by Peter Dewey

It is difficult to compare State tournaments. But we do it anyway. While 2006 did not have the “star power” of 2004 it seemed to me to be the deepest field ever assembled in Austin. With each passing year it grows harder and harder to win a State title meaning it is more coveted than ever. Congratulations to all State Champions, Place-winners and Qualifiers. You have worked hard and deserve to be recognized as elite.

103

1. Greg Gogonas, Austin Bowie (9) 11-3
2. Sean McCarthy, Azle (10)
3. Danny Luttrell, Arlington (10) 7-1
4. James Ahlswede, SA Lee (12)
5. Adam Purcell, Trinity (11) Def.
6. Aaron Keener, Leander (10)

As usual this weight class was dominated by underclassmen. Freshman Greg Gogonas won it with a major decision in the finals. But the road to the finals shows the competitiveness of this weight. Gogonas won 10-9 in his semi-final against Purcell and 7-4 in the quarters against sophmore Chris Wilcox of Hebron. Runnerup McCarthy had one point decisions in both his quarter final match and against Luttrell in the semis. Against Luttrell, Mccarthy was down 4-1 with seconds remaining when he caught Luttrell in a head-lock for a 2 point takedown and a 2 point near fall to pull a victory from the jaws of defeat.

Wilcox was disqualified for an illegal hold against Keener in a match Wilcox was leading on points. If Wilcox had advanced it would have been four Region 2 place-winners.

112

1. Jeremy Sandoval, Col. Heritage (9) 12-10
2. Ryan Benoit, McK. North (11)
3. Erik Spjut, The Woodlands (9) 3-1
4. George Gogonas, Aus Bowie (12)
5. Brandon McDonald, Randall (11) 3-2
6. Chris Nguyen, Klein (12)

Another weight with young studs and good balance. Freshmen superstars Sandoval and Spjut met in the quarters and 6 minutes produced no score with each able to ride the other for 2 minutes. Sandoval won in OT with a takedown. Neither would lose again although Sandoval was tested by both McDonald (4-2) and Benoit in a very entertaining 12-10 finals. All four of these guys are back next year. Region 3 had three place-winners with one each from the other regions.

119

1. Shane Doughman, Klein Oak (12) 6-3
2. Harvey Suarez, Amar. Caprock (11)
3. Ian Aguirre, Trimble Tech (11) 7-1
4. Matt Castro, Klein (12)
5. Paz Acosta, Amar. Palo Duro (12) 4:17
6. Andre Taylor, Plano East (12)

The weight class with 3 returning state champs was won in workmanlike fashion by Doughman who finished his 2005-6 campaign with a 45-1 record and back-to-back state titles. Defending 103 champ Suarez won a wild quarter final match 17-13 with 4 late points against 112 champ Taylor. The wrestlebacks weren’t kind to Taylor who was pinned by Castro and Acosta to finish 6th. However it was a different story for Aguirre. After a heartbreaking 11-10 quarterfinal defeat to Castro, he won 4 straight in the consolation bracket and avenged his loss to Castro by a 7-1 margin in the consolation finals.

Of the placers, only Suarez and Aguirre return next year. Regions 1 and 3 had three place-winners each while Regions 2 and 4 were kept off the podium.

125

1. Kevin Jury, EP Americas (12) 13-5
2. Josh Sandoval, Col. Heritage (11)
3. Danny Caraveo, EP Franklin (11) 14-9
4. Mickey Sharp, Vernon (12)
5. Matt Campos, Oak Ridge (12) 10-5
6. Ryan Larson, SA Roosevelt (11)

Kevin Jury was a most deserving MOW. It was not like he didn’t have credentials. He was State runner-up last year and brought a 38-1 record to the State meet. The he made it to the finals on the strength of two falls and a 17-2 tech fall in the semis. And he capped it off by wrestling brilliantly to major previously undefeated and nationally-recognized Josh Sandoval in the finals. That was simply an unbelievable State tournament performance for this young man.

While Jury, Sharp and Campos have run out of eligibility, runnerup Sandoval, 3rd place Caraveo and 6th place Larson return next year for their senior campaigns. This is another weight class dominated by Region 1 with three place-winners to one each for thre other three regions.

130

1. Corey Miller, Arl Martin (12) 5-3
2. Joe Quinto, Amar. Tascosa (11)
3. Sean Kitchen, Plano East (12) 3-0
4. Dillon Horn, Coppell (10)
5. Kamerawn Smedley, Allen (11) 13-8
6. Luis Aguilar, Bryan (12)

If there was a weight class won as much by sheer determination as wrestling prowess, this was it. Corey Miller wanted this State championship bad, real bad, and he was not denied. Joe Quinto who entered the final match with an unblemished 40-0 mark had to settle for runner-up status for the second straight year. But he has next year. Sean Kitchen, like his brother Jack before him, could not add a State championship to his trophy case. But like his brother, Sean has both given a lot (as a valuable Team Texas member for years) and accomplished a lot in this sport.

3 of 6 placers return next year and Coppell and Allen will be glad to get back Dillon and Smedley. Region 3 had three placers, Region 2 had two, Region 1 had one and Region 4 was shut out.

135

1. Jimmy Peterson, SA Madison (11) 12-2
2. Chase Gallatin, Highland Park (11)
3. Colin McElroy, The Woodlands (12) 3-2
4. Austin Cordova, Lake Highlands (10)
5. Nick Sojourner, McKinney (12) 5-2
6. Robert Aguilar, EP Hanks (11)

If there was an MOW for the season award it just might go to Jimmy Peterson (I suppose Fred Rowsey would also garner some consideration). Not only did he bring an undefeated 34-0 record into State but he had majored, teched or pinned every wrestler he faced this season. Well that was regular season and this is the big show….Okay try 18-1, 20-9, fall in 3:35 and 12-2 in the finals against a very tough Gallatin. Somebody needs to check the record books to see when that feat was last accomplished, if ever.

Yet another weight class dominated by underclassmen place-winners. Peterson, Gallatin, Cordova and Aguilar all return. Region 3 is once again dominant with half of the place-winners and each other region has one.

140

1. Jacob Valdez, EP Hanks (12) 8-7
2. Michael Gerber, Randall (12)
3. Shay Lauderdale, Azle (12) 3-0
4. Jamie Sheets, Cinco Ranch (11)
5. Jake Rice, Coppell (12) 6-3
6. Jordan Couch, Keller (11)

The Valdez-Gerber final was perhaps the best technically wrestled match of the night. It was close throughout but Gerber was always playing catch-up and in the end he came up one point short. When Gerber won State as a sophmore, it seemed another State title was a given and maybe even two more. It was not to happen. Gerber is a much improved wrestler and made it to two more State finals but did not win the title. What this illustrates is just how tough it has become to win a Texas State Championship. With 200+ schools wrestling in one division, there will be many outstanding Texas wrestlers who do not win a coveted State Championship. Gerber has one, and Valdez now has two.

This is the first weight class with more senior placers than underclassmen. Only Sheets and Couch return next year. Region 1 had the two finalists, Region 2 had three placers and Region 3 one place-winner.

145

1. Brent Rodgers, Arl. Bowie (11) 15-0
2. AJ Forsythe, Highland Park (12)
3. Scott Neill, Arl. Martin (12) 5-2
4. Josh Pons, SA Roosevelt (11)
5. Mike Murray, Cy Fair (11) 9-4
6. Trent Bash, Dallas Jesuit (12)

Rogers, Neill and Forsythe have been going at each other all year in Region 2 and there really isn’t a lot separating one from the other. However there appears to be a huge gap between these three and the rest of the State. In the semis Rogers and Neill went at it hard with Rogers advancing 2-1. In the bottom half Forsythe was easily advancing with a 21-5 tech fall over eventual 4th place Pons. So this set up the rubber match between Rogers and Forsythe who were 1 and 1 on the season. Almost inexplicably, Rogers completely dominated the match with a 15-0 TF. The good news for Region 2 wrestlers is Neill and Forsythe will graduate; the bad news is Rogers will be back.

Obviously this was a weight completely dominated by Region 2. Region 3 had two place-winners and Region 4 had one. Half graduate and half return.

152

1. Taylor Torisk, Dumas (12) 4-3
2. Spencer Jernigan, Arlington (10)
3. Kyle Anderson, Highland Park (11) 7-1
4. Tommy Clark, Azle (12)
5. Tim Harris, Lake Highlands (11) 8-2
6. Cameron Padilla, Randall (11)

The conventional wisdom was Jernigan and Torisk would meet for the second straight year in the 152 finals. And for once the conventional wisdom was correct. The match was conservatively wrestled but mostly from neutral which favored Jernigan. And with 15 seconds left Jernigan got the escape but still needed a takedown to win. Would it be de-ja-vu all over again? No. Torisk held on and claimed the State Championship that slipped from his grasp last year in the waning seconds of the match with Jernigan.

Did anyone notice that 4 of the place-winners return next year? Again Region 2 dominates with 3 of 6 placers; Region 2 – two and Region 3 – one.

160

1. Matt Harris, Cinco Ranch (11) 4-3
2. Brent Pardinek, Austin Bowie (12)
3. Jason Logan, Dumas (12) 1:45
4. Zach Nichols, Hou. Westside (12)
5. Aaron Pelletier, SA Churchill (12) 1-0
6. Jeremy Watson, Borger (11)

I have to borrow a line from Mr. West (HT:txusa), how tough is a weight class when Drew Newman and Hugo Torres can’t even place? Probably the toughest Texas has ever seen – supplanting 125 from 2005. Every match was a war between the 6 placers and Newman and Torres. These 8 reached the quarters and the scores from the quarter-final matches were: 4-2 OT, 3-2, 5-3 and 6-4. Wow! In the semis you had Harris winning 3-2 (second straight one point match) and defending 160 State Champ Logan pinning himself in his match with Pardineck (Pardineck leading). And then probaly the most memorable final ever wrestled in Texas with Harris winning (again) in the most improbable of circumstances. (See JR’s story for full details of that match and controversy)

Of the top 8 finishers at 160, 6 were seniors (only champ Harris of CR and Watson of Borger return). This weight class had balance across the State with the top two from each region making the quarters. Every single match between these 8 gladiators was hard fought and was wrestling the way it should be. I believe this will be the standard against which future “tough weight classess” will be measured.

171

1. Spencer Covey, Coppell (11) 3-2
2. Joey Depew, Taylor (12)
3. Chris Corry, Arl. Bowie (12) 7-2
4. Bennet Hortman, Azle (12)
5. Jordan Wehr, Austin Bowie (11) 9-3
6. Austin Spires, The Woodlands (12)

Spencer Covey is not a flashy wrestler. He may even wrestle conservatively. But he wins … consistently… to the tune of 48-0 and 2006 State Champ. Covey was a junior facing challenge after challenge from a senior laden weight class. Many could come close but noone could best him.

Only Covey and Wehr from Austin Bowie return next year. Region 2 had three place-winners; Region 3 had two and Region 4 had one.

180

1. Fred Rowsey, Highland Park (12) 5-2
2. Will McNair, Cinco Ranch (11)
3. Alex Rinaldi, Dallas Jesuit (11) 9-5
4. Chris Capodagli, The Colony (12)
5. Derick Moore, Arl. Bowie (12) 11-2
6. Sergio Garcia, EP Eastwood (12)

Fred Rowsey was not really challenged all year and the State meet was no exception. He is just on a different level. McNair kept the score close in the finals but the outcome of the match never seemed in doubt. Rowsey joins Doughman and Valdez as the only two time State champs in the 2006 class and finishes his high school career on a 75 match win streak dating back to a semi-final loss in State his sophmore year. Good luck to Fred at Senior Nationals and all who join him from the great state of Texas.

Only two underclassmen placed but they were a surprising second and third. McNair reached the finals beating Capodagli 7-5. Rinaldi used two come from behind victories over Moore (7-5 OT) and Capodagli (9-5) to claim 3rd.

More Region 2 dominance with 3 place-winners. The two juniors are from Region 3.

189

1. Josh Mayo, Coppell (12) 5-4
2. Austin Johlke, Austin Bowie (12)
3. Robert Prigmore, Carroll (10) 7-1
4. Astin Villarreal, Beeville Jones (12)
5. Matt Crook, Frisco Centennial (12) 2:44
6. David Baker, Highland Park (12)

Josh Mayo took care of business in advancing to the State finals and then took advantage of a great opportunity to win an improbable decision over undefeated Austin Johlke for the 189 State Championship. Flying under the radar all season, Mayo compiled a stellar 36-1 record entering State and added 4 more wins to take the top spot on the podium.

Of this class only Southlake Carrol sophmore Prigmore returns. His only loss on the the way to a 3rd place finish was a 5-4 decision to Johlke in the semis. Region 2 dominated with 4 of the top 6 wrestlers. Region 4 had two placers and Regions 1 and 3 were shut out.

215

1. Kyle Jones, Klein Collins (12) 3-2
2. Brett Schroeder, Leander (12)
3. Matthew Lupardus, Keller (11) 4-1
4. Nick Garza, Weslaco (11)
5. George Lessner, Coppell (12) 2:43
6. Tanner Doughten, Amarillo (12)

Easily the quietest weight class all year. Both Jones and Schroeder were largely unknown even though they both brought undefeated records into their State finals match. Their semis matches had been tough, Jones edging Garza 5-3 and Schroeder getting past Lupardus 4-3 in the tie breaker. For 5 minutes and 50 seconds Jones and Schroeder had battled with neither managing more than escape. But with 10 seconds to go in a 1-1 match, anything can happen and it did. Jones got behind Schroeder and dropped him to mat for a 2 point takedown but Schroeder was up instantly and got the escape. With 5 seconds left and down by 1 point Schoeder made a nice low single attempt. At the edge of the mat, Jones didn’t want to back up and get hit with a fleeing penalty so he went airborne and literally sailed over the top of Schroeder’s low single shot. Ohhhs and ahhhs from the crowd as the most athletic move of the evening preserved Jones’ victory.

Two juniors return for next year. The place-winners were spread among all four regions.

Remember George Lessner from Coppell who two weeks ago was in a challenge match in an empty gym at Arlington Martin an hour after the Region 2 finals had been concluded? He preserved his spot at State that night and although he didn’t win a match on the championship side (losing his first match to eventual State runner-up Schroeder 5-4), he perservered through the wrestlebacks to take 5th and earn Coppell an important 9 team points. It is the George Lessner’s of the world that will make Coppell a team to be reckoned with in the future.

275

1. Chad Bahr, Keller (12) 2:20
2. Eddie Noriega, EP Eastwood (10)
3. Gustavo Zamora, EP Socorro (12) 2:07
4. Brett Payne, Randall (12)
5. Bake Lee, McKinney (11) 3-2
6. Freddy Jiminez, Dumas (12)

In Region 2, Chad Bahr was upset by Evan Benjamin of Coppell when he was stuck in a match he was winning handily. Obviously, the big man learned from that mistake as he dominated the heavyweights with 4 straight falls.

Outside of Bahr, Region 1 completely owned the big man class with 4 of the top 6 guys. Only runner up Noriega and #5 Lee return next year.

Team Results

1. Highland Park 107

It was wrapped up before the finals began. This is HP’s 5th championship in UIL’s 8 year history. Here’s a formula for success: bring 9 wrestlers to State, have all of them score. Advance 3 wrestlers to the finals (Gallatin, Forsythe and Rowsey) and have 2 more place-winners (Anderson and Baker).

2. Austin Bowie 89.5

This team was a threat all year long because of 5 potential State champs – Gogonas brothers, Johlke brothers and Pardinek. Bowie managed to overcome the devasting loss of Travis Johlke, by taking a 1st at 103, 2nd at 152 and 189 and a 3rd at 112.

3. Coppell 88

Coppell tried to fly under the radar all year but that’s hard to do when you knock off Highland Park in both a dual meet and at Districts. Coppell took 8 to State and placed 5 just like HP. Surprisingly, Coppell was the only school to have 2 State Champs- the expected Covey at 171 and the unexpected Mayo at 189. Nice efforts from Horn (4th at 130), Rice (5th at 140) and Lessner (5th at 215)

Next Year Predictions (in no particular order)

Highland Park

HP has won 5 of 8 UIL Boys Championships. That would be a dynasty. These guys are annual contenders and next year will be no exception. They will be led by Gallatin (2nd at 135) and Anderson (3rd at 152). They also return State qualifiers Vick (125), Montgomery (130) and Gambordella (171).

Cinco Ranch

Lady Buckeye has been telling anyone who will listen that 2007 is CR’s year. They are the cream of the Houston crop with a 5th place finish in 2006. They will be better in 2007.They will return State Champ Harris at 160, Runner-up McNair at 180 and 4th place (and 2004 State champ) Sheets at 140. Add qualifier Waltman at 103 (two 1-point losses at State) and the nucleus of a State contender is there.

Coppell

Coach Stralow has it going on in Coppell. This program is firing on all cylinders. Of their 8 state qualifiers only 3 return: State Champ Covey at 171, 4th place Horn at 130 and qualifier Robinson at 152. They lost a lot of heavies to graduation but I have the impression that Coppell will reload rather than rebuild. We shall see.