After a grueling 12 hours of wrestling, the Reading Blue Devils captured a 2nd place finish. Returning to Reading just after 11:00pm on Saturday was a little easier to handle since we brought home a trophy.
Reading was able to fill 12 out of 14 weight classes this week. This was very helpful because we were again competing against many division I and II schools. Overall, there was 19 teams at this years tournament.
Our wrestlers competed in a 16 man bracket. Most weight classes were filled and 4 weight classes had 20 wrestlers entered.
Overall the team wrestled very well against some tough competition.
At 103, Chris Hammonds returned to the mat after suffering from bronchitis the week before. Chris was our MOST OUTSTANDING WRESTLER in the tournament. He also earned the HAMMER award for his use of the "Stud" cradle. He had 2 pins and a technical fall in the finals, winning 17-1 over his Clinton Massie opponent. Chris placed 1st.
Joe Bell continues to improve in the 119 pound weight class. All of his hard work is going to pay off in the near future.
At 125, sophomore Brian Mages placed first as well. BJ earned the MOST EXITING MATCH award with his finals match. Trailing 7-6 BJ scored an escape with less than 7 seconds to go in the match. In overtime both wrestlers attempted a shot at the same time. BJ "trucked" his opponent to score the take down and earn the victory.
Tim Hasty moved down to the 130 pound weight class this week. Tim continues to be a very solid performer. He won 1st place again this week . Tim had the MOST TAKEDOWNS again this week. He currently has 17 takedowns in two weeks while only giving up a total of 3 takedowns in his 8 matches.
Tom Frohmiller is continuing to get better. He currently is second on the team in takedowns (14) and victories (5).
Freshman Andrew Carpenter had an important win over a Madeira opponent this weekend.
Chris Carter won two matches this weekend and currently has a 3-3 record.
Mike Vonbargen won two matches again this week. He fell a little short of victory against a Madeira opponent, but the Madeira wrestler knew he was in for a battle after Mike knocked him unconscious.
Freshman Tim Dick had a successful weekend as well. Tim earned second place, losing in the finals match 3-2 to a tough wrestler from Ripley. Tim is going to have a very successful career if he continues to fix the little things that are stopping him now.
Sophomore Shawn Lewis also placed second, losing to Glen Este in the finals.
Mike Wiehe earned the KEY MATCH award for winning his first match.
Freshman, Sean Callinan earned the COACHES AWARD. Sean came back from being injured in his first match to win his next two before exiting the tournament.