| CHRISTENSEN QUALIFIES FOR STATE TOURNAMENT........... |
Good athletes know when it's time to step their game up a notch. Greenon's Kevin Christensen, after a lethargic opening round victory, became only the third wrestler in Greenon school history to repeat as a State qualifier as he advanced to the State tournament in decisive fashion last weekend at the Goshen District wrestling tournament by winning his first three matches by a combined score of 32-12 before losing in the championship match to Graham's defending state champion Cameron Doggett. Kevin finished runner up for the tournament and advances to the state tournament as the top four placers in each weight class automatically qualify for the State Tournament.
Greenon's team qualified two wrestlers for the Goshen District tournament this past weekend as Sophomore Kevin Christensen competed in the 125 lb weight class and Freshman Casey Wells, who qualfied as an alternate, also competed in the 135 lb weight class.
Christensen started the tournament rather omniously with a sluggish 6-3 victory over Adam Sweeney (29-14) of Franklin, and while he was never in danger of losing the match, it was a tougher match then expected. The next match was a different story. Kevin took on Nathan Valentine, the # 1 seed from Purcell Marian, and took control immediately as he jumped out to a 9-1 lead on his way to an easy 12-6 victory. That win placed Kevin in the Championship Semi-Final match against another # 1 Seed in Matt Cunningham from Miami Trace. It was a critical match because the winner was guaranteed a slot in the State Tournament, while the loser would have to drop into the consolation bracket and fight through the bracket for a berth. Kevin would have no part of the losers bracket as he easily defeated his opponent by a score of 14-3. The win clinched a 2nd consecutive state berth for Kevin, and matched him up against Graham's Cameron Doggett in the Championship match for the third straight week. Although Kevin was unable to defeat the defending state champion from Graham, he will carry an impressive 40-5 record and a # 2 seed to the State Wrestling Tournament which begins Thursday in Columbus, Ohio.
Greenon's Casey Wells also competed for Greenon at the District Tournament. Casey was matched against # 1 Seed Stephan Morrison of Miami Trace in his first match and he started the match aggressively and was able to take a 2-0 lead before losing by pin in at the 4:46 mark of the 3rd period. Casey then went to the consolation bracket where he took on Derek Alsip (30-6) of Norwood where he lost a close match by a score of 7-5. Although Casey did not qualify for the State tournament, it's rare for a freshman to qualify for the District tournament and he finished the season with an impressive 36-11 record.
Below are the individual results:
KEVIN CHRISTENSEN - 125 lb Division:
1ST ROUND: Kevin Christensen(Greenon) decision Adam Sweeney (Franklin) 6-3
2ND ROUND: Kevin Christensen(Greenon) decision Nathan Valentine(Clermont NE) 12-6
SEMI FINALS: Kevin Christensen(Greenon) major decision Matt Cunningham (Miami Trace) 14-3
FINALS: Kevin Christensen (Greenon) lost to Cameron Doggett(Graham) tech. fall decisiion 24-9
CASEY WELLS - 135 lb Division:
1ST ROUND: Casey Wells (Greenon) lost to Stephan Morrison (Miami Trace) by pin 4:46
CONSOLATION ROUND: Casey Wells (Greenon) lost to Derek Alsip (Norwood) by decision 7-5
Complete details can be viewed by CLICKING HERE.
| SECOND PLACE - Kevin Christensen |