Canon-McMillan qualifies four for Junior Nationals

It's rare to see a high school represented by more than one wrestler at the USA Wrestling Cadet & Junior National Championships, which are held annually at North Dakota State University in Fargo.

Canon-McMillan was the exception to that unwritten rule at the Cadet National Championships, which concluded last week. The Big Macs had four entries in the freestyle tournament. Two of the four also competed in the Greco-Roman tournament.

"I can't remember the last time, if ever, Canon-McMillan had four wrestlers qualify for the trip to Fargo," Canon-McMillan coach Jason Cardillo said. "They all love to wrestle freestyle."

The foursome from Canon-McMillan are Logan Macri, Camden Fontenot, Blaze Kansco and Brendan Furman. Macri recently completed his freshman year. The other three are two-year starters who recently concluded their sophomore year.

"It was my first trip to Fargo," Furman said. "The same is true for Logan [Macri] and Blaze [Kansco]. Camden [Fontenot] was making his second appearance at Fargo."

Furman placed sixth in the 285pound weight class after posting a 3-3 record. He earned All-American honors by placing among the top eight in his weight class.

"Wrestling at Fargo is a big thing," Furman said. "I knew I had to wrestle my best to place. I wanted to place higher, but I'm pleased with my performance, especially since it was my first time at Fargo."

Furman was the only Big Mac to place in the freestyle tournament. Macri posted a 2-2 record at 106 pounds. Fontenot won four of six bouts in the 138-pound weight class. Kansco was 2-2 at 182 pounds.

"Camden [Fontenot] and Blaze [Kansco] also wrestled in the Greco-Roman tournament," Cardillo said. "They wanted the extra mat time. That extra time will pay dividends during the high school season."

Kansco placed seventh at 182 with a 5-2 record, thus earning All-America status. Fontenot fell short of placing after posting a 3-2 mark at 132.

"The experience we gained by facing wrestlers from across the country is significant," Furman said. "It makes the regular high school season seem more manageable."

Furman has compiled a 51-24 record in his first two seasons in the Big Macs starting lineup. He was seeded No. 2 in the WPIAL Class AAA 285-pound bracket in March, but was upset in the first round. Woodland Hills' Miguel Cobbs caught Furman in a headlock and pinned him in 25 seconds.

"My match with Cobbs was the last match of the night," Furman said. "I was not mentally prepared for that match and it showed. I learned a very important lesson that night. I will never let that happen again."

Furman tried to fight back in the consolation bracket, but fell two wins short of a PIAA berth.

"Brendan's first-round loss was a real shocker," Cardillo said. "Cobbs caught him in a headlock and it was all over. I think Brendan will be a little more humble this year. And I'm sure he learned a lesson."

Macri was the only member of the Canon-McMillan foursome who qualified for the PIAA tournament in March. He posted a 2-2 record in the 106-pound weight class after finishing fourth in the WPIAL.

"Logan was a small 106pounder last year," Cardillo said. "He will be able to make it back to 106 again this year if he doesn't have a growth spurt."

Canon-McMillan placed fourth in the WPIAL Class AAA team tournament in February. The Big Macs lost only two starters to graduation.

"We were a young team last year and came within a few points of qualifying for the state team tournament," said Cardillo, referring to the Big Macs’ 35-29 loss to North Allegheny in the consolation for third place. "With almost everybody back, I'm expecting us to once again be a threat to win the WPIAL and PIAA team titles."