In March, Sam Brancale won a 77-pound School Boy Folkstyle National Championship.

When you combine that title with the Freestyle and Greco-Roman titles he had won the year before, the soon-to-be Eden Prairie ninth-grader was the defending national champion in wrestling’s three disciplines.

Some might dub this accomplishment a Grand Slam (possessing all of your sport’s major titles at the same time); others a Sam Slam.

The naysayers would call it neither as Brancale’s feat wasn’t accomplished in the same calendar year.

A few years ago (2000-01), Tiger Woods’ Tiger Slam was met with some of this same criticism.

Answer man

Two weeks ago, following a 20-hour car ride to Orem, Utah, Brancale fixed all this, winning 2008 National Championships in Greco-Roman and Freestyle.

Add these titles to his Folkstyle title and you get wrestling’s version of the Triple Crown.

“Yeah, it’s pretty big,” said Brancale. “I get an etched trophy and the same medals I’ve won before.”

Won before?

Brancale has one Folkstyle national championship to his credit, five Greco titles and four freestyle titles.

“This year is the first year I ever won folkstyle,” he adds, “It’s not really my specialty.”

Is it now?

“I’d still rather compete in freestyle or Greco,” he said.

Indy winner

Prior to traveling to Utah, Brancale was in Indianapolis, Ind., for the National School Boy/Girl Duals Championships.

Posting an 18-0 record (9-0 in Greco-Roman and 9-0 in freestyle), Brancale helped his Minnesota Gold squad win two titles.

Gold beat Pennsylvania in the Greco-Roman championship match by a 38-33 score and then beat the same Pennsylvania team 39-32 in the freestyle finals.

“Last year,” laments Brancale, “Pennsylvania was the National Champion and Minnesota was the runner-up.”

Individually, Brancale was named to the All-Tournament team in both disciplines.

What’s next?

With three individual titles, plus two team titles under his belt, Brancale turns his attention to the upcoming high school season.

Goal No. 1 is to make weight.

For Brancale, this means gain weight.

“I need to get to 88 pounds,” he said, in reference to the minimum weight needed to wrestle in the 103-pound division. “I’m 85 now, but I’m hoping to get into the 90s.”

His plan calls for steak, milkshakes and a lot of lifting.

“Healthy eating,” he said; “that’s how you get there.”

Speaking of plans, Brancale has another.

“We’re hoping to get a mat [wrestling mat] in house,” he said, while making sure his mom heard his wish.

 She heard him all right, but still said no.

“It takes up too much space,” she said.

How about the garage?

“Not a chance,” said Brancale; “Dad likes his garage too much.

“I guess it’s back to the gym,” he shrugs.

Guess so.