Coach Scott Delpo's Gladiators show glimpses of a team that could win a Class 2A-1A state tournament crown

by Lem Satterfield

During the consolation rounds, with his team still trailing in the overall team standings, Glenelg coach Scott Delpo pulled his Gladiators' squad together and challenged his wrestlers to collectively show heart.

The second-year coach, who, in early 1990s, had guided Franklin of Baltimore County to a Class 2A-1A state title, reminded the Gladiators of an earlier, humbling dual meet defeat at two-time defending Class 4A-3A duals champion LaPlata of Charles County.

"I told them that we didn't want it to end like that one, and that we had to show more heart than we did that day," said Delpo, referring to a 37-27 loss in which the Gladiators were essentially out-hustled, and, physically, overcome by a more intense, and determined team.

"I told them that if we wanted to win this," Delpo said, "then we would have to do it in the wrestle-backs. The way we finished off, we've come miles since the LaPlata match."

The Gladiators of Howard County responded, emphatically, by sending four wrestlers to the championship finals, placing six in the top four, eight in the top six and 10 within the top eight of their weight classes to out-distance runner-up Severna Park of Anne Arundel County, 174-to-167.5 for the title in the 19-team event.

Winning titles were Brendon Conway (119) and Tim Chase (160), each of whom was a third place finisher at Class 2A-1A state last season.

State runner-up, Dan Bichner (135) lost his championship bout, 2-1, to unbeaten Matt Danielson (15-0) of Bullis of Montgomery County, and state runner-up Brian Marcoux (125) dropped a 12-7 decision to Indian River's Mike Magaha, who was named the event's Outstanding Wrestler.

Conway edged Johnny White of Tuscarora, 9-7.

"This is the first high school tournament I've won since regionals," said Conway, whose Gladiators were without injured runner-up Chris Stinnett (145). "I wasn't going to give people points easy. I wanted to get my lead early and be aggressive. If we can win this, I think we can win states."

Chase's 9-6 victory over Mark Nielson of Walkersville was secured within the last 51 seconds of the bout, when he scored a takedown, and, later, two nearfall points to break a 5-5 tie.

"I had to get a takedown, I had to score somehow. But his style was a little awkward, and he made me work for it," said Chase, who improved to 11-1 by winning the event for the second straight year. "I didn't want to sit on a takedown for the lead, so I tried to seal it with some more points. I don't have the words to describe how this feels."
 
Severna Park crowned two champions in Zach Shreve (152) and Mark Massie (171), winners of decisions over Liberty's Brian Dressler and St. Paul's Cody Wilt, respectively, by scores of 2-1, and, 3-2.

But the Falcons' state runner-up, Billy Nichols (215), who had pinned all 14 opponents without a loss, suffered his first defeat, 5-4, to Georgetown Prep's private schools state runner-up, Chancellor Gaffney, who improved to 16-2 on the year.

Gaffney's only losses of the year have been against Old Mill's Class 4A-3A state champ Ethan Brown, and North Carroll's Class 4A-3A state runner-up Jason Thomen.

Gaffney has since avenged the loss to Thomen, whom he defeated, 3-2, in the title bout of the Perry Hall Tournament won by Georgetown Prep.

"Billy Nichols is a very good wrestler who reminded me of Jason Thomen. Jason took me into overtime the first time. They're both bulls and very hard to wrestle," said Gaffney, who scored a takedown to break a 3-3 tie with Nichols.

"My coaches were telling me to keep working toward the center, and not to tie up," Gaffney said. "I think my chances of winning states are looking good so far, but I take it one match at a time. That's what I did today, and I'm happy it worked out."

Damascus' Josh Frederick (285) had a more difficult time winning his semifinal, 5-3, over Severna Park's Jared Planz than he did in decking South County of Virginia's Milton Weatherhead, who had pulled a semifinal upset by planting Good Counsel's Bryan Murray.

Frederick, who is considering a drop into the 215 pound weight class, where he was fifth at state last season, said he was wary of a move called the "Elevator" used by Weatherhead to pin the much larger Murray.

"I saw him stick Murray earlier, and I knew it was going to be a tough match. He was a good wrestler, but he was lighter than most of the other guys, so that made this a little bit easier," said Frederick., whose teammates, Shane Boyd (130) and Ed Obendorfer (140) both reached the finals.

"I could drop to 215 probably any day if I wanted to, but we'll have to see how it goes, and we'll make that decision when the time comes," said Frederick, whose third straight victory in the tournament comes during the 31st and final coaching season for the Swarmin' Hornets' Dave Hopkins.

"I love Hopp, he's like a second father," Frederick said. "I was out here to try hard for the team, myself, the coaches and my family and everything."

Frederick County crowned four titlists, with Tuscarora's C.J. Savage (112) joining Walkersville's Ty (140) and Zach (145) White, C.J. Cotterman (130) and state champ Jordan Walsh (189).

Damascus Tournament results

Team scores: 1. Glenelg 174; 2. Severna Park 167; 3. Damascus 155; 4. New Kent, Va. 138; 5. Walkerville 136.5; 6. Williamsport 120.5; 7. Georgetown Prep 114; 8. South County 112; 9. Indian River 111; 10. Liberty 105; 11. Sidwell Friends 96; 12. Tuscarora 73; 13. Gonzaga 67; 14. Landon 62; 15. Good Counsel 42; 16. Wootton 41; 17. St. Paul's 36; 18. Bullis 27; 19. Einstein 5

 

Championship finals

103- Paul O'Neill (GON) d. Mike Emana (NK), 8-1
112- C.J. Savage (CEN) tf. Kemper Baker (WMP), 4:30
119- Brendon Conway (GL) d. Johnny White (TUS), 9-7
125- Mike Magaha (IR) d. Brian Marcoux (GL), 12-7
130- C.J. Cotterman (WK) d. Shane Boyd (DAM), 5-1
135- Matt Danielson (BU) d. Danny Bichner (GL), 2-1
140- Ty White (WK) d. Ed Obendorfor (DAM), 3-0
145- Zach White (WK) d. Edward Ernst (SF), 5-3
152- Zach Shreve (SP) d. Brian Dressler (LIB), 2-1
160- Tim Chase (GL) d. Marc Nielson (WK), 9-6
171- Mark Massie (SP) d. Cody Wilt (STP), 3-2
189- Jordan Walsh (WK) p. Drew Williams (WMP), 1:08
215- Chancellor Gaffney (GP) d. Billy Nichols (SP), 5-4
285- Josh Frederick (DAM) p. Milton Weatherhead (SC), 2:41


Consolation finals


103- Patrick Shaffer (SC) d. Zach Gerber (GL), 4-1
112- Chance Sellman (DAM) d. Jefferey Peyser (SF), 4-3
119- Brady Massaro (SP) mj. Bobby Velisek (DAM), 12-4
125- Josh O'Neill (GON) p. Kevin Peddocord (NK), 0:19
130- James Emana (NK) mj. Jenkens Monzey (GP), 13-2
135- Luke Todd (NK) d. Timmy Bokinsky (IR), 8-6
140- Bobby Gribbin (GP) p. Jeff Shea (LIB), 3:06
145- Zeke Gammil (DAM) d. Mike Barbaro (WOO), 8-2
152- Alex Hufnagel (GL) d. Patrick Fitzgerald (SC), 4-3
160- Mike Kelly (LA) d. Robbie Miles (WMP), 8-2
171- Tippi Ntundi (SC) mj. Cullen Cassidy (LA), 11-0
189- Pat Downey (SP) p. Alex Regulinski (SF), 4:23
215- Josh Tobin (SF) mj. Trey Smith (LA), 11-3
285- Bryan Murray (GC) p. Jared Planz (SP), 3:36