Wolverine Grapplers Beat Rockets on Senior Night

Watkins Mill senior Allee Ramadhan III made his last home wrestling match a memorable one. 

The 119-pounder started strong Wednesday night, building a 13-6 lead against Richard Montgomery’s Henry Altman. Then, in the third period, the Wolverine grappler got caught on his back and was nearly pinned. Finally, in dramatic fashion, Ramadhan pinned Altman with one second remaining in the match.

Ramadhan’s pin gave the Wolverines an early six-point lead they would not relinquish en route to a 51-21 dual match victory over the Rockets at Watkins Mill High School. The Wolverines finished the season with a 7-7 dual match record, the first time Watkins Mill has finished .500 or better during head coach Time Lowe’s three-year tenure. The Wolverines were 9-18 the previous two seasons.

“Watkins Mills wrestling, historically, has not been something that has been huge,” Lowe said. “I think it’s something that’s on the upswing—kids getting committed. … [Finishing .500] does a lot of things. First, it keeps the interest. Having the success, the kids see what they worked for and it’s a huge payoff to be able to say it’s one of the first times in a long time we’ve had a .500 season.

“It’s a stepping stone to where we want to be. It’s definitely not ideal; it’s just a stepping stone.”

Ramadhan’s win started a streak of eight Watkins Mill victories in nine weight classes, giving the Wolverines a 42-12 lead.

“It feels amazing,” Ramadhan said of the Senior Night experience. “I didn’t know there was a second left until [my teammates] told me. All my focus was on the match. Once I found out, it was awesome. … Next year, we’re going to do even better. I’m a stepping stone. Once I’m gone, somebody will replace me, but I’m helping out. It feels great.”

Ramadhan started wrestling as a junior and won only one mach last season. This year, the senior is 17-13, including the thrilling victory in his final home match.

“Allee’s one of the wrestlers where sometimes he gets off to a slow start and finishes strong,” Lowe said. “Sometimes he gets off to fast start and sort of gets a little break in there and picks it back up in the end. He likes to keep things interesting, but he manages to come out on top more often than not.”

Coaches honored seniors Michael Benavides (171 pounds), Bobby Davis (215), Joshua Machicado (135), Thomas Valencia (189) and Ramadhan before the match.

Davis (3-1) and Machicado (6-2) each won by decision.

“It feels good because I had a big crowd and I haven’t been winning—I’ve been winning on and off—so it feels good to win my final match,” Davis said. “I’m pretty happy with it. Even though I didn’t get the pin, I’m still happy with it.”

Steven Rodriguez (140), Shane Soghomonian (145), Eole Lake (152) and Javier Ramirez (285) each won by pin for Watkins Mill.

Lowe said Rodriguez, a junior, will be a key part of next year’s team.

“He’s probably the most talented wrestler that will be returning,” the coach said, “and he has not peaked yet.”

Next on Watkins Mill schedule is the Montgomery County championships Feb. 18-19 at Blair High School.

“We are continuing to grow as a team,” Lowe said, “and I think very soon we’re going to be a team that people aren’t going to look forward to wrestling.”

Individual results

103 pounds: Johnny Lam (WM) won by forfeit (6-0, WM)

112: Jose Romero (RM) def. Ismael Konate (WM) by pin (6-6)

119: Allee Ramadhan III (WM) def. Henry Altman by pin (12-6, WM)

125: Carlos Molina (WM) def. Darian Outlaw (RM) by 15-11 decision (15-6, WM)

130: Michael McNiff (RM) def. Abdullah Abdulmalek by pin (15-12, WM)

135: Joshua Machicado (WM) def. Jose Benitez by 6-2 decision (18-12, WM)

140: Steven Rodriguez (WM) def. Kevin Velasquez (RM) by pin (24-12, WM)

145: Shane Soghomonian (WM) def. Brandon Sadur (RM) by pin (30-12, WM)

152: Eole Lake (WM) def. Abiy Ababu (RM) by pin (36-12, WM)

160: Brandon Luis (WM) won by forfeit (42-12, WM)

171: Evan Dighe (RM) def. Michael Benavides (WM) by 7-4 decision (42-15, WM)

189: Jordan Wilkerson (RM) def. Thomas Valencia (WM) by pin (42-21, WM)

215: Bobby Davis (WM) def. Brian Velasquez (RM) by 3-1 decision (45-21, WM)

285: Javier Ramirez (WM) def. Bryan Grooms (RM) by pin (51-21, WM)