by Jim Richards - Dec. 19, 2009 10:39 PM
Special for The Arizona Republic
Fans at Tempe McClintock High for Saturday night's Larry Faust Wrestling Invitational didn't have to wait long for drama.
The little guys went first, and a few of them stole the show before the bigger guys decided the team titles.
Chandler High freshman Dalton Brady stunned Tempe Marcos de Niza defending state champion Frank Armenta 3-2 in the 103-pound weight class. Moments later, Phoenix Maryvale's Hector Calderon defeated 119-pound state champion Daniel Mendoza of Mesa Westwood 6-5 in the 125-pound title bout.
And at the end, Chandler's William Poehls defeated Mesa Red Mountain's Gahrett Kidd 13-9 in the decisive match that lifted Chandler to the team title with a score of 199, 10.5 points better than second-place Red Mountain (188.5.)
"We thought we could contend here, but you never know," Chandler coach Vidal Mejia said of the 24-team, early-season tournament that featured several of the state's top teams and defending state champions.
Mejia was not surprised Dalton managed the upset.
"We knew it would be a good match," Mejia said. "It was a close match, and we got the upper end this time."
Dalton didn't know what to think coming into the event.
"So many things went through my mind, it was hard to believe," Dalton said.
Glendale Sandra Day O'Connor (179) took third ahead of Chandler Basha (162) and Mountain Pointe (143).
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