Prep Nationals Showcase Arena, Upper Marlboro, MD

From Coach Katz

What a way to end an amazing season!  We had 5 qualifiers from the state tournament, and we petitioned in 2 others for a wildcard spot.  Joel Brown (1^st), Will Levy (1^st), Will Abramson (4^th), Tiller Smith (4^th), Nate Furgeson (6^th) qualified by their respective placements.  David LaPrade (7^th) and Ty Reyes (7^th) earned wildcards for a total of 7 national qualifiers.  Unfortunately, Will Levy and Will Abramson were not able to compete this weekend.  Will Levy was not cleared to wrestle from a neck injury from an illegal slam in the semi-finals.  Will Abramson moved on to lacrosse.  He was still not 100% from his previous injury.

At Nationals, the Bears represented well.  They placed 22^nd as a team in a field of 114 teams from across the country.  This tournament is one of the toughest tournaments in high school wrestling.  It continues to get stronger every year with new teams like Lake Highland Prep from Florida (top 10 team).  The team race was dominated by three top 5 teams in the country: Wyoming Seminary, Malvern Prep, and Blair Academy. In the finals, 20 of the 28 finalists were from one of these three schools.

Our wrestlers wrestled very well.

Tiller Smith (220) drew the #9 seed from Bishop Lynch Texas.  He was second in the state and proved his skills.  In his second match, he lost a close 4-2 match against the 5^th place winner from Pennsylvania.

Ty Reyes (285) got the toughest draw of all time.  He wrestled the #1 ranked wrestler in the country from Malvern Prep (eventual champion).  Ty was happy to make it to the 2^nd period.  He then drew the Texas state champion for Episcopal who was the eventual 5^th place All-American.

David LaPrade drew the 4^th place state finisher in PA.  David pinned him in the first period. In the second round, David gave the #2 seed a battle, but eventually got pinned by the St. Benedict’s from NJ wrestler.  In the consolations, David was beating the #4 in MD wrestler from Boys Latin, but made a mistake to his back and his season ended. 

At 160, Nate Furgeson stepped up his game.  In the first round, he knocked off #4 in Texas from Episcopal with a 6-3 win.  In the second round, he faced the #3 seed (but eventual finalist) from Wyoming Seminary.  In the consolations, he pinned a wrestler from St. Paul’s New Hampshire.  In the second round, he lost a tough match to #11 seed from Providence Day School NC. 

At 132, #5 seed Joel did not have an easy road.  He pinned his first opponent from Gonzaga in the first period.  In the second round, he hit #12 seed from McDonogh.  This was a rematch from the state semi-finals where Joel got a pin in the last second for the win. Unfortunately, Joel lost 7-4.  In the consolations, Joel rattled off 6 straight victories to earn 3^rd place. 

In his wake, he beat Charlotte Christian, NC (2^nd in state), Lake Highland Prep, FL (1^st in state and #12 seed), Western Reserve Academy, OH (3^rd in PA qualifier and #7 seed), Mount Saint Joe’s, MD (state final rematch and #6 seed), McDonogh, MD (rematch from round 2 and #12 seed), and finally Blair Academy, NJ (state champ and #3 seed). 

Joel’s 3^rd place is the highest finish for Landon since 2001. 

All the wrestlers face challenges that required heart and determination.  I am happy to report our Bears represented our community in top fashion.  They were tough competitors, but more importantly they handled themselves with grace and sportsmanship. I am extremely proud of our team and the accomplishments they achieve this season.

Editor’s comment: Andy Katz is the epitome of the Landon teacher/mentor/coach model. His reports about the wrestling Bears evidence a deep care for these young men, not just on the mats, but everywhere within the White Rocks. WELL DONE