Defending champion Kyler still undefeated; two wrestlers still vying for Cadet Triple Crown at frees
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John Fuller (USA Wrestling)
07/29/2004
Fargo, N.D. - Matthew Kyler of Pennsylvania has come within one win of reaching the 98-pound finals at the Cadet Freestyle National Championships at the FargoDome on Thursday evening. Kyler won the Cadet freestyle national title last year as well. Another title would make him the only defending champion to repeat this year. In the tournament, Kyler has won all seven of his matches, three by technical superiority and two by fall, to advance to the round-robin portion of his pool. If Kyler defeats Jeremiah Barkac of Maine, he will advance to the finals for the second straight year. Two wrestlers are also attempting to win Cadet Triple Crowns this year: Eric Grajales of Florida at 84 lbs. and Zachary Sanders of Minnesota at 105 lbs. Grajales is one win away from the finals. Sanders is undefeated in pool competition to this point. Both were Cadet Greco-Roman champions earlier this week. Seven of last year's Cadet freestyle All-Americans also remain undefeated as pool competition nears an end. Finishing day two with no losses were returning All-Americans Sanders and John Trumbetti of New Jersey at 105 lbs., Kelly Kubec of Washington and Jimmy Kennedy of Illinois at 112 lbs., Matt Vacanti of Nebraska at 119 lbs. and Brandon Sitch of Washington and Jon Reader of Michigan at 140 lbs. Other returning Cadet All-Americans still alive in competition are Jake Quinten of Pennsylvania and Donny Altman of Kansas at 91 lbs., Brett Rosedale of Iowa at 119 lbs., Kyle DeBerry of Arizona at 135 lbs. and Talon Knox of Utah at 152 lbs. All five of those wrestlers are competing with one loss. Cadet freestyle competition will resume at 9 a.m. (Central Time) on Friday morning. Medal matches and finals will be held at 6:30 p.m. TheMat.com will provide complete results of this year's ASICS/Vaughan Junior and Cadet National Championships.