Russell, Mason Capture NHSCA National High School Wrestling Titles

PLATT, SHANAMAN ARE NHSCA ALL-AMERICANS

Virginia Beach, Va. March 28-April 1, 2007: Kellen Russell is taciturn (a good thing). He leads by example. He’s a fighter. He’s a champion. Russell, however, had two losses to Pennsylvania state champion Tyler Nauman heading into the 2007 NHSCA National High School Championships.

Kellen Russell wanted redemption....

....He got redemption.

....Russell did it by defeating Tyler Nauman 5-3 to become the 2007 130 lbs. NHSCA National Champion. This is Russell’s sixth national title – he owns an Asics/Vaughn Cadet National title, three National Prep titles and he won the Asics/Vaughn Jr. National Championships last year.

Russell is headed to the University of Michigan under the aegis of Joe McFarland.

“Kellen stuck to the game plan and followed it to perfection making significant jumps in just one week’s time. This was his best tournament of the year as he wrestled every match with great focus and determination,” says Jeff Buxton, Blair Academy Head Wrestling Coach.

Jared Platt is honing his skills for the coaches at Penn State and came away with a third place finish at 215 lbs. Platt defeated Patrick Mahan of Minnesota 7-1 in his third place bout. Max Shanaman placed fifth at 135 lbs. and is ready to make the jump to NCAA Division I competition. Shanaman is consistent and will be a fine college wrestler. Eric Medina didn’t compete due to an illness.

“Both Jared and Max wrestled well in Virginia Beach losing close matches in the semi-finals. I am always impressed by their desire to win and improve on a weekly basis. Jared, Max, Kellen and Eric are undoubtedly one of the strongest groups of seniors we’ve had here,” Buxton said. “We will lose their leadership-but most important-their willingness to compete at the highest level. They are all going (on scholarship) to major universities.”

• Shanaman is headed to Columbia, Missouri where he will wrestle for
  the Tigers of Missouri
• Platt is headed to Penn State and will become a Nittany Lion
• Russell will wrestle for the University of Michigan Wolverines
• Medina will compete for the Terps of the University of Maryland

Mario Mason proved, once again, why he should be the consensus #1 recruit in America next year when he defeated Kyle Cuthbertson of Alabama 8-2 to capture the 152 lbs. junior division in Virginia Beach. Carter Lorant (160 lbs.) also competed in the junior division and gained valuable experience as did Wes Rosamilia (171 lbs.) who fought hard on the senior level.

The Sunday prior to the NHSCA National Championships (March 25) Kellen Russell and Max Shanaman competed in the Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic in Pittsburgh, Penn. That’s where Russell fell to Nauman (9-5). Shanaman lost a close battle to Pennsylvania mat king Zack Kemmerer (3-1) in the hard-fought 135 lbs. match.

The NHSCA National Wrestling Championships were held at the Virginia Beach Convention Center from March 28 through April 1. Log onto www.flowrestling.com to view final matches, interviews, and much more. Jared Platt, Jake Fedechko and Hudson Collins are competing in the FILA Jr. World Team trials in Las Vegas this weekend April 6-8. Log onto www.themat.com and www.flowrestling.com to view their results. Next up is the New Jersey freestyle ranking tournament at Holmdel High School and the Dream Team Classic where Blair All-Americans Jared Platt and Kellen Russell will represent the USA. Check back at here for results on those meets.

Please direct all questions and comments to buxtoj@blair.edu.