No. 1 McDonogh earned titles from Jack Clark (145 pounds) and Roman Braglio (285) and captured the team championship at the Maryland Independent Schools state wrestling tournament Saturday, claiming the A Division title for the first time since 2008 by beating No. 3 Archbishop Spalding, 270.5-228.5.
But even Eagles coach Pete Welch said it felt like the night belonged to A Division fourth-place finisher St. Paul's, which saw four of its five finalists win championships at the tournament held at McDonogh.
The No. 6 Crusaders' Eric Friedman took his fourth consecutive state title, joining a group that includes just three others, when he won a 4-2 decision over Good Counsel sophomore Matt Kelly at 126 pounds. His teammates Jack Mutchnik (120), Pete Galli (152) and Brad Mutchnik (160) also won individual titles, and Brad Mutchnik was named Wrestler of the Tournament.
"We didn't get what I had hoped out of this tournament," Welch said of his McDonogh team. "A lot of our team had very rough roads and took tough losses. I wish we would have won more. But it feels good to win the title, and Jack and Roman did great jobs.
"But St. Paul's had a great final round. For Eric to get his fourth title and for [Brad] Mutchnik to come back from the MIAA tournament, where he finished sixth, to do what he did, it just shows how tough and how close these weight classes are."
Brad Mutchnik rolled though the MIS tournament with two pins and three decisions, upsetting the third, second and first seeds to win his weight class.
"It's unbelievable," Mutchnik said. "I thought winning states was pretty good, but I never thought I'd be the outstanding wrestler. I was talking to Peter [Galli], and I said, 'You, me and Eric all win championships our senior year."
Those three have nine state titles among them (Mutchnik has three and Galli two). Jack Mutchnik, a sophomore, got his first title to give the team a total of 10.
Friedman said he was "nervous all week" but pulled out a 7-6 decision in the semifinals, then held on for a 4-2 victory over Kelly in the final.
"I wanted to show more domination," said Friedman, who will wrestle at Pennsylvania next year. "But I'm thankful to have had the opportunity to work hard and win. I know in a wrestling match there is never a point where you are safe, but I wasn't really worried in those matches because I always felt if something happened — as long as I didn't let myself get pinned — I had time to come back."
Friedman earned the award for having produced the most points for his team over a career.
There were four freshmen in the finals: Wyatt Cook and Myles Martin of McDonogh, Ryan Friedman of St. Paul's and Steven Simpson of DeMatha. Only Simpson (106) won a title.
St. Mary's won the B Division title for the first time since 2006, defeating Bishop McNamara, 61-35.
sandra.mckee@baltsun.com
Maryland Independent Schools
State Wrestling Tournament Finals
106 – Steven Simpson (DM) d R. Friedman (SP), 9-6
113 – Huntley (AC) d Still (AS), 6-0
120 – J. Mutchnik (SP) d Mohler (LOY), 8-2
126 – E. Friedman (SP) d Kelly (GC), 4-2
132 – Sanchez (GTP) d Ramos (McD), 7-3
138 – Bannister (BM) md Strappelli (JC), 12-3
145 – Clark (McD) d Weber (JC), 6-0
152 – Galli (SP) d Martin (McD), 3-1 OT
160 – B. Mutchnik (SP) d Hague, 3-1 OT
170 – Rill (MSJ) d Murtha (GTP), 9-2
182 – Heff (GC) p Summers (AC), 1:35
195 – Devine (DM) d Marvel (McD), 3-1 OT
220 – Snyder (GC) md Cook (McD), 19-8
285 – Braglio (McD) p Schneider (GTP), 2:52