Ten Blair Grapplers Earn All-American Honors at Asics/Vaughn Junior and Cadet Nationals
ADAM FREY, KELLEN RUSSELL, MARIO MASON, ANTHONY VALLES, BRING HOME NATIONAL TITLES; GITOMER IS RUNNER-UP
Fargo, North Dakota: Adam Frey has done it again…this time he really did it. Adam Frey became the first Fargo Double Champion for Blair Academy, meaning he won both freestyle and Greco-Roman national titles. He did it with ease too by steamrolling his way through his 130 lbs. brackets at the 2005 Asics/Vaughn Jr. National Championships, which were held July 23-30 in Fargo, North Dakota. You are a first Mr. Frey; we now look forward to watching you develop into an NCAA Champion at Cornell. Watch out college world—here comes Adam Frey. By the way, Adam will fill Cornell’s void at 133 lbs., which was previously filled by four-time All-American and two-time NCAA Champion, Travis Lee. You think Adam is fired up!
“Adam is the first Double Champion we have ever had. He marched through his brackets on his way to winning both titles,” Blair Head Coach Jeff Buxton Said. “The score in the freestyle finals (Frey dec. Jordan Frishkorn of Virginia 6-4) wasn’t as close as it reads,” Buxton continued. ****note Frishkorn is from Great Bridge of Virginia—a Blair rival.
Okay Adam move over there’s more Blair glory to come. Anthony Valles won a Cadet title at 98 lbs in impressive fashion too. He topped off his national tournament with a 5-0 smashing of Ben Sergent of Ohio. And the glory continues and this next warrior captured a national title with all odds against him. In fact, he wasn’t even a starter for Blair in 2004-2005; he, however, practiced every day, improved on his weaknesses and at the end came out on top. Next year, I am sure we will see him in the Blair line-up winning his second National Prep title. His name: Kellen Russell…His game: persistence. Kellen Russell you are a warrior. Kellen is now the reigning 125 lbs. Cadet National Freestyle Champion. He was steady throughout the entire tournament finishing up by beating Craig Wilson of Missouri 6-0 in his finals bout. Mario Mason is getting smoother by the year—he defeated Johnny Koepp of Texas in his 135 lbs. Cadet Finals match.
“This was a breakthrough tournament for Mario (Mason) and Kellen (Russell) as they jumped into the national spotlight. Both Mario and Kellen dominated all the way through the finals,” Jeff Buxton said. “Anthony (Valles) gutted out his opponents at 98 lbs…remember this is Valles’ second Cadet National Title, so people know who he is.”
Eric Medina took third on the Cadet side at 145 lbs. after winning it all last year. “We were disappointed with that finish for Eric as he was the best guy in the weight, but he now has fire in his belly,” said Buxton. Tony Buxton made his national debut and made it in winning fashion by earning All-American honors at 84 lbs. Buxton went 4-2 in Fargo earning 7th place for Team New Jersey. “It was exciting to watch Tony wrestle as he grew each round and gained invaluable experience in Fargo,” said Jeff Buxton, his Coach and Father.
Stay with me, there’s more: Ross Gitomer made the finals at 119 lbs by outwrestling several opponents. Ross had three come-from-behind victories. He fell in the finals to Franklin Gomez of Florida. Gitomer has now made the finals of two national tournaments---The Jr. Nationals and the NHSCA Sr. Nationals. He heads off to the Univ. of Virginia as a top recruit. Hudson Taylor (189 lbs) and Travis Blasco (140 lbs.) both took home 5th place medals; Rollie Peterkin placed sixth at 119 lbs and Max Shanaman opened some eyes by placing seventh at 135 lbs. Max smashed Willie Saxton of Ohio, 14-4, in his seventh place medal match.
“Ross (Gitomer) as usual was able to come from behind and win big matches. His growth has been steady and this finals finish should catapult him into the top-echelon at 125 lbs. in college. Hudson (Taylor) lost to two very tough opponents; and Travis (Blasco) missed the finals due to the point system. Travis had a bye, which hurt him….Travis wrestled better than his 5th place indicates,” said Jeff Buxton. “In all, it was our best performance since 2002 when we had three in the finals and two champions.” Those three were: Robbie Preston (Champion) Zack Esposito (Champion) and Mark Perry (Runner-up). It’s also important to note that Mike Grey of Delbarton won the Jr. Title at 125 lbs. for Team New Jersey (Grey trained with Blair throughout the summer.) Cory Cooperman a Fargo runner-up and two-time All-American for Lehigh University was in Fargo helping coach the Buccaneers.
Please direct all questions and comments to buxtoj@blair.edu.
