Iowa Wrestling recruit Anthony Cassioppi stormed through the Hwt division with two pins and two tech falls to win the title at the 30th Annual Al Dvorak Invitational at Machesney Park, IL. Cassioppi won by a first period fall in his first two matches. In the semifinals he won by a 15-0 tech fall before defeating Guy Snow of Iowa City West in the finals by a 23-8 tech fall in 2:27. For his efforts, Cassioppi, of Hononegah High School (Roscoe, IL), was named as the Outstanding Wrestler of the Dvorak that had 35 teams from five states. Cassioppi is now 20-0 on the season and has scored bonus points in all of his matches.
Nelson Brands of Iowa City, IA (West HS), placed third at 160 at the Dvorak. Brands was defeated by Allen Swanson of Oswego, IL 10-6 in the semifinals. Brands won his next two matches to place third. Brand is 26-1 on the season.
Joe Kelly of West Liberty, IA was injured in a dual meet on Thursday and was forced to injury default. Kelly is not expected to miss much if any time on the mat in competition.
Cassioppi, Brands, and Kelly are the Iowa Wrestling Recruiting Class of 2018 and will next compete after the first of the year.
Anthony Cassioppi (20-0) placed 1st.
- Champ. Round 1 – Anthony Cassioppi (Rockton (HONONEGAH)) 20-0 received a bye () (Bye)
- Champ. Round 2 – Anthony Cassioppi (Rockton (HONONEGAH)) 20-0 won by fall over Wyatt Blake (Crystal Lake (CENTRAL)) 7-8 (Fall 1:24)
- Quarterfinal – Anthony Cassioppi (Rockton (HONONEGAH)) 20-0 won by fall over Keenan Ness (YORKVILLE ) 18-7 (Fall 1:41)
- Semifinal – Anthony Cassioppi (Rockton (HONONEGAH)) 20-0 won by tech fall over Charlie Schmidt (LIBERTYVILLE) 16-4 (TF-1.5 5:08 (15-0))
- 1st Place Match – Anthony Cassioppi (Rockton (HONONEGAH)) 20-0 won by tech fall over Guy Snow (Iowa City (WEST) (IA)) 22-7 (TF-1.5 2:27 (23-8))
Nelson Brands (26-1) placed 3rd.
- Champ. Round 1 – Nelson Brands (Iowa City (WEST) (IA)) 26-1 received a bye () (Bye)
- Champ. Round 2 – Nelson Brands (Iowa City (WEST) (IA)) 26-1 won by tech fall over Jett Dowell (Wheaton (NORTH)) 17-9 (TF-1.5 4:00 (20-5))
- Quarterfinal – Nelson Brands (Iowa City (WEST) (IA)) 26-1 won by fall over Anthony Marre (Carol Stream (GLENBARD NORTH)) 20-3 (Fall 2:21)
- Semifinal – Allen Swanson (OSWEGO (HS)) 21-1 won by decision over Nelson Brands (Iowa City (WEST) (IA)) 26-1 (Dec 10-6)
- Cons. Semi – Nelson Brands (Iowa City (WEST) (IA)) 26-1 won by tech fall over Devan Vandenbush (LUXEMBERG-CASCO (WI)) 17-3 (TF-1.5 5:53 (26-10))
- 3rd Place Match – Nelson Brands (Iowa City (WEST) (IA)) 26-1 won by decision over Trey Sizemore (Cincinnati (LASALLE)(OH)) 15-4 (Dec 6-5)
