Mishawaka's Brabender solidifies himself as a state contender with win at Al Smith Classic
MISHAWAKA — The battle scars were all over Beau Brabender’s body Saturday afternoon.
A slight cut above his right eye. Bruises on the arms. Sweat dripping off his hair.
Winning at the Al Smith Classic isn’t easy. Brabender knows that, which is what made his victory that much sweeter for him.
The Cavemen senior was the only area wrestler to win at the 32-team invitational, picking up three victories Friday and two Saturday to claim the title in the 157-pound weight class. He grinded out a 10-3 win over Warren Central’s Anthony Cashman in the semifinals and a 6-4 victory against Merrillville’s Adrian Pellot in the final.
“The Al Smith is the second-toughest tournament in the state other than the state tournament,” Brabender said. “It really beats up your body, especially the second day; I was definitely feeling it. But at the same time, I just kept the confidence up. I can beat anybody, and I kept thinking that.”
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Brabender improved to 24-0 on the season with his performance. He’ll likely be the No. 1-ranked wrestler for his weight class when Indiana Mat updates its rankings next week as well.
Al Smith himself had a front-row seat to watch Brabender win, adding to the moment for the Mishawaka senior.
“I’ve got the support from my family and all the Mishawaka community,” Brabender said. “This is a very historic tournament. To win it in front of the legend himself is such a big deal.”
The man that started it all, Al Smith, still going strong at 80 years young pic.twitter.com/9WJ86JPYSi
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Brabender had a sensational junior year that culminated in a fourth-place finish in the old 152-pound weight class. Even with all he accomplished last season, the senior knew he could do more in his final go-around in a Cavemen singlet.
“In past seasons, I’ve had the skill to do what I’m doing now, but the mentality just wasn’t there,” Brabender said. “And now, in practice, I’m doing extra reps, going 100 miles per hour, and it pays off.”
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Being able to navigate the Al Smith invite is difficult, as each weight class features multiple ranked wrestlers from across the state. Coming into the tournament, five of the top six ranked wrestlers in the 157-pound weight class were in the field, with Brabender at second.
That’s why emerging victorious is a huge momentum builder going into the final month of the regular season.
“It makes me hungrier,” Brabender said. “I want the state title now.”
Several others from area place high at Al Smith Classic
Along with Brabender, Mishawaka saw senior Zar Walker take third at 144 pounds, senior Will Kennedy fifth at 165, sophomore Josh Kite sixth at 120 and junior Trey Dunning seventh at 190.
Penn was the top team from the area, finishing fifth behind perennial powers Crown Point, Center Grove, Indianapolis Cathedral and Warren Central, respectively. The Kingsmen had a pair of second-place finishes in freshman Brady Harper at 113 pounds and his older brother, senior Wesley Harper, at 150.
Also placing for Penn was Dylan Bennett fifth at 126, Angelo Vargo sixth at 132, Malachi Evans eighth at 215 and Brody Brown eighth at 285.
“This is the tournament that helps you get ready for the state finals and see what you need work on,” Penn coach Brad Harper said. “We knew we weren’t there 100%, so this tournament really opened our eyes to, ‘Hey, we’re moving in the right direction.’”
Plymouth had the third-most placers of area teams, with seniors Wesley Smith, Caydn Smith and Anthony Popi each finishing third at 138, 150 and 285 pounds, respectively, while Alonzo Chantea finished fifth at 106.
NorthWood had two wrestlers reach the podium, with Keith Miller finishing fourth at 190 and Austin King eighth at 175. Elkhart senior Cam Dews placed sixth at 138, South Bend Riley’s Marques Young seventh at 165 and Jimtown’s Cole Caper eighth at 106.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Mishawaka's Brabender leads the area at Al Smith Classic
