Wow...what a morning!

[Rob Sherrill]

The morning session is not over yet, but Illinois will come away with yet another double-digit haul of All-Americans...15, to be exact...in the Cadet National freestyle tournament.

We lost only George Fisher (119) and Joe Dedick (171) this morning. Everybody else survived...and most of them go to the round robins, which will be completed in the afternoon session.

Ben Whitford has already advanced to the finals at 125. He had a close call on Mat 1 when, with a 4-0 lead, he got headlocked by Dylan Cottrell of West Virginia. He was in trouble for probably 20 seconds or so before fighting it off. Obviously, he wound up winning the match.

A little while ago, Barlow McGhee (112) came from behind to beat Indiana state champion Kyle Ayersman in three periods.

Sam Brooks and Jack Dechow also had quite a battle a few minutes ago on Mat 10. Brooks made up a 4-0 deficit in the final 15 seconds to get a 4-4 tie and win in three periods. Dechow scored three points on a shoulder throw at the buzzer of the first period to win 3-1. Brooks won the second period 1-0. Nice display of sportsmanship by both. They shouldn't have been in the same pool, but the pairings folks screwed up and it was not caught until after a round had been wrestled, which made it too late to correct.

Both weights will have to go one more time this session, since there are four left in at least one pool.

Carlos Fuentes (84), Mark Duda (105) and Tim Corse (152) will be going for seventh place. Everyone else is in the round robin.

[cap135]

That's just amazing! Way to go Illinois!

[Pirate Pride]

Originally Posted by Rob Sherrill

The morning session is not over yet, but Illinois will come away with yet another double-digit haul of All-Americans...15, to be exact...in the Cadet National freestyle tournament.

We lost only George Fisher (119) and Joe Dedick (171) this morning. Everybody else survived...and most of them go to the round robins, which will be completed in the afternoon session.

Ben Whitford has already advanced to the finals at 125. He had a close call on Mat 1 when, with a 4-0 lead, he got headlocked by Dylan Cottrell of West Virginia. He was in trouble for probably 20 seconds or so before fighting it off. Obviously, he wound up winning the match.

A little while ago, Barlow McGhee (112) came from behind to beat Indiana state champion Kyle Ayersman in three periods.

Sam Brooks and Jack Dechow also had quite a battle a few minutes ago on Mat 10. Brooks made up a 4-0 deficit in the final 15 seconds to get a 4-4 tie and win in three periods. Dechow scored three points on a shoulder throw at the buzzer of the first period to win 3-1. Brooks won the second period 1-0. Nice display of sportsmanship by both. They shouldn't have been in the same pool, but the pairings folks screwed up and it was not caught until after a round had been wrestled, which made it too late to correct.

Both weights will have to go one more time this session, since there are four left in at least one pool.

Carlos Fuentes (84), Mark Duda (105) and Tim Corse (152) will be going for seventh place. Everyone else is in the round robin.

Rob no mention of Bryce Brill

An eighth grader still undefeated going for a National title seems like that's the remarkable storyline!!

[Rob Sherrill]

It is, but there are others who have done the same thing...and not to diminish his accomplishment, because it's certainly noteworthy, but it wasn't really unexpected, and he just hasn't been part of a really compelling story line just yet. His time will come.