Wrestling Roundup

Simply the Best Midwest City captured its second straight Class 5A team state championship, and 16th overall, at the 2008 Wrestling State Championships on Feb. 22-23 at State Fair Arena. The Bombers did it in dramatic fashion, beating Ponca City by less than a point, 80-79.50. They had several individual standouts, and needed every one of them. Midwest City had two individual state champions (Willie Gunter at 119 pounds and Mark Meyer at 152). The Bombers were the favorites all season and ended the year the same way - as the top team in the state. Unstoppable These two wrestlers are too tough to handle: Willie Gunter, Midwest City - He ended his spectacular four-year high school career in style, winning his third straight state title. The All-American captured the 199-pound state title with a dominating 14-4 major decision over Derek Steeley of Broken Arrow. The gold medal added to his championships at 102 and 112 pounds. Chris Perry, Stillwater - The junior is just simply too much to handle for opposing wrestlers. He won his third straight state title, all in different weight classes. He has won at 160, 171, and this year at 189 pounds. He won with ease, a 19-2 technical fall in the title match over Broken Arrow's Terry Williamson. Pioneer Pride While Perry gets most of the attention for Stillwater, the Pioneers do have other talented wrestlers. The Pioneers won three individual state titles, the most in 5A. Here is a look at the other two standouts: Jared Elmore - The freshman came out of a competitive weight class, started off Stillwater's good day with a 7-4 state title victory at 103 pounds over Mustang's Tanner Hamilton. Ky Corley - After finishing runner-up at 125-pounds last year, Corley finished the job this year at 130 pounds. He collected a shutout with a 4-0 win over Ponca City's Devin Aquirre. Alright El Reno Despite finishing second for the second straight year in Class 4A, the Indians won three individual state championships and one runner-up finish. The state title winners are: Cory Dauphin - The sophomore has made his presence felt quickly, capturing his second straight 4A championship. He won the gold medal at 140 pounds this year with a pin of Catoosa's Brock Mason while capturing first at 135 last year. Cody Dauphin - He made sure the Dauphin twins went home with two first-place finishes. He collected a 3-2 decision against Harrah's Levi Queen to win his second straight state title at 215 pounds. Brian Solomon - In his first year with the Indians, Solomon made a good first impression. Solomon, who won a state title with Ada last year, captured the heavyweight championship with a 3-1 decision against Duncan's Gabe McGee. Wanting more These wrestlers added first-place finishes this season to last year's title run: Elliott Hellwege, Kingfisher - The senior captured his second straight 2A state title in the 189-pound weight class in exciting fashion, collecting a 2-1 overtime victory over Dave Weske of Marlow. Raymond Lane, Star Spencer - The senior won his second straight 3A state title at 189 pounds with a suspenseful 5-3 overtime win against Weatherford's Tyson Yoder. Casey Rowell, Duncan - The junior won his second straight title, but this year it was in a different class. He captured 4A first place at 119-pounds this year with a 10-0 major decision against Skiatook's Stephen Kendrick after winning at 112 a year ago. He might be the best wrestler at 119 in the state. Bobby Williams, Tuttle - He dominated his weight class for a second straight year. The junior won the 3A 152-pound class this year (5-1 decision over Locust Grove's John Heffley) while winning a title at 145 last season. Kidd Gomez, Noble - He won't be just known for doing a back-flip during a match this year. He will also be known as a state champion. The junior captured a 4A state title at 112 pounds with a 5-2 finals decision against El Reno's Austin Mogg. Winning gold These wrestlers won state titles in their respective weight classes: Jakob Gaither, Kingfisher - He helped the Yellowjackets finish second in 2A with an individual title at the heavyweight division. The senior won 6-2 in overtime against Sulphur's Logan Grinstead. Dustin Lasell, Pauls Valley - He captured the 2A 152-pound state championship in exciting fashion with a 3-2 overtime victory over Dalton Johns of Tonkawa. Mike Brady, Del City - The senior was a state placer last year in 5A, but did much better this year. Brady won the 145-pound state title with a 7-2 decision against Union's Tyler Greenshaw. Cole Gracey, Tuttle - The sophomore helped the Tigers finish third in Class 3A with a 5-2 state championship victory at 145 pounds over Cody Hill of Blanchard. Tyler Dorrell, Del City - He finished first at the 112-pound weight class in 5A with a 4-2 decision in the finals over Owasso's Garrett Miller. The junior won a state championship after being a state placer last year. Travis Quintero, Harrah - He collected a 6-3 decision over Catoosa's Ben Morgan in Class 4A at 135 pounds to win a state championship. Cameron Gladd, Clinton - He followed up his Class 4A state championship in football with an individual state title in 3A wrestling. The senior collected a 3-0 win against Poteau's James Brigance at 215 pounds to win the title after finishing runner-up last season. Cade Draper, Deer Creek - The junior collected an exciting 2-1 win in overtime against Garrick Bowles of Bixby in 4A at 152 pounds. Tim Taylor, Noble - The senior finished his high school career in style with a high scoring 10-8 win against Mike Maul of Collinsville in 4A at the 160-pound weight class. Mark Meyer, Midwest City - The senior won an individual state title and helped the Bombers win a team title in 5A as well. Meyer captured a 3-1 decision over Ryan Freeman of Sand Springs.