Labette wins NJCAA National Championships

Itasca and Minnesota West top Minnesota Junior Colleges

Labette (Kan.) won the 2012 NJCAA National Championships on Saturday at the UCR Regional Sports Center in Rochester, Minn. Labette had nine wrestlers earn All-American status (top eight finish), including two individual national champions, to pull out in front in the final team standings. Labette finished with 161.5 points to land in front of Iowa Central’s 145 points. Lincoln College (Ill.) was third with 111 points and 2011 national champion Clackamas (Ore.) finished fourth with 97 points. Nassau (N.Y.) rounded out the top five with 87.5 points and posted the top non-scholarship team finish.

Itasca and Minnesota West were the top finishing Minnesota Junior College teams. They tied for 25th place with 13 points. Ridgewater placed 32nd and host Rochester finished tied for 33rd with 5.5 points

Minnesota West’s Philippe Walker (Baltimore, MD) earned All-American honors by placing 7th at 133 pounds. Itasca’s Casey Williams (Philips, WI) placed 8th to become an All-American at 149 pounds.

Ridgewater was the top academic wrestling team in the NJCAA. Ridgewater’s wrestlers compiled a 3.3 grade-point average, topping Yakima Valley by a narrow margin.

NJCAA National Championships Results

Itasca’s Individual Results

125 – Justin Valhuerdi – DNP – 0.0 team points

  • Champ. Round 1 – Prentice Thomas (Lincoln College) 3-2 won by pin over Justin Valhuerdi (Itasca) 0-2 (Pin 1:45)
  • Cons. Round 1 – Andres Torres (North Iowa Area) 1-2 won by major decision over Justin Valhuerdi (Itasca) 0-2 (Maj 15-1)

149 – Casey Williams – 8th Place – 7.5 team points

  • Champ. Round 1 – Casey Williams (Itasca) 4-3 won by decision over Jeromy Davenport (Labette) 6-2 (Dec 6-4)
  • Champ. Round 2 – Nick Bendon (Southwestern Oregon) 4-3 won by decision over Casey Williams (Itasca) 4-3 (Dec 7-2)
  • Cons. Round 2 – Casey Williams (Itasca) 4-3 won by pin over Nick Perez (Springfield Tech) 1-2 (Pin 2:26)
  • Cons. Round 3 – Casey Williams (Itasca) 4-3 won by decision over Tyler Peet (Alfred State) 2-2 (Dec 8-7)
  • Cons. Round 4 – Casey Williams (Itasca) 4-3 won by decision over Kane Lovvorn (Colby) 2-2 (Dec 11-4)
  • Cons. Round 5 – Nick Bendon (Southwestern Oregon) 4-3 won by decision over Casey Williams (Itasca) 4-3 (Dec 7-5)
  • 7th Place Match – Nathanial Garcia (Northwest College) 4-2 won by decision over Casey Williams (Itasca) 4-3 (Dec 8-6)

157 – Connor Monk – DNP – 2.5 team points

  • Champ. Round 1 – Nikko Veltri (Clackamas) 2-2 won by decision over Connor Monk (Itasca) 1-2 (Dec 6-4)
  • Cons. Round 1 – Connor Monk (Itasca) 1-2 won by pin over Jacob Wright (Wentworth Military Academy) 0-2 (Pin 0:28)
  • Cons. Round 2 – Brock Storm (Iowa Lakes) 3-2 won by decision over Connor Monk (Itasca) 1-2 (Dec 9-7)

165 – David Booth – DNP – 0.0 team points

  • Champ. Round 1 – Micah Morrill (Highline) 2-2 won by injury default over David Booth (Itasca) 0-2 (I-D)
  • Cons. Round 1 – David Booth (Itasca) 0-2 received a bye () (Bye)
  • Cons. Round 2 – Nick Sierra (Clackamas) 3-2 won by major decision over David Booth (Itasca) 0-2 (Maj 14-4)

197 – Spencer Corey – DNP – 3.0 team points

  • Champ. Round 1 – Anthony Whitmarsh (Highline) 2-2 won by decision over Spencer Corey (Itasca) 1-2 (Dec 4-0)
  • Cons. Round 1 – Spencer Corey (Itasca) 1-2 received a bye () (Bye)
  • Cons. Round 2 – Spencer Corey (Itasca) 1-2 won by pin over Brian Lussier (Gloucester County College) 1-2 (Pin 2:33)
  • Cons. Round 3 – Dan Carey (Waubonsee College) 3-2 won by decision over Spencer Corey (Itasca) 1-2 (Dec 6-2)

Minnesota West’s Individual Results

133 – Philippe Walker – 7th Place – 13.0 team points

  • Champ. Round 1 – Louie Shearer (Gloucester County College) 2-2 won by pin over Philippe Walker (Minnesota West) 5-2 (Pin 1:24)
  • Cons. Round 1 – Philippe Walker (Minnesota West) 5-2 won by pin over Anthony Heneley (Wentworth Military Academy) 0-2 (Pin 5:31)
  • Cons. Round 2 – Philippe Walker (Minnesota West) 5-2 won by disqualification over Connor Infelise (Harper College) 1-2 (DQ)
  • Cons. Round 3 – Philippe Walker (Minnesota West) 5-2 won by major decision over Devante McCloud (Triton College) 1-2 (Maj 10-2)
  • Cons. Round 4 – Philippe Walker (Minnesota West) 5-2 won by pin over Stephen Spradin (Iowa Western) 2-2 (Pin 6:27)
  • Cons. Round 5 – Eric Hughes (Labette) 4-2 won by pin over Philippe Walker (Minnesota West) 5-2 (Pin 1:55)
  • 7th Place Match – Philippe Walker (Minnesota West) 5-2 won by decision over Josh Martinez (Colby) 4-3 (Dec 11-7)

Ridgewater’s Individual Results

125 – Lonny Booshu – DNP – 1.0 team points

  • Champ. Round 1 – Lonny Booshu (Ridgewater) 2-2 received a bye () (Bye)
  • Champ. Round 2 – Jose Torres (Triton College) 4-2 won by decision over Lonny Booshu (Ridgewater) 2-2 (Dec 2-1)
  • Cons. Round 2 – Lonny Booshu (Ridgewater) 2-2 won by decision over Zach Hummel (Harper College) 0-2 (Dec 9-4)
  • Cons. Round 3 – Lonny Booshu (Ridgewater) 2-2 won by decision over Aaron Smith (Mercyhurst North East) 2-2 (Dec 20-13)
  • Cons. Round 4 – Marco Tamayo (Colby) 3-3 won by decision over Lonny Booshu (Ridgewater) 2-2 (Dec 4-2)

133 – Javior Portillo – DNP – 0.0 team points

  • Champ. Round 1 – Anthony Abidin (Nassau) 5-0 won by major decision over Javior Portillo (Ridgewater) 0-2 (Maj 12-0)
  • Cons. Round 1 – Josh Martinez (Colby) 4-3 won by pin over Javior Portillo (Ridgewater) 0-2 (Pin 1:29)

141 – Mariano Portillo – DNP – 0.0 team points

  • Champ. Round 1 – Charlie Huff (Gloucester County College) 1-2 won by decision over Mariano Portillo (Ridgewater) 0-2 (Dec 9-7)
  • Cons. Round 1 – Kevin Olson (Iowa Western) 1-2 won by decision over Mariano Portillo (Ridgewater) 0-2 (Dec 13-9)

149 – Klinton Van Heuelin – DNP – 5.0 team points

  • Champ. Round 1 – Klinton Van Heuelin (Ridgewater) 2-2 received a bye () (Bye)
  • Champ. Round 2 – Mark Marianovich (Lincoln College) 5-1 won by major decision over Klinton Van Heuelin (Ridgewater) 2-2 (Maj 15-5)
  • Cons. Round 2 – Klinton Van Heuelin (Ridgewater) 2-2 won by pin over Clinton McCallister (Clackamas) 0-2 (Pin 4:07)
  • Cons. Round 3 – Klinton Van Heuelin (Ridgewater) 2-2 won by pin over John Chillem (Gloucester County College) 1-2 (Pin 2:16)
  • Cons. Round 4 – Nick Bendon (Southwestern Oregon) 4-3 won by decision over Klinton Van Heuelin (Ridgewater) 2-2 (Dec 2-1)

157 – Shane Fessenmaier – DNP – 1.5 team points

  • Champ. Round 1 – Eric Telford (Muskegon College) 1-2 won by pin over Shane Fessenmaier (Ridgewater) 2-2 (Pin 3:18)
  • Cons. Round 1 – Shane Fessenmaier (Ridgewater) 2-2 received a bye () (Bye)
  • Cons. Round 2 – Shane Fessenmaier (Ridgewater) 2-2 won by decision over Nick Schmidt (Highline) 1-2 (Dec 5-2)
  • Cons. Round 3 – Shane Fessenmaier (Ridgewater) 2-2 won by decision over Frank Sterlace (Jamestown) 1-2 (Dec 6-2)
  • Cons. Round 4 – Mike Togher (Lincoln College) 3-2 won by decision over Shane Fessenmaier (Ridgewater) 2-2 (Dec 3-1)

165 – Tyrell Martin – DNP – 0.0 team points

  • Champ. Round 1 – Paul Saraiva (Middlesex County College) 2-2 won by pin over Tyrell Martin (Ridgewater) 0-2 (Pin 6:43)
  • Cons. Round 1 – Jamal Carter (Wright College) 1-2 won by decision over Tyrell Martin (Ridgewater) 0-2 (Dec 10-8)

174 – Trevor Mahlum – DNP – 1.0 team points

  • Champ. Round 1 – Trent Noon (Clackamas) 4-2 won by pin over Trevor Mahlum (Ridgewater) 1-2 (Pin 4:04)
  • Cons. Round 1 – Trevor Mahlum (Ridgewater) 1-2 received a bye () (Bye)
  • Cons. Round 2 – Trevor Mahlum (Ridgewater) 1-2 won by decision over Jacob Brown (Muskegon College) 0-2 (Dec 8-2)
  • Cons. Round 3 – Kenny Dougherty (Middlesex County College) 2-2 won by decision over Trevor Mahlum (Ridgewater) 1-2 (Dec 2-1)

184 – Kevin Hahn – DNP – 0.0 team points

  • Champ. Round 1 – John McArdle (Middlesex County College) 5-0 won by pin over Kevin Hahn (Ridgewater) 0-2 (Pin 1:24)
  • Cons. Round 1 – Ryland Geiger (Southwestern Oregon) 1-2 won by decision over Kevin Hahn (Ridgewater) 0-2 (Dec 6-3)

285 – Charlie Gelhaye – DNP – 0.0 team points

  • Champ. Round 1 – Trey Page (Labette) 4-1 won by decision over Charlie Gelhaye (Ridgewater) 0-2 (Dec 8-1)
  • Cons. Round 1 – Daniel Ortiz (Thaddeus Stevens College) 3-2 won by decision over Charlie Gelhaye (Ridgewater) 0-2 (Dec 8-6)

Rochester’s Individual Results

125 – Dillon Solberg – DNP – 0.5 team points

  • Champ. Round 1 – Joseph Deangelo (Nassau) 4-2 won by major decision over Dillon Solberg (Rochester) 1-2 (Maj 14-2)
  • Cons. Round 1 – Dillon Solberg (Rochester) 1-2 won by decision over Derick Lopes (Springfield Tech) 0-2 (Dec 5-2)
  • Cons. Round 2 – Aaron Smith (Mercyhurst North East) 2-2 won by major decision over Dillon Solberg (Rochester) 1-2 (Maj 15-3)

133 – Nate Larson – DNP – 0.0 team points

  • Champ. Round 1 – Michael Rodriguez (North Idaho College) 6-2 won by pin over Nate Larson (Rochester) 0-2 (Pin 4:07)
  • Cons. Round 1 – Nate Larson (Rochester) 0-2 received a bye () (Bye)
  • Cons. Round 2 – Justin Gardner (Northwest College) 3-2 won by decision over Nate Larson (Rochester) 0-2 (Dec 5-2)

149 – Tyler Jackson – DNP – 0.0 team points

  • Champ. Round 1 – Nick Bendon (Southwestern Oregon) 4-3 won by forfeit over Tyler Jackson (Rochester) 0-2 (FF)
  • Cons. Round 1 – Jeromy Davenport (Labette) 6-2 won by forfeit over Tyler Jackson (Rochester) 0-2 (FF)

157 – Holton Lubinski – DNP – 0.0 team points

  • Champ. Round 1 – Irvin Buck (Niagara County) 2-2 won by pin over Holton Lubinski (Rochester) 0-2 (Pin 5:30)
  • Cons. Round 1 – Drake Lovvorn (Colby) 1-2 won by decision over Holton Lubinski (Rochester) 0-2 (Dec 8-3)

184 – Shelby Deno – DNP – 1.5 team points

  • Champ. Round 1 – Shelby Deno (Rochester) 2-2 won by decision over Ryland Geiger (Southwestern Oregon) 1-2 (Dec 3-1)
  • Champ. Round 2 – John McArdle (Middlesex County College) 5-0 won by pin over Shelby Deno (Rochester) 2-2 (Pin 2:26)
  • Cons. Round 2 – Shelby Deno (Rochester) 2-2 won by decision over Joshua Boots (Rend Lake College) 0-2 (Dec 2-1)
  • Cons. Round 3 – Corey Seasock (Thaddeus Stevens College) 3-2 won by decision over Shelby Deno (Rochester) 2-2 (Dec 5-1)

197 – Logan Barrett – DNP – 3.5 team points

  • Champ. Round 1 – Logan Barrett (Rochester) 2-2 won by major decision over Nick Richiusa (Middlesex County College) 0-2 (Maj 10-0)
  • Champ. Round 2 – Mike Johnson (Lincoln College) 4-0 won by pin over Logan Barrett (Rochester) 2-2 (Pin 4:48)
  • Cons. Round 2 – Logan Barrett (Rochester) 2-2 won by major decision over Chris Woods (Jamestown) 0-2 (Maj 9-0)
  • Cons. Round 3 – Simas Norkus (Western Wyoming) 6-2 won by decision over Logan Barrett (Rochester) 2-2 (Dec 5-3)

285 – Jake Minske – DNP – 0.0 team points

  • Champ. Round 1 – Jake Minske (Rochester) 0-2 received a bye () (Bye)
  • Champ. Round 2 – Gabe Barry (Lincoln College) 4-2 won by pin over Jake Minske (Rochester) 0-2 (Pin 3:45)
  • Cons. Round 2 – Fabian Guerrero (Colby) 1-2 won by medical forfeit over Jake Minske (Rochester) 0-2 (MFF)