McDonogh lost one of the best prep wrestlers in the country following the graduation of Bryn Holmes.
But the Eagles are far more than just one wrestler, as evident by their victory in last year?s Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association tournament and their first-place finish in the league?s A Conference standings.
This year, McDonogh appears primed for another championship run after returning a number of key wrestlers like defending MIAA and private school state champion Josh Fitch (125 pounds) and fellow juniors Kramer Whitelaw (152) and Ben Levin (130).
“We have a lot of talent, but we are still a very young team,” McDonogh coach Pete Welch. “The league is very strong, but I feel we have a good shot to be successful.”
Top challengers in the MIAA A Conference include Archbishop Curley (11-2 in 2005) Mount St. Joseph (11-3) and Loyola (19-3). Of those, Curley appears to have the best shot of knocking McDonogh off the league?s throne.
Curley returns a deep, experienced roster that finished third in last year?s MIAA tournament. One addition that should greatly help the Friars is the return of Sam Burdych (189), who missed most of last season due to injury.
First-year Friars coach Greg Kessler said he is impressed with how his team has performed early this season, including going 4-0 in the Archbishop Curley Duals last week. However, he said whoever wins the league title is going to have to earn it since every contending team haswrestlers capable of not only doing well locally, but also in the National Preps tournament.
“There is a lot of parity among the top teams in the conference,” Kessler said. “We know to expect some top competition every year from teams like McDonogh and Mount St. Joseph.”
Among the schools in the eight-team MIAA B Conference, St. Mary?s looks to be in good shape to repeat as league champions after coming up with a big win over A Conference foe Calvert Hall at the Curley Duals. Annapolis Area Christian, Archbishop Spalding and John Carroll also expect to have solid years.
