Ranked as one of the top teams in the state, the Archbishop Spalding wrestling team improved their record to 30-0 with a 49-14 win over Harford County wresting powerhouse John Carroll on Wednesday night.
Going into the match, Patriot head coach Kieth Watson knew his team was going to have its hands full, but didn't expect a 49-14 blowout.
“We're not terrible,” Watson said, “and they came out tonight and beat the snot out of us. Even in the matches that we won they fought us hard. Their kids just don't give up, and they have no fear of anybody. They are a hotbed of wrestling."
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"It seems like they are attracting a lot of kids that in years past would have gone to Mount Saint Joe's. They've got a lot of things going for them: great facilities, great coaches and they've got girls," Watson added.
The most exciting match of the evening came at 189 where John Carroll's Matt Miller, ranked second in the state at 171, bumped up a weight class to face off against K.K. Smith, ranked No. 1 at 189.
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The opening period saw a flurrie of action, Smith scored first with a quick takedown but Miller immediately escaped. Smith then got another takedown, but Miller quickly revered the position and rode Smith out to finish the period down 4-3.
Smith drew first blood early in the second period, lifting Miller into the air and slamming him to the mat for a takedown. Again Miller quickly escaped but this time added a takedown of his own. In the final seconds of the period Miller was able to turn Smith, making the score 8-6 in Miller's favor at the end of the second.
Smith dominated Miller in the third period taking him down twice and holding off a last second Miller escape attempt to secure the 10-9 victory.
“I'm not going to lie I was a little bit nervous,” Smith said. “He is a very defensive wrestler and it was hard for me to shoot on him, but I was able to get to his legs and finish. Now I'm looking to win states and follow that up with a national prep title.”
Watson also said, “I can't throw my best wrestler out there to take a forfeit. I've seen them get after it in offseason practices and I thought Matt had a great chance to get the win. K.K. is a stud and I know Matt doesn't like to have those kind of matches but sometimes if you are a big dog you gotta fight. K.K. came to wrestle and doesn't dodge anybody, that takes a lot of guts. I know in football he's the kind of back that when the game is on the line he wants the ball and he's the same way on the mat.”
Both senior wrestlers have their plans for next year mapped out. Miller is committed to the Naval Academy Prep School and plans to attend Annapolis the following year. Smith has committed to playing football at Concord.
“We would love to see K.K. wrestle at the next level,” Cavalier head coach Mike Laidley said, “and I think he has the ability to be successful, but he has a passion for football.”
John Carroll won the first match of the evening at 140 when Patriot Joe Vitucci outscored his opponent 6-0.
At 145, Will Switzer pinned John Carroll's T.J. Centi in 1:43.
Cavalier returning state champion Charlie Lynch was awarded a forfeit at 152, much to the displeasure of the partisan crowd.
Colin McHale scored a 10-1 victory over Patriot Sam Owens at 160.
Spalding forfeited to John Carroll at 171 and Smith beat Miller at 189.
Cavalier Zach Abey pinned Kyle Miele in 47-seconds at 215.
At heavyweight, Cavalier Malik Johnson pinned Rob Clingerman late in the second period.
Spalding kept up the pressure when the match went to the lightweights, with Micheal Sill recording a second period pin over Patriot Artie Millner at 103, and Cole Gallagher beat Patriot Devin Davis 5-2.
John Carroll got its second win of the evening at 119 when returning state champion Scott Strappelli scored a hard fought 4-1 decision over Matt Penti.
Spalding earned six points when Logan Breitenbach pinned Lance Waters as the final buzzer sounded at 125.
Patriot George Weber earned a 7-0 victory over Cole Graves at 130.
Brady Gaynor wrapped up the evening with a 5-2 victory over Dan Froehlich.
“From here, we are just hoping to stay healthy,” Laidley said “and take this success into the MIAA's and states.”
CORRECTION: An earlier edition of this story indicated that Spalding was ranked No. 3 in the nation. Patch regrets the error.
