By:Patrick Hall Monday, 3 March, 2008

When the PCC Wrestling Team traveled to Rochester, MN for the NJCAA Nationals, three of the four Beaver wrestlers drew National finalists in their first round matches. The result was a disappointing finish for an otherwise outstanding season for Tommy Edgmon, Andrew Carillo, Kirk Fairley, and Carl Wilkinson.

Pratt’s 5th ranked Tommy Edgmon drew then #2 ranked Terrance Young of Iowa Central for his first match of the national tournament.

“It was a great match,” said Head Coach Chas Thompson. “That match by far drew the biggest crowd of the first round matches.”

The first round saw both wrestlers exchange takedown attempts but neither could finish a scoring hold. Second period Young escaped in 10 seconds taking a 1-0 lead. In the 3rd Edgmon went down but wasn’t able to escape until 1:50 had expired in the period. With 10 seconds left the score showed 1-1, but Young had earned a riding point for riding Edgmon for over 1 minute. Tommy tried a desperation throw and was unsuccessful losing the match 4-1. Tommy battled through winning his next two matches before falling to Saumening of Mercyhurst 3-1.

Andrew Carrillo had a similar draw as Edgmon, when he drew #1 ranked David Greenwald of Iowa Central. Carrillo wrestled hard but lost to Greenwald 15-7. Greenwald went on to pin his way to the finals before losing for the National Title. Andrew was able to battle back and win his next two matches with strong wins over Ellsworth’s Chad Kriz 15-9 and Evan Russell 21-3. However Carrillo lost in the round to be an All-American to Clackamas’s Derek Bartlemay 14-10.

At 184 lbs Kirk Fairley lost his first round match to Corey Moore of Muskegon 8-6. Kirk roared back in dominating fashion by pinning his next 2 opponents both in the first period. That set up a re-match between in-state rival Anthony Enyobi of Labette. Kirk was unable to pull out the win losing 5-2.

“It was a tough weekend I won’t lie,” said Thompson. “Edgmon, Carrillo, and Fairley were all one match out from All-American status.”

Carl Wilkinson went 0-2 for the Beavers.

“I don’t know what Carl’s deal was this weekend,” opined Thomson. “His head was somewhere else. I’ve never seen Carl wrestle like he did this weekend. Carl has been one of my best kids all around and I wish him the best of luck. I just wish we could have seen the Carl Wilkinson I know at the last tournament of the year. Instead of having 3 AA’s we came away with none. These guys trained hard though, and did all I asked of them. I’m proud of the way they trained and the effort they put forth. I just wish our draws could have been a little bit different. But I know all too well that you might get a draw like that if you don’t win your regional qualifier. I know it puts a big fire underneath me for next year. It’s time to rebuild and I’m excited.”

Tommy Edgmon 2-2

Lost to Terrance Young – Iowa Central 4-1(National Champ)
Dec Jon Tatro - Ridgwater 5-0
Dec Jared Lemke - Niagarra 8-6
Lost to Greg Saumenig - Mercyhurst 3-1 (7th place)

Andrew Carrillo 2-2
Lost to David Greenwald – Iowa Central 15-7 (National Runner-up)
Dec Chad Kriz – Elsworth 15-9
Tech fall Evan Russell – Triton 21-3
Lost to Derek Bartlemay – Clackamas 14-10 (4th place)

Kirk Fairley 2-2
Lost to Corey Moore – Muskogen 8-6
Fall over Steven Catalano – Triton 1:42
Fall over Benji Martin – Yakima Valley 1:54
Lost to Anthony Enyobi – Labette 5-2

Carl Wilkinson 0-2
Lost by Fall to Chad Friend – Muskogen 4:13 (National Runner-up)
Lost by Fall to Danny Miller – Harper 3:52