Oklahoma out of contention for the title, but still impressing at Freestyle Nationals

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Oklahome Outlaws got off to a great start Friday morning at the Junior Freestyle Duals, but saw their shot at threepeating for the Title fall short. The back-to-back defending National Champions had no problem blowing past South Dakota 55-11, Iowa Blue 52-17, and Utah Blue 47-18, but met their match in the top-seeded Minnesota Red team.

Beginning at 106 pounds, Oklahoma went on a run in the low weights taking a 16-1 lead with wins from Wyatt Adams, Colt Newton, Dalton Duffield, and Daton Fix. Minnesota battled back, however, as Brent Jones teched Jacob Butler 13-2 and Mitchell Mckee won a huge victory in taking down nationally ranked No. 4 Kaden Gfeller with a 7-4 decision. Alex Crowe also overcame one of Oklahoma’s biggest contenders in a 4-3 decision over Beau Guffey.

Jaryn Curry broke up the win streak with a 12-2 tech fall over Ryan Epps, but Minnesota got right back on the horse with a huge 11-7 win over Wyatt Sheets from Jake Allar. Lucas Jeske got the upper end of a 24-20 shootout with Dayton Garrett, Taylor Venz teched Bear Hughes 12-2, Owen Webster teched Zach Marcheselli 14-3, and Keegan Moore teched Gunner Cash 10-0.

Trenton Lieurance won a 4-4 decision over Sam Erckenbrack, but Matthew Peterson finished up the battle for Minnesota with a 13-2 tech fall over Riley Weir and Oklahoma was defeated 35-31.

In the first round of the Gold/Silver pool, the Outlaws were trumped once again, this time by Illinois.

Louie Hayes won a high-scoring 16-12 decision over Jet Taylor to start the dual. Duffield took the lead for Oklahoma with a 12-1 tech over Travis Piotrowski and Fix added to it with a 10-0 defeat of Gabriel Townsell.

Illinois surged right back to the top with a 7-2 decision from Jaime Hernandez over Jaxen Gilmore and A.J. Jaffe teched Guffey 10-0. Wyatt Sheets took down Shayne Oster 10-10 to reclaim the one-point lead but Illinois went on a run with wins over Curry, Baker, Marcheselli, Matt Smith, and Gage Johnson. With the dual clinched, Illinois forfeited the final three weights for a 37-31 victory.

Oklahoma fends off Pennsylvania to remain undefeated at Junior Dual Nationals

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Oklahoma Outlaws got off to a great start at the 2016 Junior Dual Nationals Wednesday morning. In the first round of pool play they dominated Team Georgia 68-2, winning every match. Their next opponent would be far tougher, but the home team still got the win 38-30. 

The first match was a slow starter as State Champion Jacob Butler (Elgin) and Cary Palmer seemed fairly matched, but midway through the second period Butler got the tech fall with a massive bomb.

Pennsylvania responded quickly as Wyatt Long went the distance for a 4-2 upset over State Champion Jaxen Gilmore of Yukon. The Keystone State boasted an impressive roster of Nationally ranked wrestlers, but that didn't intimidate Brik Filippo. The State Champion from Tuttle took a small 1-0 lead over No.6 Sam Sasso into the second half and won the match with a 6-1 decision.

Sand Springs junior Payton Scott had a tough match in Will Kaldes and barely led at the half, but a pair of suplexes helped him to a 15-5 tech fall shortly before the end of the match.  

Pennsylvania pulled off a big win as No.17 Trent Hidlay scored a 10-0 tech fall over Jaryn Curry, a State Champion from Choctaw. No.12 Eric Hong followed it up with a 10-0 tech over State Champion Nick Mahan (Lawton) and Pennsylvania took the lead 13-12.

It looked like Oklahoma would find its feet in State Champ Dan Baker (Sulphur) as he took an 8-0 lead over Anthony Welch, but the Pennsylvania wrestler caught up Baker in a surprising 3:52 pin for the upset. 

Edmond's State Champion Zach Marcheselli received a forfeit at 195 and the Okies trailed 18-17. Zane Black bombed Tanner Hawkins (Weatherford) for a 5-0 lead midway through the first period and wrapped it up 11-1 with seventeen seconds left before the half. 

State Runner-Up Gage Johnson (Norman North) finally got the Outlaws back on track, leading Brendan Furman 7-0 at the half and finishing with a 13-2 tech fall with 37 seconds remaining. Southern Plains Regional Champ Alex Fields (Guthrie) received a forfeit and the Okies were back in the lead at 27-23.

No.16 Nationally-ranked Jaret Lane worked over State Champ Wyatt Adams (Lawton MacArthur) for a 12-0 tech fall in 1:58 to tie the dual up. Alec McDoulett (Little Axe) fell into an early 6-0 hole against Northeast Regional Champ Ryan Green, but put in work for a 10-8 decision with two matches left. 

Fargo National Champion Dalton Duffield, of Westmoore, kept the dual alive with a 12-1 tech fall over Northeast Regional Champ Zurich Storm midway through the first period and State Champion Jet Taylor (Sallisaw) finished things off with a 15-2 tech over Brandon Bach to seal the deal. 

Up next for Oklahoma will be a Pool D finals bout with Iowa. The Hawkeye State steamrolled Utah 60-7 in the first round and beat out North Dakota Blue 39-28 in the semis. Last year Oklahoma handed Iowa a solid 42-25 defeat on their way to a fourth-place finish nationally, but a lot can change in a year.

Iowa is seeded slightly ahead of Oklahoma and boasts three nationally-ranked wrestlers.

Oklahoma dominates Georgia 68-2 in Dual Nationals round one

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Team Oklahoma got off to a fast start against Team Georgia Blue in the first round of the Junior Greco-Roman Dual Nationals Wednesday morning, building up a massive lead before the wrestling even started.

Jet Taylor, Jacob Butler, and Jaxen Gilmore received forfeits for 126 to 138. Tuttle's Brik Filippo wasted no time in putting points on the board with a 10-0 tech fall over Khyree Alexander, then Sand Springs's Payton Scott took down Dustin Berry 10-0 in thirty seconds flat. Ezequiel Rubio pinned Cole White in a quick twenty then Nick Mahan teched Chandler Miele 13-2.

Bear Hughes continued the winning streak with an 11-0 tech over Devyn Villafane. Zach Marcheselli received a forfeit, Tanner Hawkins picked up a 16-6 tech fall over Richard Walker, then Trenton Lieutance, Alex Fields, and Wyatt Adams all received forfeits.  Alec McDoulett teched Brandon Foster 11-0 and Westmoore's Dalton Duffield wrapped things up with a 12-0 tech of Alex Cain for a final score of 68-2 with no matches lost.

Up next for Oklahoma is Team Pennsylvania who solidly defeated Team Kansas Red 49-12 in round one. 

9 Sandites remain at State, only slightly behind Broken Arrow and Choctaw

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The remaining Sandites have about an hour long break before the next round begins at the 6A State Championship in Oklahoma City. 

Charles Page wrestling qualified eleven for the tournament with seven Regional Champions, more than either Broken Arrow or the Dual State Champions from Choctaw. Unfortunately 220 pound junior and Regional Champion Delvin Jordan was unable to participate dropping the number to nine. 

106 freshman Riley Weir (20-12) came in third at Regionals and was pitted against Choctaw's Colt Newton (40-3) in the first round and was pinned in 0:41. From there he was majored 14-4 by Yukon's Braden Fowler and eliminated. 

113 Regional Champion Michael Ritchey (22-16) was defeated in round one by Westmoore's Wes Hardin (31-11) by a narrow 5-2 decision but managed to hold the lead in the next match for a 5-3 victory over Spencer Schickram (14-9) of Ponca City. 

120 Regional Champion Blake Sargent (36-10) went into overtime with Zackery Bibb (24-5) of Capitol Hill and lost 4-2 in the tie breaker round. He fell in an early hole to Justin Gundlach (29-11) of Moore and trailed 3-2 going into the final period, but rallied for a takedown and pin at 5:14 to stay alive in the consolation bracket. 

126 two-time undefeated State Champion Daton Fix (44-0) pinned Bobby Robinson (30-13) of Deer Creek in 1:37.

132 Regional Champion Jack Karstetter (38-7) breezed through his first match with a 17-2 tech fall over Norman's Jeffrey Adams (23-12) in 5:42.  

138 Regional Champion Beau Bratcher (40-6) pinned Choctaw's Jeff Speer (23-10) in 4:48. 

145 Regional Champion Payton Scott (18-4) pinned Westmoore's Trey Painter (32-10) in 3:52.  

160 Regional Runner-Up Zane Basma (32-11) scored an 8-3 decision over Sam Hensley (31-13) of Edmond Memorial.  

170 Trace Fleischman (10-4) placed fourth at Regionals but rebounded big time at State with a 3-1 upset of West Regional Champion Jacob Schimmels (23-6) of Edmond. 

The top three teams are as close now as they have been all season with Broken Arrow at 25.5, Choctaw at 25, and Sand Springs at 23.5.  

The semi finals will begin at 7:15.  

Sand Springs Team Big sweeps Berryhill Open with eight champions

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Twenty-eight Sandites competed at the Berryhill Open Tournament last month and twenty-two of them placed. Asher Giddens and Kasen McAffrey won their weight classes in the 6 & Under division. David Ritchey won his weight in 8 & Under. Zander Grigsby and Clayton Giddens won 10 & Under. Carter Young, Blake Jones, and Bryce Fisher won 12 & Under.

Jace Simms had the fastest pin for the Sandites, defeating his round two opponent in only 8 seconds.  

Division I (Ages 6 & Under)

Asher Giddens - 37 lbs - First Place

• pinnned Cael Dolan (Berryhill) in 1:52
• defeated Cael Dolan 12-7

Blake Stephens - 43 lbs - DNP

• defeated Gideon Carney (Broken Arrow) 4-0
• pinned Karson Johnson (Berryhill) in 0:17
• pinned by Jaxon Randall (Chickasha) in 0:24
• pinned by Carlos Esparza (Cleveland) in 0:45

Brody Bates - 46 lbs - DNP

• teched 17-2 by Karson Hopkins (RAW)
• teched Haydon Deramus (Berryhill) 16-0
• defeated 14-11 by Lachlan Barclay (Catoosa)

Kasen McAffrey - 52 lbs - First Place

• defeated Mack Powell (Collinsville) 4-0
• pinned Sonny Hicks (Broken Arrow) in 0:53
• pinned Cannon Hailey (Berryhill) in 2:37

Carter Wood - 60 lbs - Second Place

• majored 9-0 by Jaedan Adams (Stillwater)
• pinned Luke Majors (Berryhill) in 0:27

Division II (Ages 8 & Under) 

Jaxon Grigsby - 46 lbs - Second Place

• pinned Peyton Sims (Sapulpa) in 1:56
• pinned Will Meredith (RAW) in 1:23
• majored 14-2 by Mason Burnham (Catoosa)
• defeated Jaxon Randall (Chickasha) 4-2

Ty Burdge - 49 lbs - Fourth Place

• pinned in 0:41 by Nash Neeley (Creek)
• pinned in 0:50 by Kru Vance (Catoosa)
• majored 10-0 by Wiley Wilson (Stillwater)

Hunter Spencer - 58 lbs - Fourth Place

• majored 16-2 by Robert Burke (RAW) 
• teched Cooper Barrington (Berryhill) 15-0
• teched 19-4 by Michael Blendowski (Catoosa)

Jace Simms - 61 lbs - Second Place

• defeated Easton Hailey (Berryhill) 10-3
• pinned Jackson Vaught (NEO) in 0:08
• defeated 10-4 by David Ritchey (Sand Springs)

David Ritchey - 61 lbs- First Place

• teched Jackson Vaught 15-0
• pinned Easton Hailey in 2:56
• defeated Jace Simms 10-4

Zane Swafford - 62 lbs - Second Place

• majored Noah McCall (Bristow) 16-4
• pinned Bittle Boston (Cushing) in 1:58
• majored 11-0 by Logan Hargrove (Catoosa)

Dallas Flores - 70 lbs - DNP

• pinned in 1:27 by Brett Cornett (Pryor)
• defeated 4-3 by Tanner Bedford (Broken Arrow) 

Jackson Burdge - 70 lbs - Fourth Place

• pinned in 0:43 by Hudson Sheppard (Cushing) 
• pinned Coleman Burrow (Berryhill) in 0:57
• pinned in 1:20 by Tanner Bedford

Division III (Ages 10 & Under)

Jackson Martin - 55 lbs - DNP

• majored 10-2 by Cavin Pepper (Sapulpa) 
• defeated 2-0 by Gunner Richey (Vian)

Zander Grigsby - 55 lbs - First Place

• defeated Iziah Tusler (Cushing) 6-1
• defeated Cavin Pepper 4-0

Blake Stewart - 61 lbs - DNP

• defeated 6-2 by Matthew Manley (Pryor)
• pinned in 1:42 by Max Tucker (Cushing)

Clayton Giddens - 61 lbs - First Place

• pinned Jacob Caviness (Stilwell) in 0:50
• pinned Dakota Seawright (Collinsville) in 1:26
• majored Dariuz Black (NEO) 14-1

Mitchell Smith - 64 lbs - Third Place

• defeated 7-0 by Grady Mittasch (RAW)
• teched Jordan Harris (Little Axe) 16-0
• pinned Dylan Seawright (Collinsville) in 2:23

James Winn - 120 lbs - Third Place

• defeated Colt Carr (Sapulpa) 4-2 in sudden victory
• pinned in 1:08 by Luke Burdette (RAW) 
• defeated 4-0 by Blake Raglin (Pryor) 

Tyler B. Smith - 131 lbs - Second Place

• pinned Braden Bruner (Broken Arrow) in 0:47
• pinned Lane Gourley (Little Axe) in 1:07
• pinned in 2:24 by JaKobe Sanders (Stillwater)

Division IV (Ages 12 & Under) 

Owen Martin - 64 lbs - Second Place

• majored Caydon Miller (Sapulpa) 14-1
• defeated Christian Forbes (RAW) 5-0
• majored 9-0 by Canon Acklin (Collinsville) 

Colton Luker - 76 lbs - Third Place

• teched 16-0 by Kenneth Adams (Catoosa)
• defeated Kai Shultz (Pryor) 4-0
• pinned Silas Carney (Broken Arrow) in 2:28

Sammy Naugle - 80 lbs - Second Place

• teched 20-5 by Carter Young (Sand Springs)
• defeated Henry Windsor (Metro Christian) 5-2

Carter Young - 80 lbs - First Place

• teched Henry Windsor 21-4
• teched Sammy Naugle 20-5

Ethan Norton - 84 lbs - DNP

• pinned in 1:23 by Drake Acklin (Collinsville)
• majored 11-0 by Cohlson Pepper (Sapulpa)

Blake Jones - 92 - First Place

• majored Walker Hill (Broken Arrow) 8-0
• pinned Aiden Hill (Broken Arrow) in 1:01
• defeated Noah Smith (NEO) 11-5
• majored Caleb Rogers (NEO) 16-2

Bryce Fisher - 100 lbs - First Place

• pinned Ethan White (RAW) in 4:08
• defeated Colt Fischer (Little Axe) 9-4
• teched Brunk Gray (Pryor) 18-3

Division V (Ages 15 & Under)

Seth Jones - 113 lbs - Second Place

• majored Gunner Mittasch (RAW) 13-3
• pinned Matthew Chesbro (RAW) in 2:42
• forfeited to Alec McDoulett (Little Axe)
• forfeited to Blake Bruner (Broken Arrow)