Peer pressure. Sometimes it’s a good thing.
Consider Damascus senior Ben Minturn and junior Tony Edwards, football standouts who, at the urging of friends on the Damascus wrestling team, joined them this season for the first time.
Saturday at Wootton, it was clear both made a good decision as they played key roles in the Hornets’ surprisingly decisive, 52-16 victory over the upstart Patriots.
Shortly after Minturn (173 pounds) edged one of Wootton’s best wrestlers, Nate Richards, 5-4, Edwards (287) overpowered David Taylor with a devastating first-period headlock.
Minturn (18-7) and Edwards (18-8) have been pleasant surprises, filling holes in the lineup for Damascus (12-0). With no easy outs, the Hornets could make noise next week in the state dual meet championships, where they last won in 1999. Last year, Damascus lost in the state dual meet finals to LaPlata.
Why have Minturn and Edwards, both likely bound for Division I football schools, interrupted their year-round training in their primary sport?
“They needed a [171],” said Minturn. “They talked me into it. We didn’t win a football championship this year. Maybe we can do it in wrestling.”
Minturn, a football cornerback considering offers from William & Mary and Army, has been clutch from the start of his rookie wrestling season, winning the deciding match as the Hornets edged powerful Northwest. An indicator of Minturn’s improvement is he has twice beaten wrestlers to whom he had lost.
“Ben is working hard. We work with good kids in the room every day,” said coach Dave Hopkins. “That’ll make you get better in a hurry.”
Edwards, a standout center and defensive tackle in football, uses his strength to manhandle opponents and compensate for his lack of experience. He helped Damascus to the Hub Cup title, winning the consolation round.
“He’s got a lot of strength. He overpowers everyone,” said junior Eddie Obendorfer (119). “He’s got good hips and makes good throws.”
Football remains king at Damascus, but wrestling is a close second. With football players at seven of the eight heaviest weight classes, the sports go hand-in-hand, says Tony Edwards Sr., offensive line coach for Damascus.
“Anything that lowers the level is good for linemen,” said Edwards. “It really improves balance and lower body strength.”
Catch the buzz
» Hornets 215-pounder Josh Fredrick lost for the first time Saturday, falling to Wootton’s Andy Ramp (23-1).
» Senior Keith Obendorfer (147) won the 100th match of his career Saturday, an impressive 4-0 defeat of Mike Barbaro (23-7).
» Damascus won seven straight Montgomery County titles (1994-2000) under coach Dave Hopkins.
