Mission Accomplished: Massa wins Double Title
Massa, Thomas, Rodriguez closing in on Cadet National Finals
Cadet Freestyle Recap
7/25/2008 - Fargo, ND
For the last 265 days there has been one thing on Taylor Massa's
mind: Fargo, North Dakota.
"My dad had a sign up on the wall counting down the days until fargo,"
said Massa, "I have always wanted to win double titles in Fargo."
After cruising to the greco title earlier this week, the freestyle finals
were not so smooth as Massa lost the first period of today's 140lb
Cadet National Finals against Colby Kloetzer of Idaho.
"I was a little worried," said Massa, "But I knew he was going to be
real tired"
Kloetzer did get tired in the final two periods as Massa won the 2nd
period by a 7-4 score and then turned it up in the third with an
onslaught of takedowns and points to win the period 6-0 and the
Cadet Freestyle National title.
All week Massa seemed to pick up steam as the matches went on as he lost the first period three times this week and then rallied back to win the bout.
"I just try to get them tired and then kill them," said Massa.
Massa, who will be a freshman next year at St Johns High School, has already accomplished more nationally than most will in their entire prep careers. He took 3rd at Super 32s last fall and entering this week there was a lot hype swirling around him. With his performance this weekend, it is hard to argue that Taylor Massa is anything but the real deal.
"I think I showed that I can compete with the best kids and win," said Massa regarding his performance this week.
Now he starts to look towards the future: "Now I will just continue working hard and try to distance myself from the rest of the competetion," he said.
Another freshman-to-be made the Cadet Freestyle finals as well as Freddie Rodriguez competed for the title at 91lbs against 3x Fargo Champ Hayden Zillmer of Minnesota.
Rodriguez came out firing to score three takedowns and win the first period easliy 5-1. The returning champ answered back, however, as Zillmer used shot counters to score the majority of his points in the final two periods and pull out the win.
The third wrestler yet to reach high school who was impressive the past few days was Jordan Thomas of Greenville, who finished 4th at 145lbs after losing in the bronze medal match today. Thomas battled hard and won the first period, however, he everntually fell to the Greco champ Chase Nelson of Kansas.
Nick Bohn of East Kentwood finished the tournament off on a winning note as he won his 7th place match over Frankie Porras of Indiana at 135lbs.
Cadet Freestyle Finals Play-by-Play
91lb Championship Match - Freddie Rodriguez vs. Hayden Zillmer (Minnesota)
1st period - Rodriguez scores 1 pt. on a knee pick :30 second in.
Zillmer scores 1 pt. double leg. 1-1
Rodgriguez scores 1 pt.. single and 2 pt. turn 4-1 and adds another single leg takedown pt.
2nd period - Zillmer 2 pt exposure and Rodriguez gets 1 pt. reversal.
Zillmer takedown being reviewed by video.
1 pt. takedown Rodgriuguez.
1 pt. high crotch take down for Rodriguez. 3-3 Zillmer leading
Zillmer 2 pt. gator roll. Zillmer wins second period 5-3
3rd period - Zillmer 2 pt. exposure, Rodriguez 1 pt. takedown.
Zillmer 2 pt. exposure, Rodriguez 1 pt. takedown, 4-2 Zillmer :33 seconds left
Rodriguez 1 pt. takedown.
140lbs Championship Match - Taylor Massa vs Colby Kloetzer (Idaho)
This is a rematch of the Cadet Duals when Kloetzer beat Massa
1st period - wrestling from an over-under Kloezer gets a single leg to a pushout...
Massa 1 point slide by takedown
Kloetzer 1 point takedown
2nd period - Kloetzer 1 pt. low level single takedown
Massa single leg push out 1 pt.
Massa single leg push out 1 pt.
Massa in on double get 2 pt. exposure, Kloetzer gets 2 pt. exposure
4-3 Massa :50 seconds remain.
Massa 3 pt. feet to back exposure.
3rd period - Massa 1 pt. pushout
Massa wins with a 3 point front headlock to cross ankle pick
Taylor Massa wins Cadet Nationals Freestyle Championship.
