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Benavides, Aston cap perfect seasons; Hale stuns field with state crown
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| She didn't win the district or regional title, but Cinco Ranch's Haley Hale (in maroon) stepped up when it mattered and won the state title at 119 pounds Saturday in Austin. (Times photo/Nick Georgandis) |
By Nick Georgandis
Sports Editor
At the state wrestling meet in Austin Saturday, Katy High School's James Aston and Cinco Ranch's Jim Benavides did what their records said they were supposed to.
Cougar Haley Hale did what no one thought was possible.
Hale, who lost a thrilling overtime match to Mayde Creek's Sara Cevallos at the District 21-5A meet three weeks ago, emerged out of the battlefield with a state crown Saturday, defeating El Paso Hanks Jenny Franco by a 7-3 count for the title. Hale had finished second at both the district and regional meets, truly saved the best for last at state.
Benavides and Aston both capped undefeated seasons. Benavides won the title at 145 pounds by virtue of a 4-1 victory over Hereford's Juan Alvarez.
Aston finished what perhaps is the most dominant career in the short history of Texas high school wrestling. In three years, Aston won three state titles, all at different weight classes. He capped an undefeated senior season with a close call in the final, defeating Klein Oak's Tom Fortner 8-5. In 2003 as a sophomore, Aston won the title at 171 pounds. Last season, his football playing weight surged him up to 189 pounds where he won again, with an undefeated record. This year, he competed at 215 pounds and never lost.
On the day, Cinco Ranch's boys finished 12th in the team standings with Katy 17th.
Mayde Creek's Tommy Perez finished fourth at 119 pounds and Cinco's Andrew Vasquez was fourth at 152 pounds.
The Katy High girls took fifth overall in the standings with 64 points. Cinco Ranch was 11th and Taylor, the regional champion, finished 13th.
Katy had three third-place finishers, all taking the bronze by virtue of pins. Ashley Weber pinned Pflugerville's Jamie White in just 28 seconds at the 165-pound weight class.
Kacee Ravenburg took all of 1:39 to pin Adamson's Tiffany McFarland at 185 pounds and sophomore Kiki Williams pinned Arlington Bowie's Jessica Williams in 4:28 to take third at 215 pounds.
Former 102-pound champion Lara Hamilton from Taylor finished sixth at 110 pounds while Sevallos took fifth at 119 pounds.
Cougar Haley Hale did what no one thought was possible.
Hale, who lost a thrilling overtime match to Mayde Creek's Sara Cevallos at the District 21-5A meet three weeks ago, emerged out of the battlefield with a state crown Saturday, defeating El Paso Hanks Jenny Franco by a 7-3 count for the title. Hale had finished second at both the district and regional meets, truly saved the best for last at state.
Benavides and Aston both capped undefeated seasons. Benavides won the title at 145 pounds by virtue of a 4-1 victory over Hereford's Juan Alvarez.
Aston finished what perhaps is the most dominant career in the short history of Texas high school wrestling. In three years, Aston won three state titles, all at different weight classes. He capped an undefeated senior season with a close call in the final, defeating Klein Oak's Tom Fortner 8-5. In 2003 as a sophomore, Aston won the title at 171 pounds. Last season, his football playing weight surged him up to 189 pounds where he won again, with an undefeated record. This year, he competed at 215 pounds and never lost.
On the day, Cinco Ranch's boys finished 12th in the team standings with Katy 17th.
Mayde Creek's Tommy Perez finished fourth at 119 pounds and Cinco's Andrew Vasquez was fourth at 152 pounds.
The Katy High girls took fifth overall in the standings with 64 points. Cinco Ranch was 11th and Taylor, the regional champion, finished 13th.
Katy had three third-place finishers, all taking the bronze by virtue of pins. Ashley Weber pinned Pflugerville's Jamie White in just 28 seconds at the 165-pound weight class.
Kacee Ravenburg took all of 1:39 to pin Adamson's Tiffany McFarland at 185 pounds and sophomore Kiki Williams pinned Arlington Bowie's Jessica Williams in 4:28 to take third at 215 pounds.
Former 102-pound champion Lara Hamilton from Taylor finished sixth at 110 pounds while Sevallos took fifth at 119 pounds.
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