Paul Fitzpatrick IV is targeting D1

When fourth-ranked Oakdale's Paul Fitzpatrick IV stepped onto the match for his 106-pound clash of sophomores against second-ranked Damian DuChez of Bullis in last month's Damascus Holiday Invitational, he was continuing a rivalry.

Fitzpatrick had gone 0-3 against DuChez, who transferred from Urbana where he placed second, first and second in the Frederick County, Class 4A-3A West Region and Class 4A-3A state tournaments.

Known as Paul IV or, "PIV," Fitzpatrick's previous and last loss had come in their regional finals bout, where DuChez earned a 3-2 decision.

“My first match against Damian was at Urbana last season, where I lost, 6-3. Then I met him again at counties and lost again, 9-3, and placed third at the counties," said Fitzpatrick, who finished third and fourth at last year’s Frederick County Class 4A-3A state tournaments.

"We then went to regionals where I met him again in the finals and lost, 3-2, placing second. I went on to the states and placed fourth. I must mention that I was not confident going against Damien DuChez last season, my mindset was not right and did not have the grit to show my ability to dominate the match."

Fitzpatrick was born “genetically” or “multigenerational deaf,” according to his father, Paul Fitzpatrick III. “Just as my parents and myself are, and has been provided mat-side interpreters by Frederick County Public Schools

Team Fitzpatrick positioned itself in advance of their Damascus final, with assistant interpreter Landon Morrison being on a far side of the mat, while interpreter Daniel Dall and Paul's father, Paul III, flanked head coach Tim Tao.

"One sits with me and Paul in the corner, and the other sits on the opposite side of the match. Daniel was directly next to me and Paul in the corner, and Landon was directly across the mat from us. As far as I can remember there were only two times where I really wanted to get Paul IV's attention to communicate," Tim Tao said.

"That was when he was put in a cradle and on the edge with only his foot was in bounds with wrestlers being out of bounds. I was trying to tell him to get out of bounds my leg. The other time I was trying to tell him to stay off his knees during the shot. I think I shared most of the scenario, but PIV basically focuses on his own. He doesn’t really need our tips. But when he does, he will glance at us for tips. But for DuChez, he was very engaged and too focused and invested into winning the match."

Tao, PIV and Fitzpatrick's father, Paul III, said other Bears' wrestlers have taken advantage of translation courses offered by The American Sign Language program.

"The interpreters for the wrestling program came in last year and learned a lot of wrestling terminology in English. Then they worked closely with me to follow through on what 'signs' the interpreters needed to utilize to ensure the communication between the coach and wrestler worked efficiently," Paul III said. " We do have American Sign Language signs that abbreviate for PIV to capture during the practice or match, knowing what it means, and how to apply it during the match. It is the second year that the interpreters have worked with PIV, and we appreciate their service."

Armed with a record on the year of 17-3 that includes seven pins and two technical falls, Fitzpatrick has a career mark of 51-8 with 19 pins and 11 technical falls.

Fitzpatrick and DuChez could have a fifth bout this weekend at Oakdale, where the Bears play host to the Dorsey Duals. Fitzpatrick went unbeaten and won last year's duals and will look to repeat as champion perhaps against DuChez.

DuChez's coach is Drew Robertson, a 1999 DeMatha graduate and a four-time WCAC champion, winner of three state titles in four final appearances, and two National Preps crowns after having placed fifth and third.

“We'll see [Fitzpatrick] at the dual tournament at Oakdale," Robertson said. "He wrestled really tough and is one of the better 106-pounders in the state. We look forward to our next opportunity to wrestle such a quality opponent in Paul."

Paul III said Paul IV has "developed enhanced sight" as a result of being deaf to the point where he can "make the decision to react intuitively when wrestling because it has been like that since he was five years old."

John Nogle witnessed Fitzpatrick's success as a former junior league wrestler. Nogle has coached youth since 2010, doing so with the Olney-based Maryland Outlaws Wrestling Club for 10 years and with the Columbia-based Headhunters for the past six.

“Paul Fitzpatrick, or PIV, as he was known to us, started wrestling with headhunters wrestling club when he was in the sixth grade,” said Nogle, a 1995 graduate of Smithsburg High who placed third at states three times.

“I had worked with him quite a bit prior to that when I would help out in Tony Rodrigues’ Maniac Wrestling club, and Paul was always a very skilled wrestler and worked super hard.”

With the exception of a few details, Nogle guided Fitzpatrick much as he did his own sons, Coleman and Carter, who are graduates of Mount St. Joseph who are wrestling in college.

Coleman graduated in 2023 as a two-time MIAA and Maryland Independent/Private Schools’ state champion is now wrestling at Harvard. Carter graduated in 2024 as a three-time MIAA and private schools champion, now competing for the Air Force Academy.

“I didn’t really communicate with him any differently than any of the other wrestlers in the room other than using my notepad feature on my phone to quickly show him what drill we were about to do,” Nogle said. “But I always made sure to use a hand signal to show the start of live wrestling, and I would sometimes tapped him or make an ‘X’ with my arms to signal to break, although the other kids in the room were always very good about tapping him twice to let him know it was time to stop.”

Fitzpatrick finished fifth at the Jan. 9-10 War On the Shore event, where DuChez was a runner-up following a 10-4 loss to Loyola's top-ranked Charles Cooper. A winner of the Ray Oliver Tournament at McDonogh and eighth place finisher at the Beast of the East, Cooper scored a 17-2 technical fall in his semifinal bout with Fitzpatrick.

"PIV definitely wants to go for Division I school, although he is unsure of what he wants to study," said Paul III, whose son is an A student. "PIV is geared toward entrepreneurship or being an athletic trainer, or coaching — those are the types of areas that he’s aiming for. He still has time to explore options."

But right now, Paul IV is focused on winning his second straight Oakdale Duals, and that could mean facing DuChez, yet again.

"I have the utmost respect for Damien DuChez. I know Damien through the Capital Wrestling Club that I've had the honor and the privilege to work with on various occasions. Damien is a high caliber, skilled wrestler who I've faced several times."

And when the time comes, Fitzpatrick will once again rely on the support of coaches, teammates and of course, his skills.

“I am grateful to have amazing interpreters that worked with our school and wrestling program. What is more is that I am grateful and appreciative that most wrestlers, Coach Tao, and managers are learning American Sign Language, taking ASL classes to communicate with me. It means a lot to me, my family, and my communities,” said Fitzpatrick.

“I never had that before, my entire life, since I was five years old wrestling. I do not really communicate or connect with anyone. I am always alone in the room, with everyone that does not know sign language. Now, I am in the room where half of my team knows sign language and shows their efforts to communicate with me in ASL. It is inspiring for me to do more for the team, family, community, and for myself.”