It?s hard to believe that McDonogh?s Nick Schenk has not even scratched the surface in reaching his full potential.
Only a freshman, Schenk has already accomplished more in his first varsity season than many wrestlers have in a career. First on Dec. 9, the 103-pounder captured first-place and helped lead McDonogh to the overall team title in its Ray Oliver Invitational.
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Schenk then followed that performance up by winning his weight class in the prestigious Beast of the East tournament ? considered by many the toughest tournament in the country ? at the University of Delaware. By defeating Germantown (Pa.) Academy?s Pat Owens, 3-1, in overtime in the finals, Schenk, 15, became the first Maryland freshman to win that tournament.
Schenk is currently 16-0 on the season and is expected to play a vital role in helping McDonogh compete for a second straight Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference dual meet title and overall league tournament championship. He also entered high school with a trophy case full of awards as he won sever state titles in his junior league career.
“I came into the tournament wanting to place, I didn?t expect to win the whole thing,” Schenk said. “That was a huge accomplishment for me.”
McDonogh coach Pete Welch said Schenk, whose older brother Doug is the Eagles? 215-pound starter, has unlimited potential and will go as far in the sport as he would like.
“Nick has worked very hard to get to the point that he?s at right now,” Welch said. “I only see him getting better and better if he continues to work this hard.”
Welch said the younger Schenk showed him a lot in the Beast of the East by winning five straight matches that included a technical fall and a major decision in his first two matches.
“Nick kept his composure and showed his conditioning, especially in the third period,” Welch said. “When he needed to score, he didn?t panic and put himself in a position to win each time out on the mat.”
Schenk said he is far from finished accomplishing what he wants to do this year.
He is looking to win next month?s Mount Mat Madness tournament, capture the MIAA title and place in the top seven in the nation at the National Preps.
Still, Schenk knows every match the rest of the year is going to be difficult with so many wrestlers looking to knock him off his top spot as he is ranked No. 1 in his weight class the Maryland State Wrestling Association rankings.
“Everyone I wrestle is going to be tough,” he said. “I?m just going to go into each match with the mindset that I?m the underdog and wrestle like I have nothing to lose.”
