GTM Sportswear Athlete of the Month Nominees for April

by Jeff Fisher
Host, NHSCA Sports Hour
Follow @NHSCARadioShow

Below are the nominees for the month of April for the NHSCA/GTM Sportswear Athlete of the Month Award.

April 2013

Kaitlyn Cook (Softball) Parkside HS (Salisbury, MD)

Kaitlyn is a three-sport athlete who is a leader in sports and in the classroom.  Kaitlyn, who has been the captain of her softball team since her junior year, also plays volleyball and basketball for her school.  She carries a 4.3 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society, is the Senior Class Historian, plus a member of the Math Team and is Vice-President of the Future Educators Association. Kaitlyn’s softball coach says she’s a natural leader.  Outside of school she has logged over 120 community service hours.

Chasen Ford (Baseball) El Toro HS (Lake Forest, CA)

Ford is not only one of the top high school baseball pitchers in the country, but he is also one of the smartest.  Ford is currently wrapping-up his high school career before he heads east to set his sights on a college baseball and academic career at Yale University.  He carries a 4.80 GPA with AP courses in English, history, calculus and physics. He was a perfect 11-0 as a junior with an ERA of 1.06 to help his school to its 6^th straight league title.  He also served as Secretary General for the National Model United Nations conference.

Candice Holmquist (Softball) Knightsdale HS (Knightsdale, NC)

Candice carries a weighted 4.7 GPA as a two-sport athlete playing volleyball and softball for her school.  She’s an active member of the National Honor Society, the school’s Athletic Boosters and Future Farmers of America.  Every year that she has played varsity sports she’s been named to the Greater Neuse River Conference All-Academic Team.

Kevin James (Water Polo) Coral Springs HS (Coral Springs, FL)

Aside from being an outstanding defender on his school’s water polo team, James is incredible in the classroom. He is senior class valedictorian with a weighted GPA of 5.4388 with an ACT composite score of 30.  Kevin’s taken over 17 AP courses over his four years in high school and is president of Mu Alpha Theta and a member of the National Honor Society.  He’s won seven varsity letters as a member of the school’s water polo and swim teams.

Brittany Neeley (Track & Field) Eastern HS (Greentown, IN)

Brittany, who has a twin sister, is a three-sport athlete that will continue her college career running track & field and cross country at Indiana University.  She carries a 4.5 GPA, which ranks her second in her class. She’s a member of the National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Spanish Club, Key Club and Students Against Drunk Driving.  Aside from being her school’s all-time leading scorer in basketball, she’s a three-time state finalist in track & field and a two-time state finalist in cross-country.

Dan Rafuse (Track & Field) Norton HS (Norton, MA)

This senior came of age in both basketball and track & field during his junior year when he led the school to its first league championship in basketball in 24 years and led the track team to its first undefeated season.  As a senior he’s kept his GPA high a 3.75 while taking a challenging course load in AP and Honors’ courses.  He’s a member of the school’s Leadership Council and works with younger students throughout the district, serving as a role model and peer leader. This season in basketball he was the team’s leading scorer. In December Rafuse was named MIAA Student-Athlete of the Month for he outstanding achievements in sports and in the classroom.

If you want to have your student-athlete considered, email me at jeff@highschoolfootballamerica.com.

Georgia, New Jersey, New York, Ohio & Pennsylvania lead the Gold Rush at Freshman Nationals at 24th Annual National High School Coaches Association National Wrestling Championships

by Jeff Fisher

Host, NHSCA Sports Hour

Follow @NHSCARadioShow

Ohio crowned three individual champs at the Freshman Nationals at the 24^th annual National HighSchool Coaches Association National Wrestling Championships held April 3^rd through the 7^th in Virginia Beach, Virginia.  Behind the Buckeye State was Georgia, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania with two individual champs each.

Leading the way was Tyler Warner of Claymont High School in Ohio, who followed-up his state championship by taking the gold medal at 106-pounds. Warner pinned Jose Tapia of New Mexico in the finals. 

The other Ohio champs were Nick Svarda from Carlisle High at 170-pounds and Kordell Chaney of Sandusky Perkins at 220.

Warner was one six state champs from the 2012-13 high school season that captured NHSCA gold medals.  The other 2012-13 state champs that mined gold in Virginia Beach are: Kyle Norstrem of nationally-ranked Brandon High School in Florida; Jarrett Degan of Belgrade High in Montana; Kevin Budock of Good Counsel in Maryland; and brothers Daniel and Thomas Bullard of Archer High School in Georgia.

At 152 pounds, Jordan Torbitt of Whitney Point High School in New York pinned Joe Nadotti of Florida in the finals.  Torbitt won the 2012 154-pound Middle School championship. 

Another 2012 Middle School champ Jimmy Saylor of Easton High School in Pennsylvania finished second at 132 pounds.

The team championship was a close battle with New York edging Pennsylvania by one point 208.5 to 207.5 points. Ohio finished a close third with 204 points.

Freshman Nationals Finals

106: Tyler Warner (Ohio) pinned Jose Tapia (New Mexico), 5:45
113: Kyle Norstrem (Florida) dec. Trent Olson (Wyoming), 11-6
120: Jarrett Degen (Montana) dec. Kellen Devlin (New York), 6-4
126: Kevin Budock (Maryland) dec. Max Pickett (New Jersey), 4-3
132: Christopher Mauriello (New York) dec. Jimmy Saylor (Pennsylvania), 9-4
138: Daniel Bullard (Georgia) dec. Ryan Peters (New Hampshire), 6-0
145: Thomas Bullard (Georgia) pinned Joey Nadotti (Florida), 3:24
152: Jordan Torbitt (New York) major dec. Dean Drugac (New Jersey), 10-0
160: Brandon Dallavia (New Jersey) major dec. John Jakobsen (Pennsylvania), 12-2
170: Nick Svarda (Ohio) dec. Alan Clothier (Kansas), 11-8
182: Drew Phipps (Pennsylvania) pinned Christian Araneo (New York), 0:56
195: Matthew Correnti (New Jersey) dec. Kobe Woods (Indiana), 13-7
220: Kordell Chaney (Ohio) dec. Joe Hensley (Ohio), 8-7
285: Jake Beistel (Pennsylvania) dec. Edwin Rubio (New York), 4-3

Freshman National Team Scores

1. New York – 208.5

2. Pennsylvania – 207.5

3. Ohio – 204

4. New Jersey – 184.5

5. Virginia – 135.5

New York wins Middle School Championship at 24th Annual National High School Coaches Assocation National Wrestling Championships

by Jeff Fisher
Host, NHSCA Sports Hour
Follow @NHSCARadioShow

With two individual champs and one runner-up finish, New York won the team championship at the 6^th annual Middle School Nationals that were held during the 24^th annual National High School Coaches Association National Wrestling Championships in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Leading the way for the Empire State that edged-out Pennsylvania by one-and-a-half points for the team title was Mack Berkowitz, who won the title at 127, and Travis Race, who captured the 165-pound crown.  Berkowitz was a 2012 NHSCA champ.

California, which finished third in the team championship crowned three individual champs: Izzak Olejnik at 85, Navonte Demison at 90 and J.J. Figueroa at 105.

At 90-pounds, Zach Sherman, who finished third in the state in the Florida Class 1A championships at 106-pounds as an 8^th grader, finished third for the second straight year at the NHSCA Middle School Nationals.  Sherman lost his first-round match, but battled-back through wrestlebacks to win a bronze medal.

The Top 8 wrestlers in each weight class won All-American honors. To qualify of the Middle School Championship event, every wrestler had to place in the Top 8 in his official NHSCA State Championship.

The top three states all received team awards with New York taking home the National Championship Cup to display at their State Championships.

2013 Middle School Nationals Finals

75 – Tanner Jordan (Ohio) pinned Ryan Zimmerman (New Jersey) 3:54

80 – No Contest, Cole Rhone  (Pennsylvania) and Joe Klock (Pennsylvania) finalists

85 – Izzak Olejnik (California) dec. Charles Chapman (Ohio) 4-1

90 – Navonte Demison (California) dec. Collin Gerardi (Virginia) 5-3

95 – Tuck Brough (Pennsylvania) dec. David Salazar III (Arizona) 6-2

100 – Daniel Planta (Maryland) dec. Hector Colom (New York) 9-0

105 – J.J. Figueroa (California) dec. Anthony Martoccio (Pennsylvania) 7-5

112 – Jimmy Hoffman (Pennsylvania) dec. John Manning (Utah) 1-0

119 – Quinn Deaney (Maryland) dec. Ty Lucas (Florida) 5-2

127 -  Mack Berkowitz (New York) pinned Tyler Grine (Ohio) 3:57

135 – Matthew Ceparano (North Carolina) dec. Gavin Hoffman (Pennsylvania) 6-5

142 – Layne Van Anrooy (Oregon) dec. Sangobunmi Smith (Georgia) 7-1

154 – Avery Dinardi (New Jersey) dec. John Borst (Virginia) 8-7

165 -  Travis Race (New York) dec. Michael Vigil (New Mexico) 10-0

180 – Nicolas Mosco (Florida) dec. Ryan Mills (West Virginia) 12-2

230 – Eric Chakonis (New Jersey) pinned Spencer Bowler (North Carolina) 1:18

Middle School National Finals

1. New York – 200

2. Pennsylvania – 198.5

3. California – 127.5

4. New Jersey – 122.5

5. Ohio – 120.5

24th Annual NHSCA Senior National Wrestling Championships to Feature Seven 4X State Champs

by Jeff Fisher
Host, NHSCA Sports Hour
Follow @NHSCARadioShow

The talent registered in the Senior Division for 24^th annual National High School Coaches Association (NHSCA) National Wrestling Championships is incredible. The field includes seven 4X state champs, with wrestlers who have won a combined 203 state championships.  In addition to the seven 4X champs; there are 18 3X state champs; and 23 2X state champions.

Our four-time state champs in the Senior Division are: Michael Billingsley of Lowry High School in Nevada; Miguel Calixto of Mount Anthony Union High School in Vermont; J’den Cox of Hickman High School in Missouri; Dani Fischer of Campbell County High School in Wyoming; Joey Lavallee of Reno High School (ranked #15 in the nation) in Nevada; Ryan Nivan of Tyngsboro High School in Massachusetts and Tyler Tate from Spring Creek High School in Nevada.

While all seven 4X champs are outstanding, Cox, who will wrestle at the University of Missouri next season, hasn’t lost since his freshman year and brings a 205-3 record to Virginia Beach.  Cox won all four of his state titles at different weight classes.

There are two 2X NHSCA champs in the Senior Division field led by Dennis Gustafson of Forest Park High School in Virginia.  Gustafson, who will wrestle in college at Virginia Tech, is currently ranked 15^th in the nation according to Win Magazine.  Coleman Hammond of Bakersfield High School in California is also a 2X NHSCA champ, who is entered at 145-pounds.  Back to defend his 2012 Junior championship at 152 is Kyle Perreault of Clovis East High School in California

Another nationally-ranked wrestler in the field is two-time National Prep champion Frank Mattiace of national champion Blair Academy in New Jersey. Entered at 195 pounds, Mattiace was 160-16 during his scholastic career and ranked #7 nationally by Win Magazine.

Last year the State of California walked away with three championships in the Senior Division, followed by Florida, New Jersey and New York with two champs apiece.  California captured the Senior title with 240.5 points, followed by New York (191) and New Jersey (159.5).

Blair Academy’s (Blairstown, New Jersey) Mark Grey won the 132-pound championship and the Senior Division’s Most Outstanding Wrestler Award.

Capturing Senior titles from California were Josh Rodriguez (Righetti HS) at 120; Natrelle Demison (Bakersfield HS) at 138 and Richard Black (Chavez HS) at 220. 

Florida’s champs were Clark Glass (Brandon HS) at 160 and Doug Vollaro of Pine Castle Christian at 285.

New Jersey’s champions were Grey and Alenick Richardson (St. Peter’s Prep) at 145. 

New York gold medalists were Dylan Palacio (Long Beach HS) at 145 and Anthony Lock (Pioneer HS) at 182.

Other states with single champs in the 2012 Senior Division were Kansas, Maryland North Carolina, Pennsylvania and South Carolina.

Lots of Familiar Faces in Junior Division of the 24th National High School Coaches Association National Wrestling Championships

by Jeff Fisher
Host, NHSCA Sports Hour
Follow @NHSCARadioShow

This year’s Junior Nationals are loaded from top-to-bottom with eleven 3X state champs in the field, plus eight 2012 NHSCA Sophomore Division champs are back to defend their titles.  In fact, three wrestlers are looking to add a third NHSCA title to their resumes.

Nathan Rose of Sibley East High School in Minnesota, Ryan Millhof of Collins Hill in Georgia and Jesse Webb of Mount Anthony Union High School in Vermont are halfway to becoming 4X NHSCA national champs.  There have only been two wrestlers in the history of the NHSCA National Wrestling Championships to win four titles.

Millhof, who is currently ranked 5^th in the nation at 120 pounds, also owns two Georgia state championships, plus a runner-up finish as a freshman. Rose, who is currently ranked 12^th in the nation at 195, is coming-off his second straight Minnesota title. Webb, who is ranked 17^th in the nation, is a 3X Vermont state champion.

The 126-pound bracket is loaded with 3X Kentucky state champ Brock Ervin of Union County High School and 2X Colorado state champ and defending 120 pound NHSCA Sophomore champ P.T. Garcia of Bear Creek High School in Colorado entered. Also at 126 are two 2X state champs Jack Mutchnik of St. Paul’s in Maryland and Cameron Perry of Gilmer High School in Georgia.  The 126-pound bracket has registrants with a combined 17 individual state championships.

Other returning 2012 Sophomore Division champs are: 3X Delaware state champ Brent Fleetwood of Smyrna High School (ranked #3 nationally @ 113 pounds); 3X South Carolina state champ Clay Walker from Eastside High; former Blair Academy (New Jersey) wrestler P.J. Klee, who sat out this season after transferring to Cardinal Newman High School in California because of transfer rules; 3X Maryland state champ Alfred Bannister of Bishop McNamara High School (ranked #5 nationally @ 138 pounds); Larry Bomstad of Atwater-Cosmos-Grove in Minnesota, who won a state championship this year.

Another top junior is Burke Paddock of Warsaw High School in New York. Burke won an NHSCA Freshman Division title and finished runner-up last year at 160 pounds.

Last year, Pennsylvania, with three champions, won the Junior National team title with 189 points to edge-out Virginia with 186.  New York finished third with 183.5 points.  

Gold Medals abound in Sophomore Division at 24th Annual National High School Coaches Association National Wrestling Championships

by Jeff Fisher
Host, NHSCA Sports Hour
Follow @NHSCARadioShow

The Sophomore Division of 24^th annual National High School Coaches Association (NHSCA) National Wrestling Championships could be called “golden” with 45 wrestlers entered having won their respective state wrestling championships during the 2012-13 school year. Eighteen of those champs are 2X state champs, who will grace the mats at the Virginia Beach Convention Center April 3rd through the 7th.

Included in the field so far are four wrestlers that captured NHSCA titles as freshman: Conor Ross of Springstead High School in Florida at 170-pounds; Tevis Bartlett of Cheyenne East High School in Wyoming at 182; Kenneth Brinson of Marist High School in Georgia at 195-pounds and Gage Cervenka of Emerald High School in South Carolina at 285.  Bartlett and Cervenka are both two-time state champions, who both pinned their ways to gold in last year’s NHSCA Freshman championship matches.

Multiple two-time state champs entered at 106, 113, 120, 126 and 132.  Both 120 and 126 have three, two-time state champs.

Two-time winners at 120 are Troy Gassaway of Mount Anthony Union High School in Vermont, Gresh Jones of Sidney High School in Montana and Richard Montoya of Robertson High School in New Mexico.

At 126 pounds, the two-time champs are: Dylan LaFountain of Mount Anthony Union High School in Vermont; Brooks Law of Foxcroft Academy in Maine and Dylan Lucas of Brandon High School in Florida.

Pennsylvania won last year’s Sophomore Nationals with 213 points to outdistance second place Ohio and third place Virginia.  Pennsylvania didn’t claim any individual championships, but did have two runner-up finishes.  Minnesota, New Jersey and Ohio claimed two individual titles each in the Sophomore Division.  States with single champs were: California, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, South Carolina, Vermont and West Virginia.

Eight of last year’s Sophomore champs are entered in the Junior Division this year. They are: two-time NHSCA champs Nathan Rose of Sibley East High School in Minnesota, Ryan Millhof of Collins Hill in Georgia; and Jesse Webb of Mount Anthony Union High School in Vermont; plus 2012 champs Brent Fleetwood (Delaware) at 106, P.T. Garcia (Colorado) at 120, Clay Walker (South Carolina) at 126, P.J. Klee (California) at 132, Alfred Bannister (Maryland) at 138 and Larry Bomstad (Minnesota) at 145.

Plenty of State Champs Entered in Freshman Division at 24th Annual National High School Coaches Association National Wrestling Championships

by Jeff Fisher
Host, NHSCA Sports Hour
Follow @NHSCARadioShow

19 wrestlers from around America who are fresh off capturing freshman state championships over the last month-and-a-half will be vying for gold in the Freshman Division of the 24^th Annual National High School Wrestling Championships at the Virginia Beach Convention Center next week.

The 106-pound bracket is loaded with nine state champs entered. In alphabetical order they are: Benjamin Anderson of Pleasant Grove High School (Utah), Jake Brindley of Lake Highland Prep (Florida), Rian Burris of White Knoll (South Carolina), Peter Del Gallo of Gardiner High School (Maine), Chris McCrackin of Banks County (Georgia), Trent Olsom of Campbell County (Wyoming), Derek Spann of Adirondack High School (New York), Dylan Udero of Las Cruces High (New Mexico) and Tyler Warner of Claymont High School (Ohio).

2012 Middle School champ Kelan McKenna of New Hartford High School in New York is entered at 103 after taking the 90-pound title last year.  Jimmy Saylor of Easton High in Pennsylvania won the 127 Middle School title last year. This year’s he’s entered at 132 pounds.  Another Middle School champ moving-up is Jordan Torbitt of Whitney Point High School in New York, who won the 154-pound title in 2012.

Last year, Pennsylvania won the Freshman Division with 199 points, beating out Ohio and Virginia.  The Keystone State won the title with only one champ to Ohio’s four individual champs it the Freshman Division.  Austin Myers of Kentucky was the division’s Outstanding Wrestler.

Four of last year’s champs are back to defend their 2012 titles in the Sophomore Division.  2012 Freshman champs that are competing this year are: Conor Ross (Florida) at 170, Tevis Bartlett (Wyoming) at 182, Ken Brinson (Georgia) at 195 and Gage Cervenka (South Carolina) at 285.