Slow Start at Woodbridge Brings Disappointing Finish to 2012

Spartans Place 11th Overall; Achieve Four Medalists

Photography by Jessica DiNovo

  Traveling to tournaments during the winter break always proves to be a difficult challenge for winter teams, and definitely affected the performance of the Spartans at Woodbridge for this year's Battle at the Bridge.  It should be noted that two of the top wrestlers for Broad Run, Tarkan Martin and Logan Shain, were held out of competition for various issues (injury and match limitations).  But it was the start to Day 1 that truly affected the Spartans, who only won 8 of their matches through the first two rounds of the tournament.  

  Returning for the second day were 10 of the 16 entered into the tournament, but Day 2 would have a similar affect as the Spartans would unfortunately fall in numerous early matches, but four would make it to the medal rounds.  Ben Paul (132), Connor Bryant (182), Diego Loya (195) and Phillip James (220), would all medal in the top 6 of the tournament.

  "It's a tough tournament, to be sure, and it's hard coming off a few days off," said Totaro, "but you shrug off a bad day, or tournament, move on and improve from there."  He continued by saying that good wrestlers learn from bad outings and try to keep from letting the situation hit again.

  The team was able to have some fun as they decided to place wagers on the final 14 matches - grand prize; loser did 50 pull ups.  In this Coach v. team match up, the team came back from being down 7-4 in the last three matches to tie the picks.  Holding the tie breaker of the team with the higher team points, the Team won, forcing their coach to do 50 pull ups at the following practice.