Until a week ago, December 2019 was the last live wrestling event I attended, coaching/cornering two of my athletes at the Puerto Rico Olympic Trials. However, last Saturday stopped the almost 2 year drought and witnessed the US Naval Academy Blue & Gold wrestle offs which were fantastic.
Only a few days later, I also witnessed the University of Maryland's Red & Black Duals as well as George Mason University's Wrestle Offs...all 3 Division 1 venues within 50 miles of each other.
College Park Maryland's Xfinity Pavilion and the Red & Black teams played host to approximately 150 fans Thursday evening. I finally got to see King Sandoval's parents since COVID began, who are great friends that I talk to regularly. King unfortunately did not have a good evening but of course that is why I come to support. The freshman class is ranked 8th in the country and 6 of from that class won including one of their top freshman, Ethen Miller who defeated 4x Maryland HS State Champ Danny Bertoni 3-1 with a takedown with less than 20 seconds to go. Dominic Solis and Jaron Smith, both former Maryland National Team members also won and looked the best of all. Full Results.
George Mason's RAC in Fairfax Virginia saw a slew of talented Patriots perform well in front of about 100 fans. Highly anticipated freshman Kaden Cassidy displayed excellent skill with two tech falls book-ending the dual and showed why he was a highly touted PA recruit. Veteran Alex Madrigal showed the most pose and patience, took care of business with a second period fall. Local favorite Loranzo Rajaonarievlo fell short in his two bouts. Presbyterian College transfer Austin Stith did not wrestle but looks to lead this young talented squad. Full results.
It was great to see so much wrestling and old friends in a week after not seeing any in person wrestling, or my friends for that matter for what it seemed like an eternity. American University Wrestling in Washington DC has a new coaching staff but did not hold a dual or wrestle off. After 24 years, Morgan State University in Baltimore Maryland just reinstated their Division 1 wrestling program thanks to a $2.7 million endowment by billionaire and former wrestler Mike Novogratz.
In addition to the Naval Academy, University of Maryland, George Mason University, and American University, Morgan State will become the 5th Division 1 program within a 50 mile radius in the DMV (DC-MD-VA) and the first Historically Black College or University ("HBCU") to have a wrestling program.
Exciting time to be in the DMV. Youth wrestling drastically needs to be improved in all 3 jurisdictions however so I hope the top down method proves to lift coaches and programs to new heights... STAY TUNED!
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