Walsh Ironman Brings the Best to Ohio

“If you build it, they will come”. 

       This phrase comes from the movie “Field of Dreams” starring Kevin Costner, as you may recall.  But it clearly applies to Bob Preusse and his super-tournament, the Ironman, as well.  Preusse has built his tournament, and the fans have come to Walsh Jesuit High School- a sellout crowd for all sessions- to see the best competition.  The nation’s best wrestlers have come- to test themselves against the best from other states.  From a fans perspective, this tournament offered the chance to see the top kids from Ohio against the top kids in the entire nation. 

       In many ways, it was a tough day at the office for many of Ohio’s stars, as some who were expected to win were beaten.  Meanwhile, lesser-known Ohio kids showed that they could compete with, and defeat, the best kids in the nation in many instances.  The following are some of the more noteworthy performances by Ohio Wrestlers:  

David Taylor (103)- Despite looking far too small for 103, Taylor captured the title by beating Cadet National Runner-up Ben Sergent and 2x Junior National/2x Cadet National Champion Boris Novachkov back-to-back.  The match with Sergent was particularly memorable.  In that match, Taylor trailed 3-0 at the end of the 2nd period but turned it up about ten notches in the third period.  Particularly impressive was when Taylor went “headhunting”- looking for the big move and risking giving up the go-ahead takedown in the process- and nailed it, taking Sergent to this back for five and a decisive 8-4 win.

Danny Genetin (103)- The sophomore from Massillon Perry had a great tournament to take 3rd.  Along the way he scored falls against Sergent (though he trailed until scoring the fall late in the third) and a very tough Steve Mitcheff of Elyria.  Genetin’s only loss was by a single point to Novachkov.  Ohio has probably never had such a great group of 103’s:  Taylor, Genetin, Segent, and Mitcheff are all among the nation’s best at this point.

Collin Palmer (112)- Not since Dustin Schlatter has a freshman entered high school with so much acclaim.  Palmer did not disappoint in his quarterfinal or semifinal bouts, registering a major decision against a two-time Cadet National Freestyle Champion (Anthony Valles) and also against defending Ironman Champion Jayk Cobbs of Great Bridge.  He did not yield an offensive point up to the finals.
         In the eyes of the fans, the finals against Nikko Triggas of California was to be more of a coronation of the heavily-favored Palmer than a wrestling match. However, it seems Triggas didn’t get the memo- and thought there was still a match to be wrestled.  Displaying incredible brute strength throughout, Triggas got an early takedown and then a nearfall when Palmer tried an overly aggressive reversal attempt.   From there, Palmer seemed to lose his composure- clearly, this young man is not used to being behind.  At the start of the 3rd period, the score was a shocking 13-0.  Palmer scored a takedown to avoid the technical fall, but still lost 13-2.  Look for Palmer to rebound from this loss next week at the Beast of the East.

125- Ben Jordan- Only a sophomore, Jordan has perhaps the most beautiful head inside single leg takedown since, well, his father.  Jordan’s dad is 4x Ohio State Champion, 2x NCAA Champion Jim Jordan- now an Ohio State Representative.  The younger Jordan used that single to dissect Cadet National Champion Kellen Russell (9-3) and Quinten Keyes of Walsh Jesuit (5-3).  Senior Keith Sulzer defeated him in the finals 2-1, though neither wrestler scored an offensive point.  Look for Jordan to reverse that result next time.  Perhaps the biggest question raised by the finals is why Jordan took neutral trailing by a point in the third period.  That decision allowed Sulzer to counter and protect his lead-something experience has shown he is very good at.

130- Adam Kriwinsky- Perhaps everyone forgot how good the kid with the funny name was when he lost to Jordan last year at State.  Kriwinsky left the fans with no doubt this weekend.  First, he pushed superstar Billy Murphy to the limit in a 10-9 loss that had Murphy blatantly stalling, completely gassed at the end.  Murphy is regarded as the best 130 in the nation and one of the top five wrestlers in any weight.  Then he defeated one of the nation’s top sophomores, Coby Boyd, in the consolation semifinal.  Though he was defeated for third by Chase Skonieczny,  (who, ironically, Boyd pinned) his point was made.  Skonieczny battled back from getting stuck by Boyd to win six straight matches and place third. 
          The end result is that Division II, barring a change of weight classes, will have three elite 130 lb. wrestlers: Kriwinsky, Boyd, and Skonieczny. 

140- Lance Palmer- Palmer looked “unstoppable” up until the finals where he met Matt Dunn of Pennsylvania.  Dunn is no slouch, nearly beating Adam Frey in last year’s finals and defeating the outstanding Mario Mason in the quarterfinals.  In the finals, Palmer seemed to beat himself from the bottom position, making ill-advised attempts at a reversal which landed him on his back.  The no-quit Palmer responded to his 3-0 deficit by taking Dunn down and turning him for two with his vaunted power half with the legs in combination.  That move hurts just watching from the stands!  With 15 seconds to go and Palmer working for a fall, the official inexplicably called a stalemate.  This gave Dunn a fresh start- and he capitalized, reversing Palmer to his back and nearly pinning him for an unexpected 7-4 loss.  Look for Palmer to avoid funky situation with Dunn and defeat him should they meet again.

145- Sean Nemec- Nemec put on a clinic of control wrestling in defeating Blair Academy’s Travis Blasco 6-2.  Nemec scored three solid leg-attack takedowns versus only two measly “kick-out” escapes for Blasco.  It was a textbook match against one of Blair’s top wrestlers. 

160- Dave Rella- The hometown favorite came up just a little short, falling to Mac Lewnes 8-7.  The match settled very little other than that these two are about even.  Rella had a nice win over a very tough Brent Fiorito of Upper Perkiomen (PA) H.S. in the semis by a 7-2 count.  Fiorito had beaten a 3x Virginia State Chamion (Matt Epperly) to make it that far.

171- Eric Cameron- Only an 8th place state finisher last year, Cameron crushed state champions from Colorado and Virginia to make the finals opposite St. Ed’s much- acclaimed sophomore Brian Roddy.  In that bout, he avenged last-year’s state loss, prevailing 12-9.  This was one of the best bouts of the night, and fans can likely look forward to a rematch- in the state finals.  Roddy had previously pinned former Cadet National Champion Rob Waltko of North Allegheny.

189- John Weakley- Weakley may be the best 189 in the nation right now- which is probably a bold statement considering he has yet to place at state.  His finals opponent, David Green of Oviedo (Fla.) H.S., is currently rated by W.I.N. magazine as the #3 189 lb wrestler in the country.  In this bout, however, he was completely taken apart by the powerful Weakley, who pounded him 14-5.  Weakley also knocked off Ohio State Place-winner (5th place) Bill Schindel of Akron Hoban in the semis by an 11-5 count.  You will probably never see a more chiseled, or quicker 189 lb. wrestler than Weakley- he looks to be a tremendous college prospect to put it mildly.

275- John Hiles- The sophomore from St. Francis Desales may be the next great heavyweight in Ohio.  Hiles defeated Ohio State Champion/Cadet National Runner-up Cameron Wade on his way to a third place finish, by a decisive 8-4 tally. 

          Despite the disappointing finals- with Rella, Rohler, and both Palmer’s all unexpectedly losing- Ohio had a great showing.  Six Ohioans won a tournament feature the best kids from 17 states. Lakewood St. Ed’s came within a few points of knocking off Blair despite the absence of their superstar heavyweight, Ben Kuhar.  Most importantly, fans got to see elite wrestlers really lay it on the line in a way that they often don’t do in big matches.  Those of you who were there already know this.  For those not in attendance- Preusse has built a great tournament, you really should come next year.

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