Wildcats grind out team title at Rebel Duals
The wrestling at South Hagerstown’s Rebel Duals this weekend was as competitive as ever.
Of the nine teams that competed, four are ranked in the top 20 in the state by the Maryland State Wrestling Association.
Williamsport — ranked No. 7 overall, of all classifications, public and private — showed why it’s a state-title contender in Class 1A, going 8-0 to capture the team title.
The Wildcats (20-3) defeated No. 15 Linganore 43-30, No. 16 Montgomery Blair 49-21 and No. 19 Manchester Valley 45-27, as well as St. John’s Catholic Prep 78-6, Catoctin 45-27, Fort Hill 58-24, Thomas Johnson 77-6 and host South Hagerstown 66-15.
“There was some tough competition here,” said Williamsport coach Mike Rechtorovic, whose team picked up four wins Friday and four more Saturday. “Linganore, Montgomery Blair and Manchester Valley are all quality teams. To find a way to beat all of them was good work.
“The kids wrestled tough. It’s tough to wrestle eight times in a weekend, no matter who you’re wrestling. It takes a toll physically on your body, and these guys gutted it out and found a way to do it. Yeah, I’m pleased.”
The Wildcats had champions in five of the 14 weight classes. Seniors Landen Harbaugh (126 pounds), Darby Bryant (170) and Max Larkin (285) each went 8-0, while sophomore Cam Hull (106) and freshman Adin Hastings (160) each went 7-1.
Bryant’s first win of the weekend gave him 100 for his career. He’s now 23-0 for the season and 107-19 overall.
Bryant became the third Wildcat to reach the 100-win milestone this season, joining fellow seniors Zach Starr and Harbaugh in the century club.
“That all three of them got it this early in their senior year, when they didn’t really have a season last year (due to COVID-19), is pretty neat,” Rechtorovic said. “It’s a tribute to them and the hard work they’ve put in — for some of them, their entire lives — to get to this point.”
Second-place finishers for Williamsport included Aidan Alvarez (7-1) at 113 pounds, Starr (7-1) at 120 and Mason Wolfensberger (6-2) at 220, while Nick Anderson (6-2) placed third at 132.
“There was a lot of good wrestling here this weekend and a lot of tight matches,” Rechtorovic said.
In the team standings, Linganore went 7-1 to place second, while Montgomery Blair finished third at 6-2.
The host Rebels, who went 2-6 as a team, got second-place finishes from Manny Hill (7-1) at 138 and Dom Bolton (6-2) at 182.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Williamsport wrestlers prevail at competitive Rebel Duals
