FORT CARSON, Colo. (March 30, 2015) -- Staff Sgt. Aaron Sieracki came out of competitive wrestling retirement to win three matches. Armed Forces wrestling rookie Pvt. Michael Hooker struck gold in his first tournament against Marines, Airmen and Sailors.
They represented the old and the new as All-Army won its 14th consecutive Armed Forces Wrestling Championship, March 28-29, at the Morale, Welfare and Recreation Special Events Center at Fort Carson.
"Fourteen in a row is great," said All-Army head coach Shon Lewis, who led Soldiers to all those titles. "The last one feels just as good as the first one -- even better, because it's fresh."
Lewis, an Olympic wrestling coach who also leads wrestlers in the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program at Fort Carson, accomplished the coaching feat after completing a 10-year Army career on the mat.
U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program Olympian and two-time World medalist Sgt. Justin Lester and WCAP Sgt. Caylor Williams also won their Greco-Roman divisions for the Black and Gold.
In freestyle competition, WCAP Soldiers Sgt. Max Nowry, Capt. William Simpson, Sgt. Vlad Dombrovsky, Sgt. Moza Faye and Pfc. Victor Terrell won their respective weight classes.
Several Soldiers also earned silver medals: Sgt. Jamel Johnson, Capt. Jon Anderson, Spc. Matthew Lamb and Nowry in freestyle; along with Nowry, Johnson, Anderson and Lamb in Greco-Roman.
The tournament was contested in a round-robin format of dual team matches between All-Army, All-Marine Corps, All-Air Force and All-Navy wrestlers competing in three Greco-Roman matches on Friday, followed by three freestyle matches on Saturday.
The Army rolled to Greco-Roman victories by scores of 29-4 over Navy, 34-0 over Air Force, and 24-9 over Marine Corps. In freestyle, Army won 27-12 over Air Force, 35-4 over Navy, and 22-14 over Marine Corps.
In the overall team standings, Army prevailed with 172 points, followed by Marine Corps (121), Air Force (80) and Navy (70).
Hooker, a three-time Tennessee high school champion, attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga on an ROTC grant. He made his mark in the 71-kilogram Greco-Roman division with an 8-0 technical fall victory over Marine Corps 1st Lt. Robby Neill. He also pinned Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Ronald Latimer of the USS America at San Diego in 2 minutes, 29 seconds, and pinned Air Force Staff Sgt. Ryan Vottero of Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, in 38 seconds.
"He's a young gun, and it's very encouraging to see how he's progressing and where he's come from since November," Lewis said. "I'm excited to see what happens with him over the next several months and years to come. He won the Dave Schultz International Tournament, which qualified him for the World Team Trials. It's going to be interesting to see what he does in Las Vegas in about six weeks."
Sieracki, an Armed Forces veteran wrestler as both a Soldier and an Airman, filled a gap in the All-Army lineup.
"It's not part of our DNA to lose Armed Forces," said Sieracki, 39, who last May left his shoes on the mat -- wrestlers' time-honored symbol of retirement from competition -- at the 2014 Open Championships in Las Vegas.
"Just for a weekend," Sieracki said with a smile when asked about making a comeback just two weeks shy of his 40th birthday. "Anything I can do for the Black and Gold, and for the Army. This is the toughest, smallest tournament I've been in. I've wrestled in this every year for the last 17 or 18 years. The intensity with the service branches, you can't beat it. Any way I can give back to the Army and WCAP is a great feeling. To come out and win it again is good. It's probably 12 or 13 titles for me, so it's nice."
Lewis knew he could count on Sieracki in a pinch, but said this would be his last hurrah.
"That's a testament to the Black and Gold, about family and dedication to the program when we need a guy to step up," Lewis said. "He wasn't in wrestling shape, but he definitely was Army Strong. He went out there and did what he had to do to get it done, so I'm proud of him. But I'm going to have to officially retire him after this competition."
"This is the last time he will wrestle at Armed Forces and I'm glad he was able to do it at home at Fort Carson."
A couple more military wrestlers became pioneers of sorts as Army Capt. Leigh Jaynes-Provisor of Fort Carson pinned Marine Cpl. Melissa Apodaca of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, in the inaugural women's match at the Armed Forces Wrestling Championships.
The freestyle match of the day turned momentum Army's way against the Marines when Capt. William Simpson, the third in a line of WCAP wrestling brothers from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, rallied from an 8-0 deficit and pinned Naval Academy wrestler 1st Lt. Aaron Kalil of Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia.
Rarely does Lewis set foot on the mats any more -- deferring to his assistant coaches to work the corners. But he rushed onto the mat and gave Simpson a congratulatory bear hug after the dramatic rally.
"That was definitely the bout of the day," Lewis said. "I was just happy for him because that means a lot, and I know what it means. I remember winning my first Armed Forces in 1991. It means a lot and I wanted him to know that I'm behind him and supporting him 100 percent. He was down 8-0 and he came back, and it was 8-7, and then he ended up pinning him.
"I know that's going to be something he always remembers. I wanted him to know that it meant a lot not only to him and his family and the United States Army, but it meant a lot to me. I wanted to make sure that he knew that we're one team, one Army -- one team, one fight."
The Armed Forces Championships determined the U.S. team that will compete in the Conseil Internationale du Sport Militaire's 2015 Military World Games, scheduled for Oct. 6 through 10 in Mungyeong, Korea.
"I'm happy and blessed to be part of this program and able to pull off what we've been able to pull off so far," said Lewis, 48. "But now, today, we start working for another one."
That would be potential number 13 in a row at the 2015 Open Wrestling Championships, set for May 8-9 in Las Vegas. The Army has won 12 consecutive Greco-Roman team titles at that tournament, formerly known as the U.S. National Championships.
Armed Forces Championships
GRECO-ROMAN RESULTS
ARMY 29, NAVY 4
59 kg/130 lbs -- Max Nowry (Army) def. Angel Oliveras (Navy), tech fall 8-0
66 kg/145.5 lbs -- Jamel Johnson (Army) def. Josh Walborn (Navy), tech fall 11-0
71 kg/156 lbs -- Michael Hooker (Army) def. Bobby Yamashita (Navy), fall 2:29
75 kg/165 lbs -- Justin Lester (Army) def. Ronald Latimer (Navy), tech fall 9-0
80 kg/176 lbs -- Aaron Sieracki (Army) def. Joshua Moulton (Navy), tech fall 8-0
85 kg/187 lbs -- James Souza (Navy) def. Jon Anderson (Army), tech fall 8-0
98 kg/216 lbs -- Caylor Williams (Army) def. Antonio Harris (Navy), tech fall 11-0
130 kg/286.5 lbs -- Matt Lamb (Army) def. Teddy Gardner (Navy), tech fall 8-0
MARINES 23, AIR FORCE 13
59 kg -- Aaron Kalil (Marines) def. Randy Duncan (Air Force), tech fall 10-2
66 kg -- Bryce Saddoris (Marines) def. Nathan Higgins (Air Force), tech fall 10-0
71 kg -- Robby Neill (Marines) def. Ryan Vottero (Air Force), tech fall 8-0
75 kg -- Michael Brant (Marines) def. Tyler Westlund (Air Force), tech fall 12-4
80 kg -- Sherwin Severin (Air Force) def. Daniel Matthews (Marines), 4-4
85 kg -- Brandon Johnson (Air Force) def. Tim Stahl (Marines), tech fall 12-2
98 kg -- Eric Lapotsky (Air Force) def. Dustin Lewis (Marines), tech fall 8-0
130 kg -- David Arendt (Marines) WIN by forfeit
ARMY 34, AIR FORCE 0
59 kg -- Max Nowry (Army) def. Randy Duncan (Air Force), tech fall 8-0
66 kg -- Jamel Johnson (Army) def. Nathan Higgins (Air Force), tech fall 10-0
71 kg -- Michael Hooker (Army) def. Ryan Vottero (Air Force), tech fall 16-0
75 kg -- Justin Lester (Army) def. Tyler Westlund (Air Force), fall 1:02
80 kg -- Aaron Sieracki (Army) def. Sherwin Severin (Air Force), 4-0
85 kg -- Jon Anderson (Army) def. Brandon Johnson (Air Force), tech fall 8-0
98 kg -- Caylor Williams (Army) def. Eric Lapotsky (Air Force), inj. def.
130 kg -- Matt Lamb (Army) def. Joel Bane (Air Force), tech fall 10-0
MARINES 21, NAVY 12
59 kg -- Aaron Kalil (Marines) def. Angel Oliveras (Navy), tech fall 9-0
66 kg -- Bryce Saddoris (Marines) def. Josh Walborn (Navy), tech fall 8-0
71 kg -- Robby Neill (Marines) def. Bobby Yamashita (Navy), 5-0
75 kg -- Michael Brant (Marines) def. Ronald Latimer (Navy), tech fall 12-4
80 kg -- Joshua Moulton (Navy) def. Daniel Matthews (Marines), tech fall 8-0
85 kg -- James Souza (Navy) def. Tim Stahl (Marines), tech fall 12-0
98 kg -- Antonio Harris (Navy) def. Dustin Lewis (Marines), 6-2
130 kg -- David Arendt (Marines) def. Teddy Gardner (Navy), fall 1:46
ARMY 24, MARINES 9
59 kg -- Aaron Kalil (Marines) def. Max Nowry (Army), 4-4
66 kg -- Bryce Saddoris (Marines) def. Jamel Johnson (Army), 7-0
71 kg -- Michael Hooker (Army) def. Robby Neill (Marines), tech fall 8-0
75 kg -- Justin Lester (Army) def. Michael Brant (Marines), tech fall 8-0
80 kg -- Aaron Sieracki (Army) def. Daniel Matthews (Marines), pin 0:57
85 kg -- Jon Anderson (Army) def. Tim Stahl (Marines), tech fall 9-0
98 kg -- Caylor Williams (Army) def. Dustin Lewis (Marines), fall 0:50
130 kg -- David Arendt (Marines) def. Matt Lamb (Army), 3-1
AIR FORCE 21, NAVY 17
59 kg -- Randy Duncan (Air Force) def. Angel Oliveras (Navy), tech fall 10-2
66 kg -- Nathan Higgins (Air Force), def. Josh Walborn (Navy), pin 0:37
71 kg -- Bobby Yamashita (Navy) def. Ryan Vottero (Air Force), tech fall 8-0
75 kg -- Tyler Westlund (Air Force) def. Ronald Latimer (Navy), tech fall 13-4
80 kg -- Sherwin Severin (Air Force) def. Joshua Moulton (Navy), 6-4
85 kg -- James Souza (Navy) def. Brandon Johnson (Air Force), fall 2:07
98 kg -- Eric Lapotsky (Air Force) def. Antonio Harris (Navy), fall 5:12
130 kg - Teddy Gardner (Navy) def. Joel Bane (Air Force), fall 0:20
TOP INDIVIDUAL FINISHERS
59 KG
Gold -- Aaron Kalil (Marines)
Silver -- Max Nowry (Army)
66 KG
Gold -- Bryce Saddoris (Marines)
Silver -- Jamel Johnson (Army)
71 KG
Gold -- Michael Hooker (Army)
Silver -- Robby Neill (Marines)
75 KG
Gold -- Justin Lester (Army)
Silver -- Michael Brant (Marines)
80 KG
Gold -- Aaron Sieracki (Army)
Silver -- Sherwin Severin (Air Force)
85 KG
Gold -- James Souza (Navy)
Silver -- Jon Anderson (Army)
98 KG
Gold -- Caylor Williams (Army)
Silver -- Eric Lapotsky (Air Force)
130 KG
Gold -- David Arendt (Marines)
Silver -- Matt Lamb (Army)
FREESTYLE DUAL MEETS
ARMY 35, NAVY 4
57 kg/126 lbs -- Max Nowry (Army) def. Angel Oliveras (Navy), tech fall 12-0
61 kg/134 lbs -- William Simpson (Army) def. Sheldon Wilder (Navy), fall 1:43
65 kg/143 lbs -- Warren Stewart (Army) def. Adam Montoya (Navy), tech fall 12-2
70 kg/154 lbs -- Vlad Dombrosky (Army) def. Blake Borges (Navy), tech fall 12-1
74 kg/163 lbs -- Moza Fay (Army) def. Ronnie Latmer (Navy), fall 0:24
86 kg/190 lbs -- Victor Terrell (Army) def. James Souza (Navy), tech fall 12-1
97 kg/214 lbs -- Meza Endhyr (Army) def. Keenan Feldpausch (Navy), tech fall 14-6
125 kg/276 lbs -- Sean Owen (Army) def. Teddy Gardner (Navy), fall 0:53
AIR FORCE 19, MARINES 18
57 kg -- Rueben Navejas (Marines) def. Jeffrey Warra (Air Force), tech fall 11-0
61 kg -- Aaron Kalil (Marines) def. Tyler Knepper (Air Force), tech fall 10-0
65 kg -- Cole VonOhlen (Air Force) def. Bryce Saddoris (Marines), tech fall 16-6
70 kg -- Robby Neill (Marines) def. Ryan Vottero (Air Force), tech fall 14-3
74 kg -- Tyler Westlund (Air Force) def. Michael Brant (Marines), fall 3:38
86 kg -- Brandon Johnson (Air Force) def. Dan Matthews (Marines), tech fall 11-0
97 kg -- Eric Lapotsky (Air Force) def. Dustin Lewis (Marines), fall 2:32
125 kg -- David Arendt (Marines) WIN by forfeit
ARMY 22, MARINES 14
57 kg -- Max Nowry (Army) def. Rueben Navejas (Marines), 9-2
61 kg -- William Simpson (Army) def. Aaron Kalil (Marines), fall 5:32
65 kg -- Bryce Saddoris (Marines) def. Warren Stewart (Army), tech fall 16-4
70 kg -- Vlad Dombrosky (Army) def. Robby Neill (Marines), tech fall 13-0
74 kg -- Moza Fay (Army) def. Michael Brant (Marines), tech fall 11-0
86 kg -- Victor Terrell (Army) def. Dan Matthews (Marines), tech fall 10-0
97 kg -- Dustin Lewis (Marines) def. Meza Endhyr (Army), inj 1:13
125 kg -- David Arendt (Marines) def. Sean Owen (Army), tech fall 12-1
NAVY 22, AIR FORCE 15
57 kg -- Jeffrey Warra (Air Force) def. Angel Oliveras (Navy), fall 4:39
61 kg -- Sheldon Wilder (Navy) def. Tyler Knepper (Air Force), tech fall 13-0
65 kg -- Cole VonOhlen (Air Force) def. Adam Montoya (Navy), fall 0:41
70 kg -- Blake Borges (Navy) def. Ryan Vottero (Air Force), 11-6
74 kg -- Ronnie Latmer (Navy) def. Tyler Westlund (Air Force), inj. 3:00
86 kg -- James Souza (navy) def. Brandon Johnson (Air Force), fall 2:54
97 kg -- Eric Lapotsky (Air Force) def. Keenan Feldpausch (Navy), tech fall 10-0
125 kg -- Teddy Gardner (Navy) def. Joel Bane (Air Force), fall 0:41
ARMY 27, AIR FORCE 12
57 kg -- Max Nowry (Army) def. Jeffrey Warra (Air Force), tech fall 12-1
61 kg -- William Simpson (Army) def. Tyler Knepper (Air Force), fall 2:47
65 kg -- Cole VonOhlen (Air Force) def. Warren Stewart (Army), fall 1:59
70 kg -- Vlad Dombrosky (Army) def. Ryan Vottero (Air Force), tech fall 12-1
74 kg -- Moza Fay (Army) WIN by forfeit
86 kg -- Victor Terrell (Army) def. Brandon Johnson (Air Force), tech fall 10-0
97 kg -- Eric Lapotsky (Air Force) WIN by forfeit
125 kg -- Shawn Owen (Army) WIN by forfeit
MARINES 31, NAVY 5
57 kg -- Rueben Navejas (Marines) def. Angel Oliveras (Navy), tech fall 10-0
61 kg -- Aaron Kalil (Marines) def. Sheldon Wilder (Navy), 5-3
65 kg -- Bryce Saddoris (Marines) def. Adrian Montoya (Navy), fall 0:26
70 kg -- Robby Neill (Marines) def. Blake Borges (Navy), 6-0
74 kg -- Michael Brant (Marines) def. Ronnie Latmer (Navy), fall 4:00
86 kg -- James Souza (Navy) def. Dan Matthews (Marines), tech fall 11-1
97 kg -- Dustin Lewis (Marines) def. Keenan Feldpausch (Navy), fall 0:35
125 kg -- David Arendt (Marines) def. Teddy Gardner (Navy), fall 1:17
INDIVIDUAL FINISHERS
57 kg
Gold -- Max Nowry (Army)
Silver -- Rueben Navejas (Marines)
61 kg
Gold -- William Simpson (Army)
Silver -- Aaron Kalil (Marines)
65 kg
Gold -- Cole VonOhlen (Air Force)
Silver -- Bryce Saddoris (Marines)
70 kg
Gold -- Vlad Dombrosky (Army)
Silver -- Robby Neill (Marines)
74 kg
Gold -- Moza Fay (Army)
86 kg
Gold -- Victor Terrell (Army)
Silver -- James Souza (Navy)
97 kg
Gold -- Eric Lapotsky (Air Force)
Silver -- Dustin Lewis (Marines)
125 kg
Gold -- David Arendt (Marines)
Silver -- Sean Owen (Army)
WOMEN'S FREESTYLE RESULT
58 kg/128 lbs -- Leigh Jaynes-Provisor (Army) def. Melissa Apodaca (Marines), fall
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