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By Wayne Catan
April 2005

Adam Frey Makes His Mark on National Scene – As One of Blair Greats – NHSCA Title Proves That Frey Has Entered the Blair Fraternity of Greatness

Ross Gitomer Makes National Finals, Peterkin Places Sixth

When Adam Frey came to Blair Academy in 2001 the coaching staff watched him closely due to his intense style and garrulous nature. Simply put, Adam knows Adam can win and Adam will tell you that. The caveat here is that Adam Frey does it (talks about winning) in a classy manner. Adam Frey is a class act; Adam is also confident--nothing wrong with that. He can be now…now that he’s coming of the heels of his second national prep title and being a double place winner at the Junior Nationals and being named Outstanding Wrestler at the Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic, the premier high school all-star meet. Adam Frey has slowly made his way into the top-echelon of Blair Academy greats, and this past weekend when he won the 130 lb. title at the 16th Annual National High School Coaches Association National Championships, which were held inside Public Hall in Cleveland, Ohio from April 1-3 Adam Frey etched his names in the Blair books. 

Adam Frey: welcome to Blair Academy’s fraternity of greatness. 

Yeah but that’s high school greatness you are saying to yourself as you read this little ditty. Really!!! Try this on for size then come back to me. This year alone, Blair Academy had three NCAA finalists in Zack Esposito, Mark Perry and Steve Mocco. (Esposito and Mocco won NCAA crowns for Oklahoma State; Perry placed second of the Iowa Hawkeyes.) Further, Kurt Backes, who was seeded #2 at 184 lbs. for Iowa State was upset in the quarterfinal round; so you are looking at a high school that had a legitimate shot at an NCAA title.

Thank you for continuing to listen to me and welcome back to the subject at hand: Mr. Adam Frey.

When Adam defeated Joey Slaton of Iowa 10-5 in the finals of the 2005 NHSCA Senior Nationals he became the 9th Blair athlete to win this event. He joins Robbie Preston, Steve Mocco, Zack Esposito, Mark Perry, Matt Palmer, Quinn Foster, Jason Silverstein, Dave Leonardis and Willy Carpenter (now deceased) as champions. 

Adam ran through his bracket with scores of: Pin (1:28), Pin (3:52), Pin (0:56), W (7-6), TF (15-0) and W (10-5). 

Adam wasn’t alone in the finals. Fellow Blair lightweight and nationally-ranked Ross Gitomer ran off five straight wins before falling to Frank Gomez of Florida in the finals 3-2. The match was controversial as some fans thought Gitomer had a takedown and backpoints at the buzzer. This national finals showing portends well for Gitomer who will take his talents to the Univ. of Virginia.

Ross is a hard worker and also a class act. Look for him high on the podium at a future NCAA Championship. Also placing for Blair was Rollie Peterkin, who also represented the USA and won in the Dapper Dan Classic. Rollie placed sixth at 119 lbs., the same weight as Gitomer. 

“This is a very deserving win for Adam. He has worked hard all year and trained correctly for four years at Blair. With our track record at this tournament, I am expecting Adam to join the ranks of Mocco, Esposito, and Perry in the college ranks,” said Jeff Buxton, Blair Head Coach. “Ross had a great tournament too. I am very excited for him as he moves on to the collegiate ranks.”

Frey will attend Cornell this fall, Gitomer heads to UVA. Frey, Gitomer and Peterkin will look for freestyle titles this summer in Fargo. Peterkin returns to Blair for his senior year.  

***Tyler Thurgood and Hudson Taylor were each one round from placing.

Please direct all questions and comments to buxtoj@blair.edu.