[knarkill]

Congrats to Justin Ruffin on winning the Knockout Classic today at Osceola HS in Kissimmee, Fl.

En route to winning the 152 lb weight class, he knocked off Flo’s #32 ranked senior, Anthony Artalona, in the semis, and then knocked off Flo’s #12 ranked junior, Brevin Balmeceda, in the finals.

All in all, a great weekend.

Hats off to you, young man.

~Jason

• This topic was modified 4 years, 6 months ago by knarkill.

[Anonymous]

Not only did he win the finals, he won it in fashion. Let me paint the picture for you all of the actual atmosphere of this finals match, Miami South Dade was fighting for the team Championship with Camden County and South Dade needed to win two of its last three matches in the finals to win the team title.
In the first period, Ruffin took him down twice on the edge of the mat but the refs didn’t see it that way. In my professional unbiased opinion at least one of them for sure was 2pts if not both of them. In the second period, Balmeceda did a tight waste money tilt to score the first 2pts of the match but moments later Ruffin scrambled and put Balmeceda on his back for the pin (Balmeceda was pinned at minimum a 2 count) but the refs didn’t see it that way either and Justin had to settle with the reversal. Let me remind you this was the third time that the refs didn’t see it Ruffins way early in the match. Third period Balmeceda chooses bottom and Ruffin is riding him tough like a cowboy in a rodeo. Justin rides Balmeceda for the entire 2 minute period in fashion slamming Balmeceda several times. Balmeceda even takes a fake injury time out (water break) in the middle of the third period and everyone in the gym knew it. During the water break you could see Ruffin’s confidence growing (in his bounce and smile) knowing he had broke Balmeceda and you could see the tide changing. In the first over time period it went scoreless. In the second overtime Ruffin defers and Balmeceda chooses down. Ruffin rides him and now it comes down to the GA Champ. Ruffin doesn’t disappoint as he keeps his motor running making Balmeceda chasing and earns a locking hands violation to win the match but wait, their is drama. During the scramble Balmeceda tilts Ruffin but the refs for the first time give Justin a break and said it wasn’t (but in my professional unbiased opinion it was 2pts). I think the refs knew they blew a couple of calls for Justin early in the match and Justin was finally rewarded a break. The final was 3-2 Ruffin in Sudden Death Overtime! My professional unbiased opinion Ruffin won by pin in the second period. Hats off to the Champ, Justin Ruffin.

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