Rizgallah wins Preseason National Title
McDiarmid, Smith finish runner-up
11/1 - It has been an eventful week for Allegan senior John
Rizgallah. After locking down his college plans by
commiting to Michigan State earlier this week, Rizgallah
went 4-0 to win the USA Wrestling Preseason Nationals
yesterday in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
Rizgallah scored a 6-2 win over Washington state placer
Mitch Steed in the 189lb finals to claim the tournament title.
Two other Michiganders advanced to the Championship
Finals but fell in their final bout. State Champ Nick
McDiarmid of Hartland fell to Iowa State Champ Cody
Krumwiede in the 215lb finals 7-2. McDiarmid scored a 9-0
major decision in the semifinals over Cadet Double
All-American John Scanlan of Iowa.
Allegan senior Matt Smith advanced to the finals with wins
over Florida state placer Santiago Martinez and Nebraska
state runner-up Chase White. In the finals, Smith lost 12-6 to returning Preseason National Champ and Indiana state placer Eric Roach.
Swan Valley senior Matt Beebe advanced to the semifinals as well. Beebe downed #3 seed Brody Grothus of Iowa in the quarterfinals to move to the semis at 152lbs. In the semis Beebe fell to former Fargo All-American Blake Sorensen of Iowa, however, it was the only loss of the day for him. He would come back to win two straight matches and finish 3rd at 152lbs.
Howell sophomore Alex Calandrino was the final Michigan placewinner, finishing 7th at 112lbs. Calandrino, who was a Division 1 state finalist last year, was seeded 3rd at 112 but was upset in the first round by Andrew Riedy of Nebraska. Calandrino then fought back with 6 straight wins to advance to the placing rounds. Calandrino lost his 2nd match to Cadet Greco All-American Ryan McQuade of Wisconsin before beating Brandon Jorge of Florida in the 7th place match.
Click here to view full brackets from the Preseason Nationals.
Michigan Placers
112 - Alex Calandrino - 7th
145 - Matt Smith - 2nd
152 - Matt Beebe - 3rd
189 - John Rizgallah - 1st
215 - Nick McDiarmid - 2nd
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