CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - Colton Adams of Panhandle Xtreme (NE) won the title at 126 pounds and Bo Nickal of Best Trained (TX) won the 160-pound crown, as both repeated as champions in the high school division at the Cliff Keen USA Wrestling Preseason Nationals held at the UNI Dome on the campus of the University of Northern Iowa on Saturday. 

A battle of two of USA Wrestling’s top age-group competitors, Adams defeated Fredy Stroker of Bettendorf Wrestling (IA) in the finals, 5-1. Adams scored takedowns in the first and second period and added an escape. Stroker’s only point came on a stalling call. It was Adams third straight title in this event, after winning the 120-pound title in 2011 and the 112-pound title in 2010.

Adams has done very well at major USA Wrestling folkstyle events.  He won the USA Wrestling Folkstyle Nationals the last two years, in 2012 as a Junior and in 2011 as a Cadet. 

Stroker had a great 2012 year as a Cadet coming into this event, winning the USA Wrestling Folkstyle Nationals, placing third in the FILA Cadet Nationals in freestyle and placing fifth in the Cadet Nationals in freestyle.

Nickal made it two Preseason National titles in a row, with his 3-2 victory over Ryan Blees of Bismarck Matpac (ND). Nickal scored the only takedown of the match in the first period, and added an escape for his three points.

Nickal was a 2012 Cadet Triple Crown winner, claiming USA Wrestling national titles in freestyle, Greco-Roman and folkstyle. Blees was a 2012 Junior Nationals Greco-Roman runner-up, and fourth in the 2012 FILA Cadet Nationals in freestyle.

Nickal also had a huge 9-0 win in the semifinals over Kimball Bastian of Champions Wrestling Club (UT). Bastian was a Cadet National Greco Roman champion and second in freestyle last year.

Capturing a Preseason Nationals title this year, after placing second last year, was Aaron Rothwell of Askren Wrestling Academy (WI), who stopped Miles Hammerlund of PINnacle (MN), 3-1. Rothwell scored his three points in the second period with a takedown and escape. Last year, Hammerlund was fifth at the Preseason Nationals.

2011 Cadet Nationals freestyle champion Zachary Beard of Oklahoma (OK) scored an escape in overtime to defeat Tyler Askey of Team Georgia (GA) at 170 pounds. With the bout tied 2-2 in regulation, neither athlete scored a takedown in sudden victory. Beard’s escape gave him the victory. Beard was second at the 2012 FILA Cadet Nationals in freestyle. Askey was a Cadet Nationals All-American in both styles in 2010.

Another veteran USA Wrestling star, Brandon Sorensen of Cedar Valley Mat Club (IA) won the 145-pound title, stopping Garrett Sutton of Overtime School of Wrestling (IL), 3-2. Sorensen scored a first period takedown and added a third period escape, with Sutton getting two escapes. Sorensen won silver medals at the 2012 USA Wrestling Folkstyle Nationals and the 2011 Junior Nationals in freestyle, and was a bronze medalist at last year’s Preseason Nationals. Sutton was sixth at the 2011 Cadet Nationals in freestyle.

The first match of the finals went to Rudy Yates of the Region Wrestling Academy (IL), who edged Jack Mueller of the Dallas Dynamite (TX), 2-0 at 106 pounds. Mueller was second in the 2012 USA Wrestling Folkstyle Nationals.

In an exciting comeback in the 113 pound finals, Davion Jeffries of Collinsville (OK) pinned Skyler Petry of PINnacle (MN) just 21 seconds into the third period.  Petry scored takedowns in the first and second period to jump to a 4-0 lead, but Jeffries chose top in the third and secured a fall with a half-nelson. Jeffries was fourth in the 2012 Cadet Nationals in freestyle, while Petry was runner-up in both the 2012 USA Wrestling Folkstyle Nationals as well as the 2012 FILA Cadet Nationals in Greco-Roman.

In an all-Illinois finals, Barlow McGhee of Rock Island Wrestling Club (IL) scored three takedowns to defeat Stephen Polakowski of Team Poeta (IL), 6-3. McGhee scored two takedowns in the first period and another in the third period.  McGhee was eighth in the 2012 Junior Nationals in Greco-Roman, and fourth in the 2011 Cadet Nationals in freestyle.

The 132-pound title went to George Fisher of Overtime School of Wrestling (IL), who scored an escape in overtime to defeat Logan Ryan of Bettendorf Wrestling (IA), 2-1. Each wrestler scored an escape in regulation. In overtime, neither got a takedown, but Fisher scored an escape for the win. Fisher was an Illinois state champion in 2011 and a runner-up in 2012. Ryan was sixth in the 2012 FILA Cadet Nationals in freestyle.

Scoring a takedown with one second left on the clock, unattached Taner Trembley (MN) stopped Alex Mossing of Foxfire Wrestling Club (OH), 3-2. Mossing scored a first-period takedown and led 2-0 going into the third. Trembley got an escape and got the winning takedown as time ran out. Trembley was fifth in last year’s Preseason Nationals and was third in the 2011 USA Wrestling Folkstyle Nationals. Mossing was eighth in the 2011 Cadet Nationals in Greco-Roman.

The champion at 152 pounds was Dayton Racer of Apple Valley (MN), who stopped Chad Pyke of Compound Wrestling (GA), 3-0, scoring a takedown and escape for his points. Racer won the second tournament in two weeks, after a victory at the respected JJ Classic in Minnesota last week.

Scoring a stunning pin in the finals at 195 pounds was Jordan Ellingwood of Illinois, who put away Marcus Harrington of the Waterloo West Wahawks (IA) in 1:52. Ellingwood scored a reversal and put Harrington right onto his back, getting backpoints then securing the pin.  Ellingwood was a 2011 Cadet National Folkstyle champion and was second in the 2011 Cadet Nationals in freestyle.

Controlling the finals bout at 220 pounds by scoring the only takedown was Nathan Rose of Valley Elite (MN), who beat Nick Baranello of River Dell (NJ), 4-0. Like 152-pound champion Dayton Racer, Rose won his second tournament in two weeks, after a victory at the tough JJ Classic in Minnesota last week.

In a battle of Illinois big men, Tanner Farmer of Illinois Ugly Ear (IL) beat Adarios Jones of Impact WC (IL) at 285 pounds, 4-0. Farmer was second in Greco-Roman and third in freestyle at the 2012 Cadet Nationals. Jones was a Cadet Nationals Greco-Roman All-American in 2011.

The Cliff Keen USA Wrestling Preseason Nationals continue on Sunday with the Middle School and youth divisions. It should be another large and competitive day of wrestling tomorrow.

CLIFF KEEN USA WRESTLING PRESEASON NATIONALS
At Cedar Falls, Iowa, Nov. 3

High School Division results

106 pounds
1st - Rudy Yates, Oak Lawn, IL (Region Wrestling Academy) dec. Jack Mueller, Dallas, TX (Dallas Dynamite), 2-0
3rd - Seth Beard, Napoleon, OH (Ohio Grapplers) dec.  Darek Huff, Broomfield, CO (Mile High Wrestling Club), SV-1 2-0
5th - Andrew Mehrholz, Deerfield, IL (Team Overtime) dec. Anthony Bosco, Illinois, IL (Team Overtime), 6-4
7th - Jacob Schwarm,  (unattached) pin Chase Lynn, Dubuque, IA (Young Guns), 2:48

113 pounds
1st - Davion Jeffries, Collinsville, OK (Collinsville) pin Skyler Petry, Waterville, MN (PINnacle), 3:22
3rd - Kaid Brock, Stillwater, OK (Cowboy Wrestling Club) dec. Elijah Oliver, Cordova, TN (Wave Wrestling Club), 10-8
5th - Drew Romero, La Junta, CO (Broomfield/Mile High) maj. dec. Kaz Onoo, Mason City, IA (Sebolt Wrestling Academy), 9-1
7th - Travis Torres, Keenesburg, CO (Pomona) dec. Nelson Baker, Byron, IL (Alpha Wrestling Academy), 5-2
 
120 pounds
1st - Barlow McGhee, Rock Island, IL (Rock Island Wrestling Club) dec. Stephen Polakowski, Libertyville, IL (Team Poeta), 6-3
3rd - Joshua Alber, Dakota, IL (Team Overtime) maj. dec. Jarred Oftedahl, Chaska, MN, MN (PINnacle), 9-0
5th - Joshua Breece, Edmond, OK (independent) dec. Hunter Washburn, Alburnett, IA (DC Elite), 1-0
7th - Dante` Rodriguez, Kearney/Grand Island, NE (Husker Elite) dec. Zac Denny, Machesney Park, IL (No Mercy Wrestling Academy), 3-2 

126 pounds
1st - Colton Adams, Scottsbluff, NE (Panhandle Xtreme) dec. Fredy Stroker, Bettendorf, IA (Bettendorf Bulldogs), 5-1
3rd - Cameron Kennedy, Richmond, IL (Overtime School of Wrestling) dec. Ryan Schuman, Crooks, SD (Tri-Valley), 5-0
5th - Pt Garcia, Lakewood, CO (Lakewood) pin Andres Gonzalez, Fertile, IA (Sebolt Wrestling Academy), 5:30
7th - Jake Adcock, Carrollton, GA (The Wrestling Center) dec. Clarence Arrington, Clearwater, FL (Dunedin High School), 2-0

132 pounds
1st - George Fisher, St. Charles, IL (Overtime School of Wrestling) dec. Logan Ryan, Bettendorf, IA (Bettendorf Wrestling), TB-1 2-1
3rd - Colton McCrystal, Sergeant Bluff, IA (Sgt. Bluff-Luton Warriors) dec. Jacob Rubio, Amarillo, TX (Omada Kitrinos Wrestling Club), 7-5
5th - Kyle Springer, Iowa, IA (Young Guns/ DC Elite) dec. Tyler Hupp, Morgantown, IN (Hoosier Elite), 7-6
7th - Nick Nasenbeny, Plainfield, IL (Team Overtime) dec. Griffin Parriott, Webster, MN (New Prague), TB-1 7-2

138 pounds
7th - Joseph Hayek, Ulysses, NE (Carnage W.C.) maj. dec. Dane Fischer, Bismarck, ND (MATPAC Wrestling - ND), 11-1
5th - Austin Marvel, Arvada, CO (Pomona) dec. Dane Edwards, Dodge City, KS (Dodge City Wranglers), 3-0
3rd - Nick Reenan, Dallas, TX (Star Wrestling) dec. Jake Hodges, Watkinsville, GA (Compound wrestling), Dec 5-2
1st - Taner Trembley, Lake Crystal, MN (not attached) dec. Alex Mossing, Holland, OH (Foxfire Wrestling Club), 3-2

145 pounds
1st - Brandon Sorensen, Cedar Falls, IA (Cedar Valley Mat Club) dec. Garrett Sutton, Richmond, IL (Overtime School of Wrestling), 3-2
3rd - A.J. Hinkle, Allen, TX (Best Trained) dec. Kasey Caelwaerts, Pulaski, WI (Pulaski), 5-4
5th - Kenny Martin, Lincoln, Nebraska, NE (NWTC) pin Mitch Friedman, Oconto Falls, WI (Oconto Falls), 1:25
7th - Weston Droegemueller, Plymouth, MN (MN Elite) dec. Joel Northrup, Marion, IA (Cedar Hawk Wrestling Club), 3-2

152 pounds
1st - Dayton Racer, Apple Valley, MN (Apple Valley) dec. Chad Pyke, McDonough, GA (Compound Wrestling), 3-0
3rd - Grant LaMont, Mapleton, UT (Champions Wrestling Club) dec. Logan Breitenbach, Severna Park, MD (Team Blue Claw), 3-1
5th - Grant Henderson, Alburnett, IA (DC Elite) forfeit Grant Nehring, Kimball, MN (St. Cloud Apollo Eagles)
7th - Ernest Battaglia, Hinsdale, IL (Team Overtime) dec. Nate Higgins, Millstadt, IL (Illinois Ugly Ear), 4-1

160 pounds
1st - Bo Nickal, Allen, TX (Best Trained) dec. Ryan Blees, Bismarck, ND (Bismarck Matpac), 3-2
3rd - Levi Berry, Norman, OK (independent) dec. Tyler Schneider, Mokena, IL (Region Wrestling Acadamy), 3-1
5th - Kimball Bastian, Mapleton, UT (Champions Wrestling Club) forfeit Adam Cooling, Madelia-Truman, MN (Unattached)
7th - Tim Miklus, Indianola, IA (Ram Wrestling Club) pin Brett Scoles, Kewaskum, WI (World Class Wrestling Club), 0:46

170 pounds
1st - Zachary Beard, Tuttle, OK (Oklahoma) dec. Tyler Askey, Newnan, GA (Team Georgia), TB-1 3-2
3rd - TJ Ohara, Oakdale, MN (PINnacle) dec. Dominic Rigous, Warrington, PA (Sepa), 4-2
5th - Jacob Morrissey, River City, WI (Oconto Falls) pin Isaac Beard, Tuttle, OK (Tuttle Tigers), 0:54
7th - Kayne MacCallum, Green Oaks, IL (Team Poeta) dec. Dorian Spradlin, Lakeland, FL (Braves), 5-0

182 pounds
1st - Aaron Rothwell, Sheboygan North, WI (Askren Wrestling Academy) dec. Miles Hammerlund, Delano, MN (PINnacle), 5-1
3rd - Brandon Rogers, Springfield Ohio, OH (Carr Wrestling Club) dec. Chili Sabin, Bonney Lake, WA (Team Aggression), 3-0
5th - Connor Larson, Webster City, IA (Excel Wrestling) pin Cameron Carlson, St. Charles, IL (Team Overtime), 1:24
7th - Nicholas Hagedorn, Janesville, IA (Cedar Valley Mat Club) pin Keyes Nelson, Nebraska City, NE (Nebraska City Wrestling Club), 1:18

195 pounds
1st - Jordan Ellingwood, Plainfield, Ill. (unattached) pin Marcus Harrington, Waterloo, IA (Waterloo West Wahawks), 1:52
3rd - Jon Wixom, Mapleton, UT (Champions Wrestling Club) dec. Robby Chubb, Mineral Point, WI (Mineral Point Wrestling Club), 5-2
5th - Nick Osowski, Oshkosh, WI (World Class Wrestling Club) pin Beau Henson, Amarillo, TX (Omada Kitrinos Wrestling Club), 0:57
7th - Justin Dilks, Mount Pleasant, IA (Mount Pleasant) dec. Nedeltcho Valtchev, Lincolnshire, IL (Izzy Style School of Wrestling), 7-2

220 pounds
1st - Nathan Rose, Arlington, MN (Valley Elite) dec. Nick Baranello, Oradell, NJ (River Dell), 4-0
3rd - D.J. Castillo, Lincoln, NE (Regulators) dec. Gannon Gremmel, Dubuque, IA (Dubuque Wrestling Club), 5-2
5th - Hunter McCleskey, Lawrenceville, GA (The Wrestling Academy) dec. Jacob Aven, Zionsville, IN (Team Indiana), 8-1
7th - Matt Veneskey, Oshkosh, WI (Oshkosh North) dec. David Rudd, Lakeland, FL (Braves WC), 5-1

285 pounds
1st - Tanner Farmer, Highland, Ill.  (Illinois Ugly Ear) dec. Adarios Jones, Moline, Ill. (Impact WC), 4-0
3rd - Davion Franklin, Watertown, Minn. (Watertown Arrows) pin Jessie Nelson, Stoughton, Wis. (Stoughton Viking Wrestling Club) (Pin 1:57)
5th - Nathan Jackson, Tuttle, Okla. (Tuttle) maj. dec. Henry Ceverha, Dallas, Texas (Independent), 8-0
7th - Dean Broghammer, Manchester, Iowa (Delaware County WC) dec. Landon Johnson (Excel Wrestling), 6-0