Altman repeats as champion at Cadet Greco-Roman National Championships
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John Fuller (USA Wrestling)
07/26/2004
Fargo, N.D. - Donny Altman of Kansas became the only wrestler this year able to defend his title at the ASICS/Vaughan Cadet Greco-Roman National Championships at the FargoDome on Monday evening. Altman defeated Jake Quinten of Pennsylvania, his opponent in last year's finals as well, 11-0 in just 28 seconds at 91 lbs. to come away with his second straight title. In that short period, Altman squeezed in a three-point front headlock throw, a five-point lift and throw and a two-point gut wrench. The only other defending champion in the tournament, Scott O'Donnell of Missouri, placed fifth at 112 lbs. Rene Torres of Arizona was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Wrestler after winning his finals match 10-0 over Jacob Salazar of Utah. Torres won nine matches in the tournament, including four by fall. Seven other 2003 Cadet Greco-Roman All-Americans claimed their first title as well: Zachary Sanders of Minnesota at 105 lbs., Kelly Kubec of Washington at 112 lbs., Matt Vacanti of Nebraska at 119 lbs., Brandon Sitch of Washington at 140 lbs., Jesse Robbins of Florida at 152 lbs., Kaleb Young of Minnesota at 160 lbs. and Patrick Flynn of Pennsylvania at 189 lbs. Robbins and Young both needed overtime to win their national titles. Robbins scored a takedown off an arm-spin in the overtime to win 5-4 over another 2003 All-American, Talen Knox of Utah. Young scored a takedown in the first period for a 1-0 lead, scored another point in the clinch to start overtime to take a 2-0 advantage before holding on for the 2-0 win. Sanders defeated Larry Perez of Kansas 7-0 in the gold-medal match. Kubec dominated Dak Adamson of New Mexico 8-3 and Flynn downed Tyler Hemmesch of Minnesota 9-3. Vacanti and Sitch won by 10-0 technical superiorities. Two matches saw exciting comebacks. The first was at 130 lbs. as Austin Enoch came away with a 14-10 victory over Patrick O'Neil of Washington. Enoch trailed 10-3 in the second period before mounting a serious of turns and throws to take home the gold medal. In another hair-raising match, 2003 All-American Skip Crooks of Wyoming saw his comeback bid fall short in a 15-9 loss to Ryan Nachtrab of Ohio at 215 lbs. Crooks trailed 9-0 before mounting a comeback laced with takedowns and one gut wrench that cut the lead to 10-9 with just over one minute left. But a Nachtrab counter and five exposure points gave him the win. However, Crooks did win the Gorrarian Award for the most falls in the least amount of time with five falls in 4 minutes, 6 seconds. Brian Owen of Washington earned his first title after turning a 1-0 deficit into a 5-1 victory at 98 lbs. Owen scored a two-point gut wrench with 28 seconds remaining in the match, and then scored another two when Pennsylvania's Matthew Kyler attempted a duckunder, countering for a 4-1 lead. Owen added one more point after Kyler was cautioned for a head butt near the end of the match. In one other close match, T.J. Moen of Iowa defeated Brent Haynes of Missouri 3-1 after throwing Haynes from the clinch to start the second period. The move was controversial as it appeared that Moen had locked his clinch above Haynes' shoulders, which would have made it an illegal lock. Also winning their first national titles were Eric Grajales of Florida at 84 lbs., Luke Rebertus of Maryland at 145 lbs., Deron Winn of Missouri at 171 lbs. and Lance Wagner of Ohio at 275 lbs. Cadet freestyle competition will begin on Wednesday, July 28 at 11 a.m. (Central Time). TheMat.com will provide complete results of this year's ASICS/Vaughan Junior and Cadet National Championships.