OKLAHOMA CITY —
The only thing standing between state titles for sophomores Kaid Brock and Joe Smith was one more opponent. For both wrestlers it was their toughest match of the season as Brock achieved perfection and Smith fell just short.
“(Owasso’s Jacob Fontanez) wasn’t going to allow me a lot of points,” Brock said. “I was after him the whole time.”
Stillwater coach Doug Chesbro said that’s the way the championships should be.
“There’s no walkovers,” Chesbro said. “Both wrestlers were under amazing pressure entering undefeated. It’s amazing for both of them to wrestle at that level and in front of that crowd.”
Brock scored an early takedown on Owasso’s Jacob Fontanez and followed with an escape in the second. Fontanez scored an escape but Brock didn’t allow anything else.
“I knew I was OK after I got that first takedown,” Brock said. “He wasn’t strong enough to take me down.”
Smith fell behind Putnam City’s Keegan Moore 4-2 in the first period but recovered with two takedowns to end the first tied at 6. Trailing 10-9 in the third, Smith quickly scored an escape and followed with a takedown. Moore came back with an escape and scored a takedown with 19 seconds left in the match. After the match Smith walked off dejected.
Chesbro said finishing the season undefeated is an amazing accomplishment for Brock.
“It’s a rare thing,” Chesbro said. “The further you go the more pressure. A big world was lifted off Kaid’s shoulders with that victory.”
Brock said it just shows how hard he worked all season.
“I showed everyone how much better I’ve got,” Brock said. “I have tears welling up because it’s such a big accomplishment. Coach Chesbro deserves a lot of credit for pushing me.”
In the consolation round, freshman Kennedy Monday won his semifinals match with a 10-3 decision over Owasso’s Hunter Youell. Monday fell in the finals to Garrett Rowe in a 6-0 decision, finishing his season with a 31-6 record.
Junior King Williams finished his season with a 22-7 record after losing in the consolation semifinals.
All six of Stillwater’s state qualifiers will be back next year, which is something that excites Chesbro.
“Every single point is returning,” Chesbro said. “We have a great group. We got a good group of junior highers that will join them next year.”
Brock is looking forward to wrestling this summer in Fargo, South Dakota for Nationals.
“I moved up a division last year and finished second,” Brock said. “I’m wanting to take the next step.”
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Related Photos
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Stillwater Sophomore Kaid Brock takes down Owasso's Jacob Fontanez in the 113-pound finals at the Oklahoma State Wrestling Tournament in Jim Norick arena. Brock won by decision 3-1 to finish the season 36-0. Andrew Glover
February 23, 2013
Stillwater's Brock wins state title; Smith falls in finals
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