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By Wayne Catan
January 2005
Former Blair Wrestlers Prosper in Major College Holiday Tournaments

Freshman Sensation Mark Perry Wins Midlands for the Iowa Hawkeyes; Esposito and Mocco Continue to Roll for Okie State; and Midshipman Nate Gulosh Wins Southern Scuffle

Mark Perry, a red-shirt freshman and two-time National Prep champion for Blair Academy, defeated # 8 ranked and returning All-American, Travis Paulson, 6-4 in the finals of the Midlands Tournament to earn first place in the nation’s most prestigious holiday tournament. In the semi-finals of that same tournament Perry (Blair 2003) defeated two-time All-American and NCAA runner-up Jared Frayer, 3-0, showing that he is a threat to win it all as a freshman.  Kurt Backes (Blair 2002) had a stellar Midlands showing; he defeated #3 ranked Brian Glynn of Illinois, 6-4, in the semi-finals before falling to rival Paul Bradley of Iowa, 6-4, in the finals. (This should move Backes from #4 into the #3-ranked position.) 

Max Meltzer (Blair 2002), who is taking a year off at Harvard, finished fifth at 141 lbs. (Meltzer was impressive in Chicago and picked off #7-ranked Alex Tsirtsis of Iowa, 6-4, for the fifth-place spot.)

“This is an excellent start for the first half of the season as it shows exactly where they are and shows what kind of damage they can do at the NCAA Championships in March. Both (Perry and Backes) should have high goals set,” said Jeff Buxton, Blair Head Coach. “Max’s training has been excellent this year {as he is taking a year off from Harvard}—this tournament shows that he is making a jump to the next level.”

Earlier in December, Greg Hagel (Blair PG 2004), now a freshman at Northwestern University, won the Beast of the East College tournament at 149 lbs. And, University of North Carolina freshman Alex Maciag won the 174 lb. weight division at the Carolina Open.

THE OKLAHOMA STATE DUO

Out west in Reno, Nevada two of Blair’s #1-ranked athletes–Zack Esposito and Steve Mocco both won the Reno Tournament of Champions individual titles for Oklahoma State University, the #1-ranked collegiate program.  Esposito defeated #8 ranked Ben Cherrington of Boise State 11-4 in the finals at 149 lbs; and Steve Mocco defeated #6 ranked Cain Velasquez of Arizona State, 6-1, in his finals bout. Look for Esposito and Mocco to win individual NCAA titles in 2005 as both athletes are undefeated to date.

Below the Mason-Dixon Line in Greensborough, North Carolina another Blair product put together his own winning effort.  Nate Gulosh (Blair 2001) defeated Charlie Agozzino of Cornell, 11-7, in the finals of the Southern Scuffle to capture the 141 lb. individual crown. (Please note that Agozzino went to St. Edwards of Ohio, a Blair rival.) 

POST-GRADS AT THE 2004 WILKES OPEN

The Blair Post Graduates were busy in Wilkes, Penn. competing at the 2004 Wilkes Open.  Mike Galante had a fine showing by placing third at 165 lbs. Ed Allegra, who made it to the semi-finals, finished 5th at 197 lbs.; and Brendan Byrne took 5th too at 125 lbs.