McDonogh, Mount St. Joseph and Archbishop Curley each enter this week listed as the top three programs in the Maryland State Wrestling Association?s overall state rankings. Each has high hopes of proving they are the dominant team in the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association?s A Conference.
In the meantime, all three teams have started their respective seasons with dominating performances against some of the area?s top programs.
Defending league champion McDonogh won its conference opener in convincing fashion Thursday with a 66-6 rout of host Calvert Hall.
Doug Schenk (215 pounds), Lane Clelland (275), Josh Fitch (125), Ben Levin (130), Joe Eder (135), K.C. Woods (160) and Greg Bernstein (189) each recorded pins for the Eagles, who won 13 of 14 bouts.
“We?ve learned a lot about ourselves in the last week, but we still have a lot of work to do,” said McDonogh coach Pete Welsh, whose team finished in 13th place at the Beast of the East tournament (Del.) last Sunday.
Curley turned in a nearly equally dominating performance last weekend, topping defending Class 2A-1A public school champion Hammond, 53-17, at Mount St. Joseph. Curley came up with seven pins, while Tyler Scarinzi (119) also aided the win with a 7-5 decision over 2A-1A champion Devon Gillett.
Also that night, Mount St. Joseph routed Hammond, 54-13, while also defeating Old Mill, 33-23.
Against Old Mill, Frank Goodwin (103) and Austin Clouse (112) each won by technical fall, while Jake Bohn (189) won with a pin. All three won both of their matches, with Bohn picking up two pins on the night.
Defending 4A-3A state champion Greg Saumenig (125) won by major decision, and heavyweight Justin Faithful scored a pin in the losing effort for Old Mill.
Archbishop Curley travels to Mount St. Joseph Jan. 18 before visiting McDonogh on Jan. 24. Mount St. Josephhosts McDonogh on Feb. 2.
“The team is going to keep building and getting better as the season progresses,” McDonogh freshman 103-pounder Nick Schenk said.
