5 Michigan youths win Kickoff Classic crowns
11/21 - The Cliff Keen Tulsa Kickoff Classic is widely known as one of the toughest
youth tournaments in the country and 5 Michigan youngsters traveled to Tulsa last
weekend and came home with Kickoff Classic titles. The 11-12 and 13-15 year old
divisions saw the most Michigan sucess with 12 placers and 4 champions.
Michigan Grappler Youth Wrestler of the year Mark Hall won the 96lb title with an
impressive win overJavaughn Perkins of Nebraska at 11-12 96lbs. Three other
All-Future team members, Jacob Schmitt, Freddie Rodriguez, and Ben Whitford all
won tournament titles in the 13-15 division. Whitford won the 101lb title in a weight
that featured three wrestlers whom placed at the Super 32 Challenge last month at
103lbs, including a win over John Fahy of Kentucky in the finals.
The only 7-8 year old placer was Clio's Dalton Ballantine, who won the 61lb
championship. Ballantine was a member of the Fab 50 last year. A full list of
Michigan's placers are listed below and full results from the CK Kickoff Classic
can be viewed by clicking here.
Michigan's Placewinners:
7-8
61lbs - Dalton Ballontine (Clio) -1st
9-10
85lbs - Jelaani Embree (East Detroit) - 5th
11-12
70lbs - Jacob Madrigal (Davison) - 3rd
70lbs - Nathan Ellis (Holly) - 4th
84lbs - Justin Oliver (Goodrich) - 2nd
96lbs - Mark Hall (Davion) - 1st
105lbs - Angus Arthur (St Johns) - 2nd
110lbs - Shon Powell (Detroit) - 3rd
13-15
75lbs - Martin Rodriguez (Holt) - 4th
82lbs - Jacob Scmitt (St Johns) - 1st
95lbs - Freddie Rodriguez (Holt) - 1st
101lbs - Ben Whitford (Holt) - 1st
101lbs - Josh Pennell (Sterling Hts) - 6th
115lbs - Taylor Grenawalt (Haslett) - 6th
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