A final note on the 2007 – 2008 season…Congratulations to Virginia’s All-American wrestlers! Norfolk Academy’s Bryan Whitt (112) finished 5th while Woodberry Forest’s Bobby Burg (130) wrestled to 6th place. Eric Kurtzke (140) from Bishop O’Connell came in 7th. St. Christopher’s Tyler Spangler (119) and Blue Ridge’s John King (285) achieved 8th place.
On the team side, Bishop O’Connell finished highest among Virginia’s schools at 13th. St. Christopher’s placed 18th, Cape Henry Collegiate was 31st, Norfolk Academy 35th and Woodberry 37th. Norfolk Collegiate, St. Stephen’s & Ste. Agnes’, Blue Ridge and Episcopal were the 48th, 56th, and 2 x 69th. Paul VI, The Potomac School, Liberty Christian Academy and Randolph-Macon Academy finished up the scoring in 73rd, 83rd, 88th and 102nd. Competing but not scoring were Collegiate, North Cross and Virginia Episcopal.The season turned out to be one of new wrestlers and new teams, and not without a few surprises. St. Chris, Woodberry and O’Connell remained on top of the pecking order while Liberty Christian and St. Stephen’s & Ste. Agnes’ both improved significantly upon their 2007 results. A surprise to some, LCA racked up in excess of 30 wins on their way to their 4th place finish at Cape Henry.
A number of seniors finally achieved the state championship that had eluded them over the years. Episcopal’s Johnny Motley (135), Collegiate’s Andrew Mertens (145), St. Chris’ Kevin Isaac’s (152) & Clarke Gottwald (171) and Woodberry’s Wilson Maclin (189) capped of fine high school careers with tournament victories. It was Eric Kutzke (140) from O’Connell, however, who added his 4th championship, who was the most noteworthy.
On the other end of the class hierarchy were the freshman Tyler Whitt (103) from Norfolk Academy and Bobby Burg (130) from Woodberry Forrest. Both won at the Tournament after successful debut seasons in the VIS.
Returning stalwarts included Norfolk Academy’s Bryan Whitt (112), St. Chris’ Tyler Spangler (119), and Nam Dunbar (125) from O’Connell. All three continued to show their preeminence in the league. Veteran’s Ted Gottwald (160) from St. Chris and Ethan Hagner (215) from Liberty turned in championship seasons while newcomer John King showed himself as the class of the heavyweights.
And then there were the newcomers who added excitement and raised the level of competition. Will Mason (103), Scott Cunningham (112), and Jazz Rozier (119) from Cape Henry added to an already young team that will only improve on this season’s top 10 finish. In addition to Bobby Burg, Woodberry brought in James Peebles (103) and Duke Pickett (112), adding needed youth to a veteran squad. Wilkes Booth (103) and Marcus Miller (119) made successful debuts at Liberty Christian, while Justin Murphy (119) and Tyler Haley (112) made strong contributions to SSSA’s successful season. St. Christopher’s newcomers Trey Tarr (125), David Wesley (130), Rennie Merighe (140), and Kevin Molloy (145) added to the defending champion’s side and ensured their return to the top in 2008.
Well that's enough punditry for one season. See you all in December.
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