Managing Editor
â??? I went out on the proverbial limb last week in predicting some upsets
at this past weekendâ??s team wrestling state finals. And while Perry
Meridian getting bounced by Bellmont in the opening round certainly
qualified, perennial powerhouse
Hereâ??s a review of what happened in all seven matches held Saturday at Center Grove High School â?¦ right before Johnson County
The 12th Annual IHSAA Team Wrestling State Finals are set for Feb. 24 at Center Grove High School
(Hint: It says here weâ??re gonna have a new team champion!)
In retrospect: Dâ??OH!!!!
Quarterfinals
Match 1: No. 4 Indianapolis Cathedral (27-2) vs. No. 11 Elkhart
Cathedral
opened a lot of eyes at the individual semistate by tying Perry
Meridian with six individual state finals qualifiers, but the Fighting
Irish â??? flush with nine state-ranked wrestlers â??? crowned four champions
atNew Castle
opened a lot of eyes at the individual semistate by tying Perry
Meridian with six individual state finals qualifiers, but the Fighting
Irish â??? flush with nine state-ranked wrestlers â??? crowned four champions
at
Elkhart
Memorial, which boasts five ranked wrestlers, advanced three to the
state finals. But two of them lost in the opening round, with 14th-ranked
junior Steve Stahl the only second-day participant (he finished fifth
at 145 pounds). Stahl figures to win Saturday, along with second-ranked
215-pound senior J.J. Miller.
Memorial, which boasts five ranked wrestlers, advanced three to the
state finals. But two of them lost in the opening round, with 14th-ranked
junior Steve Stahl the only second-day participant (he finished fifth
at 145 pounds). Stahl figures to win Saturday, along with second-ranked
215-pound senior J.J. Miller.
After that,
however, the matchups are either neutral or favor Cathedral, whose only
losses came early in the season to then-No. 9 Warren Central (36-25)
and No. 2 Mishawaka (more on that later). The two teams do have one
early season common foe,Munster â??? Cathedral won 52-27, while Elkhart
however, the matchups are either neutral or favor Cathedral, whose only
losses came early in the season to then-No. 9 Warren Central (36-25)
and No. 2 Mishawaka (more on that later). The two teams do have one
early season common foe,
Prediction: Despite that apparent discrepancy, look for a comfortable Irish win here.
Reality: No. 4 Indianapolis Cathedral 29, No. 11 Elkhart
In retrospect: Roger that â?¦ sort of.
I donâ??t know
if you could call a five-point deficit with only four matches to go
â??comfortable.â? But the Irish did fight through with victories from four
ranked wrestlers in those four final matches to advance.
if you could call a five-point deficit with only four matches to go
â??comfortable.â? But the Irish did fight through with victories from four
ranked wrestlers in those four final matches to advance.
Match 2: No. 1 Evansville Mater Dei (22-0) vs. Avon (15-9)
This thing has
rout written all over it. The 11-time state champion Wildcats advanced
11 wrestlers to last weekendâ??s individual finals (six of whom garnered
top-eight finishes) and boast nine ranked wrestlers, while unranked
Avon counters with, um, zero and zero.
rout written all over it. The 11-time state champion Wildcats advanced
11 wrestlers to last weekendâ??s individual finals (six of whom garnered
top-eight finishes) and boast nine ranked wrestlers, while unranked
Avon counters with, um, zero and zero.
You canâ??t
fault the Orioles for fighting their way through to their second team
finals appearance in three years (they were runners-up to Lawrence
North in 2005), but there is every reason to think they might get
blanked here. No Avon wrestler posted a top-four finish at the
individual semistate at Roberts Stadium inEvansville
fault the Orioles for fighting their way through to their second team
finals appearance in three years (they were runners-up to Lawrence
North in 2005), but there is every reason to think they might get
blanked here. No Avon wrestler posted a top-four finish at the
individual semistate at Roberts Stadium in
Just like Mater Dei, Avon
feasted on a postseason slate that included no ranked foes en route to
Center Grove. But while the Orioles slipped past Center Grove (30-28),Franklin
(31-24), and Bloomington South (28-21), Mater Dei was rolling over
Gibson Southern (80-0), Evansville Reitz (55-6), and Floyd Central
(59-9).
feasted on a postseason slate that included no ranked foes en route to
Center Grove. But while the Orioles slipped past Center Grove (30-28),
(31-24), and Bloomington South (28-21), Mater Dei was rolling over
Gibson Southern (80-0), Evansville Reitz (55-6), and Floyd Central
(59-9).
In fact, the Wildcatsâ?? closest match all year came in an out-of-state tournament in Missouri against Mt. Carmel of Chicago
Prediction: Yikes.
Reality: No. 1 Evansville Mater Dei 65, Avon 3
In retrospect: Almost perfect.
As in, Mater
Dei turned in an almost-perfect performance, and I was almost perfect
in predicting a shutout. Only a 3-2 loss in overtime at heavyweight
kept this from being a shutout, with the Wildcats putting up seven
pins, a technical fall, and three major decisions.
Dei turned in an almost-perfect performance, and I was almost perfect
in predicting a shutout. Only a 3-2 loss in overtime at heavyweight
kept this from being a shutout, with the Wildcats putting up seven
pins, a technical fall, and three major decisions.
This, it turned out, would be the only thing about Mater Dei I got right all day. My humblest of apologies to the Wildcats.
Match 3: No. 3 Perry Meridian
Perry Meridian
leads the state with 11 ranked wrestlers, four of whom brought home
top-seven finishes at last weekâ??s individual finals (including
undefeated heavyweight state champ No. 2-ranked junior Chico Adams).
The Falcons have a nice blend of youth and experience, and they
certainly can lean on last yearâ??s experience at the team finals (see
Championship below) as motivation this time around.
leads the state with 11 ranked wrestlers, four of whom brought home
top-seven finishes at last weekâ??s individual finals (including
undefeated heavyweight state champ No. 2-ranked junior Chico Adams).
The Falcons have a nice blend of youth and experience, and they
certainly can lean on last yearâ??s experience at the team finals (see
Championship below) as motivation this time around.
The Braves,
meanwhile, are YOUNG. Of Bellmontâ??s seven ranked wrestlers, six are
underclassmen â??? and all six of its individual state finals qualifiers a
week ago were either sophomores or juniors. We very possibly could be
talking about a Bellmont team title in 2008.
meanwhile, are YOUNG. Of Bellmontâ??s seven ranked wrestlers, six are
underclassmen â??? and all six of its individual state finals qualifiers a
week ago were either sophomores or juniors. We very possibly could be
talking about a Bellmont team title in 2008.
But this is
still 2007, and Perry Meridian will be out for blood following a
relatively disappointing last two weekends as well as last yearâ??s
heartbreaking early elimination by Mater Dei. The two schools do have a
pair of common opponents. Bellmont downedYorktown
50-16 in November and Bloomington South 46-27 in January, while the
Falcons posted 52-9 and 57-9 victories, respectively, right around
Christmastime.
still 2007, and Perry Meridian will be out for blood following a
relatively disappointing last two weekends as well as last yearâ??s
heartbreaking early elimination by Mater Dei. The two schools do have a
pair of common opponents. Bellmont downed
50-16 in November and Bloomington South 46-27 in January, while the
Falcons posted 52-9 and 57-9 victories, respectively, right around
Christmastime.
Prediction:
Perry Meridian will be salivating at a possible semifinals/finals slate
of No. 2 Mishawaka and No. 1 Mater Dei, but the Falcons will NOT be
looking past No. 8 here.
Perry Meridian will be salivating at a possible semifinals/finals slate
of No. 2 Mishawaka and No. 1 Mater Dei, but the Falcons will NOT be
looking past No. 8 here.
Reality: No. 8 Bellmont 28, No. 3 Perry Meridian
In retrospect: The Falcons did an excellent job of not looking ahead â?¦ until about that 11th match when â?¦ oh, the horror â?¦
Perry led
Bellmont 28-10 after the 119-pound weight class, but Bellmont came
rolling back with a pair of pins and two decisions to tie the match at
28. Amazingly, the sixth level of criteria lifted the Braves to the
upset.
Bellmont 28-10 after the 119-pound weight class, but Bellmont came
rolling back with a pair of pins and two decisions to tie the match at
28. Amazingly, the sixth level of criteria lifted the Braves to the
upset.
This was a
collapse of catastrophic proportions for Perry. Breaking away from a
10-all tie with victories by three of its four state placewinners (a
6-2 win by heavyweight champion junior Chico Adams followed by pins
from 103 freshman Jacob Tonte and 112 junior Jimmy Schoettle), the
Falcons jacked the lead to 18 when third-ranked junior Brian Vest
blanked No. 6 Derek Nelson 4-zip at 119.
collapse of catastrophic proportions for Perry. Breaking away from a
10-all tie with victories by three of its four state placewinners (a
6-2 win by heavyweight champion junior Chico Adams followed by pins
from 103 freshman Jacob Tonte and 112 junior Jimmy Schoettle), the
Falcons jacked the lead to 18 when third-ranked junior Brian Vest
blanked No. 6 Derek Nelson 4-zip at 119.
Tied at 1-1 in the third period at 125 after junior Glen Fieldsâ?? escape, this was all but in the bank, right? RIGHT?!?!
Wrong. Bellmont sophomore Will Sheets scored a takedown, then pinned Fields at 4:56.
After 16th-ranked
sophomore Jacob Tassef nailed a takedown and two near-fall points to
start the match at 130, Bellmont senior Jeff Heller reversed him and
got the quick stick â??? IN 31 SECONDS.
sophomore Jacob Tassef nailed a takedown and two near-fall points to
start the match at 130, Bellmont senior Jeff Heller reversed him and
got the quick stick â??? IN 31 SECONDS.
When Bellmont
junior Doug Linthicum upset No. 18 junior Nathan Clem 7-3 at 135, the
match score was suddenly 28-25. It would come down to a ranked battle
at 140 between No. 25 junior John Leonard of Perry Meridian and No. 23
Bellmont senior Alex Hackman.
junior Doug Linthicum upset No. 18 junior Nathan Clem 7-3 at 135, the
match score was suddenly 28-25. It would come down to a ranked battle
at 140 between No. 25 junior John Leonard of Perry Meridian and No. 23
Bellmont senior Alex Hackman.
No worries, Falcon fans. After an early takedown by Hackman, Leonard responded with a reversal and not just one but two
three-point near falls to lead by a commanding 8-2 after one period.
The lead grew to 9-2 in the second when Leonard escaped â?¦ and then the
impossible happened.
three-point near falls to lead by a commanding 8-2 after one period.
The lead grew to 9-2 in the second when Leonard escaped â?¦ and then the
impossible happened.
Takedown,
Hackman. Two near-fall points, Hackman. A penalty point for stalling to
Hackman, making it 9-7, Leonard, heading into the third period. All he
had to do was avoid getting put on his back for an extended period of
time â?¦
Hackman. Two near-fall points, Hackman. A penalty point for stalling to
Hackman, making it 9-7, Leonard, heading into the third period. All he
had to do was avoid getting put on his back for an extended period of
time â?¦
Dâ??OH!
Hackmanâ??s three near-fall points gave him the lead at 10-9, and he led
on to come all the way back from that 9-2 deficit and draw Bellmont
into a tie at 28. Enter Mr. Criteria, a dude so confusing that weâ??re
not even going to try to explain him.
Hackmanâ??s three near-fall points gave him the lead at 10-9, and he led
on to come all the way back from that 9-2 deficit and draw Bellmont
into a tie at 28. Enter Mr. Criteria, a dude so confusing that weâ??re
not even going to try to explain him.
Just call it karma.
Match 4: No. 2 Mishawaka (27-0) vs. No. 6 Merrillville
The sexiest showdown of the first-round quarterfinals, this bad boy features a total of 15 ranked wrestlers: eight for Mishawaka and seven for Merrillville
It also boasts THREE undefeated state champions in the Cavemenâ??s
second-ranked sophomore Josh Harper (112) and No. 1 senior Ian Hinton
(189) â??? both two-time winners â??? as well asMerrillville
It also boasts THREE undefeated state champions in the Cavemenâ??s
second-ranked sophomore Josh Harper (112) and No. 1 senior Ian Hinton
(189) â??? both two-time winners â??? as well as
But Mishawaka
appears to have the better depth (barely), witnessed by seven
individual state finalists (six of whom earned top-five finishes)
compared with five and four for the Pirates. And of their six common
opponents, the two schoolsâ?? outcome in a four-day span against powerful
Crown Point Mishawaka rolled to a 44-15 victory, while Merrillville
appears to have the better depth (barely), witnessed by seven
individual state finalists (six of whom earned top-five finishes)
compared with five and four for the Pirates. And of their six common
opponents, the two schoolsâ?? outcome in a four-day span against powerful
Adding fuel to that argument is the fact that three of Merrillville â??s seven ranked wrestlers failed to make it past the Merrillville Semistate
Prediction: Advantage, Mishawaka
Reality: No. 2 Mishawaka 36, No. 6 Merrillville
In retrospect: Roger that.
escaped here largely on a pair of upsets by unranked juniors over
fourth-place state finishers, the first coming at 152 as Caleb Norville
decisioned No. 11 senior Kyle Morris 7-2 and the second a 4-1 win at
171 as Brandon Straub shocked second-raked Joe Wing.
Those unexpected Ws, along with victories by seven higher-ranked Mishawaka
Semifinals
Prediction: No. 4 Cathedral vs. No. 1 Mater Dei
The Fighting
Irish faced a best-of-the best regular-season schedule against about 10
ranked teams, while Mater Dei had to go outsideIndiana
Irish faced a best-of-the best regular-season schedule against about 10
ranked teams, while Mater Dei had to go outside
The Wildcats
feature a lineup with eight seniors, five juniors, and just one
sophomore, while Cathedral counters with six seniors but only two
juniors â??? the rest are either sophomores (four) or freshmen (two). More apples, more oranges? Definitely.
feature a lineup with eight seniors, five juniors, and just one
sophomore, while Cathedral counters with six seniors but only two
juniors â??? the rest are either sophomores (four) or freshmen (two). More apples, more oranges? Definitely.
But the Irish
youngâ??uns are good youngâ??uns. And with a seemingly even lineup of stars
â??? six top-eight individual state finals finishers for Mater Dei, five
top-six finishers for Cathedral â??? it appears that the Irish could
possibly take up to eight of 14 semifinal head-to-head bouts. It
all depends on how much juice Cathedral has after battling Elkhart
Memorial, because that factor should not apply in the least to Mater
Deiâ??s fray withAvon .
youngâ??uns are good youngâ??uns. And with a seemingly even lineup of stars
â??? six top-eight individual state finals finishers for Mater Dei, five
top-six finishers for Cathedral â??? it appears that the Irish could
possibly take up to eight of 14 semifinal head-to-head bouts. It
all depends on how much juice Cathedral has after battling Elkhart
Memorial, because that factor should not apply in the least to Mater
Deiâ??s fray with
If the Irish
can get over the psychological juggernaut attached to ELEVEN â?¦ STATE â?¦
TITLES â?¦ then they have the talent to pull the upset. For some
unexplainable reason (could it be those five first-round losses at
Conseco?), there appears to be an ever-so-slight ***** in Mater Deiâ??s
armor.
can get over the psychological juggernaut attached to ELEVEN â?¦ STATE â?¦
TITLES â?¦ then they have the talent to pull the upset. For some
unexplainable reason (could it be those five first-round losses at
Conseco?), there appears to be an ever-so-slight ***** in Mater Deiâ??s
armor.
Cathedral will find that weak spot and pull the upset, by perhaps the very slimmest of margins.
Reality: No. 1 Evansville Mater Dei 39, No. 4 Indianapolis
In
ruh-rohspect: Never bet against a champion. Especially one thatâ??s won
11 state titles and brings a boatload of fans three hours north and has
its own cheer section.
ruh-rohspect: Never bet against a champion. Especially one thatâ??s won
11 state titles and brings a boatload of fans three hours north and has
its own cheer section.
This is what
Cathedral gets for my having picked them. Upon arrival at Center Grove,
it took me the entire heavyweight match to figure out how to read the
main scoreboard. (Thatâ??s what happens when 40-year-olds donâ??t get their
Saturday coffee!) When senior Andrew Hemmerleinâ??s 4-3 overtime decision
gave the Irish a tie with Mater Dei at 10, I headed upstairs to join
the webcast crew of Dave Grenoble and Nick Antey.
Cathedral gets for my having picked them. Upon arrival at Center Grove,
it took me the entire heavyweight match to figure out how to read the
main scoreboard. (Thatâ??s what happens when 40-year-olds donâ??t get their
Saturday coffee!) When senior Andrew Hemmerleinâ??s 4-3 overtime decision
gave the Irish a tie with Mater Dei at 10, I headed upstairs to join
the webcast crew of Dave Grenoble and Nick Antey.
As I was
seated, Cathedral got decked. Junior Cody Mollâ??s pin at 3:39 of
Cathedral freshman Sammy Oskins (oh how the Irish could have used state
runner-up frosh Brandon Wright in this one) started a three-match run
by the Wildcats that went fall, decision, fall and made it 25-10. No.
16 sophomore Calvin Sullivanâ??s 16-5 major decision over Zeke Zenthoefer
stopped the bleeding momentarily for the Irish.
seated, Cathedral got decked. Junior Cody Mollâ??s pin at 3:39 of
Cathedral freshman Sammy Oskins (oh how the Irish could have used state
runner-up frosh Brandon Wright in this one) started a three-match run
by the Wildcats that went fall, decision, fall and made it 25-10. No.
16 sophomore Calvin Sullivanâ??s 16-5 major decision over Zeke Zenthoefer
stopped the bleeding momentarily for the Irish.
But upsets of two Cathedral 10th-ranked wrestlers at 130 and 135 clinched a finals gig for Mater Dei.
Mmmm, humble pie tastes yummeeeeeeee â?¦
Prediction: No. 3 Perry Meridian vs. No. 2 Mishawaka
Zowie. Can you ask for a better pair of semifinal showdowns? (â??NO!â? would be the answer, thank you.)
These two
schools spent the entire season tucked in behind Mater Dei at Nos. 2
and 3, with Mishawaka leapfrogging Perry Meridian in the second
coachesâ?? poll and staying there ever since. Now the Cavemen get the
chance to prove that slight superiority.
schools spent the entire season tucked in behind Mater Dei at Nos. 2
and 3, with Mishawaka leapfrogging Perry Meridian in the second
coachesâ?? poll and staying there ever since. Now the Cavemen get the
chance to prove that slight superiority.
As mentioned
earlier, the Falcons led everyone with 11 ranked wrestlers at seasonâ??s
end. But only two of them managed to finish among the top six in the
state last weekend, while Mishawaka had a half dozen in the top five.
earlier, the Falcons led everyone with 11 ranked wrestlers at seasonâ??s
end. But only two of them managed to finish among the top six in the
state last weekend, while Mishawaka had a half dozen in the top five.
Sure, only three of Mishawaka
starting 14 are seniors, but this is a program that knows how to come
up big (a state title in 1991, a runner-up finish in 2000, eight
straight team finals appearances). And Perry Meridian, which has been
the bridesmaid twice (2002, 2004) in addition to six team finals
appearances in the last eight years, also starts only three seniors. So
thatâ??s a wash.
starting 14 are seniors, but this is a program that knows how to come
up big (a state title in 1991, a runner-up finish in 2000, eight
straight team finals appearances). And Perry Meridian, which has been
the bridesmaid twice (2002, 2004) in addition to six team finals
appearances in the last eight years, also starts only three seniors. So
thatâ??s a wash.
The two powerhouses shared three common opponents this year: Bloomington South, Portage , and Crown Point Mishawaka
Advantage, Mishawaka
Thereâ??s something to be said for momentum, and Mishawaka Darrick Snyder â??s Cavemen to carry their collective club triumphantly.
Reality: No. 2 Mishawaka
In retrospect: Well, at least I got that momentum thang right, eh?
lucked out here as the Cavemen got to face a Bellmont squad that had
nowhere to go but down following its unbelievable comeback spanking of
Perry Meridian. Despite two-time state champ Josh Harperâ??s first loss â???
EVER â??? by a 4-0 score at 119 to sixth-ranked Derek Nelson,
Championship
Prediction: No. 4 Cathedral vs. No. 2 Mishawaka
Now this is some seriously
successful seeding! Unlike last year, when top-ranked Mater Dei faced
its two toughest opponents (sliding past No. 2 Perry Meridian, 25-23,
in the opener before disposing of fourth-rankedMishawaka
31-25, in the semifinals) before rolling over Bellmont 39-15 in the
finals, the 2007 team finals could see No. 1 vs. No. 2 in the
championship.
successful seeding! Unlike last year, when top-ranked Mater Dei faced
its two toughest opponents (sliding past No. 2 Perry Meridian, 25-23,
in the opener before disposing of fourth-ranked
31-25, in the semifinals) before rolling over Bellmont 39-15 in the
finals, the 2007 team finals could see No. 1 vs. No. 2 in the
championship.
But it wonâ??t.
Instead we get No. 1 upsetter vs. No. 2, and a dandy it should be. Both
teams should be completely pooped after two go-rounds against tough
competition, so it may come down to the intangibles. Like, say, success
in previous team state finals competitions versus just the experience
of getting there.
Instead we get No. 1 upsetter vs. No. 2, and a dandy it should be. Both
teams should be completely pooped after two go-rounds against tough
competition, so it may come down to the intangibles. Like, say, success
in previous team state finals competitions versus just the experience
of getting there.
And never mind the common-opponent theory. This is a rematch of a Dec. 9 battle at the Chris Traicoff Invitational at Calumet won 32-25 by the Cavemen.
Final advantage, Mishawaka
Mishawaka,
behind its pair of two-time individual state champions leading the way
with a combined two-year record of 136-0, celebrates its second-ever
team state championship with a tight victory â?¦ film at 11.
behind its pair of two-time individual state champions leading the way
with a combined two-year record of 136-0, celebrates its second-ever
team state championship with a tight victory â?¦ film at 11.
Reality: No. 1 Evansville Mater Dei 31, No. 2 Mishawaka
In ruh-rohspect, part deaux: Mater Dei is â??pretty gosh-dangâ? good.
If you ask my HoosierAuthority.com partner Mike McGraw
about Goebel, he will practically fall over himself (inside joke)
talking a bout what a superb human being Mater Dei coach Mike Goebel is.
about Goebel, he will practically fall over himself (inside joke)
talking a bout what a superb human being Mater Dei coach Mike Goebel is.
Wrestling coach. Football coach. Standout teacher. Involved in local government. All-around nice guy.
Turns out heâ??s pretty smart, too. And gutsy.
Who else would trot out a 7-2 unranked reserve wrestler to open
the state championship match â??? AND was moving up a weight class from
152 to 160 â??? against a kid who had just finished fifth in the
individual state finals a week earlier?
the state championship match â??? AND was moving up a weight class from
152 to 160 â??? against a kid who had just finished fifth in the
individual state finals a week earlier?
The maneuver worked to perfection as junior Stephan Lovelace â??? starting in place of 11th-ranked senior Frank Fabiano â??? flipped Mishawaka
â??Stephan came in at 160 and did a great job,â? Goebel said. â??Heâ??s more of a â??big-playâ?? wrestler, so we put him in there.
Said Mishawaka Darrick Snyder :
â??One-sixty killed us. You canâ??t tell me we wouldnâ??t beat them nine of
out 10 or all 10 if we wrestled again. That was a tough loss.â?
â??One-sixty killed us. You canâ??t tell me we wouldnâ??t beat them nine of
out 10 or all 10 if we wrestled again. That was a tough loss.â?
The shocking
upset sent the sizable Mater Dei contingent into hysteria and signaled
a pattern for the rest of the match: Mater Dei would do whatever it
took to defend its team title.
upset sent the sizable Mater Dei contingent into hysteria and signaled
a pattern for the rest of the match: Mater Dei would do whatever it
took to defend its team title.
At 171, senior
Ben Fleming registered one of Mater Deiâ??s trademark late-in-the-period
takedowns with 8.4 seconds left in the opening period. That was enough
to lift him to a 3-1 victory overMishawaka
Ben Fleming registered one of Mater Deiâ??s trademark late-in-the-period
takedowns with 8.4 seconds left in the opening period. That was enough
to lift him to a 3-1 victory over
Two-time
defending state champion senior Ian Hinton needed a big victory at 189
to get the Cavemen back in it. But his fifth-ranked foe (and
fourth-place winner at state), junior Jake Schneider, did a solid job
of avoiding getting on his back, and Hintonâ??s 11-4 decision drew
Mishawaka only three points closer at 9-3.
defending state champion senior Ian Hinton needed a big victory at 189
to get the Cavemen back in it. But his fifth-ranked foe (and
fourth-place winner at state), junior Jake Schneider, did a solid job
of avoiding getting on his back, and Hintonâ??s 11-4 decision drew
Mishawaka only three points closer at 9-3.
junior Dave Balentine scored the first takedown at 215, but Mater Dei
senior Zach Goebelâ??s high-risk, high-reward style frustrated him the
entire six minutes as Goebel held on for a 7-4 decision to make it
12-3, MD.
At heavyweight, Mater Dei junior Brad Niemeier again did a fine job of avoiding surrendering back points against 11th-ranked
junior Randy Morin, another fourth-place finisher at state. Morinâ??s 6-1
decision again brought the Cavemen within six, 12-6.
junior Randy Morin, another fourth-place finisher at state. Morinâ??s 6-1
decision again brought the Cavemen within six, 12-6.
Two of the next three matches went into overtime, and Mishawaka
The battle at 103 was the best of the finals, with Mater Dei junior Cody Moll going up against Mishawaka
freshman Paul Beck. This seesaw battle featured three ties and three
lead changes, with Beck scoring a controversial, barely in-bounds
reversal just 17 seconds ahead of the buzzer to send it into OT at 7-7.
freshman Paul Beck. This seesaw battle featured three ties and three
lead changes, with Beck scoring a controversial, barely in-bounds
reversal just 17 seconds ahead of the buzzer to send it into OT at 7-7.
Nobody scored
in either the one-minute OT session or the first 30-second tiebreaker,
but Moll was down to start the second tiebreaker. With both diminutive
wrestlers exhausted, Moll was able to get an escape with just :04 on
the clock to make it 15-6, Wildcats.
in either the one-minute OT session or the first 30-second tiebreaker,
but Moll was down to start the second tiebreaker. With both diminutive
wrestlers exhausted, Moll was able to get an escape with just :04 on
the clock to make it 15-6, Wildcats.
Next up was a battle of No. 1 vs. No. 2 as Mater Deiâ??s top-ranked senior Sean Herron took on Mishawaka
two-time defending state champ, second-ranked Josh Harper, in a rematch
of the 112 individual quarterfinal won 2-0 by Harper. Once again Herron
was unable to score, but he continued the trend of not getting into big
trouble. Harperâ??s 4-0 decision once more broughtMishawaka
two-time defending state champ, second-ranked Josh Harper, in a rematch
of the 112 individual quarterfinal won 2-0 by Harper. Once again Herron
was unable to score, but he continued the trend of not getting into big
trouble. Harperâ??s 4-0 decision once more brought
â??Iâ??ve got the
greatest respect for Hinton and Harper, and we were able to keep them
to a decision,â? said coach Goebel. â??So that was certainly important.
greatest respect for Hinton and Harper, and we were able to keep them
to a decision,â? said coach Goebel. â??So that was certainly important.
The level of comp dropped only slightly for the 112 match between Mishawaka
third-ranked senior Nick Wiesjahn and Mater Dei No. 10 junior Alex
Weinzapfel. This defensive struggle saw an escape apiece at the end of
regulation, and again no points were scored in OT.
third-ranked senior Nick Wiesjahn and Mater Dei No. 10 junior Alex
Weinzapfel. This defensive struggle saw an escape apiece at the end of
regulation, and again no points were scored in OT.
In the down
position to start the first tiebreaker, Wiesjahn was awarded a penalty
point when Weinzapfel was whistled for his third caution, and he
escaped quickly just four seconds later to take a 3-1 lead. After
riding Weinzapfel out in the second tiebreak session,Mishawaka
position to start the first tiebreaker, Wiesjahn was awarded a penalty
point when Weinzapfel was whistled for his third caution, and he
escaped quickly just four seconds later to take a 3-1 lead. After
riding Weinzapfel out in the second tiebreak session,
It should be
noted that, for the fourth time in the match, Mater Dei had dropped a
match it was supposed to lose â??? but by the smallest of margins. Fans
unaware of the impending sleet outside sensed thatMishawaka
noted that, for the fourth time in the match, Mater Dei had dropped a
match it was supposed to lose â??? but by the smallest of margins. Fans
unaware of the impending sleet outside sensed that
For the second
time in the finals, it would come down to one of Mater Deiâ??s unranked
warriors to step up LARGE. Nursing that three-point lead, 125-pound
sophomore Zeke Zenthoefer â??? he of the 15 losses, tied for most on the
team â??? sent the Wildcats crowd into delirium with a pin of Mishawaka
junior Anthony Lewis at 3:24.
time in the finals, it would come down to one of Mater Deiâ??s unranked
warriors to step up LARGE. Nursing that three-point lead, 125-pound
sophomore Zeke Zenthoefer â??? he of the 15 losses, tied for most on the
team â??? sent the Wildcats crowd into delirium with a pin of Mishawaka
junior Anthony Lewis at 3:24.
â??We gave up
too many falls and lost too many swing matches,â? said a clearly upset
Snyder. â??Iâ??m sick of finishing second and third. Iâ??m sick of losing and
I donâ??t buy into that silver lining ****.â?
too many falls and lost too many swing matches,â? said a clearly upset
Snyder. â??Iâ??m sick of finishing second and third. Iâ??m sick of losing and
I donâ??t buy into that silver lining ****.â?
With four
ranked wrestlers and a former third-place state finals finisher on deck
for the Wildcats, the fat lady showed her affinity for Canadian rock
when she began singing Rush as the scoreboard flashed 21-12.
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ranked wrestlers and a former third-place state finals finisher on deck
for the Wildcats, the fat lady showed her affinity for Canadian rock
when she began singing Rush as the scoreboard flashed 21-12.
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<!–[endif]–>
The Mater Dei lead grew to 24-12 when 11th-ranked senior Jerry Parkinson scored a late first-period takedown of Mishawaka
The Cavemen
cut it to nine at 24-15, however, when No. 20 sophomore Steven Sandefer
broke a 3-3 tie with a second-period takedown and held off junior Drew
Lappe, 5-3, at 135. Lappe took third in the 2006 state finals at 130
but has been hindered all year with a sprained ankle, and his game
effort was appreciated by the Wildcat throng.
cut it to nine at 24-15, however, when No. 20 sophomore Steven Sandefer
broke a 3-3 tie with a second-period takedown and held off junior Drew
Lappe, 5-3, at 135. Lappe took third in the 2006 state finals at 130
but has been hindered all year with a sprained ankle, and his game
effort was appreciated by the Wildcat throng.
An upset at
140 drew the Cavemen within a half dozen for the last time at 24-18
when sophomore Joey Smith got Mishawakaâ??s first â??? and only â??? near-fall
points of the night when he reversed 11th-ranked senior Andy Siebert and picked up a pair of back points in the second period, then held on for a 7-5 decision.
140 drew the Cavemen within a half dozen for the last time at 24-18
when sophomore Joey Smith got Mishawakaâ??s first â??? and only â??? near-fall
points of the night when he reversed 11th-ranked senior Andy Siebert and picked up a pair of back points in the second period, then held on for a 7-5 decision.
But all that
meant was that Mater Dei would bring out its highly ranked senior duo
of fourth-ranked Nick Dewig and No. 3 Chris DeWitt to seal the deal.
Dewig â??? the state runner-up at 145 â??? got the job done with a 13-5 major
decision over Mishawaka 23rd-ranked junior Brandon Mersich, scoring a takedown with two seconds left in the first period to take a commanding 6-2 lead.
meant was that Mater Dei would bring out its highly ranked senior duo
of fourth-ranked Nick Dewig and No. 3 Chris DeWitt to seal the deal.
Dewig â??? the state runner-up at 145 â??? got the job done with a 13-5 major
decision over Mishawaka 23rd-ranked junior Brandon Mersich, scoring a takedown with two seconds left in the first period to take a commanding 6-2 lead.
â??Itâ??s really fitting that Dewig sealed it because he broke his hand last week (in the 145-pound state championship loss to Merrillville
DeWitt, a
seventh-place finisher at Conseco, then roared back from a 4-2 deficit
after two periods at 145 with a reversal, takedown, and three back
points to win 9-5.
seventh-place finisher at Conseco, then roared back from a 4-2 deficit
after two periods at 145 with a reversal, takedown, and three back
points to win 9-5.
Your final: Mater Dei 31, Mishawaka
â??I **** losing to Mater Dei, but I respect the heck out of â??em,â? Snyder said. â??Theyâ??re pretty gosh-dang good.â?
On the other side, a joyful Goebel was asked if winning state title after state title ever gets old.
â??I donâ??t know how this could ever get old,â? he said â??This group of seniors â?¦ I just love their leadership. Iâ??ve known â??em since they were in diapers!
â??This is the way it should be â??? the two best programs in the state slugging it out.â?
Amen.
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