Prep Wrestling: Runner-up finish tough for Eagles

BY JUSTIN RICE

THE FREE LANCE–STAR

MONTROSS—The Northern Neck Wrestling Tournament’s team title came down to the last three matches, and had any one of them gone the other way, the final standings would have been different.

But they didn’t, and Washington & Lee had to settle for second.

Lancaster wins over W&L wrestlers at 195, 220 and 285 pounds in the finals Wednesday clinched the Devils’ narrow 2-point win over the Eagles. While the Eagles saw many of their individual goals accomplished, they were forced to swallow a bitter second-place pill on their own mat.

“If just one of those matches go the other way, we’re walking out of here in first,” first-year W&L coach Brian Satterwhite said. “I know for all the returners, this is going to be a motivational thing for next year.”

W&L junior Moses Oviedo is one of those wrestlers who will be back next season, but first he’s got some unfinished business to take care of this month.

He beat Northumberland’s Kevin Hanks with a 17–2 technical fall in the 120-pound final and was named most outstanding wrestler among the lighter weights. Oviedo wrestled injured in last year’s Group A state tournament and still managed a sixth-place finish. He’s looking for more in two weeks in this year’s state meet in Salem.

“I’m coming for them this year,” Oviedo said. “I’ve worked hard all these practices. I’m just trying my best to get back up there at states.”

Three other Eagles won district titles: Sergei Minor at 106 pounds, James Snider at 126 and Sam McGill at 145.

McGill and Snider qualified for the state tournament last year but did not place; both said they’ve used that as motivation for this season.

“I’ve got my eye on the prize,” said McGill, a senior. “I want to be on top of it at states. This is my last year to prove that I can place.”

Satterwhite knew before Wednesday’s tournament even started it would be close—“I told them we’d have to fight for every point,” he said.

The Eagles had a slim team lead headed into the finals, and that advantage grew with their four titles.

But the Devils were strong in the upper weights.

Lancaster finished first at 152, 160, 182, 195, 220 and 285—the last three coming on pins against W&L wrestlers. Devils’ 195-pounder Kai Antonio was named the tournament’s most outstanding wrestler.

“I know we practiced hard every day, and second is better than nothing,” McGill said. “We’ll see them again at regionals.”

Justin Rice: 540/368-5045

jrice@freelancestar.com

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