By Ryan Mink
rmink@digitalsports.com
DeMatha Coach **** Messier dragged his injured and mentally broken team to the Centennial Duals Saturday. DeMatha was fresh off a narrow victory over South River on Friday and still stinging from its first duals loss to a WCAC opponent in about 15 years from Wednesday.
Messier’s wrestlers were so depressed that he challenged them by asking whether they wanted to withdraw from the Centennial Duals.
What a difference one dual can make. With a 44-27 win over Virginia powerhouse Fauquier in the tournament finals, the Stags left a completely rejuvenated team.
“After losing to O’Connell, people were thinking we were going to lose the WCACs,†DeMatha’s Chris Miller said. “We’re not. We’re going to come back and win the championship.â€
DeMatha has won 22 straight WCAC tournament titles, but may have its most competition in a long time this coming weekend.
“We’re going to dominate the championship,†Kyle Hayden piped up.
So much for that confidence being shaken.
“They proved they wanted to be here and they were the better team,†Messier said. “I think we’re building our confidence back up and that’s important.â€
DeMatha (24-1), who placed 16th at Mount Mad Madness compared to sixth by Fauquier, got a 3-2 win from Pat Prada over Virginia state runner-up Ryan Hunsberger at 112 to give the Stags a 10-point lead. Hunsberger defeated Prada, who also notched a win over Atholton’s Kevin Beck at Centennial, at Beast of the East earlier this year, 1-0.
“I needed a big win for the team, first of all,†Prada said. “And then I also wanted to get a little revenge for myself.â€
After Fauquier’s Jakob Seely notched a 2-0 overtime decision to bring the score to 26-21, DeMatha rattled off three straight pins starting with Hayden, then to Miller and finally by Sean Pat Meehan to seal the dual.
Meehan also notched the final victory, via major decision, in DeMatha’s 34-33 win over South River in the tournament semifinals. The freshman 145-pounder missed nearly every day of practice this week with flu-like symptoms and didn’t wrestle against O’Connell Wednesday.
“It was horrible for me,†Meehan said. “I was wrestling every match with everybody, rolling around in the bleachers.â€
DeMatha’s 33-29 loss to the Knights marked the first time the Stags fell to O’Connell in 22 years. The team gathered for about an hour-and-a-half after the dual as Messier critiqued each wrestler’s performance and the team captains spoke.
“It was bad,†Hayden said. “We were all down on ourselves.â€
But that’s a thing of the past. Even though Fauquier was resting many of its stud wrestlers, including five ranked in the top-five in their Virginia weight class, the Stags had injuries of their own. Cory Wilson was still out at 160 pounds but the Stags are hopeful he will return soon.
In the end, this dual victory boosted DeMatha’s spirits, but will mean nothing if the Stags can’t win the WCAC tournament next weekend.
“We’re going to be ready for WCACs,†Prada said. “We’re not going to let Coach down on this one.â€
VIRGINIA IS FOR BEASTS
Fauquier’s Daniel McGillivray had done about all he could in Virginia’s Single A classification, so the once Manassas Park star transferred up to the big boys in AAA.
And now, just about everyone is coming to know McGillivray for the animal that he is.
McGillivray won all eight of his matches at the Centennial Duals and did it easily. He pinned in nine seconds in the final against DeMatha.
The senior 160-pounder placed eighth at Beast of the East and sixth at the Powerade Tournament earlier this year. He nearly pinned his way to a Mount Mat Madness championship last weekend.
“I wish I would have had this kid earlier,†Fauquier Coach Bryan Hurst said. “It would have been nice.â€
McGillivray transferred so people would get to know him and in hopes of turning that into a wrestling scholarship. Manassas Park does not go to national tournaments like Fauquier, so after a summer training in Fauquier’s gym, he and his family decided to make the change.
“There are some incredible single-A wrestlers in Virginia,†Hurst said. “But if they don’t get to the big tournaments you can’t really judge what level they’re truly at. Are they 41-0 because they’re beating first and second-year kids or are they kids like Daniel?â€
McGillivray quickly gelled with Fauquier’s already close-knit team. He stays after practice two or three nights a week to help coach the area’s youth wrestlers and has brought increased energy to his new team. When the rest of the team dyed its hair blonde, McGillivray did the same, but added some hot pink in as well.
“I just like to be a little different,†McGillivray said.
CENTENNIAL’S KRAISER IS LIVING UP
There couldn’t be much more expectations on Centennial freshman 103-pounder Nathan Kraisser. The Junior League Tulsa National champion is already considered one of the state’s best wrestlers.
But for Kraisser, all that outside pressure doesn’t really bother him.
“The person who expects the most out of me is myself, actually,†Kraisser said. “So their expectations mean something but not a whole lot because I expect a lot of myself.â€
Kraisser, son of assistant coach Cliff, who was a Centennial state champion in 1985, went 8-0 at the Centennial Duals to improve his record to 21-1.
His only loss came last weekend in the Mount Mat Madness finals last weekend against Wyoming Seminary’s Dominick Malone, 3-1. It was especially disappointing because, as absurd as it sounds, Kraisser was hoping to not only go undefeated this season but for his career.
Although that would be preposterous to even think about for a freshman, with the talent Kraisser possesses, it was actually logical.
“I knew if I made it past my freshman year undefeated I’d have a pretty good chance of maybe going undefeated my whole career,†Kraisser said, citing that there was an influx of very good 103-pounders this year. “It was kind of in the back of my mind but there’s more pressing things.â€
By that, he means state championships. That is what he has his sights set on, despite the one loss.
“Even though I lost I think that loss has kind of helped me to work harder and improve on my mistakes,†Kraisser said.
WATCH OUT FOR THE FALCONS
Just four years ago, Poolesville only had six kids on the entire team. But now with the creation of a Poolesville junior league six years ago, the Falcons are getting more and more experienced wrestlers and are seeing the results.
Poolesville, wrestling with a bevy of injuries, went 3-5 at the Centennial Duals but is 7-3 in traditional duals, putting the Falcons in the drivers’ seat for qualifying for the regional duals. Last year Poolesville lost the final spot to Marriott’s Ridge on a coin flip.
The Falcons were led by seniors Jeff Tallia, who was named the tournament’s outstanding 119-pounder, and 189-pounder Dan Bosnick. Talia, along with 130-pounder Cody Savage, took one loss at the Centennial Duals while Bosnick went 8-0.
“We’re having a very good season,†said Poolesville Coach Kevin Dorsey, who helped get the junior league off the ground. “I knew what was coming into [this program]. It’s going be a real good program.â€
STRUGGLING TO STAY AFLOAT
Walkersville scuffled throughout the tournament due to low numbers. The Lions forfeited six or seven matches per dual throughout the tournament and went 2-6 overall despite having Tyler and Zach White each go 8-0.
The brothers were each named outstanding wrestlers at their weight class and Zach pinned his way through the tournament. Tyler got a big win over Atholton’s Bruce Steinel.
“This year there’s no numbers,†Tyler White said. “We’ve got three guys potential state finalists and then the majority of the other wrestlers are doing it just to scrap. But they’re doing really well.â€
A COACHING MILESTONE
Mount Hebron Coach Todd DeCrispino was honored Saturday for being in his 20th year coaching. DeCrispino coached for 18 years at Centennial with his father heading the junior varsity team before heading over to Mount Hebron.
“It was very uplifting,†DeCrispino said. “It was really emotional and very joyful.â€
The celebration was put together by parents and coaches of both teams and was a surprise to DeCrispino and announced by current Centennial Coach Dave Roogow, whom DeCrispino coached.
Four former wrestlers – Lance Rhodes (1996), Jimmy Holzman (2002), Ryan Postalinic (2001) and Mark Nakasone (2003) — came to the tournament as well to see their former coach.
DeCrispino pointed the Centennial 2003 state champion team as the memory that sticks out the most.
Mount Hebron’s wrestlers did their part to chip in as well, winning their first three duals on Friday night before a close loss to Centennial, then their final two on Saturday to finish 5-3 at the tournament.
“For us, this was very successful,†DeCrispino said. “It was a nice turning point for the season.â€
SOUTH RIVER AND CENTENNIAL IMPRESS:
South River placed third in the tournament after narrowly taking two losses to the Stags and beating Marriotts Ridge, 48-23, in the third-place match. South River 140-pounder John Turnbow had a solid tournament, including a pin over DeMatha’s Miller that gave South River a three-point lead heading into the final match.
“I’ve never had a bigger victory in my life,†Turnbow said. “It would have been better to win [the dual] but it was good to know we matched up against the big boys and that we’re a pretty good team.â€
Centennial, who went 6-2 in the tournament, fell to South River in the Quarterfinal round based on criteria. The match finished in a 36-36 tie and they had to go to Criteria F, which decides the winner based on which team scored the number of first points scored. South River scored first in 8 of the 14 matches.
This is the second time in the tournament’s 4 year history that Centennial has lost on this criteria. Two years ago the fell to Marriotts Ridge on Criteria F after the match finished in a deadlock.
In better news for Centennial, Dan LeRoy went 8-0 and improved his four-year Centennial Duals Tournament record to 31-1 becoming the tournament’s all time wins leader. Also, in a league rival match Brian Lucht defeated Steinel, 5-0.
SATURDAY’S RESULTS
Quarter Final Matches:
Fauquier 51, North Harford 27
Marriotts Ridge 49, Mt Hebron 21
DeMatha 58, Poolesville 12
South River 36, Centennial 36 (Match decided by Criteria F)
3rd place Match:
South River 48, Marriotts Ridge 23
“Consolation†Matches:
Atholton 36, AACS 12
Franklin 24, AACS 18
Walkersville 45, AACS 30
Centennial 57, Atholton 19
Franklin 30, Atholton 28
Centennial 59, North Harford 21
Walkersville 42, Franklin 36
Mt. Hebron 42, Poolesville 25
Mt. Hebron 51, Walkersville 25
Poolesville 48, North Harford 33
BOX SCORES
Fauquier 53, Marriotts Ridge 21
152 – Josh Tilles(MR) d. Brad Dinklocicu 11-5 (0-3)
160 – Daniel McGillivray(F) p. Matt Friesen 0:49 (6-3)
171 – Jacob Fahlfeder(F) md. Samir Marinelli 12-2 (10-3)
189 – Andrew Sengstack(F) p. James Nies 3:00 (16-3)
215 – Somoneth(MR) p. Marshall Cheatwood 0:49 (16-9)
285 – Kevin Friend(F) p. Greg Stokes 0:51 (22-9)
103 – Colin Morse(MR) forfeit (22-15)
112 – Ryan Hunsberger(F) md. Ian Hochuli 14-1 (26-15)
119 – Tyler Budd(F) d. Jeff German 4-2 (29-15)
125 – Matt Smith(F) p. Robert McCauley 1:45 (35-15)
130 – Jakob Seely(F) p. David Bisacre 2:13 (41-15)
135 – Alex Colgrove(F) p. Sang Lee 4:15 (47-15)
140 – Jordan Weymouth(MR) p. Jacob Booth 4:50 (47-21)
145 – Van Grimes(F) p. Arasal Munawar 3:47 (53-21)
DeMatha 34, South River 33
152 – Spencer Wilson(SR) d. Sergio Torres 7-3 (0-3)
160 – Joe Percival(SR) p. Derek Clark 3:38 (0-9)
171 – John Peacock(D) p. Giovannia Santoro 5:35 (6-9)
189 – Nick Panciocco(SR) d. Daniel Singh 11-7 (6-12)
215 – Ben Hatef(D) forfeit (12-12)
285 – Dylan Devine(D) p. Dan Leach 6:24ot (18-12)
103 – Josh Perren(SR) p. Michael Divver 1:29 (18-18)
112 – Pat Prada(D) d. Ben Ward 10-3 (21-18)
119 – Justin Kupoor(SR) d. Jonathan Turcotte 9-4 (21-21)
125 – Jonathan Simmons(D) p. Thomas Otis 4:57 (27-21)
130 – Josh Couto(D) d. Curtis Taylor 5-2 (30-21)
135 – Kenneth Green(SR) p. Kyle Hayden 5:05 (30-27)
140 – John Turnblow(SR) p. Chris Miller 5:08 (30-33)
145 – Sean Meehan(D) md. Killian Coyle 12-4 (34-33)
Finals: DeMatha 44, Fauquier 27
160 – Daniel McGivillary(F) pinned Derek Clark 1:51 (0-6)
171 – John Peacock(D) d. Jacob Fahlfeder 13-8 (3-6)
189 – Daniel Singh(D) md. Andrew Sengstack 18-10 (7-6)
215 – Ben Hatef(D) p. Marshall Cheatwood 2:27 (13-6)
285 – Kevin Friend(F) p. Azucana 1:13 (13-12)
103 – Michael Divver(D) forfeit (19-12)
112 – Pat Prada(D) d. Ryan Hunsberger 3-2 (22-12)
119 – Tyler Budd(F) p. Ben Weatherford 1:14 (22-18)
125 – Jonathan Simmons md. Matt Smith 15-4 (26-18)
130 – Jakob Seely(F) d. Josh Couto 2-0 ot (26-21)
135 – Kyle Hayden(D) p. Alex Colegrove 1:06 (32-21)
140 – Chris Miller(D) p. Jacob Booth 1:54 (38-21)
145 – Sean Meehan(D) p. Van Grimes 1:51 (44-21)
152 – Brad Dinklocicu(F) p. Adam Martin 2:42 (44-27)
INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONS
103 – Nathan Kraisser (Centennial)
112 – Pat Prada (Dematha)
119 – Jeff Tallia (Poolesville)
125 – Jonathan Simmons (Dematha)
130 – Taylor Klotzman (Mt. Hebron)
135 – Kenneth Green (South River)
140 – Adam D’Amico (Atholton)
145 – Zach White (Walkersville)
152 – Tyler White (Walkersville)
160 – Daniel McGivillary (Fauquier)
171 – Matt Nielson (Walkersville)
215 – Ben Hatef (Dematha)
285 – Kevin Friend (Fauquier)
RECORDS
DeMatha 8-0 – Champion
Fauquier 7-1 – Runner Up
South River 5-3 – 3rd Place
Marriotts Ridge 5-3 – 4th Place
Centennial 6-2
Mt. Hebron 5-3
Poolesville 3-5
Franklin 3-5
North Harford 2-6
Atholton 2-6
Walkersville 2-6
AACS 0-8
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