Walizer Finishes One Win Short At Fargo

By Joe Walker

FARGO, ND- The third time was not a charm for Griffin Walizer, as the Central Mountain senior came up one win short of All-American status at the National Championships at the Fargodome. Walizer dropped both of his Saturday matches to finish one win short of being an All-American for the third time, as he finished one win short in his freshman, junior and now senior year. 

Walizer went 4-0 on Friday and made his way into the 150-pound championship quarterfinals of the Junior Greco-Roman tournament where he face California standout Paul Kelly the number 4 seed and who is ranked #10 in the country. Kelly posted a 9-0 tech fall over Walizer, which put the Wildcat into the consolations. 

Having to win his consolation bout to be in the top 8, Walizer again drew a tough match as he had to face 5th seeded Anderson Heap of Florida. Heap is a three-time Florida state champion, was a state runner-up as a freshman and finished his high school career with a 200-15 record. Just to compare, Heap was fourth seeded and finished in fourth place in this past seasons Powerade Tournament, he lost to State College’s Pierson Manville in semifinals 6-0. 

In the match with Walizer the bout was tied 3-3, when Heap was able to bring the Wildcat down and exposed his shoulders for a four point move with 24 seconds left in the bout. Walizer was unable to counter score and dropped a tough 7-3 decision to finish with a 4-2 record in the tournament and his third top 12 finish in his career. 

After a standout high school career, Walizer will move on to the campus of Lock Haven University to wrestle for the Bald Eagles and head coach Scott Moore. He is an outstanding addition to the Bald Eagles, both on and off the mat, which makes him the kind of wrestler coaches love to have on their squad, one who gives 100-plus during matches on the mat and in the wrestling room.