Windom-Mt. Lake senior Kade Sammons closed his career in thrilling fashion Saturday, claiming a trio of wins, including a pair of nail-biting finishes, to win the Class A 138-pound championship at the state tournament, held at St. Michael-Albertville High School.
Sammons opened the tournament facing Sawyer Simmons of Royalton-Upsala. Sammons recorded a first-period takedown, then was awarded a penalty point in the second period for a 2-0 lead. In the third period, Sammons picked up a pair of three-point near-falls, finishing with a 9-2 victory.
In the semifinals, Sammons took on Dane Niemi of New York Mills. After a scoreless first period, Niemi scored an escape in the second period. Sammons countered with an escape in the third, but Niemi was awarded a penalty point when Sammons was called for his second stalling warning. Trailing 2-1 with a neutral-position restart with just three seconds left on the clock, Sammons shot for an ankle pick, recording a takedown as time expired for a 3-2 win.
In the championship, Sammons faced John Paul Fitzpatrick of Crosby-Ironton. After a scoreless first period, Fitzpatrick scored an escape in the second period, but Sammons was awarded a penalty point when Fitzpatrick was called for stalling twice. In the third period, Sammons recorded an escape with 40 seconds to go, which proved to be the difference in a 2-1 victory.
Sammons ends his career with 176 victories, which puts him fifth on the Cobras’ career wins list.
Sammons captures gold at state tourney
