NOVA Classic Provides Challenge to Spartan Squad

Tournament Provides New Level of Difficulty to Most

  Broad Run traveled to Fairfax High School this weekend for a two-day individual tournament against some of the toughest local AA and AAA teams, including Cedar Run District opponents Battlefield and Freedom, as well as Potomac Falls from the Dulles District.  The NOVA Classic is known for its annual high level of competition, and this year was no different, having teams such as Centreville, Fauquier and Annandale all in the mix. While the team did not fare as well as it did last weekend, there were bright spots from some, and definite learning experiences for others.

  Starting off Friday morning the smallest members of the Spartan squad looked good in the 106 class.  While wins were tough to come by, seeing both Tyler Corbo and Timmy Brown score and hold their own against tough competition showed the growth the BR coaches wanted to see from them.  While opponents like Matt Asper (SR-Battlefield) makes for a tough match up, being able to improve over last season's results is definite improvement.

Loya places 5th in the 2012 NOVA Classic

  The mid-lower weights had a difficult time, but Junior Mauricio Ballon was able to win his first two matches and get to the Championship Quarterfinals, and B-teamer Ben Paul was able to gain a win or two, both in the 132 class. Kimberl, Chan, Lamboy and Owens faced some stiff competition in their respective weight classes, but did show signs of significant growth in their matches.  Much of it being shown with grit and toughness against their opponents, but even with losses, the experience of a high level tournament such as the NOVA Classic always helps to prepare wrestlers for the District tournament.

  The upper weights had the best results for the Spartans, with 5 of the 6 returners to the second day of competition came from the 152 class or higher.  At 152, Zach Fossett (Junior) faced what was referred to by many coaches as "the meat-head class" due to the sheer size and musculature of almost all the challengers.  Fossett wrestled well and fell only one match short of medaling at the Classic.

  Connor Bryant (Junior) and Phillip James (Senior) also fell a match short at 182 and 285 respectively, but looked good for most of the weekend.  Both bring much needed experience and toughness to a relatively inexperienced squad and help to keep those not used to the big stage grounded.  

Shain places 4th in the 2012 NOVA Classic

  Placing for BR Wrestling were Diego Loya (Senior), who placed 5th and 220, and Logan Shain (Senior) who placed 4th at 170.  Loya also made the quarterfinals before going 2-2 on Saturday to take 5th and taking a few steps closer to amassing 100 career wins, as Shain followed suit going 2-2 and placing 4th.  Logan has been an incredible bright spot for the Spartans, going 5-0 last weekend with 4 falls, and placing 4th this weekend.  Coaches noted that their expectations for Shain have always been high, but feel that he is on the right track to achieve them, maybe even faster than they expected.

  Broad Run continues their season Thursday at John Champe for a quad to raise awareness and funds for ovarian cancer and will travel to North Stafford on Saturday for another set of duals.  Be sure to check back to see this week's Wrestler's of the Week and results from the week's events!