Page 21 - 2008-09 Team Wrestling State Finals Program

Last Year’s Team State Finals

MISHAWAKA CLAIMS SECOND WRESTLING STATE TITLE
In a rematch of last year’s champion-
ship match, third-ranked Mishawaka
knocked off two-time defending state
champion and top ranked Evansville
Mater Dei, 28-22, to claim its second
wrestling state championship at Center
Grove High School in Greenwood.
The state title is the first for Head
coach Darrick Snyder, and the first for
Mishawaka since 1991. After appearing
in the state finals for nine consecutive
seasons, the Cavemen avenged last
year’s 31-18 championship match
defeat against the Wildcats.
The Cavemen (31-1) advanced to
the championship round by defeating
second-ranked Perry Meridian, 29-24,
in a closely contested first round match-
up. Mishawaka was led in the match by
senior Brandon Straub who was a win-
ner by fall in 1:59. In the second round,
the Cavemen defeated Merrillville, Mishawaka defeated Merrillville, 30-22, in the second round and second-
30-22, thanks to a fall by junior Steven ranked Perry Meridian, 29-24, in the semifinal round. The Cavemen then
Sandefer and a technical fall victory by defeated Evansville Mater Dei in the championship match, 28-22, to claim
senior Brandon Mersich. their first team title since 1991.
The championship match began with
the 135-pound class, where Evansville
Mater Dei junior Adam Weinzapfel The 13th Annual
defeated Mishawaka junior Joey Smith, IHSAA Team Wrestling State Finals
7-4, to give the Wildcats an early 3-0 February 23, 2008
lead. Mishawaka re-claimed the lead Center Grove High School, Greenwood, Indiana
when 160 lb. junior Tim Forte defeated Quarterfinals
Mater Dei junior Zach Easterling in a Lawrence North 32*, Elkhart Memorial 32. (*LN wins on criteria #2 – most match wins)
tight 1-0 match. The victory gave the Evansville Mater Dei 52, Columbus North 9.
Caveman a 9-7 lead; one they would Mishawaka 29, Perry Meridian 24.
never relinquish. The Cavemen ex- Merrillville 29, Bellmont 27.
tended the margin with victories by 215
lb. senior Dave Balentine, 285 lb. senior Semifinals
Evansville Mater Dei 43, Lawrence North 19.
Randy Morin, and 103 lb. sophomore Mishawaka 30, Merrillville 22.
Paul Beck, pushing their lead to 22-10.
Evansville Mater Dei threatened by Championship Results
trimming the lead to 22-16 that featured Championship matches began with the 135 lb. weight class.
back-to-back victories by 112 lb. senior Mishawaka (M) 28, Evansville Mater Dei (MD) 22
Cody Moll and 119 lb. senior Alex 103 – Paul Beck, 10, (M) def. Quinn Schroeder, 9, (MD), major decision, 24-13.
112 – Cody Moll, 12, (MD) def. Matt Guerra, 10, (M), decision, 8-7.
Weinzapfel. Mishawaka was overcome 119 – Alex Weinzapfel, 12, (MD) def. Adam Guerra, 12, (M), decision, 3-0.
with excitement when 125 lb. junior 125 – Josh Harper, 11, (M) def. John Sims, 9, (MD), fall, 2:51.
Josh Harper, a three-time individual 130 – Daniel Schweizer, 12, (MD) def. Trent Reinoehl, 11, (M), fall, 1:30.
champion, slammed the door on the 135 – Adam Weinzapfel, 11, (MD) def. Joey Smith, 11, (M), decision, 7-4.
Wildcats with a victory by fall over Mater 140 – Steven Sandefer, 11, (M) def. Drew Lappe, 12, (MD), decision, 6-1.
Dei freshman John Sims. Harper’s 145 – Neal Kostry, 12, (M) def. Nolan King, 11, (MD), decision, 6-4.
win sealed the match victory and the 152 – Stephen Lovelace, 12, (MD) def. Brandon Mersich, 12, (M), major decision, 13-2.
championship. 160 – Tim Forte, 11, (M) def. Zach Easterling, 11, (MD), decision, 1-0.
For 12-time champion, Evansville 171 – Caleb Norville, 12, (M) def. Nathan Dewig, 12, (MD), decision, 9-6.
Mater Dei (23-2) and first year coach 189 – Jake Schneider, 12, (MD) def. Brandon Straub, 12, (M), decision, 10-4.
Greg Schaefer, it was their second 215 – Dave Balentine, 12, (M) def. John Kercher, 11, (MD), decision, 4-0.
285 – Randy Morin, 12, (M) def. Brad Niemeier, 12, (MD), decision, 7-3.
runner-up finish (1987).
IHSAA - Pure Spirit. Pure Sport! 19