The NSHCA Senior Nationals is one of the nation's toughest tournaments. The criteria
for invitation are to be a senior, and to have been a public school or prep national
finalist sometime during your high school career. Though Collegiate's Steve Sica did
not meet either of those requirements, he still recieved a wildcard invitation from
the state of Virginia.

In the first round, Steve drew Wyoming Runner-Up Dustin Hill. The action was pretty
even the first period. Hill shot and Steve blocked and worked for a takedown. Hill
escaped, took Steve down, and then Steve escaped, to tie it 3-3 at the end of the
period. Second period, Steve started on top. He went to work with a variety of tilts
and finally pinned Hill at 2:28

The second match, Steve drew Josh Valenti of Missouri, a state champion and two time
runner-up. Once again, the action was even in the first period. Steve picked up a takedown
and some backpoints, and the score stood at 5-5 at the end of the first period. Second
period, Valenti used a pair of takedowns to widen the lead to 9-6. In the final period,
still down 9-6, Steve knew he had to do something desperate to capture the win. He shot
in for a fireman's carry, but Valenti caught him and pinned him at 4:47

The next morning, Steve drew Jason Suslavich of Massachusetts. Steve opened up quickly
with a takedown and some back points to lead 4-0 at the end of the first period. In the
second period, Steve gave up a takedown, and in the process, sustained a bad injury. He
tore a hip flexor, which essentially meant he was unable to put any pressure on his right
leg. Unable to bridge off his back and unable to shoot, Steve ended up losing the match
11-6, a match he probably would have won otherwise.