Eloheim Palma became Cary High School’s first ever three time All-American and Senior National Champion on Saturday winning Senior Nationals in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Eloheim won six matches over a field of 65 wrestlers in his division. Eloheim defeated State Champions from Alabama, California, Michigan and Montana on his way to the title. All of his matches were intense facing the top wrestlers in the country. His big wins occurred in the first round where he won 5-4 at the buzzer against the third place national finisher and #12 nationally ranked Jose Lopez of California. He earned wins in the semis against the California State Champ and #2 nationally ranked wrestler, Roger McCovey of Del Norte, California and in the finals against Mike McClure of Michigan.
Eloheim who has been the #1 ranked heavyweight in the country since January put his ranking on the line in the Dapper Dan Classic held March 15th in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This event matches the State Champions from Pennsylvania. against USA’s top wrestlers in a dual meet. Eloheim defeated state champion and nationally ranked #3 Sean Owens of Pennsylvania. 5-3 in this meet. At this point it would’ve been easy for Eloheim to not enter the National tournament in Virginia Beach held April 3-5. There was nothing to gain except the respect of his peers. Eloheim had placed 3rd in Sophomore Nationals, 2nd in Junior Nationals and the only two wrestlers who have beat him in the last three years were to be at the senior event so he was not going to miss it. Unfortunately, those two wrestlers #6 ranked and two-time New York State Champion Ken Altarac of Lasalle, New York and #5 ranked and also a State Champion in Ohio, Jeremy Johnson of Brecksville, Ohio were defeated by wrestlers before reaching Eloheim’s bracket and Eloheim would miss them on his way to the Championship. Several other nationally ranked wrestlers were at this NHSCA Nationals.
Here is a recap of Eloheim’s matches:
- 1st Round-Won by Dec. 5-4 Jose Lopez of John Glenn, California, ranked by Amateur Wrestling news at #12.
- 2nd Round-Won by Dec. 5-3, Pa. wrestler, 2nd in Pa.
- 3rd Round-Won by 2nd period pin over David Graham, Alabama State Champion.
- Quarter-Finals-Won by 1st period pin over Toby Erickson of Helena, Montana ranked by Amateur Wrestling News at #4.
- Semi-Finals-Won by Dec. 3-2 , over Roger McCovey of Del Norte, California ranked by Amateur Wrestling News at #2
- Finals-Won by Dec. 3-2 over Mike McClure of Michigan who is a Michigan State Champion
As noted earlier Eloheim defeated the #3 nationally ranked Sean Owen of Pa. in the Dapper Dan Classic with a score of 5-3 March 15th. Glancing at the rankings this means Eloheim has finished ahead of or beaten the top 7 nationally ranked wrestlers in the last 2-3 weeks March 15th (Dapper Dan) and April 3-5th NHSCA Nationals.
Rankings cited in this article are in Feb. 16th issue of Amateur Wrestling News.
Thanks to Cary High Wrestling Coach Jerry Winterton for this information.