St. Paul Boyce makes history with heavyweight victory

Defeats Rummel's Muller for third state championship

By Pierce W. Huff, Staff Writer for The Times-Picayune: February 19, 2006

The greatest wrestler in St. Paul history said he was nervous when he sauntered around the mat before his match against Rummel's Ivan Muller in the final of the Division I heavyweight division.

There was only one way St. Paul David Boyce could end his high school career, and that was on top.

And that finally happened as Boyce (49-0) finished his career as the only three-time state wrestling champion in St. Paul history when Muller was disqualified in the final 14 seconds.

Boyce led St. Paul to fourth place in Division I with 171 points.

Boyce led 4-1 Muller at the 1 minute and nine second mark of the first period.  He led 4-1 at the end of the period.  He led 5-1 at the end of the second period.

Muller cut Boyce's lead to 5-3 midway through the final period, but he couldn't maneuver for any more points as the match wound to a conclusion.

"I would rather that not have happened, and I'd just get a point and win at 14 seconds," Boyce said.

The match marked the second time that Boyce defeated Muller this season.

"It was a very tough match," Boyce said.  "He's a very strong kid."

Boyce hugged his coach and walked over to the St. Paul fan section at the Pontchartrain Center  and held up three fingers on his right hand.  Boyce finished his career as St. Paul all-time leader in victories and pins.

"I don't know if I'm the best wrestler in St. Paul history, but stats-wise I'm up there," he said.

St. Paul coach Craig Ketels[e]n said Boyce always will have a place in the history of the school's wrestling program.

"He's a winner," Ketelsen said.

And Boyce had a special physical and agile style, and a grit that allowed him to pull out tough matches in almost any way possible.

"A lot of kids have had better technical skills, but as far as rising to the occasion, David is by far the one," Ketelsen said.

Boyce is the third member of his family to win a state wrestling championship.  His father and brother also won state titles.

Boyce won his first state championship when he rallied from three points down in the final 30 seconds for a double-overtime win at 215.  He pinned Jesuit's Douglas Smith in 2:35 to win the title at 215 last year.