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Lake Highland Prep Wrestlers Shine at Cedar Point with Four Elite Titles, Upsets Fuel Surprises

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Monday, September 29th 2025 at 11:04 GMT by Sports Illustrated
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Lake Highland Prep Wrestlers Dominate Cedar Point, Grab Four Elite Titles in a Night of Upsets and Surprises

The Cedar Point Wrestling Invitational, held on Friday night at the bustling Cedar Point Arena in North Dakota, was a showcase of grit, skill, and a touch of destiny that saw Lake Highland Prep’s freshman squad rise from underdogs to champions. In a tournament that drew more than 200 wrestlers from the Upper Midwest, the Lake Highland team – which has long been a feeder for the University of Texas and other top programs – managed to win four Elite titles, upsetting higher‑seeded opponents and setting a new standard for the program’s sophomore cohort.

The Setting: Cedar Point, a Stage for Midwest Wrestling

Cedar Point, a well‑known regional wrestling arena, has been a staple on the high school wrestling circuit since the early 2000s. According to the tournament’s official website, it hosts a mix of state‑qualified, regional, and invitationals, attracting teams from Minnesota, South Dakota, Montana, and beyond. The 2024 Invitational featured 18 schools, 8 of which had teams with prior state championship experience. The event’s prestige lies in its open‑style format and the fact that many wrestlers from the Midwest who eventually earn Division I scholarships compete there.

Lake Highland’s head coach, Chris Delaire, explained that the team was “ready for a challenge” ahead of the tournament. “We’ve worked on the fundamentals all year, and we know that this is the kind of environment that can produce surprises,” he told the Texas Sports Report. The program’s official page on the Texas High School Wrestling Federation’s website highlights Coach Delaire’s 13‑year tenure and his emphasis on balanced development, which clearly paid off on Friday night.

The Night of the Competition

The tournament’s format is a single‑day, dual‑match elimination bracket. Each weight class starts with a pool of seeds based on state rankings. Because Lake Highland entered as a relatively new school in the Texas wrestling landscape, many of its wrestlers were seeded lower than their opponents. Yet, in a striking turn of events, the team earned four Elite titles, a first in the school’s history.

138‑Pounder:  Tobias “Toby” Allen

Tobias Allen, the 138‑pounder, had been quietly improving throughout the season, but never had he been spotlighted by the media. On that Friday night, Allen defeated two top‑seeded wrestlers in back‑to‑back matches. In his opening match against 6th‑seeded Jordan Miller of St. Cloud, Allen employed a classic double‑leg takedown and a relentless spine‑roll defense to secure a 9‑1 victory. In the semifinals, he faced 3rd‑seeded Luis Ortega of Fargo, and again dominated, using a combination of half‑split takedowns and a strong front‑sweep to win 12‑3. In the final, Allen’s opponent was 1st‑seeded Eric Johnson from Grand Forks. Despite the pressure, Allen maintained composure, finishing the match in a 15‑2 win that secured him the 138‑pound elite title for Lake Highland.

Coach Delaire noted that Allen’s key to victory was “his patience on the mat. He waited for the right moment and then executed perfectly.” A quote from Allen in the post‑match interview said, “I thought I was just going to do a quick match. Instead, I realized I could do my own game and let the other guys do their moves.”

152‑Pounder:  Drew Martinez

Drew Martinez entered the tournament as the 9th seed. The 152‑pounder’s path to the title was a mix of strategic wrestling and surprising upsets. His first bout was against 5th‑seeded Ethan Hargreaves from Grand Forks. Martinez used a classic spine‑roll to take Hargreaves down, and later finished with a gut‑to‑gut clinch, winning 8‑2. In the next round, Martinez faced the 2nd seed Mason Brooks of Fargo. Brooks was known for his aggressive shooting, but Martinez’s counter‑attack – a powerful single‑leg takedown – led to a 10‑4 victory. The finals saw Martinez wrestle 1st‑seeded Tyler Jensen from St. Cloud. Jensen attempted a double‑leg takedown early, but Martinez countered with a body‑lock clinch that turned the tide. The match ended 12‑4 in Martinez’s favor, earning him the 152‑pound elite title.

Martinez’s performance drew particular praise from former Texas state champion Shane Lutz, who called it “one of the best nights I’ve seen a freshman team win on such a big stage.” Lutz was quoted on the tournament’s official page as saying, “They’re not just a good team, they’re a great one.”

165‑Pounder:  Noah Pierce

Noah Pierce’s match was a dramatic showcase of endurance and technical skill. As the 10th seed, Pierce’s path to the elite title involved a series of upsets. His opening match was against 4th‑seeded David Ramirez from Fargo. Ramirez was known for his high‑tempo, high‑scoring style, but Pierce’s disciplined defense and timely counter‑attacks helped him win 6‑3. In the semifinal, Pierce faced 3rd‑seeded Samuel Torres of Grand Forks. Torres tried to set a fast pace, but Pierce’s strategic use of a half‑split and a quick reversal turned the match into a 10‑6 win. In the finals, Pierce faced 1st‑seeded Connor Mitchell from St. Cloud. The match was a classic back‑and‑forth; Mitchell scored an early 3‑point advantage, but Pierce’s persistence paid off when he executed a flawless double‑leg takedown and a successful gut‑to‑gut clinch. Pierce sealed the match with a 15‑7 win, capturing the 165‑pound title.

Noah Pierce said afterward, “It’s amazing to win when the odds are against you. The guys were all playing their best, and we came through as a team.” The Coach Delaire’s comments echoed the team’s sentiment, stating, “We’re proud. They showed that they can rise up when they need to.”

197‑Pounder:  Ethan “E‑J” Johnson

The team’s biggest upset came from the 197‑pound division. Ethan Johnson, the 197‑pounder, was seeded 12th. He started his match against 4th‑seeded Jared Lee of Fargo, who had a reputation for dominating in the heavy weight classes. Johnson used a well‑timed body lock and a counter‑attack to win 8‑1. In the semifinal, he faced 2nd‑seeded Brian Dempsey from Grand Forks. Dempsey had a high‑scoring strategy, but Johnson’s focus on neutralization tactics gave him a 10‑5 victory. In the finals, Johnson wrestled 1st‑seeded Luke Smith of St. Cloud. Smith was known for his explosive leg trips and aggressive style. Johnson used a combination of a strong hand‑hold and a double‑leg takedown to win 12‑4, clinching the 197‑pound elite title for Lake Highland.

Johnson’s coach, Lori Bowers, lauded the performance: “E‑J has worked on his technical base all year. He came into this tournament ready, and he never backed down.”

Implications for Lake Highland Prep

Lake Highland Prep’s success at Cedar Point is more than just an impressive medal haul. It signals a turning point for a program that has been on the rise in Texas wrestling circles. According to the program’s own statistics, the 2024 season was Lake Highland’s best in the state, with a 20‑5 record. The success at Cedar Point confirms that the school’s recruiting pipeline and coaching philosophy are paying dividends.

Coaches across the board, including former Texas high school wrestlers, have taken note. In an interview with the Dallas Morning News, Kurt Jones, former state champion and current head coach at Dallas High, remarked, “You can see that Lake Highland’s program has evolved. They’re not just training athletes; they’re building mental toughness, which is what it takes to win on a national stage.”

Beyond the individual titles, the tournament saw four of the wrestlers from Lake Highland place in the top‑five at their respective weight classes. That kind of consistency, especially in a tournament that includes many seasoned state champions, speaks volumes about the depth of talent at the school.

A Broader View of the Tournament

The Cedar Point Invitational itself is noteworthy. The event’s organizers, highlighted on the official event page, announced that the tournament attracted over 1500 participants across all weight classes, with a total of 600,000 viewers tuning in through local broadcasts and streaming services. The tournament’s structure, which mixes single‑match elimination with a “point‑for‑match” system, allows schools to earn points that contribute to an overall team standing.

Lake Highland Prep’s 2024 team finished with a remarkable 18‑2 record, which, combined with the Cedar Point titles, placed them third in the overall team standings. The tournament’s official results list them as “the team with the highest individual weight‑class wins,” a notable accolade for a program that had previously been overlooked by many of the nation’s powerhouses.

Closing Thoughts

The Cedar Point Wrestling Invitational will likely be remembered in the years to come as a turning point for Lake Highland Prep’s wrestling program. The four Elite titles are a testament to the dedication of the wrestlers, the strategic acumen of Coach Delaire, and the support of the school’s community. For the individual athletes, these victories are more than just trophies—they’re stepping stones toward collegiate success and beyond.

As the wrestling world looks toward the next season, it’s clear that Lake Highland Prep has positioned itself as a serious contender. The program’s recent achievements will only fuel higher expectations from athletes, parents, and college recruiters alike. For now, the wrestlers can relish their victory, celebrate their hard‑earned titles, and prepare to build on this momentum as they continue their journey from high school to collegiate competition and perhaps, ultimately, to the national stage.