Wrestlers set sights on big prize as state wrestling tournament begins

Harford County qualified wrestlers will head South today (Friday) to battle for state titles at the Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro, site of the Maryland State Wrestling Tournament.

29 Harford grapplers, 15 in Class 1A-2A brackets and 14 competing in 3A-4A, will battle to find a spot on the state champions podium.

C. Milton Wright sophomore James Riveira (36-1) is the lone defending state champion from Harford County. Riveira will lead six Mustangs as he tries to win his second straight 120-pound title.

Joining him from CMW is Teddy Stinson (36-3), a region champ at 182. Also for CMW are Constantinos Gopurgoulianis, (113, 34-4); Jake Blanchard, (138, 31-12); Logan Dvorak, (160, 26-13); and Sawyer Sturla (285, 31-5).

Bel Air senior Brent Lorin (42-1) missed out on a title last year at 120, but at 113 this year, will be seeking a third state title in four years.

Lorin and five other Bobcats will compete. Joining Lorin are Ethan Vogel, (106, 24-3); Troy Dureza, (120, 27-12); Sincere Montgomery, (126, 27-3); Jacob Reed, (132, 36-7); and Dave Abboud, (152, 31-7).

Edgewood will also have two competing in the 3A-4A tourney. Kyle Brown (33-9) will battle in the 138 bracket and Daviyon Johnson (28-5) will compete in the 285 bracket.

1A-2A

Havre de Grace sends five to lead Harford’s contingent in the 1A-2A tourney.

Region champs Gavin Lloyd (37-1) and Michael Sweigart (34-2) lead Havre de Grace at 145 and 160, respectively.

Also for Havre de Grace are Ben Long (170, 28-5); Chris Boyd (182, 33-7); and Jesse Fenner (285, 29-6).

Harford Tech and Fallston both have three each. For Tech, Kelvin Mendez, (152, 22-13); Jonathan Butler, (160, 27-11); and Jared Pomfrey (170, 18-2).

For Fallston, Logan Mullaney, (126, 30-10); Cameron Piles, (145, 20-11); and Christian Wilson, (170, 32-3).

Patterson Mill sends two with Kyle Pulket, (113, 36-7) and Brian Wheatley (138, 36-8).

North Harford and Joppatowne send one each, but both are region champions.

Josh Mitchell (39-1) will represent North Harford at 132, while Chris Kalambihis (38-3) will battle for Joppatowne at 220.

The state tournament action begins today at 2:30 p.m. with preliminary matches and quarterfinals at 6:15 p.m, for those who win preliminaries. Consolation preliminairies begin at 8:15 p.m.

Action resumes Saturday at 9:30 a.m. with consolation round one. Championship semifinals begin at 11 a.m. followed by a pair of consolation rounds from 1:15 to 3:30 p.m.

Consolation finals for 3-4 and 5-6 places run from 4 to 6 p.m. Championship matches begin at 6:30 pm.