By Rob Sherrill

Alabama

Team Champions: Vestavia Hills (6A), Scottsboro (5A), Piedmont (A-4A)

Wrestler of the Year: Hayden Countryman (152), senior, Prattville

The star power of previous years wasn’t there, but Vestavia Hills won its third straight title and 13th overall as seniors Robert Dyar (112), David Perry (130) and Marty Carlson (145) and sophomore Henry Carlson (135) all won their second state titles. Countryman won his fifth 6A title and also repeated as Outstanding Wrestler. Junior Tyler Shankles (119) and senior twins Garon (140) and Taylor Machen (145) all captured their second titles as Scottsboro won for the fourth straight year. Shankles and Garon Machen each pinned their way to titles. While Vestavia Hills and Scottsboro are used to being on top of the leader board, Piedmont won its first state crown, outscoring three-time defending champion Anniston Walter Wellborn 116-96. Senior Cody Bedwell (125) and junior Jonathan Propes (130) won titles for Piedmont. Heflin Cleburne County senior Justin Reynolds (135) won his fourth title.

Alaska

Team Champions: Palmer Colony (4A), Petersburg (A-3A)

Wrestler of the Year: Nathan Hoffer (135), junior, Anchorage East

Colony (263.5 points) easily won its third straight title, using its balance to win. Senior Kyle Wilson (125) won his second state title and junior Eric Fan (215) also won for Colony, which placed 12 in the top five. North Pole (163) claimed second place as just 35 points separated the next five teams. Junior National All-American Hoffer won his third title, sophomore teammate Matt Malnoske (112) also repeated and Eagle River Chugiak senior Nolan McBryde (160) won a third state title. Senior Billy Craig’s 56-second pin in the heavyweight final lifted Petersburg High to the 3-2-1A title, 176-175-174.5 over Bethel High and Dillingham High. Each team had two champions, four finalists and eight place-winners. It was the second straight year the title was decided by two points or less, and with just four more points, Dillingham would have a four-year winning streak.

Arizona

Team Champions: Tempe Corona del Sol (5A Division 1 dual), Tucson Sunnyside (5A Division 2 dual), Vail Cienega (4A Division 1 dual), Cottonwood Mingus (4A Division 2 dual), Safford (3A dual), St. Johns (A-2A)

Wrestler of the Year: Luke Macchiaroli (215), senior, Corona del Sol

Tucson Sunnyside won its 12th straight state title, keeping alive one of the nation’s longest streaks, while Corona del Sol dethroned three-time defending duals champion Mesa 26-25. Both 4A classes, as well as 3A, held duals finals for the first time. Safford, which won 3A for the fifth straight year, also made history by prevailing in the prestigious Tucson Flowing Wells Invitational for the first time, finishing 16 points ahead of runner-up Sunnyside and many of the state’s other elite teams. Junior Ryak Finch (112) and senior Nathaniel Abril (145) won their third titles to lead five individual Safford champions. Macchiaroli won his third title with two pins and two technical falls. Mingus junior Luke Goettl (130) won his third title, but senior teammate Josh Chang (135) was denied a fourth title, 8-3 by Page junior Sean Garcia, who won last year at 130.

Arkansas

Team Champions: Bentonville (6-7A), North Little Rock Central Arkansas Christian School (A-5A)

Wrestler of the Year: Cody Conklin (160), senior, Bentonville

Arkansas conducted a state association-sanctioned state tournament for the first time this year with 40 schools participating after two years as an independent state meet. Bentonville kept its record perfect and is now 3 for 3. Conklin faced Little Rock Catholic junior Dexter Carter in the finals for the second straight year and prevailed 5-1 to become the only wrestler to win titles in all three years the tournament has been contested. Fayetteville seniors Cappy Leaf (140) and Markies Eubanks (145) were dethroned in their bids for third titles, Leaf losing on a default to Bentonville junior Drew Coble and Eubanks being pinned by Rogers Heritage junior Jared Arthur, voted the Outstanding Wrestler in the middle weights. Repeating as A-5A champions were sophomores Eric Yarberry (125) of Little Rock Arkansas School for the Blind and Tyler Binford (140) of Central Arkansas Christian.

California

Team Champion: Poway

Wrestler of the Year: David Klingsheim (119), senior, Brentwood Liberty

Maybe Poway performs better as the underdog. The Titans entered the state tournament with better teams in 2006 and 2007, only to be nipped at the buzzer by opponents riding hot weekends. This time, Poway got titles from seniors Henry Yorba (130) and Ian Daube (189) and scored 140 points. The real battle was for second place with Clovis Buchanan and Selma sharing runner-up honors and edging defending champion Clovis, 125.5-124. Clovis finished just fourth despite a state-high six place-winners, led by senior champion Scott Sakaguchi (145). The lower-weight Murderer’s Row of Selma freshman Alex Cisneros (103), Gilroy junior Jesse Delgado (112), and senior two-time champions Klingsheim (119) and Martin Gonzalez (125) of Gilroy were dominant, as was senior two-time champion Roger McCovey (Hwt) of Crescent City Del Norte. So was Santa Ana Calvary Chapel sophomore Morgan McIntosh (171).

Colorado

Team Champions: Parker Ponderosa (5A), Broomfield (4A), La Jara Centauri (3A), Paonia (2A)

Wrestler of the Year: Stryker Lane (215), senior, Norwood

Parker Ponderosa has had stronger teams. But four straight state champions in the heart of the lineup were enough for the Mustangs. Junior Jake Snider (140) won his third title, senior Daniel Kelly (145) also repeated and were joined as champions by junior Steven Kelly (152) and sophomore Austin Gabel (160). Cadet National champion Connor Medbery (215) of Loveland had three pins and a 15-2 major decision to win his first title. Two-time state champions met in the 130-pound final in 4A as Dale Shull of Fort Lupton edged Dan Frank of Johnstown Roosevelt, the 3A team champion a year ago, 6-5. Lane, who pinned his way to the title while spending less than seven minutes on the mat, was one of two Norwood wrestlers to finish his career with three state titles. Lane and Hugh Hardman (140) combined for a 80-0 record this season.

Connecticut

Team Champions: Danbury (State Open and LL), Fairfield Warde (L), Waterford (M), Danielson Killingly (S)

Wrestler of the Year: Tucker Schaefer (145), senior, Danbury

Danbury (131 points) won the State Open title for the ninth consecutive year. The Hatters led all teams with three champions. Junior Charlie Costanzo (119) won his second State Open title and junior Brian Jennings (112) and Schaefer also won. Schaefer, who nearly decided to quit wrestling before his junior season to run indoor track instead, became the first Danbury athlete to win State Open titles in two sports, also taking the cross country crown last fall. The only other repeat State Open champion was senior Tim Vollaro (171) of Class S Somers. The state’s only New England champion was surprising senior Lucas Bowman (189), from another S school, Uncasville St. Bernard. Costanzo, Vollaro and Bethel junior Andrew Ford (152) also advanced to the finals. East Lyme junior Ross Spencer (103) was voted the State Open’s Outstanding Wrestler after finishing 39-0.

Delaware

Team Champions: Wilmington St. Mark’s (Division 1 dual), Milford (Division 2 dual)

Wrestler of the Year: Bobby Telford (Hwt), junior, St. Mark’s

St. Mark’s had not advanced to the state finals since 2002, but the Spartans pounded the teams who combined for the last six state crowns – Georgetown Sussex Central, 47-15 in the semifinals and Camden Wyoming Caesar Rodney, 44-15 in the title match. St. Mark’s followed that with six individual state champions. Junior Sean Dolan (119) won his third title and junior Sean Boylan (112) his second, and were joined sophomore Tyler Pendergast (103), seniors Tyler Snook (171) and Corey Olsen (215), who upset two-time defending champion Chris Drummond of Milford 8-3 in the quarterfinals, and Telford, who completed a storybook 38-0 season. Georgetown Sussex Vo-Tech, Caesar Rodney and Smyrna each had two champions. Smyrna sophomore Cody Broomall (130) upset St. Mark’s Nick Schenk 3-1 in overtime in the title match and was voted the meet’s Outstanding Wrestler.

Florida

Team Champions: Kissimmee Osceola (3A), Brandon (2A), Fort Myers Riverdale (A)

Wrestler of the Year: Eric Grajales (135), senior, Brandon

How about this for a stat: Over a span of 11 weight classes —112 through 189 — Brandon had nearly twice as many state champions (seven) as total losses (four). Grajales won his fourth state title and 218-0 in his career. The combined record of those 11 wrestlers this season: 685 wins, just 36 losses. Junior Joe Cozart (145) won his third title for Brandon and seniors Ryan Renkey (112) and Kevin Timothy (140) and freshman Rossi Bruno (119) also repeated. The Eagles won for the ninth straight year. The other two team races featured plenty of drama, however. Kissimmee Osceola, the 3A runner-up last year, toppled defending champion Homestead South Dade 157-151 as junior Cadet National champion Levi Clemons (171) clinched the title. South Dade senior Kendrick Sanders (145) won his third title. Defending champion Fort Myers Riverdale, with no champions and just one finalist, held on to nip Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons, 87.5-87.

Georgia

Team Champions: Suwanee Collins Hill (5A dual and individual), Fayetteville Whitewater (4A dual), Springfield Effingham County (4A individual), LaFayette (3A dual), Covington Eastside (3A individual), Jefferson (2A dual and individual), Bremen (A dual and individual), Macon First Presbyterian Day School (independent dual)

Wrestler of the Year: Brandon Westerman (130), senior, Powder Springs John McEachern

Westerman won his fourth 5A title with a 6-0 victory over junior Ryan Maus of Kennesaw Mountain, but there were plenty of other big-class stars. Collins Hill, on its way to becoming a national power, had five state champions, led by junior T.J. Mitchell (119), who won his second title, and senior Taylor Knapp (160), who won for the third time. Covington Eastside rode seven finalists to the 3A individual title after an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty cost them the dual crown in a 30-30 tie against LaFayette. Jefferson, winner of the last eight A titles, was equally as dominant in extending its streak to nine in its first year up a class in 2A. Bryan Benton (135) of Lyons Toombs County also won his fourth state title, but Jefferson’s Jay Fowler (152) was denied a fourth crown in a 5-3 finals loss to Swainsboro senior Wade Farrow. Bremen, which finished as the runner-up to Jefferson seven of the past eight years, moved up to take over A.

Hawaii

Team Champion: Honolulu Punahou School

Wrestler of the Year: Reid Oshiro (125), senior, Punahou

For the second straight year, Honolulu Punahou School set a state scoring record in repeating as team champion. The Buffanblu scored 255 points, 79 more than Honolulu Kaiser and smashed the record of 225.5 points they established last year. Oshiro repeated at the same weight class he won last year and fellow senior Maika Nagata (130) also won as five Buffanblu wrestlers won titles. Patrick Sheehan (171), George Kolu Buck (215) and junior Sani Fuiamono (Hwt) also won for Punahou. Oshiro prevailed 6-4 over senior Shayden Terukina of Kapalama Kamehameha School, the 112-pound champion last year, in a weight class that included three defending champions. Senior Michael Makagawa (119) of Honolulu Kalani, a Fargo All-American, also won. Kaiser senior Jason Spiker pinned his way to the 103-pound title.

Idaho

Team Champions: Idaho Falls (5A), Nampa Columbia (4A), American Falls (3A), Malad City Malad (2A)

Wrestler of the Year: Abner Cook (152), senior, Pocatello

American Falls was the only repeat team champion with senior Paden Johnson (130) winning his third state crown and sophomores Kasey West (103) and V.J. Giulio (160) also taking titles. Fargo-tested lightweights made their presence felt in 5A, led by sophomore two-time state champion Casey George (119) of Lewistown, who dethroned two-time defending champion Dillon Gentry of Rathdrum Lakeland, 8-3. Juniors Braden Mowry (125) of Coeur d’Alene and Holden Packard (130) of Meridian Mountain View also won their second titles. Cook (43-0) and junior teammate Trevor Rupp (37-0) finished unbeaten season for Pocatello. Malad City Malad edged Parma, 199.5-195 for the first team title in school history, despite no champions and just a single finalist. Malad had 12 place-winners, including four third-place finishers and four fifth-place finishers.

Illinois

Team Champions: Oak Park-River Forest (3A dual), Lombard Montini (2A dual), Wilmington (A dual)

Wrestler of the Year: Tony Ramos (125), senior, Carol Stream Glenbard North

In the first year of a new three-class system, the match that created the most buzz took place in the 3A quarterfinals with unheralded freshman Max Schneider (135) of Chicago Lane Tech rallying from a 4-1 second-period deficit to pin highly-ranked Ellis Coleman of Oak Park-River Forest with five seconds remaining. Coleman finished third for the second straight year, and did not advance past the quarterfinals in any of his four state tournament appearances. Schneider reached the finals with three pins, but fell 12-9 to Lake Zurich senior Kevin Fanta, whom he had pinned during the regular season. Ramos earned his third state title with an overtime takedown in a 3-1 victory over fellow champion Jon Morrison of Orland Park Carl Sandburg. Montini advanced an all-time record six to the finals, its 2A win giving the Broncos state titles in three different classifications. Dakota’s Seth Milks (130) survived the tournament’s toughest draw and the loss of a 4-0 finals lead to win his fourth A title on a tie-breaker rideout, becoming the state’s 11th four-time champion.

Indiana

Team Champion: Crown Point (dual)

Wrestler of the Year: Camden Eppert (119), senior, Anderson Highland

A week after crowning three individual state champions, Crown Point won the dual state tournament in their first appearance, 33-25 over Indianapolis Perry Meridian. The Bulldogs (21-1) got 3-0 performances from their three state champions, junior Anthony Hawkins (112), freshman Jason Tsirtsis (125) and senior Marcus Shrewsbury (189), a Northwestern University recruit. Crown Point beat Indianapolis Roncalli High 48-9 in the quarterfinals and Indianapolis Cathedral High 28-23 in the semifinals. Perry Meridian won its quarterfinal and semifinal matches by a combined five points. Eppert met junior Brandon Wright of Indianapolis Cathedral in the state finals for the third consecutive year…and prevailed in the rubber match, 3-2 in the tie-breaker. He also had to get past unbeaten Justin Brooks of Warsaw, 3-0 in the quarterfinals, and state finalist Casey Kenney of Portland Jay County, 8-4 in the semifinals. Three-time state champion Josh Harper (130) of Mishawaka, slowed by a torn labrum, finished fourth.

Iowa

Team Champions: Waverly-Shell Rock (3A dual and individual), Huxley Ballard (2A dual and individual), Gilbertville Don Bosco (A dual and individual)

Wrestler of the Year: John Nicholson (160), senior, Des Moines Roosevelt

All three team champions repeated as double titlists. Waverly-Shell Rock’s double repeat was the most dramatic, as the Go-Hawks won the final four matches to erase a 13-point deficit and rally past Iowa City West, 31-30, a week after edging the Trojans 146.5-138.5 for the individual state crown. Ballard lived up to its nickname — the Bombers — in boat-racing the 2A field; setting a class record with 220 points — 5.5 less than Waverly-Shell Rock scored last year — and an all-class record with nine finalists. Senior Trent Weatherman (152) and junior Brock Weatherman (171), his cousin, won their second titles as five Bombers won. Nicholson upset defending state champion Derek St. John of Iowa City West 7-3 in the semifinals and edged Michael Moreno of Urbandale 3-2 for the title. Don Bosco’s Bart Reiter (135) became the state’s 15th four-time champion and the first since 2006. Both Ballard and Don Bosco posted winning margins of more than 100 points.

Kansas

Team Champions: Goddard (6A), Emporia (5A), Colby (4A), Smith Center (A-3A)

Wrestlers of the Year: Tyler Caldwell (160) and Boaz Beard (189), seniors, Goddard

We didn’t feel like choosing between Caldwell and Beard, who became the first teammates in state history to finish their careers as four-time state champions. Caldwell won his title with a 11-0 major decision and Beard put away his fourth crown with his third pin of the tournament. Senior Mitchell Means (145) won his second title for the Lions. Wichita Heights senior Kendric Maple (135), an Iowa State University recruit, won his second title, but teammates Daniel DeShazer (119) and Chase Nelson (171) were upset in their bids to repeat. DeShazer lost 4-2 to senior Chaz Lawrence of Olathe South and Derby’s Alex Feldkamp nipped Nelson 3-1. Smith Center, which has won 69 straight football games and nipped Phillipsburg by one-half point for the A-3A crown last year, out-pointed Beloit 134.5-109 as junior Colt Rogers (130) won his third title.

Kentucky

Team Champion: Louisville Trinity

Wrestler of the Year: Harrison Courtney (160), senior, Versailles Woodford County

Trinity won its second team title — its first came 20 years ago — by dethroning two-time defending champion Morganfield Union County, 222-182. Freshman John Fahy (103) and juniors Myron Bradbury (112) and Brad Hitchings (171) won titles for Trinity. Union County’s four state champions weren’t enough to carry the Braves. Brothers  Caleb (130), a sophomore, and Isaac Ervin (152), a senior, finished unbeaten with records of 62-0 and 32-0, respectively, and their cousin, senior Luke Ervin, also won at 130. Senior Aaron Carr (125) was the fourth Union County champion. Courtney, who finished 38-0, became the state’s first four-time champion since 2002. Senior Matt Zarth of Lexington Henry Clay won his third straight 119-pound title. Senior Justin Davis (140) of Louisville Eastern won his second title and the meet’s Outstanding Wrestler award.

Louisiana

Team Champions: New Orleans Jesuit (Division 1), New Orleans Holy Cross (Division 2), Brusly (Division 3)

Wrestler of the Year: Tony Suarez (152), senior, Metairie Archbishop Rummel

Using its balance, Jesuit placed 13 with senior Jonathan Dupre (119) winning his second state title. The Blue Jays piled up a 266.5-232.5 advantage over Metairie Archbishop Rummel, which stayed in the running with four individual champions. Leading the way was Suarez, who won his third title with a 3-1 decision over Lafayette Comeaux sophomore Zachary Saucier in a battle of defending champions. Senior John Calcote (130) won his second title and sophomore Rhett Ernst (135) and senior Bernie Dupuy (160) also won for Rummel. Cadet All-American Matt Rabinowitz (103) of Bossier City Airline also repeated. Brusly continued its domination of the state’s smallest class, scoring 297 points to break the all-class scoring record it set last year and crowning a national-best eight state champions for the second straight year. Seniors Ty Welch (140) and Anthony Hood (189) won their second titles.

Maine

Team Champions: North Berwick Noble (A), Belfast (B), Lisbon Falls Lisbon (C)

Wrestler of the Year: Travis Spencer (189), senior, Belfast

Spencer and Joey Eon (145) of Waterboro Massabesic became Maine’s 11th and 12th four-time state champions. Spencer pinned all three opponents in the first period. Both were voted Outstanding Wrestler in their respective classes. North Berwick Noble crowned three champions, with senior Peter Bronder (152) winning his second title, and reclaimed the A title, 170.5-155 over two-time defending champion Massabesic. Junior Matt DelGallo (119) of Gardiner won his third A title. Spencer and Eon also advanced to the New England finals, as did another A state champion, Ryan Toussaint (125) of Portland Deering. Belfast and Lisbon Falls Lisbon both repeated as champions. Lisbon Falls Lisbon crowned seven state champions, with sophomore Forrest Cornell (112) and senior Marcus Bubar (145), voted the Outstanding Wrestler, winning their second titles.

Maryland

Team Champions: Millersville Old Mill (4A-3A dual and individual), Oakland Southern Garrett (2A-A dual and individual), Baltimore Mount St. Joseph (independent)

Wrestler of the Year: Avi Friedman (112), senior, Owings Mills

For the first time since the state dual series was added, both classes had double team champions. Friedman finished 34-0 in winning his second 2A-A state title, moving up a weight from last year and pinning two-time defending champion Scott Mantua of Clarksville River Hill in the final. Southern Garrett’s four champions included junior George “Brutus” Scheffel (140), who won his third title, and sophomore brother Jakob “Bubba” Scheffel (145), who pinned his way to his first state crown and finished 44-0. Berlin Stephen Decatur senior Danny Miller (189) won his third 4A-3A title. Baltimore Mount St. Joseph dethroned two-time defending champion Owings Mills McDonogh School 275.5-230 to win the independent school title. The two schools also finished fourth and fifth, respectively, in the National Prep Championships. Five Maryland wrestlers advanced to the finals, but all had to settle for second place.

Massachusetts

Team Champions: Framingham (Division 1 dual), Franklin (Division 2 dual), Burlington (Division 3 dual)

Wrestler of the Year: Miguel Guzman (119), senior, Andover Greater Lawrence Vo-Tech

Some though it would be a down year in the Bay State after a banner senior class that included seven New England champions graduated a year ago. Not so, at least on the New England stage. The state exceeded expectations by crowning six more champions, only three of whom were All-State champions in Massachusetts – Guzman, Victor DeJesus (145) of Lowell and Isaiah Williams (160) of Haverhill. What a difference a week makes, Corey Melo of New Bedford beat Great Lawrence Vo-Tech’s Matt Buco in the New England final to avenge an All-State finals loss. Franklin’s Matt Telhada (140), fourth in the All-State, and Northborough Algonquin’s Mike Wrin (171), an All-State runnerup, won titles and Waltham’s Mike Caruso, only fifth in the All-State, advanced to the finals. Framingham and Burlington won their first dual state titles, with Franklin winning for the first time in three seasons.

Michigan

Team Champions: Rockford (Division 1 dual), Lowell (Division 2 dual), Goodrich (Division 3 dual), Hudson (Division 4 dual)

Wrestler of the Year: Taylor Massa (145), freshman, St. Johns

Talk about a tough choice…with apologies to maybe the state’s most dominant wrestler, Brandon Zeerip (152) of Hesperia, who won his third Division 4 title and finished 69-0, and Rockford ace Kyle Waldo (119), who became the state’s 19th four-time state champion, when was the last time the most anticipated match of any state tournament was a showdown between two freshmen? That was the case in Division 2 at 145, where double Cadet National champion Massa edged Greenville’s Jordan Thomas, also a Fargo All-American, 5-2. In the state duals the previous week, Massa bumped up to 152 and nipped two-time state champion Jackson Morse of Lowell, 7-6. A 33-25 victory over fellow Division 3 powerhouse Dundee made Goodrich (47-0) the state’s only team to complete an unbeaten season. Goodrich’s Kyler Ellsworth (189) finished 68-0.

Minnesota

Team Champions: Apple Valley (3A dual), Inver Grove Heights Simley (2A dual), Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg (A dual)

Wrestler of the Year: Robby Fisher (135), senior, Bloomington Kennedy

Though Apple Valley prevailed in the state tournament, Fisher stole the show with not one, but two victories over Apple Valley sophomore standout Destin McCauley. After scoring a 4-2 victory in the dual semifinals Friday afternoon – a match Apple Valley won 44-27 – Fisher did it again with a 10-5 victory in the state final Saturday night, ending McCauley’s bid to become the state’s first six-time champion. Hastings’ Luke Vaith scored a huge quarterfinal upset at 140, nipping Kennedy’s Dylan Ness 7-6 en route to the title. Despite McCauley’s loss, Apple Valley had four state champions, with Tyler Lehmann (160) scoring four first-period pins. David Thorn (125) of St. Michael-Albertville won his fourth 2A title and Kevin Steinhaus (160), who quarterbacked Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg to its first state football crown last fall, led the Fighting Saints to their first wrestling title with his third individual crown.

Missouri

Team Champions: Kansas City Park Hill (Class 4), Kansas City Oak Park (Class 3), Kirksville (Class 2), St. Louis Whitfield School (Class 1)

Wrestler of the Year: Ryan Mango (130), senior, St. Louis Whitfield School

After winning eight straight Class 4 titles, Kansas City Oak Park, whose district split into two separate schools this year, made it nine straight with the Class 3 crown. Oak Park’s Mac Bailey (135) and Monett’s Kyle Meyer (152) became the state’s 15th and 16th four-time champions. If you think Pennsylvania’s Class 3A is tough, look at the Show-Me State’s Class 4, which is loaded with nationally-ranked stars: St. Charles Francis Howell Cental’s Terrel Wilbourn (112), Park Hill’s Alan Waters (119), O’Fallon Fort Zumwalt West’s Drake Houdashelt (140), Wentzville Holt’s Greg Amos (145) and Eureka’s Nick (152) and Matt Lester (160). Stanford University recruit Mango, who wrestled the season at 125, went to 130 to help Whitfield edge Brookfield, 160-156 for the Class 1 title. His 14-11 decision in the finals gave Whitfield a 22-point edge, holding off Brookfield’s 4-for-4 finals performance the rest of the way.

Montana

Team Champions: Kalispell Flathead (AA), Havre (A), Glasgow (B-C)

Wrestler of the Year: Toby Erickson (Hwt), senior, Helena

It wasn’t the Flathead team that smashed state records the past two seasons, but the Braves overcame nemesis Billings Skyview 339-315 as each team placed 14 in the top six. Flathead got titles from junior Shawn Lau (130) and senior Bryce Stacy (160), who won their second titles, and senior Ryan Thiel (152), and added six third-place finishes. Erickson, who needed just 100 seconds to pin his four state tournament opponents last year, got off to a similar start this year before Flathead senior Tyler Thomas decided he wouldn’t be pinned in this year’s state final, forcing Erickson to settle for a 6-3 decision. All three team champions repeated. Four wrestlers were successful in their bids for their third state titles: seniors Nash Hallfrisch (145) of Great Falls Charles M. Russell in AA, Chris Recio (112) of Havre in A and Ethan Tweet (Hwt) of Fort Benton in B-C, and Poplar junior Hunter Azure (140), also in B-C. By a 2-1 margin, Lau denied Skyview’s Brice Gretch a third AA title at 130.

Nebraska

Team Champions: Grand Island (A), Omaha Skutt (B), Central City (C), Howells (D)

Wrestler of the Year: Alex Bridgeford (140), senior, Omaha Harry A. Burke

It’s safe to say that any list of Nebraska wrestling powers would not have included Grand Island prior to this year. The Islanders rarely finished in the state’s top 10 in the 1990s, and last year’s fourth-place finish was their previous best. This year they placed 11, getting titles from freshmen Andrew Riedy (103) and Blake Fruchtl (112) and juniors Alex Chanthapatheth (130) and Nathan Westerby (215) as they pounded four-time defending champion Omaha Millard South 252.5-145.5. Things didn’t change in Class B, though, where Skutt won for the 12th straight year, extending one of the nation’s longest streaks. Seniors Zach Cottle (112) and Matt Katusin (135) won their third titles to pace six Skutt champions. Howells senior Bryan Mejstrik (145) became the state’s 15th four-time champion. The state’s top two 215-pounders a year ago, junior Ronald Coleman of Omaha North and senior Kevin Barrett of Boys Town, went in opposite directions to win their third titles, Coleman going up a weight to Hwt and Barrett down a weight to 189.

Nevada

Team Champions: Las Vegas Cimarron Memorial (4A), Winnemucca Albert M. Lowry (3A), Incline Village Incline (2A-A)

Wrestler of the Year: Steven Hernandez (145), junior, Las Vegas Bishop Gorman

With two-time defending 4A champion North Las Vegas Mojave cleaned out by graduation, Cimarron Memorial breezed as senior Britian Longmire (119) won his third title and senior Travis DeGroat (130) won his first state crown since his freshman year. Hernandez, who pinned all three of his opponents, and senior Doug Del Porto (135) of Reno Galena won their third titles and junior Jake Evans (130) of North Las Vegas Legacy and seniors Trent DeBraga (160) of Fallon Churchill County and Brandon Gebhardt (189) of Sparks Edward C. Reed also repeated. Junior Skyler Bleck (145) and senior Trevor Grant (171) won their second titles to pace Lowry past Spring Creek, 221.5-170.5. Senior Bryar Saddoris (160) won his fourth state title and senior Cameron Hopper (119) and junior Nick Wooden (140) won their third titles for Spring Creek. Incline Village Incline, which moved down a class after finishing eighth in 3A last year, ended Battle Mountain’s eight-year winning streak, 140.5-124. Junior Jordan Cronin (Hwt) repeated with three first-period pins for Incline.

New Hampshire

Team Champions: Plaistow Timberlane (Meet of Champions and Division 1), Plymouth (Division 2)

Wrestler of the Year: Mike Grillakis (215), senior, Nashua South

It was a year of records for Plaistow Timberlane. Not only did the Owls win their 10th consecutive Division 1 team title and 16th in 17 years, along with a 13th Meet of Champions crown in 15 seasons, but they made history in the New England Championships. The Owls didn’t have an individual champion, but outscored Cranston (R.I.) West 110.5-91 to win their fourth team title in the past five years and their seventh overall, a record. Grillakis, who won his third Division 1 and second Meet of Champions state crowns, became one of three Granite State wrestlers to win a New England title. The others were seniors Cody Byrd (152) of Londonderry and Dan Herrick (Hwt) of Concord, who didn’t win either a Division 1 or Meet of Champions title. Concord finished fifth in the New England meet. Timberlane’s lower-weight Murderer’s Row – sophomore Matt Morris (119), seniors Cam Sullivan (125) and Dave Clemens (135) and junior Alex Smith (130) – all repeated as Mett of Champions titlists.

New Jersey

Team Champions: Brick Memorial (Group 4 dual), Phillipsburg (Group 3 dual), Long Branch (Group 2 dual), Paulsboro (Group 1 dual), Cherry Hill Camden Catholic (Non-Public A dual), Pennsauken Bishop Eustace Preparatory (Non-Public B dual)

Wrestler of the Year: Andrew Campolattano (189), sophomore, Bound Brook

As we reported in our column last issue, Long Branch (27-1) was voted the winner of this year’s No. 1 Team in New Jersey award – the school’s first. Rounding out the top five: Sussex High Point (23-4), Phillipsburg (22-2), Brick Memorial (26-4) and Group 2 dual runnerup Kenilworth David Brearley (22-3). Double Cadet National champion Campolattano was voted the meet’s Outstanding Wrestler after victories over two other ranked wrestlers: an injury-default semifinal win over Jonathan Becker of Oradell Bergen Catholic and a 10-7 victory over former champion Mac Mancuso of Absecon Holy Spirit. Winning their second state titles: seniors Vinnie Dellefave (119) of Toms River East and Brendan Ard (171) of Watchung Hills and juniors Frank Cagnina (125) of North Arlington Queen of Peace, Cadet National freestyle champion Anthony Baldosaro (140) of Voorhees Eastern and Jimmy Lawson (Hwt) of Manchester.

New Mexico

Team Champions: Rio Rancho (5A), Silver City Silver (4A), Las Vegas Robertson (3A-A)

Wrestler of the Year: Max Ortega (140), senior, Rio Rancho

Ortega pinned his way to his fifth state title, becoming the second New Mexico wrestler to win five state crowns. He finished 49-1 and one-upped his older brother Matt, who won four state titles along with the NHSCA Senior Nationals crown. Junior teammate Louis Trujillo (130) finished 50-1 and breezed to his third state title and senior Chris Rubalcaba (135) also repeated. Staying on track to join Ortega was Las Vegas Robertson sophomore Daniel Martinez (152), who jumped four weight classes from last year and won his third title. Senior teammate Wally Diaz (145) won his fourth state crow. Even senior Bryce Cargile’s 7-3 upset win over two-time state champion Juan Carlos Maynes in the 160-pound final and senior heavyweight Tyler East’s third state title weren’t enough for three-time defending 4A team champion Belen, which fell to Silver City Silver 156-145.5.

New York

Section Champions: Section 11-Suffolk County (Division 1), Section 5-Rochester (Division 2)

Wrestler of the Year: Austin Meys (189), senior, Clifton Park Shenendehowa

How about this for back-to-back state finals star power: three-time defending state champions squared off in the Division 2 championship match at 135, with Alex Ekstrom of Palmyra-Macedon edging Ian Paddock of Warsaw, 4-3. In beating last year’s Outstanding Wrestler award winner, Ekstrom was voted this year’s OW. Then, in the 140-pound final, Kyle Dake of Lansing, who lost to Paddock in last year’s final, nipped two-time champion Mike Nevinger of Gainesville Letchworth, 2-1. With four first-period pins, three-time titlist Meys repeated as Division 1 OW in a tournament that wasn’t kind to defending champions. Only 11 of 25 were able to repeat. Junior Nick Arujau (125) of Syosset won his second state title, moving up two weight classes and beating fellow defending champion Jamie Franco of Central Valley Monroe-Woodbury 4-0. Unheralded senior Ernest James (215) of Middle Island Longwood made a run for OW honors with back-to-back victories over ranked opponents – 5-2 over defending champion Paul Glover of Spencerport in the semifinals and 4-0 over Steven Butler of Port Jervis in the final.

 
North Carolina

Team Champions: Cary (4A dual and individual), Winston-Salem Parkland (3A dual and individual), Hillsborough Orange (2A dual, 2A-A individual), Hampstead Topsail (A individual), Lewisville Forsyth Country Day School (independent)

Wrestler of the Year: Eloheim Palma (Hwt), senior, Cary

Cary, Winston-Salem Parkland and Hillsborough Orange all repeated as double team champions. Cary went 4-for-4 in championship matches and went on to record its fifth consecutive 4A individual title. Palma, who won his second state title and became the first North Carolina wrestler to be ranked No. 1 by WIN, finished 62-0 and came within one match of pinning every opponent this season. Fellow senior Tyler Shatley of Connelly Springs East Burke made sure he wouldn’t be pin victim No. 62, forcing Palma to settle for a 10-4 victory. Shatley’s only two losses the past two years came to Palma in the state finals. If 135-pounders Corey Mock (4A) of Chapel Hill and Jacob Creed (3A) of Jamestown Lucy C. Ragsdale felt any pressure in going for their fourth titles, they didn’t show it. In their eight matches, they racked up six pins, a technical fall and a 12-1 major decision in swelling the state’s total of four-time champions to 15.

North Dakota

Team Champions: Bismarck (A dual and individual), Oakes (B dual and individual)

Wrestler of the Year: Scott Schiller (189), junior, West Fargo

Make it seven straight Class A state duals titles for Bismarck – every year since the dual state series was instituted. The Demons got a run from Fargo South in the final, a match featured a 7-7 match split. Bismarck’s seven wins, though, featured six pins in a 39-32 victory. The individual state tournament was less harrowing for Bismarck, which crowned six champions in easing past Fargo South, 246.5-147. Sophomore Joe Schumacher (135), up four weight classes from last year, and senior Trevor Johnson (145) won their second titles for the Demons. Fargo South sophomore Eric Forde (112) and double Cadet National placewinner Schiller also repeated, Schiller pinning his way to his title. Senior state champion Josh Kelly (125) led 10 placewinners as Oakes won its first double crown, winning its three duals by average 58-15 score. Lisbon freshman Michael Nord (135) kept himself on pace to become a six-time state champion, finishing 46-0 with his third state crown.

Ohio

Team Champions: Lakewood St. Edward (Division 1), St. Paris Graham (Division 2), Troy Christian (Division 3)

Wrestler of the Year: David Taylor (135), senior, St. Paris Graham

Every time eight-time champion St. Paris Graham takes the mat in Columbus, state records are in jeopardy. The Falcons finally shattered two major records – the all-class point record (282), 53 better than St. Edward’s total of 229 in 2007, and the oldest and most talked-about record in Ohio’s record book – seven state champions, finally passing the record of six set by Cleveland West High in 1951. Despite being dethroned as the Division 1 duals champion by Wadsworth in January, St. Edward prevailed for a record 13th straight time as senior Collin Palmer (140) won his fourth title and junior Jamie Clark (119) his third. Taylor, who beat Palmer 8-5 in a January dual meet, won his fourth crown as well, giving the state 18 four-time champions. Three-time state champion Zach Toal’s major decision at 160 gave Troy Christian its third straight crown, 113-112 over Monroeville, still looking for its first state title despite four champions for the second straight year. Junior Logan Stieber (125) won his third title and sophomores Hunter Stieber (119), Cam Tessari (130) and Chris Phillips (171) also repeated.

Oklahoma

Team Champions: Ponca City (6A dual), Tulsa Union (6A individual), Claremore (5A dual and individual), Cushing (4A dual), Tuttle (4A individual), Perry (3A dual and individual)

Wrestler of the Year: Chris Perry (189), senior, Stillwater

After a couple of down years in terms of talent, the Sooner State is riding a wave of outstanding underclass talent. The senior group at 171 pounds was perhaps the nation’s best, with Catoosa’s Dallas Bailey, Tulsa Union’s Joey Sheridan, Woodward’s Zach White and Marlow’s Tanner Keck. The four entered the state tournament with seven state titles between them, and three of the four added titles. Future Oklahoma State University teammates Bailey and White met for the 4A title, with Bailey taking a 5-3 overtime decision for his fourth state title. No Oklahoma wrestler had become a four-time state champion since 2005, but four reached that plateau this year – Bailey, Perry, on the short list for every national award, Ladd Rupp (125) of Perry and Jerry Patterson (130) of Cushing. Oklahoma now has 24 four-tiume champions. Claremore entered the state’s wrestling elite with its first double title.

Oregon

Team Champions: Newberg (6A), Hermiston (5A), Sweet Home (4A), Burns (3A), Culver (2A-A)

Wrestler of the Year: R.J. Pena (145), senior, Salem Sprague

Newberg’s victory over two-time defending champion Roseburg was the biggest state tournament news. Pena, one of three Oregon wrestlers to become four-time state champions, was a tough call over fellow four-time champion Alec Ortiz (171) of Newberg and two-time 5A champion Brock Gutches (152) of Central Point Crater. Junior Tommy Siciliano (119) added his third title for Newberg. The other four-time champion was Cy Swartzlender (125) of Lakeview, who pinned his way to a title. Burns’ eighth consecutive 3A title was the closest in the streak, 149-146.5 over Nyssa. Burns trailed by one-half point entered the finals, but clinched the title on senior Joe Drinkwater’s second state title at 160. Hermiston and Culver also repeated as champions. Seniors winning their third titles: Eric Jorgensen (119) of Hermiston and Eric Luna (140) of Portland Cleveland (5A), Denny Linton (130) of Sheridan and Deven Dawson of Harrisburg (3A) and Caleb Cardwell (171) of Lowell (2A-A).

Pennsylvania

Team Champions: Harrisburg Central Dauphin (3A dual and individual), Greenville H.A. Reynolds (2A dual), Pittsburgh Shady Side Academy (2A individual), Kingston Wyoming Seminary Preparatory School (independent)

Wrestler of the Year: Dane Johnson (140), senior, Pittsburgh Shady Side Academy

Junior Murderer’s Row: From 135 through 152, 3A champions Josh Kindig of Schuylkill Haven Blue Mountain, twins Andrew and Dylan Alton of Mill Hall Central Mountain and Marshall Peppelman of double state champion Central Dauphin give the Keystone State a Steel Curtain perhaps unmatched in American high school wrestling history. Johnson is deserving…he led Shady Side Academy to its first state title with a dominating season of his own and was voted OW…but we’d rather not choose between the Fab Four. In prevailing over a state tournament field that included five Top 15 teams nationally, Central Dauphin’s road to the 3A title was by far the nation’s toughest. Strangest weight class: 112 in 2A, where unheralded Zach Beitz of Mifflintown Juniata stunned ranked Mason Beckman of Reynolds and Luke Frey of Montoursville back-to-back, then fell to fellow freshman Arty Walsh of Wyomissing in the finals.

Rhode Island

Team Champions: Cumberland (dual), Cranston West (individual)

Wrestler of the Year: Shawn Giblin (135), senior, Cranston West

The individual state meet went down to the final match. Senior heavyweight John Coleman escaped in the overtime tie-breaker for a 3-2 victory, lifting Cranston West past Cumberland, 188-185 for its third straight individual team title. The Falcons, upset by North Kingstown in the dual semifinals, didn’t rest on their laurels. A week later, they paced Rhode Island’s best performance in the New England Championships in years, placing four wrestlers and finishing second, 110-91.5, behind Plaistow (N.H.) Timberlane. It was the highest New England finish for a Rhode Island team since 2003 and Cumberland (58) finished third and four Ocean State wrestlers took titles. One of them was Giblin, who also won his third state title, and was voted the Outstanding Wrestler of both meets. Sophomore Mike Meyers (125) of Warwick Veterans and seniors Stephen Saul (189) of Providence LaSalle Academy and Doug Johnson (215) of Warwick Toll Gate won their second titles.

South Carolina

Team Champions: Rock Hill (4A dual), Taylors Eastside (3A dual), Abbeville (2A dual), Chesterfield (A dual), Columbia Cardinal Newman (independent dual)

Wrestler of the Year: Eddie Coles (135), senior, Taylors Eastside

Once the state’s powerhouse, Rock Hill regained the 4A title for the first time in nearly a dcade, edging North Charleston Fort Dorchester 28-24 in the title match. Sophomore Weston Beck (112) won his second state title for Rock Hill, and senior brother Chad, the 135-pound champion a year ago, met Fort Dorchester junior Seiji Borja, also a defending champion, at 140, with Borja taking a 10-4 decision. Zach McCormick (152) of Anderson Westside also repeated. Eastside rolled to its sixth straight dual and unofficial individual title, with Coles becoming Eastside’s third four-time champion in as many years and the state’s 12th overall. Abbeville won its first state title as 2A-A split into two dual classes this season, following the North Carolina model. Juniors Adam Oaks (130) and Antonia Tillman (145) senior Jonathan Patterson (152) won titles for Abbeville.

South Dakota

Team Champions: Sturgis (A), Wagner (B)

Wrestler of the Year: Josh Keszler (119), junior, Sturgis

After having a six-year winning streak snapped by Rapid City Stevens last year, Sturgis reclaimed the top spot by outscoring Stevens 169.5-150. Fargo All-American Keszler, who split a pair of matches with four-time Wyoming state champion Tyler Cox during the season, won his second title with three pins and a technical fall and is one of the leaders of a strong underclass group. Junior teammate Seth Lange (125) won his third title. Stevens got big points from its sophomore twin towers, two-time champion Jarrett Jensen (152) and two-time runnerup Kris Klapprodt (160), who went up four weight classes but gave defending champion Tom Davies of Canton a run before falling 2-1 in the overtime tie-breaker. Wagner rallied to win its second straight title by the slimmest of margins, 128.5-128 over Redfield on the strength of bonus points from freshman Alex Kocer (119) and junior Robert Kokesh (160), who won their second state titles. Kocer had a pin and Kokesh a major decision. Sophomore Logan Storley (152) of Webster stayed alive in his bid to become the state’s second six-time state champion, earning his fourth crown.

Tennessee

Team Champions: Cleveland Bradley Central (Division 1 individual, 3A dual), Hixson (Division 1 2A-A dual), Chattanooga Baylor School (Division 2 dual), Nashville Father Ryan (Division 2 individual)

Wrestler of the Year: David Graham (135), senior, Cleveland Bradley Central

Cleveland Bradley Central followed up its dual state title, a 48-13 pounding over cross-town rival Cleveland, with the individual team title, outlasting Chattanooga-area rival Soddy Daisy High 191-143. The Bears placed four wrestlers in the finals and got titles from sophomore Tyler Pitts (112) and seniors Logan Biddy (119) and David Graham (130), who won his third title by edging another former state champion, junior Jeremy Miller of Greenback, 3-2. Maryville senior Blake Ridenour (152) allowed just four points in five state tournament matches and was voted the meet’s Outstanding Wrestler, and Brentwood junior Cameron Croy (189) capped his second straight unbeaten season. Hixson reversed the result of last year’s 2A-A dual final, beating Chattanooga Notre Dame 32-28. The Irish’s win last year also came by four points. Father Ryan used its upper-weight power to reverse its dual-meet final loss to Baylor, led by junior two-time champion Wes Wesley (171). Sophomore T.J. Duncan (140) of Chattanooga McCallie School won his third title.

Texas

Team Champions: Amarillo Canyon Randall (public), Dallas St. Mark’s School of Texas (prep state), Dallas Bishop Lynch (TAPPS)

Wrestler of the Year: Erik Spjut (130), senior, The Woodlands

In a year of upsets, Spjut made sure he was upset-proof, posting two pins and two technical falls to win his second state title with 65-0 record. The much-anticipated finals showdown at 140 between three-time state champion Jeremy Sandoval of Colleyville Heritage and fellow state champion Victor Dotson of Amarillo Canyon Randall never materialized, thanks to Allen sophomore Ophir Bernstein, who stunned Sandoval 7-6 in the semifinals. Dotson, a junior up five weight classes from last year’s 112-pound title performance, pinned Bernstein in the first period for his second title to lead Amarillo Canyon Randall to its second straight team title. Flower Mound Marcus senior Tyler Lee (145) also won his second title. Despite finishing second to Dallas St. Mark’s School of Texas in the prep state tournament, Dallas Bishop Lynch finished third in the National Prep Championships, with senior Riley Adamson winning at 140.

Utah

Team Champions: Bountiful Viewmont (5A), Payson (4A), Delta (3A), Fillmore Millard (2A), Monticello (A)

Wrestler of the Year: Ethen Lofthouse (171), senior, Hyrum Mountain Crest

University of Iowa recruit Lofthouse did all he could to help Hyrum Mountain Crest retain the 4A title, pinning his way to his fourth state title. But Payson, thanks to championship-match pins from freshmen Mitch Brown (103) and Zac Loveless (112) and senior Jace Brown (140), overtook Mountain Crest to win 236.5-235, with Brigham City Box Elder (229) a close third. Lofthouse’s brother, Raider (135), a junior, won his third title. Delta, which couldn’t hang on to a 15-point lead with six finals remaining last year, made sure this year’s 3A state tournament title didn’t get away. Delta didn’t score at either 103 or Hwt – but they scored at least 17.5 points at every weight class in between, emphatically ending Heber City Wasatch’s five-year winning streak 360-248.5, All Delta did was place 16 – all in the top five – and advance 10 to the finals, with senior Chasen Tolbert (112) and junior Justin Penn (140) winning their second titles.

Vermont

Team Champion: Bennington Mount Anthony

Wrestler of the Year: Jordan Gray (130), senior, Essex Junction

Bennington Mount Anthony extended the nation’s longest current state title streak to 21, but this one wasn’t as easy as most. The Patriots, who often more than double the scores of the competition, won by just 13 points – 229.5-216-5 – over Barre Spaulding, the closest margin of victory since the first title in the string. Senior Ethan Furlon (Hwt), who won his second state title, was Mount Anthony’s only champion, and the Patriots actually needed help from Brandon Otter Valley, which scored three head-to-head wins over Spaulding opponents in the finals. Stanford University commitment Gray won his third title and freshman teammate Chris Lash (112) was voted the Outstanding Wrestler after beating defending champion Mike Bradley of Mount Anthony 16-9. Spaulding had an 8-6 lead over Mount Anthony in finalists and got titles from Kyle Edmunds (119), Steven Rich (160) and Reuben Stone (189), the school’s first individual crowns since 2003.

Virginia

Team Champions: Stafford Colonial Forge (3A), Christiansburg (2A), Salem Glenvar (A), Richmond St. Christopher’s School (independent)

Wrestler of the Year: Andrew Williams (135), senior, Yorktown Tabb

It was more of the same in 3A, where Stafford Colonial Forge won for the third consecutive year, and Christiansburg, which parlayed a spectacular regular season into its sixth straight 2A crown. Three Eagles seniors won consecutive lower-weight titles. Senior Shane Gentry (119) scored a huge semifinal victory, 5-2 over three-time state champion George Billy of Burke Lake Braddock, en route to his first title, Michael Garofalo (125) won his second title and Ian Squires (130) also won. Seniors Ben Dorsay (140) and Jack Burbank (Hwt) of Virginia Beach Frank W. Cox, Beau Martino (112) of Haymarket Battlefield and David Helmer (152) of Langley won their second 3A titles. Williams made sure there would be no drama in his bid to become a four-time state champion, posting three first-period pins and a technical fall to finish 53-5. Glenvar dethroned perennial A power Manassas Park as junior Jason Ayers won at 135.

Washington

Team Champions: Lake Stevens (4A), Enumclaw (3A), Deer Park (2A), Orting (A), Republic (B)

Wrestler of the Year: Derek Garcia (152), junior, Sedro Woolley

After traveling 3,000 miles to record victories over Sussex (N.J.) High Point and host Easton (Pa.) in the NHSCA Final Four in January, defending champion Lake Stevens turned its sights on the 4A field, breezing past Snohomish 169-102.5. Junior Josh Heinzer (112) and senior George King (152) won their second state titles for Lake Stevens, which placed nine. Jim Belleville (160) of Olympia A.G. West Black Hills won his fourth 2A state title, and Garcia should join him next year after pinning his way to his third state crown, the final three of his four pins coming in the first period. A pair of ranked senior 189-pounders, Boise State University recruit Jake Swartz of Auburn (4A) and Reid Chivers of Nine Mile Falls Lakeside (2A) won their third titles. The only new champion was Orting, which outscored Warden 201-127 with four champions, led by junior two-time titlist Taylor Meeks (171).

West Virginia

Team Champions: Parkersburg South (3A), New Cumberland Oak Glen (2A-A)

Wrestler of the Year: Cameron Gallaher (189), Grafton

New Cumberland Oak Glen High didn’t have an individual champion, but still made it easy inextending one of the nation’s longest winning streaks to 13, placing 10 and outscoring Point Pleasant 156.5-136.5. Parkersburg South High scored 237 points to win the 3A title for the first time since 2005. The Patriots crowned three individual winners – freshman David Jeffrey (112), senior Adam Metz (125) and junior Tyler Green (140) – and added three second-place finishes and 12 placewinners, outscoring Wheeling Park 237.5-132. East Fairmont seniors Eric Morris (160) and Mason Bailey (171) won titles, with Bailey (51-1) named the meet’s Outstanding Wrestler. Wheeling Park senior Dirk Bauer (119) won his third title. Gallaher (44-0) completed his third consecutive unbeaten season with three pins and a 12-1 major decision, and was voted Outstanding Wrestler. Spencer Roane County sophomore Josh Fisher (112) finished 45-0 and is 91-0 in his career.

Wisconsin

Team Champions: Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln (Division 1 dual), Ellsworth (Division 2 dual), Mineral Point (Division 3 dual)

Wrestler of the Year: Nick Hagar (140), senior, Tomahawk

The most drama-packed dual meet this side of the Keystone State was a no-brainer: the rematch between the Badger State’s two 500-pound gorillas, Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln and Wausau West. Wisconsin Rapids won by a single point – 25-24 – in late January, and the rematch in the state finals had every bit as much drama, with the same team prevailing by a 25-23 score. How close were they? Wisconsin Rapids outscored its first two opponents 112-23; Wausau West rolled up a 103-19 advantage. The matches were split 7-7, with two major decisions the difference for Wisconsin Rapids. The key match came at 130, where freshman Rylan Lubeck, who didn’t qualify for the state tournament, upset state champion Sam Umlauf 4-3 in overtime. Umlauf and fellow seniors Steven Monk (140), Shawn Perry (145) and Jackson Hein (189) all were state champions for Wausau West, while Hagar won his third Division 2 title.

Wyoming

Team Champions: Gillette Campbell County (4A), Powell (3A), Cokeville (2A)

Wrestler of the Year: Tyler Cox (119), senior, Gillette Campbell County

All three team champions repeated, with Gillette Campbell County winning for the fourth straight year. The Camels needed a heavyweight title-match victory to grab the title last year, but breezed this year, 291.5-194 past Green River, thanks to seven individual champions, Cox winning his fourth title. Seniors Telbe Storbeck (152) and Brady Burgess (171) won their third titles and senior Tyler Juby (145) won for the second time. Senior Cody Brown (160) of Casper Natrona County won his third title. Senior Bret Klopp (160) of Lander Valley finished 54-0 for the second consecutive year, pinning his way to the title, the final three coming in the first period. Powell had three champions in outscoring Douglas 242-204.5, with junior Austin Carter (140) winning his second title. Cokeville’s 201.5-147.5 over Hulett was fueled by four champions, with seniors Sullivan Teichert (140) and Andrew Petersen (145) winning for the second time.