Maryland Junior Greco Team Finishes Top 10

The Maryland Junior Greco Roman Team had quite a run on Thursday, the second day of Junior competition at the Baird Center South in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. After falling in their True Second Place Match to Washington to conclude Wednesday’s activities, the Marylanders went undefeated in their Bronze/Copper Pool to reach the championship match.

OH SO CLOSE TO TAKING DOWN IOWA

Iowa greeted them for what would ultimately be a battle for the ages, marked by a late push that almost gave the win to Maryland. When it was time for the final three bouts, Maryland was behind by 14 points, 33-19. If they pinned out, they would win by one.

Tyler Stephens did his best to make it possible by planting Nicholas Wise 57 seconds into their 144-pound match. His Mount Saint Joseph teammate, Connor Allison, followed that up with a 9-0 technical fall in 2:03 over Camron Bennett to make the score 33-28 for Iowa.

Lazaro Torralba would have forced a tie if he was able to gain the fall at 157 pounds, but Torralba was only able to gain a 9-0 tech fall that came in just 33 seconds to leave the local fellas playing a game of what ifs over their earlier antics as Torralba’s points left them with a bitter, 33-32 loss.

Three of Maryland’s nationally ranked stars added the early points that set the stage for the dramatic finish with wins being put in the books by No. 7 Salah Tsarni (190 pounds), No. 22 Tyler Verceles (120), and No. 16 Elijah Collick (132).

When it was announced that Tsarni would be back at 190 pounds, High School on SI moved him back to the lower class and slotted him at number seven. Tsarni rolled to a 9-0 technical fall in 1:24 versus Kellen Wagner. Tsarni’s win came after successive losses to start the dual.

One of the losses was taken by another Maryland National Stud, No. 25 Noah Tucker, who had the honor of squaring off with No. 11 Jaxon Miller at 175 pounds. Miller teched Tucker. After Tsarni’s win, Maryland was down by three points, 8-5.

Iowa took the next three on the card to grow their lead to 21-5 before Charles Cooper put an end to that streak with an 8-0 tech of Curran Meyer at 106 pounds. The good vibes were short-lived though, as Iowa won three of the next five matches with Verceles using a headlock to stick Hudson Fleming and Collick teching Coy Mehlert, 8-0.

“Not a bad a Greco run,” said Junior Head Coach Jordan Murphy. “(The) guys weren’t happy about how they dropped the dual to Washington (on Wednesday). So, they showed up today and went to war with a 3-0 start. Iowa was tough. A few matches go in a different direction we win that dual, losing by one point is never fun.

“This group has been tremendous at responding to adversity. These guys are sharp, the captains are demanding clear expectations and keeping the energy high. We’re ready for Freestyle.”

A win versus Iowa would have placed Maryland ninth overall in the country. A top ten finish in the nation is still a big-time development and one our guys should be proud of. The Maryland Boys have shown tremendous national strides this summer.

BLITZING THE POOL ON DAY 2

The fun with Iowa would not have been possible without the dominating run Maryland put on in Pool A of the Bronze/Copper Field. They opened with Alabama and discarded them with a 54-13 final. Idaho was given a 44-22 loss. And North Dakota came up short by 15, 39-24.

WA SNUFFS OUT TITLE HOPES

If Maryland had been able to slay Washington in the Preliminary Pool D’s True 2nd place match, they would have been in the top eight, and in the running for the top spot in the nation. They hung with Washington but came up just short on a 37-28 count.

In the early going, Maryland had a 16-14 lead after they won four of the first seven matches. Stephens eked out an 8-6 win over Mason DesRoches at 144 pounds. Cash Wheat’s pin at 165 pounds gave hope to Maryland and Tucker reinforced it by taking out No. 37 Tre Haines, 6-2, at 175. Tsarni used a 9-0 tech he acquired in 2:18 to end Simon Jerrell’s time on the mat at 190 pounds.

Washington asserted itself at this point and took the lead back with three wins of their own to go up 26-17 after the 100-pound match. In the final stretch of five, Maryland gained wins in three, but it was not enough to overcome Washington on the scoreboard.

Cooper (106 pounds) and Collick (132) collected tech falls for Maryland and Verceles dug deep to upset No. 18 Laz McEwen, 4-3, at 120 pounds.

To gain access to the True 2nd bout, Maryland placed third in Pool D after suffering a loss to the eventual pool champs in the semifinals, Oklahoma Blue (42-22), who would take third overall.

Maryland opened with a quarterfinal win versus Michigan Red, 57-10. After getting tripped up by Oklahoma, Maryland peeled off two straight wins to take third with a consolation semi win over North Carolina, 48-19, and the third-place win over Wisconsin, 41-24.

“Standout performances from Cash Wheat and Charlie Mutschler on the day (were notable),” said Murphy. “Charlie stepping up for the team time and time again. While Cash Wheat will launch anybody who dares to get in front of him. Also, a young Charles Cooper had an impressive day one also going 5-0.”

“The team is tearing it up but it’s just day one, they will be focused and ready for tomorrow. Stand out performances were Ben Schiener versus Michigan - Match 1, plus Tyler Stephens and Connor Allison – versus Washington - Match 5.”

THE INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNT

Overall, Team Maryland was 6-3, with a tournament high five wrestlers being named to the All-Tournament Team with 9-0 records – Cooper, Collick, Stephens, Tsarni, and Verceles.

Stephens and Cooper picked off nationally ranked talents as part of their unblemished runs. Both came in the Oklahoma Dual. For Stephens it was a 7-4 win against No. 24 Garrison Sartain. Cooper edged No. 33 Rylan Sandoval, 4-3.

“What I am most impressed with is not the wins but how they have been sticking together to represent Maryland, they’re having fun and responding to adversity,” remarked Murphy. “It’s a different swagger when these boys walk in the arena or to any and every mat assignment. Not all of these guys know each other but for this week they are definitely showing a brotherhood that only exists in Maryland Wrestling.”

“Presenting themselves as a family that competes with integrity and respect. The younger guys are learning a lot from the older, more experienced guys and as team we are showing improvements and refinements after each dual. (There are) many leaders on the team but they all wouldn’t be here without the support of their parents who have supported the Junior Dual Team since day one, grateful to the group of parents who are watching from home.”

Three of our ranks went 7-2 – Torralba, Tucker, and Wheat. One of Torralba’s losses came to No. 6 Jake Miller of Oklahoma. Tucker was surprised by North Dakota’s Tate Sailer, a wrestler who has been nationally rated in the past.

Allison was 6-3 at 150 pounds. Charlie Mutschler was 4-5 at 126. Ben Scheiner put up a 3-6 record. Two wins were gained by Daerin Curry (113 pounds).

Maryland finished third in the count for most pins and techs as a team.

“Laura Sheiner, who is the official team mom and MSWA board member who is behind the scenes, serves as the glue who holds us all together,” Murphy added. “Lastly, I have to recognize Head Boys Coach at The St James Academy Coach Garrett Lineberger and his father legendary Maryland Wrestler Joe Lineberger for introducing his son Garrett to the sport and raising a man of honor who in turn is raising other young men of honor. Wouldn’t want to be here with any other group of people and glad the state of Maryland has appointed myself and Garrett with this privilege.”

Junior Greco-Roman Duals - GR Bronze/Copper: Team Maryland vs. Iowa

Weight Summary MD IOWA

165

Aydan Groom, IOWA over Cash Wheat, MD (TF 21-13 (4:44) )

1 4

175

Jaxon Miller, IOWA over Noah Tucker, MD (TF 8-0 (0:29) )

0 4

190

Salah Tsarni, MD over Kellen Wegner, IOWA (TF 9-0 (1:24) )

4 0

215

Andy Franke, IOWA over Julian Reyes, MD (TF 8-0 (2:56) )

0 4

285

Joe Constable, IOWA over Payton Green, MD (F 1:10 )

0 5

100

Ty Martin, IOWA over Julian McCrimon, MD (TF 9-0 (2:17) )

0 4

106

Charles Cooper, MD over Curran Meyer, IOWA (TF 8-0 (1:08) )

4 0

113

Damien Yeoman, IOWA over Daerin Curry, MD (TF 14-6 (2:15) )

1 4

120

Tyler Verceles, MD over Hudson Fleming, IOWA (F 0:42 )

5 0

126

Trace Rial, IOWA over Charlie Mutschler, MD (TF 8-0 (0:38) )

0 4

132

Elijah Collick, MD over Coy Mehlert, IOWA (TF 8-0 (0:45) )

4 0

138

Kayden Eller, IOWA over Benjamin Scheiner, MD (TF 8-0 (1:25) )

0 4

144

Tyler Stephens, MD over Nicholas Wise, IOWA (F 0:57 )

5 0

150

Connor Allison, MD over Camron Bennett, IOWA (TF 9-0 (2:03) )

4 0

157

Lazaro Torralba, MD over Danny Peters, IOWA (TF 9-0 (1:33) )

4 0

Final Score 33-32 32 33

Junior Greco-Roman Duals - GR Bronze/Copper: Team North Dakota vs. Team Maryland

Weight Summary ND MD

157

Lazaro Torralba, MD over Kash Brown, ND (TF 9-0 (2:04) )

0 4

165

Cash Wheat, MD over Maddox Slater, ND (F 0:31 )

0 5

175

Tate Sailer, ND over Noah Tucker, MD (Dec 9-7 )

3 1

190

Salah Tsarni, MD over Hugh Meyer, ND (TF 10-1 (2:26) )

1 4

215

William Ward, ND over Julian Reyes, MD (TF 8-0 (0:28) )

4 0

285

Darion Bitz, ND over Payton Green, MD (TF 8-0 (0:46) )

4 0

100

Julian McCrimon, MD over Austin Bass, ND (TF 8-0 (2:30) )

0 4

106

Charles Cooper, MD over Dan skogen, ND (TF 9-0 (0:56) )

0 4

113

Hunter McGrane, ND over Daerin Curry, MD (TF 14-5 (1:42) )

4 1

120

Tyler Verceles, MD over Griffin Magee, ND (TF 13-4 (2:45) )

1 4

126

Nicolas Enzminger, ND over Charlie Mutschler, MD (TF 8-0 (0:14) )

4 0

132

Elijah Collick, MD over Joey Enzminger, ND (TF 9-0 (5:58) )

0 4

138

Grady Iverson, ND over Benjamin Scheiner, MD (TF 16-6 (2:02) )

4 1

144

Tyler Stephens, MD over Cade Nieuwsma, ND (TF 9-0 (1:22) )

0 4

150

Connor Allison, MD over Brooks Leintz, ND (TF 8-0 (0:37) )

0 4

unsportmanlike 0 -1

Unsportmanlike -1 0

Final Score 39-24 24 39

Junior Greco-Roman Duals - GR Bronze/Copper: Team Maryland vs. Team Idaho

Weight Summary MD IDAH

150

Connor Allison, MD over Konnor Fordyce, IDAH (Dec 2-1 )

3 1

157

Lazaro Torralba, MD over Raidyn Pugsley, IDAH (TF 8-0 (1:24) )

4 0

165

Cash Wheat, MD over Aiden Hernandez, IDAH (TF 13-4 (1:30) )

4 1

175

Noah Tucker, MD over Brock Armstrong, IDAH (Dec 11-8 )

3 1

190

Salah Tsarni, MD over Blaise Turner, IDAH (TF 8-0 (2:53) )

4 0

215

Elijah Dilworth, IDAH over Julian Reyes, MD (TF 9-0 (3:26) )

0 4

285

Payton Green, MD over Devon Sibbett, IDAH (TF 8-0 (1:36) )

4 0

100

Julian McCrimon, MD over Forfeit, IDAH (FF)

5 0

106

Charles Cooper, MD over Burke Blue, IDAH (Dec 10-3 )

3 1

113

Tristan Mendenhall, IDAH over Daerin Curry, MD (F 2:29 )

0 5

120

Tyler Verceles, MD over Brand'n Edstrom, IDAH (F 1:44 )

5 0

126

Ayden Tokita, IDAH over Charlie Mutschler, MD (TF 12-4 (3:50) )

1 4

132

Elijah Collick, MD over Jesse Rae, IDAH (TF 10-2 (2:24) )

4 1

138

Blake Nevils, IDAH over Benjamin Scheiner, MD (TF 8-0 (0:36) )

0 4

144

Tyler Stephens, MD over Jordan Loya, IDAH (TF 9-0 (0:39) )

4 0

Final Score 44-22 44 22

Junior Greco-Roman Duals - GR Bronze/Copper: Team Maryland vs. Team Alabama

Weight Summary MD ALAB

144

Tyler Stephens, MD over Lewis Miller, ALAB (TF 8-0 (1:34) )

4 0

150

Connor Allison, MD over Hayden Cook, ALAB (TF 9-0 (1:25) )

4 0

157

Lazaro Torralba, MD over Carter Campbell, ALAB (TF 11-2 (2:30) )

4 1

165

Cash Wheat, MD over Caden Swinford, ALAB (F 2:26 )

5 0

175

Noah Tucker, MD over Joaquin Salas, ALAB (TF 8-0 (0:52))

4 0

190

Salah Tsarni, MD over Drew Adams, ALAB (TF 8-0 (0:44) )

4 0

215

Xerxes Ellison, ALAB over Julian Reyes, MD (TF 8-0 (0:30) )

0 4

285

Martin Thomas, ALAB over Payton Green, MD (F 1:48 )

0 5

100

Julian McCrimon, MD over Jaxon Lewis, ALAB (TF 10-1 (4:42))

4 1

106

Charles Cooper, MD over DeVaughn Miller, ALAB (Dec 5-2 )

3 1

113

Daerin Curry, MD over Thomas Patterson, ALAB (Dec 16-16 )

3 1

120

Tyler Verceles, MD over Eli Sanders, ALAB (F 1:01 )

5 0

126

Charlie Mutschler, MD over Forfeit, ALAB (FF)

5 0

132

Elijah Collick, MD over Jameson Thomas, ALAB (TF 8-0 (0:59) )

4 0

138

Benjamin Scheiner, MD over Justin Harbin, ALAB (F 2:18 )

5 0

Final Score 54-13 54 13

Junior Greco-Roman Duals - GR Pool D: Washington vs. Team Maryland

Weight Summary WASH MD

138

Jonas DesRochers, WASH over Benjamin Scheiner, MD (TF 9-0 (3:46) )

4 0

144

Tyler Stephens, MD over Mason DesRochers, WASH (Dec 8-6 )

1 3

150

Dayton Fitzgibbon, WASH over Connor Allison, MD (TF 15-6 (2:24) )

4 1

157

Israel Acosta, WASH over Lazaro Torralba, MD (TF 10-0 (1:43) )

4 0

165

Cash Wheat, MD over Jance Novak, WASH (F 2:32 )

0 5

175

Noah Tucker, MD over Tre Haines, WASH (Dec 6-2 )

1 3

190

Salah Tsarni, MD over Simon Jarrell, WASH (TF 9-0 (2:18) )

0 4

215

Kannon Freschette, WASH over Julian Reyes, MD (TF 10-0 (1:34) )

4 0

285

Odin Schwabenbauer, WASH over Payton Green, MD (TF 11-0 (1:18) )

4 0

100

Hunter Shirley, WASH over Julian McCrimon, MD (TF 11-2 (4:05))

4 1

106

Charles Cooper, MD over Quauhtli Zuniga, WASH (TF 9-1 (2:23) )

1 4

113

Elijah Governor, WASH over Daerin Curry, MD (F 1:27 )

5 0

120

Tyler Verceles, MD over Lazarus McEwen, WASH (Dec 4-3 )

1 3

126

Arcadius Cruz, WASH over Charlie Mutschler, MD (TF 8-0 (1:08) )

4 0

132

Elijah Collick, MD over Hoyt Harshman, WASH (TF 11-0 (4:35) )

0 4

Final Score 37-28 37 28

Junior Greco-Roman Duals - GR Pool D: Wisconsin Greco vs. Team Maryland

Dual

Weight Summary WISC MD

132

Elijah Collick, MD over Easton Felchlin, WISC (TF 8-0 (0:43) )

0 4

138

Braeden Hamill, WISC over Benjamin Scheiner, MD (TF 12-1 (2:06))

4 1

144

Tyler Stephens, MD over Cash Botting, WISC (Dec 10-8 )

1 3

150

Connor Allison, MD over Izaiah Sanchez, WISC (TF 9-0 (2:14) )

0 4

157

Lazaro Torralba, MD over Remington Skic, WISC (TF 14-4 (2:15) )

1 4

165

Cash Wheat, MD over Murphy Beyer, WISC (Dec 12-8 )

1 3

175

Noah Tucker, MD over Isaac Dunnom, WISC (TF 13-0 (0:37) )

0 4

190

Salah Tsarni, MD over Logan Ellwanger, WISC (TF 10-0 (0:41) )

0 4

215

Brody Hoffman, WISC over Julian Reyes, MD (TF 15-4 (3:42) )

4 1

285

Preston Krueger, WISC over Payton Green, MD (TF 9-0 (1:53) )

4 0

100

Eldon Roth, WISC over Julian McCrimon, MD (Dec 10-4 )

3 1

106

Charles Cooper, MD over Caden Bock, WISC (TF 9-0 (1:54) )

0 4

113

Kolten Mueller, WISC over Daerin Curry, MD (F 1:49 )

5 0

120

Tyler Verceles, MD over Collin Frey, WISC (TF 8-0 (1:03) )

0 4

126

Charlie Mutschler, MD over Ethan Denk, WISC (TF 16-6 (3:38) )

1 4

Final Score 41-24 24 41

Junior Greco-Roman Duals - GR Pool D: Team Maryland vs. North Carolina

Weight Summary MD NOCO

126

Charlie Mutschler, MD over Oscar Zelaya-Dubon, NOCO (TF 11-2 (1:24) )

4 1

132

Elijah Collick, MD over Justin Campos, NOCO (F 0:30 )

5 0

138

Benjamin Scheiner, MD over Miller Menteer, NOCO (TF 9-0 (1:23) )

4 0

144

Tyler Stephens, MD over Carter Hoots, NOCO (TF 8-0 (0:26) )

4 0

150

James Campos, NOCO over Connor Allison, MD (TF 19-8 (3:00) )

1 4

157

Lazaro Torralba, MD over Hayden Smith, NOCO (TF 9-0 (2:24) )

4 0

165

Cash Wheat, MD over Jacob Campos, NOCO (TF 15-6 (1:56) )

4 1

175

Noah Tucker, MD over Kene Black, NOCO (TF 8-0 (1:48) )

4 0

190

Salah Tsarni, MD over Logan Mumy, NOCO (TF 8-0 (0:41) )

4 0

215

Nash Mullis, NOCO over Julian Reyes, MD (TF 8-0 (1:34) )

0 4

285

Keyshon Morrison, NOCO over Payton Green, MD (F 3:00 )

0 5

100

Julian McCrimon, MD over Forfeit, NOCO (FF)

5 0

106

Charles Cooper, MD over Christopher Goucher, NOCO (ID 1:07 )

5 0

113

Carson Raper, NOCO over Daerin Curry, MD (TF 8-0 (1:12) )

0 4

120

Tyler Verceles, MD over Esteban Placencia, NOCO (TF 11-0 (0:36) )

4 0

Final Score 48-19 48 19

Junior Greco-Roman Duals - GR Pool D: Oklahoma Blue vs. Team Maryland

Weight Summary OKBL MD

113

Cason Craft, OKBL over Daerin Curry, MD (TF 9-0 (2:15) )

4 0

120

Tyler Verceles, MD over Mason Hoffman, OKBL (F 1:56 )

0 5

126

Van Smith, OKBL over Charlie Mutschler, MD (TF 8-0 (0:47) )

4 0

132

Elijah Collick, MD over Maxwell Bradley, OKBL (Dec 7-6 )

1 3

138

Sawyer Hackbarth, OKBL over Benjamin Scheiner, MD (Dec 7-0 )

3 0

144

Tyler Stephens, MD over Garrison Sartain, OKBL (Dec 7-4 )

1 3

150

Legend Ellis, OKBL over Connor Allison, MD (F 2:25 )

5 0

157

Jake Miller, OKBL over Lazaro Torralba, MD (Dec 6-0 )

3 0

165

Dimitri Kizer, OKBL over Cash Wheat, MD (F 2:35 )

5 0

175

Noah Tucker, MD over Garon Kaiser, OKBL (TF 11-3 (5:21) )

1 4

190

Salah Tsarni, MD over Braden Strain, OKBL (TF 8-0 (0:49) )

0 4

215

Seth Hernandez, OKBL over Julian Reyes, MD (F 0:57 )

5 0

285

Redmond Lindsey, OKBL over Payton Green, MD (TF 8-0 (1:55) )

4 0

100

Rhoan Rambo, OKBL over Julian McCrimon, MD (F 4:43 )

5 0

106

Charles Cooper, MD over Rylan Sandoval, OKBL (Dec 4-3 )

1 3

Final Score 42-22 42 22

Junior Greco-Roman Duals - GR Pool D: Team Michigan - Red vs. Team Maryland

Weight Summary MIRE MD

106

Charles Cooper, MD over Forfeit, MIRE (FF)

0 5

113

Daerin Curry, MD over Forfeit, MIRE (FF)

0 5

120

Tyler Verceles, MD over Tyler Cooper, MIRE (F 2:15 )

0 5

126

Charlie Mutschler, MD over Cyrus Woodberry, MIRE (F 1:21 )

0 5

132

Elijah Collick, MD over Lyric Warner, MIRE (Dec 9-2 )

1 3

138

Benjamin Scheiner, MD over Meyer Murray, MIRE (TF 11-0 (1:30) )

0 4

144

Tyler Stephens, MD over Beck Yurkunas, MIRE (TF 9-0 (2:12) )

0 4

150

Connor Allison, MD over Jaxon Workman, MIRE (TF 8-0 (0:52) )

0 4

157

Lazaro Torralba, MD over James Kosza, MIRE (TF 9-0 (1:10) )

0 4

165

Cash Wheat, MD over Tyler Parmeter, MIRE (TF 9-0 (0:49) )

0 4

175

Noah Tucker, MD over Forfeit, MIRE (FF)

0 5

190

Salah Tsarni, MD over Forfeit, MIRE (FF)

0 5

215

Tyler Meeuwsen, MIRE over Julian Reyes, MD (TF 8-0 (1:40) )

4 0

285

Braylen Meeuwsen, MIRE over Payton Green, MD (F 0:29 )

5 0

100

Julian McCrimon, MD over Austin Witt, MIRE (TF 8-0 (1:30) )

0 4

Final Score 57-10 10 57