Wrestling: Lowell junior finally wins title; Crown Point places 11 in semistate

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Crown Point's Tyler Kral holds down Lowell's Tyler Wright in the 220-pound championship during the individual wrestling regional in Crown Point, Ind. Saturday February 4, 2012. Crown Point's Kral won the match to take first place in the 220-pound class. | Stephanie Dowell~Sun-Times Media

Updated: March 6, 2012 8:26AM

CROWN POINT — Lowell’s Mitch Roadruck lost in the first round of the regional the past two years.

At Saturday’s Crown Point Regional, the Red Devils junior didn’t know exactly what to expect.

“I wasn’t looking past anybody,’’ Roadruck said with a smile on his face after winning the title at 138 pounds. “I came in here today, knowing anyone who wrestled me wouldn’t be able to keep up the pace that I could. I knew coming in, I was the most well-conditioned.’’

Roadruck recorded pins in the third period of his first two matches Saturday, before beating Chesterton’s Joe Kelly (7-2) in the finals to capture the regional title.

“This means a lot to me,’’ he said. “The last two years, I didn’t even make it past the first round. After those two pins, I knew I was having a good day and everything was going to be good. It was huge.

“The key for me was to stay in solid position the whole time and not take any risks unless I needed to. We go to the same (wrestling club) so I knew a lot of his offense. I knew if I could weather the storm, I could wear him down and beat him. It’s a monkey off my back, for sure.’’

Roadruck was one of three Red Devils — they qualified eight athletes for semistate — to win titles. Alex Mavros (132) and Jeremy Crocker (170) also won crowns.

Crown Point, which won its fifth straight regional team title Wednesday night, had seven athletes win individual titles and 11 wrestlers qualify for Saturday’s Merrillville Semistate, including Jason Tsirtsis.

The amazing Tsirtsis won his fourth consecutive regional crown, beating Hanover Central’s Charlie Mavros by technical fall, 21-6.

“He felt a little more defensive this time,’’ Tsirtsis said. “I wanted to make sure I teched him, so he realizes he’s not closing the gap on me. He had a little bit different gameplan. He might have thought he could close the gap.’’

Tsirtsis, who lost twice as a freshman, has never lost a home match at CP.

“It’s been a good four years,’’ he said. “It’s been a fun four years.’’

Other Bulldogs winning titles were Darden Schurg (113) and Dusty Schurg (160); Morgan Kral (182); Matt Langbehn (195); Tyler Kral (220) and Josh Swope (285).

Hanover Central’s Stevan Micic (106) and Paul Petrov (120) both won titles. It was the third straight regional crown for Petrov, who beat CP’s Josh Fuqua, and the first for Micic, who pinned CP’s Brett Ervin to record his third pin of the day.

“In my first-round match, I felt sluggish and not like I should,’’ Petrov said. “I felt a lot better in my second match. I was moving my feet, controlling the tie-ups, taking them down and making my turns and everything. I took that momentum into the championship match and got the major decision (13-2) I was looking for. I finally got that separation and that gap I wanted. I feel like I’m starting to peak.’’

Said Micic: “I’m happy. I’m proud. It feels good. I’ve still got a little more work to do. I just have to get ready for next week. The key for me was wrestling like I do in practice. I just wrestle as hard as I can.’’