WILLIAMSTOWN NJ -- Just over three weeks after becoming the first four-time state champion in New Jersey high school history, Delbarton's Mike Grey bid farewell to his scholastic career at the Dream Team Classic at Williamstown High School on Saturday night.
The event, which began in 1997, rotates from state to state every year featuring a national all-star team of the country's best seniors against a squad of the top grapplers in the hosting state. New Jersey held the event for the first time -- Virginia was the only other Eastern state to host.
In a battle of two of the top 125-pounders in the country, Grey rolled to a 9-3 victory over Mike Thorn of St. Michael High School in Albertville, Minn. Grey is 158-2 in his career, while Thorn -- a two-time state champion headed to the University of Minnesota -- came in 175-7 with 111 pins and an undefeated record this season.
"This was pretty much for the fans of New Jersey," said Grey, who is committed to Lehigh. "It was my last high school match and I just wanted to put on a show for everybody. I thought I wrestled pretty well. I just wanted to let everyone know I appreciated wrestlling in New Jersey for four years.
"If the match was in a different state, I probably would have been on Team USA, but it was still good to wrestle my last match in front of Jersey fans. It's been a great four years."
Grey secured one of three wins for New Jersey in the 37-12 Team USA victory. Kittatinny's Will Livingston (130) defeated Mike Rappo of Newtown, Pa., 11-8, and Hasbrouck Heights/Woodbridge's Bryan Fill (215) -- who area fans might know for his pair of overtime losses to Paulsboro junior Alex Silvestro this year -- pinned Joe Nord of Waconia, Minn.
Still, New Jersey represented itself well, competing in almost every match. Team USA secured only one pin and one major decision in the 15 bouts.
"A lot of kids were in those matches," said Grey. "Jersey has some of the best wrestling in the country. But it's kind of hard, obviously, because they're (pulling from the entire) country. All you can ask is to wrestle hard and we did."
The match lived up to the hype, with Hall scoring a takedown in overtime to notch a 6-4 decision.
"I was thinking who would be the toughest kid they could bring in from Jersey, and the first kid that popped into my head was Caldwell," admitted Hall. "It felt right. It was deciding 1 and 2. I'm excited about that.
"People come here for a show. You don't want a boring 1-0 win. You want some action. That's what I tried to do."
Team USA coaches tried to argue Caldwell used an illegal hold in overtime -- which would have given Hall the match -- but the Idaho senior quickly told his coaches to go sit back down.
"I just keep going, I'm in your face and you're going to have to beat me some other way than using stamina," said Hall. "I told (the coaches) they're not going to give it to me, you're just letting him rest."
In other matches pairing two of the top five wrestlers in their weight classes, Maryland's Mark Lewnes (160) decisioned Watchung Hill's Alex Caruso, 7-2, and New York's J.P. O'Connor (145) edged Blair's Travis Blasco, 8-6.
Team USA 37, New Jersey 12
103-John Satika (Kerwinsville, Pa.) dec. Anthony Lebbad (Hopewell Valley), 4-2; 112-Mark Kist (Eagle Grove, Ia.) maj. dec. Ryan Fullam (Emerson-Park Ridge), 15-2; Ben Ashmore (Greenville, Tx.) pinned Mike Bastante (Passaic Valley), 1:07; 125-Mike Grey (Delbarton) dec. Mike Thorn (Albertville, Minn.), 9-3; 130-Will Livinsgton (Kittatinny) dec. Mike Rappo (Council Rock, Pa.), 11-8; 135-Kellon Ballum (Herndon, Pa.) dec. Dave Greenwald (St. Mary's), 6-5; 140-Lance Palmer (Columbia Station, Oh.) dec. Daryl Cocuzzo (River Dell), 3-0; 145-J.P. O'Connor (Oxford, N.Y.) dec. Travis Blasco (Blair), 8-6; 152-Kist dec. Frank Perelli (Delbarton), 9-3; 152-Adam Hall (Bonners Ferry, Id.) dec. Darrion Caldwell (Rahway), 6-4 (OT); 160-Mark Lewnis (Baltimore, Md.) dec. Alex Caruso (Watchung Hills), 7-2; 171-David Craig (Brandon, Fla,) dec. Pat Hogan (Cranford), 7-2; Trevor Branvold (River Falls, Wisc.) dec. Keith Dobish (Lodi), 5-0; 215-Bryan Fill (Hasbrouck Heights/Woodbridge) pinned Joe Nord (Waconia, Minn.), 4:28; Hwt.-Kenny Lester (Oviedo, Fla.) dec. Jim Powers (Blair), 3-1.
2006 Dream Team Coach
Coach Jerry Winterton
12 State Championships
Career Coaching Record: 500-32
Coach Jerry Winterton’s wrestling career started in 1961 as a fifth grader in Verona, NY, a small town about 35 miles outside of Syracuse. On the advice of his older brother Jim, Jerry joined an intramural program at the elementary school. (Jim Winterton is presently in the National Hall of Fame in Houston, Texas, for the sport of Racquetball, having coached the USA Racquetball team for over 10 years.)
This 10 year old was not a star or a natural, but soon understood that wrestling was a sport he could compete in if he was willing to handle the anguish and daily setbacks. Soon after the elementary intramural program Jerry was starting as a 9th grader in the smallest of weight classes, 95 lbs. for Rod Little and Ed Patrica’s VVS High School a team in central New York. The wrestling that he was exposed to in these high school years and under coaches Bob Guzzo (at a junior college on the Canadian border) and Don Murray at Brockport State also in New York laid the foundation of the philosophies and skills to be passed on later.
After college Jerry would teach and coach at his former high school with Rod Little and then was fortunate to land a position as an assistant coach with the Wolfpack of North Carolina State University. Bob Guzzo, who had coached Jerry in NY, was a new coach at the school and building what would soon be one of the perinnel powers of the ACC.
Although Jerry had planned to return to New York and coach in college he continued his career at the high school level. After a few years at a nearby school he began a long coaching stint at Cary High School where he is presently in his 25th season.
Some of Jerry’s accomplishments include 12 State championships, 24 consecutive district titles, 13 consecutive regional titles, and a overall career record which sits at 500-32 at this time. His 135 individual tournament titles is the most in the nation all-time for high school coaches as acknowledged by Wrestling USA Magazine. Another accomplishment is the National Runner-Up for Wrestling USA Magazine’s Coach of the Year that occurred in 1987.
Jerry was recently elected to the State Chapter of “The National Hall of Fame” located in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Coach Winterton credits his success to his experiences on a dairy farm as a youngster. Jerry’s parents, Margaret and Stewart, raised four boys, Jim, Joe, Jerry, Jack and one girl Kathy on this farm all of whom would graduate from college and be leaders in their respective fields. Jerry also credits a strong coaching staff with Nathanial Scott, Dave Peterson, Randy Scussel, and former assistant club coach of the year (USA Wrestling Magazine) Stan Chambers being some past assistants. Present assistants Nick Ivkovich, Matt Warden, Tom Berry, Aaron Tecklenburg, Brad Kreiner, are also praised for the success of the Cary Wrestling Program, which recently is ranked in the top six in the southeast and won both state championships in 2005.
When asked about career highlights Jerry is quick to point to his eldest son Logan who won a state championship with his dad in the corner in 2004. Logan is presently wrestling at Appalachian State University. Daughter Amber is a varsity 3-sport athlete as a sophomore also at Cary High School while the youngest of Jerry’s children Ronnie was a starting quarterback for his middle school team this past fall.
When asked about hobbies Jerry says, “My kids are my biggest and best hobby but I will hit some golf balls in the woods or a lake once in a while in the off-season.”
Jason Guffey
103 Pounds
Warrior Run High School
Turloutville, PA
GPA: 3.0
Senior Year Record: 29-1
Career Record: 1x State Champ
Win/Loss: 117-25
College Plans: Bloomsburg
College Major: Undecided
When he was in sixth grade, Jason began his wrestling career in AAU, wrestling at the encouragement of his father. Jason fully enjoyed the competitive nature of the sport as he found the niche in athletics for someone of his size. As a thirteen-year-old in Junior Olympics competition, he found success.
However, becoming acquainted with the sport was difficult; Jason says that the first time he donned a wrestling singlet, he put it on backward! At Warrior Run High School, Jason as a junior high student observed wrestling because his sister’s boyfriend was a Warrior Run wrestler. From the sixth grade to the present, Jason’s parents have offered encouragement and support as Jason matured into a very good athlete.
As an undersized freshman 103 pounder, he experienced his struggles through a 16-14 year, but he did manage to qualify for the District 4 tournament. The struggles of his inaugural varsity season paid dividends in his sophomore campaign where he forged a record of 33-8 and earned his initial trip to the state tournament. The sophomore experience served as a springboard for an exceptional 36-2 state championship year in the junior season for Jason, the two losses coming at the hands of two other state qualifiers whom Jason met “up a weight.” His 100th career victory came at the Jersey Shore Duals in his senior year, a season which also saw his alma mater’s 500th program victory.
Jason plans on attending college at Bloomburg.
Mark Kist
112 Pounds
Eagle Grove High School
Thor, IA
GPA: 3.7
Senior Year Record: 39-0
Career Record: 2x State Champ
Win/Loss: 147-8
College Plans: Iowa State
College Major: Undecided
Wrestling is in Mark's blood as he comes from a family rich in wrestling tradition dating back to his great grandfather. Mark wrestled in his first tournament when he was in kindergarten after attending Park & Recreation practices coached by his dad David. Being so small, it was not uncommon for Mark to give up weight just to get a match. By the time he was in fifth grade Mark placed 4th at AAU State, was a two time runner-up in sixth and seventh grades, and finally became the 80 lb. state champion in eighth grade. Mark also attended a few national tournaments during his middle school years. He was a two year Iowa team member at the Middle School National Duals, placed 6th in Tulsa, OK, 2nd in Pontiac, MI and 1st in Omaha, NE.
Mark's high school career started as a 92# freshman wrestling in the 103 lb. varsity spot. Mark has never been deterred from wrestling because of his size, it has only made him better. As of January 15, 2006, Mark was undefeated in conference competition. So far, he has captured three Conference titles, is a 3x Sectional champion, 3x District champion, placed 6th at the state tournament as a freshman and is a 2x state champ. Mark has been a member of the 2004 Iowa team placing 7th at the Disney Duals, placed 6th at the 2004 Freestyle Nationals and 2005 Junior Nationals, was the 2005 Junior National Freestyle Champion and was a member of the 2005 National Freestyle Champion Dual team from Iowa in Enid, OK. Mark has won 96 consecutive high school matches and hopes to finish his senior year undefeated. Mark is currently rated #1 in the nation and will continue his wrestling career next year as a Cyclone at Iowa State University.
Ben Ashmore
119 Pounds
Bishop Lynch High School
Greenville, TX
Senior Year Record: 72-2
Career Record: 4x State Champ
Win/Loss: 230-5/182 pins
College Plans: Oklahoma State
College Major: Business
Ben began wrestling at the age of four, along with brother Luke, who is one year younger and also considered to be one of the top high school wrestlers in the country. His father wrestled in high school and had stints in college at Richland and Southwest Texas, so it was only natural that he introduced the sport to his sons. They were homeschooled by their mother, Robin, all the way up until high school. She taught them during the day, grilled them on math, science, and a variety of subjects. In the afternoon, she did conditioning training with her sons. And when Ben Sr. arrived home from work, he would take his two sons to the wrestling room attached to their house, and teach them the fundamentals of wrestling. That routine continued until Ben was 10 years old.
"I liked wrestling right away, but I didn't always have success," says Ben. "My brother and I played all sports, but once I really got into wrestling, I liked it the most. I just stuck with it. I'd win maybe one out of every five matches when I first started."
Ben is quick to give credit for what he has accomplished in the sport to his younger but bigger brother, who he has trained with much of his life.
"Luke is a little bigger than me, which I think is another reason why I've been able to have success," says Ben. "He's such a good wrestler, a nationally ranked guy in a larger weight division (Luke will wrestle at 140 in Fargo). I get used to wrestling someone who is good and weighs more. So when I get out there, I don't have a problem because I'm used to wrestling bigger guys.”
Added his father, "They have always had to wrestle each other, up to the time they were in high school, but then Luke started gaining more weight. So we kind of backed them off.”
His wrestling resume is now long enough to stretch vertically across the country, from the plains of Texas to the lakes of Minnesota.
”I always say that wrestling has to be the toughest sport around," says Ben. “The way we work out compared to all other sports is unbelievable. The shape you have to be in just to be a wrestler is unbelievable. We work out two and three times a day, running and having wrestling practices, it's a real tough sport to keep up with. I like the fact that it forces you to be in shape and also teaches you self discipline. Anybody who has been a wrestler will always be successful. Many people who are high up in the government, and have big businesses, used to be wrestlers. It just gives you that edge. It takes so much discipline to be good. I'm just hoping that it will help me down the road in my business life."
So how does he feel about being considered one of the top high school wrestlers in the country?
"It's cool," says Ben, sounding as if he is describing a new video game. “I wasn't always successful, and I had to work really hard.”
Ben plans on attending college at Oklahoma State. He will major in business.
Mike Thorn
125 Pounds
St. Michael High School
Albertville, MN
GPA: 2.9
Senior Year Record: 39-0
Career Record: 2x State Champ
Win/Loss: 175-7/111 pins
College Plans: University of Minnesota
College Major: Undecided
Like most accomplished wrestlers, Mike began his wrestling career at an early age. For Mike it was the age of 5 when he joined the Hi-Flyers wrestling club that his dad helped form. In addition to wrestling for the Hi-Flyers, Mike also honed his skills with the St. Michael-Albertville Youth Wrestling Club. At first wrestling wasn’t something Mike wanted to spend all of his time doing. However, that reluctance didn’t last long. Mike was a natural. With the support of his father, a former NCAA All-American from Iowa State, and his mother, he soon began competing in and winning most of his age group tournaments both at the local and state level. He has won numerous Minnesota USA Wrestling state titles in both Greco-Roman and freestyle throughout his elementary years. In 2002 Mike was a USA Wrestling Cadet Greco National runner-up and a Freestyle All-American. In 2003 Mike became the first wrestler from St. Michael-Albertville to win a National championship when he captured the USA Wrestling Cadet Greco title. Then in 2005 Mike achieved All-American status again, this time in the USA Wrestling Junior Freestyle Championships.
While wrestling for St. Michael-Albertville High School Mike has accumulated a current record of 164–7 with 103 falls. He has won three Minnesota Christmas Tournament titles and has gone 12–0 at The Clash earning All-Tournament team honors in the 2 years his team has competed there. He was a Minnesota State High School State champion the last 2 years and a runner-up as a freshman. His St. Michael-Albertville team won the Minnesota State AA Team title in 2004 and 2005. Mike and his team are both aiming for three straight this year.
Mike plans on attending the University of Minnesota.
Bill Murphy
130 Pounds
Hughson High School
LaGrange, CA
GPA: 2.9
Senior Year Record: 40-0
Career Record: 1x State Champ
Win/Loss: 148-2/70 pins
College Plans: Virginia Tech
College Major: Undecided
My name is William Patrick Murphy, but my friends and family call me Billy. I started wrestling at the age of six for the Turlock Youth Pro-gram. I immediately took to wrestling like "a fish takes to water." I have won several state, regional and national titles as a child. All the titles won as a child were only preparing me for my high school career. Since, I have been in high school I have won three state medals, two firsts and a third and an interscholastic record of 143-3. Along the way I have won two Reno Tournament of Champions titles, two Five County Championships and an Ironman Championship. Last year, I won the NHSCA Junior National Championship and hopefully as you are reading this I am on my way to winning a Senior National Championship. I have also won four freestyle state championships, a World of Wrestling Reno Championship and I was a Cadet National runner-up. Just like the title I won as a child was preparing me for high school, my high school career is only preparing me for my future college career at Virginia Tech for Coach Brands and company. In closing, I would like to say thanks to all the folks from Turlock and Hughson for taking the time to help me become the person I am today. To Richard, Charlie, Melissa, Kyle, and most of all Doug and Vicki Porter. Thank you, it has been unforgettable.
Kellon Balum
135 Pounds
Line Mountain High School
Herndon, PA
GPA: 3.5
Senior Year Record: 40-0
Career Record: 1x State Champ
Win Loss: 160-12
College Plans: University of Virginia
College Major: Undecided
Kellon Balum began his wrestling career in third grade, and although the natural talent with wrestling was sparked, it took him two years to earn his first trophy. He continued onto Jr. High where he culminated his Jr. High career with a record of 47-1.
As a member of PAWF, Kellon represented Pennsylvania in both USA Wrestling freestyle and Greco-Roman during his schoolboy, cadet and junior years. He participated in the NHSCA Championships at Salisbury, MD as well as the AAU Disney Duals on the PA Diesel Team. He represented PA at the Brute Duals in Delaware. He has placed high over the years at the PAWF freestyle championships with a state title in 2005. Kellon was an All-American, placing fifth at Fargo as a cadet.
Interscholastically, Kellon is currently 25-0 in his senior year and ranked first in PA at 135 lbs. Overall his record is 145-12. He is on track to become the winningest wrestler in Line Mountain's rich history (Mike Shingara, 3 X PA state champion, holds the record at 147 wins). Kellon is a three-time Pennsylvania state qualifier, placing 3rd his sophomore year and was a PIAA state champion his junior year. Wrestling has led to positive experiences throughout the state/country and the fellowship with great wrestlers and coaches has been immeasurable.
Kellon's wrestling accolades have been nurtured by many sources; Line Mountain elementary, junior high, and senior high wrestling programs; Nittany Lion wrestling club; Ken Chertows' training center, Mat Town USA wrestling club, Team Diesel wrestling club, Granby system camp, and PAWF membership.
Kellon plans on attending the University of Virginia.
Lance Palmer
140 Pounds
St. Edward High School
Columbia Station, OH
GPA: 2.8
Senior Year Record: 35-1
Career Record: 3x State Champ
Win/Loss: 142-6/88 pins
College Plans: Ohio State
College Major: Undecided
My name is Lance Palmer. My parents' names are Dwayne (dad), and Rita (mom). I have two brothers: Collin is 16, and attends St. Edward in his freshman year and Jordan is 14, and will be joining Collin at St. Edward next year.
I began my wrestling career on my ninth birthday, at a Strongsville Mini-Mustang wrestling practice with my brother, Collin. Before wrestling even came into play, I was taking karate. I started taking karate when I was 5 years old, and I ended my karate days soon after I began wrestling. It was midway through my third grade year when I started wrestling. I practiced with my little brother, Collin, because we were pretty close in weight. Collin had more experience than me because he started his wrestling career before me, but I was willing to put in the appropriate work to achieve high goals.
As the middle school years went by, I wrestled in many national tournaments throughout the country. I didn't win them all, but I was on my way to the top. It was in the 6th grade when I set my main goal to be a four time state champion. After the summer of my eighth grade year, I had to make a decision of which high school I wanted to spend the next four years of my life. I chose St. Edward because of the long-lasting legacy it has built up for wrestling.
Throughout high school at St. Edward, I won the Beast of the East twice. I was also a runner-up at the Beast in 2003. I placed first at the Ironman in 2004, and second in '02, '03, and '05. In the summer of 2004, I traveled to Russia with Athletes in Action to meet the best freestyle and Greco-Roman competition in the world. I am a three time state champion in Ohio's division one wrestling. I'm training for my fourth state title, setting the goals I need in order to be named with the best ever in Ohio.
JP O’Conner
145 Pounds
Oxford Academy High School
Oxford, NY
GPA: 4.0
Senior Year Record: 36-0
Career Record: 3x State Champ
Win/Loss: 233-12
College Plans: Harvard
College Major: Pre-Med
I began my varsity career in 7th grade at the 96 lb. weight class and ended up with a 35-4 overall record, falling one victory short of reaching the New York State tournament. In 8th grade, I ended the season with a 38-4 record, while winning the sectional tournament and advancing to the state tournament where I placed 3rd in the 96 lb. weight class. As a freshman, I wrestled from 96 to 112 lbs., but once again found myself as a 96 pounder in the state tournament where I won my first NYS title and finished the year with a 39-3 record. As a sophomore, I finished the season with a 44-1 record as the 119 lb. NYS champion.
During my junior year, I accumulated a record of 41-0 en route to the state title at 130 lbs. As I embark on my senior campaign, I look to become the 3rd person in the history of New York State to become a 4-time state champion, and to date have amassed an overall record of 223-12 half way through my senior season.
On the freestyle and Greco-Roman circuit, I have been a 3 time NYS freestyle champion and a 2 time NYS Greco-Roman champion. Also in 2004 and 2005, I became a NYS Triple Crown winner. winning state titles in all three styles of wrestling during those years. On the national level I am a 6 time Asics freestyle and Greco-Roman All-American at Fargo, ND.
Adam Hall
152 Pounds
Bonners Ferry High School
Bonners Ferry, ID
GPA: 3.81
Senior Year Record: 40-0
Career Record: 2x State Champ
Win/Loss: 157-4
College Plans: Boise State
College Major: Biology Pre-Med
I have competed in collegiate wrestling for the past 13 years as well as freestyle and Greco-Roman for the past 11 years. The highlights of my accomplishments include winning three Tri-State titles, two Idaho State titles, and finishing runner-up in the 2005 Junior National Freestyle Tournament. My career also includes numerous other regional and national championships or placings. Currently my high school record stands at 145-4.
Wrestling has had a large impact on my life, teaching me lessons that I believe cannot be obtained from other athletics or activities. Being an individual sport, wrestling teaches self-motivation and discipline which are learned through the struggles a wrestler encounters. Wrestling reinforces some the most effective concepts used in life and I, therefore, feel it is the toughest sport physically and mentally.
As a way to expand my horizons beyond collegiate wrestling at Boise State, I plan to initially study pre-medicine with hopes of earning a degree in an undecided field. Though I have a passion for athletics, which might draw me toward that field, I am uncertain whether sports medicine or general medicine will suit me. My accomplishments in wrestling have been rewarded with scholarships, and I may pursue dreams of wrestling at the Olympic level. However, once my athletic career is over, I plan to someday return to Bonners Ferry to strengthen the community that helped me get to where I am today.
Mack Lewnes
160 Pounds
Mt. St. Joseph
Annapolis, MD
GPA: 4.0
Senior Year Record: 45-1
Career Record: 4x State Champ
Win/Loss: 182-13
College Plans: Cornell NY
College Major: Hotel Restaurant Management
I started wrestling when I was 7 at the Naval Academy's junior league program. Right off the bat I had excellent coaches including my dad, Wayne Hicks (NCAA runner up), and Kelly Ward (NCAA Champion). My bother, Sam, and friend, Ryan Davis, also helped me gradually become a better wrestler. I followed my brother to high school at Mount Saint Joseph where I was coached by Jay Braunstein and Dan Youngblood, who really helped me reach that next level and led our team to three state titles. I'm now coached by Kirk Salvo who is greatly helping me out in my senior year. Throughout my high school career, I have won the Powerade Tournament twice, The Beast of the East, The Ironman, and The National Preps. I have won three state titles and am I’m going for my fourth this year. I attribute my success to the good fortune of finding all these excellent coaches in Maryland. I've committed to wrestle at Cornell University and major hotel/restaurant management.
David Craig
171 Pounds
Brandon High School
Brandon, FL
GPA: 3.6
Senior Year Record: 44-0
Career Record: 4x State Champ
Win/Loss: 182-0
College Plans: Lehigh
College Major: Business
David has been wrest-ling since he was 4 years old in the Brandon Flor-ida Wrestling Club, along with a core of about five other wrest-lers who have since graduated and are now wrestling in College. His coach throughout these years has been Russ Cozart a 6-time Freestyle World Champion and a college wrestler for Alabama University. Moreover, his Brandon High School team has not lost a dual match for 32 Years (422 consecutive wins). Impressive by any standard. Coach Cozart’s teaching and coaching techniques have been the key to David’s success.
Among those other core wrestlers that David grew up with in the Brandon Wrestling Club are Rocky Cozart (Michigan State), Cesar Grajales (University Pennsylvania), Alex Enriquez (Princeton), Eddie Hutchinson (Appalachian State University) and Tommy Hutchinson (Cumberland College). Those early days were very difficult for David. In fact, once he started going to wrestling tournaments it was two years before he won a match. In the long run his perseverance has paid off.
There is one incident that comes to mind that happened during the prestigious kids Tulsa National (in my humble opinion the best and toughest Kids Tournament in the Nation – Jack Roller does it right) Tournament in Oklahoma. This was David’s first entry into this tournament (1999) and was unseeded. Of course David being a Florida (a non-wrestling state) wrestler in an Oklahoma Tournament was to some an easy win for an Oklahoma wrestler. However, in his first match, David did wrestle an Oklahoma wrestler and won. Apparently, it was more than the parents could take because before David could wrestle his next match, he was challenged to produce his birth certificate because in the mind of these particular parents, the only way that a Florida wrestler could beat someone from Oklahoma is that he had to be much older. Fortunately, I did have his birth certificate (as the tournament rules required to have on hand). David went on to win that tournament and since then he was always seated number 1 or 2 every time he entered a Jack Roller Tournament.
In addition, to the above accomplishments, Florida allows high school (Div A – small school) wrestling to private small schools that are comprised of one building. Because of this, David was allowed to wrestle during the high school season while attending Temple Heights Christian School as a 7th and 8th Grader. He took 3rd both years at 112 lbs. and 140 lbs. respectively. I attribute his freestyle (offense) and Roman-Greco (strength and balance) training which allowed him to wrestle the older and stronger high school wrestlers.
For those who have never seen him wrestle he is a very offensive wrestler and is hard to score on. What is most unique about his style is that he never ties up and continues to attack from the standing position using the fireman’s carry, ankle pick, single and double legs and a move called the “Super Duck”. I have seen him do an inside trip without tying up from the standing position (not often). When he does tie up he has various trips and throw byes that are effective. When he gets snapped down on a bad leg attack he can dump while the other wrestler is on his head and also will use knee picks. On top, he is very tough using tilts, chicken wings, Turks, butchers and the crab ride to the pin. On bottom, so far he has never had a problem getting away using Granby’s and other escape techniques.
Some people have asked me how is it that David is able to continue to wrestle at 171 lbs. for three years. Easy, he never weighed 171 lbs. during his “sophomore” and “junior” years in high school. He only weighed between 165 lbs. and 168 lbs. Now that he is a senior he is walking around at 175 lbs. and will have to cut some before he wrestles. However, in most duals he will wrestle at 189 lbs. but for the bigger tournaments and state he will be at 171 lbs. The Senior National rules will only allow you to wrestle at the weight you wrestled during your state tournament. This is a recent rule change. Two years ago, you only had to wrestle one time at the weight you wanted to wrestle at Senior Nationals.
One other item is that David has never been on a weight lifting program to get bigger or stronger. His size and strength was developed through these many years of wrestling. That being said, I am sure that when he gets to Lehigh that he will be on some type of weight program to get him to 184 lbs. David has a Christian foundation; he is intelligent and is very personable.
In conclusion, David is looking forward to going to the next level in college and is very much exited about going to Lehigh. In fact, I think that if he could, he would have liked to skip his senior year and be there now.
David is honored by his selection to the dream team.
Trevor Brandvold
189 Pounds
River Falls High School
River Falls, WI
GPA: 3.5
Senior Year Record: 41-0
Career Record: 1x State Champ
Win/Loss: 153-12/98 pins
College Plans: University of Wisconsin Madison
College Major: Business
For as long as I can remember, wrestling has been a huge part of my life. I've been a fan and a competitor for over 15 years. The work-outs, trips, and matches have filled my life over the past decade. I have been fortunate enough to learn and grow with the help of the world's oldest and greatest test of character, skill, and perseverance.
Unlike most sports, wrestling becomes a lifestyle and not just a past-time. Eating well, staying in shape, and practicing may make you successful but it's all the little things that make you a champion. Champions are students of the sport. Through observing and imitating the great ones, you can improve yourself as a wrestler and a person. Knowing the "heroes" of the sport and their backgrounds can help you as it has helped me. The wrestling "greats" have given us huge footsteps to follow.
A champion also never gives up. I have had times when I've been frustrated with not having quite met my goals. Wrestling has taught me never to give up. The final ingredient in becoming a champion is faith. You must have faith and confidence in yourself and in your abilities. This aspect of wrestling has carried into every part of my life. The ups and downs have also strengthened my faith in God which is a staple in my wrestling and personal life.
I have been blessed to have grown up in a loving, supportive, and wrestling oriented family and community. I could not picture my life without wrestling. It has given me memories and lessons that I will cherish and remember for many years to come. It is truly an honor to be selected for and be a part of this team today.
Joe Nord
215 Pounds
Waconia/Meyer High School
Waconia, MN
GPA: 3.6
Senior Year Record: 36-0
Career Record: 1x State Champ
Win/Loss: 117-22/62 pins
College Plans: University of Minnesota
College Major: Math
Joe began his wrestling career in second grade. He wrestled freestyle and folk style for bantam clubs every winter until he began to wrestle on the junior varsity team atWaconia High School. By ninth grade, Joe was wrestling varsity. Between his sophomore and junior season, Joe attended the J. Robinson 28 day Intensive Wrestling Camp. During his junior year, Joe placed third at the Christmas Tournament in Rochester, Minnesota, and made his first appearance at the Minnesota State High School Wrestling Tournament where he took first place at 215 1bs. Last summer, Joe returned to freestyle wrestling, making another first appearance, this time at the Junior National Tournament in Fargo, North Dakota. Joe placed eighth.
In addition to wrestling, Joe is a three year starter for his high school football team. He played offensive guard and defensive line. He finished his senior season as captain, receiving an All-Conference Honorable Mention. Joe is also an honor student with a strong interest in mathematics.
As a senior, Joe is co-captain of the wrestling team and took first place at the
Christmas Tournament in Rochester, Minnesota. To date Joe is undefeated. Joe will be joining the University of Minnesota wrestling team this fall.
Kenny Lester
275 Pounds
Oviedo High School
Oviedo, FL
GPA: 3.2
Senior Year Record: 50-1
Career Record: 1x State Champ
Win/Loss: 183-25/121 pins
College Plans: Arizona State
College Major: Finance
Kenny Lester is a senior at Oviedo High School in Oviedo, Florida. He started wrestling in the 7th grade and joined the Florida Jets Wrestling Club in the 8th grade. His Club Coach is J. D. Robbins, U.S.A. Wrestling Gold Level Coach. Robbins has coached Kenny at national events throughout the United States and internationally in Europe and the Caribbean.
Oviedo High School is coached by Tom Coffman. Kenny has wrestled heavyweight his entire high school career. Kenny's high school record is 169-25 with 111 career pins. He placed 5th at States as a Sophomore and was state champion as a Junior. He was the 2005 Walsh Jesuit lronman Heavyweight Champion. He has won the Super 32 two times running and was NHSCA Jr. Nationals runner-up.
Kenny was a cadet All-American Heavyweight in freestyle and Greco-Roman at Fargo. As a Junior he placed 3rd in Greco and 4th in freestyle at Fargo last summer. He is a Fila Jr. Greco All-American at Heavyweight and placed second at FILA Jr. World Team trials in Colorado Springs.
Kenny will attend Arizona State University and wrestle as a Sun Devil for Thorn Ortiz. He will major in business. His parents are Ken Lester and Dorothy Sedgwick. Kenny's sister is Alexandra Lester, a junior at the University of Florida.
