John Carroll wrestling looks to improve on record-breaking season

HIGHLIGHTS OF JOHN CARROLL'S RECORD-BREAKING 2007-2008 SEASON:

* Rose from the MIAA's B Conference, where they were twice dual meet and tournament champs, to the A Conference.

* Finished fourth behind traditional A Conference powers McDonogh, Mount St. Joseph and Archbishop Curley in the league dual meet standings.

* All but one John Carroll starter had a winning record as the Patriots entered the MIAA Tournament, and that lone wrestler's mark was even at 16-16.

* Patriots placed fifth in the Maryland Independent Schools or private schools state tournamaent behind McDonogh, Mount St. Joseph, Curley and DeMatha of Hyattsville.

* Patriots' 35-5 dual meet record included a win over then-defending Class 2A-1A state dual meet and tournament champion Rising Sun of Cecil County.

* Won the Howard Iron Horse Duals, a victory that included a win over Baltimore County Tournament champion Milford Mill.

* Patriots qualifed a school-record wrestlers for last year's National Preps -- twice as many as the previous season.

* Finished at No. 14 in the DigitalSports-Maryland State Wrestling Association Top 20.




John Carroll coach Keith Watson doesn't mince words when he talks about the success of last year's Patriots' wrestling team.

"There's pressure, but mostly from within because we know what this group is capable of.  The expectation is that we at least maintain a level of success to which we have grown accustom -- regardless of the strength of the schedule -- and that's a factor that many don't consider," said Watson, whose Patriots' beefed-up itenerary includes entering this year's  prestigious Mount Mat Madness Invitational at Catonsville Community College on Jan. 16-17.

"I believe that the entry into MMM was only a matter of time. As [event organizer] Neil [Adelberg] has said, that acceptance into the event was not as much strength of team as it is marquee individuals," Watson said. "Our schedule is as tough as anyone's except maybe McDonogh. But this year's squad is more accomplished and has worked harder to become 'wrestlers' than any squad that I've ever had. Last year's team was solid, but not as solid as this year's team."

The Patriots are led by returnees Ryan Owens (135-140), Eric Hart (152), Nick Almony (160) and Ethan Reese (171) -- four seniors who won 30 or more bouts last season.

In addition to what amounts, comparitively, to a star-studded cast of wrestlers, the Patriots have an equally star-spangled brand of decorated and accomplished assistant coaches led by collegiate All-American Tom Reese and Matt Slutzky -- the latter of whom was Maryland's first, four-time state champion while competing at Aberdeen in the early 1990s.

"Having nine coaches -- five of whom were Division I athletes -- is huge, going forward," Watson said. "We've been successful at 138-33 in dual meets over the past five years. That says a lot about our coaching staff -- which has to be as good as any in Maryland."

One of the challenges and major litmus tests for the Patriots will be cracking the top eschelon of the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association's A Conference, which would mean a victory over the traditional league powers -- the McDonogh Eagles, Mount St. Joseph Gaels or Archbishop Curley Friars.

The Eagles, Gaels and Friars finished, 1-2-3, in the conference last season, and Watson knows that there still are some doubters out there who do still see the Patriots as also-rans.

"Being a small school -- we only have 350 boys) -- that doesn't cut us a break," Watson said. "It is, I believe a big deal to be talked about with those three.  Being able to beat one of them is a tall order, but would put us on the map."

JOHN CARROLL'S ACCOMPLISHED ASSISTANT COACHES:

Tom Reese - State champ for North Carroll; All-American at the University of Maryland, placing fifth in NCAA Tournament.

Matt Slutzky -- Became Maryland's first four-time state champion as an Aberdeen of Harford County wrestler, earned high school All-American honors.

Pat Ortman -- State runner-up for Arundel High in Anne Arundel County, former University of Maryland Wrestler.

Dean Roberts -- Graduated as winningest wrestler in John Carroll history with 138 carrer victories; Placed fifth at National Preps for high school All-American honors.

 

Jake Hollin -- Former Maryland Scholastic Association runner-up at John Carroll.

Keith Runk -- Former Silver medalist in the International Police Olympics in freestyle in Sydney, Australia.

Chuck Hart -- Former Gold medalist in the International Police Olympics in Calgary, Canada.

Nathan Bachman -- Former two-time Class 4A-3A state champ who placed third at states once at Fallston; Earned Division III Regional title at Rochester Institute of Technology.

Matt Kahl -- Former two-time state runner-up at Harford Tech.

Matt Bodt -- Placed third at private schools states as a John Carroll senior last year.

Pat Conlon -- Finished third at Class 4A-3A states, second at Class 4A-3A East Regionals at Aberdeen High.

JOHN CARROLL'S RETURNING SENIOR WRESTLERS:

 

Ryan Owens (135/140): 30-16 last season, 76-43 career. Owens finished thirdd at last year's state tournament, and competed for the Maryland team at the Brute Scholastic Duals.

David Hyman (140/145): 12-4 on varsity last season. Hyman filled in as needed last season on varsity.

David Hatem (140/145): 12-2 on varsity last season, 57-32 career. Hatem spent last season in a reserve role, after being a starter his freshman and sophomre years.

DJ Petty (145/152): 13-13 on varsity last season. Petty is a very strong wrestler who will allow the Patriots to juggle their lineup to achieve the match-ups needed to win dual meets.

Eric Hart (152): 33-10 last year, 103-40 career. A four-year starter, Hart as an MIAA tournament runner-up. Hart won the Eastern Nationals this past spring and should be a contender for a private schools state title this season.

Nick Almony (160): 32-12 last year, 80-42 career. Almony has been a four-year starter and will continue to be an anchor in the Patriot lineup.

Ethan Reese (171): 46-7 last season. Reese has a 119-25 career record, is closing in on the school's career victories record of 138 held by Dean Roberts, and also, the Harford County all-time mark of 146 by Harford Tech's Mike Long. Reese is coming down from 189, where he was an MIAA runner-up and placed third at the private schools state tournament. Reese was one victory shy earning All American status at National Preps.

Sammy Von Paris (215/285): 16-1 on varsity last season. Von Paris split time at 189 and 215 a yearago. "He'll definitely be a force within the MIAA this season," said coach Keith Watson.