Keith wins National Championship

From USA Wrestling:

By Gary Abbott
04/13/2008

AKRON, OHIO – The FILA Cadet National Championships of Wrestling has become one of the most competitive and unpredictable age-group events during the annual USA Wrestling season. The 2008 edition proved to be no exception.

A new star was discovered, as Steven Keith of New York captured the 50 kg/110 lbs. weight class and was named Outstanding Wrestler in the freestyle division.

In his pool competition, Keith defeated returning FILA Cadet National champion and 2007 Cadet National champion Hunter Stieber of Ohio, 4-1, 2-2, 4-2.

In the championship finals, Keith handily defeated another Ohio state high school champion, Ty Mitch, by a 6-0, 6-0 technical fall.

Keith had competed at the Cadet Nationals the last two years, but was unable to earn All-American honors. He attends Shoreham-Wading River High School on Long Island, N.Y., the same school that developed NCAA champion Jesse Jantzen and his talented brother Corey Jantzen.

“I wrestled well on the mat and on my feet today,” said Keith. “In tough tournaments like this, it is the little things that make the difference, like step outs and counters to shots.”