Biggest Breakout Moments

[blueandgold]

With all of the county and holiday tournaments on the horizon, this time of year usually gifts us some breakout talents that earn big wins and build momentum going into the new year and the postseason. Who are some names from throughout the years that became stars in December whether it be at Al Smith, Spartan Classic, etc.?

 

First one that comes to mind is Thomas Penola at the Al Smith a few years ago and it felt like he became a big name overnight.

[Thor]

Same for me with Thomas Penola. He just got third in Vegas and beat 2 AAs and Cardenas from Cornell who is projected to AA. 

[brickfor6]

3 hours ago, blueandgold said:

With all of the county and holiday tournaments on the horizon, this time of year usually gifts us some breakout talents that earn big wins and build momentum going into the new year and the postseason. Who are some names from throughout the years that became stars in December whether it be at Al Smith, Spartan Classic, etc.?

 

First one that comes to mind is Thomas Penola at the Al Smith a few years ago and it felt like he became a big name overnight.

Penola for the win with Fattore getting a stall call before OT. One moment I think about all the time....lol. Not to mention, I think Fattore was the 8 seed and Penola was unseeded.

Edited December 6, 2021 by brickfor6

[FCFIGHTER170]

The state run  Paul Petrov put on when knocked off Returning state champ Mason Todd and State runner up Campbell in the finals in a all time classic was unreal.. Did I mention both guys he beat were highly ranked nationally at that.

Edited December 7, 2021 by FCFIGHTER170

[FCFIGHTER170]

Last year 220 Jack Taylor at semi state/state beating numerous studs and placing 5th at state as a baby in the sport.

[Silence Dogood]

Cooper Samuels…unranked state champ.

 

Edited December 7, 2021 by Silence Dogood

[Wrestlingfan937]

Heavyweight from connersville last year got a lot of hype after his semi state title 

[BrodyHardcastle]

Eli Stock’s state title run 

[TripleB]

I think the question was big December wins..... 

 

Man I've thought about this for days and can't remember names but at Mooresville around 2012 or 2013 an unraked kid from Evansville Central, not Kemper or Kelley, hit a nasty mixer on a #1 ranked kid from Yorktown and pinned him. 

 

That was a big December win, I'm not sure he qualified for state but upsets of that magnitude don't come along that often in wrestling. 

[Y2CJ41]

17 minutes ago, TripleB said:

I think the question was big December wins..... 

 

Man I've thought about this for days and can't remember names but at Mooresville around 2012 or 2013 an unraked kid from Evansville Central, not Kemper or Kelley, hit a nasty mixer on a #1 ranked kid from Yorktown and pinned him. 

 

That was a big December win, I'm not sure he qualified for state but upsets of that magnitude don't come along that often in wrestling. 

Brendan Kelley over Chandler Carroll?

[TripleB]

Nope, before that I think. 

[Fabio Jr.]

The 04/05 Al Smith was my Break out tournament.

 

Joey Smith from Mishawaka put on a show in 06/07 making it to the finals unseeded. 

[Cody Moll]

47 minutes ago, TripleB said:

I think the question was big December wins..... 

 

Man I've thought about this for days and can't remember names but at Mooresville around 2012 or 2013 an unraked kid from Evansville Central, not Kemper or Kelley, hit a nasty mixer on a #1 ranked kid from Yorktown and pinned him. 

 

That was a big December win, I'm not sure he qualified for state but upsets of that magnitude don't come along that often in wrestling. 

Austin Chamberlain. I believe it was over Hiestand?

[Silence Dogood]

4 hours ago, TripleB said:

I think the question was big December wins..... 

 

 

I know...but I couldn't resist the opportunity to get my annual unranked-to-state champ Cooper Samuels joke in...

[TripleB]

4 hours ago, Cody Moll said:

Austin Chamberlain. I believe it was over Hiestand?

 

That's it!

[Caleb Spires]

My old teammate and coach’s son, Kenny Kerrn.

 

He was injured during the state series as a sophomore but started off his junior year at 152 and took three early losses(albeit all to ranked wrestlers, I believe). Then made it down to 145 for the Al Smith where he teched returning state placer(and soon to be state runner-up) Kasper McIntosh in the quarterfinals while cruising through the rest of the tournament.