CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio — The 30th iteration of the Walsh Jesuit Ironman has concluded, and it certainly lived up to expectations. With renowned athletes and top prospects alongside lesser-known contenders eager to prove themselves, the Ironman delivered everything a wrestling enthusiast could desire. Faith Christian Academy (Pa.) triumphed with 213 points, surpassing Bishop McCourt (Pa.) […]
CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio — The 30th iteration of the Walsh Jesuit Ironman has concluded, and it certainly lived up to expectations. With renowned athletes and top prospects alongside lesser-known contenders eager to prove themselves, the Ironman delivered everything a wrestling enthusiast could desire.
Faith Christian Academy (Pa.) triumphed with 213 points, surpassing Bishop McCourt (Pa.) at 177.5 points, who finished as the runner-up. Lake Highland Prep (Fla.) claimed third place with 157 points, avoiding a complete Pennsylvania sweep of the podium.
St. Edward stood out as the top Ohio school, finishing in seventh with 104 points.
Below is a recap of the 14 wrestlers who earned the title of Ironman champions this past Saturday.
106: Caleb Noble, Warren Township (Ill.), Sophomore
Noble entered as the top seed and displayed his prowess throughout the tournament. After bypassing the first round, he pinned his initial rival in 2:35. A crucial overtime takedown secured a 16-13 sudden victory in his subsequent match, followed by a 3-1 final period that led to an 11-10 decision into the semifinals. He won 6-2 against the No. 4 seed Turner Ross from Edmond North (Okla.) before adding an overtime takedown for a 4-1 sudden victory against Justin Farnsworth of Malvern Prep (Pa.), the No. 2 seed.
113: Fred Bachmann, Faith Christian Academy (Pa.), Freshman
Bachmann celebrated becoming a four-time Ironman champion on Saturday. As the top seed, he began the tournament with a 9-4 decision before moving on with a 7-4 major decision into the quarterfinals. He then recorded three consecutive 4-3 decisions to secure his spot at the top of the podium.
120: Joe Bachmann, Faith Christian Academy (Pa.), Sophomore
Matching his brother’s achievement, Bachmann also reached the podium’s summit. He started with a 4-0 decision after a first-round bye, pinned his next opponent just as the second period ended, and outlasted a late charge in a 7-6 decision in his following bout. In the semifinal, he claimed a 7-4 tiebreaker and capped his win with an overtime takedown for a 6-3 sudden victory in the finals.
126: Nathan Desmond, Wyoming Seminary (Pa.), Senior
Entering as the top seed, Desmond showcased his dominance early on. He recorded technical falls of 15-0 and 20-3, along with a pin at 2:45, allowing him to advance to the quarterfinals. He then achieved a 9-3 decision victory before clinching the title match with an overtime reversal for a 3-2 tiebreaker win.
132: Jax Forrest, Bishop McCort (Pa.), Junior
Also a top seed, Forrest dominated his pathway to the crown. Following a first-round bye, he tallied four straight technical falls, outscoring his adversaries 81-19. The championship match was tighter, but an overtime takedown secured him a 10-7 victory.
138: Marcus Blaze, Perrysburg, Senior
The top seed was the sole Ironman champion hailing from Ohio. He followed a first-round bye with a crushing 17-2 technical fall. After winning 7-2 in his next match, he secured another technical fall, this time 18-2, leading to the semifinals. He captured a 5-1 decision before ultimately defeating the No. 3 seed Seth Mendoza from Mount Carmel (Ill.) with a 4-1 decision.
144: Bo Bassett, Bishop McCort (Pa.), Senior
A returning Ironman champion, Bassett was the tournament’s highest scorer and secured his title convincingly. The No. 1 seed posted six consecutive technical falls, winning bouts by scores of 20-3, 21-6, 21-6, 21-5, and 19-3, culminating in a remarkable 22-4 victory in the championship match.
150: Noah Nininger, Staunton River (Va.), Senior
Nininger fully lived up to his top seed status at this year’s Ironman. He began with an 18-3 technical fall, followed by a 14-4 major decision and a pin in 1:37 to reach the quarterfinals. He advanced to the semifinals after an 11-5 decision victory over Perrysburg’s Cole Evans, the No. 9 seed, and garnered a 12-3 major decision against No. 4 seed Zeno Moore from Lake Highland Prep (Fla.). In the finals, he convincingly won against No. 2 seed Joseph Jeter from Edmond North (Okla.) with a 16-9 score that was never in contention.
157: Kody Routledge, Edmond North (Okla.), Senior
Routledge, another top seed, was a formidable contender throughout the event. After a first-round bye, he pinned his first two competitors in 3:03. He cruised into the semifinals with an 11-1 major decision and continued on to the title match with a 12-4 major decision. He wrapped up his championship run with another 12-4 major decision victory.
165: LaDarion Lockett, Stillwater (Okla.), Senior
Lockett pinned his first two opponents in impressive times of 2:33 and 1:30 following a first-round bye. The No. 1 seed scored a 22-5 technical fall in the next match and reached the semifinals by winning 8-4. He decisively won the title match with a 10-1 decision.
175: William Henckel, Blair Academy (N.J.), Senior
Henckel was also a top seed with a first-round bye. Once on the mat, he swiftly pinned his opponent in 1:15. Another pin in the following round came in 5:19, and he won his quarterfinal bout with an 8-3 decision. Advancing with a 4-1 decision, he sealed the title with an overtime takedown for a thrilling 15-12 victory.
190: Adam Waters, Faith Christian Academy (Pa.), Junior
Waters, a top seed, proved his dominance with scoring bonus points in every match. He started with a pin in just 55 seconds, followed by a 19-2 technical fall in the first period against his next competitor. He achieved a 15-2 major decision and a 15-0 technical fall in the semifinals. He concluded his tournament by pinning No. 2 seed Lane Foard from Benedictine College Prep (Va.) in 4:19, mirroring his opening match.
215: Jude Correa, Wyoming Seminary (Pa.), Senior
As a reigning Ironman champion, Correa entered as the No. 1 seed. He showcased his superiority in the first two rounds by pinning his foes in 16 and 13 seconds. He secured a 3-1 decision for the quarterfinals and brought a 4-0 decision into the finals. Before him was another returning Ironman champion, Cade Ziola from Skutt Catholic (Neb.). After two scoreless periods, Correa took a 4-0 lead, which he maintained for a 4-3 decision victory.
285: Michael Mocco, Cardinal Gibbons (Fla.), Junior
Mocco entered the tournament as the top seed and exceeded all expectations. After a first-round bye, he dispatched his first opponent with a pin just 16 seconds into the match. He followed with a 19-4 technical fall and a 21-6 technical in the quarter and semifinal before delivering a commanding 16-6 performance in the title match.
