Prep
wrestling notebook — Tigers loaded for district meet
By
Jim Crowley
Staff
Writer
MANASSAS – For Bull Run District wrestlers, it all starts or ends at
Clarke County High School, site of the 2001 district tournament Saturday.
The top four grapplers in each weight class advance to the Region B
tournament next weekend – the last stop before the Group A state tournament
on March 3. The Bull Run District tourney begins at 11 a.m. and continues
throughout the day.
Of the seven teams competing in the Bull Run District tournament, Brentsville
boasts the most top-four seeds. The Tigers have 13 of their 14 wrestlers
seeded fourth or higher, while Clarke County offers 10, Strasburg has eight
and Madison County seven. Manassas Park has five in this category.
But don’t tell Brentsville coach Thad Kiesnowski his team is the favorite.
Kiesnowski quickly mentioned the Tigers’ only district loss which came at
the hands of Clarke County in a dual meet this season.
Then again, Kiesnowski agreed that dual meets and tournaments are completely
different.
“They’ve still got to win some matches,” Kiesnowski said.
“We’d like to see all of our kids go to regionals.
“(But) we’re just taking it like we’re going to the next round.”
So is Brentsville’s Zak Thompson. The district tournament is
old hat for the senior, who was a state-title winner at 140 last season.
“Nothing much changes,” said Thompson, who is just focused
on keeping his last journey fun.
“It’s going to be interesting, we have a lot of young guys. …
(But) we’re real good in tournaments.”
Thompson, Dan Brown (171) and Ben Truschel(130) all have
No. 1 seeds. And Thompson is one of two Brentsville state champions who
hopes to make a repeat bid. Fellow senior Brian House won a state
title at 119 in 2000.
House, who is at 125 this season, leads a cast of second-place Tiger
seeds, including Luke Siler (119), Jimmy Kenner (135), Steve
Yanchuk (189) and Bert Schlegel (215).
Jesse White (103), Charlie Peele (140) and Jason Cook
(heavyweight) are seeded third in their weight classes while Brian Borror
(112) and Dan Easley (160) are positioned fourth.
Kiesnowski is optimistic on his wrestlers’ chances. In his estimation,
if the Tigers can place nine wrestlers in the finals – which is plausible
– Brentsville should prevail. He added, though, it’s up to his kids to make
that happen. And with a 10-day break in competition, the Tigers’ coach is
a little leery.
“Most of the pressure is on them,” Kiesnowski said. “If
we perform the way we’re capable of, we can do real well in the tournament.”
Manassas Park’s Shaun Guttridge is the favorite at 152 – not
only in the district, but in the state. The Cougars’ senior standout has
amassed a remarkable 28-0 record this season, supporting his top-billing
in Virginia.
Cougars coach Richard FitzSimmons expects Guttridge to take the
title at 152 and has the same hopes for Mike Spaulding, who is top-ranked
at 119.
Walter Lerchenfeld (135) has good positioning as a third seed
while Billy DePugh (103) and Everritt Kline (heavyweight)
also plan to advance as fourth seeds in their weight classes. Wess Howell
(125) is ranked sixth, but has a solid chance at advancing while Mike
Peacock will try to do the same as a seventh seed at 171.
The Cougars have had to deal with injury and lack of numbers all season
long. It has forced Manassas Park to forfeit six classes for Saturday, including
its 112-pounder Mike Harms. The senior, who won the 103 state title
a year ago, will not wrestle as the district’s top 112-pounder.
Harms suffered a knee injury during football season, causing him to
miss most of the 2001 season.
Two weeks ago there was a glimmer of hope Harms could compete in the
tournament by delaying knee surgery that scheduled sometime in mid-February
until the end of the postseason. However, the team learned Wednesday Harms
would officially miss the tournament.
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