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Cardinals claim top spot in SCISA wrestling





Hammond’s Drew Turner (l) goes for a shot against Cardinal Newman’s Jonathan Dootson at the 170 lb. weight class.

Hammond’s Drew Turner (l) goes for a shot against Cardinal Newman’s Jonathan Dootson at the 170 lb. weight class.

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The Cardinal Newman Cardinals claimed the top seed in SCISA wrestling for the upcoming state dual meet with a 45-30 win over the Hammond Skyhawks at Hammond Wednesday, January 25.

John Maddock got the Cardinals on the board first pinning Hammond’s Cannon Dorsey a minute and 20 seconds into the 106 lb. match.

Hammond bounced back in the 113 lb. match as Kendale Hemingway was able to outlast Dyllan Gorrin winning 8-3 on points. Gorrin was threatening to close the gap, but a two-point reversal for Hemingway sealed the victory and cut the Cardinal team lead to 6-3.

Hammond evened the overall score at 6-6 when Duncan Ellison was able to beat the Cardinals’ Luke Petit by a count of 8-3. The two combined for eight points in the third and final period, which included a takedown by Petit and a reversal by Ellison.

Hammond’s Jamison Phillips (top) and Cardinal Newman’s Emmanuel Cunningham battle at the 145 lb. weight class.

Hammond’s Jamison Phillips (top) and Cardinal Newman’s Emmanuel Cunningham battle at the 145 lb. weight class.

The Skyhawks grabbed an 18-6 team lead after Zavier Harrison and Logan Sheppard took the 126 lb. and 132 lb. classes, respectively, with Cardinal Newman forfeits.

Aiden Hartel cut the Cardinal Newman deficit to 18-12 earning a pin at the 138 lb class midway through the second period.

In one of the most entertaining matches of the day, Hammond’s Jamison Phillips fought off multiple near pins by Emmanuel Cunningham at 145. With 1:17 left in the second period, Phillips got a reversal then pinned Cunningham for the win giving the Skyhawks a 24- 12 advantage.

Cardinal Newman’s Andrew Morrison won by forfeit at the 152 lb. class, and then Bucky O’Malley earned a pin 40 seconds into his match at 160 to tie the team score at 24-24.

Jonathan Dootson grabbed a 6-2 victory over Hammond’s Drew Turner to put Cardinal Newman ahead for good. Dootson got a couple of takedowns and a reversal in the match. Turner earned a couple of escapes.

Cardinal Newman’s Taylor Reed (top) looks to go for a pin against Hammond’s Henry Cole in the 220 lb. weight class.

Cardinal Newman’s Taylor Reed (top) looks to go for a pin against Hammond’s Henry Cole in the 220 lb. weight class.

Hammond had to forfeit the 182 lb. and 195 lb. classes, and then the Cardinals’ Taylor Reed earned a pin 38 seconds into his 220 lb. match to put Cardinal Newman up 45-24.

Hammond won the 285 lb. class with a forfeit to set the final score.

The Cardinals will go for their fourth straight state championship at the SCISA State Tournament which begins on February 4 at Cardinal Newman. The Skyhawks will be there as the No. 2 seed. Heathwood Hall and Ben Lippen will also be vying for the title.


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