The 2010 Brute Adidas Nationals (BAN) was another successful event for tournament participants, coaches, family members and fans. Over 1400 competitors came to Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City during the 7th annual event April 2-4 for over 2800 matches. “The event was a huge success for us with growth in every area including participants, coaches, attendees, fan fest, clinics and interactive ability including a new mobile site,” said Mary Mallis, Director of Marketing and Communications for the Henson Group, event partner of the Brute Adidas Nationals. “What a great weekend of wrestling and events for the entire family.”

Here are some of the results, highlights and accomplishments from the weekend:

First Grade: The first grade division is full of firsts – literally. It includes first-time Brute adidas Nationals participants, first time All-Americans and first-time national champions. Those who claimed national championships in their first BAN include: Garret Grice of Nebraska at 43 pounds, Andres Mendoza of Texas (46), Antrell Taylor of Nebraska (49), Easton Taylor of Kansas (52), Clayton Moison of Kansas (55), Austin Mages of Kansas (61), Jared Neel of Missouri (68) and Colby Stephens of Kansas (hwt).

Second Grade: In the second grade division Gabe Grice of Nebraska earned the 55 pound championship with a hard-earned 1-0 win over Christian Goin of Illinois. Grice is now a two-time BAN champion – he won the 49 pound division as a first grader. Hunter Williams of Missouri took home his second straight Brute Adidas Nationals title. Williams, who won the 52 pound title as a first-grader, earned a title at 61 pounds with a fall over Jarron Williams of Oklahoma in 50 seconds. In the heavyweight division, Zackary Gonzales of Kansas became a two-time BAN All-American with a third place finish. Gonzales finished second in 2009 in first grade. Jackson Hartley of Kansas won the 2010 2nd grade heavyweight title with a 4-0 win over Maverick Sadler of Missouri

Third Grade: Samuel Fair of Indiana stormed through the brackets on the way to the third grade, 55 pound title. Fair did not give up a point and outscored his opponents 19-0 on the way to the title. He won the title by the score of 11-0. Easton Graff of Iowa won the 2009 BAN 2nd grade title at 52 pounds, and added another title to his name with a 2010 title at 60 pounds. Graff went 3-0 in the tournament and earned the title with a close 1-0 win over Darryl Rylant of Kansas in the finals. Thaddeus Hanmel of Indiana, a 2009 runner-up at 61 pounds, earned a 2010 title with a fall at 1:30 over Tanner Johnson of Kansas. Bret Bobber of Kansas won the 75 pound title one year after placing third in the 68 pound second grade division.

Fourth Grade: Earning All-American honors in 2009 was a nice accomplishment for Jaxson Roney of Oklahoma, Conner Ward of Kansas, Ryan Adams of Kansas and Hunter Christensen of Kansas, but earning national titles in 2010 is even better for this quartet of experienced BAN participants. Roney finished 3rd at 55 pounds in the third grade division last year, but earned the 60 pound title this year with a fall over Chappell Logan of Oklahoma in the finals. Ward, meanwhile, finished 5th at 60 pounds before earning the title with a pin in 50 seconds over Logan Brown of Kansas. Adams finished 8th at 70 pounds last year but the jump up 15 pounds served him well as he won the 85 pound title with a 9-4 win over Dakota Schmidt of Missouri. Christensen finished fourth at 92 pounds last season but earned the 108-pound title this year. Jalin Harper of Kansas earned another BAN title, this time winning the 80-pound championship after winning the 75 pound title in 2009.

Fifth Grade: In fifth grade action Mason Turner of Kansas, a 2009 runner-up at fourth grade, 55 pounds, emerged as a 2010 champion at 60.1 pounds. Turner defeated Levi Green of Kansas 5-0. Caleb Bartel of Kansas, a 2009 All-American at 60 pounds (3rd place) earned a 65 pound title with a 3-0 win over Paul Stuart of Kansas. Among those who earned a 2010 title were the brother combinations of Matt and Mike Berg of Colorado. Matt Berg won the 85 pound title with a fall over Watters Collton of Arkansas, while Mike Berg won the 92 pound title with a fall over Daniel Butler of Kansas.

Sixth Grade: Dillon Prutch of Oklahoma earned the 2010 65 pound title one year after finishing in 7th place at 70 pounds in the fifth grade division. Madison Roney of Oklahoma, a 2009 65 pound champion, won the 2010 70.1 pound championship, defeating Case Pemberton of Kansas in the finals. Earlier in the tournament, Pemberton talked about how much he enjoyed competing at the BAN. “This is a fun tournament, you get to see great competition and wrestle matches against kids from all over,” said Pemberton. “That’s what I like about it, it’s neat to be here.” Alan Clothier of Kansas won the 2009 92 pound fifth grade title and added another championship by winning the 2010 108 pound championship. Hunter Howerton of Kansas, a 100-pound All-American last year, won the 119-pound championship with a 3-2 win over John Hiltner of Missouri. Jacob Steiner won a 127-pound title last season and repeated this year, this time winning the 165-pound division.

Quotes from the Event:

“I like this tournament better than kid’s state. Here you can stand by the mat and watch your brother or friends, at state they make you sit in the stands.” – One young wrestler competing at the 2010 Brute adidas Nationals

“I love this event each year because we get to experience so many other things aside from the wrestling on the mats.” – 9^th Grade wrestler competing at the 2010 Brute adidas Nationals