Cody Selby and Levi Michener of Gallatin competed at the Kids USA Folkstyle National Tournament
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Cody Selby and Levi Michener of Gallatin competed at the Kids USA Folkstyle National Tournament in Cedar Falls, IA this past weekend. Over 2000 kids competed ranging from age 7 to 16. Twenty three states were represented at the tournament coming from as far away as Florida, Hawaii, and Alaska.
Twenty full size mats were laid out on the football field of the UNI-Dome, at the University of Northern Iowa. It was quite an imposing sight for the boys, but they maintained focus and wrestled exceptionally well. Cody was placed in a bracket with 30 other wrestlers, and Levi with 50.
The highlight of the trip was the stunning upset Cody pulled off by defeating the defending National Champion in the first round. With 30 seconds remaining in the match, and trailing 6-3, Cody’s opponent, from Indiana, attempted a takedown. Cody performed a textbook cross-face and threw his opponent straight to his back. Cody then held the young man in a headlock until time ran out. Receiving 2 points for the takedown and 3 points for a near-fall, Cody prevailed 8-6.
Cody lost a hard fought match in the second round against an opponent from Iowa, then pinned another Iowa wrestler for the right to move on and wrestle on Sunday. Sunday’s tough match against a Minnesota wrestler finally saw Cody bow out of the tournament after what should be considered a fantastic showing.
Levi drew the three-time defending state champion from Wisconsin in the first round and while only trailing 4-2 late in the 2nd period, got caught in a bad position and fell victim to a fall. On the consolation side of the bracket, Levi drew another opponent from Wisconsin. Falling behind 5-0 early in the match, Levi fought back to within a point with 20 seconds remaining. Levi then performed an escape to tie it up, then executed a double leg takedown and a three-point near fall to win 10-5 in exciting fashion. Levi did not fare so well in his third match, falling to yet another Wisconsin opponent and ending his day.
Levi and Cody are both members of the Gallatin Youth Wrestling Club. This tournament proved to be a valuable experience for the boys, offering the opportunity to wrestle against some of the best youth wrestlers in the country.