Sunday, January 22, 2006

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By Bob White
Special to The Courier-Journal

South Oldham High School's Taylor Scherer won the most exciting match, but Trinity edged the host school for the team title at the Dragon Invitational wrestling tournament last night at South Oldham.

Trinity placed six wrestlers in finals, but only defending state heavyweight champion Mike Clark won. However, the Shamrocks compiled 2051/2points to 203 for South Oldham, which had three individual winners in Daniel Murner (119 pounds), Derek Scott (125) and Scherer (215).

"We had a great semifinal," Trinity coach Eddie Rudolph said. "We needed that win by Clark and for Scherer not to pin his opponent (Courtney Coffey, Tennessee's defending state 215 champion from Pope John Paul in Hendersonville). It was a total team effort."

Ryle finished third in the 17-team field with 199 points, followed by Simon Kenton at 1841/2 and Fern Creek at 156.

Clark (18-0), sidelined the past two weeks by a knee injury, beat Corey Peters of Central 3-2 in the 275 final. Clark never has lost to Peters.

"We've wrestled many times because he's in my district," Clark said. "I had a goal that this was my first weekend back and no excuses if I lost. Corey and I have close matches every time we wrestle."

Scherer edged Coffey 4-3 in last year's tourney, but this time Coffey lifted Scherer into the air two times before Scherer broke a 3-3 tie and took a 6-3 lead early in the third and last period.

"I knew he was gunning for me," Scherer said. "I was in better condition this time, and he was in worse condition."

Coffey, who lost his first match in 35 starts this season, had a large group of teammates cheering loudly for him. South Oldham fans rooted strong for Scherer (28-1).

"It's awesome to have a crowd like that," Scherer said. "I love the students supporting me."

Scott (35-0), the defending state champion at 125, won that class again by beating Tyler Baines of St. Xavier 9-0. Scott said his goal is to finish the season unbeaten.

"It would be the first time I've ever done that, and it would make me a two-time state champion," he said. "You can't overlook anybody because anybody can be beaten."

Murner defeated Nick Norwood of St. X 9-5 in the 119 final.

John Wolsiefer (37-1) and Deon Chaney (35-6) gave Fern Creek victories at 152 and 189, respectively.

Eastern also had two winners in freshman Joaquin Luna (35-2) at 112 and junior Ben Rupp (31-4) at 171.

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