On Friday and Saturday Cardinal grapplers participated in the Northern Virginia (NOVA) Regional Classic Wrestling Tournament at Fairfax High School. With over 30 schools, public and private, from throughout Northern Virginia participating, it was an arduous but exciting two days for the Ireton wrestlers.
The 9th place finish made the Cardinals the highest placed private school in the tournament and topped some of the areas biggest public schools, such as Oakton, Madison, Fairfax. Despite not having wrestlers in four weight groups (119, 145, 152, and 285 pounds),Ireton wrestlers improved upon their performance by returning ten places higher than last year to finish in the top ten and by bringing home three medals, one of which was for a tournament champion.
Senior Elliot Mondragon’s 2010 championship at the 103 pound weight class was the Cardinals’ first NOVA champion since Brendan Pauls, Ireton’s all time leader in match victories, won in 2002. Also placing in this year’s NOVA Tournament was senior Ricky Baier, who placed for the first time in this tournament at fourth place, junior Andrew Lutterloh, who improved upon his sixth place from last year, by placing third in his 215lb weight class.
“We had a great weekend of wrestling. We started shorthanded but the boys wrestled well, I am so proud of them. And, of course, thrilled for Elliot to win a championship. He is a hard worker and very deserving of a championship.” commented Bishop Ireton head coach, Don Dight.
After a Tuesday dual with DeMatha, the Cardinals return home for the annual Ireton Invitational Wrestling tournament in Godley Gym on Saturday. Preliminary rounds begin at 9am. This year’s lineup includes St Stephens, John Paul the Great, DeMatha, JEB Stuart, among the nine team field.
Ireton battles the best public and private schools in the Northern Region wrestling tournament in Fairfax Dec 11,12
Admission is $5 at the door, no advance ticket sales are anticipated.
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