Walt Whitman Wins Pat Briscoe Memorial Tournament

Walt Whitman’s third-ranked senior Solomon Randall (138) was among seven champions and 13 teammates who finished within the top three of their weight classes as the seventh-ranked Vikings won the Co-ed Pat Briscoe Memorial Tournament at Parkside last weekend.

Solomon was joined on the victory podium by sixth-ranked junior Jabasie Trice (126), sixth-ranked senior Matthew Hobbs (157), ninth-ranked senior Chris Lindstrom (150), seniors Ryan Thorpe (175) and Zach Richards (215) and junior Noah Reising-Rubli (113) as the Vikings (417 points) overcame second-place Woodbridge, Va. (277.5).

Runners-up were 15th-ranked senior Andy Boshnick (285) and senior Jacob Sherman (190), with third-place finishes from Noah’s twin, Teo Reising-Rubli (106), senior Adan Magnas (144) and junior Luke Monaco (165).

Finishing third was 17th-ranked Montgomery County rival Damascus (255), with the Swarmin’ Hornets crowning eighth-ranked senior Mark Martin (190) and freshman Tommy Lutz (106).

The Vikings of 19th-year coach Derek Manon are defending Montgomery County Tournament champions in pursuit of their third straight Class 4A state dual meet crown.

The Vikings dethroned Damascus as Montgomery County Tournament champions last season under Manon, whose top assistant, Will Sharbaugh, was a Class 4A-3A state champion for the Vikings with a 37-0 record in 2006.

The Vikings went 6-0 to win the Dick Slutzky Golden Eagles’ Duals at Aberdeen High on Dec. 6 and have now added the Parkside Tournament, whose format featured qualifying pool wrestling on the first day followed by a bracketed format on the second.

Randall earned a 16-1 technical fall over runner-up Evan Alexader, a junior from Colonel Richardson. Randall also earned five pins, including those in 20, 25 and 43 seconds and a fall in 2:54 over 17th-ranked, third-place finishing Damascus junior Cooper Spoales.

Randall won his second straight Class 4A-3A state title last year after placing third at states as a freshman and has won two each in county and regional crowns after having placed third in each as a ninth-grader.

“I knew that I was going to face some great competition heading into the Parkside Tournament, so I was really excited to compete,” said Randall, whose record on the year is 17-0 with a career record of 139-7.

“It felt great to be able to get into my offense and to set the pace in my matches. As for our goals this season, winning feels great, and it’s also great to see that our offseason work is starting to pay off. Winning motivates us to work even harder because we know that there is so much more to come.”

Trice earned a 95-second pin to go with three technical falls comprising a pair by scores of 15-0 and a third by 17-1. Trice also earned a 6-0 decision over Parkside junior Canaan Cornish, who finished second.

“I went into this tournament thinking about the fact that I’m getting closer to 100 career wins,” said Trice, who was first, second and sixth in counties, regions and states, and has 97 career victories.

“That is what has motivated me to push the pace in all of the positions in my matches and to keep putting points on the board. I’m thankful that I was able to see that half of our lineup was on the top of the podium.”

Hobbs went 8-0 with two technical falls and three of his four pins being in the first period, including those in 39 and 61 seconds and another in 1:47.

Another pin transpired in 2:27 for Hobbs, whose technical falls were by scores of 16-1, and, 17-2. The latter was against third-place finishing freshman Lincoln Smiddy of Damascus.

Hobbs earned a 9-0 major decision against Parkside senior Masen Shahan, who placed fourth, and defeated runner-up junior Anthony Alexander of Colonel Richardson by 14-8 decision.

“This was my first time competing at Parkside, so I am very proud of my performance," said Hobbs, who placed third at counties, second at regions and sixth at states. “All of the work everyone has put in during the offseason is starting to pay off, and the team is looking better than ever right now. I’m excited to give my all for my last season and for us to do great things as a team.”

Lindstrom earned four of his five falls in the first period, including those in 30 and 90 seconds. Lindstrom also had pins in 1:46, 5:49 and 1:48, the last opposite second-place finishing senior Gary Koeneman of Colonel Richardson.

“I’ve set a lot of goals for myself coming into this season, and winning a tournament is one step closer to accomplishing those goals,” said Lindstrom, who was fourth at counties, second at regions and has a record of 18-1 this season.

“I’m proud of my performance, but I’m even prouder of our team’s overall performance. I’m grateful to have such a talented room of wrestlers, and I know that this win is just going to make me drive myself and the team to work even harder.”

Noah Reising-Rubli earned technical falls by scores of 17-0, and 17-1, the latter against runner-up DonRognay Leme, a junior from Delaware’s Seaford High. Reising-Rubli also earned an 82-second fall over 12th-ranked freshman Chase Spoales of Damascus, who placed third.

“Winning back-to-back tournaments after winning [Aberdeen] feels great. It shows that all of the work we’ve been putting into the rooms is paying off. Having my brother, Teo, on the team means a lot to me. We push one another on and off the mat. Teo helps me to improve, and it’s always fun having him around,” Reising-Rubli said.

“Being able to contribute to a winning team like Whitman’s is special because we know that we have a reputation to uphold. Every wrestler on the team is going to give their best, and we leave everything on the mat. We also work every day to get better because we know that there is always room for improvement.”

Thorpe earned a 55-second pin, an 11-8 decision over third-place senior Jordan Whitney of Damascus, and a 23-12 major decision over Wicomico senior Rowen Okerblom in the finals.

“This was my first high school tournament. I went into it with the mindset that I was going to put everything out on the table, regardless of the outcome. After actually winning the tournament, not only was I extremely proud of myself for winning it all, but for all of the learning process as I went along. As I’m still learning some fundamental wrestling skills, I got caught over the course of the two days in the tournament in moves I was unfamiliar with,” Thorpe said.

“Yet, by listening and trusting in my coaches, I was able to not only beat my opponents, but to beat them with a bit more style. Knowing that I was able to learn and to progress so much over those two days really is what hits home for me. Regarding the rest of the season, I’ll treat it the same as I did this tournament. I’ll give it everything I’ve got, regardless of what happens, and I’m sure I’ll achieve something great.”

Richards registered falls in 14, 20, 31, 69 and 74 seconds, a 20-3 technical fall over freshman Jack Wanzer of Woodbridge in their title match.

Although Boshnick was pinned in 72 seconds of his title match with Woodbridge sophomore Te`Quan Smith, he did earn a 13-6 victory over third-place finishing 14th-ranked senior Dontray Fuller of Parkside.

Boshnick also registered pins in 36, 39 and 59 seconds as well as a 5-0 decision over fourth-place finishing senior Kai Mendiola of Henrico.

“I’m happy that I was able to beat a guy who was ranked above me,” said Boshnick, who was third at counties and fifth at regions last season while Magnas placed sixth at counties and regions. “I did lose one match that I know I should have this weekend, but that loss will be a driving force for my focus during the rest of this season. I’m proud of my performance.”

Martin earned an 8-1 decision over Sherman in the finals to go with six falls, including those in 39, 46 and 59 seconds.

“Winning Parkside was an amazing feeling and a reminder to me of what I’m capable of when I stay focused,” Martin said. “It gives me momentum and motivation to keep grinding and to aim higher for the rest of this season.”

Lutz registered a 20-3 technical fall to go with pins in 32, 73 and 46 seconds, the last over sophomore Wadley Dorjean of Parkside for the crown.