Metcalf wins record sixth Junior National title, as seven athletes win double titles at ASICS/Vaugha
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Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
07/30/2005
Brent Metcalf of Michigan tied the national record for Junior National titles with six, as he captured the 145-pound at the ASICS/Vaughan Junior Freestyle National Championships at the FargoDome. Metcalf tied the national record set by Sean Hage of Georgia. Metcalf was a Junior National double champion after his sophomore year in 2003 and after his junior year in 2004, and after his senior year in 2005. Metcalf capped off an amazing Junior National career by earning a pin over Matt Dragon of Pennsylvania in the finals in 4:59. Dragon had been a Greco-Roman runner-up at 152 pounds, but chose to drop down for the chance to face Metcalf. The first period was competitive, tied at 1-1 at the mid break. Metcalf opened it up in the second period, with a tilt and two takedowns, then turned Dragon onto his back and secured the fall to set the national record. Along with Metcalf, there were seven double champions, winners of both Greco-Roman and freestyle this year. The other double champions were Boris Novachkov of California (98), Franklin Gomez of Puerto Rico (119), Adam Frey of Pennsylvania (130), David Craig of Florida (171), Louis Caputo of Missouri (189) and Robbie Smith of California (215). Novachkov defeated Jake Quinten of Pennsylania in the finals in a wide-open 9-7 match. It was a rematch of the Junior Greco-Roman finals, won by Novachkov, 12-7. Gomez became the first double champion from Puerto Rico, defeating New Jersey's Ross Gitomer in the finals, 8-0. Gomez attended Brandon High School in Florida this year. Frey won a challenging 6-4 match against a talented Jordan Frishkorn of Virginia. Frey jumped to an early 5-0 lead, but Frishkorn came back to make it 6-4 at the break. There were no point scored in the second period. Craig and Caputo beat a pair of brothers, Michael and Taylor Moore of Missouri. Craig stopped Michael Moore, 4-2 in the finals, while Caputo defeated in-state rival Taylor Moore, 4-0. Smith had the most exciting finals victory, edging Daniel Erekson of Idaho in the finals 10-9 in overtime at 7:09. Erekson led the match 7-0 in the first period, but Smith battled back, tieing the bout at 9-9 with 19 seconds in regulation. Smith won the match on a spin behind takedown in overtime. Three Iowa wrestlers were able to capture Junior National titles this year: Mark Kist at 105 pounds, Mitch Mueller at 135 pounds and Ryan Morningstar at 152 pounds. Kist stopped Donte Butler of Missouri in the finals, 7-1. Mueller stopped Greco-Roman champion of Reece Humphrey of Indiana, 6-0 Morningstar stopped Shane Vernon of Oklahoma, 6-0 in the finals. Cyler Sanderson of Utah, member of the famous Sanderson wrestling family, won a competitive battle in the 140 pound finals, edging Adam Hall of Idaho. Other individual champions were Tony Mustari of Colorado at 112 pounds, Mike Grey of New Jersey at 125 pounds, Rocky Cozart of Florida at 160 pounds and Erik Nye of California at 275 pounds. Mustari, Cozart and Nye were runners-up in Greco-Roman. Mustari scored a 10-0 technical fall over Aaron Hart of Ohio. Cozart stopped Ryan Patrovich of New York, 3-0. Nye had a last second turn in overtime to defeat Jared Rosholt of Oklahoma, 3-2. Grey won his first Junior Nationals title with a 15-7 victory over Greco-Roman national champion Shawn Jones of Idaho. Complete brackets in each weight class can be found posted in the special section on TheMat.com at: www.themat.com/specialevents/2005/fargo/default.asp.