Perfect Angel
Griffith’s Escobedo 4-for-4 in state title matches
BY MARTIN ZABELL
Times Correspondent
This story ran on nwitimes.com on Sunday, February 20, 2005 12:38 AM CST
INDIANAPOLIS | Fourteen individuals won state wrestling titles Saturday, but there is only one Angel Escobedo.
On 13 occasions, the state champion was saluted with a 20-second ovation. When Escobedo, a senior at Griffith, won the 135-pound title, the crowd of about 10,000 at the Conseco Fieldhouse rose in unison because it had just witnessed history.
Angel Escobedo became the seventh wrestler in Indiana high school history to win four consecutive state wrestling titles after beating Portage’s Mike Leucuta 18-6 in the 135-pound match.
When Escobedo picked up his first-place medal several minutes later, he received yet another one-minute standing ovation. Then the public address announcer told the crowd about all of Escobedo’s accomplishments: 49-0 record this season; 223-1 career record, with an undefeated mark against Indiana wrestlers; state record for pins.
The crowd was so impressed that it gave Escobedo another standing ovation.
Though he became part of Indiana wrestling history, Escobedo said he is far from done.
“Finally, I did it, “he exclaimed after achieving his longtime goal of winning four state titles. “After so many years, it’s finally done. But I’m not done yet. I have bigger goals.”
Hobart freshman Eric Galka also won a state title Saturday, defeating previously undefeated Justin LaFlower (Indian Creek) 1-0 in the 103-pound final. Merrillville’s Wesley English won the 145-pound title by beating previously undefeated Kurt Kinser (Bloomington South) 4-0.
English, a junior, said he was confident all year after finishing second at state last season. He finished the year with 41-1. His only loss was to an Illinois wrestler.
“(A state title) has been my goal ever since I lost last year, “he said. “I felt no one was going to stop me this season. I knew that because I worked very hard.”
Escobedo will attend Indiana University on a wrestling scholarship next year, but he intends to redshirt because “it’s a really big step from high school to college and I want to be physically and mentally prepared.”
After one year of preparation, Escobedo intends to seek a U.S. Olympic crown and “multiple “NCAA titles. Given his achievements so far, you should not count him out. In fact, he already has become an inspiration for many younger wrestlers.
“Angel is definitely one of my models, “said Hobart’s Galka, who, like Escobedo, won a state title as a freshman.
Aaron Sessa of Lake Central (119), Andrew Howe (130) of Hanover Central and Dexter Larimore (heavyweight) of Merrillville all finished second.
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