Team Illinois defeats Minnesota to win Cadet Greco-Roman Duals title

KANSAS CITY, MO. - Team Illinois used a dominating performance in their middle and heavy weights to turn a tight dual match into a rout, to win the team title at the 2007 USA Wrestling Cadet National Team Duals in Greco-Roman, presented by People to People. Team Illinois is your National Champs and Team Minnesota is your runner-up, by a 46-27 finals score.

Minnesota jumped to an early lead but the Big Train from Illinois was starting to roll. At 130-pounds, Illinois tied the dual, capitalizing on Josh Castellano's fall over John Omann. At 140, Tyler Miller pinned Jarrett Hoeppner to keep Illinois on track.

Going into the match at 160 pounds, Illinois was leading, 30-21. If Minnesota was going to make this a match, now was the time. The teams started chanting and their fans joined in.

Brenden Eichmann from Minnesota won the first period and Brandon Ward from Illinois won the second. It was Ward turning the decisive 3rd period into a dramatic win, scoring on a late gut wrench.

Minnesota, the number No. 2 seed, had earlier beat the No. 1 seed, Wisconsin plus teams from Washington and California to win their berth into the finals. Illinois, the No. 3 seed, had defeated Missouri and Pennsylvania Black to gain their place.

In the 189-pound weight class, those in attendance were witnesses to a 7-second fall. Trevor Pahlberg used a slick duck under, to a sweet high arching belly-to-back lift, for the press and pin!

It's been a grueling two days in Kansas City, Missouri; the home of the 2007 Cadet Nationals Duals. The team from the Land of Lincoln prevails in Greco. While some jump rope and others drill technique, all are waiting for the Freestyle portion of the duals. That will wait until tomorrow!

Complete results can be found on Track Wrestling
http://www.trackwrestling.com

CADET NATIONAL GRECO-ROMAN DUALS, PRESENTED BY PEOPLE TO PEOPLE
1st Place - Illinois
2nd Place - Minnesota 1
3rd Place - Pennsylvania Black
4th Place - Wisconsin
5th Place - Washington
6th Place - Missouri 1
7th Place - California
8th Place - New York

1st Place Match
Illinois defeated Minnesota 1 46-27.
3rd Place Match
Pennsylvania Black defeated Wisconsin 40-34.
5th Place Match
Washington defeated Missouri 1 45-31.
7th Place Match
California defeated New York 48-28

2007 Cadet Greco-Roman Duals All Tournament Team
(undefeated athletes with at least six matches)
UPDATED

84: Brenan Lyon 6-0 for Michigan
84: Jacoby Bergeron 6-0 for Minnesota
91: Cody Brewer 9-0 for Missouri
98: Jesse Thielke 9-0 for Wisconsin
98: Matthew Prestifillipp 8-0 for Pennsylvania
105: Alan Waters 8-0 for Missouri
125: Chris Villalonga 7-0 for New Jersey
125: Ellis Coleman 8-0 for Illinois
130: Mac Bailey 8-0 for Missouri
130: Austin Orsmbee 7-0 for New Jersey
135: Andrew Alton 9-0 for Pennsylvania
140: Kalvin York 7-0 for Wisconsin
145: Ben Best 8-0 for Wisconsin
145: Mark Sternberg 8-0 for Illinois
152: Johnny Urango 6-0 for California
152: Victor Ascencio 8-0 for Pennsylvania
160: Brandon Ward 6-0 for Illinois
160: Logan Shirey 8-0 for Pennsylvania
171: Sterling Hecox 8-0 for Illinois
171: Stephen McPeek 7-0 for Texas
189: Max Huntley 7-0 for Virginia
215: Reggie Reed 6-0 for Illinois
215: Alex Polizzi 9-0 for Wisconsin
285: Joey Arthur 9-0 for Indiana