1997 Cadet World Greco-Roman Joshua Etu of Queensbury, N.Y. claimed the gold medal at 275 pounds at the 1998 Southeast Junior Regional Greco-Roman Wrestling Championships at Disney's Wide World of Sports in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., April 23.The competition features many of the best high school age wrestlers in the Southeast, as well as top individual athletes from across the nation.
Etu, a 1997 Cadet Nationals double champion, pinned T.J. Brablec of Winter Haven, Fla. in 0:57 to win the title.
David Walker of Seminole, Fla. pinned Chris Campbell of Orlando, Fla. in 0:53 to claim the 220 pound title. Walker was the only champion from Florida.
Justin Ruiz of Salt Lake City, Utah, a 1997 Junior National double champion, claimed the title at 191.5 pounds. He scored a 13-0 technical fall over Aron Brown of Cottage Grove, Minn.
Christopher Rodriguez of Marietta, Ga. was named the Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament. Rodriguez claimed the 114.5 pound title with a 9-7 decision over Josh Lamano of Layton, Utah.
The Most Falls award was given to Robert Cassidy of Billerica, Mass. who registered three falls in 2:33 at 132 pounds.
The 1998 Southeast Junior Freestyle Regionals are scheduled for Friday, April 24, with first round action set to begin at 1:30 p.m. in the Fieldhouse at Walt Disney World's Wide World of Sports Complex.
The 1998 U.S. Senior Nationals in Freestyle, Greco-Roman and Women's divisions take place April 25-26. Action begins on Saturday at 11:00 a.m.
SOUTHEAST JUNIOR GRECO-ROMAN REGIONALS
at Disney's Wide World of Sports, Lake Buena Vista, Fla., April 23
98 pounds
1st - Carson Bernard, Loveland, Colo. dec. Robert Ariaza, Chandler, Ariz., 11-3
3rd - David Mason, Brandon, Fla.
4th - Michael Whelan , Methuen, Mass
105.5 pounds
1st - Terrence Thompson, Rock Hill, S.C., pin Daniel Pickett, Wasilla, Alaska, 3:19
114.5 pounds
1st - Christopher Rodriguez, Marietta, Ga. dec. Josh Lamano, Layton, Utah, 9-7
3rd - Dustin Brewer, Kansas City, Mo. Won by tech. fall over Gary Dack, Lakewood, Colo., 11-1
5th - Ryan Gillette, Palmer, Alaska pin Brian Hartley, Eagle Lake, Fla., 2:39
123 pounds
1st - Ryan Lewis, Vernal, Utah , dec. Brady Jones, Brighton, Utah, 14-11
3rd - Bryson Vasquez, Loveland, Colo. dec. Zach Allen, Shawnee, Kan., 15-7
5th - Cameron Plocus, Home, Pa. won by tech. fall over Chad Walker, Winter Haven, Fla., 12-1.
132 pounds
1st - Gabe Vigil, West Valley, Utah won by tech. fall over Horacio Rodriguez, Marianna, Fla., 10-0
3rd - Frankie Saenz, Phoenix, Ariz won by tech. fall over Robert Cassidy, Billerica, Mass., 13-2
5th - Barratt Wilson, Port Allen, La. pin Dustin Swanton, Port Richey, Fla., 1:11
143 pounds
1st - Clark Forward, Archbold, Ohio dec. Juan Edwards, Tampa, Fla., 4-0
3rd - Brice Kelly, McConnellsville, N.Y. dec. Joe Uccelini, Troy, N.Y., 6-2
5th - Brian McKinney, Slidell, La. dec. Sam Lofland, Scappoose, Ore., 5-1
154 pounds
1st - Russell Brunson, Sandy, Utah pin Brandon Hays, Apache Junction, Ariz., 1:07
3rd - Danny Landers, Chandler, Ariz. dec. Josue Fiqueroa, Maitland, Fla., 11-4
5th - Shayne Norton, Palmer, Alaska pin Jacob Klosinski, South Bend, Ind., 1:27
165 pounds
1st - Jacob Clark, S. St. Paul, Minn. won by tech. fall over James Wade, Wassila, Alaska, 10-0, 2:05
3rd - John Hasebi, Salt Lake City, Utah pin James McEachern, Titusville, Fla., 1:54
5th - Marshall Meier, Salt Lake City, Utah won by tech. fall over Creed Fleming, Titusville, Fla., 16-6, 4:36
178 pounds
1st - Aaron Pastor, Stilwell, Kan. dec. Rafael Ruiz, Metarie, La., 7-6
3rd - Matt Coyle, Schoharie, N.Y. won by disq. over Jonathan Richmond, Tucson, Ariz., 7:42
5th - Jestin Bailey, Lakeland, Fla. dec. David Maynor, Brandon, Fla., 4:18
191.5 pounds
1st - Justin Ruiz, Salt Lake City, Utah won by tech. fall over Aron Brown, Cottage Grove, Minn., 13-0
3rd - Marc McIntire, Salt Lake City, Utah
220 pounds
1st - David Walker, Seminole, Fla., pin Chris Campbell, Orlando, Fla., 0:53
3rd - Gilbert Jones, Winter Haven, Fla., vs. Luis Piantini, Lawrence, Mass.
5th - Keith Silva, Methuen, Mass.vs. Alex Comptis, Miami, Fla.
286 pounds
1st - Joshua Etu, Queensbury, N.Y. pin T.J. Brablec, Winter Haven, Fla., 0:57
3rd - Peter Hennis, Mims, Fla.
4th - Forrest Johnson, Miami, Fla.
5th - Justin Arndt, Methuen, Mass.
Outstanding Wrestler: Chris Rodriguez of Marietta, Ga. at 114.5 pounds
Most Falls Award: Robert Cassidy of Billerica, Mass., three falls in 2:33