Sunday, April 15, 2012
- by B.B. Branton
MADISON, Wisc.-- UTC freshman wrestler Nick Soto went 5-2 and placed sixth at the 2012 Junior Freestyle Nationals this weekend
Among Soto's five wins at 60 kilos (132.25 lbs) were consecutive victories against NCAA D-III All-American Jimmy Gotto, Minnesota signee Sam Brancale, Nebraska signee Ben Morgan and U.S. Cadet National Team member Zane Richards.
Richards (Ill.) won the USAW Junior Freestyle Nationals in Fargo, S.D. last summer and took second in the Greco-Roman competition, and placed seventh in the 2011 Cadet World Freestyle Championship.
Brancale is a two-time Minnesota state champion, while Morgan is a five-time Minnesota state medalist, including two state titles.
Gotto placed sixth at the NCAA D-III Championship this spring for Coe College (Iowa).
Three other Chattanooga wrestlers competed; Marvin Lopez (2-2, 1325) )who lost to Richards in the consolations, Adrian Thomas (0-2, 138.75 lbs.) and Austin Sams (1-2, 145.5 lbs).
Nick Soto - Consolaton Round (132.25)
Soto def. Jimmy Gotto, Pin, 6-0, 0:52
Soto def. Sam Brancale, 6-4, 4-3
Soto def. Ben Morgan, 3-0, 3-1
Soto def. Zane Richards, 2-1, 3-1
Soto then lost to Shelton Mack, 6-0, 4-1 and then lost in the fifth place match to to Matt Kelliher, 5-2, 6-0.
contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast,net