Parity opens the field

Old Mill’s Grim labels it ‘the deepest county in the state’

2023-12-06 - By Katherine Fominykh

There isn’t an obvious leader in the Anne Arundel County wrestling scene this winter.

“By far, it’s the deepest county in the state,” Old Mill coach Jim Grim said, “and it’s not even close.”

And that’s part of the reason, for sure. Multiple teams pose powerful threats to one another this year, as usual. But some of the parity will come by youth and numbers.

South River returns a hefty portion of its Class 4A state duals championship team, predominantly experienced seniors and juniors with plenty of winning on their resumes. And yet, it’s far from locked for the Seahawks, which will use their first month’s tournaments to determine where things really are.

“Right now it is about getting people healthy and at the right weight. It is a long season. We may have a few freshman in our lineup and other first-year varsity wrestlers,” longtime coach John Klessinger said. “Our focus is on improvement and developing physical and mental toughness.”

Along with South River, coaches generally predict Old Mill as another imposing obstacle on their schedules. The goal for Grim is to advance the young wrestlers populating the lineup quickly enough to compete later down the line.

“I think we will be tough this year. Our goal at Old Mill is the same every year, to win counties, regionals and states,” Grim said. ” And this year’s goal is the same.”

Crofton is another expected to generally dominate, though there’s some gaps in the lighter weights left by graduated state-placers. However, led by girls state champion Lexy Pabon and placer Jacob Speed, coach Jason West anticipates his Cardinals will build upon their first winning season to aim for a region duals title before scooping up wins on the individual side.

Chesapeake could shake out on the better side of the county, too, but things seem uncertain at the minute. The Cougars have lost a few expected returners including talented heavyweight Delmar White, who’s off to Archbishop

Spalding.

“We return a good number of varsity wrestlers. The key will be our returners picking up their game from where they were last year,” coach Randy Curtin said. “We also have a few new wrestlers that will need to adjust to varsity competition. It hurts that Delmar White transferred to Spalding, [but] I do think that we can compete with the top teams in the county.”

Spalding, meanwhile, is thrilled to have White. The long unsettled heavyweight role filled at last, the Cavaliers are in good position to strike a lot higher than fifth in the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association.

“This is one of our strongest teams since the 2011 team that won the states,” longtime coach Mike Laidley said. “We fill the lineup and look solid throughout.”

Other teams don’t have as much experience to anchor their lineups. Broadneck’s dominant senior-laden squad — upset in the Class 4A Region final by South River last year — turns over into a young team once again. That said, coach Reid Bloomfield hopes their talent combined with work will transform into progress come February.

For Northeast, that progress has to come from within.

“This year’s team strengths is the level of talent across the line-up. Our biggest obstacle is improving mentally by removing the red flags that hold us back,” coach Chris Dyke said. “For this team to be successful, be thankful for the opportunity to wrestle, be aggressive and relentless, have no fear of losing or making mistake, and never giving up.”

Turnout will play a factor in teams’ success this winter, too, and Southern and Arundel are experiencing a good harvest. Seventy wrestlers turned out for the Bulldogs this November, while 60 came out for new Arundel coach Rob Connolly.

Southern looks to be on a good foot after only graduating two. Of the returners, county champion JC Wilson — revived from his late-season injury — will lead that seasoned group alongside girls champion Domenica Gladwell, Luke Ruel and Leo Flores.

The Wildcats lie on the Broadneck side of the spectrum with a team mostly consisting of freshmen and sophomores. Improvement, to Connolly, is the goal.

“This team has a good deal of athleticism and toughness. We expect to compete in every match we wrestle this year,” the coach said. “This years team will be characterized by our toughness and eagerness to outwork our opponents.”

Likewise, Glen Burnie will present a young squad.

“There are a handful of returning wrestlers from last year that helps make our foundation,” coach Kevin Cabradillia said. “We look to build on our success from last year and continue to push through and make huge improvements.”

Here’s more on each team. Editor’s note: not every team responded to requests for information.

ARCHBISHOP SPALDING

Last season: 19-10

Coach: Mike Laidley, 22nd season

Top wrestlers: Senior Vincent Paolucci (132); juniors Delmar White (285), Ryder Kolat (144), Josh Taylor (157) and Sean Garretson (126); sophomores Zane Leitzel (138) and Eli Chesla (106).

ARUNDEL

Last season: 10-19

Coach: Rob Connolly, first season

Top wrestlers: Seniors Jada Chaves (106) and Paeton Norsworthy (190); junior Cole Figueroa (138); sophomore Mannaseh Ojaomo (215).

BROADNECK

Last season: 30-4

Coach: Reid Bloomfield, sixth season

Top wrestlers: Seniors Austin Combs (175), Dom Ascione (190) and Calieb Collazo (285); juniors Brandon Whyte-Taylor (120), Cam Williams (126), Luka Podkrajac (132), Linx Lawless (144) and Peyton Miller (157); sophomores Miguel Caban 113,

CHESAPEAKE

Last season: 31-8, 3A South Region finalists, county championship runner-ups

Coach: Randy Curtin, ninth season

Top wrestlers: Seniors Michael Greenstreet (126) and Keanu Furbush (175); juniors Braydon Ambrose (113) and Xander Dodd (215); sophomore Brayden Roberts (120).

CROFTON

Last season: 24-11

Coach: Jason West, fourth season

Top wrestlers: Seniors Jacob Speed (165), Connor Duncan (144/150) and Aiden Santos (175); juniors Chris Coleman (190), Ryan Eremita (144/150) and Lexy Pabon (125/126); sophomore Dominick Rossi (132/138)

GLEN BURNIE

Last season: 12-28

Coach: Kevin Cabradillia, 15th season

Top wrestlers: Senior Ahmed Jallad (157/165); juniors Noah Akers (132) and Kris Brooks (165/175).

NORTH COUNTY

Last season: 10-15

Coach: Colin Alexander, first season

Top wrestlers: Seniors Domingo David (144), Kairyn Hall (150) and Kayden Song (157); juniors Carter Alexander (175) and Elijah Boston (285)

NORTHEAST

Last season: 9-5

Coach: Chris Dyke, 15th season

Top wrestlers: Seniors Brady Blackmer (157), Braeden Cauffman (165), Minor Smith (175) Damien Bruce (215), Anthony Mrozek (285) and Callie Serio (130); juniors Adreyanna Welzel (115) and Jaziah Bond (190); sophomores Carson Krastas (113), Dylan Solivan (120), Beau Schmidt (144), Caleb Monahan (150), Ben Gonzalez (190), Sophia Hodges (125) and Cheyenne Hall (145); freshmen Ethan Hartford (106), Blake Harris (126), Rex Graves (132), Michael Taylor (138)

and Blake Feher (110).

OLD MILL

Last season: 25-8

Coach: Jim Grim, 19th season

Top wrestlers: Seniors Omar Khan (132), Reid Jones (150), Devin Perry (190) and RJ Duncan (285); juniors Tristan Sudama (106), Keon Gavin (120), Dekhi Church (138), Ryan Stanley (138), Ruben Macials-Salas (150), Dominick Hurley (165), Noel Norman-Williams (175), Dylan Budd (215) and Xxavien Mackell (215); sophomores Logan Johnson (113), Robert Maher (126) and Trey Martini (157).

SOUTH RIVER

Last season: 38-6, 4A East Region champions, 4A state dual champions

Coach: John Klessinger, 24th season

Top wrestlers: Seniors Aidan Healey (215), Brent Phillips (175), Zach Glienke (190), Xavier Foran (150) and Antonio Strong (285); juniors Ben Ford (150), Busayo Balogun (215), Sam Travis (150), Ethan McWaters (150), Evan Paximadas (165), Pete Laye (138), Brody Glenn (132) and Emmanual Rosas (113); sophomores Trent Shipley (120), Andrew Vellieux (106) and Austin Langis (106); freshmen Jackson Peeples (113), Nikko Seppi (120) and Ethan Burger (138).