News & Events 2003-2004

Wrestlers Win 24th Consecutive National Prep Tournament

The Blair wrestlers capped off their season with the 24th consecutive team title and eight champions at the National Prep Tournament at Lehigh University on March 25-26, 2004, and finished once again as the top-ranked team in the U.S.

Juniors Adam Frey (130 lbs.) and Hudson Taylor (171 lbs.) dominated their weight classes to take home their individual titles. Ben Kinerson won by scores of 16-1 and 17-2 and had three pins, including one at 2:47 over Pat Fisher of Haverford in the finals. At 103 lbs., Kellen Russell capped off his freshman season with a 10-4 finals win over Sean Bilodeau of the Fay School (Mass.). Freshmen Eric Medina also dominated his weight class with six one-sided victories. He held steady in the finals, 3-0, against a tough Mike Powers of Loomis Chaffee (Conn.). Sophomore Travis Blasco defeated a Jr. National Champion, Pat Feeley of Loomis Chaffee, 10-5, in the finals, adding a second prep national title to his resume. Senior Gregg Romano won the 140 lbs. division with a close 1-0 match in the finals over Zack Cunliffe, last year’s New Jersey state runner-up at 130 lbs. Charlie Clark won five in a row to take home the title at 160 lbs.

“Kellen (Russell) and Eric (Medina) showed a lot of composure for freshman. Six matches can be a lot, and they showed me their mettle,” said Coach Buxton. “Travis (Blasco) wrestled really tough. He fought so tenaciously, and his win over a Jr. National Champion (Feeley) in the finals proves that Travis is a taut competitor.”

“This was a year where we didn’t have any established superstars. It was exciting to see the improvement our kids made throughout the season as we watched them develop and mature into outstanding wrestlers,” Buxton said. “Adam Frey had a remarkable season going 38-0 — he performed at a high level through the season and I am proud of him.”

Alex Maciag finished off a strong senior campaign as runner-up at 189 lbs. Maciag is a “true” 171-pounder but has wrestled up at 189 for the team. Mike Galante finished in third place at 152 pounds. Galante wrestled back hard, an especially tough chore after the controversial semifinal bout he lost 2-1 in overtime to Ryan Kennett of Haverford. Chris Stout finished in fifth place at 145 lbs; Jay Giuricich placed 7th at 125 lbs. After losing a tough semi-final bout, Ross Gitomer fought back hard to take third place by beating Joe Breen of McDonagh (Maryland) in an exciting consolation finals bout to earn the bronze medal at 112 lbs.

The top five final team standings were Blair Academy 379.5; Mt. St. Joseph (Maryland) 172; DeMatha (Maryland) 157.5; McDonogh (Maryland) 143; and Peddie (New Jersey) 142.5.

		A victory celebration at Sharpe House. Please click on images to view larger.

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