The dual meet started with both sides believing the victory was theirs for the taking. Simley was unable to beat Brandon Paulson throughout the previous matches. Dan Dietrich battled, but was unable to tie the score late resulting in an 8-6 defeat. The dual meet was about to take a turn for the worse as Brian Miley of Anoka and Simley's Chris Boys met at 112 pounds. This match was expected to go in Simley's favor; however, Miley slowed the pace and landed an upset victory. Simley's Head Coach Jim Short was in a difficult position. He had anticipated seven victories in the dual meet. The loss at 112 pounds would make that prediction virtually impossible. The greatest upset in Simley's wrestling history was about to take place.
Anoka's returning runner-up at 112 pounds and undefeated number one ranked wrestler in Dave Phillips was waiting for Cory Nelson at 119 pounds. Cory was having a respectable season, but was no match for the 1989 State Individual Champion. Or so we thought. Cory scored first with an arm-drag takedown. Phillips quickly escaped. Later in the first period Nelson was warned for stalling. Cory took both up in the second period and was able to hold off Phillips. A double stalling call was made knotting the score at 2-2 entering the third period. The next two minutes would go down as one of the most exciting moments in our history. Phillips chose down, but did not get his knees behind the starting line correctly resulting in his second caution of the match. This would prove to be pivotal in the outcome of the match. Phillips eventually escaped giving him a 3-2 lead. Another double stalling was called changing the score to 4-3 in Phillips favor. Time was running out for the Spartans. The clock showed 22 seconds left in the match when the two wrestlers went out of bounds. As they reset Cory tried another arm-drag but was unsuccessful. The last ten seconds would change history. Cory shot a perfect double leg and took the State Champion down. Leading 5-4 the wrestlers went out of bounds with three seconds remaining. An escape by Phillips would tie the score and send each team two team points. Phillips would line up wrong again resulting in a third caution and a penalty point being awarded to Cory. Cory rode out Phillips for the last three seconds and a 6-4 victory was complete. Jim Short had his seventh victory again. Putting the upset into perspective, Phillips had one loss during the season on his way to the individual championship. Cory did not win another match the entire weekend. He was 0-2 in the remaining team matches and went 0-2 in the individual tournament at 119 pounds.
The team score was 6-3 when Wade Short stepped onto the mat. Wade was able to control the match and cruised to a 12-3 victory. Rick Spychalla matched Wade's score of 12-3 and Simley was leading 11-6. Anoka's second State Champion made short work of Simley's Todd Watts. The fall put Anoka back into the lead 12-11.
Anoka would score two more victories at 140 and 145 pounds. A couple of underclassmen in Jon Schroeder and Bryan Haumschild would wrestle hard but would come up short. The two losses would put Simley behind 19-11. Jim Short was moving his wrestlers up, and the decision would provide the difference. Bill Thurmes would hold off Jens Hendrickson 8-7.
It was now time for some big victories. Will Short and Dan Harrison scored Technical Falls for the Spartans. Simley was now leading 24-19. Another victory would seal the victory. Tug Durdin was sent out with the hopes of the entire team. He didn't disappoint. The match was even at 1-1 when Durdin decided to end all doubt. The takedown was scored late in the third period and Simley had the victory. Anoka's Butch Jones pinned Kevin Cooklin to end the dual meet at 27-25.
The semi-finals brought Simley and Apple Valley together again. The past two seasons between these two schools had provided some close matches. This time the victory would be the most lopsided win for Simley over Apple Valley. Dan Dietrich scored with just seconds remaining to tie Andy Bertges followed by Chris Boys beating Joey Vennewitz 9-0. Apple Valley would win two consecutive matches over Cory Nelson and Andy Kirchner. The lead for Valley would be short lived. Wade Short pinned Kevin Smith and Rick Spychalla won 9-7.
Jon Schroeder tied Brett Palmer 8-8. Simley's Bill Thurmes beat Chad Demeray 9-3, and Simley was on their way. Will Short continued the winning ways with a Technical Fall over Jeremy Beard. Jason Haller got into the mix by upending Travis Hearndon 5-4. Dan Harrison dominated his opponent, and Tug Durdin easily handled Drew Skeffington 12-4. Apple Valley having seen enough forfeited to Kevin Cooklin. The string of nine matches without a loss against Apple Valley resulted in a 43-14 win. The match was career victory 199 for Jim Short.
Waiting in the finals for Simley was a scrappy Brainerd team. Simley would win unprecedented the third consecutive state title with a dominating performance. Chris Boys got Simley's first victory at 112 pounds with a pin. Wade Short was able to hold off Brian Grimsley 8-5. Rick Spychalla scored another victory for the Spartans.
As the dual continued Simley was putting the match away by winning close matches. Jon Schroeder went ahead within the last minute to seal a 4-3 win. The dual meet was put away when Will Short scored a pin followed by Dan Harrison's Technical Fall. Tug Durdin finished off Brainerd with a 10-7 win, and Kevin Cooklin's victory put Simley into the record books with a 35-17 win over Brainerd.
Jim Short ended a three-year reign in the State of Minnesota by winning three titles. The team record was 70-5 over the three years. He also had his 200th team win at Simley.
Simley Spartans 1989 State Championship Team:
103 - Dan Dietrich
112 - Chris Boys (6th Place)
119 - Cory Nelson (State Qualifier)
125 - Wade Short (2nd Place)
125 - Andy Kirchner
130 - Rick Spychalla (3rd Place)
135 - Todd Watts
140 - Jon Schroeder
145 - Bill Thurmes (State Qualifier)
145 - Bryan Haumschild
152 - Will Short (State Champion)
160 - Dan Boettcher
160 - Jason Haller
171 - Dan Harrison (3rd Place)
189 - Tug Durdin (State Qualifier)
HWT - Kevin Cooklin