CPHS Wrestling: Carter Young places second at prestigious Geary Invitational

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Freshman standout Carter Young may not be the best in the country. At least, not yet anyways. But after starting his varsity career with seventeen-straight wins, he is definitely on everyone's radar. 

In the 106-pound finals of the 74th Annual Geary Invitational, the winningest athlete on the Charles Page High School wrestling team suffered his first defeat, ending his shot at an undefeated season. But it may well be his only loss. Young, who has won National Championship titles in Freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling, is currently ranked seventeenth in the country by FloWrestling. His defeat came at the hands of nationally ranked No. 7 Ryan Miller, a sophomore from New Jersey's prestigious Blair Academy. It was a 4-2 decision in overtime and could easily have gone either way.

Young is unlikely to face such stiff competition again this season. He is the only Oklahoma wrestler nationally ranked at 106 pounds. And even if he does suffer a few more losses along the way, he's only a freshman. A freshman with the potential to be a permanent fixture in Sand Springs lore. Prior to his loss he won a 5-2 decision over Dominic Chavez (Arlington Martin) and a 17-5 major decision over Cruz Aguilar (Edmond Memorial). 

Irwin Portillo (14-11 season, 20-16 career) won a 3-1 decision over Ethan Martin (Norman North) but was pinned by nationally-ranked No. 17 Travis Mastrogiovanni of Blair Academy who went on to win the bracket. In consolation he majored KJ Wolford (Del City) 9-1, and defeated Logan Farrell (Tuttle) 5-4 before falling 3-1 to Ty Lutze (Edmond Memorial). In the placement round he scored an 8-7 decision over Juan Centeno (Altus) for fifth place.

Brendon Wiseley (8-7, 9-7) won a 4-3 decision over Blazik Perez (Broken Arrow) but was pinned by 113 runner-up Tucker Owen (Mustang) in the quarterfinals. In consolation he was pinned by Class 6A No. 1 ranked Jackson Oplotnik (Edmond Memorial).

Blake Sargent (6-2, 95-27) won a 7-0 decision over Blake Gonzalez before falling 5-0 to 126-pound champion Chris Cannon of Blair Academy. In consolation he defeated three-time State Qualifier Logan Chappell (Piedmont) 4-2 in overtime before falling 6-1 to State Qualifier Ryder Ramsey (Tuttle) one round short of placement.

Scott Patton (12-12, 19-14) won a 9-7 overtime decision against Brett Pinkston (Edmond Memorial) but fell 9-4 to Pete Rolle (Edmond Memorial) in the quarterfinals. In consolation he majored Kellen Wilson (Rio Rancho) 12-1 but fell 2-1 to Jalen Hernandez (Union) one round short of placement.

Kaleb Tabor (9-6) gave two-time State Qualifier Jeff Speer (Choctaw) a run for his money, but was edged out 7-6 in the opening round. In consolation he pinned Levi Self (Tascosa) in 3:47 and Carson Brawley (Tuttle) in 1:52 before falling 5-2 to Eric Two Lance (Arlington Martin). 

Nationally ranked No. 1 Blair Academy handily won the tournament with nine champions and 246 points to No. 11 Tuttle's two champions and 132 points. No. 24 Broken Arrow placed third and No. 14 Choctaw placed fourth, each with one individual champion. Choctaw had three finalists while Broken Arrow had three consolation winners.

The Sandites placed fourteenth overall and sixth among Oklahoma Class 6A teams despite only competing in nine of fourteen weight classes due to an injury-ridden lineup. They will host their own tournament, the 53rd Annual Bobby Lyons Invitational, Friday and Saturday at the Ed Dubie Field House.