ATLANTA –With a powerhouse 44-school field that featured 23 top-10 squads from 11 states and 160 individual state medals, 69 state finalists and 40 state weight class titles, the 2012 Clinch Gear Prep Slam boasted a veritable shark tank of prep wrestling talent. Thus, it was no small feat that Nashville’s Father Ryan High School placed seven wrestlers and crowned two champions to capture the prestigious team title.
The Irish led from start to finish, outpacing a murderer’s row of national caliber prep wrestling teams, including defending state champion teams Baylor (TN), Archbishop Rummel (LA) and St. Thomas (TX); state runners-up McCallie School (TN), Bishop Lynch (TX) and Providence Day (NC); perennial national prep dynamos St. Paul’s (MD), The Kiski School (PA) and Calvary Chapel (CA); and 2012 Georgia High School Association Team Dual champions Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School.
2012 Clinch Gear Prep Slam Outstanding Upper Weight Michael Hooker, Father Ryan
Michael Hooker (Wrestling USA Magazine Senior Class 152 #19) paced Father Ryan, reeling off five pins to earn the tournament’s Outstanding Upper Weight award. It was the second consecutive Clinch Gear Prep Slam crown for Hooker, a two-time Tennessee state champion and a four-time finalist.
Hooker set a new state record for career wins with his third-period fall in the 160 final over two-time Maryland state champion Brad Mutchnik (WUSA Sr. 152 #23) of St. Paul’s (MD), recording his 230th high school victory.
2012 Clinch Gear Prep Slam Outstanding Lower Weight Zach Watson, Baylor School
Baylor’s Zach Watson (WUSA Sr. 126 #23) netted the Clinch Gear Prep Slam’s Outstanding Lower Weight honors with a dominant performance in the 126 final, a 5-0 shutout of Ben Friedman (WUSA Sr. 126 #18), a Prep Nationals finalist, three-time Prep Nationals placewinner and three-time Maryland state champion from St. Paul’s (MD).
It was the second Clinch Gear Prep Slam titleand fourth finals appearance for the University of Virginia-bound Watson, who is also a four-time Tennessee state champion.
2011 USA Wrestling Junior Greco-Roman national champion Geordan Speiller of Pine Castle Christian Academy (FL) was dominant in the 170 division, scoring two pins and a tech fall en route to a finals showdown with Holy Innocents’ Jason Grimes, a USAW Cadet All-American in both freestyle and Greco-Roman.
Speiller (WUSA Sr. 160 #6), a two-time Florida state champion, dominated with takedowns, defeating Grimes (WUSAJr. 170 #14), a two-time Georgia state medalist, by a score of 8-4.
USAW Cadet National Greco-Roman champion and Junior Greco-Roman All-American Scott Gibbons of Archbishop Rummel was the crown jewel of the 182 division. Along with his impressive national credentials, Gibbons (WUSA Sr. 182 #11), who committed to Princeton, is a two-time Louisiana state champion and a returning Clinch Gear Prep Slam Finalist. He finished the tournament with two falls and two decisions, including a 7-1 finals victory over two-time Georgia state medalist Lee Davis of Holy Innocents’.
The 132 final between Chris Caton of Northside Christian Academy (NC) and Bishop Lynch’s Travis Rodenbaugh was a match-up of returning Clinch Gear Prep Slam champions. It was the third consecutive Clinch Gear Prep Slam title and fourth consecutive finals appearance for Caton (WUSA Sr. 126 #12). A 2011 Prep Nationals runner-up, two-time Prep Nationals medalist and three-time North Carolina state champion, Caton dispatched Rodenbaugh, a defending Texas state champion, at 1:44 of the first period.
Clinch Gear Prep Slam Notes:
–Undefeated freshman Kenneth Brinson of Marist (GA) was the surprise winner at 195, defeating the top two seeds along the way.
–In the 152 final, Pete Galli of St. Paul’s (MD) and Spencer Jones of Darlington (GA) earned the Best Finals Match award. Galli (WUSA Sr. #16), a Prep Nationals finalist, two-time Prep Nationals placewinner, two-time Maryland state champion and three time finalist, withstood a late charge by Jones, a three-time Georgia state champion and returning Clinch Gear Prep Slam finalist, to claim a 7-5 victory.
–St. Paul’s (MD) freshman Ryan Friedman won the 106 title, with two pins, a tech fall and a 7-0 decision in the final over Calvary Chapel senior Gordon McDonald.
–McCallie junior Alex Elsea won the 113 crown with two pins and two decisions.
–Lake Highland Prep (FL) had champions at 120 and 220, as sophomore Anthony Petrone (WUSA Fr./So. 113 Honorable Mention) won a nail biter over Calvary Chapel and Carter Shipley (WUSA Jr. 220 #16) edged Georgia state champion Mark Mongell of St. Francis, 5-4.
–Father Ryan’s Mark Marchetti (WUSA Jr. 1160 HM) won the 145 title, defeating Texas state champion Ricky Regas of St. Thomas.
–Returning Clinch Gear Prep Slam champion and two-time Georgia state medalist Chad Pyke of Woodward Academy beat Tennessee state champion Alex Ward of McCallie to capture the 138 title.
–At 285, Montgomery Bell Academy (TN) state placer Jashon Roberton defeated Calvary Chapel’s Elliot Taylor, ranked sixth in the state of California by CalGrappler.com.
–St. Paul’s (MD) finished second in the team points race, with two champions, four finalists and seven placewinners.
–McCallie was third, with one champion, two finalists and seven medalists.
–Calvary Chapel placed fourth in the team standings, with two finalists, five semi-finalists and seven medal winners.
–The Kiski School rounded out the top five, with one finalist and six placewinners.
2012 Clinch Gear Prep Slam Individual Results
106: Ryan Friedman (St. Paul’s MD) def. Gordon McDonald (Calvary Chapel) by dec., 7-0
113: Alex Elsea (McCallie) def. Jack Pantanella (Kiski School) by dec., 9-7
120: Anthony Petrone (Lake Highland Prep) def. Adam Alvarado (Calvary Chapel) by dec., 2-1
126: Zach Watson (Baylor) def. Eric Friedman (St. Paul’s MD) by dec., 5-0
132: Chris Caton (Northside Christian, NC) def. Travis Rodenbaugh (Bishop Lynch) by fall, 1:44
138: Chad Pyke (Woodward Academy) def. Alex Ward (McCallie) by dec., 4-2
145: Mark Marchetti (Father Ryan) def. Ricky Regas (St. Thomas) by dec., 7-2
152: Pete Galli (St. Paul’s MD) def. Spencer Jones (Darlington) by dec., 7-5
160: Michael Hooker (Father Ryan) def. Brad Mutchnik (St. Paul’s MD) by fall, 5:12
170: Geordan Speiller (Pine Castle Christian Academy) def. Jason Grimes (Holy Innocents’) by dec., 8-4
182: Scott Gibbons (Archbishop Rummel) def. Lee Davis (Holy Innocents’) by dec., 7-1
195: Kenneth Brinson (Marist) def. Jeff Lamer (St. Benedict at Auburndale) by dec., 7-6 2OT
220: Carter Shipley (Lake Highland Prep) def. Mark Mongell (St. Francis) by dec., 5-4
285: Jashon Roberton (Montgomery Bell Academy) def. Elliot Taylor (Calvary Chapel) by dec., 5-1
2012 Clinch Gear Prep Slam Individual Awards:
Outstanding Lower Weight: Watson, Baylor (2 pins, 1 MD, 2 dec)
Outstanding Upper Weight: Hooker, Father Ryan (5 pins)
Best Finals Match: Galli, St. Paul’s MD vs. Jones, Darlington (152)
2012 Clinch Gear Prep Slam Team Results
1.Father Ryan218.0
2.St. Paul’s MD186.5
3.McCallie183.0
4.Calvary Chapel165.0
5.Kiski School136.5
6.Baylor133.0
7.Montgomery Bell Academy121.0
8.St. Paul’s LA116.0
9.Archbishop Rummel107.0
10.Holy Innocents103.5
11.Woodward Academy100.5
12.Greater Atlanta Christian90.5
13.St. Thomas84.5
14.St. Benedict at Auburndale78.0
15.Bishop Lynch73.5
16.Lake Highland Prep72.5
17.Lovett67.0
18.Darlington63.0
19.Marist63.0
20.First Presbyterian Day School51.0
21.Athens Christian School48.0
22.LaSalle Institute47.0
23.Episcopal Academy46.0
24.Riverside Military41.0
25.St. Francis41.0
26.St. Pius X41.0
27.Providence Day School37.0
28.Northside Christian – N Carolina34.0
29.Pine Castle Christian Academy33.5
30.Walker29.0
31.University Heights Academy27.0
32.Tampa Preparatory School24.0
33.Benedictine Military23.0
34.Eagles Landing Christian22.0
35.Landmark Christian20.5
36.Franklin Road Academy20.0
37.Calvary Christian Academy19.5
38.Christ Church Episcopal School15.0
39.Northside Christian – Florida15.0
40.Fellowship Christian Academy11.0
41.San Antonio Christian9.0
42.Christ Church8.0
43.Savannah Christian Preparatory School5.0
44.Savannah Country Day0.0
106 Results
1st Place – Ryan Friedman of St. Paul’s MD
2nd Place – Gordon McDonald of Calvary Chapel
3rd Place – Michael Eckhart of Father Ryan
4th Place – James Westbrooks of McCallie
5th Place – Kyler Allen of Lovett
6th Place – David Wells of Benedictine Military
1st Place Match
Ryan Friedman (St. Paul’s MD) 4-0, over Gordon McDonald (Calvary Chapel) 4-1.(Dec 7-0)
3rd Place Match
Michael Eckhart (Father Ryan) 5-1, over James Westbrooks (McCallie) 5-2.(Maj 8-0)
5th Place Match
Kyler Allen (Lovett) 4-2, over David Wells (Benedictine Military) 3-3. (Pin 0:58)
113 Results
1st Place – Alex Elsea of McCallie
2nd Place – Jack Pantanella of Kiski School
3rd Place – Christopher Wesnofske of Father Ryan
4th Place – Matt Calcote of Archbishop Rummel
5th Place – Peter Cunningham of Calvary Chapel
6th Place – Nicky Tribble of St. Thomas
1st Place Match
Alex Elsea (McCallie) 5-0, over Jack Pantanella (Kiski School) 4-1. (Dec 9-7)
3rd Place Match
Christopher Wesnofske (Father Ryan) 5-1, over Matt Calcote (Archbishop Rummel) 4-2. (Pin 4:10)
5th Place Match
Peter Cunningham (Calvary Chapel) 6-2, over Nicky Tribble (St. Thomas) 3-3. (FF)
120 Results
1st Place – Anthony Petrone of Lake Highland Prep
2nd Place – Adam Alvarado of Calvary Chapel
3rd Place – Jack Mutchnik of St. Paul’s MD
4th Place – Kyle Jennings of St. Benedict at Auburndale
5th Place – Austin Marsico of Kiski School
6th Place – Caleb Greer of Landmark Christian
1st Place Match
Anthony Petrone (Lake Highland Prep) 5-0, over Adam Alvarado (Calvary Chapel) 3-1.(Dec 2-1)
3rd Place Match
Jack Mutchnik (St. Paul’s MD) 7-1, over Kyle Jennings (St. Benedict at Auburndale) 6-2. (Maj 9-1)
5th Place Match
Austin Marsico (Kiski School) 3-2, over Caleb Greer (Landmark Christian) 2-3. (I-D)
126 Results
1st Place – Zach Watson of Baylor
2nd Place – Eric Friedman of St. Paul’s MD
3rd Place – Connor Campo of St. Paul’s LA
4th Place – Chandler Pyke of Woodward Academy
5th Place – Judson Preskitt of Bishop Lynch
6th Place – Peter Palacios of Calvary Chapel
1st Place Match
Zach Watson (Baylor) 5-0, over Eric Friedman (St. Paul’s MD) 4-1.(Dec 5-0)
3rd Place Match
Connor Campo (St. Paul’s LA) 6-1, over Chandler Pyke (Woodward Academy) 5-2.(Dec 8-2)
5th Place Match
Judson Preskitt (Bishop Lynch) 4-2, over Peter Palacios (Calvary Chapel) 5-3. (Dec 4-3)
132 Results
1st Place – Chris Caton of Northside Christian – N Carolina
2nd Place – Travis Rodenbaugh of Bishop Lynch
3rd Place – Zack Kelly of Kiski School
4th Place – JahlaniCallender of Calvary Christian Academy
5th Place – Tim Westbrooks of McCallie
6th Place – Brandon Brunner of Baylor
1st Place Match
Chris Caton (Northside Christian – N Carolina) 5-0, over Travis Rodenbaugh (Bishop Lynch) 4-1. (Pin 1:44)
3rd Place Match
Zack Kelly (Kiski School) 7-1, over JahlaniCallender(Calvary Christian Academy) 4-2. (Dec 6-3)
5th Place Match
Tim Westbrooks (McCallie) 4-2, over Brandon Brunner (Baylor) 2-3. (Dec 6-3)
138 Results
1st Place – Chad Pyke of Woodward Academy
2nd Place – Alex Ward of McCallie
3rd Place – Michael Longo of Calvary Chapel
4th Place – Robbie Martin of St. Pius X
5th Place – Bryant Meyers of Kiski School
6th Place – Daniel Bellet of Montgomery Bell Academy
1st Place Match
Chad Pyke (Woodward Academy) 5-0, over Alex Ward (McCallie) 4-1. (Dec 4-2)
3rd Place Match
Michael Longo (Calvary Chapel) 5-1, over Robbie Martin (St. Pius X) 5-2.(Dec 1-0)
5th Place Match
Bryant Meyers (Kiski School) 6-2, over Daniel Bellet (Montgomery Bell Academy) 3-3. (Pin 2:19)
145 Results
1st Place – Mark Marchetti of Father Ryan
2nd Place – Ricky Regas of St. Thomas
3rd Place – Aaron Negrette of Calvary Chapel
4th Place – Cole Wheeler of First Presbyterian Day School
5th Place – Bryson Popp of Baylor
6th Place – Connor Wagh of St. Paul’s MD
1st Place Match
Mark Marchetti (Father Ryan) 5-0, over Ricky Regas (St. Thomas) 4-1. (Dec 7-2)
3rd Place Match
Aaron Negrette (Calvary Chapel) 5-1, over Cole Wheeler (First Presbyterian Day School) 4-2.(Dec 11-6)
5th Place Match
Bryson Popp (Baylor) 5-2, over Connor Wagh (St. Paul’s MD) 5-3. (Pin 3:32)
152 Results
1st Place – Pete Galli of St. Paul’s MD
2nd Place – Spencer Jones of Darlington
3rd Place – John Mark Bellet of Montgomery Bell Academy
4th Place – Cole Moseley of Father Ryan
5th Place – Manny Markantone of Kiski School
6th Place – KaylonSencio of St. Thomas
1st Place Match
Pete Galli (St. Paul’s MD) 5-0, over Spencer Jones (Darlington) 4-1.(Dec 7-5)
3rd Place Match
John Mark Bellet (Montgomery Bell Academy) 5-1, over Cole Moseley (Father Ryan) 4-2.(Dec 3-1)
5th Place Match
Manny Markantone (Kiski School) 5-2, over KaylonSencio (St. Thomas) 4-3. (TF 17-2)
160 Results
1st Place – Michael Hooker of Father Ryan
2nd Place – Brad Mutchnik of St. Paul’s MD
3rd Place – Connor Sutton of LaSalle Institute
4th Place – Elijah Ballard of Athens Christian School
5th Place – James Cavaliere of St. Paul’s LA
6th Place – Zach Feuerbach of Greater Atlanta Christian
1st Place Match
Michael Hooker (Father Ryan) 5-0, over Brad Mutchnik (St. Paul’s MD) 4-1. (Pin 5:12)
3rd Place Match
Connor Sutton (LaSalle Institute) 5-1, over Elijah Ballard (Athens Christian School) 4-2. (Dec 11-6)
5th Place Match
James Cavaliere (St. Paul’s LA) 5-2, over Zach Feuerbach (Greater Atlanta Christian) 4-3. (Dec 8-5)
170 Results
1st Place – Geordan Speiller of Pine Castle Christian Academy
2nd Place – Jason Grimes of Holy Innocents
3rd Place – Spencer Craig of Baylor
4th Place – Chris Arms of St. Paul’s LA
5th Place – Elliot Berz of McCallie
6th Place – Ben Veler of Bishop Lynch
1st Place Match
Geordan Speiller (Pine Castle Christian Academy) 4-0, over Jason Grimes (Holy Innocents) 4-1.(Dec 8-4)
3rd Place Match
Spencer Craig (Baylor) 4-1, over Chris Arms (St. Paul’s LA) 4-2. (Pin 2:06)
5th Place Match
Elliot Berz (McCallie) 4-2, over Ben Veler(Bishop Lynch) 4-3. (TF 16-1)
182 Results
1st Place – Scott Gibbons of Archbishop Rummel
2nd Place – Lee Davis of Holy Innocents
3rd Place – TJ Holmes of Father Ryan
4th Place – Matt Bodine of Baylor
5th Place – Nathan Hoodenpyle of McCallie
6th Place – Thomas Cusack of Episcopal Academy
1st Place Match
Scott Gibbons (Archbishop Rummel) 4-0, over Lee Davis (Holy Innocents) 3-1.(Dec 7-1)
3rd Place Match
TJ Holmes (Father Ryan) 4-1, over Matt Bodine (Baylor) 5-2.(Dec 3-1)
5th Place Match
Nathan Hoodenpyle (McCallie) 5-2, over Thomas Cusack (Episcopal Academy) 3-3. (Dec 8-3)
195 Results
1st Place – Kenneth Brinson of Marist
2nd Place – Jeff Lamer of St. Benedict at Auburndale
3rd Place – Ricky Fisher of Father Ryan
4th Place – Mike Green of St. Paul’s MD
5th Place – Charlie Rousseau of Holy Innocents
6th Place – Max Wilsey of Woodward Academy
1st Place Match
Kenneth Brinson (Marist) 4-0, over Jeff Lamer (St. Benedict at Auburndale) 3-1.(Dec 7-6)
3rd Place Match
Ricky Fisher (Father Ryan) 5-1, over Mike Green (St. Paul’s MD) 4-2.(Dec 5-1)
5th Place Match
Charlie Rousseau (Holy Innocents) 3-2, over Max Wilsey (Woodward Academy) 3-3. (OT 6-4)
220 Results
1st Place – Carter Shipley of Lake Highland Prep
2nd Place – Mark Mongell of St. Francis
3rd Place – John Babson of LaSalle Institute
4th Place – Parker Fair of Greater Atlanta Christian
5th Place – Michael Vickers of Woodward Academy
6th Place – Morris Eguakun of Montgomery Bell Academy
1st Place Match
Carter Shipley (Lake Highland Prep) 5-0, over Mark Mongell (St. Francis) 3-1. (Dec 5-4)
3rd Place Match
John Babson (LaSalle Institute) 5-1, over Parker Fair (Greater Atlanta Christian) 4-2. (2-OT 6-3)
5th Place Match
Michael Vickers (Woodward Academy) 4-2, over Morris Eguakun (Montgomery Bell Academy) 4-3. (Dec 6-2)
285 Results
1st Place – Jashon Roberton of Montgomery Bell Academy
2nd Place – Elliot Taylor of Calvary Chapel
3rd Place – Tye Youngblood of McCallie
4th Place – Allan Beattie of Kiski School
5th Place – Shane Burkholder of St. Paul’s LA
6th Place – Gavin Lawrence of Darlington
1st Place Match
Jashon Roberton (Montgomery Bell Academy) 5-0, over Elliot Taylor (Calvary Chapel) 4-1.(Dec 5-1)
3rd Place Match
Tye Youngblood (McCallie) 5-1, over Allan Beattie (Kiski School) 4-2.(Pin 2:42)
5th Place Match
Shane Burkholder (St. Paul’s LA) 3-2, over Gavin Lawrence (Darlington) 4-3. (Pin 0:47)
Clinch Gear is proud to announce athlete Jake Varner has qualified for the 2012 London Olympics. Varner, a two-time NCAA champion at Iowa State University and returning world medalist, will represent the U.S. wrestling team in 96 kg freestyle. Varner won the best-of-three championship match against four time All American and two time NCAA champion Tommy Rowlands at the U.S. Olympics trials this past weekend in Iowa City. Varner used last-second takedowns to win the second and third periods of the first match and won a 2-0, 1-0 decision for the win.
Several Clinch Gear athletes competed at the Olympic Trials and had excellent showings. Nick Simmons, the returning World Team Member and #1 seed in the tournament, won his first two matches including a win over the defending Olympic gold medalist Henry Cejudo before losing in the finals to the eventual champion Sam Hazewinkel in the men’s freestyle 55kg division. Simmons finished in 2nd place. Also competing were Clinch Gear athletes Joe Warren, Teyon Ware, Dennis Hall, Chase Pami (4th place finish), Ben Kjar (4th place finish) and Andrew Hochstrasser (4th place finish). Clinch Gear is proud to sponsor such a dedicated team of athletes.
