War on the Shore Preview

Archbishop Spalding is coming off a strong season, tying the Greyhounds for the Maryland Independent/Private School's state championship.

But the top-ranked Cavaliers are also trying to rebound from an upset, 34-30, loss to #2 McDonogh on Tuesday evening in a MIAA league match.

Among last year's accomplishments were the Cavaliers capturing the War On The Shore Tournament at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center in Ocean City, crowning top-ranked junior Zane Leitzel (138) and third-ranked junior Eli Chesla (113) among three titlists, overcoming runner-up South Carroll for the overall title, 225.5 points to-217.

“We graduated some good seniors from last year’s team,” said 24th-year coach Mike Laidley. “We still have a pretty young team and we’ve filled some holes.”

Leitzel and Chesla are returning seniors as the top-ranked Cavaliers attempt to defend their War On The Shore title this weekend, being joined by returning fourth-place finishers in top-ranked junior Charlie Mutschler (113) and second-ranked junior Quentin Bailey (138).

Adding to the intrigue is returning champion and top-ranked junior Eli Gabrielson (126), a transfer from second-ranked South Carroll, where his 43-0 record included winning last year's Carroll County, region and Class 1A state titles and finishing second in the National High School Coaches' Association Tournament.

As a 106-pound freshman at St. Mary's Ryken, Gabrielson earned a title in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference, was a private schools' state runner-up and placed fourth at National Preps.

The Cavaliers won the season-opening Ray Oliver Tournament at McDonogh, where Mutschler improved on last year's sixth-place finish, Leitzel upgraded from his third-place effort of a year ago, Gabrielson earned his first Ray Oliver Tournament crown, Bailey finished second, and Chesla, sixth.

Leitzel is a returning MIAA and private schools state champion who was fifth at National Preps, Chesla was second at MIAAs and states, Mutschler was third at MIAAs and second at private school states, and Bailey is a returning state runner-up after finishing fifth at MIAAs.

Leitzel looks to repeat after winning last year’s War On The Shore 138-pound title bout, 9-5, over then-second-ranked senior Evan Owen South Carroll, an eventual Class 2A-1A state champion.

“Returning as a champion feels good,” Leitzel said. “But that’s last year’s accomplishment. I feel that our team is prepared and ready for war.”

Gabrielson earned last year’s War On the Shore crown with a 15-3 major decision over senior Malachi Stratton of Sussex Central. Gabrielson had placed third as a freshman at the War On The Shore where Stratton was fourth in a different weight class.

“It feels good to return as a champion, but that was last year,” Gabrielson said. “There are some good kids at my weight, but I’ve put in the work and I’m excited to wrestle some good competition.”

Chesla won his crown, 6-2, over South Carroll’s Grayson Barnhill, who returns as a seventh-ranked senior three-time county and regional champion who has placed second, first and fifth in the past three state tournaments.

“I don’t really think too far into the tournament. I just look forward to my next match,” Chesla said. “I just try to wrestle to my full potential. War On The Shore is a deep tournament and I’m excited to go to battle with my brothers.”

Also scheduled to compete for the Cavaliers is second-ranked junior female wrestler Taina Fernandez (144), who lost an overtime, 4-1, decision to Bailey on the way to finishing third to Bailey’s second at the Ray Oliver Tournament at McDonogh.

Fernandez's loss to Bailey was only her second to a Maryland wrestler, boy or girl, as a high school wrestler. Fernandez is a four-time Super 32 title winner and two-time World Champion female grappler who is ranked No. 1 nationally among girls at 140 pounds.

Ray Oliver was Fernandez’s first-ever high school tournament three years ago during her ninth-grade season, when she finished third following a 7-5 quarterfinal loss to then-junior teammate and eventual 126-pound champion Sean Garretson, a former MIAA and state title winner.

Until facing Bailey, the loss to Garretson had been the lone defeat suffered to a male wrestler in Maryland by Fernandez, who also placed third at Ray Oliver as a 126-pound freshman.

Other ranked teams competing will be third-ranked Mount St. Joseph, fourth-ranked Loyola, eighth-ranked Chesapeake-Anne Arundel, ninth-ranked St. Mary's Ryken, 15th-ranked Stephen Decatur, 23rd-ranked Huntingtown, 24th-ranked Oakdale, 26th-ranked Bullis and 28th-ranked C. Milton Wright.

“We’re excited to compete this year,” Laidley said. “There’s a lot of good teams in this year’s field. We just hope that our kids wrestle the way they’ve trained.”

Below is a look at the top competitors from several of those teams and others.

SOUTH CARROLL HOPES TO TOPPLE SPALDING

Barnhill and South Carroll are coming off last weekend’s 46-32 non-league dual meet victory at 13th-ranked Gilman, where he registered his 117th career fall to improve his record on the year to 18-2 with 18 pins.

In victory, the Cavaliers improved to 17-0 with their 32nd straight dual meet win.

A University of Maryland-bound wrestler whose record rose to 19-0 with 13 pins, the Cavalier’s second-ranked Landon Hamper (215) looks to improve on last year’s third-place finish at War On The Shore.

“I know that my teammates and I are super-hyped for this tournament,” said Hamper, who is in pursuit of his third straight Carroll County and Class 2A-1A state titles after having finished second and first in the past two regional tournaments.

“We’re coming in with a chip on our shoulders after last year and not finishing out the tournament the way that we should have. We’re excited to see some good competition and to push ourselves.”

The Cavaliers’ top-ranked senior Jojo Gigliotti (138) lost last year’s War On The Shore final, 4-1, in overtime to Northern-Calvert’s then-senior Drew Montgomery, avenging a 4-2 dual meet loss of a year earlier.

Montgomery was a winner of three Class 4A-3A state titles in four championship berths, and the loss was the first in the high school career for Gigliotti to a Maryland public or private school wrestler during the high school regular or postseason.

Committed to the University of Maryland, Gigliotti (18-0,) is in pursuit of his school-record fourth straight Class 2A-1A state championship to go with as many county and regional crowns.

Finishing sixth for the Cavaliers at War On The Shore last year was fifth-ranked junior Brody Henry (144), who is 20-0 with 10 pins, has earned a pair of county and regional titles and placed fifth and fourth at states.

Bryan Hamper is in his 13th-year guiding South Carroll, which is in pursuit of its sixth consecutive Carroll County Tournament title as well as their fifth straight Class 1A state dual meet championship.

“It’s a great event every year, and they’ve added some top teams to make it even better this season,” Bryan Hamper said. “We’re excited to test ourselves against some of the best competition out there.”

GAELS RETURN TO WAR AFTER A YEAR AWAY

Mount St. Joseph’s is led by top-ranked sophomore Brooklyn Pickett (157), who went 7-0 as a 157-pounder at the Dec. 29-30 Demolition Duals hosted by his third-ranked Gaels, including an 8-3 decision over top-ranked senior Beau Schmidt of Northeast-Anne Arundel County.

Pickett is a returning Maryland Independent/Private Schools state champion who is ranked 18th nationally by High School On SI.

Schmidt is a second-ranked 157-pound winner of three Anne Arundel County titles and one regional crown in three title match appearances who has placed second twice and fifth once at public school states. Schmidt and the Eagles are competing at War On The Shore.

Other undefeated Gaels’ wrestlers at the Demolition Duals were second-ranked senior Jake Tamai (132), top-ranked junior Tyler Stephens (144), fourth-ranked junior Connor Allison (157) all at 7-0, ninth-ranked junior Ben Scheiner (138) and fifth-ranked sophomore C. J. Votta (126) both at 6-0, and sixth-ranked freshman Nathan Matthis (120) at 4-0.

Tamai is a returning MIAA champion and private schools state runner-up, Stephens is a returning MIAA and private schools state runner-up, and Allison appears ready to improve on last year’s sixth- and fourth-place efforts at MIAAs and private schools states.

Scheiner was an MIAA runner-up who was fourth at states, and Votta placed third and fourth at MIAAs and private school states last year.

LOYOLA LED BY COOPER, JACKSON, AND VERCELES

Loyola’s returning War On The Shore champion is top-ranked sophomore Tyler Verceles (120), with second-ranked senior Dons’ teammate Jayden Jackson (126) being a returning MIAA and private schools state champion.

A returning MIAA runner-up, private schools champion and fifth place National Prep finisher, Verceles won last year’s War On The Shore with a fall in 4:24 against Benjamin Donato of Caesar Rodney.

“I’m blessed with the opportunity to defend my title and become a two-time champion at War On The Shore,” Verceles said. “But I know that my opponents will be gunning for me this time around, so I have to be dynamic and stay sharp.”

Also looking to contend is the Dons’ top-ranked freshman Charles Cooper (106), winner of the Ray Oliver Tournament at McDonogh and eighth place finisher at the Beast of the East.

Cooper could face either second-ranked sophomore Damian DuChez (106) of Bullis or fourth-ranked sophomore Paul Fitzpatrick of Oakdale, who have developed a bit of a rivalry.

DUCHEZ VS FITZPATRICK V IS A POSSIBILITY

Fitzpatrick improved his record on the year to 11-1 comprising four pins, two technical falls, one major decision, a decision and three forfeits.

Fitzpatrick (12-1, five pins, two technical falls) has a record of 1-3 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.

DuChez lost in the overtime final of the recent Damascus Holiday Tournament final against Fitzpatrick, who was third, second and fourth at last year’s Frederick County, Class 4A-3A West Region and Class 4A-3A state tournaments.

Fitzpatrick was born “genetically” or “multigenerational deaf,” according to his father, Paul Fitzpatrick III. “Just as my parents and myself are.”

Alongside coach Timothy Tao, Paul Fitzpatrick IV is provided mat-side interpreters by Frederick County Public Schools.

“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, whose nickname is, “Paul IV,” or “PIV.”

“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 know sign language and show their efforts to communicate with me in ASL. It is inspiring for me to do more for the team, family, community, and for myself.”

NATIONAL STARS COLLICK AND SNYDER LEAD THE HOSTS INTO BATTLE

Top-ranked Stephen Decatur seniors Elijah Collick (138) and Peter Snyder (190) are each looking to perform, the former in an attempt to improve on last year’s third-place finish at War On The Shore.

Committed to The University of Nebraska, Collick is ranked 7th nationally by High School On SI and is attempting to become the Seahawks' first-ever four-time title winner in the Bayside Conference as well as in the region and state tournaments.

Collick joined two-time champion Noah Reho as only the second Seahawks' freshman to earn a state title by earning the 106-pound title as a ninth-grader and can surpass three-time champion Danny Miller by becoming the program's first four-time state champion.

“At War On The Shore, I plan on just going out there, getting after it and having fun,” said Collick, who placed second at the National High School Coaches' Association Tournament last spring, and fourth at the prestigious Super 32 in October. “I’m for the gold, and then, at states, I have a goal of dominating everyone, showing that I’m the best, and becoming Stephen Decatur’s first four-time state champion.”

Committed to Northwestern University, Snyder, who is ranked 28th nationally, has returned to the Seahawks following three seasons at Blair Academy, where he earned a National Preps crown as a 165-pound freshman. Snyder placed fifth at Preps as a sophomore and missed his junior season due to an injury.

Ranked at 190 pounds by Legacy Wrestling, Snyder has indicated that he may rise into the 215 pound weight class at War On The Shore.

“I’m excited to compete for Stephen Decatur,” Snyder said. “I’m looking forward to going up a weight class and dominating everyone.”

TUCKER’S GOAL IS TO DOMINATE

Top-ranked junior Noah Tucker (175) of Bullis won last year’s crown at 157 pounds by a 6-2 decision over then-Huntingtown senior Will Buckler, the eventual winner of a Class 2A-1A state title last year.

Buckler at the time of his loss to Tucker was a returning Interstate Athletic Conference champion who was fourth at states as a sophomore.

Tucker is up two weight classes from 157 pounds, where he finished third at private school states last year and also third at the NHSCA Sophomore Nationals last season.

Tucker also ended last season with a fourth-place performance at the National Prep tournament, where he defeated Gilman’s MIAA champ and private school’s runner-up John Jurkovich as well as Mount St. Joseph’s MIAA runner-up and private schools champ Cameron Cannaday.

At the season-opening Ray Oliver Tournament at McDonogh, Tucker won his crown by decking four opponents and scoring a technical fall against the other comprising a 20-5 technical fall and pins in 1:56, 3:07, 3:08 and 2:59.

Tucker's last fall at McDonogh in 2:59 came in the title bout against Gilman's fourth-ranked junior Arthur Konshak, who returned to the 175-pound division he competed in last year toward earning third place at Ray Oliver before winning MIAAs and private school states.

Prior to the Christmas Break, Tucker, who is ranked 24th nationally by High School On SI, placed third at the prestigious Beast of the East in Delaware. Amongst Tucker’s victories was one over a Virginia wrestler from Christiansburg, 26th ranked nationally, Jake Robie.

“As I go into the War On The Shore this year, I’m going to be consistent and I’m going in with the same mindset I’ve had all year long,” Tucker said. “One jump that I’m trying to make at this year’s tournament is that where last year’s finals was a close match, I want to be more dominant this year against all of my opponents and leave no question or doubt about my abilities.”

Finishing third at War On The Shore last year was Rising Sun’s top-ranked senior Zach Garvin (165), who has earned three straight Upper Chesapeake Athletic Conference titles, two regional titles in three championship berths, and placed sixth, fifth and first at the past two Class 2A-1A state tournaments.

STATE CHAMP GAVIN LOOKS TO IMPROVE HIS FINISH

St. Mary's Ryken boasts junior Becket Geary and senior Evan Gavin, each of whom is ranked third. Gavin is a returning private schools state champion who was fifth at War On The Shore last year, and Geary was third at states after having finished fifth at War On The Shore.

Top Wrestlers At War On The Shore

106

1 Charles Cooper, Loyola

2 Damian DuChez, Bullis School

4 Paul Fitzpatrick, Oakdale

6 Lane Gowl, Archbishop Spalding

7 Daniel Stefko, St. Mary's Ryken

Non MD to Watch:

Dionte Wheeler, Whitehall PA

113

1 Charlie Mutschler, Archbishop Spalding

5 Owen Hayden, Huntingtown

7 Jake Simione, South Carroll

9 Quinn Greenstreet, Chesapeake - AA

Non MD to watch:

Vince Van Bernewitz, Great Bridge VA

Adam Gassteratos, Whitehall PA

Walker Martin, Conestoga PA

120

1 Tyler Verceles, Loyola-Blakefield

2 Eli Chesla, Archbishop Spalding

3 Becket Geary, St. Mary's Ryken

6 Nathan Matthis, Mt. St. Joseph

7 Grayson Barnhill, South Carroll

11 Bentley Schmidt. Chesapeake - AA

12 Kyler Kiessling, Huntingtown

Non MD to Watch:

Zach Dixon , Xavier CT

Thomas Egley, Great Bridge VA

Cooper Helm, Lasalle PA

126

1 Eli Gabrielson, Archbishop Spalding

2 Jayden Jackson, Loyola-Blakefield

4 Michael Holmes, St. Mary's Ryken

5 Chad "CJ"Votta, Mt. St. Joseph

15 Carson Roberts, Chesapeake - AA

18 Cameron Moore, Harford Tech

19 Adan Stewart, Rising Sun

Non MD to Watch:

Austin Guerreri, Cape Henlopen DE

Graydon Martin, Staunton River VA

Xavier Kovacs, Great Bridge VA

Gavin Hacker, Catasqua PA

132

1 Elijah Collick, Stephen Decatur

2 Jake Tamai, Mt. St. Joseph

4 Isaac Cicchetti, Archbishop Spalding

10 Brayden Roberts, Chesapeake - AA

11 Dom Herbert, Leonardtown

12 Brendan Tobin, Loyola-Blakefield

14 Will Stewart, Huntingtown

19 Anthony Allen, Arundel

Non MD to Watch:

Wilmont Kai, Whitehall PA (3rd Beast)

138

1 JoJo Gigliotti, South Carroll

2 Quentin Bailey, Archbishop Spalding

6 Henry Moltumyr, St. Mary's Ryken

7 Landen Vercoe, Huntingtown

9 Ben Scheiner, Mt. St. Joseph

11 Lincoln Weeks, Loyola-Blakefield

12 Rex Graves, Chesapeake - AA

20 Ethan Cronkright, Leonardtown

Non MD to watch:

Alex Belfer, West Chester Henderson PA (6th PA)

Steven Wiecheck, Catasqua PA

Henry Kim, Lasalle PA

144

1 Tyler Stephens, Mt. St. Joseph

2 Taina Fernandez, Archbishop Spalding

4 Josh Hale, Loyola-Blakefield

5 Brody Henry, South Carroll

10 Logan Boyle, Huntingtown

13Cameron Jefferson, St. Mary's Ryen

18 Will Colson, Leonardtown

20 JJ Hathaway, Oakdale

Non MD to Watch:

Grayson Davis, Cape Henlopen DE (5th Beast)

Quin McBride, Pennridge PA (6th PA)

Cole Trecziak, Lasalle PA

Braylon Gonzalez, Xavier CT

Tyrell Hoff, Whitehall PA

150

1 Brooklyn Pickett, Mt. St. Joseph

8 Ryder Kolat, Archbishop Spalding

9 Ezekias Perez, Huntingtown

13 Quin Regnier, South Carroll

14 Marty Sandy, Oakdale

Non MD to watch:

Zahir Robinson, Upper Darby PA

Nicholas Ramirez, Conestoga PA

157

1 Zane Leitzel, Archbishop Spalding

2 Beau Schmidt, Northeast - AA

4 Connor Allison, Mt. St. Joseph

6 Davy Snyder, South Carroll

9 Matteo Brown, Arundel

13 Owen Collins, Chesapeake - AA

20 Austin Horn, Rising Sun

Non MD to Watch:

Nicholas Walker, Cape Henlopen DE

165

1 Zach Garvin, Rising Sun

7 Soshiant Ahanj-Elias, Bullis

10 Nevan McKneely, Loyola-Blakefield

15 Josh Taylor, Archbishop Spalding

18 Alex Riehl, Stephen Decatur

Non MD to watch:

Dylan Davies, Great Bridge VA

Carson Tuer, Cape Henlopen DE

175

1 Noah Tucker, Bullis

2 Anthony Rodrigues, South Carroll

14 Spencer Ferguson, Archbishop Spalding

17 Max Solis, Mt. St. Joseph

19 Collin Richardson, Chesapeake – AA

Non MD to watch:

Ayden Christian, Great Bridge VA

Hayden Baldwin, West Chester Henderson PA

190

1 Peter Snyder, Stephen Decatur

3 Hayden Myers, St. Paul's

7 Aaron Moccia, C. Milton Wright

10 Jacob Endzel, South Carroll

14 Luke Winkler, Archbishop Spalding

20 Ayden Winter, Havre de Grace

Non MD to Watch:

James Hopkins, Whitehall PA

215

2 Landon Hamper, South Carroll

3 Evan Gavin, St. Mary's Ryken

8 Stephan Mason, Bullis

9 Luke Barulli, Archbishop Spalding

18 Gavin Lewis, Chesapeake – AA

Non MD to watch:

Sawyer Ermigiotti, Pennridge PA

Saadan Ahmad, West Chester Henderson PA

285

10 Pierce Read, Arundel

14 Dontray Fuller, Parkside

16 Michael Byrne, Archbishop Spalding

20 Jeremiah Allen, North East - CC

Non MD to watch:

Faizen Ahmed, West Chester Henderson PA