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Sabers earn All-American status, Creese National Champion

By TKN, 07/23/18, 11:45AM CDT

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Shakopee wrestling has another National Champion.

This time it’s Paxton Creese.

Creese, who will be a junior this fall, capped off his summer season with a Greco Roman National Championship win this past Saturday with a 13-4 decision over Florida’s Ryan Rowland in the 113 pound weight class.

Creese got out to a commanding lead after giving up a 2 point correct throw with 11 points of his own.

From that point Creese surmounted a perfectly executed defense that insured his victory.

“This season has been a great ride for me with a runner up at state, Pan American Gold and now a National Championship, but I am not satisfied. There is room for improvement and unfinished business that I need to get done.”, said Creese.

For now Creese added he will enjoy some rest time but will be back on the mat working towards next seasons goals.

Lloyd earns double All-American Honors

In his last youth event, South Dakota State incoming freshman Alex Lloyd capped off his season with a 2nd Place Freestyle finish and 6th place finish in Greco-Roman.

The ever tenacious Lloyd bulldozed his way into the national finals to face a familiar foe Brayton Lee of Indiana.

Lloyd got out to a 3-0 lead early but was unable to maintain the advantage in the second period as Lee countered with 3 points of his own to win the match 3-3 due to tie breaker criteria rules.

Lloyd sustained an injury in the Greco-Roman semi-finals and injury defaulted to 6th place.

Lloyd finishes his youth career with 9 individual National All-American placements including 1 National Greco-Roman Championship.

DJ Smith earns his first All-American Honors

Last season’s 195 pounder DJ Smith found himself in battling his way into the 7th place match against Colin Jagielski of Michigan. The match was dominated by Smith as he earned a tech-fall over Jagielski halfway through the first period. The 7th place finish earned Smith his first Cadet All-American honors of his bright career.

Also wrestling both styles was incoming senior Tyler Jones.

Jones had an impressive tournament improving on previous year finishes. Jones went 3-2 in the Freestyle tournament and went 5-2 in the Greco-Roman Tournament coming up just one match shy of earning All-American status.

Shakopee Mat Club congratulates our wrestlers and their accomplishments.