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Sophomore nationals Tyrone 10th grader A. J. Schopp has his hand raised in victory, during the long NHSCA Sophomore Nationals held this weekend, at Virginia Beach’s Convention Center. Schopp went 6-2 and placed fourth. (The Daily Herald/Courtesy Photo) |
A.J Schopp went 6-2 and placed fourth at the Sophomore Nationals in the National High School Coaches Association (NHSCA) All-American Tournament this past weekend. The tournament was wrestled in Virginia Beach, Virginia, in the Virginia Beech Convention Center.
In all, there were 18 states represented at the 112-pound weight class.
Schopp won his first two matches by fall, pinning Harrison Rosenbaum from North Carolina, in just 25 seconds and Codey Carter of Alabama, in 1:37 in the second round. In the preliminary round, A. J. defeated Sean Silva from California, by major decision 14-6. Falling to the consolation bracket with a tough 4-1 loss to Nick Arujau, a one-time state champ, one-time runner-up from New Jersey, Schopp proceeded to win three more matches to wrestle in the third/fourth place consolation final.
Schopp edged Shane McGough of Arizona, 6-5, shut out Bryan Grubbs from California 4-0 and decisioned Sean Dolan, a two-time state champion from New Jersey, 5-1.
In the consolation finals, Schopp again faced Arujau. After a 1-1 draw in regulation, Schopp fell to Arujau 3-1 in overtime for fourth place.
