Upsets included in ASICS/Vaughan Cadet Freestyle Nationals first session of wrestling on Wednesday m

<< Back to Articles
Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
07/27/2005


The ASICS/Vaughan Cadet National Freestyle Championships started on Wednesday morning, July 27 at the FargoDome on the campus of North Dakota State in Fargo, N.D.    Four athletes entered the tournament still in quest for the USA Wrestling Cadet Triple Crown, the most prestigious honor in youth wrestling. Those attempting to win the Triple Crown by taking the freestyle competition this weekend are Tyler Cox of Wyoming at 91 pounds, Eric Grajales of Florida at 98 pounds, Jake Deitschler of Minnesota at 130 pounds and Torrey Line of Minnesota at 171 pounds.    The Cadet Triple Crown goes to any Cadet wrestler who wins the USA Wrestling national title in folkstyle, Greco-Roman and freestyle during the same year. The first two legs of the Triple Crown has been completed, with the Folkstyle Nationals in Cedar Falls, Iowa in April, and the Greco-Roman Nationals here in Fargo on Monday.     One of these athletes, Grajales, was defeated in his first match, a pin in 2:38 by Ben Sargent of Ohio. This is an international tournament, where an athlete must lose twice in order to be eliminated, so Grajales still has a chance to possibly win his pool and advance to the finals. However, a first-round loss makes things difficult.    One of the others seeking a Triple Crown, Line, had a challenging second round match, edging Chris Perry of Oklahoma, 4-3.    Three returning Cadet National freestyle champions have entered the tournament this year and began their quest for another title: Anthony Valles of Connecticut at 98 pounds, Eric Medina of New Jersey at 145 pounds and Ben Kuhar of Ohio at 275 pounds. All three were unbeaten in the first session.     Five returning runners-up have also entered the tournament: Kyle Lang of Ohio at 98 pounds, Tyler Graf of Colorado at 112 pounds, Collin Marcicki of Michigan at 119 pounds, Mike Gagliano of Missouri at 130 pounds and Luke Ashmore of Texas at 140 pounds. All remain without a loss.    Many of the 2005 Cadet Greco-Roman champions have entered, seeking to win the event in both styles here in Fargo. One of the Greco-Roman champions was defeated right off the bat at 84 pounds, when  Greco-Roman champion Andrew Long of Iowa was beaten by Alex Kostenborder of Oregon, 13-9.    It was a tough session for a number of returning All-Americans from 2004.    An All-American from last year, Vince Ramos of Illinois, dropped his first match at 140 pounds, losing a 7-2 decision Eric Cubberly of Ohio.    Another All-American, Grant Sutter of Wisconsin, was beaten at 91 pounds in the first round by Gabriel Ramos of New Jersey.    At 105 pounds, returning All-American PJ Martinez of California lost his first match to Michael Garafalo of Pennsylvania, 5-2. However, Garafalo dropped out of the tournament with an injury and will not place, while Martinez won his next match to stay alive in the tournament.    At 112, returning All-American Aaron Ely of Kansas dropped his opening bout, 9-4 to Trey Bertram of Minnesota.    The most loaded weight class seems to be 98 pounds, where returning champion Valles leads the field, along with last year All-American and 2005 Cadet National Greco-Roman champion Eric Grajales of Florida. Other All-Americans from last year who are in this division are Nathan Furches of Kansas, Fred Santaite of New Jersey, Shane Leister of Pennsylvania and Kyle Lang of Ohio.