National Semi-Finals thrill Cleveland crowd at NHSCA’s 15th Annual Senior Nationals

By Ty Linder and Todd Hibbs

CLEVELAND, OH – Emotional wins, gut-wrenching losses and one inspiring victory defined day two of the National High School Coaches Association’s 15th Annual Senior Wrestling Championships. While several of the 22 four-time state champions in the field were set back in either the quarterfinals or semi-finals, sweet revenge was also a major storyline.

Wrestling in front of another energetic, boisterous crowd at Cleveland Convention Center’s Public Hall, the two national finalists were determined for each weight class in a high-energy championship semi-final round.

Tennessee’s Blake Tinsley blasted out of the gates to an 8-0 lead in his semi-final bout at 103 pounds. However, with the mark of a champion, New Mexico’s Kip Lewis closed the contest on an 11-1 scoring run – mostly coming in the final period – to shock Tinsley and the crowd, 11-9.

The drama continued at 125, where a pair of four-timers fell victim to big upsets. North Dakota’s Travis Lang saw his national championship dreams end at the hands of Pennsylvania’s Charles Griffin. Griffin’s dominating 13-3 major decision propelled him onto the national stage, where he’ll meet three-time cadet All-American Tyler Safratovich from Minnesota. Safratovich edged Utah four-timer Andrew Hochstrasser 4-3.

Illinois’ winningest wrestler of all time made the Land of Lincoln proud, as Joe Gomez, was briefly tested by West Virginia’s Robert Shyver, but tallied an 11-3 major to continue his undefeated campaign at 51-0. The other bout at 130 pounds saw four-time Tennessee champion Jordan Leen slip by Maryland’s Doug West 2-0.

Then the fun really started.

At 135 pounds, Ohio’s dreams were realized when both Steve Blunk and Jeff Jaggers won emotional matches to complete the all-Ohio final many had dreamed of since the two won individual titles at the Ohio Finals a month ago. One week ago, California’s Troy Tirapelle defeated Buckeye Jeff Jaggers by a final of 8-3 at the California Dream Team Classic. Now defending his home mat, Jaggers gave Tirapelle an early exit from the semifinals, securing a fall in just 52 seconds.

“I was hungry. I haven’t stopped thinking about what happened last week. They bring me out to California, drop their state golden boy to beat me up in front of their 5,000 fans and shoot off fireworks,” said an extremely emotional Jaggers. “I got two knee picks, and knew he was going to try and throw me. I knew when I locked my arms in, and saw his back flat it was over. I’ve never been more emotional after a match in my life,” he added, still celebrating with celebrating Ohio fans that he had never even met before.

Ohio’s Blunk then completed the dream final, smoking Chad Romero, another four-time champion, from Colorado, by a final score of 12-4. Blunk, who earned a trio of silver medals - and a senior gold in Ohio - never really stopped attacking Romero, dropping in for single leg after single leg.

“I never even thought I’d be competing at senior nationals, but I’m definitely happy about it,” said a smiling Blunk after his win.

Highlights continued at 140 pounds, as top-seeded Alexander Tsirtsis, who will head west and become an Iowa Hawkeye to continue his wrestling career, slipped past Mike Roberts of New York 3-2. Indiana’s Tsirtsis continues a magical career, winning for the 270th straight time. He’s not tasted defeat while in high school and with one prep match remaining he’ll face third-seeded Tyler Sherfey from Washington, a 5-2 victor, in the final.

Unseeded Texan Will Rowe, a two-time undefeated state champion stuck Utah’s Colton Salazar in 3:11 to reach the finals at 152. It was Rowe’s second win over Salazar in the last three weeks. Michael Poeta from Illinois grabbed the last spot in the 152-pound championship match with a 10-6 win over Seth Garvin of Alabama.

Another Ohioan, Steve Luke, then ended the Cinderella story of fellow Buckeye Luke Burkhardt by fall in 1:45. Burkhardt, who wrestles for Shadyside High of Ohio River fame, never even qualified for the Ohio State Tournament but caught fire in Cleveland, winning four straight bouts to reach the semifinals. Burkhardt managed to receive a wildcard from tournament directors due to a multitude of reasons, including some close losses to nationally known wrestlers and a medical condition that limited his postseason experience. And the Buckeye did not disappoint, despite the semifinal loss, as he will finish no worse than sixth in the tournament.

“I really didn’t look at his qualifications coming in,” Luke said. “I go in every match prepared and have the same mental attitude,”

Luke added that he will depend on his coach from Perry High, Dave Riggs to give him the adjustments he needs to make against a familiar opponent. Luke will face Jarrod King of Pennsylvania in the title match, after falling to him 3-1 at the Dapper Dan Classic in Pittsburgh two weeks ago.

One of the semi-final matches at 171 was a rubber match between top-seeded Kurt Brenner from Pennsylvania and Trebor Clavette of North Carolina. The two had traded a pair of previous matches by major decision, and in the end it was Brenner taking the third bout by a 9-4 final. Tyrel Todd from Montana was meanwhile busy scoring a go-ahead takedown with 12 seconds remaining to ice a 7-6 win, sending him into the championship final.

A pair of one-point matches ensued at 215 pounds, as Ohio’s Joe Dennis avenged a 2003 loss to Minnesota’s Mike Maresh with a highly entertaining 10-9 win. The lead changed hands several times, before Dennis took it for good with half a minute to go. Second-seeded Lou Thomas of West Virginia then rallied for a heart-rending 3-2 win in the other 215-pound semi-final.

The big men then took the stage, and Ohio’s Kirk Nail shocked the heavyweight world by knocking off top-seeded back-to-back champ Kyle Massey of Minnesota. Nail’s 2-1 win was celebrated wildly by his coaches, who had previously coached their wrestler to back-to-back third place finishes at the Ohio State Tournament. Yet another Ohioan, Tony Johnson then used an emotional quarterfinal overtime win to fuel his 3-2 nod over Dustin Fox, also a Buckeye.

Ohio used these wins to build what looks to be an insurmountable lead in its quest for a third straight national championship on the home mats. The hosts ended Saturday’s action with 150 points – 36 more than second place California. Just one point separates third place Michigan from fourth place New Jersey, and Pennsylvania rounds out the top five teams with a 102.5 total.

And the highlights weren’t finished yet.

To the delight of many, Georgia’s Kyle Maynard built a solid lead on Louisiana’s Mike Featherston in a 103-pound consolation match. With fans, wrestlers and coaches flocking to the side of the mat, Maynard held on to win 6-5. He then posed for pictures, spoke to the media and signed autographs, as perhaps the most remarkable story in amateur wrestling continues. One more win would solidify that claim – it would make him an All-American.

The wrestling will continue Sunday morning at 9 a.m. with more consolation round matches. The pre-finals festivities – a fan favorite – are slated for 6 p.m. Tickets will be sold all day Sunday leading up to the main event.