Perez claims third at state wrestling

By Diane Stamm

Grant Tribune-Sentinel

Juan Perez went toe to toe with Class D’s top heavyweight wrestlers over the weekend at the state wrestling championships and finished with a third place medal.

Teammate Mason Toner didn’t have as good of luck in the 126 lb. bracket. 

In his second trip to state, Toner lost both his matches, the first to Braxton Siebrandt (43-2) of Wisner-Pilger and the second to Mitchel Stritt (37-15) of Southwest.

Toner was quickly pinned by Siebrandt in the first round, but went the distance with Stritt in the consolation round despite not feeling well. Toner trailed 1-2 entering the third period and battled throughout the 5-9 loss.

Head Coach Tanner Collins said Toner struggled this year and just didn’t quite look like himself.

Collins added, he’s glad the junior got the experience again.

“Hopefully with one more year left he can get him a medal next year,” Collins said.

Perez (36-5), also a junior, entered the state championships ranked third.

“Juan had an amazing tournament and is such a good role model for the youth in our community. He is alway at youth practice and tournaments and is dedicated to helping build the program,” Collins said.

Perez pinned Jacob Stromberg (35-20) in the first round.

Collins said, while kids sometimes come out timid in Omaha, Perez came out strong in this match. 

Perez trailed 2-4 early in the match but took a 5-4 lead into the second period and was leading 8-4 when he got the pin.

“He hit some awesome double legs in this match. He made one mistake that was kinda scary when he got rolled but didn’t give up and got back on top and got the pin,” Collins said.

Class D No. 4 Josiah Brezina (41-5) waited in the quarterfinals.

“This was a big one for Juan,” Collins said, adding Perrez needed a win over a big opponent. 

After a scoreless first period, Perez got a reversal late in the second period then dominated the third. Although he gave up three escapes, Perez had two takedowns and a nearfall to seal the 9-3 win.

“The match started slow for both with no takedowns in the first period. Then it was all Juan. He wrestled really well upper body and stayed aggressive. Countered his opponent well and had a good throw to take a big lead,” Collins commented.

Waiting for Perez in the semifinals was a familiar foe.

Ravenna’s Thomas Psota (49-4) claimed a late, questionable win over Austin Meyer in last year’s tournament.

Collins said Perez knew he couldn’t make any mistakes to beat  an opponent of this caliber. 

Perez trailed 0-2 after a late nearfall in the second period.

Perez tried to keep a hold in the third period, rather than allow an escape, and gave up a reversal and nearfall instead. Perez moved to the consolation bracket with an 0-6 loss to the eventual state runner up.

Collins said Perez never shot timid, and stayed aggressive but unfortunately made a couple mistakes in the third period that were just too much to come back from in that kind of a match. 

“He was pretty disappointed about that loss. All I told him was he has to try to put it behind him, because his goal of top three was still out there to achieve,” Collins said.

Perez manhandled Tayte Thornton (40-15) of Anselmo-Merna in the heartbreak round.

“This was a breath of fresh air for Juan to wrestle somebody that he was bigger than for once,” Collins said.

Perez got a takedown, but gave up an escape in the first period. A reversal in the second period set Perez up for a win by pin.

“He came out very aggressive and with a take no crap attitude and dominated the kid and got a pin,” Collins said. 

A rematch with Brezina lay ahead in the third place match.

“It is hard to beat a kid of that caliber twice. The kid knew Juan’s game now and played a lot of defense to it,” Collins said.

Trailing 0-3 with time running out in the second period, Perez got a take down and nearfall with seconds left. Brezina did manage to escape sending the match to the final period tied 4-4. 

Perez chose bottom and got an escape with 90 seconds left, before staying away just enough to take the 5-4 win.

“Juan changed up his plan and got back to his double leg attack to get back in it. After an escape things got tied up. Juan got one more take down in the third and ended up staying strong to win by one point,” Collins said.

“I am so proud of Juan and his accomplishments this season! I had one comment to him after his loss. I told him to try to remember that feeling when it comes to a day that you don’t want to lift hard or practice hard. Use that hurt for fuel in a positive manner,” Collins said.

NSAA State Championships 

Individual Results

D126—Mason Toner (25-16) lost by fall to Braxton Siebrandt (Wisner-Pilger), fall 0:40; lost by decision to Mitchel Stritt (Southwest), dec 9-5.

D285—Juan Perez (36-5) won by fall over Jacob Stromberg (Palmer), fall 3:01; Quarterfinal, won by decision over Josiah Brezina (Aquinas Catholic), dec 9-3; Semifinal - lost by decision to Thomas Psota (Ravenna), dec 6-0; Cons. Semi - won by fall over Tayte Thornton (Anselmo-Merna), fall 1:26; 3rd Place Matcåh - won by decision over Josiah Brezina (Aquinas Catholic), dec 5-4.