Familiar names highlight USA Wrestling Folkstyle Nationals finals in Cadet and Junior divisions
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by Benjamin Hupke
Cedar Falls, IOWA - Blood lines.
They tend to follow you in the sport of wrestling. And Saturday's finals were no exception.
Ness, Morgan, and Tsirtsis. Last names synonymous with great wrestling tradition. Include St. John and Thielke, and you've got yourself a heavy dosage for success on the wrestling mat.
Saturday's finals at the ASICS USA Wrestling Folkstyle Nationals included multiple outstanding performances, headlined by 140 pound junior-division champion, Dylan Ness. The Minnesotan, who captured the 130 Cadet title a season ago, dominated the weight class from start to finish securing five falls. The junior from Bloomington Kennedy High School captured this year's title by pinning Iowa's Cameron Wagner in 3:54.
Fellow Minnesota native Ben Morgan (Forest Lake. MN) proved his worth, capturing the 125 pound Cadet division. The son of former Minnesota Gopher All-American and Olympian Gordy Morgan, waltzed through the division with five falls and a major decision. Morgan pinned Brandon Charbonneau (Clay Center, KS) in the championship match in 3:42.
Indiana's Jason Tsirtsis continued his family's tradition with the 130 Cadet championship by defeating Lucas Smith (Bison Wrestling, IL), 9 to 3. After a scoreless first period, the freshman from Crown Point High School opened up in the second, with a takedown and three-point near fall as the period expired. Tsirtsis, with his older brother Alex (an Iowa Hawkeye All-American) in his corner, managed another takedown in the third to secure the championship. It was the second championship in less than month for the young Tsirtsis, who won the Indiana State tournament this past season at 125 pounds.
"It was awesome having Alex in my corner," the youngest Tsirtsis said. "He's a great coach, and having him here at this tournament really boosted my confidence."
Iowa's Derek St. John made his own statement at 160 pounds of the junior division The Iowa Hawkeye recruit scored an impressive 26-11 technical fall over Team Indiana's Ryan Kolb in the final. St. John finished the tournament without yielding an offensive point against him, tallying six technical falls, and outscoring the opposition 130-38.
"Derek needed additional time on the mat in preparation for Junior Filas in Vegas next week," Iowa City West Coach Mark Reiland said. "I thought this tournament was a good indication of what Derek can do. He wrestled very well."
Wisconsin's Jesse Thielke could likewise make the claim as the tournament's best. Thielke's dominated the 119 Junior division, surrendering just one point the entire tournament. Thielke captured his second straight ASICS Folkstyle National title defeating Alex Gregory (Penn Wrestling, IN) by technical fall, 16-0.
In one of the tournament's most hotly contested championship matches, Iowa's Cory Clark defeated Michigan's Freddie Rodriguez, 3 to 1 in OT.
Clark lead 1-0 late in the third, before a third caution on Clark, yielded the tying point to knot the score at 1-1, with 12 seconds remaining. Clark rode Rodriguez the remainder of the period to force overtime.
Clark managed a well-executed go-behind to secure a big 3-1 sudden overtime victory.
"I knew if I could keep him off my head and control the tie, I could take him down," Clark gasped.
It was the first folkstyle victory for Clark over Rodriguez, in their young rivaled career.
Competition in the four Kids divisions-Bantam, Midget, Novice and Schoolboy begin Saturday afternoon with the finals concluding this year's tournament on Sunday.
UNI-Dome fills up this season with 25 mats
The UNI-Dome, located on the University of Northern Iowa campus, continues to be regarded as one of the elite wrestling venues in the country. The UNI-Dome also serves as the host for the traditional National Duals, which features the best in collegiate wrestling for all collegiate divisions. 25 mats outlay the surface of the UNI-Dome allowing the prestigious Folkstyle Nationals to occur. This year's tournament attracted 2395 participants over the three-day event.
CADET FOLKSTYLE FINAL ROUND RESULTS
Cadet 84 - Jarred Oftedahl (MN-Pinnacle Wrestling Club) pinned Nkosi Moody (IL-Harvey Twisters), 2:21
Cadet 91 - Bobby Nachreiner (WI-Ringers) dec. Colton Howell (MO-Bolivar Wrestling Association), 4-2
Cadet 98 - Cory Clark (IA-S.E.P.) dec. Freddie Rodriguez (MI-Holt Wrestling Club), 3-1
Cadet 105 - Derek Elmore (IL-Harlem Huskies) dec. Hunter Weber (WI-Advance School of Wrestling), 4-0
Cadet 112- Kyle Langenderfer (IL-Orland Park Pioneer Wrestling) dec. Josh Bennett (IL-Bulls Wrestling Club), 1-0
Cadet 119 - Dakota Trom (MN-Apple Valley) pinned Brandon Sorensen (IA-Cedar Valley Mat Club), 1:15
Cadet 125 - Ben Morgan (MN-Forest Lake Rangers) pinned Brandon Charbonneau (KS-Clay Center), 3:42
Cadet 130 - Jason Tsirtsis (IN-C.I.A.) dec. Lucas Smith (IL-Bison Wrestling Club), 9-3
Cadet 135 - Oliver Pierce (TX-Best Trained) dec. Dan Dick (MN-Simley Wrestling), 5-1
Cadet 140 - Zachary Brunson (OR-Churchill) dec. Zach Rohr (MN-Victory School of Wrestling), 6-3
Cadet 145 - Michael Nord (ND-Mat Doggs Wrestling Club) dec. Cooper Moore (MN-Flat Earth), 9-6
Cadet 152 - Taylor Massa (MI-Massa Maniacs) pinned Britton Tompson (MT-USA Cobra Montana), 0:49
Cadet 160 - Jake Waste (MN-Pinnacle Wrestling Club) dec. Jeff Koepke (IL-Izzy Style), 5-2
Cadet 171 - Devin Peterson (WI-Wisconsin Rapids) dec. Eric Lehmann (ND-Northern Edge), 6-2
Cadet 189 - Michael Kroells (MN-Ghostriders) dec. Zack Rutt (MN-Valley Elite), 8-7
Cadet 215 - Gage Harrah (WI-Izzy Style) dec. Adam Coon (MI-W.O.W.), 8-1
Cadet 285 - Taylor Henry (WI-Viroqua) dec. Caleb White (IA-Golden Eagles Wrestling Academy), 5-1
JUNIOR FOLKSTYLE FINAL ROUND RESULTS
Junior 98 - Tim Pendleton (WI-Ringers) dec. Zac Opatz (ND-Valley City Express), 11-7
Junior 105 - Hayden Zillmer (MN-Crosby Ironton) pinned Devon Graville (IL-Bulls Wrestling Club), 1:33
Junior 112 - Jade Rauser (MT-USA Cobra Montana) dec. Ben Matthiesen (MI-Holt Wrestling Club), 6-1
Junior 119 - Jesse Thielke (WI-Ringers) won by tech. fall over Alex Gregory (IN-Penn Wrestling Club), 16-0
Junior 125 - Bronson Steuber (MN-Flat Earth) dec. Patrick Rollins (ND-Northern Edge), 3-1
Junior 130 - Justin Pollack (WI-New Lisbon) won by major decision over Jordan Kust (WI-Shawano), 18-6
Junior 135 - Nathan Vaske (IA-Cedar Hawk Wrestling Club) pinned John Calcote (LA-Scorpions), 5:16
Junior 140 - Dylan Ness (MN-Bloomington Wrestling Club) pinned Cameron Wagner (IA-Belle Paine), 3:54
Junior 145 - Steven Monk (WI-Wausau West) dec. Joey Kielbasa (IL-Overtime), 6-0
Junior 152 - Logan Storley (SD-Webster) dec. Tyler Kivel (MN-Pinnacle Wrestling Club), 7-2
Junior 160 - Derek St John (IA-Trojan Wrestling Club) won by tech. fall over Ryan Kolb (IN-Team Indiana), 26-11
Junior 171 - Joe Raygor (WI-Victory School of Wrestling) dec. Tom Davies (SD-Canton Wrestling Club), 3-1
Junior 189 - Craig Kelliher (MN-Apple Valley) dec. Ryan Garringer (IL-Overtime), 1:20
Junior 215 - Nathan Cleveland (IN-Lowell Red Devils) pinned David Lindell (MN-NRHEG), 1:31
Junior 285 - Chris Weber (WI-Ringers) dec. Cole Tobin (WI-Victory School of Wrestling), 8-6
They tend to follow you in the sport of wrestling. And Saturday's finals were no exception.
Ness, Morgan, and Tsirtsis. Last names synonymous with great wrestling tradition. Include St. John and Thielke, and you've got yourself a heavy dosage for success on the wrestling mat.
Saturday's finals at the ASICS USA Wrestling Folkstyle Nationals included multiple outstanding performances, headlined by 140 pound junior-division champion, Dylan Ness. The Minnesotan, who captured the 130 Cadet title a season ago, dominated the weight class from start to finish securing five falls. The junior from Bloomington Kennedy High School captured this year's title by pinning Iowa's Cameron Wagner in 3:54.
Fellow Minnesota native Ben Morgan (Forest Lake. MN) proved his worth, capturing the 125 pound Cadet division. The son of former Minnesota Gopher All-American and Olympian Gordy Morgan, waltzed through the division with five falls and a major decision. Morgan pinned Brandon Charbonneau (Clay Center, KS) in the championship match in 3:42.
Indiana's Jason Tsirtsis continued his family's tradition with the 130 Cadet championship by defeating Lucas Smith (Bison Wrestling, IL), 9 to 3. After a scoreless first period, the freshman from Crown Point High School opened up in the second, with a takedown and three-point near fall as the period expired. Tsirtsis, with his older brother Alex (an Iowa Hawkeye All-American) in his corner, managed another takedown in the third to secure the championship. It was the second championship in less than month for the young Tsirtsis, who won the Indiana State tournament this past season at 125 pounds.
"It was awesome having Alex in my corner," the youngest Tsirtsis said. "He's a great coach, and having him here at this tournament really boosted my confidence."
Iowa's Derek St. John made his own statement at 160 pounds of the junior division The Iowa Hawkeye recruit scored an impressive 26-11 technical fall over Team Indiana's Ryan Kolb in the final. St. John finished the tournament without yielding an offensive point against him, tallying six technical falls, and outscoring the opposition 130-38.
"Derek needed additional time on the mat in preparation for Junior Filas in Vegas next week," Iowa City West Coach Mark Reiland said. "I thought this tournament was a good indication of what Derek can do. He wrestled very well."
Wisconsin's Jesse Thielke could likewise make the claim as the tournament's best. Thielke's dominated the 119 Junior division, surrendering just one point the entire tournament. Thielke captured his second straight ASICS Folkstyle National title defeating Alex Gregory (Penn Wrestling, IN) by technical fall, 16-0.
In one of the tournament's most hotly contested championship matches, Iowa's Cory Clark defeated Michigan's Freddie Rodriguez, 3 to 1 in OT.
Clark lead 1-0 late in the third, before a third caution on Clark, yielded the tying point to knot the score at 1-1, with 12 seconds remaining. Clark rode Rodriguez the remainder of the period to force overtime.
Clark managed a well-executed go-behind to secure a big 3-1 sudden overtime victory.
"I knew if I could keep him off my head and control the tie, I could take him down," Clark gasped.
It was the first folkstyle victory for Clark over Rodriguez, in their young rivaled career.
Competition in the four Kids divisions-Bantam, Midget, Novice and Schoolboy begin Saturday afternoon with the finals concluding this year's tournament on Sunday.
UNI-Dome fills up this season with 25 mats
The UNI-Dome, located on the University of Northern Iowa campus, continues to be regarded as one of the elite wrestling venues in the country. The UNI-Dome also serves as the host for the traditional National Duals, which features the best in collegiate wrestling for all collegiate divisions. 25 mats outlay the surface of the UNI-Dome allowing the prestigious Folkstyle Nationals to occur. This year's tournament attracted 2395 participants over the three-day event.
CADET FOLKSTYLE FINAL ROUND RESULTS
Cadet 84 - Jarred Oftedahl (MN-Pinnacle Wrestling Club) pinned Nkosi Moody (IL-Harvey Twisters), 2:21
Cadet 91 - Bobby Nachreiner (WI-Ringers) dec. Colton Howell (MO-Bolivar Wrestling Association), 4-2
Cadet 98 - Cory Clark (IA-S.E.P.) dec. Freddie Rodriguez (MI-Holt Wrestling Club), 3-1
Cadet 105 - Derek Elmore (IL-Harlem Huskies) dec. Hunter Weber (WI-Advance School of Wrestling), 4-0
Cadet 112- Kyle Langenderfer (IL-Orland Park Pioneer Wrestling) dec. Josh Bennett (IL-Bulls Wrestling Club), 1-0
Cadet 119 - Dakota Trom (MN-Apple Valley) pinned Brandon Sorensen (IA-Cedar Valley Mat Club), 1:15
Cadet 125 - Ben Morgan (MN-Forest Lake Rangers) pinned Brandon Charbonneau (KS-Clay Center), 3:42
Cadet 130 - Jason Tsirtsis (IN-C.I.A.) dec. Lucas Smith (IL-Bison Wrestling Club), 9-3
Cadet 135 - Oliver Pierce (TX-Best Trained) dec. Dan Dick (MN-Simley Wrestling), 5-1
Cadet 140 - Zachary Brunson (OR-Churchill) dec. Zach Rohr (MN-Victory School of Wrestling), 6-3
Cadet 145 - Michael Nord (ND-Mat Doggs Wrestling Club) dec. Cooper Moore (MN-Flat Earth), 9-6
Cadet 152 - Taylor Massa (MI-Massa Maniacs) pinned Britton Tompson (MT-USA Cobra Montana), 0:49
Cadet 160 - Jake Waste (MN-Pinnacle Wrestling Club) dec. Jeff Koepke (IL-Izzy Style), 5-2
Cadet 171 - Devin Peterson (WI-Wisconsin Rapids) dec. Eric Lehmann (ND-Northern Edge), 6-2
Cadet 189 - Michael Kroells (MN-Ghostriders) dec. Zack Rutt (MN-Valley Elite), 8-7
Cadet 215 - Gage Harrah (WI-Izzy Style) dec. Adam Coon (MI-W.O.W.), 8-1
Cadet 285 - Taylor Henry (WI-Viroqua) dec. Caleb White (IA-Golden Eagles Wrestling Academy), 5-1
JUNIOR FOLKSTYLE FINAL ROUND RESULTS
Junior 98 - Tim Pendleton (WI-Ringers) dec. Zac Opatz (ND-Valley City Express), 11-7
Junior 105 - Hayden Zillmer (MN-Crosby Ironton) pinned Devon Graville (IL-Bulls Wrestling Club), 1:33
Junior 112 - Jade Rauser (MT-USA Cobra Montana) dec. Ben Matthiesen (MI-Holt Wrestling Club), 6-1
Junior 119 - Jesse Thielke (WI-Ringers) won by tech. fall over Alex Gregory (IN-Penn Wrestling Club), 16-0
Junior 125 - Bronson Steuber (MN-Flat Earth) dec. Patrick Rollins (ND-Northern Edge), 3-1
Junior 130 - Justin Pollack (WI-New Lisbon) won by major decision over Jordan Kust (WI-Shawano), 18-6
Junior 135 - Nathan Vaske (IA-Cedar Hawk Wrestling Club) pinned John Calcote (LA-Scorpions), 5:16
Junior 140 - Dylan Ness (MN-Bloomington Wrestling Club) pinned Cameron Wagner (IA-Belle Paine), 3:54
Junior 145 - Steven Monk (WI-Wausau West) dec. Joey Kielbasa (IL-Overtime), 6-0
Junior 152 - Logan Storley (SD-Webster) dec. Tyler Kivel (MN-Pinnacle Wrestling Club), 7-2
Junior 160 - Derek St John (IA-Trojan Wrestling Club) won by tech. fall over Ryan Kolb (IN-Team Indiana), 26-11
Junior 171 - Joe Raygor (WI-Victory School of Wrestling) dec. Tom Davies (SD-Canton Wrestling Club), 3-1
Junior 189 - Craig Kelliher (MN-Apple Valley) dec. Ryan Garringer (IL-Overtime), 1:20
Junior 215 - Nathan Cleveland (IN-Lowell Red Devils) pinned David Lindell (MN-NRHEG), 1:31
Junior 285 - Chris Weber (WI-Ringers) dec. Cole Tobin (WI-Victory School of Wrestling), 8-6
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