Oklahoma edges Pennsylvania in finals of the 2008 Cadet National Freestyle Duals
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by Randy Hinderliter
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The 2008 edition of the Cadet National Dual Meet Championships will go down in history as being some of the most evenly contested matches in recent memory.
In the Greco-Roman finals on Friday, Wisconsin beat Minnesota Black by criteria. In the freestyle finals on Sunday, the championship was not decided until the heavyweight bout.
Earlier on Sunday, Oklahoma defeated Delaware, Wisconsin and Missouri to earn their ticket into the finals. Pennsylvania defeated Minnesota, Illinois and New Jersey to earn their way.
The finals was a classic in which neither team led by more than five-points. There were lead changes throughout. After the 189-pound bout the score was tied at 30-30.
Pennsylvania took the early lead after 84-pounder. Nick Roberts pinned his Oklahoma foe. The Keystone State team didn't relinquish that lead until the 125-pound matchup when Oklahoma's Kyle Ash defeated Jordan Rich to put Oklahoma ahead, 14-13.
The lead changed hands, and at the 152-pounds, the match score was Oklahoma 25, Pennsylvania 20. The 152-pound bout lived up to high anticipation. It featured Zachary Skates of Oklahoma pitted agains Mark Havers of Pennsylvania.
Earlier, Havers eliminated a very tough John Guzzo of New Jersey to swing the momentum in that dual. Both Havers and Skates were undefeated coming into this match. It would take three periods to decide it but Havers beat Skates, 2-0, 1-2, 1-0.
Equally as impressive was Oklahoma's undefeated Ronnie Balfour's win over previously undefeated Kenneth Courts of Pennsylvania at 160 pounds. That match went the full three periods, 3-8, 7-3, 4-3.
The critical matchup that changed momentum towards Oklahoma was the 215-pound bout. Max Adair of Oklahoma was spotting Brandon Clark of Pennsylvania over 30 pounds.
Adair had lost a few matches during his twodays of freestyle but he managed to win the first-period, 1-0. In the second-frame, Adair and Clark continued their battle. There was a lot on the line and the tension was intense. A scramble ensued … was it Adair? … was it Clark? … suddenly Adair put Clark on his back and earned the dramatic pin!
Pennsylvania won the heavyweight bout, when Brian Beattie beat B.J. Evans, 2-0, 2-0, but it was not enough. Team Oklahoma earned the National Championship title after the heavyweight bout, with the final score, Oklahoma 35, Pennsylvania 32.
New Jersey went on to defeat Missouri 48-25, to finish third.
CADET NATIONAL FREESTYLE DUALS
At Oklahoma City, Okla., June 28-29
Championship Results
1st Place - Oklahoma 1
2nd Place - Pennsylvania A
3rd Place - New Jersey
4th Place - Missouri 1
5th Place - Wisconsin
6th Place - Minnesota 1
7th Place - Illinois
8th Place - Delaware
1st Place Match - Oklahoma 1 defeated Pennsylvania A 35-33.
3rd Place Match - New Jersey defeated Missouri 1 48-25.
5th Place Match - Wisconsin defeated Minnesota 1 39-27.
7th Place Match - Illinois defeated Delaware 39-33.
Consolation Results
1st Place - Iowa
2nd Place - New York
Click here for Cadet National Duals All-Tournament Team
For complete results, visit TrackWrestling.com
www.TrackWrestling.com
In the Greco-Roman finals on Friday, Wisconsin beat Minnesota Black by criteria. In the freestyle finals on Sunday, the championship was not decided until the heavyweight bout.
Earlier on Sunday, Oklahoma defeated Delaware, Wisconsin and Missouri to earn their ticket into the finals. Pennsylvania defeated Minnesota, Illinois and New Jersey to earn their way.
The finals was a classic in which neither team led by more than five-points. There were lead changes throughout. After the 189-pound bout the score was tied at 30-30.
Pennsylvania took the early lead after 84-pounder. Nick Roberts pinned his Oklahoma foe. The Keystone State team didn't relinquish that lead until the 125-pound matchup when Oklahoma's Kyle Ash defeated Jordan Rich to put Oklahoma ahead, 14-13.
The lead changed hands, and at the 152-pounds, the match score was Oklahoma 25, Pennsylvania 20. The 152-pound bout lived up to high anticipation. It featured Zachary Skates of Oklahoma pitted agains Mark Havers of Pennsylvania.
Earlier, Havers eliminated a very tough John Guzzo of New Jersey to swing the momentum in that dual. Both Havers and Skates were undefeated coming into this match. It would take three periods to decide it but Havers beat Skates, 2-0, 1-2, 1-0.
Equally as impressive was Oklahoma's undefeated Ronnie Balfour's win over previously undefeated Kenneth Courts of Pennsylvania at 160 pounds. That match went the full three periods, 3-8, 7-3, 4-3.
The critical matchup that changed momentum towards Oklahoma was the 215-pound bout. Max Adair of Oklahoma was spotting Brandon Clark of Pennsylvania over 30 pounds.
Adair had lost a few matches during his twodays of freestyle but he managed to win the first-period, 1-0. In the second-frame, Adair and Clark continued their battle. There was a lot on the line and the tension was intense. A scramble ensued … was it Adair? … was it Clark? … suddenly Adair put Clark on his back and earned the dramatic pin!
Pennsylvania won the heavyweight bout, when Brian Beattie beat B.J. Evans, 2-0, 2-0, but it was not enough. Team Oklahoma earned the National Championship title after the heavyweight bout, with the final score, Oklahoma 35, Pennsylvania 32.
New Jersey went on to defeat Missouri 48-25, to finish third.
CADET NATIONAL FREESTYLE DUALS
At Oklahoma City, Okla., June 28-29
Championship Results
1st Place - Oklahoma 1
2nd Place - Pennsylvania A
3rd Place - New Jersey
4th Place - Missouri 1
5th Place - Wisconsin
6th Place - Minnesota 1
7th Place - Illinois
8th Place - Delaware
1st Place Match - Oklahoma 1 defeated Pennsylvania A 35-33.
3rd Place Match - New Jersey defeated Missouri 1 48-25.
5th Place Match - Wisconsin defeated Minnesota 1 39-27.
7th Place Match - Illinois defeated Delaware 39-33.
Consolation Results
1st Place - Iowa
2nd Place - New York
Click here for Cadet National Duals All-Tournament Team
For complete results, visit TrackWrestling.com
www.TrackWrestling.com
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