by Lem Satterfield


Heading into Saturday night's Howard County Tournaemnt final, Glenelg's 135-pound senior Danny Bichner has an exemplary record.

Bichner has won 130 of his 143 high school bouts, including 30 of 33 this year.

Bichner has placed third at states once, second twice, and won three Class 2A-1A South Region titles.

And if Bichner defeats Oakland Mills' Thomas Consiglio in their upcoming title match -- which is a mere two hours away -- he'll become the eighth wrestler to have won four county titles.

Around the state, however, there are others whose achievements might be viewed as far greater than Bichner's.

McDonogh's 140-pound Josh Fitch has won four-each in Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association and private schools state titles, and won Saturday's National Preps title.

Rising Sun's 145-pound Matt Jackson is after his third straight Class 2A-1A crown.

And Mardela's Lester Andrews (130) is after his second straight crown.

Bichner, at times, with within a hair of beating all of the above.

"I feel like all of them could be me," said Bichner, who is bound for the University of Maryland, where he will wrestle.

"Obviously, you're going to say that you didn't wrestle your best when you lose," said Bichner, whose losses this year are to Fitch, Wyoming Seminary's Pennsylvania Preps Schools champ Cullen Isenberg and Bullis of Montgomery County's Matt Danielson all by a combined five points.

"But to be honest, I didn't wrestle my best against any of those guys," Bichner said. "But I could have wrestled better in all of those matches. If I win states, maybe I'll get to wrestle Danielson or Fitch in the Senior All-Star classic. I think they would be good matches."

Bichner's losses at states were all to the eventual champions.

As a freshman, he led Hobin late in their bout only to lose by a point at 103 pounds.

Similarly, he was ahead of Jackson in their 119-pound bout, only to be "reversed with 20 seconds left" in a one point loss, Bichner said.
Last year's final against Andrews may have been the most painful, as Bichner took a shot in a scorless bout, lost balance, and was pinned in a cradle -- all before a point was awarded.

"Looking back on all of those losses, they've just made me a better wrestler," Bichner said. "It's just at the point now where I'm pushing myself harder and I need to get it done. This is my last chance."