Look around. If you see anyone wearing a high school wrestling jacket, he (or she) is either already graduated or no longer competing for one reason or another.

If you do see one of the competing wrestlers, it will not be at one of the food stands, and he may even be running instead of walking.

You see officials, as required by PIAA rules, are unforgiving when it comes to making weight at a wrestling tournament. Far be it for me to claim that basketball players are not in shape — of course they are. But there are no weight restrictions to determine if they are eligible to take the court. Yes, some might argue that not all of the 285-pounders are in the best of shape. But even they must adhere to the rules.

Just last week, several wrestlers across the state saw their postseason end before it started because they did not make weight. One of them was returning PIAA Class AAA 130-pound champion Steve Spearman (No.5 @ 135) of McDowell (he reportedly dropped in weight to give a teammate a chance to compete).

You want to know what Line Mountain’s Travis Erdman was doing last Friday night, on the eve of the District 4 Class AA South Sectional Tournament? He spent part of the evening at Bounce Fun Plex, in Shamokin Dam, a place where most kids go to have fun. For Erdman, it was serious business.

It was the first time this season that the Line Mountain senior had to get his weight down to 142 pounds (to be eligible to wrestle at 140) the next day. He wrestled most of the season at 145, but made the decision to drop for the postseason.

“It was pretty rough. I was at the school Friday night running up until 10 o’clock. I was at the Bounce Plex before that, and I was at practice before that. I was running before school (in the morning),” Erdman said.

For complete article by Harold Raker, The Daily Item

HSWrestling.net’s High School Wrestling National Individual Rankings

January 2011

135:

1. Hunter Stieber (12)  —  Monroeville, OH
2. Austin Ormsbee (12)  —  Blair Academy, PA
3. Nate Skonieczny (11)  —  Walsh Jesuit, OH
4. Tyler Liberatore (11)  —  Brandon, FL
5. Steve Spearman (11)  —  Erie McDowell, PA
6. Bobby Dierna (12)  —  Wayne, NY
7. Matt Kelliher (12)  —  Apple Valley, MN
8. Ethan Raley (12)  —  Indian Creek, IN
9. Quinton Murphy (11)  —  Holley, NY
10. Chase Ferman (11)  —  Broken Arrow, OK
11. Jeff Canfora (12)  —  Delbarton, NJ
12. Jameson Oster (12)  —  Lockport, IL
13. Joseph Martinez (12)  —  Greeley West, CO
14. Bronson Stueber (12)  —  Jackson County Central, MN
15. Ronnie Garbinski (12)  —  Tyrone, PA

HONORABLE MENTION:

• Chris Mecate  (12)  —  Redlands East Valley, CA
• Chase Garrison  (11)  —  St. Paris Graham
• Bryce Brill  (9)  —  Marmion Academy, IL
• Tyler Scotton  (12)  —  Willingboro, NJ
• Colin Holler  (10)  —  Carl Sandburg, IL
• Alec Mooradian  (11)  —  Detroit Central Catholic, MI
• Cain Salas  (10)  —  Oak Park, MO
• Timmy Box  (12)  —  Bakersfield, CA
• Joey Mazzi  (12)  —  LaSalle, PA
• Devon Jackson  (11)  —  Yorktown, IN

Plenty of great match ups remain, as the Semi-Final matches begin this afternoon.

2010 WALSH IRONMAN – SEMI-FINAL MATCHUPS

103:

• #1 – Darian Cruz  (Bethlehem Catholic)  vs.   #4 – Joseph McKenna  (Blair Academy)
• #2 – Nathan Tomasello  (CVCA)  vs.  # 6 – Johnny Jimenez   (Marmion)

112:

• #1 – George DiCamillo  (St. Ignatius) vs. # 4 – Jered Cortez (Marmion)
• #3 – Ryan Taylor  (St. Paris Graham) vs. # 7 – Evan Botwin (Wyoming Seminary)

119:

• #1 – Jimmy Gulibon  (Derry)  vs.  #5 – Joey Dance  (Christianburg)
• #2 – Dom Malone  (Wyoming Sem.) vs.  #11 – Mitch Newhouse (Massillon Perry)

125:

• #1 – Mason Beckman (Reynolds) vs. # 5 – Alex Cisneros  (Selma)
• #2 – Mark Grey (Blair Academy) vs. #3 – Bricker Dixon (Park Hill)

130:

• #1 – Johnni DiJulius (Walsh Jesuit) vs. # 4 – Brandon Jeske (Frank W. Cox)
• #2 – Ben Whitford (Marmion) vs. #3 – Todd Preston (Blair Academy)

135:

• #1 – Hunter Stieber (Monroeville) vs. # 4 – Nate Skonieczny (Walsh Jesuit)
• #2 – Austin Ormsbee (Blair Academy) vs. #3 – Chase Ferman (Broken Arrow)

140:

• #1 – Cam Tessari (Monroeville) vs. #4 – Nick Pena (Selma)
• #2 – Nick Brascetta  St. Paris Graham) vs. #3 – Evan Henderson (Kiski Prep)

HSWrestling.net’s High School Wrestling Individual Rankings  will be released daily everyday this week.  We will be doing 2-3 weight classes per day until completion.

135:

1.  Hunter Stieber  —   Senior  (Monroeville, OH)

2.  Matt Kelliher  —  Senior  (Apple Valley, MN)

3.  Steve Spearman  —  Junior  (Erie McDowell, PA)

4.  Jake Sueflohn  —  Senior  (Arrowhead, WI)

5.  Nik Pena  —  Senior  (Selma, CA)

6.  Nate Skonieczny  —  Junior  (Walsh Jesuit, OH)

7.  Tyler Liberatore  —  Junior  (Brandon, FL)

8.  Isaiah Martinez  —  Sophomore  (Lemoore, CA)

9.  Todd Preston —  Junior  (Blair Academy, NJ)

10.  Jake Short  —  Sophomore   (Simley, MN)

11.  Jameson Oster  —  Senior  (Lockport, IL)

12.  Bronson  Steuber  —  Sophomore  (Jackson County, MN)

13.  Bobby Dierna  —   Senior  (Wayne, NY)

14.  Chris Mecate  —  Senior  (Redlands East Valley, CA)

15.  Chase Ferman  —  Junior  (Broken Arrow, OK)

AAA Rankings Review for 2010-2011 Season by our friends at pennsylvaniawrestlingrankings.com

There will be four returning State Champions (Conner Schram 10th Canon McMillan 103, 2 x Nico Megaludis 12th Franklin Regional 119 , Steve Spearman 11th Erie McDowell 130, and Kenny Courts 12th Central Dauphin 171) in class AAA this upcoming season as well as ten state runner-ups (Austin Miller 12th Hempfield 103, Corey Keener 11th Blue Mountain 112, Paul Bewak Hempfield Area 103 2009, 3 x Zachary Horan 12th Nazareth 125, Lorenzo Thomas 12th Pittsburgh Central Catholic 140, Aaron McKinney 12th West Allegheny 145, Shane Springer 11th LaSalle College 152, Mark Havers 12th Bradford 152 2009, Zachary Nye 12th East Pennsboro 215, and Zach Corl 12th Central Mountain 285) .

There would have been five returning State Champions but Jimmy Gulibon will have to finish his quest for four titles in class AA since Derry Area was reclassified down a level. While AAA is losing a quality program with two multiple time State Placers (Jimmy Gulibon 2 x State Champion, and Travis Shaffer 3 x State place winner) added to the mix will be Jason Luster 11th Pittsburgh Central Catholic 152 who transferred from The Kiski School, Luster was a Prep School National Champion and one of the Top Ranked wrestlers in the Country at his weight class.

There are six total State qualifiers, who will be moving up to Class AAA (Josh Polacek 12th Westmont Hilltop 112, Tanner Hough 12th Westmont Hilltop 119, Brandon Arnsberger 11th Octorara 119, Jackson Stabile 12th Hamburg 145, Ryan Burnheimer 171 Westmont Hilltop 171, and Josh Duplin 11th Westmont Hilltop 285).

There are ten seniors in Class AAA who are looking for their 4th trip to Hershey, and four of them are looking for their fourth medal (3 x medalist Nico Megaludis Franklin Regional 119, Tanner Hough Westmont Hilltop 119, 3 x medalist Zachary Horan Nazareth 125, 3 x medalist Cameron Throckmorton South Western 125, Nick Catalano Canon McMillan 135, Ryan Krecker Nazareth 145, 3 x medalist Jayshon Wilson Carlisle 152, Nick Bonaccorsi Bethel Park 160, Mark Havers Bradford 160, and Scott Syrek Owen J. Roberts 215).

Every year there are freshman who enter the PIAA with a lot of buzz surrounding them and this year is no different. This season the freshman who enters with the most hype is without a doubt Chance Marstellar of Kennard Dale in District 3. Marstellar has been competing and defeating State Champions and PIAA medalists for the last couple years in off season tournaments and now the time is coming to prove it at the High School level. Marstellar should wrestle this season at 145 or 152. Solomon Chisko of Canon McMillan is another very skilled incoming freshman who should contend for a spot on the podium, possibly high right out of the gates at around 125 or 130.

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 

Tyler Buckman right, of Central Dauphin reverses Steve Spearman left, of McDowell.

-

(JOHN C. WHITEHED, The Patriot-News)

It’s only 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, it’s rainy, dreary and incredibly windy, yet the string of automobile headlights lined up on Hersheypark Drive heading for Giant Center stretches from the arena’s intersection beyond the crest of the hill more than a half-mile back.
   
Had one of the six mats used during the PIAA Wrestling Championships been outside, the wind could have rolled it up and rolled it over to Hersheypark Arena, where the championships used to be conducted.
   
But it was the Class AAA semifinals these 8,000 fans wanted to see and little was going to stop them.
   
For good reason. The Triple-A semis are by far the highlight of the eight-session, three-day event. This year’s talent level was Triple-A squared.
   
Check out these champions’ college choices: Josh Dziewa to Iowa. Josh Kindig to Oklahoma State. Mitchell Port to Division I Edinboro. The Alton twins to Penn State. Marshall Peppelman to Cornell. Spencer Myers to Maryland. Evan Craig to Rider.
   
That’s a small sampling.
   
So next year, when you’re en route to the tournament and someone asks you for directions to Giant Center, the answer is simple: “Practice, practice, practice.”
   
How popular is this PIAA event, you ask? I can tell you.
   
Pennlive.com received 442,645 page views for the wrestling coverage over the three days. There were 2,300 people involved in online chats, and they sent more than 3,000 messages.
   
That shows the passion not only statewide, but one person online was in China and another in Florida.
   
However, what would a tournament that draws that much attention and was witnessed by 57,000 fans be without a complaint? I just happen to have one.
   
If you’re a wrestler and you’ve just lost a match, have the decency to shake your opponent’s hand. Look him in the eye and shake his hand. Don’t slap at his hand, don’t offer your left hand, don’t turn your back and throw your hand at his, possibly hitting it, possibly not.
   
Grow up and shake his hand. Losing a match won’t be the worst thing that will happen to you in your life.
   
Having said that, a tip of the mat to Central Dauphin’s Tyler Buckman, the 130-pound senior who lost a heartbreaking finals match to Erie McDowell sophomore Steve Spearman.
   
Buckman not only shook Spearman’s hand, he gave him a pat on the shoulder. And after the two shook the hands of the opposing coaches, Buckman stopped Spearman at the side of the mat and hugged him.
   
The fans appreciated the quality of the match, and they let them know afterward with rousing applause. They also appreciated the sportsmanship.
   
I wouldn’t call this a complaint because you’d have to be a fool to complain about Andrew Alton of Central Mountain, voted the tournament’s Outstanding Wrestler.
   
But I would have voted for heavyweight Craig of Abington Heights. He won his second title by pinning four straight opponents. He’s not yet at the already collegiate level of the Alton twins or CD’s Peppelman, but he’s getting mighty close.
   
And if ever there was a year to start an Outstanding Runner-up award, my vote would go to CD’s Buckman.
   
Another tip of the mat to the four District 12 (Philadelphia city schools) wrestlers who earned medals.
   
Shane Springer of La Salle College was runner-up to Dylan Alton at 152. Casey Kent of La Salle lost his first match and won five straight bouts to place third at 125. Only two other wrestlers did that, and it’s quite a feat.
   
Nick Bongard of Monsignor Bonner was sixth at 119, and Anthony White of Northeast Catholic was seventh at 140.
   
Lest you think that Saturday night marked the end of the season, think again. The season will be capped off Saturday with the Dapper Dan Classic at the Pitt Field House.
   
Joe Spisak of Boiling Springs and CD’s Peppelman are part of a Pennsylvania all-star team that will take on a team of stars from around the United States.
   
It’s a prestigious event, one which the USA has dominated as of late. This year could be different.
   
Spisak will face Jamie Clark, a three-time Ohio champion from St. Edwards with a career record of 128-8. Clark is heading for Illinois; Spisak, for Virginia.
   
Peppelman will meet Nick Sulzer, also from St. Edwards and a one-time champ who is 146-17 and headed for UVa.
   
Other matches that should be quite interesting include Andrew Alton against Joe Cozart (226-4), a four-time Florida champ headed for Iowa State; Dylan Alton against Jackson Morse (184-9), a three-time Michigan champ headed for Illinois, and Craig against Bobby Telford (116-40), a two-time Delaware champ en route to Iowa.
   
Mike Evans of Blair Academy in New Jersey by way of Cumberland Valley is on the U.S. team and is set to face Jamie Callender of Council Rock North. Evans also is headed for Iowa next season.
   
The match begins at 8 p.m. It will be preceded at 6 p.m. by a match between a team of WPIAL (Pittsburgh suburbs) all-stars and a team of New York state stars.
   
If you’re not wrestled out, the NCAA Championships begin today in Omaha, Neb. Plenty of action will be on ESPNU Friday (10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.) and Saturday (11 a.m.), and the finals are 7:30 p.m. Saturday on ESPN.

Marshall Peppelman of Central Dauphin will be remembered

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(JOHN C. WHITEHEAD, The Patriot-News)

Walking out of Giant Center late Saturday night and into the bluster and drizzle, it was the perfect time to reflect on the events that occurred over the high school wrestling season.

At first, there was some anxiety taking over for longtime wrestling writer and colleague Rod Frisco, someone who has a limitless knowledge of the sport and has been a staple for 25 years.

But after a while, things settled down and I was able to get a grasp of what was going on. Along the way, the wrestling community was patient and provided great moments that won’t soon be forgotten, at least not from this side of the room.

My mind wondered to an epic dual meet between Central Mountain and Central Dauphin in the state semifinal dual that many experts rank above and beyond anything they have ever seen. That match alone sold me on team wrestling.

But by the time I reached down to open my car door, my thoughts shifted to what was witnessed on the floor of Giant Center over the last three days during the PIAA Wrestling Championships, where members of the 2009-2010 class of local wrestlers made memorable runs and solidified legacies.

It will be a long time before anyone forgets Central Dauphin’s Marshall Peppelman.

The 160-pound superstar displayed his power by standing West Allegheny’s Troy Reaghard straight up on his back like one of those buoys that bounced up and down in the ocean and pinned him in 3:02.

It was the perfect end to a career that included three straight individual state titles, six team titles, Powerade and Beast of the East championships and a district record 181 wins.

All were accomplished with a touch of class.

"I can’t name one moment out of all the success I had — the team titles, the individual titles — each is a moment all in itself," Peppelman said. "These are all memories that I can look back on that will last a lifetime."

Potential was also realized and completed in the Rams’ camp during this state tournament.

Kenny Courts came in as a highly touted freshman, got hurt and missed states and then came back to finish second last year as a sophomore. You could just sense at the beginning of this season, he was going to complete his mission.

He did, beating Cumberland Valley’s Tristan Warner in the final — not an easy task — to give the Rams back-to-back gold medals at 160 and 171.

"It’s been an amazing ride," the lightning-quick Courts said. "I’ve worked so hard since last year’s loss, especially on improving on the bottom, and it feels great to get something that I’ve worked so hard for."

And no one will forget CD’s Tyler Buckman and his unbelievable match against McDowell’s Steve Spearman in the 130-pound final. It was easily the best match of all the finals, Class AA or Class AAA.

Watching Buckman on the mat is fun any time. Whether he is leading or trailing, this guy can pull athletic moves that just captivate and wow a crowd.

"It’s been a pleasure coaching these kids," CD head coach Jeff Sweigard said. "They earned everything they got. Besides all the medals, they go out and work hard.

"They came up through the program together. They do the extra training, the extra lifting and they are all buddies and get a long."

But this season wasn’t just about Central Dauphin and its wrestlers. Not by a long shot.

How about Cumberland Valley’s Shawn Greevy? Was there a wrestler that showed more guts and moxie this season than this guy, coming back from an ugly knee injury in December to get a silver medal at 135?

No way.

The Eagles’ Warner should be commended for his efforts. He lived in Courts’ shadow most of the season and kept racking up impressive wins. He never wilted under pressure and if not for Courts, he would be the one celebrating a state championship.

A new star also stepped to the forefront this season in the form of East Pennsboro’s Zachary Nye.

Some speculated —- we took a wait-and-see attitude —- that he feasted on Capital Division competition and didn’t have the chops to hold up against the heavy hitters in Class AAA.

Wrong.

Fact is, Nye is legit. His speed and his tactical wrestling ability netted him a silver at states. One more offensive flurry or counter, and he beats Selinsgrove’s Spencer Myers for the gold.

"It was a goal, and is really everyone’s goal, to win a state title," Nye said. "But my expectations weren’t exactly to be a state runner-up.

"I’m proud of what I did this year. I’m disappointed with the end, but happy with the season."

Don’t worry, Zach, you will be in the hunt next season. And no doubt it will be fun to watch.

A special thanks also goes out to Boiling Springs’ Joe Spisak. This kid is classy and took some tough defeats in three seasons before reaching the top of the podium on Saturday afternoon at 130.

No one deserved it more.

The regular season was also dotted with great team matches. Big Spring and Mechanicsburg, Mechanicsburg and Chambersburg and Big Spring and Mechanicsburg again. See the trend here? That young Wildcats squad is going to be a handful during the 2010-2011 season.

Stay tuned.

Central Dauphin to Cumberland Valley, Middletown to Mechanicsburg and all the wrestlers in between, it was a great season.

And I can’t wait for the next one.

Tyler Buckman vs. Steve Spearman was the event's top match

-

(JOHN C. WHITEHEAD, The Patriot-News)

1.  WILDCATS REVENGE: After falling short in the team championships, it only seems fitting that Central Mountain win the team title in the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships. The Wildcats were led by Andrew and Dylan Alton, who won titles at 145 and 152, but also had two other placers to break Central Dauphin’s streak of six straight team titles.

2.  CRAIG IS KING HOSS: When you look at Abington Heights’ Evan Craig, you see a big guy who looks like he doesn’t have much athletic ability. Ah, that is the first mistake. Craig has that and more, proving it by pinning every one of his opponents on the way to a second straight state title at 285.

3.  BEST IN SHOW: If the Class AAA and Class AA finals were the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, the match between Central Dauphin’s Tyler Buckman and McDowell’s Steve Spearman was the top entry — by far. It had twists, turns, suspense and drama all wrapped into one, and the crowd showed appreciation with a postmatch ovation.

4.  NICE GUYS FINISH FIRST: Boiling Springs’ Joe Spisak is a friendly and respectful kid that keeps his nose clean and works hard. He is the poster child for what this sport is really about, and it was good to see him get rewarded for his four years of tireless work with a state title.

5.  LEGACY CEMENTED: It isn’t often that you catch a glimpse of someone so developed and so accomplished at their craft that they are in a class of their own. But Central Dauphin’s Marshall Peppelman getting his arm raised after a pin in the finals for a third straight state title seemed like an appropriate ending.

Central Dauphin's fantastic finisher had McDowell wrestling star Steve Spearman right where he wanted him in the PIAA Class AAA 130-pound final late Saturday night at Hershey's Giant Center.

The unbeaten Spearman was on his back as the buzzer sounded. He just wasn't on his back long enough for Tyler Buckman to earn the two back points he needed.

The best match of the finals – Class AA or Class AAA – went Spearman's way. He was a 7-6 triple overtime winner, a deserving winner, but you could argue Buckman, Central Dauphin's gutty senior, may simply have run out of time.

“I don't want to see that guy ever again,'' said Spearman of Buckman, who beat Spearman 10-6 in a PIAA quarterfinal last season on the strength of a late standing cradle.

The rematch was better.

Several times during the final, Spearman (42-0) threatened to open up a bit of a lead on Buckman with some solid double-leg takedown shots.

And most times, Buckman had an answer. His “funk roll”, a counter move that resulted in some brilliant flurries, created the late third-period takedown – the only one Spearman allowed all season – that forced a crazy overtime session.

Following a scoreless first OT from neutral, Spearman let Buckman up to start the second OT and converted a double-leg shot near the edge with one second left to go up 7-6.

In the 30 seconds of the third OT, Buckman, working from top, tried desperately to turn Spearman but could not. He came pretty close.

Marshall Peppelman and Kenny Courts were the big names on the Central Dauphin team all season and they didn't disappoint in winning the 160 and 171 crowns, respectively. They finished the year a combined 91-0.

Buckman showed he is right there with them.

He carried himself like a champion in all four bouts in Hershey, winning three of them by a total of five points and coming up a few seconds short against Spearman, his old friend.

A late regulation takedown carried Buckman into OT against Tyler Zymroz of Pittsburgh Central Catholic in his quarterfinal, a bout Buckman ultimately won 6-4.

And during Saturday morning's semifinal against Easton's Mitchell Minotti, Buckman spotted the Red Rover a 4-0 lead – he was on his back, too – before scoring the final five points (reversal, escape, takedown) to win, 5-4.

Jeff Sweigard, CD's coach, and Jimmy Collins, one of CD's assistants, know exactly what they have in Buckman. He's one of the most exciting wrestlers in the state. And no lead is safe against him.

“He has just a natural sense, just in terms of scrambling and flurrying,'' Collins said of Buckman.

“I'm not sure that's something you can really teach or coach.''

“Sweigs always tells me I have a very interesting style,'' said Buckman, a fifth-place finisher last year who wound up 38-4 this season.

“I like to give the crowd a shock.''

He added: “I had a lot of tough kids in my bracket and I came through and I beat them in close ones.''

And what about that amazing roll that frustrated Spearman for most of Saturday night's bout?

“That was my junior high coach, Lee Norbury, he taught me that,'' Buckman laughed. “It's a funk roll.''

“It seemed like I was in on deep shots but I couldn't finish right away,'' Spearman said.

“And [Buckman] did kinda get close to turning me [in the last OT].''

Buckman was asked what he was thinking when Minotti had him on his back Saturday morning.

“I was think that I can't get pinned in the semis, not now, I gotta make it to finals,'' Buckman he did.

He did. And he came sooo close capturing the best match of the championship round.

“That last 30 seconds, I thought I had it. … I nearly had it,'' Buckman said.

The two combatants congratulated each other after stepping off the medal stand. The mutual respect was obvious.

“I was like, 'I got a taste of your medicine last year and now you've got a taste of mine','' Spearman said.

“Yeah, I kinda joked with him and said, 'You're lucky I'm not back next year,'' Tyler Buckman said.