All-State Wrestling Teams Released
Even though high school basketball is blotting out the sun this week, there was some wrestling news happening. The Oklahoma Coaches Association has released its All-State team for both the east and west sides. Here’s a look at the squad along with the date and time of the All-State wrestling dual.
2009-10 All-State Wrestling
Venue: Union High School
Tue, July 27, 2010 – 8pm
Coaches
Lg East: Shawn Jones – Broken Arrow
Lg West: Nick Williams – Altus
Sm East: Jonathon Huseman – Cushing
Sm West: Jayson Bailey – Davis
LARGE WEST
112 Alex Cobos – Altus
119 Austin Quinton – Harrah
125 Josh Kennedy – Norman North
130 Johs Durham – Edmond North
135 Dustin Reed – Choctaw
140 Kaleb Cradduck – Noble
145 Jared Porter – Carl Albert
152 Trevor Sterling – Altus
160 Heath Boyd – Deer Creek
171 Cory Dauphin – El Reno
189 Colton Hill – Chickasha
215 Mike Anderson – OKC Northwest Classen
HWT Cody Dauphin – El Reno
SMALL WEST
112 Colton Roberts – Tuttle
119 Christian Bailey – Davis
125 Buddy Counts – Weatherford
130 Blaine Richards – Hobart
135 Brantley Pyle – Piedmont
140 Cory Williamson – Geary
145 Clayton Cowan – Geary
152 Matt White – Woodward
160 Cody Hill – Blanchard
171 Cole Gracey – Tuttle
189 Joe Gaither – Kingfisher
215 John Lair – Clinton
HWT Jakeb Willoughby – Clinton
LARGE EAST
112 Shane Fletcher – Bixby
119 Travis Lowery – Sapulpa
125 Zach Housley – Grove
130 Dakoda Goins – Owasso
135 Josh Haugen – Claremore
140 Jordan Basks – Claremore
145 Marselle McVay – Muskogee
152 Justin DeAngelis – Jenks
160 Justin Todd – Ada
171 Ronnie Balfour – Union
189 Keithen Cast – Broken Arrow
215 Quincey Mondaine – Muskogee
HWT Terry Williamson – Broken Arrow
SMALL EAST
112 Storm Paden – Stilwell
119 Chase Hess – Bristow
125 Ty Fittje – Cushing
130 Garrett Evans – Cushing
135 Ian Fisher – Perry
140 Kyle Jaquess – Barnsdall
145 Coby Carson – Inola
152 Ben Morgan – Catoosa
160 Colton Gallo – Perry
171 Dax Perrier – Pawhuska
189 Cody Johnson – Oologah
215 Joe Alston – Berryhill
HWT James Brigance – Talihina
NW Classen’s Mike Anderson completes his vision quest
The 2009-10 wrestling season is in the books. Finals night usually has some great stories and
Mike Anderson celebrates after winning the Class 5A 215 pound championship
the 89th edition did not dissapoint.
One of the best was that of Northwest Classen’s Mike Anderson who won his first title as a senior at 215 pounds after a very difficult 2009 season when he wrestled with a torn ACL. He had surgery to fix it but wore a bulky brace all through this season.
“Yeah, I loved wrestling with a messed up knee,” Anderson joked earlier this season.
But physical pain is just part of what Anderson has endured during his short life. His parents have been in and out of his life. He lived at least part of his high school years with his sister.
“All my problems disappear when I go to school, especially in the wrestling room,” he said in February 2007 as a freshman qualifying for his first state tournament.
Anderson may never have had the kind of home environment others wrestlers have, but what he did have was a small army of people who cared, starting with coach Bob Toma and assistant coach Tony Trail. There were more than a few eyes filled with tears as faculty members at Northwest Classen and assorted friends and family gathered around him on the ramp at State Fair Arena after his victory.
And making the moment even more picture perfect was Van Bumpas, the last wrestler at Classen to win a state title.
In 1965.
Bumpas, now an accountant living in Edmond, presented Anderson with his championship medal. Bumpas moved out of the metro area years ago, and later returned, but never stopped caring about his old school. When Toma asked him to come out to see Anderson’s finals match, and present the award if he won he couldn’t stay home.
“It’s a thrill to be here and see him achieve a goal I know he’s worked so hard for,” Bumpas said. “If you added up all the time he’s wrestled this weekend, it probably wouldn’t be more than five minutes. He’s been that good.”
Anderson didn't get the girl, but he did win a title.
Wrestlers are almost always interesting people. From Jack VanBebber to John Smith to Steve Williams. Anderson is no different. His personality is unique and sometimes quirky like when he made a joke about his “messed up knee” qualifying as diversity in a sport full of athletes who are at the peak of physical perfection.
Or when he talks about about his love for the movie Vision Quest, a 1980s rotten tomato starring Matthew Modine, which also happens to be one of the two movies Hollywood has made about wrestling in the last 100 years.
Anderson pinned Deer Creek’s Alex Christensen who happens to be a fine wrestler himself, and one that will have a chance to have his hand raised this time next year.
But Saturday night belonged to Anderson and his “vision quest” (hey, at least he didn’t pick The World According to Garp)
“Everything starts with a dream, and it only takes those who believe,” Anderson said.
There were no shortage of people who believed in Anderson and on championship night he paid them back in the only way he knew how. He won.
State wrestling: Afternoon session wrap
The third place matches have wrapped up at State Fair Arena and there were few surprises. Here’s a couple of highlights from all classes and also where the team standings are as we head into the finals session which begins at 5:45 p.m. tonight.
Class 6A: 1. Broken Arrow 88; 2. Tulsa Union 86; 3. Muskogee 79.
Class 5A: 1. Claremore 124; 2. Altus 83.5; 3. Harrah 53; 4. Deer Creek 47.
Class 4A: 1. Tuttle 151.5; 2. Sallisaw 100.5; 3. Cushing 76.5.
Class 3A: 1. Perry 116. 2. Cascia Hall 73.5; 3. Pawnee 50. 4. Kingfisher 49.5.
From the third place matches, here’s a few highlights. Guthrie’s Bryan Dutton won a 1-0 decision to place third. Heath Boyd of Deer Creek lost his 152 third place match 5-2.
Westmoore’s Brian Self (189) lost his 3rd place match 3-1 in overtime. That’s a tough break for Self who also lost in OT at regionals. Also in 6A, Caleb Cline won his 215 pound match over Westmoore’s Kyle Factor with a pin.
The 6A team race will be interesting to watch in the finals round. Very little seperates Broken Arrow and Union, and Muskogee for that matter. BA was docked a team point Friday but still have a 2 point edge on Union heading into tonight.
Perry, Tuttle and Claremore have all but locked up titles. If Perry wins coach Scott Chenoweth will take the lead in the all-time in Perry history for team titles with 11.
Wrestling: 5A-6A wrap up from Day 1
Day one of the state wrestling tournament is in the books and though there weren’t a ton of upsets, the fianls are shaping up to be pretty interesting.
Class 6A
There will be at least two rematches from last year’s finals with Del City’s Tray Dorell going against Tulsa Union’s Josh Walker in the 112 pound pound finals. In 6A, Kyle Garcia (119) will meet Jacob Weis from Jenks again. He beat him last year to win his first title. Garcia had a tough match in the semis with Stillwater’s Jared Elmore.
Class 5A
Deer Creek pushed Nolan Boyd (171) and Alex Christensen into the finals. Boyd will get Lawton Mac’s Max Adair in the finals. Boyd has a good shot, but beating Adair won’t be easy. Christensen gets NW Classen’s Mike Anderson who beat him in the regional finals last week.
Carl Albert had a disappointing night with three semifinalists and only one in the finals. The good news is most of Carl Albert’s team will be back next year as Fay Barnett continues to build one of the better programs in the metro area. And Jared Porter has a good shot to win his second title.
Perry Wrestling: Q and A with “Maroon Dynasty” author Mark Kirk
Mark Kirk was never a state champion at Perry, but he may know more about the town’s history with wrestling than anyone alive today. Kirk graduted from Perry in 1975 and wrestled on the high school team. But he’s never quit following the school he once wrestled for. Kirk turned his passion for Perry wrestling into a book called “The Maroon Dynasty” which is a collection of facts, tables and colorful anecdtoes from the past.
What made you want to compile this book, and how long did it take?
I guess because I’m weird. But seriously, it started out as a small project. I had asked Scott Chenoweth if he knew of a list of all the state placers and it’s something that nobody had so it went from there. It took about six months for the first addition. I have a very understanding wife.
What do you think makes Perry wrestling so special?
There’s so many things that go into it. But I think mainly it comes down to pride, and being a part of something that’s bigger than you are. And it’s not just the wrestlers who have that pride, it comes from the whole community. You go to a dual and the band is there and there’s a huge crowd. You don’t see that in many places these days.
For a long time Perry was a farming town, going back to the days of Jack VanBebber. Has that dynamic changed where farm kids aren’t the primary source of wrestlers anymore?
Yes, times have changed. That used to be an old stereotype…just good ‘ol tough farm boys. I think now it’s kids who come from families where there parents have more typical jobs.
Of all the stats and facts in your book, which once stands out the most?
I think for me it’s the fact that every senior class for the last 50 years has been part of at least one state championship. To go 50 years, you can hardly put that into words.
For more information on “The Maroon Dynasty” contact Mark Kirk at mkirk811@cox.net
El Reno’s Kerr happy to be coaching again
El Reno coach Shane Kerr is coaching in the 5A West regional at Deer Creek. Kerr has faced tons of adversity in the last few months, but is back feeling healthy again and his team is responding. El Reno put Cory and Cody Dauphin in the regional finals and have several wrestlers still alive on the backside. Kerr isn’t happy about El Reno’s season, but he’s glad to be around to coach. Here’s a look at Kerr’s recent health story…..
Most high school wrestling coaches are enthusiastic about leading their teams into the Class 5A west regionals at Deer Creek, but El Reno coach Shane Kerr has an extra bounce in his step these days. It was just four months ago that Kerr was dealing with a golf ball sized brain tumor behind his right eye. The tumor was removed and was benign, meaning it hadn’t spread to other parts of his body.
“I never really had time to be scared,” Kerr said. “I went in to get my eyes checked and the next thing I knew they were cracking my head open.”
The scar on the right side of his head is still visible underneath his hair, but Kerr is back to normal aside from some mild vision problems. He returned to work after the Christmas break.
“I’m screaming and yelling as good as ever,” Kerr said. “I’m a red head so I’m a fighter, but going through it showed me what life is all about.”
Regional wrestling pairings and schedule
2010 High School Wrestling Regionals
Friday
12 p.m. – First round matches
6 p.m. – Semifinals and consolation rounds
Saturday
12 p.m. – Consolation rounds
6 p.m. – Championship finals
Admission
$5 for adults and students
Class 6A West at Yukon
Choctaw, Edmond Memorial, Edmond North, Edmond Santa Fe, Eisenhower, Lawton, Midwest City, Moore,Muskogee, Mustang, Norman, Norman North, Putnam City North, Putnam City West, Southmoore, Westmoore, Yukon
Class 6A East at Broken Arrow
Bartlesville, Bixby, Broken Arrow, Del City, Enid, Jenks, Owasso, Ponca City, Putnam City, Sand Springs, Sapulpa, Shawnee, Stillwater, Union, US Grant
Class 5A West at Deer Creek
Ada, Altus, Ardmore, Bishop McGuinness, Capitol Hill, Carl Albert, Chickasha, Deer Creek (Edmond), Duncan, Durant, El Reno, MacArthur, Noble, Northwest Classen, Southeast, Western Heights
Class 5A East at Claremore
Bishop Kelley, Claremore, Collinsville, Coweta, East Central, Grove, Guthrie, Harrah, McAlester, Memorial (Tulsa), Miami, Nathan Hale, Pryor, Skiatook, Tahlequah, Thomas Edison
Class 4A West at Weatherford
Anadarko, Blackwell, Blanchard, Clinton , Cushing, Douglass, Elgin , Elk City , McLoud, Madill, Piedmont , Star Spencer, Tecumseh, Tuttle, Weatherford, Woodward
Class 4A East at Sallisaw
Catoosa, Cleveland , Daniel Webster, Ft. Gibson, Glenpool, Jay, Locust Grove, McLain, Mannford, Okmulgee, Oologah, Poteau, Sallisaw, Stilwell, Vinita, Wagoner
Class 3A West at Pauls Valley
Bethany, Burns Flat-Dill City, Comanche, Cordell, Crooked Oak, Davis, Empire, Geary, Heritage Hall, Hinton, Hobart, John Marshall, Kingfisher, Lexington, Little Axe, Mangum, Marlow, Newcastle, Pauls Valley, Perry, Plainview, Synder, Sulphur, Talihina, Tonkawa, Waurika
Class 3A East at Bristow Barnsdall, Berryhill, Bethel, Bristow, Cascia Hall, Chandler, Hartshorne, Hulbert, Inola, Kellyville, Keys, Liberty, Newkirk, Oklahoma Centennial, Oklahoma Christian School,Parkview, Pawhuska, Pawnee, Perkins-Tryon, Salina, Sequoyah (Tahlequah), Sperry, Vian, Webbers Falls, Woodland
Porter ready for final run
Carl Albert’s Jared Porter would like to wax nostalgic about his high school wrestling career, but the senior doesn’t have much time for that these days.
The 145 pound Porter will be competing in the Class 5A West regional at Deer Creek Friday and Saturday. Porter already has won state title, but he’d like another before he heads off to wrestle at Central Michigan.
“It’s a little bittersweet because I’m going to miss wrestling here but I’m prepared to move on,” Porter said.
But not without another state title. Porter has one loss this season, and that came to Sallisaw’s Jeremy Davenport who will be wrestling for his third Class 4A title later this month.
“This year has had more speed bumps,” Porter said. “I’ve had a lot of close matches that shouldn’t have been close. I know I have to wrestle the entire year. I don’t want to get upset.”
After high school, he’ll join former teammate Zach Aylor who is a freshman at Central Michigan this season.
Wrestling: Dual State wrap and looking ahead to regionals
Tuttle and Perry took home Dual State championships in Class 3A and 4A Saturday in Cushing. Neither win is remotely surprising and the final scores of both championships back that up.
But what now? Tuttle is hoping to qualify at least 9 wrestlers for state during regionals this weekend. The Tigers showed they’re wrestling as well as they have all season. Tuttle also got Cole Gracey back in the lineup after a wrist injury. He wrestled in two of Tuttle’s duals and had a pin in the finals.
Tuttle will have plenty of competition at their regional in Weatherford, but of the teams there, there’s no reason to believe Tuttle won’t add a regional title to go along with the hardware they won this week.
At Deer Creek the Antlers are dusting themselves off after getting blown out in the finals by Claremore. Like Tuttle and Perry, Claremore’s win is no surprise. Deer Creek will host the 5A west regional and despite what the final score says, should be in good position to qualify the number of wrestlers they’d like to get in. Besides facing Claremore, the Antlers survived a war with Harrah in the semifinals which should only help them in the long run. Too bad Harrah is going east for its regional, otherwise the 5A west which will feature Carl Albert and Altus would have more great match potential than it already does.
Wrestler of the Week: Shane Woods, Tuttle
Shane Woods, 215, Tuttle
Tuttle easily won the Class 4A Dual State Championship Saturday by crushing Sallisaw in the finals. Woods played no small role in ending Tuttle’s recent Dual State frustrations. He finished the tournament strongly, pinning his opponent in Tuttle’s 45-20 semifinal win over Cushing and followed it up with another fall in the 51-15 finals win over Sallisaw.
