Old Mill captured the Anne Arundel County wrestling championship lastweek over Severna Park thanks in large part to its ability to pick up points in the consolation rounds.
This week, it was Severna Park?s turn to give Old Mill a taste of its own medicine. Trey Gebhart (145 pounds) and Bill Nichols (171) each won individual titles for Severna Park as the Falcons won the 4A/3A East region title Saturday at Chesapeake High in Anne Arundel County.
Nine wrestlers placed in the top four and qualified for the state tournament for Severna Park, which captured its first regional title in 27 years.
Severna Park finished the tournament with 140 points, followed by Old Mill (130 points), South River (73), Northeast (65.5) and Annapolis and J.M. Bennett, which each had 65 and tied for fifth in the 22-team regional. While excited about their win, Severna Park did suffer a big loss as its 130-pounder, Marcus Monroe, suffered a season-ending dislocated wrist in the consolation finals against Aberdeen?s Brandon Frazier.
“This team is full of hard-working wrestlers who are good students and want to succeed,” Severna Park coach Paul Joyce said. “This is the hardest region in the state and our kids showed a lot today. This win is the result of a lot of determination and wrestlers that showed up to practice at 6 a.m. each Saturday because they want to win that badly.”
Old Mill actually had more individual champions than Severna Park, as Greg Saumenig (125), Timmy Lobuglio (130) and Justin Faithful (285) each won for the Patriots, who had two others finish second. However, the Falcons had three third- and three fourth-place finishers, while the Patriots only had one wrestler in the consolation rounds.
“Severna Park brought their ?A? game today,” said Faithful, who is 35-0 after his 2-1 win against Broadneck?s Thomas Muligan in the finals. “But I think we?ll bounce back with some big wins next week.”
Continuing her historic season, Arundel?s Nicole Woody improved to 31-3 with a 2-0 victory over Centennial?s Jack Western in the 103-pound final. Western reached the finals with a 10-8 overtime win over River Hill?s Scott Mantua. Mantua, who beat Woody earlier this year, is now 32-1 and finished third.
“This is the next step toward my ultimate goal of winning states,” Woody said.
Other individual winners were: J.M. Bennett?s Ricky Dorsey (112), River Hill?s Nathan White (119), Annapolis? Pat Byrd (135), Northeast?s Maurice Fleming (140), Annapolis? Bubby Graham (152), Edgewood?s Justin Butler (160), South River?s Ian Graham (189) and Wilde Lake?s Zach Brown (215).
High five
Twenty-two teams competed in the regional. Severna Park won its first regional title in 27 years.
1. Severna Park » 140 points
2. Old Mill » 130 points
3. South River » 73 points
4. Northeast » 65.5 points
t5. Annapolis » 65 points
t5. J.M. Bennett » 65 points
