SALINA — Iola High senior Marcus Sullivan recorded the first-ever opening-round victory for Mustang wrestling Friday morning at the 2011 Kansas Class 4A Wrestling Tournament.
Sullivan, in his second state tournament in as many years, defeated Concordia High senior Blaine Tholstrap 7-2.
Sullivan faced junior Rory Haug of St. James Academy in the 160-pound championship quarterfinals. It was a rematch of the Silver Lake tournament championship match earlier this month when Haug pinned Sullivan.
Sullivan had not lost a match since.
In a heartbreaker, Sullivan lost to the third-ranked Haug 10-7.
Sullivan led throughout the match and had escaped as the third period started.
He was up 6-4 but with 38 seconds left, Haug scored on a takedown. Haug gave up a point to Sullivan on an escape to make it 7-5. Haug got a takedown and put Sullivan on his back. Sullivan didn’t get pinned but Haug got three points for a near fall and the win.
Sullivan wrestles in this morning’s consolation bracket.
Sophomore Stephen McDonald and freshman Mike Armstrong were eliminated after two rounds.
At 119 pounds, Armstrong lost 11-8 to Pratt High senior Ludwing Verbena in the opening round. He fell behind 9-4 after two periods. Armstrong escaped for one point and took Verbena down. Armstrong trailed 9-7 but wasn’t able to turn his opponent for points. Verbena scored two points with a reversal late in the match.
Armstrong lost 4-0 to Antonio Ferro, a junior from Basehor-Linwood, in the consolation bracket.
McDonald was eliminated in heartbreaking fashion in the 189-pound consolation, 4-3 in four overtimes to senior Nehemiah Scott of Maize South.
After a scoreless first period, Scott had an escape in the second and McDonald had the same in third. Just as time ran out in regulation, McDonald appeared to have the takedown but it was waved off by officials. The score remained 1-1.
The first overtime of a minute had no scoring. The second overtime featured two 30-second periods and McDonald scored two points for a reversal but Scott got an escape. McDonald led 3-2 but Scott escaped again to tie it. In the fourth overtime, McDonald was unable control Scott for the 30 seconds. Scott won on an escape.
Earlier, McDonald was pinned in the first period by second-ranked Clay Center senior Zach Anderson.
This was the first state competition for McDonald and Armstrong.
Sullivan still alive at state tournament – IHS senior must make way through consolation
