The Fishburne Military School wrestling team posted a 7-3 record at the two-day Ritchie County Duals meet over the weekend, a good enough showing to finish third place overall. Fishburne was the only private school competing in the 16-team event.
Sophomore Matthew Farrar (Waynesboro, VA) posted a 10-0 record with 10 first period pins. “Farrar wrestled the best he has since the season began,” said head coach Terry Waters. “He was focused and prepared for the two day grind.” Farrar is now 16-0 on the season.
The two day event, which placed teams in pools, provided wrestlers with five matches each on Friday and five on Saturday.
After a six hour bus ride to Ritchie County, West Virginia, the Caissons opened the tournament with a 40-27 victory over Tyler High School. In the second team match-up, FMS dropped a close 39-36 heart breaker, but the Caissons dug deep and bounced back to defeat Ritchie County in the third match-up of the night, 48-28. Farrar led the way with a pin at 1:20 in the first period. Junior Clayton Berry also got in on the action, as he recorded his third pin of the day in 1:52 of the first period. Fishburne wrestlers then pulled out a 42-27 victory in the fourth team match of the night before dropping the final match-up in a close 40-36 decision to Clay High School. “That is one match-up we let get away,” noted Waters. “We simply made a few mistakes in some of our matches that cost us. You can’t give points away against good teams and expect to win.” The final team contest lasted to midnight, with Fishburne battling exhaustion after the long day.
The Caissons opened Saturday with a 42-26 win over Buffalo High School. Trailing 12-0 in team points, junior Thomas Fosdick (Staunton, VA) hit the mat and took just 42 seconds to get the pin, putting the Caissons on the board and starting a rally. Fishburne would win six of the final 11 bouts to secure the victory. In the second match of the day, eighth grader Adam Bowles (Sewickley, PA) picked up his first pin in his young career, sparking the Caissons to a 48-36 win. In this team match, Junior Clayton Berry (Wentzeville, MO) would also earn his 100th career win. “It was exciting being in the corner coaching and watching two youngsters, one getting his first pin and the other getting his 100th win,” said Waters. “ I have coached over thirty 100 winners in my time and it never gets old.”
In the third contest of the day, the Caissons came up against Wirt High School, one of the top ranked teams in West Virginia. Fishburne pulled out three wins in the contest, putting Wirt on top in overall points. However, the Caissons were not done showing what they are made of. In the fourth team match of the day, the Caissons put together a dominant performance, defeating Robert C Byrd High School 66-12. Fishburne closed out the day with an impressive 48-24 win over Grafton.
“These young men are still learning a new system, one which requires technique over brawn and smarts over intimidation,” said Waters. “We are breaking bad habits and that takes time, but we are not lacking in effort or desire.”
The Caissons are now 10-3 on the season and will return to action January 14th at Covenant for a VIC event.
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