Keith, Ramos, Alton twins star at FILA Cadet Freestyle Nationals
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by Gary Abbott
AKRON, OHIO - The FILA Cadet National Championships has become one of the most competitive and unpredictable age-group events during the annual USA Wrestling season. The 2008 edition proved to be no exception.
A new star was discovered, as Steven Keith of New York captured the 50 kg/110 lbs. weight class and was named Outstanding Wrestler in the freestyle division.
In his pool competition, Keith defeated returning FILA Cadet National champion and 2007 Cadet National champion Hunter Stieber of Ohio, 4-1, 2-2, 4-2.
In the championship finals, Keith handily defeated another Ohio state high school champion, Ty Mitch, by a 6-0, 6-0 technical fall.
Keith had competed at the Cadet Nationals the last two years, but was unable to earn All-American honors. He attends Shoreham-Wading River High School on Long Island, N.Y., the same school that developed NCAA champion Jesse Jantzen and his talented brother Corey Jantzen.
"I wrestled well on the mat and on my feet today," said Keith. "In tough tournaments like this, it is the little things that make the difference, like step outs and counters to shots."
Stieber was defeated early Sunday morning by Zachary Horan of Pennsylvania and did not place in the top six of his weight class.
Two returning FILA Cadet National champions were able to repeat as champions again this year, Tony Ramos of Illinois at 58 kg/127.75 pounds and Dylan Alton of Pennsylvania at 63 kg/138.75 lbs.
Ramos won a competitive finals match against a fellow Illinois native, Chris Dardanes, 1-0, 3-0. He won the first period on a clinch, and scored the only takedowns in the second period. Ramos has now won the FILA Cadet Nationals in freestyle for three years in a row.
"My final was the toughest match, but I also had a tough one in my pool," said Ramos. "My freshman year was the toughest winning this tournament, with Eric Grajales and six state champions in my weight. I didn't wrestle as well as I would like. I would like more motion on my feet. I want to dominate more by the FILA Juniors in Las Vegas. In Fargo, I want to win it all this summer."
Dylan Alton was a co-champion with his twin brother Andrew Alton. According to USA Wrestling rules, brothers can be declared co-champions if they both reach the finals and choose not to wrestle each other. Both Dylan and Andrew were Cadet National champions in freestyle last summer, but they competed at different weight classes there.
Two wrestlers were able to win FILA Cadet double titles this year, capturing both the Greco-Roman and freestyle gold medals, Tyler Beckwith of New York at 76 kg/167.5 pounds and Max Huntley of Virginia at 85 kg/185 lbs. Both won Greco-Roman titles on Friday night, and both took home freestyle crowns on Sunday.
Beckwith pinned Danny Watson of Illinois in the second period, 6-0, 0:38 in the freestyle finals. He was a placewinner in both styles at the Cadet Nationals last summer.
"My throws are better and my position is better this year," said Beckwith. "I came here to win a double title, and I am pleased with how I wrestled."
Huntley scored a come-from-behind win over Kyler Elsworth of Michigan in the Greco-Roman finals, 0-1, 3-0, 6-1.
"That was the first period I lost in either the Greco-Roman or the freestyle tournament," said Huntley after dropping the first period to Elsworth. "I was a little tired. I did not have any time to relax after winning the Greco-Roman."
To show how tough the tournament was this year, seven 2007 Cadet Nationals freestyle champions entered on Saturday morning. The only ones to win the FILA Cadet National title today were the Alton twins along with Brandon Rolnick of New Jersey at 69 kg/152 pounds.
Rolnick dominated the match throughout in beating Shawn Thomas of Oklahoma, 2-1, 5-2.
"I wrestled well, but I have to improve myself in all positions," said Rolnick. "I need to keep improving each time. I will try to go to the Junior Duals later this year, as well as compete in Las Vegas at the Juniors there. It will help me get prepared for Fargo this year."
New Jersey had three individual champions, with Mark Grey at 42 kg/92.5 lbs. and Sean Boylan at 46 kg/101.25 lbs. joining Rolnick on the champions row.
Grey defeated fellow New Jersey native Joe Orecchio in the finals, 7-0, 2-0. Boylan stopped Eric Friedman of Maryland in the championship match, 2-0, 5-0.
Five of the wrestlers who won FILA Cadet National Greco-Roman titles on Friday qualified for the finals and attempted to win double titles. Only Beckwith and Huntley were able to achieve that feat.
At 54 kg/119 lbs., Simon Kitzis of Massachusetts defeated FILA Cadet Greco-Roman champion Ryan Mango in the championship finals, 0-3, 2-0, 1-0. Kitzis, who attends high school at Wyoming Seminary in Pennsylvania, scored the only takedown in the deciding third period.
At 100 kg/220 lbs., Anthony Pike of Arizona hit a sweet throw from his feet and pinned FILA Cadet Greco-Roman champion Alex Polizzi of Wisconsin in the finals in the third period, 6-5, 1-3, 1:06.
In the heavyweight match, Ohio's Jeremy Johnson scored two takedowns in both periods to defeat FILA Cadet Greco-Roman champion Nikola Bogojevic of Wisconsin in the finals, 2-0, 2-0.
FILA CADET FREESTYLE NATIONALS
At Akron, Ohio, April 13, 2008
42 kg / 92.5 lbs. Results
1st Place - Mark Grey of New Jersey
2nd Place - Joe Orecchio of New Jersey
3rd Place - Tyler Fraley of New Jersey
4th Place - Dylan Loos of Wisconsin
5th Place - Freddie Rodriguez of Michigan
6th Place - Anthony D`amico of Ohio
1st - Mark Grey (New Jersey) dec. Joe Orecchio (New Jersey), 7-0, 2-0
3rd - Tyler Fraley (New Jersey) tech. fall Dylan Loos (Wisconsin), 7-0, 7-1
5th - Freddie Rodriguez (Michigan) over Anthony D`amico (Ohio), 7-0, 7-0
46 kg / 101.25 lbs.
1st Place - Sean Boylan of New Jersey
2nd Place - Eric Friedman of Maryland
3rd Place - Justin Mudlaff of Wisconsin
4th Place - Kyle Warner of Ohio
5th Place - Lou Mascola of New Jersey
6th Place - Esteban Gonzales of Michigan
1st - Sean Boylan (New Jersey) dec. Eric Friedman (Maryland), 2-0, 5-0
3rd - Justin Mudlaff (Wisconsin) dec. Kyle Warner (Ohio), 5-1, 7-0
5th - Lou Mascola (New Jersey) dec. Esteban Gonzales (Michigan), 6-5, 7-0
50 kg / 110 lbs.
1st Place - Steven Keith of New York
2nd Place - Ty Mitch of Ohio
3rd Place - Zachary Horan of Pennsylvania
4th Place - Devin Carter of Virginia
5th Place - Edwin Cooper Jr of Illinois
6th Place - Tony Pena of Colorado
1st - Steven Keith (New York) tech. fall over Ty Mitch (Ohio), 6-0, 6-0
3rd - Zachary Horan (Pennsylvania) dec. Devin Carter (Virginia), 2-1, 3-0
5th - Edwin Cooper Jr (Illinois) tech. fall Tony Pena (Colorado), 6-0, 8-2
54 kg / 119 lbs.
1st Place - Simon Kitzis of Massachusetts
2nd Place - Ryan Mango of Missouri
3rd Place - Sharky Slyter of Kansas
4th Place - Frank Cagnina of New Jersey
5th Place - Alan Waters of Missouri
6th Place - Spencer Courier of Missouri
1st - Simon Kitzis (Massachusetts) dec. Ryan Mango (Missouri), 0-3, 2-0, 1-0
3rd - Sharky Slyter (Kansas) dec. Frank Cagnina (New Jersey), 5-0, 3-1
5th - Alan Waters (Missouri) dec. Spencer Courier (Missouri),10-4, 6-0
58 kg / 127.75 lbs.
1st Place - Anthony Ramos of Illinois
2nd Place - Chris Dardanes of Illinois
3rd Place - Devon X Brown of New York
4th Place - Kyle Bradley of Missouri
5th Place - Colton Rasche of Illinois
6th Place - Ty Davis of Ohio
1st - Anthony Ramos (Illinois) dec. Chris Dardanes (Illinois), 1-0, 3-0
3rd - Devon X Brown (New York) pin Kyle Bradley (Missouri), 0:25
5th - Colton Rasche (Illinois) dec. Ty Davis (Ohio), 2-0, 3-1
63 kg /138.75 lbs.
Co-Champions - Andrew Alton of Pennsylvania and Dylan Alton of Pennsylvania
3rd Place - Austin Ormsbee of New Jersey
4th Place - Joshua Dziewa of Pennsylvania
5th Place - Mike Kelly of Iowa
6th Place - Kaleb Friedley of Missouri
1st - Alton brothers did not compete, choosing to be co-champions under USA Wrestling rules.
3rd - Austin Ormsbee (New Jersey) dec. Joshua Dziewa (Pennsylvania), 1-0, 4-3
5th - Mike Kelly (Iowa) pin Kaleb Friedley (Missouri), 7-3, 1-7, 1:43
69 kg / 152 lbs.
1st Place - Brandon Rolnick of New Jersey
2nd Place - Shawn Thomas of Oklahoma
3rd Place - Lee Munster of Illinois
4th Place - Bobby Barnhisel of Illinois
5th Place - Walt Gillmor of Iowa
6th Place - Joshus Demas of Ohio
1st - Brandon Rolnick (New Jersey) dec. Shawn Thomas (Oklahoma), 2-1, 5-2
3rd - Lee Munster (Illinois) dec. Bobby Barnhisel (Illinois), 3-1, 5-1
5th - Walt Gillmor (Iowa) pin Joshus Demas (Ohio), 0:50
76 kg / 167.5 lbs.
1st Place - Tyler Beckwith of New York
2nd Place - Dannny Watson of Illinois
3rd Place - Tyler Lehmann of Minnesota
4th Place - Preston Keiffer of New Jersey
5th Place - Dan Martin of Illinois
6th Place - Jamie Westwood of New Jersey
1st -Tyler Beckwith (New York) pin Dannny Watson (Illinois), 6-0, 0:38
3rd - Tyler Lehmann (Minnesota) tech. fall Preston Keiffer (New Jersey), 6-0, 12-5
5th - Dan Martin (Illinois) dec. Jamie Westwood (New Jersey), 1-1, 2-2, 1-0
85 kg / 187.25 lbs.
1st Place - Max Huntley of Virginia
2nd Place - Kyler Elsworth of Michigan
3rd Place - Ben Brooks of Illinois
4th Place - John Eblen of Missouri
5th Place - Jonathan Becker of New Jersey
6th Place - Mitchell Fadenholz of Ohio
1st - Max Huntley (Virginia) dec. Kyler Elsworth (Michigan), 0-1, 3-0, 6-1
3rd - Ben Brooks (Illinois) dec. John Eblen (Missouri), 0-3, 3-1, 4-1
5th - Jonathan Becker (New Jersey) pin Mitchell Fadenholz (Ohio), 7-0, 1:54
100 kg / 220.25 lbs.
1st Place - Anthony Pike of Arizona
2nd Place - Alex Polizzi of Wisconsin
3rd Place - Aaron Pavlenko of Arizona
4th Place - Kyle Caylor of Kansas
5th Place - Matthew Monson of Illinois
6th Place - John Mizzo of Pennsylvania
1st - Anthony Pike (Arizona) pin Alex Polizzi (Wisconsin), 6-5, 1-3, 1:06
3rd - Aaron Pavlenko (Arizona) dec. Kyle Caylor (Kansas), 4-3, 1-6, 6-1
5th - Matthew Monson (Illinois) pin John Mizzo (Pennsylvania), 5-7, 0:58
125 kg / 275 lbs.
1st Place - Jeremy Johnson of Ohio
2nd Place - Nikola Bogojevic of Wisconsin
3rd Place - Zach Teuber of Washington
4th Place - Bryant Dickerson of Washington
5th Place - Donovan Green of Florida
6th Place - Blake Lucas of Ohio
1st - Jeremy Johnson (Ohio) dec. Nikola Bogojevic (Wisconsin), 2-0, 2-0
3rd - Zach Teuber (Washington) dec. Bryant Dickerson (Washington), 7-0, 2-2
5th - Donovan Green (Florida) dec. Blake Lucas (Ohio), 3-0, 1-0
A new star was discovered, as Steven Keith of New York captured the 50 kg/110 lbs. weight class and was named Outstanding Wrestler in the freestyle division.
In his pool competition, Keith defeated returning FILA Cadet National champion and 2007 Cadet National champion Hunter Stieber of Ohio, 4-1, 2-2, 4-2.
In the championship finals, Keith handily defeated another Ohio state high school champion, Ty Mitch, by a 6-0, 6-0 technical fall.
Keith had competed at the Cadet Nationals the last two years, but was unable to earn All-American honors. He attends Shoreham-Wading River High School on Long Island, N.Y., the same school that developed NCAA champion Jesse Jantzen and his talented brother Corey Jantzen.
"I wrestled well on the mat and on my feet today," said Keith. "In tough tournaments like this, it is the little things that make the difference, like step outs and counters to shots."
Stieber was defeated early Sunday morning by Zachary Horan of Pennsylvania and did not place in the top six of his weight class.
Two returning FILA Cadet National champions were able to repeat as champions again this year, Tony Ramos of Illinois at 58 kg/127.75 pounds and Dylan Alton of Pennsylvania at 63 kg/138.75 lbs.
Ramos won a competitive finals match against a fellow Illinois native, Chris Dardanes, 1-0, 3-0. He won the first period on a clinch, and scored the only takedowns in the second period. Ramos has now won the FILA Cadet Nationals in freestyle for three years in a row.
"My final was the toughest match, but I also had a tough one in my pool," said Ramos. "My freshman year was the toughest winning this tournament, with Eric Grajales and six state champions in my weight. I didn't wrestle as well as I would like. I would like more motion on my feet. I want to dominate more by the FILA Juniors in Las Vegas. In Fargo, I want to win it all this summer."
Dylan Alton was a co-champion with his twin brother Andrew Alton. According to USA Wrestling rules, brothers can be declared co-champions if they both reach the finals and choose not to wrestle each other. Both Dylan and Andrew were Cadet National champions in freestyle last summer, but they competed at different weight classes there.
Two wrestlers were able to win FILA Cadet double titles this year, capturing both the Greco-Roman and freestyle gold medals, Tyler Beckwith of New York at 76 kg/167.5 pounds and Max Huntley of Virginia at 85 kg/185 lbs. Both won Greco-Roman titles on Friday night, and both took home freestyle crowns on Sunday.
Beckwith pinned Danny Watson of Illinois in the second period, 6-0, 0:38 in the freestyle finals. He was a placewinner in both styles at the Cadet Nationals last summer.
"My throws are better and my position is better this year," said Beckwith. "I came here to win a double title, and I am pleased with how I wrestled."
Huntley scored a come-from-behind win over Kyler Elsworth of Michigan in the Greco-Roman finals, 0-1, 3-0, 6-1.
"That was the first period I lost in either the Greco-Roman or the freestyle tournament," said Huntley after dropping the first period to Elsworth. "I was a little tired. I did not have any time to relax after winning the Greco-Roman."
To show how tough the tournament was this year, seven 2007 Cadet Nationals freestyle champions entered on Saturday morning. The only ones to win the FILA Cadet National title today were the Alton twins along with Brandon Rolnick of New Jersey at 69 kg/152 pounds.
Rolnick dominated the match throughout in beating Shawn Thomas of Oklahoma, 2-1, 5-2.
"I wrestled well, but I have to improve myself in all positions," said Rolnick. "I need to keep improving each time. I will try to go to the Junior Duals later this year, as well as compete in Las Vegas at the Juniors there. It will help me get prepared for Fargo this year."
New Jersey had three individual champions, with Mark Grey at 42 kg/92.5 lbs. and Sean Boylan at 46 kg/101.25 lbs. joining Rolnick on the champions row.
Grey defeated fellow New Jersey native Joe Orecchio in the finals, 7-0, 2-0. Boylan stopped Eric Friedman of Maryland in the championship match, 2-0, 5-0.
Five of the wrestlers who won FILA Cadet National Greco-Roman titles on Friday qualified for the finals and attempted to win double titles. Only Beckwith and Huntley were able to achieve that feat.
At 54 kg/119 lbs., Simon Kitzis of Massachusetts defeated FILA Cadet Greco-Roman champion Ryan Mango in the championship finals, 0-3, 2-0, 1-0. Kitzis, who attends high school at Wyoming Seminary in Pennsylvania, scored the only takedown in the deciding third period.
At 100 kg/220 lbs., Anthony Pike of Arizona hit a sweet throw from his feet and pinned FILA Cadet Greco-Roman champion Alex Polizzi of Wisconsin in the finals in the third period, 6-5, 1-3, 1:06.
In the heavyweight match, Ohio's Jeremy Johnson scored two takedowns in both periods to defeat FILA Cadet Greco-Roman champion Nikola Bogojevic of Wisconsin in the finals, 2-0, 2-0.
FILA CADET FREESTYLE NATIONALS
At Akron, Ohio, April 13, 2008
42 kg / 92.5 lbs. Results
1st Place - Mark Grey of New Jersey
2nd Place - Joe Orecchio of New Jersey
3rd Place - Tyler Fraley of New Jersey
4th Place - Dylan Loos of Wisconsin
5th Place - Freddie Rodriguez of Michigan
6th Place - Anthony D`amico of Ohio
1st - Mark Grey (New Jersey) dec. Joe Orecchio (New Jersey), 7-0, 2-0
3rd - Tyler Fraley (New Jersey) tech. fall Dylan Loos (Wisconsin), 7-0, 7-1
5th - Freddie Rodriguez (Michigan) over Anthony D`amico (Ohio), 7-0, 7-0
46 kg / 101.25 lbs.
1st Place - Sean Boylan of New Jersey
2nd Place - Eric Friedman of Maryland
3rd Place - Justin Mudlaff of Wisconsin
4th Place - Kyle Warner of Ohio
5th Place - Lou Mascola of New Jersey
6th Place - Esteban Gonzales of Michigan
1st - Sean Boylan (New Jersey) dec. Eric Friedman (Maryland), 2-0, 5-0
3rd - Justin Mudlaff (Wisconsin) dec. Kyle Warner (Ohio), 5-1, 7-0
5th - Lou Mascola (New Jersey) dec. Esteban Gonzales (Michigan), 6-5, 7-0
50 kg / 110 lbs.
1st Place - Steven Keith of New York
2nd Place - Ty Mitch of Ohio
3rd Place - Zachary Horan of Pennsylvania
4th Place - Devin Carter of Virginia
5th Place - Edwin Cooper Jr of Illinois
6th Place - Tony Pena of Colorado
1st - Steven Keith (New York) tech. fall over Ty Mitch (Ohio), 6-0, 6-0
3rd - Zachary Horan (Pennsylvania) dec. Devin Carter (Virginia), 2-1, 3-0
5th - Edwin Cooper Jr (Illinois) tech. fall Tony Pena (Colorado), 6-0, 8-2
54 kg / 119 lbs.
1st Place - Simon Kitzis of Massachusetts
2nd Place - Ryan Mango of Missouri
3rd Place - Sharky Slyter of Kansas
4th Place - Frank Cagnina of New Jersey
5th Place - Alan Waters of Missouri
6th Place - Spencer Courier of Missouri
1st - Simon Kitzis (Massachusetts) dec. Ryan Mango (Missouri), 0-3, 2-0, 1-0
3rd - Sharky Slyter (Kansas) dec. Frank Cagnina (New Jersey), 5-0, 3-1
5th - Alan Waters (Missouri) dec. Spencer Courier (Missouri),10-4, 6-0
58 kg / 127.75 lbs.
1st Place - Anthony Ramos of Illinois
2nd Place - Chris Dardanes of Illinois
3rd Place - Devon X Brown of New York
4th Place - Kyle Bradley of Missouri
5th Place - Colton Rasche of Illinois
6th Place - Ty Davis of Ohio
1st - Anthony Ramos (Illinois) dec. Chris Dardanes (Illinois), 1-0, 3-0
3rd - Devon X Brown (New York) pin Kyle Bradley (Missouri), 0:25
5th - Colton Rasche (Illinois) dec. Ty Davis (Ohio), 2-0, 3-1
63 kg /138.75 lbs.
Co-Champions - Andrew Alton of Pennsylvania and Dylan Alton of Pennsylvania
3rd Place - Austin Ormsbee of New Jersey
4th Place - Joshua Dziewa of Pennsylvania
5th Place - Mike Kelly of Iowa
6th Place - Kaleb Friedley of Missouri
1st - Alton brothers did not compete, choosing to be co-champions under USA Wrestling rules.
3rd - Austin Ormsbee (New Jersey) dec. Joshua Dziewa (Pennsylvania), 1-0, 4-3
5th - Mike Kelly (Iowa) pin Kaleb Friedley (Missouri), 7-3, 1-7, 1:43
69 kg / 152 lbs.
1st Place - Brandon Rolnick of New Jersey
2nd Place - Shawn Thomas of Oklahoma
3rd Place - Lee Munster of Illinois
4th Place - Bobby Barnhisel of Illinois
5th Place - Walt Gillmor of Iowa
6th Place - Joshus Demas of Ohio
1st - Brandon Rolnick (New Jersey) dec. Shawn Thomas (Oklahoma), 2-1, 5-2
3rd - Lee Munster (Illinois) dec. Bobby Barnhisel (Illinois), 3-1, 5-1
5th - Walt Gillmor (Iowa) pin Joshus Demas (Ohio), 0:50
76 kg / 167.5 lbs.
1st Place - Tyler Beckwith of New York
2nd Place - Dannny Watson of Illinois
3rd Place - Tyler Lehmann of Minnesota
4th Place - Preston Keiffer of New Jersey
5th Place - Dan Martin of Illinois
6th Place - Jamie Westwood of New Jersey
1st -Tyler Beckwith (New York) pin Dannny Watson (Illinois), 6-0, 0:38
3rd - Tyler Lehmann (Minnesota) tech. fall Preston Keiffer (New Jersey), 6-0, 12-5
5th - Dan Martin (Illinois) dec. Jamie Westwood (New Jersey), 1-1, 2-2, 1-0
85 kg / 187.25 lbs.
1st Place - Max Huntley of Virginia
2nd Place - Kyler Elsworth of Michigan
3rd Place - Ben Brooks of Illinois
4th Place - John Eblen of Missouri
5th Place - Jonathan Becker of New Jersey
6th Place - Mitchell Fadenholz of Ohio
1st - Max Huntley (Virginia) dec. Kyler Elsworth (Michigan), 0-1, 3-0, 6-1
3rd - Ben Brooks (Illinois) dec. John Eblen (Missouri), 0-3, 3-1, 4-1
5th - Jonathan Becker (New Jersey) pin Mitchell Fadenholz (Ohio), 7-0, 1:54
100 kg / 220.25 lbs.
1st Place - Anthony Pike of Arizona
2nd Place - Alex Polizzi of Wisconsin
3rd Place - Aaron Pavlenko of Arizona
4th Place - Kyle Caylor of Kansas
5th Place - Matthew Monson of Illinois
6th Place - John Mizzo of Pennsylvania
1st - Anthony Pike (Arizona) pin Alex Polizzi (Wisconsin), 6-5, 1-3, 1:06
3rd - Aaron Pavlenko (Arizona) dec. Kyle Caylor (Kansas), 4-3, 1-6, 6-1
5th - Matthew Monson (Illinois) pin John Mizzo (Pennsylvania), 5-7, 0:58
125 kg / 275 lbs.
1st Place - Jeremy Johnson of Ohio
2nd Place - Nikola Bogojevic of Wisconsin
3rd Place - Zach Teuber of Washington
4th Place - Bryant Dickerson of Washington
5th Place - Donovan Green of Florida
6th Place - Blake Lucas of Ohio
1st - Jeremy Johnson (Ohio) dec. Nikola Bogojevic (Wisconsin), 2-0, 2-0
3rd - Zach Teuber (Washington) dec. Bryant Dickerson (Washington), 7-0, 2-2
5th - Donovan Green (Florida) dec. Blake Lucas (Ohio), 3-0, 1-0
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