St. Louis wrestler a 'World' champion
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Advertiser Staff
St. Louis School sophomore Jonathan Spiker won the 145-pound championship in his age group Sunday at the fourth Reno World of Wrestling Championships.
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Spiker, 15, won seven matches in the 92-entry, 15-16 age bracket. He defeated Utah state champion Zack Elliott 2-1 in overtime in what was described as a grueling, bloody championship match.
Jonathan Spiker of St. Louis School won seven matches at the Reno World of Wrestling Championships.
Nearly 2,400 wrestlers from 33 states competed in the age-group tournament at the Reno (Nev.) Convention Center.
Spiker has won the past two Hawai'i high school 145-pound championships and has a 76-0 record in Hawai'i. He also owns 18 national judo titles.
"It was the most challenging competition I've been in," said Spiker, who took up wrestling in the seventh grade.
Kamehameha athletic director Blane Gaison said Spiker "was a joy to watch. He did an excellent, unbelievable job."
Daniel Morita of Kahuku took second place in the 12-and-under, 100-pound division.
Three wrestlers from the Kamehameha Schools participated but did not reach the championship rounds. They were Carden Vincent, the state's 189-pound champion; Dallas Kia, 135-pound state runner-up, and Ryan Wong, who finished third at state at 125.
