successful wrestling program that is not too far from my home. Northwestern U fits my needs and goals perfectly, I am ready and very happy to commit to the next level at this point in my life. I am honored to be able to have the opportunity to wrestle at Northwestern U and look forward to working with the team and Coaches Cysewski and Pariano. Meantime, I can focus on finishing with a successful high school career and am proud to be a future WILDCAT!”

http://illinoismatmen.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18894

Up Close Look at Andrew Lenzi, NY

HS Wrestling — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 14:15:14 +0000

Striding down the sprawling fairways of the Pelham Bay Golf Course on Friday, Andrew Lenzi, Fordham Prep’s 15-year-old boy wonder, was finally at peace.

He wasn’t restless, like he was on the first day of the state wrestling championships on March 8. He wasn’t sleepy-headed, as he was for his first match because his nerves kept him up the night before.

Speaking from his cell phone during a golf break, Lenzi struck a reflective tone. He made history on March 9 when he defeated Brian Benton (Amsterdam), 5-3, in the 130-pound division I championship at the Blue Cross Arena in Rochester.

It was the first time a wrestler from Fordham Prep – or any New York City school -had won a state championship. It was just the third time a wrestler from the CHSAA had ever won a state title, according to Fordham Prep athletic director Bob McLaughlin.

Lenzi is known for his tenacious drive and stoicism, but he allowed himself to acknowledge the significance of what he had done.

“It’s what I’ve been training for my whole life,” Lenzi said. “This is what I was dreaming about. I couldn’t believe it. All the long hours and hard work finally paid off. I feel an incredible sense of accomplishment.”

His achievement is splashed across Fordham Prep’s Web site. He was honored, along with state swimming champion Matt Krey, at a winter sports assembly on Monday.

In just two years, Lenzi, now a junior, has quickly built a reputation as a precocious talent.

He works out at the rigorous Iowa Style Wrestling Club in Millwood, N.Y., run by John Degl, a 1991 state titlist out of Mahopac.

David Obiesie, Lenzi’s coach at Fordham Prep, spoke of the sense of fear that seems to permeate every tournament he enters. Lenzi was 47-2 this season.

“I’ve seen it happen – that people see his name on his warm-up suit during weigh-ins and they say, ‘Oh, it’s Andrew,’ ” Obiesie said. “People fear him. They drop out of his weight class because they don’t want to face him.”

As a freshman, two years ago, Lenzi stalked off the mat in frustration after losing to a junior wrestler in the state Catholic championships. He was upset at finishing third.

After a sluggish first round against Brian Guilfoyle (Corning-IV) at the New York State champion-ships, Lenzi went back to his hotel to rest. He’d had trouble sleeping the night before, and the break did him some good.

Lenzi won his second round match, 4-1, against Dom Oddo (Mahopac), the same wrestler whose defensive style frustrated him in the final of the Eastern States at Loch Sheldrake, N.Y.; Lenzi placed second in that prestigious tournament, defeating several higher-ranked wrestlers along the way.

“His maturity, his level of discipline, his dedication to the sport, the fact that he’s willing to learn, is amazing,” Obiesie said. “No matter what he does, if he decides to go to the Olympics or open his own business after school, he’ll do well because he pushes himself. His level of determination is incredible.”

Fausey says college choice was difficult

HS Wrestling — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 02:18:06 +0000

As early as his sophomore season at Line Mountain, Jon Fausey’s plan was to make his college decision before the start of his senior season.
Fausey made good on that plan this week when he signed a national letter of intent to continue his wrestling career at the University of Virginia. The Cavaliers won out over Cornell and Penn, but Fausey said the decision was a difficult one.

The Eagles’ two-time PIAA Class AA place-winner (second as a sophomore; third as a junior) said, “I had strong connections with the three coaches and it was a really tough decision. When I told the Penn and Cornell coaches that I chose Virginia, I kind of felt bad.”
Fausey began narrowing his college choices once he returned from Fargo, N.D., last summer, where he placed sixth at 189 pounds in the Junior and Cadet National Freestyle Tournament, earning All-America status.
“I got it down to 10 and it was still a little rough and then I finally got it down to five because I was only allowed five official visits,” he said, noting that, in addition to the final three, the others were Lehigh and Maryland.
He took visits only to Cornell, Penn and Virginia. Fausey, who will join former Line Mountain wrestler and two-time state champion Kellon Balum in Charlottesville, said the latter had no influence on his decision. He said he and Balum have talked about colleges since the latter was a high school sophomore, but when they talked during his visit to Virginia, they talked about things that friends would normally talk about.
“He never tried to influence me. I was always around his parents (Lon and Elaine Balum) and neither of them ever tried to influence me. They always said they wanted the decision to be up to me,” Fausey added.
Fausey said he had thought he would redshirt his first year, but the coaches have told him they would like him to wrestle off for a starting spot next season at 184 pounds.
“I thought maybe I would like a year to develop, but I think if I have a pretty good offseason and do the right things and start training and get a lot of tips from the coaches, that I will be ready to go. I guess that’s the plan right now,” he said.
Fausey said the early decision was typical of the way he handles his life.
“I’m the type of person that likes getting things taken care of and out of the way, and that’s what happened,” he said. “If I really wasn’t sure of a school or really wasn’t recruited hard and wanted to show myself my senior year, maybe I would have waited. But the opportunity came up and it happened,” said Fausey, son of Ray Fausey.
“It does take the pressure off for my senior year. I wouldn’t have wanted to do this during my senior year of wrestling, getting phone calls all the time. I had some nights when I’d been on the phone for a couple hours and it got to be 9:30 or 10 and I didn’t get my homework started. It was overwhelming at times, and really frustrating.”
Now he can concentrate on his goal of winning a state championship. “I’m focused on getting healthy, but I have the same mind set going into the season — getting into the practice room every day, improving and getting stronger and making myself a better wrestler, and going into the postseason looking to win states,” he said.
“And having fun,” he added. “That’s a big part of it, too.”
Fausey had surgery this week for a torn meniscus, which sidelined him from football, a sport in which he was an all-state linebacker. He will not play again during the regular season, but has not ruled out a return in the playoffs.
He returns to the doctor in two and a half weeks and, if he is cleared and told that he would not do further damage to the knee by playing football, then he would like to play for the Eagles if they make the District 4 Class A playoffs.
As for college, Fausey plans to major in pre-med and plans to either pursue a career as a physician or a physician’s assistant.
He becomes the second Fausey brother to wrestle in college. His older brother, Shawn, also a former state runner-up at Line Mountain, will be a sophomore at Drexel this season. He missed most of last season with a broken ankle sustained while wrestling in last year’s Penn State Open.
Jon said there is a slight chance that he and Shawn could meet on the mat sometime during their careers, but it would likely be in the NCAA Tournament, because Drexel and Virginia are not scheduled to meet in any duels or tournaments.

Favorites dominate first session action at Junior Greco-Roman Nationals

HS Wrestling — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 18:42:23 +0000

by Gary Abbott USA Wrestling

FARGO, N.D. – There were no significant upsets during the first session at the ASICS/Vaughan Junior Greco-Roman Nationals at the FargoDome on Sunday.

In action on Sunday was Max Nowry of Illinois (105), a returning double champion who won both styles at the Junior Nationals last year. The other eligible returning double champion, David Taylor of Ohio, is not entered in Greco-Roman this year.

Nowry opened with a 5-0, 4-1 win over Blayne Shockley of Missouri.

In addition to Nowry, a returning 2007 Junior National Greco-Roman champion competing this weekend is Kendrick Sanders of Florida (140). Also competing are 2006 Junior National Greco-Roman champion Nathan Furches of Kansas (112), Justin Forrest of Missouri (119) and Eric Grajales of Florida (130). All emerged from the morning session undefeated.

All three 2007 Junior runners-up in the field were also unbeaten in the session, Cody Pack of California (112), Alec Ortiz of Oregon (160) and Tyrell Fortune of Oregon (215).

There were a number of past Cadet Nationals champions in the field today who also were unbeaten in the morning session. These included Alan Waters of Missouri (112), Ellis Coleman of Illinois (130), Andrew Alton of Pennsylvania (140), Carson Fields of Georgia (140), Dirk Cowburn of Pennsylvania (152), Joel Bauman of Minnesota (160), Ethen Lofthouse of Utah (171) and Kyle Caylor of Kansas (215).

Fields scored two pins in the session, stopping Bill Borseth of Iowa and David Calhoun of Florida.

A Cadet National champion who lost a bout in the morning session was Kyle Detmer of Kansas (152), who fell in the second round to Jonathan Urango of California, 2-2, 6-0, 0-4.

Andrew Alton won two matches in the session, as did his twin brother Dylan, who was a Cadet National runner-up last year and is competing at 135 pounds this year. Both Alton brothers had one pin and one technical fall in the session.

2008 FILA Junior National freestyle champion Logan Stieber of Ohio (119), who was also a Cadet National freestyle champion last year, is also in the field. He won his first two bouts, one by pin and the other by technical fall.

This year, the ASICS/Vaughan Junior Greco-Roman Nationals included 790 athletes, representing 44 states and Puerto Rico.

Pennsylvania’s Alton brothers shooting for more titles

HS Wrestling — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 18:41:15 +0000

by Craig Sesker USA Wrestling

FARGO, N.D. – Something magical happens when the Alton brothers step on the mat at the Fargo Dome.

Pennyslvania twins Dylan and Andrew Alton did plenty of damage last year in this building and they are back for more this year.

Andrew was a double Cadet Nationals champion in 2007, winning titles in both Greco-Roman and freestyle. Dylan also won a Cadet Nationals title in Greco-Roman and placed second in freestyle.

This year, the twins have moved up to the Junior Nationals division with Andrew competing at 140 pounds and Dylan wrestling at 135.

Dylan breezed through his first match early Sunday morning in Greco-Roman.

“It was good to get that first one of the way,” Dylan said. “This is a great tournament to compete in. I love testing myself against some of the best guys in the country. This is as tough as it gets for kids like me who are in high school.”

Dylan’s success in Greco-Roman is impressive when you consider what he focuses on in practice.

“I like freestyle better – I don’t really train at all in Greco,” he said. “I wasn’t going to wrestle Greco this year, but my brother was going to compete in Greco so I figured I would just do it too.”

Dylan said he and his twin brother, who are both 17 years old, push each other in workouts.

“Sometimes we get in brawls and mix it up a little bit,” he said. “But it really helps a lot, having someone to train with all the time. You don’t ever have to go looking for a training partner.”

New Jersey’s Mark Grey continues family name in Fargo

HS Wrestling — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 11:55:50 +0000

By Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling

Wrestling is a family sport and it is common for younger brothers of successful wrestlers to carry on tradition on the mat. Growing up around wrestling often gives the little brother an edge in their own athletic career.

On the flip side, there is often additional pressure on young athletes who are trying to follow in their brother’s footsteps.

Competing in his first Cadet National Championships in Fargo this weekend is Mark Grey of New Jersey. If you remember the name, it is because his older brother Mike has been in the wrestling news for many years.

Mike Grey became the first wrestler to win four New Jersey state high school titles. He was a Junior National freestyle champion after his junior year. Last year as a freshman, Mike was an All-American for Cornell.

In his own right, Mark has won numerous USA Wrestling Kids national titles, and made a big step this spring by winning a title at the FILA Cadet Nationals in Akron. In spite of having come to Fargo to watch his brother, this is Mark’s first time competing in the FargoDome as a first-year Cadet. His debut came today in Greco-Roman.

John Grey, Jr., who is a brother older than both Mike and Mark, is one of New Jersey’s coaches and state leaders. He has helped Mark throughout his career, and will be in his corner as he seeks to make his name here in Fargo. Mark’s career began at the age of four as he followed his brother Mike to wrestling events.

“He has always enjoyed the sport, and is eager to learn new stuff,” said John Grey, Jr. “He likes this kind of wrestling more, even at a young age. He likes doing freestyle and Greco-Roman.”

Older brother John understands that it isn’t easy being the kid brother in a wrestling family, but is proud of how well Mark has done handling the pressures.

“He is different from Mike. He has different goals within wrestling. Mike wanted to be the first four-time state champion. Mark wants to win Fargo in both styles and wants to win the Olympics. His goals are more with the international styles,” said John Grey.

Mark admitted to his parents today that he was a little nervous, even though he had been to Fargo to see Mike wrestle in the past. John said his brother had some butterflies as he went to his first day competing at Cadet Nationals.

Mark won his first two matches by technical fall, beating Bronson Ashijan of Nevada, 6-0, 7-0 and Zack Vesta of Kansas, 6-0, 8-0 then stopped Nathan Kraisser of Maryland, 7-0, 5-0.

“He doesn’t want to follow in Mike’s footsteps. He wants to make a name for himself. The way he sees it, he is doing his own thing. He wants to be himself,” said John Grey, Jr.