Elkhart Sectional

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ELKHART -- Jimtown got its hands on the Elkhart Sectional championship trophy for the first time in nine years Saturday.

 

Led by weight-class champions Jeremy Hill (40-0 at 135 pounds), junior Collin Crume (31-4 at 130) and freshman Nick Crume (37-4 at 112), the Jimmies scored 248 points -- 16.5 more than runner-up Goshen and its six weight-class winners (sophomore Ryan Ntende, 31-6 at 140; senior Andrew Stegelmann, 31-7 at 145; senior Francisco Garcia, 31-5 at 160; senior J.B. Singer, 35-5 at 171; junior Brandon Dillenbeck, 25-3 at 189; and senior Jacob Clark, 31-6 at heavyweight).

 

By winning a meet that featured all eight of Elkhart County's wrestling schools, Jimtown earned a spot in Wednesday's Jimtown Team Regional and the top four individual placers in each of 14 weight classes advanced to next Saturday's Goshen Regional.

 

What got the Jimmies their first sectional team crown since 2001 and the ninth in program history?

 

"It's all 14 guys wrestling the whole day, a full six minutes and giving everything they've got," said Jimtown coach Mark Kerrn. "Jeremy (Hill) epitomizes Jimtown wrestling. He's able to wrestle through every situation, giving himself a chance to win."

 

Hill kept his record spotless even after falling behind by four points to Northridge senior Jason Watts in the semifinals.

 

"I didn't feel like I wrestled my best today, but I was able to find a way to win," said Hill. "I'm best on my feet good at countering people's mistakes."

 

Kerrn, recalling the rocking atmosphere at Jimtown the last time the Jimmies were in the team regional, is looking forward to Wednesday when Jimtown meets Prairie Heights and Mishawaka faces Wawasee in the 6 p.m. semifinals with the survivors meeting around 8.

 

"It'll be quite a challenge, but it sure will be fun going after it," said Kerrn.

 

Memorial senior Zack Corpe (26-2 at 152) became the third wrestler in Crimson Charger history to win four sectional titles, joining Nick Iannarelli and older brother Nick Corpe.

 

"It's a big deal," said Zack Corpe of the accomplishment. "It means a lot, especially here at Elkhart Memorial with all the good wrestlers."

 

Corpe said his most memorable sectional title came in his freshman year when he had to beat a senior to win.

 

Concord senior Steven Ross (32-1 at 119) won his third straight sectional crown by avenging his only 2009-10 loss in the finals, beating Jimtown sophomore Zach Slough.

 

Two Memorial seniors -- Kevin Kelly (23-9 at 125) and Shane Hendrickson (25-9 at 215) -- and NorthWood sophomore Bryce Hershberger (19-12 at 103) also took home sectional titles and will meet fourth-seeded wrestlers at next Saturday's Goshen Regional.

 

No. 1 seeded wrestlers won nine titles. Hershberger was a No. 4 seed. Jimtown's Collin Crume and Goshen's Stegelmann, Singer and Dillenbeck were all No. 2 seeds in their respective weight classes.

 

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ELKHART SECTIONAL

 

(At Memorial)

 

Team scores: Jimtown 248, Goshen 231.5, Memorial 218, Fairfield 126, Concord 120, Central 114.5, Northridge 102, NorthWood 64.5.

 

Championship Summary

 

(Top 4 to Goshen Regional)

 

103 -- Bryce Hershberger (NW) pinned Travis Hanna (G) 0:50. 112 -- Nick Crume (J) def. Brett Matz (F) 7-2. 119 -- Steven Ross (Co) maj. dec. Zach Slough (J) 10-1. 125 -- Kevin Kelly (M) dec. Fulvio DeSantiago (Co) 3-1. 130 -- Collin Crume (J) pinned Trevor Echartea (Ce) 1:21. 135 -- Jeremy Hill (J) dec. Cam Matteson (M) 8-5. 140 -- Ryan Ntende (G) maj. dec. Matt Hill (J) 9-1.

 

145 -- Andrew Stegelmann (G) maj. dec. Alberto Rios (M) 12-1. 152 -- Zack Corpe (J) dec. Chris Hogendobler (Co) 7-3. 160 -- Francisco Garcia (G) pinned Adam Kolakowski (F) 2:37. 171 -- J.B. Singer (G) dec. Brandon Weinkauf (J) 5-0. 189 -- Brandon Dillenbeck (G) pinned Carson Sappington (M) 2:10. 215 -- Shane Hendrickson (M) dec. Brandon Daniels (G). Hwt -- Jacob Clark (G) Eric Forrest (J) 3-1.

 

Consolation Summary

 

103 -- Dominic Garrett (J) maj. dec. Codey Flickinger (M) 12-0. 112 -- Abraham Que (Ce) maj. dec. Devin Puckett (Nr) 12-1. 119 -- Gary Houser (Nr) dec. Nick Vaughn (M) 10-7. 125 -- Zack Rhymer (NW) pinned Hayden Davies (J) :17. 130 -- Nestor Ruizvelasco (Co) dec. Dantrell Goodman (M) 10-6. 135 -- Travis Pickard (G) pinned Jason Watts (Nr) 1:25. 140 -- Steve Vergonet (M) pinned Drew Lopez (Co) 2:52.

 

145 -- Eric Miller (Nr) pinned Mike Souders (J) 1:21. 152 -- Jeff Burghduf (J) pinned Jerad Stump (F) 1:50. 160 -- Tanner Adams (J) pinned Elijah Hendrickson (M) 3:15. 171 -- Alex Hostetler (F) maj. dec. Zack Kurtz (Ce) 11-1. 189 -- Jordan Bontrager (F) dec. Jerell Johnson (Ce) 6-1. 215 -- Rollie White (Nr) pinned Alex Albert (Ce) 3:50. Hwt -- Dominique Stauffer (Ce) dec. Lucas Waterman (M) 2-1.