His workout partner in the wrestling room had graduated, leaving Fairfax junior Sam Myers without a foil during the daily grind of practice.
Myers, a 152-pounder, needed someone to provide the challenge he received the past two years from Adam Fitterer, a former Group AAA state runner-up at Fairfax who now attends George Mason.
“Nobody in here can handle Sam at this point,” said Fairfax coach Mitch Sutterfield. “So we had to go out and find someone else to beat up on him.”
Adam Fitterer, the state runner-up at 140 in 2005 and sixth at that weight last year, could have continued that role since he’s in school just a few miles away. But an injury has kept him off the mat this winter. Enter older brother Joe Fitterer, a 2004 Fairfax graduate who wrestled briefly at George Mason. He is one of several former college wrestlers or Rebels coaches who now put Myers through his paces.
Now 34-0, Myers won matches on Saturday against wrestlers from No. 2 Westfield, Herndon and Lee and is one of the favorites entering the Northern Region tournament on Feb. 15 at Centreville.
“It’s exactly what I need, especially without Adam, who was such a great help my first two years here,” said Myers. “Wrestling someone like Joe, when you get into a real match, the other guy will almost never be that good. It’s like you’re ready for anything.”
Myers is used to wrestling bigger opponents. Twice this season he has bumped up to 160 pounds and knocked off quality competition. He won the Nova Classic in December at 160 pounds and was at that weight again at the CAA Duals on Jan. 20, where he helped the Rebels place second against a strong field.
Myers’ top foe at the region tournament will be Hayfield junior Steven Ours (34-8) in a highly-anticipated match. But Myers has his sights set even higher — improving his performance at the Group AAA state tournament at Robinson on Feb. 23. He is a combined 1-4 at the state meet in his career.
“Being undefeated at this point is a really good accomplishment and I’d love to keep it going,” Myers said. “But I know that nothing really matters until the postseason. This whole season for me is about going farther at [the state tournament].”
Rebels with a Cause
» Fairfax junior Sam Myers has benefited from practicing with former Fairfax wrestlers Joe and Adam Fitterer. Both brothers placed second in the state during their junior year — Joe at 145 and Adam at 140.
» Fairfax senior 112-pounder Alex Stone (27-3) is also a Northern Region title contender. Stone waseighth at the Group AAA state meet last year and third at this year’s Nova Classic.
» Myers won Concorde District and Northern Region championships at 145 pounds last season.
