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By Wayne Catan
December 2004

Blair Academy Wins Walsh Ironman and Beast of East Tournaments

NEW JERSEY PREP SCHOOL READY TO “STRIVE FOR FIVE” IN 2005; ADAM FREY PAVES THE WAY FOR THE BUCS

Adam Frey defeated a tough Matt Dunn, the #6-ranked 130-pounder in the USA, 6-5, to win the Walsh Ironman Tournament, one of the toughest wrestling tournaments in the USA. One week later (December 19) Adam Frey defeated Tim Darling of Nazareth (Penn.) 5-3 to capture the 130 lb. title at the Beast of the East tournament (Newark, Delaware) cementing his #1 national ranking at 130 lbs. On that same date, December 19, Blair also cemented its #1 national team ranking by winning the team title at the Beast of the East by more than 40 points, proving – once again – that Blair Academy is the team to beat in 2005. If Blair captures the #1 national ranking this year it will be the first time in history that a high school will have finished #1 five years in-a-row.

At the Ironman, which was held at Walsh Jesuit High School in Ohio on December 10 and 11, Blair had a squeaker, though, as the sneaked past #2-ranked Great Bridge of Virginia by 1.5 points. Blair finished with 213.5 points, Great Bridge placed second with 212 points, St. Paris Graham (#5 ranked in the USA) finished with 162 points; and perennial power St. Edwards (Ohio) placed fourth with 148.5 points. (St. Edwards is ranked #4 in the USA.)

“Both tournaments have been team efforts as we had to win them through the consolation rounds,” said Jeff Buxton, Blair Head Coach. “We had seven place finishers at the Beast of the East, which is the toughest tournament in the country...the Beast is comprised of two long days of competition with a lot of rounds. I am proud of the way our guys handled the pressure and competition in Delaware.”

“Rollie Peterkin has done a great job at both tournaments and now we get to see exactly what he needs to work on. I expect even better things out of Rollie and that’s saying a lot, because he’s already at the top of the heap,” Buxton continued. “In addition, Hudson (Taylor) did a fine job wrestling on a sprained ankle at the Beast...if you didn’t know about it; you wouldn’t have noticed that he was injured.”

Hudson Taylor, who is ranked #5 nationally, fell to the #1 ranked 189-pounder in the USA, Patrick Bond (Great Bridge, Virginia), 2-1, at the Ironman; he then fell 8-5 to #6-ranked Mike Pucillo of Walsh Jesuit High School of Ohio at the Beast of the East. Rollie Peterkin also placed second at both competitions. Peterkin carries a #2 national ranking.

Final standings for the Beast of the East follows: Blair 213.5, Great Bridge 172, St. Paris Graham (Ohio) 166.5, and Brandon, Fla. 154. (Brandon is ranked #6 in the USA.)

Ross Gitomer, Blair’s 119-pounder is knocking on the door, too; he placed 2nd at the Ironman and 3rd at Beast. Travis Blasco and Eric Medina have been extremely solid in both tournaments showing why they are two of the better kids in their weight classes. Medina is ranked #5 in the nation at 145 lbs.; Blasco is ranked #7 at 135 lbs. In addition, Kyle Manley did a fine job for a first-time showing at the Beast.

“We expect big things from Kyle at 215 lbs...he’s just getting started,” Buxton stated.

There are several big events remaining this season including the Hurricane Classic, which is slated for December 27 and 28 in Bethlehem, Penn. The Final Four Duals, wherein Blair will see Great Bridge again is slated for January 22 at Easton High School; and the St. Edwards Quad (January 29) will also determine final national rankings.