Simley High School Wrestlers Finish Third at National Duals

Simley High School’s high-powered wrestling team went against some of the nation's best wrestling teams last week and did well.

Ranked fifth in the nation, the Spartans finished third at the Clash IX National High School Wrestling Duals at the University Center Rochester Field House in Rochester Friday and Saturday.

Thirty two of the best high school wrestling teams in the country competed, including top-ranked Apple Valley, fourth-ranked Brandon, Fla. and ninth-ranked Waverly-Shell Rock, Iowa. The Spartans are the three-time defending Minnesota Class AA champions.

In the Championship Bracket Saturday, Simley lost to Brandon 40-23 and Apple Valley 42-20 before defeating Carl Sandberg 41-16 in round three to finish third in the tournament. Apple Valley topped Brandon 34-16 to win the tournament title.

Simley wrestling coach Will Short was proud of his wrestlers, but said he was frustrated by the Spartans' close calls with No. 1 Apple Valley or No. 4 Brandon.

“We wrestled to our seed and took care of beating the teams we were supposed to beat,” Short said. “Against Brandon and Apple Valley we won five matches against each of those teams and we lost a lot of close matches. It could have gotten real interesting. There were some missed opportunities, but it was a great accomplishment for our kids at Simley.

“We were right there,” Short added.

Simley won Bracket D Friday, going 3-0, which secured the Spartans a spot in Saturday’s Championship Bracket against Apple Valley, Brandon and Carl Sandburg.

On Friday, wrestling in Bracket D, Simley defeated Baylor, Tenn., 45-15; thumped Hastings 49-9 and topped Waverly-Shell Rock 34-28 in the Bracket D first-place match.

Against Brandon, Simley winners were: Kyle Gliva (103), Juan Torres (112), Pedro DeLao (119), Jake Short (140) and Matt Kadrlik (285).

Against Apple Valley, the Simley winners were Gliva, Torres, DeLao, Nick Wanzek (145) and Kadrlik.

In the final match against Carl Sandberg, the Spartans won 10 of 14 matches, getting wins from Gliva, Torres, Cola Jensen (125), Mack Short (130), Jake Short (140), Wanzek, Dan Dick (152), Micah Barnes (160), Mykar Groves (189) and Cody Hazelett (215).

“I think we had some kids perform,” Short said. “Kyle Gliva went 6-0 at 103 and Juan Torres made the Clash all-tournament team at 112. Those guys had phenomenal tournaments. Nick Wanzek at 145 pounds, he avenged two losses. It was a great tournament for Nick.”

 “I’m excited and proud of the Simley kids,” Short added. “They wrestled their hearts out for each other. And the thing is, unlike some teams, we don’t have a lot of transfers. Our kids have been there from day one. It’s pretty exciting.”