Virginia Independent Schools Wrestling Association (VISWA)
State Tournament Finals Results
February 15-16, 2002
Hosted by the Woodberry Forest School
Finals Results
103: Joe Lawson (Collegiate) dec Thomas Nielsen (Woodberry Forest) 11-7
In a rematch of the Prep League Finals match, Joe Lawson came out on top
11-7. The two wrestlers were pretty even on their feet in the first period,
when Lawson tossed Nielsen to his back for 4 points. In the second period,
Nielsen fought back with two takedowns to close the gap. Lawson chose bottom
in the third, and after fighting to escape, scored a final defensive takedown
to seal the victory.
112: Dan Smith (Lynchburg Christian) pin Conner Locke (St.Stephen's) 1:38
Dan Smith continued his surprising run by pinning #1 seed Conner Locke.
The two were fighting on their feet, with Smith attempting a toss every
time Locke tried to shoot. Locke wasn't cautious enough, and Smith finally
tossed him and managed to get the pin. Smith, the #3 seed, also surprised
the #2 seed Brian Herod of St.Christopher's, pinning him as well in the
semifinals.
119: Dirk Hurrin (St.Stephen's) dec Hunter Carpenter (St.Christopher's) 5-3
In a battle of two closely matched wrestlers, Hurrin came out on top 5-3.
No back points were scored, and the scoring consisted mainly of takedowns
and escapes. Carpenter nearly had a takedown at the end of the third period
to tie it, but Hurrin got away for the victory. To reach the finals, Hurrin
surprised #1 seed Brendan Pauls of Bishop Ireton in the semi-finals. Hunter
Carpenter, the #3 seed, advanced to the finals after #2 seed Jamie Robertson
of Collegiate suffered a concussion and had to forfeit the match.
125: Ken Chernauskas (St.Anne's-Belfield) pin Dan Delalla (Norfolk Academy) 4:35
In the Christchurch Finals in January, Delalla defeated Chernauskas 7-1, but
the rematch was a bit different. Chernauskas started off by taking down Dellala
quickly, and worked for back points. Delalla came back in the second period,
scoring two takedowns to close the gap. In third, the two wrestlers were on
their feet when Chernauskas caught Delalla's leg, and lifted it high to trip
Delalla straight to his back. Delalla couldn't fight off, and Chernauskas got
the pin. This was the second big surprise for Chernauskas, as he upset #1 seed
Joey Carpenter of Paul VI in the semifinals 9-2. Delalla was the #2 seed.
130: Mike Dulinawka (Virginia Episcopal) pin Sean Ganley (St.Stephen's) 0:49
There is not much to say. Dulinawka took Ganley down and overwhelmed him for the
pin in under one minute, to capture his second state title. Dulinawka's closest
match of the tournament was a 9-7 victory over Woodberry Forest's Max Brandon.
135: John Pennington (Woodberry Forest) dec Charlie Fairchild (St.Stephen's) 3-1
John Pennington defeated Charlie Fairchild in a very close match at 135 pounds.
Pennington had a takedown in the first period and tried to work for back points,
but Fairchild slid out of bounds. Both wrestlers also escaped once. Pennington's
strong work from the top position helped earn him the victory. Both wrestlers were
very even on their feet, though. Fairchild upset #1 seed Hunter Macdonald of St.Chris's
to reach the finals.
140: Chris Miosi (St.Stephen's) pin Andrew Forsythe (Hargrave Military) 3:12
Chris Miosi captured his third state title with a pin over Andrew Forsythe.
The match was dominated by Miosi up until the pin. Miosi was up 6-2 at the
end of the first period, with the wily Forsythe managing to earn a reversal.
In the second period Miosi threw a tight headlock, and earned the pin midway
through the period. Forsythe surprised #3 seed Andrew Farrar of Epsicopal
by pin, and #2 seed Dan Yates of Bishop O'Connell to reach the finals. Miosi's
closest match was against #4 seed Mac Fridell of Collegiate, which he won 8-2.
Fridell went on take 3rd.
145: Matt Horton (Paul VI) major dec Ian Macdonald (St.Christopher's) 10-2
Matt Horton also captured his third state title by defeating Ian Macdonald.
Horton started off the first period strong, taking down Macdonald and turning
him from the top position for back points. The score was 8-0 at the end of the
first period. From that point on, the action slowed. Horton took alot of shots
but did not finish them, with Macdonald trying hard to defend, with alot of
hand tying. In the final 20 seconds Macdonald finally spun behind Horton and
got a takedown, but by that point it was too late.
152: Steven Ratley (Bishop O'Connell) pin Mike Liss (St.Stephen's) 2:45
Steven Ratley, the tournament MOW, captured his second state title with a pin
over Mike Liss. Liss came out strong and did his best, but Ratley was just too
much for him, and dominated the whole match. Ratley was up by about 10 points
at the end of the first period. Towards the middle of the second period, Ratley
threw in a figure four (see picture below) and pinned Liss.
160: P.J.Worosz (Paul VI) pin Nick Cornwell (Benedictine) 2:29
At 160 pounds, P.J. picked up state title #2 with a pin over Nick Cornwell.
Nick started out the first period by tying up Worosz, perhaps hoping to
slow him down a bit. Worosz finally hit a quick headlock at the edge of the
mat for a takedown, and turned Cornwell for some back points. Down 5-0 at the
start of the second period, Cornwell chose down, not a wise move against Worosz.
A quick move by Worosz, and the match was over half minute later. Cornwell
upset #2 seed Ryan Robertson of St.Christopher's to reach the finals.
171: Conner Gentil (Woodberry Forest) dec Thomas Wilson (Episcopal) 3-2
In a rematch of an earlier dual that ended by injury default, Conner Gentil
defeated Thomas Wilson for his first state title. The action was pretty even,
with Wilson scoring one takedown (I believe) and Gentil one takedown and one
escape. Gentil was strong from the top position, and Wilson fought to stay
off his back. In the third period Wilson was losing 3-2 and chose down, but
could not escape.
189: Brian McGurk (St.Christopher's) dec Ed Watkins (Paul VI) 9-6
Brian McGurk captured his second state title with a decision over a tough
Ed Watkins of Paul VI. McGurk was too quick for Watkins, and did most of his
scoring from his feet. No back points were scored in this match, I believe.
Watkins scored a reversal in the closing seconds, but by that point the match
was over. To reach the finals, Watkins defeated the #2 seed Rex Mowers of
Miller, who was undefeated up until that match.
215: Akel Grantham (St.Christopher's) dec Jeff Marcy (Paul VI) 6-4
Grantham and Marcy's match was not decided until the late third period.
This was another close match with no back points scored, and the scoring
consisted mainly of takedowns and escapes. The score was tied 4-4 in the
third period when Grantham finally wore Marcy out and drove him to the mat
with a takedown to win 6-4.
275: Seth Lotts (Collegiate) dec Jeb Pinkerton (St.Christopher's) 8-5
In the final match of the evening, Seth Lotts and Jeb Pinkerton faced off
for the third time. Seth took Pinkerton down twice in the 1st period to go
up 4-1. In the second period, Pinkerton chose down and Lotts rode him out the
whole period. In the third period, Lotts chose down and escaped. Pinkerton finally
took a shot, but Lotts spun behind for a takedown. In the closing seconds Seth
started celebrating a little early, and Pinkerton picked up two stalling points
when Seth danced away.
