2009-10 Big 14 wrestling squad

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(PAUL CHAPLIN, The Patriot-News)

2009-10 BIG 14 WRESTLING SQUAD

SENIORS

Marshall Peppelman, Central Dauphin: Finished with 181 career wins and three state titles.

Tyler Buckman, Central Dauphin: Three state team titles and a runner-up finish at states this year.

Shawn Greevy, Cumberland Valley: Battled back from knee injury to finish second in state.

Tristan Warner, Cumberland Valley: Old Dominion recruit finished 38-3. Three losses came to Kenny Courts.

Bo Candelaria, Middletown: Finished third at nationals in Virginia Beach last week.

Joe Spisak, Boiling Springs: Four-time district champion and state placer caps career with state title.

Seth Beitz, Juniata: Sprinted to 44 wins before loss to Schuylkill Valley's Colin Shober in state finals.

JUNIORS

Kenny Courts, Central Dauphin: Backed up sophomore runner-up finish with state title.

Zachary Nye, East Pennsboro: Came out of nowhere at 215 and became face of East Pennsboro program.

Dereck Enders, Big Spring: Wrestled at 119 and 125 most of the season to help him to a fourth-place finish at 112.

Jayshon Wilson, Carlisle: Scored seven points against Dylan Alton and finished eighth in tough 152-pound class.

SOPHOMORE

Averee Robinson, Susquehanna Twp.: Helped prove that there is good wrestling on Elmerton Avenue with sixth-place finish at 285.

FRESHMEN

Christopher Vassar, Cedar Cliff: Showed grit in storming through consolation bracket at 103 to finish fourth at states.

Zain Rutherford, Line Mountain: Beat defending state champion in semifinals and gave school second champ in two years.

2009-10 wrestling season-in-review links:
>> The Patriot-News wrestling Big 14 team
>> Big 14 wrestling squad showcases wealth of midstate grappling talent, by JEREMY ELLIOTT
>> 2009-10 midstate wrestling all-stars and league champions 

Boiling Springs' Joe Spisak, top, was one of four midstate state champions

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(The Patriot-News)

Most all-star selections are numbers-driven.

This Patriot-News' Big 14 Team is no different. Early this season, Central Dauphin head coach Jeff Sweigard said it best when he stated, "There is a lot of talent here" in reference to the local wrestling scene.

He wasn't kidding.

The 2009-10 edition racked up unfathomable numbers, finishing with a combined record of 535-50. Each was so dominant at his weight that he carved out a spot somewhere on the podium in front of a packed house at Giant Center nearly three weeks ago.

There were four state champions. Line Mountain freshman Zain Rutherford (103) and Boiling Springs senior Joe Spisak (130) carried the banner in Class AA, with Central Dauphin's dynamic duo of senior Marshall Peppelman (160) and junior Kenny Courts (171) racking up a combined 92-0 mark in putting gold around their necks against stiff Class AAA competition.

But numbers aren't all that distinguished this team over a grueling 14-week season. Along with great individual achievements, there was unmatched leadership surrounded by acts of class on and off the mat.

Peppelman, Courts and senior Tyler Buckman (130) put their individual aspirations aside temporarily to hoist their CD teammates on their backs and lead them to a third straight team title in February.

And who could forget Buckman's gut-wrenching loss in the state finals to McDowell's Steve Spearman and his sportsmanlike handshake at the end? That show of class alone made the Rams senior a deserving member of this team.

Cumberland Valley might have had a sub-par season by normal standards, but seniors Shawn Greevy (135) and Tristan Warner (171) showed perseverance and excellence in securing state runner-up finishes.

Struggles were also overcome by Juniata's Seth Beitz (140) and Middletown's Bo Candelaria (145), both seniors. Beitz shook off a pair of losses to Annville-Cleona's Dylan Killian and managed to score a runner-up finish at states. Candelaria put aside family issues and nailed a third-place finish in a loaded 145-pound weight class.

But quality wasn't cornered by the senior class. Seven underclassmen showed earned postseason accolades and Big 14 recognition.

Rutherford and Courts led this contingent. But juniors Zachary Nye (East Pennsboro), Dereck Enders (Big Spring) and Jayshon Wilson (Carlisle) showed they will be in contention for a state title next season.

The sophomore and freshman classes were also well represented, with Susquehanna Twp. sophomore Averee Robinson and Cedar Cliff freshman Christopher Vassar placing at states.

2009-10 wrestling season-in-review links:
>> The Patriot-News wrestling Big 14 team
>> Big 14 wrestling squad showcases wealth of midstate grappling talent, by JEREMY ELLIOTT
>> 2009-10 midstate wrestling all-stars and league champions 

The UFC’s first ever event on the Versus network, “UFC on Vesus 1″ sold out the 1stBANK Center in Broomfield, Colo. headlined by light-heavyweights Jon Jones vs. Brandon Vera and heavyweights Junior dos Santos vs. Gabriel Gonzaga.

The event drew a total of 6,443 fans for a gate total of $568,125 according to UFC president Dana White. A total of 1.24 million viewers watched the event with a 1.66 rating in the males 18-34 demographic, and a total of $713,000 was payed out in fighter salaries.

The same venue was also host to the “UFC Fight Night 13: Florian vs. Lauzon” event in April 2008, which drew an attendance of 6,742 for a $753,429 gate total.

The 1.24 million viewers only ranked third highest among MMA events on the Versus network. The June 2008 event, “WEC 34: Faber vs. Pulver” ranks first on the Versus network, drawing 1.54 million viewers, while the “WEC 41: Brown vs. Faber II” event falls into second place after the June 2009 event drew 1.3 million viewers. The total was an improvement over the past MMA event from March 6th, “WEC 47: Bowles vs. Cruz,” which only saw a viewership of 373,000.

The top earners for the “UFC on Versus 1″ network were heavyweight fighters Cheick Kongo, who earned $110,000 for his victory over Paul Buentello, and Junior dos Santos, who earned $70,000 for his win over Brandon Vera.

A break down of the fighter salaries from Sunday’s “UFC on Versus 1″ is as follows:

Jon Jones: $40,000 ($20,000 win bonus) def. Brandon Vera: $60,000

Junior Dos Santos: $70,000 ($35,000 win bonus) def. Gabriel Gonzaga: $67,000

Cheick Kongo: $110,000 ($55,000 win bonus) def. Paul Buentello: $40,000

Alessio Sakara: $42,000 ($21,000 win bonus) def. James Irvin: $20,000

Clay Guida: $50,000 ($25,000 win bonus) def. Shannon Gugerty: $9,000

Vladimir Matyushenko: $56,000 ($28,000 win bonus) def. Eliot Marshall: $10,000

Darren Elkins: $12,000 ($6,000 win bonus) def. Duane Ludwig: $12,000

John Howard: $26,000 ($13,000 win bonus) def. Daniel Roberts: $6,000

Brendan Schaub: $20,000 ($10,000 win bonus) def. Chase Gormley: $10,000

Mike Pierce: $16,000 ($8,000 win bonus) def. Julio Paulino: $6,000

Jason Brilz: $18,000 ($9,000 win bonus) def. Eric Schafer: $13,000

The  pruning of the UFC roster has continued as Eliot “the Fire” Marshall and Shannon Gugerty have both been released from the UFC roster after suffering losses at this past weekend’s UFC on Versus event.

Gugerty  is  2-3 after losing to Clay Guida on the preliminary portion of the UFC’s debut on the cable sports network.

The release of  Elliot Marshall comes as a surprise to many. Marshall who lost a split decision to Vladimir Matyushenko on the preliminary portion of the UFC on Versus 1 card,  is  3-1 in the UFC.

Boasting an overall professional record of 8-2 Marshall’s release is fueling speculation that the manner in which fighters lose as well as win fights is becoming a bigger determining factor in longevity with the company .

"The Ultimate Fighter 8" veteran Eliot Marshall (8-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC) has
been released from the UFC following his loss to Vladimir Matyushenko at
UFC on Versus 1 this past Sunday.

Marshall blogged for MMAjunkie.com during his
training camp for the fight.

"It is what it is, man," Marshall said today. "What do you want me to
say? It sucks. What can you do? It's my own fault, and that's how it
goes."

Marshall Peppelman of Central Dauphin

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(The Patriot-News)

PITTSBURGH - So much for two in a row.

A year ago, the Pennsylvania All-Stars shocked the high school wrestling elite from around the United States during the Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic. But this year was different.

The U.S. contingent scored sweet revenge on the floor at the Fitzgerald Fieldhouse at the Unversity of Pittsburgh, by crushing the best from the Keystone State 30-13.

This one was essentially in the bag with four matches to go. But there was a highlight from one midstate wrestler.

In the third-to-last match of the evening, Central Dauphin's Marshall Peppelman scored a 1-0 decision over Ohio 160-pound champion Nick Sulzer.

After a scoreless first period, Peppelman rode Sulzer out in the second before escaping in the third. Peppelman was poised to increase his advantage to 3-0 with a takedown, but the buzzer went off, completing the match.

Boiling Springs' Joe Spisak battled in his 130 bout before dropping a 3-1 decision to Ohio three-time champion Jamie Clark.

Winners for Pennsylvania were Selinsgrove's Spencer Myers at 215, Central Mountain's Andrew Alton at 145 and Council Rock South's Josh Dziewa at 135.

Central Mountain's Penn State-bound Dylan Alton dropped a 7-6 decision to Michigan three-time state champ Jackson Morse in which Morse hit a controversial takedown at the side of the mat when the buzzer went off in the third period.

Former Cumberland Valley standout Mike Evans, who transferred to Blair Academy and was representing New Jersey at 171, defeated Council Rock North's Jamie Callender 8-5.

In the preliminary match, New York topped the WPIAL All Stars 26-21.

A heavy left elbow from Jon Jones was all it took to convince Brandon Vera that he had absorbed enough punishment for the evening.

Jones seemed to be able to take Vera down at will, and it was while in the top position that “Bones” found a home for the strike that forced the bout’s conclusion in the first round.

“UFC on Versus” took place from the 1stBank Center in Broomfield, Colorado, while airing on the Versus network.

Junior dos Santos turned in what could easily be considered the most impressive performance of his fast rising career, as the Black House trained fighter dropped fellow Brazilian Gabriel Gonzaga with a huge left hook before sealing the deal with strikes from the top position for the knockout victory.

Cheick Kongo would not allow Paul Buentello to get comfortable at any point during the two and a half rounds the fight between the pair lasted, mixing takedowns with strikes standing to serve up a beating to the “Headhunter” he will not soon forget. In the end it was elbows to the thigh of battered and bruised Buentello that caused the battle tested veteran to tap the canvas in submission in the final round.

Also turning in impressive performances were Clay Guida, who finished off Shannon Gugerty with a second round arm triangle; John Howard, who turned out the lights of Daniel Roberts with vicious ground and pound in the opening round; and TUF 10 finalist Brendan Schaub, who TKO’d Chase Gormley in the first round.

A full set of results from the event are below:

Jason Brilz def. Eric Schafer via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Mike Pierce def. Julio Paulino via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Brendan Schaub def. Chase Gormley via TKO – Round 1

John Howard def. Daniel Roberts via knockout – Round 1

Darren Elkins def. Duane Ludwig via TKO (ankle injury) – Round 1

Vladimir Matyushenko def. Eliot Marshall via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)

Clay Guida def. Shannon Gugerty via submission (arm-triangle) – Round 2

Alessio Sakara def. James Irvin via TKO – Round 1

Cheick Kongo def. Paul Buentello via submission (strikes) - Round 3

Junior dos Santos def. Gabriel Gonzaga via knockout – Round 1

Jon Jones def. Brandon Vera via TKO – Round 1

Tonight’s UFC action is already underway with the preliminary portion of the event.

“UFC on Versus 1″ is taking place at the 1STBANK Center in Broomfield, Colo. with the broadcast portion of the card airing on the Versus network beginning at 9p.m. EST (6p.m. PST). Note that the event is being broadcast on tape delay in certain areas. Check your local listings for details.

The event is headlined by a light-heavyweight match between Jon “Bones” Jones and Brandon “The Truth” Vera. The co-main event features heavyweights Junior dos Santos and Gabriel Gonzaga.

As always The MMA News will be keeping the live results off-of the main page. To see the full results for “UFC on Versus 1″ click

MAIN CARD

- Jon Jones def. Brandon Vera via TKO (strikes) – R1, 3:19
- Junior Dos Santos def. Gabriel Gonzaga via KO (punches) – R1, 3:53
- Cheick Kongo def. Paul Buentello via submission (strikes) – R3, 1:16
- Alessio Sakara def. James Irvin via TKO (referee stoppage) – R1, 3:01

PRELIMINARY CARD

- Clay Guida def. Shannon Gugerty via submission (arm-triangle choke) – R2, 3:40
- Vladimir Matyushenko def. Eliot Marshall via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)
- Darren Elkins def. Duane Ludwig via TKO (ankle injury) – R 1, 0:44
- John Howard def. Daniel Roberts via knockout (punch) – R 1, 2:01
- Brendan Schaub def. Chase Gormley via TKO (punches) – R1, 0:47
- Mike Pierce def. Julio Paulino via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Jason Brilz def. Eric Schafer via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

It could end up being a bloody Sunday as the very first “UFC on Versus” event is set to take place this evening from the 1STBANK Center in Broomfield, Colorado, while airing on – you guessed it – the Versus network.

Jon Jones will square off with Brandon Vera in the main event of the evening, while heavyweights Junior dos Santos and Gabriel Gonzaga will settle their differences in the co-headlining attraction.

FiveOuncesofPain.com will begin to bring you live results from the event as soon as the first preliminary fight kicks off, at roughly 6 pm ET (3 pm PT).

A list of results from “UFC on Versus” are below:

Jason Brilz def. Eric Schafer via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Mike Pierce def. Julio Paulino via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Brendan Schaub def. Chase Gormley via TKO – Round 1

John Howard def. Daniel Roberts via knockout – Round 1

Darren Elkins def. Duane Ludwig via TKO (ankle injury) – Round 1

Vladimir Matyushenko def. Eliot Marshall via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)

Clay Guida def. Shannon Gugerty via submission (arm-triangle) – Round 2

Alessio Sakara def. James Irvin via TKO – Round 1

Cheick Kongo def. Paul Buentello via submission (strikes) - Round 3

Junior dos Santos def. Gabriel Gonzaga via knockout – Round 1

Jon Jones def. Brandon Vera via TKO – Round 1

Click here to view the embedded video.

Former TUF 10 alumni Brendan Schaub talks about fighting for a spot in the UFC heavyweight division. He steps into the cage against Chase Gormley on Sunday night.
HT: Cagewriter.com

Click here to view the embedded video.

John Howard on trash talking. He’ll face Daniel Roberts on the preliminary card.
HT: Cagewriter.com

Click here to view the embedded video.

Duane “Bang” Ludwig takes on Darren Elkins on Sunday night.
HT: MMAWeekly.com

Click here to view the embedded video.

Eliot Marshall on facing veteran Vladamir Matyushenko.
HT: MMAWeekly.com