Blair Wins 28th Consecutive Nat’l Prep Title
Five Wrestlers Win Individual Titles

Headmaster Chan Hardwick congratulated the Blair wrestlers on yet another triumph as national prep champions. Following is a report based on an update from assistant wrestling coach Wayne Catan:

In the 125-pound finals of the 2008 National Prep Tournament at Lehigh University, Chris Villalonga defeated Brock Livorio of The Kiski School 11-2. Four more Blair athletes were crowned individual champions, and seven made the finals in Bethlehem, including Evan Silver (103 lbs.), Sean Boyle (112 lbs.), Austin Ormsbee (135 lbs.), and Mario Mason at 145 lbs. Runner-ups were Garrett Frey who dropped a 4-3 decision to Josh Fitch of McDonogh at 140 lbs., and Cory Peltier who lost a 6-4 overtime decision to Bagna Tovuujav of St. Benedict’s Prep (N.J.) at 171 lbs.

Finals highlights for Blair athletes are as follows: Silver defeated Chris Mears of Bishop Lynch (Texas) 5-0, Sean Boyle shut-out Frank Goodwin of Mt. St. Joseph (Md.) 7-0, Austin Ormsbee defeated Cullen Isenberg of Wyoming Seminary (Penn.) 8-3, and Mario Mason defeated Tanner Eitel of Bishop Lynch 7-1.

“Chris Villalonga, in my mind, was the outstanding wrestler in the event as he dominated a very tough wrestler in Brock Livorio 11-2. Adam Hogue demonstrated a great deal of mental toughness as he injured his shoulder early then came back all the way to place third for us at 160 lbs. Furthermore, Tony [Buxton] wrestled with more confidence and defeated Nick Schenk of McDonogh, the defending champion, for 5th place in a very deep weight class (119 lbs.),” said Jeff Buxton, Blair head coach.

Buxton added “In all, I was pleased with how our guys competed, especially in the wrestle-back, as it is very difficult to control their emotion; they had high expectations going into the tournament. Mario joins a group of talented wrestlers by becoming a three-time National Prep champion. Finally, the talent level was certainly better as Bishop Lynch, McDonogh, Germantown, and the Wyoming Seminary programs continue to grow and develop.”

Kyle Hanson scored a stunning pin over Greg Vaughn of Phillips Exeter (N.H.) for third place at HWT, closing out his fine career at Blair. Anthony Valles pinned Joey Mazzi of LaSalle (Penn.) for third place at 130 lbs., and Steve Hanzlik finished fourth at 215 lbs. Tony Buxton (119 lbs.) and Jesse Shanaman (152 lbs.) both placed 5th, and Ben Krakower (Blair’s 189-pounder) finished the tournament despite nursing a high ankle sprain.

Final Team Scores: Blair 341 points, Bishop Lynch (Texas) 233 points, Wyoming Seminary (Penn.) 228 points, McDonogh School (Md.) 177.5 points.

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