9 Sandites remain at State, only slightly behind Broken Arrow and Choctaw

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The remaining Sandites have about an hour long break before the next round begins at the 6A State Championship in Oklahoma City. 

Charles Page wrestling qualified eleven for the tournament with seven Regional Champions, more than either Broken Arrow or the Dual State Champions from Choctaw. Unfortunately 220 pound junior and Regional Champion Delvin Jordan was unable to participate dropping the number to nine. 

106 freshman Riley Weir (20-12) came in third at Regionals and was pitted against Choctaw's Colt Newton (40-3) in the first round and was pinned in 0:41. From there he was majored 14-4 by Yukon's Braden Fowler and eliminated. 

113 Regional Champion Michael Ritchey (22-16) was defeated in round one by Westmoore's Wes Hardin (31-11) by a narrow 5-2 decision but managed to hold the lead in the next match for a 5-3 victory over Spencer Schickram (14-9) of Ponca City. 

120 Regional Champion Blake Sargent (36-10) went into overtime with Zackery Bibb (24-5) of Capitol Hill and lost 4-2 in the tie breaker round. He fell in an early hole to Justin Gundlach (29-11) of Moore and trailed 3-2 going into the final period, but rallied for a takedown and pin at 5:14 to stay alive in the consolation bracket. 

126 two-time undefeated State Champion Daton Fix (44-0) pinned Bobby Robinson (30-13) of Deer Creek in 1:37.

132 Regional Champion Jack Karstetter (38-7) breezed through his first match with a 17-2 tech fall over Norman's Jeffrey Adams (23-12) in 5:42.  

138 Regional Champion Beau Bratcher (40-6) pinned Choctaw's Jeff Speer (23-10) in 4:48. 

145 Regional Champion Payton Scott (18-4) pinned Westmoore's Trey Painter (32-10) in 3:52.  

160 Regional Runner-Up Zane Basma (32-11) scored an 8-3 decision over Sam Hensley (31-13) of Edmond Memorial.  

170 Trace Fleischman (10-4) placed fourth at Regionals but rebounded big time at State with a 3-1 upset of West Regional Champion Jacob Schimmels (23-6) of Edmond. 

The top three teams are as close now as they have been all season with Broken Arrow at 25.5, Choctaw at 25, and Sand Springs at 23.5.  

The semi finals will begin at 7:15.  

Sandite Carter Young travels to Virginia Holiday Duals

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Sand Springs wrestler Carter Young traveled to the East Coast this past month to participate in the 2015 Virginia Holiday Duals as part of junior high team Oklahoma Outlaws. The group placed 19th out of 48 teams, several of which included state and national champions.

Young wrestled at the 80 pound weight class for the duration of the tournament.

In round one he was pitted against Jesse Mendez (2012 USA Nationals Champ, two-time Winter Nationals Champ, three-time Border War National Champ,  four-time USA Wrestling All American) and was dealt a 6-2 decision in Oklahoma's 41-14 loss to Illinois Orange. Illinois would go on to take 9th overall.

The whole team rebounded in round two and Young pinned Ethan Scurlock in 1:26 as the Outlaws defeated the Virginia Bandits 58-10 and followed it up with a 9-0 major decision over Isaiah Poppe to contribute to a 58-13 defeat of Terps Contender Elite. 

With a 2-1 record, the Outlaws took second in Pool 8 and joined the Silver bracket. 

Young's next match-up was closer, a 3-1 decision over Jake Bursese of The CREW. The Outlaws won that dual 43-19, but lost 34-28 in round two to Florida Team Greco who went on to take 4th in Silver. Young was edged out 2-0 by Brendon Abdon (ASICS Kids Nationals 4th-placer, USAW Preseason Nationals 3rd-placer).

In round three the Outlaws defeated Scorpions Black 39-33, but Young was unable to overcome Sean Rendeiro and once again barely lost 2-0. Terps MS Express beat the Outlaws 51-12 and Jordan Titus (2015 Great Lakes Champion) overcame Young 6-5. It would be his last loss of the tournament, however. 

Ohio Grey defeated Oklahoma 39-31 and Young won his match by forfeit.

In the consolation semifinals, the Outlaws were narrowly defeated 35-all by Team Pennsylvania Blue. Young edged Chanz Shearer 3-2, then finished out the tournament with a 4-1 decision over Pat Phillips to contribute to a 39-33 win over Apex Wrestling Club. 

Overall Young went 6-4 and the Outlaws were 5-5 with a 7th place finish in the Silver bracket.