By Mike McGraw
Executive Director
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Cathedral Super Six wrestling tournament held Dec. 5 was an excellent example of how the poor economy is affecting Indiana high school sports.
For years, the Cathedral duals have been a six-team affair with statewide flavor. This season, it was a four-team meet featuring the seventh-ranked host Fighting Irish, No. 15 Warren Central, No. 25 Avon, and Guerin Catholic. Munster, East Central, and Anderson Highland all pulled out of the event in recent months.
The day slowly bubbled to what looked like a climactic finishing confrontation between the Irish and Warren Central after both squads dispersed of their competition in the first two rounds without incident.
Cathedral downed Avon, 52-21, and Guerin, 78-6. Warren was nearly as impressive in crushing Guerin, 80-3, and then disposing of Avon, 34-25.
But the third-round showdown was over nearly as quickly as it began. Wrestling began at 119 pounds, and the Irish used their devastating strength in the lighter weight classes to win five of the first seven matches – four by pin – in setting the tone for Cathedral’s 52-16 rout of the Warriors.
Three-time state finalist Brandon Wright did not wrestle against his old team. Wright, you may recall, spent the last three state finals battling Anderson Highland’s Cam Eppert for the crown at 103, 112, and 119 (Eppert took the series, 2-1, with Wright winning the 112 title in 2008).
Wright transferred to Warren Central prior to this season. The Fighting Irish also lost nine seniors from last year’s highly ranked team that upset Mishawaka before falling to eventual state champion Crown Point in the team state semifinals.
The round-by-round results (no individual results available from host school):
Round 1
#7 Indianapolis Cathedral 52, #25 Avon 21
#15 Warren Central 80, Guerin Catholic 3
Round 2
#7 Indianapolis Cathedral 78, Guerin Catholic 6
#15 Warren Central 34, #25 Avon 25
Round 3
#7 Indianapolis Cathedral 54, #15 Warren Central 16
#25 Avon 72, Guerin Catholic 9
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