Bennett caps off storybook year with Junior National Title
4 Michigan wrestlers finish as Junior National All-Americans
Junior Freestyle Recap
7/26/2008 - Fargo, ND
In his career Ben Bennett has enjoyed about as much state and
national success that one can ask for, but he has never been able
to breakthrough in Fargo. Until now.
This morning Bennett made it look easy as he plowed through
Maryland's Josh Asper in the 171lb finals to win the Junior Freestyle
National Championship.
Prior to this year Bennett has never placed at the Junior Nationals. He
went 2-2 as a sophomore and finished a match away from all-american
last year. This year he finished the same place he has been finishing
all year: atop the podium.
The title in Fargo caps off what has been a storybook year for Bennett,
who won his 3rd state title, a Senior National crown, outstanding
wrestler of the senior nationals, and a perfect record at the Disney
Duals.
" I wanted to win Senior Nationals and this before I went to college,"
said Bennett, " Those were my two main goals and after not placing
out here last year I was real upset I didnt get on the podium so I worked
hard and this is what I wanted to do," said Bennett.
In addition to Bennett, three other Michigan wrestlers finished up as All-Americans this morning. Bennett's Rockford High School teammate Kyle Waldo scored a 6-3, 4-1 win over Cesar Sanchez of California to finish 7th at 112lbs.
Brenan Lyon and Mike Leholm both lost in the bronze medal match today to finish 4th. After winning the opening period against Brandon Davis of Delaware, Lyon got caught in a second period cement mixer and lost the bout to finish 4th at 98lbs.
Leholm was pitted against Greco National Champ Eric Grajales of Florida in the 130lb bronze medal match and was the victim of a mean headlock that ended the match in the first.
