Munoz Ousted At State Finals
INDIANAPOLIS – Luis Munoz saw his high school wrestling career end Friday night at the State Finals.
The Warsaw senior lost a tough first-round match by a 2-0 final in action at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
South Adams senior L.J. Moser got a first period takedown and then was able to hold off Munoz late in the match to earn the victory in the 120-pound division.
Moser, now 29-1 on the season, advances to the quarterfinals Saturday morning. Munoz concludes his senior season with a 26-5 mark.
“Luis did everything he could,” said Warsaw coach Justin Smith in a phone interview Friday night. “He’s upset and it hurts, especially to lose a match that close.
“We feel for him tremendously and we’re extremely proud of him. We sat with him after the match and talked to him about the positives. He finished in the top 16 in the state and that’s a tremendous accomplishment. A lot of kids don’t get the chance to experience what he did at State.”
Munoz overcame a lot in the last year to have some senior season. He missed the final half of his junior season after having an issue with his heart. Munoz then suffered a concussion in practice last month and was forced to sit out the NLC Championships. He returned in time to win sectional and regional titles and a runner-up finish at semi state.
Munoz was a regional qualifier his freshman year and advanced to the semi state his sophomore season. He was 15-3 last year before being sidelined with what was termed as an “overworked” heart.
“He’s a heck of a kid,” concluded Smith. “I know he’s upset now, but he’ll bounce back. It’s time for him now to move on the next things in his life.”