Indiana University Athletics
Future Hoosiers Gear Up for Cliff Keen Dream Team Classic
4/13/2018 3:08:00 PM | Wrestling
Indiana hosts the annual prep showcase for the first time
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – For the first time in its history, the annual Cliff Keen Dream Team Classic will take place in the Hoosier State. Representing Team Indiana are two incoming Hoosiers, Graham Rooks and Rudy Streck, who will take residence in the Indiana wrestling room next fall.
This year's Cliff Keen Dream Team classic pits Team Indiana—the top seniors around the state from 13 weight classes—against a "Dream Team" of the highest-ranked grapplers in the nation. The event will take place in the gymnasium at Brownsburg High School in Brownsburg, Indiana, and is set for a 6:00 p.m. ET start.
Fans can follow the action live on FloWrestling.com.
For the future Hoosiers in the mix, these matches could go down as the toughest of their prep careers. Rooks (132 lbs.) is set to meet No. 2 Real Woods (Montini Catholic, IL) in the fourth bout on the card, while Streck (285 lbs.) encounters No. 10 Jake Levengood (Vacaville, CA).
"For me, it was a good springboard to college with realizing that you'll have to wrestle the best guys all the time," said Indiana head coach Angel Escobedo, who wrestled in this showcase as a Dream Team member as a high school senior. "It's a good opportunity for them to wrestle the best kids in the nation, in Indiana, because that's what they'll be doing here in Bloomington."
Rooks culminated a superb high school career with the IHSAA State Championship at 132 lbs. in February. Rooks earned four podium finishes at State Finals in his time at Columbus East, posting a 182-9 career record. He went unbeaten at 52-0 in his final year.
Streck leaves his prep career as Indiana's No. 2 ranked wrestler in the 220 lbs. weight class, compiling a 67-27 record in his first three seasons. A three-time state qualifier with two IHSAA podium finishes, Streck achieved a runner-up finish at this year's state championships and a sixth-place finish at 285 lbs. one season prior.
Streck signed his national letter of intent this Wednesday, April 12, becoming the first official signee under coach Escobedo.
For fans of wrestling in this state, this weekend's action will be a point of pride as they cheer on their state's best against the nation's best. Escobedo competed with the Dream Team when they travelled to face Team Texas, and he's seen tremendous growth of the sport in that state since the event took place.
"At the time, Texas was up-and-coming, and now they're producing talent like [two-time NCAA Champion] Bo Nickal. It helped them out big time to get that national recognition, and I think it will do the same here," Escobedo said. "The nation will realize that Indiana kids can compete on the national level, so it gives a lot of confidence for younger generations."
The dual lineup for Saturday is as follows:
113: Jose Diaz (Wheeler, IN) vs. #4 Cevion Severado (Christian Brothers, MO)
120: Colin Poynter (Portage, IN) vs. #7 Joey Melendez (Montini Catholic, IL)
126: Ty Mills (Brownsburg, IN) vs. #1 Malik Johnson (Christian Brothers, MO)
132: Graham Rooks (Columbus East, IN) vs. #2 Real Woods (Montini Catholic, IL)
138: Kris Rumph (Portage, IN) vs. #6 Cole Matthews (Reynolds, PA)
145: Christian Hunt (Yorktown, IN) vs. #11 at 152 Alex Lloyd (Shakopee, MN)
152: #2 Brayton Lee (Brownsburg, IN) vs. #3 Jacori Teemer (Long Beach, NY)
160: Jack Eiteljorge (Carmel, IN) vs. #7 Jared Franek (Fargo West, ND)
170: Noah Warren (Perry Meridian, IN) vs. #1 Travis Wittlake (Marshfield, OR)
182: Conner Graber (Northridge, IN) vs. #3 Jared Krattiger (Waterford, WI)
195: #5 Lucas Davison (Chesterton, IN) vs. Tanner Sloan (Alburnett, IA)
220: #1 Mason Parris (Lawrenceburg, IN) vs. #3 at 195 Brandon Whitman (Dundee, MI)
285: Brandon Streck (Merrillville, IN) vs. #10 Jake Levengood (Vacaville, CA)
This year's Cliff Keen Dream Team classic pits Team Indiana—the top seniors around the state from 13 weight classes—against a "Dream Team" of the highest-ranked grapplers in the nation. The event will take place in the gymnasium at Brownsburg High School in Brownsburg, Indiana, and is set for a 6:00 p.m. ET start.
Fans can follow the action live on FloWrestling.com.
For the future Hoosiers in the mix, these matches could go down as the toughest of their prep careers. Rooks (132 lbs.) is set to meet No. 2 Real Woods (Montini Catholic, IL) in the fourth bout on the card, while Streck (285 lbs.) encounters No. 10 Jake Levengood (Vacaville, CA).
"For me, it was a good springboard to college with realizing that you'll have to wrestle the best guys all the time," said Indiana head coach Angel Escobedo, who wrestled in this showcase as a Dream Team member as a high school senior. "It's a good opportunity for them to wrestle the best kids in the nation, in Indiana, because that's what they'll be doing here in Bloomington."
Rooks culminated a superb high school career with the IHSAA State Championship at 132 lbs. in February. Rooks earned four podium finishes at State Finals in his time at Columbus East, posting a 182-9 career record. He went unbeaten at 52-0 in his final year.
Streck leaves his prep career as Indiana's No. 2 ranked wrestler in the 220 lbs. weight class, compiling a 67-27 record in his first three seasons. A three-time state qualifier with two IHSAA podium finishes, Streck achieved a runner-up finish at this year's state championships and a sixth-place finish at 285 lbs. one season prior.
Streck signed his national letter of intent this Wednesday, April 12, becoming the first official signee under coach Escobedo.
For fans of wrestling in this state, this weekend's action will be a point of pride as they cheer on their state's best against the nation's best. Escobedo competed with the Dream Team when they travelled to face Team Texas, and he's seen tremendous growth of the sport in that state since the event took place.
"At the time, Texas was up-and-coming, and now they're producing talent like [two-time NCAA Champion] Bo Nickal. It helped them out big time to get that national recognition, and I think it will do the same here," Escobedo said. "The nation will realize that Indiana kids can compete on the national level, so it gives a lot of confidence for younger generations."
The dual lineup for Saturday is as follows:
113: Jose Diaz (Wheeler, IN) vs. #4 Cevion Severado (Christian Brothers, MO)
120: Colin Poynter (Portage, IN) vs. #7 Joey Melendez (Montini Catholic, IL)
126: Ty Mills (Brownsburg, IN) vs. #1 Malik Johnson (Christian Brothers, MO)
132: Graham Rooks (Columbus East, IN) vs. #2 Real Woods (Montini Catholic, IL)
138: Kris Rumph (Portage, IN) vs. #6 Cole Matthews (Reynolds, PA)
145: Christian Hunt (Yorktown, IN) vs. #11 at 152 Alex Lloyd (Shakopee, MN)
152: #2 Brayton Lee (Brownsburg, IN) vs. #3 Jacori Teemer (Long Beach, NY)
160: Jack Eiteljorge (Carmel, IN) vs. #7 Jared Franek (Fargo West, ND)
170: Noah Warren (Perry Meridian, IN) vs. #1 Travis Wittlake (Marshfield, OR)
182: Conner Graber (Northridge, IN) vs. #3 Jared Krattiger (Waterford, WI)
195: #5 Lucas Davison (Chesterton, IN) vs. Tanner Sloan (Alburnett, IA)
220: #1 Mason Parris (Lawrenceburg, IN) vs. #3 at 195 Brandon Whitman (Dundee, MI)
285: Brandon Streck (Merrillville, IN) vs. #10 Jake Levengood (Vacaville, CA)
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